Lisa Maffia came to prominence in the early 2000s as the only woman in So Solid Crew, the platinum selling UK Garage act from South London that took over the UK mainstream. Lisa joins Zakia in the NTS studio in London to reflect on Lisa’s younger years and the early days of So Solid Crew, through to Lisa’s solo career. Lisa and Zakia discuss the hi…

Mark Mothersbaugh is the co-founder and lead singer of iconic American new-wave band, Devo. As the band embark on a global tour, Mark and Zakia reflect on the first 50 years of Devo and they speculate on what the next 50 years of the band will look like. Mark recalls some of his successful moments of subversion; placing subliminal messages into sod…

Lloyd ‘Bullwackie’ Barnes and his legendary Wackie’s institution has been at the heart of the dub and reggae scene since the 1970s. Starting out as a tailor to reggae’s brightest stars, Bullwackie quickly started working as an engineer at Treasure Isle and Studio One studios in Kingston, Jamaica. On moving to New York with his family he became imme…

Accra-via-Atlanta rising Alté pop sensation Amaarae is the subject of this episode of Don’t Assume, where host Zakia discusses the release of her acclaimed new album, Fountain Baby, and everything that went into making it. Discover how the rich musical scenes of the cities Amaarae grew up in helped anchor a distinct musical taste that has made her …

One of England's best loved folk singers, Shirley Collins talks to Don’t Assume host, Zakia Sewell (a life-long Shirley Collins fan) about her 60 year career in folk music. Recorded from her front room in Lewes, the conversation covers everything from Shirley’s legendary trip around the American South with folklorist Alan Lomax in the 1950s to her …

Terre Thaemlitz, commonly known as DJ Sprinkles, is an artist, producer and public speaker at the heart of club and experimental culture. Now based in Japan, she grew up in rural Missouri and moved to New York in 1986. His musical output has spanned intoxicating deep house to stripped back experimentation. Her work takes a critical look at identity…