Fresh off the Spaceship – Details, episodes & analysis

During KEXP’s fall fund drive, discover the variety of music podcasts we produce at KEXP and hear some of our favorite clips from each one. We’re thankful to the thousands of amplifiers who already donate to KEXP, building the foundation for our community of storytelling, and we want you to join them with a one-time donation or a recurring gift!

50 Years of Hip-Hop: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/50-years-of-hip-hop/

El Sonido: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/el-sonido/

Fresh off the Spaceship: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/fresh-off-the-spaceship/

Live on KEXP: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/live-on-kexp/

Sound and Vision: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/

Song of the Day: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/song-of-the-day/

KEXP Podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kexppodcasts

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A party in the Bronx on August 11th, 1973 is widely considered to be the birthplace of hip-hop. The art form has since touched every corner of our world and evolved into one of the most significant cultural forces today. This year, on hip-hop's 50th anniversary, we’re giving it a proper tribute. 

50 Years of Hip-Hop is KEXP’s newest podcast. Hosted by Larry Mizell Jr, the series highlights a different year of rap history each week. Jumping around the timeline from 1973 to today, expect personal reflections, iconic tracks and albums, and conversations around the genesis of the culture. New episodes drop every Wednesday starting February 1. 

Subscribe to 50 Years of Hip-Hop now and learn more at KEXP.org.

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Stasia Irons, aka Stas THEE Boss, is an agent of change, a self-fulfilled prophecy of art as a means of embracing Blackness and queerness. Through her early days as half of the Sub Pop-signed hip-hop duo THEESatisfaction through her solo work, Stas has always been “ahead of her time.” But Stas isn’t content to be looked back on as an innovator – she boldly and correctly asserts that her work deserves its recognition now.

On this episode, Stas and her Black Constellation family reflect on her artistic journey, her heartbreaks, and the philosophies that made her one of America’s most gifted and slept-on rappers and producers. We also hear reflections on the term “Afrofuturism,” the burden of being the first in an artistic movement, and the spiritual and familial continuum she and the Constellation all work within.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

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Following the break-up of Digable Planets and a return to Seattle, hip-hop visionary Ishmael Butler begins his rebirth with a new project called Shabazz Palaces. From selling handmade copies of his CD to local record stores to signing with Sub Pop and touring the world with the likes of Radiohead, Butler finds new life and sounds that inspire a new generation of rappers.

In the second part of Butler’s story, hosts Larry Mizell Jr. and Martin Douglas dig deep into his work as Shabazz Palaces and breakdown his lyricism, influence, and the familial bonds that stretch throughout the Black Constellation.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org

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Ishmael Butler is a renaissance artist who has lived many lives. You may know him from the Grammy-award winning hip-hop trio Digable Planets or the mysterious force behind the critically acclaimed Shabazz Palaces. But he doesn’t just use his powers to innovate and reinvent himself – he spreads love and inspiration as a teacher and guide to his artistic family. In his art and lifting up the Black Constellation, he’s helped put a beacon on Black art in Seattle.

On this episode, we explore Ishmael’s journey from the West Coast to the East Coast and back again. Through all his stylistic reinventions and his current artistic life as lynchpin of Shabazz Palaces, son of the Central District and under-heralded hip-hop visionary.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

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On the inaugural episode of Fresh Off the Spaceship, co-hosts Larry Mizell Jr. and Martin Douglas guide you through the big question: “What is the Black Constellation?”

We dive into what the collective represents, as well as the music and art it encompasses – from Shabazz Palaces and Stas THEE Boss to Porter Ray, OCnotes, Ya Tseen, and more. We hear from the artists themselves as well as reflections from Larry and Martin as Black journalists covering the Seattle music scene. Throughout the podcast we explore the Constellation’s ideas about collaboration, intuition, ritual, self-determination, legacy, and the continuum they practice in.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

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What is the Black Constellation? If you know, you'll want to listen to this podcast. If you don't, you'll want to listen, too.

Fresh off the Spaceship tells the story of the highly influential yet scarcely documented artist collective that has included such varied musical acts as Shabazz Palaces, THEESatisfaction, Ya Tseen and Porter Ray.

Hosted by KEXP's Larry Mizell Jr. and Martin Douglas, each episode in this 10-part series will take listeners on an audio journey connecting the stars of the Constellation, shedding light on their art and their ethos along the way.

New episodes will be released weekly starting March 18, 2022. Find out more at KEXP.org/fresh-off-the-spaceship.

Watch a video version of the trailer and explore more work from the artists of the Constellation on KEXP's Fresh off the Spaceship YouTube playlist.

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Porter Ray’s career has been marked with great promise and potential. Anointed early on as the “golden child” of the Black Constellation, Porter’s gifts as a rapper and storyteller skyrocketed him as one of the most exciting young artists to come out of Seattle when he first emerged on the scene. A decade on Porter’s promise still shows no ceiling.

On this final episode of Fresh off the Spaceship, Porter shares his story navigating grief, building toward his future, and using his music to build up his city. Like his Constellation peer Ishmael Butler, Porter has emerged as generational talent of the Central District. His work celebrates the neighborhood’s under-heard stories and extends the wisdom bestowed upon him from those he’s lost. From deferred NBA hoop dreams to the enlightenment of fatherhood, he’s already gained a lifetime of wisdom – but he’s not done yet.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

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Toronto-based omnidisciplinary artist Nep Sidhu realizes the infinite potentials of all materials: sound, space, or steel. The power of convening, invitation, and intention charges his artistic practice, informed always by spirit and service. In his hands and heart, unbroken melody and the throughline between worlds become manifest.

In this episode, we learn what drives Nep’s continuum of care, stewardship of culture, and dedication to truth. Nep and his closest conspirators observe the protection, possibility, and portal in his work—and the community that comes through the door.

Thank you to KMRU, Laraaji, Nailah Hunter, Noel Brass Jr., Shabazz Palaces, Space Afrika, Silver Jackson, Erik Blood, and OCnotes for lending their music to this episode.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

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Erik Blood is the technical wizard of the Black Constellation. He’s worked with nearly every artist in the Constellation and has left an undeniable footprint on Seattle music at large. But he’s more than just a “behind the scenes” force. When Blood steps up to the mic, he uses every instrument and genre in his arsenal to convey his truths and intersecting identities.

On this episode, Blood relays his journey into music production from recording tracks on a Teddy Ruxpin to producing pivotal Seattle records for Shabazz Palaces, Tacocat, THEESatisfaction, Moondoggies, and more. Blood also digs into his solo work, the way sexuality plays into his music, and growing up in a Black and white home. Blood’s love of music and skill in capturing its recorded essence knows no boundaries.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.