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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
Fashion
Shadow Box
Parody Songs
Artificial Intelligence
Music Industry
Homeboy Sandman
Webby Awards
Mavi
Wu-Tang Clan
Type Beats
Buddhism

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes48Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusicMusic History

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Artwork for The Almanac of Rap

Latest Episodes

Before hip-hop became a billion-dollar industry, it was a living culture being built in clubs, parks, train yards, and downtown art spaces across New York City.

This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with writer, filmmaker, musician, and... more

What if the “Purple Tape” was green?

Does Polo Ralph Lauren and Clarks’ Wallabees owe Wu-Tang residuals for teaching an entire generation how to rock each brand?

And how did Raekwon navigate dropping his solo album AFTER standout projects from both... more

On this week’s Almanac of Rap mini-sode, Donwill hits the hotline and the callers come through with takes on the new Michael Jackson biopic, favorite women in hip-hop, and an unexpectedly serious debate about who has the best hair in rap (yes, there’... more

In this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Blueprint, rapper, producer, author, founder of Weightless Records, and co-host of the Super Duty Tough Work podcast. The two Ohio natives dive into Blueprint’s creative process, from choo... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Bun B
Texas rap pioneer, co-founder of UGK
UGK, Rap Snacks, Trill Burgers
Episode: Rap Snacks feat Bun B
Nine? (9th Wonder)
Grammy-winning producer, Jamla co-founder, educator
Jamla Records / North Carolina hip hop legacy
Episode: The Two First Namers Club feat Reuben Vincent & 9th Wonder
Reuben Vincent
Artist signed to Jamla Records, collaborator with 9th Wonder
Jamla Records
Episode: The Two First Namers Club feat Reuben Vincent & 9th Wonder

Host

Donwill
Host and co-creator, known for research-driven questions and engaging interviews on hip hop culture and industry.

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 Statesa month 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.

Listeners appreciate the guest variety, from producers to dancers, and the show's ability to surface mentorship and career lessons.
The host balances deep research with a conversational vibe that makes complex topics approachable.
Guests are well-prepared, ask insightful questions, and keep conversations grounded in both artistry and business.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Infamous to Infinite feat Havoc
Q: How did you put the Infinite album together and what was the dynamic with Alchemist?
Havoc describes assembling a board of desired collaborators, flying to LA to work with Alchemist, and weaving Prodigy's archived verses with new performances to present a respectful yet contemporary project.
Type Beats feat Jake One
Q: As a producer, is there a genre of music that you haven't worked in yet that you wanna try?
I'm not sure there's a genre I want to try as a goal; I'm more interested in exploring sounds that feel good and finding a place for them, rather than chasing a specific genre. Country has been mentioned as something I haven't fully tackled, but I'm open to anything that inspires a strong musical idea.
Art Official Intelligence feat Lupe Fiasco
Q: What advice do you have for someone who's struggling with being disciplined in their craft?
Persistence is crucial; you have to stay in it at the expense of everything.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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, music-history–leaning show that centers conversations with guests about mentorship, craft, and the business side of hip hop. Episodes frequently explore origins, education, family influence, and the evolving dynamics of the industry, from studio workflows to publishing assets and credit culture. Noteworthy is the host's mix of research-backed questions with warm, candid interviews that bridge generations and celebrate both artistry and practical career realities in hip hop. The format tends to blend personal storytelling with technical insights, making it appealing to listeners who want depth, context, and real-world takeaways for a career in music or media.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Almanac of Rap?

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How many listeners does The Almanac of Rap get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Almanac of Rap have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Almanac of Rap has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Almanac of Rap?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Almanac of Rap:

1. Decoder with Nilay Patel
2. The Daily
3. 99% Invisible
4. One 54 Podcast
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of The Almanac of Rap are there?

The Almanac of Rap launched 3 years ago and published 48 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for 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. Michael Holman
2. Raekwon the Chef
3. Kelly Moonstone
4. Mr. DJ
5. Masta Ace
6. Born I
7. Bun B
8. Nine? (9th Wonder)

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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