Best Beat Culture Podcasts (2024)

1
How are we documenting dance music in 2024? (with Chloe Lula) 34:40

2d ago34:40

34:40

So much of nightlife and electronic music is ephemeral, enjoyed in the moment. But those nights and moments and sounds are simultaneously something we want to preserve – whether through is an exciting new online mix, blurry phone photos from our last night out, a heavy coffee table book, or even a museum. This week, Otto Kent and Juba are joined by…

1
Is dance music truly a community? (with Cormac) 31:54

9d ago31:54

31:54

We live in a time of division and polarization. But when it comes to dance music and club culture, we like to think of them as a unified global community. How true is that, really? In this episode, Otto Kent and Juba are joined by Cormac, the DJ, Polari Records owner and host of the Queerly Beloved podcast. They dig into what exactly people mean wh…

1
What's club and dancefloor etiquette in 2024? (with Cassidy George) 35:28

16d ago35:28

35:28

We love to go out to clubs and have a good time with friends and strangers alike. But anytime you're on a crowded dancefloor, not everyone’s going to be on the same page when it comes to appropriate behavior. The way we all act and interact can make or break a night, but these expectations can also be hard to pin down, and vary widely depending on …

1
How do we feel about posthumous albums? (with Christa Belle) 36:20

23d ago36:20

36:20

In September, the visionary electronic producer SOPHIE released what was promoted as her final album, three years after her tragic passing. And people had a lot of opinions on it – as they usually do with music that comes out after an artist's death, whether it's Tupac, Avicii, Lil Peep, DJ Rashad, Prince, or many, many others. There are moral and …

1
Can you copyright a rhythm? (with Oscar Atanga) 32:50

1M ago32:50

32:50

That's what the Jamaican production duo Steely & Clevie are trying to do, with an ongoing lawsuit claiming ownership of the so-called "dembow" riddim – the basis for reggaeton worldwide. It's one of the most significant music copyright cases of the last decades, with significant and widespread implications for both the mainstream music world and un…

1
Have we reached peak DJ? (with Kikelomo & OttO Kent) 32:12

1M ago32:12

32:12

Clubs are closing all around the world, but it still seems like there are more DJs than ever before. Why do so many people want to be DJs – whether bedroom amateurs or touring professionals? And how does all the attention and effort affect the scene? In this episode, Otto Kent and Kikelomo explore the ongoing impact of the pandemic and social media…

1
What's going on with the drum & bass and jungle revival? (with DJ NORTHERN) 31:17

1M ago31:17

31:17

It’s not just Fred again fans trying to identify an unfamiliar genre. Drum & bass, jungle, and breaks are back in a big way – both in the underground and on the UK charts. Chase & Status have earned #1 records, artists like Kenya Grace are going viral, and there's a vanguard of producers like Tim Reaper and Nia Archives waving the flag for the genr…

1
What can we do about club closures? (with Surf 2 Glory) 31:21

2M ago31:21

31:21

Clubs in Berlin are closing at a rapid rate – including the legendary Watergate. And it’s not just Germany. In the UK, a study found that if nightlife continues struggling at the same rate, there will be no clubs by 2030. Some of these issues are perennial, but the reality is that “Clubsterben” is accelerating – even though there seems to be more m…

1
Is Brat Summer really over? (with Kikelomo & Juba) 28:13

2M ago28:13

28:13

We're back for our first episode after the summer break. Or shall we say... Brat Summer break? With her sixth studio album, BRAT, released this last June, Charli XCX sparked what was arguably the biggest pop culture trend of the social media age so far. From underground producers serving up remixes to brands (and presidential candidates) jumping on…

1
Why do we love merch? 27:17

4M ago27:17

27:17

Do you still feel like wearing a piece of merch makes you a part of a specific subculture? Or has that sense of exclusivity and meaning been lost? This week, our host Otto Kent speaks to writer Claire Mouchmore about our shifting relationship with merch, and how that's changed along with the internet and the explosion of niche identities. Plus, we …

1
Are we getting nostalgic about social media? 28:11

4M ago28:11

28:11

Do you also miss the magical, fun parts of social media? With noplace hitting the top of the American app charts Kikelomo and OttO Kent are reminiscing on their personal journey in social media. They’re sharing hot takes, making confessions about being comment warriors, and talking about what it takes to put the social back in social media. Plus: B…

1
Ellen Allien, what made Melt so special? 24:39

4M ago24:39

24:39

Melt-Festival is celebrating its final edition this weekend after more than 25 years. We spoke to the legendary Ellen Allien, who has played the festival more than anyone, about her memories from the famous Sleepless Floor over the years, and what made Melt so significant to ravers in Germany and beyond. Also, Juba presents this week’s news: Honey …

1
Sofia Kourtesis in Conversation: Berlin clubs, love songs vs. bangers, DJ mums 55:02

5M ago55:02

55:02

Just a few days before her Glastonbury show Sofia Kourtesis joined us for an in-depth conversation. The Peruvian singer, producer, and DJ has lived in Berlin for 20 years now and released her debut album “Madres” last year to critical acclaim. Together with OttO Kent, Sofia talks about being a DJ mum, approaching music like a filmmaker, and why she…

1
How did dance music come to dominate Glastonbury? 29:38

5M ago29:38

29:38

It's Glastonbury time – and this week, we're diving into the past, present, and future of electronic music at the UK’s biggest music festival with the Editor of Resident Advisor, Gabriel Szatan. Also, Kikelomo presents this week’s news: From far-right remixes of hit songs and Justin Timberlake's viral arrest to a new podcast from Ableton. Dazed - T…

1
What’s the perfect workout music? 26:01

5M ago26:01

26:01

With the Euros on, the Olympics upcoming, and everyone getting back into summertime Strandbad shape, we bring back The Week co-host Juba to chat with Otto Kent about the connections between fitness and music, and their favourite workout tunes. Also, Otto presents this week’s news: The impending shutdown of mix database MixesDB, British fashion bran…

1
Eliza Rose in Conversation: gentrification, staying underground and “BOTA” 53:36

5M ago53:36

53:36

Her anthem “Baddest Of Them All” went viral on TikTok in 2022, hit number 1 in the UK and is now certified double platinum. Life has been a crazy ride lately for Eliza Rose. What most people don’t know is that the DJ, singer and producer from Hackney, London, has been an institution for British club culture long before she was headlining big festiv…

1
Sugababes on remixing Push The Button, Gen Z and UK garage 12:36

5M ago12:36

12:36

The Sugababes are definitely having a moment right now. Between new music, appearances at festivals like Glastonbury and MELT, and them being all over our TikTok feeds, the legendary London group is back in a big way. As part of Deutsche Telekom’s Summer To Remember campaign, their biggest hit Push The Button has been remixed by Berlin duo DJ Heart…

1
What can we do about rave fatigue? 22:46

6M ago22:46

22:46

Have you been feeling too tired to go out clubbing recently? You are not alone. There is even a word for it: rave fatigue. For this week’s episode Kikelomo talks to music journalist Marie Dapoigny about how rave fatigue has become a thing, and what we can do about it as a community. Plus: a youth initiative going viral with a D’n’B tune, a new docu…

1
What makes a great festival? 32:16

6M ago32:16

32:16

With festival season approaching, OttO Kent invited co-host Juba to share some of their best and worst festival experiences ever. What are they hyped for in 2024? How important is the line-up? What’s their take on mega festivals like Coachella? And what about the toilet situation…? Plus: Open AIs new chatbot reminds people of the movie HER, Apple M…

1
Drake vs. Kendrick: What remains of rap's biggest beef in years? 34:02

6M ago34:02

34:02

This week, Juba speaks to Shani Atani to peel back the meta and musical layers behind the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, and how listeners choose sides in the digital age. Plus: fka Twigs on AI deepfakes, Eurovision Song Content controversies and the North American premiere of Daft Punk's Interstella 5555. Interstella 5555 at Tribec…

1
Narciss in Conversation: nostalgia, "Bad Drag" and aging backwards 1:03:50

7M ago1:03:50

1:03:50

Narciss is on a mission to make techno fun and colorful again. Born and raised in Berlin, the DJ and producer is the opposite of what their name might suggest, more like a nerdy video game fan, a 90s kid who’s grounded, humble, amazingly charming – and a queer icon in the making. After witnessing their first Loveparade in their mother’s womb, Narci…

1
The Stud: How can we preserve our favorite clubs? 23:59

7M ago23:59

23:59

This week, OttO Kent speaks to Marke Bieschke of the Stud collective to learn the inspiring story of a community banding together to save a beloved local venue. Plus: an iconic house label is reborn, Black British music at the British Library, and celebrations of Rico Wade of Organized Noize and footwork pioneer DJ Rashad. Support the Stud Beyond t…

1
Dweller: What's the story behind the festival dedicated to Black electronic music? 26:23

7M ago26:23

26:23

This week, Kikelomo speaks to Ryan C. Clarke of the Dweller festival and blog about their work centering and celebrating Black artists and perspectives. Plus: Weekend One of Coachella, a BPM ban in Chechnya, anti-LGBTQ laws in Georgia, and Earth Day initiatives from EarthPercent. Read the Dweller blog Learn more about EarthPercent The Week is a pro…

1
Who the heck is HorsegiirL? 28:55

7M ago28:55

28:55

This week, Otto Kent speaks to returning guest Christa Belle about the enigmatic and very viral DJ/producer HorsegiirL – and what her popularity tells us about the current dance music. Plus: An awkward encounter with Tyler the Creator, music courses on Spotify, a new lease for the long-running Berlin venue YAAM, and a new database dedicated to gend…

1
Kelela in Conversation: RAVEN era, staying offline, building community 51:53

8M ago51:53

51:53

As a queer, black, female artist working with everyone from Solange to PinkPantheress, Swarovski to Ferragamo, Kelela has been pushing boundaries on representation in music and fashion since the early 2010s. After disappearing from the public and taking an extended social media hiatus, Kelela reemerged in 2023 with the critically acclaimed album RA…

1
Why have so many Black women been written out of dance music history? 27:35

8M ago27:35

27:35

This week, Otto Kent speaks to the Berlin-based DJ and music producer Sarah Farina about her work with Chicago house vocalist Tish Bailey, and the frequent erasure of Black women from dance music history. What can be done to help change it? Plus: A new Beyoncé album, Wizkid disavows Afrobeats, YouTube introducing search by humming, and James Blake'…

1
What makes Berlin techno culture an intangible heritage? 27:09

8M ago27:09

27:09

Last week, UNESCO added Berlin techno culture to its list of "intangible cultural heritage." But what made Berlin eligible for this honor, how did it earn the recognition, and what impact does it actually have? Juba finds out more speaking to Ellen Dosch-Roeingh from Rave the Planet, the Berlin-based nonprofit that helped initiate and write the app…

1
Who cares about streaming payouts? 27:15

8M ago27:15

27:15

James Blake just went viral with a series of tweets about the state of the music industry, including one about artists not being able to live off streaming royalties. This isn’t news, we keep having the same discussion over and over again. Which leads us to the question: Does anyone actually care about streaming payouts? Juba joins OttO Kent in the…

1
Goodbye 2023! Hello 2024! 1:01:19

11M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

It’s that time of the year again! OttO Kent invites two familiar faces to the studio to look back on everything 2023: Juba and Christa Belle. They talk about what to take into 2024 and what to leave behind: Bandcamp, BeReal, Dubstep, Fred again.., filming random people on the street? And of course they each crown their own personal record(s) of the…

1
Does music make you sick?, NY nightlife major, streaming regulations 30:42

12M ago30:42

30:42

Why is there such a strong correlation between music and mental health? Our guest this week, Dr. George Musgrave, studies the psychological and working conditions of creative careers. The results turn out better for audiences than for artists. Plus: Retired detective becomes new nightlife mayor in New York and EU Parliament calls for new rules to r…

1
Harry Nuriev in Conversation: transformism, comfort in design, MTV Cribs 52:44

12M ago52:44

52:44

Harry Nuriev is an architect, a furniture designer, and an artist. He describes his approach as "transformism": creating new and exciting designs with what we already have, in contrast to producing something entirely new. Whether it is sofas made out of winnowed clothes, gamer chairs covered with lace, or a swimming pool tiled like a Photoshop tran…

1
fka.m4a about divas in house music, African languages in AI, Nina protocol 26:10

12M ago26:10

26:10

With their soulful vocals and melodies divas bring themes of love, acceptance and power to the dancefloor. Kikelomo talks to someone who brings the same energy to their sets: fka.m4a. Plus: A campaign in the UK to stop the use of rap lyrics and videos as evidence in criminal trials, an AI model that can understand and identify South African languag…

1
Anetha about family values in music, AI Pins, the Warehouse returning 28:39

12M ago28:39

28:39

Will “AI Pins” replace smartphones? That's not the only question about new generations that we ask ourselves in this episode. OttO also talks to Anetha about intergenerational understanding and exchange in dance music. Plus: the Warehouse is returning as a touring party brand, Cassie sues Diddy for sexual assault and André 3000 releases his debut s…

1
Genre vs. Identity, Controversial streaming royalties, Missy Eliot 29:53

1y ago29:53

29:53

Music taste and fandom have always been tied to our identities, but today it can seem like musical genres themselves are being replaced by identity-driven scenes. At least, according to music researcher Kriss Thakrar, who recently wrote a piece for the music industry blog Midia Research. OttO Kent invites Christa Belle to the studio to discuss this…

1
Bandcamp United, Beatles Now and Then, Sad Girl Music 25:59

1y ago25:59

25:59

After Songtradr bought Bandcamp, more than half of the staff has been booted out the door. In this episode Otto Kent talks to Ed Blair, one of the union's bargaining committee members. Plus: Listening to your favourite music actually acts as a painkiller, The Beatles released their final ever song with help from AI, and subcultures like “sad girl m…

1
Social Media in times of crisis, UMG invests in NTS, Sustainability 28:10

1y ago28:10

28:10

What a time to be online. In this week’s episode Kikelomo and OttO Kent discuss whether or not artists are obligated to post on social media in the wake of political crises. Plus: Fashion labels are recruiting and exploiting models from refugee camps, UMG is now NTS's largest shareholder, US states file a lawsuit against Meta accusing the company o…

1
Alcohol free parties, FKA Twigs Leak, Ray-Ban x Meta 23:50

1y ago23:50

23:50

Alcohol can be quite central and inescapable at clubs and parties. So what would happen if someone banned alcohol completely from their party? That’s basically what journalist Michelle Lhooq did at her ‘Shroom Raves’. OttO Kent talks to her about her inspiration for the idea and about what it means to create a space for experiencing other kinds of …

1
Intentional Spaces, Prada on the moon, Crystal Waters 29:24

1y ago29:24

29:24

Why is it more important than ever to create ‘safer’ spaces and awareness concepts in our club culture? And what can we all do, so that everybody feels safe while going out? Kikelomo talks to diversity consultant Lewamm Ghebremariam about the evolution of safer spaces, why she rather speaks about intentional spaces, and how the Netflix series “Sex …

1
Turkana on queer culture in Uganda, Bandcamp, Greenwashing Ban 28:48

1y ago28:48

28:48

While West-African music is celebrating new milestones globally, the electronic music scene is still underrepresented. The Nyege Nyege festival in Uganda and its community have been a centerpoint for highlighting dance music and queer culture from East Africa. In this episode Kikelomo talks to Turkana, who’s part of the experimental Anti-Mass colle…

1
Evolution of Latin music, Bad Bunny, British Vogue 29:05

1y ago29:05

29:05

Dance music from the Latin diaspora is making waves into the European scene – but who’s really profiting from the boom? This week OttO Kent talks to the Venezuelan writer and deputy editor of Crack Magazine Rachel Grace Almeida about the long-overdue attention that Latin American artists are getting, and why it’s problematic to lump all these artis…

1
Stop facing the DJ?, investing in songs, iPhone 15 29:45

1y ago29:45

29:45

Should we consider turning away from the DJ booth? That’s what an older generation of ravers is proposing on social media? Kikelomo has some strong feelings about that – and even the science to back them up. She’s joined by co-host OttO Kent to dive into the debate and to talk about the history and evolution of the DJ booth. Plus: Songs as investme…

1
Cult of the occult, money laundering on Spotify, Top Boy 23:04

1y ago23:04

23:04

Are demons taking over pop culture? This week OttO talks to a mystic creature herself – the british artist Sarahsson – about the current trend of playing with the devil, cybersigilism being the new tribal tattoos and how a new generation is charging their Whoppers while remixing the forbidden. Plus: African music getting some long overdue global lo…

1
Burning Man, A100 Wegbassen, Fast fashion collaboration 26:22

1y ago26:22

26:22

WTF was happening at Burning Man this year? First climate protesters were blocking the entrance, and then a rainstorm hit the desert playa so that people weren’t allowed to leave the ground. OttO – who’s an burner himself – talks to DJ Kim Ann Foxman, who’s been a Burning Man aficionado for decades. They talk about the reasons for people hating the…

1
Ukraine's sound of resistance, Fyre Festival, Burning Man 28:40

1y ago28:40

28:40

How is the electronic music scene in Ukraine keeping up and evolving since the Russian invasion? This week OttO Kent talks to Ukrainian DJ, promoter and producer Human Margareeta about keeping a culture alive and the importance of daytime raves during the war. Plus: first results of Berlin’s drug-checking program, protests at Burning Man, the unexp…

1
DJ Gigola on meditation, Albmania, Burna Boy 28:57

1+ y ago28:57

28:57

Can a DJ set be a guided meditation? This week OttO Kent talks to DJ Gigola about dance music as body music, her album “Fluid Meditations” and how everything is rhythmical. And since they both share a soft spot for ASMR, of course they had to try it in the studio. Plus: Burna Boy making history, Boiler Room Broadcast Lab, Albania as the hot spot fo…

1
Being a DJ is embarrassing, Rave The Planet, throwing things on stage 25:23

1+ y ago25:23

25:23

Do DJs have to be influencers nowadays? Why do some people feel that it’s embarrassing to be a DJ today? This week OttO Kent is talking to music journalist Shawn Reynaldo, who wrote about the changing perception of being a DJ in a recent essay that made a lot of waves. Plus: Tomorrowland partners up with TikTok up, why ‘Rave The Planet’ almost didn…

1
MCR-T & Miss Bashful on sexual humour, The Warehouse, Zelda 26:59

1+ y ago26:59

26:59

Did you notice sexual humour is making its comeback on the dance floor? For this week’s episode Kikelomo is talking to MCR-T and Miss Bashful about the legacy of sexually explicit songs in dance music. The couple just released what they call their “first born”: “Tootsie Pop”. Their debut album is full of horny club bangers. Plus: a pledge to boycot…

1
Climate-conscious DJs, Glastonbury, Move Your Body 24/7 27:15

1+ y ago27:15

27:15

This week Kikelomo is joined by Juba to talk about how being a DJ often clashes with being a climate activist: Where is the problem in blaming individuals? And how can the climate justice movement become more intersectional? Plus: Looking back on Glastonbury, Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton at Paris Fashion Week, listening to Marshall Jefferson…

1
diehuepsche about “Going Live”, Peggy Gou, Free Festivals 25:02

1+ y ago25:02

25:02

Have you seen Doja Cat previewing her upcoming album live on Instagram? In this week’s episode we are deep diving into going live together with one of the most iconic queer creators on the internet right now: Berlin’s own diehuepsche. Plus: Peggy Gou going viral on TikTok, a time machine to 2010, how to get Flo Rida to perform at your bar mitzvah, …

1
Vision Pro x Club Culture, Free Parties, Free Drug Testing 21:58

1+ y ago21:58

21:58

When Apple introduced the Vision Pro, everyone was completely hung up on the huge price tag. But is there a way we and the cultural spaces around us can benefit from such innovative, yet expensive products without having to actually own them ourselves? OttO Kent takes this question to Michail Stangl, a cultural commentator and musical curator best …

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