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Known today equally as a musician and actor, Ice Cube was born O'Shea Jackson. He first gained notoriety in the late 1980s with the revolutionary group N.W.A. He now also acts in and produces movies, including this year's comedy Are We There Yet? (This interview originally aired Jan. 10, 2005.)

Born James Todd Smith, LL Cool J was fascinated with rhyme and rap in high school, an obsession that made him Def Jam Records' first recording artist at age 15. The two-time Grammy winner also has launched a clothing line and acted in films. (This interview originally aired Sept. 25, 1997.)

Grammy-winning rapper and actor Will Smith has had success in music, movies and television. He began his career as the Fresh Prince with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Since then, he has acted in numerous films and been nominated for an Oscar, for his performance in Ali. (This interview originally aired Dec. 17, 2001.)

Called the "godfather of hip-hop," Russell Simmons has been credited with bringing rap to the mainstream. In the early 1980s, he helped found Def Jam Records, launching pad of legendary hip-hop acts like Run-D.M.C., the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J. (This interview originally aired Nov. 27, 2001.)

Darryl McDaniels is the "D.M.C" of the seminal rap group Run-D.M.C, which brought new fashion and language to popular culture. Their self-titled first album — the first rap record to go gold — was the first of a string of successful releases. (This interview originally aired May 19, 1997.)

We listen back to excerpts of interviews with and concerts by singer and guitarist Richard Thompson. A new box set collects more than 40 years of his work.

In his autobiography, Batman and Me, Kane tells how he came up with the idea for the caped crusader, and what influence he had on the TV series and previous Batman movies. Kane drew Batman from its inception in 1939 to the late 60s. DC Comic still publishes Batman. The new movie Batman Begins has just hit theaters nationwide. This interview was originally broadcast on March 23, 1990.

She's best known for her work in the French New Wave films (between 1958 and 1962), working with such directors as Francois Truffaut, Louis Malle, and Jean-Luc Godard. Perhaps her most famous role was in Truffaut's Jules et Jim, as the woman in a complicated menage a trois. It's now out on DVD. Moureau has led an admittedly unconventional life, from her choice of movie roles, to her succession of love affairs. (This interview was initially broadcast on Dec. 23, 1993.)

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Scotty Ard of Midwest Quick Throttle Magazine. The magazine's November issue features an interview with Samuel Tilley, a 20-year-old motorcycle enthusiast accused of breaking the Minnesota state speed to the tune of 205 miles an hour. While Tilley has shied away from the press, he told Quick Throttle that his bike simply cannot go that fast. Ms. Ard agrees with him.

"Mr Horror": writer STEPHEN KING. He ushered in a whole new era of horror fiction with his first novel in 1974, "Carrie." In the ensuing twenty years he has penned novels, short stories, screenplays, comic books, and TV movies. He currently has five books on the New York Times paperback bestseller list: His novel "Rose Madder" (Signet). And four installments of his six-part serial "The Green Mile". (Signet). (REBROADCAST from 5/6/94) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).