20 producers that changed the R&B game

Babyface is one of those producers who not only has an ear for talent but one that truly knows how to push an artist to excellence. His production catalog is massive. Throughout his production work, he's crafted hits such as TLC's "Red Light Special," Tevin Campbell's "Can We Talk," and Whitney Houston's "I'm Your Baby Tonight." He's also worked with artists such as Toni Braxton, Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Bobby Brown, Jon B., and many more.

Quincy Jones is one of one. Not only is he a producer, but he's also a songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, and conductor. Jones has never boxed himself to just the R&B genre. He's also made his mark in the jazz, classical, big band, and pop worlds. Throughout his career, he's produced hit songs for artists like Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Tamia, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson. 

Hailing from Houston, Bryan-Michael Cox got his start in the ‘90s producing songs for groups like Ideal and Destiny’s Child. Not only is Cox a master behind the boards, but he also has a stellar songwriting game — creating everything from love ballads to party anthems. Throughout his career, he’s produced and written for artists including Aaliyah, Chris Brown, Jagged Edge, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and more. Some of his biggest hits include Blige’s “Be Without You” and Usher’s “Confessions.”

Missy Elliott holds many creative titles, such as rapper, singer, producer, songwriter, and creative director. She does it all. In addition to her iconic rap career, she’s written and produced hit songs for some of the most prominent names in R&B. Throughout her career, she’s worked with artists like Monica, Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Jazmine Sullivan, Whitney Houston, and many more. Sometimes, Elliott is also heard singing background vocals on songs she produced for other artists. 

People can't talk about the R&B world without mentioning the dynamic duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Part of the duo's iconic production discography was due to the working relationship with Janet Jackson, creating hits for her since the Control era. In addition to their notable success with Jackson, Jam and Lewis made hit records for artists like New Edition, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Usher, and many more. 

One thing that always stands out about Jermaine Dupri as an executive is he knows how to spot talent early. In the early '90s, he founded his own label, So So Def, which was home to artists like Da Brat, Kriss Kross, and Bow Wow. Dupri was instrumental in the careers of acts such as TLC, Xscape, Jagged Edge, Mariah Carey, and Usher. Some of his biggest production hits include Usher’s “You Make Me Wanna,” Jagged Edge’s “Where The Party At,” and Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together.”

Scott Storch got his start in the music industry as one of the first members of hip-hop collective The Roots as the keyboard player. While his career has mostly spanned producing for some of the most prominent names in hip-hop, he ventured into the pop and R&B spaces as well. Throughout his career, he produced hits such as Beyoncé’s “Naughty Girl,” Mario’s “Let Me Love You,” and Chris Brown’s “Undecided.”

If fans remember anything about Diddy, it’s his self-proclamation as the industry's remix king. His love for being inspired by previous music eras and sampling songs for something fresh is where Diddy truly shined in the ‘90s. He was instrumental in the early careers of artists like Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Total, and Day26. Some of his production hits include Mary J. Blige’s “U Remind Me” and Mariah Carey’s singles “Honey” and “Breakdown.”

Not many artists can say they created their own sub-genre in R&B, but Teddy Riley can. In the ‘80s, Riley pioneered new jack swing, a sound that meshed funk, soul, R&B, and hip-hop. Different genres inspired his creativity during his upbringing in Harlem. New jack swing became an in-demand sound throughout the ‘90s, and Riley produced hit songs for artists like Johnny Kemp, Al. B Sure, Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson, and his group, Guy.

Songwriting and production duo Dre & Vidal consisted of Andre Harris and Vidal Davis. Harris was born in Philadelphia and gained mentorship under DJ Jazzy Jeff. Once Dre & Vidal broke off on their own, they were instrumental in crafting a sound for 2000s R&B. They produced hits such as Mario’s “Music For Love,” Floetry’s “Say Yes,” Usher’s “Caught Up,” and Chris Brown’s “Yo (Excuse Me Miss).”

Raphael Saadiq may be known as the lead vocalist of groups like Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl, but he also helped craft the sound for other artists. Some of the songs he produced were D’Angelo’s “Lady,” Total’s “Kissing You,” Teedra Moses’ “Take Me,” and Solange’s “Cranes in the Sky.”

During his teenage years, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins was mentored by Teddy Riley. Once he started to branch out on his own, he helped craft sounds for artists like Destiny’s Child, Toni Braxton, Blaque, and Keyshia Cole. Some of his biggest hits include Beyoncé’s “Déjà vu,” Mary J. Blige’s “I Can Love You,” and the Brandy and Monica duet “The Boy is Mine.”

The duo Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, a.k.a. The Neptunes, gained most of their notoriety producing for some of the biggest names in hip-hop. However, the duo has never boxed themselves into just one genre. They also made their mark in the pop and R&B spaces. Throughout their career, they’ve produced hits such as Ray J’s “Wait A Minute,” Beyoncé’s “Green Light,” and Usher’s “U Don’t Have To Call.”

The Underdogs is the production duo of Harvey Mason Jr. and Damon Thomas. Before becoming a duo, Thomas worked alongside Babyface, while Mason worked with Rodney Jerkins’ camp. As The Underdogs, the duo produced hits such as Tyrese’s “Signs of Love Makin,’” B2K’s “Gots Ta Be,” Fantasia’s “Ain’t Gon’ Beg You,” and Chris Brown’s “Young Love."

While Salaam Remi was mostly known for producing for artists like The Fugees, Nas, and Amy Winehouse, he also ventured into the R&B scene. He was particularly instrumental in the early careers of Jazmine Sullivan and Miguel. He produced Miguel’s breakthrough single “All I Want Is You” as well as Sullivan’s hits “Bust Your Windows” and “Lions, Tigers, & Bears.”

Timbaland showcased his creativity in the early '90s when he started working with groups like Jodeci and Sista. However, his production work on albums like Aaliyah's One in a Million and Ginuwine's The Bachelor helped put him on everyone's radar as next up. Over the years, he’s produced for artists such as SWV, Tweet, Brandy, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and many more.

In the early '90s, Georgia native Dallas Austin got his start in producing. He was particularly instrumental in crafting sounds for girl group TLC with hits songs such as "What About Your Friends," "Creep," and "Unpretty." He has also worked with Janet Jackson, Deborah Cox, Michael Jackson, Monica, and Boyz II Men throughout his career.

Early in his career, D’Mile was mentored by producer and songwriter Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. And let's just say that mentorship helped catapult D'Mile to make a name for himself. He got his first taste of Billboard chart success when he produced and co-wrote Janet Jackson's hit song "Feedback. In addition to working with veteran artists Jackson, Usher, and Mary J. Blige, he's also been instrumental in the careers of emerging R&B artists such as Lucky Daye, H.E.R., Victoria Monét, and Silk Sonic.

The-Dream is known for conquering the airwaves. It's no wonder that he consistently self-proclaims as the "Radio Killa." In addition to making his own records, he's produced hit songs such as Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” Ciara’s “Ride,” Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body,” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella.”

Kanye West may have started his career as a producer for artists such as Beanie Sigel, Talib Kweli, and Jay-Z, but he also shined with R&B artists. He produced hits such as Monica’s “Knock Knock,” Keyshia Cole’s “I Changed My Mind,” Janet Jackson’s “I Want You,” and Brandy’s “Talk About Our Love.”