Madlib

Madlib (born Otis Jackson Jr., in 1973 in Oxnard, California) is an American DJ, record producer, and rapper whose work has helped define the sound of modern underground hip-hop. Noted for sample-based productions that blend jazz, funk, soul, and boogie, he has released music under multiple monikers and is closely associated with Stones Throw Records.

Career: He began in the 1990s as a member of the Lootpack, releasing Soundpieces: Da Antidote! (1999) on Stones Throw. As Quasimoto, his high-pitched vocals on The Unseen (1998) helped popularize a surreal, cartoonish persona in hip-hop. In collaboration with MF DOOM as Madvillain, he released the critically acclaimed Madvillainy (2004).

Beyond this, Madlib has produced extensively for other artists and released instrumental and concept projects, including The Madlib Medicine Show series (2010–2012).

In the 2010s and 2020s, his collaborations with Freddie Gibbs, Piñata (2014) and Bandana (2019), brought him wider mainstream attention while maintaining an independent ethos.

Impact: Known for crate-digging, dense layering, and unusual time signatures, Madlib is regarded as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop production. His influence extends into jazz-rap and experimental music, and his work with Stones Throw helped shape the label's eclectic catalog.