Dusty Henry takes us back to 1980 to pay homage to rap’s first superstar, Kurtis Blow, and his legendary hit “The Breaks.” 

Audio production by Roddy Nikpour. 

Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop

Dusty Henry takes us back to 1980 to pay homage to rap’s first superstar, Kurtis Blow, and his legendary hit “The Breaks.” 
Audio production by Roddy Nikpour. 
Support the podcast: <a href="https://kexp.org/50hiphop">kexp.org/50hiphop</a>

Kurt Cobain’s influence went beyond just the music he created with Nirvana. He also put the masses on to some of his own favorite artists. One particular document from his journals has been instructive to many fans – his top 50 albums. Each week, The Cobain 50 podcast digs into albums from this famous list and how they may have influenced Cobain and Nirvana. While learning the individual histories of the different albums on the list, we gain new insights into artists on the fringes as well as some of the biggest groups of all time. The podcast takes us through the legacies of acts like Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Breeders, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Black Flag, Mazzy Star, The Shaggs, Shonen Knife, and more. Episodes drop weekly starting January 10, 2024.

Kurt Cobain’s influence went beyond just the music he created with Nirvana. He also put the masses on to some of his own favorite artists. One particular document from his journals has been instructive to many fans – his top 50 albums. Each week, The Cobain 50 podcast digs into albums from this famous list and how they may have influenced Cobain and Nirvana. While learning the individual histories of the different albums on the list, we gain new insights into artists on the fringes as well as some of the biggest groups of all time. The podcast takes us through the legacies of acts like Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Breeders, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Black Flag, Mazzy Star, The Shaggs, Shonen Knife, and more. Episodes drop weekly starting January 10, 2024.

The Cobain 50

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1980: "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow

The Cobain 50 returns with new episodes January 8, 2025. We’re taking the month to rest with our families and listen to good music. We hope you’ll do the same! 

In the meantime, let KEXP keep you company through the holidays with our other active podcast series, including: 


El Cancionero de Kurt, the Spanish-language companion podcast to The Cobain 50 (English subtitles available on YouTube)


A Deeper Listen, conversations with artists about the stories behind their new music


In Our Headphones, weekly music discovery through KEXP DJs and staff


Live on KEXP, world-famous in-studio performances recorded at KEXP

Special thanks to everyone who has been part of The Cobain 50 in 2024, including: 

Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, Roddy Nikpour, Janice Headley, Isabel Khalili, Emily Fox, Larry Mizell Jr., Tia Ho, Leah Capindo, Jeia Villacis, Gisela Casa Madrid, and many other contributors and special guests.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

The Cobain 50 returns with new episodes January 8, 2025. We’re taking the month to rest with our families and listen to good music. We hope you’ll do the same! 
In the meantime, let KEXP keep you company through the holidays with our other active podcast series, including: 
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://kexp.org/podcasts/el-cancionero-de-kurt">El Cancionero de Kurt</a>, the Spanish-language companion podcast to The Cobain 50 (English subtitles available on YouTube)
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://kexp.org/podcasts/a-deeper-listen/">A Deeper Listen</a>, conversations with artists about the stories behind their new music
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://kexp.org/podcasts/in-our-headphones/">In Our Headphones</a>, weekly music discovery through KEXP DJs and staff
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://kexp.org/podcasts/live-on-kexp/">Live on KEXP</a>, world-famous in-studio performances recorded at KEXP
</li>
</ul>
Special thanks to everyone who has been part of The Cobain 50 in 2024, including: 
Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, Roddy Nikpour, Janice Headley, Isabel Khalili, Emily Fox, Larry Mizell Jr., Tia Ho, Leah Capindo, Jeia Villacis, Gisela Casa Madrid, and many other contributors and special guests.
Support the podcast: <a href="http://kexp.org/cobain">kexp.org/cobain</a>

It's Christmas in Seattle: We'll Be Back in 2025! 

Disclaimer: This episode deals with topics including domestic abuse, drug use, and murder. 

Dusty Henry dives into Landshark! by Fang. Vocalist Sam “Sammytown” McBride murdered his girlfriend Dixie Lee Carney in 1989. Since his release from prison in 1995, Fang has continued as a band, raising questions about the complicated ethics of which artists we choose to listen to. 

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

Disclaimer: This episode deals with topics including domestic abuse, drug use, and murder. 
Dusty Henry dives into Landshark! by Fang. Vocalist Sam “Sammytown” McBride murdered his girlfriend Dixie Lee Carney in 1989. Since his release from prison in 1995, Fang has continued as a band, raising questions about the complicated ethics of which artists we choose to listen to. 
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 
Support the podcast: <a href="https://www.kexp.org/cobain/">kexp.org/cobain</a>

Fang – Landshark! (1983)

Martin Douglas dives into Paganicons by Saccharine Trust. Written in Kurt’s list as “1st EP,” Saccharine Trust’s debut is one of the most original releases from the SST catalog, which also includes punk classics like Black Flag, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, and many others. 

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

Martin Douglas dives into Paganicons by Saccharine Trust. Written in Kurt’s list as “1st EP,” Saccharine Trust’s debut is one of the most original releases from the SST catalog, which also includes punk classics like Black Flag, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, and many others. 
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 
Support the podcast: <a href="https://www.kexp.org/cobain/">kexp.org/cobain</a>

50 Years of Hip-Hop - 1980: "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow

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