The Cobain 50

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.