Black ladies producers have been on the forefront of shaping the music business, crafting beats for a number of the biggest artists of our time. From the revolutionary sounds of Missy Elliott, hailing from Virginia to the trailblazing Sylvia Robinson, the primary feminine producer in hip-hop and founding father of Sugar Hill Information. Their contributions have been monumental in paving the best way for generations of feminine producers to come back. 

Regardless of their simple expertise and affect, Black ladies producers stay considerably underrepresented within the music business. In line with the L.A. Occasions, ladies accounted for practically 20% of the music business in 2020, with solely 2% of these ladies working as music producers. Black ladies producers comprise a good smaller fraction of this already marginalized group. As we proceed to rejoice Ladies’s Historical past Month, it’s solely proper right here at EBONY that we give flowers to those extraordinary producers, amplify their voices and acknowledge their contributions to music historical past.

Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott’s impression as a producer transcends genres, leaving a mark on the music panorama. Whereas her discography consists of iconic hits like “Get Ur Freak On” and “Work It,” her manufacturing credit lengthen far past her solo profession. She has collaborated with a plethora of artists, infusing her signature sound into their music. Notably, Elliott labored intently with Aaliyah, producing tracks like “One in a Million” and “Sizzling Like Hearth,” which grew to become cornerstones of the late singer’s legacy.

Moreover, her work with Future’s Youngster resulted in hits like “Confessions” and “Nothing Out There for Me.” Moreover, her manufacturing on Beyoncé’s “Indicators” and Ciara’s “1, 2 Step” additional demonstrates her versatility and enduring affect within the business. Missy Elliott is a real legend not solely as an artist however as a producer as effectively.

Sylvia Robinson

Sylvia Robinson made historical past as the primary feminine hip-hop producer, leaving an indelible mark on the music business. Because the founding father of Sugar Hill Information, she performed a serious position in shaping the early days of hip-hop, offering a platform for artists to showcase their abilities.

Her legacy as a producer extends far past her pioneering position, as she was instrumental within the creation of considered one of hip-hop’s seminal tracks, “The Message.” Regardless of preliminary skepticism from some members of the Sugar Hill Gang, Robinson acknowledged the significance of the music’s socially aware lyrics and urged the group to file it. Robinson’s foresight and dedication not solely solidified her standing as a trailblazer but additionally cemented her enduring affect on the evolution of hip-hop music and tradition.

WondaGurl

WondaGurl, born Ebony Oshunrinde, emerged as a prodigious expertise within the music business from a younger age. At simply 16, she gained recognition after producing the beat for Jay-Z’s “Crown” on his Magna Carta Holy Grail album. This marked the start of the rise of the Canadian producer.

Since then, WondaGurl has continued to make waves together with her revolutionary manufacturing model, mixing components of lure, hip-hop and digital music. Her collaborations with artists like Travis Scott have hits comparable to “Antidote” and “Uptown,” solidifying her repute as a go-to producer within the rap scene. Moreover, she has labored with heavyweights like Drake, producing tracks like “Used To” from his If You’re Studying This It’s Too Late mixtape.

Ester Dean

Ester Dean’s expertise as a producer has left an indelible mark on the music business, together with her fingerprints on hits for a large number of artists. Notably, she co-wrote and produced Rihanna’s chart-topping anthem “Impolite Boy”. Her collaboration with Katy Perry resulted within the creation of the uplifting hit “Firework,” which grew to become an anthem of empowerment for thousands and thousands worldwide. Dean’s work with Beyoncé produced standout tracks like “Countdown” and “Begin Over,” showcasing her versatility in crafting various sounds that resonate with audiences. 

Nettie Woods

Nettie Woods, a seasoned producer who’s a part of the manufacturing crew Triangle Park, has 20 years of expertise within the music business. All through her profession, she has collaborated with an array of artists spanning various genres, showcasing her versatility and adaptableness within the studio. From iconic teams like Boyz II Males to pop sensations like Britney Spears, Woods has left her mark on numerous chart-topping hits. Her latest work with rising stars like Child Tate additional underscores her relevance and affect in shaping up to date music. 

PinkPantheress

PinkPantheress, also called Victoria Walker, started her journey as a producer whereas nonetheless in highschool, importing her music to SoundCloud. By means of her DIY strategy and uncooked expertise, she shortly gained recognition for her distinctive mix of lo-fi beats and catchy melodies. A few of her early productions, together with her tracks like “Only for Me” and “Break it Off,” showcased her distinctive sound.

PinkPantheress just lately gained Producer of the Yr on the Billboard Ladies in Music Awards, solidifying her standing as probably the most promising producers within the business. Her meteoric rise from a SoundCloud sensation to an award-winning producer underscores her simple expertise and the ability of dedication within the digital age.

Nova Wav

Nova Wav, the dynamic producer duo shaped in Atlanta, isn’t any aside from  Brittany “Chi” Coney and Denisia “Blu June” Andrews, whose journey started with a formidable co-writing credit score on Rihanna’s “Loveeeeeee Track.” Their ascent to the highest of the music business was marked by milestones like producing Kehlani’s lead single “CRZY” in 2016. Nevertheless, their crowning achievement got here in 2018 once they gained their first GRAMMY Award for his or her contributions to The Carters’ Every part is Love album, co-writing and producing standout tracks like “Good” and “Pals.”

Nova Wav’s dedication to excellence continued as they produced Jazmine Sullivan’s soul-stirring anthem “Choose Up Your Emotions,” which earned a GRAMMY in 2022. Their partnership with Beyoncé on her Renaissance album additional solidified their repute, as they co-wrote eight of the album’s sixteen tracks. Nova Wav’s unwavering dedication to their craft and their skill to persistently ship chart-topping hits have firmly established no indicators of them slowing down.

Lil CC

Lil CC, also called Cydney Christine, is a multifaceted expertise who has made waves in each the modeling and music industries. Whereas she initially gained recognition as a mannequin, CC’s transition into music manufacturing marked a major turning level in her profession.

Her breakthrough got here when she produced “Cash within the Grave” for Drake. This collaboration catapulted CC into the highlight, showcasing her expertise as a producer. Along with her work with Drake, CC has additionally lent her manufacturing abilities to different notable artists, together with Child Cudi, Lil Yachty, Roddy Wealthy and extra.