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
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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?

[@oy3ah2025]

-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

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@Fightookaishii]

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

[@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

[@sandearcubus9299]

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

[@welikelethabo]

True

[@landresking3988]

Fax

[@nicoldengenyakeye6905]

RIP NUJABES... You were my high school life

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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!

[@Mrmo12]

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

[@ThatFilmisGnarly]

wait til you find out about wikipedia.

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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?

[@yy-hj4br]

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

[@landresking3988]

Inner city griots changed my life

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@D.dot.]

Excellent episode! RIP J Dilla

[@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.....

[@shottashabazz6721]

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

[@hydrakn]

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

[@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.

[@jaipatel5613]

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

[@danielcruz3083]

It’s nice seeing a video essay about black music hosted by black artists, great video yall! 🤟🏼🤟🏼

[@stefangroenveld]

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

[@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".

[@create4000]

Dilla brought me here ✨ much love for this

[@tanukijessica]

I was aware of Jazz at a young age, but Hip Hop really brought me to it. I love how Hip Hop has done that for so many people and how they are now intertwined.

[@SoundFieldPBS]

This is true as Lakecia hints at, many of our first interactions with jazz are through hip hop

[@danielpenberthy3373]

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

[@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.

[@howtogrowaflower3905]

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

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

[@nodfactor8808]

Thank you for including Freestyle Fellowship on here!

[@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!

[@tablon8539]

BEAUTIFUL video, so interesting as always, really lovely.

[@mjamison2802]

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

[@kiudcalvin99]

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

[@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!

[@cthulhu5707]

Easily one of the best channels I’m subbed to

[@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! ❤️

[@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

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

I have been into hip hop since 1990, I was 9. I recently got into Jazz, like deep into it, last year. I got all those questions right. Tracks would come up in my supermix on youtube music that I had heard growing up, but now the originals. I heard Nautilus for the first time and my jaw dropped. Hip Hop is built on that song...and Chameleon by Herbie Hancock is my Nautilus, I love that track.

[@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.

[@vincentcournoyer5522]

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

[@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!

[@m.c.ravioli1521]

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

[@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 ?

[@paulkinsman3327]

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

[@ThomasFrank126]

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

[@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 ❤️

[@J_Sovereign]

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

[@Ivan-ho1pd]

Always love your topics and videos!

[@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! 🙏

[@bao._____]

Another great episode, thank you Sound Field!

[@KimiJimiJames]

I'm a huge huge fan of Nujabes and BADBADNOTGOOD who had straight-up never ever heard of J Dilla until watching this episode. Now a whole world's been opened up. Thank you Sound Field!

[@frederickthorne2496]

these Sound Field videos are food

[@devinkk]

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

[@jackxavier3915]

I waited so long for this

[@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.

[@megaanderson97]

Two of my favorite genres.

[@mimidhof2179]

Tribe Called Quest, Pharcyde, Nas, Digable Planet, what a great concentration of artistry I have in my HD thanks to a great friend of mine called Eric Dejong. His mother is from US and his father is from the Netherlands. In the early 90's he has brought suchlike great Hip Hop music to Europe (Brussels) way before it even was well known in the US. Thumbs up to him for his great musical influence over Europe at that time. He is a music lover and a great person.

[@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

[@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.

[@joseencina7698]

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

[@mannyponce2230]

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

[@aerykfilmsphoto]

I love this channel. Keep doing great stuff.

[@ivanmoskvin7638]

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

[@nicolasbautista3599]

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

[@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

[@davidmccullough1571]

I really enjoyed this. Much appreciated!

[@JasonFergMusic]

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

[@amrit6252]

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

[@amyo]

Thanks for all the music reccs 😁😁😁😁

[@BrentLane1]

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

[@onesyphorus]

to think that Miles was alive and contributed so much through out so many eras of Jazz blows my mind

[@believe07]

I live for this channel. Thanks for the content.

[@SoulSugarJoint]

Off the strength of this video alone, my brain feels like its about to explode. The format, editing, research, and talent is absolutely INCREDIBLE.

[@dylanfriel4789]

Just found this channel, new favorite, tysm.

[@ariak9858]

Wooooo so excited for this!!

[@juanmartinfernandezdecordo6858]

This video is a masterpiece, thank you.

[@dan-o6457]

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

[@originalman01]

Wow I’m glad to find this!

[@NegroTrill]

Excellent video. Thanks a lot for this

[@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!

[@RAWTAGSFXT]

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

[@MarvillousBeats]

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

[@GYPTXVN]

This video is amazing and i feel like the foundation and tones of Jazz aren't highlighted enough these days in Hip Hop considering it was a fundamental genre Hip Hop strived off of in the early days for inspiration and still til this day.