25 Essential Podcasts For Music Lovers
Podcasts are more popular than ever right now. There are countless music-related podcasts out there, but all those options can be a little daunting. So we put together a collection of essential podcasts for music lovers. Whether you're new to podcasts or you're just looking for a hidden gem to make a long road trip go by a little faster, this list is for you.
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Couch WisdomRed Bull Music Academy has accumulated a vault full of incredible lectures from two decades of workshops and music industry events. Now, they're sharing them one by one as part of a new podcast called Couch Wisdom. Featuring in-depth conversations covering all sides of the music industry, the series includes lectures from the likes of Q-Tip, Kaytranada, Alex Tumay, and Bjork. Questlove once dubbed the series "Inside The Actor's Studio for music," which is an excellent way to describe the smart, nuanced conversations that go down on the Red Bull couch. If you're a music nerd looking to know more about the ins and outs of the industry, Couch Wisdom is required listening.
Listen: iTunes / Red Bull Radio
Broken RecordIt almost sounds too good to be true: At the tail end of 2017, Rick Rubin started a podcast. Co-hosted by celebrated author Malcolm Gladwell, the legendary record producer says he plans to use Broken Record to "tell stories about music—all kinds: where songs come from, how they're made, and why they work." The podcast launched with a bang as Rubin and Gladwell invited Eminem in as their first guest in November. In the short ten minute inaugural episode, Broken Record presented itself as a very well-produced show that will offer insight into the work of Rubin's many high-profile collaborators. Unfortunately, they still haven't released a second episode (maybe the whole thing is too good to be true?), but we're ready to stop whatever we're doing when they finally drop another one.
Listen: iTunes
New York Times PopcastEach week, music and culture writers at The New York Times tackle a relevant topic at the front the popular music conversation on their Popcast podcast. Music critics Jon Pareles and Jon Caramanica take the lead, guiding listeners through in-depth analysis of issues like "How Lil Uzi Vert Turned Rap Into Rock and Became a Pop Star" and "The Greatest Trick Ed Sheeran Ever Pulled Was Convincing the World He's an Underdog." Everything that makes NYT music and culture articles so great is here, but, um, you don't have to read anything.
Listen: iTunes
The Joe Budden PodcastIf you miss hearing Joe Budden's opinions about rap on Everyday Struggle, you can still catch him once a week on The Joe Budden Podcast. Alongside co-hosts Rory and Mal, Budden is more unfiltered than ever in the comfortable setting of his own podcast. The show's conversations often center around the week's hip-hop headlines (and whatever controversy Joe finds himself in at the moment) but the trio also stray into relatable tangents about politics, sports, sex, and other current events. In the mold of Budden himself, The Joe Budden Podcast is the place to go for unapologetic opinions on hip-hop music and the culture that surrounds it.
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud / YouTube
Song ExploderPutting a magnifying glass over one song each episode and picking it apart, Song Exploder is a music nerd's dream. Host Hrishikesh Hirway stays out of the way, letting the musicians themselves break apart their songs and tell in-depth stories about how they were made. Guests range in genre and popularity—from Weezer to Flatbush Zombies—so it's a safe bet you'll find something to enjoy in the show's deep catalog of 100+ episodes.
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud
A Waste of Time with ItsTheRealJeff and Eric Rosenthal have been producing hip-hop sketch comedy and absurdist interviews as duo ItsTheReal since 2007, and their podcast A Waste of Time with ItsTheReal makes good on its promise to deliver "the most fun interviews in hip-hop." From the brothers' Upper West Side apartment in New York City, their relaxed conversations coax hilarious untold stories out of well-known rappers and industry insiders for one of the most entertaining hip-hop podcasts out there.
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud
Rolling Stone Music NowOn each episode of Music Now, writers and editors from Rolling Stone magazine tackle the biggest stories in music across all genres. Sometimes that takes the form of interviews with bands like The National. Other times they use the hour to go on deep dives about new releases and hot-button topics. As a bonus, fans of rock history will enjoy occasional moments where the hosts break open the Rolling Stone vault and play archived audio like Jann Wenner's legendary 1970 interview with John Lennon.
Watching the Throne: A Lyrical Analysis of Kanye WestIf you're a Kanye West fan, ignore everything else on this list and start right here. Since July 2015, the guys at Watching The Throne have been analyzing all things Kanye in one of the most in-depth podcasts we've ever come across. On some episodes, they break down Kanye's songs line by line, providing expert commentary and analysis. Then they'll switch things up and dedicate full episodes to interviewing side characters in Kanye's universe—like the guy who runs the Kanye Bars Twitter account. Even the most hardcore Kanye West stans will learn something from this incredibly thorough podcast.
No JumperBefore starting "the coolest podcast in the world," No Jumper, host Adam22 built thecomeup.com and retail store On Some Shit into staples of the BMX community. But when late night SoundCloud binges led him in the direction of hip-hop's most exciting under-the-radar rappers, he started inviting guys like Lil Yachty, XXXTENTACION, and Ugly God into a makeshift studio in the back of his bike shop for some of their earliest interviews. Now, his podcast is one of the best places for in-depth conversations with buzzing rappers, long before they pop up on the radar of mainstream outlets. Even though these interviews often mark the first time these rappers have spoken on the record, Adam's relaxed style has a way of making them comfortable, leading to consistently memorable conversations.
NOT 97"This is not a podcast. This is not a radio show. This is NOT 97," the hosts of New York-based podcast NOT 97 explain. Whatever you call it, the show dedicates each episode to uncovering under-the-radar songs from hidden corners of the internet and breaking them down through roundtable discussions. Inviting knowledgeable guests to share recent finds of their own, NOT 97 is one of the best music discovery podcasts around. The trio of hosts were even nice enough to invite a couple pigeons to join in on the fun on a recent episode. You can hear that below.
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud
Switched On PopOn each episode of Switched On Pop, musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding focus in on topics at the center of the pop music world. Breaking down songs and trends dominating the charts, they spend each episode trying to figure out what makes these sounds so popular—giving insight on everything from the phone-inspired parallels between Adele and Drake to the rise of pitch-shifted vocals (heard below).
Listen: iTunes
BlapChatFocusing on the music production side of the business, BlapChat is a podcast founded by !llmind that promises to "talk about everything and anything related to the music producer. New gear reviews, business advice, beat critiques and industry special guests every week." Taking advantage of his veteran experience in the game alongside co-hosts Atlas The Plug, Perfection, and GLAM, !llmind sits down with guests like Statik Selektah and Sonny Digital for informative conversations about life as a producer. While focused on hip-hop, BlapChat is a must-listen for all aspiring music producers—regardless of genre.
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud / YouTube
Microphone CheckYou might not expect your parents' favorite radio station to have one of the most relevant, ears-to-the-ground hip-hop podcasts around, but that's exactly what hosts Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Frannie Kelley have achieved with NPR's Microphone Check. Inviting legends like Andre 3000 as well as newer stars like OG Maco and Earl Sweatshirt in for long, thoughtful conversations, Muhammad and Kelley bring a well-balanced perspective and professional touch to the hip-hop podcast game.
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud
ShowstopperOne of Spotify's first original podcasts, Showstopper looks at the way music has impacted some of the biggest television shows over the years. Speaking with music supervisors from TV series like Breaking Bad and The O.C., host Naomi Zeichner (former Editor in Chief of the FADER) investigates the importance of a good soundtrack to a show's success and hears first-hand stories about how songs like Phantom Planet's "California" were immortalized as theme songs.
Listen: Spotify
All Songs ConsideredAs the title suggests, All Songs Considered has the widest scope of any podcast on this list. All genres, artists, topics, songs, and eras are considered for discussion by hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton. Delivered with NPR's usual quiet, polite charm, this podcast really has something for everyone as topics range from "Kendrick Lamar, Weed, Gems, and Cigarettes After Sex" to "A Mother's Day Mix: Songs That Remind You of Mom" week to week.
The Vinyl Me Please PodcastRecord of the month club Vinyl, Me Please has a podcast hosted by Tyler Barstow that takes shape as a watercooler conversation centering around the most interesting stories, artists, and albums of the moment. An extension of the company's mission to "help people explore, experience, and enjoy music on a deeper level," the podcast isn't restrained by format or genre, but the passion for music from the show's host and guests is clear in every conversation. Sincere love and care for each episode's topic is always the guiding force, whether they're talking about a new record from The xx or what happened at Coachella this year.
Listen: iTunes
Rosenberg RadioPeter Rosenberg is credited by many for being the first hip-hop podcaster alongside Cipha Sounds on the Juan Epstein podcast. Unfortunately, that show isn't currently active in 2018, but Rosenberg still finds the time to stay in the podcast game with his own Rosenberg Radio show, when he isn't busy with Hot 97 and ESPN duties. He uses the podcast to host audio interviews with artists like Denzel Curry that don't have a home anywhere else, and he occasionally hops on to shoot the shit about current hip-hop news with his listeners. You never know what you're going to get with Rosenberg Radio, but it's always worth your time.
Listen: iTunes
Kinda NeatLee Shaner has been rapping under the stage name Intuition for years, giving him an edge when it comes to relating with his interview subjects on Kinda Neat. Taking a special interest in childhood and family moments with artists like Allan Kingdom, wifisfuneral, and The Internet, Shaner has intimate conversations with each guest before filming live one-take performance videos that he shares on his YouTube channel.
Dissect - A Serialized Music PodcastDissect is a serialized podcast that dedicates each season to diving deep and breaking down every little of a single album—one song at a time. A one-man operation, host Cole Cuchna spends over 20 hours putting together each episode and hundreds of hours over the course of a season. First, he broke apart Kendrick Lamar's lyrically and compositionally dense To Pimp a Butterfly, then turned his sights to Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy for the follow-up. If you're looking for intelligent, NPR-style music analysis, Dissect is for you. You can read our interview with Cuchna here.
Rap Radar PodcastTwo of hip-hop's most respected journalists Elliott Wilson and Brian "B.Dot" Miller have made a habit of breaking news surrounding the biggest names in rap on one of the genre's most popular podcasts—the Rap Radar Podcast. Wilson and Miller's decades of journalistic experience and industry knowledge shine in some of the most polished hip-hop interviews you'll come across. After a brief hiatus, they recently relocated the podcast to TIDAL and started landing even bigger guests—including a two-part interview with Jay Z.
Listen: TIDAL
The Combat Jack ShowLegendary hip-hop podcaster Reggie Ossé lost a battle with colon cancer and passed away in late 2017, but The Combat Jack Show vault remains an incredible resource for hip-hop fans. Not afraid of delving into serious conversations about culture, politics, and race, Ossé perfected the craft of long, intimate conversations with some of the biggest names in the history of rap—including RZA, Scarface, Ice Cube, and Chuck D. Beginning with the show's very first guest, Sean Price, Ossé conversations piece together to form a valuable oral history of hip-hop culture.
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud
This SongHas a song ever changed your life? That's the question KUTX's This Song asks each episode. Artists like Spoon, Thundercat, and Run The Jewels sit down with host Elizabeth McQueen, zeroing in on specific songs and explaining how they impacted their personal lives and helped shape their own sound. Memorable episodes include Raury describing how Kid Cudi's "My World" saved his life in high school and Gary Clark Jr. talking about the influence Tupac's "Krazy" had on him.
The Future of WhatDoes radio still matter? Are digital downloads on their way out? These are the types of questions that The Future of What tackles each week. Host Portia Sabin (president of independent record label Kill Rock Stars) speaks with industry experts and musicians in an effort to uncover trends about the future of music—sprinkling in useful nuggets of advice for anyone interested in the music business.
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud
Talkhouse Music PodcastOpting out of the usual host format, Talkhouse Music Podcast pairs interesting musicians with each other for unique artist-to-artist interviews. Some of the most compelling results have come during in-depth conversations between Kamasi Washington and Thundercat, A Tribe Called Quest's Jarobi White and Starita remembering Phife Dawg, and Andrew W.K. talking about parties with Dan Deacon. Who needs a host when you have combinations like that?
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud
Drink ChampsThe loosest podcast on this list, Drink Champs operates around a simple premise: put interesting rappers at a table overflowing with alcohol, press record, and see what happens. With drinks flowing, hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN aren't afraid to tackle personal and controversial topics, guiding guests out of their PR-minded interview bubbles and into fascinating conversations rarely heard on the record.
Soundtracks: The B-SideWhat were you listening to on September, 11, 2001? How did the events of that day change the music in the months and years that followed? Every week, a fascinating TV show on CNN called Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History looks at how music that helped define historical moments through the years. If you're looking for even deeper analysis, the show's The B-Side podcast is for you. Host and music historian Jason King brings on guests each week to discuss, in his own words, "how music has played an integral part in celebrating, criticizing, and amplifying seismic events in our collective history."
Listen: iTunes
Juan EpsteinCredited by many as the original hip-hop podcast, Juan Epstein is the collaborative project of Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg and multi-hyphenate DJ-comedian-radio personality Cipha Sounds. These guys have accumulated a huge catalog of in-depth interviews with hip-hop legends like Jay Z and Eminem as well as today's stars like Isaiah Rashad and Vic Mensa. Free to do what they want outside the restrictions of a major radio station or television network, this is where you'll hear the most comfortable, free-flowing conversations from Rosenberg and Cipha.
Listen: iTunes / SoundCloud
Mogul: The Life and Death of Chris LightyA documentary-style biography of the life and death of rap mogul Chris Lighty, Spotify's Mogul podcast is a must-listen for fans of hip-hop history. Hosted by Reggie Ossé (Combat Jack), the six-episode podcast follows Lighty from his days rubbing shoulders with the originators of hip-hop in New York City to his time on top of the game as an executive with clients like Nas, Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, and Ja Rule. The show also offers insight into the dark side of the industry as Lighty's life takes a downward turn, leading to his eventual death.
Listen: Spotify
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