The Top 10 Greatest Jazz Rap Artists
Jazz rap is a mix of hip-hop and jazz music that started in the 1990s. This style blends elements of hip-hop, like beats and rap lyrics, with jazz overlays to create a distinctive sound. In the late ’80s in London, jazz rap artists began blending live musicians with pre-recorded music to create a new kind of danceable jazz. At the same time, in the US, hip-hop DJs and jazz artists worked together to make a jazz-funk-hip-hop mix. This led to some of the best jazz rap artists and songs that solidified jazz rap as an innovative genre.
Here are some of the first jazz rap artists who created fantastic jazz rap songs and helped establish the genre:
#10
Nujabes
The late Japanese producer Nujabes is one of the forefathers of Lo-fi hip-hop—a smooth rendition of hip-hop that borrows many elements from jazz. His two albums, Metaphorical Music and Modal Soul, are touchstones in Lo-fi, and those who knew Nujabes say he was influenced by tons of jazz and golden-era hip-hop.
Nujabes is often mentioned in the same breath as the late, legendary producer coined J Dilla. In fact, the two share a birthday.
#9
Mos Def
Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey) is among the most famous rappers ever. He became well-known in the late 1990s for his versatile flow, socially aware lyrics, and diverse musical tastes. His debut album, Black on Both Sides (1999), showed how he could mix jazz, soul, and funk into hip-hop music. This mix created a rich, layered sound for his deep and thoughtful lyrics.
The versatile rapper often uses jazz instruments like live horns and bass in his songs to give his music a sophisticated and improvisational feel. Songs like “Umi Says” and “Mathematics” from Black on Both Sides have jazz-inspired sounds that go well with his poetic and socially conscious lyrics.
#8
De La Soul
Hailing from Amityville, Long Island, De La Soul united in the late ’80s. Their first album, Three Feet High and Rising, was a critical and commercial success by every measure. De La Soul’s colorful presentation, leather Africa medallions, and “Dawning of the Daisy Age” stood out compared to other artists of their time.
As the group dealt with the pressure of making a classic debut, they shattered all old ideas about them with their second album, 1991’s De La Soul Is Dead. This album had a loose concept and was much darker than their first one.
De La Soul’s contribution to jazz rap influenced a generation of jazz rap artists. Their impact can be seen in the work of groups like A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, and later acts such as The Roots.
#7
Common
Common, born Lonnie Rasheed Lynn Jr. on March 13, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois, has had a love affair with hip-hop all his life. In his youth, his high school rap trio CDR opened for rappers like NWA and Big Daddy Kane. Fast forward to 1992, Lynn signed a record deal with Relativity Records and released his first single, “Take It Easy,” under the name Common Sense. It hit number five on the Hot Rap Singles chart and was followed by his full-length debut, Can I Borrow a Dollar?
#6
Guru (Jazzmatazz)
Jazzmatazz was a groundbreaking fusion project in which Guru of Gang Starr combined jazz and hip-hop, collaborating with prominent jazz rap musicians and vocalists. The first volume, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1, released in 1993, featured jazz rap artists like Branford Marsalis, Donald Byrd, and Roy Ayers.
Two years later, Guru released Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality. In this second installment, he explores themes like respect, love, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
#5
The Roots
It’s impossible to discuss the genre of jazz rap without talking about The Roots. For decades, they have been one of the most prolific jazz rap acts since Black Thought and Questlove made their debut in 1993. They began performing together and were eventually joined by bassist, Leon “Hub” Hubbard, and rapper, Malik B.
The jazz rap artists soon began to make a name for themselves in the underground scenes of Philadelphia and New York City. Later, they independently released the hip-hop album Organix in 1993 and signed with David Geffen Company Records shortly thereafter.
#4
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was one of the most influential MC and DJ duos of the ’90s. Formed in Boston, Massachusetts, the duo comprised Keith Elam, otherwise known as Guru, and various DJs and producers. One of Gang Starr’s most famous collaborations was the Guru/Dj Premiere duo, which shed the spotlight on Guru’s socially conscious lyrical prowess and DJ Premier’s jazzy sound.
After the jazz rap duo released Step in the Arena in 1991, Premiere became one of the most sought-after producers in New York, while Guru went on to release Jazzmatazz.
#3
Digable Planets
Digable Planets is a trio of three MCs who fuse jazz, hip-hop, funk, and conscious lyrics. The jazz rap group was formed when Butterfly (Ishmael Butler) met Ladybug (Mary Ann Vieira) in Massachusetts during their college years. The duo later teamed up with Doodlebug (Craig Irving) in Washington, D.C., and began recording.
The trio extensively sampled jazz records and blended snippets of jazz melodies, rhythms, and instrumentation into their hip-hop beats. This sampling technique was the hallmark of their signature sound.
#2
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest was, without a doubt, one of the most progressive jazz rap groups of the 1990s. Tribe struck a natural balance between thoughtful and playful lyrics that examined personal and societal matters without forgetting to have fun.
Just as innovative and influential as producers, Tribe helped redefine hip-hop with inventive sampling from ’60s and ’70s jazz recordings, among other styles like bossa nova. They even collaborated with artists from the original records that the group sampled.
#1
Madlib
Otis Jackson Jr., professionally known as Madlib, Quasimoto, and Beat Kondukta, among other aliases, is an American DJ, rapper, and music producer who emerged in the early ’90s. Madlib is widely regarded as one of the best producers of the last decade. Throughout his discography, he has significantly contributed to jazz rap through his prolific beat-making and sampling.
The vast Madlib discography has many highly regarded albums. These include Lootpack’s catalog: Da Antidote! (1999), The Unseen (2000), Champion Sound (2003), and Madvillainy (2004).
The Journey of Jazz Rap and How It Shapes Modern Music
The pioneers of jazz rap, like A Tribe Called Quest, pushed boundaries with their innovative use of jazz samples. Jazz rap artists like Guru continued to evolve the genre, while new-age producers like Nujabes have honed their sound to create new genres like Lo-fi hip hop. Together, these rappers expanded the possibilities of how music genres can blend and influence each other.