Blockhead

New York beatmaker Blockhead produces a highly distinctive brand of abstract hip-hop, both as an instrumental solo artist and behind the boards for rappers including Aesop Rock, Cage, and Billy Woods. Drawing from genres such as funk, rock, and jazz, he displays a particular talent for incorporating offbeat vocal samples into his tracks. His solo albums, such as 2005's Downtown Science and 2009's The Music Scene, balance playfulness with melancholy, reflecting on his upbringing, relationships, and other life experiences. During the 2010s, he released full-length collaborations with emcees Illogic and MarQ Spekt, and his 2019 full-length Free Sweatpants featured verses by rappers like Homeboy Sandman and Open Mike Eagle. He reunited with Aesop Rock on the 2021 full-length Garbology.