We asked AI for the most underrated producers of all time

We asked AI who the most underrated producers of all time. The results are below. Do you agree?

What the model came back with

The music industry is vast, and there are many talented music producers who might not receive the recognition they deserve. While opinions on underrated producers can vary, here are a few who have contributed significantly to their genres but might not be as widely acknowledged:

• Madlib: Known for his experimental and diverse productions, Madlib has been a major influence on hip-hop and electronic music.
• Nicolay: As one half of the duo The Foreign Exchange, Nicolay’s production skills have been crucial in blending R&B, hip-hop, and electronic elements.
• Karriem Riggins: A versatile producer, Karriem Riggins has worked with artists across various genres, infusing his unique style into their music.
• Oddisee: A hip-hop producer who often incorporates live instrumentation, Oddisee has consistently delivered quality productions that often go under the radar.
• J Dilla (James Yancey): While he’s renowned within hip-hop circles, J Dilla’s influence on the genre as a producer, beatmaker, and musician continues to be underappreciated on a broader scale.
• Clams Casino: Known for pioneering cloud rap and producing for artists like A$AP Rocky, Clams Casino’s atmospheric and ethereal beats often don’t receive as much recognition as they should.
• Hi-Tek: A talented producer closely associated with Talib Kweli and Reflection Eternal, Hi-Tek’s soulful and intricate productions deserve more attention.
• El-P: A key figure in underground hip-hop and a founding member of Run the Jewels, El-P’s production work has consistently pushed boundaries.
• Nottz: With his hard-hitting and sample-heavy production style, Nottz has worked with a range of hip-hop artists but might not be a household name.
• 9th Wonder: A member of Little Brother and an influential producer, 9th Wonder’s soulful beats and contributions to the hip-hop genre often fly under the radar.

Underrated is doing a lot of work in that question

What the list gets wrong

Two things stand out. The first is that a model answering this question is really reporting how often a name appears near the word underrated in its training data, which is close to the opposite of underrated: J Dilla and 9th Wonder are canonical, written about constantly, and taught. The second is that every pick is American and almost every one is hip-hop, so a question about producers in general came back as a question about one lane.

It is still a decent starting list if you have not heard Nicolay or Nottz. Treat it as a reading list rather than a ranking.