From the West to the East: Meet the Producers Crafting Hip-Hop’s Next Chapter

Ever since I started my “Rising Stars” series to counter the XXL Freshman list, I’ve always wanted to highlight producers. Instead of just one producer like XXL often does, I wanted a whole class to highlight and shine a light on! This list doesn’t have strict requirements like dropping multiple projects; these are simply producers I believe are making dope music. Honestly, they all probably need to raise their prices because the heat they are cooking up is impressive.

Python P is not only Ab-Soul’s DJ but a rapidly rising producer. He’s connecting with the right people, but more importantly, he’s making the right beats. By producing several of my favorite songs this year, Python is locking the West Coast down. Malinisoundz crafted a dark soundscape across multiple EPs dropped this summer with another Rising Star, MC DeAngelo Xavier. Their work on the Graffiti On Gold trilogy is standout. OldSouly has dropped three projects this year with Jacob Mathew and others. His name is spot on—he makes beats filled with soul. When OldSouly’s name is on a track, I trust the production to be on point.

Don Johnson has been cooking up heat for one of my new favorites, Young Reese Dude. Fully producing the projects liGHT & dARK, his sound is heavy yet maintains incredible range. Jonathan Cloud has a ton of talent that even the greats recognize; he dropped tracks with Jadakiss and Kurupt this year and completely remixed the new Chance The Rapper album—a remix that earned a co-sign from Chance himself. I believe a Nas/Light-Years remix might be on the way, with even more coming in 2026! FiveEight Fever had a very busy year, and rightfully so. Working with a variety of underground artists, he fits in wherever he’s needed and delivers quality every time.

Boneweso has been making serious waves working closely with the likes of Estee Nack, BoriRock, and several other underground names, laying major building blocks for his career. Hobgoblin (aka Hobgoblinbeats) is another producer dwelling in the underground who teamed up with a couple of MCs this year to make a mark. Projects with both Primo Jab and Doza The Drum Dealer left me wanting much more from him. Speaking of Doza, he quickly became one of my favorite producers this year. He landed a couple of beats with NEMS on AMERICA’S SWEETHEART, including one of my favorite tracks, “AFUERA.” Also a highly skilled MC who produces much of his own work, Doza is a force to be reckoned with.

Man0sTij3ras hit my radar with his production on JJackpot’s King’s Casino, a great, gritty street project. I can’t wait to hear more from both of them. Ol Man 80zz produced Shadows Of Strategy with MC JRoberts, a stellar release where the production truly pulled its weight. Finally, ILL City is a name my followers will recognize. He’s relatively new to production, but you wouldn’t know it by listening. A top producer in my book, ILL City has contributed to multiple of my top projects this year, and I think he’s only getting started!

Closing Thoughts

Wrapping up my 2025 Rising Stars with these 12 featured producers, I’m proud to present this group. We gave you the rappers for Thanksgiving, and we’re giving you the producers for New Year’s! Producers are often the unsung heroes who don’t always get the attention they deserve, even when the rappers they work with try their best to share the spotlight. Hip-hop heads know that producers are the spine and the foundation of everything.

From the West to the East and everywhere in between, there are amazing people making great music and building a name for themselves. I’m here to lift up as many people as I can and present fans with the best art possible. I think we are all working towards that same goal.