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

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!

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.

BLOG


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In conversation with Sumac Dub

 Written by Molly Sisson | Edited by Baxtak The French dub scene has been thriving these past years, ever evolving with different collectives popping up all around the country. Names such as Panda Dub, High Tone and Kanka have been paving the way for an electronic perspective on the ...

Blog

Chalky links with singer/rapper Jevon Ives for pensive single “Why Do We Run”

What can we expect from the conjunction of a soulful vocalist and a versatile musician and beat maker? The answer can be found in Jevon Ives and Chalky with their new single, “Why Do We Run”. The track, which seemingly pertains to the meaning of this ever-faster life, presents clear ...

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Worthsmiths’ Lair – Outtallectuals’ Top Hip-Hop Discoveries of 2020

Worthsmiths’ Lair Summary 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. Here’s our top hip-hop discoveries in 2020. Playlist cover photo is of ...

Blog

Rainbow Pitstop – Top Nu Jazz / Jazztronica Discoveries of 2020

Rainbow Pitstop – Top Nu Jazz / Jazztronica Discoveries of 2020  Taking a pitstop somewhere along the rainbow, sit down & spruce up your brew with technicolour spices. Here you’ll find the intricate and delicate melodies of progressive music, as voiced by the softer sounds of instrumentation. Here are ...

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Eyewise: Top Discoveries 2020 (Reggae Dub / Roots / Deep Dubstep)

Eyewise Emanates – Outtallectuals’ Top Discoveries of 2020 in Reggae, Dub, Roots & Deep Dubstep  In 2020, we found more music than ever before in a wide range of genres. Hence, we decided to bring back our in-depth writeups and expand on our discoveries in a whole range of ...

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Easitwelve & Cultivation talk reggae, OUTTA and more on Sajilo Podcast.

Interview Outtallectuals’ Himalayan reggae ambassador, Cultivation Muzik, sat down with Easitwelve to discuss his decade-long dedication to reggae music & culture. Firstly, in the 40-min interview, conducted in a Nepali and English mix, the conversation covers the history of Outtallectuals x Cultivation projects. Subsequently, Cultivation dedicates the interview’s majority to ...

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Seppa & Chalky’s sophomore ‘Strange Changes’ album shines with technicolour jazzy bass. [Shivelight Premiere]

In anticipation of today’s grand premiere, we are excited to present Seppa and Chalky’s ‘ChkChk’ via our sister channel, Shivelight: Shivelight · Chalky & Seppa – ChkChk [Slug Wife] {Shivelight Premiere} The inseparable duo of Seppa & Chalky unite again at their home of the slugs to bring you technicolour ...

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