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Tuesday

'Original Gangster': Rapper and Actor Ice-T

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The History of Hip-Hop

'Original Gangster': Rapper and Actor Ice-T

Fresh Air

Ice-T is one of the original gangster rappers, of whom Greg Knot of The Chicago Tribune wrote: "Ice-T is that rare gangster rapper who leads with his brain instead of his gun or his crotch." He's gone on to a successful acting career. (This interview originally aired May 1, 1992.)

'Original Gangster': Rapper and Actor Ice-T

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Hip-Hop Renaissance Man: Ice Cube

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The History of Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop Renaissance Man: Ice Cube

Fresh Air

Known today equally as a musician and actor, Ice Cube was born O'Shea Jackson. He first gained notoriety in the late 1980s with the revolutionary group N.W.A. He now also acts in and produces movies, including this year's comedy Are We There Yet? (This interview originally aired Jan. 10, 2005.)

Hip-Hop Renaissance Man: Ice Cube

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Hip-Hop Entrepreneur Russell Simmons

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The History of Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop Entrepreneur Russell Simmons

Fresh Air

Called the "godfather of hip-hop," Russell Simmons has been credited with bringing rap to the mainstream. In the early 1980s, he helped found Def Jam Records, launching pad of legendary hip-hop acts like Run-D.M.C., the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J. (This interview originally aired Nov. 27, 2001.)

Hip-Hop Entrepreneur Russell Simmons

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News

Of 'A Million Ways' to Be Popular, OK Go Finds One

OK Go's dance video for the song "A Million Ways" has become a sensation on the Internet... and it was never intended for public release. Robert Siegel talks with singer/guitarist Damian Kulash and his sister Trish Sie, who choreographed the dance.

Of 'A Million Ways' to Be Popular, OK Go Finds One

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Monday

Rapper Melle Mel: Delivering 'The Message'

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The History of Hip-Hop

Rapper Melle Mel: Delivering 'The Message'

Fresh Air

When the hit rap song "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five came out in the early 1980s, many rappers regarded it as an inspiration and political message. Melle Mel was the original vocalist on the song. (This interview originally aired August 4, 1992.)

Rapper Melle Mel: Delivering 'The Message'

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DJ Kool Herc and the Birth of the Breakbeat

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The History of Hip-Hop

DJ Kool Herc and the Birth of the Breakbeat

Fresh Air

DJ Kool Herc is known as the father of the DJ breakbeat, part of the foundation of modern hip-hop. He also wrote the introduction to the recent history of hip-hop, Can't Stop Won't Stop. Kool Herc kicks off Fresh Air's Hip-Hop Week. (This interview originally aired March 30, 2005.)

DJ Kool Herc and the Birth of the Breakbeat

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DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash: The Fresh Air Interview

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The History of Hip-Hop

DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash: The Fresh Air Interview

Fresh Air

At the dawn of hip-hop, Grandmaster Flash recorded hits like "The Message" and "White Lines (Don't Do it)" with the Furious Five.

DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash: The Fresh Air Interview

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Opinion

An Agent for Dead Celebrities

Commentator Jake Halpern introduces us to a Hollywood agent who exclusively represents dead celebrities. He finds endorsement deals for John Wayne and is responsible for getting Steve McQueen his own video game.

An Agent for Dead Celebrities

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Saturday

Thursday

Movies

Ice-T Looks Back at 'New Jack City'

Rapper and actor Ice-T, one of the pioneers of the "gangsta rap" genre, now has a regular role as an undercover cop on the NBC crime drama Law and Order. Born Tracy Marrow, the rapper got his big acting break in the film New Jack City. He talks about his acting career and the film's 15th-anniversary release. Note: Segment contains language some may find offensive.

Ice-T Looks Back at 'New Jack City'

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Wednesday

Culture

Dick Cavett Rocks On

Fresh Air

TV critic David Bianculli reviews a new DVD box set of The Dick Cavett Show: Rock Icons. It's a compilation of interviews and performances on the late-night talk show by some of the leading musicians of the 1960s and '70s, including Mick Jagger, Janis Joplin and Stevie Wonder.

Dick Cavett Rocks On

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Music Interviews

A New Generation of Punk at Dischord Records

In the late 1970s, teens in the nation's capital were building their own punk scene — and many of those bands recorded for an independent record label called Dischord. That pioneering label is still alive today, and just as vital to a new music scene.

A New Generation of Punk at Dischord Records

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Tuesday

Henry Jacobs' 'Wide Weird World'

Henry Jacobs, circa mid-1950s, with boobam drums. These instruments were created by William Loughborough and used in several Vortex performances. William Loughborough/Courtesy of the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections hide caption

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William Loughborough/Courtesy of the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

Music Interviews

Henry Jacobs' 'Wide Weird World'

Pioneering 1950s sound artist Henry Jacobs created soundscapes and satires that some fans never forgot. His recently discovered reel-to-reel recordings have been released.

Henry Jacobs' 'Wide Weird World'

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Culture

Alan Ball: A 'Six Feet Under' Postmortem

Fresh Air

Six Feet Under, rest in peace. The HBO series, which aired its final episode Sunday, followed the Fisher family and its funeral home business for five seasons. It received two Golden Globe awards and six Emmys. Alan Ball, creator and executive producer, reflects on his show about death.

Alan Ball: A 'Six Feet Under' Postmortem

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Sunday

Movies

Judd Apatow Makes His 'Virgin' Directing Effort

Judd Apatow's original claim to fame was the TV show Freaks and Geeks. Now he's directing a motion picture -- The 40-Year-Old Virgin -- featuring a different sort of coming-of-age story. He tells Liane Hansen about it.

Judd Apatow Makes His 'Virgin' Directing Effort

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