BADBADNOTGOOD

About

The artist

BADBADNOTGOOD is an instrumental group and production team formed in Toronto in 2010. Bassist Chester Hansen and drummer Alexander Sowinski met keyboardist Matthew Tavares while studying jazz at Humber College, then drew early attention with performances of music associated with Odd Future and hip-hop producers. The group released BBNG in 2011, BBNG2 in 2012, and III in 2014 while developing a loose, rhythm-focused approach that joined jazz improvisation to beat music. Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Leland Whitty became a full member after contributing to the Ghostface Killah collaboration Sour Soul. IV followed in 2016 with guests including Charlotte Day Wilson, Kaytranada, Mick Jenkins, and Sam Herring. After Tavares left the touring lineup, Hansen, Sowinski, and Whitty made Talk Memory in 2021 with a wider circle of instrumental collaborators. Mid Spiral arrived in 2024 as three connected suites later assembled as a full album. The record emphasized live composition, psychedelic jazz, soul, and orchestral detail. BADBADNOTGOOD continued touring internationally in 2025 and released Found A Light (Beale Street) with V.C.R. The band remains connected to Toronto through its current official profiles and recording practice.