The Realness (podcast)
| The Realness | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by |
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| Genre | Music podcast |
| Developed by |
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| Language | American English |
| Length | 30 Minutes |
| Production | |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Publication | |
| Original release | July 19 – August 3, 2018 |
| Provider | WNYC Studios |
| Related | |
| Related shows | Only Human |
| Website | www |
The Realness is a music podcast hosted by Mary Harris and Christopher M. Johnson and produced by WNYC Studios.[1][2]
Background[edit]
The show is about the life of Albert Johnson, also known as Prodigy of Mobb Deep. Mobb Deep grew famous in the 1990s with hits like "Shook Ones (Part II)" and their 1995 studio album The Infamous. Prodigy struggled with sickle cell disease his whole life and was an advocate for people with the disease. More than 4 million people in the world suffer from Sickle Cell. Prodigy died at the age of 42 on June 20, 2017, due to complications related to the disease. The podcast discusses recently discovered medical records and contains exclusive audio of Prodigy discussing his experiences with sickle cell disease. The show also features interviews with Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, Dr. Dre, Matty C a founder of The Source, Peter Rosenberg from Hot 97, and Roxanne Shante.[3][4][5]
The six episode podcast was produced by WNYC Studios and hosted by health reporters Mary Harris and Christopher Johnson. In July 2018 Universal Music Enterprises commemorated the 25th anniversary of Juvenile Hell by releasing it on vinyl. The podcast featured interviews with his brother Greg Johnson, his former doctors such as Yvette Francis-McBarnette, and Big Twins. The podcast discusess the history of how sickle cell disease received national attention at the time that Prodigy was born. The show also dicusses how the disease disproportionately affects black people and the societal racism that has led to the disease largely being ignored. The hosts look at how sickle cell effected Prodigy's life and music.[6][7][5]
The show traces the history of sickle cell disease in general while foscusing on Prodigy's experiece in particular. The first episode introduces the listener to Prodigy and the second episode looks at the historical moment in which Prodigy was born.[8] Episode three discusses Prodigy's family and their various musical influences.[9]
Episodes[edit]
Introductory episode[edit]
| Title | Running time | Original release date |
|---|---|---|
| "Introducing The Realness: The Untold story of Albert "Prodigy" Johnson" | 3:55 | July 16, 2018 |
Season 1[edit]
| No. | Title | Running time | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "This Sunny Day Right Here" | 31:05 | July 19, 2018 |
| 2 | "T'Chaka" | 30:21 | July 28, 2018 |
| 3 | "Son, They Shook" | 23:57 | July 30, 2018 |
| B–Side | "Roxanne Shante" | 19:14 | August 1, 2018 |
| 4 | "The Most Racist Judge in Nassau County" | 36:01 | August 3, 2018 |
| 5 | "Go See About the God" | 32:03 | August 6, 2018 |
| 6 | "Missing You" | 30:51 | August 10, 2018 |
Reception[edit]
The podcast won the 2019 National Association of Black Journalists award for best lifestyle podcast.[10][11]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ C. Isaiah, Smalls II (July 25, 2018). "Prodigy's Music Left Us With the Realness of Sickle Cell Anemia". Andscape. ESPN Inc. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ Jackson, Panama (August 17, 2018). "The Realness Podcast Tells the Story of Mobb Deep's Prodigy Through His Struggle With Sickle Cell Anemia and 'Keeps It Thoro'". The Root. G/O Media. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
- ^ "The Realness: How a Blood Disease Shaped Hip Hop History". Radio New Zealand. September 22, 2018. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
- ^ Claymore, Gabriela Tully (July 19, 2018). "WNYC Debuts Podcast About Prodigy Of Mobb Deep: Listen". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
- ^ a b Rao, Sameer (July 19, 2018). "New Podcast Explores Prodigy's Career, Health Journey". ColorLines. Race Forward. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
- ^ Gee, Andre (August 3, 2018). "'The Realness' Podcast Series Reflects on the Life of Rap Icon Prodigy". Uproxx. Warner Music Group. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
- ^ Harris, Mary; Johnson, Christopher (August 9, 2018). "What We Learned About Prodigy From Making 'The Realness' Podcast". Gothamist. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
- ^ Flanagan, Jenna (September 24, 2018). "Metrofocus "The Realness": Prodigy". MetroFocus. PBS. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ Ware, Lawrence (August 2, 2018). "A Great New Series About Prodigy Shows Podcasts Are the Perfect Medium for Examining Hip-Hop". Slate Magazine. The Slate Group. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
- ^ Stewart, Kanya (August 12, 2019). "2019 STE Winners: Photojournalism, Podcasts, Magazine, PR & Marketing". National Association of Black Journalists. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ Devano (September 21, 2019). "Celebrating Excellence: The Winners of NABJ's Salute to Excellence & Their Work". National Association of Black Journalists. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
External links[edit]
| External podcast links (?) |
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