The Cobain 50 - podcast cover

The Cobain 50

Kurt Cobain’s influence went beyond just the music he created with Nirvana. He also put the masses on to some of his own favorite artists. One particular document from his journals has been instructive to many fans – his top 50 albums. Each week, The Cobain 50 podcast digs into albums from this famous list and how they may have influenced Cobain and Nirvana. While learning the individual histories of the different albums on the list, we gain new insights into artists on the fringes as well as some of the biggest groups of all time. The podcast takes 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. Episodes drop weekly starting January 10, 2024.

Episodes

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

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.

Aug 02, 202310 minSeason 1Ep. 29

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

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.

Jul 26, 202310 minSeason 1Ep. 28

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

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....

Jul 19, 202326 minSeason 1Ep. 27

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

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.

Jul 12, 202315 minSeason 1Ep. 26

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

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.

Jul 05, 202312 minSeason 1Ep. 25

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

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....

Jun 28, 202312 minSeason 1Ep. 24

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

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.

Jun 21, 202313 minSeason 1Ep. 23

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

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.

Jun 14, 202323 minSeason 1Ep. 22

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

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....

Jun 07, 202312 minSeason 1Ep. 21

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

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....

May 31, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 20