Inspired to play piano by his mother, a gospel pianist and vocalist, Glasper attended Houston's High School for the Performing Arts. After graduation, he studied music at the New School University in Manhattan, where he found performance work with such luminaries as bassist Christian McBride, saxophonist Kenny Garrett, and others. After graduating college, Glasper worked with a variety of artists, including trumpeter Roy Hargrove, vocalist Carly Simon, and rapper Mos Def.
Unlike the first two volumes, both of which were recorded in a week, Black Radio III was put together over a year in remote fashion. It arrived in February 2022 with Lalah Hathaway, Q-Tip, and Jennifer Hudson among the additional participants. Also on the album was the track "Therapy, Pt. 2," featuring the late rapper Mac Miller, which worked as a sequel to Miller's previous song "Therapy" off his 2014 mixtape Faces. Black Radio III topped both the Billboard Jazz and Contemporary Jazz Albums charts. It also won the award for Best R&B Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023.
