Biography
BADBADNOTGOOD (BBNG) is a Canadian ensemble formed in 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, originally comprising pianist Matthew Tavares, bassist Chester Hansen, and drummer Alexander Sowinski, with saxophonist Leland Whitty later joining as a full member. The group met at Humber College, bonding over a shared passion for jazz and contemporary hip hop, particularly artists like Odd Future and MF DOOM. Their early notoriety stemmed from viral YouTube videos featuring jazz reinterpretations of hip hop tracks, which challenged academic conventions and quickly attracted a devoted online following.
Their debut album, 'BBNG,' released in 2011, showcased their innovative blend of jazz, hip hop, and electronic influences, featuring covers of Odd Future, A Tribe Called Quest, and Waka Flocka Flame. BADBADNOTGOOD’s reputation grew through energetic live performances and collaborations with prominent artists, most notably the 2015 album 'Sour Soul' with Ghostface Killah. Their 2016 album 'IV' marked the official addition of Whitty and included collaborations with Kaytranada, Mick Jenkins, and Samuel T. Herring. Despite the departure of founding pianist Tavares in 2019, the group has continued to evolve, maintaining a significant influence on the intersection of jazz and hip hop, and inspiring a new generation of genre-blurring musicians.
Fun Facts
- The band’s first viral video was filmed in a classroom at Humber College, with drummer Alexander Sowinski wearing a pig mask.
- Their early recordings were dismissed by their jazz instructors as having 'no musical value,' prompting them to post their music online instead.
- BADBADNOTGOOD’s live shows are known for their punk-like energy, often attracting crowds more typical of rock or hip hop concerts than traditional jazz audiences.
- The track 'Time Moves Slow' from their album 'IV' gained renewed popularity years after its release due to a viral TikTok trend.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Humber College Faculty - Jazz instructors provided formal training but were skeptical of BBNG’s early genre-blending work, which was initially dismissed as having 'no musical value.' (Early Odd Future Sessions, BBNG debut) [2010–2011]
Key Collaborators
- Ghostface Killah - Co-created the album 'Sour Soul,' blending live jazz instrumentation with hip hop lyricism. (Sour Soul (2015)) [2014–2015]
- Kaytranada - Featured producer and performer on the album 'IV.' (IV (2016))
- Samuel T. Herring - Guest vocalist on 'IV,' notably on the track 'Time Moves Slow.' (IV (2016))
- Mick Jenkins - Featured rapper on 'IV.' (IV (2016))
- Leland Whitty - Longtime collaborator and touring partner, became a full member in 2016. (BBNG2, III, IV) [2012–present]
Artists Influenced
- Yussef Dayes - Part of a new wave of jazz musicians blending hip hop and jazz, often cited alongside BBNG. (Solo and collaborative works) [2015–present]
- Alfa Mist - Cited as part of the contemporary jazz/hip hop movement influenced by BBNG’s approach. (Antiphon, Structuralism) [2017–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| IV | 2016-07-08 | Album |
| Pilgrim's Paradise | 2015-11-12 | Album |
| Sour Soul | 2015-02-19 | Album |
| Mid Spiral | 2024-07-30 | Album |
| NEVER ENOUGH (Bonus Version) | 2023-04-10 | Album |
| 99.9% | 2016-05-06 | Album |
| III | 2014-05-05 | Album |
| Talk Memory | 2021-10-08 | Album |
| Jaime (Reimagined) | 2021-07-23 | Album |
| IV | 2016-07-08 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Please Do Not Lean (feat. BADBADNOTGOOD) - Bonus (NEVER ENOUGH (Bonus Version))
- Time Moves Slow (IV)
- Running Away
- In Your Eyes (IV)
- Please Do Not Lean (feat. BADBADNOTGOOD)
- Running Away (Time)
- Alien Love Call
- Caroline
- One Last Dance
- WEIGHT OFF (99.9%)
External Links
Tags: #hip-hop, #instrumental-hip-hop
References
Heard on WWOZ
BADBADNOTGOOD has been played 25 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.