Common Breaks Down the 6 Songs That Shaped His Career
Common is one of the most distinctive voices to emerge from Chicago, with a journey that runs from his early days as a Bulls ball boy when Jordan arrived, to becoming a defining rapper of the ’90s and 2000s, and eventually an award-winning actor. This episode follows that path through a six-song framework that lets him reflect on the moments that shaped his life and career.
Along the way, we look at how hearing Illmatic early pushed him forward, how the Soulquarian movement at Electric Lady Studios shaped a crucial chapter of his life, and how performing “The Food” on Chappelle’s Show became a turning point in his artistic evolution.
Listen to our extended Common playlist: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music
New episodes of The Track Star Podcast every Wednesday!
[Video available on Spotify and YouTube]
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The Grateful Dead Explained — 10 Songs That Trace the Dead’s Legacy
With David Lemieux, the Grateful Dead’s official archivist and legacy manager, we trace how the band evolved from the psychedelic San Francisco scene of the late ’60s to the studio mastery of American Beauty and the arena triumph of Touch of Grey.
Through 10 songs, this episode tells the story of a band that set the standard for what live rock music could be. Along the way, we look at how the Dead’s tape-trading culture, iconography, and intense fandom helped sustain their legacy for decades.
Listen to our extended Grateful Dead playlist: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music
New episodes of The Track Star Podcast every Wednesday! [Video available on Spotify and YouTube] Powered by Rivian.
More Track Star* content:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@track-star-show
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trackstarshow
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trackstarshow/
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Good Charlotte, Simple Plan & All Time Low: The History of Pop Punk in 10 Songs
Pop punk was the sound that defined malls, teen movies, and high-school playlists in the 2000s. With Simple Plan, All Time Low, Good Charlotte, and Olivia Rodrigo, we trace how the genre evolved from its punk roots in bands like the Ramones to defining acts like Green Day and Blink-182, all the way to TikTok’s nostalgic revival. Along the way, we explore how skate culture and The Warped Tour built a movement, how pop punk’s emotion and humor set it apart, and why its spirit keeps finding new life in today’s music.
Listen to our extended pop punk playlist: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music
New episodes of The Track Star Podcast every Wednesday!
[Video available on Spotify and YouTube]
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More Track Star* content:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@track-star-show
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trackstarshow
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trackstarshow/
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Emily Bear (Moana 2), Jerskin Fendrix (Poor Things) & RZA Talk Composing For Movies
This week we explore movie scores: how they are composed, how they shape emotion, and what makes a theme unforgettable. We played legendary scores for Emily Bear (Moana 2), Jerskin Fendrix (Poor Things), and RZA (Kill Bill, Ghost Dog) and had them identify the films they are from. We also include insights from Jon Batiste on Soul and Isabela Merced on The Last of Us.
You will hear how composers start from script or picture, what separates film scoring from making a traditional album, and why certain themes live on far beyond the films.
Listen to our extended movie scores playlist: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music
New episodes of The Track Star Podcast every Wednesday!
[Video available on Spotify and YouTube]
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More Track Star* content:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@track-star-show
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trackstarshow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackstarshow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trackstarshow/
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Jeremy Allen White, Scott Cooper (Director), and Warren Zanes (Author) Talk Springsteen Biopic
Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska is the haunting home-recorded album that changed his career and revealed the darkness behind his music. With Jeremy Allen White, Scott Cooper, and author Warren Zanes, we trace how it was made, what it revealed about Springsteen’s mental state, and how it inspired the upcoming film Deliver Me from Nowhere, as Jeremy opens up about transforming himself to play The Boss.
Listen to our extended Springsteen playlist: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music
New episodes of The Track Star Podcast every Wednesday!
[Video available on Spotify and YouTube]
Powered by Rivian.
More Track Star* content:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@track-star-show
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trackstarshow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackstarshow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trackstarshow/
The internet’s favorite music show, now in podcast form! Each episode explores a theme through 10 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.
Australia