The Track Star Podcast

LL Cool J joins Jack on Track Star to talk about the music he loves and the artists who helped shape his sound. Having made his own mark on hip-hop, LL revisits some classics and share his influences.

They span early hip-hop from Treacherous Three and Funky 4 + 1, unforgettable records from Biz Markie and Roxanne Shanté, and a stacked lineup of MCs on “The Symphony.” Along the way, there’s Beastie Boys, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, and U2.

This Episode's Track List:

Just a Friend - Biz Markie

Hey Ladies - Beastie Boys

The Body Rock - Treacherous Three

Love Hangover - Diana Ross

Roxanne’s Revenge - Roxanne Shanté

The Symphony (ft. Craig G & Masta Ace) - Marley Marl, Kool G Rap & Big Daddy Kane

Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2

Rappin and Rocking the House - Funky 4 + 1

Ain’t Nobody - Chaka Khan

Ahead of Breakaway Carolina, Jack sits down with Sean and Alex, two local Gen Z music fans, at Applebee’s in Charlotte for a special episode of the Track Star Podcast, made possible by @bacardi. Over Bacardi cocktails, they explore how their generation discovers, shares, and experiences music: from first iPods and TikTok discoveries to the artists they feel understand them best.

Daniel Kaluuya joins Jack on Track Star to put his music knowledge to the test, with a playlist spanning American hip-hop, soul, UK garage, grime, and rap. From Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill to Skepta and Little Simz, the episode brings together classics from both sides of the Atlantic.

The music moves from soul and R&B into the energy of UK club music, with Jorja Smith, Giggs, Jme, and D Double E. Jack and Daniel listen, react, and talk through the songs. Catch Daniel in A24’s Misty Green, out today.

This Episode's Track List:

Heart of the City – Jay-Z

Ex-Factor – Lauryn Hill

Blue Lights – Jorja Smith

Do You Mind (Crazy Cousinz Remix)

Party Hard – Donae-O

P’s & Q’s – Kano

Man Don’t Care – Jme ft. Giggs

Shutdown – Skepta

Talkin the Hardest – Giggs

Raindance – Dave, Tems

Venom – Little Simz

Street Fighter Riddim – D Double E

Pay As You Go – Wiley feat. Dizzee Rascal, Ace & Maxwell

That’s Not Me – Skepta ft. JME

Music historian Ashley Kahn and bassist Bakithi Kumalo join Jack on the Track Star Podcast to explore the music, people, and stories behind Paul Simon’s Graceland. Drawing on Kahn’s new book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland, the conversation traces the album’s South African roots and the collaborations that helped shape its unmistakable sound.

Bakithi shares his perspective from inside the studio and on the road, recalling his first meeting with Simon, his experience on the Graceland tour, and what it meant to perform alongside South African legends. Together, Ashley and Bakithi bring the album’s history to life through personal memories and the music that connects it all, from the sounds that inspired Graceland to the influence it continues to have today.

This Episode's Track List:

Gumboots (with Boyoyo Boys) - Paul Simon

The Boy In The Bubble - Paul Simon

Graceland - Paul Simon

You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon

Pata Pata - Miriam Makeba

Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes - Paul Simon

Elvis Costello joins Jack on the Track Star Podcast to explore the music that has stayed with him throughout his life. From the sharp pop instincts of Nick Lowe and the blues-rooted rock of Fleetwood Mac to Randy Newman’s storytelling, Stevie Wonder’s soul and reggae grooves, and Bruce Springsteen’s rock anthems, the conversation spans generations, genres, and approaches to songwriting.

They also revisit Costello’s own work and along the way, he reflects on the connections between listening, writing, and performing. Today, Costello releases the 49th anniversary box set of his 1977 debut album, My

This Episode's Track List:

So It Goes - Nick Lowe

Man of the World - Fleetwood Mac

Little Criminals - Randy Newman

Watching The Detectives - Elvis Costello

Master Blaster (Jammin’) - Stevie Wonder

Alison - Linda Ronstadt

Growin’ Up - Bruce Springsteen

On today’s episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are honored to be joined by a once-in-a-generation, 9-time Grammy-winning artist, singer, and performer. Jack is joined by Sheryl Crow, who launched herself into the forefront of the music world with her hit single, “All I Wanna Do”, and quickly cemented her superstar status by winning the Grammys for ‘Best New Artist,’ ‘Record of the Year’ and ‘Best Female Pop Vocal Performance’ just two years later. Since then, she has won six more Grammys and has become a major advocate for environmental causes and breast cancer awareness.

This Episode's Tracklist:

Soak Up The Sun - Sheryl Crow

Dreams - Fleetwood Mac

Little Red Corvette - Prince

I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton

All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow

Freedom Bus - Sheryl Crow ft. Jesse Welles

(You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin

(You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman - Carole King

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing the legendary ‘90s rapper/singer Queen Latifah on some hip hop and soul tracks. As a New Jersey native, Queen Latifah has plenty of stories about her hometown classics. And through each song, she takes us down her musical journey while shocking us with her effortless music knowledge.

​

With each track Jack plays, Queen Latifah has an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about the artist, giving perspective on her own musical influences through fascinating anecdotes.

This Episode's Track List: 

Rapper’s Delight - The Sugarhill Gang

Me & Mr Jones - Amy Winehouse

Jolene - Dolly Parton

I Know You, I Live You - Chaka Khan

Buddy (Native Tongue Decision) - De La Soul

Name It Claim It - The Clark Sisters

Just Another Day… - Queen Latifah

On today’s episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by a guest who pioneered Hip-Hop and DJing as the lead of the legendary group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, as well as through his groundbreaking dual-turntable techniques.

This week on the Track Star* Jack is joined by Ravi Coltrane, Grammy nominated saxophonist, bandleader and composer, as well as the son of the legendary John Coltrane and co-owner of the RKM Music record label. Together Ravi and Jack reminisce about the golden age of jazz and one of jazz’s most influential figures through his most iconic tracks.
The soundtrack of this episode takes us through John Coltrane’s transformative career, as Ravi helps describe exactly what made his sound so beautiful. Ravi also shares personal anecdotes about John Coltrane’s recording history and process, while reflecting on the revolutionary legacy that made jazz what it is today.
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - Round Midnight
02:50 - Thelonious Monk (ft. John Coltrane) - Trinkle Tinkle
07:54 - John Coltrane - Blue Train
11:25 - John Coltrane - Russian Lullaby
14:32 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - So What
16:09 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - So What
17:10 - John Coltrane - Giant Steps
19:58 - John Coltrane - Chasin’ The Trane
24:34 - John Coltrane - Alabama
27:05 - John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Part I - Acknowledgement
33:34 - John Coltrane - Ascension - Edition I / Pt. 1

On today’s episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by a guest who, in his new book, Resident Punk, shares memories from living with some of punk’s most recognizable names. Jack is joined by Legs McNeil, the

​

Together they reflect legendary figures in the ‘70s punk movement – such as The Ramones, Richard Hell, Heartbreakers, and Blondie – and its origins. Through fascinating personal anecdotes, Legs McNeil guides us through the history of one of music’s most radical genres and shows us the behind-the-scenes of iconic moments.

​

This Episode's Track List:

Good Thing - Paul Revere & The Raiders

High Tension Wire - Dead Boys

Ghost Rider - Suicide

No Fun - Sex Pistols

Chinese Rocks - Heartbreakers

Detroit 442 - Blondie