Rap & Reason

Rap & Reason is a music review podcast that stars hip-hop scholar Dr. Jeremy McCool and award-winning journalist Earl Hopkins. Each episode delves into the latest pop culture news and music releases, as well as past rap albums that redefined the genre.

Rap & Reason Ep. 60 | Am I The Drama?

Hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Cardi B and Jay Electronica's new projects. They also discuss Chance The Rapper's "Ride Remix," Big Sean and Russ' recent collab, and the death of the posse cut.

09-25
58:30

Rap & Reason Ep. 59 | Gyatt

R&R hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Ice Spice and Latto's "Gyatt" and Young Thug's "Miss My Dawgs." They also discuss Dame Dash's viral The Breakfast Club interview, and look back at Young Jeezy's "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101" after the announcement of his Las Vegas residency.

09-18
01:05:01

Rap & Reason Ep. 58 | Whoop-Dee-Doo

Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Joey Bada$$'s new album "Lonely at the Top" and look back on the impact of Jay-Z's "The Black Album." They also discuss Cardi B's Super Bowl performance claims, Will Smith's AI-generated audience, and Young Thug's viral interview.

09-11
01:16:40

Rap & Reason Ep. 57 | Live Laugh Rap

Hosts Earl Hopkins and Dr. Jeremy C. McCool review Earl Sweatshirt's new album, "Live Laugh Love," and Offset's "Kiari." They also discuss the state of ghostwriting and Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss' upcoming collab.

08-28
49:43

Rap & Reason Ep. 56 | And We Back!

Hosts Earl Hopkins and Dr. Jeremy McCool review Chance The Rapper's new and long-anticipated album, "Star Line." They also break down the first, second, and third tiers in rap – from new to seasoned emcees – and dive into Cardi B's newest single, "Imaginary Playerz."

08-21
01:00:23

Rap & Reason Ep. 55 | Community

R&R hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Gunna's "Last Wunn" and J.I.D.'s "God Does Like Ugly." They also discuss the current state of Atlanta rap, J. Cole's "The Fall Off" tease, and Chance The Rapper's new album and tour in six years.

08-14
01:02:32

Rap & Reason Ep. 54 | Hip-Hop Is Back

R&R hosts review Metro Boomin's nostalgic mixtape "Metro Boomin Presents: A Futuristic Summa" and Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist's "Alfredo 2." They also discuss who has the best rap of the year (so far), and look back at Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's classic, "E. 1999 Eternal."

08-06
01:02:11

Rap & Reason Ep. 53 | Crack The Code

Hosts Earl Hopkins and Dr. Jeremy McCool review Tyler, The Creator and Larry June's new albums, discuss Sekpta's response to Joyner Lucas' diss, and Clipse's first week album sales. They also list the best rap album covers and features in rap.

07-23
01:08:19

Rap & Reason Ep. 52 | Let The Pod Sort Em Out

Hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Clipse's "Let God Sort Em Out" and "Jackboys 2," featuring Travis Scott, Don Toliver, SoFaygo, Sheck Wes, and others. They also discuss US vs UK Rappers debate, Joyner Lucas' response to Skepta, and where the Pusha T and Travis Scott beef lands after "Champain and Vacay."

07-16
01:07:04

Rap & Reason Ep. 51 | It's Just A Song

Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins discuss Chance the Rapper's new song, the collab between J.I.D and Eminem on "Animals (Pt. 1), "Not Like Us" reaching Diamond status, and Drake's return with "What Did I Miss?" They also review 50 Cent's "The Massacre" to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

07-09
57:03

Rap & Reason | New Rapper, New Name

Hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Kota the Friend's new album, "No Rap on Sunday," break down SZA and Kendrick's record-setting tour, review the tracklist for Clipse's "Let God Sort Em Out," and dive into the Top 5 Albums of 2025 (So Far).

07-02
01:11:06

Rap & Reason Ep. 49 | Made You Look

Hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins break down the latest collaborations between artists Offset, J.I.D., Akon, and Sheesh, and discuss Cardi B's upcoming album, "Am I The Drama?" They also discuss the Jim Jones vs Nas debate, the top 50 hip-hop disses of all time, and look back at Nas' "God's Son."

06-25
01:12:29

Rap & Reason Ep. 48 | So Be It

R&R hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Clipse's new track, "So Be It," Slick Rick's new album "Victory," and Lil Tecca's latest release, "Dopamine." They also discuss Drake's latest feature on Smiley's "2 Mazza" and Roddy Ricch and Gunna's latest releases.

06-18
01:14:39

Rap & Reason Ep. 47 | Award Shows Are Back

Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins give a recap of the 2025 BET Awards, from the best performances and the grandest tributes. They also review Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter VI" and discuss Complex's Top 50 LA Rappers list.

06-11
01:08:16

Rap & Reason Ep. 46 | The Root Of It All

R&R hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review the Roots Picnic Festival, preview the new Clipse album, and discuss the impact of the "Story of Adidon" seven years after its release. They also look back at Nipsey Hussle's classic, Victory Lap, and list the hottest songs of the past week.

06-04
56:14

Rap & Reason Ep. 45 | Out The Mud

On Episode 45, hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Snoop Dogg and Lecrae's new projects and discuss the best rap and R&B duos in hip-hop history. They also address the conversations surrounding Diddy's federal case and its potential impact on hip-hop culture.

05-28
01:10:02

Rap & Reason Ep. 44 | East Meets West

R&R hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins discuss the heated exchange between Joey Badass, Ray Vaugh, Daylyt, and other West Coast artists. They also review Tee Grizzley's new album, "Forever My Moment," and talk about the return of regional rap.

05-21
59:23

Rap & Reason Ep. 43 | The Biggest Bosses

On Episode 43, R&R hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins talk about DDG's new album, "Blame The Chat," and the list of the best "no skip" hip-hop albums. They also look back at Rick Ross' "Teflon Don" 15 years after its release.

05-14
01:00:16

Rap & Reason Ep. 42 | War of Words

R&R hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Grand National Tour" stop in Philly, look back at Lamar and Drake's beef one year later, review Key Glock's new album "Glockaveli," and rank the best Memphis rappers of all time.

05-07
01:14:08

Rap & Reason Ep. 41 | To Be An Outkast

R&R hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins celebrate Outkast's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, they rank the best artists to listen to in the gym, and look back at Common's classic "Be." They also discuss the musical elements in the hit film, "Sinners," and Young Thug's upcoming album.

04-30
01:00:36

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