You call them when you want to want a fire beat to go with your lyrics, they help you turn that song into the greatest thing someone has ever heard, they spend hours creating a masterpiece that sounds so good you’re not allowed to add your vocals to it. They are called Beatmakers, Riddim Gods, and more commonly, Producers! Artists can’t live without these people, and at times they don’t get a lot of respect. We at 13th Street Promotions recognize these creatives, and today you’ll get to know 15. Watch this space!
*These Producers are not ranked in any way.
1. Wavy Jones
Wavy Jones is a play on the name “Davy Jones”, but he also owns a locker filled with some dope beats! Whether flipping samples on “Locker 1 & 2” or dropping the bass on the Jeeby Lyricist, Blvk H3ro and Kione Zaire featured “100LBS”, Jones is a Producer to check for! Catch him on the next Hidden Fvces or Alpine Compound project!
2. Kone
Whether playing guitar as a part of “Di Vibe” or crafting beats, Kone (Koh Neh) should not be taken lightly. Having produced newcomer Yanah’s single, “The Cycle” and her “Believe In You” Freestyle, delivered the right Riddim with fellow Producer BoomDraw for Blvk H3ro & Leno Banton’s “Sky Dive”, expect to hear more of this creative this year!
He doesn’t call himself a “Riddim God” for nothing. You’ve enjoyed many of his productions that have been complimented with the vocals of Jamar McNaughton, and he has an arsenal ready to go toe to toe with the best of Producers. Having recently released the “Dub Policy EP”, he’s busy preparing his compilation project titled “Top Works Vol. 1” which will feature his ZincFence Records members Ulo, Jane Macgizmo, and Inezi. You can also hear his work on Chronixx’s “Chronology” album. Get familiar!
4. CHNCE
He aims to give the people #moresubstans with his unique production. Armed with the Kreatif Substans, expect a new wave of Reggae and Dancehall music to hit the streets very soon. Wait on it!
5. SNR Beats
Orlando, Florida based SNR Beats is in another world when he gets creative. A part of the REM Collective, he has blessed the likes of Leno Banton with amazing production including providing the sound for the Artist’s “REM SZN” Mixtape. Expect more from this Producer later this year.
6. JLL
It’s an event when Jean-Andre Lawrence a.k.a. JLL drops a beat. You’ve heard his production on some of your favourite Artists who are a part of the “New Wave” in Jamaica. No stranger to the samples, he twists them to his liking everytime. You can hear JLL’s work on “Navajo” from Recording Artist Masego, and on Leno Banton & Royal Blu’s “Meanwhile” single! Look out for more.
7. BoomDraw
You can catch this one creating the next remix in the lab, or mixing some of the best Dubs at Dub Club alongside his Father Gabre Selassie. He has provided the sound for Blvk H3ro and Leno Banton’s Herb anthem, “Sky Dive” with Kone, remixed hits by Jah Cure and Ini Kamoze, and delivered unique productions as a part of the “Fizix” team. Call him the “Gyal Dem Yam”.
8. Riddim Boss
From Dancehall to Reggae Fusion, Riddim Boss controls the creativity in the Studio. From working with acts like Leno Banton, Langi, and Kalex, he now focuses on making music that is more pleasing to GOD. Be on the look out for more of his unique productions!
9. PalacePikney
Another Producer who brings a unique sound to the REM Collective, you can hear him on co-productions with SNR Beats, or letting you know where him mind was at on a beat via Soundcloud. Get familiar!
10. SOS Dynamikz
When you hear “SOS Baby!”, you’re in for a treat as SOS Dynamikz uses the element of surprise well. You know him as the Producer/”Musictopian” behind Kalado’s “Make Me Feel” hit, but he has also lent his talents to ZincFence Records as Co-Producer with singles like Chronixx’s “Sell My Gun”, Felly’s “MackDaddy”, and as a sole Producer for acts like Vindon, Cill Awesumore, and Jane Macgizmo. You can also hear him dropping a few bars here and there over his own production. Teaming up with Teflon ZincFence, expect some magic soon!
11. BNJMN
Sometimes he starts his beats off with “B****claat Benji!”, but BNJMN has been working to get his beats heard worldwide! From being a part of Film Noir (Co-Founder), to DJing and Rapping at times, to working with the likes of Baker Steez, Runkus, and Future (yes, that Future), we’ll just have to wait to see what’s next for the young Producer.
12. krs.
krs. sure knows how to make noise with his production. When he’s not making remixes, he’s churning out hit singles with Roy Woods, Omarion, Kes The Band, Ram Riddlz, Runkus, and making moves with Film Noir (Co-Founder). His Soca & Blues Vol. 1 project has received many praises this year too.
13. Kris Karz
Based in Florida, Kris Karz has quietly working on his brand of “TrapHall” music through his Kngly Studios brand. You can hear his production on tracks with Royal Blu, Leno Banton, Kapital Stone, Dylan Golden, and catch him setting the mood in his “Kngly Live” Acoustic Performance series. He is currently working on a new season of the series, and new music with your favourite acts.
14. iotosh
When he’s not producing tracks for the likes of Runkus, Kyraxx, Elad Gideon, and flipping remixes for Protoje, you can hear him dropping a few bars on tracks like “Poison” and “Manana”. Don’t sleep on this yute!
15. Tessellated
This yute from the tropics has been making his name known overseas thanks to his participation in the single “Pine & Ginger”, and from his production work with Royal Blu, Chris Buxton, JLL and Kris Beatz. Expect more fire from this Producer later this year.
Honourable Mentions
From selecting your favourite tunes at a Party, or on Zip 103 FM, ZJ Nova went into the lane of Music Production in 2016. After announcing the launch of her “NxntyOne Music” Label, and Recording Studio, “I’m Dat Man” by Deejay Laden shortly followed. We have yet to hear a follow up, but Nova and NxntyOne Music are ones to watch for the rest of 2017.
He makes up the other half of TWIN$SOUND International with Wavy Jones, but Jujutron88 hold his own in the production department. Giving lyrics from Pag3y, Chavez Illmatiq and Jeeby Lyricist the right beat, stay tuned for when he makes the Bass drop again.
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