Jahari Massamba Unit

Jahari Massamba Unit is an occasional, loose-knit hip-hop and future jazz studio recording project comprised of producer/multi-instrumentalist Madlib and drummer/producer Karriem Riggins. The pair have also worked together under the moniker Supreme Team, with Riggins doubling as vocalist.

The two artists were introduced in the mid-2000s while working with Detroit producer/rapper J Dilla. As Supreme Team they issued a split 12" with J Dilla, "See (Suite)"/"Mash's Revenge." The pair first appeared as Jahari Massamba Unit on the track "Umoja" from Madlib's 2007 faux sampler long-player Yesterdays Universe. In 2010, they issued a pair of cuts as JMU on Madlib's iconic High Jazz outing ("Pretty Eyes" and "Wonderin'/Nightime"). On that date they also appeared on two cuts as Yesterdays New Quintet ("Don't You Worry Bout a Thing" and "Conquistador") and on still another as Poyser, Riggins & Jackson, with James Poyser and Madlib under another of his many nom de plumes, Otis Jackson, Jr. In 2020, the pair reunited as Jahiri Massamba Unit to release their proper long-playing debut, Pardon My French, on the Madlib Invazion imprint.

In February 2024, Riggins issued To the Jungle on the Madlib Invazion label, and in March, the pair reassembled Jahari Massamba Unit for their sophomore long-player, Yhwh Is Love; it was released by Riggins' Detroit-based Law of Rhythm label. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi