Artist Biography
Jahari Massamba Unit is an occasional, loose-knit hip-hop and future jazz studio recording project comprised of producer/multi-instrumentalist Madlib and drummer/producer Karriem Riggins. The pair have also worked together under the moniker Supreme Team with Riggins doubling as vocalist.
The two artists were introduced in the mid-2000s while working with Detroit producer/rapper J Dilla. As Supreme Team they issued a split 12" with J Dilla of "See (Suite)"/"Mash's Revenge." The pair first appeared as Jahari Massamba Unit on the track "Umoja" from Madlib's 2007 faux sampler long-player Yesterdays Universe. In 2010, they issued a pair of cuts as JMU on Madlib's iconic High Jazz outing ("Pretty Eyes" and "Wonderin'/Nightime"). On that date they also appeared on two cuts as Yesterdays New Quintet ("Don't You Worry Bout a Thing" and "Conquistador") and on still another as Poyser, Riggins & Jackson, with James Poyser and Madlib under another of his many nom de plumes, Otis Jackson, Jr. In 2020, the pair reunited as Jahiri Massamba Unit to release their proper long-playing debut, Pardon My French, on the Madlib Invazion imprint. ~ Thom Jurek
Hometown
Detroit, MI, United States
Genre
Jazz