Kenneth Whalum doesn’t make background music.

His songs feel like conversations you weren’t supposed to overhear — raw, cinematic, and unafraid of the truth. A singer, songwriter, saxophonist, and producer, Whalum has built a world where jazz sophistication meets soul confession, and where every note sounds like it was wrestled from something real.

The Memphis-born artist first made his name on the road with soul legends Al Green and Isaac Hayes, before going on to tour and record with contemporary icons such as Jay-Z, Maxwell, and the late D’Angelo, as a member of his band, The Vanguard. He contributed to landmark projects including Maxwell’s Grammy-winning BLACKsummers’night (where he arranged horns and played saxophone across the album, including on the hit single “Pretty Wings,” which topped the Billboard R&B; chart and won the Grammy for Best R&B; Song), Beyoncé’s B’Day and Renaissance, Jay-Z’s American Gangster and 4:44, and Mac Miller’s Swimming. His saxophone also appears on Maroon 5’s Red Pill Blues on the extended closer “Closure,” highlighting his seamless movement between genres.

“There’s something about singing — it strips away every layer until all that’s left is the truth,” Whalum says. That sense of naked honesty defines his own catalog: Broken Land, the Beautiful Ending EP, and Broken Land 2 trace a spiritual and emotional evolution, while songs like “Might Not Be OK” (with Big K.R.I.T.) and more recent singles “One More Kiss” and “Hold My Hand” explore vulnerability, hope, and human connection with cinematic grace.

In recent years, Whalum’s creative universe has expanded even further — co-producing and performing saxophone on Juicy J’s jazz album Caught Up in This Illusion, a bold collaboration that bridges Memphis’ hip-hop roots with improvisational jazz. He’s featured on the title track, where his distinctive tone adds warmth and depth to the album’s innovative sound.