Talk about a grand slam: 23-year-old T-Minus was Albert Pujols behind the boards this year, ruling the airwaves with Nicki Minaj's "Moment 4 Life," Wayne and Drake's "She Will" and the inescapapable "I'm on One," one of the best and most impactful songs of the year

G.O.O.D. Music signee Hit Boy was responsible for one of the dopest, most undeniable hits this year, Jay and Kanye's "Paris." The song's opulent, woofer-busting bounce made him a shoo-in for this list, though he also crafted bangers like Pusha T's "Oh My God" and Game's "The Good, the Bad, the Ugly."

Jahlil Beats was responsible for the synth-heavy, rabbit-punch swagger of Meek Mill and Rick Ross' inescapable "I'm a Boss," one of 2011's best songs. No wonder Jay-Z signed the 23-year-old Pennsylvania native—who also produced cuts for Red Cafe, Diggy Simmons, Tyga and others—to his Roc Nation imprint.

Lex owned hip hop in 2011. His raucous, horror-movie-on-crunk-juice productions provided the perfect backdrop for hits by Jay-Z and Kanye ("H.A.M."), Ace Hood (“Hustle Hard”) and Rick Ross and Lil Wayne (“9 Piece”). We named him Producer of the Year at the BET Hip Hop Awards, and there's no doubt he lived up to the honor.