New York's 'Track Star' Host Jack Coyne Brings Music and Conversation to the Streets

The popular TikTok and Instagram show has expanded to a podcast and in-studio performance series.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Jack Coyne, the host of the hit music-focused talk show 'Track Star', has created a unique platform that brings people together through the universal language of music. What started as a simple quiz show on the streets of New York City has evolved into a multimedia empire, with the show appearing on TikTok, Instagram, and now a podcast and in-studio performance series. Coyne's approach of using music to break down barriers and get people to open up about their lives and memories has attracted a growing number of celebrity guests, from Olivia Rodrigo to Mariah Carey.

Why it matters

In an era dominated by impersonal social media influencers, 'Track Star' stands out for its genuine, human-centered approach to music and storytelling. Coyne's mission to amplify the voices of everyday New Yorkers and create a sense of community around shared musical experiences has resonated with audiences and industry leaders alike, leading to a partnership with former Rolling Stone CEO Gus Wenner.

The details

The premise of 'Track Star' is simple: Coyne hands his headphones to passersby on the streets of New York City and challenges them to identify the increasingly obscure songs he plays, with the prize money doubling for each correct answer. But the real magic happens when these strangers start sharing their personal connections to the music, unlocking memories and sparking conversations that go far beyond the quiz. Coyne's genuine curiosity and desire to learn from his guests, even when he already knows the music, has helped create an intimate, authentic atmosphere that sets 'Track Star' apart from traditional music media.

  • In 2023, 'Track Star' started gaining serious traction on social media.
  • By the end of 2025, 'Track Star' was filming nearly 10 episodes a week, in addition to launching a podcast and an in-studio performance series.

The players

Jack Coyne

The host of the popular music-focused talk show 'Track Star', which started as a quiz show on the streets of New York City and has since expanded into a multimedia empire.

Kieran Coyne

Jack's brother and co-founder of the 'Public Opinion' company that runs 'Track Star'.

Henry Kornaros

Jack's friend and co-founder of 'Public Opinion'.

Gus Wenner

The former CEO of Rolling Stone, who has partnered with 'Public Opinion' to invest in the 'Track Star' platform.

Zohran Mamdani

The newly elected mayor of New York City, who made headlines for failing to recognize Billy Joel's 'New York State of Mind' on an episode of 'Track Star'.

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What they’re saying

“Why do these superstar people want to be a part of this? We know it's fun, but do they have time for this?”

— Jack Coyne, Host, 'Track Star' (washingtonpost.com)

“As a politician, it's important to be honest.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (washingtonpost.com)

“People are just more comfortable with you once they hear a song they know, even when you're talking to Mariah Carey.”

— Jack Coyne, Host, 'Track Star' (washingtonpost.com)

“It's about creating the next way to tell a story.”

— Henry Kornaros, Co-founder, 'Public Opinion' (washingtonpost.com)

“We're in the era of user-generated content, so our job is less to be an authoritative voice and more to be this vehicle for people in the streets to express themselves. That's why we called the company Public Opinion. As we get bigger and we become a voice in the music industry, it's keeping the voice of the public in there.”

— Kieran Coyne, Co-founder, 'Public Opinion' (washingtonpost.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

In an era of impersonal social media influencers, 'Track Star' stands out for its genuine, human-centered approach to music and storytelling, using the universal language of music to break down barriers and amplify the voices of everyday New Yorkers. The show's success has led to a partnership with industry leaders, but its mission remains focused on creating a sense of community and giving a platform to the public.