50 Greatest MC/Producer Duos

The best MC/producer tag teams of all time.

With Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne set to take over charts, airwaves and broadband, BET.com takes a look at the best MC-producer tag teams of all time. We considered several factors, including commercial impact, critical acclaim, influence on the game, how well the two complement each other, how many times they worked together and, of course, the quality of their beats and rhymes. With Ye and Jay as an example, we only considered two-man teams—sorry, Outkast and Organized Noize, Rick Rubin and Run DMC, and Master P and Beats by the Pound. Click on to read our list of the 50 Greatest MC/Producer Duos of all time. —Alex Gale

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With Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne set to take over charts, airwaves and broadband, BET.com takes a look at the best MC-producer tag teams of all time. We considered several factors, including commercial impact, critical acclaim, influence on the game, how well the two complement each other, how many times they worked together and, of course, the quality of their beats and rhymes. With Ye and Jay as an example, we only considered two-man teams—sorry, Outkast and Organized Noize, Rick Rubin and Run DMC, and Master P and Beats by the Pound. Click on to read our list of the 50 Greatest MC/Producer Duos of all time. —Alex Gale

50. Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal) - On their 2000 debut Train of Thought, Reflection Eternal merged politically conscious, multisyllabic rhymes with neckbreaking beats, providing a thoughtful underground alternative at the height of the shiny suit era. Highlights: "Move Something," "Fortified Live," "The Blast"(Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

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50. Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal) - On their 2000 debut Train of Thought, Reflection Eternal merged politically conscious, multisyllabic rhymes with neckbreaking beats, providing a thoughtful underground alternative at the height of the shiny suit era. Highlights: "Move Something," "Fortified Live," "The Blast"(Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

49. Gucci Mane & Zaytoven\r - Gucci Mane and go-to collaborator Zaytoven debuted their blend of slinky Three-6-Mafia-influenced beats and laidback braggadocio on 2005's Trap House, and they've been making trap bangers ever since. Highlights: "Icy," "Stoopid," "Black Tee" \r\r(Photos: Brad Barket/PictureGroup; Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Trojan)

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49. Gucci Mane & Zaytoven\r - Gucci Mane and go-to collaborator Zaytoven debuted their blend of slinky Three-6-Mafia-influenced beats and laidback braggadocio on 2005's Trap House, and they've been making trap bangers ever since. Highlights: "Icy," "Stoopid," "Black Tee" \r\r(Photos: Brad Barket/PictureGroup; Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Trojan)

48. Twista & The Legendary Traxter\r - The architect of the classic Chicago rap sound, Traxster's dark, downtempo funk grooves give long-time collaborator Twista just enough space to flex his superhuman double-time rhymes. Highlights: Do or Die's "Po Pimp," "Adrenaline Rush," "Emotions"\r\r\r(Photos: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS; Traxter.com)

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48. Twista & The Legendary Traxter\r - The architect of the classic Chicago rap sound, Traxster's dark, downtempo funk grooves give long-time collaborator Twista just enough space to flex his superhuman double-time rhymes. Highlights: Do or Die's "Po Pimp," "Adrenaline Rush," "Emotions"\r\r\r(Photos: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS; Traxter.com)

47. King Tee & DJ Pooh\r - King Tee's pioneering SoCal gangster couplets came off extra hard over DJ Pooh's block-bumping proto-G-funk. Highlights: "Act a Fool," "Played Like a Piano," "Bass"\r\r(Photos from left: Ken Hollis, www.myspace.com)

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47. King Tee & DJ Pooh\r - King Tee's pioneering SoCal gangster couplets came off extra hard over DJ Pooh's block-bumping proto-G-funk. Highlights: "Act a Fool," "Played Like a Piano," "Bass"\r\r(Photos from left: Ken Hollis, www.myspace.com)

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46. Lupe Fiasco & Soundtrakk\r - Chi-Town compatriots Lupe Fiasco and beatmaker Soundtrakk brought an indie hip hop sensibility to the charts with intricate rhyme patterns and lush sample chops on "Kick, Push" and "Superstar." Soundtrakk also produced the majority of those songs' albums, Food & Liquor and The Cool, respectively. Highlights: "Kick Push," "Superstar," "He Say She Say"\r \r(Photo: William Yan)

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46. Lupe Fiasco & Soundtrakk\r - Chi-Town compatriots Lupe Fiasco and beatmaker Soundtrakk brought an indie hip hop sensibility to the charts with intricate rhyme patterns and lush sample chops on "Kick, Push" and "Superstar." Soundtrakk also produced the majority of those songs' albums, Food & Liquor and The Cool, respectively. Highlights: "Kick Push," "Superstar," "He Say She Say"\r \r(Photo: William Yan)

45. Drake & 40 \r - Undoubtedly inspired by the robotic emo-rap of Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak, Drake and good friend 40 merged lush, bubbling synths and super-sparse drums with introspective rap-singing to create a new sound and launch the Toronto rapper to superstardom. Highlights: "Successful," "Fireworks" feat. Alicia Keys, "Light Up" feat. Jay-Z \r\r(Photo: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup)

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45. Drake & 40 \r - Undoubtedly inspired by the robotic emo-rap of Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak, Drake and good friend 40 merged lush, bubbling synths and super-sparse drums with introspective rap-singing to create a new sound and launch the Toronto rapper to superstardom. Highlights: "Successful," "Fireworks" feat. Alicia Keys, "Light Up" feat. Jay-Z \r\r(Photo: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup)

44. Nelly & Jay E\r - Nelly burst on the scene in 2000 with his platinum-selling debut album Country Grammar, heavily stocked with vibrant beats by little-known St. Louis producer Jay E. Highlights: "Country Grammar (Hot S---), "E.I.," "Ride Wit Me"\r\r(Photos from left: Screenworks, Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup)

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44. Nelly & Jay E\r - Nelly burst on the scene in 2000 with his platinum-selling debut album Country Grammar, heavily stocked with vibrant beats by little-known St. Louis producer Jay E. Highlights: "Country Grammar (Hot S---), "E.I.," "Ride Wit Me"\r\r(Photos from left: Screenworks, Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup)

43. Game & Dr. Dre - Two generations of Compton, California's finest resurrected the West Coast in 2005 as Dr. Dre supplied firebrand MC Game with a collection of booming new-millennium G-funk beats for his debut, The Documentary. Highlights: "How We Do," "Westside Story," "Higher"(Photo: www.twitter.com)

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43. Game & Dr. Dre - Two generations of Compton, California's finest resurrected the West Coast in 2005 as Dr. Dre supplied firebrand MC Game with a collection of booming new-millennium G-funk beats for his debut, The Documentary. Highlights: "How We Do," "Westside Story," "Higher"(Photo: www.twitter.com)

42. Common & J Dilla\r - Though he's (rightfully) considered by many to be one of the best producers of all time, J. Dilla's success was hindered because his groundbreaking beats often couldn’t find an equal counterpart on the mic--until he linked with Common for 2000's excellent Like Water for Chocolate, setting off a long, and fruitful, musical partnership that peaked commercially and artistically with "The Light." Highlights: "The Light," "Nag Champa," "E=MC2"\r\r(Photo: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)

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42. Common & J Dilla\r - Though he's (rightfully) considered by many to be one of the best producers of all time, J. Dilla's success was hindered because his groundbreaking beats often couldn’t find an equal counterpart on the mic--until he linked with Common for 2000's excellent Like Water for Chocolate, setting off a long, and fruitful, musical partnership that peaked commercially and artistically with "The Light." Highlights: "The Light," "Nag Champa," "E=MC2"\r\r(Photo: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)

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41. Lil Wayne & Bangladesh\r - On both “A Milli” and “6 Foot, 7 Foot,” Bangladesh chopped up familiar vocal samples (of Shabba Ranks and Harry Belafonte, respectively) into bizarre, droning loops and laced them with thunderous 808s and stuttering snares, laying a just-right foundation for Weezy's stream-of-consciousness chatter and creating two of the biggest, best--and weirdest--rap singles in recent memory. Highlights: "A Milli," "6 Foot, 7 Foot" \r\r(Photos: Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup; myspace.com)

40. Rick Ross & Lex Luger\r - All this duo does together is win. Miami rapper Rick Ross and Virgina-bred producer Lex Luger delivered two of last year's biggest street anthems in "B.M.F (Blowin Money Fast)" and "MC Hammer," then followed up this year with the ubiquitous "9 Piece." Highlights: "B.M.F (Blowin Money Fast)," "MC Hammer," "9 Piece"\r \r(Photo: www.twitter.com)

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40. Rick Ross & Lex Luger\r - All this duo does together is win. Miami rapper Rick Ross and Virgina-bred producer Lex Luger delivered two of last year's biggest street anthems in "B.M.F (Blowin Money Fast)" and "MC Hammer," then followed up this year with the ubiquitous "9 Piece." Highlights: "B.M.F (Blowin Money Fast)," "MC Hammer," "9 Piece"\r \r(Photo: www.twitter.com)

39. Common & No I.D.\r - No I.D.'s warm, thoughtful boom-bap made up the majority of fellow Chicagoan Common's first three albums, including his breakthrough classic, Resurrection. Highlights: "I Used to Love H.E.R.," "Resurrection," "Retrospect for Life"\r\r(Photos: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup; Mark Davis/PictureGroup)

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39. Common & No I.D.\r - No I.D.'s warm, thoughtful boom-bap made up the majority of fellow Chicagoan Common's first three albums, including his breakthrough classic, Resurrection. Highlights: "I Used to Love H.E.R.," "Resurrection," "Retrospect for Life"\r\r(Photos: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup; Mark Davis/PictureGroup)

38. Jermaine Dupree & Da Brat - Budding hitmaker Jermaine Dupri struck platinum when he recruited Da Brat for Funkdafied--the tough-talking Chicago MC became the first female rapper to sell over a million records. Highlights: "Funkdafied," "Give It 2 You," "Ghetto Love"\r\r\r(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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38. Jermaine Dupree & Da Brat - Budding hitmaker Jermaine Dupri struck platinum when he recruited Da Brat for Funkdafied--the tough-talking Chicago MC became the first female rapper to sell over a million records. Highlights: "Funkdafied," "Give It 2 You," "Ghetto Love"\r\r\r(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

37. Nas & Large Professor\r - Nas kicked down the door with a jaw-dropping verse over a ferocious Extra P break when he debuted on Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque," and later collaborations of the Queens MC and his mentor, whether Illmatic or Stillmatic, more than lived up to the high benchmark that song set. Highlights: "Halftime," Main Source's "Live at the Barbecue," "You're the Man"\r\r(Photos: Adrian Sidney/ PictureGroup; Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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37. Nas & Large Professor\r - Nas kicked down the door with a jaw-dropping verse over a ferocious Extra P break when he debuted on Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque," and later collaborations of the Queens MC and his mentor, whether Illmatic or Stillmatic, more than lived up to the high benchmark that song set. Highlights: "Halftime," Main Source's "Live at the Barbecue," "You're the Man"\r\r(Photos: Adrian Sidney/ PictureGroup; Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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36. GZA & RZA\r - RZA's saved some of his darkest, most menacing beats for Clan-mate GZA's stunning debut, Liquid Swords, matching his eloquent street narratives with inventive analog loops. Highlights: "Liquid Swords," "Shadowboxin'," "I Gotcha Back"\r\r \r(Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

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36. GZA & RZA\r - RZA's saved some of his darkest, most menacing beats for Clan-mate GZA's stunning debut, Liquid Swords, matching his eloquent street narratives with inventive analog loops. Highlights: "Liquid Swords," "Shadowboxin'," "I Gotcha Back"\r\r \r(Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Even with Em's career taking off, Dre was far from done leaving his mark on the game. Setting up a joint venture with Em's Shady Records, Dre signed 50 Cent and helped launch him to superstardom by producing several standouts on the six-times-platinum Get Rich or Die Tryin', the most hyped-up rap debut since another Dre-helmed classic, Snoop's Doggystyle.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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35. 50 Cent & Dr. Dre\r - Dre created a monster when he supplied a hungry mixtape MC from Queens by the name of 50 Cent with his sinister funk on Get Rich or Die Trying--the album went eight-times platinum and led the way for Fiddy's industry takeover. Highlights: "In da Club," "Back Down," "Gunz Come Out"\r\r \r(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

34. Drake & Boi-1da - Boi 1da's lush, versatile productions have laced every release from fellow Toronto native Drake, including most of the rapper's biggest and best hits. Highlights: "Best I Ever Had," "Uptown," "Over"(Photos: DJDM/WENN.com; Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

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34. Drake & Boi-1da - Boi 1da's lush, versatile productions have laced every release from fellow Toronto native Drake, including most of the rapper's biggest and best hits. Highlights: "Best I Ever Had," "Uptown," "Over"(Photos: DJDM/WENN.com; Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

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33. Mase & Diddy - Puff (backed by his Hitmen production squad) polished off all-too-familiar '70s hits to elevate Mase's deceptively simple raps to multiplatinum heights and usher in rap's shiny-suit era. Highlights: "Feel So Good," "What You Want," the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money Mo Problems"

32. Bun B and Pimp C (UGK) - Port Aurthur pioneers UGK, led by Pimp's rich, laidback Texas funk and Bun's razor-sharp baritone, hit their stride on 1996's benchmark Riding Dirty, changing the sound of Southern hip hop forever. Highlights: "Ridin' Dirty," "Pocketful of Stones," "One Day"(Photo: John Ricard/Retna Ltd.)

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32. Bun B and Pimp C (UGK) - Port Aurthur pioneers UGK, led by Pimp's rich, laidback Texas funk and Bun's razor-sharp baritone, hit their stride on 1996's benchmark Riding Dirty, changing the sound of Southern hip hop forever. Highlights: "Ridin' Dirty," "Pocketful of Stones," "One Day"(Photo: John Ricard/Retna Ltd.)

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31. Redman & Erick Sermon \r - Erick Sermon's dusty, bottom-heavy East Coast take on P-Funk was the perfect chaser for Redman's off-the-wall 100-proof flow, lacing the Newark MC's excellent early releases, particularly Muddy Waters and Whut? Thee Album. Highlights: “Pick It Up," "Tonight’s Da Night," "Time 4 Sum Aksion"  \r\r(Photos: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images; Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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30. Common & Kanye West\r - After Common made an unsuccessful detour to the left with 2002's spaced-out Electric Circus (and perhaps spent a little too much time shopping for knit sweater vests with his then boo, Erykah Badu), Kanye's soulful sample patchwork brought the Chi rapper back to the streets of Southside for the excellent Be and Finding Forever. Highlights: "The Corner," "Go," "The Game"\r\r \r(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

29. Young Jeezy & Shawty Redd - Young Jeezy's grandiose dope-boy tales and Shawty Redd's frenetic synth symphonies, married on wax ever since the Snowman's earliest mixtapes, are the prototype for the "trap music" that's dominated the South for years, providing the blueprint for countless dope boys to come. Highlights: "J.E.E.Z.Y.," "Air Forces," "Trap or Die"\r\r(Photos: Donna Permell/PictureGroup; Erik S. Lesser/Landov)

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29. Young Jeezy & Shawty Redd - Young Jeezy's grandiose dope-boy tales and Shawty Redd's frenetic synth symphonies, married on wax ever since the Snowman's earliest mixtapes, are the prototype for the "trap music" that's dominated the South for years, providing the blueprint for countless dope boys to come. Highlights: "J.E.E.Z.Y.," "Air Forces," "Trap or Die"\r\r(Photos: Donna Permell/PictureGroup; Erik S. Lesser/Landov)

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28. DMX & Dame Grease\r - Harlem beatsmith Dame Grease produced the majority of DMX's riot-inducing quadruple-platinum debut, 1998's It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, putting rappers, producers and club security everywhere on notice. Highlights: "Get at Me Dog," "Stop Being Greedy," "How's It Goin' Down"\r \r(Photos: Toby Canham/Getty Images; Walik Goshorn/Retna)

Photo By Photos: Toby Canham/Getty Images; Walik Goshorn/Retna

27. Lil Wayne & Mannie Fresh\r - Though Wayne's moved on to new producers as he's ascended to superstardom, his earlier, harder records with Cash Money's in-house bounce maestro Mannie Fresh first established him as a skilled breakout solo artist after the Hot Boyz cooled off. Highlights: "Go DJ," "Tha Block Is Hot," B.G.'s "Bling Bling"\r\r(Photos: Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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27. Lil Wayne & Mannie Fresh\r - Though Wayne's moved on to new producers as he's ascended to superstardom, his earlier, harder records with Cash Money's in-house bounce maestro Mannie Fresh first established him as a skilled breakout solo artist after the Hot Boyz cooled off. Highlights: "Go DJ," "Tha Block Is Hot," B.G.'s "Bling Bling"\r\r(Photos: Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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26. Ja Rule & Irv Gotti - Don't remind 50, but Irv and Ja's squeaky-clean hybrid of R&B and rap ruled the charts, the clubs and your girl's headphones for years. Highlights: "Holla, Holla," "Between Me & You," "Always on Time"(Photo: Bryan Mitchell/Getty Images)

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26. Ja Rule & Irv Gotti - Don't remind 50, but Irv and Ja's squeaky-clean hybrid of R&B and rap ruled the charts, the clubs and your girl's headphones for years. Highlights: "Holla, Holla," "Between Me & You," "Always on Time"(Photo: Bryan Mitchell/Getty Images)

25. Jay-Z & DJ Premier\r - From his landmark debut Reasonable Doubt through his commercial breakthroughs in the late '90s, Jay always copped at least one Primo banger per album to show that despite the platinum plaques and jewelry, he was still "So Ghetto." Highlights: "D'Evils," "So Ghetto," "A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More"\r\r(Photos: fafotos/PictureGroup; Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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25. Jay-Z & DJ Premier\r - From his landmark debut Reasonable Doubt through his commercial breakthroughs in the late '90s, Jay always copped at least one Primo banger per album to show that despite the platinum plaques and jewelry, he was still "So Ghetto." Highlights: "D'Evils," "So Ghetto," "A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More"\r\r(Photos: fafotos/PictureGroup; Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

24. T.I. & DJ Toomp\r - Toomp’s epic, orchestral beats and Tip's brash trap tales have defined the sound of the South for a decade now, culminating in the Grammy-winning, chart-topping 2006 smash "What You Know." Highlights: "What You Know," "U Don’t Know Me," "24s"\r\r(Photo: Jeff Fusco/Getty Images)

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24. T.I. & DJ Toomp\r - Toomp’s epic, orchestral beats and Tip's brash trap tales have defined the sound of the South for a decade now, culminating in the Grammy-winning, chart-topping 2006 smash "What You Know." Highlights: "What You Know," "U Don’t Know Me," "24s"\r\r(Photo: Jeff Fusco/Getty Images)

23. Juvenile & Mannie Fresh\r - Juvenile's raspy drawl and Mannie Fresh's club-ready, 808-heavy heaters were the perfect one-two punch to introduce New Orleans' long overlooked bounce music to the masses. Highlights: "Ha," "Back That Azz Up," "U Understand"\r\r(Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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23. Juvenile & Mannie Fresh\r - Juvenile's raspy drawl and Mannie Fresh's club-ready, 808-heavy heaters were the perfect one-two punch to introduce New Orleans' long overlooked bounce music to the masses. Highlights: "Ha," "Back That Azz Up," "U Understand"\r\r(Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

 22. Notorious B.I.G. & Easy Mo Bee\r - Easy Mo Bee's grimy blue-collar funk was the backbone of Biggie's classic debut, Ready to Die, but the producer also provided poppier, more polished numbers for the Brooklyn rapper's sophomore swan song, Life After Death. Highlights: "Warning," "Gimme the Loot," "Going Back to Cali"\r\r(Photos: Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; LAN/Retna)

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 22. Notorious B.I.G. & Easy Mo Bee\r - Easy Mo Bee's grimy blue-collar funk was the backbone of Biggie's classic debut, Ready to Die, but the producer also provided poppier, more polished numbers for the Brooklyn rapper's sophomore swan song, Life After Death. Highlights: "Warning," "Gimme the Loot," "Going Back to Cali"\r\r(Photos: Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; LAN/Retna)

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21. Big Daddy Kane & Marley Marl\r - On 1988's Long Live the Kane, Marley's chopped-up funk samples and Kane's swag-heavy rapidfire braggadocio influenced scores of rappers and beatmakers to follow and produced several classic cuts that still "Set It Off" on the dance floor to this day. Highlights: "Raw," "Set It Off," "Ain't No Half-Steppin'"\r\r(Photos: Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images; Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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21. Big Daddy Kane & Marley Marl\r - On 1988's Long Live the Kane, Marley's chopped-up funk samples and Kane's swag-heavy rapidfire braggadocio influenced scores of rappers and beatmakers to follow and produced several classic cuts that still "Set It Off" on the dance floor to this day. Highlights: "Raw," "Set It Off," "Ain't No Half-Steppin'"\r\r(Photos: Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images; Scott Gries/Getty Images)

20. KRS-One & DJ Scott LaRock\r - The Blastmaster represented for the Boogie Down over sparse, menacing La Rock-produced beats, combining gangster rap, conscious rap, battle rap and dancehall and somehow making it all work. Highlights: "South Bronx," Criminal Minded," "The Bridge Is Over."\r\r(Photo: www.blackouthiphop.com)

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20. KRS-One & DJ Scott LaRock\r - The Blastmaster represented for the Boogie Down over sparse, menacing La Rock-produced beats, combining gangster rap, conscious rap, battle rap and dancehall and somehow making it all work. Highlights: "South Bronx," Criminal Minded," "The Bridge Is Over."\r\r(Photo: www.blackouthiphop.com)

19. LL Cool J & Marley Marl\r - Call it a comeback: On 1990's Mama Said Knock You Out, legendary producer Marley Marl's thumping break beats helped LL resurrect his mid-'80s swagger, rescuing him from old-school obsolescence with the best-selling album of the Queens rapper's storied career. Highlights: "Mama Said Knock You Out," "Around the Way Girl," "Jingling Baby"\r\r\r(Photos: Fame Pictures; Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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19. LL Cool J & Marley Marl\r - Call it a comeback: On 1990's Mama Said Knock You Out, legendary producer Marley Marl's thumping break beats helped LL resurrect his mid-'80s swagger, rescuing him from old-school obsolescence with the best-selling album of the Queens rapper's storied career. Highlights: "Mama Said Knock You Out," "Around the Way Girl," "Jingling Baby"\r\r\r(Photos: Fame Pictures; Scott Gries/Getty Images)

18. Raekwon & RZA \r - RZA's dramatic, left-field loops elevated Raekwon's razor-sharp cocaine-rap non sequiturs to cinematic heights on his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, arguably the best album Wu ever put out. Highlights: "Glaciers of Ice," "Incarcerated Scarfaces," "Heaven or Hell"\r \r(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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18. Raekwon & RZA \r - RZA's dramatic, left-field loops elevated Raekwon's razor-sharp cocaine-rap non sequiturs to cinematic heights on his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, arguably the best album Wu ever put out. Highlights: "Glaciers of Ice," "Incarcerated Scarfaces," "Heaven or Hell"\r \r(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

17. Pete Rock & CL Smooth\r - One of hip hop's standard-bearing MC-producer duos--C.L.'s sleek, effortless flow was the ideal vehicle to introduce P.R.'s new sound, filled with deep basslines and lush sampled melodies, to the world. \r\r(Photos: Roger Kisby/Getty Images; Mat Szwajkos/Getty Images)

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17. Pete Rock & CL Smooth\r - One of hip hop's standard-bearing MC-producer duos--C.L.'s sleek, effortless flow was the ideal vehicle to introduce P.R.'s new sound, filled with deep basslines and lush sampled melodies, to the world. \r\r(Photos: Roger Kisby/Getty Images; Mat Szwajkos/Getty Images)

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"Get Down," feat. Snoop Dogg - A pulsing party track featuring The Mobb's West Coast contemporary Snoop Dogg. The triple O.G.'s get down with clever bars that will expand your vocab while your head bobs. "I'll leave you naked in the streets like a hedonist," threatens P.(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) 

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16. Prodigy & Havoc \r - Prodigy's cold-as-ice delivery and Havoc's dark, dramatic heaters combine to paint a perfect picture of the Queensbridge streets Mobb Deep call home, particularly on their timeless sophomore LP Infamous. Highlights: "Shook Ones, Pt. II," "Quiet Storm," "G.O.D., Pt. III"\r\r \r(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

15. Nas & DJ Premier\r - The dopeness of this long-running musical partnership became apparent immediately the first time we heard the iconic opening bars of "New York State of Mind," the first track on Nas' timeless Illmatic debut, and later collabos have more than lived up to that impossibly high standard. Highlights: "Nas Is Like," "Represent," "New York State of Mind"\r\r \r(Photos: Adrian Sidney/ PictureGroup; Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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15. Nas & DJ Premier\r - The dopeness of this long-running musical partnership became apparent immediately the first time we heard the iconic opening bars of "New York State of Mind," the first track on Nas' timeless Illmatic debut, and later collabos have more than lived up to that impossibly high standard. Highlights: "Nas Is Like," "Represent," "New York State of Mind"\r\r \r(Photos: Adrian Sidney/ PictureGroup; Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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14. Missy Elliott & Timbaland\r - Timbo's off-kilter rhythms and futuristic synth bleeps and Missy's outsized personality and stream-of-consciousness lyrics were the perfect package, conquering the charts and expanding the definition of what hip hop could and should be. Highlights: "Get Ur Freak On," "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)," "Work It"\r \r(Photo: Jeff Kravitz/WireImage)

13. DMX & Swizz Beatz\r - It's impossible to front on the raw power of DMX's gruff growl over vintage Swizz's riot-inducing, synth-heavy Tunnel bangers. Highlights: "Ruff Ryders' Anthem," "Party Up (Up in Here)," Jay-Z's "Money, Cash, Hoes"\r\r(Photos: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images; Isaac Brekken/Getty Images For Reebok)

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13. DMX & Swizz Beatz\r - It's impossible to front on the raw power of DMX's gruff growl over vintage Swizz's riot-inducing, synth-heavy Tunnel bangers. Highlights: "Ruff Ryders' Anthem," "Party Up (Up in Here)," Jay-Z's "Money, Cash, Hoes"\r\r(Photos: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images; Isaac Brekken/Getty Images For Reebok)

12. Ghostface Killah & RZA\r - RZA and Ghost had already cooked up a classic on the latter's solo debut, Ironman, but when they reconnected on Supreme Clientele, they one-upped themselves, resurrecting the then-waning Wu brand and inspiring up-and-comers Just Blaze and Kanye with their chopped, sped-up soul samples. Highlights: "Motherless Child," "Run," "Nutmeg"\r\r \r(Photos: Andrew Marks/PictureGroup; Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

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12. Ghostface Killah & RZA\r - RZA and Ghost had already cooked up a classic on the latter's solo debut, Ironman, but when they reconnected on Supreme Clientele, they one-upped themselves, resurrecting the then-waning Wu brand and inspiring up-and-comers Just Blaze and Kanye with their chopped, sped-up soul samples. Highlights: "Motherless Child," "Run," "Nutmeg"\r\r \r(Photos: Andrew Marks/PictureGroup; Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

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11. Notorious B.I.G. & DJ Premier\r - B.I.G. hit multiplatinum heights with Puffy, but when he wanted to let the streets of the Stuy know that he still had their backs, he knew exactly where to turn. Though Primo and Big only completed three songs together while the latter was still alive, their collaboration stands out as some of the best, boldest and Brooklyn-est works in Biggie's near-flawless discography. Highlights: "Unbelievable," "10 Crack Commandments,"  "Kick in the Door"\r(Photos: Clarence Davis/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images; Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

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11. Notorious B.I.G. & DJ Premier\r - B.I.G. hit multiplatinum heights with Puffy, but when he wanted to let the streets of the Stuy know that he still had their backs, he knew exactly where to turn. Though Primo and Big only completed three songs together while the latter was still alive, their collaboration stands out as some of the best, boldest and Brooklyn-est works in Biggie's near-flawless discography. Highlights: "Unbelievable," "10 Crack Commandments,"  "Kick in the Door"\r(Photos: Clarence Davis/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images; Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

10. Tupac & Johnny J\r - The late Johnny J produced the bulk of Tupac's crowning musical achievement, the chart-dominating All Eyez on Me, lacing the influential double album with lush, melodic West Coast funk. Highlights: "Pour Out a Little Liquor," "How Do You Want It," "Life Goes On"\r \r(Photos: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; myspace.com)

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10. Tupac & Johnny J\r - The late Johnny J produced the bulk of Tupac's crowning musical achievement, the chart-dominating All Eyez on Me, lacing the influential double album with lush, melodic West Coast funk. Highlights: "Pour Out a Little Liquor," "How Do You Want It," "Life Goes On"\r \r(Photos: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; myspace.com)

9. Eric B & Rakim\r - Eric B's beats helped lead hip-hop's transition from synths and drum machines to dusty funk loops, and Rakim, with his cold-as-ice delivery, internal rhyme schemes and Five Percenter philosophies, hit the game like the Second Coming (or really, the First, since no one had heard anything like him before). Highlights: "I Know You Got Soul," "Microphone Fiend," "Mahogany"

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9. Eric B & Rakim\r - Eric B's beats helped lead hip-hop's transition from synths and drum machines to dusty funk loops, and Rakim, with his cold-as-ice delivery, internal rhyme schemes and Five Percenter philosophies, hit the game like the Second Coming (or really, the First, since no one had heard anything like him before). Highlights: "I Know You Got Soul," "Microphone Fiend," "Mahogany"

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8. Jay-Z & Timbaland\r - With Timbo's eccentric beats and Mr. Carter's conservative, just-the-facts raps, it seems this odd-couple pairing wouldn't work, but the results--chart-topping classics--speak for themselves. Highlights: "Big Pimpin'," "Jigga What?," "Dirt Off Your Shoulder"\r\r(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

7. Jay-Z & Just Blaze\r - When Jay wanted to take things back to his hand-to-hand days on the corner of Marcy and Myrtle for The Blueprint and The Black Album, Just Blaze's grimy sample-based epics were the perfect partner-in-crime. Highlights: "U Don't Know," "P.S.A.," "December 4th"\r\r \r(Photos: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images; Scott Gries/Getty Images For Universal Music)

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7. Jay-Z & Just Blaze\r - When Jay wanted to take things back to his hand-to-hand days on the corner of Marcy and Myrtle for The Blueprint and The Black Album, Just Blaze's grimy sample-based epics were the perfect partner-in-crime. Highlights: "U Don't Know," "P.S.A.," "December 4th"\r\r \r(Photos: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images; Scott Gries/Getty Images For Universal Music)

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6. Tupac & Daz - Dogg Pound's Daz Dillinger produced arguably the best songs on Tupac's best and most successful album, All Eyez on Me; his tension-filled G-funk was the ideal foil for Tupac's post-jail eff-the-world attitude. Highlights: "Ambitionz Az a Ridah," "I Ain't Mad at Cha," "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" (Photos: Ron Galella/WireImage; Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup)

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6. Tupac & Daz - Dogg Pound's Daz Dillinger produced arguably the best songs on Tupac's best and most successful album, All Eyez on Me; his tension-filled G-funk was the ideal foil for Tupac's post-jail eff-the-world attitude. Highlights: "Ambitionz Az a Ridah," "I Ain't Mad at Cha," "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" (Photos: Ron Galella/WireImage; Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup)

5. Guru & DJ Premier (Gang Starr)\r - The quintessential rapper/producer combination. While Primo later moved on to make countless classics with elites like Jay, Nas and Biggie, his work with Gang Starr was some of his most expansive and innovative, elevating Guru's cold monotone to new heights for more than a decade of consistently excellent releases.\r\r\r(Photo: Mychal Watts/WireImage for KSA Publicity; Dario Cantatore/PictureGroup)

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5. Guru & DJ Premier (Gang Starr)\r - The quintessential rapper/producer combination. While Primo later moved on to make countless classics with elites like Jay, Nas and Biggie, his work with Gang Starr was some of his most expansive and innovative, elevating Guru's cold monotone to new heights for more than a decade of consistently excellent releases.\r\r\r(Photo: Mychal Watts/WireImage for KSA Publicity; Dario Cantatore/PictureGroup)

4. Eminem & Dr. Dre\r - The most commercially successful duo on this list. Dre's cosign and production work gave Em's intricate battle-tested stylings instant cred on both the corner and the airwaves; in turn, the Detroit MC gave Dre new energy and new relevance in the new millennium. Highlights: "My Name Is," "Kill You," "The Real Slim Shady"\r\r\r(Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty Images)

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4. Eminem & Dr. Dre\r - The most commercially successful duo on this list. Dre's cosign and production work gave Em's intricate battle-tested stylings instant cred on both the corner and the airwaves; in turn, the Detroit MC gave Dre new energy and new relevance in the new millennium. Highlights: "My Name Is," "Kill You," "The Real Slim Shady"\r\r\r(Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty Images)

3. Notorious B.I.G. & Diddy\r - Though Diddy’s actual hands-on contributions behind the boards have been thrown into question, the driving concept behind Biggie's hits--juxtaposting an aggressive underground MC with poppy R&B-ish beats--was by all accounts all his, and it changed hip-hop forever, paving the way for Jay-Z and countless others and taking the genre to another level of commercial success. Highlights: "Juicy," "Big Poppa," "Mo Money, Mo Problems"\r(Photo: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

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3. Notorious B.I.G. & Diddy\r - Though Diddy’s actual hands-on contributions behind the boards have been thrown into question, the driving concept behind Biggie's hits--juxtaposting an aggressive underground MC with poppy R&B-ish beats--was by all accounts all his, and it changed hip-hop forever, paving the way for Jay-Z and countless others and taking the genre to another level of commercial success. Highlights: "Juicy," "Big Poppa," "Mo Money, Mo Problems"\r(Photo: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

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2. Jay-Z & Kanye West\r - From 2001's The Blueprint to this year's Watch the Throne, Yeezy and Jay, the inspiration for this list, always bring their A-game for each other, blending dirty but bombastic beats and rhymes to craft classic after classic.\r \r(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Photo By Scott Gries/Getty Images

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1. Snoop Doggy Dogg & Dr. Dre - Snoop and Dre's first union, the dark, trunk-rattling "Deep Cover," hit hip hop like an earthquake, but it was only a hint of the game-changers to come. On their respective solo debuts, Dre's The Chronic and then on Snoop's Doggy Style—two of the most successful and influential hip hop albums of all time--the pair shattered sales records, introduced a new G-funk to the masses and created numerous timeless classics. And when they reunited on later collabos such as "The Next Episode," "B---- Please" and "Imagine," they confirmed their legacy as the ultimate MC-producer tag-team of all time. Highlights: "Deep Cover," "Nuthin' But a G-Thang," "The Next Episode"\r\r(Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect)

Photo By Scott Gries/ImageDirect