By far the most cerebral component of Hip Hop music development is that of the producer.  Labeled as the  forgotten element of Hip Hop, the Producer always has been the responsible party for either making or breaking a record especially in today’s music hampered by over simplified lyrics and diminished expectations from the fans.   As a student of the game and one who has been known to dabble behind the sticks, I have always looked up to Hip Hop’s pioneering producers like Marley Marl, Pete Rock, Large Professor and of course DJ Premier. However one of Hip Hop’s most underrated producers is the late J Dilla.  

Perhaps the most cerebral of them all, J Dilla was a deamon with the beats.  But perhaps one the most defining characteristics of that emcees note when they reflect on working with Dilla was his quirky security measures that he undertook protect his music from unauthorized use.  Crate Kings, (the premier blog for the hip hop producer lets not get it twisted) recently recruited Frank N Dank to share some of Dillas Beat Tape secrets which included hiding beats 3/4 of the way through a cassette with another album on it and disguising tracks in blank tapes.  Some really interesting stuff.  Check it out.