The Almanac of Rap

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with hip-hop pioneers The Jungle Brothers to revisit the friendships, records and unlikely moments that helped shape one of rap's most influential eras.

The Jungle Brothers take Don back to their teenage years, from high school talent shows and homemade cassette recordings to basement studios, legendary New York clubs and their earliest encounters with DJ Red Alert, Q-Tip, De La Soul and the artists who would become the Native Tongues collective. They also unpack the story behind “I’ll House You,” their groundbreaking collision of hip-hop and house music, and explain why genre boundaries simply didn't matter to their generation. The Jungle Brothers breakdown:

Meeting as teenagers, touring Europe and the communal studio culture of early hip-hop

Why Red Alert deserves greater recognition in hip-hop history

De La Soul, Buddy and Calliope Studios

How “I'll House You” emerged before rap and house became rigid categories.

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.

Substack: New Music Tuesdays

Instagram/Threads: @donwill

Mixcloud: Donwill

Website: Donwill.me

Follow The Jungle Brothers

Instagram: @junglebrothers4life

Spotify: Jungle Brothers

Apple Music: Jungle Brothers

Link.tree: @junglebrothers

Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.

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On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with GRAMMY-nominated rapper, singer, and actor CHIKA for one of the funniest and most wide-ranging conversations of the season. From going viral on Instagram and signing with Warner Records to launching her career during the COVID-19 pandemic, CHIKA reflects on the unexpected highs and difficult realities of becoming one of hip-hop's most celebrated new voices. Along the way, Don and CHIKA spend several minutes passionately debating fountain pens, celebrate Montgomery's official CHIKA Day, and revisit the legendary Montgomery Riverfront Brawl. CHIKA breaks down:

CHIKA's viral rise from Instagram freestylesNavigating online controversy, mental health and social mediaThe Montgomery Riverboat Brawl ("Fade in the Water") aka CHIKA DaySurviving the isolation of pandemic success Why artists should never let social media define themThe making of Sampson

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.

Substack: New Music Tuesdays

Instagram/Threads: @donwill

Mixcloud: Donwill

Website: Donwill.me

Follow CHIKA

Instagram: chikalogy

Spotify: CHIKA

Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and internet icon Durand Bernarr for a conversation that blends music history, creative identity, and plenty of laughs. From growing up in a household filled with instruments, vocal coaching, and Earth, Wind & Fire tour buses to becoming one of R&B's most distinctive voices, Durand reflects on the experiences that shaped both the artist and the personality fans know today.

The pair discuss Durand's latest album Bernarr, how winning his first Grammy accelerated his career, and why social media has become an extension of his artistry rather than just a promotional tool. They also dive into his deep love for YouTube-era music discovery, the lasting influence of artists like J*DaVeY, Crash Cut, Vula, and Rochelle Jordan, and why authenticity will always outlast chasing trends. Durand breaks down:

Queer visibility in music

Working alongside Earth, Wind & Fire

His love of DJing and production

His unforgettable Grammy acceptance speech, and the importance of embracing every version of yourself.

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.

Substack: New Music Tuesdays

Instagram/Threads: @donwill

Mixcloud: Donwill

Website: Donwill.me

Follow Durand Bernarr:

Instagram: @durandbernarr

Web: www.durandbernarr.com/

Album: BERNARR.

Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this throwback episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill revisits his conversation with DJ R-Tisitc, one of Los Angeles' most respected DJs and music curators. From his early days producing for The Game's Black Wall Street to becoming a sought-after DJ for artists including Stevie Wonder and Issa Rae, DJ R-Tisitc reflects on his unconventional path into DJing and how studying regional music scenes helped shape his career. DJ R-Tisitc breaks down:

The unique musical identity of Los Angeles; from G-Funk and electro to jerkin' to crumping and the influences of hyphy music.

Why drill music has never truly found a home in Southern California.

How producers like DJ Mustard, Terrace Martin, Channel Tres, and Blxst represent different chapters in the evolution of the city's sound.

Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.

Substack: New Music Tuesdays

Instagram/Threads: @donwill

Mixcloud: Donwill

Website: Donwill.me

Follow DJ R-Tisitc:

Instagram: @djrtistic

Web: https://www.djr-tistic.com/

Twitch: rtistic310

Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special episode of The Almanac of Rap, Donwill heads to Los Angeles for the BET Media House Experience, gathering an all-star lineup of artists, creators, executives, and media personalities to ask ONE question: What does winning an award actually mean?

From rising stars visualizing their first BET Award to veterans reflecting on careers filled with accolades, this special episode captures honest conversations about ambition, validation, legacy, and the relationship between recognition and impact. Guests including Rapsody, Slim Jxmmi, Salt, Kenny Burns, Miles Minnick, Hurricane Wisdom, Big Cat, Deontay Kyle, The War and Treaty, and more share what they'd say if they stepped onto the BET stage and whether awards are the goal or simply the byproduct of meaningful work.

Along the way, Don explores the idea that while trophies may celebrate achievement, an artist's greatest accomplishment is often the community they've built and the culture they've influenced. It's a candid snapshot of Black creativity during one of music's biggest weekends and a reminder that success means something different to everyone.

🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️

Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more.

Substack: New Music Tuesdays

Instagram/Threads: @donwill

Mixcloud: Donwill

Website: Donwill.me

Follow our Guest from the BET Media House Experience:

Rapsody, Slim Jxmmi, Salt, Kenny Burns, Miles Minnick, Hurricane Wisdom, The War and Treaty, Deontay Kyle, Big Cat, Nico Brim, Beno Rideaux, Shane, Beverly Face, Von Wyc, Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee

Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices