The 20 Best Robert Glasper Songs, Collaborations & Features Every Music Fan Should Hear
Cover photo ©Andreas Lawen, Fotandi
From Black Radio Classics to Grammy-Winning Collaborations
Robert Glasper is one of the most influential musicians of the 21st century, but unlike many artists, his impact cannot be measured through solo recordings alone.
Across more than two decades, Glasper has built a career that moves seamlessly between jazz, hip hop, R&B, soul, spoken word, and contemporary music. Whether working under his own name, with the Robert Glasper Experiment, or alongside artists like Kendrick Lamar, Common, H.E.R., Erykah Badu, Leon Bridges, and Bilal, he has consistently challenged the idea that great music must fit neatly into a single genre.
The result is a catalogue unlike almost anyone else’s.
This guide brings together the 20 songs, collaborations, and features that best represent Robert Glasper’s influence across modern music. From Grammy-winning recordings to groundbreaking jazz reinterpretations and culturally significant collaborations, these are the tracks that explain why Glasper has become one of the defining musical voices of his generation.
If you’re new to Robert Glasper, you may also want to explore:
👉 Who Is Robert Glasper? A Beginner’s Guide to His Music, Albums & Legacy
👉 The Complete Robert Glasper Album Guide
👉 Why Black Radio Changed Modern Jazz Forever
20. Take It Slow
Avant & Robert Glasper
Released during a period when Glasper was increasingly collaborating with R&B artists, “Take It Slow” showcases his ability to enhance a song without dominating it. His piano work provides subtle emotional depth beneath Avant’s vocals, demonstrating one of the qualities that has made Glasper such a sought-after collaborator.
Why it matters:
It highlights Glasper’s ability to move comfortably outside traditional jazz settings while maintaining his distinctive musical identity.
Album: The Letter (2010)
19. To You
Juicy J feat. Robert Glasper & Emi Secrest
A collaboration between Juicy J, Robert Glasper, and Emi Secrest that perfectly reflects Glasper’s career-long refusal to recognise genre boundaries.
Released in 2024 on Juicy J’s Ravenite Social Club, the track blends contemporary hip hop with the musical sophistication that Glasper has become known for throughout his career.
Why it matters:
The song demonstrates how Glasper’s musicianship can elevate modern hip hop without sacrificing accessibility. It also highlights his ability to move comfortably between jazz, soul, and rap, bringing depth and texture to projects far beyond the traditional jazz world.
Featured on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple release.
18. Ah Yeah (Alternate Take)
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michele
One of the most intriguing tracks featured on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple project, this previously unreleased alternate take captures the chemistry that made the Black Radio era so influential.
Why it matters:
The combination of Glasper’s arrangement, Musiq Soulchild’s soulful delivery, and Chrisette Michele’s vocals showcases the collaborative approach that has defined much of his career.
Featured on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple release.
17. Going Home
Robert Glasper
A reflective and understated composition that demonstrates the emotional depth of Glasper’s playing.
Unlike many contemporary recordings that rely on complexity, “Going Home” creates its impact through space, restraint, and atmosphere.
Why it matters:
It serves as a reminder that some of Glasper’s strongest work emerges when he allows simplicity to carry the message.
Featured on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple release.
16. Answered Prayer
Dinner Party, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper & Kamasi Washington feat. Phoelix
Few modern collaborations better represent the state of contemporary jazz than Dinner Party.
Released in 2020, “Answered Prayer” brings together some of the most influential musicians in modern Black music, blending jazz, soul, hip hop, and cinematic production into a cohesive and deeply atmospheric recording.
Why it matters:
The track captures the collaborative spirit that has defined much of Glasper’s work over the last decade. Alongside Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington, and Phoelix, Glasper helps create a sound that feels rooted in jazz tradition while remaining completely contemporary.
Featured on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple release.
15. Why Do We Try
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Stokley
A standout from the Black Radio era, “Why Do We Try” combines sophisticated harmonic ideas with accessible songwriting and powerful vocals.
Why it matters:
The track demonstrates Glasper’s ability to bridge jazz and contemporary R&B without compromising either.
14. I Stand Alone
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Common & Patrick Stump
Released on Black Radio 2, this collaboration combines social commentary, live instrumentation, and memorable songwriting.
Why it matters:
It reflects Glasper’s ability to bring together artists from different musical worlds while maintaining a cohesive vision.
Album: Black Radio 2 (2013)
13. Let It Ride
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Norah Jones
Norah Jones and Robert Glasper prove to be a natural pairing on this beautifully understated collaboration.
Why it matters:
The song highlights Glasper’s crossover appeal and his ability to create arrangements that complement rather than overshadow vocal performances.
Album: Black Radio 2 (2013)
12. So Beautiful
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Musiq Soulchild
One of the most beloved songs associated with the Robert Glasper Experiment.
Built around warmth, melody, and emotional honesty, it remains a favourite among long-time fans.
Why it matters:
It perfectly captures the soul-jazz blend that helped make the Black Radio series so influential.
11. Black Radio
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Yasiin Bey
The title track from the album that changed Glasper’s career.
Featuring Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), the song functions as both a statement of intent and a reflection of the project’s wider mission.
Why it matters:
It establishes many of the ideas that would come to define Glasper’s artistic legacy.
Album: Black Radio (2012)
10. Born Again
Leon Bridges & Robert Glasper
A beautiful collaboration between two artists who share a deep appreciation for musical tradition while remaining firmly rooted in the present.
Why it matters:
The track combines gospel, soul, jazz, and contemporary production into one of the most emotionally resonant songs connected to the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple project.
Featured on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple release.
9. All Matter
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Bilal & Common
Released during a period of increasing social and political tension, “All Matter” addresses race, identity, and inequality through thoughtful lyricism and sophisticated musicianship.
Why it matters:
It remains one of the strongest examples of Glasper using music as a vehicle for social commentary.
Album: Black Radio 2 (2013)
8. Smells Like Teen Spirit
Glasper’s reinterpretation of Nirvana’s classic remains one of the most celebrated jazz covers of the modern era.
Appearing on In My Element (2007), the track introduced many listeners to Glasper’s ability to reinvent familiar material through a jazz lens.
Why it matters:
It demonstrated early on that Glasper viewed genre boundaries differently from many of his contemporaries.
7. Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.)
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Ledisi
One of the most politically charged songs in Glasper’s catalogue.
Combining social commentary with powerful vocals from Ledisi, the track remains as relevant today as it was upon release.
Why it matters:
It highlights Glasper’s willingness to engage with important social issues through music.
Album: Black Radio (2012)
6. Black Superhero
Robert Glasper feat. Killer Mike, BJ The Chicago Kid & Big K.R.I.T.
The defining track from Black Radio III.
Released in 2022, “Black Superhero” blends contemporary hip hop, soul, and jazz while exploring themes of identity, resilience, and representation.
Why it matters:
The song demonstrates how Glasper’s vision continues to evolve while remaining connected to the core ideas that shaped Black Radio.
5. Move Love
Robert Glasper feat. KING
If one song captures Robert Glasper’s artistic philosophy, it may be “Move Love.”
Combining jazz harmony, soulful vocals, and modern production, the track feels both contemporary and timeless.
Why it matters:
It demonstrates Glasper’s unique ability to create music that appeals equally to jazz listeners, soul fans, and contemporary audiences.
4. Better Than I Imagined
Robert Glasper feat. H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello
One of the most acclaimed songs of Glasper’s later career.
Released in 2020, the track won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and introduced Glasper’s work to an even wider audience.
Why it matters:
The collaboration combines three extraordinary musicians at the peak of their creative powers.
3. Calls
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Jill Scott
A masterclass in atmosphere, arrangement, and vocal performance.
Jill Scott’s delivery combines perfectly with Glasper’s sophisticated musical framework to create one of the most emotionally compelling songs in his catalogue.
Why it matters:
Many fans consider this one of the defining moments of the Black Radio era.
2. These Walls
Kendrick Lamar feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat
While officially a Kendrick Lamar song, “These Walls” is impossible to ignore when discussing Robert Glasper’s influence on modern music.
Glasper played keyboards on To Pimp a Butterfly, one of the most celebrated albums of the 21st century. “These Walls” went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance and remains one of the defining recordings of modern hip hop.
Why it matters:
The song represents the wider creative ecosystem that Glasper helped shape and reflects the deep connection between jazz, soul, hip hop, and contemporary Black music. Its inclusion on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple release further reinforces its place within the broader story of Glasper’s influence and artistic legacy.
Featured on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple release.
1. Afro Blue
Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Erykah Badu
If one song defines Robert Glasper’s legacy, it is “Afro Blue.”
A reinterpretation of the Mongo Santamaría classic, Glasper transforms the composition into something entirely contemporary while preserving its spiritual and musical roots.
Erykah Badu’s vocal performance elevates the track further, creating one of the most iconic recordings in modern jazz.
Why it matters:
“Afro Blue” introduced countless listeners to Robert Glasper’s music and remains the definitive example of how he transformed the relationship between jazz, soul, and hip hop.
Songs Featured on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple Release
Several songs featured in this list also appear on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple collector release, including:
- These Walls
- Born Again
- Answered Prayer
- Going Home
- Ah Yeah (Alternate Take)
- To You
- Take It Slow
Together, they reflect the wider creative world Robert Glasper has built throughout his career, connecting jazz, hip hop, soul, design, and contemporary culture.
👉 Explore the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple collection
Why Robert Glasper Matters
What separates Robert Glasper from many of his contemporaries is not simply technical ability.
It is his ability to create connections. Across jazz, hip hop, soul, R&B, spoken word, and contemporary music, Glasper has consistently brought artists together and challenged assumptions about genre.
Whether through Black Radio, his collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, or projects like the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple release, his influence continues to shape the sound of modern music.
For new listeners, these 20 songs provide the perfect introduction.
For long-time fans, they serve as a reminder of just how broad and important his catalogue has become.
FAQ: Robert Glasper Songs & Collaborations
What is Robert Glasper’s most famous song?
For many listeners, “Afro Blue” remains Robert Glasper’s signature recording. However, tracks like “Better Than I Imagined,” “Calls,” and “Black Superhero” are also among his most celebrated works.
What Robert Glasper songs should beginners start with?
A strong introduction would include:
- Afro Blue
- Calls
- Better Than I Imagined
- Move Love
- Black Radio
Did Robert Glasper work with Kendrick Lamar?
Yes. Robert Glasper contributed keyboards to Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and has long been connected to the wider creative community surrounding the album.
Which Robert Glasper songs are featured on the Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple release?
Highlights include:
- These Walls
- Born Again
- Answered Prayer
- Going Home
- Ah Yeah (Alternate Take)
- To You
- Take It Slow
What is Robert Glasper’s most important album?
Many critics and fans consider Black Radio (2012) to be Robert Glasper’s most influential album due to its impact on modern jazz, R&B, and hip hop.
