From: Brooklyn, New York City
Bands: A Tribe Called Quest (ATCQ), Lucy Pearl, and The Ummah
Occupation: Producer, DJ, Songwriter, Rapper, and Bassist
Notable Songs: Check the Rhime, Electric Relaxation, Bonita Applebum, Award Tour, Brown Sugar, Dance Tonight.. & the list goes on!
In this celebrity edition of the Vinyl Collector of the Month series, we’re diving into our top five favorite picks from Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s episode of What’s In My Bag. This music nerd treat was filmed during his recent visit to Amoeba Records in Hollywood, CA, where he picked up 14 records that held personal and musical significance to him. Throughout the episode, he dropped so many gems, from facts about legendary artists like Jerry Peters, Deon Estus, and the Mizell Brothers, to reflections on his spiritual connection with music through instrumentation.
His selections ranged from a wide variety of genres, from soul, funk, jazz, and blues to experimental rock, disco, and Latin-soul fusion! This episode is definitely a must watch for all music lovers and crate diggers because it shows how musical legends like him are just like us. It offers a rare glimpse into the mind of someone who has been both shaped by and deeply influential in vinyl culture. Here’s a breakdown of the five selections that left us inspired and digging deeper.
1. Worldwide Underground – Erykah Badu (2003)
Ali started off super strong with one of my favorite albums by Erykah Badu. Worldwide Underground is packed with so many timeless tracks like “Back in the Day”, “Bump It”, “I Want You”, “Woo”, and “Danger”. Ali reminisced on “Back in the Day” being on repeat everywhere when it dropped and how much the song was and still is appreciated. It’s one of those songs that sounds like it could have come out in the 90s or today. Erykah’s sound on this project carries the spirit of ‘70s soul and funk into the 21st century with a futuristic, hip-hop twist. Definitely a must-have for neo-soul and hip-hop collectors!
2. Future Talk – Urszula (1975)
One of the most fascinating discoveries from Ali’s record haul was Polish jazz vocalist Urszula Dudziak. I had never heard of her before this episode, but thanks to Ali, I was introduced to her groundbreaking Future Talk album. While reflecting on the early stages of creating D’Angelo’s “Brown Sugar”, a song Ali co-wrote and co-produced, he revealed that one of Urszula’s tracks initially inspired him during that time. He even attempted to sample the drums from one of her records during those sessions, but technical issues and his experimental approach to production at the time made it difficult for the engineers to execute the idea as planned. Still, the fact that Future Talk sparked the creative process behind one of the songs that helped birth the neo-soul genre speaks volumes about the brilliance and innovation embedded in Urszula’s work. Now I’m beyond curious to listen to the album myself to experience the sound that once lit a spark in a musical pioneer like Ali.
3. Mysterious Traveler – Weather Report (1974)
As one of the greatest hip-hop producers of the ’90s, it’s no surprise that Ali had Mysterious Traveller by Weather Report in his bag. This jazz fusion supergroup has long been a sample goldmine for hip-hop artists like Kool G. Rap, Brand Nubian, The Pharcyde, and Eric B. & Rakim. Ali himself sampled their track “Young and Fine” on “Butter” from A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory album. He spoke about Weather Report as a meeting of musical minds from diverse backgrounds, artists who pushed boundaries and created something extraordinary. Now I’m super inspired to add them to my collection!
4. Indianola Mississippi Seeds – B.B. King (1970)
One of the most touching moments came when Ali shared a story about meeting B.B. King. He recalled how simply listening to King speak taught him so much about life and left him inspired and motivated. He described King as a bridge between the early roots of Black music and what it has become today. In perfect sync to his story, Ali picked up the Indianola Mississippi Seeds album, noting its striking album cover featuring a watermelon-shaped guitar. The symbolism speaks volumes, like seeds embedded in the blues, King’s music helped grow an entire lineage of sound, influence, and spirit that still shapes music today.
5. The Friends of Distinction – Greatest Hits (1973)
Seeing a “Greatest Hits” album in Ali’s haul was unexpected, especially since many music heads tend to avoid compilation records due to them not giving the same experience as listening to an intentionally curated studio album. You can tell Ali made an exception to this unspoken rule because the classic soul band Friends of Distinction means a lot to him, so much that he couldn’t pass it up. The band is known for their timeless hits, such as Grazing in the Grass and Going In Circles. Ali also highlighted Jerry Peters, a key songwriter on the album, and credited him as a major influence on his own journey as a musician. His choice shows how deeply he values not just the music, but the creative minds behind it.
Final Thoughts
Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s What’s In My Bag episode is a masterclass in music appreciation, history, and inspiration. He touches on everything from musicianship and sampling to the interconnectedness of sound across generations. He shows us that crate digging isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s about discovery, intention, and honoring the roots of the artform.
Whether you’re a long-time vinyl collector or just beginning your journey, this episode will remind you why we keep searching for records: to connect with the past, feed our curiosity, and spark creativity.
Be sure to watch the full 25-minute episode in the link above! I’ve also curated a playlist featuring some of the songs from the records Ali shared. Check it out and let me know which picks or stories resonated with you the most!
Thanks for reading!!