Top Of The Year: The Dean's List of 2013 (Producers)

The Dean's List of 2013 (Producers)

In this section we will be awarding the Top upcoming producers of 2013. These are the new producers which we felt had one of the best year for 2013 and are to be looked out for in 2014 and beyond. So for all you upcoming rappers out there I suggest you get to knowing these dudes and even try collabing before they blow up.

Numonics: Numonics may not be new to us but after catching our ear from his and Reks "Rebelutionary" album in 2012 we paid more attention to him in 2013. Pretty much every month homie was mentioned here, either on an artists track or promoting his own material. Working with cats like Planet Asia, AWKWORD and Reks again as well as dropping projects with artists Koncept and SIN really shined some more light on this talented producer. We also had the privilege to interview homie as well. Be sure to pay more attention to Nu in 2014.

Small Professor:  Small Pro caught the ears of fans with his collaborative project with Guilty Simpson titled "Highway Robbery" which made our Top EP's for the year as well. He has worked with Sean P, M-Phazes and Sha Prince, to name a few, since then. As well as putting out instrumental and remix projects like "Mixed Jawns" and "Nasty Jawns" in 2013. He is influenced by producers like Madlib and Large Pro (obviously). You can look out for his upcoming "Cool Tape, Pro" which will be released on cassette tape and is a half rap, half instrumental album.

Thelonious Martin: Named by Jenesis Magazine as the Producer of the Year, and we cannot agree more. Working with artists such as Jabee, Chuuwee, Vic Mensa, Ryshon Jones and many more, has gotten Thelonious noticed by every hip hop head. He has implanted his name in every blog with the work he has put out in 2013 including collaboration projects with Evan Holt and RetcH. Thelonious should be at the top of the list for every upcoming rapper as well as the signed ones. Plan on seeing homie a lot more in 2014.

Fa†e: Making his debut in 2013 comes the California producer Fa†e. Although he came to us late in the year he still made an impact on us. Producing tracks like J ManifestO's "Live Life and Love It" brought homies name to the table. And after dropping his debut "The Night Bus Home" which featured Blu, JohnNY U, ScienZe and more only certified his production ability. Keep a close eye for homie in 2014, i have a feeling he'll be working with a lot more artists.

Kelly Portis: Just like Thelonious, Kelly is a workaholic. He is non stop on his grind making beats. Producing tracks for Gone Wallace, Cam Young, Dave East, ShaqIsDope and much more got us to pay more attention to him. If you take a look at his Youtube he makes a beat every couple days and even references them to major label artist styles. He is fluent in many instruments including guitar, drums and piano. I haven't heard anything I didn't like from him so I'm sure 2014 will be an even better year.

Jansport J: Here is another grind mode producer. First heard of dude from his collab work with Realm Reality on "Sleeping With The Enemy". After that came Banksthegenius' "Before My Eyes" as well as the "Intro" to J Lately and Trey C's "Score One For The Bad Guys" EP. Since then we followed him on soundcloud and noticed everyday he pretty much releases a new beat. His credits include MED, Planet Asia, Rapper Big Pooh, Strong Arm Steady, Agallah, Inspectah Deck and tons more. He also collabed with rapper EL Prez on the critically acclaimed "Urban $treet Americana" project which was  a Top Of The Year for us. 2014 look out!

Alterbeats: Hailing from France comes another dope producer. Just like DJ Low Cut, Alterbeats knows the right artists to fuck with, especially for the style of beats he makes. Although he dropped his "The French Revolution" in 2012, I didn't really pay attention until 2013 with his dope project "Class Struggle". Shabaam Sahdeeq, Copywrite, Tragedy Khadafi, Dirt Platoon and Nutso are just a small part of the list Alter has worked with. I'm hoping he collabs on a project with an artist or two in 2014.

Nameless: Inspired by producers like Black Milk, Madlib, Pete Rock, J Dilla, 9th Wonder and more, comes our next beatsmith Nameless from Michigan. Homie has been dropping projects and beat tapes since 2009, and in 2013 he dropped his collaborative "For Namesake" with rapper Nametag aka Tag Alexander. Nameless also produced two bangers on ScienZe's "Ella" including one with Maffew Ragazino. 2014 should be a dope year for homie.

Shae Money: Denver Colorado producer Shae Money started off 2013 with the incredibly dope "FRE3STYLE" mixtape hosted by Statik Selektah. It featured respected artists like Planet Asia, Copywrite, Termanology, Element Rhymes and Chuuwee, which also led to their collaborative "The Great Gatzby". The project made our Top Of The Year and also landed homie an interview with us. His style resembles the Golden Era of hip hop and I'm sure that it will continue for years to come. Hoping to see another collaborative project in the near future, possibly with Planet Asia.

Purpose: After fucking my head up with the 2012 'The Purpose Of Confidence' album which he didn't produce at all, I really kept my eye on the Ill Adrenaline artist/producer. Being a member of the Tragic Allies crew with Estee Nack, Code Nine and teaming up with Tragedy Khadafi, they dropped the very dope "7 G.E.M.S." album. He also produced some serious joints for Science, AG The Coroner and Meyhem Lauren to name a few. But homie really finished strong with the Paranom collaborative "Life Outside The Frame" which I should have included in the Top Of The Year. I'm sure Ill Adrenaline has a lot more lined up with him in 2014.