Weekly Digs
Weekly Dig #04: Two Eras of Jazzy HipHop
By Crate Digger
July 26, 2026
Weekly Dig #04 is a celebration of texture. Jazzy hip-hop has always been about the art of listening between the layers—finding the warmth in a sampled double bass or the natural grit of a live snare. Whether you are revisiting these classics or discovering the new school wave, turn up the low end and enjoy the ride.
Stream the full playlist on Spotify via the embed below, support independent artists, and see you next Sunday for #05.
A Side:
The first half highlights today’s visionary producers and MCs who are pushing the boundaries of live instrumentation and dusty drum loops:
- Loyle Carner – Yesterday Opens the session with an introspective, brass-backed narrative that sets the soulful mood.
- Avantdale Bowling Club – Pocket Lint Injects raw, live jazz-band energy anchored by driving double bass and soaring horn lines.
- Barney Artist feat. Dornik – Rose Thorn Keeps the bounce alive with smooth Neo-Soul harmonies and crisp, swinging boom-bap drums.
- Rejjie Snow feat. Loyle Carner – 1992 A nod to classic sampling culture with effortless vocal exchanges over a laid-back jazz loop.
- Little Simz feat. Cleo Sol – Woman Brings pure elegance to the selection with Cleo Sol’s silk chorus and Simz’s commanding delivery.
- Blu & Exile – Miles Davis Closes Side A with a modern hip-hop masterclass in storytelling over warm, dusty jazz samples.
B Side:
Flip the record for a masterclass in classic sampling culture and East Coast nostalgia:
- A Tribe Called Quest – Jazz (We’ve Got) The ultimate bridge; smooth double bass and iconic Q-Tip & Phife Dawg flows.
- Digable Planets – Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) Unfiltered horn stabs and nonchalant cool from the heart of 90s bohemian hip-hop.
- Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) One of the greatest sax samples in music history over Pete Rock’s legendary drums.
- Slum Village – Fall In Love J Dilla’s unquantized, swing-heavy production magic that redefined how hip-hop feels.
- Gang Starr – Jazz Thing DJ Premier and Guru paying direct homage to the lineage and roots of jazz music.
- The Pharcyde – Passin’ Me By Closing the night with the dusty, organ-driven West Coast classic that never ages.
