The Almanac of Rap

Donwill/Okayplayer

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

  1. The Buddha and The Beat feat Born I

    3D AGO

    The Buddha and The Beat feat Born I

    Religion has always had a place in hip-hop, from ‘god-body’ flows to references of the “third eye” and quoting Surahs; but what happens when you sit down with an actual Buddhist rapper? This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill is joined by rapper, author, and practitioner Born I to explore the long-standing (and often misunderstood) relationship between Buddhism and hip-hop culture. From references to “Buddha” in rap lyrics to deeper conversations around mindfulness, suffering, and self-compassion, this episode separates fact from folklore.  Born I will break down: Key Buddhist concepts like the Four Noble Truths, Dharma, and mantras His own journey navigating hip-hop, electronic music, and spiritual practice How artists use music as testimony, how hooks can function like mantras, and why hip-hop’s connection to Buddhism runs deeper than weed references and fashion logos. Plus, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, and Childish Gambino lyrics get put under the microscope…are they actually tapping into Buddhist philosophy, or just vibing? (You be the judge.) Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.Substack: New Music TuesdaysInstagram/Threads: @donwillMixcloud: DonwillWebsite: Donwill.meFollow Born IInstagram:  bornimusic  Web: bornimusic.comSoundcloud: bornimusic  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.  Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min
  2. Canadian Connections feat Shad

    MAR 19

    Canadian Connections feat Shad

    📢 Special Announcement 📢 Want to join Donwill for a live recording of The Almanac of Rap in NYC?Click here to request an invite. (Limited capacity. Invite only.)On Air Fest, Soho House, and Okayplayer have joined forces for a special live episode of the Almanac of Rap featuring Regan Sommer McCoy, Chief Curator of the Mixtape Museum on March 24, 2026 at 5:30pm.Join Donwill and Regan at Ludlow House NYC for a conversation on hip-hop preservation, archival storytelling, and the hidden science behind mixtape culture. 📢 ### 📢 Juno Award-winning Canadian rapper and broadcaster Shad joins Donwill for a long-overdue conversation that spans music, media, and creative growth. From freestyling in London, Ontario to winning a Juno Award over Drake, Shad reflects on carving out a career in a country with a very different hip-hop ecosystem.  Shad breaks down: His journey from freestyling in London to becoming a Juno Award-winning artist, and beating Drake in the process. Your Boy Tony Braxton and why artists should never “disrespect the music” Hosting Hip-Hop Evolution and interviewing icons like Dolly Parton and Norm Macdonald Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more. Substack: New Music Tuesdays Instagram/Threads: @donwill Mixcloud: Donwill Website: Donwill.me Follow Shad Instagram: @shadkmusic Web: shadk.com Music: K.I.S.S. + Islands 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.  Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
  3. The Two First Namers Club feat Reuben Vincent & 9th Wonder

    MAR 12

    The Two First Namers Club feat Reuben Vincent & 9th Wonder

    In this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with 9th Wonder, Grammy-winning producer, Jamla Records founder, Little Brother co-founder, and college professor, alongside rising North Carolina MC Reuben Vincent, one of the sharpest young lyricists in the game.  Together they unpack: The legacy of North Carolina hip-hop9th Wonder’s journey from producer to professor Discovering Reuben Vincent at just 13 years old Why using your government name in rap is basically a skill badge Jamla Records and artist development in the streaming era Education, mentorship, and preserving hip-hop history How the internet changed artist relationships foreverThe making of their joint album Welcome Home Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more. Substack: New Music Tuesdays Instagram/Threads: @donwill Mixcloud: Donwill Website: Donwill.me Follow 9th Wonder: Instagram: @9thwonder Twitter/X: @9thwonder Jamla Records: @jamlarecords Follow Reuben Vincent: Instagram: @reubenvincent YouTube: @reubenvincent Welcome Home 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.  Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 24m
  4. Type Beats feat Jake One

    MAR 5

    Type Beats feat Jake One

    What does a beat sound like when it… sounds expensive?  In this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with legendary Seattle producer Jake One, the mind behind records for MF DOOM, Freddie Gibbs, Rick Ross, J. Cole, Freeway, Snoop Dogg, Brother Ali, Tuxedo, and even the iconic John Cena theme.  Together they unpack one of the most important shifts in modern hip-hop production: the rise of type beats.  Jake One breaks down: What “type beats” actually are and how they changed the music economy The BeatStars marketplace and the viral story behind Old Town Road The difference between analog era producers and FruityLoops generation producers Speed-running beats, drum kits, and the gamification of music production Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more. Substack: New Music Tuesdays Instagram/Threads: @donwill Mixcloud: Donwill Website: Donwill.me Follow Jake One: Instagram: jakeuno Web: snarejordan.com Bancamp: Jake One 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.  Find exclusive Okayplayer merch, tees and limited releases at https://shop.okayplayer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
  5. SEASON 4 TRAILER

    The Almanac of Rap Returns

    Hosted by rapper, DJ, and producer Donwill, Season 4 of the two-time Webby Award winning Almanac of Rap podcast series returns February 26th with a new lineup of hip-hop legends, innovators, and cultural architects. This season features conversations with: Bun B, Raekwon, Havoc, 9th Wonder & Reuben Vincent, LaRussell, Cupid, Mr. DJ, Jharrel Jerome, and more. Each week, Donwill dives deep into hip-hop history, rap trends, and the stories behind the culture; uncovering hidden gems, surprising perspectives, and unexpected moments. New episodes drop every Thursday (alternating audio and video versions every other week.) Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more. Substack: ⁠⁠New Music Tuesdays⁠⁠ Instagram/Threads: ⁠⁠@donwill⁠⁠ Mixcloud: ⁠⁠Donwill⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠Donwill.me⁠⁠ The Almanac of Rap is a production of Okayplayer and is distributed by Talkhouse Podcast Network.  ⁠⁠Okayplayer⁠⁠ is 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. Season Credits: The Almanac of Rap is executive produced by Donwill, Isha Sesay and Travis Harris for Okayplayer Media and distributed by Talkhouse Podcast Network. Episodes are written and hosted by Donwill; directed by Travis Harris; produced and edited by Kobina Baffour, with production coordination by Bianca B. Ortiz. Technical direction by Compton Timberwolf.  Director of Audience & Product Development by Hassan Spruill, Publishing Producer and Audio Marketing Strategy by Faybeo’n Mickens. Music production by Von Pea.  Public Relations by Audible Treats. Extended support from Areya Media: Mariama Todd (VP of Finance), Ashon McCollin (Audience Development Manager), Associate Producers Brianna Harris, Tyara Jackson, and Javon Stephonson; Art Director Kaushik Kalidindi; Graphic Designer Jefferson Harris; Writing Assistant Peter Berry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    4 min

Trailers

4.8
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

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

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