A Producer’s Award.
BOI-1DA – Be Careful – Cardi B (T), Diplomatic Immunity – Drake (S), Friends – The Carters (T), God’s Plan – Drake (S), Heard About Us – The Carters (T), Lucky You – Eminem Featuring Joyner Lucas (T), Mob Ties – Drake (T), No Limit – G-Eazy Featuring A$AP Rocky & Cardi B (S)
LARRY KLEIN – All These Things – Thomas Dybdahl (S), Anthem – Madeleine Peyroux (A), The Book Of Longing – Luciana Souza (A), Can I Have It All – Thomas Dybdahl (S), Junk – Hailey Tuck (A), Look At What We’ve Done – Thomas Dybdahl (S), Meaning To Tell Ya – Molly Johnson (A)
LINDA PERRY – Harder Better Faster Stronger – Willa Amai (S), Served Like A Girl Music From And Inspired By The Documentary Film – Various Artists (A), 28 Days In The Valley – Dorothy (A)
KANYE WEST – Daytona – Pusha T (A), Kids See Ghosts – Kids See Ghosts (A), K.T.S.E. – Teyana Taylor (A), Nasir – Nas (A), Ye – Kanye West (A)
PHARRELL WILLIAMS – Apes*** – The Carters (T), Man Of The Woods – Justin Timberlake (A), No One Ever Really Dies – N.E.R.D (A), Stir Fry – Migos (T), Sweetener – Ariana Grande (A)
Well here’s an odd combination of veterans and newer folks. Larry Klein has been producing records for a long time – Linda Perry has been writing hits since the 80’s, Pharrell has been making hits for 20 years, and Kanye – yeah he stays in the news. Only producer here I haven’t heard of is BOI-1DA. The only track produced by BOI-1DA I like is the Eminem – his entire record really dropped my jaw and made me laugh many times. He’s great when he’s mad, and these days he’s mad about being old. Good stuff. He also makes fun of face tattooes.
Of the Larry Klein productions I liked the first Thomas Dybdahl track, didn’t really care for any of the rest of it.
The Linda Perry nominees didn’t really do much for me, I’ve never been a big fan of her music. I like her, though.
Now for the real surprise. The Kanye West productions really caught my attention. They all are 7-track e.p.’s on the streaming service I use – not sure if there are longer versions elsewhere. But wow – I loved the Pusha T record. I haven’t loved a hip hop record in a decade. Kanye’s production is absolutely insane. Kind of like him. This is like Syd Barrett level hip hop production. Dude is flying close to the sun. The Kids See Ghosts release is also really great. I don’t know who the artists are on this – I recognise Kanye. I’ve never liked Kanye – but hearing these records makes me want to backtrack and listen to other stuff he’s produced. I didn’t like his album, or the Nas record, or Teyana Taylor – but the first two on this list of nominees are well worth checking out.
Now for the biggest letdown. There was a time not too long ago when every time I heard a song on top 40 radio that I liked – it was produced by the Neptunes or Pharrell. But ever since “Happy” I haven’t heard anything I like. The Justin Timberlake does not have one memorable moment. The N.E.R.D. record is unfocused and boring. Same for Migos and Ariana Grande. Where have the hooks gone? My vote goes to Kanye, and I’m as astonished by that as anyone.
the lee show 