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Artwork for The Almanac of Rap

The Almanac of Rap

Donwill/Okayplayer
Hip Hop
Michael Jackson
Comedy
Lupe Fiasco
MC Lyte
Rap
Hip-Hop Culture
Hip-Hop
Salt-N-Pepa
Artificial Intelligence
Music Industry
Fashion
Webby Awards
Homeboy Sandman
Shadow Box
Parody Songs
Buddhism
Mavi
Outkast
Type Beats

The Almanac of Rap is a two-time Webby Award-winning show that examines trends in hip hop and their impact over time...and it's way more fun than that description makes it sound. Each week, our host Donwill asks a question, presents a theory and finds a guest to come to some sort of consensus about it. Simply put, it’s a show about rap, by a rapper who loves rap music. Follow Donwill's Substack: h... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes54Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMusic InterviewsMusic History

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Artwork for The Almanac of Rap

Latest Episodes

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Awon, and Joe Miles of The Other Guys for a conversation about independent hip-hop, running record labels, vinyl culture, and the realities of building sustainable careers outside the majo... more

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with visionary producer, filmmaker, label founder, and creative architect Flying Lotus for a wide-ranging conversation about music, film, creativity, and the art of world-building.

From pionee... more

For the first-ever live taping of The Almanac of Rap in New York City, Donwill welcomes archivist, researcher, and Mixtape Museum founder Regan Sommer McCoy for a deep dive into the history, culture, and future of mixtapes.  Recorded live at Ludlow H... more

This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Emmy Award-winning actor and recording artist Jharrel Jerome for a conversation about hip-hop, storytelling, acting, and the journey toward embracing music publicly.

Known for acclaimed perform... more

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Recent Guests

Sommer McCoy
Chief curator of the Mixtape Museum
Mixtape Museum
Episode: Mixtape Museum feat Regan Sommer McCoy
Jharrel Jerome
Award-winning actor, known for Moonlight, When They See Us, and Unstoppable
Episode: Rapping Actors feat Jharrel Jerome
Sequoia Holmes
Host of Black People Love Paramore and Daily Dirty on SiriusXM; culture critic
Black People Love Paramore, SiriusXM
Episode: Rock n Rap feat Sequoia Holmes
Michael Holman
Writer, filmmaker, musician; creator of Graffiti Rock
Graffiti Rock, Gray
Episode: Graffiti Rock feat Michael Holman
Raekwon the Chef
founding Wu-Tang member and solo artist
Wu-Tang Clan
Episode: The Chef feat Raekwon
Kelly Moonstone
Artist featured on the episode performing and discussed
Independent musician / East Village Radio veteran
Episode: AOR Mini: Mailbag
Mr. DJ
Grammy Award-winning producer who served as the DJ for Outkast
Outkast, Dungeon Family
Episode: The Dungeon Family Tree feat Mr. DJ
Masta Ace
Rapper and producer, member of Juice Crew EMC Crook and Dodgers, and playwright adapting The Falling Season into a musical
The Falling Season project, Rhymes Over Beats
Episode: The Falling Season feat Masta Ace
Born I
Buddhist rapper, author and reluctant teacher
Born I (artist)
Episode: The Buddha and The Beat feat Born I

Host

Donwill
Host of The Almanac of Rap

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 38 ratings
  • A Refreshing Perspective

    Learning can be fun kids!

    Seriously tho, listening to these episodes leave me feeling like I understand a bit more about some of my favorite artists.

    Sometimes, it’s led me to new folks as well.

    It can be wrapped in humor, faith, or purpose- but the sharing of the insights are awesome and appreciated.

    Peace.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Conch Love
    United States2 months ago
  • The best Hip Hop Podcast out

    This is the smartest, most entertaining podcast out right now. If you were there for the Okayplayer Boards run from 2000-2009 then YOU KNOW how dope this podcast is. Shout outs to Donwill for mixing the research of Nardwar, with The Office Style comedy, and the best interviews with real questions out there. I want Donwill to interview Doechii next!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ChromaPixelNYC
    United States2 years ago
  • Other worldly

    This podcast is perfection.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The better Nate
    United States3 years ago
  • Wyatt Cenac episode was a lot of fun!!!

    Gotta go back and catch the first two eps, definitely dig the energy and insights👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Daddyonthego
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently thoughtful and diverse, offering fresh perspectives.
Insightful, well-researched discussions that make complex hip hop history engaging.
Gives a strong sense of the genre's evolution and the people who shaped it.
Conversational and entertaining, with smart questions that get behind the scenes.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mixtape Museum feat Regan Sommer McCoy
Q: What is the biggest challenge of doing this work, and how can others contribute?
Archival work is expensive and needs community support; the best path is community archiving, sharing stories, and documenting at-home collections while advocating for proper standards and access.
Rapping Actors feat Jharrel Jerome
Q: How do you approach creating the Pacs and deciding which songs to release?
He tests songs with trusted friends, selects about 16 that best represent him, and uses short films to accompany each pack to blend cinema with music.
Rapping Actors feat Jharrel Jerome
Q: Was music or acting the first aspiration?
Music came first; he started rapping as a means to get into basketball games and fell in love with storytelling and rhythm before acting.
AOR Mini: Mailbag
Q: Are there four or five pillars of hip hop?
There are four pillars—break dancing, graffiti, DJing and rapping—with some people arguing for a fifth pillar like beatboxing or fashion, but the host maintains there is no consensus.
The Falling Season feat Masta Ace
Q: So you've been working on this for roughly 10 years. Walk me through the timeline of a stage plan, where it goes and where it would land at.
The project began with a stage reading in 2023, followed by seeking investors and refining the script through a dramaturg weekly process; the goal is to move to London's West End first to prove viability and then pursue Broadway later, contingent on demonstrating strong demand and financial feasibility.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Almanac of Rap

What is The Almanac of Rap about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, rumor-smart exploration of hip hop history, culture, and business, anchored by a host who blends research with accessible humor. Guests range from legendary emcees and producers to culture historians, offering inside stories about genre evolution, cross-genre collaborations, and the mechanics of building careers in and around rap. With a focus on mentorship, independent label paths, and the broader media landscape, it's a showcase for deep-dive conversations that illuminate how hip hop has shaped and reflected society, while remaining highly entertaining for curious listeners who love music history and artist spotlights.

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How many episodes of The Almanac of Rap are there?

The Almanac of Rap launched 3 years ago and published 54 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Almanac of Rap?

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What guests have appeared on The Almanac of Rap?

Recent guests on The Almanac of Rap include:

1. Sommer McCoy
2. Jharrel Jerome
3. Sequoia Holmes
4. Michael Holman
5. Raekwon the Chef
6. Kelly Moonstone
7. Mr. DJ
8. Masta Ace

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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