Credit: MikaV

Although it may not seem like it on the surface, there is a lot more that goes into music production than just laying down some bars. Without the tireless and precise work of the producers behind MCs, what we know as hip-hop today would not exist. It cannot be understated the importance of a cohesive relationship between MC and producer.

Some MCs even have producers who they have adopted along their journeys and continue to work with. The most famous of these is Noah “40” Shebib, who managed to get a shout-out ‘God’s Plan’ alongside Drake’s manager Oliver North. “Without 40, Oli’, there’d be no me/ ‘Magine if I never met the broskis.”

In an interview with Hot New Hip Hop, Royce Da 5’9″ listed the producers that in his own words, “create like a sound bed for me that sounds perfect for what I want to talk about” and one which is a “One man army”. Below we dig into the work that the Detroit native rapper has done with these producers. 

The first name that Royce mentioned, having produced a handful of tracks for Royce over the years, Symbolyc One’s most notable work with the Bad Meets Evil alumnus is ‘Caterpillar’. Released in 2018, the track has amassed over 56 million streams on Spotify and blends modern trap production with the slower drum patterns of the 20th century. Other tracks that the two have collaborated on include ‘Tabernacle’, ‘America’, ‘Gottaknow’, ‘Dumb’ and ‘Made’.

Producing a monstrous 23 tracks for Royce Da 5’9″ over the years, Mr Porter, who is an MC himself, seems to know what he is doing. 8 of those tracks were on the 2018 album Book of Ryan. In this album Mr Porter makes heavy use of the synth sounds to either build hype as he does on ‘Outside’ or incite a more nefarious tone as he does on “Legendary’.

Collaborating across a number of Royce Da 5’9’s albums, Jake One brings an alternative approach to production than the others on this list. Unafraid to leverage orchestral instruments in his music, don’t be surprised if you hear big brass sounds in harmony with the deeper tone of the accompanying MC. 

Pain’s touch is a little bit more subtle than most hip hop producers. In his collaboration with Royce Da 5’9 on ‘Universe’ a simple drum pattern accompanies a gentle, melodic guitar and an occasional use of a whammy-like sound on that melody. This allows for the track to be mostly about the lyrics. If his podcast is anything to go by then that is exactly what he is trying to do with his production. 

Khalil’s contribution to Royce Da 5’9’s work is underpinned by his use of the bass guitar. In both ‘Flesh’ and ‘Misses’ on the album Layers, the music is carried by the bass. A melody in the former and an undertone in the latter. In either scenario, DJ Khalil’s signature is highly discernible.

The producer that Royce called a “one man army”, listening to his production you can see why. Not to take anything away from the work of those that have come before him on this list, but Ant Man Wonders instrumentals seem “fuller” than the rest. The many layers involved may not be individually discernible from one another, however, they exist in perfect harmony.

Below find the full list of Royce Da 5’9″‘s favourite producers.

Royce Da 5’9″‘s favourite producers:

• Symbolyc One
• Mr Porter
• Jake One
• DJ Pain 1
• DJ Khalil
• AntMan Wonder