Just the Songs: Ida Tarbell and Claudette Colvin

Revisit the first two songs of the season with some close-listening tips from Lee Overtree of the Story Pirates! Follow along with the lyric sheets for these songs at storypirates.com/historicalrecords

Bill Russell (feat. Jalen Rose)

What does it take to win 11 NBA championships AND to play a meaningful role in the civil rights movement? Nimene finds out with a brand new hip-hop track about Bill Russell, the legendary player/coach of the Boston Celtics. Featuring an interview between former NBA star Jalen Rose and a 14 year old…

Mary Golda Ross (feat. Crystle Lightning and Kristina Halona)

Nimene heads to outer space to make a brand new hip-hop track about Mary Golda Ross, the very first Native American female aerospace engineer. Featuring an interview between aerospace engineer Kristina Halona, a proud member of the Navajo Nation, and Vivian, an Odawa and Haudenosaunee 8 year old fr…

Willi Smith (feat. Humberto Leon)

Nimene learns how ‘street couture’ fashion came to be with a brand new hip-hop track about fashion pioneer Willi Smith. Featuring an interview between fashion designer Humberto Leon and an 8 year old fashion lover from New York named Olivia. 

Keith Haring (feat. Shepard Fairey, Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino)

Nimene shares a brand new, Beastie Boys-inspired track about legendary street artist Keith Haring. Featuring an interview between contemporary artist/activist Shepard Fairey and a 10 year old artist named Eva. 

Kati Kariko (feat. Dr. Sanjay Gupta)

Ever wondered how vaccines work? Nimene finds out by creating a new hip-hop track about Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Kati Kariko. Featuring an interview between neurosurgeon and CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and an 11 year old named Ilyana. 

Josh Gibson (feat. Fergie L. Philippe and Bob Kendrick)

Nimene learns about Josh Gibson, the greatest power hitter baseball has ever seen and Broadway star Fergie L. Philippe breaks it down in a brand new hip-hop track. Featuring an interview between Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and a 10 year old baseball enthusiast named…

Claudette Colvin (feat. Roxane Gay)

Nimene creates a stirring hip-hop track about the civil rights activist Claudette Colvin, who, as a teenager, refused to give up her seat on an Alabama city bus months before Rosa Parks’ famous protest. Featuring an interview between New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay and a 6 year old nam…

Ida Tarbell (feat. Susan Orlean, MOZIAH and Carly Ciarrocchi)

Welcome to Historical Records, a brand new family podcast where host Nimene turns history into hip-hop with the help of rappers, researchers and raccoons. In our very first episode, we learn all about the trailblazing, muckraking journalist Ida Tarbell, who took down one of the most powerful monopo…

Introducing: Historical Records

Listen to a sneak preview of Historical Records, an explosive fusion of history and hip-hop from executive producers Questlove and the Story Pirates. Featuring brand new hip-hop tracks about unsung and under-celebrated historical icons like Claudette Colvin, Keith Haring, Willi Smith and Josh Gibso…