In the first nine episodes of our season, Louder has tackled the unwritten rules of rap. For the finale, we dig into the root of all those rules: the scarcity mindset. It's the belief that access and resources are so limited for those marginalized in hip-hop that you need to fight tooth and nail for them, and that only one can make it to the top at a time. And the Louder team says goodbye, as scarcity comes for our own podcast.

For Louder host Rodney Carmichael, interrogating misogynoir in hip-hop means confronting some hard questions — as a man, and especially as a father. As Rodney thinks about raising the next generation without replicating his mistakes, he's looking more closely at how hip-hop shaped his definition of masculinity. On this episode, something a little different: part meditation, part conversation — between Rodney and writers Kiese Laymon and Jamilah Lemieux — about beats, rhymes and life.

Rico Nasty's music creates a haven for heavy emotions. And in a world that paints Black girls showing any emotion as too much, having a place to release anger and anxiety is essential. But when Rico joined the 2021 Playboi Carti tour, his fans harassed her repeatedly and that safety was stripped away. On this episode, we talk with Rico about keeping a brave face, hear from a fan who was there in the crowd, and ask: When the outlet for your anger is shut down, how do you get your power back?

Saucy Santana is part of a new wave of queer artists pushing back against stale standards in hip-hop. Bolstered by the reach of short sound bites on TikTok, the "Material Girl" rapper is not shy about rocking a beat face, trimmed beard, acrylic nails and booty shorts that have become his calling card. But in an industry that values marketability and reinforces masculinity to a toxic level, how can femme-presenting gay men sidestep from being considered viral jokes to become undeniable stars?

How has hip-hop affected perceptions of Black masculinity? We unpack that question through the story of iLoveMakonnen, a rapper who has navigated different realms of masculinity his entire life, and faced backlash from the industry for being unapologetically himself.

In 2006, Kim Osorio, the editor-in-chief of The Source, sued the magazine and its owners for workplace sexual harassment. Nearly two decades later, hip-hop still has not had a true reckoning around sexual misconduct. In this episode, former Source writers take us behind the scenes at the hip-hop bible and the environment that led to the suit. And activist Tarana Burke, creator of "Me Too," reflects on how this case could have put hip-hop ahead of the curve on reckoning with misogynoir.

We don't have a new episode of Louder Than A Riot this week. Instead, we are using our mid-season break to introduce you to a podcast we love: Broken Record from Pushkin Industries. Hosted by Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond Broken Record explores the craft and legacy of musicians. Today we're sharing Rick Rubin's conversation with one of the most innovative artists in music, Missy Elliot. This year Missy was recognized as having more platinum albums than any...

Louder was planning to drop a new episode this morning about a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and workplace discrimination at The Source magazine in the early 2000s. But, because of circumstances beyond our control, we need to delay it. Our next episode drops on April 27. Listen for our full statement on the status of Rule No. 5.

How did the "bad bitch" replace the "ride or die chick" in hip-hop? In this episode we talk to the original baddest herself, Trina, about how her career flipped the script on dusty old stereotypes of Black women in rap, and left men down bad. We also sit down with Trick Daddy, the man that put her on, to hear how he feels to see her shining; and check in with Latto, a rapper carrying the torch that Trina set aflame 25 years ago.

We're sharing something special with you from a friend of the show. Back Issue is a show that reminisces on moments in pop culture's past that have shaped our present. Each episode brings personal reflection, incredible guests and plenty of deep belly laughs. Our homie, Josh Gwynn, is a fire host, and has invited some very special guest co-hosts to share their perspective on some of the most formative stories in pop culture.

The male gaze looms over everything, but hip-hop is its favorite entertainment. Those under its watchful eye feel objectified or shamed if they don't give it what it wants to see. In this episode, we share the stories of three artists who are pushing back on the male gaze in their personal relationships, social interactions and even industry-wide.

Decades before hip-hop's current renaissance of women rappers, there was MC Sha-Rock. Despite her influence on future generations, her contribution to the craft of hip-hop is not widely known. In this episode, we break down legacy: who gets to leave one in hip-hop and who gets left out.

It felt like the December 2022 trial of Tory Lanez sparked a divide in hip-hop, but it just stoked the flames of a 50-year-long battle for Black women to be heard. In the first episode of our new season, we take you into Megan Thee Stallion's testimony to unpack the impact of misogynoir on rap.

Inside all corners of hip-hop, Black women and queer folk have dealt with the same oppression the music was built to escape. Season 2 of Louder Than A Riot examines who hip-hop marginalizes, and how misogynoir — the specific racist misogyny against Black women — is embedded into the fabric of the culture that we love.

In the wake of the arrest of YSL affiliates Young Thug and Gunna, we unpack the implications of using RICO against rap crews.

What happens to police officers who use excessive force, tamper with evidence or sexually harass someone? In California, internal affairs investigations were kept secret from the public — until a recent transparency law unsealed thousands of files. On Our Watch is a limited-run podcast from NPR and KQED that brings you into the rooms where officers are interrogated and witnesses are questioned to find out who the system of police accountability really serves, and who it protects.

We finally speak with rapper Mac Phipps following his recent clemency hearing. What does justice look like after he's spent half his life in prison?

As Yo Gotti and Jay-Z work to reform prisons, Noname and Mariame Kaba imagine how hip-hop could help abolish prisons completely.

Why did law enforcement praise Nipsey Hussle publicly, but brand him a gang member privately? And how did that cause another man's parole violation?

A former ward of the state who gave birth while imprisoned, Philly rapper Isis Tha Saviour uses hip-hop to transform her trauma into freedom.

Bobby Shmurda faces a dilemma: Go for self, or go for crew. We talk to lawyers on both sides of court and the rapper himself about his infamous case.

What does a fatal shooting reveal about Bobby Shmurda's viral summer smash? This is the story of "Hot N****" that lingers between the lyrics.

Over the next three episodes, we go behind the headlines of Bobby Shmurda's story: his rise, his fall and the price he paid for the bonds of brotherhood.

How a law aimed at the mob turned mixtapes from cultural innovation to criminal conspiracy. Meet the man who took the fall when the cops came knocking.