Performing under a number of aliases, Madlib (born Otis Jackson Jr) is one of our generation’s most prolific hip-hop and jazz producers. Dropping the full lecture from their New Yorker weekender earlier this month, Red Bull Music Academy’s chat revealed some seldom heard insight into the musical influences of the producer, DJ, rapper, and multi-instrumentalist. While we already reported details of an album with Freddie Gibbs and 20 unheard tracks with MF Doom, the recording reveals some interesting details about the seldom seen artist. Here are five key reveals.
1. Rappers Delight was the beat that started it all
When asked what song got him interested in music, Madlib reflected that it was The Sugarhill Gang’s 1980 single that inspired his crate diving. “I was into funky shit; The Ohio Players, The JB’s,” he reflected. When he later began hip hop sampling it was the records of Marley Marl, Paul C, DJ Pooh, and “old” Dr. Dre.
2. His Quasimoto project was inspired by shrooms
“[Quasitmoto] came about because I don’t like my voice,” Madlib shared. “When I rap they say I sound like Barry White, I had to do something to change my voice…I took my shrooms and bugged out and tried to think of something different. I never intended to put it out.” But it seems like the alias is now retired, “I don’t really like to rap no more, he got nothing to say.”
3. There’s a Prince beat tape
When asked if Quasimoto was inspired by Prince’s vocal processing, Madlib was dismissive. “There’s plenty of artists who did all of that in the 50s and 60s and 70s.” This said, he did put together a tribute beat tape following the death of the artist, although it’s unlikely to see the light of day. When asked what era of Prince he favoured Madlib rated pre-1989 albums like Controversy and Lovesexy amongst the best.
4. He’s going to release an industrial album
It turns out Madlib has been into industrial music for as long as he’s been sampling. “It’s like hip hop – if it’s funky, I’m going to use it,” he stated. The new album will be taking sounds from acts like Throbbing Gristle and it’s more or less finished.
5. It’s the music that matters
Madlib talked about a range of topics from Sun Ra, taxes, his affinity with “musical cousin” J Dilla and even Akon‘s champagne. But when it came to music; the things he’s releasing via his label, how he samples and creative directions he takes, a recurring theme was that he makes the music he wants to hear. In Madlib’s view music is “just stuff I want to do. It has nothing to do with anything else.” He also doesn’t mind sounding scrappy: “If it’s too perfect or too clean I’m not really with it. I just do what I want to do regardless… I thank the people who like it, but I don’t care about your criticism.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXkPPnVUm2E
Image: Rolling Stone
Madlib and Freddie Gibbs have announced their second collaborative album, Bandana. The reveal came while Madlib was speaking at a Red Bull Music Academy event this weekend, Saturday, May 7. The album follows on from Piñata, their critically acclaimed seventeen track album released back in 2014. The news has no doubt been hugely welcome by fans who have been hoping for the pair to reunite once more.
As well as announcing the album, Madlib reportedly revealed that it will feature many of the beats which had originally been eyed by Kanye West for The Life Of Pablo. Madlib ended up producing the beat on No More Parties in LA, but, as West himself tweeted out ahead of its release, Madlib had sent over six full albums of beats ready to go.
Stereogum also report that he spoke of at least 20 collaborative tracks with MF DOOM ready to go, but they may never see the light of day.
There’s basically no other details currently available, but Gibbs confirmed the release on social media.
https://twitter.com/FreddieGibbs/status/729147218423365636
with @chairmanmaonyc @rbma pic.twitter.com/DRnK9qgbHv
— Madlib (@madlib) May 8, 2016
2016 has already been a completely insane year for releases across all genres, and it looks like it’s only getting better from here.
Read our recent interview with Freddie Gibbs
Image: Scorepress
From SXSW we first got whiff of the unreleased album The Diary. It was first teased with The Sickness, the unheard collaboration first recorded in 2001 with super duo J Dilla and Madlib (Jaylib), but now we have an alternate version- this time with Nas. Since the release of the long awaited and almost lost album, we now have the first video from the posthumous Dilla project for The Sickness. Directed by Ruffmercy (Lie Cheat Steal, Old English), the clip demonstrates this same typographical, drawn, collage theme which works so well. Images of Jay collate across the clip along with Nas, making you feel as if he never left.
Right from the jump you get hit with Madlib’s powerful production alongside Jay’s legendary emceeing style, sounding like a cut straight off Champion Sound. Nas’ lyrics definitely don’t disappoint either, the Queens veteran fits seamlessly and proves he hasn’t lost any of his finesse from his early days in the game.
Jay Dee’s The Diary album made its debut earlier this month with a plethra of features including Snoop Dogg, Bilal, Frank and Dank as well as producers Pete Rock, Hi-Tek and the previously mentioned Madlib. Read our full review on J Dilla’s The Diary here
Check out the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxYP8Ed3JhE
Image: Rappcats
Producer and Stones Throw Records founder Peanut Butter Wolf has discussed the documentary that was made about his label and the elusive Madlib in a recent interview.
Speaking exclusively to HipHopdx, Wolf whose real name is Chris Manak, explained how the record company came about from the death of his best friend and musical collaborator Charizma. The duo performed together in the early 90’s as both were attempting to get a break in the music industry, but unfortunately the rapper lost his life at just 20 years old, ending their dream together.
After a break, Wolf returned to the music scene with designs on making a new record company, which he subsequently did and released his and Charizma’s track My World Premiere as the first single off his newly formed label.
Now there is a documentary that covers the history of his label titled Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton: This Is Stones Throw Records. Founded in 1996, Stones Throw Records has since grown to be a massively respected and successful label, which has overseen the release of such masterpieces as J Dilla’s Donuts and MF Doom and Madlib’s Madvillainy.
Talking about the famed producer Madlib, Wolf admitted that when he heard his music it made him want to focus all his attention on helping him and similar talents in the industry. “For me, when I met Madlib it was like am I going to keep concentrating on my own music or am I going to concentrate on this person who I believe makes better music than I do?”
“I always liked what I did. I feel I was better than other people, but also felt that Madlib was better than me,” he continued.
The notoriously camera shy producer proved hard to find though when it came to his contribution to the documentary. “Rob Broadway and Jeff Braiver did the Stones Throw documentary. Madlib would always say, ‘Yeah, I’m down,’ but he’d never coordinate a time and a place where we can do it. When he actually did it in the end, I was really surprised.”
Watch the trailer for the amazing documentary below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwZVV_77MhM
The DVD and accompanying CD can be purchased from their site here.
We’ve got a slightly extended playlist this week, featuring a completely diverse range of artists, from psych, to electro, to indie-folk, to experimental hip hop and everything in between. Ladies and gentlemen, sit back, relax, and enjoy the best new music of the week.
Moses Gunn Collective – Hole in the Wall
The Brisbane psych-rockers return with a hazy new single, as they continue on their journey to the top of the pile of Australian psychedelia. There’s a beautiful depth – lyrically and tonally – that’s usually kinda hard to see through the washed-out fuzz. It’s glittery and fun, and another delightful taste from their recently-released album Mercy Mountain.
Summer Flake – The Sun Won’t Shine
With a sound nestled comfortably in between Courtney Barnett and Darts, this folky, distinctly Australiana track isn’t my usual fare, but I love it anyhow. I love the organic feel, and the kind of subtle expansiveness. The rhythm and that lo-fi folk melody make for simple, easy listening, and the extra vocals and the heavier guitars really capture my attention, drawing me in to a track that’s catchy and surprisingly dense.
Young Franco – Don’t Want Me ft. Blair De Milo
Young Franco has come a long way in the past couple years – and he’s moving up, up and into orbit. This is a really cool house track, perfect for cocktail hour, but probably more perfect for a late night boogie. The vocals are punchy and smooth, a great complement to the staccatoed synths and wompy bass. YF is heading out on tour, so get those dancin’ shoes on. Details here.
The Cactus Channel – Sleeping Alone ft. Chet Faker
My favourite for the week, hands down. The Cactus Channel have been on my radar for a little while, paving their way with gorgeous brass-infused blues/funk. No doubt this will draw well-deserved attention to them, considering that it features guest vocals from the award-winning beard that is Chet Faker. The slinky, bluesy track fits a late-night-smoky-dive-bar feel. Faker’s voice is fucking awesome on this one, too. It’s smooth, emotive, and so much more relaxed than what we’re usually privy to. Those falsetto phrases with the trumpets behind him? Wow.
The Cactus Channel – Kill The Doubt ft. Chet Faker
Judging by the above review, I think it’s obvious as to why I’m devoting 20% of this playlist to this brilliant joint effort. The second collaborative track between The Cactus Channel and Chet Faker, this one is swifter and full of motion, but somehow darker and denser than Sleeping Alone. I can only hope that these tracks spawn something more – this is one hell of a sound. Not only is it seductively cool, but there’s nothing else quite like it around right now.
SG Lewis – Shivers (HONNE remix)
Continuing in a similar vein comes this soulful electro-R&B SG Lewis remix, courtesy of the enigmatic HONNE. It’s an interesting blend – raw, emotional vocal crooning, atop bulging, smoke-machine synths and muffled vocals. Once the beat starts to form, the atmosphere brightens. I’m not usually one for this kind of house blend, but I couldn’t help but have a little chair-dance to the rhythm and gorgeous melodies throughout.
Roots Manuva – Don’t Breathe Out
Roots Manuva has returned – and this time he means business. Don’t Breathe Out is genuinely one of the best tracks we’ve ever heard from the UK MC (it’s no Witness The Fitness, sure, but it’s close). Understated, with a smooth, comfortable flow and no need to rely on whoops, sirens and huge beats, it’s a clear sign that his musical journey is far from over.
Med, Blu, Madlib – Knock Knock ft. MF DOOM
I don’t really know if I need to even write much about this track. I mean, it’s a track that’s not only filled with super weird and awesome samples, but it has both Madlib and DOOM on it. Like….. enough said.
Lemon – Your Friends (interlude)
This is a deep, dark and entirely sexy track from Toronto artist Lemon. The beat. It’s slow and it’s deep, leaving the perfect amount of space between each layer – you can really feel enveloped, you can really focus on every single layer at once, from the vocals to the bass and everything in between. We hear A LOT of female-fronted electro tracks like this, but this one immediately, obviously, stands out from the pack.
CVIRO & GXNXVS – Sober (Jerome Price Remix) (Radio Edit)
I heard the original of this track a couple months ago, and it didn’t really grab me. But there’s something about Jerome Price’s remix that’s crawled under my skin – whether it’s that bouncy beat or those funked up vocals, the UK producer has taken the track, originally by Aussies CVIRO and GXNXVS (before you ask I have no fucking clue how to pronounce either of them) and put me in the mood for the weekend.
GUM – Anesthetized Lesson
GUM is the latest project from Perth’s Jay Watson (Tame Impala/POND). The instrumental layers are super cool – funky, crunchy synths with a catchy rhythm, supported by a simple beat and a myriad expectedly pscyhedelic space sounds and synth trickles. Admittedly I’m not huge on the faint falsetto vocals, but the rhythm makes up for it. Keep an eye out for Watson’s new album Glamorous Damage, out Nov 13.
Long time collaborators Madlib and MF Doom of Madvillain fame have hooked up again to bring us Knock Knock. Surprising everyone with only a few hours notice, the track dropped earlier today and is a preview track for the soon-to-be released Bad Neighbor. Not quite a Madvillain track though, MF Doom is only featuring on a larger collab between M.E.D, Blu and Madlib. With a distinctly Los Angeles flavour the track opens with Doom’s verse, and if that is anything to go by, the record is going to be scorching.
With a star studded cast of features, Bad Neighbor is set to include contributions from Hodgy Beats, DâM-FunK, Oh No, Aloe Blacc, Mayer Hawthorne, and Phonte, amongst others. In an interview with Rolling Stone M.E.D and Blu discuss the upcoming record, the origins of the collaboration, and how they managed to get some of the featured artists. Most interestingly though is M.E.D’s explanation of the wait between records for he, Blu and Madlib. It gives a little bit of insight into the improvisational nature of these collaborations and the work that is put in over time to craft such dynamite singles.
From Rolling Stone:
You know when you’re dealing with Madlib, he’s such a creative cat. He has so many projects going on at once. Me and Blu actually recorded about 30 songs. We’re going to possibly manage to do something with some of the other leftover joints. Madlib always figures out things to do with songs and stuff.
Med also enlightens us on the crafty nature of Blu in managing to entice AMG:
Blu got collab-happy, man. I ain’t gonna lie. He told me, “I got AMG.” And I was, like, “Bitch Betta Have My Money AMG?” And he was, like, “Yo, he’s trying to charge a crazy number.” And I was like, “We don’t got that in the budget.” Somehow Blu pulled it through
The album Bad Neighbor is out October 30th via BangYaHead! and is available for pre-order here.
You can stream Knock Knock here, or check out the video below for MF Doom’s verse and a clever animation.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgWY8ful7DQ]
Sam Herring of Future Islands has teamed up with legendary producer Madlib to deliver a spitfire of a new project. Working under the moniker Trouble Knows Me, the two will release a 12-inch LP on September 1 via Madlib Invasion.
This is far from Herring’s first foray into rap. When he’s not performing with the much-loved indie festival faves, he actually raps under the moniker Hemlock Ernst – and judging by the skills displayed in this video, he’s pretty damn good at it. Madlib is also one of the most prolific producer/collaborators around, having worked under a whole myriad pseudonyms with the biggest and brightest in hip hop and hip hop production, including MF DOOM, J Dilla, Talib Kweli and Freddie Gibbs.
Side A will contain three rap tracks + three instrumentals, while Side B will exclusively feature the rap track instrumentals. The beautiful cover art was designed by Gustavo Eandi and Jeff Jank and printed by Hit & Run. Interestingly, the cover itself is designed to be a unique piece of art, with about 15-20 hand-printed variations of the original. Records are stamp-numbered on the back cover.
The track list for the album is available below, as well as one song from the upcoming LP, which is also the project’s namesake as well Trouble Knows Me. It’s a sensuous and soulful track marked by Herring’s unmistakable guttural vocal ability, as well as showcasing his excellent rapping abilities, while sampling portions of Sunny & the Sunliners Should I Take You Home.
Side A:
- Intro (Sensuous Cause)
- Streetsweeper
- Trouble Knows Me
- Interlude (Vision Incomplete)
- Celebrity Vision
- Outro (Drums & Loops)
Side B:
Instrumentals of side A.
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You can pre-order the track at Rappcats, although stocks are limited due to the highly personalised quality of each record.