The Almanac of Rap

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.

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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.

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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)

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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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

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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

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Donwill:

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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:

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The Almanac of Rap:

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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:

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The Almanac of Rap:

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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:

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Instagram.com/donwill

The Almanac of Rap:

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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:

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The Almanac of Rap:

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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

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Donwill:

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The Almanac of Rap:

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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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