ALANUI MELE - Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop History

ALANUI MELE - Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop History

Author: PBS Hawaiʻi Language: English Episodes: 29
Tune into ALANUI MELE-Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop History for a journey down the vibrant, often overlooked streets where island rhythms meet boom-bap beats. This isn't just a chronicle of music; it's an oral history of a community, presented by PBS Hawaiʻi. With host Kavet the catalyst guiding the conversation, each episode features candid, revealing interviews that go beyond the surface. You'll hear directly from the artists, producers, and pioneers who shaped a distinctive local sound, understanding how global hip-hop was woven into the very specific cultural fabric of the islands. The stories captured here are about identity, resistance, and creativity, offering a deep dive into how a genre born far from the Pacific found a profound and lasting home in Hawaiʻi. This podcast serves as an essential archive, celebrating the voices and tracks that built a movement. Expect to discover hidden gems, pivotal moments, and the personal narratives that give this music its powerful resonance, all while gaining a new appreciation for Hawaiʻi's contribution to a worldwide cultural force.
Episodes
Kavet the Catalyst is the Lightsleepers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:20
Kavet the Catalyst is a Hawaiian MC, DJ, Producer and Curator of Hip-Hop in Hawaiʻi. He founded the Lightsleepers, in 1997 while hosting a radio show on KTUH 90.3fm and turned that opportunity into a clothing brand with…
SPEL ONER from the streets to the world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:54
Early in his art career, SPEL ONER realized that his creative journey extended far beyond graffiti. With an uncanny skill for computers, design, and illustration, he recognized an opportunity to channel his creativity in…
Creed Chameleon rapping from Waipahu to Las Vegas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:05
Creed Chameleon, originally from Waipahu, has been rocking the mic for over two decades. His relentless work ethic and commitment to staying true to his sound have earned him opportunities to share the stage with hip-hop…
John Iervolino record producer and island music visionary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:45
This month we talk with a guest who is known for producing several chart-topping remixes through the 1980s and ’90s. John Iervolino’s determination laid the ground work for his success and for a partnership between his r…
I.A. the Kamaʻaina Classic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:10:53
I.A. the Kama‘āina Classic Hawai‘i-born rapper, actor and entrepreneur Jordan “I.A.” Salud began rapping in high school while living in San Diego. He eventually moved back to the islands, where he refined his signature i…
Woes Martin the Angry Woebots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:50
Aaron “Woes” Martin This Kāne‘ohe native, best known for his larger-than-life “Angry Pandas” paintings, has taken his art across the globe, spreading his deep love for hip-hop culture wherever he goes. Emerging as a key…
OSNA does it all. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:48
Our first episode of season 3, kicks things off with a progressive figure in the local scene. As a DJ, rapper, and producer, Osna made waves in the early and mid-2000s with his sharp battle raps and gritty, genre definin…
THNK on documenting Hawaii Graffiti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:20
Our guest this month has been a curator of Hawai‘i’s graffiti culture since the 1980s. Hear how a passion for photography led him to document this vibrant island subculture, and how he launched Hawaiian Knights, an indep…
Maui's DJ Skinny Guy represents for all Hawaiʻi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:16
Representing Maui, Hawai‘i, DJ Skinny Guy was the first Hawai‘i DJ to battle in the ITF and DMC DJ competitions in 1996. Alanui Mele: Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop History Follow us on: YouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebook
2SHY Hawaiʻi’s first female graffiti writer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:20
We learn about Hawai‘i’s first female street artist growing up in the 1980s and the story of her friend “TRIAD3,” who passed away in high school. Alanui Mele: Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop History Follow us on: YouTubeInstagramTikTokF…