Music
Who are the 25 best producers under 25?
Metro Boomin, Kaytranada, Porter Robinson, WondaGurl, and more of today’s best young producers.
Producers take on many forms and they are arguably the engines that drive many different styles of popular music today. With new talents each day entering this crowded, competitive scene it's hard to keep up with who's making the hottest, freshest sounds. That's why we decided to put together this list of the 25 best producers under the age of 25.
That means 25-year-old producers like Sonny Digital, Arca, AG Cook and DJ Mustard are not included here, not to mention the many anonymous and mysterious young guns whose ages remain a mystery (shout out to Quantum Natives, Activia Benz, etc).
Some of our picks are already wildly popular, some relatively unknown, and some on the cusp of breaking through. Some helped define genres before they turned 21, some aren't even out of high school. No matter their place in the hierarchy, these producers are dropping the most exciting productions around.
One of our picks, Metro Boomin, will join Sonny Digital and ZaytovenScope at Red Bull Music Academy Fest NY on April 30 for a roundtable discussion and club night. Later in the month, on May 20, South African producer Angel-Ho will perform at the Non: Legacy Systems and Inter-Zone: Non vs N.A.A.F.I events.
1. Metro Boomin
City: Atlanta, Georgia
Why he's important: Metro Boomin is arguably the most recognisable, sought-after and consistent hip-hop producer from a city already teeming with talent. If any under-25 producer is dramatically shaping contemporary pop music from the bottom up, it's Metro Boomin.
Collaborators: Future, Kanye West, Drake, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, YG.
Essential listening: Jumpman by Drake and Future, a track that got even Taylor Swift rapping.
2. Kyle Hall
City: Detroit, Michigan
Why he's important: With Detroit luminaries lauding his skills, Kyle Hall is a proven young talent with some of the most inventive, defiant, and raw production you'll hear anywhere. Mentors include Theo Parrish, Omar-S, and Carl Craig.
Collaborators: Funkineven, Kero, Anthony "Shake" Shakir.
Essential listening: Girl U So Strong, a forward-thinking cut that appeared on Hyperdub's 10-year anniversary compilation in 2014 but was already four years old.
3. Burberry Perry
City: Atlanta, Georgia
Why he's important: Lil Yachty has called Burberry Perry his "left hand". So as the rapper continues his upward trending, Burberry Perry will be right there alongside him with snappy, idiosyncratic production.
Collaborators: Lil Yachty, Winter.
Essential listening: Wanna Be Us, a standout track on Lil Yachty's new mixtape, Lil Boat.
4. Kaytranada
City: Montreal, Canada
Why he's important: This Haitian-Canadian artist notched a viral hit with his remix of Janet Jackson back in 2012, but after a name-change (from Kaytradamus) and a host of remixes, EP and singles, Kaytranada is only now releasing his debut, 99.9%, on XL Recordings.
Collaborators: Vic Mensa, AlunaGeorge, Mick Jenkins, Talib Kweli, Pusha T, River Tiber.
Essential listening: Glowed Up, from his forthcoming debut.
5. Porter Robinson
City: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Why he's important: Scoring a bunch of number one singles and named artist of the year in 2015 by MTVu, electro-house/dubstep producer Porter Robinson is so good that his debut album for Skrillex's OWSLA imprint not only topped the iTunes Dance chart, but also crashed Beatport's servers upon release.
Essential listening: Flicker, a track from his debut Worlds that sees Robinson playing with soul samples and structure.
6. Angel-Ho
City: Cape Town, South Africa
Why he's important: The young South African producer is one of the most notable producers in the scorching NON WORLDWIDE collective, which he co-founded. Angel-Ho offers politicised, razor-sharp soundworlds spread across mixes, remixes, and original productions.
Collaborators: Rabit, Chino Amobi, Arca.
Essential listening: Death Drop From Heaven, an early introductory mix of sorts to the world of NON.
7. WondaGurl
City: Toronto, Canada
Why she's important: At only 19, it's hard to believe that WondaGurl has already produced and written for some of the best in the rap/pop business. And with huge hits already under her belt (Rihanna's Bitch Better Have My Money, Drake's Used To), it's clear she's only just getting started.
Collaborators: Drake, Travis Scott, Jay Z, Boi-1da, Rihanna.
Essential listening: Company, one of the unique cuts from 2015 and a highlight on Drake's If You're Reading This It's Too Late.
8. Larry Fisherman (aka Mac Miller)
City: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Why he's important: While Mac Miller's best known for his spit game, he's also an incredible producer as alter-ego Larry Fisherman, having worked his production magic for himself, friends, and even The BasedGod.
Collaborators: Vince Staples, Lil B, SZA, Freddie Gibbs.
Essential listening: Boat Races, a quintessential Fisherman production for Freddie Gibbs and Boldy James.
9. Nidia Minaj
City: Bordeaux, France
Why she's important: She's one of few female producers active in the experimental Afro-Portugese dance-music scene, which has produced some of the rawest, most invigorating club sounds in the world. Nidia Minaj is also one of its best.
Collaborators: Estudio da Mana, DJ Firmeza, Kaninas Squad.
Essential listening: Danger, her air-tight release on Lisbon's influential Principe imprint.
10. Childish Major
City: Atlanta, Georgia
Why he's important: Rap producer Childish Major has the chops and smarts to produce for both the big guns and the local talent. And he's got quite the voice of his own.
Collaborators: Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Future, Two-9, Rome Fortune.
Essential listening: U.O.E.N.O., the surprise (and controversial) smash for Rocko that put the producer on the map.
11. DJ Earl
City: Chicago, Illinois
Collaborators: DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn, Oneohtrix Point Never.
Essential listening: 2000 And Lit, off last year's seven-track EP, Live Love Teklife.
12. DDS
City: Detroit, Michigan
Collaborators: DeJ Loaf, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, Jeezy
Essential listening: Try Me, DeJ Loaf's breakthrough hit and his track to top.
13. UNIIQU3
City: Newark, New Jersey
Why she's important: Jersey club is back in our faces, and UNIIQU3 is its undisputed queen. With her rambunctious, flowing tracks, UNIIQU3 contorts all manner of bodies on the club circuit with explosive sounds.
Collaborators: Saint, Brenmar, Cakes Da Killa.
Essential listening: Yo (I'm Lit), a new production with Saint that's sure to be a staple in underground clubs this year.
14. Young Chop
City: Chicago, Illinois
Why he's important: When you think Chicago drill producers, you think Young Chop. He helped define a genre before he was of drinking age and he's still only 22.
Collaborators: Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Rae Sremmurd.
Essential listening: I Don't Like, the song that broke Chief Keef and got Kanye West's attention.
15. Plu2o Nash
City: Chicago, Illinois
Why he's important: Plu2o Nash, a good friend of Red Bull Sound Select artist Lucki Eck$, is making some of the most innovative beats out there, proving himself to be highly melodic, astonishingly versatile, and delightfully unpredictable.
Collaborators: Lucki Eck$, Tink.
Essential listening: Take Me There, a track with Tink that showcases Plu2o's unique, free-flowing approach to production.
16. Wheezy
City: Atlanta, Georgia
Why he's important: Wheezy is among the few inner-circle producers in Young Thug's camp, putting him in a prime position to heavily influence the sound of Atlanta and the rap world at large.
Essential listening: Constantly Hating, which was not only one of Young Thug's most unique tracks, but also one of hip-hop's best. Period.
17. Toxe
City: Gothenburg, Sweden
Essential listening: Determina, the intro track to her Muscle Memory EP on Staycore.
18. PARTYNEXTDOOR
City: Mississauga, Canada
Why he's important: While his production credits are slim compared to others on this list, PARTYNEXTDOOR is already in the fast lane. He has a cushy spot on OVO's roster, a number one single in his pocket, and his debut studio album is out later this year.
Collaborators: Drake, Rihanna.
Essential listening: Work, Rihanna's massive hit, which PARTYNEXTDOOR helped write alongside Drake and others.
19. randomblackdude (aka Earl Sweatshirt)
City: Los Angeles, California
Why he's important: Earl Sweatshirt is a relative newcomer to the production game, but his thoughtfulness and precision behind the boards nearly match those of his exquisite rapping. And his producer name, randomblackdude, isn't too shabby either.
Collaborators: Odd Future, Frank Ocean, RZA, Mac Miller
Essential listening: Hive, a track with Vince Staples and Casey Veggies off his debut full-length, Doris.
20. Richie Souf
City: Atlanta, Georgia
Why he's important: Richie Souf's production work is vast, varied, and always a highlight. In fact, his production is so fresh that Future recently hit him up on his quest for a "new sound."
Collaborators: iLoveMakonnen, Soulja Boy.
Essential listening: Where Your Girl At? a clear highlight on I LOVE MAKONNEN 2.
21. Dre Moon
City: Brandywine, Maryland
Why he's important: Dre Moon has already worked with an astonishing amount of stars, with a sound that's both infectious and indelible. He even helped co-write the Grammy-winning Drunk In Love by Beyoncé.
Collaborators: Jeremih, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Drake.
Essential listening: Royalty, a slow, minimal banger off Jeremih's near-flawless Late Nights album from late 2015.
22. Suicideyear
City: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Why he's important: Suicideyear, who was part of Red Bull Music Academy's 2015 class, made his name producing tracks for Swedish rapper Yung Lean. But the Baton Rouge artist has since cultivated a brilliant solo career outside of the Sad Boy ecosystem, having released music on Daniel Lopatin's Software label and a split with Kaytranada.
Collaborators: Yung Lean, Rome Fortune, Kaytranada.
Essential listening: Hope Building A, a solo track off his EP Remembrance.
23. Izze The Producer
City: Atlanta, Georgia
Why he's important: Izze is coming up quick, with a trap sound that both bares teeth and shows masterful command of harmony.
Collaborators: 2 Chainz, Rich Homie Quan, Lil Durk.
Essential listening: Desire, the intro track to DeJ Loaf's debut.
24. Mike Zombie
City: Willingboro, New Jersey
Why he's important: Clearly Drake has an impeccable ear for talent, so when he hooked up with New Jersey producer Mike Zombie for a track, he ensured that nothing would ever be the same for either one of them.
Collaborators: Drake, DJ Khaled, French Montana.
Essential listening: Started From The Bottom, the Drake track that started it all for Zombie.
25. Blank Body
City: California
Why he's important: Pushing things to the extreme while keeping things relatively easy to swallow, the mysterious Blank Body has dropped a ton of crazy solo tracks. Recent work includes the one-two production punch that starts Adamn Killa's solid Back 2 Ballin mixtape.
Collaborators: Adamn Killa, Night Lovell, DJ Dialup.
Essential listening: Opal Ease, just one of many future-forward tracks from Blank Body.
Red Bull Music Academy Festival NY runs from April 29 to May 22.
Want to discover a world of new music? Like our Facebook page.