Celebrating 50 years of hip-hop: 9 podcasts highlighting the history, culture, and iconic artists

Happy birthday, hip-hop! We’re celebrating 50 years of the genre with podcasts highlighting the history, culture, and iconic artists. The genre was born in the 1970s and continues to evolve as a global art form.

Learn firsthand stories about the first 50 years on podcasts like “Hip-Hop Made” and “50 Years of Hip-Hop.” Series such as “Drink Champs,” “Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson,” and “Questlove Supreme” candidly chat with music legends.

Drink Champs

Iconic Queens rapper N.O.R.E. is joined by Miami hip-hop pioneer DJ EFN for booze-filled conversations and stories with guests. Tune in for fun times, talks about their careers, friendships, and memorable moments. The “drinks are flowing and the jokes are rolling” in over 350 episodes featuring guests from the entertainment world and hip-hop legends. “Drink Champs” is brought to you Interval Presents.

The Joe Budden Podcast

Since 2020, Joe Budden has chatted with his friends about music and culture on his podcast. They’re sharing commentary on news, movies, hot topics, and their lives on semiweekly episodes. Recent episodes discussed the 2023 Grammy Awards.

Hip-Hop Made

1010 WINS’ “Beyond Black History Month” host Femi Redwood joined the podcast’s premiere episode to trace hip-hop’s history and celebrate the artistry. Throughout Audacy’s “Hip-Hop Made,” hear firsthand stories from guests like RUN-DMC’s Darryl McDaniels, Ed Lover, Greg Mack, Joseph Sikora, and Akon.

Origins of Hip-Hop

MC and Hip-Hop founding father Grandmaster Caz shares stories about the people, places, and ideas that sparked the culture. On episodes, hear conversations with Busy Bee, Grand Wizzard Theodore, and Sha Rock as they uncover stories about the genre’s origins.

Hip-Hop Can Save America

Hip-Hop journalist Manny Faces explores the most inspiring, unexpected, and creative ways we’re impacted by the genre, culture, and music. “Hip-Hop Can Save America” shares how Hip-Hop benefits many aspects of society including wellness, education, science, and technology. This series is presented by The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy / Manny Faces Media.

Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson

“Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson” highlights interesting minds, athletes, celebrities, and more guests on weekly episodes. Recent episodes chatted with entrepreneur/music icon Steve Rifkind, Swizz Beatz, Tyga, French Montana, and Cordae. The podcast is presented by Malka Media.

50 Years of Hip-Hop

KEXP’s “50 Years of Hip-Hop” celebrates the genre and how it continues to evolve today. Larry Mizell Jr. hosts the podcast and honors the art form by focusing on a different year from its history in weekly episodes. Travel from August 11th, 1973, hip-hop’s birthday, to modern times with conversations, personal reflections, discussions about tracks and albums, and the culture.

Questlove Supreme

iHeartPodcasts’ “Questlove Supreme” is an educational series about music and culture hosted by Questlove and his Team Supreme. They invite guests into their fun and treat episodes like conversations rather than interviews with traditional questions and answers. Tune in for episodes featuring Blondie, Shaggy, with Usher, Chaka Khan, Babyface, Weird Al, Michelle Obama, Chris Rock, and many more in over 250 episodes.

Fresh Era

From Stupid Fly comes “Fresh Era,” navigating listeners through hip-hop pioneers’ lives and careers. The podcast honors legends’ legacies and answers fans’ burning questions.