60 Songs That Explain the '90s

Rob peruses the limelight love story of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck while celebrating J.Lo’s 2002 smash hit, “Jenny From the Block.” Later, he is joined by writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd to discuss the music and the drama that came with J.Lo in the 2000s. Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Julianne Escobedo ShepherdProducers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin SaylesAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob homes in on the specific and strange political moment in which Toby Keith made "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue." Then, he’s joined by New Yorker music writer Kelefa Sanneh to discuss the song’s themes, cultural reception, and musical merit and the state of how we talk about Keith’s career. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Kelefa Sanneh Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob heads back to Brooklyn to explore the 2003 indie-rock staple “Maps” and the history of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Later, he is joined by Niko Stratis to further explore the indie jam’s success. Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Niko StratisProducers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob is back from hiatus with a loaded episode! Join him as he straddles the line between real life and virtual reality when discussing the virtual band Gorillaz and the career of its creator, Damon Albarn. Later, Rob is joined by Jeremy Gordon, the author of 'See Friendship' and senior editor at The Atlantic, to get to the bottom of how Gorillaz became so popular (1:07:00). Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Jeremy Gordon Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn more about...

We know, it's been a while. But, Rob and his producer pals are working hard on the show. See you in two weeks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance, Ringer senior staff writer Justin Charity explores some of the critical moments of Kendrick’s story: from a legendary come-up in the rap blog era of the late 2000s to his early stardom in the 2010s to his fiery resurgence in the past several months as he takes a never-ending victory lap after winning his war against Drake.Host: Justin CharityProducers: Vikram Patel, Justin Sayles, Chelsea Stark-Jones, and Bobby WagnerStory Editing: Aric JenkinsSound Design, Mixing, and Master...

Listen to Rob and Yasi, joined by Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey live from the Lodge Room in Los Angeles! In this song draft, the crew is picking between the best soundtracks of the 2000s.Hosts: Rob Harvilla and Yasi SalekGuests: Chris Ryan and Sean FennesseyProducers: Adrian Bridges, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re celebrating the Canadian rock band Nickelback! Along the way, Rob discusses butt rock, anti-Nickelback memes, and his friend stealing his girlfriend in high school. Later, author and columnist Leslie Gray Streeter joins the show to defend Nickelback fans and much more.Pre-Order, Leslie’s new book, ‘Family & Other Calamities: A Novel’ here.Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Leslie Gray StreeterProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin SaylesAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn more about your ad choices...

Rob celebrates pop icon Rihanna while looking back at her smash hit “Umbrella.” While combing through Rihanna’s expansive career, Rob also discusses whether Jay-Z’s guest verse on “Umbrella” is the worst of his career. Later, Brittany Spano joins the show to answer the difficult question of what song is Rihanna’s best, and much more.Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Brittany SpanoProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin SaylesAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob explores the genre-fluid positive energy of rap/reggae/rock ‘90s holdovers 311 and their hit ‘Amber.’ Among other things, he also talks about them as a bridge from a previous era, the musicality of their bass in particular, and the way they’re in conversation with bands that petered out in the ‘90s, as well as bands that grew in popularity in the 2000s. Then, Rob is joined by New York magazine music critic Craig Jenkins to discuss why 311 is actually good and situates their legacy as it stands today.Yasi's GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.c...

Rob examines the crossroads of Usher’s pop star persona and Lil Jon’s unique vocal and musical genius this week when taking a look back at the smash hit “Yeah!” (1:00). Then, he is joined by Clover Hope to talk about the construction of Usher’s career, the imagery and storytelling that went into making him more interesting to audiences, his staying power, and more (59:00).Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Clover HopeProducers: Jonathan Kermah, Justin Sayles, and Bobby WagnerAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn more a...

Rob looks back at the music career of pop star Avril Lavigne while celebrating her smash hit “Complicated.” Along the way, Rob dives deep into the idea of the anti-Britney Spears and much more! Later, he is joined by Marissa Moss to discuss Avril Lavigne’s potential influences, debating what song is her best, and more.Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Marissa MossProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin SaylesAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen as Rob celebrates the life and career of the music icon who is Johnny Cash and his 2002 legendary cover of “Hurt.” Along the way, Rob discusses Cash’s work with Rick Rubin and much more. Later, Rob is joined by the Ringer’s Brian Phillips to further celebrate Johnny Cash’s greatness.Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Brian PhillipsProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin SaylesAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob travels down memory lane and looks back at his not-so-kind review of Linkin Park’s diamond-selling debut album, 'Hybrid Theory,' before celebrating the band’s undeniable greatness. Along the way, he also pays respect to the late Chester Bennington. Later, Rob is joined by John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats to discuss Linkin Park’s ability to connect with the youth of the early 2000s, and much more.Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: John DarnielleProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin SaylesAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn...

Join us in a moment of 60 Songs history being made as Missy Elliott becomes the first artist with not one, but two songs in the 60 Songs hall of fame with “Work It” added to the mix. In celebration, Rob shares memories from his time at DJ camp as well as a list of some of his favorite songs of all time! Stay and hear Justin Charity join the mix and discuss Missy’s legacy and Virginia’s impact on hip-hop.Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Justin CharityProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin S...

This week, Rob assures you that yes, he was there, boots on the ground, for the indie rock (nay, indie sleaze?) boom that hit New York City in the 2000s. Rob sets the stage for the music scene that MGMT launched itself into, before he ultimately unpacks the pop sensation qualities of its megahit “Kids.” Later, music writer Larry Fitzmaurice joins to parse the indie pop scene, share what it was like to cover MGMT during its ascension, and weigh in on the legacy that the band's music and particular aesthetic have today.Host: Rob...

It’s Jimmy Eat World Day here at '60 Songs,' and in typical Rob fashion, we take the scenic route to get to “The Middle.” Before we talk Jimmy Eat World’s smash hit, we discuss the time Rob’s friend got hit with a t-shirt cannon. Later, Rob is joined by ‘The Watch’ host Andy Greenwald to discuss his days of interviewing Jimmy Eat World, and more.Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Andy GreenwaldProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin SaylesAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn more...

Rob looks back at some major performances that came with pregnancy announcements, before focusing in on M.I.A and her 2008 hit “Paper Planes.” Along the way, Rob also touches upon the controversies that came with M.I.A’s fame. Later, writer and editor Puja Patel joins to discuss dancing on stage with M.I.A, the political and cultural conversation around the artist back in 2008, and much more.Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Puja PatelProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin SaylesAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie <...

Join Rob in watching a mosh pit from a safe distance away while we celebrate System of a Down’s “Chop Suey.” Along the way, Rob discusses tension amongst band members, their potent political messages, and Rick Rubin’s impact on the band. Later, Rob is joined by Bandsplain’s Yasi Salek to further discuss System of a Down’s impact, their hometown of Glendale, and much more!Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Yasi SalekProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...

Rob looks back at some of the greatest haters in the history of music in celebration of the legendary hater and rapper that is 50 Cent. Later, Rob guides us through the rise of 50 Cent in the early 2000s. Then, he’s joined by The Ringer’s Charles Holmes to discuss 50 Cent’s history of rap beefs and more!Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Charles HolmesProducers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin SaylesAdditional Production Support: Olivia Crerie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...