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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
Artificial Intelligence
Music Industry
Salt-N-Pepa
Fashion
Homeboy Sandman
Webby Awards
Shadow Box
Parody Songs
Type Beats
Buddhism
Outkast
MAVI

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes58Founded3 years ago
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Music InterviewsMusic HistoryMusic

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Artwork for The Almanac of Rap

Latest Episodes

On this special episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill heads to Los Angeles for the BET Media House Experience, gathering an all-star lineup of artists, creators, executives, and media personalities to ask ONE question: What does winning an award act... more

On this special episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill opens the vault and shares some of the best conversations that didn't make the final edits of the first half of Season 4. From forgotten stories and extended interviews to behind-the-scenes insig... more

This week on a special minisode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill is joined by Okayplayer's Audio Marketing Strategist and longtime collaborator Faybeo’n “LiKWUiD” Mickens for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the making of the recent Shaggy episod... more

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Grammy Award-winning artist Shaggy for a wide-ranging conversation about building one of the most enduring careers in music, navigating the intersection of reggae and hip-hop.

From his ea... more

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Recent Guests

LiKWUiD Fay
Long-time friend and collaborator; guest on this episode
The Almanac of Rap
Episode: AOR Mini: The Most "American" Moment in Hip Hop
Joe Miles
Half of The Other Guys; owner of HipNott Records
HipNott Records
Episode: Indie Labels ft Awon and The Other Guys
Flying Lotus
Grammy Award-winning producer, filmmaker and rapper
Brainfeeder
Episode: LA Beat Scene and Beyond feat Flying Lotus
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

Host

Donwill
Host of The Almanac of Rap

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 40 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 States3 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.

Indie Labels ft Awon and The Other Guys
Q: Why did you decide to run a label instead of just signing deals?
Ownership and control over your music and revenue streams, plus the flexibility to shape how releases are packaged, marketed, and distributed, were the driving factors. It's about building long-term value and autonomy.
AOR Mini: The Most "American" Moment in Hip Hop
Q: But what is the most American hip hop moment for you?
The guests discuss a multi-faceted list including Dipset's US flag outfits, Public Enemy's Fight the Power in the context of Do the Right Thing, and Post Malone's White Iverson as a controversial yet revealing example of American identity in hip hop, inviting listeners to contribute their own thoughts.
LA Beat Scene and Beyond feat Flying Lotus
Q: What sparked the idea to start Brainfeeder and how did you navigate the decision between focusing on your art vs. running a label?
I was inspired by being at Stone's Throw, observing the business, and realizing I could create a space with fewer gatekeepers to support artists I believed in, which led to Brainfeeder; I also recognized the benefit of balancing two roles—art creation and label leadership—by delegating and focusing on different aspects at different times.
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.

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 subscribers and views does The Almanac of Rap have?

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How many episodes of The Almanac of Rap are there?

The Almanac of Rap launched 3 years ago and published 58 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Almanac of Rap?

Recent guests on The Almanac of Rap include:

1. LiKWUiD Fay
2. Joe Miles
3. Flying Lotus
4. Sommer McCoy
5. Jharrel Jerome
6. Sequoia Holmes
7. Michael Holman
8. Raekwon the Chef

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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