Some music just hits harder if you can see yourself in the lyrics and find a personal connection to the stories being told in the songs. Queensbridge’s brightest son Nas is unparalleled in the world of hip-hop when it comes to painting a gritty and distinctly raw picture of life in the New York City housing projects where he grew up. And so it’s not hard to understand why comedian Tony Baker was so drawn to the rapper, from the moment he first saw the music video for one of the single’s from his 1994 debut album Illmatic. It mirrored the harsh realities of Tony’s own life growing up in Chicago, which Tony has drawn upon in his incredible work on NBC’s The Carmichael Show, HBO’s All DEF Comedy, and Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks.Check out his new special “Tony Baker and Friends” just dropped last week. Watch it on tonybakercomedy.com FOLLOW TONY ON: Twitter -- @TonyBakercomedy Instagram -- @tonybaker Patreon -- TonyBakerComedy FOR ALBUM HISTORY + NEW MUSIC INFLUENCED BY EACH ALBUM...CHECK OUT THE500PODCAST.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Josh Wolf evokes the soulful simplicity and salt-of-the-earth songwriting epitomized by southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1973 debut album (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd).CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: Sunset Lake CBD - Get 15% off when you use the code 'JAM500' here https://sunsetlakecbd.com/FOR ALBUM HISTORY + NEW MUSIC INFLUENCED BY EACH ALBUM...CHECK OUT THE500PODCAST.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Famed voice actor on The Simpsons, comedian, musician, and radio host Harry Shearer digs deep into the legend of one of New Orlean’s greatest singer-songwriters, Dr. John, and his 1972 album Dr. John’s Gumbo.CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: Sunset Lake CBD - Get 15% off when you use the code 'JAM500' here https://sunsetlakecbd.com/ FOR ALBUM HISTORY + NEW MUSIC INFLUENCED BY EACH ALBUM...CHECK OUT THE500PODCAST.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Star founding member Jody Stephens looks back on the legacy of highly influential power pop he helped create, as immortalized in the band’s 1974 sophomore album Radio City.FOR ALBUM HISTORY + NEW MUSIC INFLUENCED BY EACH ALBUM...CHECK OUT THE500PODCAST.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy-nominated 'Reno 911!' actor Kerri Kenney-Silver reminisces of the creative New York scene in the 90's making music in the band Cake Like with a crunchy nod to grunge superstar PJ Harvey's 1993 album 'Rid of Me'. Check out 'Reno 911!' Part 2 streaming now on Quibi!This episode was sponsored by Sunset Lake CBD. Use the promo code 'JAM500' for 15% off your next order of organic, pesticide-free CBD flower, pre-rolls, tinctures and gummies. Learn more at sunsetlakecbd.com.For new music influenced by this album selected by Music Director Matt Pinfield, music history and show notes, go to THE500PODCAST.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revolutionary rock guitarist 'The Nightwatchman' Tom Morello reveals Rage Against The Machine wouldn't exist without The Clash's politically-infused eclectic triple album masterpiece, 1980's 'Sandinista!'Check out Tom's new song “You Belong To Me” and preorder his photo memoir “Whatever It Takes” here: https://linktr.ee/tommorelloThis episode was sponsored by Sunset Lake CBD. Use the promo code 'JAM500' for 15% off your next order of organic, pesticide-free CBD flower, pre-rolls, tinctures and gummies. Learn more at sunsetlakecbd.com.For new music influenced by this album selected by Music Director Matt Pinfield, music history and show notes, go to The500podcast.com. Join the movement.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Singer-songwriter Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara pays homage to the trailblazing emotional rawness and political integrity of alternative rocker Sinéad O'Connor's 1990 sophomore album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got.Check out Tegan and Sara's new video for 'I Know I'm Not The Only One' and get their latest (9th) album, an EP of remixes of 'Hey, I'm Just Like You'.This episode was sponsored by Sunset Lake CBD. Use the promo code 'JAM500' for 15% off your next order of organic, pesticide-free CBD flower, pre-rolls, tinctures and gummies. Learn more at sunsetlakecbd.com.For new music influenced by this album selected by Music Director Matt Pinfield, music history and show notes, go to The500podcast.com. Join the movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian and actor Harland Williams channels his inner Jim Morrison through the medium of psychedelic rockers The Doors’ 1967 sophomore album Strange Days.For new music influenced by this album, music history and show notes, go to  The500podcast.com. Join the movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress and musician Rita Wilson bubbles over with enthusiasm for the breathtaking blues of Bob Dylan's 1997 comeback record Time Out Of Mind.Listen to Rita's music "Where's My Country Song", “When This Is Over” with the Oak Ridge Boys & Tauren Wells as well as "Everybody Cries" from the film The Outpost. For new music influenced by this album, music history and show notes, go to  The500podcast.com. Join the movement.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary guitarist Joe Satriani analyzes the god-like abilities of fellow rock deity Eric Clapton, dissecting his 1974 release 461 Ocean Boulevard.Buy Joe's new album Shapeshifting out now.For new music influenced by this album, music history and show notes, go to  The500podcast.com. Join the movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices