Cambridge Audio’s Made by Music Podcast Celebrates 50 Years of Hip-hop with Romesh Ranganathan

Hip-hop is turning 50. If that makes you feel old — it might be time to dust off that Technics deck and get back into the groove.

Cambridge Audio is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of hip-hop with a special one-off episode of the Made By Music podcast, with famed comedian (The Cynic Netflix special, The Ranganation), and hip-hop lover Romesh Ranganathan.

Dropping the day of the anniversary on Friday 11^th August – 50 years after DJ Kool Herc performed at a back-to-school party in the Bronx – the episode explores Romesh’s history with hip-hop and his favourite tracks, as well as hip-hop’s global impact and evolution over the last half-century. 

On top of his stand-up and acting, the award-winning Romesh Ranganathan also presents the BBC Radio 2 show For The Love of Hip-Hop, building on his renowned podcast Hip-Hop Saved My Life.

In this special episode of Made By Music, Romesh also shares with host Sean Hannam: his favourite Wu-Tang Clan member (clue: it’s not Raekwon); his most embarrassing hip-hop moments; his own plans to celebrate the 50^th anniversary; and how the music translates in a live setting.

Talking about a Kano gig he went to, Romesh said: “I looked down from the balcony, and it felt like the building was shaking. It just went off.

“As a comedian, I’ve been to loads of gigs and when you see how the music moves people…you can’t help feeling envious. It’s a connection, it’s an incredible thing.”

The Made By Music podcast explores the songs that have inspired and meant the most to iconic music makers. Previous interviewees span multiple decades and genres, with early episodes featuring Boy George, Fatboy Slim, The Smiths and Blur producer Stephen Street, London’s First Lady of Soul P.P. Arnold and more.

More recent interviewees have included Leftfield’s Neil Barnes, Lush’s Miki Berenyi and the iconic actor and folk musician, Matt Berry. Since launching exclusively on Spotify in May at the world’s biggest hi-fi show, High-End Munich, the independent podcast has seen more than 10,000 plays. 

As well as the podcast special, Cambridge Audio has also spoken to Dudley Jaynes, aka Whirlwind D, of Solid n Mind. A short film with him will come out later this month, alongside more hip-hop celebrations.

Listen to Made By Music exclusively on Spotify: bit.ly/madebymusic

Related eCoustics Podcast: How Cambridge Audio’s “Music First” Ethos is Making Itself a Final Destination For Music Listeners

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