Adrian Younge, the homme à tout faire started as a sample-based hip hop producer in 1996. When it turned out he was more into live music, he became a composer. One who managed to play a whole lot of instruments. It didn’t take long before he started attracting the best musicians to his lab with all of these instruments.

After 23 years, the list of musicians Adrian Younge worked with is very impressive. Have a listen, and just try not to start dancing!

Collabs with BIRD favourites

Jay-Z

One of the most famous rappers Younge composed for just happens to be one of the most famous rappers in the world: Jay-Z. Adrian Younge buried himself in his studio with Jigga for his record Magna Carta … Holy Grail. Love ‘Picasso Baby?’ Then you’ll love Adrian Younge!

Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Clan, heroes of soulful samples, wanted their body of work to become just a little more soulful. That’s why they didn’t call Adrian for one, but for two songs on their new record. ‘Ruckus in B Minor’ and ‘Crushed Egos’ are both soaked in Adrian Younge sauce!

PRhyme

PRhyme definitely belongs on this list of absolute greats of hip hop. The relatively new collective might not mean much to you yet, but the name DJ Premier should definitely ring a bell. With rapper Royce da 5’9’’, Preemo is now PRhyme, and they also approached Younge. “Can we sample your entire catalogue for our debut record?” Yes, they could. All samples, bells and whistles of the record are straight out of Adrian’s earlier work. How cool is that?!

Collabs with BIRD regulars

Souls of Mischief

Adrian Younge knew the entire record 93 ’Til Infinity by heart, so he didn’t have any doubts when his idols approached him. Adrian dropped his magic on the record There Is Only Now, which also features Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

The Gaslamp Killer

On the record Breakthrough by The Gaslamp Killer, Adrian Younge is casually part of the track ‘Dead Vets.’

Bilal

Adrian Younge x Bilal = a match made in heaven! They created the record In Another Life together. This record actually also features Ali Shaheed Muhammad.