Historical Records

Just the Songs: Season 1 Playlist

Listen to a playlist of all the songs from season 1 of Historical Records. For lyric sheets and extension activities, visit storypirates.com/historicalrecords

Mitsuye Endo (feat. Anna Suzuki)

Season Finale. Nimene makes a brand new hip-hop track with special guest Anna Suzuki about Mitsuye Endo, a Japanese American who took her fight against racism all the way to the Supreme Court, helping to bring about the end of Japanese American internment during World War II.

Samuel Rodney Browne (feat. Kamasi Washington)

Great musicians aren’t just born knowing how to play their instruments. On today’s episode, Nimene learns about one of the greatest music teachers of all time, jazz musician Samuel Rodney Browne, who broke the color barrier for Black teachers in the secondary schools of Los Angeles. Featuring an interview between modern-day jazz legend Kamasi Washington and a saxophonist in the 6th grade named Elijah.

Emma Tenayuca (feat. Mandy Gonzalez)

Strike! Nimene travels to Texas to witness Emma Tenayuca fight for workers’ rights, and Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez performs a brand new hip-hop track about the pioneering labor activist.

Judy Heumann (feat. Ali Stroker and Jenna Bainbridge)

Nimene learns the inspiring story of Judy Heumann, who fought for the rights of disabled people, and enlists Broadway actor Jenna Bainbridge for a fierce hip-hop track to honor Judy’s legacy. Featuring an interview between Tony Award-winning actor Ali Stroker and a 14 year old named Elizabeth.

Just the Songs: Kati Kariko and Mary Golda Ross

Revisit our two songs about groundbreaking women in STEM with some close-listening tips from Lee Overtree of the Story Pirates! Follow along with the lyric sheets for these songs at storypirates.com/historicalrecords

Just the Songs: Keith Haring and Willi Smith

Revisit our two songs about 80’s NYC icons with some close-listening tips from Lee Overtree of the Story Pirates! Follow along with the lyric sheets for these songs at storypirates.com/historicalrecords

Just the Songs: Josh Gibson and Bill Russell

Revisit our two sports-themed songs from this season with some close-listening tips from Lee Overtree of the Story Pirates! Follow along with the lyric sheets for these songs at storypirates.com/historicalrecords

Just the Songs: Ida Tarbell and Claudette Colvin

Revisit the first two songs of the season with some close-listening tips from Lee Overtree of the Story Pirates! Follow along with the lyric sheets for these songs at storypirates.com/historicalrecords

Bill Russell (feat. Jalen Rose)

What does it take to win 11 NBA championships AND to play a meaningful role in the civil rights movement? Nimene finds out with a brand new hip-hop track about Bill Russell, the legendary player/coach of the Boston Celtics. Featuring an interview between former NBA star Jalen Rose and a 14 year old basketball fan from Detroit named Messiah.

Mary Golda Ross (feat. Crystle Lightning and Kristina Halona)

Nimene heads to outer space to make a brand new hip-hop track about Mary Golda Ross, the very first Native American female aerospace engineer. Featuring an interview between aerospace engineer Kristina Halona, a proud member of the Navajo Nation, and Vivian, an Odawa and Haudenosaunee 8 year old from Ohio.

Willi Smith (feat. Humberto Leon)

Nimene learns how ‘street couture’ fashion came to be with a brand new hip-hop track about fashion pioneer Willi Smith. Featuring an interview between fashion designer Humberto Leon and an 8 year old fashion lover from New York named Olivia.

Keith Haring (feat. Shepard Fairey, Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino)

Nimene shares a brand new, Beastie Boys-inspired track about legendary street artist Keith Haring. Featuring an interview between contemporary artist/activist Shepard Fairey and a 10 year old artist named Eva.

Kati Kariko (feat. Dr. Sanjay Gupta)

Ever wondered how vaccines work? Nimene finds out by creating a new hip-hop track about Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Kati Kariko. Featuring an interview between neurosurgeon and CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and an 11 year old named Ilyana.

Josh Gibson (feat. Fergie L. Philippe and Bob Kendrick)

Nimene learns about Josh Gibson, the greatest power hitter baseball has ever seen and Broadway star Fergie L. Philippe breaks it down in a brand new hip-hop track. Featuring an interview between Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and a 10 year old baseball enthusiast named Payton.

Claudette Colvin (feat. Roxane Gay)

Nimene creates a stirring hip-hop track about the civil rights activist Claudette Colvin, who, as a teenager, refused to give up her seat on an Alabama city bus months before Rosa Parks’ famous protest. Featuring an interview between New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay and a 6 year old named Stella.

Ida Tarbell (feat. Susan Orlean, MOZIAH and Carly Ciarrocchi)

Welcome to Historical Records, a brand new family podcast where host Nimene turns history into hip-hop with the help of rappers, researchers and raccoons. In our very first episode, we learn all about the trailblazing, muckraking journalist Ida Tarbell, who took down one of the most powerful monopolies in history with the power of her pen. Featuring an interview between author/journalist Susan Orlean and a 12 year old writer from Colorado named Sophia and a brand new hip-hop track featuring MOZIAH and Carly Ciarrocchi.

Introducing: Historical Records

Listen to a sneak preview of Historical Records, an explosive fusion of history and hip-hop from executive producers Questlove and the Story Pirates. Featuring brand new hip-hop tracks about unsung and under-celebrated historical icons like Claudette Colvin, Keith Haring, Willi Smith and Josh Gibson, Historical Records proves that in order to make history, you have to make some noise.