

Hip Hop Can Save America
Manny Faces Media
"Hip Hop Can Save America!" explores the innovative, inspiring, and often surprising ways Hip Hop music, culture, and sensibilities are improving society in areas such as education, science/technology, health/wellness and more. Hosted by award-winning journalist Manny Faces, HHCSA is a 2025 Gold recipient of the Signal Award for Best Music Podcast, and has been adapted into the Cornel West-endorsed book, "Hip Hop Can Save America! Inspiration for the Nation from a Culture of Innovation"
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 26, 2025 • 56min
HHCSA IN PERSON! With artist, producer, educator & author John Robinson
This episode is a bit different, but it’s also one of my favorites as this was the first live and IN PERSON episode of Hip Hop Can Save America! It was filmed in front of a live audience during PodJamATL, where we and two other Atlanta-area podcasts were invited to film an episode at their event. It gave me the opportunity to bring out as my guest, a long-time, world-touring, indie rap artist, dope wordsmith, beatmaker and producer, educator, author, and all around cool cat, John Robinson who some may know as JR or Lil Sci from Scienz of Life.Most of it translates well to the audio pod, so if you haven’t seen this over on YouTube, and this is your preferred medium, have no fear. You’ll get an entertaining, informative and insightful interview as usual, with the added bonus of some Hip Hop news that isn’t about dumb shit, and the extra in-person shenanigans that took place.More on John Robinson at www.johnrobinsonmusic.com--PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORK: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces or https://mannyfaces.substack.com---Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.LINKS AND RESOURCES:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.

Mar 7, 2025 • 21min
Hip Hop Summit at the 2025 Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee with Dr. Adia Winfrey
Today’s drop is a quickie, due to the fact that what I want to share with you is starting today. Each year, the city of Selma, Alabama hosts the Bridge Crossing Jubilee, a commemoration of the 1965 civil rights march and subsequent attack on demonstrators infamously known as Bloody Sunday.As part of this remembrance, Dr. Adia Winfrey helps orchestrate the Intergenerational Hip Hop Political Summit, replete with performances, speakers, and announcing a call-to-action for members of the Hip Hop community in Alabama, and at-large, to ensure we continue to use the culture for more than just entertainment.Dr. Winfrey, who has been on the show before, is a Doctor of Psychology and the creator of the H.Y.P.E. Hip Hop Therapy initiative. She previously ran for Congress and is co-creator of the political activism organization Transform Alabama. Dr. Dia, as she is affectionately known, took a few moments to break down what to expect from this year’s Jubilee, the Hip Hop Summit, and beyond, as we all continue to uplift the political power of the Hip Hop community.--PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORK: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces or https://mannyfaces.substack.com---Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.LINKS AND RESOURCES:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.

Feb 27, 2025 • 45min
Hip Hop and Mental Health Therapy with Dr. Randy Sconiers of Mental-Hop
On this episode, an interview with Dr. Randy Sconiers LCSW, founder of the Mental-Hop platform that mixes Hip Hop music and culture with mental health education. For more on Dr. Sconiers, visit www.doctorsconiersspeaks.comPLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORK: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces or https://mannyfaces.substack.com---Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.LINKS AND RESOURCES:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.

Feb 25, 2025 • 22min
Upcoming Hip Hop Conferences / Calls For Papers
Upcoming Hip Hop academic conferences and CFP due dates.PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORK: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces or https://mannyfaces.substack.com---Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.LINKS AND RESOURCES:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.

Feb 20, 2025 • 17min
Did Kendrick's Performance Even Matter? (SPOILER: Yes, if we do THIS...)
Was Kendrick's performance too subtle? Was it too much? Was it hypocritical? Was it effective? Was it “divisive”? Was it flashy enough? Should there have been more guests, more hits, less dense material?It doesn't matter. What DOES matter, is what we decide to do next.PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORK: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces or https://mannyfaces.substack.com---Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.LINKS AND RESOURCES:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.

Jan 25, 2025 • 14min
Is THIS What HIP HOP Has Become?!? Snoop Dogg, Nelly, the Trump Inauguration, and #TheCulture
Several prominent rap artists including Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy, have made a lot of noise for choosing to perform at events linked to the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, in particular, the Crypto Ball, a gathering of the crypto industry supporting Trump's election, and the controversial coins tied to the first family.Lost in a lot of the emotions but critics and supporters alike, was that these actions, while perpetrated by Hip Hop artists, don't reflect Hip Hop.Manny Faces. creator of the Hip Hop Can Save America! media ecosystem, breaks it down.PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORK: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfaces#donaldtrump #trump #trumpinauguration #hiphop #hiphopculture #snoopdogg #nelly #rickross #souljaboy---Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.LINKS AND RESOURCES:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.

Jan 11, 2025 • 40min
Lupe Fiasco's A.I. Fiasco! | Rapper Faces Backlash for "Endless LUP" A.I. Music Project with MIT
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WORK: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesLupe Fiasco, now a rap professor at Johns Hopkins' Peabody Institute, continues his work bringing hip hop into academia, but his "Endless LUP" collaboration with MIT to create AI-generated Lupe Fiasco rap songs has ignited controversy. Critics argue that using AI to produce music, especially from a cultural icon like Lupe, risks further gentrifying hip hop and stripping it of its authentic roots. This excerpt from our full live broadcast dives into the ethics of AI in music, the intersection of technology and culture, and the broader implications for the future of hip hop education.----Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.LINKS AND RESOURCES:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.

Dec 19, 2024 • 1h 29min
Hip Hop News That Isn't About Dumb Sh*t - Week of Dec. 16, 2024
This is a a recap of inspirational, innovative, and insightful Hip Hop news shared in the Hip Hop Can Save America! newsletter, taken from the Hip Hop Can Save America! weekly livestream show. Some topics covered include Hip Hop x education, Hip Hop x mental health therapy, Hip Hop x archiving, and more!Enjoy!----Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.Links and resources:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.

Dec 18, 2024 • 23min
Hip Hop at SiriusXM with Joshua "J1" Raiford, VP of Music Programming
In this episode, get an insider's look at the state of Hip Hop radio and streaming with SiriusXM & Pandora VP of Music Programming, Joshua "J1" Raiford! Discover how streaming and satellite platforms are changing the way we experience Hip Hop and creating opportunities for artists of all generations.In this exclusive conversation with Manny Faces and J1, learn about:How streaming technology saved hip hop after nearly destroying itSiriusXM's partnerships with HBCUsWhy data doesn't tell the whole story in music programmingThe evolution of digital streaming in Hip Hop cultureHow legacy artists find new audiences through streamingKey Highlights:Behind-the-scenes look at music programming decisionsThe importance of balancing data with cultural authenticityCreating opportunities for the next generation of industry leadersHow streaming platforms pay artists directlyThe future of AI and technology in musicWhether you're an aspiring artist, industry professional, or hip hop enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insights into how streaming platforms are shaping the future of music while preserving Hip Hop's cultural legacy.Subscribe for more conversations exploring Hip Hop's influence in technology, business, and culture.#HipHopBusiness #MusicIndustry #SiriusXM #MusicTechnology #StreamingPlatforms #HBCUs #MusicProgramming #HipHopCulture #DigitalStreaming #MusicBiz #HipHopEd----Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.Links and resources:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.

Dec 10, 2024 • 38min
Hip Hop News That Isn't About Dumb Sh*t - Week of Dec. 9, 2024
Here's something a little different to celebrate 100 episodes! This is a a recap of inspirational, innovative, and insightful Hip Hop news shared in the Hip Hop Can Save America! newsletter, taken from the Hip Hop Can Save America! weekly livestream show. I think you'll like it. Email manny@mannyfaces.com to let me know if I should keep doing it!Enjoy!----Hip-Hop Can Save America! with Manny Faces is a Manny Faces Media production, in association with The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy.Links and resources:SHOW WEBSITE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.comON YOUTUBE: https://www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com/watchMANNY FACES: https://www.mannyfaces.comNEWSLETTER (free!): https://mannyfaces.substack.comSUPPORT QUALITY INDIE HIP HOP JOURNALISM: https://www.patreon.com/mannyfacesManny Faces Media (podcast production company): https://www.mannyfacesmedia.comThe Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy: https://www.hiphopadvocacy.orgSPONSORS / FRIENDS:The Mixtape Museum: https://www.mixtapemuseum.orgHip-Hop Hacks: https://www.hiphophacks.comHip-Hop Can Save America! is produced, written, edited, smacked, flipped, rubbed down, and distributed by Manny Faces. Eternal thanks to Consulting Producer, Sommer McCoy.


