preem did the first BIG on the cheap. everyone on that album did, that's more or less how they were chosen. If you look at who premo **** with now, how big his name is, there is no question if the house is paid for. he's one of very few who i am convinced can write their own ticket, demand a high price plus publishing and turn down work if they don't want to do it. you can't buy credibility, and preem is heavy. try finding someone who's been doing this since the late 80s and still gets talked about and gets work, it's a short list. dj premier, erick sermon, biz markie. The oldest "current" generation of superproducers are timbaland and the neptunes, as far as earliest published work. (neptunes can be traced back to teddy riley and the song "rump shaker") oh, and dre. he doesn't even beef now if someone talks shit. he said in an interview, something like "i'm rich as shit, i'm healthy". why fuss? cheap is in, why would dip set or g-unit pay more money for name brand beats? shit, some of the absolute hugest tracks and sickest beats i know were done by producers i never heard of. Who can tell me without checking who did ante up for MOP, hard knock life, and come thru, off the violator album? it's 3 dudes not found on magazine covers.