Madlib’s Home Burns Down in L.A. Fires

The legendary hip-hop producer and his family are safe

January 13, 2025January 14, 2025 Ron Hart 0 Comments Black Star, Eaton, Fire, Freddie Gibbs, Los Angeles, Madlib, Madvillain, MF Doom, Palisades, Wildfires

Perhaps more than any other producer in hip-hop these last 25 years, there’s nobody more creative than Madlib.

Or generous, having recorded dozens of classic albums with the likes of Lootpack, J. Dilla, Freddie Gibbs and MF DOOM along with lovingly compiled and treated mixtapes and brilliant excursions into instrumental future jazz. His work merits its own wing in any vinyl collection, especially when you consider the multitudes of rare LPs he has turned us onto through his digs.

Now, both his massive album collection plus his recording equipment have been destroyed along with his entire home in the raging wildfires of Los Angeles. As a collector myself, it’s unfathomable to comprehend the loss Madlib is experiencing, though thankful his family escaped the flames to safety.

In a post shared to X earlier today, DJ Premier shared a Donor Box link to help Madlib and his family rebuild after the tragedy. “Another great legend @madlib has completely lost his entire home and belongings to the California fires,” he wrote. “A donation box has been set up.”

VIDEO: Madvillain “Accordion”

The donation link via nonprofit LOVElikeWATER reads, “We are reaching out with heavy hearts to ask for your support in helping legendary producer Madlib and his family after losing their home, decades of music, and equipment in the devastating L.A. fires. Your donation, no matter the amount, will provide assistance to help Madlib with immediate personal needs, essentials like clothing, temporary housing, transportation costs and the tools Madlib needs to continue creating the music that has touched so many lives.”

The fires, the worst in California history, started last week on L.A.’s west side in the Pacific Palisades and rapidly spread to other sections of the city, including Altadena, Studio City, Runyon Canyon and Pasadena.

So far, the Palisades fire is only 14% contained, having burned over 23,000 acres of land. The Eaton fires, meanwhile, are 33% contained at 14,000 acres.

Among those who lost their homes incude Billy Crystal, Eugene Levy, John Goodman and Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith, while that dog. singer Rachel Haden — the daughter of jazz legend Charlie Haden — revealed her family home is gone.

There is a wealth of resources available for music professionals who lost their homes in these devastating fires. MusicCares and the Recording Academy launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, starting the pot with a donation of $1 million with donations coming in by the day. The funds are being raised to help folks who’ve worked in the music industry for over five years and, I’d eligible, maybe qualify for up to $1500 in financial aid and $500 in food vouchers.

Please pray for Madlib and his family.