jazz rap
what it is
Jazz rap is a fusion of hip hop and jazz, developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The lyrics are often based on political consciousness, Afrocentricity, and general positivism. Musically, the rhythms have been typically those of hip hop rather than jazz, over which are placed repetitive phrases of jazz instrumentation: trumpet, double bass, etc.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
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questions
What is jazz rap?
Jazz rap is a fusion of hip hop and jazz, developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The lyrics are often based on political consciousness, Afrocentricity, and general positivism. Musically, the rhythms have been typically those of hip hop rather than jazz, over which are placed repetitive phrases of jazz instrumentation: trumpet, double bass, etc.
What are good jazz rap albums to start with?
Try Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest, purple moonlight pages by R.A.P. Ferreira, DREAMCAST SUMMER SONGS by Devon Hendryx, and MAN PLAYS THE HORN by Cities Aviv.
Who are some women making jazz rap?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/jazz-rap/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making jazz rap, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20