Rap & Reason
Rap & Reason is a music review podcast that stars hip-hop scholar Dr. Jeremy McCool and award-winning journalist Earl Hopkins. Each episode delves into the latest pop culture news and music releases, as well as past rap albums that redefined the genre.
New episodes are available weekly on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Latest Episodes
On Ep. 19, hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins discuss next year's Grammy nominations. They also review Ab Soul's "Soul Burger," and break down rap's evolution – from Gil Scott-Heron to the age of mumble rap.
On this week's episode of Rap & Reason, hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins discuss the results of the 2024 presidential election and hip-hop artists' roles in federal campaigns. They also reviewed Lil Uzi Vert's "Eternal Atake 2" and Biggie Smalls' 30-year-old debut album, "Ready to Die."
On Episode 17, hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review Tyler, The Creator's new album "Chromakopia" and preview Lil Uzi Vert's "Eternal Atake 2." They also talk about the modern "celebrity," rapper Reason's transition from TDE to his independent imprint, and artists' affiliation with sports teams.
On Ep. 16, Rap & Reason hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review BigXthaPlug's debut album "Take Care" and Rod Wave's "Last Lap." They also talk about the intersection of rap and politics, and how rappers are often subjects of political fodder or campaign stunts.
Hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins review GloRilla's album "Glorious" and reflect on the groundbreaking project "Black on Both Sides" by Mos Def (aka Yasiin Bey). The two hip-hop enthusiasts also talk about the most overused lines in hip-hop and the decline of award shows.
Hosts Dr. Jeremy McCool and Earl Hopkins talk about the next steps for J.I.D., why artists like Tommy Richman denounce a connection to hip-hop and the impact of T.D.E artists. They also review Rich Homie Quan's posthumous album "Forever Goin In" and Schoolboy Q's "Oxymoron," 10 years after its initial release.