Which rap artist do you think has the most compelling beats?

For me, it's definitely OutKast, especially during the ATLiens-Aquemini period. As far as I'm concerned, the stuff that Outkast raps to can't be beat musically (within their genre). Their beats are rich, fresh, sonically inventive, and make thematic sense. You get the sense that just as much care went into the music as the hooks and the vocals, which is not often the case IMO.

Which rapper do you think raps to the the most compelling beats? Why?

This is just down to personal preference, but I definitely find that RZA (Wu-Tang Clan) produces the greatest hip hop beats of all time. The sinister and eerie aesthetic that hang over much of his work along with the simplicity of it all makes it incredibly appealing to me.

You mean rappers with the best ears for beats, right? OutKast doesn't produce all of their own stuff. They're awesome though.

In any case, probably CunninLynguists for me. Because Kno is a god.

Right now
Kendrick

That as well. Basically, I just mean which rapper's backing music is the most compelling. It doesn't matter if they actually made the beats.

Haha, disregard my initial reply then. I misunderstood what you were asking for. As far as CHOOSING good beats, probably Jay-Z.

Your reply was fine (and Wu-Tang is an excellent choice). It could be through choosing, making, whatever.

But yeah, Jay Z does have really good taste in beats.

This. Especially the Kno part. Death Is Silent is so good.

Not sure about best overall but Express Yourself is definitely one of the best minus that goddamn whistle.

Whatever Denzel listens to. And you know what Denzel listens?

I'm very fond of Sir Mix-A-Lot. Especially his song Testarossa.

No one has mentioned Kanye yet? Say what you want about the guy but he produces excellent beats.

Outkast is pretty good yeah. But I'm gonna go with Army of the Pharaohs.

For me it's a tie between MF Doom and Kool Keith.

@GreySeal9:

Devin the Dude, People Under the Stairs

Haven't listened to Outkast in a while, good idea

@GreySeal9: Gotta love Organized Noise for supplying Outkast. I still crank Player's Ball.

My top producer as many of us know died of lupus. R.I.P J Dilla. His beats were slightly more minimalistic but soooo soulful.

Outside of that I'll have to say Pete Rock even though I have too many names to mention tied for runner up.

He may use the MPC samplers very heavily, but he has good range. Very smooth laidback joints at times, but can also demonstrate some haard funk in RZA territory with switching tones on the verse, hooks, and lets you enjoy the beat for itself in the outro after the verses are done.

A few years back I would have said Drake because of all the good beats on Take Care.

Underground Kings

Crew Love

Lord Knows

Look What You've Done

All great beats

His beats are definitely amazing. My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy is one of my all time favorite albums.

Kanye.

Beat-making mastermind.

Dr. Dre, his work in the 80s and 90s is timeless, his time with NWA stood out the most to me though.

Yeah, same here. It's a mystery how it didn't win album of the year.