The Sounds That Inspired Basquiat
Basquiat’s work was shaped by sound—jazz riffs, punk distortion, dub echoes, and early hip-hop beats.
Curated by NTS Radio, this 45-minute mix brings together the music that moved through Jean-Michel Basquiat’s world. It features the artists he listened to obsessively—Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Grandmaster Flash—alongside downtown New York sounds that defined his creative community.
Each track reflects a part of his process. Bebop matched the speed and improvisation of his brushstrokes. Punk and No Wave mirrored the urgency and chaos of the streets he painted. Dub and reggae offered rhythm, repetition, and roots.
The result is a sonic portrait of an artist who didn’t separate music from visual art. They were part of the same gesture—layered, looping, and alive.
