Episode #23 | 10.23.18

Rick James: Superfreak, an Understatement

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In this episode

Rick James may have been born into a life of crime but he was determined to make his way in life through music. He intimidated George Clinton, inspired Prince and more than likely saved Jim Morrison’s life. Rick James was rock ‘n roll’s Zelig. He was also sex-crazed, dangerous and heavily addicted to crack cocaine. Three traits that led to two separate arrests for the kidnapping and torture of two different women. Listen to this episode of Disgraceland to hear the tale of the one and only Superfreak, Rick James.

Sources

Glow: The Autobiography of Rick James by Rick James with David Ritz

Rolling Stone: From Dali to Beastiality, The 10 Craziest Stories in Rick James’ Memoir

Los Angeles Times: Rock Star James, Held on Torture, Sex Charges, Is Released on Bail

Los Angeles Times: Women Recounts Tale of Abuse at James Trial

E News: Rick James Autopsy Shocker

Disgraceland is a podcast about musicians getting away with murder and behaving very badly. It melds music history, true crime and transgressive fiction. Disgraceland is not journalism. Disgraceland is entertainment. Entertainment inspired by true events. However, certain scenes, characters and names are sometimes fictionalized for dramatic purposes

Music

Score by Jake Brennan.

Mixed and Engineered by Sean Cahalin.

Disgraceland theme song, "Crenshaw Space Boogie" written and produced by Jake Brennan. Performed by Jake Brennan, Bryce Kanzer, Jay Cannava and Evan Kenney. Mixed and engineered by Adam Taylor.

This episode featured the song, "Cherokee Up On The Roof" by the Disgraceland Players. Written and produced by Jake Brennan, Adam Taylor and Tony Goddess and recorded at Bang A Gong Studios.

*illustration by Avi Spivak @avispivak