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Josef Leimberg playing trumpet outdoors in a purple dashiki

Josef Leimberg: The Producer and Musician Who Connects Snoop, Kendrick, SZA and Badu

You may have heard Josef Leimberg long before you knew his name. The trumpeter, producer, and...

Taylor Graves: The Musician Behind the Sound of the Future

From Dr. Dre and Battlecat to Thundercat, Flying Lotus, Mac Miller, and film scoring, Taylor Graves...

Before Kool Herc: The Bronx Hip Hop Pioneers Mainstream History Erased

At DJ Phase’s annual Bronxdale Houses celebration, I heard directly from the people preserving hip hop’s...

Culture

Before Kool Herc: The Bronx Hip Hop Pioneers Mainstream History Erased

At DJ Phase’s annual Bronxdale Houses celebration, I heard directly from the people preserving hip hop’s...

The R&B Roots of Rock, Pop, and Hip Hop: How Rhythm & Blues Changed the Sound of the World

Was Rhythm & Blues simply another genre, or did it become the musical language that shaped...

How Clive Davis Helped Destroy Music

For decades, Clive Davis has been celebrated as one of the most influential executives in music...

Videos

DJ Battlecat: The Holy Trinity of West Coast Hip Hop

Astral Progression: My Mental Escape in South Central

An album titled 'Multiverso' is nearing completion, blending Brazilian rhythms with metaphysical and spiritual concepts. Expect a fusion of global sounds, inspired by artists like Jaco Pastorius and Alice Coltrane. #Multiverso #NewMusic #BrazilianMusic #Spiritual #Fusion

Multiverso Album: Brazilian Rhythms & Spiritual Vibes #shorts

Josef Leimberg joins Incense-N-Ashtrays for a deep conversation on his incredible musical journey—from working with Erykah Badu on her new album to contributing to Kendrick Lamar’s *To Pimp a Butterfly*, producing SZA’s “Pretty Little Birds,” and touring with Snoop Dogg and the Snoopadelics.

Josef also talks about Kamasi Washington, the connection between jazz and hip-hop, his own albums *Astral Progressions* and *Mystic Journey*, and why live musicians still matter in the music.

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Josef Leimberg on Working with Erykah Badu, Kendrick, SZA & Snoop Dogg

Discovering the groundbreaking work of Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly,' Kamasi Washington's 'The Epic,' and Thundercat's albums opened a new musical portal. This inspired a genre-bending journey, encouraging exploration beyond single styles. #AstralProgressions #MusicalInfluences #GenreBending #KendrickLamar #KamasiWashington #Thundercat

Josef Leimberg: How Kendrick, Kamasi & Thundercat Opened His Sound

Erykah Badu and The Alchemist blend traditional sounds with modern hip hop, showcasing a constant evolution. Their secret? Staying connected to musicians and the changing music scene. #ErykahBadu #TheAlchemist #MusicEvolution #HipHop #ModernMusic

Josef Leimberg Breaks Down Erykah Badu & The Alchemist’s New Sound

Gangsta of the legendary Majestics Car Club sits down to talk Compton, lowriding, oldies, and the Black American presence in a culture too often presented as if we were never there.

From his first ’63 Impala to the Majestics’ worldwide reach, Gangsta speaks on what lowriding really means: a way of life, a community, and a history that deserves to be told honestly.

For written articles on music and culture go to incensenashtrays.com. This channel supports The Black American Music Family Tree Historical Foundation (bamfamilytree.org).

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Gangsta From Majestics Tells the Real History of Lowriders

Dive into the incredible synergy with Flying Lotus. Discover his pivotal role and unwavering support that shapes the music scene. A true pillar of the community. #FlyingLotus #MusicCommunity #Collaboration #MusicImpact

Flying Lotus: My Brother, Opened Doors for Us All! #shorts

Our Mission

IncenseNashtrays exists to document the present, restore the past through rigorous historical analysis, and report on the music and the culture that surrounds it.

We preserve and elevate true musicianship—centering the artistry, lineage, and cultural impact that define American music.

This is preservation. Not nostalgia.

IncenseNashtrays is an independent music publication and brand. Its editor, Dwann Brown, is also President of the Black American Music Family Tree Historical Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

“Music is a sonic interpretation of our environment”