The podcast is the longest-running podcast on African Hip Hop culture. It features discussions on African Hip Hop music & culture from around the continent and the Diaspora. The podcast is produced in the Department of African Studies at Howard University. You can access the podcast at www.hiphopafrican.com and on all major podcast platforms.
Ep. 110: Mutombo Da Poet & 20 Years of Spoken Word in Ghana
Mutombo Da Poet joins The Hip Hop African Podcast to discuss his long-awaited return to recording, the evolution of Ghana's spoken-word movement, and why he now describes his music as "melodic spoken word."
A pioneer of contemporary spoken word in Ghana, Mutombo reflects on more than two decades of performance, the lasting impact of Photo Sentences, and how hip hop has shaped his artistic identity. He also opens up about fatherhood, social media, documentary photography, procrastination, and creating deeply personal work on his new project, B50.
In this episode we discuss:
How Def Poetry Jam inspired his journey into spoken word
Why he considers spoken word and rap "first cousins"
The making of Photo Sentences and its lasting legacy
Developing his new sound: melodic spoken word
The responsibility of artists as storytellers and social commentators
Growing as an artist after twenty years
Social media, criticism, and protecting creativity
Why Ghana's spoken-word scene needs more open mic spaces
Fatherhood and how it transformed his writing
The story behind his return with B50
What's next, including two more EPs
Connect with Mutombo Da Poet
Follow Mutombo and listen to B50:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mutombodapoet/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MutombodaPoet
X: https://x.com/MutomboDaPoet
Bandcamp: https://mutombodapoet.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pS2rDcLNDizifz9mZeFAI
If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to The Hip Hop African Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone interested in African hip hop, spoken word, and creative storytelling.
9 Aug 2026
Ep. 109: Lyrical Joe on Lyricism & Legacy
Lyrical Joe on Faith, Language, Lyricism & the Future of Ghanaian Hip Hop
One of Ghana's premier lyricists joins The Hip Hop African Podcast for a conversation about faith, language, competition & Hip Hop, and staying true to his creative vision.
We first encountered Lyrical Joe's music through students in hip-hop courses at Howard University. In this conversation, the award-winning rapper reflects on his journey from leaving school at a young age to becoming one of Ghana's more respected emcees.
"God is not sitting somewhere on a throne looking at me. He's inside me."Lyrical Joe
Lyrical Joe explains why he resisted industry pressure to simplify his lyrics, discusses the role that faith and self-belief have played throughout his career, and shares how the annual 5th August series evolved into one of Ghanaian hip-hop's anticipated traditions.
The conversation also explores rap battles, writing in English, global audiences, and why lyricism continues to matter in today's music industry.
Lyrical Joe's socials:
Instagram
X
Facebook
YouTube
1 Jul 2026
Ep. 108: Hip Hop Studies at HBCUs (Archive Edition)
Originally released in 2018, this archival episode revisits the 2018 conversation about the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in shaping the field of Hip Hop Studies.
Recorded at Howard University, the panel brought together scholars from 3 HBCUs in the Washington, DC area to discuss the significance of teaching hip hop in Black academic spaces, the relationship between hip hop and activism, and the responsibility of HBCUs to preserve, interrogate, and advance Black cultural knowledge.
In addition to the host, Dr. Msia Kibona Clark are:
Dr. Greg Carr (Howard University)
Professor Theodoros Williams (Bowie State University)
Professor Jared Ball (Morgan State University)
Listening back nearly a decade later, many of the questions raised during this discussion remain just as relevant. Since this conversation was recorded, Hip Hop Studies has continued to grow as an academic field. Since 2018, Howard University launched a Hip Hop Studies minor and now hosts an annual Hip Hop Studies Conference.
If you have not, remember to go to hiphop.howard.edu for information on the Hip Hop Studies minor and upcoming conference (November 13-15, 2026.
Who has been a guest on Hip Hop African Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
ZuluMecca
Breeze Yoko
James Top
MC Jupiter
DJ Blackish
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact Hip Hop African Podcast
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