A Deeper Listen

Fela Kuti: Fear No Man is a 12-part podcast honoring the life and legacy of the inventor of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti. The show spotlights stories and perspectives from people highly influenced by Fela Kuti’s art and politics, including David Byrne, Brian Eno, Santigold, Questlove, Paul McCartney, and so many others. KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour spoke with the host of the podcast — someone with a very distinct flavor of storytelling — Jad Abumrad. He’s best known as the founder and original host of the public radio show, Radiolab, as well as other music-oriented podcasts like Dolly Parton's America. Abumrad is also a composer himself. “It's a really clever thing he's doing,” Abumrad says in the interview. “He moves you into a trance, wakes you up, then into politics — and then you're dancing at that point. So, your body's already in action. It's taking this political message and turning it into movement that then actually makes you want to do something.” The story of Fela Kuti goes beyond his lifetime, though. “The power of music is it'll outlive us,” Jad continues. “I think that's what Fela meant when he said ‘music is the weapon of the future.’ It's going to outlive the enemies. It will do something beyond us. And I hope he's right.” Support the show: kexp.org/deeperPhoto by: Leon MorrisSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP DJ and Sounds of Survivance co-host Kevin Sur gives a history lesson on the Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who influenced the genres of jazz, blues and rock. photo by Carlos CruzSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Fox and KEXP DJs Larry Mizell Jr. and Evie Stokes share their personal favorite albums of the year and break down KEXP’s top played albums of 2025. KEXP’s top played albums were: Tunde Adebimpe - Thee Black Boltz Wet Leg- moisturizer Deep Sea Diver- Billboard Heart Say She She- Cut & Rewind Turnstile - NEVER ENOUGH Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gina Birch is a founding member of the legendary UK punk band, the Raincoats. Martin Douglas spoke with Birch about the themes behind the songs on her solo album, Trouble, her career, longtime connection to the Pacific Northwest, and more. photo by Dean ChalkeySupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian group Cut Copy released their first album in five years in September — it’s called Moments. KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour spoke with frontman Dan Whitford about Cut Copy’s ongoing journey to blend synthesizers with indie guitars — all in the spirit of creating something danceable. photo by Carlos CruzSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.