Music is one of the few things that connects people all over the world yet it is also something that is deeply personal. Even with squabbles about genres and artists, it is almost always guaranteed to spark passionate conversations. And what better way than podcasts to channel those conversations?
Music podcasts are a unique way of connecting with music as you gain more insights into your favorite songs and learn more about the artists who created them. You may even get to explore new genres this way or learn some forgotten pieces of music history.
Here, we have compiled a list of the best music podcasts on Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms that tackle diverse topics and have something for everyone.
Contents
10 Best Music Podcasts on Spotify and YouTube
60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s
Hosts: Rob Harvilla
Available On: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, The Ringer Website
The 1990s was undoubtedly a watershed decade for music enthusiasts. It was, after all, in the age of increasing connectivity that stars like Beyonce and Britney Spears and boy bands like NSYNC and Backstreet Boys gained worldwide popularity. This was the era that witnessed a rapid evolution of sonic artistry and had a major influence on the sounds of the coming decades.
The Ringer’s 60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s is the best music podcast for when you’re feeling nostalgic about the euphoria of those times. Hosted by music critic Rob Harvilla, each episode is a deep dive into a classic song of this decade and an analysis of its sounds and their larger impact on the industry.
He acts as a tour guide and takes the audience down his and their own memory lanes by evoking the iconic songs of the era. Sharp and funny, this music podcast celebrates pop music, the ‘90s, and youth.
DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz Podcast
Hosts: DJ Drama
Available On: Audible
DJ Drama’s first mixtape was a groundbreaking album when it was released decades ago. Since then, the man has established his position as a producer, promoter, and record executive, having collaborated with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Black Thought.
Now, DJ Drama even has a podcast under his name where he goes back in time with past collaborators like Pharrell, Tyler, The Creator, and 2 Chainz as they reminisce about their entry into the mixtape and each track’s larger cultural impact.
This podcast is a treat for music lovers as they hear the artists talk about what hip-hop and music mean to them.
The New Music Business with Ari Herstand
Hosts: Ari Herstand
Available On: Apple Podcasts, Audible, YouTube
As the name suggests, The New Music Business with Ari Herstrand is all about the business of making music. The host, Ari Herstand, talks with various people working in the industry, such as singers, songwriters, and producers, about their successes, challenges, and ingenious marketing strategies.
Every aspiring musician must listen to this podcast for insider stories, industry wisdom, and the deep dive Ari does into various tools and tactics to run a successful career. He is a host who certainly doesn’t go easy on his guests and offers straightforward advice with no sugarcoating.
Song Exploder
Hosts: Hrishikesh Hirway
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Song Exploder Website
Song Exploder is the best and one of the most famous music podcasts out there. The premise is simple- discuss the stories behind songs. Hosted by Hrishikesh Hirway, it is a place where musicians take apart a particular song of theirs and, piece by piece, go through the whole process from writing to recording.
Song Exploder is a captivating podcast for music fans as they hear the host and guests discuss stories behind hit singles and deep cuts. It has a smooth, atmospheric storytelling style that will appeal to fans of various genres.
All Songs Considered
Hosts: Bob Boilen, Robin Hilton
Available On: NPR Website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
All Songs Considered is a music podcast that was launched way back in 2000 and is still going strong. It is a music discovery program that discusses the best new releases as well as artist interviews and conversations with friends on various music-related questions.
The hosts, Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton are big music nerds, and their energy is infectious. They bring to you the latest music industry news and interviews with new and established artists and play plenty of tracks too. All Songs Considered is a podcast as much about the celebration of music as it is about its critical analysis.
Louder Than a Riot
Hosts: Sidney Madden, Rodney Carmichael
Available On: NPR Website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Louder Than a Riot is slightly different from the other podcasts we just talked about. Sure, it is a music podcast and one that focuses on hip-hop but its approach to the genre is a little out of the park.
Hip-hop is a genre that came out of the voices of the marginalized but was at the same time not as inclusive or accessible for Black women or queer people. Louder Than a Riot is a podcast that brings you in-depth and nuanced conversations about hip-hop, power, and structural racism.
In season 1 of the podcast, hosts Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael explore the relationship between hip-hop and mass incarceration. Each episode delves into the history of a rap or hip-hop artist and uses it to highlight various problematic aspects of the criminal justice system. Similarly, season 2 focuses on the misogynoir prevalent in the genre and talks about the artists who are pushing back against it.
Disgraceland
Hosts: Jake Brennan
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart
Who would’ve thought that music and true crime could be combined for a podcast? It sounds absurd, but that is exactly what Disgraceland is. It is a long-running podcast that became an overnight sensation when it first launched in 2018.
The host, Jake Brennan, promises the most insane stories about the lives of music legends, and he certainly delivers on that. From the murder of Jerry Lee Lewis’ fifth wife to Taylor Swift’s stalkers to the tale of Ringo Starr and the Mexican Federales- Disgraceland has all the wild and heartbreaking scandals of the music industry.
It has tightly-written scripts, and Brennan’s narration is entertaining and engaging. There are laugh-out-loud moments but he makes sure that each story is told with the amount of respect it deserves. Disgraceland is, therefore, a great podcast for music history nerds and true crime fans.
Switched on Pop
Hosts: Nate Sloan, Charlie Harding
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Switched on Pop Website
Ever wondered how a certain song becomes a hit? Or how you cannot get certain tunes out of your head? Well, Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding had similar thoughts and that is how Switched on Pop was created. Harding is a songwriter while Sloan is a musicologist, and together, they break down popular music trends in this podcast.
In each episode, they delve into new and old pop hits, break down their technical details, and talk about what makes them so unforgettable. Sloan and Harding’s conversational style is compelling and engaging and provides you with enough pop music facts to impress people at dinner parties.
Ongoing History of New Music
Hosts: Alan Cross
Available On: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music
Talking about an industry filled with pomp and glamour, Ongoing History of New Music is a surprisingly simple and clear podcast. It is hosted by Alan Cross and covers all sorts of genres from hip-hop to alt-rock and movie theme songs.
Cross’ experience as a music journalist and radio program director makes him the right choice for this podcast on music history. His research is thorough, and he is great at making connections that others might miss.
Each episode is about 20-30 minutes long and focuses on a particular band, person, or theme related to alternative music. It is an excellent podcast for passionate music fans who want to learn in more depth about the cultural impact of alternative music.
Also Read: Top Best TV Shows and Movie Podcasts
Bandsplain
Hosts: Yasi Salek
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podtail
Are you unable to understand the appeal of My Chemical Romance? Or the intensity of Insane Clown Posse and their fans? Maybe you’re the person who just doesn’t get Metallica. Then you might want to check out Bandsplain hosted by Yasi Salek.
In this podcast, Salek sits down with experts to talk about iconic bands and artists and why people love them. They also curate a playlist for every episode to help you better understand the hype.
Salek, along with the artists and critics, then breaks down the bands’ specific sound and tries to pinpoint the special thing that fans love. Bandsplain is a music podcast and talk show hybrid that does a great job of covering multiple genres.
