Madlib Explained

Madlib
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Otis Jackson, Jr.
Birth Date:24 October 1973
Birth Place:Oxnard, California, U.S.
Years Active:1993–present

Otis Jackson Jr. (born October 24, 1973), known professionally as Madlib, is an American record producer, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper. Critically acclaimed for his eclectic and sample-heavy production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential producers in modern hip hop and alternative hip hop. His frequent collaborators include MF DOOM (as Madvillain), J Dilla (as Jaylib), Freddie Gibbs (as MadGibbs), Talib Kweli, and Erykah Badu.[1] [2] [3]

Raised in Oxnard, California, Jackson began his career in music production in the early 1990s. He gained prominence as a member of the hip hop collective Lootpack and later formed the jazz-influenced group Yesterdays New Quintet. Jackson gained wider recognition for his collaboration with MF DOOM under the name Madvillain, producing the critically acclaimed album Madvillainy (2004). He was also credited for his work on "The Unseen" (2000) under his alter ego Quasimoto.

As a producer, Jackson has worked on numerous critically acclaimed projects. He produced the entirety of Freddie Gibbs' Piñata (2014) and Bandana (2019), both of which received widespread critical acclaim.

Madlib is the founder of the record label Madlib Invazion. His work often incorporates elements of jazz and world music.

Early life

Otis Jackson Jr. was born on October 24, 1973,[4] in Oxnard, California,[5] to musician parents Otis Jackson, Sr. and Dora Sinesca Jackson. He sampled his first song at 11 years old, sourced from his father's collection. His younger brother is the producer and rapper Michael "Oh No" Jackson.[6] His uncle is the jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. He was raised in Oxnard, where he began his music career.

Career

1993–1998: Early career

In the early 1990s, Madlib formed a loose-knit collective composed of rappers who worked with him in his Oxnard-based Crate Diggas Palace (CDP) studio.[7] This collective was composed primarily of his friends, and became known as CDP. The crew included affiliated artists such as Madlib's younger brother Oh No, Kankick, Dudley Perkins aka Declaime, M.E.D. aka Medaphoar, and others. Madlib's first commercially released music was production for the rap group Tha Alkaholiks in 1993. He went on to record music of his own with the group Lootpack. Their 12-inch EP Psyche Move was released by Madlib's father in 1995 on a label also called Crate Diggas Palace. This record caught the attention of Peanut Butter Wolf, founder of the Stones Throw Records label, who signed the group in 1998.

1999–2009: Stones Throw Records

Lootpack's 1999 debut album ushered in a string of releases on Stones Throw centering on Madlib's production work which would continue for a decade. His first solo work, The Unseen, under the guise of Quasimoto, came in 2000. The album was met with critical acclaim and named by Spin as one of the top 20 albums of the year.[8]

In 2001, Madlib moved away from hip hop music and began a series of releases from Yesterdays New Quintet, a jazz-based, hip hop and electronic-influenced quintet made up of alter-egos or fictional musicians played by Madlib. Over the next several years, through several record releases on Stones Throw and other labels, the growing number of pseudonyms and fictional players came to be known as Yesterdays Universe.[9] Madlib was later invited to remix tracks from the Blue Note Records archive in 2003, which he released as Shades of Blue. In addition to the remixes, the album contained newly recorded interpretations of Blue Note originals, many of which were credited to members of Yesterdays New Quintet. Beginning with the 2007 album The Funky Side of Life by Yesterdays New Quintet spin-off group Sound Directions, the Yesterdays Universe also began incorporating additional session musicians who were not pseudonyms of Madlib.

Returning to hip hop music in 2003, Madlib announced two collaborative projects. He joined hip hop producer J Dilla in a duo known as Jaylib, which released Champion Sound.

Madlib then collaborated with rapper MF DOOM, known together as Madvillain, for the album Madvillainy. Though released in 2004, the album was being worked on as early as 2002. However, production was halted when the album was leaked while Madlib was on a trip to Brazil. Madvillainy was produced by using a Boss SP-303 and a turntable. Madvillainy was highly anticipated and well-received, topping many critics' year-end lists.[10] [11]

The 2005 Quasimoto album The Further Adventures of Lord Quas met with warm reception[12] and continued the Quasimoto tradition of using vocal samples from Melvin Van Peebles, who is credited on the album liner notes as a collaborator. Throughout the rest of the decade Madlib continued to release jazz material simultaneously with his hip hop work: Perseverance with Percee P, Liberation with Talib Kweli, Sujinho with Ivan Conti of Azymuth, his own instrumental hip hop series Beat Konducta, In Search of Stoney Jackson with Strong Arm Steady, O. J. Simpson with Guilty Simpson, and production work for artists such as Erykah Badu and De La Soul.

2010–present: Madlib Invazion, Madlib Medicine Show

In 2010, Madlib announced his own imprint called Madlib Invazion, formed to release a music series called Madlib Medicine Show.[13] The series would ultimately take over two years to complete, culminating with 13 album releases and several vinyl-only EPs spanning hip hop, jazz, remixes, and multi-genre DJ mixtapes. The label has continued to release records outside of the original series. In 2011, Madlib composed the film score for the A Tribe Called Quest documentary film . Madlib also produced "Cadillacs" with Snoop Dogg for his mixtape That's My Work Volume 3, released on February 27, 2014.[14]

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib announced plans for a collaboration album late in 2011 with the release of an EP titled Thuggin, which was followed by a second EP titled Shame on June 22, 2012, and a third EP titled Deeper on September 24, 2013. The duo's full-length collaboration album Piñata was released on March 18, 2014, to widespread critical acclaim. The pair, later known as MadGibbs, released a follow-up album titled Bandana on June 28, 2019.

In a 2010 interview with LA Weekly, Madlib stated that Kanye West put five of his beats on hold for the album he was working on at the time.[15] While none of the beats were used, Madlib did take part in the recording sessions for the album, which evolved from Good Ass Job to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.[16] He was also rumored to be involved in West's collaboration album with Jay-Z entitled Watch the Throne, but ultimately was not.[17] West was interviewed as part of the 2014 Stones Throw documentary film Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton, in which he opens up about working with Madlib and wanting more of his beats for future projects.[18]

On January 18, 2016, West released the Madlib-produced "No More Parties in L.A." featuring Kendrick Lamar on SoundCloud as part of his GOOD Fridays series.[19] According to reports, the track originated from the recording sessions for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in 2010.[20] West also recited a few lines from the track in the Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton interview. "No More Parties in L.A." appears on his seventh album, which underwent several name changes: So Help Me God, SWISH, and Waves, before finally being released as The Life of Pablo on February 12, 2016. West also hinted at the possibility of future collaborations with Madlib via Twitter thanking him for sending over six beat CDs.[21]

Following Mac Miller's death, Chicago producer Thelonious Martin claimed on February 20, 2019, that Mac Miller and Madlib were reportedly working on an album together, called MacLib.[22] [23] Madlib addressed this statement on March 19, 2019, stating that he had recorded an EP with Mac Miller between 2015 and 2017, but that there were no plans of releasing the EP.[24] However, Madlib added during an interview on June 3, 2019, that if Mac Miller's estate gives him the right to, he will release the EP.[25] On February 8, 2020, a MacLib song was leaked.[26] On March 28, 2023, Madlib revealed in an interview on Sway in the Morning that he was "finishing up" his collaborative effort with the late Miller, and that the rapper's estate was on board with a release.[27]

In January 2021, in an interview with The Guardian, Madlib revealed he missed the opportunity to join forces with Kendrick Lamar on his 2015 album, To Pimp a Butterfly.[28] On April 23, 2021, fellow rapper Logic released "Mars Only pt. 3," a collaboration between him and Madlib, on his YouTube channel under the name Madgic.[29]

Musical style and influences

During an interview on Chrome Children, Madlib stated that his most significant musical influences include Miles Davis, Sun Ra, and David Axelrod.

On his song "Jazz Cats, Part 1" from his album The Unseen (2000), he gave an extensive overview of his jazz influences. Aside from Davis and Ra who are noted earlier, he named George Benson, Hampton Hawes, Steve Kuhn, George Cables, Cedar Walton, Herbie Hancock, Gene Harris and the Three Sounds, Bobby Hutcherson, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, Bill Evans, Terry Gibbs, Gary Burton, Donald Byrd, George Duke, Lee Morgan, Shirley Scott, Groove Holmes, Jimmy Smith, Gene Russell, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Michael White, Cal Tjader, Weather Report, Max Roach, Freddie Hubbard, Cannonball Adderley, Eddie Harris, Milt Jackson, Ron Carter, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, William Fisher, John Coltrane, Gary Bartz, Kool & the Gang, Modern Jazz Quartet, Johnny Hammond, Carl Saunders, Paul Bley, Thelonious Monk, Norman Connors, Albert Ayler, McCoy Tyner, & Dizzy Gillespie.

Some of his hip hop influences are Large Professor, Marley Marl, Paul C, DJ Pooh, and Dr. Dre.

Partial discography

See main article: Madlib discography and Madlib production discography.

Solo albums
Collaborative albums

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Madlib Interview (At the Pool) . . July 6, 2022 . October 10, 2022 . October 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221010141622/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvRxp1nUEEE . live .
  2. [#Aziri2002|Aziri (2002).]
  3. Mugshot magazine, Vol 2, Issue 3, 2003
  4. Web site: Deming. Mark. Madlib Biography, Songs, & Albums. 2021-09-14. AllMusic. en. July 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210726213844/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madlib-mn0000238375/biography. live.
  5. Als. Hilton. Hilton Als. Madlib's Genealogy of Hip-Hop. 2021-01-02. The New Yorker. February 1, 2016. en-us. January 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105155133/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/02/08/the-waves-critic-at-large-hilton-als. live.
  6. http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/06/oh-no-talks-about-his-albums-having-madlib-as-an-older-brother-working-with-alchemist-mf-doom/ Oh No Talks About His Albums, Having Madlib as an Older Brother, Working with Alchemist & MF Doom – XXL
  7. Web site: History of the Loop Digga . 2012-09-29 . December 10, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151210025921/https://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2010/04/madlib-medicine-show-no-5-history-of-the-loop-digga . live .
  8. Web site: Spin Magazine: Year End Lists . Rocklistmusic.co.uk . 2013-10-05 . May 26, 2012 . https://archive.today/20120526101001/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/spinend.htm . live .
  9. Web site: Yesterdays New Quintet . 2012-09-29 . January 18, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160118232722/http://www.stonesthrow.com/ynq . dead .
  10. Web site: Madvillain: Madvillainy (2004): Reviews . Metacritic.com . December 15, 2009 . 2013-10-05 . August 2, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100802053415/http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/madvillain/madvillainy . dead .
  11. Web site: Mad Skills: Madlib in Scratch Magazine. www.stonesthrow.com. Just these little box machines, like the (Roland SP) 606 and the (Boss SP) 303. I like the 606, 'cause it has a gang of effects on it. I like an MPC too, but these are so easy to just turn on and use... I like to move quickly, and these little boxes are easy to use. I can be up in my hotel room in a different city, and just hook up beats right there. I don't like to spend more than 10 minutes at a time on a beat. I get bored and have to move on to the next thing.. November 2, 2020. November 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109072141/https://www.stonesthrow.com/news/mad-skills/. live.
  12. Web site: Quasimoto: The Further Adventures of Lord Quas (2005): Reviews . Metacritic.com . 2013-10-05 . March 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140322171406/http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-further-adventures-of-lord-quas/quasimoto/critic-reviews . live .
  13. Web site: Madlib Medicine Show . 2012-09-29 . July 26, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150726210756/http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2012/02/madlib-medicine-show . live .
  14. News: Ortiz. Edwin. Snoop Dogg Is Steady Cruising In "Cadillacs," with Madlib Riding Shotgun. 12 February 2016. Complex. 27 February 2014. February 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216050409/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/snoop-dogg-cadillacs-prod-by-madlib. live.
  15. News: Weiss. Jeff. The Madlib Mystique. 12 February 2016. LA Weekly. 24 June 2010. March 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160301132306/http://www.laweekly.com/music/the-madlib-mystique-2165642. live.
  16. News: Harling. Danielle. Madlib Says Kanye West Requested Beats For "Good Ass Job". 12 February 2016. HipHopDX. 25 June 2010. February 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216003658/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.11567. live.
  17. News: Jacobs. A.. Pete Rock and Q-Tip Production Confirmed On Jay-Z & Kanye West's "Watch The Throne". HipHopDX. 12 February 2016. 25 September 2010. February 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216003656/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.12351/title.pete-rock-and-q-tip-production-confirmed-on-jay-z-kanye-wests-watch-the-throne. live.
  18. Newman. Jason. Kanye West Talks Dilla, Creating 'Wrong Music' in Stones Throw Doc. 12 February 2016. Rolling Stone. 28 May 2014. January 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112101044/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/kanye-west-talks-dilla-creating-wrong-music-in-stones-throw-doc-20140528. live.
  19. Web site: Kanye West – "No More Parties in L.A." feat. Kendrick Lamar, prod. by Madlib. Stones Throw Records. 12 February 2016. November 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181126221549/https://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2016/01/kanye-real-friends-madlib. live.
  20. News: Ortiz. Edwin. Kanye West Recorded "No More Parties in LA" With Madlib During the 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' Sessions. 12 February 2016. Complex. 8 January 2016. January 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160127195458/http://www.complex.com/music/2016/01/kanye-west-recorded-no-more-parties-in-la-with-madlib-during-my-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-sessions. live.
  21. News: Leight. Elias. Kanye West Hints At More Madlib Collaborations. 12 February 2016. The Fader. 22 January 2016. February 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216131502/https://www.thefader.com/2016/01/22/kanye-west-madlib-collaborations. live.
  22. Web site: Donna-Claire Chesman . Thelonious Martin Remembers Mac Miller (Interview) . DJBooth.net . 2019-02-20 . 2020-03-15 . January 27, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200127201346/https://djbooth.net/features/2019-02-20-thelonious-martin-remembers-mac-miller-interview . live .
  23. Web site: Mac Miller & Madlib Reportedly Recorded An Album Together . Stereogum.com . 2019-02-21 . 2020-03-15 . January 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200130044255/https://www.stereogum.com/2032986/mac-miller-madlib-reportedly-recorded-an-album-together/news/ . live .
  24. Web site: Maclib . Rappcats.com . 2019-03-19 . 2020-03-15 . February 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200221165755/https://www.rappcats.com/maclib/ . live .
  25. Web site: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib Discuss New Album 'Bandana,' Working With Pusha T & Killer Mike | Billboard . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/MlkZJTMpqzE. 2021-12-13 . live. . 2019-06-03 . 2020-03-15.
  26. Web site: YouTube. dead. YouTube. 2020-03-15. June 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200624050550/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5sjoEhMjzw&gl=US&hl=en.
  27. Lamarre . Carl . 2023-03-28 . Madlib Says He's Finishing Up His Collaborative Album Featuring the Late Mac Miller . 2023-03-28 . Billboard . en-US . March 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230328165151/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/madlib-mac-miller-collab-album-maclib-coming-1235293739/ . live .
  28. Web site: Madlib Reveals How He Missed Collaborating with Kendrick Lamar on 'To Pimp a Butterfly' . . March 16, 2022 . March 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220316225645/https://www.complex.com/music/madlib-reveals-missed-collaborating-with-kendrick-lamar-on-to-pimp-a-butterfly . live .
  29. Web site: 2021-04-24. Logic and Madlib form new duo MadGic and share first track 'Mars Only Pt.3'. 2021-04-30. NME. en-GB. April 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210430160215/https://www.nme.com/news/music/logic-and-madlib-form-new-duo-madgic-and-share-first-track-mars-only-pt-3-2926973. live.
  30. Web site: Madlib collaborates with Four Tet on new album, Sound Ancestors. Rugoff. Lazlo. December 14, 2020. December 31, 2020. The Vinyl Factory. January 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111164751/https://thevinylfactory.com/news/madlib-four-tet-new-album-sound-ancestors-vinyl/. live.
  31. Web site: hotnewhiphop1. Freddie Gibbs Confirms "Bandana" With Madlib Is Dropping In 2019. October 31, 2018. 2018-11-03. Freddie Gibbs. November 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181104010218/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/freddie-gibbs-confirms-bandana-with-madlib-is-dropping-in-2019-news.63480.html. live.
  32. Web site: Declaime & Madlib - In the Beginning, Vol. 2 . 26 August 2022 . Itunes.apple.com. . 2022-08-26 . August 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826131058/https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-the-beginning-vol-2/1636973223 . live .
  33. Web site: LMD & Madlib - Flying High . 2 September 2022 . Itunes.apple.com. . 2022-09-02 . September 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902123608/https://music.apple.com/us/album/flying-high/1625658645 . live .
  34. Web site: Talib Kweli & Madlib - Liberation 2 . 6 March 2023 . luminarypodcasts.com. . 2023-03-06 . March 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306232823/https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/talib-kweli-and-madlib/liberation-2/d41259f7-0abe-4f4f-934e-ae251694a781?country=US . live .
  35. Web site: Madlib and Karriem Riggins Announce New Jahari Massamba Unit Album, Share Song: Listen. Lindert. Hattie. Pitchfork. December 14, 2023. December 14, 2023. December 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231214142725/https://pitchfork.com/news/madlib-and-karriem-riggins-announce-new-jahari-massamba-unit-album-share-song-listen/. live.

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