Finding The GOAT Producer: The Sweet 16 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 5), Round 1 voting closed for “Finding The GOAT Producer.” That round, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). As of today’s tiebreaker between Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon (which was within less than 1% when the polls closed), Erick Sermon has emerged victorious, and 16 winners have been determined.

In addition to E-Double vs. O.N., there were some other extremely close battles in Round 1. Two of the masters of the 1980s sound (and beyond) Rick Rubin and Marley Marl, battled to within a 2% percent margin. The Def Jam Records co-founder narrowly defeated the Juice Crew figurehead. Just Blaze beat out Pharrell and The Neptunes in another bracket that was within a 3% margin.

One of two Wild Card winners, The Alchemist, faced Mannie Fresh one day after his induction into the bracket. By a strong margin, the bi-coastal ALC defeated the onetime Cash Money Records hit-maker, proving once again that Wild Cards are a force to be reckoned with.

Here are the 16 producers advancing to Round 2, which begins tomorrow (February 7):

Alchemist
A Tribe Called Quest
D.I.T.C.
DJ Premier
DJ Quik
Dr. Dre
Erick Sermon
J. Dilla
Just Blaze
Kanye West
Madlib
Pete Rock
Puff Daddy & The Hitmen
Rick Rubin
RZA
Timbaland

The entire “Finding The GOAT: Producers” series thus far.