Famous Black Record Producers

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 1 
RZA
(Rapper)
RZA
5
Birthdate: July 5, 1969
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brownsville, New York, United States
Rapper RZA leads the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and previously performed with Gravediggaz, under the name “The RZArector.” He is also known for his directorial debut, The Man with the Iron Fists; his appearance in films such as American Gangster; and his BAFTA-nominated music in Kill Bill: Volume 1.
 2 
Berry Gordy
(Record Executive)
Berry Gordy
5
Birthdate: November 28, 1929
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan, United States
 3 
Jay-Z
(One of the Most Influential Hip-Hop Artists in History)
Jay-Z
4
Birthdate: December 4, 1969
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Jay-Z is an American rapper and songwriter and is one of the world's best-selling music artists. His debut album Reasonable Doubt was hugely successful in 1996 and since then he has gone on to release many more acclaimed and successful albums. He has been charged with assaulting a record executive and was given a three-year probation sentence in January 2000.

 4 
ASAP Rocky
(Member of The Hip-Hop Collective 'A$AP Mob')
ASAP Rocky
4
Birthdate: October 3, 1988
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
Rapper ASAP Rocky gained fame with his debut mixtape, LiveLoveA$AP. He released two consecutive Billboard 200-topping albums, Long. Live. ASAP and At. Long. Last. A$AP. Fans loved his Grammy-nominated single Fuckin' Problems. He also produces using the pseudonym Lord Flacko and is part of the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob.
 5 
Lionel Richie
(Co-Lead Singer Of Funk Band The Commodores)
Lionel Richie
5
Birthdate: June 20, 1949
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Tuskegee, Alabama, United States

Lionel Richie is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and composer whose work with the band Commodores and his solo career established him as a successful balladeer of the 1980s. Having sold more than 90 million records, Lionel Richie is one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Also a philanthropist, Richie helped raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

 6 
Tyler, The Creator
(Co-Founder of The Alternative Hip Hop Group 'Odd Future')
Tyler, The Creator
4
Birthdate: March 6, 1991
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ladera Heights, California, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 7 
Akon
(Solo R&B and Hip-Hop Artist to Hold Both No.1 & No.2 Position at Billboard Hot 100 Simultaneously Twice)
Akon
4
Birthdate: April 16, 1973
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Akon is one of the most successful R&B, hip hop and rap singers in the world. His albums Trouble, Konvicted, Freedom, El Negreeto and Akonda have many chartbusters songs. He has also founded record labels Akonik Label Group, KonLive Distribution and Konvict Mizik. He courted controversy in 2007 for an onstage act involving simulated sex with a 15-year-old girl.

 8 
Kid Cudi
(Rapper who Rose to Fame with His Debut Mixtape 'A Kid Named Cudi')
Kid Cudi
4
Birthdate: January 30, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Grammy-winning rapper Kid Cudi first came into public consciousness with his mixtape that made Kanye West sign him to his label. Kid delivered a double-platinum debut album, formed the band WZRD, and sold 16 million records in the U.S. He has also dabbled in acting and now owns a label.
 9 
Sean Combs
(Rapper and Record Producer Known for His Albums: ‘No Way Out’ , ‘Forever’ and ‘Press Play’)
Sean Combs
5
Birthdate: November 4, 1969
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
Three-time Grammy-winning hip-hop legend Sean Combs, known to fans as Puffy, Puff Daddy, or Diddy, started off as a talent director with Uptown and then launched his own record label. His debut album, No Way Out, was certified 7Xplatinum, and his song I'll Be Missing You topped the Billboard charts. 
 10 
Erykah Badu
(Singer-Songwriter Know for Her Singles like "On & On," "Honey," and "The Healer.")
Erykah Badu
4
Birthdate: February 26, 1971
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States

Widely regarded as the queen of neo-soul, Erykah Badu is an American singer-songwriter whose debut studio album Baduizm helped popularize neo-soul in the late-1990s. Thanks to her popularity, Erykah Badu serves as a subject for street art in several places, including Greater London, England. Also an actress, Badu has appeared in popular films, such as The Cider House Rules.

 11 
Luther Vandross
4
Birthdate: April 20, 1951
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York City
Died: July 1, 2005

Luther Vandross was an American record producer and singer-songwriter. As a background vocalist, Vandross contributed to the success of several songs recorded by artists like David Bowie, Diana Ross, and Judy Collins. Regarded as a singer with one of the greatest voices in recorded history, Luther Vandross' works have influenced many artists like D'Angelo, Jaheim, Ne-Yo, John Legend, and Usher.

 12 
will.i.am
(American Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, Founding and Lead Member of the Musical Group ‘Black Eyed Peas’)
will.i.am
4
Birthdate: March 15, 1975
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Eastside Los Angeles, California, United States
Rapper and music producer William James Adams Jr., better known as “will.i.am,” is a founding member of the Black Eyed Peas. He went solo later and released tracks such as the NBA Live theme Go! The seven-time Grammy-winning artist also wrote Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign theme Yes We Can.
 13 
Coolio
(Rapper Best Known for His Singles ‘Gangsta's Paradise’ and ‘My Soul’)
Coolio
3
Birthdate: August 1, 1963
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Compton, California, U.S.
Died: September 8, 2022
Rapper Coolio soared to fame with his Grammy-winning single Gangsta's Paradise. He continued winning accolades with hits such as C U When U Get There. He later released a cookbook and hosted the culinary show Cookin' with Coolio. He was also part of WC and the Maad Circle.
 14 
T-Pain
(Rapper who Popularized Auto-Tune pitch Correction Effect)
T-Pain
4
Birthdate: September 30, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Faheem Rasheed Najm, better known as T-Pain, shot to fame with the US Billboard 200-topping album Epiphany. The two-time Grammy-winning artist is known for his signature use of the auto-tune effect. He has delivered hit singles such as I'm on a Boat and has played minor roles in several films.
 15 
Busta Rhymes
(Rapper)
Busta Rhymes
4
Birthdate: May 20, 1972
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: East Flatbush, New York, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 16 
Isaac Hayes
(Singer-songwriter)
Isaac Hayes
4
Birthdate: August 20, 1942
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Covington, Tennessee, United States
Died: August 10, 2008
 17 
Master P
(Rapper)
Master P
4
Birthdate: April 29, 1970
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 18 
MC Ren
(Rapper, Songwriter, Record producer)
MC Ren
4
Birthdate: June 16, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Compton, California, United States
 19 
Eve
(Rapper)
Eve
5
Birthdate: November 10, 1978
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
 20 
Tech N9ne
(Rapper)
Tech N9ne
4
Birthdate: November 8, 1971
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Rapper Aaron Dontez Yates, better known as Tech N9ne, formed the record label Strange Music with Travis O'Guin. His stage name was inspired by a TEC-9 semi-automatic handgun gifted to him by rapper Black Walt. His music has been featured in video games, TV shows, and films.
 21 
Randy Jackson
(Bassist)
Randy Jackson
3
Birthdate: June 23, 1956
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Randy Jackson started his career playing bass guitar for various artists, He then started his stint as a producer with Columbia and MCA Records. He is best known for his appearance as a judge on American Idol. He has also been the executive producer of America's Best Dance Crew.
 22 
Pusha T
(Rapper)
Pusha T
4
Birthdate: May 13, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 23 
DJ Yella
(Rapper)
DJ Yella
4
Birthdate: December 11, 1967
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 24 
Wyclef Jean
(Haitian Rapper Who is a Member of the New Jersey Hip Hop group 'Fugees')
Wyclef Jean
4
Birthdate: October 17, 1969
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti

Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, actor, and rapper. This Grammy Award-winning musician garnered national attention when his efforts to raise relief funds to aid the victims of the 2010 Haitian earthquake through his charitable organization Yéle Haiti were questioned as reports suggested that Jean retained the money for his own benefit. The organization has been the subject of controversy.

 25 
Davido
(Singer-Songwriter)
Davido
3
Birthdate: November 21, 1992
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
American-born Nigerian artist David Adedeji Adeleke, better known as Davido, studied business before venturing into music. He soared to fame with his hit tracks Dami Duro and If. He owns a record label, too. His song Fall was the longest-charting Nigerian pop track in the history of Billboard.
 26 
Prince
(Singer-songwriter & Multi-instrumentalist)
Prince
0
Birthdate: June 7, 1958
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Died: April 21, 2016

Singer-songwriter, dancer, and musician, Prince is is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. He was considered a guitar virtuoso and could also play several other instruments. With worldwide sales of over 150 million records, he is ranked among the best-selling music artists of all time. He was also well known for his flamboyant persona.

 27 
Questlove
(Musician)
Questlove
3
Birthdate: January 20, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 28 
PartyNextDoor
(Singer-Songwriter Known for His Albums ‘PartyNextDoor ‘ and ‘PNDColours’)
PartyNextDoor
3
Birthdate: July 3, 1993
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mississauga, Canada

PartyNextDoor is a Canadian rapper, singer, and record producer. He grew up listening to rappers, such as Jodeci, Boyz II Men, Blackstreet, and 112 and was inspired to pursue a career in music. His first mixtape was a moderate hit. Since then, he has released a few albums and several singles. He has been nominated for the Grammy Awards twice. 

 29 
The Weeknd
(Best Known for Singles "Can't Feel My Face" and "The Hills")
The Weeknd
0
Birthdate: February 16, 1990
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada

One of the most successful Canadian recording artists, singer-songwriter, the Weeknd, holds several chart records and has won numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards. Despite a difficult childhood marred by drug abuse and violence, he persevered and worked hard to emerge as a beloved music star. He is actively involved in philanthropy.

 30 
Macy Gray
(Singer-songwriter)
Macy Gray
3
Birthdate: September 6, 1967
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Canton, Ohio, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 31 
Craig David
(British Singer and Songwriter)
Craig David
3
Birthdate: May 5, 1981
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Southampton, Hampshire, England
 32 
Big Boi
(Rapper)
Big Boi
3
Birthdate: February 1, 1975
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Savannah, Georgia, United States
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 33 
Heavy D
(Leader of Heavy D & the Boyz, he was a popular rapper through much of the 1990s.)
Heavy D
3
Birthdate: May 24, 1967
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Mandeville, Jamaica
Died: November 8, 2011
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 34 
Lupe Fiasco
(Rapper)
Lupe Fiasco
3
Birthdate: February 16, 1982
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 35 
Ike Turner
(Soul-Music Star and Rock 'n' Roll Pioneer)
Ike Turner
4
Birthdate: November 5, 1931
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States
Died: December 12, 2007
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 36 
Curtis Mayfield
(Singer, Guitarist)
Curtis Mayfield
3
Birthdate: June 3, 1942
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: December 26, 1999
Soul singer and guitarist Curtis Mayfield gained fame with The Impressions. His songs such as People Get Ready carried prominent social themes. The Grammy Hall of Fame inductee was paralyzed from the neck down after an accident during a live performance in 1990 but continued to record even after that.
 37 
Q-Tip
(Rapper, Record producer)
Q-Tip
3
Birthdate: April 10, 1970
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
 38 
Lil Jon
(Rapper)
Lil Jon
3
Birthdate: January 17, 1971
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Grammy-winning rapper and DJ Jonathan H. Smith, better known as Lil Jon, previously performed as the frontman of the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. He is considered a pioneer of crunk, a hip-hop sub-genre, and has scored Billboard-charting hits such as Cyclone, Yeah!, and Goodies
 39 
Maurice White
3
Birthdate: December 19, 1941
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Died: February 4, 2016
 40 
Marques Houston
(Singer)
Marques Houston
3
Birthdate: August 4, 1981
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 41 
Romeo Santos
(Lead Member and Vocalist of the Bachata Group 'Aventura')
Romeo Santos
3
Birthdate: July 21, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 42 
The-Dream
(Singer, songwriter, and record producer)
The-Dream
3
Birthdate: September 20, 1977
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Rockingham, North Carolina, United States
 43 
Donny Hathaway
(American Soul Singer, Keyboardist and Songwriter)
Donny Hathaway
3
Birthdate: October 1, 1945
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: January 13, 1979
 44 
Leon Bridges
(Singer-songwriter)
Leon Bridges
3
Birthdate: July 13, 1989
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
 45 
Jay Electronica
(Rapper, Record producer)
Jay Electronica
3
Birthdate: September 19, 1976
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
 46 
apl.de.ap
(Filipino-American Singer, Rapper, and Record Producer)
apl.de.ap
3
Birthdate: November 28, 1974
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Angeles City, Philippines

apl.de.ap is a Filipino-American singer, rapper, and record producer. He is best known as a founding member of the popular American musical group, Black Eyed Peas. apl.de.ap is also a renowned philanthropist; he established the Apl Foundation in 2008 to help children and various communities throughout Asia.

 47 
D'Angelo
(Singer-songwriter)
D'Angelo
3
Birthdate: February 11, 1974
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia, United States
 48 
Anderson Paak
(Singer)
Anderson Paak
2
Birthdate: February 8, 1986
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Oxnard, California, U.S.
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 49 
DJ Jazzy Jeff
(Club DJ, Disc jockey, Actor, Television actor, Record producer, Composer)
DJ Jazzy Jeff
3
Birthdate: January 22, 1965
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Philadelphia
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 50 
Brian McKnight
(Singer-Songwriter with Thrid Most Grammy Nominations Without a Win)
Brian McKnight
3
Birthdate: June 5, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States

Brian McKnight is a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist in R&B and soul genres. Associated with labels like Motown, Mercury, and Warner Brothers, he is known for his albums, Back at One, and Anytime. The co-writer of the song Wait also hosted radio shows.