Want to get into making beats. Suggestions for a good listening repertoire?

[Funcoot]

So I recently decided that I would like to get into making hip hop / rap beats as a hobby. No real profit incentive behind it, just more so for the joy of it.

I want to eventually get into sampling and all that, but for now I'm sticking with the basics, as I just started.

Anyways, as a musician, I always find it helpful to listen to songs of a similar genre when you're going to play a song in said genre. So I was wondering which artists some of you guys find inspirational.

Ghettosocks is a big inspiration to me. I love the R&B/Funk vibe he has going on in some of his songs.
[hd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXnuFYHrrLE&fmt=22[/hd]

Short summary: What hip hop / rap artists do you find inspirational that you believe might help me?

[darkrei9n]

Worst mistake you can ever make is restricting yourself to listening to a certain genre and taking inspiration from only it. Listen to jazz, listen to rock beats, not just hip hop or rap. Doing so will make you seem stale and unoriginal.

[Funcoot]

[QUOTE=darkrei9n;25370443]Worst mistake you can ever make is restricting yourself to listening to a certain genre and taking inspiration from only it. Listen to jazz, listen to rock beats, not just hip hop or rap. Doing so will make you seem stale and unoriginal.[/QUOTE]
Make no mistake, I'm not restricting myself to one style, I was merely stating what I enjoyed most. I'm still open to all types of artists. I was just wondering if I could additionally find more artists of a similar style as well.

[CoolKingKaso]

I'm sure you've heard or listened to these artists.

DJ Shadow

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32X-ieCav-M[/media]

Nujabes

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUwRGPxCG_Y[/media]

I would also suggest listening to some DnB, but I don't really think it'll suit your taste.

[TH89]

OUTKAST

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXJPqvyp6s[/media]

[Kab2tract]

[QUOTE=darkrei9n;25370443]Worst mistake you can ever make is restricting yourself to listening to a certain genre and taking inspiration from only it. Listen to jazz, listen to rock beats, not just hip hop or rap. Doing so will make you seem stale and unoriginal.[/QUOTE]

This, I write metal, and usually play metal, but I often do bluesy/jazz solos because they are very emotional to me.

[thisispain]

[highlight]for gods sake, fuck everything else and listen to madlib[/highlight]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ_MYIljuIs[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apN0AXjJxQE[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpaonSDPw7Y[/media]

possibly one of the most fantastic producers i've ever heard

[editline]13th October 2010[/editline]

his off-kilter, lazy beat production has completely changed the way i viewed sampling which is something i've done for ages

[Golden Garden G]

listen to infester they bring the beatdown

[Pal13]

Funcoot and Darkreign, you both have good points. Restricting yourself isn't good. But, if you're starting out, it's much easier to learn the basics first. "Study" the genre you're working in. Eventually, after you've learned and absorbed all you can from that genre, you'll want to draw inspiration and ideas from other genres.

Covering the basics and drawing ideas from other genres doesn't have to been done precisely serial. (Hip-Hop seeks out external inspiration by default with sampling.) It's a given that you have freedom to go about the creative process, which includes learning, however you want.

I make beats. I don't draw the inspiration from artists or rappers, but the people who produce the instrumentals. My first recommendation for a hip-hop producer would be J Dilla - easy. One of the best drum selectors and sequencers in hip-hop! And drums are just one of his many strengths. Listen to all of his stuff; his whole discog, production for other artists, and unreleased stuff.

[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc_MJSvumXk[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-blxwMxuAcY[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPijjfhsU4E[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5wjedq_K2k[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEQoRqnFj9Y[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRzRSCRZweY[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMgMGNFzfos[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyxLSpQK5KQ[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FccfybtCMzc[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPIzATsOoas[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0mR2LNTeHg[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA2lFKPdxAM[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYCXrz4qSss&[/URL]

There's so much Hip-Hop producers to recommend it's ridiculous. From Flying Lotus' left-field, innovative blend of Hip-Hop and Electronica, to somewhat traditional and 'violent' boom bap by DJ Stoupe, or to more mainstream and pop stuff by Timbaland and Dr. Dre. Recommendations depend on what you're into right now.

[thisispain]

j-dilla rip

donuts was pretty incredible

[CheeserCrice]

Madvillain, Cannibal Ox. My personal favourites

[attackyourself!]

As well as everything else mentioned, check Cut Chemist, Nas, Public Enemy and Run DMC.

Maybe some Fatboy Slim as well.

[articpenguin]

Old rap. Like NWA, 2Pac, Biggy, any thing with a good rhythm and beat.

[MrJazzy]

I never liked Beats, I prefer actual bands.

Edit: Sorry wasn't really relevant, just had to say it though, you're awesome OP! :D

[thisispain]

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;25379602]I never liked Beats, I prefer actual bands.[/QUOTE]

k that's cool i'll be here not being a loser by listening to Beat Konducta vol 3 & 4

[pie_is_good]

[QUOTE=CoolKingKaso;25370801]I'm sure you've heard or listened to these artists.

DJ Shadow

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32X-ieCav-M[/media]
[/QUOTE]

DJ Shadow is the only DJ that matters.

except that one guy on that show he was pretty cool

[thisispain]

[QUOTE=pie_is_good;25384522]DJ Shadow is the only DJ that matters.

except that one guy on that show he was pretty cool[/QUOTE]

yeah you mean madlib

i'm sorry Endtroducing was a fantastic album but he hasn't lived up to its standard in so long

[pie_is_good]

Endtroducing is such a great album that he could release an album of him farting and I'll forgive that and still love him.

[Mane]

[QUOTE=Kab2tract;25374341]This, I write metal, and usually play metal, [b]but I often do bluesy/jazz solos because they are very emotional to me.[/b][/QUOTE]

i am actual jazz guitarist and wat is this