Hip-hop radio veterans Mastermind and Jay Smooth, along with music industry academic Michelle Santosuosso join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the rise of rappers turned popular podcasters and how that squares against the decline of rap music on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

Hip-hop radio veterans Mastermind and Jay Smooth, along with music industry academic Michelle Santosuosso join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the rise of rappers turned popular podcasters and how that squares against the decline of rap music on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

From the charts to podcasts, the state of rap in 2025

Big laughs. Smart takes. Every day. Commotion is where you go for thoughtful and vibrant conversations about all things pop culture. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud calls on journalists, critics, creators and friends to talk through the biggest arts &amp; entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less. Subscribe&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://subscriptions.cbc.ca/listmanagement/forms/podcastsnewsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sounds Good: CBC's Podcasts newsletter</a>&nbsp;for the&nbsp;finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.

Society & Culture

Big laughs. Smart takes. Every day. Commotion is where you go for thoughtful and vibrant conversations about all things pop culture. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud calls on journalists, critics, creators and friends to talk through the biggest arts & entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less. Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcasts newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.

Big laughs. Smart takes. Every day. Commotion is where you go for thoughtful and vibrant conversations about all things pop culture. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud calls on journalists, critics, creators and friends to talk through the biggest arts &amp; entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less. Subscribe&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://subscriptions.cbc.ca/listmanagement/forms/podcastsnewsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sounds Good: CBC's Podcasts newsletter</a>&nbsp;for the&nbsp;finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.

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From the charts to podcasts, the state of rap in 2025

From the charts to podcasts, the state of rap in 2025

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