The Cobain 50

KEXP

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.

read less

Our Editor's Take

50 Years of Hip-Hop/The Cobain 50 comes from Seattle's KEXP. Larry Mizell Jr. of the radio station hosts the first season. As per the name, each season has 50 episodes.

The podcast debuted in 2023 to commemorate what many consider to be the birth of hip-hop. On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy had a party in the Bronx. Herc isolated and repeated the most danceable sections of the records he played. This technique became the foundation of hip-hop.

50 Years of Hip-Hop, the first season of the podcast, highlights a different year of hip-hop history each week. The episodes are not in chronological order. Episodes include "1985: 'I Can't Live Without My Radio' by LL Cool J" and "2001: The Rivalry Between Jay-Z and Nas."

Larry talks with DJ Supreme La Rock in "1978: Old School Tapes." Hip-hop fans in the military compiled and shared music tapes throughout the world. They helped hip-hop's global growth. DJ Lady Love and Ishmael Butler join Larry for "1979: 'Rapper's Delight' by Sugarhill Gang." They discuss how the now-legendary song got a mixed reception when it first appeared.

In "2002: "Work It" by Missy Elliott, the podcast explains how the song helped define the dawn of a new millennium. "1992: 'Tennessee' by Arrested Development" discusses how grief inspired the Grammy-winning record. Other artists covered on the 50 Years of Hip-Hop podcast include Outkast, Soulja Boy, and the Beastie Boys.

The second season of this podcast is The Cobain 50. KEXP's Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas cohost. This season talks about the albums that most influenced Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain. Episodes discuss albums like The Clash's Combat Rock and The Stooges' Raw Power.

One episode here ties into the podcast's first season. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy was an influential hip-hop record. While Cobain was a grunge artist, he still loved the rebellion and attitude of this record. 50 Years of Hip-Hop/The Cobain 50 has new episodes each week. Music fans may appreciate the podcast.

read less

MusicMusic

Play Trailer

50 Years of Hip-Hop: Coming February 1

50 Years of Hip-Hop: Coming February 1

DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy threw a party in the Bronx on August 11, 1973. That party is widely considered to be the birthplace of hip-hop — 50 years ago. The worldwide influence of hip-hop is unmistakable, and we’re giving it a proper tribute. Every week starting February 1, KEXP’s editorial team and DJs are bringing you personal reflections, iconic tracks and albums, and conversations about how it all began. Introducing: 50 Years of Hip-Hop from listener-powered KEXP. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 2

The Cobain 50: Coming January 10

The Cobain 50: Coming January 10

Each week, The Cobain 50 will dig into Kurt Cobain's famous list of his top 50 albums and how those artists influenced the sound of Nirvana. It’s also a chance to dig into the individual histories of the albums on the list, spotlighting both artists on the fringes and some of the biggest groups of all time. The list will take 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. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Stooges – Raw Power (1973)

The Stooges – Raw Power (1973)

Martin Douglas kicks off the series by diving into Raw Power by The Stooges. It's no surprise this is the first album on Kurt's list considering the muscular drumming, the dirty bass, and the way the guitar sounds like it’s on fire — all key elements for Nirvana's sound. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pixies – Surfer Rosa (1988)

The Pixies – Surfer Rosa (1988)

Dusty Henry dives into Surfer Rosa by The Pixies. It's arguably the most influential "alternative music" album of the 90s — not just for Nirvana, but artists worldwide. Surfer Rosa was Nevermind before Nevermind. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Vaselines – Dying for It (1988)

The Vaselines – Dying for It (1988)

Janice Headley dives into Dying for It by The Vaselines (listed as Pink EP). By the time Nirvana began covering their songs, The Vaselines had broken up. It was Kurt’s love for the Scottish indie-pop duo that reunited the pair and lifted them out of obscurity. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasWritten + Produced: Janice Headley Mixed + Mastered: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roundtable: What Do The Stooges, Pixies, and The Vaselines Have in Common?

Roundtable: What Do The Stooges, Pixies, and The Vaselines Have in Common?

In the inaugural roundtable of our series, Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera dive into Kurt Cobain's list. Although it features a lot of traditional punk music, the list traversed many genres in a time when music fans were more accustomed to "staying in their lane." Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producer: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain 00:00: Intro06:09: Reflecting on Kurt’s list11:30: The Stooges – Raw Power18:15: The Vaselines – Dying for It25:14: Pixies – Surfer Rosa29:36: El Cancionero de Kurt35:55: The common thread between these bands40:45: CreditsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Clash – Combat Rock (1982)

The Clash – Combat Rock (1982)

On this International Clash Day, Dusty Henry dives into Combat Rock by The Clash. Their music reminds us not to tolerate the injustice that the world throws at us. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bad Brains – Rock for Light (1983)

Bad Brains – Rock for Light (1983)

Martin Douglas dives into Rock for Light by Bad Brains. It's a story of how Black punks from one Washington (D.C.) influenced punk in the other Washington (state). Link to article mentioned in the final segment: https://afropunk.com/2019/02/bhm-the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-a-queer-bad-brains-fan/ Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MDC – Millions of Dead Cops (1981)

MDC – Millions of Dead Cops (1981)

Dusty Henry dives into Millions of Dead Cops by MDC, a prime example of the powerful fusion between hardcore punk and politics. Their frontman Dave Dictor was the anti-John Wayne. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

Dusty Henry dives into It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy, the voice of what was really happening in America, particularly within Black communities. With their ferocious sound and in-your-face spirit, it's no wonder they resonated with Kurt. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producer: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roundtable: The "Radical" Politics of Kurt Cobain

Roundtable: The "Radical" Politics of Kurt Cobain

Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, and Larry Mizell Jr. explore four albums on Kurt's list that challenged the politics of their time through the lenses of punk and hip-hop. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producer: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain 00:00: Intro01:24: The impact of 1980s politics on punk11:26: The war on drugs in America and abroad19:20: Ska punk via Jamaica24:46: Kurt's formative years and politics33:36: Musical activism in the 1990s vs. the 2020s41:08: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé name drops43:57: CreditsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PJ Harvey – Dry (1992)

PJ Harvey – Dry (1992)

Roddy Nikpour dives into Dry by PJ Harvey. She’s a grunge pioneer carrying on Kurt’s spirit through her own ongoing legacy. She was one of his close peers — so much so that Dave Grohl has invited her to fill in for Kurt to perform Nirvana songs. As part of Women's History Month, our next three episodes will cover some of the other women-fronted bands on Kurt's list, including The Slits, The Raincoats, and Kleenex. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producer: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. As a programming note: Thank you to the 4,201 people who donated to KEXP during our spring fund drive last week! You're supporting independent, community-driven music and storytelling on the airwaves and online, including this podcast. You can always join the KEXP donor community by leaving a one-time gift or become an amplifier with a monthly donation at kexp.org/cobain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Slits – Cut (1979)

The Slits – Cut (1979)

Martin Douglas dives into Cut by The Slits (written in Kurt's list as "Typical Girls," the lead single from the album). They were one of the very first punk bands made up mostly of women, and their style incorporated elements from reggae and dub. Despite their innovation, the members of the Slits had to withstand a brutally misogynistic culture for it to actually mean something in the long term. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasWritten + Produced: Martin DouglasMixed + Mastered: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Raincoats – The Raincoats (1979)

The Raincoats – The Raincoats (1979)

Janice Headley dives into the legacy of The Raincoats, whose self-titled 1979 debut album inspired both Nirvana and the ‘90s riot grrrl scene. We also hear from Gina Birch, cofounder of The Raincoats, as well as Jenn Pelly, author of a book on the band as part of the 33⅓ series. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio Producer: Janice HeadleyMixed & Mastered: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anything by Kleenex (1978-1983)

Anything by Kleenex (1978-1983)

Martin Douglas dives into the legacy of the Swiss band Kleenex, later known as LiLiPUT. Kurt's list doesn't specify a particular album from Kleenex. Their entire discography is just that good, marrying the worlds of Dada art and punk rock. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Years After Kurt's Death

30 Years After Kurt's Death

In this special episode, marking 30 years since Kurt's death, we recorded a roundtable "love letter" at the Kurt Cobain Memorial Bench in Viretta Park in Seattle, where Kurt is said to have written some of his lyrics. We'll also hear from contemporary bands and music industry workers about the impact that Kurt had on them. Hosts: Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina CabreraAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourAudio production support: Isabel KhaliliPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain 00:00: Intro02:23: About the bench07:15: Our earliest memories of Nirvana10:58: Testimonials from Nicolle Swims (Black Ends), AJ Suede, Donita Sparks (L7), Aramis Johnson (Enumclaw)17:31: Our relationships with Nirvana over time21:43: Kurt's short and fast life23:33: Our favorite Nirvana songs28:14: Testimonials from Rachel Ratner (Wimps), Dave Ramm (Wimps), Alicia Bognanno (Bully), Shaina Shepherd35:08: Nirvana moments that bring us joy41:36: Testimonials from DJ Riz Rollins (KEXP), Annina Rodriguez (X 102.1), Emi Pop, Ana Espinosa (Vondré), Diego Ramirez (Joudy), Fran Straube (Rubio)48:18: Nirvana's impact on the Pacific Northwest and beyond54:41: Final thoughts on Kurt's legacy59:40: CreditsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roundtable: Women in Punk

Roundtable: Women in Punk

Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, Janice Headley, and Roddy Nikpour explore some of the women-led bands on Kurt's list, Kurt's feminism, and the very notion of grouping bands together based on gender identity. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producer: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Introducing KEXP's A Deeper Listen

Bonus: Introducing KEXP's A Deeper Listen

The Cobain 50 returns May 1 with Shonen Knife's Burning Farm (K Records version) from 1985. This week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: A Deeper Listen, where Emily Fox and other storytellers at KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way. Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Introducing KEXP's In Our Headphones

Bonus: Introducing KEXP's In Our Headphones

The Cobain 50 returns May 1 with Shonen Knife's Burning Farm (K Records version) from 1985. This week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: In Our Headphones, the evolution of our longstanding Song of the Day podcast. Hosted by Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili, this weekly interview series features KEXP DJs sharing their new favorite music. You'll hear the backstory about each artist and song, as well as each DJ’s personal connection to the music. Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shonen Knife – Burning Farm (1985 via K Records)

Shonen Knife – Burning Farm (1985 via K Records)

Kicking off KEXP's month-long Pushing Boundaries celebration, Martin Douglas and Janice Headley dive into Shonen Knife’s Burning Farm, which was released in America by Olympia, Washington’s own K Records. Founding members Naoko and Atsuko Yamano share stories of touring with Nirvana in 1991. Plus, we celebrate this Osaka-based trio’s 40-year history of songs about food, animals, and toys. Special thanks to Yuko Headley for translation assistance. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasProducers: Martin Douglas and Janice HeadleyMixing and mastering: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols (1977)

Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols (1977)

Dusty Henry dives into Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols by the Sex Pistols. They set the stage for mainstream views of punk in terms of style, substance, and attitude. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.