Karriem Riggins is a multifaceted musician, a juggernaut in both the jazz and hip-hop worlds. Born in Detroit in 1975, Riggins was raised in a musical family, with his father being a professional musician. This foundational exposure led him to start playing drums at a very young age, and by his teens, Karriem was already gigging around Detroit. His vast prowess as a drummer earned him opportunities to play with a pantheon of jazz legends, including Oscar Peterson, Donald Byrd, and Ray Brown. In addition to his jazz expertise, Riggins is deeply rooted in hip-hop, having worked with renowned artists such as Common, J Dilla, and Erykah Badu. His production skills have long been sought after in hip-hop circles, placing him among the elite collaborators who are able to bridge and merge genres seamlessly.

Karriem Riggins' prolific output is characterized by a convergence of smooth jazz textures and a hip-hop sensibility. The 2017 album "Headnod Suite" consolidates this blend, showcasing Riggins' fluency in crafting beats that ebb and flow with an improvisational feel, akin to live jazz performances. His recent projects continue to explore this duality; with "Smoke Sessions (Remixed)" and "Pardon My French," Riggins remixes and reimagines tracks, proving his adaptability and innovation within the contemporary music landscape. His music for the Netflix series "MO" and the evocatively titled "Stomping Gamay" and "Riesling Pour Robert" bear witness to his versatility as a composer who can capture atmosphere and emotion. Riggins, both a guardian of jazz tradition and a hip-hop beat-making savant, remains a respected figure who defies easy categorization, ensuring his influence reverberates within the realms of both modern jazz and the broader tapestry of music production.

Genres

Abstract Beats

Alternative Hip Hop

Indie Jazz

Wonky

Related Artists

Thundercat

Robert Glasper

J Dilla

Flying Lotus

Kamasi Washington

Madlib

Terrace Martin

Erykah Badu

Knxwledge

D'Angelo

Bilal

Common

Latest Release

Affectionate Overture

Karriem Riggins

Single - Released May 16, 2024