The Track Star Podcast

Today hip-hop is the world’s most popular music, but it began as a neighborhood party in the Bronx. Guided by hip-hop historian Debra Harris, with stories from Mark Ronson, Fat Joe, and Pos and Maseo of De La Soul, we trace the genre’s rise through 10 essential songs, from “Rapper’s Delight” to A Tribe Called Quest, unpacking the DJ innovations, early recordings, and party culture that shaped hip-hop’s early years. Listen to our extended old-school hip-hop playlist: ⁠⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube Music⁠ New episodes of The Track Star Podcast every Wednesday! [Video available on Spotify and YouTube] Powered by Rivian. More Track Star* content: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@track-star-show Tiklok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trackstarshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackstarshow

Music critic Kelefa Sanneh, also the author of *Major Labels*, dives into the rich history of punk rock, discussing its lasting cultural significance. She shares her own journey into punk through a mixtape and highlights pivotal artists like the Sex Pistols and Patti Smith. NYC council-member Justin Brannan offers gripping stories from the hardcore scene, and Kelefa traces connections between punk, emo, and even early hip-hop. They explore how bands like Nirvana and Bad Brains shaped the genre while defining its legacy and influence on contemporary music.

The Track Star Podcast is on its way. The internet’s favorite music show, now in podcast form! Follow here so you don’t miss the first episode, releasing Wednesday, September 24th!