Skip to Content
Podcast

RacketCast, Ep. 5: Meet MN’s Best New Music Act

Papa Mbye talks with Keith and Jay about his genreless journey, collaborating and experimenting with scene old-heads, and whether Sting would enjoy his music.

Papa Mbye

|Provided

In this edition of RacketCast, get to know Racket’s first-ever Picked to Click winner: Papa Mbye!

A terrific new album, Parcelles 16, helped vault the Senegal-born, Minneapolis-based musician to the top of the poll, and deservedly so. The music he makes—drawing from rap, electronic music, and indie rock—would have been unthinkable when the original P2C launched in 1991, and he’s only getting started. But now, as a Picked to Click winner, 25-year-old Mbye is already an indelible part of Minnesota music history.

Speaking of that history, Keith and Jay begin the episode with a "Remember Some Guys?" speed round of past Picked to Click winners, spanning back to when the best-new-band poll first appeared in City Pages. And, at the very end of the pod, enjoy the Parcelles track "SENEGAMBIA." (Or just watch the music video below—you're the boss.)

Subscribe to RacketCast wherever you get your podcasts—Spotify, Apple Music, Pocket Casts, etc. Wanna advertise on RacketCast? Email us at advertise@racketmn.com. Special thanks to local band Van Stee for supplying our podcast music!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racket

Frey Superfan Faces Mighty Ducklash

Plus cuddly cows, the view from elsewhere, and a ranked choice voting reminder in today's Flyover news roundup.

November 4, 2025

Don’t Blame Me, I Voted For Your Complete Concert Calendar: Nov. 4-10

Pretty much all the music you can catch in the Twin Cities this week.

November 4, 2025

Weed Weviews: 5 Things We Tried in October

THC bubbly, some party weed, and a guest review from Em.

New Bill Would Make Boundary Waters a Playground for Homeland Security

Plus a new MN-made video game, the weirdest thing on St. Paul's ballot, and Keys quits downtown Minneapolis in today's Flyover news roundup.

TC Book Fest, Twin Cities Con, David Byrne: This Week’s Best Events

Plus the ultimate wingman event, two types of tiny art, and the Saint Paul Almanac on tour.

November 3, 2025
See all posts