Say it Loud meets Piñata: Pete Rock + Kassa Overall

The foundations were laid by musicians like Pete Rock, and others like Kassa Overall have perfected their teachings. The fusion of jazz and hip-hop that had such a profound impact on us in the 1990s has its own saga and evolution, as demonstrated by these two immense American musicians.

Pete Rock

Peter Phillips (Pete Rock) has always exuded class, even though his name may not be as well-known as some of his peers. This New York-based producer, DJ, and vocalist rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth. He helped define the contours of jazz rap alongside legendary groups like A Tribe Called Quest, Stetsasonic, Gang Starr, and The Roots. The combination of hip-hop and jazz sounds became synonymous with East Coast rap and continues to influence countless musicians to this day.

Kassa Overall

Kassa Overall is a percussionist, producer, and rapper from Seattle. He was trained at Garfield High School in his city, where renowned musicians Jimi Hendrix and Quincy Jones also studied. He possesses an impressive pedigree, as well as ambition and broad-mindedness. He made his way to New York and played for artists such as Christian McBride, Ravi Coltrane, Geri Allen, Jon Batiste, and Yoko Ono. His résumé showcases his credentials, but the best thing that can be said about him was already published by musician Terri Lyne Carrington in the pages of The New York Times. She singled out Kassa as one of the artists of the new century, a musician capable of breaking down all genre barriers in albums like his recent release “Animals” (2023), his third album, a feast of futuristic jazz and hip-hop.