The Hip-Hop Manifesto - September 2025
Recent releases in Conscious, Jazz Rap, Boom Bap & Alternative.
Featuring Theo Croker, IDK, Sector 202, Kairo Keyz, ShunGu, Fly Anakin, Goya Gumbani, Fatima, $uicideboy$, Preservation, Gabe 'Nandez, Ghostface Killah, Nas, Evidence, Larry June, ShrapKnel, Mike Ladd, Mestizo, JID, Ty Dolla $ign, 6LACK, JID, Jessie Reyez.
The Hip-Hop Manifesto - Boom Bap, Conscious, Jazz Rap, Alternative
I always loved hip hop for its unapologetic rawness. It was created by artists who very rarely went to music school and weren't fluent in music theory. Their skill set was making words rhyme to a beat over a background of music that could be sampled from anywhere.
I chose to focus on Boom Bap because of the sound of the predominant kicks and snares, Jazz rap for the samples of pianos, horns, guitars, and Alternative because it breaks the rules of what hip hop is meant to be, and conscious for people with a message.
Check out these new releases:
Theo Croker, IDK, Sector 202 - my friend
This is a super interesting song for its mash-up of styles. It begins with a mellow, breathy trumpet part. The rapper creates a double-time feel to flow over the top of. A busy drum groove filled with ghost notes and a broken ride pattern laid down the beat.
I like to chorus as the vocal part is sung, which makes the melody stand out.
Connect with Theo Croker
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Connect with IDK
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Connect with Sector 202
Spotify
Kairo Keyz - New Jazz
I like this for the use of the wah-wah effect on the main keyboard part. This is quite common in funk and jazz music. The solid 808 handclaps are a main ingredient for Boom Bap. The improvising of the synth lead part is also jazz-influenced.
Connect with Kairo Keyz
Instagram / Spotify
ShunGu - Talk To The Mass feat. Fly Anakin, Goya Gumbani & Fatima
This song finds a clever way to sample jazz saxophone as the main instrument. Other small jazz string parts come in and out, which is tricky to do over the main bass line, which creates the groove. It is an interesting choice not to have a drum beat as the main groove.
Another unique thing is the use of female vocal harmonies near the outro of the song.
Connect with ShunGu
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Connect with Fly Anakin
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Connect with Goya Gumbani
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Connect with Fatima
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$uicideboy$ - Napoleon
This song has a dark tone to it, with the main piano melody being in a minor key. The hi-hats and hand claps sound like they were created by the Akai MPC, which helped create the boom bap sound. The clever programming of triplet rhythms interweaves with the funky string samples.
Connect with $uicideboy$
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Preservation & Gabe 'Nandez - Ball & Chain
This Rapper has a flawless flow that reminds me of Common. The way it interacts with the beat makes this track a standout. The jazz chord progression gives the track momentum while the sampled vocal ad libs create the soul of the music.
This is one of my favourites!
Connect with Preservation
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Connect with Gabe 'Nandez
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Ghostface Killah, Nas - Love Me Anymore
It's easy to see why this is amazing when it was created by hip hop royalty Ghostface Killah and Nas. The synth bass and bass drum have extra low end, which gives the track enough bass to start a small earthquake!
Although the rapping sounds harsh at times, the jazz flute balances it out. Combine this with the female vocals singing the hook, and you have an instant classic.
Connect with Ghostface Killah
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Connect with Nas
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Evidence - Future Memories feat. Larry June
This track is unique because, unlike other jazz/hip hop tracks, it is performed using only real instruments. The rapper is able to deliver heartfelt lyrics while the saxophone improvises over the words. The stripped-back drum groove plays straight 8th notes, allowing the piano to play arpeggios for a jazzier sound. A very cool track!
Connect with Evidence
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Connect with Larry June
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ShrapKnel, Mike Ladd, Mestizo - After Weh Fete
This heavily sampled track takes a lot from 70's funk, added with a jazz flute and hip hop drums. It is super busy without having one instrument get in the way. It has a feel of classic hip hop with Boom Bap snares. The doubling of the vocals in the chorus really lifts the song's energy.
Connect with ShrapKnel
Instagram / Spotify
Connect with Mike Ladd
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Connect with Mestizo
Instagram / Spotify
JID - Wholeheartedly feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 6LACK
The minimal production on this song is what makes it work. It starts with sporadic horns and guitar. It almost takes a minute for the 16th note crosstick drum beat to kick in. Full soulful vocal harmonies also lace the track. The verses are almost just vocals and the drum groove, which makes it easy to bukid the song in the choruses.
Connect with JID
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Connect with Ty Dolla $ign
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Connect with 6LACK
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JID - No Boo feat. Jessie Reyez
This song has an unusual opening with an acoustic classical guitar, which is followed by a jazz chord progression on the piano. It has a cool mix of rapping and vocals, especially R&B harmonies. The drum groove sounds like a classic 909 bass drum popular on many boom bap tracks.
Although there are many musical influences on this song, it never sounds disjointed. If anything, it's a cool fusion of styles.
Connect with JID
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Connect with Jessie Reyez
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Spotify Playlist
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
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