Book cover of Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope

Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope with Ayanna Dozier

A Black female artist fighting to control her career, her body, and her life, Janet Jackson was a 20th century icon. As a part of our minicast on politics, Ayanna Dozier – author, filmmaker, and performance artist – shares her experience writing about The Velvet Rope for our 33 1/3 series, while tackling Black women’s sexuality and bodily autonomy, technophilia, online structures of oppression, and much more. This episode is for anyone wondering about Janet Jackson’s life and legacy and the influence she still has on artists today.

Tom Petty’s Southern Accents book cover

Tom Petty’s Southern Accents with Michael Washburn

Having grown up in northern Florida, Tom Petty had a distinctly narrow view of America—something that is apparent in his album, Southern Accents. In this interview, author Michael Washburn analyzes these songs and Petty himself, commenting on the prevailing racial prejudices that still exist in the south today. Covering everything from 80’s rock ‘n’ roll to white nationalism, this episode discusses a music legend while also revealing some of the vital southern culture that he was misconstruing.

The Beatles’ Let It Be books cover

The Beatles’ “Let it Be” with Steve Matteo

May 8th 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ Let It Be album—the recording sessions for which might be the most dramatic, creative, and chaotic of their career. In celebration, author Steve Matteo gives a behind-the-scenes look into the Beatles themselves, the story of Let It Be, and the many interviews he had with people close to the band.