Stay ConnectedThe 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.
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Copyright: © Working Creative
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 actually mean?
From rising stars visualizing their first BET Award to veterans reflecting on careers filled with accolades, this special episode captures honest conversations about ambition, validation, legacy, and the relationship between recognition and impact. Guests including Rapsody, Slim Jxmmi, Salt, Kenny Burns, Miles Minnick, Hurricane Wisdom, Big Cat, Deontay Kyle, The War and Treaty, and more share what they'd say if they stepped onto the BET stage and whether awards are the goal or simply the byproduct of meaningful work.
Along the way, Don explores the idea that while trophies may celebrate achievement, an artist's greatest accomplishment is often the community they've built and the culture they've influenced. It's a candid snapshot of Black creativity during one of music's biggest weekends and a reminder that success means something different to everyone.
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow our Guest from the BET Media House Experience:
Rapsody, Slim Jxmmi, Salt, Kenny Burns, Miles Minnick, Hurricane Wisdom, The War and Treaty, Deontay Kyle, Big Cat, Nico Brim, Beno Rideaux, Shane, Beverly Face, Von Wyc, Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 insights, these bonus moments offer a deeper look at the people and ideas that continue to shape hip-hop culture.
Hear Masta Ace reflect on New York City's legendary car culture, the art of "jeep beats," and writing songs during Will Smith's Millennium sessions. Michael Holman revisits the legacy of Graffiti Rock, the evolution of breaking from the streets to the Olympics, and why Fab Five Freddy remains one of hip-hop's most influential ambassadors. Finally, producer Jake One unpacks the rise of lo-fi beats, the importance of making timeless songs over viral content, and the unexpected origins of his modern funk project, Tuxedo. Bits & Pieces Vol 1 breaks down:
Masta Ace on New York's '90s car culture and the science behind classic "jeep beats"
Michael Holman on Graffiti Rock and why breaking belongs in the Olympics
Fab Five Freddy's impact on hip-hop culture
Jake One on lo-fi beats and beat culture
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Michael Holman:
Instagram: @michaelholman101
Follow Jake One:
Instagram: jakeuno
Web: snarejordan.com
Bandcamp: Jake One
Follow Masta Ace:
Instagram: mastaacepics
Facebook: Masta Ace
Web: www.mastaace.com
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 episode.
Together, they unpack Shaggy's stories about military cadence, reggae's influence on hip-hop, and the origins of his unmistakable vocal style before taking a detour into Eddie Murphy's surprisingly massive influence on rap culture. From Eddie Murphy Raw to Coming to America, the conversation explores how comedy, music, and hip-hop have always been more connected than they seem.
Don and Fay close out with a fun debate inspired by the “semiquincentennial” weekend events during the Fourth of July: What is the most American moment in hip-hop history?
Call 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) and tell Don your pick. It could be a song, an album, a performance, a headline, or a completely ridiculous moment…the more whimsical, the better.
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Faybeo’n Mickens
Instagram: @likwuid
Web: FaybeonMickens.com
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 early days recording "Oh Carolina" while serving in the U.S. Marines, to the global success of "Boombastic," "Angel," and "It Wasn't Me," Shaggy reflects on the moments that shaped his career and the mindset that helped him remain relevant for more than three decades. Shaggy breaks down:
Working with Michael Jackson, Sting, Spice, and Eddie Murphy
Dancehall's influence on hip-hop, and Jamaica's rich lyrical tradition
His new album Lottery, and starring in The Last Ship at New York's Metropolitan Opera.
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Shaggy
Instagram: direalshaggy
Tik Tok: DiRealShaggy Facebook: Shaggy
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 major label system.
Awon is the founder of Don't Sleep Records, while Joe Miles runs HipNott Records, home to artists including Skyzoo, Tanya Morgan, and Shay Noir. Together, they discuss their new collaborative project Solidified, the years-long friendship that led to the album, and what it takes to balance artistry with entrepreneurship. Awon and Joe break down:
The challenges of operating independent labels in today's music landscape from pressing vinyl and managing distribution to navigating shipping costs, manufacturing delays, and maintaining direct relationships with fans.
Lessons learned from years of self-releasing music, retaining ownership of their catalogs, and building businesses rooted in community rather than competition.
Mentorship, family life, touring, jazz influences in hip-hop, and why ownership remains one of the most important principles for artists seeking longevity.
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow: The Other Guys
Instagram: @otherguysmusic
Website: HipNott Records
Follow: Awon
Instagram: @awon1988
Website: Dontsleeprecords.com
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 pioneering the Los Angeles beat scene and launching Brainfeeder Records to directing boundary-pushing films and secretly becoming Captain Murphy, Flying Lotus has spent his career challenging expectations and creating entirely new lanes for artists to exist in.
FlyLo discusses his upcoming EP Big Mama, a meticulously crafted project built without loops and designed to feel alive, constantly evolving, and impossible to predict. He also reflects on growing up surrounded by musical greatness through the legacy of Alice Coltrane, how family shaped his understanding of creativity, and why seeing artistic success firsthand made it easier to imagine his own future.Flying Lotus breaks down:
The origins of Brainfeeder Records and working with artists like Thundercat, Kamasi Washington, and Louis Cole
Growing up in the legacy of Alice Coltrane and Marilyn McLeod
The challenges of filmmaking versus music production, and directing Kuso and Ash
Producing music with computers during an era dominated by hardware
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Flying Lotus
Instagram: flyinglotus
Music: Flying Lotus - BIG MAMA
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 House in partnership with On Air Presents, this special episode explores how cassette tapes transformed music sharing, why mixtapes became hip-hop's original social media platform, and what we lose when we reduce playlists to algorithms and streaming metrics.
Sommer shares the origin story behind the Mixtape Museum, a community-driven archival project dedicated to preserving mixtape culture, cassette history, and the stories behind the music. Sommer breaks down:
The evolution of the mixtape; from homemade radio recordings and DJ exclusives to street albums, playlist culture, and modern-day archives.
Legendary mixtape figures including DJ Clue, Ron G, DJ Screw, Kid Capri, DJ Drama, Don Cannon, Justo Faison and the Mixtape Awards
Preservation, ownership, curation, and the importance of documenting hip-hop history before it disappears.
The future of mixtapes in a streaming and AI-driven world
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Regan Sommer McCoy
Instagram: dearsommer
Web: Sommer.nyc
Web: Mixtape Museum
Instagram: mixtapemuseum
Soundcloud: The Mixtape Museum
Follow On Air Presents
Instagram: onairpresents
Web: Onairpresents.com
Event Recap: Photos
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Note: This episode was pre-recorded on March 24, 2026.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 performances in Moonlight, When They See Us, and Unstoppable, Jharrel opens up about why rap was actually his first love long before acting entered the picture. From rapping for entry into Bronx basketball games as a kid to studying Eminem lyrics obsessively, Jerome reflects on how storytelling through rhyme shaped the creative foundation of his entire career. Jharrel breaks down:
How his upbringing in the Bronx continues to influence his artistic identity.
Blending cinema with rap visuals for his four “Pack” EP projects
How artists like Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Fred the Godson, and Action Bronson soundtracked different stages of Jerome’s acting career.
The emotional toll of filming When They See Us, physically transforming for Unstoppable, and his desire to help bring lyric-driven hip-hop back to the forefront.
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Jharrel Jerome
Instagram: @jharreljerome
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with culture critic, SiriusXM host, and Black People Love Paramore creator Sequoia Holmes for a hilarious and insightful conversation about Black alternative culture, pop punk nostalgia, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and the unexpected intersections between rap and rock music.
Sequoia reflects on growing up as a Black Paramore fan during the emo era, why bands like Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Coldplay, and Panic! at the Disco resonated with Black listeners, and how her podcast became a space to unpack the “common and uncommon interests” of Black audiences online. The conversation also explores the evolution of “alternative” music, the decline of rock bands in the streaming era, and how modern artists blur genre lines between rap, pop, punk, and internet culture.
Don and Sequoia debate Miley Cyrus’ rap era, revisit iconic Nickelodeon and Disney Channel theme songs, discuss why shows like All That, Cousin Skeeter, and That’s So Raven were secretly foundational Black cultural experiences, and break down artists like Rico Nasty, Tierra Whack, Lil Uzi Vert, and Teezo Touchdown through the lens of alternative hip-hop. Sequoia breaks down:
Why Black audiences connected deeply with Paramore
Nickelodeon’s hidden influence on Black music culture
Miley Cyrus’ rap era revisited years later
The blurred lines between rap, punk, and alternative music
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Sequoia Holms
Instagram: @bplppod
Black People Love Paramore: Podcast
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Queens lyricist Grafh to talk about battle rap, mixtape culture, lyricism, and surviving the music industry on his own terms.
Grafh reflects on discovering rap through Nas’ Illmatic, studying rhyme patterns with a dictionary, and developing the intricate writing style that would later make him a respected “rapper’s rapper.” The conversation explores the difference between writing a great verse versus crafting a great song, ghostwriting for major artists, and learning song structure from collaborators like Kanye West and 88-Keys.
Grafh also shares stories about battling rappers in studios before the modern battle rap era, getting co-signed by the late DJ Kay Slay, working with Busta Rhymes, signing to Roc-A-Fella Records during the label’s final years, and eventually finding financial freedom through today’s underground rap ecosystem. Grafh breaks down:
The art of lyrical wordplay
The real business behind mixtape-era rap
Busta Rhymes, Kay Slay & Roc-A-Fella
Why underground rap is thriving independently
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Grafh:
Instagram: @grafh
Website: artbygrafh.com
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 Graffiti Rock creator Michael Holman to unpack the early days of hip-hop culture and the movement that brought its four elements to a national audience for the first time.
Holman reflects on working alongside pioneers like Fab Five Freddy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Martha Cooper, and Henry Chalfant, while helping shape the downtown New York scene that amplified breaking, graffiti, DJing, and rap beyond the Bronx. The conversation explores the creation of Graffiti Rock, the commercialization of rap versus hip-hop culture, and why graffiti writers, breakers, and DJs were eventually pushed to the margins as rap became the industry focus. Michael Holman breaks down:
The untold origins of Graffiti Rock
Fab Five Freddy, and downtown hip-hop culture
Basquiat’s band Grey
Why rap and hip-hop are not the same thing
The role of Puerto Rican breakers in evolving b-boy culture
How downtown clubs accidentally helped formalize the “four elements” of hip-hop as we know them today
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.Substack: New Music TuesdaysInstagram/Threads: @donwillMixcloud: DonwillWebsite: Donwill.me
Follow Michael Holman:
Instagram: @michaelholman101
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 Meth and Ghost?
This week on the Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Wu-Tang Clan founding member and future Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Raekwon. Don and Rae discuss his influential solo debut album "Only Built for Cuban Linx," its iconic purple tape marketing, and the challenges of producing its sequel. Raekwon breaks down:
The importance of authenticity, hard work, and expanding the Wu-Tang universe through his music.
His impact on fashion, including popularizing the Polo Snow Beach jacket and various collaborations that support emerging artists.
His current goals of educating youth and maintaining artistic integrity.
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Raekwon:
Instagram: raekwon
Linktr.ee: @RaekwonTheChef
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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’s a running list). Along the way, listeners put Don onto hidden gems old and new, proving once again that rap’s best discoveries often come from the community. Equal parts mailbag, music nerd-out, and comedy hour; it’s another fun one from the Almanac hotline.
Check out:
staHHr - Get Right
Tara Chase- Autonomy (1997)
📞 Got a burning hip-hop question? A thought about a past episode? A gushing compliment that you didn’t want to leave on the Youtube channel?
Call us up at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) and leave a message. Make sure to leave your name because we just might use your message on a future episode. (Remember calls can only be 1 minute long.)
Next topic: ☎️ Put Don onto some dope sh!t — old music, forgotten films, underrated books, great art… share something good.
Bonus: Don is still on tour with Michelle Buteau, catch a show if he’s hitting your city, tickets here.
May 6 - Los Angeles - Dolby Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 8 - Las Vegas - The Palazzo Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 15 - Atlanta - Tabernacle w/ Michelle Buteau
May 16 - New York City - The Beacon Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 17 - New York City - The Beacon Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 choosing between producing and rapping to knowing when it’s time to make an album. Blueprint shares the journey of the independent grind, the evolution of Midwest hip-hop scenes, and the legacy of Scribble Jam as a cultural hub for MCs, DJs, and artists. Blueprint breaks down:
His journey building an indie label from the ground up
The essential game for artists navigating today’s music industry.
Why independent success starts with ownership, not permission
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Blueprint:
Instagram: printmatic
Linktr.ee: printmatic
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In today’s Almanac of Rap minisode, Donwill takes a moment in between tour stops to ask listeners about formative hip hop moments, the four (or five) pillars of hip hop, and he takes a moment to share two standout emcees Salimata and Kelly Moonstone.
Join the conversation by calling 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455).
You got a burning hip hop question? A comment about a past episode? A gushing compliment that you didn’t want to leave on the Youtube channel? Call us up and leave a message!And make sure to leave your name because we just might use your message on a future episode
Next topic: ☎️ the Michael Jackson movie…Are you going to see it? Have you seen it? Thoughts? Call Don and let him know.
Also, Donwill is still on tour with Michelle Buteau and if you see your city you can get tickets here.
May 1 - Oakland - Fox Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 6 - Los Angeles - Dolby Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 8 - Las Vegas - The Palazzo Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 15 - Atlanta - Tabernacle w/ Michelle Buteau
May 16 - New York City - The Beacon Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 17 - New York City - The Beacon Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Grammy-winning producer and Outkast dj, Mr. DJ shares his journey from discovering djing in Texas to becoming a key figure in Atlanta's hip hop scene. This week on the Almanac of Rap, he and Donwill discuss his early work with Organized Noise, his role in producing iconic Outkast tracks like "Miss Jackson" and "B.O.B.", and the formation of Earth Tone 3. Mr. DJ shares the evolution of Outkast's sound, the cultural significance of Southern hip hop, and the influence of the Dungeon Family, including Rico Wade. He also reflects on the challenges of gaining respect for Southern artists and the creative process behind landmark songs such as "Bombs Over Baghdad." Mr. DJ breaks down:
Outkast getting booed at The Source Awards and Andre 3000’s iconic line “The South got something to say”
The significance of his cousin, Rico Wade, founder of the Dungeon Family
His recent venture as a solo artist with the album "Beats, Vibes, and Verses," featuring collaborations with artists like Big K.R.I.T. and Killer Mike.
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Mr. DJ:
Instagram: iammrdj
Caddillife: ffm.to
Web: https://iammrdj.com/
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In today’s Almanac of Rap minisode, Donwill takes a moment in between tour stops to ask listeners what albums (or artists) are CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED. Who did we miss? Join the conversation by calling 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455).
You got a burning hip hop question? A comment about a past episode? A gushing compliment that you didn’t want to leave on the Youtube channel? Call us up and leave a message!And make sure to leave your name because we just might use your message on a future episode.
Next topic: ☎️ Who are your favorite women in hip hop??! Call Donwill and tell him your favorite groups, albums, performances and contributors to the culture.
Also, he's still on tour with Michelle Buteau and if you see your city you can get tickets here.
Apr 24 - Kansas City - Midland Theatre w/ Michelle Buteau
Apr 25 - St. Louis - The Pageant w/ Michelle Buteau
May 1 - Oakland - Fox Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 6 - Los Angeles - Dolby Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 8 - Las Vegas - The Palazzo Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 15 - Atlanta - Tabernacle w/ Michelle Buteau
May 16 - New York City - The Beacon Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
May 17 - New York City - The Beacon Theater w/ Michelle Buteau
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
What happens when a legendary MC takes hip-hop from the booth to the stage?
This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Masta Ace to explore the intersection of hip-hop and musical theater and what it takes to bring rap storytelling to Broadway.
From his days in the Juice Crew to building a decades-long career as one of rap’s most respected lyricists, Masta Ace reflects on longevity, reinvention, and why he still feels like he has something to prove. Masta Ace discusses:
His ambitious adaptation of The Falling Season into a stage play
Unpacking the creative process, the discipline of rewriting, and how rap lyrics must evolve when they’re used to push a narrative forward on stage.
Plus: a deep dive into hip-hop musicals from Hamilton to underground theater and why Broadway is still catching up to the culture.
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Masta Ace:
Instagram: mastaacepics
Facebook: Masta Ace
Web: www.mastaace.com
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️
Few sounds in hip-hop are as poignant, or as influential, as the gritty production that came out of Queensbridge in the ‘90s. This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Havoc, producer, rapper, and one half of Mobb Deep, to break down the sonic blueprint that helped define East Coast hip-hop.
From crafting signature beats behind classics like The Infamous to shaping the identity of Queensbridge rap alongside Prodigy, Havoc reflects on his production style, creative process, and the raw realities that informed their music. The conversation dives into sampling, drum programming, and how limitation often led to innovation in early hip-hop production. Havoc breaks down:
Legacy, longevity, and how the Mobb Deep sound continues to influence generations of producers and artists today from underground purists to mainstream trap.
The making of Mobb Deep’s signature dark sound.
Havoc’s production techniques and sampling approach.
Producers rappers that he would solicit beats vs rhymes from today.
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Havoc:
Instagram: mobbdeephavoc
Linktr.ee: Havoc
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Religion has always had a place in hip-hop, from ‘god-body’ flows to references of the “third eye” and quoting Surahs; but what happens when you sit down with an actual Buddhist rapper?
This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill is joined by rapper, author, and practitioner Born I to explore the long-standing (and often misunderstood) relationship between Buddhism and hip-hop culture. From references to “Buddha” in rap lyrics to deeper conversations around mindfulness, suffering, and self-compassion, this episode separates fact from folklore. Born I will break down:
Key Buddhist concepts like the Four Noble Truths, Dharma, and mantras
His own journey navigating hip-hop, electronic music, and spiritual practice
How artists use music as testimony, how hooks can function like mantras, and why hip-hop’s connection to Buddhism runs deeper than weed references and fashion logos.
Plus, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, and Childish Gambino lyrics get put under the microscope…are they actually tapping into Buddhist philosophy, or just vibing? (You be the judge.)
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Born I
Instagram: bornimusic
Web: bornimusic.com
Soundcloud: bornimusic
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill is joined by hip-hop legend Bun B for a deep conversation on the evolution of Southern rap, the cultural impact of UGK, and how Texas carved out its own lane in hip-hop history. From Port Arthur to global stages, Bun B reflects on building UGK alongside Pimp C, navigating regional bias in the early days of hip-hop, and the slow but undeniable rise of the South to dominance. The conversation explores how independent hustle, local scenes, and sonic innovation helped Southern artists shift the industry’s center of gravity. Bun B breaks down:
How UGK helped define the Southern rap sound
The South’s fight for respect in early hip-hop
Texas rap culture and independent grind
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Bun B
Instagram: bunb
Tik Tok: bun_b1
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
📢 Special Announcement 📢
Want to join Donwill for a live recording of The Almanac of Rap in NYC?
Click here to request an invite. (Limited capacity. Invite only.)
On Air Fest, Soho House, and Okayplayer have joined forces for a special live episode of the Almanac of Rap featuring Regan Sommer McCoy, Chief Curator of the Mixtape Museum on March 24, 2026 at 5:30pm.
Join Donwill and Regan at Ludlow House NYC for a conversation on hip-hop preservation, archival storytelling, and the hidden science behind mixtape culture.
📢 ### 📢
Juno Award-winning Canadian rapper and broadcaster Shad joins Donwill for a long-overdue conversation that spans music, media, and creative growth. From freestyling in London, Ontario to winning a Juno Award over Drake, Shad reflects on carving out a career in a country with a very different hip-hop ecosystem. Shad breaks down:
His journey from freestyling in London to becoming a Juno Award-winning artist, and beating Drake in the process.
Your Boy Tony Braxton and why artists should never “disrespect the music”
Hosting Hip-Hop Evolution and interviewing icons like Dolly Parton and Norm Macdonald
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Shad
Instagram: @shadkmusic
Web: shadk.com
Music: K.I.S.S. + Islands
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with 9th Wonder, Grammy-winning producer, Jamla Records founder, Little Brother co-founder, and college professor, alongside rising North Carolina MC Reuben Vincent, one of the sharpest young lyricists in the game. Together they unpack:
The legacy of North Carolina hip-hop9th Wonder’s journey from producer to professor
Discovering Reuben Vincent at just 13 years old
Why using your government name in rap is basically a skill badge
Jamla Records and artist development in the streaming era
Education, mentorship, and preserving hip-hop history
How the internet changed artist relationships foreverThe making of their joint album Welcome Home
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow 9th Wonder:
Instagram: @9thwonder
Twitter/X: @9thwonder
Jamla Records: @jamlarecords
Follow Reuben Vincent:
Instagram: @reubenvincent
YouTube: @reubenvincent
Album: Welcome Home
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What does a beat sound like when it… sounds expensive? In this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with legendary Seattle producer Jake One, the mind behind records for MF DOOM, Freddie Gibbs, Rick Ross, J. Cole, Freeway, Snoop Dogg, Brother Ali, Tuxedo, and even the iconic John Cena theme. Together they unpack one of the most important shifts in modern hip-hop production: the rise of type beats. Jake One breaks down:
What “type beats” actually are and how they changed the music economy
The BeatStars marketplace and the viral story behind Old Town Road
The difference between analog era producers and FruityLoops generation producers
Speed-running beats, drum kits, and the gamification of music production
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Jake One:
Instagram: jakeuno
Web: snarejordan.com
Bancamp: Jake One
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What do the Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, Swag Surf, and The Wobble all have in common? They move the culture. In this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Cupid, six-time platinum recording artist, Guinness World Record holder, and officially proclaimed “Line Dance King of the World.” If you’ve ever heard “Down, down, do your dance…” at a wedding, cookout, HBCU homecoming, or kickback, this one’s for you.From selling CDs out of his trunk in Louisiana to global tours across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Djibouti, and beyond, Cupid breaks down:
The origin story of the Cupid Shuffle
Line dance beef (yes, it’s real)
Why drill music needs a line dance
Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.
Substack: New Music Tuesdays
Instagram/Threads: @donwill
Mixcloud: Donwill
Website: Donwill.me
Follow Cupid:
Instagram: @officialnewcupid
TikTok: @officialnewcupid
Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide. Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For our season finale we talk to Lupe Fiasco about his concept albums, his work with MIT, Yale and Google and history in martial arts. We also talk about the many supergroups he’s started and get a status update on if they are active or dormant.
Lupe Fiasco is a grammy award winning rapper who has found a voice outside the booth by teaching classes about rap at MIT and working with Google’s large language model to develop a TextFX, an AI tool made specifically for writers.
For more information visit:
Lupe Fiasco: LupeFiasco.com
Donwill: Donwill.me or donwill.substack.com
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sesay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris.Edited by Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.
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This week’s guest is Homeboy Sandman and we talk about him not being on social media, getting love from mainstream artists, his creative process and his upcoming tour.
Homeboy Sandman is a Brooklyn based MC with a deep discography and rich history in the New York music scene.
For more information visit:
Homeboy Sandman: patreon.com/homeboysandman
Donwill: Donwill.me
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sesay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris. Edited by Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week’s guest is Cory Gunz and we talk about him being mentored by Nick Cannon, Godfathered by Shaq, working with Lil Wayne and being raised by Peter Gunz. We also discuss his current crop of releases and his new crew, The Militia.
For more information visit:
Corey Gunz: instagram.com/CoryGunz
Donwill: Donwill.me
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sesay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris.Edited by Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we talk to MC Lyte about her career and the way that she’s pioneered in music, fashion and more. We also do a quick study of the history of rappers with cartoons and pitch a few ideas for new cartoons that feature rappers.
MC Lyte is rapper, DJ, actor and TV producer who’s been a part of some of culture's biggest moments.
For more information visit:
MC Lyte: mclytenow.com
Donwill: Donwill.me
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sesay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris.Edited by Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we talk to Cavalier about releasing multiple albums, ‘legal weed’, moving to New Orleans and much, much more.
Cavalier is a fiercely independent Brooklyn born artist whose new album Different Type Time has achieved critical acclaim.
For more information visit:
Cavalier: cavwins.com
Donwill: Donwill.substack.com
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sesay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris.Edited by Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we talked to Von Pea about Internet Rappers and the etiquette of being online. We also play a game of ‘Guess The Real Rapper’ to further illustrate the fine line between URL and IRL.
Von Pea is a founding member of the group Tanya Morgan and a charter member of Okayplayer and he also moderated the message boards. so he has tons of experience dealing with people online.
To order 15 Year Anniversary pressing of Brooklynati visit: vinylmeplease.com
For more information visit:
Von Pea: Instagram.com/VonPea
Donwill: Donwill.substack.com
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sesay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris, Edited by Kobina Baffour & Tony Mui. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summer 2024 is almost over so this week we went outside to find out what the streets were feeling. Top artists, album and of course song of the summer. We are still taking answers to all the questions so feel free to chime in on the comments as well!
For more information visit:
Donwill: Donwill.me
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sesay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris. Edited by Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we talk to Rodney Jerkins about his time spent working with Micheal Jackson, Brandy, Mary J Blige, Whitney Houston and Beyonce, to name a few. We also get to the bottom of a few unsolved mysteries that have been rattling around my brain.
Rodney Jerkins is a Grammy award-winning producer and songwriter who has worked with more than his fair share of legends.
For more information visit:
MAVI: Mavi.bandcamp.com
Donwill: Donwill.substack.com
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sssay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris. Edited by Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we talk to MAVI about his latest release, seeking the approval of your parents and the concept of a shadow self. He wasn’t able to make it into the studio so we did it via Zoom.
MAVI is a hip-hop artist from Charlotte North Carolina and his new album is titled shadowbox. He’s been widely praised for his mindful rhymes and evocative instrumentals.
For more information visit:
MAVI: Mavi.bandcamp.com
Donwill: Donwill.substack.com
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sssay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris. Edited by Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we talked to Lalah Hathaway about how she stays inspired to keep her music fresh. We also talk about hip-hop samples, vocal colors, vocal signatures, and a whole bunch of other fun stuff.
Layla is a Grammy award-winning singer, artist, writer, and producer and she is also the daughter of Donny Hathaway. Her new album Vantablack is available everywhere now.
For more information visit:
Lalah Hathaway: lalahhathaway.com
Donwill: Donwill.substack.com
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sesay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris, Edited by Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we talk to JSWISS about his career and upcoming release. We also discussed a few recent events including the LOX on NPR’s Tiny Desk, who his personal Big 3 are and Nardwuar’s iconic journalism.
JSWISS is an artist with a career unlike any one as he’s worked with several jazz luminaries including Nicolas Peyton, Elvis Costello, Casey Benjamin, Keyon Harold and Marcus Machado. (album with Micheal Lionheart.
For more information visit:
JSWISS: jswissmusic.com
Donwill: Donwill.substack.com
Okayplayer: Okayplayer.com
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sessay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced by Travis Harris, Edited by Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Music Production by Von Pea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Almanac of Rap is back and for our Okayplayer-produced season opener and our first guest is A-Trak.
A-Trak is a Canadian DJ, record producer, and co-founder of Fool’s Gold Records. We discuss Canadian hip hop, the impact of Fool’s Gold and give him the chance to give the Grammy acceptance speech he never got to make.
The Almanac of Rap is Executive produced by Donwill & Isha Sesay for Okayplayer Media. This episode was written and hosted by Donwill. Produced & Directed by Travis Harris. Edited by Kobina Baffour & Tony Mui. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Music Production by Von Pea.
For more information about A-Trak visit: www.atrak.com (http://www.atrak.com)
For more information about Fool’s Gold Visit: www.foolsgoldrecs.com (http://www.foolsgoldrecs.com)
For more information about Donwill visit: www.donwill.me (http://www.donwill.me)
For more information about Okayplayer visit: www.okayplayer.com (http://www.okayplayer.com)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To read show notes for this episode go to donwill.substack.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To read the show notes for this episode go to donwill.substack.com
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Today's episode is a compilation of sorts. I asked Timmhotep and DJ R-Tistic (two past guests) two wild questions - which religion and which gang has had a bigger impact on hip hop.
We also talk about rappers that have turned to religion.
It's a fun one.
And oh yeah subscribe to the new newsletter over at donwill.substack.com
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In this episode we discuss parody rap songs with none other than DIallo RIddle and Blake 'Luxxury' Robin. We also take a look at Russ Parr's history as a parody rap artist and track down The Rappin Duke to see what he's been up to.
You can check out One Song hosted by DIallo RIddle and Blake 'Luxxury' Robin here.
Visit donwill.me/aor to check out the show notes and sign up for our newsletter!
Donwill:
Twitter.com/donwill
Instagram.com/donwill
The Almanac of Rap:
Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap
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Do you have a comfort album? If so leave your response in the comments section of this Instagram post and I'll include them in an upcoming episode!
I'll be back in your
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In this episode we talkt to Will Miles about the distinct bond between rap and comedy. We look at a few comedians who have bars and talk about a few rappers that are actually hilarious
You can find out more about Will Miles at his website
Visit donwill.me/aor to check out the show notes and sign up for our newsletter!
Donwill:
Twitter.com/donwill
Instagram.com/donwill
The Almanac of Rap:
Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap
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On this episode we revisit an interview that I conducted in 2015 with Billy Woods and Elucid of the rap group Armand Hammer. They were fresh off of the release of their album Furtive Movements and preparing to release a set of solo albums. We talk about their origins as a rap group and their creative process.
Their new album We Buy Diabetic Test Strips drops on 9/29 via Fat Possum Records.
Visit donwill.me/aor to check out the show notes and sign up for our newsletter!
Donwill:
Twitter.com/donwill
Instagram.com/donwill
The Almanac of Rap:
Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap
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On today's episode we talk to DJ R-Tistic about LA dance music, west coast rap and discuss a few fantasy DJ match-ups. DJ R-Tistic is an LA native who has DJ’ed events for everyone from Stevie Wonder to Issa Rae. You can find out more about him at his website.
Visit donwill.me/aor to check out the show notes and sign up for our newsletter!
Donwill:
Twitter.com/donwill
Instagram.com/donwill
The Almanac of Rap:
Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap
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In this episode I try to wrap my head around the co-relation between Pussy Rap and the conversation about rap being boring or uninspired or whatever and lean on my friend DJ Tara for support.
You can tune in to her radio shows and find out where in the world she's spinning next at her website.
Visit donwill.me/aor to check out the show notes and sign up for our newsletter!
Donwill:
Twitter.com/donwill
Instagram.com/donwill
The Almanac of Rap:
Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap
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In this episode Donwill talks to Moruf to figure out what exactly Jersey Club is. He also tries to figure out if Tik Tok dances are the new break dancing.
You can find out more information about Moruf and Some Jazz Playing here
Visit donwill.me/aor to check out the show notes and sign up for our newsletter!
Donwill:
Twitter.com/donwill
Instagram.com/donwill
The Almanac of Rap:
Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap
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In this episode Donwill talks to Dave Giles II to figure out what happened to the danceable hip-house style of rap music. He also brings up that time KRS-One battled KRS.
You can find out more information about Dave and his many dope projects here
For a list of 10 Chicago House & Hip House songs, Kool Rock Steady's music video, a short documentary on Hip House and more visit donwill.me/aor/hip-house
Visit donwill.me/aor to sign up for our newsletter!
Donwill:
Twitter.com/donwill
Instagram.com/donwill
The Almanac of Rap:
Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap
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We are coming back August 2023!
To check out past episodes, join my newsletter or get more information in general visit www.donwill.me/aor
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The mix for this episode is available on Soundcloud.
Kathy is an author and professor at NYU who’s written books with Lil Kim, Prodigy and T Pain. You can learn more about her work here
Follow the us on social media:
The Almanac of Rap - Instagram
Visit Donwill.me to subscribe to my mailing list, book me for stuff or just find out more information in general.
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The mix for this episode is available on Soundcloud.
Timm is a writer and curator.who created Levels & The One’s for pitchfork. He hosted Squeeze Radio on the legendary 89.9 FM with Sucio Smash and currently has his own show on NTS radio.
Follow the us on social media:
The Almanac of Rap - Instagram
Visit Donwill.me to subscribe to my mailing list, book me for stuff or just find out more information in general.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The mix for this episode is available on Soundcloud.
Petey is NYC comic who reps the Bronx thoroughly. He has credits on Comedy Central, That Damn Micheal Che and stages across the country. For more info check out his Instagram
Follow the us on social media:
The Almanac of Rap - Instagram
Visit Donwill.me to subscribe to my mailing list, book me for stuff or just find out more information in general.
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The mix for this episode is available on Soundcloud.
Tajai is a founding member of Souls of Mischief/Hieroglyphics. For more info check out their website. Von Pea is a founding member of Tanya Morgan. For more info check out their website
Follow the us on social media:
The Almanac of Rap - Instagram
Visit Donwill.me to subscribe to my mailing list, book me for stuff or just find out more information in general.
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The mix for this episode is available on Soundcloud.
Psalm One is a chemist turned rapper turned author (Her Word is Bond) and founding member of The Shift Cooperative, a Minneapolis based Mutual aid fund providing relief and support to disadvantaged and underserved communities. For more info check out her website
Follow the us on social media:
The Almanac of Rap - Instagram
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The mix for this episode is available on Soundcloud.
Phonte is a rapper, singer and producer who is a member of Little Brother & Foreign Exchange. He also co-hosts Questlove Supreme and does the music for Sherman’s Showcase.
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The mix for this episode is available on Soundcloud.
Wyatt Cenac is an Emmy award winning comedian, actor, writer & producer. For more information visit wyattcenac.com
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This episode originally aired on March 7, 2023
The mix for this episode is available on Soundcloud.
Jean Grae is a writer, comedian and retired rapper. You can find out more about what she’s been up to at patreon.com/JeanGrae
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Simply put, this is a trailer for ashow about rap made by a rapper.
There will also be mixes to accompany each episode and they can be found at Soundcloud.com/donwill once the episodes go live
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