The Track Star Podcast

Beck joins Jack on Track Star, putting his encyclopedic music knowledge to the test. From the influential sounds of The Velvet Underground to the pioneering hip-hop of Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel, Beck explores music spanning decades, genres, and generations, reflecting on the artists and songs that have shaped his life and career. Along the way, they dive into everything from Bette Midler’s c...

Seun Kuti joins Jack on the Track Star Podcast for a special episode celebrating the life and legacy of his father, Fela Kuti. As Fela’s youngest son and the longtime leader of his legendary band Egypt 80, Seun has spent his life surrounded by the music that helped define Afrobeat. Together, they look back at Fela’s groundbreaking career, the sounds and influences behind his music, and the lasting...

Parker Posey joins Jack on Track Star to talk about her life in music, the songs that have stayed with her, and the artists who have inspired her along the way. Known for her unforgettable roles across film and television, Posey brings her signature humor, curiosity, and personality to a conversation that moves between music, memories, and storytelling. From the theatrical world of Kate Bush and t...

Daddy Yankee joins Jack on Track Star to talk about his life in music and the career that helped bring reggaeton to a global audience. From his early days in Puerto Rico to becoming one of Latin music’s most influential artists, Daddy Yankee reflects on the artists that shaped him along the way. They get into the roots of reggaeton, from Shabba Ranks and the early sounds of Latin urban music to th...

Jack is joined by John Clayton, Ekep Nkwelle, and Janis Siegel for a special episode of the Track Star Podcast exploring the history of women in jazz and celebrating the life and legacy of Ella Fitzgerald.   Together, they trace the contributions of women who helped shape jazz, from the genre’s early pioneers to the artists carrying it forward today. At the center of the conversation is Ella...

Elvis Costello and Jack hit the street to put his music knowledge to the test on today's episode of Track Star. From the early rock and roll of Little Richard to the country sounds of George Jones, the conversation moves through decades of music and across genres. Along the way, and nearly five decades after the release of his debut album, My Aim Is True, Elvis revisits the sounds of Little F...

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-...

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, the...

LL Cool J joins Jack on Track Star to talk about the music he loves and the artists who helped shape his sound. Having made his own mark on hip-hop, LL revisits some classics and share his influences. They span early hip-hop from Treacherous Three and Funky 4 + 1, unforgettable records from Biz Markie and Roxanne Shanté, and a stacked lineup of MCs on “The Symphony.” Along the way, there’s Beastie...

Ahead of Breakaway Carolina, Jack sits down with Sean and Alex, two local Gen Z music fans, at Applebee’s 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 s...

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.   The music moves from soul and R&B into the energy of UK club music, with Jorja Smith, Giggs, Jme, and D Double E. Ja...

Music historian Ashley Kahn and bassist Bakithi Kumalo join Jack on the Track Star Podcast to explore the music, people, and stories behind Paul Simon’s Graceland. Drawing on Kahn’s new book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland, the conversation traces the album’s South African roots and the collaborations that helped shape its unmistakable sound. Bakith...

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 Newman’s storytelling, Stevie Wonder’s soul and reggae grooves, and Bruce Springsteen’s rock anthems, the conversation spans generations, genres, and approaches to songwriting.   The...

On today’s 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, “All I Wanna Do”, and quickly cemented her superstar status by winning the Grammys for ‘Best New Artist,’ ‘Record of the Year’ and ‘Bes...

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing the legendary ‘90s 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. ​ With each track Jack plays, Queen Latifah has an intriguing behind-the-scen...

On today’s 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 t...

This week on the Track Star* Jack is joined by Ravi Coltrane, Grammy nominated saxophonist, bandleader and composer, as well as the son of the legendary John Coltrane and co-owner of the RKM Music record label. Together Ravi and Jack reminisce about the golden age of jazz and one of jazz’s most influential figures through his most iconic tracks. The soundtrack of this episode takes us through John...

On today’s episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by a guest who, in his new book, Resident Punk, shares memories from living with some of punk’s most recognizable names. Jack is joined by Legs McNeil, the journalist known as one of the three founders of the legendary Punk magazine, as well as the author of Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk and Resident Punk: How I Smok...

Today on Track Star Versus*, Apple TV's MAYDAY stars Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh go head-to-head in a battle of music knowledge. The pair test their expertise across ’80s rock, new wave, and pop classics from artists including Queen, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper and more!   Between competitive guesses, needle drops, and plenty of singing along, Ryan and Kenneth bring their quick...

Today on Track Star*, Jack chats with legendary Colombian musician and singer-songwriter Juanes. Juanes shows us how his music taste grew alongside him, from Latin folk in his younger years to hard rock and metal, both in English and Spanish. His deep love for all kinds of music shines as he speaks about the iconic artists and songs that shaped him, especially the sounds of his hometown of Medelli...

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing Oscar-nominated actor Andrew Garfield on funk, soul as well as some vocal jazz. In this episode, Andrew shares how different styles of music affect his interpretations of the characters he plays, as well as sharing stories about the obscure French Hip-Hop group he was a member of and his life-changing concert experiences.   Watch as he breaks down the sou...

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing a local librarian from the NY Public Library, Dan, and his encyclopedic knowledge of 70s/80s rock. While regaling us with fascinating anecdotes surrounding a range of his favorite artists, his deep passion for music is obvious and infectious. Dan has a remarkable knack for expressing exactly what he loves about each and every track Jack throws at him, creating...

Today on Track Star*, we’re putting Emmy-nominated actress Dakota Fanning’s music knowledge to the test with a mix of Southern classics, childhood favorites, and songs that shaped her along the way. Ahead of her new film The Sun Never Sets, Dakota reflects on growing up between Hollywood film sets and a traditional Southern upbringing, sharing stories from her childhood, career, and the music...

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing Alabama’s very own Whitmer Thomas on home-state classic hits and punk-driven 2000s tracks. Showcasing his own musical influence and childhood upbringing, Whitmer Thomas takes us on a tour through his journey as a singer and stand-up comedian and how they intertwined, with anecdotes that shaped his career along the way. From stories of van tours as a teenager,...

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing the iconic Australian pop star Troye Sivan on Y2K euphoria and melancholy R&B classics. Revealing the extent of his own musical influence and knowledge, Troye Sivan gives us the opportunity to learn about his journey as a singer and performing artist and his recent experience touring with legendary genre-bending musician Charli XCX.   With personal storie...