The 500th Episode of Live on KEXP!

On the show this time, we’re celebrating our 500th episode! Thank you to all of you who have listened and supported the show over the last 10 years. We’re releasing this into the world just one day later in the year than the very first episode featuring Courtney Barnett dropped on September 14th back in 2015. Featuring six songs picked by the Live on KEXP podcast team.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the indie R&B of South Asian-American singer Raveena. She self-released her first EP Shanti in 2017, and the single “If Only” blew up, especially after an appearance on Berlin-based minimalist YouTube channel COLORSXSTUDIOS. Her latest is her third studio album Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain, available on the Empire imprint Moonstone Recordings. Recorded May 1, 2025 Rise Smile For Me Baby Mama If Only  Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the indie R&B of South Asian-American singer Raveena. She self-released her first EP Shanti in 2017, and the single “If Only” blew up, especially after an appearance on Berlin-based minimalist YouTube channel COLORSXSTUDIOS. Her latest is her third studio album Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain, available on the Empire imprint Moonstone Recordings. Recorded May 1, 2025 Rise Smile For Me Baby Mama If Only  Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the Nigerian Afrobeat of Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun Kuti is Afrobeat royalty – the son of Fela Kuti, and the leader of Fela’s former band Egypt 80 since 1997. He’s released seven studio albums since then, playing saxophone and singing in addition to running the band. Their latest is Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) available on Record Kicks out of Milan, Italy. Recorded May 7, 2025 Stand Well Well T.O.P. Emi Aluta Bad Man Lighter Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the Nigerian Afrobeat of Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun Kuti is Afrobeat royalty – the son of Fela Kuti, and the leader of Fela’s former band Egypt 80 since 1997. He’s released seven studio albums since then, playing saxophone and singing in addition to running the band. Their latest is Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) available on Record Kicks out of Milan, Italy. Recorded May 7, 2025 Stand Well Well T.O.P. Emi Aluta Bad Man Lighter Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it's the Peruvian-influenced, rock n roll-cumbia, of Chicha Libre. Chicha Libre is the Brooklyn-based psychedelic-cumbia band, formed by Olivier Conan in the early 2000’s.  They are non-traditional, avoiding claims to specific authenticity.  Instead they borrow what sparks interest, absorbing not only Peruvian chicha, but also Afrobeat, Cuban danzón, and parts of North American country music.  They’ve released an EP - Cuatro tigres, and two studio albums - Sonido Amazonico! and Canibalismo - all available on Bandcamp and their own Barbés Records imprint. Recorded May 6, 2025 Tres Pasajeros Danza De Los Simpsons Danza Del Millonario El Borrachito Popcorn Andino Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it's the Peruvian-influenced, rock n roll-cumbia, of Chicha Libre. Chicha Libre is the Brooklyn-based psychedelic-cumbia band, formed by Olivier Conan in the early 2000’s.  They are non-traditional, avoiding claims to specific authenticity.  Instead they borrow what sparks interest, absorbing not only Peruvian chicha, but also Afrobeat, Cuban danzón, and parts of North American country music.  They’ve released an EP - Cuatro tigres, and two studio albums - Sonido Amazonico! and Canibalismo - all available on Bandcamp and their own Barbés Records imprint. Recorded May 6, 2025 Tres Pasajeros Danza De Los Simpsons Danza Del Millonario El Borrachito Popcorn Andino Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the R&B-electronica solo record of Little Dragon front-human Yukimi. Yukimi is a Swedish singer and songwriter, known for starting the band Little Dragon with her high schoolmates and for her collaboration with Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album. Her stunning vocals have been featured on tracks by DJ Shadow, De La Soul and Odesza. She’s performed with Jose Gonzalez, with whom she shares a hometown - they are both from the city of Gothenburg. She’s recorded a solo record titled For You and released it on Ninja Tune in 2025. Recorded April 30, 2025 Elinam Stream of Consciousness Sad Makeup Rules of School Runaway Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the R&B-electronica solo record of Little Dragon front-human Yukimi. Yukimi is a Swedish singer and songwriter, known for starting the band Little Dragon with her high schoolmates and for her collaboration with Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album. Her stunning vocals have been featured on tracks by DJ Shadow, De La Soul and Odesza. She’s performed with Jose Gonzalez, with whom she shares a hometown - they are both from the city of Gothenburg. She’s recorded a solo record titled For You and released it on Ninja Tune in 2025. Recorded April 30, 2025 Elinam Stream of Consciousness Sad Makeup Rules of School Runaway Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the Guembri driven Moroccan rock of Bab L’ Bluz. Bab L’ Bluz is at its core a duo: singer/guitarist Yousra Mansour and producer/guitarist Brice Bottin. A shared love for Moroccan Gnawa music led them to learn how to play the Guembri – a kind of 3 stringed bass instrument – and its smaller relative the Awisha. They started a rock band, using those instruments to take the roles respectively of bass and guitar. They released their first album Nayda! in 2020. Their latest is called Swaken and it is available on Real World Records. Recorded May 5, 2025 Ila Mata Imazighen IWAIWA FUNK AmmA Hezalli  Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.