The Almanac of Rap

What happens when an artist refuses to separate creativity from revolution? Poet, musician, actor, filmmaker, and cultural provocateur Saul Williams joins Donwill for an expansive conversation about Leap Life, his first solo studio album in seven years, and Songs My Mother Taught Me, a new nonfiction book examining the experiences and ideas that shaped his political consciousness. Working alongside producer Carlos Niño, Williams transforms experimental soundscapes, dance rhythms, and ancestral memory into music that confronts artificial intelligence, colonialism, and the machinery of modern power. From recording a track inside Cairo's bustling streets on his leap-day birthday to hosting listening séances honoring the lives lost to violence, Williams reveals why his latest work is both deeply personal and unapologetically political.

Saul travels with Donwill back to the Brooklyn poetry scene of the 1990s, where Williams shared open-mic stages with future cultural luminaries, including Yasiin Bey and Erykah Badu, before becoming a defining voice of the spoken-word movement. Saul breaks down:

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The making of Leap Life: How Carlos Niño helped transform years of experimental demos into a cohesive album.

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The ideas behind Songs My Mother Taught Me, the influence of Paul Robeson and W.E.B. Du Bois, and why Williams believes music should challenge power rather than reinforce it.

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His first performance at Brooklyn Moon Cafe in 1995, friendships with Yasiin Bey and Erykah Badu, and the creative community that helped bring spoken-word poetry to a new generation.

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His journey through film, theater, and experimental storytelling, including Holler If Ya Hear Me, his years in Paris, and the patience required to create work that defies categorization.

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The relationship between AI and forced labor explored in "Robot Slave," his listening séances, and why fiction, poetry, and music remain essential tools for imagining liberation.

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Follow: Saul Williams

Instagram: saulwilliams

Facebook: Saul Williams

Website: http://www.saulwilliams.com

Created and hosted by award-winning artist and cultural commentator Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is Areya Media’s living archive of hip-hop history, told by the people who made it. Through deeply researched interviews, cultural deep dives and conversations with artists, producers, DJs and architects of the culture, the series connects hip-hop’s past to the ideas shaping its future.

A two-time Webby Award, three time Signal Award, and three-time w3 Gold Award winner, The Almanac of Rap approaches hip-hop with the curiosity of music journalism and the intimacy of conversation documenting the stories, sounds and cultural details that deserve a permanent place in the record.

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

What happens when one of hip-hop's most elusive albums becomes the subject of a Netflix documentary? RZA, the visionary producer, filmmaker, and founding architect of the Wu-Tang Clan, joins Donwill to discuss The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable, the new documentary chronicling the extraordinary journey of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. Created as a single-copy work of art, the album became a multimillion-dollar cultural controversy after its sale to Martin Shkreli, raising questions about artistic ownership, creative freedom, and the value of music in the streaming era. RZA reflects on his relationship with producer Cilvaringz, the persistence that brought him into Wu-Tang's orbit, and the philosophical lessons behind a project whose legacy continues to evolve beyond its creators. The RZA breaks down:

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The story behind Once Upon a Time in Shaolin: Why Wu-Tang created a one-of-a-kind album, the controversy surrounding Martin Shkreli, and the project's continuing legacy.

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Cilvaringz and the philosophy of persistence: How an ambitious young artist earned RZA's attention through preparation, determination, and a willingness to learn.

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Artistic ownership in the streaming era: Why scarcity, direct-to-consumer relationships, and devoted fans can change how independent musicians value their work.

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The Wu-Tang business philosophy: Wu Wear, and the group's extended creative universe helped generate opportunities beyond record sales.

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From Prince Rakeem to filmmaker: RZA's experiences with John Woo, Quentin Tarantino, and other filmmakers shaped his creative evolution and ambitions in cinema.

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Follow RZA

Instagram: @rza

YouTube: @rza1235 Web: Bobbydigital.com⁠

Shop: Wu Tang Clan

Created and hosted by award-winning artist and cultural commentator Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is Areya Media’s living archive of hip-hop history, told by the people who made it. Through deeply researched interviews, cultural deep dives and conversations with artists, producers, DJs and architects of the culture, the series connects hip-hop’s past to the ideas shaping its future.

A two-time Webby Award winner and three-time w3 Gold Award winner, The Almanac of Rap approaches hip-hop with the curiosity of music journalism and the intimacy of conversation documenting the stories, sounds and cultural details that deserve a permanent place in the record.

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

Digable Planets helped redefine the possibilities of hip-hop in the early 1990s, blending jazz, funk, political consciousness, and a distinctly cosmic sensibility into a sound that resisted easy categorization. More than three decades later, Ishmael Butler (Butterfly) and Craig Irving (Doodlebug) join Donwill backstage at Brooklyn Bowl to revisit the group's unlikely beginnings, from three artists representing Seattle, Philadelphia, and Maryland to a Grammy-winning collective that made Brooklyn its creative home. They reflect on the success of Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space), the complicated cultural politics of winning a Grammy in hip-hop's early years, and how their revolutionary upbringing informed the music and visual identity of Blowout Comb. Digable Planets break down:

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The origins of Digable Planets: How three MCs from different cities found one another and built their creative foundation in Brooklyn.

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The making of Blowout Comb: How Black Panther Party newspapers, revolutionary family histories, and live musicians shaped the group's second album.

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The Grammy paradox: Why winning Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group was both a milestone and a complicated achievement in early-'90s hip-hop.

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Why rap groups are disappearing: How social media, individual branding, and changing ideas about community have transformed hip-hop's collaborative culture.

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Beyond the jazz rap label: Why the group resisted genre restrictions, how their music found new life through Snoop Dogg and E-40 samples, and what keeps their catalog relevant across generations.

Be sure to check out Ladybug Mecca's episode on Blowout Comb, too!

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Follow: Digable Planets

Instagram: planetsdigable

Facebook: OfficialDigablePlanets

Web: https://www.officialdigableplanets.com/

Created and hosted by award-winning artist and cultural commentator Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is Areya Media’s living archive of hip-hop history, told by the people who made it. Through deeply researched interviews, cultural deep dives and conversations with artists, producers, DJs and architects of the culture, the series connects hip-hop’s past to the ideas shaping its future.

A two-time Webby Award winner and three-time w3 Gold Award winner, The Almanac of Rap approaches hip-hop with the curiosity of music journalism and the intimacy of conversation documenting the stories, sounds and cultural details that deserve a permanent place in the record.

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

Before Digable Planets helped redefine the sound of alternative hip-hop, Ladybug Mecca was a young artist absorbing Brazilian music, jazz, and the rhythms of her family's home. Three decades after Blowout Comb became a cornerstone of jazz-inflected hip-hop, the pioneering MC joins Donwill to discuss her latest chapter as a recipient of Harvard University's Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship. Her research traces the connections between hip-hop and Afro-Brazilian traditions, from Candomblé drumming to capoeira, challenging the idea that hip-hop simply arrived in Brazil rather than finding a culture already connected through rhythm, movement, and shared African ancestry.

Ladybug Mecca reflects on her Brazilian parents, the influence of MC Lyte and Queen Latifah, and the enduring relevance of Digable Planets' Blowout Comb. She opens up about navigating hip-hop as a young woman, her friendships with Guru and Bahamadia, her collaborations with Prince Paul and Brookzill!, and why documenting Black creativity is increasingly urgent in an era of cultural erasure. Still an avid music discoverer, Mecca also shares her excitement for a new generation of women MCs and explains why her next creative chapter is as much about recovering history as making it. Ladybug Mecca breaks down:

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How the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship is helping her investigate connections between Afro-Brazilian culture, hip-hop, and the Black Atlantic.

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Why the Blowout Comb continues to resonate across generations and how “Black Ego” has taken on new meaning amid cultural erasure.

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Collaborating with Prince Paul on Brookzill!, building friendships with Guru and Bahamadia, and hearing her voice sampled on Snoop Dogg's “Candy.”

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Why archival research, music discovery, and the rising generation of women rappers remain central to her creative life.

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Archival Episodes of Almanac of Rap: http://almanacofrap.com Instagram/Threads: @donwill

Mixcloud: Donwill

Website: https://donwill.me

Follow: Ladybug Mecca

Instagram: @ladybugmecca

Facebook: Ladybug Mecca

Created and hosted by award-winning artist and cultural commentator Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is Areya Media’s living archive of hip-hop history, told by the people who made it. Through deeply researched interviews, cultural deep dives and conversations with artists, producers, DJs and architects of the culture, the series connects hip-hop’s past to the ideas shaping its future.

A two-time Webby Award winner and three-time w3 Gold Award winner, The Almanac of Rap approaches hip-hop with the curiosity of music journalism and the intimacy of conversation documenting the stories, sounds and cultural details that deserve a permanent place in the record.

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

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 🏆🏆🏆:

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Type Beats feat Jake One| The Almanac of Rap in the Genre - Conversation Starter Category Official Listing

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Rap Snacks feat Bun B| The Almanac of Rap in the Genre - Music Category Official Listing

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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 episode:

Before independent rap became a business model, Too $hort was already selling tapes hand-to-hand in Oakland. More than four decades later, Short Dog sits down with Donwill to trace the improbable longevity of a career that helped establish the Bay Area as its own hip-hop universe. He revisits hiding his earliest rhymes from his mother, producing his own records, documenting Oakland when New York and Los Angeles dominated rap's geography, and the run of albums that culminated in Gettin’ It (the record he considers the peak of his original sound) and the moment he got to work with his childhood hero, George Clinton.

Too $hort explains how relationships with The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, UGK, Eric Sermon and Lil Jon expanded his reach without disconnecting him from the Bay and how “Blow the Whistle,” released deep into an already historic career, effectively bought him another 20 years. Along the way, he talks “raunchy rap”, censorship, protecting young artists from the streets and what it means to be 60 in a genre that once wasn't expected to survive long enough to have senior citizens. For Too $hort, the answer has been sitting in the title of his earliest project all along: don't stop rapping. Too $hort breaks down:

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How selling tapes independently in Oakland became the foundation for a 40-plus-year career

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Why Gettin’ It represents the peak of his original Bay Area sound and what working with George Clinton meant to him

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How Biggie, Jay-Z, UGK, Eric Sermon and Lil Jon helped open new chapters without changing who he was

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Why “Blow the Whistle” became the late-career anthem that gave him another 20 years

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What hip-hop can learn about longevity, protecting the bag and growing old without leaving the culture behind

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Archival Episodes of Almanac of Rap: http://almanacofrap.com Instagram/Threads: @donwill

Mixcloud: Donwill

Website: https://donwill.me

Follow: Too $hort

Instagram: tooshort

Facebook: tooshort

Tik Tok: tooshortofficial⁠

Created and hosted by award-winning artist and cultural commentator Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is Areya Media’s living archive of hip-hop history, told by the people who made it. Through deeply researched interviews, cultural deep dives and conversations with artists, producers, DJs and architects of the culture, the series connects hip-hop’s past to the ideas shaping its future.

A two-time Webby Award winner and three-time w3 Gold Award winner, The Almanac of Rap approaches hip-hop with the curiosity of music journalism and the intimacy of conversation documenting the stories, sounds and cultural details that deserve a permanent place in the record.

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

Before breaking became a global industry, and long before it became an Olympic event, Ken Swiftwas helping define what the dance could be. A longtime Rock Steady Crewmember 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 Steady expanded across boroughs, and why early breaking was as much about character, rhythm and community as athleticism.

Swift also looks back on the films that exported breaking to the world (from Wild Style and Beat Street to the now-iconic Flashdance sequence) and weighs what happens when an underground culture becomes a global institution. He talks candidly about breaking’s Olympic debut, why he chose to watch and judge it from home, and why the future of the form depends less on spectacle than on education, tradition and teaching young dancers how to exist inside the culture, not just battle inside it. Ken Swift breaks down:

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How Rock Steady Crew’s second generation came together across the Bronx and Manhattan

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Why “breakdancing” was never the language the culture used for itself

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What Beat Street, Wild Style and Flashdance got right (and wrong) about early hip-hop

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How he really felt about breaking becoming an Olympic sport

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Why education and cultural memory matter more than ever for breaking’s future

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Mixcloud: Donwill

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Follow Ken Swift

Instagram: @realkenswift

Website: http://www.breaklife.com

Created and hosted by award-winning artist and cultural commentator Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is Areya Media’s living archive of hip-hop history, told by the people who made it. Through deeply researched interviews, cultural deep dives and conversations with artists, producers, DJs and architects of the culture, the series connects hip-hop’s past to the ideas shaping its future.

A two-time Webby Award winner and three-time w3 Gold Award winner, The Almanac of Rap approaches hip-hop with the curiosity of music journalism and the intimacy of conversation documenting the stories, sounds and cultural details that deserve a permanent place in the record.

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

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 Print Club, her book club built around reading, community and creating space for Black women; recommends everything from S.A. Cosby to DMX; and hilariously puts her literary knowledge to the test against some of urban fiction's wildest book titles.

Between books and bars, she also makes a case for independence, explains why artists shouldn't run from being content creators and delivers a warning to anyone tempted to underestimate her pen: Precious Cargo (her new album) may be personal, but Maiya the Don still came to rap. Maiya the Don breaks down:

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Why Precious Cargo became the coming-of-age album she needed three years to make

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Turning a beauty-content following into the foundation for a rap career

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Why independence gives her control over both her artistry and narrative

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Building The Fine Print Club and creating literary community for Black women

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Why “TSA” is her answer to anyone questioning a woman rapper's pen

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

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Follow: Maiya The Don

Instagram: @maiyathedonn

Album: Precious Cargo ⁠

Book Club: @fineprint.collective

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.

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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 eventually made genre feel less like an identity than a suggestion. Leron Thomas breaks down:

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How touring with Tanya Morgan helped inspire his Pan Amsterdam alter ego

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Going from Robert Glasper's Houston classmate to Bilal's touring band

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How Iggy Pop discovered Pan Amsterdam and turned the connection into Free

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Why Busta Rhymes, Geto Boys and Southern rap influenced his jazz phrasing

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The creative tug-of-war between Leron Thomas, Pan Amsterdam and genre itself

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

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Follow: Leron Thomas

Instagram: @leronthomas98

Spotify: Leron Thomas

Apple Music:⁠ Pan Amsterdam

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 isn’t simply an aesthetic, it’s central to his strategy, community and identity.

Fresh off recognition from the National Hip-Hop Museum and an appearance in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl experience, La Reezy also opens up about faith, family, learning from Jon Batiste, studying Kendrick from behind the scenes and his ambitions beyond music. La Reezy breaks down:

• Why representing your hometown can be a competitive advantage
• The streetcar video that caught PJ Morton’s attention
• Performing at Keith Lee’s Family Day
• The ideas behind his debut album, Skiddle Bandana
• His dream of producing for Lil Wayne and NBA YoungBoy

Check out archived episodes of The Almanac of Rap at: https://almanacofrap.com/ 📚

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

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Follow: La Reezy

Instagram: lareezymusic

Album: Skiddle Bandana

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Ice-T’s Rhyme Syndicate and Divine Styler, the friendships that connected him with DJ Muggs, B-Real and Cypress Hill, and the unlikely series of events that led to House of Pain and the creation of “Jump Around.”

The conversation also revisits the genre-smashing Judgment Night soundtrack, the transformation that produced Whitey Ford Sings the Blues and “What It’s Like,” his relationship with Yelawolf, and why his decades-old beef with Eminem is firmly in the past. Everlast also considers what it takes to create a genuine anthem in today’s algorithm-driven music industry and gives flowers to the artists who helped make his career possible. Everlast breaks down:

• Returning with Embers to Ashes after an eight-year album hiatusLosing his home in the Woolsey Fire and rebuilding his life
• How COVID and fatherhood changed his relationship with touring
• House of Pain's unexpected relationship with Ireland
• Everlast says his Eminem beef is long over.

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Follow Everlast

Instagram: ogeverlast

Facebook: Everlast

Spotify:Everlast

Apple Music: Everlast

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 neighborhood venues. He and Donwill revisit pioneers like Mike Dunn, Chicago's Black club culture, and the unique style of rapping that developed alongside house music. Dave breaks down:

• The connection between the geography of Chicago's house era to the neighborhoods that later became central to drill music
• Examines how housing displacement, demolished public housing communities and neighborhood upheaval reshaped the city's culture
• Common's memories of Chicago nightlife
• Hip House's connection to hip-hop's Jamaican party-rocking roots
• Dave's Grammy win and work on Beyoncé's Renaissance

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Follow: Dave Giles II

Instagram: davegilesii

Web: http://www.davegilesii.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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 collective. They also unpack the story behind “I’ll House You,” their groundbreaking collision of hip-hop and house music, and explain why genre boundaries simply didn't matter to their generation. The Jungle Brothers breakdown:

• Meeting as teenagers, touring Europe and the communal studio culture of early hip-hop
• Why Red Alert deserves greater recognition in hip-hop history
• De La Soul, Buddy and Calliope Studios
• How “I'll House You” emerged before rap and house became rigid categories.

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

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Mixcloud: Donwill

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Follow The Jungle Brothers

Instagram: @junglebrothers4life

Spotify: Jungle Brothers

Apple Music: Jungle Brothers

Link.tree: @junglebrothers

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 pens, celebrate Montgomery's official CHIKA Day, and revisit the legendary Montgomery Riverfront Brawl. CHIKA breaks down:

CHIKA's viral rise from Instagram freestylesNavigating online controversy, mental health and social mediaThe Montgomery Riverboat Brawl ("Fade in the Water") aka CHIKA DaySurviving the isolation of pandemic success Why artists should never let social media define themThe making of Sampson

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

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Follow CHIKA

Instagram: chikalogy

Spotify: CHIKA

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 discuss Durand's latest album Bernarr, how winning his first Grammy accelerated his career, and why social media has become an extension of his artistry rather than just a promotional tool. They also dive into his deep love for YouTube-era music discovery, the lasting influence of artists like J*DaVeY, Crash Cut, Vula, and Rochelle Jordan, and why authenticity will always outlast chasing trends. Durand breaks down:

• Queer visibility in music
• Working alongside Earth, Wind & Fire
• His love of DJing and production
• His unforgettable Grammy acceptance speech, and the importance of embracing every version of yourself.

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

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Mixcloud: Donwill

Website: https://donwill.me

Follow Durand Bernarr:

Instagram: @durandbernarr

Web: https://www.durandbernarr.com/

Album: BERNARR.

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 G-Funk and electro to jerkin' to crumping and the influences of hyphy music.
• Why drill music has never truly found a home in Southern California.
• How producers like DJ Mustard, Terrace Martin, Channel Tres, and Blxst represent different chapters in the evolution of the city's sound.

Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.

Substack: New Music Tuesdays

Instagram/Threads: @donwill

Mixcloud: Donwill

Website: https://donwill.me

Follow DJ R-Tisitc:

Instagram: @djrtistic

Web: https://www.djr-tistic.com/

Twitch: rtistic310

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: https://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 https://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: https://donwill.me

Follow Michael Holman:

Instagram: @michaelholman101

Follow Jake One:

Instagram: jakeuno

Web: http://snarejordan.com

Bandcamp: Jake One

Follow Masta Ace:

Instagram: mastaacepics

Facebook: Masta Ace

Web: http://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 https://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: https://donwill.me

Follow Faybeo’n Mickens

Instagram: @likwuid

Web: http://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 https://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: https://donwill.me

Follow Shaggy

Instagram: direalshaggy

Tik Tok: DiRealShaggyFacebook: 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 https://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: https://donwill.me

Follow: The Other Guys

Instagram: @otherguysmusic

Website: HipNott Records

Follow: Awon

Instagram: @awon1988

Website: http://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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices