Instrumental Hip Hop 323 Items

The producer’s own mixes – recently rediscovered – of his seminal EP, expanded with bonus tracks and now available in a special instrumental edition.

When Ruff Draft saw its initial release in 2003, J Dilla possessed production skills on par with anyone in hip-hop – technically and creatively. “At the top of his game,” says longtime friend and collaborator, Karriem Riggins. After years of building while modestly deferring to others of both greater and lesser notoriety, Dilla finally completed the first solo endeavor on his own label, entirely on his own terms. The significance of such an autonomous success often gets overlooked, and partly accounts for why Ruff Draft is one of the lesser-referenced entries in Dilla’s oeuvre. “It’s a mysterious little project,” says his mother, Maureen Yancey. “But out of his entire career, that was the happiest time.”
Prior to recording the EP, Dilla found himself at a crossroads. Estranged from his label, MCA, and separated from the mother of his youngest daughter, frustration abounded both personally and professionally. Dilla spent parts of 2002 and 2003 working on an album for MCA that featured his rapping over contributions from other producers with whom he had connected and whose music he respected. At the time, he was known primarily for his beats, yet reviled for his MCing by most anyone not from his hometown of Detroit. The project was to be an intentional freak of the industry.
The project would go on to spur his collaborative album with Madlib, Jaylib, and would first showcase the template that he would take to his greatest heights with 2006’s Donuts. The Stones Throw reissue of Ruff Draft from 2008 featured remixes of the songs from the album, done without Dilla’s involvement. This version of the album takes Dilla’s recently discovered mixes of the album and restores his vision for the project.

Limited edition numbered copy. Still in shrink but opened.

Copy overall closer to NM

A scratch music supergroup. Nozl and Oslo Flow come together to give birth to a direct, dark and

aggressive record. Beats of impact, high-level scratching. Flow and technique. Featuring the

legendary D-Styles and Manipulate. "Dark Matter" is all of this. As if that weren't enough, the cover

really makes it a collector's item: black cardstock with the artwork debossed on the front and

back. The vinyl also contains a skipless bonus scratch track! Very limited edition of 300 copies.

“Metropolis” takes one to a trip through metropolitan Berlin at night, a melting pot, where cultural exchange is a constant reality. At his backyard studio in Berlin-Neukölln digitalluc captures the fusion of jazz and hip-hop creating a unique sound that values both musical movements. Thereby he invites plenty of fellow collaborators and old acquaintances to bring his concept of organic hip-hop grooves to life. Contributions come from FloFilz, Made in M, Hubert Daviz, Spanish saxophonist Escandaloso Xpósito and Mexican bass player Monno Briceno, just to name a few.

Limited Sea Blue Vinyl Edition.
Still shrink wrapped but opened.
Cover with small damage at spine.

Bluestaeb's evolution from a beatmaker to a producer is his sophmore album “Everything is Always a Process”.

He is one of the key figures of a new generation of up and coming HipHop beatmakers, who have emancipated from genre thinking and instead merge old school aesthetics with a new school attitude and organic instrumentation.

Everything Is Always A Process re-iterates Bluestaeb's overall approach to life (and thinking), but also has direct reference to the making of the album itself, which began with moving from Berlin to Paris in 2015 in the search of new influences and a new creative environment.
Created between 2015 and early 2018, EIAAP embodies the process of this transition - as well as collaboration with instrumentalists and vocalists from all over the world and recording in different studios in Paris, London & Berlin.

"Meeting all those musicians and trying out new ways of producing by using real analogue synths, Rhodes, drums and percussion etc. made it possible to overcome the creative boundaries of a home studio with just a midi keyboard" / Bluestaeb

Influenced by Madlib's "Shades Of Blue" and trained in African drum techniques such as Djembé and Daruka, Bluestaeb had been crafting his own beats since his teenage years and gradually found his sound identity through experimenting with HipHop and Jazz – first to be heard by a broader music community in 2013, when he released his debut album "1991 Extraterrestrial" (Radio Juicy). Since then the prolific young artist has released numerous solo and collaboration projects ("B.L.U.E. Friday" in 2015 and „Sidekicks“ with S. Fidelity in 2016). In 2016, he produced collaborative album "LIT - Lost In Translation“ with rapper JuJu Rogers, a keen manifesto against racism, xenophobia and the rise of anti-heroes such as Donald Trump.
Today, Bluestaeb lives and works in Paris and Berlin and is set to release his third solo album “Everything Is Always a Process”, a smooth Neo Soul-induced epic featuring artists such as Noah Slee, Harleighblu and Melodiesinfonie.

Limited edition of 400 handnumbered copies! Dumbo Station is a dope nu-jazz ensemble out of Roma, Italy!

Out of print El-Aylien Volume 1 & 2 cassettes on Leaving Records now resurfacing on wax!

Duan Wasi's new album is the perfect conclusion to a new journey into the unknown. Listen to ambient lo-fi beats with a nostalgic feel. Dreamy synths, calming field recordings, gentle drums are contrasted with thick warm bass and accompanied with a myriad of beautiful strings, little effects and addition sounds sprinkled over the tracks. Escape from every day life with the beautiful and really unique sound of the lofi beat-artist Duan Wasi.

Limited cassette edition!
Only one copy per customer!
Hip Hop producer L-One from Munich presents his new album “Medusa”. “Medusa” is a 44-minute long instrumental album that includes a vocal-feature by Akere.

Record is slightly warped but still enjoyable.

The hard-hitting, meticulously assembled collage of Indian music spanning Bollywood samples, Bengali religious chants, and more, finally on vinyl for the first time.

he 2nd release on 823, a creative project founded by Ta-ku, is featuring the label debut of Portland wunderkind quickly, quickly.

823 is also the numerical representation of the phrase 'Thinking Of You'. It represents the appreciation for the people/ideas/places that inspire us and push us forward. As a label we are proud to present a series of musical releases that showcase the artists musical & visual endeavors. The artwork is shot by the artist themselves & each release has an accompanying photo zine that acts as a visual story that compliments the music they wrote at that time.

There’s a maturity to the sound of Portland, Oregon-based producer quickly, quickly that makes it difficult to believe he’s just 17 years old. Using elements of jazz, hip hop, and R&B, quickly, quickly weaves a tapestry of wispy productions that feel equally inspired by the dusty drums of early ’90s boom bap as they do by the whimsical electronics of head-turning contemporaries like Tennyson. Taking over on vocals, bass, drums, and piano, he offers insight into a greater understanding of musicality, There’s time devoted to each audible layer and it shows.

Limited to 50 copies.

Hailing from Hiroshima, Meitei, unveils the final chapter of his transformative Kofū trilogy. “Kofū Iii” marks the apex of a musical journey that began in 2020, unraveling an introspective exploration of the artist's psyche while delving deep into the essence of Japanese culture. This latest release invites listeners into the innermost sanctums of Meitei's existence — a passage filled with serenity, self-discovery, and the triumphant conquest of personal demons.

Meitei's journey has been deeply intertwined with his surroundings. His move from bustling Kyoto to the tranquil rural town of Onomichi in Hiroshima wasn't just a change of location but a profound shift in his life. Navigating through the ebbs and flows of mental well-being, Meitei found solace in the quiet, low-key energy of Onomichi, where he began creating his distinctive brand of "ambient" music dedicated to resurrecting ‘lost Japanese moods’.

"Kofū Iii" is not just a collection of songs; it's a window into Meitei's mind, where he reflects on ‘the Japanese mental landscape,’ as experienced during the period of his return to his hometown. This album stands as a testament to Meitei's evolution, from his tentative inner quest to a state of deep healing.

"Kofū” and its precursor, "Kwaidan,” germinated in the solitude of Onomichi, embodying the mysterious, vanishing essence of Japan that Meitei unearthed in the shadows of his hometown. With "Kofū III," this exploration reaches its zenith, weaving musical landscapes that transcend temporal bounds. Each track vividly paints bygone eras and vignettes, all while drawing on the rich tapestry of Japanese literature and mindscapes.

Meitei introduces listeners to the tranquil Hiroshima countryside in 'Reimei,' while 'Hiroshima' reflects upon the city's transformation. It explores Meitei's intricate relationship with the city and contemplates the ever-changing visage of contemporary Japanese progress.

Within the sonic fabric of "Kofū III," "Shisei" brings listeners to Japan's past, when tattoos bore the name "Shisei." Fueled by Junichiro Tanizaki's "Shisei" narratives, the song paints a sensual tale of a tattooed man adorning a woman with a spider tattoo.

Meitei's authenticity shines through in "Kofū III," where complex emotions metamorphose into a kaleidoscopic fusion of lo-fi bliss. In "Yume-jūya," Meitei recounts a peculiar dream and the lingering anxiety it left behind. Also, inspired by the famous Japanese writer Soseki Natsume's "Yume-jūya," Meitei's interpretation offers his own perspective on this comical and bizarre tale.

"Edogawa Ranpo" stands as a mind-bending loop track that pays homage to the genius of the lesser-known Japanese author Edogawa Ranpo, a pioneer of the mysterious and bizarre. This experimental piece melds folklore, electronic rapture, and distortion, echoing Meitei's fascination with Ranpo's work since his elementary school days.

At the core of "Kofū Iii" lies "Heiwa," originally titled "1945," encapsulating Meitei's profound reflection on peace education in his hometown and the weighty significance of acknowledging historical tragedies. Its renaming as "Peace" symbolizes his personal odyssey towards understanding and reconciliation.

As Meitei concludes his Kofū trilogy, global listeners are invited to embark on this voyage to unearth the hidden treasures of Japanese culture and the depths of the human soul. "Kofū Iii" is a meditation on the intangible threads that bind us to our past - a portal to Japan's veiled history, capturing the essence of Japan's elusive spirit through the enigmatic landscapes of Meitei's inner terrains.

"Kofū Iii" is slated for release on December 1, 2023, in 180g LP, CD, and digital formats via Kitchen. Label. Both LP and CD format are presented in a debossed sleeve with obi strip and include an accompanying 32-page booklet. This album is mastered by Chihei Hatakeyama in Tokyo, Japan.

Fifth pressing, this time via Sekito.

Cover with a beginning seam split at the spine.
Small light scuff on side D.

Jazz drummer virtuoso Berlin Lama is likely to be found in the studio on any given day, adding his spice, kicks and snares to tons of songs and albums throughout Switzerland, or playing gigs as a drummer for a couple of big acts. On his free time he needs to relax his muscles and his mind, crafting incredibly smooth and at the same time banging beats for himself. Taking inspiration from the likes of J. Dilla, Q-Tip, D'Angelo, the Soulquarians and the whole Neo-Soul sound of the early 2000s, Berlin is an astute observer of drum patterns (of the above mentioned) but doesn't come short adding his own swing, complexity and density in a fashion only a virtuous drummer could. We have been banging these beats hard over the time they have been chosen from the artists archive, saved for you by us, hand picked for your enjoyment. Turn it up!

brillion. has returned from a deep slumber with ‘Bedtime Stories Pt.4’ - this time, you are invited to experience dreams in a new way, in this highly anticipated project. Memorable beats, diverse melodies and late night atmospheres are featured within every track, with rich contributions from some of our favourite lofi producers. From spots to observe the stars, to forests illuminated by fireflies, the album goes to many places, and we’re sure you'll love all of them.

Instrumental version now available. AMERIGO GAZAWAY, the man behind BIZARRE TRIBE, YASIIN GAYE & FELA SOUL, brings to life an imagined studio session between Chicago's crowned prince of hip hop COMMON and Motown soul legend STEVIE WONDER. Double vinyl in full picture sleeve, limited to 500 copies.

In 2008 I came across a box of 7” tapes at an estate sale in Altadena. The woman there said that they had belonged to her father and were “field recordings” of a turn-of-the century orchestra. It took me maybe another year to actually load them up and transfer them to the computer. When I did, what I found was an incredible documentation of indigenous folkloric music that was meticulously recorded and then later transferred to 2-track tape sometime in the 1960’s. The tapes were labeled “Contact Field Orchestra”-- a collection of field recordings that seem to date from sometime around the turn of the 20th century (possibly a little earlier). After transferring the tapes and cleaning them up as best I could, I discovered that due to the frequency range, they must have been recorded largely with hand-made piezo transducers of some sort. Some of the tapes were partially destroyed, so I found that I had to re-play or play over the songs as best I could to fill-in and augment the original ideas. I tried to stay as true to the original recordings as much as possible. I’ll admit I took some liberties with the EQ (perhaps too much...) and where applicable added a small amount of delay and reverb to accent the track. (Okay, and maybe a few electric guitars...sue me.) The result, I think, is an amazing collection of esoteric folk recordings of a mysterious band of San Gabriel miners turned musicians. Apparently having given-up after the gold boom, these folks stayed in what would later become Upper Mallard Canyon in Altadena -- living in the old Dawn’s Mine shaft, and crafting their own instruments from discarded mining equipment and whatever small guitars and banjos they had brought with them. The sound this orchestra created is like something out of a Jim Jarmusch film, and reminds me of an old Library of Congress or Folkways recording. The music itself is full of opposites -- hypnotizing and odd; meditative and jarring. It’s strangely familiar, but also distantly unrecognizable. Some songs are more minimalist in their approach, building up a rhythm with mbiras and percussion, while others seem to have much more harmony and tonal structure and almost Blues/Country feel. Either way, they had me hooked from the first bar, and I find myself returning to it again and again, irregardless of my heavy-handed noodling... I’m really happy to have discovered this, and I hope you are too. All the best, Damon Aaron / “Sounds like Tom Waits and Augustus Pablo smoking opium on the bayou.” - Kutmah

The Unseen Breaks is a Limited press, 7 inch vinyl experience of Gus Sutherland's "The Unseen - A Detroit Beat Tape", chopped and edited into a classic Detroit break record. Includes bonus production from the producers featured on the soundtrack and in the documentary (Amp Fiddler, Quelle Chris, J Dilla, Dakim, House Shoes, Slautah, Ahk, Hugh Whitaker, & Rafael Statin) curated by TaRaach. From the 1st clip of "Start Recording" to the blaring of the J Dilla Anthem "Ghetto Wish", this 7 inch serves its purpose for any DJ needing to improve their collection.

With over 40 musicians across 28 tracks, Essentials Spring 2023 might be our most treasured one yet. Featuring a who's who of some of our favorite musicians in the community, we present a 2xLP to keep everyone vibrant and alive as the seasons change and days start to warm.

Essentials Spring 2023 features recent Chillhop beat tape alumni like El Train, Evil Needle, illiterate, and Mr. Slipz, while also showcasing songs from familiars like Oatmello, SwuM, Toonorth, Blue Wednesday, HM Surf, The Doppelgangaz, and dozens of others.

This album features over 70 minutes of chillhop, jazzhop, lofi hip-hop, downtempo R&B, lounge jazz, soulful beats, boom bap, old school. However you might like to classify this. Study beats? Sure. Beats to go on a road trip to? Absolutely. Gaming beats, coding beats, beats to daydream to? You betcha.

It's all part of the same Chillhop vibe - a welcoming and comforting sign of the springtime to come. A new season is here. Drop the top on your new convertible (whether real or imagined) and jazz things up with this carefully curated compilation. Buy a boombox. Buy a roadmap. Pack the car and go.

O Samba, it’s time to dance. JIM starts this summer with his Música Popular Brasileira EP debut. He blends old-school Hip-Hop production design with live recordings and Latin American styles and influences. Pachanga is the perfect mélange of a groovy and head nodding beat and catchy Brazilian piano and guitar vibes. Get ready for a warm day at the beach with friends, drinks, and dancing!

O Samba, it’s time to dance. JIM starts this summer with his Música Popular Brasileira EP debut. He blends old-school Hip-Hop production design with live recordings and Latin American styles and influences. Pachanga is the perfect mélange of a groovy and head nodding beat and catchy Brazilian piano and guitar vibes. Get ready for a warm day at the beach with friends, drinks, and dancing!

Knx, aka Knxwledge, is a beat maker raised in central New Jersey and Philadelphia, now dialing-it-in at home in Los Angeles. "Anthology" is the essential instrumentals curation from the forty some-odd Knx Bandcamp releases 2009-2013.

Nice anthology of classic Outkast instrumentals. Tip!