On the tenth episode of The FADER Uncovered, host Mark Ronson is joined by J Balvin, the global superstar whose charisma and chart-topping hits have taken Spanish language music to unparalleled heights in the past decade. Together they revisit Balvin’s 2016 FADER cover, written as the Colombian reggaetón artist was playing arenas in South America and looking to make waves in the U.S. and beyond. They look back on Balvin’s past five years, including appearances at the Super Bowl and on stage at Coachella during Beyoncé’s iconic headline set, while picking apart the wider impact it has had on the music world. Ronson also dives into Balvin’s new album Jose, his most personal album so far.

Fader Uncovered

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The FADER Uncovered: J Balvin

On the second episode of Season 2 of The FADER Uncovered, host Mark Ronson is joined by Kelis, the genre-defying, future-everything artist whose arrival on the music scene two decades ago changed the game forever. Together they revisit Kelis’s 2001 FADER cover, written between the release of her iconic albums Kaleidoscope and Wanderland. They look back on that period of Kelis’s career, taking in everything from making studio magic with The Neptunes to the downsides of touring Europe with U2. They also reminisce about the time Kelis, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, catered a party at Mark’s, and look forward to new music, including her latest single, “Midnight Snacks.”

The FADER Uncovered: Kelis

On the third episode of Season 2 of The FADER Uncovered, host Mark Ronson is joined by Japanese Breakfast aka musician and author Michelle Zauner. Together they revisit Zauner’s 2018 FADER cover, written shortly after the release of Japanese Breakfast’s second album Soft Sounds from Another Planet. Since then the band has released new album Jubilee while Zauner published her memoir, New York Times best-seller Crying In H Mart, written about losing her mother and establishing her own identity. Zauner guides new fan Ronson through her career to date, from her early forays into music through to the viral New Yorker essay that led to her book, and onto her most recent project; scoring indie video game Sable. They also spend time discussing their shared love of Japanese city pop and coming to terms with your artistic voice.

The FADER Uncovered: Japanese Breakfast

On the thirteenth episode of The FADER Uncovered, host Mark Ronson is joined by My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. Together they revisit James’ 2006 FADER cover, written shortly after the release of the band’s breakout album Z. Since then the band has released five more studio efforts, including new album My Morning Jacket. James has also released a series of solo albums and formed the Monsters of Folk supergroup alongside Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst, M. Ward, and Mike Mogis. Both producers, James and Ronson geek out over the mystic qualities of a good studio and discuss how a change in temperature can make all the difference when it comes to laying down classic tracks. James also talks to Ronson about his interest in transcendental meditation as well as his feelings towards religion and the polarized state of online discourse.

The FADER Uncovered: My Morning Jacket

On the latest episode of The FADER Uncovered, host Mark Ronson is joined by legendary rap producer DJ Premier. Together they revisit Premier's 1999 FADER cover, a joint interview conducted alongside Rev. Run of Run DMC and Rage Against The Machine’s Zack de la Rocha. Super fan Ronson then grills Premier on his legendary ‘90s period, when he was one half of Gang Starr and also producing grimy NY rap bangers for the likes of Biggie and Nas. They also chat about Premier’s love of Duran Duran and the time he joined Ronson in the DJ booth among many other things.

The FADER Uncovered: DJ Premier

On the latest episode of The FADER Uncovered, host Mark Ronson is joined by hook lord Ty Dolla $ign. Together they revisit Ty’s 2014 FADER cover, written off the back of his cult Beach House mixtapes and before he dropped debut album Free TC. Since that cover story Ty has established himself as an integral part to many great hip-hop or R&B tracks, lending his distinctive vocals to songs by Kanye West, Post Malone, and Megan Thee Stallion to name just a few. Ty casts his mind back to his early days hustling in New York before returning to his native LA and finding his musical crowd, including producer DJ Mustard and rapper YG. They discuss old school R&B and house influences, the keys to a successful collaboration, and touring with Justin Timberlake, as well as sharing stories about how nervous meeting Stevie Wonder made them both feel.

The FADER Uncovered: Ty Dolla $ign

On the latest episode of The FADER Uncovered, host Mark Ronson is joined by Big Boi. Together they revisit the three occasions Big Boi has graced the FADER cover, twice as part of Outkast and again in 2005 alongside his protege, a young Killer Mike. The importance of Big Boi’s role in putting his beloved Atlanta on the hip-hop map is beyond compare. He talks to Mark about his earliest days making music alongside Andre 3000 right up to their crowning moment, winning the Grammy for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below in 2004. Mark also lavishes praise on his guest for gifting him multiple classics for his DJ sets and Big Boi even drops an exclusive update on his long rumored collaboration with Kate Bush.

The FADER Uncovered: Big Boi

On the latest episode of The FADER Uncovered, host Mark Ronson is joined by Pharrell Williams for the first in a two part interview. Together they revisit The Neptunes’ 2002 FADER cover and look back on the breakthrough period of Pharrell’s career, discussing the magic of working with colorful characters including Mystikal, N.O.R.E. and Ludacris. Pharrell also lifts the lid on what it’s like in the studio with Jay-Z and how a refusal to be confined to any one kind of music led him to where he is today. Be sure to join us next week for Part II of the conversation.

The FADER Uncovered: Pharrell Williams Part 1

On the latest episode of The FADER Uncovered, host Mark Ronson is once again joined by Pharrell Williams for the second part of their epic interview. This time out they discuss Pharrell’s punk education at the iconic 9:30 Club in DC, his love of go-go music, why Lenny Kravitz is underrated, and the surprising origins of N.E.R.D.’s rock sound before the pair stop to give A Tribe Called Quest legend Q-Tip his flowers as one of the most influential figures in musical history.

The FADER Uncovered: Pharrell Williams Part 2

This week Ronson is joined by rapper, author, and business mogul Rick Ross. Together they revisit the Miami rapper's 2006 FADER cover, written just as his breakout hit "Hustlin'" was blowing up. Ross looks back to a time before "Hustlin'," including a time when a car crash made him re-evaluate life and almost quit rap altogether. They also touch on his stratospheric rise in the hip-hop game, collaborating with Kanye West in Hawaii, his new book The Perfect Day to Boss Up, and what it's like to perform at a bar mitzvah.

The FADER Uncovered: Rick Ross

"Fool's Gold" was composed, produced, performed, and mixed by Isobel Morris. It's her first original solo single since transitioning. Hair & makeup by Danielle McNicholas.

How do you feel 
When you're trapped like a rat 
By the side of the road 
Sifting through the lead 
For some glimmer of gold? 

How do you know 
That the wheel keeps on turning 
When you're not around 
Will it still go around and around? 

Who's got the inclination now? 

Oh we'll find it in our time 
Smile and cross the wires 

Show me the key to a common mystique 
Where you learn not to speak 
Lest you seem indiscreet 
Plotting out your retreat 

And what's to be said 
When you're dead on your feet 
Like a living cliché 
Time has made obsolete 
Trading on 
Some checkered reputation 

Oh oh oh 
I can't listen to you anymore 
But I want you to know 

Your time is on the wire 
On the wire 

Out of the blue 
Some trace of a vague transmission 
Has made it through 
The purest love you never knew 
Was the warm embrace of a fool 
But the sound of her voice is fading 
And her face is receding from view... 

Oh I looked away 
So little communicated 
Yet so much to say 
And a fear mere words could not allay 
Can you feel the things that I do?

Fool's Gold (digital 45)

Fool's Gold (single mix)

I'm a singer and songwriter who produces her own material. Also founder of Analog Birds and Whipping Girl. My entire solo catalogue is available at isobelmorris.bandcamp.com for free!

Fool's Gold (single mix)

Isobel Morris

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