Track Star · Research
Testing Fab 5 Freddy's Music Knowledge | The Track Star Podcast
This week on the Track Star Podcast, we’re joined by hip-hop ambassador, Fab 5 Freddy. Freddy reflects on the relationships and experiences that shaped his creative journey—starting with his early love of graffiti and expanding into music, dance, film, and beyond.
He shares stories about the artists who left a lasting mark on him, including Blondie, N.W.A., Nas, Talking Heads and Q-Tip, while also exploring the influence of genres like punk and jazz on his upbringing. From listening to his own godfather Max Roach, to hosting one of the largest shows on MTV, Freddy guides us through his unparalleled life, and the people that made it happen.
In asking Freddy about the creation of his film Wild Style (1983), the discussion also surrounds the energy of New York City in the 1970s and ’80s, unpacking how the roots of hip-hop’s identity culminated in the Bronx and eventually spread across the country, especially to the West Coast.
Freddy is truly one of the most culture defining guests we’ve had on the podcast so far, and the stories he tells are packed with unmatched first-hand perspective. We can’t wait for you to hear it!
- Intro
- ‘Round Midnight - Thelonious Monk
- The Magnificent Seven - The Clash
- Rapture - Blondie
- Take Me to the Mardi Gras - Bob James
- That’s the Joint - Funky 4 + 1
- Express Yourself - N.W.A.
- One Love (ft. Q-Tip) - Nas
New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every Wednesday. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1d5i6AQX4dZaO4MDCbdhjR
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-track-star-podcast/id1836496108
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-track-star-podcast-294088650/
More platforms: https://play.megaphone.fm/f-rd86qotxojfhckdq6uaa
Track Star Team: Jack Coyne, Kieran Coyne, Henry Kornaros, Haley Sobel, Alex Fabry, Sarah Mann, Ellie Aslanian, Ryan Dirgins, Simone Woronoff
He shares stories about the artists who left a lasting mark on him, including Blondie, N.W.A., Nas, Talking Heads and Q-Tip, while also exploring the influence of genres like punk and jazz on his upbringing. From listening to his own godfather Max Roach, to hosting one of the largest shows on MTV, Freddy guides us through his unparalleled life, and the people that made it happen.
In asking Freddy about the creation of his film Wild Style (1983), the discussion also surrounds the energy of New York City in the 1970s and ’80s, unpacking how the roots of hip-hop’s identity culminated in the Bronx and eventually spread across the country, especially to the West Coast.
Freddy is truly one of the most culture defining guests we’ve had on the podcast so far, and the stories he tells are packed with unmatched first-hand perspective. We can’t wait for you to hear it!
- Intro
- ‘Round Midnight - Thelonious Monk
- The Magnificent Seven - The Clash
- Rapture - Blondie
- Take Me to the Mardi Gras - Bob James
- That’s the Joint - Funky 4 + 1
- Express Yourself - N.W.A.
- One Love (ft. Q-Tip) - Nas
New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every Wednesday. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1d5i6AQX4dZaO4MDCbdhjR
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-track-star-podcast/id1836496108
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-track-star-podcast-294088650/
More platforms: https://play.megaphone.fm/f-rd86qotxojfhckdq6uaa
Track Star Team: Jack Coyne, Kieran Coyne, Henry Kornaros, Haley Sobel, Alex Fabry, Sarah Mann, Ellie Aslanian, Ryan Dirgins, Simone Woronoff
By Track Star* @track-star-show on YouTube, 8 April 2026
Source and credit
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Video: Track Star* (@track-star-show) on YouTube, posted 8 April 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBy9QC4FQRg- Engagement (2026-10-11)
- 34,691 views · 1,270 likes · 145 comments
- Saved
- 2026-10-11 with yt-dlp metadata only (nothing downloaded)
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- All rights belong to the creator. Shown with YouTube's embedded player, which the owner allows; no copy is kept.