BADBADNOTGOOD is a Canadian instrumental band formed in Toronto in 2010, playing jazz with a hip hop backbone — they cut a full album with Ghostface Killah (Sour Soul, 2015) and have worked with Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt. IV (2016) and the Arthur Verocai-arranged Talk Memory (2021) are the entry points. Browse BADBADNOTGOOD vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
BADBADNOTGOOD formed in Toronto in 2010 while the founding members were students at Humber College. The original quartet of Chester Hansen, Alexander Sowinski, Leland Whitty (who joined slightly later), and Matthew Tavares attracted attention with their early YouTube uploads of jazz interpretations of Odd Future and other hip hop material. They have collaborated extensively with hip hop artists, including the full collaborative album Sour Soul with Ghostface Killah (2015), and frequent work with Tyler, the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, and others. Tavares departed in 2019 and the group has continued as a trio.
BADBADNOTGOOD's sound combines jazz, hip hop, soul, electronic music, and instrumental film score influences. Their work moves between hip hop-influenced jazz instrumentals (their early IV and earlier records) and more atmospheric, composition-led work (Talk Memory, with arrangements by Arthur Verocai and contributions from Sam Gendel, Karriem Riggins, and others).
Innovative Leisure pressings of III and IV have been issued in multiple variants. Talk Memory was released by XL Recordings in standard and color variant editions, with notable arrangements by Arthur Verocai featured on multiple tracks.
Listeners new to BADBADNOTGOOD typically start with IV (2016) or Talk Memory (2021).
