#RunTheCulture

Podcast are a great tool for creators of The Culture to express themselves and share their stories with the world. It’s also a great way to keep the people informed, educated or just make them laugh. We’ve put together a list of 10 of the best black podcasts you should be listening to right now.

2 DOPE QUEENS

The 2 Dope Queens are Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams and they host a live comedy show in Brooklyn. They chat with comedians and other special quest (ranging from Gabrielle Union to Kevin Bacon) and share stories about sex, romance, race, hair, living in New York and whatever else comes to their minds. It’s diverse, it’s interesting, it’s educational and it’s very funny. Williams and Robinson have amazing chemistry and that is the driving force behind what makes the show one of the best podcast around.

#ALLPODCASTSMATTER

#AllPodcastsMatter is a comedy show about social issues, current events, and pop culture. Hosts Keane and Vick are opposites but come together perfectly. Their show is nerdy, comedic, and woke. Segments include “What Donnie Did” a recap of the last week’s nonsense from the white house and a weekly top 5 list ranging from their favorite X-Men to their favorite alcoholic beverages. It’s raw, but smart, a bit all over the place but always on point.

BLACK GIRL NERDS

Black Girl Nerds is a podcast devoted to promoting nerdiness among black women and people of color. They foster a strong community and since of self to let anyone (not just black women) let their geek flag fly. They’re also kind of a big deal and are well connected in the entertainment field so they are able to get tons of celebrity interviews and make set visits to major motion pictures like Black Panther for their show. It’s like Entertainment Tonight for blerds.

COMEDY TRAP HOUSE

Step into the Comedy Trap House with the comedy troop “Dormtainment”. They’re hilariously insightful, thought provoking, and sometimes just flat out stupid. They discuss and crack jokes on current events, personal life theories, and their journeys to make it in Hollywood. They make you laugh, think, and inspire you to chase your dreams like they are. Recent cast include the greatness of Nickelodeon for 80’s babies and the benefits of dating a Chick-Fil-A employee. It’s laugh-out-loud stuff.

CRIME IN COLOR

Something completely different and quite rare in the podcast community. CIC is a weekly look at minorities in true crime. This podcast isn’t only about murderers/serial killers, but host Keyerra also talks to and covers the victims and survivors who were able to make it through a terrible life-changing event or the wrongfully convicted who had their lives ruined. Fascinating, gripping, real-life stories make this podcast great for fans of Dateline, Law&Order, etc.

DRINK CHAMPS

Legendary Queens rapper N.O.R.E. alongside Miami hip-hop pioneer DJ EFN come together to form the Drink Champs. Every week they bring in special guests to talk over some drinks and discuss everything from current world events to old school hip-hop stories. Nothing is sacred, nothing is off-topic, and no one is safe so this show is not for the easily offended. 80’s babies and 90’s hip-hop heads will love the stories from Nore and EFN, like studio tales with Pharrell and backstage antics at Summer Jams back in the day. They’re funny and raw and take you back to what many would consider the golden-age of hip-hop.

GETTIN’ GROWN

A show by two 30 something’s trying to navigate life and do the adulting thing. Keia and Jade are two happy, hard working and funny women bringing you inside their world with segments like Table Talk, Petty Peeves and Lessons in Black Women Self Care. The ladies are down-to-earth, open, and real which gives the show a kicking it with your homegirls vibe.

POD SAVE THE PEOPLE

A conversational podcast about culture, social justice, and politics hosted by organizer and activist DeRay Mckesson. He goes further than most by exploring all aspects including the history, language, and people who are shaping the struggle for progress . And he doesn’t stop at the labeling of the issues he also goes into the steps that we can take to help facilitate change. Each episode brings a news analysis, followed by in-depth conversations with experts, influencers, and diverse local and national leaders in the movement. This one is deep.

THE READ

A weekly podcast covering hip-hop and pop culture’s headline making stars. Shade is thrown, roasting is mandatory, tea is spilled. No star is safe from hosts Kid Fury and Crissle (except Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, and the twins). They’re sharp-tongued, quick-witted, funny, and a bit savage. As transplants to NYC, TheRead also serves as an on-air therapy as they both work on adjusting to their new surroundings and hustle to build their careers and brand which adds another dimension to the show.

STILL PROCESSING

Hosts Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham, two culture writers for The New York Times take on TV, movies, art, music and the internet. Basically everything pop-culturebut also the culture of work, dating, race and how they all fit together. They discuss the things that move them to tears, laughter, awe and anger. What they’re Still Processing is what it means to be black in America in 2018 including the good (Beyoncé’s Coachella performance), the bad (the countless unarmed killings of young black men), and the ugly (everything that comes out of Washington, DC) They’re both professional writers so their banter is always sharp as they try and figure it all out one week at a time.

Written by @TalentedMrFord

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