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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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'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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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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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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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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DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash

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The History of Hip-Hop

DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash

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. He also is credited with creating the "Quick Mix Theory" — blending one music break with another.

DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash

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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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Finding the Outsource of Life

For an article in Esquire magazine, editor A.J. Jacobs outsourced many of the mundane tasks of his life to a company in India... from answering e-mail to arguing with his wife and reading to his son at bedtime.

Finding the Outsource of Life

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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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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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Arts & Life

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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Law

Private Judge Handles Aniston-Pitt Divorce

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt finalized their divorce Tuesday thanks to Jill Robbins, a private judge. By using her services, Pitt and Aniston were able to keep the proceedings private. They were also able to expedite the divorce.

Private Judge Handles Aniston-Pitt Divorce

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