Best Hip Hop Foundation Podcasts (2025)

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Gut Check: Food, Culture & The Health Wake-Up Call 47:57

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2M ago47:57

47:57

On this episode of Hip. Hope. Hooray! Men Talkin Health, host Oya Gilbert is joined by Randy Haskins, Eric Mosley, and Tony Goicuria for an unfiltered conversation on gut health, food culture, and the lessons we learn when our bodies finally hit the “check engine” light. From growing up in dietary deserts to battling soda, chips, and fast food crav…

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EP. 144 - Synth Pioneer Suzanne Ciani 59:55

2M ago59:55

59:55

Tune in to this week’s podcast replay: Composer Suzanne Ciani began her musical journey with the piano, but after discovering Don Buchla and the world of electronic music, she never looked back. Ciani has been a pioneering force in bringing electronic instruments into mainstream pop culture, shaping film, television, and music along the way. Join D…

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REST IN PEACE HITMAN HOWIE TEE: A DJ INNOVATOR 49:07

2M ago49:07

49:07

JayQuan chronicles the discography of the late legendary musician, producer, engineer, DJ and producer Howie Tee. Support the showBy JayQuan

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AIN'T NO PRESIDENTS: A RICHMOND VA STORY 10:18

5M ago10:18

10:18

JayQuan explores the Richmond VA musical sound bed behind Jay=Z's debut single. Support the showBy JayQuan

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EP. 143 - Jazz With Father Doran 1:20:15

5M ago1:20:15

1:20:15

Digging deep into the NAMM Oral History collection, our podcast team unearthed some remarkable jazz treasures we’re excited to share with you! In this special episode, we’re joined by Father Doran Stambaugh, priest at St. Michael’s Church in Carlsbad and host of a unique weekly jazz service called Evening Song. Together, we’ll explore powerful inte…

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EP. 142 - Peter Yarrow 1:22:38

5M ago1:22:38

1:22:38

Folk singer-songwriter and one-third of the legendary group Peter, Paul and Mary, Peter Yarrow, passed away earlier this year. In honor of his memory and his profound contributions to music, we’re reposting the podcast episode of Peter's full NAMM Oral History interview we conducted with him in June 2017. We remain grateful for the time he shared w…

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1978's "ENTERPRISE" FROM THE 'RUNAWAYS' SOUNDTRACK: THE FIRST RAP RECORD? 16:36

5M ago16:36

16:36

JayQuan explores 1978's "Runaways" and its place in the Rap discography. Support the showBy JayQuan

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JAYQUAN INTERVIEWS KURTIS MANTRONIK & JUST-ICE 32:15

6M ago32:15

32:15

JayQuan interviews Kurtis Mantronik and Just-Ice about their early career, discography, and their new music. Support the showBy JayQuan

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REST IN PEACE POW WOW OF THE SOUL SONIC FORCE 12:40

6M ago12:40

12:40

Pow Wow of the legendary Soul Sonic Force has passed away at 62 years old. JayQuan takes a deep dive into his history as a B-Boy and MC. Support the showBy JayQuan

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HOW THE TERM FREESTYLE MORPHED FROM WRITTEN TO "OFF THE TOP" 12:00

7M ago12:00

12:00

JayQuan chronicles how the definition of freestyle has changed since the late 1980s. Support the showBy JayQuan

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EP. 141 - Bass Players 1:14:48

7M ago1:14:48

1:14:48

To celebrate the bass players we have interviewed over the years, the podcast team called on NAMM’s Membership Coordinator and bassist Malcom Holman. Join us as we hear from Verdine White, Victor Wooten, Mohini Dey, Stanley Clarke and the legendary Ron Carter.By NAMM Resource Center

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RIP Voletta Wallace the mother of The Notorious B.I.G. 21:00

8M ago21:00

21:00

In this poignant episode of The Backstory Podcast, host Colby Colb pays tribute to Voletta Wallace, the mother of The Notorious B.I.G., who recently passed away. Throughout the episode, Colby highlights various interview clips with Voletta, where she reflects on her life raising her son, Christopher Wallace (Biggie), in Brooklyn. She shares touchin…

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Irv Gotti, Rest In Peace (Re-Broadcast) 27:07

8M ago27:07

27:07

Rest in peace, Irv Gotti. In this special re-release, originally published in 2022, Colby Colb shares an exclusive interview with the legendary music producer, label owner, and filmmaker. Irv Gotti recounts his journey from a Queens DJ to discovering Jay-Z and DMX, bringing them to Def Jam, and founding his own label, Murder Inc., which achieved st…

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A TALE Of 3 TJ SWAN'S 6:48

11M ago6:48

6:48

JayQuan chronicles the histories of Hip-Hop's 3 TJ Swan's, and their very different contributions to Hip-Hop. Support the showBy JayQuan

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Quincy Jones, Rest In Peace (Re-Broadcast) 46:22

11M ago46:22

46:22

Rest in peace to the legendary Quincy Jones. In this special re-release of this episode of The Backstory, originally published in 2018, Colby Colb shares a rare interview with the greatest producer of all time. Quincy Jones takes us through his journey from poverty to producing timeless music across genres and generations. What was it like working …

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LL COOL J 42:20

1y ago42:20

42:20

International super star actor and rapper LL Cool J talks up his first album in 14 years “The FORCE” and the creative process around this project. They also discuss his legendary rap career and some of his most impactful moments including how he stole a role on one of Hip Hop’s first feature films Krush Groove. Twitter/X @backstorypcc @colbycolb In…

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Bustin' Barriers: Behind the Grind to Make Clinical Trials Diverse 30:44

1y ago30:44

30:44

Clinical trials are an essential part of the process that brings new drug therapies and cures to market, but Brown and Black people are severely underrepresented in this life-saving research. The problem dates back to misconduct in trials like Tuskegee and a subsequent lack of inclusion in later studies. Unfortunately, a host of stigmas and stereot…

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Gamma CEO Larry Jackson Billion Dollar Bet To Change The Music Industry 53:35

1y ago53:35

53:35

Colby Colb returns with a special episode of The Backstory featuring the inspiring journey of Gamma CEO Larry Jackson, a seasoned radio, Tech and record executive who raised a billion dollars to launch Gamma, a game-changing media and technology company whose business model is changing the landscape of the music business. His roster of artists incl…

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THE BEHIND THE SCENES STORY OF RUN-DMC'S 'HERE WE GO' - AN INTERVIEW WITH PROFILE RECORDS CO FOUNDER CORY ROBBINS 8:10

1y ago8:10

8:10

JayQuan Interviews Profile Records co-founder Cory Robbins about the makings of RUN-DMC's 1983 live recording. Support the showBy JayQuan

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Prostate Cancer: It's More Than Just a PSA Thang 52:36

1y ago52:36

52:36

If you're a dude, you've probably heard those dreaded words, "bend over, it's time for your prostate exam" from your doc'. And if you're getting an annual physical, you've likely had your PSA tested, maybe even heard that your number was high. What are you supposed to do? The National Cancer Institute recommends additional testing for a PSA above 4…

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BOB JAMES' FOUNDATIONAL BREAK BEATS - BONUS BEATS 13:09

1y ago13:09

13:09

Bonus Content for The Adventures Of Bob James & The Foundational Break Beats Support the showBy JayQuan

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THE ADVENTURES OF BOB JAMES & THE FOUNDATIONAL BREAK BEATS 44:54

1y ago44:54

44:54

JayQuan chronicles Bob James most popular breaks, and their influence on Hip-Hop. Support the showBy JayQuan

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CRAZY LEGS DISCUSSES BREAKIN' IN THE OLYMPICS WITH JAYQUAN 49:25

1y ago49:25

49:25

Legendary B-Boy Crazy Legs of The Rock Steady Crew Discusses the inclusion of Breakin' in the Olympics, why he wasn't a judge, and the music selection. Support the showBy JayQuan/Crazy Legs

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EP. 140 - Looping And Effects 55:39

1y ago55:39

55:39

Join the Music History Project podcast team for a special episode discussing guitar effects and looping. Our guest is musician, songwriter, looper and former music retailer David Jenson. We will highlight a few Oral History interviews related to effects including Mike Porter, Del Casher, Thomas Blug and enjoy David presenting a looping demo!…

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The Dangers of High Blood Pressure 1:09:18

1y ago1:09:18

1:09:18

High blood pressure, aka hypertension, can quietly mess up the body for years before symptoms appear. Not surprisingly, many of the black community's top killers are caused by high blood pressure, including heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and even kidney disease. That's why it's so important to have your blood pressure checked; and …

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Stephanie Mills, James Mtume, and The Furious 5 16:08

1+ y ago16:08

16:08

JayQuan explores the connection between a Stephanie Mills B side, and a little known Furious 5 release. Support the showBy JayQuan

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Doubts, Disbelief, and Delayed Diagnosis 1:04:54

1+ y ago1:04:54

1:04:54

Multiple Myeloma ain't no joke, Black folks! A cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells, Myeloma is called “multiple” because there are frequently multiple patches or areas in bone marrow where it grows. In this episode, four men (three black and one white) come together to discuss the challenges they faced with delayed diagnosis of multiple myeloma …

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COLD SWEAT: THE BIRTH OF THE OFFBEAT AND OFFBEAT RHYME FLOW 13:44

1+ y ago13:44

13:44

JayQuan examines James Brown's groundbreaking Cold Sweat drum pattern, and its influence on Funk and Hip-Hop. Support the showBy JayQuan

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The Silent Struggle: Why Black Men Avoid the Doctor's Office 49:52

1+ y ago49:52

49:52

Yo, not to get all heavy on you, but this podcast was born out of my personal experience as a "Black man with cancer." I've learned a lot... sooo peep this. When it comes to most types of cancer, Black people have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any ethnic group in the United States. I got wind of this fact AFTER being diagnosed wit…

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The Sugar Hill Gang's Sugar Hill Groove: Revisiting An Underrated Cult Classic 29:01

1+ y ago29:01

29:01

JayQuan revisits the Sugar Hill Gang's 1980 song Sugar Hill Groove, which some consider their best work. R.I.P. Keith LeBlanc. Support the showBy JayQuan

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EP - 139 The Otis Redding Foundation 25:49

1+ y ago25:49

25:49

This episode of The Music History Project highlights the important philanthropic work of the Otis Redding Foundation — launched in 2007 by Otis’ wife, Zelma, to honor his memory. Otis’ grandson Justin Andrews, director of special projects and outreach, and his daughter Karla Redding-Andrews, vice president and executive director, describe the found…

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Ep - 138 Yes 1:04:15

1+ y ago1:04:15

1:04:15

Joining the Music History Project podcast team for a special episode dedicated to the band Yes with our guest longtime musician, arranger and our friend Mr. Bill Kilpatrick! Together we will explore the incredible talents of those in the band we have interviewed over the years including Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin!…

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DISSECTING 'MEN AT WORK' By KOOL G. RAP 9:59

1+ y ago9:59

9:59

JayQuan The Hip-Hop Historian breaks down the classic, 'Men At Work' by Kool G. Rap. Support the showBy JayQuan

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EP - 137 Sylvia Massy 37:30

2y ago37:30

37:30

Back by popular demand! While listening to our favorite music, we often overlook the unseen force, creativity and vast knowledge of the recording engineer. We repost this exciting episode of the Music History Project (with a special guest) as we discover the background and techniques of a true pioneer, Sylvia Massy!…

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EP - 136 Hip-Hop @ 50 Part 4 52:13

2y ago52:13

52:13

The final podcast in our series dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop provides the views of leading DJs and how equipment advanced as well as the growth of the mobile DJ and DJ battling. Check out this episode with DJ Qbert, Dave Lopez, DJ Imperial JayCee (may he rest in peace), DJ Aladdin and DJ Sir Jinx. Join us and our very special guest …

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EP - 135 Hip-Hop @ 50 Part 3 32:13

2y ago32:13

32:13

For this third episode of the hip-hop series, the focus shifts to the West Coast with interview segments from Chris The Glove, DJ Tony G, Chopmaster J and Arabian Prince. Join us and our very special guest musician, curator of culture, and frontman of the Lyrical Groove, Kendrick Dial.By NAMM Resource Center

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EP - 134 Hip-Hop @ 50 Part 2 54:39

2y ago54:39

54:39

The second installment of the hip-hop series focuses on several more East Coast DJs from the early days of hip-hop. This program includes segments from our interviews with DJ Jazzy Joyce, Johnny Juice, DJ Cash Money and hip-hop advocate and historian Christie Z. Join us and our very special guest musician, curator of culture, and frontman of the Ly…

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EP - 133 Hip-Hop @ 50 Part 1 46:53

2y ago46:53

46:53

This podcast begins with an introduction to hip-hop by the one and only DJ Grand Master Caz, followed by three interviewees speaking about the founder of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc! These remarks are provided by Caz, Christie Z, and Kool DJ Red Alert. You will also hear from other pioneering DJs from New York including GrandMaster Flash and Grand Wizzar…

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The story of Eazy E and NWA: Part 2 “How Things Fell Apart” 54:06

2y ago54:06

54:06

NWA had one of the greatest debut albums in history, following Straight Outta Compton they released two solo artists The D.O.C. and Michelle then their follow up EP and then their second album Niggaz For Life then it all fell apart. In this episode Colby Colb digs into the reasons behind the break up of the worlds most dangerous group plus the unpr…

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EP. 132 - AES 75th with Frank Wells 30:52

2y ago30:52

30:52

The Audio Engineering Society (AES) was formed in New York in 1948 and is celebrating its 75th anniversary! Join us as we learn about this important organization through the words of Past President Frank Wells. Frank served as a radio and audio technician during his long career and became a Life Fellow of the society, an honor given for his decades…

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The story of Eazy E and NWA: Part 1 “The Foundation of The Legacy” 55:43

2+ y ago55:43

55:43

In this episode Colby Colb explores the story behind one of the greatest collection of music artists NWA and the legacy they built collectively. It starts with a lucky drug dealer in Compton who was tired of hustling and wanted to use his drug proceeds to get into the music business. He saw the success RunDmc was having and had an idea for a superg…

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Eddie F 1:08:48

2+ y ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Golden era Hip Hop producer, DJ and original member of Heavy D and The Boyz Eddie F gives the backstory of the early days of Heavy D plus his illustrious career as a producer and A&R for LaFace and Motown. @getthebackstory @officialcolbycolb https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backstory-with-colby-colb/id1339943923 https://open.spotify.com/show/0…