Photography by Sophia Rooke

Robert Glasper

Producer and Musician

WHAT IS YOUR CALLING CARD?

Genre-surfing seamlessly between hip hop, R&B, and jazz. I’m able to do each of those genres separately and mix them together at a high level.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS YOUR BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE?

Bringing the musician to the forefront—letting musicians know that being a side man is not the only way. You can also be an artist and a frontman. I’m a poster boy for freedom and music and being honest. Being a jazz musician who has four Grammys in an R&B category is crazy when you think about it. I feel like I’ve challenged what people think genre is (and what you’re allowed to do).

““I’m a poster boy for freedom and music and being honest. Being a jazz musician who has four Grammys in an R&B category is crazy when you think about it.””

WHAT IS YOUR CALLING CARD?

Genre-surfing seamlessly between hip hop, R&B, and jazz. I’m able to do each of those genres separately and mix them together at a high level.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS YOUR BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE?

Bringing the musician to the forefront—letting musicians know that being a side man is not the only way. You can also be an artist and a frontman. I’m a poster boy for freedom and music and being honest. Being a jazz musician who has four Grammys in an R&B category is crazy when you think about it. I feel like I’ve challenged what people think genre is (and what you’re allowed to do).