In Episode 17 of The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, Dr. Reiland Rabaka turns his attention to the politics of the plate—food justice. This episode digs deep into how access to healthy, affordable food is tied to democracy, power, and equality.

From the grassroots brilliance of Ron Finley, the “Gangsta Gardener” of Los Angeles, to Fannie Lou Hamer’s Freedom Farm Cooperative, the legacy of Karen Washington’s urban farming leadership, and the academic rigor of Dr. Robert Bullard, food justice is framed as much more than nutrition—it’s a fight for equity, self-determination, and community survival.

Dr. Rabaka unpacks how “food deserts,” or what he insists should be called food apartheid, shape lives and communities. This episode challenges us to see food not as charity, but as a human right and a cornerstone of social justice movements.

See all show notes and our playlist for this episode on our website.

Find us also on all major podcast platforms or catch us on Radio 1190 (KVCU) every other Thursday at 7 a.m.

"Environmental justice is about more than saving the planet—it’s about saving people, especially those who’ve been left out of the conversation for far too long." — Dr. Reiland Rabaka

In this episode, Dr. Rabaka examines the intersection of environmentalism, social justice, and the fight for equality. This powerful conversation unpacks how environmental issues disproportionately impact marginalized communities—and why that matters for democracy.

From climate change and pollution to food insecurity and clean water access, this episode challenges us to see environmental activism as inseparable from human rights.

🎧 Also listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, YouTube, or on our Episodes page. 📻 Tune in to Radio 1190 (92.9 FM) every other Thursday at 7 a.m. to hear The Cause on the air.

See brief profiles of the people profiled on this episode as well as a Spotify playlist on our website. 

“When we talk about radical democracy, we’re not talking about partisan politics—we’re talking about people power. We’re talking about reimagining democracy so it’s not just something we vote for, but something we live every single day.” — Dr. Reiland Rabaka

In this powerful episode of The Cause, Dr. Reiland Rabaka dives deep into the roots, meanings, and modern-day relevance of radical democracy. From grassroots movements to global calls for justice, this conversation explores how democracy can be reshaped through community action, cultural expression, and music.

Drawing on historical examples and present-day challenges, Dr. Rabaka connects the dots between radical thought, revolutionary organizing, and the cultural voices that have always pushed democracy toward its truest potential. Whether through protest songs or street-level activism, this episode shines a spotlight on the people who turn ideals into action.

See all show notes and playlist for this episode

What does it really mean to fight for peace?

In this episode of The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, Dr. Reiland Rabaka explores the radical legacy of pacifism and nonviolent resistance in African American history and beyond. From W.E.B. Du Bois and Martin Luther King Jr. to Bayard Rustin and Angela Davis, Dr. Rabaka brings forward voices that have imagined—and embodied—a different way of doing justice work.

With characteristic insight and honesty, Dr. Rabaka unpacks the philosophical roots of nonviolence, the misunderstandings surrounding pacifism, and its continued urgency in a world increasingly shaped by violence and division.

“To be deeply and profoundly committed to pacifism means that you're actually active — on the move, fighting for peace. I know it's ironic, but sometimes we have to be willing to fight nonviolently, yet fighting nonetheless, for peace.”

This episode challenges us to rethink activism, discipline, and courage—and to reflect on what kind of community we’re truly trying to build.

See our website for more details

In this powerful closing chapter of our Hip Hop Studies series, Dr. Reiland Rabaka invites us to step beyond the music and into the deeper meaning of hip hop as a worldwide movement for change.

While most people think of hip hop as just beats and rhymes, Dr. Rabaka challenges us to see it as something much larger: a living, breathing social movement rooted in community, activism, and the ongoing fight for justice. He explores how hip hop emerged from the margins — born in the Bronx, nurtured in neighborhoods often overlooked or deliberately neglected — and transformed into a global force that now shapes culture, politics, and social consciousness around the world.

“Rap music and hip hop culture are merely the tools… if they can be used to degrade and destroy, then they can also be used to elevate and educate.” — Dr. Reiland Rabaka

In this episode, we dig into how artists used — and continue to use — hip hop to fight oppression, tell untold stories, and create space for community healing and imagination. We discuss the movement’s connections to earlier Black freedom struggles, and how it has become an archive of resistance, resilience, and radical possibility.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of hip hop or just beginning to understand its power, this conversation will expand your view of what music can do — and what it can mean.

See more show notes and see our customized playlist for Episode 13 on our website.

The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy with Dr. Reiland Rabaka explores how music and culture inspire movements for justice and social change. Hosted by Dr. Reiland Rabaka — Professor of African, African American, and Caribbean Studies, and Founding Director of The Center for African and African American Studies (The CAAAS) at the University of Colorado Boulder — each episode uncovers the stories, rhythms, and voices that shape our world, from civil rights anthems to the global force of hip hop.

“These artists weren’t just entertainers—they were educators, cultural critics, and community historians.” — Dr. Reiland Rabaka

In Part 2 of our Hip Hop Studies series, Dr. Reiland Rabaka explores the evolution and impact of political and gangsta rap—two vital branches of hip hop that challenged systems, spotlighted injustice, and reshaped public dialogue around race, poverty, policing, and power.

This episode takes listeners through the lineage of resistance: from the firebrand urgency of Public Enemy, the revolutionary clarity of Queen Latifah, and the hard-hitting realism of N.W.A., to the complex genius of Ice Cube, Lauryn Hill, and many others. Dr. Rabaka draws deep historical connections—linking the lyrical activism of these artists to the long tradition of Black cultural expression as political protest.

Whether confronting police brutality, amplifying community struggles, or pushing back on respectability politics, these artists made space for Black truth on a global stage—often at great personal cost.

Episode 12 is a tribute to the fearless voices of hip hop who spoke not just to us, but for us.

Listen to the Hip Hop Studies playlist on our webiste.

“Rap is something you do—hip hop is something you live.” — Dr. Reiland Rabaka

In Episode 11 of The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, Dr. Reiland Rabaka launches our new Hip Hop Studies series with a powerful exploration of the cultural, political, and historical foundations of hip hop.

This episode traces the origins of hip hop from its roots in the Bronx to its connections with African griots, Black oral traditions, and resistance movements. Dr. Rabaka unpacks the five core elements of hip hop—MCing, DJing, breakdancing, graffiti, and knowledge—and how each one emerged as a form of survival, expression, and cultural genius.

Far from just entertainment, hip hop is framed here as a living philosophy, a way of life forged in the heat of economic exclusion, community creativity, and Black cultural inheritance.

Catch the broadcast on Radio 1190 KVCU every other Tuesday at 7 a.m.

Explore the curated playlist that complements this episode’s themes

This is part one of a multi-episode deep dive—Hip Hop Studies begins here.

See all shownotes and a playlist on our website.

“The Beloved Community is about us putting all of our lights together—about transforming ourselves and transforming this world.” — Dr. Reiland Rabaka

In this milestone 10th episode of The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, Dr. Reiland Rabaka reflects deeply on one of his greatest causes: The Beloved Community. Tracing its philosophical roots from Josiah Royce to Howard Thurman to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rabaka offers his own powerful remix for the 21st century—one grounded in radical inclusivity, environmental justice, gender equity, and transformative love.

Dr. Rabaka challenges listeners to move beyond buzzwords and build a real-world framework where everyone is respected, protected, and welcomed. With poetic passion, historical insight, and a powerful personal vision, he asks: What will it take to make the dream of the Beloved Community a reality?

📻 And don't forget—you can now also hear us every other Tuesday at 7 a.m. on Radio 1190 KVCU (92.9 FM in Boulder).

See shownotes and a playlist on The Beloved Community.

“When the world would not listen to what we say, we sang.” – Dr. Reiland Rabaka

In this powerful episode of The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, Dr. Reiland Rabaka explores the deep cultural, spiritual, and political roots of Civil Rights Music—from the sacred sounds of the Black church to the anthems that echoed through marches, protests, and mass meetings.

Drawing connections between gospel, rhythm & blues, rock & roll, and freedom songs, Dr. Rabaka illustrates how music served not only as inspiration but as a vital form of protest and communication when other means were denied. He highlights how artists like Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin helped craft a soundtrack of resistance—songs that gave voice to struggle, hope, and liberation.

And catch this episode airing next week on Radio 1190 KVCU—Thursdays at 7 a.m.

See show notes and playlist on our website.