

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 13, 2024 • 28min
A "Hip Hop Task Force" in Congress? Rep. Jamaal Bowman on Hip Hop as a political force for change
Representative Jamaal Bowman from New York joins Manny Faces to delve into the mission of the newly launched "Hip Hop Task Force" on Capitol Hill, exploring how Hip Hop culture can be leveraged to effect change in politics and society. Ranging from the intersection of Hip Hop and social justice to the progressive vision for America, this in-depth discussion sheds light on the cultural, political, and societal impact of Hip Hop and its potential to shape a positive future for the nation.--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 5, 2024 • 37min
RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL: Is Hip Hop a Target of Law Enforcement? Kemba and J.M. Harper from "As We Speak"
"As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial" is a documentary / dramatization currently airing on Paramount+. On this excerpt from the "Hip-Hop Can Save America!" Livestream Show, host Manny Faces delves deep into the intersection of hip hop, activism, and social justice with the film's director, J.M. Harper, and Bronx, NY-based rapper Kemba, who is the face of the documentary. This timely conversation underscores the genre's capacity to challenge stereotypes and address critical issues within the criminal justice system."As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial" - https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/video/9U_dxaJfRRUDdqsF9z0Q3fHN42XMUMoM/Director J.M. Harper - https://www.jmharper.com/Kemba - https://kembaland.bandcamp.com/track/hear-no-evil--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 2, 2024 • 53min
How Can "The Hip Hop Mindset" Lead You To A Successful Life?
In this episode of "Hip Hop Can Save America," Manny Faces sits with Dr. Toby Jenkins, who reveals the secret power of "The Hip Hop Mindset" in helping shape leaders and revolutionize education. From activism to self-help to leadership, her book "The Hip Hop Mindset: Success Strategies for Educators and Other Professionals," explores Hip Hop an an unsung hero of professional success. Can the principles of this vibrant culture truly propel you to greatness? Join us for a trailblazing dialogue that might just change the way you see the rhythm of life. #HipHopMindset #leadership #selfhelpGUEST LINK: http://www.tobyjenkins.net/--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 28, 2024 • 40min
Hip Hop Studies x Hip Hop Archiving with Dr. Murray Forman
We welcome Hip Hop academic Dr. Murray Forman to discuss "That's The Joint: The Hip Hop Studies Reader," the groundbreaking book on Hip Hop studies. This deep dive episode examines how the book, now in its third edition, serves as a crucial resource for bringing structured, scholarly attention to Hip Hop in educational spaces. In addition, the two discuss Forman's work chronicling the advancement of the field of Hip Hop archiving.--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 23, 2024 • 36min
PREVIEW: 2024 Hip Hop Music Pedagogy Workshop
The 4th Annual Hip Hop Music Pedagogy Workshop, February 24, 2024REGISTER: https://wsmamusic.org/4th-annual-hip-hop-pedagogy-for-music-educators/In this excerpt from "Hip Hop Can Save America," Manny Faces chats with Randy Swiggum about the upcoming workshop featuring nine power-packed sessions for music educators. They delve into the legacy of the late Jarritt Sheel and his groundbreaking ideas on how Hip Hop can -- and should -- intersect with traditional music education. The two discuss the importance of incorporating Black joy and culture into the classroom, along with the inclusion of other elements of Hip Hop, such as dance and beat-making, in the education space. The session also touches on the significant impact of movement and dance in music education, emphasizing the inclusive and welcoming nature of Hip Hop culture.The workshop is presented by the Wisconsin Music Educators Association. --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 22, 2024 • 35min
Hip Hop x Politics x Activism with Dr. Adia Winfrey
In this inspiring episode of "Hip Hop Can Save America," we sit down with the incredible Dr. Adia Winfrey, a transformative figure at the intersection of Hip Hop and political activism. Dr. Winfrey shares her groundbreaking work on empowering the youth through the H.Y.P.E. (Healing Young People thru Empowerment) curriculum and her influential role in redistricting efforts in Alabama. As an avid advocate for civic education and engagement, Dr. Winfrey elucidates how Hip Hop is an essential tool for political mobilization and awareness, especially within young demographics. --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 4, 2024 • 45min
Celebrating Women in Hip Hop: Author Nadirah Simmons Discusses her book, "First Things First"
In this episode of Hip Hop Can Save America!, host Manny Faces welcomes author and Hip Hop culture advocate Nadirah Simmons to discuss her book "First Things First: Hip-Hop Ladies Who Changed the Game." Simmons discusses the need for women in Hip Hop to have the freedom to create music on their own terms and the importance of recognizing the often underappreciated contributions of women to the genre and associated culture. The conversation also highlights her website, The Gumbo, which is dedicated to sharing untold stories about women and the issues important to them. This engaging discussion is a must-listen for those passionate about the evolution of Hip Hop and women's impact on the genre.--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 28, 2024 • 60min
Hip Hop x Education x Philanthropy with UnLearn The World, Education Director for Hip Hop For Chaage
In this episode of "Hip Hop Can Save America," host Manny Faces engages in a powerful conversation with guest UnLearn The World about the transformative power of Hip Hop culture. They discuss how Hip Hop has the ability to uplift communities and individuals, serving as a catalyst for personal and societal change. UnLearn The World shares insightful perspectives, addressing the remix culture within hip hop and its implications for personal growth and community transformation. They delve into the inclusive and unifying nature of Hip Hop events, drawing parallels to Martin Luther King's dream and emphasizing the potential for Hip Hop to promote harmony and understanding across various social divides. The conversation highlights the broad principles embedded in Hip Hop, offering a pathway for unity and positive change in an increasingly polarized world. Join Manny Faces and UnLearn The World as they explore the profound impact of Hip Hop and its potential to inspire collective progress.--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 21, 2024 • 33min
Hip Hop Education with Professor of Hip Hop, Dr. J. Rawls of Ohio State University
Manny Faces welcomes Dr. Jason "J. Rawls" Rawls to the show. Dr. Rawls is a long-time producer, DJ, author and educator, and is now the Assistant Professor of Hip Hop at THE Ohio State University, developing curricula for a Hip Hop minor program.Some key topics covered:1. Hip Hop Beyond Music: Cultural Diversity- Embracing the multifaceted aspects of Hip Hop culture, including dance, visual art, and storytelling traditions.2. Hip Hop Origins: Sociological Significance- Exploring the historical and sociological roots of Hip Hop, examining its impact on communities and social dynamics.3. Hip Hop Education: Engagement Through Culture- Using Hip Hop culture as a tool to connect with and engage students, fostering inclusivity and understanding.GUEST LINKS:Dr. Jason Rawls, OSU: https://music.osu.edu/people/rawls.5J. Rawls on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jrawls82BOOK: "Youth, Culture, Power" - https://www.amazon.com/Youth-Culture-Power-Teacher-Student-Relationships/dp/1433171252--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 28, 2023 • 12min
Hip Hop's greatest gift isn't rap music
The discussions and celebrations around #HipHop50 and the Hip Hop 50th anniversary were great, but missed a lot. To fully appreciate its golden anniversary, we must consider that Hip Hop's greatest contribution to humanity isn’t any of its singular or collective elements. Instead, it lies in Hip Hop’s intersection with other aspects of the human experience, and how its unique artistic, cultural and social characteristics create powerful new tools to help uplift lives, livelihoods and communities.--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.


