For most music fans, not much beats a really good live show. Music podcasts may not be a substitute for live music, but they are a unique and exciting way to connect with the music you love. Through listening to a podcast, you can get closer to your favorite bands, gain insight into the making of your favorite songs, and find your new favorite artist. The best music podcasts are like the best liner notes—they add depth and interest. A good one might make you think about a song in a new way, introduce you to a fascinating, forgotten piece of music history, or provide the inspiration you need to start your own band or write your own song.
These are 20+ of the best music podcasts around. They're as different from one another as rock 'n' roll is from opera; some are funny and lighthearted, while others explore hefty social issues. Some focus on specific kinds of music—rap, country, classical, rock, pop—and others highlight diverse artists working in just about every musical style. Music fans are as varied as the music they listen to, but we promise there's something here for everyone.
It's been nearly three decades since DJ Drama released his groundbreaking first mixtape, and in the years since, the Grammy winner has established himself as a certified multihyphenate, racking up credits as a producer, promoter, and record exec and working with the likes of Black Thought and Snoop Dogg. Now, the King of the Mixtape can add “podcast host” to his ever-growing resume. In this Audible Original, created in collaboration with Kenya Barris’s Khalabo Ink Society, DJ Drama dives deep with past collaborators, including Tyler, the Creator; Wiz Khalifa; Pharrell; and 2 Chainz. In each episode, a different rap icon reminisces on the origins of their entry into the Gangsta Grillz mixtape series, musing on each track’s cultural impact.
Anyone who loves making music and is looking for the best advice on how to make it in the music industry will enjoy this informative, Webby Award-winning podcast. Host Ari Herstand, author of the bestselling How to Make It in the New Music Business, talks with singers, songwriters, producers, and others involved in the industry about their successes and challenges. These conversations go beyond the basics, as Ari and his guests reflect on the creative and ingenious strategies they've relied on to launch their careers. Full of insider stories and tons of hard-earned wisdom, this is a podcast all aspiring musicians should put at the top of their to-play list.
Louder Than a Riot isn't your typical music podcast. The show explores the complicated links between the rise of hip-hop and mass incarceration. Each week, hosts Rodney Carmichael and Sidney Madden from NPR Music delve into the life story of a rap or hip-hop artist—stories that shed light on various aspects of the criminal justice system. They bring incredible depth, nuance, and compassion to thorny conversations about power, hip-hop culture, structural racism, the prison industrial complex and its disproportionate effects on communities of color, and what the music industry has to do with all of it.
NPR's All Songs Considered is a one-size-delights-all music podcast with endless variations. Hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton are two of the biggest music nerds around. In jam-packed 30-minute episodes, they discuss the best new music releases and the albums they've listened to nonstop—and they play plenty of tracks too. Episodes also include interviews with new and established artists and music industry news. All Songs Considered is the perfect blend of critical analysis and pure celebration.
How does a hit become a hit? Why do certain songs capture the cultural imagination, whether for a season, a year, or a decade? Why can't we get certain tunes out of our heads? What makes a song a pop sensation? In this fascinating podcast, songwriter Charlie Harding, musicologist Nate Sloan, and NPR Music's Reanna Cruz try to answer such questions. Each week on Switched on Pop, they delve into pop hits both new and old, by artists from Elvis to Lizzo, and explore just what goes into making them so unforgettable.
If you're looking for one go-to podcast to stay up to date on music news and new releases, there's none better than Rolling Stone Music Now. Hosted by Brian Hiatt, senior writer for Rolling Stone, it's chock-full of juicy tidbits, album reviews, and in-depth industry stories that go beyond the headlines. Most episodes contain a mix of interviews and conversation, and while it's focused on current news and music happenings, Brian and his guests often meander into music history and its impact on the present.
Thinking a podcast about the history of country music isn't for you? Cocaine & Rhinestones just might change your mind. The history of country music makes for riveting listening—it's full of big personalities, longstanding rivalries, unexpected collaborations, and lots of moments and places that speak to the broader history of American culture. Host Tyler Mahan Coe is the perfect guide through all of these stories. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll gasp, and you'll never listen to country music the same way again. To quote one of its numerous fans, listening to this podcast is "enormously satisfying."
Song Exploder is one of those brilliant podcasts that takes a simple idea and executes it flawlessly. What music fan hasn't wondered what went into the writing of their favorite song? Listen to this podcast, and you won't have to wonder any more. In each episode, an artist discusses one of their songs, in-depth—the inspiration behind it, the process of writing and recording it, how all the sounds in it came together, and more. Host Hrishikesh Hirway has interviewed dozens of diverse musicians, from Brandi Carlile to Foushée, The Shins to Jon Batiste, and the conversations are always full of insight, depth, and surprising revelations.
Breakthrough is the audio-only singing competition taking the world by storm. This first-of-its-kind, truly blind singing competition features major musical chops from its star-studded judging panel and talented aspiring singers. Produced by The Chainsmokers and AT WILL MEDIA, hosted by Tony and Grammy Award winner Daveed Diggs, and judged by the incomparable Sara Bareilles and Kelly Rowland, Breakthrough introduces five artists who pursue their dream to be the next singing sensation just using the power of their voice. An audiophile’s dream, this innovative 10-part series has us cheering on the contestants in anticipation of its June 22nd season finale.
Questlove is a musical legend in his own right, so you know any podcast he hosts—especially one in which he has intimate and far-ranging conversations with other legends—is going to be gold. Questlove Supreme is an absolute treasure trove of incredible interviews. QuestLove and Team Supreme talk with their guests—from Usher to Weird Al , Joan Jett to Chaka Khan, Rick Astley to Ne-Yo—about how they got started, their successes and challenges, current projects, and biggest passions. This is a show for people who like to settle in and go deep—most episodes clock in at around 90 minutes—and for anyone interested in hearing from the real flesh-and-blood humans behind the big names.
Who doesn't love Dolly Parton? She's one of America's most universally beloved musical icons, and for good reason. Singer-songwriter, actress, country music legend, business owner, philanthropist, activist, public speaker, cookbook author—it seems there's nothing Dolly can't do. In this nine-part series, host Jad Abumrad takes listeners on a fascinating tour through the Dollyverse, exploring not only her music and career but also her legacy, her impact on American culture, and her enduring popularity.
If you had to pick 500 songs that shaped rock music over the last century, where would you start? Luckily, music nerd Andrew Hickey has already taken on that daunting job! In this fun, spirited podcast, he examines the history of rock music from 1938 to 1999, one genre-shaping song at a time. Each episode focuses on a song that's had a lasting impact, including (in no particular chronological order) these five: Aretha Franklin's "Respect," "Last Train to Clarksville" by the Monkees, "Light My Fire" by the Doors, Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence," and "All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles.
If you've been searching for a music podcast that also happens to be a true crime podcast, you're in luck. Disgraceland is exactly that. Musicians, especially famous ones, aren't all known for their upstanding behavior. This show is about musicians who've committed crimes, gotten mixed up in scandals, or been involved in murder cases. Host Jake Brennan strikes the perfect balance—he shares eye-opening stories, yes, but they're never sensational. His thoughtful reporting keeps the humanity of the artists—including Ozzy Osbourne, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, and members of the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys—front and center.
Hosted by proud fangirls and industry insiders Sara Feigin and Jenna Million, Name 3 Songs is a podcast devoted to empowering fangirls and calling out sexism in the music business. Released every Sunday, episodes offer thoughtful conversations on topics ranging from the history of girl groups to pop stars and male objectification, from Beyoncé's power to what it means to be a woman recording artist over 30. Sara and Jenna have a fun, easygoing style, but they're not afraid to get into complicated and controversial issues, sometimes welcoming other industry insiders to join them. This honest, open music podcast is a breath of fresh air.
Can't decide what type of music podcast you're in the mood for? Then Ongoing History of New Music is the perfect pick because no two episodes are ever alike. The show explores everything and anything—as long as it has to do with music in one way or another. You'll find a multi-part, in-depth history of alt rock, an episode all about female drummers, a thematic exploration of "selling out" and what it means in the music industry, profiles of bands from Nine Inch Nails to Pearl Jam, a fascinating deep-dive into album artwork, and so much more. Host Alan Cross is endlessly curious and genuinely interested in each topic, making it hard to stop listening to this show.
If laid-back, conversational, comedy podcasts are your jam, Drink Champs is the music podcast for you. Hosted by two longtime music industry insiders, Queens rapper N.O.R.E. and Miami hip-hop DJ EFN, this is a fun, fast-paced, let's-not-take-ourselves-too-seriously show about life, art, and hip hop. N.O.R.E. and EFN talk about their lives, their careers, their friendships, and what they're listening to. Rotating guests, such as Patti LaBelle, Ja Rule, and Snoop Dog, bring their own perspectives and stories, making for a truly lively few hours of music chatter.
She Will Rock You is a rock and roll podcast for the 21st century—at once a homage to rock history and a celebration of up-and-coming artists. Hosts Bethanne Tarpley and Leah Jones love talking about their favorite rock icons—Nina Simone and Cyndi Lauper, for starters—as much as interviewing their favorite new bands and singers. They're especially keen on highlighting women in the industry, and they do so in myriad ways—delving into the brilliance of Kate Bush, discussing career challenges with a young music journalist, and reflecting on how the pandemic has changed live music with artists just getting their start.
Listening to Broken Record is a surefire way to discover new artists or learn more about artists you already love. Each week, hosts Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, and Justin Richmond talk with a different musician about their life and work—and then sit back and listen to them play. The mix of guests is wonderfully curated and includes lesser-known new and upcoming singer-songwriters, Grammy Award winners like Lyle Lovett, and living legends like jazz great Sonny Rollins. Hour-long episodes provide plenty of time for in-depth conversations and, of course, plenty of great music.
A lot of skill, craft, and talent goes into music production, but it's not something that gets a lot of attention. Tape Notes offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into recording an album. Each week, host John Kennedy is joined by an artist and a producer for an enlightening conversation about their collaboration process on a particular album. No step is too small to discuss, and they're all fascinating—from kindling the first spark of a song idea to choices about instrumentation to what goes into perfecting the final cut. If you often find yourself listening to a song and wondering about its earlier iterations, you'll love this podcast.
Talk about a great hook! Each week on Punch Up The Jam, musicians, artists, writers, and fans are invited to discuss, review, revise, and ultimately play a "punched up" version of any song of their choosing. Hosts Andrew and Evan Gregory of The Gregory Brothers and their guests have hilarious conversations about some of history's most iconic and infamous songs, from John Lennon's "Imagine" to "Manic Monday" by The Bangles. It's silly, it's snarky, it's playful, and it always ends with a song—though you'll have to decide for yourself whether or not the "punched up" rendition is an improvement on the original.
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. On September 29, 1998, XXL magazine gathered 177 artists, producers, and influential figures within New York City’s hip-hop culture for one legendary photo. This picture, taken at 17 East 126th St. in Harlem, was in reference to a photo taken by Art Kane with 57 jazz artists at the exact same spot in 1958. Narrated by former XXL Editor-in-Chief Sheena Lester, The Greatest Day: The Epic Story Behind Hip-Hop's Most Iconic Photograph tells the gripping story of XXL's attempt to re-create Kane's iconic photograph for a new era
This alternative music podcast is made by and for anyone who's ever felt like they don't have a voice in mainstream music fandoms. Radio personality Sophie K, journalist Yasmine Summan, and musician Alyx Holcombe talk about music and the lifestyle that goes with it—everything from fashion and culture to internet trends and performance spaces. Each week on On Wednesdays We Wear Black, the hosts dig into the good, the bad, and the bizarre—indie bands, TikTok sensations, tattoo and piercing fails, weird fetishes, gatekeeping, racism in the music industry, Marilyn Manson, and more.
Aria Code is a bit like Song Exploder—but for opera! Each episode focuses on a single aria—a self-contained piece for one voice. Many arias are as famous as the operas they come from, and some are even more so. But what makes an aria so memorable? And what does it take to be able to sing one? Grammy Award-winning host Rhiannon Giddens speaks with some of opera's biggest voices, including Roberto Alagna, Diana Damrau, and Sondra Radvanovsky, to find out. Joined by eclectic guests, from musicians to authors and actors like Dame Judi Dench, they reflect on iconic moments in opera history and share personal stories about performing such emotional, intricate pieces. Every episode ends with the aria itself, recorded at the Met.
This unique podcast is a blend of personal stories, music history, and Black culture. Noel Johnson III is a Black music lover and avid vinyl record collector. On The Record Spinner, he uses his extensive record collection as a jumping-off point to explore the world of music through a Black lens. Some episodes are focused on a particular record and the stories behind it; in others, he chats with guests about the art of collecting, what goes into making records, the importance of uplifting Black music, and more. Noel's passion infuses the whole show, and his excitement is contagious.
Bent by Nature explores the life and work of an instrumental force in the musical underground of the 1980s, DJ Deirdre O’Donoghue. Countless artists crammed into her studio at KCRW in LA to perform live on her late-night show, SNAP! In this 10-part documentary series, Henry Rollins, Julian Cope, R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe, and other musicians who worked closely with her, reflect on O’Donoghue's talents as a tastemaker and trailblazer who helped shape careers, music, and culture. This podcast is also a music archive, inviting you to listen and experience those legendary sessions at KCRW, recorded some 40 years ago.
