Roots & Resistance

VIBE

Reggae, jazz and hip-hop all have one root in common which is they were born out of the plight of the African diaspora. After arriving as slaves in various parts of North America and the Caribbeans, they invented these genres to soundtrack various stages of their emancipation and self-expression. While they are now entirely different genres, a colourful thread of resistance and liberation can still be found in their expression today which has permeated all across global culture.

In our Roots & Resistance curation, we explore sounds from around the world that continue this tradition; this includes top-notch pen game in our Wordsmiths’ Lair hip-hop playlist, music that stands against evil in our Eyewise Emanates reggae & dub playlists, and colourful rhythms and instruments that challenge the status quo of popular music in the Rainbow Pitstop jazz playlist.

Each genre carries deep roots in resistance, expressing cultural identity and empowerment through the ages. Whether you’re looking for poetic flow, laid-back grooves, or vibrant melodies, this collection celebrates music born out of struggle and triumph.

PLAYLISTS

Eyewise Emanates - Global Reggae & Dub

Sounds inspired by Jamaica & taken on a global level; from Nepali and Indonesian conscious reggae anthems and deep delayed dub instrumentals to jungle and rootical drum n bass. For fans of Jesse Royal, Ras Muhamad, Pugilist, Another Channel, ZamZam Sounds, etc. Cover photo: Cultivation Muzik

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Wordsmiths' Lair [Hip-Hop]

Avant-garde hip-hop for spiritual warfare; global raps with innovative rhyme schemes, unique leftfield vocabulary, triple entendres, intellectual social commentary & soul-searching introspect. Street poets who might have you opening dictionaries & Wikipedia to decypher tunes!

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We have 3 other smaller playlists focused on 3 sub-categories of hip-hop music, which you can find here: Fit-Hop (focused on self-care & exercise), Experimental Hip-Hop (leftfield beats & rhymes) & Empowerment (political hip-hop).

Rainbow Pitstop [Nu Jazz | Jazztronica]

Taking a pitstop somewhere along the rainbow, sit down & spruce up your brew with technicolour spices. You’ll find the intricate & delicate melodies of progressive music, voiced by the softer sounds of instrumentation. FFO Sons of Kemet, Yussef Kamaal, Hiatus Kaiyote, Tennyson, etc.

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