Madlib Discography May 2026

Madlib has often claimed he isn’t a musician in the traditional sense (he doesn’t read music). Yet he created Yesterdays New Quintet, a fictional jazz band (with multiple fake members) for which he plays every instrument... poorly, but charmingly. Key releases:

Albums

Collaborative Albums

EPs

This is Madlib at his most gangster. While his beats are dusty and psychedelic, Freddie Gibbs provides the street-level grit. "Thuggin'" might be the hardest loop ever constructed. This duo proved that Madlib could sit comfortably next to trap drums and cocaine narratives. Madlib Discography

The sequel to Pinata is more polished, more cinematic, and arguably more complex. Freddie Gibbs raps about being wanted by Interpol over beats that mix Middle Eastern strings, gospel choirs, and vintage soul. The track "Crime Pays" is a masterclass in tension. Madlib has often claimed he isn’t a musician

This is a sacred text for jazz-hip-hop fans. Officially sanctioned by Blue Note Records, Madlib was given access to the legendary jazz label’s vaults. Instead of simply laying drums over classics, he deconstructed them. He rearranged, reversed, and looped obscure Blue Note cuts from the likes of Donald Byrd and Bobby Hutcherson. Shades of Blue is the ultimate "meeting of the minds" between the 1960s and the MPC 2000XL. Collaborative Albums