Louder Than A Riot
Hip-hop emerged from the voices of the unheard. But freedom doesn't ring the same for everyone. Inside all corners of the culture, Black women and queer folk have dealt with the same oppression the music was built to escape. Season 2 of Louder Than A Riot examines who hip-hop marginalizes, and how misogynoir — the specific racist misogyny against Black women — is embedded into the fabric of the culture that we love.
From Rico Nasty facing harassment from toxic fans, to Saucy Santana's unapologetically femme aesthetics in a queerphobic industry, to the assault case that put Megan Thee Stallion's image on trial, each episode of Louder Than A Riot unpacks the unspoken rules of rap that discriminate against a select few and have held the entire culture back.
Hosted by NPR Music's Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael, Louder Than A Riot confronts power from every angle – from the power the genre wields over its artists, to the power plays that its rulebreakers take in order to get heard. In the midst of a so-called Renaissance for women in rap, these stories reveal a rot at the core of the culture that reflects how voices, bodies, and rights are still policed in America.
From Rico Nasty facing harassment from toxic fans, to Saucy Santana's unapologetically femme aesthetics in a queerphobic industry, to the assault case that put Megan Thee Stallion's image on trial, each episode of Louder Than A Riot unpacks the unspoken rules of rap that discriminate against a select few and have held the entire culture back.
Hosted by NPR Music's Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael, Louder Than A Riot confronts power from every angle – from the power the genre wields over its artists, to the power plays that its rulebreakers take in order to get heard. In the midst of a so-called Renaissance for women in rap, these stories reveal a rot at the core of the culture that reflects how voices, bodies, and rights are still policed in America.
Our Editor's Take
Louder Than A Riot is a podcast about hip-hop. But this NPR podcast also explores the culture behind the music. It shows the deep presence and the influence rap has had on America. This podcast covers the topics of marginalization and queerphobia in the industry. Guests discuss rifts in the community and the struggles of misogynoir-specific racism against Black Women. The podcast provides informational, cultural, and historical context while maintaining a relaxed feel. It focuses on the entire culture of hip-hop throughout history.
Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael cohost Louder Than A Riot. They attempt to explore untold history. The podcast details how rappers responded to law enforcement's behavior and mass incarceration. They represented their struggle through music. The podcast discusses 1980s Atlanta and 1990s Oakland and their influence on hip-hop.
Louder Than A Riot has a conversational style. This podcast interviews modern stars and provides coverage of historical figures. Baby Tate joins to discuss maintaining her image. MC Sha-Rock talks about how hip-hop inspired her when she was young. DJ Drama talks about the beauty of a mixtape.
In notable episodes, the hosts discuss the issues at the culture's core. In "Making Revolution Irresistible," Madden and Carmichael discuss prison reform and rappers' activism. The show includes sound bites, interviews, and narration by the hosts. Hearing these stories with the hosts makes listeners feel like they are in the room.
Louder Than A Riot is an example of the culture's interconnectedness. It shows how the music industry has changed forever with this genre that sprang from strife. The rise of hip-hop is about more than music. This podcast is about a community of people who have made art from their marginalization and oppression.
Season 2
Season 1
