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Stuff I’ve Been Listening to 27-Hip hop + Palestine

LaRussell & Tope (Vallejo, Ca) – Free The World 2023

I’ve been following LaRussell since 2022 after a homie suggested one of his songs. Been to the backyard, and was so grateful he spoke on this and has faced backlash because of it. Bay Area.

What is this? This series is called “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I’m always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover. My name is Rob and I’m an artist and author from the Bay Area.

Rebel Diaz (Bronx, NY) – 1-800 Genocide 2023

I came across Rebel Diaz originally from Chicago back in the late 2000’s. They have always spoken on social justice, politics, and revolutionary ideals and organized with real people on the ground. Mad love for them.

The Neighborhood Kids (San Diego, CA) – Biddi Bomb 2025

Belly (Ottawa, Canada) – Patience vs Patients 2024

I came to Belly very late. He’s been putting out music for a long time and the first time I heard him was through Nipsey Hussle. He’s Palestinian Canadian and his flow and critique is sharp. Listen.

MC Abdul (Palestine) – Shouting at the wall 2021

MC Abdul is one of the first emcee’s from Palestine that I heard spit in English in the literal thick of the genocide and he’s been putting out music for awhile even though he’s young!

Invincible (Israel/ Detroit) – The Emperor’s Clothes 2009

I came across Invincible through the battle rap scene and thought they were ILL which is wild because thats the name they go by. They are Jewish and spit this rhyme 16 years ago!!!!!! I discovered this song from the film “Road to Apartheid” which compares Israeli occupation to South African apartheid.

Macklemore (Seattle, WA) – Hinds Hall 2024

This song blew up last year and went viral on social media. I was aware of Macklemore because he was an underground cat from Seattle, then I heard some of his more popular radio cuts. Did not see this coming from him last year but it is an extremely powerful statement.

If you’ve heard some hip hop about or from Sudan or Congo, drop it in the comments! We need to hear about what is happening in Africa!

Eddy Mack ft Batata (Detroit, MI) – Sound of War 2023

I heard Eddy Mack (Jordanian American emcee) in 2023 like most folks because of this viral song that was a very militant stance against the attacks against Palestinian people.

Ana Tijoux (Chile/France) Feat Shadia Mansour (UK) – Somos Sur 2014

I came across Ana Tijoux in the early 2010s as part of hip hop royalty Makiza of Chile. I then met her around the same time when she dropped 1977. She is razor sharp lyrically and has a level of knowledge, critique, and creativity in global politics and hip hop that is unmatched. She’s also a really cool ass person.

Lowkey feat Frankie Boyle, Maverick Sabre, and Mai Kahlil (London, UK) – Long Live Palestine 2019

My bro Pele Durian Funk made an ILL mix of hip hop artists who’ve all made songs in support of a free Palestine back in October of 2023. On that mixtape he included a bunch of cats and Lowkey was one of them. I’d never heard of him but I soon discovered a super talented emcee and journalist who fights fiercely for the people of Palestine and working class people in Britain.

DJ Pele Durian Funk ( Bay Area) – Solidarity Forever 2023

My bro Pele (Trust Your Struggle Collective) made this mixtape of hip hop featuring pro Palestinian artists such as Native Guns, 47 Soul, and even Yo Yo Ma. Check it out.

DIG THE MUSIC? THERE’S MORE! 

  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 25: MORE SOUL
  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 19: UK ARTISTS
  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 23: MORE JAZZ
  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 21: RAPS
  • Stuff I’ve been listening to 18: HOUSE

Ok thats it fam, if you dug this share it with a friend, comment with some musical suggestions, and if you want to support Palestinian or anti zionist organizing in the US check out:

Why Palestine? There’s been an occupation, apartheid, and genocide of Palestinian people there by Israeli government with the direct support of the US Govt and many others in the globe. Like India and Pakistan, the “middle east” or the countries of Africa being cut up by greedy people who see dollar signs its people deserve freedom, self determination, and it is a prime example of how the billionaire class is playing us all when they say they do not have enough for universal health care, affordable housing, free education, etc. We’re all being tricked and Palestine/Israel is a HUGE part of it. This goes for Congo, Sudan, and many other countries across the planet. The people (you and I) must expose the lies and get freedom for us and them together.

August 8, 2025
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VIDEO: My Fav Art Books 4

Somehow I forgot to post this video here last year. I think after Palestine and moving my brain went alesewhere but here is a video of some of my favorite art books. Check it out! Note: I define art books as mostly pictoral books exploring various generes of art such as photography, fashion design, illustration, animation, filmmaking, cooking, dance, public art, and more. its not everyone’s cup of tea as far as “art books” go, but its my absolute jam. A mix of styles, interests, and disciplies. Enjoy.

Dig this? Check out My Fav Art Books 3 or cop my first art book “Art of Rob”.

March 14, 2024
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Hip Hop Fans-I have a question for you

Fellow hip hop fans, what blog, radio show, video, or journalist outlet that regularly talks about hip hop culture would you like to see address what is happening in Palestine, The Sudan, Congo? I mean, there are hip hop artists making songs about this shit!

Shout to Hard Knock Radio who I’ve heard speak on it , who else? #hiphopculture #hiphopmusic #hiphopjournalism I’ve seen The Breakfast club have on Marc Lamont Hill who is outspoken in his support for Palestinian rights. But I’ve also seen them have on a pro-israeli speaker. At this point, with a budget in the literal millions to market and shape public opinion from US controlled outlets to super bowl ads-we’ve heard enough disnformation from Israel. Not nearly enough Palestinian voices. What about Sudanese or Congo MC’s? We havent heard much highlighting of them either.

Some blogs to consider, some of which who’ve touched on it, but many who have not: Complex, Hip Hop DX, Thizzler, WaxPoetics, Rap Radar, Drink Champs, Okay Player, World Star, Hot 97, Dead End Hip Hop, 247 Hip hop, who else? I’m talking about radio, blogs, Podcasts, Influencer pages, etc.

My Point: Hip hop fans could argue that cats dont know enough about what is happening to speak on it. You could argue that the industry has squeezed activism or political threat out of hip hop. But, for those who see what is happening with these wars, climate change, gentrification, etc I think we owe it to uplift. Highlight knowledge, game, news, critical thought, and hip hop artists who are speaking on it whether they’re 16 or 56 so at least newer generations can be aware of what is happening. I mean, we who are from inner cities and places of income inequality are the ones who birthed this culture. Are artists scared of speaking out? Are there none left who will speak up?

Dig this? Check out Hard Knock Radio on KPFA (my local station) or Marc Lamont Hill’s YouTube Channel.

February 13, 2024
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Stuff I’ve Been Listening To 24 – Synths

Loose Ends (UK) – Hanging on a string 1984
Always loved Loose Ends and this classic track from them.

Welcome welcome. Here is a new post with some of my favorite synths, mostly across soul, jazz, funk, hip hop, and rock. I didn’t always know that I loved synths, I just like good music. But after hearing some chatter about synths in general and some of the machines created to make the sounds, I thought I’d share some of my favorites, not the best synths ever. This is totally subjective. Enjoy.
Little Dragon (Sweden) - A Place to belong (2007)
This is the first Little Dragon song I heard from my boy Miguel. Fonky.
We Are King (Minneapolis/LA) – The Greatest (2015)
Agggh, one of the illest soul groups of recent to write and produce w/ synths!!
Squarepusher (UK) – Plaistow Flex Out (2001)
Was turned on to Squarepusher by my homie and drummer Valentino 
Pink Floyd (UK) – On the Run (1973)
Always loved this Pink Floyd album! 
Kool & The Gang (Jersey City) – Summer Madness (1974)
Classic joint from a classic jazz, rock, soul band.

What is this? 

This series is called “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I’m always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover.

Satoshi & Makoto (Japan) – Crepuscule Leger (2017)
New! Don’t know much about these cats, but I dig it.
Jneiro Jarel (Philadelphia) – Soul Starr (2005)
Discovered Jeniro aka Dr Who Dat? at the record store and became an instant fan. 
Björk (Iceland) – Hyperballad (1995)
Heard Bjork through one of my best friends in the 90s and was blown away
Zion I w/ Mikos da Gawd (Oakland) – Saving Souls (2016)
RIP Zumbi, this is one of countless synth flavored Zion I songs


Did you miss the last installment of this series? 

Stuff I’ve been listening to 23: More Jazz
Stuff I’ve been listening to 22: Instrumentals
Stuff I’ve been listening to 21: Raps
Stuff I’ve been listening to 17: Soul
Stuff I’ve been listening to 19: UK Artists
Sexual Harassment (Midwest US) – I need a freak (1983)
House party track tried and true. First heard it as a child.
Chaka Khan (Chicago) – What Cha Gonna do for Me? (1981)
Radio classic on kiss fm in the Bay
Marcos Valle (Brazil) – Naō Tem Nada Naō (1973)
Found this cut via Madlib!
Kraftwerk (Germany) – Numbers (1981)
These cats are German, but this is straight up electro classic hip hop material. 

Ok, one last one fam….
Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (Austin) – Kids (2016)

Discovered the guys through the Stranger Things soundtrack which was both old and new, simple, yet amazing! Reminds me of 80s movies and that was the point! Keep listening to new and old music. There are tons of great artists still coming out with music. If you’re not sure where to look, check out your local DJ, playlists, mixes, and your local independent radio stations……
August 6, 2023
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Ashley T Visual – Beats!!

 

Just got hip to this producer via YouTube and love the beats she makes. Lots of different styes from this multidisciplinary artist. Her first EP is up on Bandcamp and you can follow her channel here.

Dig this? Check out the last post I made about JAZZ i’m listening to.
January 22, 2023
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Stuff I’ve Been Listening to 22 – (Instrumentals)

Wha gwan? I got hip to this group through my mom who loves “The New Birth”. This group “The Nite Liters” is an off shoot or sub group of the New Birth and its the band I believe. Anyway, dig it. LINK . If you’re new. Every year I share some music that I love from many genres. The core is Black music. Take a listen to these instrumentals and beats! The Nite Liters – KJee (Louisville, 1970)
Slept on this album. I dig this beat. Alchemist has so many bangers across his career. Link to listen.
The Alchemist – No Window Tints (FETTI) (Los Angeles, 2018)
 

Don’t know much about Peruvian Pysch or the hisory of cumbia, but I love this instrumental version of “Botecito” by Los Orientales de Paramonga. I wrote about this song back in 2014 here on the Muphoric Sounds blog.

Los Orientales de Paramong- Botecito (Paramonga Peru, 1972)
 
This entire LP is headphones/ ride out music. One half of the Stuyvesants, brother Allmos made this dope album. Aromas is my favorite song off this.
Allmos- Aromas Naturalle (Portland, 2017)
 
Kokoroko is an amazing band lead by trumpeter Sheila Maurice Grey from the UK and I love their mix of jazz, high life, funk, and everything in between.
Kokoroko-Age of Ascent (United Kingdon, 2022)
 

Love this dude DJ Harrison. First heard him via Ivan Ave from Oslo. He’s a multi-instrumentalist from Richmond Virginia and is also a member of Butcher Brown. His bandcamp is full of incredible beat tapes like this. Pen Eyes 9 is my favorite.

DJ Harrison- Pen Eyes 9 (Richmond,VA, 2021)

This whole LP is fire. Jahari Massamba Unit is drummer/producer Karriem Riggins and producer Madlib. Merde is my favorite track from the album.
Jahari Massamba Unite – Merde (Detroit/ Los Angeles, 2020)
 
Kiefer is such a dope musician. His work as a producer and jazz pianist is instantly recognizable when you hear it. Peep his catalogue.
Kiefer – Superheo (Los Angeles, 2021)
 

This is a dope cut from vibraphonist and vocalist Roy Ayers. Produced for the 70s Blaxploitation flick Coffy starring Pam Grier. Fans of Hieroglyphics will recognize this one from Casual’s first LP.

Roy Ayers – Brawlin Broads( Los Angeles, 1973)
I became familiar with “The Putbacks” through Hiatus Kaiyote and I dig the way they play alone and with other artists. This is my favorite track from this album.
The Putbacks – Hold on (Melbourne, 2018)

I grew up listening to this band and I love Sade. If you go back and listen, the band included an instrumental song on most of the Sade albums including their solo Sweetback album. Siempre Hay Esperanza is dope but this is my favorite.

Sade – Mermaid (United Kingdom, 1992)

Georgia Anne Muldrow, the producer and vocalist has a ton of records under her belt including an album by Elzhi entirely produced by her, and several instrumental LPs such as Vweto 2. This is my favorite from that album.
Georgia Anne Muldrow- Bass Attack Rap (Los Angeles, 2019)
 

 

If I were a producer I would add an 808 and some drums to this interlude produced by Lianne La Havas and Geo. Its my 2nd favorite track on this album. But as it stands, I would listen on repeat for days.

Lianne La Havas – Out of your mind (London, 2020)

That’s it, there are so many more like this snippet from Oddisee’s new material but thats it for today. If you like discovering new music check out some of these other posts I’ve made over the past few years. Remember, even though you may have a sweet spot for a specific era or period, there’s always great music to be discovered and appreciated. Some of its old, and some is brand new! The best way to hear that new new is through your local favorite DJ. Playlists are great too, but hug a human through your speaker.

Stuff I’ve been listening to 21: Raps

Stuff I’ve been listening to 17: Soul

Stuff I’ve been listening to 19: UK Artists

Stuff I’ve been listening to 20: Remixes

EDIT: Added later

ESG (Emerald , Sapphire, & Gold) – UFO Classic rock/hip hop shit
October 24, 2022
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