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KEXP Playlist
Sampa the Great new single marks the beginning of a new direction for the musician and rapper.
"Zamrock is my sound. It’s my voice. Being Zambian, being loud, being defiant - that’s what Zamrock is.
"This is the declaration track. I’m saying: I’ve stepped into my power, into my sound, into my purpose. I’ve claimed this thing - Nu Zamrock - as something of my own, something I’m shaping in real time. And in this new form, with this much clarity and drive? You can’t hold us. You can’t stop us. Not anymore."
sampathegreat.bandcamp.com
sampathegreat.com
Ify Jerry Krusade is a Nigerian musician known for his contributions to the Afro-funk and psychedelic rock scenes of the 1970s. He gained recognition as the guitarist of the popular band "The Hykkers" before embarking on a solo career.
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Ify Jerry Krusade’s “Everybody Likes Something Good” can be found most notably on the 2008 compilation, Nigeria 70 – Lagos Jump. If you'd like more Krusade in your life, head this way: aquariumdrunkard.com
The Funkees were a very prominent Nigerian rock group in the 60s-70s West African and West Indian music scene. The Funkees was comprised of Harry Mosco on guitar, vocals, gong; Chyke Madu on drums, vocals; Sonny Akpabio on congas; Jake N. Sollo on guitar, organ, piano, vocals; Danny Heibs on bass, vocals, percussion; Mohammed Ahidjo on vocals, percussion; and Roli Paterson on bongos.
soundwayrecords.bandcamp.com
“Contre-Corps” is a 2025 single by Belgian psych‑rock band Gros Coeur, and the closing track on their new album Vague Scélérate. It’s a humid, slow‑building, French‑language psych‑funk piece about social anxiety, desire, and saying what you need to say before the feeling disappears.
Yaqui/Mescalero Apache
Yaqui and Mescalero Apache artist Cochemea has three albums on the Daptone label. He is also the saxophone for the Dap Kings
For Eva's Uber driver...
You're hearing music from Ethiopian musician Mulatu Astatke, considered the father of "Ethio-jazz."
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Born in Jimma, Ethiopia, Astatke trained in London, New York City and Boston where he began to blend jazz and Latin music with the music of his homeland. From the ’50s to the ’70s he worked with many popular Ethiopian artists as a musician and arranger. Astatke could be most often seen leading his band from behind a vibraphone and conga drums – instruments that he eventually introduced to Ethiopia.
In this lecture, he talks about creating a new genre of music: www.redbullmusicacademy.com
Seattle’s own Jesse Sykes time‑warping folk into a celestial séance.
Freeway-night Cold War Kids cut where the car becomes confessional—Los Angeles lights blurring by while you white‑knuckle your way toward some kind of grace.
"Mystify” was the is the fifth (!!) single from INXS' monster 1987 album, 'Kick'.
The official music video for the song "Mystify" begins with Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss "composing' the song.: www.youtube.com
Packaging is the duo of Daniel Lyon (Spirit Award) and Daniel “Connor” Birch (Flaural). The self-titled debut album was released mid-October.
Romy (co-vocalist of The xx) reveals, "My new song 'Love Who You Love' is a proudly queer love song. It was also really important to me to acknowledge that the world is STILL such a challenging place for so many of us to show our love openly in the LGBTQ+ community." tinyurl.com
romyromyromy.bandcamp.com
www.romyromyromy.com
Bossanova moved the Pixies' sound towards surf and space rock, diverging from the more traditional rock elements of their previous album, Doolittle. "All Over the World" is a slow and steady track characterized by unique, nearly falsetto vocals from Black Francis and alternating quiet sections and loud, dynamic guitar parts.
Check out the Pixies performing Live on KEXP in 2014: www.youtube.com
Seattle post-punk outfit [Gibraltar] has excelled at crafting driving, no-nonsense melodic rock songs that cut like knives.
www.gibraltartheband.com
gibraltarsongs.bandcamp.com
From Gibraltar's live on KEXP, 2014: www.youtube.com
“you can’t get a suntan on the Moon, but I wouldn’t mind a holiday there,”
✌️ to the Supermoon, last full moon of 2025 🌕
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
Dead Pioneers recently played a Live at KEXP session; check it out here! tinyurl.com
Going out to Mike!
✌️ to the Supermoon, last full moon of 2025 🌕
Irish trio + the DJ/artist, Sub Focus, focusing in on the British states abuse of power and intimidation.
kneecap.bandcamp.com
Packaging is the duo of Daniel Lyon (Spirit Award) and Daniel “Connor” Birch (Flaural). The self-titled debut album was released mid-October.
Did Turnstiles fourth album "NEVER ENOUGH" make your best of 2025 list?
Best of 2025 listener voting open now until December 12. Tune in for the Top 100 countdown starting December 19!
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