The internetβs favorite music show, now in podcast form! Each episode explores a theme through a playlist of songs, taking listeners on a deep dive into a specific artist, genre, or era of music through the perspectives of musicians, historians, journalists and fans. Also available in video on YouTube! Hosted by Jack Coyne.
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Data updated on 22/10/2026
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Tom Morello joins Jack on Track Star for a conversation about his life in music, the artists who shaped his sound, and the power of music to inspire change.
Best known as the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, Morello has spent decades pushing the boundaries of what a guitar can do. He and Jack dive into his musical influences, from classic rock and heavy metal to punk and hip-hop, and explore the stories and artists that have stayed with him throughout his career.
This Episode's Track List:
This Land Is Your Land - Woody Guthrie
White Riot - The ClashΒ
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Detroit Rock City - KISS
Greystone Chapel - Johnny CashΒ
The Ghost of Tom Joad - Bruce SpringsteenΒ
Alright - Kendrick Lamar
Jon Batiste Returns for a Deep Dive on Jazz Legends
Monday, October 19, 2026 β’ Duration 01:03:43
Jon Batiste is back on the Track Star Podcast, this time joining Jack in the "band room" to pick up right where they left off.
They dive deeper into the importance of music, explore Jon's personal voice memos and notes filled with unreleased demos and musical ideas, and talk about jazz traditions, Monk's meditations, and the artists who have shaped the way Jon listens and plays.
Along the way, they break down a legendary live performance by Duke Ellington, listen to recordings from Art Tatum, Ella Fitzgerald, Bud Powell, and Keith Jarrett, and explore the history and improvisation at the heart of jazz. And, of course, the conversation turns into some unexpected jamming of their own.
This Episode's Track List:
Moonglow - Art Tatum
Beethoveen Blues - Jon Batiste
Black Mozart - Jon Batiste
HK Jam - Jon Batiste (Voice Memo)
Holy Water - Jon Batiste (Voice Memo)
Always Know - Jon Batiste
Diminuendo in Blue - Live - Duke Ellington
Blue Skise - Ella Fitzgerald
In Walked Bud - Thelonious Monk
You Go To My Head - Bud Powell
In Walked Bud - Jon Batiste
Jelly Roll - Earl Hines
Redbeans - Jon Batiste
Blues for Basie - Oscar Peterson
American Symphony - Jon Batiste (Voice Memo)
KΓΆln, January 24, 1975, Part I - Live - Keith Jarrett
Ahead of Breakaway Carolina, Jack sits down with Sean and Alex, two local Gen Z music fans, at Applebeeβs in Charlotte for a special episode of the Track Star Podcast, made possible by @bacardi. Over Bacardi cocktails, they explore how their generation discovers, shares, and experiences music: from first iPods and TikTok discoveries to the artists they feel understand them best.
The conversation spans Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift, the freedom of moving between genres, and the connection between EDM, rave culture, and community. They debate whether algorithms
help or limit discovery, how social media brings fans closer to artists, and what happens when phones become part of every concert experience. With more access and choice than ever, what makes Gen Zβs relationship with music different?
Then, the conversation moves from the table to Bacardi x Applebeeβs Neighborhood Afters, as Sean and Alex join Jack for an evening of music and community.
Special thanks to @bacardi for making this episode possible. #ad #BacardiPartner #DoWhatMovesYou
Testing Daniel Kaluuya's Music Knowledge
Friday, October 9, 2026 β’ Duration 20:08
Daniel Kaluuya joins Jack on Track Star to put his music knowledge to the test, with a playlist spanning American hip-hop, soul, UK garage, grime, and rap. From Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill to Skepta and Little Simz, the episode brings together classics from both sides of the Atlantic.
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The music moves from soul and R&B into the energy of UK club music, with Jorja Smith, Giggs, Jme, and D Double E. Jack and Daniel listen, react, and talk through the songs. Catch Daniel in A24βsΒ Misty Green, out today.
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This Episode's Track List:
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Heart of the City β Jay-Z
Ex-Factor β Lauryn Hill
Blue Lights β Jorja Smith
Do You Mind (Crazy Cousinz Remix)
Party Hard β Donae-O
Pβs & Qβs β Kano
Man Donβt Care β Jme ft. Giggs
Shutdown β Skepta
Talkin the Hardest β Giggs
Raindance β Dave, Tems
Venom β Little Simz
Street Fighter Riddim β D Double E
Pay As You Go β Wiley feat. Dizzee Rascal, Ace & Maxwell
Thatβs Not Me β Skepta ft. JME
Why Paul Simonβs βGracelandβ Made Music History
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 β’ Duration 01:00:07
Music historian Ashley Kahn and bassist Bakithi Kumalo join Jack on the Track Star Podcast to explore the music, people, and stories behind Paul Simonβs Graceland. Drawing on Kahnβs new book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland, the conversation traces the albumβs South African roots and the collaborations that helped shape its unmistakable sound.
Bakithi shares his perspective from inside the studio and on the road, recalling his first meeting with Simon, his experience on the Graceland tour, and what it meant to perform alongside South African legends. Together, Ashley and Bakithi bring the albumβs history to life through personal memories and the music that connects it all, from the sounds that inspired Graceland to the influence it continues to have today.
This Episode's Track List:
Gumboots (with Boyoyo Boys) - Paul Simon
The Boy In The Bubble - Paul Simon
Graceland - Paul Simon
You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
Pata Pata - Miriam Makeba
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes - Paul Simon
Testing Elvis Costello's Music Knowledge
Friday, October 2, 2026 β’ Duration 01:05:25
Elvis Costello joins Jack on the Track Star Podcast to explore the music that has stayed with him throughout his life. From the sharp pop instincts of Nick Lowe and the blues-rooted rock of Fleetwood Mac to Randy Newmanβs storytelling, Stevie Wonderβs soul and reggae grooves, and Bruce Springsteenβs rock anthems, the conversation spans generations, genres, and approaches to songwriting.
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They also revisit Costelloβs own work and along the way, he reflects on the connections between listening, writing, and performing. Today, Costello releases the 49th anniversary box set of his 1977 debut album,Β My
Aim Is True. Nearly five decades later, he joins us to look back at the music that shaped him.
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This Episode's Track List:
So It Goes - Nick Lowe
Man of the World - Fleetwood Mac
Little Criminals - Randy Newman
Watching The Detectives - Elvis Costello
Master Blaster (Jamminβ) - Stevie Wonder
Alison - Linda Ronstadt
Growinβ Up - Bruce Springsteen
Sheryl Crow Teaches Us About Her Top Music Influences
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 β’ Duration 51:23
On todayβs episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are honored to be joined by a once-in-a-generation, 9-time Grammy-winning artist, singer, and performer. Jack is joined by Sheryl Crow, who launched herself into the forefront of the music world with her hit single, βAll I Wanna Doβ, and quickly cemented her superstar status by winning the Grammys for βBest New Artist,β βRecord of the Yearβ and βBest Female Pop Vocal Performanceβ just two years later. Since then, she has won six more Grammys and has become a major advocate for environmental causes and breast cancer awareness.
Sheryl Crow shares her journey to stardom and how the legendary artists and songwriters she worked with throughout her career, like Prince and Dolly Parton, shaped her music. Through personal stories and anecdotes, Sheryl Crow makes us feel like we are right there with her as she reflects on the experiences that made her the star she became: both inspiring and heartbreaking. Sherylβs new album Pick You Up will be released on October 9th.
This Episode's Tracklist:
Soak Up The Sun - Sheryl Crow
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
Little Red Corvette - Prince
I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton
All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
Freedom Bus - Sheryl Crow ft. Jesse Welles
(You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin
(You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman - Carole King
Testing Queen Latifah's Music Knowledge
Monday, September 28, 2026 β’ Duration 10:03
Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing the legendary β90s rapper/singer Queen Latifah on some hip hop and soul tracks. As a New Jersey native, Queen Latifah has plenty of stories about her hometown classics. And through each song, she takes us down her musical journey while shocking us with her effortless music knowledge.
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With each track Jack plays, Queen Latifah has an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about the artist, giving perspective on her own musical influences through fascinating anecdotes.
This Episode's Track List:Β
Rapperβs Delight - The Sugarhill Gang
Me & Mr Jones - Amy Winehouse
Jolene - Dolly Parton
I Know You, I Live You - Chaka Khan
Buddy (Native Tongue Decision) - De La Soul
Name It Claim It - The Clark Sisters
Just Another Day⦠- Queen Latifah
Grandmaster Flash Explains How Rap First Started
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 β’ Duration 48:33
On todayβs episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by a guest who pioneered Hip-Hop and DJing as the lead of the legendary group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, as well as through his groundbreaking dual-turntable techniques.
Jack is joined by Grandmaster Flash, who revolutionized turntablism through various cutting, scratching, and backspinning methods, as well as the quick mix theory, involving two identical records played at the same time. In this episode, Grandmaster Flash shares his journey from falling in love with music as a child after discovering his fatherβs record player, to DJing in clubs and helping popularize the hip-hop style.
This Episode's Track List:
Find The Man Bros. - The Love Unlimited Orchestra
Killer Joe - Quincy Jones
Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield
Take Me To The Mardi Gras - Bob James
Rapper's Delight - The Sugarhill Gang
The Message - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
The Track Star Podcast, a podcast by Jack Coyne - Stats, Episodes and Rankings - My Podcast Data