Top 10 Most Influential Music Producers Ever

Co-founder of Def Jam and the man who stripped down Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z, and Adele to their rawest essence — a producer of extraordinary range.

The "Fifth Beatle" co-created the sonic world of the most important band in history — from string arrangements to backward guitar, Martin's production is peerless.

The inventor of G-funk, Dr. Dre launched Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar while crafting some of the most meticulously engineered beats in hip-hop.

The creator of the "Wall of Sound" production technique — Spector's dense, orchestral recordings for the Ronettes, Righteous Brothers, and John Lennon were revolutionary.

The Swedish hit-maker behind Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and The Weeknd — Martin has more No. 1 singles than any living songwriter-producer.

The father of ambient music and sonic architect behind Bowie's Berlin Trilogy, U2's defining albums, and Talking Heads' "Remain in Light" — an irreplaceable visionary.

Timbaland's futuristic drum programming and world-music influences transformed R&B in the late 1990s and 2000s through his work with Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, and Justin Timberlake.

One half of The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams produced over a third of all music played on US radio at his early-2000s peak, shaping pop, hip-hop, and R&B simultaneously.

Beyond his own albums, Bowie produced Iggy Pop's "The Idiot" and "Lust for Life," Lou Reed's "Transformer," and co-produced Mott the Hoople's "All the Young Dudes" — a producer's producer.

Co-founder of Def Jam and the man who stripped down Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z, and Adele to their rawest essence — a producer of extraordinary range.

The "Fifth Beatle" co-created the sonic world of the most important band in history — from string arrangements to backward guitar, Martin's production is peerless.

The inventor of G-funk, Dr. Dre launched Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar while crafting some of the most meticulously engineered beats in hip-hop.

The creator of the "Wall of Sound" production technique — Spector's dense, orchestral recordings for the Ronettes, Righteous Brothers, and John Lennon were revolutionary.

The Swedish hit-maker behind Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and The Weeknd — Martin has more No. 1 singles than any living songwriter-producer.

The father of ambient music and sonic architect behind Bowie's Berlin Trilogy, U2's defining albums, and Talking Heads' "Remain in Light" — an irreplaceable visionary.

Timbaland's futuristic drum programming and world-music influences transformed R&B in the late 1990s and 2000s through his work with Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, and Justin Timberlake.

One half of The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams produced over a third of all music played on US radio at his early-2000s peak, shaping pop, hip-hop, and R&B simultaneously.

Beyond his own albums, Bowie produced Iggy Pop's "The Idiot" and "Lust for Life," Lou Reed's "Transformer," and co-produced Mott the Hoople's "All the Young Dudes" — a producer's producer.