Fresh off the Spaceship

KEXP

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Fresh off the Spaceship tells the story of the Black Constellation, an artist collective (Shabazz Palaces, THEESatisfaction, Ya Tseen) with Seattle roots and cosmic reach. Hosted by KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. and Martin Douglas, each of the 10 episodes takes listeners on a musical journey connecting the stars of the Black Constellation and drawing meaning from their art, emphasizing the revolutionary power of communion along the way.

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Top 10 Fresh off the Spaceship Episodes

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Ishmael Butler Shines a Light (Part One)

Fresh off the Spaceship

03/18/22 • 35 min

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Ishmael Butler is a renaissance artist who has lived many lives. You may know him from the Grammy-award winning hip-hop trio Digable Planets or the mysterious force behind the critically acclaimed Shabazz Palaces. But he doesn’t just use his powers to innovate and reinvent himself – he spreads love and inspiration as a teacher and guide to his artistic family. In his art and lifting up the Black Constellation, he’s helped put a beacon on Black art in Seattle.

On this episode, we explore Ishmael’s journey from the West Coast to the East Coast and back again. Through all his stylistic reinventions and his current artistic life as lynchpin of Shabazz Palaces, son of the Central District and under-heralded hip-hop visionary.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03/18/22 • 35 min

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Nep Sidhu: Finding the Seams

Fresh off the Spaceship

05/20/22 • 93 min

Toronto-based omnidisciplinary artist Nep Sidhu realizes the infinite potentials of all materials: sound, space, or steel. The power of convening, invitation, and intention charges his artistic practice, informed always by spirit and service. In his hands and heart, unbroken melody and the throughline between worlds become manifest.

In this episode, we learn what drives Nep’s continuum of care, stewardship of culture, and dedication to truth. Nep and his closest conspirators observe the protection, possibility, and portal in his work—and the community that comes through the door.

Thank you to KMRU, Laraaji, Nailah Hunter, Noel Brass Jr., Shabazz Palaces, Space Afrika, Silver Jackson, Erik Blood, and OCnotes for lending their music to this episode.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

05/20/22 • 93 min

Erik Blood, Super Producer and Certified Freak

Fresh off the Spaceship

05/13/22 • 86 min

Erik Blood is the technical wizard of the Black Constellation. He’s worked with nearly every artist in the Constellation and has left an undeniable footprint on Seattle music at large. But he’s more than just a “behind the scenes” force. When Blood steps up to the mic, he uses every instrument and genre in his arsenal to convey his truths and intersecting identities.

On this episode, Blood relays his journey into music production from recording tracks on a Teddy Ruxpin to producing pivotal Seattle records for Shabazz Palaces, Tacocat, THEESatisfaction, Moondoggies, and more. Blood also digs into his solo work, the way sexuality plays into his music, and growing up in a Black and white home. Blood’s love of music and skill in capturing its recorded essence knows no boundaries.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

05/13/22 • 86 min

OCnotes, the 808 Punk

Fresh off the Spaceship

05/06/22 • 82 min

Otis Calvin, III – aka OCnotes – is a prolific, renegade artist. A songwriter, producer, and visionary who not only transcends genre but denies any type of barrier – musical or otherwise. With a staggering nearly 300 albums to his name, OC is as prolific as they come. Fiercely independent in all senses of the word, Otis doesn’t compromise his vision for anything or anyone – let alone capitalist industry structures that would only hold back his astounding output. He’s the Dennis Rodman in a collective full of Dennis Rodmans.

In this episode, OC gives his candid thoughts about the music industry, his always expanding catalog, and the punk roots that inform his art and approach. For OC, the process of making music itself is a spiritual practice. Beneath all the grit and tenacity is a deep love for music and expression.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

05/06/22 • 82 min

Nicholas Galanin Closes the Distance

Fresh off the Spaceship

04/29/22 • 73 min

Nicholas Galanin is the force behind musical projects Ya Tseen, Indian Agent, and Silver Jackson. Based out of Sitka, Alaska, he creates art – both musical and physical – from and for his Tlingit community. Continuum is core to Galanin’s being. Being of both Tlingit and Unangax̂ heritage, Galanin’s work is concerned with serving his community and creating space for their voices, art, and culture in a world that has intentionally tried to strip it away. His collaborations as part of the Black Constellation represent an important statement of solidarity between Black and Indigenous artistic communities.

In this episode, we journey with Galanin through his numerous musical projects, his HomeSkillet festival and label, and some of his various exhibits and large scale art installations, like the “Never Forget” piece that saw him placing the words “INDIAN LAND” in Palm Springs in the style of the Hollywood sign. Galanin’s work is a mirror to the past while reflecting toward the future.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04/29/22 • 73 min

Universal Mother: JusMoni’s Love In Practice

Fresh off the Spaceship

04/22/22 • 61 min

JusMoni is not just a musical artist, but the embodiment of her city and a vessel for her ancestral spirits. She’s a mother, a poet, an organizer, a bereaved, and a light. Her music and performance is where these many facets of herself intersect. While she may be the youngest member of the Constellation, her wisdom exceeds her age and finds the ears of the rest of the constellation.

On this episode, Moni shares her story – and by extension, a deeper story about Seattle. Moni and her peers reflect on the Eritrean restaurant Hidmo that became a hub for local hip-hop, the intersecting identities with her family that she channels through her performance, motherhood, and her community and social justice work.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04/22/22 • 61 min

Interlude: Mac Dre was one of God for us

Fresh off the Spaceship

04/15/22 • 5 min

On this episode of Fresh off the Spaceship, we take a quick detour from our normal episodes to bring you a special interlude. Black Constellation member JusMoni reads an original piece, “Mac Dre was one of God for us” over Erik Blood’s song “The Exchange” featuring Palaceer Lazaro (Ishmael Butler) and Tendai Maraire.

Read the full piece on KEXP.org

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04/15/22 • 5 min

Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes Clears Some Space Out

Fresh off the Spaceship

04/08/22 • 113 min

Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes is a multi-disciplinary artist – a filmmaker, writer, designer, and founding member of the Black Constellation. His work has been shown at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum National History in New York, and the Frye Art Museum in Seattle – including a series of exhibitions in collaboration with several members of the Constellation. He’s also directed music videos and short films for Shabazz Palaces, THEESatisfaction, and Porter Ray.

In this episode, Larry Mizell, Jr. hosts an extended conversation with Alley-Barnes. The two discuss not just Alley-Barnes’ work, but the pivotal art and community work of his parents, the engine of erasure that resounds throughout Seattle, and grander ideas around attribution, continuum, and authenticity. If every member of the Black Constellation is a star, Alley-Barnes is akin to gravity – an unseen force putting pieces into motion and holding disparate artistic worlds together.

Thank you to Beverly Glenn-Copeland, KMRU, Laraaji, Nailah Hunter, Niecy Blues, Noel Brass Jr., Shabazz Palaces, Space Afrika, and Yves Tumor for lending their music to this episode.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04/08/22 • 113 min

Stas THEE Boss Pays the Cost in Change

Fresh off the Spaceship

04/01/22 • 71 min

Stasia Irons, aka Stas THEE Boss, is an agent of change, a self-fulfilled prophecy of art as a means of embracing Blackness and queerness. Through her early days as half of the Sub Pop-signed hip-hop duo THEESatisfaction through her solo work, Stas has always been “ahead of her time.” But Stas isn’t content to be looked back on as an innovator – she boldly and correctly asserts that her work deserves its recognition now.

On this episode, Stas and her Black Constellation family reflect on her artistic journey, her heartbreaks, and the philosophies that made her one of America’s most gifted and slept-on rappers and producers. We also hear reflections on the term “Afrofuturism,” the burden of being the first in an artistic movement, and the spiritual and familial continuum she and the Constellation all work within.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04/01/22 • 71 min

Ishmael Butler Shines a Light (Part Two)

Fresh off the Spaceship

03/25/22 • 65 min

Following the break-up of Digable Planets and a return to Seattle, hip-hop visionary Ishmael Butler begins his rebirth with a new project called Shabazz Palaces. From selling handmade copies of his CD to local record stores to signing with Sub Pop and touring the world with the likes of Radiohead, Butler finds new life and sounds that inspire a new generation of rappers.

In the second part of Butler’s story, hosts Larry Mizell Jr. and Martin Douglas dig deep into his work as Shabazz Palaces and breakdown his lyricism, influence, and the familial bonds that stretch throughout the Black Constellation.

Listen to a playlist of music from the episode and read the transcript on KEXP.org

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/fresh

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03/25/22 • 65 min