The Beat with Ari Melber

From rebuking Pres. Bush over Hurrican Katrina, to backing Pres. Trump, to mounting his own brief run for President, Ye (formerly Kanye West) has made himself a controversial, unavoidable part of American politics, music, culture, fashion, social media, and business for decades. Two of his oldest collaborators and friends, Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, explain their belief and fascination in the artist and billionaire entrepreneur Ye -- even amidst some disagreements over politics, values, and business -- as they unveil one of the most unusual, long-running documentaries ever made, Netflix's "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy." The new film draws on hundreds of hours of previously unseen footage, 20 years in the making, which began when Simmons decided to devote years to filming a then-unknown music producer. In one of the most extensive, in-depth interviews about the project, Simmons and Ozah talk with MSNBC anchor and music obsessive Ari Melber about Ye; his relationship with them, other artists and his mother Donda - whom they knew well; the complex backstory of the project; the racial dynamics that Ye faced in the industry; their discussions about Drake narrating the film; how anyone can tap the lessons of passion and a "genius" mindset; and, on a lighter note, the way a young Ye's retainers figured into his early years. Ye is a complex artist and person who has proven controversial, maddening, gifted, and inspiring to so many people around the world. This bonus podcast explores some of the reasons for that, with people who have studied his life and work.  To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus episode, P-Funk legend George Clinton joins MSNBC’s Ari Melber for an extended interview, discussing Cardi B, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and sampling; performing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; art in the COVID era; delaying his retirement; advice on longevity in music and life; and an encounter that informs his belief that there is life beyond earth. The discussion was taped in June 2021, after Clinton played in Central Park in one of the first performances after the pandemic. This bonus episode also includes Melber's Fallback Friday conversations with Clinton.  To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grammy-winning Colombian artist J Balvin had an intense 2020 -- battling a severe COVID case that he says "almost killed" him; releasing a new album that went quadruple platinum and made him one of the most streamed artists of the year; beginning work on a new album "Jose" (Sept 2021); and continuing his advocacy for mental health and connecting with his growing global fan base. The Reggaeton icon opens up about all of it in this extensive, in-person interview with MSNBC anchor Ari Melber.   To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk sits down with MSNBC's Ari Melber in this extensive interview to discuss how he got his start, what it means to be an entrepreneur in the digital age, his thoughts on bitcoin, NFTs, social media -- and why he thinks the establishment will "never" love him. Note: This video contains some adult language. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Writer Fran Lebowitz applies her iconic candor and wit to the insurrection, voter suppression, feminism, the news media, comedy — and why she says she’s not a pessimist, despite her reputation— in this wide-ranging interview, a new installment of The Summit Series with Ari Melber, featuring discussions with leaders at the summit of their fields. The series debuted in 2021 with Melber’s interview with Bill Gates. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In an extensive interview from his Atlanta studio, Lil Baby talks about music, his signature "drawl," his approach to success, the trap, why he rarely orders platinum plaques for his hits and what it meant to make Barack Obama's playlist and meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. The 26-year-old talks with MSNBC anchor and music lover Ari Melber, and answers "lightning round" questions about what he thinks of artists like Drake, Jay Z, Young Thug and Diddy. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus edition of "The Beat's" podcast, rapper, singer and author Russ discusses music, creativity, business and independent thinking in a wide-ranging discussion for “Mavericks with Ari Melber,” a series of interviews with leading artists, musicians and cultural icons. The two also discuss Russ’s marijuana business and related advocacy; his views on hip hop’s relationship with mafia films; controversies in the music industry from unfair contracts to alleged fake streaming; and several references to Russ’s lyrics also arise over the course of the conversation. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a special in-depth report, Ari Melber goes through history and examines the way black artists and activists confronted racism and police brutality in their music and their own lives. Melber traces history from the works of Sam Cooke and Billie Holiday to N.W.A and 2Pac, and how many of their messages ring true today. Melber also looks at politicians who attacked these artists, demonizing their music and message. New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries joins for a special conversation on the report. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus podcast episode, Playwright Jeremy O. Harris talks with MSNBC's Ari Melber on Instagram live. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This bonus podcast episode features Ari Melber's extended interviews with 50 Cent and Vic Mensa. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.