Nassir Nassirzadeh

Nassir Nassirzadeh

KCRW Staff/Host, Nassir Nassirzadeh

Nassir Nassirzadeh has always felt connected to the plight and flight of the underdog, whether it’s Rocky Balboa, the 1992-1993 Lakers, or musicians who are under the radar but deserve access to the wide audience that needs them. 

After graduating from USC, Nassir started his music career at KCRW as a volunteer, and later on staff as the assistant music librarian. He played a key role in the station's massive music library digitization project in 2007, storing over 60,000 titles and assisting his favorite DJ's with finding and organizing music for their various shows. It was through this project that he learned the magic of unearthing and sharing obscure musical treasures.

Nassir would eventually work closely with one of the station's legendary pioneers, Chris Douridas, serving as day-to-day general manager and lead talent booker for Chris' tastemaker School Night! showcase on both coasts, which included early performances from Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Hozier, and Sofi Tukker to name a few. Nassir also worked with Chris and independently as a music supervisor for film and television. Currently, Nassir is a music creative executive at Netflix, casting music talent for the studio's ambitious slate of animated films. 

Music has always helped define and enhance the greatest moments in Nassir's life. Nassir loves taking new music and blending it with something familiar. “It's like a scent that takes you to a place in the past so there's this nostalgic element to it, but also can continue to grow with you through new context and experiences."

KCRW has given Nassir endless driveway moments where time stands still because of what’s on the radio. The fleeting joy of music is too good to disconnect from. A line from one of his favorite songs says it all:


I lose some sales and my boss won't be happy
But I can't stop listening to the sound
Of two soft voices blended in perfection
From the reels of this record that I found


—Kings of Convenience, "Homesick"

Nassir looks forward to bringing you into your body and into the moment with music that is both old and new, known and unknown. Apologies in advance to your boss. 

Nassir Nassirzadeh on KCRW

Nassir is responsible for compiling the songs that go into our library that our DJs play on their shows. Many of these songs eventually make it to KCRW’s Top 30 chart.

Nassir Nassirzadeh “2024 Top 30 Highlights”

Nassir is responsible for compiling the songs that go into our library that our DJs play on their shows. Many of these songs eventually make it to KCRW’s Top 30 chart.

Indie found sounds, nostalgic guilty pleasures, and introspective piano solos to help you feel deeply and move freely through life.

Nassir Nassirzadeh's playlist, December 8, 2024

Indie found sounds, nostalgic guilty pleasures, and introspective piano solos to help you feel deeply and move freely through life.

from Nassir Nassirzadeh

Indie found sounds, nostalgic guilty pleasures, and introspective piano solos to help you feel deeply and move freely through life.

Nassir Nassirzadeh's playlist, November 30, 2024

Indie found sounds, nostalgic guilty pleasures, and introspective piano solos to help you feel deeply and move freely through life.

from Nassir Nassirzadeh

More from KCRW

Anne Litt hosts unexpected choices in progressive pop and new rhythms.

from Anne Litt

New music. Emerging artists. No boundaries. Served fresh every weeknight, 8-10pm, only on FREAKS ONLY by Travis Holcombe.

from FREAKS ONLY

Music to lift your spirits. An expansive sonic journey featuring new and classic rhythms from all over the globe.

from Ro "Wyldeflower" Contreras

A balanced diet of indie grooves, modern psych, alternative R&B and straight up rock and roll.

from Tyler Boudreaux

An infectious harmony of varied sounds and melodies that bridge cultures and genres.

from José Galván

House, disco, trip hop, oldies and all of the deep cuts in between.

from SiLVA

KCRW's signature music program features new releases, live performances, and artist interviews hosted by Novena Carmel.

from Morning Becomes Eclectic

New Orleans Grammy-winning artists Hot 8 Brass Band are putting the finishing touches on their new album due in late February 2025, so while we wait, let’s take in their signature…

from Today's Top Tune

Ibiza- based duo The Ting Tings skyrocketed to international fame in 2008 with a couple of insta-classic bangers —“That’s Not My Name” and “Shut Up and Let Me Go” — off of their debut…

from Today's Top Tune