Louder Than A Riot

by NPR
2,654

Hip-hop emerged from the voices of the unheard. But freedom doesn't ring the same for everyone. Inside all corners of the culture, Black women and queer folk have dealt with the same oppression the music was built to escape. Season 2 of Louder Than A Riot examines who hip-hop marginalizes, and how misogynoir — the specific racist misogyny against Black women — is embedded into the fabric of the culture that we love.

From Rico Nasty facing harassment from toxic fans, to Saucy Santana's unapologetically femme aesthetics in a queerphobic industry, to the assault case that put Megan Thee Stallion's image on trial, each episode of Louder Than A Riot unpacks the unspoken rules of rap that discriminate against a select few and have held the entire culture back.

Hosted by NPR Music's Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael, Louder Than A Riot confronts power from every angle – from the power the genre wields over its artists, to the power plays that its rulebreakers take in order to get heard. In the midst of a so-called Renaissance for women in rap, these stories reveal a rot at the core of the culture that reflects how voices, bodies, and rights are still policed in America.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • timreid
    Bring Them Back
    please & thank you
  • JayHofsy
    Bring them back
    Please and thank you.
  • feg2427
    Great storytelling
    This is probably the first podcast, I’ve listened to where I said to myself, “I need to listen to this again”.
  • MotorCityMissy
    We need more!
    We need more of what these amazing journalists have to offer about the hip hop universe! Made every top ten list because it should have. Such an enjoyable listening experience. Kudos to the team for their amazing work.
  • hdsdfbjj
    Please renew for Season 3!
    A wonderful podcast with fantastic hosts and crew! Please bring them back!
  • Cham206
    Can’t believed NPR cancelled this
    I have always enjoyed NPR (except Fresh Air, I feel like the host makes some horrible assumptions about her guests) but I LOVED this podcast. It is so well done. I just realized there was a second season only to find out a few episodes in that it was cancelled. Why would you do that NPR? So disappointing.
  • AKLRG
    Bring it back!!
    This podcast is insightful and informative. I am a white woman and not at all knowledgeable about hip hop, but with a little help from google to understand some of the things they were talking about, I was able to follow along and learn so much about the injustices perpetrated on the Black community and on Black women. I do not feel like there are enough opportunities for Black people to tell their stories the way they want to tell them, and I am very disappointed with NPR for canceling it.
  • Shannylaces
    Will be missed
    An absolutely amazing podcast that will truly be missed. Every episode both seasons, or real, and honest and encouraged conversation. Many of the episodes brought tears and audible gasps. every single episode, I learn something new. i’m praying that another podcast company picks up this cast crew and podcast for future seasons. Much love and thank you so much
  • TroyColeman
    Insightful & Necessary
    An incredible and honest exploration that we needed.
  • RhiiiiiRhiiiii
    Just…excellent
    This is one of the most thoughtful, entertaining and necessary podcasts I’ve listened to. Bring it back!!
  • DDLove
    GOAT!
    Real recognize real! This is the best podcast I’ve ever heard, hands-down! The stories that they told were essential to anyone who loves hip-hop. I’m so sorry to have heard that it ending. Thank you for all your hard work.
  • Babydthooooo
    I love this podcast
    After binging all of the episodes & finding out it will be coming to an end I am so sad!!! I’ve learned so much from this podcast & agree it’s so important. Bring it back!!!!!
  • Feeling Seen
    A Return Is Necessary
    I enjoy this podcast for its depth. Really hoping there’ll be another opportunity for the hosts and guest to be LOUD. Bring the podcast back.
  • Selalias
    Bring it back
    I just discovered through the playlist on Apple Music. Hope to see the show come back.
  • BookWormyGrrl
    Challenging what we think we know about HipHop
    This podcast is well researched and compelling. These are the kinds of stories that NPR should be focusing on. I’m so disappointed to hear that the recent layoffs are resulting in its cancellation.
  • Anna^^^
    The best
    Canceling?! Really NPR? Really?
  • FreyaRN
    Don’t cancel
    This podcast just needs some exposure, not cancelled. I just happened to hear about it and am hooked.
  • Kloveshack
    How Could NPR Cancel This Amazing Podcast
    This is one of the greatest podcasts out there - unbelievable NPR could cancel it!
  • LCD user
    NPR - please fund more seasons
    This is such a powerful podcast. NPR, please reconsider the funding of future seasons!
  • 17 Quillera
    Excellence
    I stumbled upon this podcast and I’m so grateful I did. As a hip hop fan dissecting the industry and the genre was absolutely needed. The nuance and depth of each episode was very much appreciated. Then there was episode 9 of season 2…wow! Carmichael’s introspection and vulnerability was incredibly refreshing and beautiful! I loved this episode so much! I applaud and thank the team for an amazing podcast and for telling these stories.
  • PISSED_85
    Why?!
    I just found this podcast and in the same hour find out it’s cancelled!! Why?!
  • hadiyasmanzoor
    Needs to be recontinued!
    Amazing, in depth, complicated , riveting. 10/10 podcast that was so interesting and beautiful journalism and analysis
  • Frengelmamma
    Please BRING THIS BACK!!!
    Loved this podcast! I loved the first season and very much looked forward to the second. When I heard this wasn’t going f to continue, I was very disappointed. This was a most informative podcast. The delivery of each episode was so well written, I’m going to be finding other podcasts by these two hosts. Very thoughtful folks. I very much appreciate your journalism. Thank you!
  • keithwoklok
    Great podcast but NPR left me wanting more
    I really enjoyed this podcast and the opportunity to learn so much about the culture from such talented team. This is one of the best podcasts I’ve heard in a long time and I really would like to hear more from Sidney and Rodney. All of the episodes were informative and enjoyable to listen to even though they were addressing very heavy topics. I especially appreciated how the topics were presented so intentionally. I’d really appreciate if NPR brought this podcast back.
  • NYCsbw
    Bring it back, NPR
    This was an incredibly powerful and enlightening podcast, I binged it. As a longtime supporter of public radio, I’m very disappointed in the decision to discontinue this program, and hope NPR will reconsider.
  • TigercubMom
    Excellent Podcast
    Truly disappointed Louder has been cancelled!
  • fakenudes
    super thoughtful amazing pod!!
    so upset this was canceled. i’m actually obsessed with the pacing and stories of this show. gone too soon 😭😭
  • clare151
    Great podcast!
    Very disappointed to hear NPR cancelled this podcast. I really enjoyed listening!!
  • CBJ216
    Awesome
    I am late to this podcast. Listened to this podcast consistently for the past two weeks and love it! Disappointed with the cancellation. Season 2 hits home focusing on the issues of women in this industry. Amazing show and want to hear more.
  • youknow88
    Cancelled?!
    I’m so sad to hear that NPR has laid off this team and cancelled this gem of a podcast. Hip hop needs this representation in the mainstream and these stories need to be told. Disappointing and disheartening.
  • House of Charlita
    Fantastic work - bring it back NPR!!
    This podcast and all of the seasons are so well done and required listening for all lovers of hip hop, sometimes we got to investigate and challenge the art forms we love and learn from. NPR boo on you for cancelling this show, bring it back! Or someone else needs to pick up Louder Than a Riot it’s important to the culture. Thank you for this gift to the whole team!
  • L1p1k1h1
    NPR: bring back this pod!
    Sidney and Rodney and their team did such an amazing job with season 2. I’m disappointed that NPR canceled this show and I really hope it comes back sometime very soon.
  • Lorax88
    It can’t be over ☹️
    Just binged the second season. Y’all. That was amazing! We need these voices to be heard. Certainly hope this comes back at some point, NPR!
  • keepithunnit100
    Textbook for the Culture
    You guys KILLED S2. We need these stories. We need these voices. Bring the show back, NPR.
  • Merlewastaken
    Incredible
    I am so disappointed this podcast has been cancelled. It’s some of the best story telling and music journalism I have ever encountered
  • rbgoodjoin
    Excellent discussion about HipHop
    This series is so compelling. I am not a big fan of HipHop but this is an incredible insightful and interesting exploration of the genre. This should not have been cancelled. I hope this finds a way back on NPR or another platform
  • ALaw211
    Disappointed
    I loved this show so much, and I was so disappointed to hear that it’s been cancelled. I hope enough of us communicate that to NPR and that it possibly could be resurrected. I learned so very much, and really enjoyed the second season even more than the first!
  • Breee91
    Bittersweet
    Please don’t let this stop y’all!!This show was great. I hope you continue doing this work I’ll be watching y’all’s timelines for your next podcast.
  • ✨Ab✨
    A Great & Underrated Show!
    This is such an incredibly underrated podcast show that has been killing it since season 1. Making an investigative journalism podcast about music and specifically hip-hop/rap music was & is a fantastic idea! Season 2 was everything, I loved every single episode! I really was looking forward to a third season, but oh well… I’m sad & mournful that NPR cancelled it. I genuinely hope it gets picked up or revived by some other network or it going independent and we see the same team who worked on it come back again. I wish y’all the best in your lives & careers going forward! Until next time!👋🏽
  • Allon Health & Wellness
    I don’t want this podcast to end
    This is a beautiful podcast that needs to be made.
  • @TopFan
    Loved this show
    I am so disappointed this show was canceled because I learned so much from it and loved the stories they told. It was cutting edge. I wish NPR would reconsider and bring it back. Thank you to the hosts and everyone who stayed on to make a phenomenal season 2 even after knowing it would be your last season.
  • LilBIGH
    Such an important podcast
    I have learned so much from Louder than a Riot. Thank you so much for all your work and care in creating such a beautiful podcast. I am so upset that it’s been canceled. I really hope you all come back soon.
  • aep122013
    Love this podcast!
    I hope Sidney and Rodney and the entire Louder than a Riot crew get picked up by another network so they continue their work. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and recommend to every hip hop fan I know.
  • Witchy in Seattle
    Incredible show- you will be missed!
    Thank you for creating this thoughtful show- I hope you will be back in Podcast-land soon!
  • Oahhhhhhhhhhh
    Sad to see it go
    The first season was great, but they really outdid themselves for S2. I’m disappointed that the show has been cancelled. We don’t have many instances where hip-hop is examined critically, within and by the culture, with such consideration and rigor. Thanks to all.
  • KikiPattersonH
    Can’t Stop Listening
    These heartful and meaningful stories, the sound bytes and editing, the pacing and scripting, the diligent journalism, stories we need about so many important things held together by rap music… this one has it all. The hosts are fantastic. It’s the best podcast I’ve heard in a long time.
  • Krizo Valkov
    Season 2 is ground breaking
    Journalism poised to shift culture and norms for generations to come. Phenomenal introspection and cultural analysis
  • Liam in LaX
    Top podcast episode, period.
    Season 2, episode 12. Beautiful, insightful, elegant, terse, probing and expository. Let’s not waste words: this episode is moving, authoritative, graceful, accessible and sophisticated. Sid and Rodney are expert storytellers, and this episode takes their research and investigative skills in a personal and revelatory direction. I’m so disappointed and frustrated that NPR pulled the plug on this show. Truly shortsighted, I hope the show will live on to produce several more seasons on another platform that deserves it. And let’s be real- Rodney’s timbre, lilt and cadence have been secret weapons of this podcast all along, and in this episode we hear his full narrative expression. I’d listen to him read the phone book.
  • Dino Bar
    Love this show!
    This show is superb. Every time a new episode drops I get excited and do a little happy dance 😅❤️‍🔥
  • Sheri in PDX
    Wrong, wrong, wrong
    I’m a 60 year old white woman who came to hip hop and rap late. I love great music of all kinds and deeply respect Louder Than a Riot. Like the best of art and journalism, the show meets people where they are. For me, it’s about learning about the history and culture of the music. Hearing artists I’d never heard. For others, it’s something else. It’s VERY disappointing for NPR to cancel this show. I hope it gets picked up elsewhere. Thanks to all the creators behind this show and best of luck.
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