Instrumental Hip Hop 454 Items

Birds of a feather, flock together. It is a very old saying; It means that people with the same interests 'move' the same way. Fate, to some, is but a mere theory human beings adopt to try and make sense of the world around them. To others it is something solidified in the belief of serendipity, luck or good fortune if you will. Whatever the listeners personal concept of the term, the results of two musical minds from foreign lands meeting by accident is something I find difficult to believe happened by chance.

During a cold winter in Innsbruck, while snow slept on the early morning streets, something was happening between the four walls of Philanthropes’ top floor apartment, as the rest of the city slumbered. Was it the mix of caffeine, lost love and their fondness of jazz? Or simply the right time and place, that gave way to these artists embarking on this instrumental journey together? I guess that is a question for the listener themselves.

Whatever the conclusion, I’m sure you will enjoy the fruits of their musical labour during those times. Sit down, relax and take flight; let this record give you a time for contemplation, reflection and peace.

-Eugene Saunders New Musical Times

Nothing But Net presents “Perceptions”, the debut LP from Los Angeles producer/beat maker Jamma-Dee aka Dyami O’Brien. Jamma-Dee has been a figure in the west coast modern funk and boogie scene, both as an accomplished DJ and music producer, having released records under his own name and producing for the likes of Joyce Wrice, Mndsgn and others.

From a musical upbringing in Los Angeles, Dyami’s adolescent obsession with record digging and beatmaking eventually led him to Dam-Funk’s renown Funkmosphere parties where he built friendships with key players in the LA funk scene and began to make a name for himself as a DJ and producer. In the second half of the 2010’s he released a series of EPs on Arcane and hosted the legendary Soul In Paradise show on NTS radio.

His first full-length, “Perceptions” is a long time in the making. Beginning with studio experiments nearly a decade ago, a version of the album found its way to producer and Nothing But Net label boss Onra, who helped guide the project to completion. The album artwork was created by outsider soul music conceptualist and painter, Mingering Mike, whom O’Brien felt compelled to reach out to after discovering his work years earlier. Thematically, the artwork, record, and its title touch on very modern themes: the alienation of life in a world of instant-gratification, an overly-connected society of masks, distorted realities and shifting identities.

Musically, “Perceptions” is the culmination of a life lived under the groove. Featuring a long list of collaborators, including Benedek, Mndsgn, Koreatown Oddity, the legendary Craig T. Cooper and fellow NBN labelmate, Devin Morrison, the double album touches on all of O’Brien’s musical influences. Album opener “Up N Down” sets the scene with it’s syrupy g-funk impressionism, before “Jamma’s Jam” bounces out of the speakers through an auburn-colored sunset haze of lush Rhodes chords and sparkling vibraphones. “It Takes A Freak” and “Datafile Groove” shuffle westward, re-imagining New Jack Swing grooves through a distinctly Californian lens. Elsewhere, the album touches on classic deep house rhythms (“Tic Toc” and “Silly”) and crystalline, downtempo R&B and UK street soul (“Joy”, “Saturday”).“U.R.” features legendary L.A. guitarist Craig T. Cooper laying down a network of stunning, silken guitar lines with absolute class.

Over the course of these 15 tracks, Jamma Dee consolidates, renovates and perpetuates the sound of his influences. “Perceptions” is a masterclass in modern funk and soul production.

Mr. Käfer and Phlocalyst are adding their own chapter to the saga with their collaborative album Now / Again to be released via Melting Pot Music. The vibe of the 12 tracks is chill. The kicks, snares and basslines are crisp but relaxed. Wrapped up in warm melodic layers and led by the distinctive sound of Phlocalyst's trumpet.

The Flemish producer grew up in Ghent and relocated to Munich where he plays in a classic orchestra - a rather uncommon day-job for a lofi producer with more than 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Mr. Käfer was born in Salzburg – the hometown of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Crack Ignaz – to an Austrian mother and an Algerian father. Today he lives in Cologne. In his music he fuses influences from boom-bap to jazz to traditional North-African music. The album artwork was created by Cologne-based artist Giza One.

You have to know how to move away from the rich, strong and noisy streets, if you want to discover another Havana. A Havana far from the tourist circuits and preconceived images. A Havana where one discovers bucolic, but hard and stripped too after slow journeys in the crowded buses, a Havana with which Al Quetz maintains a passionate history since more than fourteen years.

Installed in one of those neighborhoods that can only be reached by going deeper into the alleys, from the open window of the studio comes the sound of banging drums and thumping bass. The sound reaches the streets on which the day rises.

The place wakes up in a growing tumult, with some rare engines coughing, conversations under the windows, songs of the street vendors , an urban ballet sets up as the sun darts its rays. Far from the musical clichés with percussions and horns, Cuba is an island bombarded with influences that one discovers. An island which vibrated for the jazz, the soul, the psychedelic rock , from the waves coming from the Caribbean to those of the bulky neighboring ogre. A musical flowering as varied as abundant that the glorious post-revolutionary label Areito has on thousands of recordings, and that Al Quetz has designated as the sole source of his samples to compose Habanologia.

From the ambiences that punctuate the local daily life caught by his samplers, he let the melancholy infiltrate his hip hop beats, the nostalgia melting in the depths of his grooves. Nostalgia in the Cuban air, even during moments of intense laughter, which never totally disappears.

Habanologia restores these moments when the song of the birds has extinguished those of the cars. Where, sitting on a doorstep, we comment on the life of the neighborhood, we watch the women's swaying at eye level. The whole day if necessary, the coffee at one peso, after a certain hour, which leaves its place to the Planchao rum. Wandering through its streets where a chance encounter can itself bring others and lead to the essence of the habanera life. From Regla, after a short trip on the bus-boat that crosses the bay, savor the end of the day, observe the capital from afar, let the nocturnal insects ensure some arrangements and drift towards mysterious horizons, bringing to the contemplation of the place and the moment.

A flute, a keyboard, percussions or a voice. Al Quetz also invited his friends from the island or elsewhere to decorate his productions with their live touch. To share with him this Havana for which he covered his tracks, mixed times and distorted space-time to make it timeless. To write with Habanalogia, a declaration of love to the Cuban capital, to make Havana, His Havana.

After the success of volume 1, Stereophonk unveils the long-awaited sequel with Bunch Of Funk Vol.2. This album features 18 unreleased tracks, available for the first time on vinyl, including two never-before-released tracks created in collaboration with the talented Medline (My Bags).

DJ Marrrtin, an iconic figure in the breakdance scene, delivers a powerful and organic sound that celebrates the heritage of breakdance while reinventing it for future generations. His tracks, played at the biggest battles, competitions, and break events around the world, are a true ode to dance.

Whether solo or with his group Funky Bijou, Marrrtin drops hard-hitting breaks that set the dance floor on fire. Each track is an invitation to let loose, express your style, and showcase your best moves.

Get ready to feel the contagious energy of Bunch Of Funk Vol.2 and dance without restraint!

Produced by Spectacular Diagnostics Mixed and Mastered by Morriarchi

Artwork by Matt Littler Layout by Spectacular Diagnostics

The man of many practices; beatmaker, instrumentalist, one half of The DarkHouse family (first Word), and proud new father … Don Leisure is a familiar name in the world of beat driven, post hip hop, electronic based music that we now take for granted and is a championing force along with the likes of Samiyam, Eric Lau, Dibia$e and Flako of bringing it into the limelight.

Don is also a well-known procurer of weird and wonderful records from the far stretches of the globe and is no stranger to taking the listener on these journeys with him.

Evidence of this can be found on the highly notable Turkish psych influenced ‘halal cool J’ as well as ‘Shaboo’, a vibrant and textured beat tape inspired largely by Don’s Bollywood actor uncle, Nasser ‘Shaboo’ Bharwani. Both released via the mighty First Word Records.

Don made his Group BraCil debut this year with the lush sunkissed ‘Just Remember’ featured on the Label’s latest vinyl compilation ‘happiness we’re all in this together’.

This regular LP edition does not come with the (Bandcamp-only) seeds!

Amsterdam's resident by choice, Torky Tork's Seed Tape Vol.1 is a reminiscences to his love for growing plants. Having created his own personal "music for plants" project, to keep flora and fauna entertained and triggering the blooming process.
Simultaneously to the album, Torky's own OK KUSH weed-strain will be introduced to the world. The lush & laid-back stimulating sounds and baselines are beneficial for the plants and the listeners cortex equally.
Torky's sound - even across various projects can be described with the broad spectrum of influences. The restless Berlin native has never stuck to one formula. His urge for ever new input is reflected by the constant change in the centre of his life - for some years now, he has been constantly traveling back and forth between his Berlin Bunker studio and Amsterdam, his home of choice. So the influence of weed has naturally been around him for a while, yet inspiring him to dive into the album TWO BE OK.
The illustrious line-up of musical guests on the album contains Germany’s most in-demand producers, the self-taught bedroom beatmaker FloFilz, Berlin’s bunker studio affiliate S. Fidelity, wine aficionado Dexter (also mastering engineer of the album), Wandl and more. This is the perfect soundtrack for watering your favourite plants while watching them grow.

Introducing 'Planet Sp1200' by Klim. Klim, the producer and beatmaker based in Kyiv, draws inspiration from classic hip-hop, chill music, and boombap to craft music that combines fresh soulful vibes with a hard-knocking style. With over 4 million streams across various platforms, including lo-fi beat staples such as 'Night Café' and 'Butterfly,' Klim returns with fifteen tracks created using the EMU Sp-1200 and Akai S900 samplers, infusing a '90s vibe throughout the project.

Influenced by artists like Pete Rock, Lord Finesse, Jay Dee, George Fields, and Mr. Brown, Klim's music is a reflection of the magic found in everyday moments that surround him. It's a product of the emotions that stir within him, where the world serves as his artistic canvas, and each sound and melody is a heartfelt attempt to capture his experiences and thoughts. In his words, "My music is a bridge between my soul and the world, and I hope it can touch the hearts of others, just as it touches mine". Join Klim on this musical journey, where the past and present harmonize in a symphony of emotions and experiences.

Over the last two decades, 20syl has crafted a unique, hip-hop infused, electro musical universe. He inherited a rich musical knowledge and a genuine understanding of analog and vintage sounds form years of classic beat making. He first got his start with Hocus Pocus, a band he founded in 1995. As the mastermind behind the band’s five LPs, including their Gold Record Place 54, 20syl has proved himself to be a visionary artist. A member of C2C - a turntablist quartet with whom he has won 4 DMC world titles – he took the genre mainstream with the groundbreaking album Tetra (2012). This successful opus was rewarded with 4 French Grammys and a Double Platinium Record.

In 2014, 20syl launched his solo career while still working with a few hand picked underground artists such as Grems, Raashan Ahmad and Blitz the Ambassador. In the recent years the prolific producer has taken his trademark overseas with popular remixes of ScHoolboy Q, Rihanna, and King Krule – setting up a booming environment for the 2014 release of his anticipated first solo EP, Motifs.

Co-founder of On And On Records, 20Syl has imposed himself as a flagship of the expanding new scene. Passionate about visual arts, 20Syl designs his artwork and direct his music videos.

A free electron, he seduces the public with his sharp identity and his ability to turn his own original creations into major musical trends.

Tape 1: C45 in Transparent Pink with a bold Full Color Onbody Print. The full album, just the way it’s meant to be.
Tape 2: C21 in Smokey Brown – this is where it gets crazy: the “Crewed & Torted” version of the album, raw and straight to your ears

This album was the first complete album entirely produced at Bump Park Studios of Indigolith. The incredible view of this mysterious place gave Frizz the energy to channel the vibe of Indigolith directly into his sound. But he must continue, as he is a driven individual.

He is a newcomer to this strange town, and there are many levels yet to be explored. After the final release, he is supposed to be initiated into further secret dealings of his label boss. Sometimes, when he dreams, he hears the sounds of breaks underwater.

It remains wild. Follow him if you aint bumped enough.

On April 23, 2021, Degiheugi will present his 8th album entitled "Foreglow". This record with multiple influences, ranging from samba to Afrobeat through soul and French chanson, is a real ray of light that makes you want to escape and takes you far from home. Once again, the unstoppable digger and beatmaker surprises us and shows us how well he masters the art of sampling.

Doctor Zygote is an alter ego I use for hip hop tempos alongside The Maghreban for the dancier stuff. I have a lot of beats lying around that I keep meaning to use for something. File under "Beats to Use". I thought I'd put them together on a little beat tape.
In my folders, my beats have random names like "beats 114 S_Z - 82" so in needing to give these ones names and in homage to "Special Herbs" I have named them all after drugs. Broadly these beats are pretty menacing, and have a big electronic influence. I use all the same sounds for this slower stuff and The Maghreban material.
I thought they sat well together and alongside the vocal feature from Jam Baxter. Some beat tapes are full of vocal samples or play continuously. I wanted this one to hark back to some of the beat albums of the late 90s that were meant for beat juggling with, cutting or rapping over. So here we are.

Orange vinyl. Cover is close to NM.

Oonops's first encounter with Japanese producer Shin-Ski dates back six years when he asked him for an exclusive guest mix for his show on Brooklyn Radio. He became aware of him years ago through his group ShinSight Trio with Insight and DJ Ryow a.k.a. Smooth Current. After one more mix and two collaborations on his Resense-series plus »Oonops Drops - Vol.1« compilation via Agogo Records they started working together on a whole album of instrumentals.

For this 45 Oonops had the chance to dig through an amount of unreleased tracks and selected some of the essential essences with different influences from Jazz, Soul, Funk and much more.

Underworld Soundz [Ghetto Beatz] Tape by Flash27 [808 Muzik / NCV Germany]

100% Old School/Memphis/South/Bass-Music and more x 100% Beatz

After a Classic/Defected release and a string of edit projects/remix work Snips returns to his own Barbershop Records for his latest release "Blasphemy", a project drawing solely on Gospel samples from Snips' personal collection. Barbershop sticks with the theme of re-imagining the past to create something new while continually offering an alternative to todays mainstream. With Gospel music being the least commodified of its contemporaries yet the most essential element of them all, it would seem the perfect sample source for a Barbershop release and a sonically perfect fit for Snips' brand of Hip Hop, Soul & House inspired beats. From future club friendly anthems like "Feed The People" and "Feel The Spirit" to the true school Boom Bap sensibilities of "Pattersons Pilgrims" and "Never Waltz Alone" this release has all bases covered.

Ol’ Burger Beats & Vuyo – Norway’s latest dream team in terms of soulful and jazz-vibed HipHop music with thoughtful lyrics and attitude – present their full-length debut album “Dialogue.” via Jakarta Records. Following up on their acclaimed 2020 EP „All Yours“ (2M streams to this day) northern lo-fi patron Ol' Burger Beats and up and coming rapper Vuyo now succeed with the awaited debut LP “Dialogue.” in February 2021 - accompanied by three single-drops and a music video by Ruffmercy.

Since 2014 Oslo-based producer, DJ and record collector Ol' Burger Beats has been releasing music and instrumental HipHop albums steadily, establishing a dedicated following to his heavily jazz- and soul influenced sound. That very own signature sound of his has been likened to many of his personal heroes and taken him to playing Boiler Room shows, collaborating with numerous names of HipHop’s underground such as Quelle Chris, Jeremiah Jae, Illa J or Chester Watson and counting more than 10 records on wax gaining over 40M Spotify streams on his profile to this day.

In 2018 MC Vuyo released his debut EP ‘Home Cooked Meals’ in collaboration with the arts collective North Of., showcasing his abilities as a songwriter and a producer. Besides that the South-African decendant became one of Norway’s most exciting lyricists, continuing his sonic journey by joining forces with Boy Pablo drummer Sigmund Vestrheim and his neo soul group GiddyGang in 2019. However, it should be his collaborations with the certified beat-maker OG Ol’ Burger Beats to become the most fruitful after all.

In the span of a year the two Oles - Ole Vuyo and Ole-Birger - recorded what would become not one but two collaborative projects to be released via Jakarta Records. Now following up on the 1st one - their critically acclaimed, heavily streamed and quickly sold-out debut EP “All Yours”, released in the summer of 2020 - the newly founded tag team present the 2nd one, the full-length album “Dialogue.” An album that has become a left field and conceptual rap album, inspired by spiritual and revolutionary jazz records, sweet soul music and classic New York HipHop, exploring Vuyo’s diaspora experience as well as the youthful hunger of the two creatives inviting the album’s listeners to take part in their Dialogue.

­­­The record’s unique artwork design comes from South African based visual artist and photographer Lunga Ntila - who also happens to be Vuyo’s sister, narrating through the album as she can be heard on the interludes, sharing insights and family business lovingly tying together the album as a whole.