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50 Years of Hip-Hop

50 Years of Hip-Hop
Author: KEXP
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A party in the Bronx on August 11th, 1973 is widely considered to be the birthplace of hip-hop. The art form has since touched every corner of our world and evolved into one of the most significant cultural forces today. 50 Years of Hip-Hop, hosted by KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr, celebrates the anniversary by highlighting a different year of its history each week. Jumping around the timeline from 1973 to today, expect personal reflections, iconic tracks and albums, and conversations around the genesis of the culture. Episodes drop weekly starting February 1, 2023.
14 Episodes
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DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy threw a party in the Bronx on August 11, 1973. That party is widely considered to be the birthplace of hip-hop — 50 years ago.
The worldwide influence of hip-hop is unmistakable, and we’re giving it a proper tribute. Every week starting February 1, KEXP’s editorial team and DJs are bringing you personal reflections, iconic tracks and albums, and conversations about how it all began.
Introducing: 50 Years of Hip-Hop from listener-powered KEXP. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Larry Mizell Jr. kicks off the series in 1994 with "Stress" by Organized Konfusion. The lyrics convey an epigenetic phenomenon, which many Black people experience to this day.
Written by Larry Mizell Jr.
Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.
Read the full transcript on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Martin Douglas revisits 2018 with “Vindaloo” by Armand Hammer. ELUCID and billy woods approach rap from two very different creative workflows—and that actually works in their favor to create their own unique flavor.
Written by Martin Douglas.
Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.
Read the full transcript on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gabriel Teodros revisits 1987 with “Paid in Full” by Eric B. and Rakim, whose style of rhyming left an unmistakable mark on the rhythm and flow of rap that came after them.
Written by Gabriel Teodros.
Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.
Read the full transcript on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dusty Henry revisits 2002 with the track “Work It” by Missy Elliott. That song helped define the turn of the millennium, and Missy’s career paved the way for a new generation of artists, including KEXP's very own Stas THEE Boss.
Written by Dusty Henry.
Audio production by Roddy Nikpour.
Special thanks to Stas THEE Boss.
Read the full transcript on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To kick off the series, host Larry Mizell Jr sits down with KEXP DJs Reverend Dollars, Vitamin D, and Gabriel Teodros to discuss the idea of hip-hop being born on one particular day. They talk about the broader origins and inspirations of hip-hop as an art form.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.