The Almanac of Rap

For our season finale we talk to Lupe Fiasco about his concept albums, his work with MIT, Yale and Google and history in martial arts. We also talk about the many supergroups he’s started and get a status update on if they are active or dormant. Lupe Fiasco is a grammy award winning rapper who has found a voice outside the booth by teaching classes about rap at MIT and working with Google’s large language model to develop a TextFX, an AI tool made specifically for writers. For more information visit: Lupe Fiasco: LupeFiasco.com Donwill: Donwill.me or 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 Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.

This week’s guest is Homeboy Sandman and we talk about him not being on social media, getting love from mainstream artists, his creative process and his upcoming tour. Homeboy Sandman is a Brooklyn based MC with a deep discography and rich history in the New York music scene. For more information visit: Homeboy Sandman: patreon.com/homeboysandman 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.

This week’s guest is Cory Gunz and we talk about him being mentored by Nick Cannon, Godfathered by Shaq, working with Lil Wayne and being raised by Peter Gunz. We also discuss his current crop of releases and his new crew, The Militia.  For more information visit: Corey Gunz: instagram.com/CoryGunz 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.

This week we talk to MC Lyte about her career and the way that she’s pioneered in music, fashion and more. We also do a quick study of the history of rappers with cartoons and pitch a few ideas for new cartoons that feature rappers. MC Lyte is rapper, DJ, actor and TV producer who’s been a part of some of culture's biggest moments. For more information visit: MC Lyte: mclytenow.com 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.

This week we talk to Cavalier about releasing multiple albums, ‘legal weed’, moving to New Orleans and much, much more. Cavalier is a fiercely independent Brooklyn born artist whose new album Different Type Time has achieved critical acclaim.  For more information visit: Cavalier: cavwins.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 Travis Harris & Kobina Baffour. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Graphic Design by Crystal Simone. Music Production by Von Pea.

This week we talked to Von Pea about Internet Rappers and the etiquette of being online. We also play a game of ‘Guess The Real Rapper’ to further illustrate the fine line between URL and IRL. Von Pea is a founding member of the group Tanya Morgan and a charter member of Okayplayer and he also moderated the message boards. so he has tons of experience dealing with people online. To order 15 Year Anniversary pressing of Brooklynati visit: vinylmeplease.com For more information visit: Von Pea: Instagram.com/VonPea 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 & Tony Mui. Art Direction by Kaushik Kalidindi. Music Production by Von Pea.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

To read show notes for this episode go to donwill.substack.com

To read the show notes for this episode go to donwill.substack.com

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

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. Visit donwill.me/aor to check out the show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Donwill: Twitter.com/donwill Instagram.com/donwill The Almanac of Rap: Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap

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

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 Visit donwill.me/aor to check out the show notes and sign up for our newsletter! Donwill: Twitter.com/donwill Instagram.com/donwill The Almanac of Rap: Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap

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: Twitter.com/donwill Instagram.com/donwill The Almanac of Rap: Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap

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: Twitter.com/donwill Instagram.com/donwill The Almanac of Rap: Instagram.com/thealmanacofrap