Artists like Will Sessions
Kindred artists that sit next to Will Sessions on the star chart — same era, adjacent sound, or overlapping influence. Tap any card to open its full page.
DJ Jazzy JeffartistJeffrey Allen Townes, better known by his stage name DJ Jazzy Jeff, is an American DJ, music producer and actor. He was one half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, along with Will Smith. He is credited, along with DJ Spinbad and DJ Cash Money, with popularizing the transformer scratch.
People Under the StairsartistPeople Under the Stairs was an American hip hop duo from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1997 and disbanded in 2019. Since their inception, the group consisted solely of Christopher Portugal and Michael Turner. The group employed a DIY work ethic of sampling, MCing, DJing, and producing all of their output.
Pete RockartistPeter O. Phillips, better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time, and is often mentioned alongside DJ Premier, RZA, and Q-Tip as one of the mainstays of 1990s East Coast hip hop production. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Early on in his career, he was also famed for his remix work.
Thes OneartistChristopher Cesar Portugal, best known as Thes One, is an American rapper, record producer and sound engineer. As one half of hip hop duo People Under the Stairs alongside Double K, serving as a vocalist/MC, producer and business manager, he produced and engineered 12 albums for People Under the Stairs that appeared on the U.S. and International Billboard charts numerous times, as well as remixes and singles for various artists across the globe and appearances as guest vocalist. As a business manager, he coordinated world tours for People Under the Stairs, co-founded the independent artist-run Tres Records label and went on to create Piecelock 70, a self run, independent record label and brand in 2004. People Under the Stairs announced their intention to retire in early 2019 following the release of their 12th and final album Sincerely, The P, and his career and contribution was celebrated by the Los Angeles Times in a full page article.
Slum VillageartistSlum Village is an American hip-hop group from Detroit, Michigan. The group was formerly composed of the rappers Baatin (1974–2009), T3, and rapper / producer J Dilla (1974–2006). J Dilla left in 2001 to pursue a solo career with MCA Records. Elzhi joined in his absence, after which Baatin also left due to health complications.
9th WonderartistPatrick Denard Douthit, better known as 9th Wonder, is an American record producer, record executive, educator, and DJ who is the CEO of Jamla Records, distributed and marketed by Roc Nation, and Empire Distribution. As of Fall 2022, Douthit is Professor of the Practice in Residence in the Program in African American Studies at Wake Forest University. He also continues to teach courses at Duke University alongside his longtime collaborator, Professor Mark Anthony Neal.
J. RawlsartistJason Daniel Rawls, known professionally as J. Rawls, is an American hip-hop musician, producer, DJ, educator, and speaker based in Columbus, Ohio. He emerged in the late 1990s underground hip-hop scene, contributing to projects such as Black Star's's debut album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Stars. He is the producer of the group Lone Catalysts with rapper J Sands. Rawls has collaborated with various artists, including Grand Agent. Rawls runs a Columbus-based production company and record label named Polar Entertainment, and performs as a DJ.
Cookin SoulartistCookin' Soul is a group of rap producers and DJs from Valencia, Spain. In its early days, it was made up of Big Size, Milton, and Zock. Currently, Big Size is the only active member. The group is known for its productions on numerous tracks by MCs and rap groups around the world. They are also recognized for releasing a large number of mixtapes and albums. Producing work since around 2005, Cookin' Soul has developed a strong presence in the mixtape circuit in the US, according to El País.
HieroglyphicsartistHieroglyphics, also known as the Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, is an American underground hip hop collective based in Oakland, California. The group includes founder Del the Funky Homosapien, fellow rappers Casual, Pep Love, and all four members of the group Souls of Mischief—Phesto, A-Plus, Opio, and Tajai—as well as DJ Toure and producer/manager Domino.
Karriem RigginsartistKarriem Riggins is an American jazz drummer, record producer, DJ and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan. He met Chicago rapper Common and fellow Detroit musician J Dilla both in 1996, and served as an extensive contributor for releases by both artists. He produced for Common's 1997 album One Day It'll All Make Sense, did so on much of his further projects, and formed the musical trio August Greene with the rapper alongside fellow jazz instrumentalist Robert Glasper in 2018. Furthermore, he formed the Jahari Massamba Unit with Madlib in 2020, and has also worked with prominent music industry artists including Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Denzel Curry, Earl Sweatshirt, and Norah Jones, among others.
Blazoartist
LetheretteartistLetherette is an electronic music production duo, consisting of Richard Roberts and Andrew Harber. They released their debut album Letherette through their current label Ninja Tune in 2013, and have previously released material on Ho Tep Records.
GramatikartistDenis Jašarević, known by his stage name Gramatik, is a Slovenian electronic music producer, originally from Portorož, Slovenia. He currently resides in New York City.
J-LiveartistJean-Jacques Cadet, better known by his stage name J-Live, is an American rapper, DJ, and record producer.
Sound DirectionsartistOtis Lee Jackson Jr., known professionally as Madlib, is an American DJ, record producer, and rapper. Critically acclaimed for his eclectic, sample-heavy production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential producers in modern hip-hop. His frequent collaborators include MF Doom, J Dilla, Freddie Gibbs, Talib Kweli, and Erykah Badu.
LettuceartistLettuce is a North American funk band originating from Boston, Massachusetts in 1992. Its members are guitarist Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff, Nigel Hall, Adam Deitch (drums/percussion), Erick "Maverick" Coomes (bass), Ryan Zoidis (saxophone) and Eric "Benny" Bloom (trumpet).