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The Almanac of RapA show about rap by a rapper. Author: Donwill/Okayplayer
The Almanac of Rap is a two-time Webby Award-winning show that examines trends in hip hop and their impact over time...and it's way more fun than that description makes it sound. Each week, our host Donwill asks a question, presents a theory and finds a guest to come to some sort of consensus about it. Simply put, its a show about rap, by a rapper who loves rap music. If you're new to the Almanac, start here! Language: en Genres: Music, Music History, Music Interviews Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Blowout Comb feat Ladybug Mecca
Episode 33
Thursday, 8 October, 2026
Before Digable Planets helped redefine the sound of alternative hip-hop, Ladybug Mecca was a young artist absorbing Brazilian music, jazz, and the rhythms of her family's home. Three decades after Blowout Comb became a cornerstone of jazz-inflected hip-hop, the pioneering MC joins Donwill to discuss her latest chapter as a recipient of Harvard University's Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship. Her research traces the connections between hip-hop and Afro-Brazilian traditions, from Candomblé drumming to capoeira, challenging the idea that hip-hop simply arrived in Brazil rather than finding a culture already connected through rhythm, movement, and shared African ancestry. Ladybug Mecca reflects on her Brazilian parents, the influence of MC Lyte and Queen Latifah, and the enduring relevance of Digable Planets' Blowout Comb. She opens up about navigating hip-hop as a young woman, her friendships with Guru and Bahamadia, her collaborations with Prince Paul and Brookzill!, and why documenting Black creativity is increasingly urgent in an era of cultural erasure. Still an avid music discoverer, Mecca also shares her excitement for a new generation of women MCs and explains why her next creative chapter is as much about recovering history as making it. Ladybug Mecca breaks down: How the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship is helping her investigate connections between Afro-Brazilian culture, hip-hop, and the Black Atlantic. Why the Blowout Comb continues to resonate across generations and how “Black Ego” has taken on new meaning amid cultural erasure. Collaborating with Prince Paul on Brookzill!, building friendships with Guru and Bahamadia, and hearing her voice sampled on Snoop Dogg's “Candy.” Why archival research, music discovery, and the rising generation of women rappers remain central to her creative life. 🤳🏾 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 Archival Episodes of Almanac of Rap: Almanacofrap.com Instagram/Threads: @donwill Mixcloud: Donwill Website: Donwill.me Follow: Ladybug Mecca Instagram: @ladybugmecca Facebook: Ladybug Mecca Created and hosted by award-winning artist and cultural commentator Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is Areya Media’s living archive of hip-hop history, told by the people who made it. Through deeply researched interviews, cultural deep dives and conversations with artists, producers, DJs and architects of the culture, the series connects hip-hop’s past to the ideas shaping its future. A two-time Webby Award winner and three-time w3 Gold Award winner, The Almanac of Rap approaches hip-hop with the curiosity of music journalism and the intimacy of conversation documenting the stories, sounds and cultural details that deserve a permanent place in the record. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
