My Favorite Things My Favorite Things Episode 4: Kris Hampton
Dec 4, 2025
Kris Hampton, a talented climbing coach, podcaster, and founder of Power Company Climbing, shares his creative journey. He reflects on the impact of hip-hop, recalling how he was drawn to Doug E. Fresh’s 'The Show' despite parental restrictions. Kris connects personal values to 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' revealing how Atticus Finch shaped his activism. He also delves into the deep emotional ties music holds in our lives, from concerts with family to the profound loneliness of Hopper's 'Nighthawks,' celebrating the beauty in small moments.
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Hidden Tapes Sparked Lifelong Love
- Kris Hampton hid cassette copies of Dougie Fresh's "The Show" to protect them from adults who would confiscate them.
- That secrecy made hip-hop feel forbidden and deepened his attachment to the music.
Rejection Revealed Cultural Bias
- Kris recognized that objections to hip-hop felt rooted in race and culture more than explicit language.
- That double standard pushed him to value the music even more as a space of belonging.
Q‑Tip Revealed Jazz In Hip‑Hop
- Hearing Q-Tip's effortless cadence felt like discovering jazz inside hip-hop for Kris Hampton.
- That sonic shift changed how he listened and connected music to vivid life memories.