Rick Rubin
In addition to being a podcast host, Frederick Jay “Rick” Rubin is an American record producer and former co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, he is the co-founder…
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Today on Broken Record, we’re joined by the one and only Bootsy Collins.
Bootsy burst onto the scene in the early ’70s as James Brown’s young, electrifying bass player. But it was with Parliament-Funkadelic that he truly found his voice—or rather, his voices—balancing raw, uncut funk with a psychedelic, intergalactic persona that would go on to inspire artists from Prince to Thundercat.
In this conversation with Justin Richmond, Bootsy reflects on what it’s been like to navigate life as both William Collins—the introspective, spiritually grounded man from Cincinnati—and Bootsy, the rhinestone-rimmed avatar of groove. He also opens up about his legendary songwriting partnership with George Clinton and keyboard genius Bernie Worrell, and how the three of them helped create some of the most joyful and mind-bending music in American history.
Even now, more than 50 years into his career, Bootsy remains on the cutting edge—embracing new technology, collaborating with a new generation of artists, and continuing to spread The One with his latest release, Album of the Year #1 Funkateer.
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Bootsy Collins songs HERE.
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The Hosts
Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell is co-founder of Pushkin Industries and host of the hit podcast Revisionist History. He is a journalist, a speaker, and the author of several New York Times bestsellers including The Tipping…
Justin Richmond
Justin Richmond is producer and co-host of the music podcast Broken Record with writer Malcolm Gladwell, New York Times editor Bruce Headlam, and music producer—and Def Jam co-founder—Rick Rubin. Justin…
Bruce Headlam
Bruce Headlam is one of the co-creators of the music podcast Broken Record. He worked at The New York Times for 19 years, including two years running the 50-person Video…
Leah Rose
Leah Rose is a senior producer and hosts episodes of Broken Record. A former music editor at XXL Magazine, she also served as an on-air personality for Eminem’s SiriusXM channel, Shade 45.…
