Tennishu Brings Jazz Improvisation And Hip-hop Together On New Album American Bullshit, Out November 13
Courtesy Daniel Guerra
Where jazz improvisation meets independent hip-hop production and storytelling.
—Tennishu
Richmond, Virginia-based rapper, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Tennishu will release his new album, American Bullshit, on November 13, 2026, through his independent label, James Infinite. The ten-track project brings together live instrumentation, jazz improvisation, experimental hip-hop production, and character-driven storytelling.
A member of the internationally touring ensemble Butcher Brown since 2017, Tennishu has developed a musical approach that moves between instrumental performance and hip-hop production. His work as a saxophonist, trumpeter, drummer, vocalist, and producer informs an independent catalog built around the relationship between improvisation, composition, and recorded sound.
“Boot Dust" is built around a deliberately consistent vocal rhythm, with lyrical variation and evolving musical arrangements providing movement within the composition. The track explores how a restricted rhythmic framework can create space for experimentation in language, texture, and production.
Released October 30, “Uno (Right Now)" originated during a spontaneous recording session at DJ Jazzy Jeff's Playlist Studios. The performance features Tennishu on drums and vocals, Corey Fonville on bass, and Kaidi Tatham on keyboards and percussion. Rooted in the interaction between improvising musicians, the recording combines jazz, funk, and hip-hop, with subsequent production and mixing completed by Tennishu at Dinah Recording.
Much of the album was recorded and produced at Dinah Recording, Tennishu's home studio in Richmond, with additional sessions at Spacebomb Recording and Stereo Image Recording, alongside the collaborative session at Playlist Studios.
Across its ten tracks, the album explores identity, ambition, money, community, and the contradictions of contemporary American life. Tennishu frequently approaches these subjects through distinct lyrical characters and perspectives, using musical arrangements and production techniques to shape the storytelling.
His solo catalog includes More To The Story (2024) and More Of The Story (2025), alongside instrumental and collaborative projects reflecting his work across jazz and hip-hop.
With American Bullshit, Tennishu brings these musical experiences together in a recording that treats improvisation, instrumental composition, and hip-hop production as interconnected forms of expression.
The album will be released November 13, 2026, through James Infinite, with cover photography by Daniel Guerra. Tennishu is scheduled to perform at Révéler in Richmond on December 19.
A member of the internationally touring ensemble Butcher Brown since 2017, Tennishu has developed a musical approach that moves between instrumental performance and hip-hop production. His work as a saxophonist, trumpeter, drummer, vocalist, and producer informs an independent catalog built around the relationship between improvisation, composition, and recorded sound.
Two Singles Introduce the Album
The album's first two singles, “Boot Dust" and “Uno (Right Now)," illustrate contrasting approaches to musical construction.“Boot Dust" is built around a deliberately consistent vocal rhythm, with lyrical variation and evolving musical arrangements providing movement within the composition. The track explores how a restricted rhythmic framework can create space for experimentation in language, texture, and production.
Released October 30, “Uno (Right Now)" originated during a spontaneous recording session at DJ Jazzy Jeff's Playlist Studios. The performance features Tennishu on drums and vocals, Corey Fonville on bass, and Kaidi Tatham on keyboards and percussion. Rooted in the interaction between improvising musicians, the recording combines jazz, funk, and hip-hop, with subsequent production and mixing completed by Tennishu at Dinah Recording.
Recording Across Richmond and Beyond
Developed over several years, American Bullshit combines live instrumental performances, carefully constructed loops, sampling, and unconventional songwriting techniques.Much of the album was recorded and produced at Dinah Recording, Tennishu's home studio in Richmond, with additional sessions at Spacebomb Recording and Stereo Image Recording, alongside the collaborative session at Playlist Studios.
Across its ten tracks, the album explores identity, ambition, money, community, and the contradictions of contemporary American life. Tennishu frequently approaches these subjects through distinct lyrical characters and perspectives, using musical arrangements and production techniques to shape the storytelling.
From Butcher Brown to an Independent Musical Vision
Since joining Butcher Brown in 2017, Tennishu has performed internationally, including appearances at Blue Note Tokyo and the Newport Jazz Festival, and has appeared with the group in NPR's Tiny Desk concert series.His solo catalog includes More To The Story (2024) and More Of The Story (2025), alongside instrumental and collaborative projects reflecting his work across jazz and hip-hop.
With American Bullshit, Tennishu brings these musical experiences together in a recording that treats improvisation, instrumental composition, and hip-hop production as interconnected forms of expression.
The album will be released November 13, 2026, through James Infinite, with cover photography by Daniel Guerra. Tennishu is scheduled to perform at Révéler in Richmond on December 19.
Listen
Track Listing
Tungsten, HeyHeyHey, Bankroll, Tell You No Lie, Boot Dust, The Back Door, Uno, Up and Down, Snakes, With You
Personnel
Additional Instrumentation
Corey Fonville, Bass (Track 7) and Kaidi Tatham, Keyboards, Congas, Track Engineering (Track 7)
Album information
Title: American Bullshit | Year Released: 2026 | Record Label: James Infinite
