The Cobain 50

Come As You Are: A Live Finale Episode

Fri, 02 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000

This episode marks the end of The Cobain 50 and El Cancionero de Kurt. After going through all 50 albums from Kurt’s list, we celebrated with an event in KEXP’s Gathering Space with a packed house of fans of Nirvana and the podcast to reflect on the series, what it’s meant to us, and what we’ve learned going through all of this music.

Below find translations of the Spanish and Portuguese clips aired throughout the episode.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our podcasts. We love you so much, it makes us sick.

CLIP #1:

Luis Carlos Calanca: “Maybe it made him explode, again in Brazil and worldwide it was Kurt Cobain when the band Nirvana came here. Months later, when Kurt Cobain saw them here, he started saying that the band was sensational. And then all the kids wanted to know about Os Mutantes.

Lucinha Barbosa: “That’s how, word of mouth, I think, until '98, the big ones started to pay attention because there was no one to stay, no major record company that advertised didn't have that exactly through the fans themselves, word by word.”

CLIP #2:

José Bellas: Yes, that's right.The next day interviews were scheduled. I had to interview Dave Grohl. and I spent some time before the show at the house of one… one of the two managers of Los Brujos that was Alejandro Almada and he gave me a record for them. I took it there and

I gave it to him (Dave). Anyway, another thing that was going around was that, during Los Brujos' soundcheck, Grohl showed up and went to backtages singing the song, people were saying that before Nirvana went on.

CLIP #3:

Jorge Francisco Soto Flores: Seattle could be any city in Chile. Seattle is a remote place, a rainy place, a place of forests. We (Chileans) are the end of the world, we are the outsiders. We have barriers that could be the Andes Mountains, the desert, the ice, the Pacific Ocean… It happened at a specific time in the 90s. We were returning to a pseudo-democracy. There is also something about representation with the lyrics in every aspect from pessimism now knowing what is going to happen next and also added to to the fact that Chileans love rock music. They are fans of rock and metal. What reason is there for people to be so fanatical about Chris Cornell that here is a god? About Cobain who is a god; that Eddie Vedder, who is a god; Mark Lineman who is a god. I think that’s the only explanation. I don’t see any other, honestly.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Recorded by: Brandon Fitzsimmons
Audio Produced by: Julian Martlew and Dusty Henry

Mixed and Mastered by: Matt Martin
Special thanks to: Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.

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Daniel Johnston – Yip/Jump Music (1983)

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:15:00 +0000

On our penultimate episode—and the final album on Kurt Cobain’s list—Martin Douglas dives into Yip/Jump Music by Daniel Johnston. Johnston rose from obscurity by self-recording (and self-dubbing) his own tapes and handing them out at McDonald’s, eventually finding a massive audience after Cobain was repeatedly spotted wearing a t-shirt featuring the cover of Hi, How Are You.

Live in Seattle? Join us in the KEXP Gathering Space on April 26, 2025, for our Come As You Are live finale event. Details here.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written & Produced by: Martin Douglas
Mixed & Mastered by: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour
Special thanks to: Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Half Japanese – We Are They Who Ache with Amorous Love (1990)

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 07:05:00 +0000

Janice Headley chats with frontman and co-founder Jad Fair for this in-depth look at the Half Japanese album We Are They Who Ache with Amorous Love. Plus, KEXP presents the world premiere of “Lemonade Sunset,” the first single off the next Half Japanese album coming out this July via Fire Records.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written & Produced: Janice Headley
Mixed & Mastered: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour
Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Butthole Surfers – Pee Pee the Sailor (1983) and Locust Abortion Technician (1987)

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 07:05:00 +0000

On this week’s episode of The Cobain 50, Dusty Henry digs deep into the two Butthole Surfers albums from Kurt’s list – Pee Pee The Sailor (also known as their self-titled debut EP) and Locust Abortion Technician. In one of the more expletive ridden artists on the list, we hear about the band’s story from underground legends to surprising mainstream success. Butthole Surfers pushed the envelope from just their name alone through their storied live performances and some of the most fiercely experimental and artistically free music of their era.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Swans – Young God (1984)

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this week’s episode, Dusty Henry digs into one of the more caustic bands on Kurt’s list – Swan’s and their 1984 EP, Young God. The band has one of the more abrasive sounds and stories on the list, making for a release that’s not for the faint of heart but vastly influential on industrial music.

Disclaimer: This episode deals with topics including abuse, domestic violence, and rape. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or sexual violence, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) in the United States or seek the corresponding support service in your country.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Ray Farrell’s Journey Through Indie and Major Labels

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

This week on The Cobain 50, we share one last bonus episode before we hit the final stretch of albums on Kurt Cobain’s top albums list. Ray Farrell may not be a familiar name to most, but he’s worked with many of the artists and labels we’ve talked about on the list: from SST and Rough Trade to Geffen Records, Sonic Youth to Wipers, Farrell has been through it all. He shares with us stories from his time in the industry, as well as some memories of talking records with Kurt himself.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: A Deeper Listen with Matt Cameron

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

This week on The Cobain 50, we’re taking a quick break from our regularly scheduled programming to share an interview with another Seattle music icon – Matt Cameron.

Cameron is the drummer for legendary groups Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Before then he played in the influential Seattle bands Bam Bam, Skin Yard, and Temple of the Dog. In this interview with Emily Fox, which originally aired on KEXP’s A Deeper Listen podcast, Cameron talks about his career and how he’s been able to keep at it for more than 40 years.

Learn more about Bam Bam: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/2021/3/2/tina-bell-unsung-goddess-grunge/o0

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Frogs - It's Only Right and Natural (1989)

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour speaks with Josh Modell about It’s Only Right and Natural by The Frogs. By modern standards, The Frogs created cancel-able album after cancel-able album. Somehow, though, their punk innovation outshined controversy, catching attention from Eddie Vetter of Pearl Jam, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, and so many others. The Frogs inspired weirdo art everywhere — including Kurt Cobain’s “Montage of Heck” home recordings. Modell is co-directing a forthcoming documentary about The Frogs titled after this album: It’s Only Right and Natural.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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What Records? - What Is It. (Compilation) (1982)

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

What Records? might not be a household name, but the small Los Angeles-based punk label had a cascading effect on punk-yet-to-come. Dusty Henry digs into this somewhat obscure compilation from Kurt Cobain’s albums list which features deep cuts from L.A.’s punk scene, including bands like The Controllers, KAOS, and The Germs (which featured future Nirvana bandmate Pat Smear). We also hear about the records founder Chris Ashford’s journey from record store clerk to key figure in building L.A. punk’s scene.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written & Produced: Dusty Henry
Mixed & Mastered: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour
Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Young Marble Giants – Colossal Youth (1980)

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley talks with Stuart Moxham of Young Marble Giants about Colossal Youth. This album from the Welsh post-punk trio may seem like a surprising entry on Kurt's list given its minimalist instrumentation, but these bands shared a similar disdain for the spotlight.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written & Produced: Janice Headley
Mixed & Mastered: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour
Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Faith and Void – The Faith/Void Split LP (1982)

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas dive into The Faith/Void Split by The Faith and Void. In our last entry from the D.C. punk scene, we relive the youthful spirit that drove these bands to make their mark.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry, Matt Martin, and Roddy Nikpour
Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Flipper – Album – Generic Flipper (1982)

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into Album – Generic Flipper by Flipper. Despite the name, their debut album is anything but generic. Krist Novoselic (who briefly joined the band in the 2000s) described this Bay Area band as “proto-grunge.”

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: The Gits on Sound & Vision Live

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Following KEXP's recent event celebrating The Gits and Martin Douglas's recent Throwaway Style newsletter, we want to tell you more about these contemporaries of Kurt Cobain.

The Gits were an early '90s Seattle band. Sub Pop Records recently launched a campaign to rerelease remastered versions of The Gits’ catalogue. So much of the band’s story has been wrapped around the 1993 rape and murder of The Gits frontwoman Mia Zapata.

Late last year at KEXP’s Gathering Space, our colleague Emily Fox spoke with The Gits guitarist Andy Kessler and bassist Matt Dresdner about the band’s legacy and the life of Mia.

Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobain

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The Saints – Eternally Yours (1978)

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley dives into Eternally Yours by The Saints. (In his list, Kurt wrote the name of a single from the album, “Know Your Product.”) This is the story of how The Saints brought punk from “down under,” featuring exclusive insights from founding guitarist Ed Kuepper and Mudhoney’s Mark Arm, who has been filling in for the late Saints frontman Chris Bailey in recent shows.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written and produced by: Janice Headley
Audio mixing and mastering: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scratch Acid – Scratch Acid (1984)

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into the self-titled debut from Scratch Acid. This vein of — ahem — “alternative music” helped Nirvana in their own quest to balance abrasiveness with structure. (In the outro, Dusty works in a reference to Charli XCX, effectively dubbing this podcast "brat." We also have some special shoutouts.)

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public Image Ltd. – The Flowers of Romance (1981)

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into The Flowers of Romance by Public Image Ltd. After he left the Sex Pistols in 1978, John Lydon created Public Image Ltd. under the influence of dub, resulting in experimental music that was just about as accessible to mainstream audiences as Kurt Cobain’s Montage of Heck recordings (which is to say, not very accessible at all).

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rites of Spring – Rites of Spring (1985)

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 07:00:00 +0000

We're back! This week, Dusty Henry dives into the self-titled debut from Rites of Spring. They represent the earliest iteration of “emo” music, proving that it would never be just a phase. "Emo" still exists in waves that ripple to this day.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Christmas in Seattle: We'll Be Back in 2025!

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 07:00:00 +0000

The Cobain 50 returns with new episodes January 8, 2025. We’re taking the month to rest with our families and listen to good music. We hope you’ll do the same!

In the meantime, let KEXP keep you company through the holidays with our other active podcast series, including:

El Cancionero de Kurt, the Spanish-language companion podcast to The Cobain 50 (English subtitles available on YouTube)
A Deeper Listen, conversations with artists about the stories behind their new music
In Our Headphones, weekly music discovery through KEXP DJs and staff
Live on KEXP, world-famous in-studio performances recorded at KEXP

Special thanks to everyone who has been part of The Cobain 50 in 2024, including:

Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, Roddy Nikpour, Janice Headley, Isabel Khalili, Emily Fox, Larry Mizell Jr., Tia Ho, Leah Capindo, Jeia Villacis, Gisela Casa Madrid, and many other contributors and special guests.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fang – Landshark! (1983)

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 18:39:18 +0000

Disclaimer: This episode deals with topics including domestic abuse, drug use, and murder.

Dusty Henry dives into Landshark! by Fang. Vocalist Sam “Sammytown” McBride murdered his girlfriend Dixie Lee Carney in 1989. Since his release from prison in 1995, Fang has continued as a band, raising questions about the complicated ethics of which artists we choose to listen to.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saccharine Trust – Paganicons (1981)

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into Paganicons by Saccharine Trust. Written in Kurt’s list as “1st EP,” Saccharine Trust’s debut is one of the most original releases from the SST catalog, which also includes punk classics like Black Flag, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, and many others.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fear – The Record (1982)

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour dives into The Record by Fear. Known for an infamous Saturday Night Live performance littered with slam dancers, Fear sings from a grotesque vantage point to call out injustice through “punk irony.”

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Tales of Terror – Tales of Terror (1984)

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into Tales of Terror by Tales of Terror. Their run was short and marked with tragedy, but their influence has kept their music alive for generations — from the local Sacramento scene to other bands like Mudhoney and Nirvana.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nirvana's MTV Unplugged Turns 30

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Friday, November 1, 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Nirvana’s live album, MTV Unplugged in New York. This week, Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas set the stage and bring us some of their favorite moments from this iconic stripped-back performance.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: A Deeper Listen with Pedro the Lion

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000

The Cobain 50 returns October 30 celebrating the 30th anniversary of Nirvana's MTV Unplugged in New York.

This week, we're sharing a conversation featured on another KEXP podcast, A Deeper Listen. Dusty Henry spoke with David Bazan about Pedro the Lion's latest album, the third in a five-part series of albums based on places that formed his identity. One of his formative memories includes moving to Seattle in 1991 — the same year when Nirvana released Nevermind.

Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobain

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Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth. When it comes to art punk, indie rock, or alternative rock, there are few bands more widely influential than Sonic Youth, who were also directly involved with Nirvana’s emergence into the mainstream. The bands were signed to both the same record label and the same management company.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mazzy Star – She Hangs Brightly (1990)

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley dives into She Hangs Brightly by Mazzy Star. Born from California's Paisley Underground scene, the group is distinguished by the languid vocal style of Hope Sandoval, a Mexican-American songwriter who came into the spotlight in the 1990s. This episode is part of KEXP's monthlong Aquí y Ahora programming for Latinx Heritage Month, officially celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written + Produced: Janice Headley
Mixed + Mastered: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast Manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Black Flag – Damaged (1981)

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into Damaged by Black Flag. While we covered their sophomore album My War earlier in this series, Black Flag’s debut album introduces us to one of its most prominent singers: Henry Rollins, who ushered in one of the band’s boldest eras.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Revisiting Nevermind and In Utero

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000

During KEXP's fall fund drive, we're celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Nirvana's Nevermind and the 31st anniversary of In Utero. Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera share a tale of two albums — one polished, one gritty — including the music's impact on them personally and across the world.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Special thanks: Albina Cabrera, host of El Cancionero de Kurt
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

00:00: Intro
03:19: A reflection on the concept of ranking albums
07:21: MTV and Nirvana at the center of a youth movement
10:06: Nevermind as the gateway to Nirvana
14:22: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" changed everything
20:41: Nevermind shows us Kurt as a funny guy with a polished sound
26:09: In Utero, the harsh response to Nevermind
36:18: In Utero as Kurt's final word
39:56: Despite our earlier remarks, we rank Nevermind and In Utero
49:06: Credits

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Gang of Four – Entertainment! (1979)

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour dives into the album Entertainment! by Gang of Four. They are the antiheroes of pop music, writing poignant lyrics that denounce the ideals of capitalism, accompanied by guitar riffs that are as choppy as they are danceable.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Breeders – Pod (1990)

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley dives into Pod by The Breeders. Their debut album really lets Kim Deal shine outside of her role in The Pixies. The Breeders influenced generations of artists, including Kurt Cobain, who invited the band to open for Nirvana twice during their touring career.

Hosts: Dusty Henry & Martin Douglas
Written + Produced: Janice Headley
Mixed + Mastered: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast Manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roundtable: Respect the Classics

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, and Roddy Nikpour dig into Kurt Cobain's relationship with the "classic rock canon" and how he — now getting played on classic rock radio himself — interpreted it through Nirvana.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Special thanks: Albina Cabrera, host of El Cancionero de Kurt
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lead Belly – Last Sessions, Volume One (1953)

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into Lead Belly's Last Sessions. The blues aren’t limited to a specific era or place — if you’ve got the blues and a strong enough voice, you can sing the blues. Kurt Cobain just happened to filter the blues through a muddy strain of punk rock.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Aerosmith – Rocks (1976)

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into Rocks by Aerosmith. This album might not feature Aerosmith’s most recognized songs, but it demonstrated the power of hard rock to mainstream audiences, solidifying the band’s legacy. This album also represents a cautionary tale: For every high, there's always a comedown.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Remembering Charles R. Cross, a Legend in Northwest Music Journalism

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In this bonus episode, we remember Seattle music journalist Charles R. Cross, who died on August 9, 2024 at age 67. Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas reflect on Cross’ legacy, we listen back to Cross speaking with former KEXP DJ Marco Collins, and KEXP listeners share personal memories of him.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Special thanks: Emily Fox, Owen Murphy, Meerah Powell, Marco Collins
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Bowie – The Man Who Sold the World (1970)

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour dives into The Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie. The album's title track marks a turning point in Bowie’s career toward stardom, which perfectly explains why Nirvana covered it in one of their most iconic final performances.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Beatles – Meet the Beatles! (1964)

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into Meet the Beatles! by The Beatles. In this episode, we pay tribute to the ever-connected thread of musicians across time and space. In essence, the “British Invasion” meant taking American music (largely from Black artists) and selling it back to American audiences.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Roundtable: Kurt <3s Melody

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, Janice Headley, and Roddy Nikpour explore three of the more melodic entries on Kurt’s list. It’s important to remember that, despite their onstage aggression, Nirvana had some pop sensibilities.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Special thanks: Albina Cabrera, host of El Cancionero de Kurt; and Janice Headley, co-host of In Our Headphones
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

00:00: Intro
00:54: TL;DR
01:20: Reconciling aggression and pop sensibilities
08:14: Punk is informed by other genres
11:09: The one where Dusty played bass in a grunge band
13:20: Defining "melody"
15:04: How R.E.M. managed their success
17:08: The Knack as a one-hit wonder
19:43: Horniness, the eternal muse
22:37: Lunch meat, the other muse (shout out Weird Al)
24:27: Marine Girls and success via cult status (shout out Everything But the Girl)
28:28: Hearing The Knack, R.E.M., and Marine Girls in Nirvana
32:24: Credits

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Marine Girls – Beach Party (1981)

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:22:48 +0000

Janice Headley dives into Beach Party by Marine Girls. Their lo-fi instrumentation and girlish vulnerability helped set the standard for twee pop.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Janice Headley and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

R.E.M. – Green (1988)

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into Green by R.E.M., a band that set the stage for indie rock as this larger idea of staying authentic despite commercial success. The band left a particularly noteworthy impact on Kurt, both professionally and personally.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Knack – Get the Knack (1979)

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour dives into Get The Knack by The Knack. The album’s catchy lead single came out when Kurt was a preteen. Despite its questionable lyrics, “My Sharona” did for new wave what “Smells Like Teen Spirit” did for punk — brought a genre to the mainstream.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

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Michael Azerrad, the Man Who (Literally) Wrote the Book on Nirvana

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Michael Azerrad joins us to talk about his relationship with Kurt Cobain, reviving a 30-year-old biography, Nirvana's legacy, and some of the records on Kurt’s list. Michael wrote the 1993 biography "Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana," and he recently released an annotated version titled "The Amplified Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana."

Next week, we'll return to our regularly scheduled stories about the albums on Kurt's list, resuming with Get the Knack.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

0:00:00: Intro
0:01:38: Meeting Kurt for the first time
0:09:26: From acquaintance to friend
0:13:00: Why Michael annotated the biography 30 years later
0:19:18: Michael on revisiting his work
0:21:39: Navigating self-made mythologies
0:24:31: Kurt's antagonists and his collaging methods
0:27:47: Kurt on "Calvinists" and riot grrrl
0:30:31: Nirvana ≠ grunge ("hot take territory")
0:33:03: Kurt didn't like Sub Pop's marketing of Nirvana
0:38:00: Kurt as a working-class guy
0:39:34: The REAL list? Bands that Kurt talked about a lot
0:46:05: Michael on Sex Pistols
0:48:04: Michael on Wipers
0:50:51: Michael on Mudhoney
0:51:54: How do you compare Dan Peters to Dave Grohl?
0:53:03: Michael on Beat Happening
0:56:04: Michael on Black Flag
0:59:21: Michael and Kurt's eternally intertwined legacies
1:02:32: Thank you
1:03:27: Credits

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Jack Endino on the Northwest Sound and the 35th Anniversary of 'Bleach'

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Seattle's own Jack Endino joins Dusty, Martin, and Albina for this month’s roundtable. June marks the 35th anniversary of Nirvana's debut studio album, Bleach, which Endino produced. They discuss the unmistakable imprint of the Northwest sound.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Special thanks: Jack Endino and Albina Cabrera, host of El Cancionero de Kurt
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Beat Happening – Jamboree (1988)

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into Jamboree by Beat Happening. Hailing from Olympia, Washington, the trio lived and breathed the punk rock ideology. Cofounder Calvin Johnson released the band’s albums on a label he founded, the iconic K Records, which practically turned indie music into a religion.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Wipers – Is This Real? (1980), Youth of America (1981), and Over the Edge (1983)

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas dive into the three albums by the Portland band Wipers, the band with the most entries on Kurt's list (unless you count "anything by Kleenex"). Greg Sage's melodic punk riffs not only inspired Nirvana, but also other Northwest bands before them, including The Melvins and Mudhoney.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Mudhoney – Superfuzz Bigmuff (1988)

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into Superfuzz Bigmuff by Mudhoney, whose debut represents the culmination of ideas that we now categorize as “grunge.” Nirvana picked up the grunge baton from Mudhoney and carried it to the finish line.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Bonus: Hiro Yamamoto on Soundgarden, Forging New Paths, and the Circles of Power

Fri, 31 May 2024 18:16:04 +0000

In this special bonus episode, we break format away from Kurt Cobain and Nirvana and look at the legacy of Soundgarden from the lens of founding member and original bassist Hiro Yamamoto. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Soundgarden’s formation — starting with Yamamoto and Chris Cornell in Yamamoto’s basement. While Yamamoto was there from the beginning, he left the band of his own accord just as they were about to have mainstream success. He went on to perform with bands like Truly and Stereo Donkey and was inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame in 2022. In conversation with Dusty Henry, Yamamoto looks back on those early days with the band, representation in Seattle’s 80s punk scene, and the lessons he’s taken from a life in (and out of) music.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry, Emily Fox, and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Roundtable: Breaking Punk

Wed, 29 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, and Janice Headley discuss the idea of "punk" through the lens of four bands. Each of them provides a distinctive approach to punk both as a genre and as a mindset. Nirvana is named as one of the core bands of 1991, "the year punk broke."

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

00:00: Intro
01:21: What is punk?
05:07: The spunk (punk via Shonen Knife)
07:20: What punk means to us
13:00: The attitude (punk via The Shaggs)
16:55: The aesthetic (punk via Sex Pistols)
21:18: Origins of punk
23:08: The grit (punk via Black Flag)
27:24: Punk as DIY
31:42: Punk today
35:31: Commodification of punk
39:26: "Rollingas" vs. Punks
41:53: The time when Janice joined a work call during a street race
42:51: The time when our facilities manager, Barry, received a telepathic message from our producer, Roddy
43:31: Credits

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Black Flag – My War (1984)

Wed, 22 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Larry Mizell Jr. dives into My War by Black Flag. This proto-punk sophomore album upset the fast-paced expectations of hardcore by slowing it down, complete with all-out screams confessing deep-seated emotion. This sound set the precedent for Seattle's famous grunge sound.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written by: Larry Mizell Jr.
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Shaggs – Philosophy of the World (1969)

Wed, 15 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into Philosophy of the World by The Shaggs. As prophesied by a palm reading, this band of sisters from a small town in New Hampshire would become famous. However, nobody could have predicted the band's "intriguing" sound — or whether they would actually have a fun time performing music.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols (1977)

Wed, 08 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols by the Sex Pistols. They set the stage for mainstream views of punk in terms of style, substance, and attitude.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

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Shonen Knife – Burning Farm (1985 via K Records)

Wed, 01 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Kicking off KEXP's month-long Pushing Boundaries celebration, Martin Douglas and Janice Headley dive into Shonen Knife’s Burning Farm, which was released in America by Olympia, Washington’s own K Records. Founding members Naoko and Atsuko Yamano share stories of touring with Nirvana in 1991. Plus, we celebrate this Osaka-based trio’s 40-year history of songs about food, animals, and toys.

Special thanks to Yuko Headley for translation assistance.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Producers: Martin Douglas and Janice Headley
Mixing and mastering: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

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Bonus: Introducing KEXP's In Our Headphones

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

The Cobain 50 returns May 1 with Shonen Knife's Burning Farm (K Records version) from 1985.

This week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: In Our Headphones, the evolution of our longstanding Song of the Day podcast. Hosted by Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili, this weekly interview series features KEXP DJs sharing their new favorite music. You'll hear the backstory about each artist and song, as well as each DJ’s personal connection to the music.

Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobain

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Bonus: Introducing KEXP's A Deeper Listen

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

The Cobain 50 returns May 1 with Shonen Knife's Burning Farm (K Records version) from 1985.

This week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: A Deeper Listen, where Emily Fox and other storytellers at KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.

Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobain

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Roundtable: Women in Punk

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, Janice Headley, and Roddy Nikpour explore some of the women-led bands on Kurt's list, Kurt's feminism, and the very notion of grouping bands together based on gender identity.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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30 Years After Kurt's Death

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In this special episode, marking 30 years since Kurt's death, we recorded a roundtable "love letter" at the Kurt Cobain Memorial Bench in Viretta Park in Seattle, where Kurt is said to have written some of his lyrics. We'll also hear from contemporary bands and music industry workers about the impact that Kurt had on them.

Hosts: Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Audio production support: Isabel Khalili
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

00:00: Intro
02:23: About the bench
07:15: Our earliest memories of Nirvana
10:58: Testimonials from Nicolle Swims (Black Ends), AJ Suede, Donita Sparks (L7), Aramis Johnson (Enumclaw)
17:31: Our relationships with Nirvana over time
21:43: Kurt's short and fast life
23:33: Our favorite Nirvana songs
28:14: Testimonials from Rachel Ratner (Wimps), Dave Ramm (Wimps), Alicia Bognanno (Bully), Shaina Shepherd
35:08: Nirvana moments that bring us joy
41:36: Testimonials from DJ Riz Rollins (KEXP), Annina Rodriguez (X 102.1), Emi Pop, Ana Espinosa (Vondré), Diego Ramirez (Joudy), Fran Straube (Rubio)
48:18: Nirvana's impact on the Pacific Northwest and beyond
54:41: Final thoughts on Kurt's legacy
59:40: Credits

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Anything by Kleenex (1978-1983)

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into the legacy of the Swiss band Kleenex, later known as LiLiPUT. Kurt's list doesn't specify a particular album from Kleenex. Their entire discography is just that good, marrying the worlds of Dada art and punk rock.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Raincoats – The Raincoats (1979)

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley dives into the legacy of The Raincoats, whose self-titled 1979 debut album inspired both Nirvana and the ‘90s riot grrrl scene. We also hear from Gina Birch, cofounder of The Raincoats, as well as Jenn Pelly, author of a book on the band as part of the 33⅓ series.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio Producer: Janice Headley
Mixed & Mastered: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Slits – Cut (1979)

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into Cut by The Slits (written in Kurt's list as "Typical Girls," the lead single from the album). They were one of the very first punk bands made up mostly of women, and their style incorporated elements from reggae and dub. Despite their innovation, the members of the Slits had to withstand a brutally misogynistic culture for it to actually mean something in the long term.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written + Produced: Martin Douglas
Mixed + Mastered: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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PJ Harvey – Dry (1992)

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour dives into Dry by PJ Harvey. She’s a grunge pioneer carrying on Kurt’s spirit through her own ongoing legacy. She was one of his close peers — so much so that Dave Grohl has invited her to fill in for Kurt to perform Nirvana songs.

As part of Women's History Month, our next three episodes will cover some of the other women-fronted bands on Kurt's list, including The Slits, The Raincoats, and Kleenex.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

As a programming note: Thank you to the 4,201 people who donated to KEXP during our spring fund drive last week! You're supporting independent, community-driven music and storytelling on the airwaves and online, including this podcast. You can always join the KEXP donor community by leaving a one-time gift or become an amplifier with a monthly donation at kexp.org/cobain.

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Roundtable: The "Radical" Politics of Kurt Cobain

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, and Larry Mizell Jr. explore four albums on Kurt's list that challenged the politics of their time through the lenses of punk and hip-hop.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

00:00: Intro
01:24: The impact of 1980s politics on punk
11:26: The war on drugs in America and abroad
19:20: Ska punk via Jamaica
24:46: Kurt's formative years and politics
33:36: Musical activism in the 1990s vs. the 2020s
41:08: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé name drops
43:57: Credits

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Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy, the voice of what was really happening in America, particularly within Black communities. With their ferocious sound and in-your-face spirit, it's no wonder they resonated with Kurt.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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MDC – Millions of Dead Cops (1981)

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into Millions of Dead Cops by MDC, a prime example of the powerful fusion between hardcore punk and politics. Their frontman Dave Dictor was the anti-John Wayne.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Bad Brains – Rock for Light (1983)

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas dives into Rock for Light by Bad Brains. It's a story of how Black punks from one Washington (D.C.) influenced punk in the other Washington (state).

Link to article mentioned in the final segment: https://afropunk.com/2019/02/bhm-the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-a-queer-bad-brains-fan/

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Clash – Combat Rock (1982)

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000

On this International Clash Day, Dusty Henry dives into Combat Rock by The Clash. Their music reminds us not to tolerate the injustice that the world throws at us.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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Roundtable: What Do The Stooges, Pixies, and The Vaselines Have in Common?

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In the inaugural roundtable of our series, Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera dive into Kurt Cobain's list. Although it features a lot of traditional punk music, the list traversed many genres in a time when music fans were more accustomed to "staying in their lane."

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

00:00: Intro
06:09: Reflecting on Kurt’s list
11:30: The Stooges – Raw Power
18:15: The Vaselines – Dying for It
25:14: Pixies – Surfer Rosa
29:36: El Cancionero de Kurt
35:55: The common thread between these bands
40:45: Credits

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The Vaselines – Dying for It (1988)

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley dives into Dying for It by The Vaselines (listed as Pink EP). By the time Nirvana began covering their songs, The Vaselines had broken up. It was Kurt’s love for the Scottish indie-pop duo that reunited the pair and lifted them out of obscurity.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written + Produced: Janice Headley
Mixed + Mastered: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Pixies – Surfer Rosa (1988)

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry dives into Surfer Rosa by The Pixies. It's arguably the most influential "alternative music" album of the 90s — not just for Nirvana, but artists worldwide. Surfer Rosa was Nevermind before Nevermind.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Stooges – Raw Power (1973)

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas kicks off the series by diving into Raw Power by The Stooges. It's no surprise this is the first album on Kurt's list considering the muscular drumming, the dirty bass, and the way the guitar sounds like it’s on fire — all key elements for Nirvana's sound.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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The Cobain 50: Coming January 10

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Each week, The Cobain 50 will dig into Kurt Cobain's famous list of his top 50 albums and how those artists influenced the sound of Nirvana. It’s also a chance to dig into the individual histories of the albums on the list, spotlighting both artists on the fringes and some of the biggest groups of all time. The list will take us through the legacies of acts like Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Breeders, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Black Flag, Mazzy Star, The Shaggs, Shonen Knife, and more.

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2022: "Pollo Rico" by billy woods

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas concludes the series with a visit back to 2022 with the track “Pollo Rico” by billy woods. It’s a deeply intimate track, and the themes are almost as dense as the smoke that inspired him. Plus, host Larry Mizell Jr. sends us off with some parting thoughts.

Written by Martin Douglas.
Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.
Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1974: The Cedar Park Jams

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley revisits the Cedar Park Jams, which kicked off in the spring of 1974. At this point, DJ Kool Herc’s parties became so popular that they outgrew his apartment on Sedgwick Avenue.

Written by Janice Headley
Audio production by Janice Headley

Mixed and mastered by Roddy Nikpour

Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1978: Old School Tapes

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Larry Mizell Jr. talks with DJ Supreme La Rock about the original way for compiling and sharing music in hip-hop's early days: "old school tapes." Thanks to global distribution via military deployment, they became foundational for hip-hop culture around the world.

Interview by Larry Mizell Jr.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - Women in Modern Hip-Hop

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

This bonus episode takes you on a journey through the vibrant world of Latin American and diasporic female hip-hop artists. Albina Cabrera, host of KEXP's El Sonido podcast, delves into the rich tapestry of Latin culture's influence on the genre, showcasing how Latinx identity and activism are deeply embedded in the roots of rap in español. From iconic figures like Ana Tijoux and Mala Rodriguez to rising stars like MC Millaray and J Noa, this scene is highlighting the intersection of feminism, Indigenous heritage, and social justice within the Latin hip-hop scene.

Written by Albina Cabrera.
Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.
Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2011: "Thuggin'" by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas revisits 2011 with the track “Thuggin’” by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib. The story behind this track involves a comeback from the streets, the power of collaboration, and on top of it all: pure luck.

Written by Martin Douglas.
Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.
Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1999: The Alchemist Masterclass

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas revisits 1999 with an overview of The Alchemist's career, alongside a parallel story of Martin's reignited passion for making beats of his own.

Written by Martin Douglas.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1988: Nasty Nes on Seattle's Halcyon Days of Hip-Hop

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:51:02 +0000

Larry Mizell, Jr. revisits 1988 with Nasty Nes Rodriguez, a DJ formerly based in Seattle. Together, they explore the proliferation of hip-hop in the Pacific Northwest through the power of radio and the one-and-only Sir Mix-a-Lot.

Interview by Larry Mizell, Jr.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1996: 3 'n the Mornin' (Part Two) by DJ Screw

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 1996 with the album 3 'n the Mornin' (Part Two) by DJ Screw. The record was a culmination of a movement Screw started from his bedroom: his trademark “chopped and screwed” sound and a unifying moment for Houston’s then-emerging hip-hop scene.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1990: Sample Culture

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour talks with Chris Read, head of content at WhoSampled, about four iconic tracks from 1990: "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer, "Can I Kick It?" by A Tribe Called Quest, "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy, and "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice. Each of them incorporates iconic samples, so we're unpacking the culture of sampling in hip-hop, as well as misconceptions behind the craft.

Written and produced by Roddy Nikpour.

Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2007: "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" by Soulja Boy

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 17:40:13 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 2007 with the track "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" by Soulja Boy. This iconic hit and its accompanying dance ushered in a new era for hip-hop and defined “ringtone rap” and the concept of "going viral."

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1998: "Ha" by Juvenile

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas revisits 1998 with the track “Ha” by Juvenile. Where we come from is an inevitable part of the stories we tell and the art we make. Juvenile’s career is packed with the rich culture of the city that made him: New Orleans, Louisiana.

Written by Martin Douglas.
Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.
Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

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Explore KEXP Podcasts!

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 +0000

During KEXP’s fall fund drive, discover the variety of music podcasts we produce at KEXP and hear some of our favorite clips from each one. We’re thankful to the thousands of amplifiers who already donate to KEXP, building the foundation for our community of storytelling, and we want you to join them with a one-time donation or a recurring gift!

50 Years of Hip-Hop: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/50-years-of-hip-hop/

El Sonido: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/el-sonido/

Fresh off the Spaceship: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/fresh-off-the-spaceship/

Live on KEXP: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/live-on-kexp/

Sound and Vision: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/

Song of the Day: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/song-of-the-day/

KEXP Podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kexppodcasts

Donate today: kexp.org/donate

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1992: "Tennessee" by Arrested Development

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley revisits 1992 with the track “Tennessee” by Arrested Development. It's a Grammy-Award-winning single inspired by grief on an immediate level — as well as an intergenerational level.

Written and produced by Janice Headley.

Mixed and mastered by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2014: "Sheplife" by Briggs

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000

To celebrate Indigenous People's Day, Kevin Sur revisits 2014 with the album Sheplife by Briggs. Emily Fox talks with KEXP's Kevin Sur, host of Sounds of Survivance, to unpack the music and advocacy of this Aboriginal rapper.

Produced by Emily Fox and Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1982: "Bam Bam" by Sister Nancy

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000

This week, Dusty Henry takes us back to 1982 with the track “Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy. Her story is one of innovation: how Jamaican tradition contributed to hip-hop stylings that are still popular today. It's also a story of unrecognized talent: how decades passed before Sister Nancy finally received the recognition she deserved.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1976: Lee Quiñones on the Art of Graffiti

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley takes us back to 1976 with an exclusive interview with graffiti artist Lee Quiñones. He and his crew, The Fabulous Five, made history by tagging a ten-car train in a single night.

Written and produced by Janice Headley.

Mixed and mastered by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1995: "Shook Ones, Pt. II" by Mobb Deep

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas revisit 1995 with the track “Shook Ones, Pt. II” by Mobb Deep, who we’ll hear from in this episode. After shaking off the commercial flop of their first album, their DIY mentality set them up for success with their sophomore album, which features one of the most recognizable rap songs in history.

Written by Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2008: We Need to Talk About Kanye West

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Larry Mizell Jr. revisits 2008, a pivotal year in the rise (and fall) of Kanye West. As a standout producer and Black icon, his gradual alignment with far-right ideologies has affected how we talk about hip-hop, Blackness, and mental health.

Joining the conversation are Martin Douglas, Stas THEE Boss, DJ Yaddy, and Christy Karefa-Johnson (DoNormaal).

Audio engineering and production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - DAM on Breaking an Egg From the Inside

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Isabel Khalili talks with two members of DAM, Tamer and Maysa, about their influences, the themes from Ben Haana Wa Maana, as well as the power (and limitations) of hip-hop as a tool for change.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2019: DAM, Palestine, and the Global Resonance of Hip-Hop

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Isabel Khalili revisits 2019 with the album Ben Haana Wa Maana by the Arabic hip-hop pioneers DAM. The group formed more than 20 years ago when they saw what hip-hop was doing in the U.S., tapped into its power, and used it as a vehicle for change in their home across the world in Palestine.

Written by Isabel Khalili.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1984: Whodini, Run-DMC, Fat Boys, and a Pivotal Year in Rap

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Vitamin D and Supreme La Rock join Larry Mizell Jr. to revisit 1984, a year so foundational in hip-hop history that we couldn’t focus on just one artist.

Engineering assistance by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2009: Reese's Puffs and the Commercialization of Hip-Hop

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour and Martin Douglas revisit 2009 with an earworm: the Reese’s Puffs rap. From cereal to sneakers, we'll explore how hip-hop’s commercial success made it a useful marketing tool.

Written by Roddy Nikpour and Martin Douglas.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2004: "All Caps" by Madvillain

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 2004 with the track "All Caps" by Madvillian, the brainchild of MF DOOM and Madlib. These two underground legends brought two coasts together in the name of depravity.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1973: DJ Hollywood Starts the Party

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

KEXP’s DJ Supreme La Rock talks with the renowned DJ Hollywood, who was there when it all started in 1973. Hip-hop fans are quick to celebrate a certain party in the Bronx as the “official” birthday, but DJ Hollywood reminds us that there was so much more brewing in New York that led to the birth of this worldwide movement.
Engineered by Dusty Henry.

Produced by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1989: "Cha Cha Cha" by MC Lyte

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 1989 with the track “Cha Cha Cha” by MC Lyte. This hit single represents one of the first times when a woman broke the glass ceiling in hip-hop through training, collaboration, and her own genius.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1981: "Rapture" by Blondie

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Janice Headley revisits 1981 with the track “Rapture” by Blondie, who leveraged their celebrity to shine a spotlight on hip-hop.

Written and produced by Janice Headley.

Mixed and mastered by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2003: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by Outkast

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas team up to revisit the 2003 double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by Outkast. Since Big Boi and Andre 3000 each recorded their halves separately, we'll bring you two separate perspectives on the legacies of Outkast's founding duo.

Written by Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1985: "I Can't Live Without My Radio" by LL Cool J

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Larry Mizell Jr. revisits 1985 with the track "I Can't Live Without My Radio" by LL Cool J. This young upstart from Queens delivered the seminal anthem for a generation of boombox-lugging, D-battery draining peace-disturbers.

Written by Larry Mizell Jr.

Audio production by Emily Fox.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2013: "3005" by Childish Gambino

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 2013 with the track "3005" by Childish Gambino (aka the actor, writer, rapper, and all-around wunderkind Donald Glover). His album Because The Internet brought about a larger conversation about "authenticity" in hip-hop.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1979: "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Larry Mizell Jr. revisits 1979 with the track “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang. It was an obvious choice for this podcast. Upon release, this legendary song received mixed reactions, and we’re giving it an honest tribute with insights from DJ Lady Love and Ishmael Butler.

Written by Larry Mizell Jr.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2020: "Atrevido" by Trueno

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

It’s a crossover episode with El Sonido: Cancioneros! Albina Cabrera revisits 2020 with the album Atrevido by Trueno, whose influences highlight the larger connection between hip-hop and Latin America.

Written by Albina Cabrera.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2017: DoNormaal on "THIRD DAUGHTER" and Hip-Hop's Accessibility

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 2017 with DoNormaal, a rapper formerly based in Seattle, to look back at her 2017 album THIRD DAUGHTER and explore what it means to truly embrace freedom as an artist.

Interview by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1991: "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" by Geto Boys

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas revisits 1991 with the track “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” by Geto Boys. The rise of Scarface isn’t just a tale about a legendary rapper. It’s also a tale of how he (and so many other rappers) relied on hip-hop to find solidarity and confront a traumatic way of life.

Written by Martin Douglas.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2015: "The Blacker the Berry" by Kendrick Lamar

Wed, 31 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Jasmine Albertson revisits 2015 with the track “The Blacker the Berry” by Kendrick Lamar. He raises an alarm for the ongoing discrimination against Black people, both by systemic oppressors and within the Black community.

Written by Jasmine Albertson.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1997: PaRappa the Rapper

Fri, 26 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour talks with Canadian author Mike Sholars about the 1997 Playstation game PaRappa the Rapper, in which a lovesick cartoon dog raps his way through teenage insecurity. It started a dynasty of rhythm-based games, illustrating how hip-hop — and Black culture at large — set the stage for other commercially successful productions.

Written and produced by Roddy Nikpour.

Special thanks to Dusty Henry.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1980: "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow

Wed, 24 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry takes us back to 1980 to pay homage to rap’s first superstar, Kurtis Blow, and his legendary hit “The Breaks.”

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1983: The Wu-Tang Clan and Asian Influences in Hip-Hop

Wed, 10 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

We’re going back to 1983 with the release of the kung-fu film "Shaolin and Wu Tang" and its influence on the iconic New York hip-hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan.

KEXP’s Janice Headley leads a roundtable discussion with content producer Martin Douglas, DJs Gabriel Teodros, Mike Ramos, and Larry Mizell Jr., as well as two special guests: Jeff Chang, author of the award-winning book “Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation”; and Sophia Chang (no relation), widely regarded as the “first Asian woman in hip-hop" and author of the memoir “The Baddest Bitch in the Room.”

Written and produced by Janice Headley.

Mixed and mastered by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2005: “luv(sic) pt 3” by Nujabes

Wed, 03 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry takes us back to 2005 with the track “luv(sic) pt 3” by the late, legendary Japanese producer Nujabes. We’ll also hear from the rapper Shing02, a frequent collaborator with Nujabes. He reflects on his friend's legacy and the luv(sic) hexalogy they created together.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2021: "Industry Baby" by Lil Nas X

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Rachel Stevens takes us back to 2021 with the track “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X. His debut sparked controversy, which led to a loud and proud declaration of his Blackness and queer identity within the rap community.

Written by Rachel Stevens.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2016: "Caroline" by Aminé

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Jasmine Albertson revisits 2016 with the track “Caroline” by Aminé. This rapper from Portland helped provide the soundtrack for a somber transition in U.S. politics.

Written by Jasmine Albertson.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Listen to a conversation with Aminé on KEXP’s Sound & Vision podcast: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/2020/8/27/amines-love-hate-relationship-portland-and-its-backdoor-racism/

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2001: The Rivalry Between Jay-Z and Nas

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas revisits 2001 to unpack the legendary rivalry between Jay-Z and Nas, a story that starts with an empty throne for the king of New York hip-hop.

Written by Martin Douglas.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2012: "Oldie" by Odd Future

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 2012 with the track “Oldie” by Odd Future. The posse cut led to the rise of one of the most influential groups of the last decade.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1986: "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" by The Beastie Boys

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour revisits 1986 with the track “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” from the Beastie Boys’ debut album, Licensed to Ill. A couple of young white guys from New York entered the growing hip-hop scene with two signature elements: quick rhymes shared between the MCs and beats that paved the way for rap rock.

Written and produced by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2000: The Soulquarians

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 2000 with a look at the legendary Soulquarian collective. They showed the power of real collaboration and letting inspiration light the way.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

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Support 50 Years of Hip-Hop During KEXP's Spring Drive!

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Become our newest amplifier today at kexp.org/50hiphop.

This week is KEXP's Spring Drive. As a public radio station and arts organization, we depend on listener support to continue experimenting with storytelling that's varied, voracious, and vulnerable.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2006: "Mr. Me Too" by The Clipse

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas revisits 2006 with the track “Mr. Me Too” by The Clipse. The Neptunes saved their weirdest compositions for a couple of longtime collaborators from their home state of Virginia.

Written by Martin Douglas.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1993: "Hip Hop Hooray" by Naughty by Nature

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Eva Walker speaks with Vin Rock of Naughty by Nature about the legacy of their track “Hip Hop Hooray.”

Edited and produced by Emily Fox.

Mastered by Roddy Nikpour.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2010: "Zodiac Shit" by Flying Lotus

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Roddy Nikpour revisits 2010 with the track "Zodiac Shit" by Flying Lotus. His short yet spastic instrumentals double down on experimentation with electronic sounds, which defined the sonic brand of the TV network Adult Swim.

Written and produced by Roddy Nikpour.

Edited by Emily Fox.

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - Scratching and the Art of DJing

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Larry Mizell Jr. talks about the art of DJing with fellow KEXP DJs Supreme La Rock and Vitamin D, along with hip-hop scholar Dr. Daudi Abe, DJ Lady Love, and a special appearance from the man who invented scratching, Grand Wizzard Theodore. After he tells the history of how he invented scratching and the needle drop, the panelists share some of their favorite scratch DJs past and present.

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1977: Grand Wizzard Theodore and the Invention of Scratching

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 1977 when Grand Wizzard Theodore debuted a revolutionary DJing technique: scratching. He quite literally stumbled into it when he was just 12 years old.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1975: "Let's Take It to the Stage" by Funkadelic

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Larry Mizell Jr. revisits 1975 with the track “Let’s Take It to the Stage” by Funkadelic, which featured rap before “Rapper’s Delight.” He'll also give a lesson in etymology that you won’t soon forget.

Written by Larry Mizell Jr.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - Hip-Hop's Origins

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

To kick off the series, host Larry Mizell Jr sits down with KEXP DJs Reverend Dollars, Vitamin D, and Gabriel Teodros to discuss the idea of hip-hop being born on one particular day. They talk about the broader origins and inspirations of hip-hop as an art form.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2002: "Work It" by Missy Elliott

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Dusty Henry revisits 2002 with the track “Work It” by Missy Elliott. That song helped define the turn of the millennium, and Missy’s career paved the way for a new generation of artists, including KEXP's very own Stas THEE Boss.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Special thanks to Stas THEE Boss.

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1987: "Paid in Full" by Eric B. and Rakim

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Gabriel Teodros revisits 1987 with “Paid in Full” by Eric B. and Rakim, whose style of rhyming left an unmistakable mark on the rhythm and flow of rap that came after them.

Written by Gabriel Teodros.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2018: "Vindaloo" by Armand Hammer

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Martin Douglas revisits 2018 with “Vindaloo” by Armand Hammer. ELUCID and billy woods approach rap from two very different creative workflows—and that actually works in their favor to create their own unique flavor.

Written by Martin Douglas.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

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50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1994: "Stress" by Organized Konfusion

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Larry Mizell Jr. kicks off the series in 1994 with "Stress" by Organized Konfusion. The lyrics convey an epigenetic phenomenon, which many Black people experience to this day.

Written by Larry Mizell Jr.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

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50 Years of Hip-Hop: Coming February 1

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000

DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy threw a party in the Bronx on August 11, 1973. That party is widely considered to be the birthplace of hip-hop — 50 years ago.

The worldwide influence of hip-hop is unmistakable, and we’re giving it a proper tribute. Every week starting February 1, KEXP’s editorial team and DJs are bringing you personal reflections, iconic tracks and albums, and conversations about how it all began.

Introducing: 50 Years of Hip-Hop from listener-powered KEXP.

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