Earl Hopkins is an award-winning arts and culture reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, focusing on the institutions and trailblazers shaping the city’s identity. His upcoming book, “How J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar Saved Hip-Hop” is scheduled for a Fall 2026 release with DC-based publisher Rowman & Littlefield.
Before landing at The Inquirer, Earl was an arts and culture reporter for the Austin American-Statesman and The Columbus Dispatch, where he covered the local music, fashion, film, and dining scene in Central Ohio and Texas.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Earl graduated from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism in May 2019. After graduating from OU, he worked as an education and family issues reporter for the Evansville Courier & Press in Southwest Indiana before transitioning to arts and entertainment coverage.
Throughout his career, Earl has interviewed the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Tracy Morgan, Chelsea Handler, Wiz Khalifa, Jason Kelce, and other big-name celebrities. He's also a sought-after freelance writer who’s written culture-based essays, music reviews, and branded content for Complex, GRAMMY.com, MTV, Stereogum, UPROXX, The Week Magazine (US), and other publications.
In February 2024, Earl started his podcast, Outside The Margins, where he tackles pop culture news and interviews beloved hip-hop artists, athletes, comedians, and entertainers. Before taking on the independent venture, he was the host of the Life in the 614 Podcast for The Columbus Dispatch.
Earl is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, and NABJ Philadelphia. He’s also a noted event moderator and featured speaker, who’s addressed the state of the freelance economy and entertainment journalism with aspiring media professionals at universities across the country.