The Cobain 50

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 

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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 

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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 

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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 

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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 

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.