Madlib

Born:: March 24, 1973, he's 39 and American.
Names:: Birthname: Otis Jackson, Jr.. Also releases as: Otis Jackson, Jr. & Quasimoto.
Snapshot:: An Artist with 30 releases under 2 pseudonyms, a member of 3 groups, and credited 9 times on others' music. 9 collaborations and 1 musical relative.

Hip-hop DJ and producer Madlib was born Otis Jackson Jr. in California in 1973. He took his name from the initials of Mind Altering Demented Lessons In Beats. In addition to his work as Madlib, he has also released work under a variety of pseudonyms. His production work has influenced a new generation of hip-hop producers.

His earliest recorded work was with Lootpack, their EP caught the attention of Stone Throw Records and they were given a contract, releasing their debut album Soundpieces: The Antidote to positive reviews. They also contributed vocals to the Alkoholiks, with the Coast II Coast album receiving the groups' best reviews and sales.

Madlib released his critically acclaimed debut solo album as Quasimodo, The Unseen album in 2000. Not satisfied with his hip-hop plaudits, he formed the Yesterdays New Quintet (YNQ). As YNQ he released jazz/electronic fusion tracks and albums, of which, 2006's Yesterdays Universe has received the most praise. Madlib released his second solo album Blunted in the Bomb Shelter in 2004. It features remixes of dub reggae tracks from the Trojan label's golden years, with tracks by King Tubby, The Skatalites and Gregory Isaacs. Also in 2004 he teamed up with MF Doom to release Madvillany, which was widely praised as hip-hop album of the year.

He teamed up with alternative hip-hop artist Jay Dee, and as Jaylib they made the critically acclaimed Champion Sound album. The album has had a strong influence on subsequent hip-hop productions.