From Rock to Jazz, Flea shares music he’s into for Labor Day Weekend on Whole Lotta Red Hot (Channel 315 on SiriusXM) and the SiriusXM app
For decades, Flea has been known as one of the most innovative and dynamic bassists in the world — a true musical chameleon whose grooves, energy, and artistic spirit have helped define the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ unmistakable sound. But this Labor Day weekend, fans got to experience another side of Flea — not just the performer, but the passionate music lover and storyteller — as he took over Whole Lotta Red Hot (Channel 315 on SiriusXM) to share the sounds and inspirations that fuel his soul. The special broadcast, available both on SiriusXM and through the SiriusXM app, offered an intimate glimpse into the eclectic musical tastes of one of rock’s most colorful and curious minds. From blistering punk to smooth jazz, from experimental funk to delicate soul, Flea curated a playlist that mirrored the wide emotional spectrum of his artistry and his lifelong love affair with sound. It wasn’t just a radio show; it was a sonic journey through the mind of a musician who has never stopped exploring, never stopped learning, and never stopped loving music in all its forms.
Throughout the weekend, Flea’s selections told a story — one that spanned decades of musical discovery. He began the set with early punk classics from the late 1970s, songs that captured the rebellious energy that first inspired him as a young artist growing up in Los Angeles. Bands like The Germs, Black Flag, and The Minutemen brought back memories of sweaty clubs, chaotic mosh pits, and the raw urgency of a scene that gave birth to the Chili Peppers’ own early sound. But as Flea spoke between tracks, it became clear that his appreciation for punk was only one chapter in a much larger musical book. He talked about how jazz, particularly the works of Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, and Ornette Coleman, opened his ears to freedom — not just the freedom to play, but to feel. He shared stories of discovering how improvisation in jazz shaped the way he approached the bass guitar, infusing his funk lines with melody, risk, and emotion. As Flea described it, “Jazz is where I learned that music is conversation — not just noise. Every note has to mean something, every silence too.”
Listeners who tuned in to Whole Lotta Red Hot were treated to a blend of sounds that defied categorization. Between songs, Flea reflected on how genres have always been walls he liked to tear down. One moment he’d be spinning a classic by Sly and the Family Stone, the next a modern piece by Thundercat or Kamasi Washington, both artists he deeply respects for keeping jazz alive and futuristic. He even shared some unexpected favorites — gentle acoustic folk from artists like Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell, psychedelic experiments by Brian Eno, and even spiritual pieces from Alice Coltrane. Each track came with an anecdote or insight that revealed not only Flea’s encyclopedic knowledge of music but also his deep emotional connection to it. “I listen to music the way some people meditate,” he said during the show. “It brings me back to life. It reminds me of why I love being human.” Fans flooded social media during the broadcast, celebrating the rare opportunity to hear Flea’s unfiltered thoughts on the art form that continues to drive him.
In addition to curating tracks, Flea used the SiriusXM platform to reflect on his own creative process with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He spoke about how his bandmates — Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith — all share an unspoken commitment to musical growth. Even after four decades together, Flea said, the band’s chemistry still feels “fresh and dangerous.” He mentioned that their jam sessions often begin with no plan, just an instinct to listen and respond — a technique that echoes the improvisational ethos of jazz. Listeners got to hear how that philosophy has kept the Chili Peppers’ music evolving, from their early funk-rock chaos to the more introspective sound of recent albums like Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen. Flea even hinted at what’s next, teasing that the band has been “messing around with some new grooves” that could find their way into future recordings. But for this special weekend, he was more interested in celebrating the music of others — those who laid the foundation and those who continue to inspire him every day.
As the show moved through its final hour, Flea closed with a segment he called “Music for the Soul.” This part of the broadcast featured songs that had touched him on a personal level — emotional, healing tracks that he often turns to during moments of reflection. From John Coltrane’s “Naima” to Nina Simone’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free,” these selections revealed the depth of Flea’s sensitivity and his belief in music as a universal language of compassion and connection. He spoke candidly about how, in a world filled with noise and distraction, taking time to listen — really listen — can change the way people relate to one another. “Music is my bridge to the universe,” he said softly as the final notes of a Coltrane sax solo faded. “It reminds me that everything is vibration, and if we can tune ourselves to that frequency of love and creativity, we’ll always find our way.”
By the end of Flea’s Whole Lotta Red Hot takeover, it was clear that this wasn’t just another celebrity playlist — it was a heartfelt tribute to the power of music itself. Fans walked away with a deeper understanding of the bassist’s influences, but also a renewed sense of how art can connect, heal, and inspire. For those who tuned in via SiriusXM Channel 315 or streamed it on the SiriusXM app, it was a Labor Day weekend filled not with labor, but with love — love for rhythm, melody, and the endless creative spirit that defines Flea and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Whether he’s slapping his bass on stage in front of thousands or spinning a rare jazz record in a quiet studio, Flea continues to embody what it means to live for music. His SiriusXM special wasn’t just about what he listens to — it was about how he feels it, and how he invites the world to feel it too.
