BADBADNOTGOOD: The Jazz Innovators of Hip-Hop Fusion

BADBADNOTGOOD is a groundbreaking instrumental quartet from Toronto, Canada, known for dissolving the barriers between modern jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music. The group's critical and commercial peak arrived with their 2016 album IV, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and solidified their status as genre-defying pioneers.

Early career

The band formed in 2010 as a trio of students from Humber College's jazz program: Matthew Tavares, Chester Hansen, and Alexander Sowinski. Their unconventional start involved posting jazz covers of tracks by Odd Future and MF DOOM to YouTube, a move that initially drew skepticism from their academic peers but quickly captured online attention. This led to their self-titled debut album in 2011, released through the independent label Innovative Leisure.

Breakthrough

BADBADNOTGOOD's major breakthrough came with their third studio album, III, released in 2014. The entirely original instrumental record earned widespread critical acclaim, winning the Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year in 2015. This success established their signature sound and paved the way for high-profile collaborations, moving them from internet curiosity to established artists.

Key tracks

Flashing Lights — Their early viral cover of the Kanye West track demonstrated their unique approach to reinterpreting hip-hop through a jazz lens.

Hedron — A standout original from III that showcases their compositional strength and dynamic, cinematic style.

Lavender — A collaboration with producer Kaytranada that became a streaming hit, blending house music aesthetics with their live instrumentation.

Confessions (feat. Leland Whitty) — This track from IV highlights the band's expansion into lush, psychedelic soundscapes and features saxophonist Leland Whitty, who later became a full member.

Time Moves Slow (feat. Samuel T. Herring) — Their acclaimed collaboration with Future Islands' frontman, which brought a soulful, vocal-led dimension to their work on IV.

The release of IV in 2016 marked a new chapter, featuring collaborations with artists like Future Islands' Samuel T. Herring and rapper Mick Jenkins. The band has since worked on notable film scores, including 2022's The Man Who Fell to Earth, and continued collaborative projects, such as 2023's single "Midnight" with vocalist Charlotte Day Wilson.

Fans of BADBADNOTGOOD's genre-fluid approach may also enjoy the innovative sounds of other Canadian artists. BADBADNOTGOOD shares a exploratory, instrumental focus with Busty and the Bass, who also blend jazz with modern pop and funk. The cinematic scope of their music finds a parallel in the work of Destroyer, particularly in his later, brass-infused albums. Listeners drawn to their hip-hop foundations should explore Kaytranada, a fellow collaborator known for his sample-rich, groove-oriented production.

The innovative catalog of BADBADNOTGOOD is a staple on forward-thinking radio formats, from independent music radio stations focusing on jazz and experimental sounds to online radio streams dedicated to alternative hip-hop and electronic fusion. Their tracks provide essential texture for programmers seeking sophisticated, rhythm-driven instrumentals.

You can experience the eclectic sound of BADBADNOTGOOD on radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to discover their music through the curated jazz and alternative stations available on onairium.com.