The Almanac of Rap

84:28

Blow the Whistle feat. Too $hort

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/10/01

Did you know that the Almanac of Rap is up for 3 Signal Awards? Vote for Donwill today, click the links below and let your voice be heard 🏆🏆🏆:Type Beats feat Jake One| The Almanac of Rap in the Genre - Conversation Starter Category Official Listing Rap Snacks feat Bun B| The Almanac of Rap in the Genre - Music Category Official Listing Rap Snacks feat Bun B| The Almanac of Rap in the Video Podcast - Best Video Podcast Host Category Official Listing Now, for this week's

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38:34

Rock Steady feat Ken Swift

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/09/24

Before breaking became a global industry, and long before it became an Olympic event, Ken Swift was helping define what the dance could be. A longtime Rock Steady Crew member and one of the form’s most important second-generation B-boys, Swift joins Donwill on The Almanac of Rap to revisit the late-’70s and early-’80s New York scene where DJs, concrete floors, gymnasiums and neighborhood crews turned movement into a new language. He explains why “breakdancing” was always a media invention, how Rock

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65:52

Precious Cargo feat Maiya the Don

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/09/17

Maiya the Don spent three years figuring out what she actually wanted to say. After Hot Commodity introduced a Brooklyn rapper capable of moving between drill, pop and straight-up bars, touring with Flo Milli and building an audience that first knew her as a beauty creator, Maiya found herself confronting a harder question: what does her music sound like when she's no longer trying to prove she can do everything? On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, she talks to Donwill about creating The Fine

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41:54

Pan Amsterdam feat Leron Thomas

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/09/10

Before Leron Thomas became the left-field rapper Pan Amsterdam, he was a Houston jazz prodigy sharing classrooms with Robert Glasper, touring with Bilal and building a reputation as a trumpeter willing to wander far outside jazz's borders. In this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Thomas traces that journey from Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts to New York's jazz scene, and explains how listening to everyone from the Geto Boys and Busta Rhymes to David Bowie and Frank Zappa

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61:28

Skiddle Bandana feat La Reezy

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/09/03

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill heads south to explore the past, present and future of New Orleans hip-hop with rising rapper, producer and 2026 XXL Freshman La Reezy.La Reezy shares how filming run-and-gun videos around his hometown helped him build an audience outside Louisiana, how a viral streetcar performance caught PJ Morton’s attention, and why he considers himself a “leader of the youth” within a new generation of New Orleans artists. For La Reezy, representing the city

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43:55

Embers To Ashes feat Everlast

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/08/27

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning artist Everlast for a wide-ranging conversation about reinvention, longevity and a career that has consistently refused to stay inside one genre.Everlast reflects on returning to music with Embers to Ashes after nearly eight years, an album shaped by the pandemic, divorce, losing his home in the Woolsey Fire and eventually finding his way back to songwriting. He takes Don through his early days with

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23:50

AOR Throwback: Hip House ft Dave Gilles II

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/08/20

On this throwback episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Grammy Award-winning songwriter and Chicago native Dave Giles II for a deep dive into Hip House, Chicago house music and the city's evolving relationship with hip-hop.Dave, co-writer and producer of Beyonce’s hit song “Cozy” from her #1 album Renaissance, remembers growing up in a Chicago where house music wasn't a separate scene; it was simply part of everyday Black life, from radio and skating rinks to block parties and

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57:50

Native Tongues feat The Jungle Brothers

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/08/14

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with hip-hop pioneers The Jungle Brothers to revisit the friendships, records and unlikely moments that helped shape one of rap's most influential eras.The Jungle Brothers take Don back to their teenage years, from high school talent shows and homemade cassette recordings to basement studios, legendary New York clubs and their earliest encounters with DJ Red Alert, Q-Tip, De La Soul and the artists who would become the Native Tongues

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43:52

Chika Day feat CHIKA

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/08/06

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with GRAMMY-nominated rapper, singer, and actor CHIKA for one of the funniest and most wide-ranging conversations of the season. From going viral on Instagram and signing with Warner Records to launching her career during the COVID-19 pandemic, CHIKA reflects on the unexpected highs and difficult realities of becoming one of hip-hop's most celebrated new voices. Along the way, Don and CHIKA spend several minutes passionately debating fountain

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39:19

The Lean feat Durand Bernarr

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/07/30

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and internet icon Durand Bernarr for a conversation that blends music history, creative identity, and plenty of laughs. From growing up in a household filled with instruments, vocal coaching, and Earth, Wind & Fire tour buses to becoming one of R&B's most distinctive voices, Durand reflects on the experiences that shaped both the artist and the personality fans know today.The pair

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35:44

AOR Throwback: DJ R-Tisitc

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/07/23

On this throwback episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill revisits his conversation with DJ R-Tisitc, one of Los Angeles' most respected DJs and music curators. From his early days producing for The Game's Black Wall Street to becoming a sought-after DJ for artists including Stevie Wonder and Issa Rae, DJ R-Tisitc reflects on his unconventional path into DJing and how studying regional music scenes helped shape his career. DJ R-Tisitc breaks down:The unique musical identity of Los Angeles; from

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23:24

The BET Awards 2026 feat Rapsody, Slim Jxmmi, Miles...

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/07/16

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

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47:13

Bits & Pieces Vol 1 feat Masta Ace, Michael Holman...

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/07/09

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

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19:37

AOR Mini: The Most "American" Moment in Hip Hop

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/07/07

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

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82:25

The Lottery feat Shaggy

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/07/02

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

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57:17

Indie Labels ft Awon and The Other Guys

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/06/25

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

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54:52

LA Beat Scene and Beyond feat Flying Lotus

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/06/18

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

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100:15

Mixtape Museum feat Regan Sommer McCoy

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/06/11

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

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58:43

Rapping Actors feat Jharrel Jerome

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/06/04

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,

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55:17

Rock n Rap feat Sequoia Holmes

The Almanac of Rap ·

2026/05/28

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

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