Advertise on podcast: Deep Hidden Meaning Radio with Nile Rodgers

The Latin pop superstar celebrates 50 years in music.

The artist on on bands, Billie, and Bond.

Ten-time Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and artist FINNEAS joins Nile Rodgers to discuss his new band The Favors, his solo work, and his collaborations with his sister Billie Eilish. FINNEAS reveals the “cloak-and-dagger” behind-the-scenes story of the James Bond theme No Time To Die, the “gift” of Billie’s bury a friend being used as the theme for HBO’s True Detective, and how much he loves humor in music. He also talks about writing with Ashe for The Favors’ album The Dream, the compromises he makes in his music, and how his sister always gets the final say on their songs: “You’re the one that’s going to sing this song 200 times this year.” All full episodes of Deep Hidden Meaning are available to Apple Music subscribers on Apple Podcasts.

The Smiths’ guitarist on his songwriting secrets.

The hit songwriter on writing global smashes

The two friends on how they survived the 80s.

Nile Rodgers and Billy Idol have been close friends since the early 1980s, when Billy moved to New York City. In a decade defined by excess, the two managed to survive the city’s wild party scene and each created some of the era’s most iconic tracks. In this fascinating and often hilarious conversation, the disco pioneer and the English punk reflect on their unlikely friendship and explain why Billy’s upcoming documentary is titled Billy Idol Should Be Dead. We hear how Billy fused danceable beats with punk attitude to become an MTV mainstay, and uncover the stories behind global hits like 'White Wedding', 'Rebel Yell', and 'Eyes Without a Face'. All episodes of Deep Hidden Meaning are available to Apple Music subscribers on Apple Podcasts.

The secrets behind her biggest songs.

Maggie Rogers and Nile Rodgers first bonded while taking part in a discussion for Apple Music’s “100 Best Albums” in 2024. Since then, they've become firm friends, and in this equally fascinating and hilarious conversation, they reveal the many areas in which their lives deeply connect. Central among these connections is their shared belief that making music "has to be fun!" When they reveal details about their recent songwriting collaboration, Nile admits, "We've been f**king laughing for an hour; we did that s**t in 10 minutes!” And when Maggie cracks up recalling how her song "The Kill" simply doesn't translate well to giant sports stadiums, Nile can't contain his laughter either. It's a frank, honest, and genuinely funny moment in a very special conversation. The episode dives into Maggie Rogers' personal stories and secrets behind some of her most significant songs, beginning with one of her earliest tracks written in high school (“I can really f**k up a sad, melancholy mid-tempo ballad”). They discuss their respective collaborations, including Maggie's experience working with Zach Bryan on "Dawns," and Nile’s partnership with Peter Gabriel, specifically the track that still frustrates Nile for never becoming a big hit. Maggie also reflects on her breakthrough song "Alaska," explaining how its success led her to question everything and why reliving personal emotions through music every night feels "so deeply abnormal." All episodes of Deep Hidden Meaning are available to Apple Music subscribers on Apple Podcasts.

How he wrote hits for Ariana, Nicki, Demi, and more.

The Latin music hitmaker on his biggest songs.

Edgar Barrera’s 24 Latin Grammy Awards—including Songwriter of the Year in 2023 and 2024, and Producer of the Year in 2021, 2023, and 2024—only begin to illustrate his immense influence on today’s hit music. In recent years, Barrera has become the go-to songwriter for artists seeking to expand their musical range. His work with Grupo Frontera, most notably pairing them with Bad Bunny on “Un x100to,” has introduced Regional Mexican music to brand-new audiences, giving the band its first Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Other artists who have benefited from Barrera’s songwriting include Shakira, Karol G, Maluma, Peso Pluma, Camilo, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, and Madonna. As Latin music continues to cross over into traditionally English-language charts, Barrera’s influence is increasingly recognized and he is nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the Grammys in February 2025. In this fascinating conversation, Edgar Barrera and Nile Rodgers discuss the songs that have cemented Barrera’s reputation, and reveal the secrets behind his extraordinary success. All episodes of Deep Hidden Meaning are available to Apple Music subscribers on Apple Podcasts.

The singer-songwriter on his biggest hits.

Legendary singer-songwriter Jackson Browne sits down with Nile Rodgers to discuss the songs that have made him one of music's all-time greats. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Browne's third album, Late for the Sky, which Bruce Springsteen hailed as his "masterpiece." During their conversation, Jackson Browne reminisces about creating that iconic record and shares stories behind other timeless hits like "Doctor My Eyes," "The Pretender," and "Running on Empty." He also reflects on his early days with Nico's band in 1960s New York, his role in writing "Take It Easy" for the Eagles, and how he has blended music with social causes throughout his long career. All episodes of Deep Hidden Meaning are available to Apple Music subscribers on Apple Podcasts.

The country songwriter shares his secrets.