Ras G

A staple in the Los Angeles left-field scene as one of the founders of <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Poo-Bah+Records%22">Poo-Bah Records</a> and a member of the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Brainfeeder+Records%22">Brainfeeder Records</a> clique, Ras G's innovative beatmaking fell into the same stony, psychedelic style of instrumental hip-hop as fellow L.A. DJ/producers <a href="spotify:artist:5LhTec3c7dcqBvpLRWbMcf">Madlib</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:29XOeO6KIWxGthejQqn793">Flying Lotus</a>.

After releasing six EPs, several mixes, and four full albums (Beats of Mind, Ghetto Sci-Fi, I of the Cosmos, and Brotha from Anotha Planet) in the latter half of the 2000s, Ras G had a notable appearance in the 2010 <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Stones+Throw%22">Stones Throw</a> documentary Secondhand Sureshots, for which he, <a href="spotify:artist:1YRGQOk4Mk9EpM6nTJhXtK">Daedelus</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:76Bkn226zbX3IMiEiLC2h2">J-Rocc</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:1ZxaNqrkTzqjsbXrCZM0qy">Nobody</a> were issued a challenge to take five dollars to the local thrift store and make beats using the albums they bought. Successfully demonstrating that his abilities could overcome difficult circumstances (in this case, using warped vinyl and a recording studio converted from a backyard toolshed), Ras G's creativity continued to shine throughout the 2010s as well.

<a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Stones+Throw%22">Stones Throw</a> affiliate <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Leaving+Records%22">Leaving Records</a> became a regular home for his output, starting with the 2010 cassette El-Aylien, Pt. 1. Split vinyl releases with <a href="spotify:artist:56j1OkSq0AMCgZGKVNc8GP">Samiyam</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:0tIODqvzGUoEaK26rK4pvX">Sun Ra</a> appeared on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22All+City+Records%22">All City Records</a>, while <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Ramp+Recordings%22">Ramp Recordings</a> issued Down 2 Earth, and the double 10" Space Base Is the Place came out on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Poo-Bah+Records%22">Poo-Bah Records</a>. <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Brainfeeder%22">Brainfeeder</a> released Ras G's full-length Back on the Planet in 2012. Several volumes of Raw Fruit beat tapes appeared on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Leaving+Records%22">Leaving Records</a> beginning in 2013, eventually compiled as double LPs. The label also issued Down 2 Earth, Vol. 2 and collaborations with <a href="spotify:artist:5Ka2j5sGiokvVS1ODuHL7k">VHVL</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:5p2gVFoALyOtm13Fv5TjgQ">the Koreatown Oddity</a>, as well as The El-Aylien Tapes, Pts. I & II.

The year 2016 saw the release of full-lengths Azla Sounds, Vol. 1 (Azla Vegan), The Gospel of the God Spell (<a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Street+Corner+Music%22">Street Corner Music</a>), and Baker's Dozen (<a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Fat+Beats%22">Fat Beats</a>). The EP Alternate Destiny appeared on 101 Apparel in 2017. Originally released as a cassette during that year, My Kinda Blues (<a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Ghetto+Sci-Fi+Music%22">Ghetto Sci-Fi Music</a>) was issued as an LP in 2018. Stargate Music, one of many releases billed to <a href="spotify:artist:5MASEvULEe06yeIvRwrPMB">Ras G & the Afrikan Space Program</a>, also appeared that year. Sadly, Ras G passed away at the age of 39 on July 29, 2019. ~ Jason Lymangrover & Paul Simpson, Rovi