William Paul Mitchell, better known by his stage names Large Pro and Xtra P, is a talented hip hop music producer and rapper who’s made a lasting impact on the industry. He’s widely recognized for his impressive production work on some of the most iconic hip hop albums over the years. In fact, he even landed at number 5 on About.com’s Top 50 Hip Hop Producers list—a major achievement that highlights his influence and skill. Before all the fame, William was just a student at John Browne High School, trying to figure things out like anyone else. That all changed when a then-unknown Nas approached him after class, asking if he could help mix a demo that would later become the legendary album Illmatic. Though William—often called Large Pro in the scene—declined a formal producer credit on that early version, it ended up being his big break. From there, the connection between him and Nas only grew stronger, leading to a long-standing collaboration. Coming from a musical family, William was surrounded by rhythm and beats from an early age. His parents and sister were passionate about disco and hip hop, and their love for music deeply inspired him. So, whether you call him Large Pro, Xtra P, or William, one thing’s clear: his legacy in hip hop continues to resonate.
He was the front man for the Toronto hip hop group Main Source, where he worked alongside K-Cut and Sir Scratch—really helping to shape the sound that made Main Source stand out in the early ‘90s. Over time, Main Source became known not just for their lyrical depth but also for the innovative production that Main Source brought to the table. Eventually, he decided to step out on his own, going solo and shifting his focus more toward producing music behind the scenes. While his role as a performer evolved, his influence through production only grew stronger, proving that Main Source wasn’t just a phase—it was a foundation.