The Cobain 50

Latest Episodes:

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2012: "Oldie" by Odd Future Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Dusty Henry revisits 2012 with the track “Oldie” by Odd Future. The posse cut led to the rise of one of the most influential groups of the last decade.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1986: "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" by The Beastie Boys Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Roddy Nikpour revisits 1986 with the track “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” from the Beastie Boys’ debut album, Licensed to Ill. A couple of young white guys from New York entered the growing hip-hop scene with two signature elements: quick rhymes shared between the MCs and beats that paved the way for rap rock.

Written and produced by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2000: The Soulquarians Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

Dusty Henry revisits 2000 with a look at the legendary Soulquarian collective. They showed the power of real collaboration and letting inspiration light the way.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support 50 Years of Hip-Hop During KEXP's Spring Drive! Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

Become our newest amplifier today at kexp.org/50hiphop.

This week is KEXP's Spring Drive. As a public radio station and arts organization, we depend on listener support to continue experimenting with storytelling that's varied, voracious, and vulnerable.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2006: "Mr. Me Too" by The Clipse Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

Martin Douglas revisits 2006 with the track “Mr. Me Too” by The Clipse. The Neptunes saved their weirdest compositions for a couple of longtime collaborators from their home state of Virginia.

Written by Martin Douglas.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1993: "Hip Hop Hooray" by Naughty by Nature Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

Eva Walker speaks with Vin Rock of Naughty by Nature about the legacy of their track “Hip Hop Hooray.”

Edited and produced by Emily Fox.

Mastered by Roddy Nikpour.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 2010: "Zodiac Shit" by Flying Lotus Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

Roddy Nikpour revisits 2010 with the track "Zodiac Shit" by Flying Lotus. His short yet spastic instrumentals double down on experimentation with electronic sounds, which defined the sonic brand of the TV network Adult Swim.

Written and produced by Roddy Nikpour.

Edited by Emily Fox.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - Scratching and the Art of DJing Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Larry Mizell Jr. talks about the art of DJing with fellow KEXP DJs Supreme La Rock and Vitamin D, along with hip-hop scholar Dr. Daudi Abe, DJ Lady Love, and a special appearance from the man who invented scratching, Grand Wizzard Theodore. After he tells the history of how he invented scratching and the needle drop, the panelists share some of their favorite scratch DJs past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1977: Grand Wizzard Theodore and the Invention of Scratching Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Dusty Henry revisits 1977 when Grand Wizzard Theodore debuted a revolutionary DJing technique: scratching. He quite literally stumbled into it when he was just 12 years old.

Written by Dusty Henry.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1975: "Let's Take It to the Stage" by Funkadelic Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Larry Mizell Jr. revisits 1975 with the track “Let’s Take It to the Stage” by Funkadelic, which featured rap before “Rapper’s Delight.” He'll also give a lesson in etymology that you won’t soon forget.

Written by Larry Mizell Jr.

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.

Read the full transcript on KEXP.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.