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
How Norm Winter revolutionized music and radio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:02
The former co-owner of Jelly’s, Radio Free Hawai’i and now owner of Idea’s Music and Books talks about his contribution to Hawai‘i’s Hip-Hop and independent music scene. Alanui Mele: Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop History Follow us on:…
Hawai'i's house dance culture | Kaleo Ten [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:03
Known for his groundbreaking music and culture magazine, Quad Mag, this tech guru and dancer breaks down the history of Hawai‘i’s house dance culture. Alanui Mele: Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop History Follow us on: YouTubeInstagramTi…
DJ, music and television producer | Jay "DJ Jay-P" Park [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:36
An audio engineer, music producer, television producer and DJ rewinds his life and times in Hawai‘i’s Hip-Hop and local music scene. Hosted by Kavet the Catalyst Alanui Mele: Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop History Follow us on: YouTube…
Hawaiʻi's first Locker and Popper | Kalani Young [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:59
One of Hawai‘i’s first lockers and poppers, this performer from Waipahu, Central O‘ahu, took the style worldwide. Today, he continues to keep alive the legacy of Don Campbell, the Godfather of Locking. Hosted by: Kavet t…
First Native Hawaiian Rapper on Wax | Lionel Wright [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:57
In 1991, MC Lionel Wright and his crew, Club Rox Rock, released one of Hawai‘i’s first rap CDs, Hyped, Dope, Def & Direct. We learn more about the Papakolea, Honolulu native and what rapping was like in the early years o…
Hawai'i T.V. and Radio Legend | Kamasami Kong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:36
Meet the host of Breakin’ Hawai‘i (1984), one of the first TV shows that featured local breakers, poppers and lockers. The show, seen statewide, launched Hip-Hop culture into Hawai‘i homes. Alanui Mele: Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop H…
Jason "Buz 1" Tavares [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:38
An integral part of Hawai‘i's underground hip-hop scene in the late 80s into the early 90s, Tavares pushed the limits of lyricism with his original styles and freestyle flows as a member of the Hi-State Family, VM and Mo…
Terrence "Big Teeze" Hallums [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:54
Hallums was one half of HerbanJoint, Hawai‘i's first rap crew toever rock the stage with Hip-Hoplegends like Cypress Hill, Houseof Pain and the Pharcyde. Thisgold record recording artist, radiohost and entrepreneur share…
DJ Kutmaster Spaz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:15
A master of the mix and cut on the turntables, this DJ started in his bedroom and quickly opened his own club, started radio stations and a multimedia empire. Hosted by: Kavet the catalyst Alanui Mele: Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop Hi…