How Jazz and Hip Hop Harmonize: J Dilla, Herbie Hancock, and Nas

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Hip hop’s foundation and evolution owe itself to jazz. And it’s reciprocal. Jazz has borrowed from all facets of hip hop culture and musical contributions, showing that one of the country’s oldest genres is still young at heart. Together Linda Diaz and LA Buckner work together to break down how these two genres cross-pollinate.
LA Buckner talks to Karriem Riggins about the J Dilla formula. Linda Diaz interviews Lakecia Benjamin about the ways hip hop has influenced her as a jazz saxophonist. Make sure to stay for the end to see their original jazz and hip-hop inspired track.
Watch more Sound Field!
How Classical, R&B, and Jazz Musicians Play Differently (Feat. @Adam Neely )
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00:00 - Intro
00:44 - Pop Quiz
02:04 - Jazz, Scatting, and Lyrical Wordplay
05:20 - Jazz Influence in Rap Styles
06:14 - Improvisation
06:50 - Sampling
11:19 - Hip-hop's Influence on Jazz
12:50 - J Dilla's Influence
17:06 - Jazz and Hip-Hop Today
19:00 - The Original Track
Please SUBSCRIBE! ►► tinyurl.com/SoundFieldPBS
We like music. You like music. Let’s break it down. Sound Field is a PBS Digital Studios web series produced by Rewire.org.
#SoundFieldPBS #Rewire #PBSDigitalStudios ahmad jamal chris dave neo soul hip hop jazz kendrick lamar bob james robert glasper ahmad jamal pete rock freestyle fellowship influence nujabes herbie hancock

[@SoundFieldPBS]

It's been awhile since we posted an original track on our soundcloud but you can listen and download it here: soundcloud.com/soundfieldpbs/boom-bop. Make sure to subscribe on KZbin and thumbs up and hit that bell and all that other good stuff though. Thanks for the love as always!

[@lunaleonem3378]

That track is smoother than butter, really well done.

[@alexisogun]

:) jazz is artistically poetic

[@paulwillisishiphop]

Can I rap to what you produced at the end? That was 🔥🔥🔥 ... let me know if a collab is possible?

[@OY3AH2023]

-OY3AH! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ .5

[@_Jordi_480]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1mpV4bN1_frs

[@MrBallAddict]

"And honestly we could devote a whole episode to jazz samples in rap" PLEASE DO

[@j88south]

I second this

[@whoandgo]

i third this

[@marqriley5804]

Yes Please

[@mikedekanter9234]

i fourth this

[@mrlofi333]

I fifth this

[@Bandstand]

Whoever edits these deserves a pat on the back 🤝

[@SoundFieldPBS]

Danielle Riseley does all of the animations! Make her famous :) instagram.com/lee.elle.eel/

[@berlineczka]

And a raise!

[@tzurlifshitz311]

One mounth without bandstand are like 31 days without bandstand

[@adamschorr2301]

The only thing that stuck out to me was that it showed a picture of a cello instead of an upright bass. Other than that it's impeccable

[@2strokeroll]

But why did it stop there? Lolol

[@craigwashington4954]

As an older hip-hop head, I can say this mini doc really captures the topic, the only criticism I have is that they forgot about GURU and his Jazzmatazz series of music compilations.

[@SoundFieldPBS]

Glad we got your respectt Craig. There was a lot that just couldn't make the cut. 20 minutes is our longest episode yet and we still didn't have time for everything.

[@jayephbee]

I wish I could give you 2 thumbs up 👍 I’m going to find my cd right now.

[@Avonbarksdaleable]

@@jayephbee Loungin with Donald Byrd 😍, losts souls with Jay Kay ❤️, Medecine with Ini Kamoze 😍 haha. These albums had so many good collabs, especially the first two

[@SkullFaceNinja]

My first thoughts exactly!!!! Vol 1 dropped in 1993... smh

[@omarabdulalim4862]

I can't see how they forgot about guru's jasmatazz album

[@HatedGreatness]

Madlib! He is this fusion personified.

[@unknownmemory645]

for real..the yesterdays new quintet project is proof that Otis is from another planet...

[@SkullFaceNinja]

Otis Jackson Trio, Sound Directions.... all Madlib.

[@Kyle-jg8ue]

I was thinking the same thing

[@billrice3002]

Yeah, Yesterday's New Quintet opens many doors & windows.

[@J.5.M.]

He even released an album on the legendary jazz label Blue Notes records

[@33dam00]

*mentions J Dilla halfway through the video* me: *waits for them to mention my homie Nujabes* video: 18:42 me: :')

[@SoundFieldPBS]

RIP Nujabes!

[@mienaikoe]

TIL it’s pronounced “Nooja-bess”. Always thought it was “New-jah-bays”

[@SoundFieldPBS]

@@mienaikoe Linda's the one that taught me how to pronounce it

[@smoothsavage2870]

@@mienaikoe i thought it was noo-ha-bays like Spanish or something lol.

[@truefallenangel]

@@mienaikoe for so many years I've been pronouncing it "new-jabs" lol

[@reinjouke9743]

Most underrated channel on KZbin?

[@SoundFieldPBS]

that's actually true

[@MonsieurBooyah]

@@SoundFieldPBS for real tho

[@Mr.Beauregarde]

Real

[@m.c.ravioli1521]

So true

[@IHCOYT]

@@m.c.ravioli1521 def is

[@vercetti_03]

Rakim also got his flow from imitating jazz rhythms and even played saxophone and was a John Coltrane fan.

[@marshacreary2442]

I was thinking the same thing

[@landresking3988]

Coltrane is the goat

[@tdem72]

Yes, I thought the same and even considered it a huge omission.

[@rockingthemike]

fantastic way of kicking off black history month... two genres intrinsically linked to black culture, history and experience. big thumbs up sound field!

[@keraatkins7833]

Next up is country music and how black culture influenced it

[@rockingthemike]

@@keraatkins7833 LOVE!!!

[@SoundFieldPBS]

@@rockingthemike twitter.com/JulianWyllie/status/1356297058550996992?s=20

[@rockingthemike]

@@SoundFieldPBS i am ALL ears!

[@bleyzza3739]

They love the music but not the people who made it

[@musicbyandie]

I have a degree in music where I took classes specifically on the histories of Hip-Hop and Jazz, and I still learned new information from this video. Thanks for spreading the knowledge!

[@Msboochie2]

Of course you learned more. School would never, or could never teach you much of the history of the people and their art. Hip hop and Jazz is the music of African people. African art has never been made to dissect and analyze, but rather to be felt and to inspire the people on a spiritual level.

[@iandawson6461]

I feel like every time I dive back into a musical genre, even one I've been knowledgeable about, I always find something new. This video introduced me to a couple artists I didn't know due to samples used, and a couple newer artists. Music is an endless flood, and I love it.

[@SkullFaceNinja]

But damn y'all really just overlooked Guru's Jazzmatazz series?! He literally made albums with Jazz legends! Vol 1 dropped in 1993, definitely important to the topic, miss opportunity. RIP Guru

[@moussavarolgil9658]

Exactly, All the jazzmatazz stuff or the us3 Hand on the Torch Album or something like erykah badu, d‘angelo or Even a Few Parts of mac miller

[@sandearcubus9299]

Good seeing Digable Planets getting some love. They're often forgotten and criminally underrated!

[@welikelethabo]

True

[@landresking3988]

Fax

[@williamdoran9618]

That "Get dis money" sample just feels perfect every time I hear it. Immediately fixes my attitude

[@seanfitz81]

one of the best ever uses of sample

[@nicoldengenyakeye6905]

RIP NUJABES... You were my high school life

[@drumsonfire89]

“So did you get them all right?” Me:😔 “If not, that’s fine. You’re going to learn more now.” Me:😃

[@thesmellycatjazz]

I wasn't expecting to see the Tiny Desk Winner in here. That's dope. But yea, Jazz is hip again. With artist like Robert Glasper, everyone on Brainfeeder, DOMi & JD Beck, as well as Adam Neely's videos bringing jazz back into the forefront, is a net good for the culture.

[@SoundFieldPBS]

Linda Diaz joined the team back in August and then immediately won the Tiny Desk Contest. That was a wild time! Go follow her she's on the come up instagram.com/lindadiazmusic

[@milesfarnan9049]

Jazz was always hip ... but I get what you’re saying

[@unclebaobabmusic]

@@milesfarnan9049 It did smell funny for a while though.

[@raymondfields3562]

Don't forget about Terrace Martin🎷🎵🎼🎧

[@freein2339]

@@unclebaobabmusic No you just weren't listening

[@a.taylor8294]

I am VERY confused by how The Roots didn't get mentioned in this ENTIRE analysis of the co-mingling and co-inspiration of these two genres. They're a hip-hop group with live JAZZ musicians. How did they not get shown appreciation? I'm also confused that the intimacy of hip-hop and jazz that was demonstrated throughout the ERA of neo-soul and conscious hip-hop of the late 90s-early 00s did not get recognition here.

[@broskimedula5300]

Yeah man. Things fell apart due to them not mentioning The Roots.

[@chilidili]

always scary when videos like this come out during my just intense binge of j dilla, his influence, and the love of jazz

[@SoundFieldPBS]

we were watching you!

[@tecknowledjee6933]

J Dilla is genuinely my biggest inspiration. Hands down the best producer in hip hop; he'd make some of his most beautiful and famous beats in less than an hour. Track 35 and Weedem I believe was made in less than an hour and those alone burn buildings. RIP Jay Dee forever

[@Mrmo12]

Actually kinda crazy that all this info is free. Thank you guys!

[@ThatFilmisGnarly]

wait til you find out about wikipedia.

[@thirtyyearoldmulberryfield]

"You could find the Abstract listening to hip hop My pops used to say, it reminded him of be-bop I said, well daddy don't you know that things go in cycles"

[@craigwashington4954]

Ahh...yeah!

[@jeffb1430]

"You could find Dilla listening to Abstract My pops used to say it reminded him of Jazz Cats See he told me that this game go in cycles"

[@morgengabe1]

Could anybody translate for the underinitiated?

[@jynskywalker501]

@@morgengabe1 it’s the opening from excursions by a tribe called quest on their record the low end theory

[@plmitch]

....way that Bobby Brown is just ampin like Michael.....

[@psycherevival2105]

The concept of sing/speaking over beats also came from toasting reggae + dancehall music on sound systems in Jamaica in the 60’s/70’s. RIP U-Roy

[@psycherevival2105]

@Aluthando Bottoman "If you did your research. you'd know that.." Oh dear did I make a mistake? Please forgive me for not being the all knowing music historian of all time! Musical influences come from many places. Ego only comes from one. Peace.

[@psycherevival2105]

@Aluthando Bottoman Exactly. No need for the condescending tone.

[@genm4827]

I want to point people to Sama’an Ashrawi’s video of Thundercat talking about how he and Flying Lotus got to introduce Herbie Hancock to J Dilla’s flip of “Come Running To Me” on “Get Dis Money”. It’s a great anecdote.

[@tablon8539]

What a host he is, the knoledge, the swag, and obviuosly the voice

[@inyamuthafuckinface]

As if you didn't already know that Black is Beauty!!!

[@myname-mz3lo]

ahmad jamal is a beast his music appears in so many hiphop songs . his music is timeless

[@manasseh2577]

Ahmad Jamal is GOATed for sure!!

[@rodneybeals7934]

Dey don't kno

[@jordanspah487]

regular mondays = bad mondays with new Sound Field = good

[@SoundFieldPBS]

STONKS!

[@ao1920]

@@SoundFieldPBS what about house music/electronic music? How did it come through?

18:34 I really missed Alfa Mist there (I know it's impossible to mention everyone, I just love his music)

[@yy-hj4br]

I'm so glad people out there remember the Freestyle Fellowship

[@landresking3988]

Inner city griots changed my life

[@danihk2872]

y'all fr namedropped all my favorite artists around that 18:30 mark.

[@Ruhigengeist]

Same. All of those are my soundtrack to my workday. Listening to Kamasi while on a train between cities... makes me feel things. BBNG if I need hype. Louis Cole if I _really_ need to get hyped. Moonchild and Nubya Garcia for the chillout. You can basically trace a line in any direction from that core intersection of jazz and hiphop and you'll find all my favourite artists. There's a connection, be it one or two degrees of separation, to everything I like.

[@a52productions]

So glad you mentioned Digable Planets! As a jazz fan, Blowout Comb was the album that really introduced me to hip hop, and it remains one of my favorite albums

[@christianjforbes]

Turntablism is jazz, I do not separate the two. One and the same, the turntable is the instrument and the performance is the language. The record is the tonality of the instrument.

[@stefangroenveld]

Glad I found this video by YT accident. Best 20 minutes today.

[@insertyourquarters]

My KZbin algorithm is truly the one. This video has been flashing at me for two/three days, not disappointed at all. Thank you.

[@Lukz243]

I'd love to see an episode about sampling

[@SoundFieldPBS]

What would the ideal sampling episode be like?

[@Lukz243]

@@SoundFieldPBS it's a good question. I'm lost.

[@apexone5502]

@@SoundFieldPBS I would suggest talking about how it went from the turntables with breakbeats to layering loops from various sources and making them work together to make a song all the way to producers using chopping techniques (sometimes as a work around sample clearance issues) to rearrange a sample into something totally different from the source. Include things like how the sampling laws forced creative methods (as the aforementioned chopping) as well as those who had sampled prior to it becoming a staple of hip hop.

[@martinacuna9556]

@@apexone5502 and dont forget jungle!

[@D.dot.]

Excellent episode! RIP J Dilla

[@williamdoran9618]

Would love to learn more about how this fusion is mixing with funk and rock in London/UK with artists like Yussef Dayes/Jordan Rakei/Alfa Mist/Barney Artist/Tom Misch. That crew seems like such an interesting subject for a profile

[@paulkoestner1]

especially there its a fusion of dub, broken beat, dnb, etc. : )

[@williamdoran9618]

true, so much electronic streams flowing in too!

[@DarrenLewisHarris]

100% would love to see this. The London/UK scene has been such a breath of fresh air!

[@maxx_hz]

Also DOMi and JD Beck :)

[@BrentLane1]

I agree!! I’m loving all those artists, someone just needs to make a feature documentary on that whole scene.

[@jaipatel5613]

so happy you mentioned nubya garcia - she's a legend in the making in the London jazz scene

[@hydrakn]

RIP DOUBLE K... he and THES ONE deserves they own 20min video

[@mjamison2802]

This was needed! Thank you Sound Field, as always, for shining the light on the history behind the things we love today!

[@howtogrowaflower3905]

I would have loved to hear Nina Simone mentioned in this conversation. She contributed so much vocally and instrumentally to Hip Hop.

[@m.c.ravioli1521]

I love the track at the end!! Great video 👍👍

[@kiudcalvin99]

Can't thank y'all enough for this beautiful video! I love all of you involved in this so much

[@lessermoss]

really interesting to look back on the history and the way styles and people connect. and now musicians like LA and Linda are a part of a new history being made, forging new connections. And we all get to witness it! Nice!

[@tablon8539]

BEAUTIFUL video, so interesting as always, really lovely.

[@J_Sovereign]

Y’all are so dope so glad y’all showed up on my feed 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@jayseth]

Ive been listening to Dilla for more than 20 years, I never thought I would become a bigger fan. The man's legacy is a treasure

[@bao._____]

Another great episode, thank you Sound Field!

[@paulkinsman3327]

This is a great post and has been useful in my (remote) classroom. Thanks Soundfield Team for your thoughtful content.

[@preerozbruh]

The more time passes by, more videos surface about the glory in sampling, jazz, general influence in music, and much more; and I couldn't be happier.

[@vincentcournoyer5522]

This channel is so cool, thank you guys! Video was super interesting and you made me discover a bunch of wonderful artists

[@LeafLeafy]

For going from loving music to loving the study of music, and doing both at the same time... you're the perfect channel! Thanks for all that you do! ❤️

[@danielpenberthy3373]

That track at the end was actually awesome I'd love to hear a full version

[@cthulhu5707]

Easily one of the best channels I’m subbed to

[@BrothaSubjek]

This was a good one. I’m glad y’all are dropping historical gems for the new generation of music appreciators. Keep digging and presenting to the masses. Peace

[@iamnathanmusic]

This video is so fire. I love learning about this stuff. Also let’s take a moment to appreciate how LOVELY the track they composed at the end sounds. Her voice is velvet and mist

[@shottashabazz6721]

Jazz and Hip-Hop is the perfect marriage. Both art forms enhance eachother. You got a new Subscriber. 👊🏾✌🏾

[@deepsea313]

This was on point! A few years ago I saw a gig where Karreim Riggins played with a group of other young Detroit Jazz musicians, and I saw that hip hop rhythm influence first hand. It was one of my favorite events!

[@ivanmoskvin7638]

What a wonderful fantastic channel. A pleasure for ears and eyes. What a quality!

[@parthapochee2128]

Fantastic documentary i stumbled upon. As a fan of both Jazz and Hip Hop, it was a very well explained how Hip hop borrowed from Jazz and has evolved. The presenting was top notch and really enjoyed the interviews. Can we get more of these ?

[@bf0189]

My dad was a Bob James fan so it was quite interesting to hear his music sampled in hip hop especially when I was younger. It's how I grew to like both genres heavily! Great video like always. This is one of my favorite KZbin channels ❤️

[@ThomasFrank126]

Wow, as a music educator, I'm so pumped to show my students this, as we descend into our quarter studying composers. Bravo!

[@mannyponce2230]

What a culture and passion filled video. Thanks a bunch for this. Love from Mexico ♥

[@alov3suprem3]

Thank you for what you do. This brought back so many memories of my Pops quizzing my music and the samples the producers used, on who was the original artist. Grateful for your amazing work with music!!! Keep it up!

[@donalddudley9253]

Very informative and interesting subject on the connectedness of JAZZ & HIPHOP. That's right up my alley. You got my attention when you mention groups like The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, and Digible Planets. It takes the mind to a different mind state , finding that balance. Excellent work 👍🏿👍🏿👏🏿👏🏿💯🔥✌🏿

[@dylanfriel4789]

Just found this channel, new favorite, tysm.

[@joseencina7698]

This was the video I was looking for about jazz and hip hop thanks

[@JasonFergMusic]

This is purely incredible! Awesomely orchestrated breakdown and exploration. 🙏🏾💥 thank you.

[@ajproductions7357]

What an amazing video! I loved the part where they talk about J dilla’s lack of quantization. J Dilla , Pete rock and Madlib are definitely my biggest influences. Jazz will never die

[@suecarlin]

Thank you for including Lakecia Benjamin! Lakecia's albums, "Retox" and "Rise Up" live and breathe Hip-Hop Jazz!!! I also love Kris Funn's albums, "CornerStore" and "Bodega" - which samples "CornerStore".

[@jackxavier3915]

I waited so long for this

[@dejiadefuye2047]

Awesome video! One of my favorite jazz samples was the one from Ahmad Jamal for "Stakes is High" by De La Soul

[@Beryllahawk]

Beautiful! I was SO excited to learn more about this. My own experiences with hip-hop are probably best described as "sporadic" but I vividly remember learning to break-dance haha! I was like 6 years old, but we lived in NYC for a while, and my mother was thoroughly put out by my insistence on finding anybody at all who would let me listen to their music and let me dance. I guess even then I was that kind of music lover, I just wanted to enjoy all of it, no matter what anyone else said. I didn't know the names of the groups or really anything concrete; it wasn't until much much later that I started learning enough to understand that I'd been on the edges of little improvisational moments right on the streets - freestyling rappers, as well as dancers, and folks just having a good time. Later on when there were some movies made in regards to break dancing (I know, they're not necessarily good representation) I was very enthusiastic about them because I had encountered the "real thing" - and if movies like "Breakin" did not do a good job representing the genre OR the culture, they did at least capture the energy. My experiences with jazz came FAR later and I actually had a hard time connecting to vocal jazz for the longest time. I think I could go back now and listen again to some of those jazz-poetry works with "new ears" as it were, and get a great deal more out of the experience. Back in my twenties I was simply mystified, unable to quite catch on to the ideas they were presenting. But coming at it now, with some of this information... maybe I'd be better equipped. Once more y'all knock it out of the park, though. And coming at the end of a day of struggle, this was so, so very welcome. Y'all repaired my smile today

[@JDiggiti]

That was incredible . Thank You 🙏🏽 @BTMKRS

[@devinkk]

so cool that they made a song to close out this mini-doc!

[@believe07]

I live for this channel. Thanks for the content.

[@nicolasbautista3599]

Amazing content as always. Saving all these records for later. Keep it coming!!

[@menudongsago]

As a drummer myself, this really help me understand how that chris dave/jdilla vibe originated. Excited for your contents in the future. Keep it up! 🙏

[@ComicPower]

I love this channel. The passion and research are on point.

[@SoundFieldPBS]

this means a lot to us. We are really putting so much of ourselves into each episode.

[@davidmccullough1571]

I really enjoyed this. Much appreciated!

[@amrit6252]

Man, I love y'all so much for this. 🥺♥

[@nodfactor8808]

Thank you for including Freestyle Fellowship on here!

[@originalman01]

Wow I’m glad to find this!

[@marknason4572]

I always learn something new with SoundField!

[@marqriley5804]

This episode is was DOPE. I like how you guys break it down and make it informative and entertaining..never bored.

[@morganhernandez297]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4i8gKaKZdGMrrs

[@dan-o6457]

Thank you for this video and for sharing your knowledge!!!

[@ariak9858]

Wooooo so excited for this!!

[@nicolaalbertoni5414]

Well done! Very Happy I discovered this channel!

[@juanmartinfernandezdecordo6858]

This video is a masterpiece, thank you.

[@RAWTAGSFXT]

Another fantastic episode, informative & entertaining. Keep up the good work!

[@funkkidmusic301]

That track is amazing....please release it!!

[@agustinnolasco]

This is the information that I always wanted to know and learn more about your culture. Thanks for such a great video! Jazz is the music of the future.

[@margeryfranko1850]

Thank you Sound Field. That was beautiful. I grew up listening to many genres of music, but jazz, Latin jazz and fusion are my favourites. I like hip hop and have a deeper appreciation now, thanks to this video and your channel. Keep up this awesome content 💜🙏🏾💙🎺💃🏾🎼🎹🎧🎷

[@SoundFieldPBS]

That's what we are here for! we love all music and we are glad you're joining us.

[@MarvillousBeats]

Wow! Don't know how I stumbled on this video and channel but glad I did!

[@anakin.2956]

I watch, maybe 3mins of this vid then immediately liked and subscribed. Very in depth and informative. A video talking about music and artists that I can relate to and are some of my faves. This is what REAL music is all about. Thanks for sharing ✌🏾🖤

[@Ivan-ho1pd]

Always love your topics and videos!

[@swishyfish325]

A truly excellent video. So glad I found your channel will be watching everything you got!

[@DeepCrossing1]

amazing work to document and give such a comprehensive explanation of a topic that really ranges over 100+ years. The list at the end including contemporary hiphop/jazz artists was impressive and inclusive. This is such an important and useful series, even the inclusion of creative projects at the end of each episode is great for classroom teachers to use the docs in classroom and extend students creativity and musicianship.

[@liam7989]

i’ve been looking forward to this.

[@MJ_Convey]

Was expecting dilla beats, but got so much more! Thank you!

[@BrentLane1]

This is awesome. I can tell y’all put a lot of time into this. Good work!!