In Lifted, Javon Anderson examines the long-standing relationship between jazz and hip hop.
Ahmad Jamal’s career as a jazz pianist has been cemented over several decades and eras of music that have come and gone.
Whether it’s through his compositions, harmonic vocabulary, use of space, or his unique interpretation of jazz standards, Jamal has captured the ear of countless fans, fellow jazz musicians — including having a significant influence on Miles Davis — and even hip-hop producers, as well. While still overlooked compared to many of his contemporaries, Jamal’s playing is unsurprisingly found on some of hip hop’s most iconic records.
One album that has been particularly sought-after by crate diggers is the Ahmad Jamal Trio’s The Awakening, released in 1970. This album was an evolution for Jamal’s playing, as he recognized that simply having the chops and musical knowledge didn’t always translate into making enduring music. He took it upon himself to not limit himself to one particular style of playing, expertly making the album feel all over the place with its range yet cohesive in identity. This versatility helps explain why many of the songs can be found on countless hip hop beats.
One of the most famous examples is, of course, The World Is Yours by Nas. It’s one of hip hop’s most iconic songs and can be credit with shaping the style of East Coast hip hop since the 1990s.