Brooklyn DJ Nickodemus has been drawing inspiration from the different ethnicities in New York City since his first recordings in 1996. With a new album on the way as well as an upcoming appearance at Splore, we talked to him about holding on to cultural diversity in a changing America.

In the Music 101 Pocket Edition, it is a Laneway special. Tony Stamp goes backstage at the Auckland Anniversary Day event and speaks with Norweigian pop singer Aurora, and US septet Whitney. Alex Behan catches up with London based ex-pat, Jordan Reyne.

Tigilau Ness is an activist and reggae icon, whose band Unity Pacific won Best Roots Album at the Tuis last year. In 2009 he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pacific Music Awards. Here he shares some of his favourite songs and stories about his life.

Jordan Reyne talks about how she ended up singing the theme song to Resident Evil 7, set to be one of the biggest video games of the year.

What So Not talks about making music at Piha, agression in EDM, and stepping in late to fill Young Thug's slot at Laneway 2017

Canadian Duo Bob Moses speak to us backstage at Laneway 2017 about bridging the gap between pop songs and electronic music.

Kirsten Johnstone heads backstage at Guns N' Roses' Not In This Lifetime show with Production Manager Dale Skjerseth.

Yadana Saw heads out the 23rd annual Te Rā o te Raukura festival at Waiwhetū Marae.

Meet Whitney, the band behind the falsetto and glistening chords of one of Sir Elton John's favourite albums of 2016.

We talked to 20-year old Norwegian pop musician Aurora, backstage at Laneway 2017.