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The Almanac of Rap

The Almanac of Rap

Donwill/Okayplayer 52 Episodes Aug 20, 2026

The Almanac of Rap is a two-time Webby Award-winning show that examines trends in hip hop and their impact over time. Each week, host Donwill asks a question, presents a theory, and finds a guest to come to some sort of consensus about it. It's a show about rap, by a rapper who loves rap music.

Episodes

AOR Throwback: Hip House ft Dave Gilles II
AOR Throwback: Hip House ft Dave Gilles II Aug 20, 2026 1430 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
Native Tongues feat The Jungle Brothers
Native Tongues feat The Jungle Brothers Aug 14, 2026 3470 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 enc
Chika Day feat CHIKA
Chika Day feat CHIKA Aug 6, 2026 2632 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 c
The Lean feat Durand Bernarr
The Lean feat Durand Bernarr Jul 30, 2026 2359 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 refl
AOR Throwback: DJ R-Tisitc
AOR Throwback: DJ R-Tisitc Jul 23, 2026 2144 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
The BET Awards 2026 feat Rapsody, Slim Jxmmi, Miles Minnick, Salt and more.
The BET Awards 2026 feat Rapsody, Slim Jxmmi, Miles Minnick, Salt and more. Jul 16, 2026 1404 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 capture
Bits & Pieces Vol 1 feat Masta Ace, Michael Holman and Jake One
Bits & Pieces Vol 1 feat Masta Ace, Michael Holman and Jake One Jul 9, 2026 2833 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'
AOR Mini: The Most "American" Moment in Hip Hop
AOR Mini: The Most "American" Moment in Hip Hop Jul 7, 2026 1177 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 befo
The Lottery feat Shaggy
The Lottery feat Shaggy Jul 2, 2026 4945 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 reflect
Indie Labels ft Awon and The Other Guys
Indie Labels ft Awon and The Other Guys Jun 25, 2026 3437 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
LA Beat Scene and Beyond feat Flying Lotus
LA Beat Scene and Beyond feat Flying Lotus Jun 18, 2026 3322 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 Lot
Mixtape Museum feat Regan Sommer McCoy
Mixtape Museum feat Regan Sommer McCoy Jun 11, 2026 6015 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 or

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