We’re always talking about 90’s music around here. It’s no secret that we kinda feel like it was the best decade for all the things but, especially, music. From the girl groups slaying the scene to the female MC’s killing the mics to the smooth R&B tunes we grew to love, there’s nothing quite like 90’s music. And even though we talk about it a lot, one thing we don’t mention as often are the producers behind the tracks. Regardless of the decade, a good song is nothing without a good producer. So for the first time, in honor of our love and devotion for 90’s music, we’re taking a look back at the best of the best music producers from the decade we love.

By Reckless Dream Photography – Diddy 23, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16139839

Diddy

We had to start off our list with the original Bad Boy. Whether we’re talking about Puffy, P. Diddy, or just Diddy, this producer has given us hits from the greats like Notorious B.I.G., Lil’ Kim, and Faith Evans. Not to mention the countless groups and solo artists he brought to the team. And even though he evolved well beyond his producing days, we’ll always have a place for Puffy and Bad Boy Ent.

By Kahlilgreen95 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48643309

The Neptunes

We know everyone is a fan of Pharrell now, but before he was doing his solo thing and making his own records, he was producing hit after hit as part of the duo, The Neptunes. The Neptunes were responsible for those upbeat, hip-hop/funk hits of the 90’s and early 00’s that weren’t like anything we’ve ever heard before. Remember when JT dropped “Rock Your Body”? Iconic.

By Timothy M. Moore, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8928492

Jermaine Dupri

This So So Def producer had to make the list for his beats that laid the tracks for so many songs that have ended up on our playlists over the years. From Da Brat, to Usher, Destiny’s Child, to Mariah Carey. There’s few 90’s artists that didn’t have a Jermaine Dupri track at some point in their careers.

By SpiceFatale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:SpiceFatale – At the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, Timbaland concert, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20983510

Timbaland

If you’re a fan of Missy Elliot, Aaliyah, or even Empire, you know firsthand how legendary Timbaland is. Out of all the producers on this list, Timbaland has to be the most versatile when it comes to production with a career that has serious producer credits every decade, including the one we’re in now. We have Timbaland to thank for the late, great Aaliyah’s One in a Million along with too many Missy tracks to count. Oh and we can’t forget everyone’s favorite slow grind song Pony by Ginuwine.

Who are your favorite producers from the 90’s?