On this episode of Louder Than A Riot, something a little different: It's part meditation, part conversation — between host Rodney Carmichael and writers Kiese Laymon and Jamilah Lemieux — about beats, rhymes and life. For Rodney, interrogating misogynoir in hip-hop means confronting some hard questions — as a man, and especially as a father. As Rodney thinks about raising the next generation without replicating his mistakes, he's looking more closely at how hip-hop shaped his definition of masculinity.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Kiese Laymon, a celebrated novelist acclaimed for his memoir "Heavy," dives deep into the intricate challenges of retelling personal and cultural narratives. He discusses reclaiming the rights to his works, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in addressing complex societal themes like race. Laymon reflects on the struggles Black writers face, including the pressure from mostly white audiences and the impact of systemic racism on storytelling. The conversation also touches on the need for diverse voices in literature and the healing power of revision.