Madlib

The Profile

Madlib (Otis Jackson Jr.) is an American DJ, producer, and rapper from Oxnard, California, known for a prolific, sample-driven approach spanning hip hop and jazz. A core figure of Stones Throw Records, his aliases include Quasimoto, Yesterdays New Quintet, DJ Rels, and Beat Konducta. He has collaborated widely, including with MF DOOM (as Madvillain) and Freddie Gibbs.

Son of singer Otis Jackson; immersed in jazz and soul from an early age; active since the early 1990s; renowned for crate-digging, unusual drum patterns, and Blue Note-informed productions.

Three DeBaser reviews chart Madlib’s jazz-soaked universe: reworking Blue Note on Shades of Blue, a bootleg gem of instrumentals on The Beat Conductor EP, and lounge/nu‑jazz vibes as Yesterday New Quintet on Say Ah!. Themes include crate-digging, unusual drum patterns, and alter egos. Family and jazz roots come up, alongside Stones Throw ties.