Episodes

  • RIP Mr. Complex | Hip Hop Vs. ADHD | John Lewis Musical | Mero on Hot 97 | A$AP Rocky Goes to School
    Feb 19 2026

    This excerpt from the Hip Hop Can Save America! livestream show -- "Hip Hop News That Isn’t About Dumb Sh*t" -- features host Manny Faces and guest co-host Silent Knight discussing the meaningful ways Hip Hop is intersecting with education, activism, community work, and more.

    The conversation highlights research on how Hip Hop DJing and production can help with ADHD, the debut of the "Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest" Hip Hop musical, and celebrations of the legacy of underground icon Mr. Complex.

    If you think Hip Hop has lost its depth, its politics, or its power — this segment helps make the case that you’re just not looking in the right places.

    (Excerpted from the weekly "Hip Hop Can Save America!" livestream.)

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    My book: "Hip Hop Can Save America! Inspiration for the Nation from a Culture of Innovation" - https://www.mannyfaces.com/book

    The Hip Hop Can Save America! media ecosystem (podcast, newsletter, Discord, and more): https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com

    Support this important, independent cultural journalism: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • HHNews: Women in Hip Hop at Princeton, Activist Rapper vs ICE, DJing for ADHD, Hip Hop's GRAMMY Kids
    Feb 11 2026

    This excerpt from the Hip Hop Can Save America! livestream show -- "Hip Hop News That Isn’t About Dumb Sh*t" -- features host Manny Faces and guest co-host Keisha "TK" Dutes discussing the meaningful ways Hip Hop is intersecting with education, activism, community work, and more.

    The conversation highlights a Princeton University course on women in Hip-Hop, rapper Nur-D's stand against ICE in Minneapolis, the legacy of Houston's Michael "5000" Watts, and the GRAMMY win for Fyutch and his daughter Aura V in the children's music category.

    If you think Hip Hop has lost its depth, its politics, or its power — this segment helps make the case that you’re just not looking in the right places.

    (Excerpted from the weekly "Hip Hop Can Save America!" livestream.)

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    My book: "Hip Hop Can Save America! Inspiration for the Nation from a Culture of Innovation" - https://www.mannyfaces.com/book

    The Hip Hop Can Save America! media ecosystem (podcast, newsletter, Discord, and more): https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com

    Support this important, independent cultural journalism: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces

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    40 mins
  • Citizen Reporting in Minneapolis and Hip Hop's Spirit in Journalism: With Keisha "TK" Dutes
    Feb 9 2026

    Explore how grassroots journalism and community storytelling are shaping narratives from the ground up in this powerful excerpt from Hip Hop Can Save America!

    Host Manny Faces is joined by radio and podcasting veteran Keisha "TK" Dutes, to discuss her work connecting directly with Minneapolis residents amid social upheaval and media spotlight.

    Listen as Keisha "TK" Dutes shares her perspective on amplifying community voices outside of mainstream media: "You don't have to have a [particular] job to be an activist… you don't even have to be an activist to be an activist... These people are just "regular." And they all my homies."

    This focused conversation dives deep into the power of local journalism, how stories are told and heard beyond corporate filters, and why hearing directly from residents and grassroots leaders in places like Minneapolis is crucial.

    If you're interested in citizen journalism, the intersection of Hip Hop, activism, and authentic reporting, this clip offers actionable insights and relatable stories you won't hear anywhere else.

    Follow TK: https://www.instagram.com/tastykeish

    Follow C: https://www.instagram.com/agtraphaus

    Follow BondfireRadio: https://www.instagram.com/bondfireradio

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    My book: "Hip Hop Can Save America! Inspiration for the Nation from a Culture of Innovation" - https://www.mannyfaces.com/book

    The Hip Hop Can Save America! media ecosystem (podcast, newsletter, Discord, and more): https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com

    Support this important, independent cultural journalism: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces

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    52 mins
  • Hip Hop, Poetry & Power: Lyrical Faith & the Black AF (Artistic Freedom) Conference at UMass Amherst
    Feb 4 2026

    Dive into the heart of Hip Hop, Black artistry, and activism with this powerful excerpt from the “Hip Hop Can Save America” weekly livestream show, featuring international award-winning spoken word poet, Imani J. Wallace (Lyrical Faith), and host Manny Faces. In this segment, they break down the mission and impact of the Black Artistic Freedom Conference (Black AF) at UMass Amherst (https://www.bit.ly/BLACKAF2026RSVP), a “dynamic experience centering education and activism through the arts.”

    Whether you’re an artist, educator, or advocate, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone interested in how Hip Hop culture can drive social change and foster community.

    FOR INFO: https://www.bit.ly/BLACKAF2026RSVP

    TO DONATE: https://www.bit.ly/BLACKAFDONATE

    TO VOLUNTEER: www.bit.ly/BLACKAFVOLUNTEER

    (Excerpted from the weekly Hip Hop Can Save America! livestream.)

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    My book: "Hip Hop Can Save America! Inspiration for the Nation from a Culture of Innovation" - https://www.mannyfaces.com/book

    The Hip Hop Can Save America! media ecosystem (podcast, newsletter, Discord, and more): https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com

    Support this important, independent cultural journalism: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces

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    47 mins
  • Hip Hop News That Isn’t About Dumb Sh*t — Week of Jan 26, 2026
    Jan 29 2026

    This week, Manny Faces highlights Hip Hop stories that actually matter — from tributes to John Forte and the legacy of Cornbread, to groundbreaking Hip Hop programming at universities, museums, and community spaces across the country. We spotlight women in Hip Hop, youth-driven creative spaces, father-daughter Grammy nominees, Hip Hop’s growing role in mental health conversations, and the cultural impact of artists pushing beyond music into television, activism, and education.

    If you think Hip Hop has lost its depth, its politics, or its power — this episode makes the case that you’re just not looking in the right places.

    (Excerpted from the weekly Hip Hop Can Save America! livestream.)

    ---

    My book: "Hip Hop Can Save America! Inspiration for the Nation from a Culture of Innovation" - https://www.mannyfaces.com/book

    The Hip Hop Can Save America! media ecosystem (podcast, newsletter, Discord, and more): https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com

    Support this important, independent cultural journalism: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces

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    36 mins
  • How Hip Hop Teaches Social Emotional Learning (SEL) | David Spellmon
    Jan 27 2026

    Hip Hop already teaches social emotional learning — we just don’t always recognize it as such. In this long-overdue conversation, Manny Faces sits down with David Spellmon, educator, speaker, and author of "Just Like Music: Social Emotional Learning Inspired by Hip-Hop," to explore how Hip Hop culture naturally builds emotional intelligence, self-awareness, communication, and resilience — often more effectively than traditional systems.

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    Follow the guests: David Spellmon - https://positivearchersolutions.com

    My book: "Hip Hop Can Save America! Inspiration for the Nation from a Culture of Innovation" - https://www.mannyfaces.com/book

    The Hip Hop Can Save America! media ecosystem (podcast, newsletter, Discord, and more): https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com

    Support this important, independent cultural journalism: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces

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    46 mins
  • MLK: What They Won't Teach In School
    Jan 19 2026

    [In collaboration with the News Beat Podcast]

    Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy encompasses so much more than simply his 'I Have a Dream' speech, and his mission is as imperative today as it was then. We republish “MLK: What They Won’t Teach in School”—our 2017 inaugural episode—each MLK Day as a reminder of the civil rights leader’s lasting impact, the movement’s ongoing struggle, and still unrealized goals. Learn some of what the history books left out. Featuring interviews with Pastor Roger C. Williams of the First Baptist Church of Glen Cove, NY and Larry Hamm of the Newark, NJ-based social justice group People's Organization for Progress; original verses performed by hip hop artist Silent Knight; and King’s own words, listeners learn about MLK’s Poor People’s Campaign, which he believed would be his true legacy. More than likely, it was this that got him killed.

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    📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/newsletter

    📘 Read the book: *Hip Hop Can Save America!* https://www.mannyfaces.com/book

    📺 Watch the videos/livestream: https://www.youtube.com/mannyfaces

    🎤 Watch my TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/5rRxG1i5iRo?si=jOkW43tVbrYeqdIT

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    32 mins
  • Hip Hop News That Isn't About Dumb Sh*t - Week of Jan 12, 2026
    Jan 14 2026

    This week on Hip Hop News That Isn’t About Dumb Sh*t, Manny Faces breaks down several stories shaping Hip Hop beyond the headlines — including the narrative around rap’s so-called 2025 “comeback,” the passing and legacy of James Bernard, and the quieter ways Hip Hop continues to evolve across music, journalism, performance, and community.

    This segment is excerpted from the weekly Hip Hop Can Save America! livestream, airing Mondays at 9pm ET on YouTube - SUBSCRIBE TODAY at https://www.youtube.com/mannyfaces

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    📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/newsletter

    📘 The book: *Hip Hop Can Save America!* https://www.mannyfaces.com/book

    🎤 Watch my TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/5rRxG1i5iRo?si=jOkW43tVbrYeqdIT

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins