Cover art for podcast Hip-Hop Can Save America

Hip-Hop Can Save America

84 EpisodesProduced by The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy / Manny Faces MediaWebsite

"Hip-Hop Can Save America!" explores the innovative, inspiring, and often surprising ways Hip-Hop music, culture, and sensibilities are improving society in areas such as education, science/technology, health/wellness and more. Hosted by award-winning Hip-Hop journalist Manny Faces.

episodes iconAll Episodes

Farewell

February 22nd, 2024

0:39

An important message from RadioPublic

Hip Hop x Financial Empowerment with fintech founder, DIVINE of Solvent

March 27th, 2024

32:56

In this episode of "Hip Hop Can Save America," host Manny Faces engages with financial tech entrepreneur DIVINE to examine the intersection of Hip …

Social and Emotional Learning through Hip Hop? Jamila Sams & We Do It 4 The Culture's SEL curriculum

March 17th, 2024

38:34

Manny Faces speaks with Jamila Sams, a passionate and visionary educator who is deeply committed to harnessing the transformative power of education to uplift communities. At the heart of her pedagogy lies a profound …

A "Hip Hop Task Force" in Congress? Rep. Jamaal Bowman on Hip Hop as a political force for change

March 13th, 2024

27:13

Representative Jamaal Bowman from New York joins Manny Faces to delve into the mission of the newly launched "Hip Hop Task Force" on Capitol Hill, …

RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL: Is Hip Hop a Target of Law Enforcement? Kemba and J.M. Harper from "As We Speak"

March 5th, 2024

35:53

"As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial" is a documentary / dramatization currently airing on Paramount+. On this excerpt from the "Hip-Hop Can Save America!" Livestream Show, host Manny Faces delves deep into the intersection …

How Can "The Hip Hop Mindset" Lead You To A Successful Life?

March 2nd, 2024

52:17

In this episode of "Hip Hop Can Save America," Manny Faces sits with Dr. Toby Jenkins, who reveals the secret power of "The Hip Hop Mindset" in …

Hip Hop Studies x Hip Hop Archiving with Dr. Murray Forman

February 28th, 2024

39:13

We welcome Hip Hop academic Dr. Murray Forman to discuss "That's The Joint: The Hip Hop Studies Reader," the groundbreaking book on Hip Hop studies. This deep dive episode examines how the book, now in its third …

PREVIEW: 2024 Hip Hop Music Pedagogy Workshop

February 23rd, 2024

35:31

The 4th Annual Hip Hop Music Pedagogy Workshop, February 24, 2024

REGISTER: https://wsmamusic.org/4th-annual-hip-hop-pedagogy-for-music-educators/

In this excerpt from "Hip Hop Can Save America," Manny Faces chats with …

Hip Hop x Politics x Activism with Dr. Adia Winfrey

February 22nd, 2024

34:42

In this inspiring episode of "Hip Hop Can Save America," we sit down with the incredible Dr. Adia Winfrey, a transformative figure at the …

Celebrating Women in Hip Hop: Author Nadirah Simmons Discusses her book, "First Things First"

February 4th, 2024

43:56

In this episode of Hip Hop Can Save America!, host Manny Faces welcomes author and Hip Hop culture advocate Nadirah Simmons to discuss her book …

Hip Hop x Education x Philanthropy with UnLearn The World, Education Director for Hip Hop For Chaage

January 28th, 2024

58:57

In this episode of "Hip Hop Can Save America," host Manny Faces engages in a powerful conversation with guest UnLearn The World about the …

Hip Hop Education with Professor of Hip Hop, Dr. J. Rawls of Ohio State University

January 21st, 2024

32:15

Manny Faces welcomes Dr. Jason "J. Rawls" Rawls to the show. Dr. Rawls is a long-time producer, DJ, author and educator, and is now the Assistant …

Hip Hop's greatest gift isn't rap music

December 28th, 2023

10:53

The discussions and celebrations around #HipHop50 and the Hip Hop 50th anniversary were great, but missed a lot. To fully appreciate its golden …

Hip Hop Can Teach Computer Coding - Richard Achee & Calvin Pinney from Google & breakbeatcode

December 14th, 2023

40:31

There is an initiative that was created and launched by two folks over at Google, developed during their 20% time -- the time that Google allows …

"BILLION DOLLAR COVER-UP" - The ongoing LAPD / Biggie Smalls saga with Don Sikorski

December 6th, 2023

58:26

For years, Don Sikorski has studied the murder of Biggie Smalls, aka The Notorious, aka Christopher Wallace. So have a lot of people. The stories about what happened, why it happened, who’s to blame, and why there …

The Healing Power of Hip Hop with Dr. Raphael Travis Jr.

November 14th, 2023

41:12

On this episode of the world's most enlightening Hip Hop podcast, Dr. Raphael Travis Jr. joins us to talk about the healing power of Hip Hop, including his seminal book. "The Healing Power of Hip Hop," which explores …

Hip Hop x Theater x Longevity in Rap with Masta Ace

November 2nd, 2023

44:07

If you’re like me, you first heard Masta Ace as the lead off to what many, like me, will say is the best posse cut in Hip Hop history, "The SYmphony."

As one of his bars predicted, Masta Ace’s rapping did stay with us …

Hip Hop Can Save America! 3.0 - An Update From Manny Faces

September 1st, 2023

8:03

On this brief update episode, creator and host Manny Faces talks about what's next for the Hip-Hop Can Save America! podcast. (HINT: It has to do with going live!)

Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny …

News Beat's Exclusive Interview With Dr. Cornel West

July 7th, 2023

1:13:27

"If our democracy is to survive, the empire must be dismantled.” That’s what Dr. Cornel West told Manny Faces and his colleagues at News Beat in an …

Hip Hop x The Black Voice x Academia with Dr. A.D. Carson

June 26th, 2023

45:50

Dr. A.D. Carson, who is Associate Professor of Hip Hop at the University of Virginia, received quite a bit of well deserved acclaim for his …

Hip Hop Educator, Journalist & Curator: Mikal Amin Lee

April 20th, 2023

41:36

Mikal Amin Lee is a three time visitor to the show, which isn’t a surprise when you learn about all he does. As an artist, he’s toured the world and dropped dozens of projects and features. As an educator, he’s taught …

The Far Right Infiltration of Hip Hop

April 16th, 2023

22:31

Rumble, DJ Akademiks and the hidden danger of platforming so-called "Hip Hop" provocateurs

--

Dark money, billionaire financiers, and a relentless …

Hip Hop x Philanthropy with Mazi Mutafa of Words, Beats & Life

April 3rd, 2023

39:31

Words, Beats & Life is a Hip Hop non-profit founded back in 2002. In its 20+ years, it has evolved and expanded, offering classes, workshops, …

Hip Hop, Entrepreneurship & Rapping Dinosaurs w/ Zeps, Creator of Children's Book Series Rhymosaurs

March 1st, 2023

44:11

Zeps is an independent rapper / Hip Hop artist / event host from Brooklyn, New York who has brought his unique brand of artistry around the world, …

Hip Hop Theater with Hip Hop Cinderella's Rona Siddiqui and Brittany Nicole Williams

February 22nd, 2023

25:24

Hip Hop Cinderella is a modern -- and futuristic -- twist on the classic tale, complete with rap battles, a brilliantly feisty and courageous Cinderella, and yea, an evil stepmother and all that too. But several …

Hip Hop x Entrepreneurship = University of Dope with A.V. Perkins

January 24th, 2023

41:32

It’s a Hip Hop party game, but it ain’t trivia. Everyone thinks they have the right answer, but there are NO right answers. It’s the barbershop / lunchroom / nail salon type of Hip Hop discussions we’ve been having all …

Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop on New Year's Eve in BK with Jay Hill from Brooklyn Rising

December 26th, 2022

26:39

Earlier this winter, I was contacted by Jay Hill and the team at Brooklyn Rising, as they were looking to invite prominent Hip Hop heads and organizations to Restoration Plaza on New Year’s Eve for the second annual …

Parents Just Don't Understand: How Hip Hop Can Help Strengthen Our Relationships With Our Kids

November 1st, 2022

20:53

As parents, we are often much less aware of the current goings on within Hip Hop and pop culture than our children, and as parents tend to do, we …

Stories With Style - Hip Hop at the J.C. Montgomery School in the Kings County Juvenile Center

August 29th, 2022

51:46

Last year, a program was brought to my attention called Stories With Style, a student-centric project which gives young people the opportunity to share their stories through rap, beat making and art while working with …

Hip-Hop, Social Justice & Independent Artistry with LiKWUiD

May 15th, 2022

51:46

Long time listeners of the award-winning social justice meets music podcast News Beat will certainly recognize LiKWUiD as one of the show's "Artist in Residence." She has been featured on several important episodes …

Hip Hop at Carnegie Hall with LeBrandon Smith

April 2nd, 2022

35:24

LeBrandon Smith is the Manager, Social Impact Programs for Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute which serves more than 800,000 young people, families, students, community members, aspiring artists, and educators in New …

Hip Hop x Financial Literacy with Andrea Ferrero of Pockets Change

March 4th, 2022

35:50

Peace and love, friends, neighbors, supporters and haters, welcome back to Hip-Hop Can Save America! aka 'the world’s smartest Hip-Hop podcast.'

I’m Manny Faces. Fans and friends know that whenever I’m presented with a …

Hip-Hop, Community, and the Fight to End Illiteracy with Jonathan Beatty (ILOVEBOOKS.org)

December 30th, 2021

38:28

On this episode of Hip-Hop Can Save America!, aka, ‘the world’s smartest Hip-Hop podcast,” improving youth literacy, one book at a time -- with a little Hip-Hop added to the mix. We hear from Jonathan Beatty aka the …

Hip-Hop Education, Movement & Empowerment with Aysha Upchurch

November 10th, 2021

54:43

We often talk about the intersection of Hip-Hop and education on this show -- and for good reason. It’s an area that has produced a ton of receipts showing the effectiveness of merging these two worlds for the good of …

Dance and International Diplomacy with Junious Brickhouse

November 6th, 2021

47:21

On this episode, Manny Faces speaks with Junious Brickhouse,  internationally established educator, choreographer, cultural preservationist, …

Hip-Hop Meets the Orchestra with Thee Phantom

October 29th, 2021

40:01

Peace and love, happy Halloween weekend, perhaps a perfect time to talk to not just A Phantom, but Thee Phantom, the maestro behind the magnificent Illharmonic Orchestra melding the worlds of Hip-Hop and classical …

The Healing Power of Hip-Hop with Dr. Raphael Travis Jr.

October 16th, 2021

1:15:31

Two of the more recurring topics we’ve covered on this show have been the authentic, compassionate and effective use of Hip-Hop music and culture in …

Hip Hop Therapy with J.C. Hall

June 23rd, 2021

1:01:16

Prior to the pandemic, and at the insistence of one of our prior guests Dr. Elliot Gann, I visited Mott Haven Community High School in the Bronx, to …

Hip-Hop + Youth Empowerment + Social Justice with Khafre Jay

May 25th, 2021

57:11

Khafre Jay is the founder and executive director of Hip Hop For Change, a nonprofit that is empowering youth, adults, and entire communities through …

Hip-Hop x Civics, Education & Activism with Ellect

April 2nd, 2021

50:49

On this episode, artist, activist and educator, Ellect gave us a taste of how his work with #HipHopIsVoting was aimed at making an impact on the 2020 election cycle as well as the future of civic engagement. As we saw …

Hip-Hop x Philosophy with Dr. Mark Sanders

March 23rd, 2021

36:35

On this episode of Hip-Hop Can Save America! aka ‘the world’s smartest Hip-Hop podcast’, (we think very deeply). A look at the intersection of Hip-Hop and philosophy with Dr. Mark Sanders of the University of North …

This is What Hip-Hop Activism Looks Like [Genesis Be]

October 29th, 2020

41:10

On this episode of Hip-Hop Can Save America! We hear from Genesis Be, a lifelong artist activist who has put her career, and life, on the line making …

Mental Health Therapy Through Hip-Hop Beat Making with Dr. Elliot Gann

October 22nd, 2020

1:21:50

On this episode of Hip-Hop Can Save America!, healing trauma in young people through therapeutic beat making. Dr. Elliot Gann of Today's Future Sound breaks down the concept, his acclaimed work in the field, and the …

Youth Empowerment, #HipHopEd, and God with Timothy David Jones

October 6th, 2020

1:01:58

Scholar, youth leader, minister, poet, rapper, and content curator for probably the largest Hip-Hop based education community in the world -- Timothy …

Freestyle Mondays + 20 Years of Evolving Artistry with Corey James Gray (fka Illspokinn)

October 2nd, 2020

1:12:09

For close to 20 years, Corey James Gray (formerly known as Illspokinn) has been at the helm of Freestyle Mondays, a live, interactive, Hip-Hop event series featuring gameshow-styled, impromptu rap battles, backed by an …

Entrepreneurship, Black Independent Media & Self-Care Gems with Bondfire Radio

September 30th, 2020

1:14:57

Entrepreneurship, the independent media landscape, being Black in media and self-care gems from TK Dutes and C, owner-operators of online, community-oriented radio station Bondfire Radio.

LIVE at 1pm EST every Monday …

#VTDITC: Hip-Hop Studies at Virginia Tech with Craig Arthur

September 29th, 2020

52:01

Established in 2016, #VTDITC "fosters community-based experiential learning for & by artists, fans, & scholars" at Virginia Tech. Craig …

How Hip-Hop Can Improve Mental Health Therapy & School Counseling with Dr. Ian P. Levy

September 26th, 2020

1:15:02

A fascinating discussion about the ways Hip-Hop music and culture are yielding positive results when applied in school counseling and mental heath …

The Cultural Importance of Mixtapes + Hip-Hop Meets Technology

September 25th, 2020

55:40

Sommer runs The Mixtape Museum, dedicated to documenting, archiving, and preserving the history and artifacts related to mixtapes, showcasing their …

Hip Hop Association of Advancement and Education President Dr. Tasha Iglesias

September 24th, 2020

51:17

Educator and co-founder of nonprofit Hip Hop Association of Advancement and Education talks about teaching with and about Hip-Hop on a collegiate …

Hip-Hop x College: Guiding Students to Success with Dr. Nate Nevado

September 23rd, 2020

46:47

Dr. Nate Nevado is a college educator and counselor whose primary concern is helping guide students to success -- both academically and in life. On …

'Why White Christians Need Hip-Hop' with Delvyn Case

September 17th, 2020

54:50

Delvyn Case is an educator, musician, and writer who covers the intersection of popular music and Christianity. We discuss his recent op-ed, "Why …

Building Community, Connecting Creatives, and Facilitating Impact with #CultureFix

September 17th, 2020

49:17

#CultureFix is a "global network of creatives who are making social impact," often intersecting with the Hip-Hop community to help connect and …

How Hip-Hop Remixed The Fashion Industry with Elena Romero

September 15th, 2020

1:02:16

Today's guest is Elena Romero, professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and author of Free Stylin': How Hip Hop Changed the Fashion Industry

How Hip Hop Can Improve Public Health with Lori Rose Benson (HHPH.org) [HHCSA DAILY]

September 14th, 2020

52:39

LIVE at 1pm EST every Monday through Thursday in the month of September, join Manny Faces in exploring innovative, inspiring, and sometimes …

Social Justice Meets Hip-Hop With Groundbreaking 'News Beat' Podcast

September 11th, 2020

1:28:07

News Beat blends high-level social justice journalism, including interviews with academics, activists, and directly to those affected by injustice, lays it all down over a mood-setting musical bed, and often …

Mikal Amin: Critical Hip-Hop Pedagogy, Working with Institutions and Empowering Youth [HHCSA DAILY]

September 11th, 2020

1:12:20

LIVE at 1pm EST every Monday through Thursday in the month of September, join Manny Faces in exploring innovative, inspiring, and sometimes …

HHCSA DAILY - Dr. Marti Cason on #HipHopEd Pedagogy: Teaching Math & Teaching Teachers

September 8th, 2020

53:14

LIVE at 1pm EST every Monday through Thursday in the month of September, join Manny Faces in exploring innovative, inspiring, and sometimes …

The Art, Science, Brilliance and Universal Applications of Freestyle Rap with David "BS" Bradshaw

September 4th, 2020

51:42

If there was an activity that anyone could participate in, young to old, corporate to entrepreneurial, creative types to analytical types, high …

HHCSA DAILY - Adum7 on independent artist evolution & longevity, healthy eating & Wakanda

September 3rd, 2020

1:08:58

LIVE at 1pm EST every Monday through Thursday in the month of September, join Manny Faces in exploring innovative, inspiring, and sometimes …

HHCSA DAILY - Dyalekt on Hip-Hop theater + etymology + financial literacy

September 2nd, 2020

1:04:00

LIVE at 1pm EST every Monday through Thursday in the month of September, join Manny Faces in exploring innovative, inspiring, and sometimes …

Hip-Hop x Social Justice with Innocence Project Ambassador Silent Knight

September 1st, 2020

54:01

Silent Knight is an acclaimed independent Hip-Hop artist, artist-in-residence for the award-winning social justice podcast, News Beat, and an Innocence Project artist ambassador, and frontman for the fusion group, The …

Hip-Hop, Bluegrass & Freedom with Gangstagrass

July 11th, 2020

1:07:18

Hip-Hop just might be the most malleable of musical genres -- it is built off of the foundations of so many other genres, and is itself perhaps the most mashiest up of all musical mashups -- so by its very nature, …

Can't Stop Hip-Hop Education at Harvard University

June 30th, 2020

39:10

Few would disagree that the education system in America could use some tweaking. Maybe large-scale reform. Perhaps even a complete overhaul. …

Mini-Ep! Celebrating Women & Girls In/With Hip-Hop #WomensMonth

March 6th, 2020

10:53

Introducing, Hip-Hop Can Save America! Mini-Episodes!

Full-length, in in-depth interviews with individuals and organizations using Hip-Hop music and …

Keeping Hip-Hop Based Education 'Real,' with Dr. Lauren Leigh Kelly

February 11th, 2020

44:31

On this episode of Hip-Hop Can Save America… Dr. Lauren Kelly teaches teachers how to teach using Hip-Hop -- We speak about why it works, and some things to watch out for. Plus, info on a brilliant, student-led Hip-Hop …

The Influence of Cold Chillin' Records & the Juice Crew with Author Ben Merlis

January 6th, 2020

34:00

Ben Merlis isn’t a Hip-Hop historian by nature, but he has had his feet in the music business for decades, and since his early days, has been a …

Hip-Hop World Diplomacy with Mark Katz

December 5th, 2019

52:56

A renowned "hip-hop diplomacy" program called Next Level, run by the United States State Department, sends groups of hip-hop teaching artists to …

Hip-Hop Music Education with Jarritt Sheel

October 24th, 2019

46:01

Jarritt Sheel is an assistant professor of music education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He is also a fifth-year doctoral candidate …

Hip-Hop + Computer Coding with Richard Achee (Google / PythonMC)

October 5th, 2019

36:13

On this episode, I'm speaking with Richard Achee. Richard works in Strategic Partnerships at Google, and through Google’s Code Next initiative and a partnership with Rapport Studios, created an initiative called Python …

What The Jay-Z / NFL Deal Is Still Missing

October 3rd, 2019

13:13

For a few days, the Jay-Z / NFL deal was all that anyone in hip-hop or sports was talking about. It was polarizing, and many people felt many types …

HHCSA Update + Jay Z's REAL Mistake

August 21st, 2019

10:43

An update on the future of our groundbreaking Hip-Hop Can Save America! podcast, plus, a quick take on hip-hop, social justice, and the one big mistake Jay Z made...

Brought to you by The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy

Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings [Hip-Hop Education Pioneer]

August 29th, 2018

40:26

Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings' theories and research around culturally relevant pedagogy has been a foundation of forward thinking education circles, …

Tierney Oberhammer of Flocabulary [Hip-Hop Education]

August 15th, 2018

47:39

Tierney Oberhammer is the Director of Production for Flocabulary, overseeing content creation, working with rappers, singers and producers to make …

Ben Ortiz [Hip-Hop Archiving, Hip-Hop Education]

August 8th, 2018

46:09

Ben Oritz serves as the assistant curator for the Cornell Hip-Hop Collection, a part of Cornell Library’s Rare and Valuable Manuscript department. As …

Dr. Andrea Hunt [Hip-hop education, community service]

August 1st, 2018

30:52

On this episode, we return to the hip-hop education space, as I talk with Dr. Andrea Hunt.

Dr. Hunt developed and teaches a Sociology of Hip-Hop …

Baba Brinkman [Hip-Hop Theater, Science]

July 25th, 2018

45:30

My guess is that if you’re listening to this show, you’ve heard of a lil ol musical called Hamilton. The unlikely mix of hip-hop and live theater …

Sage Salvo [Hip-Hop Education, Literacy]

July 18th, 2018

37:58

On this episode, Manny Faces speaks to artist, educator and entrepreneur Gil Perkins, aka Sage Salvo who, founded a literacy program called Words Liive that helps teachers build standards-aligned lessons that integrate …

Kevin Kosanovich [Hip-Hop Archiving, Education]

July 4th, 2018

34:02

Kevin Kosanovich founded the College of William & Mary Hip Hop Collection dedicated to documenting and preserving Virginia’s hip-hop history. …

Mikal Amin [Hip-Hop Education, Events, Youth]

June 27th, 2018

52:49

A veteran of more than a dozen international tours, including as a State Department Cultural Ambassador with the Music Abroad Program, Mikal Amin is …

Hip Hop Fundamentals [Hip-Hop Dance, Education]

June 20th, 2018

47:26

This episode, I speak to Mark "Metal" Wong and Steve "Believe" Lunger from Hip Hop Fundamentals. Based in Philadelphia, Hip Hop Fundamentals is an educational company run by breakdancers, whose mission is to “use the …

Dr. Ian Levy [Hip-Hop Education, Counseling, Therapy]

June 13th, 2018

42:09

This episode, Manny Faces talks with Dr. Ian Levy about hip-hop and school counseling. Dr. Levy was the 2016 New York State school counselor of the …

Dr. Bettina Love [Hip-Hop Education & Civics]

June 5th, 2018

48:12

On this inaugural episode, host Manny Faces is joined by Dr. Bettina Love, an award-winning author and Associate Professor of Educational Theory & Practice at the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on the …

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