In the early days of the pandemic, I found a record poking out of a bookshelf. I must've walked past that shelf a million times, how had I never noticed it? Turns out: the record was written for my grandfather by future Broadway titan: John Kander. The story doesn't stop there and only gets better. I invite you to listen and enjoy and share. This story began as a twitter thread that went super viral, amassing tens of millions of views.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is probably one of the coolest people to ever set foot on Planet Earth. The man literally invented the high five in 1977 (seriously, look it up, I'm not lying) and yet somehow that isn't the coolest thing about him. His love and passion for music runs very deep, you'll hear that in the stories he tells. PS shoutout to Sydney Colson.

Once upon a time, Jay-Z was announced to be the first rapper to headline Glastonbury. Noel Gallager from Oasis didn't like that very much, he told the press, "I'm not havin' hip-hop at Glastonbury. Fookin no way." The way Jay-Z responded was equal parts class and ether.

Comedian and sports enthusiast Jamel Johnson stops by the campfire to tell a few funny and affecting coming-of-age stories; tales of romance, fisticuffs, and maybe a little bit of the ganja. His stories are soundtracked by Ludacris and Lil' Wyte, and boy are they worth hearing. Follow: https://twitter.com/nonprofitcomic https://instagram.com/broccolihouse We are @nostalgiatapes on IG and Twitter.

Lenora, a singer from Houston, Texas, (the Hiram Clarke area to be specific) stops by the campfire to get a little vulnerable, tell some stories, cry a little, and laugh a lot. 3:20 - Growing up in Hiram Clarke 14:15 - Almost got a Ginuwine Whoopin' 22:04 - The album 'Girls', the 'Cool' music video 27:05 - A happy memory 35:26 - "Goin Up Yonder" is *the* song that shaped Lenora 41:30 - Songs Lenora sang as a kid 49:00 - Long Live Mama Lenora 1:02:00 - Water (hug) break 1:02:45 - Grieving 1:06:46 - Outro Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincerelylenora/ https://www.instagram.com/sam3an/ https://www.instagram.com/nostalgiatapes/

One fateful day, I found myself holding a camera and staring into Bill Withers' eyes. Or, I should say, he was staring into mine. No, he was gazing into my soul. He could see all the highlights of my life, he could see every mistake I ever made. And he was smiling. Here's that story + at the end a chance for you to reflect on pieces of people you care about that you carry with you. This story was first published on the Elis Audio app in two parts, find the story here: https://spaces.elis.io/spaces/nostalgiatapes/posts/5fe9ed09-5f30-4e23-87ec-70b7b63ebd98 And part two here: https://spaces.elis.io/spaces/nostalgiatapes/posts/6469d199-dfce-43ee-82f3-6242192f4e1f

Legendary rapper, college professor, one half of the mighty UGK, and Sama'an's personal mentor, Bun B joins the campfire to tell the story of his career (and his marriage) through five of his songs. [00:01:50] Chapter 0: Trill Foreword by Jon Caramanica [00:11:20] Chapter 1: Findin' Love While Ridin' Dirty [00:23:10] Chapter 2: It's Dark and DMX Knows My Lyrics [00:35:56] Chapter 3: Tupac and UGK, The Collab That Almost Was [00:40:25] Chapter 4: Sometimes A Knowles Checks on *You* [00:51:02] Chapter 5: Losing My Shit Wiv Da Mandem At Glastonbury Read along with the annotated transcript at: http://thenostalgiamixtape.com/creative/the-bun-b-episode/ Donate to The Nostalgia Mixtape if you're feelin lucky: http://thenostalgiamixtape.com/donate/

From our episode In Support Of Black Liberation, Aaron Stephens shares two songs in his live performance: his original tune, "Do Something," and a cover of Bob Marley's "Small Axe." Buy Aaron's music here: https://aaronstephens.bandcamp.com/ Listen to the full episode here: http://thenostalgiamixtape.com/creative/in-support-of-black-liberation/ "Do Something" Lyrics: Some people want Some people need Some people give expecting to receive We’re earning wage they’re waging war We made them rich, but they want more But we won’t sit around and do nothing about it Let’s do something Do something about it March on those lawns and shot it We want change They sway our media and news Force feed us whatever they choose We’re booking hearses and they’re booking flights I don’t know how they go to sleep at night But we won’t sit around And do nothing about it Let’s do something Do something about it March on those lawns and shot it We want change Things won’t change if we just sit around asking why There are people in pain and we’re watching them die No justice, no peace "Small Axe" lyrics: Why boasteth thyself Oh, he-vil man Playing smart And not being clever, oh no I said you’re working iniquity To achieve vanity yeah, if a-so a-so But the goodness of Jah-Jah I-dureth for-i-ver [Chorus] If you are the big tree We are the small axe Sharpened to cut you down (Well sharp) Ready to cut you down, oh, yeah [Verse 2] These are the words Of my master, keep on telling me, oh No weak heart shall prosper, oh no they can’t, eh, eh [Bridge] Whosoever diggeth a pit, lord Shall fall in it, shall fall in it Whosoever diggeth a pit Shall bury in it, shall bury in it [Chorus] If you are the big tree We are the small axe Sharpened to cut you down Ready to cut you down [Bridge] Eh, whosoever diggeth a pit Shall fall in it, fall in it, eh Whosoever diggeth a pit Shall bury in it, shall bury in it [Chorus] If you have a big tree We have a small axe Ready to cut you down (Well sharp) Sharpened to cut you down, oh [Outro] If you are the big tree, let me tell you this We are the small axe Ready to cut you down (Well sharp) Sharpened to cut you down, oh, yeah

From our episode In Support Of Black Liberation, Christelle Bofale shares her cover of Solange's "Borderline (An Ode To Self Care)," accompanied by Jake Smith on guitar. Buy Christelle's music here: https://christellebofale.bandcamp.com/ Listen to the full episode here: http://thenostalgiamixtape.com/creative/in-support-of-black-liberation/ Christelle's Statement + Lyrics: Christelle: I just wanted to give a quick message to anybody Black, and, that message is: just an acknowledgement of how tired you might be right now. I know a lot of us are just, plain and simple, exhausted. And that’s okay. It’s totally okay to need a break. I want to remind you and to encourage you to take care of yourself. To prioritize taking care of yourself. Work it into your routine as best as possible. That, I think, is imperative to maintaining your sanity. I just want you to remember that you are someone who is worthy of softness, and gentleness, and tenderness, and I want you to provide that for yourself. I’ve had to remind myself of the same thing. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the news, every single day, it’s just so painful and traumatic. So, I love you, and I hope that hearing this song will inspire you to invest in your needs. Whatever it is that you think you’re hungry for… Find it. Feed it to yourself. Nourish yourself. Replenish yourself. Take care, and stay safe. Lyrics: We been lovers on a mission We been lovers on a mission But whats love without a mission We been lovers on a mission So let’s take an intermission You know I have a lot to think And you know I gotta go ahead and take some time Because the last thing that I want Is thinkin that it’s time that I leave the borderline So let’s take it off tonight Break it off tonight Baby let’s know when to let go Know when to let go Take off tonight Break it up tonight Baby I know you’re tired Know I’m tired Let’s take it off tonight Break it off tonight Baby it’s war outside these walls Baby it’s war outside these doors, yeah Safe place tonight Let’s play safe tonight Baby I know what you’re fighting for Baby you know what I’m fighting for You know I have the world to think And you know I gotta go ahead and take some time Because the last thing that I want Is thinkin that it’s time that I leave the borderline So let’s take it off tonight Break it off tonight Baby let’s know when to let go Know when to let go, oh Take off tonight Break it off tonight Baby I know you’re tired You know I’m tired Take it off tonight Break it off tonight Baby I’ve been more than a woman We’ve been lovers on a mission Safe place tonight Let’s play it safe tonight Baby we’ve been lovers on a mission So let’s take an intermission

A statement from us + exclusive live performances by Christelle Bofale and Aaron Stephens, in support of Black Liberation. Buy their music at: https://christellebofale.bandcamp.com/ https://aaronstephens.bandcamp.com/ Read an annotated transcript of this episode at: thenostalgiamixtape.com Abridged Transcript: [00:00] Jamel Johnson clip. [00:47] Nina Simone “Mississippi Goddamn” excerpt. [02:34] Our statement: We at the Nostalgia Mixtape, and yours truly, Sama’an Ashrawi, stand firmly in support of Black Liberation, and any demands that come along with it. We hope that, more than anything else, listening to our podcast will give you an appreciation for just how much of a beautiful spectrum the Black experience is. If you’re not Black, we hope that appreciation will make you a more confident fighter for Black liberation. And if you are Black, we hope that all the different stories you hear on episode of the Nostalgia Mixtape will make you feel more comfortable in your own skin. [04:25] Solange - “Almeda” (Sango Bounce remix) Sama’an: Big love to our favorite ethnomusicologist, Sango, for letting us use his flip of Solange’s “Almeda.” [07:22] Josh White - “Jim Crow” (1941) [11:40] Coldplay & Femi Kuti - “Arabesque” (2019) Fela Kuti: Music is the weapon, music is the weapon of the future. [12:23] Statement from Christelle Bofale: I just wanted to give a quick message to anybody Black, and, that message is: just an acknowledgement of how tired you might be right now. I know a lot of us are just, plain and simple, exhausted. And that’s okay. It’s totally okay to need a break. I want to remind you and to encourage you to take care of yourself. To prioritize taking care of yourself. Work it into your routine as best as possible. That, I think, is imperative to maintaining your sanity. I just want you to remember that you are someone who is worthy of softness, and gentleness, and tenderness, and I want you to provide that for yourself. I’ve had to remind myself of the same thing. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the news, every single day, it’s just so painful and traumatic. So, I love you, and I hope that hearing this song will inspire you to invest in your needs. Whatever it is that you think you’re hungry for... Find it. Feed it to yourself. Nourish yourself. Replenish yourself. Take care, and stay safe. [14:36] Christelle Bofale - "Borderline (An Ode To Self Care)" [20:45] Aaron Stephens - "Do Something" Aaron Stephens - "Small Axe" [28:05] Janet Jackson - "Free Xone" Archie Bell & The Drells - "Tighten Up"