The Toronto music scene has been in the spotlight for the last few years, with many talented artists getting the recognition they deserve. At Sidedoor, we like to promote underground culture and bring more light to artists you need to hear. We believe producers deserve a lot more credit than what they receive. If not, just as much credit as the artists they work with. In no particular order, we’ve put together some of the most talented up and coming producers around the city that have been putting in countless hours of work in the studio, cooking up some of the instrumentals to your favourite tracks and more.
LondonCYR
LondonCYR has been putting in work, collaborating with many artists in and out of Toronto. When it comes to local music, he produced “LLSD” for Smoke Dawg’s posthumous album “Struggle Before Glory”. The young talent also took part in producing “CHUPACABRA” from Killy’s latest EP “KILLSTREAK”, alongside the one and only WONDAGURL. The two producers didn’t stop collaborating there. They also produced “Can’t Say” which was featured on La Flame’s Grammy nominated album ASTROWORLD, which also went double platinum. It’s safe to say London is off to a good start and we will most likely hear a lot more of him in the near future.
Dom Dias
Dom Dias is best known for his exclusive production with his partner-in-crime rapper Just John. The Duo have been taking the ears of many by storm, introducing a unique sound of Hip-Hop. With his extraordinary production and John’s distinctive style of rap, it’s as if these two were destined to collaborate. Dom Dias also makes appearances at local events to DJ and set the mood. As of recent work, Dom Dias produced for his project with Just John, DON & DON II. They also recently put out their latest singles “OFF RIP” and then “Tango Town” with a Dillan Ponders feature. The duo have landed themselves recognition from NOW TORONTO, XXL and NOISEY. Last year was just a start for Dom and he looks to keep escalating.
VILLABEATZ
Villa Beatz has most likely produced some of your favourite songs from rap duo 88GLAM. On their first self titled album “88GLAM”, he was the man laying down the beats on Bali ft. NAV, Kyrie, Ricardo and Heisman. The “REALOADED” version of the album would later be nominated for a JUNO award. He would then go and produce some songs for their second album “88GLAM2”. He contributed to the album by producing “Purple Baguettes” and “GPS”. Villa has also collaborated with other rap duo, CMDWN to make the beat for “Strong” coming off their second album “ATLANADA 2”.
FrancisGotHeat
22 year old multi-platinum record producer FrancisGotHeat is undeniably one of the hottest up and coming beat makers in Toronto right now. Producing from a young age, he would come across the icon herself, Wondagurl. Their collaborative works would go on to create songs like “Earned It” off of Killy’s ‘Killstreak’ EP, “Feelings Mutual” from Lil Uzi Vert’s ‘Luv Is Rage’, and more. In 2017 he scored himself placements on two of the biggest albums of year, producing “4422” off of Toronto’s very own Drizzy Drake’s “More Life”, as well as Big Sean’s “No Favors” on “I Decided”. Francis has also produced for other big names such as Roy Woods, Bryson Tiller, Rich The Kid, Isaiah Rashad and many others. Although Francis focuses most of his work into rap and hip hop, he has also gone to produce in other genres like R&B and pop, creating the instrumental for international star Zayn Malik’s “Stand Still” track off of his newest album “Icarus Falls”.
Lantz
Known for his cinematic trap beats, unique melodies and swirling baselines, Lantz is responsible for producing and composing the majority of Jazz Cartier’s “Marauding in Paradise” and “Hotel Paranoia”, both amazing bodies of work. He has also supported Jazz on many other big tracks such as “Just In Case”, “Lil Wayne”, “Pree” and more. Most recently Lantz collaborated with Cartier on his newest album “Fleurever”, producing 3 songs on the album including one of the standout hits “Right Now”. Although most of his standout music has been with Jazz, the producer is also putting in work elsewhere creating not just rap beats, but R&B, dance and pop beats for artists everywhere, with his latest release of “Take It Or Leave It” with Willa Milner, co-produced with Derek Hoffman.
Dnny Phntm
Dnny Phntm is most notable for his production work with Castro Guapo and Fiji, better known as CMDWN. His production has contributed heavily to CMDWN’s turnt-up bangers over the years. He has worked on all three albums with the rap duo including “Atlanada”, “Castro vs Fiji” and “Atlanada 2”. Last summer, he landed a feature from Chi-Town legend Chief Keef with “Roxanne” coming off Atlanada 2. Some songs you have heard off the albums he produced are “Die in Supreme”(ft. Nessly), “Water Man”, “HELLalujah”, “Hold Up” “Freestyle” and “Wacka Flocka Flame”. His most recent work includes Castro Guapo’s “SOUFSIDE FREESTYLE”. Dnny Phntm stays relatively quiet on social media despite having a nice body of work. We couldn’t even find a picture of him online, but we can assume he lets the music speak for itself.
