History of Reggae and Hip Hop on Redefinition Radio

As I was packing up playtherecords headquarters for our move across the bay to Oakland this weekend, I finally got a chance to listen to the three reggae/hip hop sets Kevin Beacham has done so far for his Redefinition Radio show on Minnesota Public Radio. The ongoing conversation between reggae and hip hop is a subject I find really fascinating, so it is a treat to hear a radio show that lays out that conversation in a historically minded, loosely chronological fashion. Beacham narrates in a friendly, conversational tone, but also knows when to hang back and let the music do the talking. So far he's drawn songs from the 80s and early 90s, but he's promised two more programs that I expect will edge towards more recent material.

Redefinition Radio (shows are Real Audio).

I don't know how long these will be available, so listen to them now.