Looking For The Perfect Beat

Looking for the Perfect Beat is the new podcast from Arthur Baker that dives into what drives artists across music, film, art and literature.

Hosted by producer and DJ Arthur Baker, the show reconnects friends and collaborators featured in his new memoir (also titled Looking for the Perfect Beat) for honest, behind-the-scenes stories that go deeper than anywhere else.

In this wide-ranging, funny, and deeply reflective conversation, Arthur Baker sits down with Irvin Welsh to trace a shared life shaped by music, clubs, chaos, creativity, and collaboration. From disco, punk, and rave culture to Bowie, Chic, house music, and the birth of Trainspotting, Welsh explains how music became the foundation of his storytelling and worldview. The two revisit their early collaborations, misadventures in studios and clubs, and how raving ultimately pushed Welsh toward writing his first novel. Along the way, they reflect on joy, discipline, failure, AI, collaboration, and why disco still represents the purest human expression of freedom and movement.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for the Perfect Beat is the new podcast from Arthur Baker that dives into what drives artists across music, film, art and literature.
Hosted by producer and DJ Arthur Baker, the show reconnects friends and collaborators featured in his new memoir (also titled Looking for the Perfect Beat) for honest, behind-the-scenes stories that go deeper than anywhere else.

In this episode Arthur Baker sits down with legendary producer Marley Marl for a wide-ranging conversation about the origins of hip-hop, disco, and sampling culture. From early days in Queens and Astoria to legendary studios like Unique and Power Play, Marley reflects on how street culture, radio, and emerging technology shaped an entirely new sound.

They revisit pivotal moments including the creation of Roxanne’s Revenge, the rise of the Juice Crew, and Marley’s work with artists like Biz Markie, MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, and LL Cool J. Marley shares how radio—especially his time at BLS with Mr. Magic—became a powerful launchpad for breaking records, and how his first producer check led to buying the Roland TR-808, forever changing his musical direction.

The conversation also explores the transition from disco to hip-hop, the importance of engineers and studios, and Marley’s perspective on the evolution (and dilution) of modern hip-hop.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Looking for the Perfect Beat podcast, Arthur Baker sits down with legendary singer Brenda K. Starr. They discuss her early musical inspirations, the influence of her family, and her journey through the music industry, including her friendship with Mariah Carey. Brenda shares her experiences in the Latin freestyle scene, the challenges she faced, and her current projects, including her new music and record label. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for the Perfect Beat is the new podcast from Arthur Baker that dives into what drives artists across music, film, art and literature.

Hosted by producer and DJ Arthur Baker, the show reconnects friends and collaborators featured in his new memoir (also titled Looking for the Perfect Beat) for honest, behind-the-scenes stories that go deeper than anywhere else.

In this episode, Arthur sits down with powerhouse vocalist Taylor Dayne, revisiting their shared history from New York clubs to global charts. They trace Taylor’s journey from Bronx childhood and AM radio obsessions to “Tell It to My Heart,” Clive Davis, and the whirlwind of late-’80s pop stardom. Arthur and Taylor unpack their collaborations, including the song that Clive passed on but later became a Tina Turner anthem, and remember wild nights at Lucky Strike, Café Tabac, and studio sessions with future icons like Avicii. Taylor reflects on surviving the industry, honoring mentors like Diane Warren and Whitney Houston, and why she still feels driven to make new music and protect the value of artists today.

Produced by Damian Wilson
In partnership with Wax Poetics
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for the Perfect Beat is the new podcast from Arthur Baker that dives into what drives artists across music, film, art and literature.

Hosted by producer and DJ Arthur Baker, the show reconnects friends and collaborators featured in his new memoir (also titled Looking for the Perfect Beat) for honest, behind-the-scenes stories that go deeper than anywhere else.

In this episode, Arthur sits down with Kieran Hebden, aka Four Tet. They trace Kieran’s musical journey from growing up in a house full of jazz, soul, and Motown, to forming Fridge, discovering electronic music, and producing groundbreaking records. Together they revisit the London underground of the late ’90s and early 2000s, Output Records, Trevor Jackson, and the nights where Boards of Canada, Daft Punk, and Ronnie Size played back-to-back.

Kieran shares the story behind his collaborations with Pharoah Sanders, Neneh Cherry, Thom Yorke, and the birth of his DJ career that led all the way to Madison Square Garden and Coachella with Skrillex and Fredagain. He also opens up about his landmark battle for fair artist royalties and how creativity, not commerce, has always driven him.

Produced by Damian Wilson
In partnership with Wax Poetics
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.