Accessibility links
Mano Sundaresan Mano Sundaresan is a producer at NPR.
Stories By

Mano Sundaresan

Story Archive

Monday

Veeze is just like us — except he's one of the best rappers alive

Rapping in a deceptively versatile mutter-croak, Veeze ekes out dense, snake-like verses that are as captionable and clever as they are transparent about his vices. Jimmy Whisperz hide caption

toggle caption
Jimmy Whisperz

Music Interviews

Veeze is just like us — except he's one of the best rappers alive

For years, the relatable Michigan rapper's lore was missing a crucial component: an album. In the lead up to its release, he talked leak culture, becoming a talk-show host and his idea of taste.

Thursday

Watch the queen conquer: MC Lyte, Quay Dash, the cast of 'Rap Sh!t'
Amanda Howell Whitehurst for NPR

Louder Than A Riot

Watch the queen conquer: MC Lyte, Quay Dash, the cast of 'Rap Sh!t'

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.

Watch the queen conquer: MC Lyte, Quay Dash, the cast of 'Rap Sh!t'

Listen · 55:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1179138417/1197847459" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

iLoveMakonnen and Drake tested rap's norms of masculinity, but only one passed

Drake and Makonnen celebrate during the former's 2014 birthday party at Dave & Buster's in Times Square, New York. Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images

Louder Than A Riot: Season 2

iLoveMakonnen and Drake tested rap's norms of masculinity, but only one passed

In 2016, a rift between hitmakers showed the limits of rap's tolerance for rule-breakers. As Mark Anthony Neal explains, "authentic" Black masculinity has always been a moving target in hip-hop.

Real n****s go hard (pause, no homo): iLoveMakonnen

ILoveMakonnen. Amanda Howell Whitehurst for NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Amanda Howell Whitehurst for NPR

Louder Than A Riot

Real n****s go hard (pause, no homo): iLoveMakonnen

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.

Real n****s go hard (pause, no homo): iLoveMakonnen

Listen · 55:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1173167867/1197847475" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Throughline Presents: Louder Than A Riot

MC Sha-Rock. Amanda Howell Whitehurst/Amanda Howell Whitehurst for NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Amanda Howell Whitehurst/Amanda Howell Whitehurst for NPR

Throughline

Throughline Presents: Louder Than A Riot

Louder Than A Riot breaks down how hip-hop history is told. Who gets to be remembered and who gets left out? 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.

Throughline Presents: Louder Than A Riot

Listen · 56:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1167122429/1200556214" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Thursday

'You gotta fight and fight and fight for your legacy'

MC Sha-Rock was the first woman to rap on national television in 1981, but hip-hop's double standards have left her legacy as the first female MC buried. Amanda Howell Whitehurst for NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Amanda Howell Whitehurst for NPR

Louder Than A Riot: Season 2

'You gotta fight and fight and fight for your legacy'

Not everyone who was part of rap's ascent gets included in its story. MC Sha-Rock, of the original Funky 4 and the Funky 4 + 1, reaffirms her role in hip-hop's formative years as the first woman MC.

Baby girl, you're only funky as your last cut: MC Sha-Rock

MC Sha-Rock. Amanda Howell Whitehurst/Amanda Howell Whitehurst for NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Amanda Howell Whitehurst/Amanda Howell Whitehurst for NPR

Louder Than A Riot

Baby girl, you're only funky as your last cut: MC Sha-Rock

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.

Baby girl, you're only funky as your last cut: MC Sha-Rock

Listen · 46:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1164986756/1197847495" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Thursday

Thursday

Tuesday

Thursday

Thursday

Monday

NPR's favorite music of July, from thundering pop to ecstatic electronics

The best music release in July includes albums by (from top left, clockwise) Maggie Rogers, Caterina Barbieri, Beyoncé, Bear1Boss and Johnny Gandelsman. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of the artists

All Songs Considered

NPR's favorite music of July, from thundering pop to ecstatic electronics

Maggie Rogers leveled up and Beyoncé dropped another album we'll think about all year. But Johnny Gandelsman also took us across America, Bear1Boss super-smashed rap and Caterina Barbieri found immanence in synths.

NPR's favorite music of July, from thundering pop to ecstatic electronics

Listen · 27:25
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1114298503/1199262520" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Tuesday

Kelly Rowland On Being the Ultimate Working Mom

Kelly Rowland. Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR

The Limits with Jay Williams

Kelly Rowland On Being the Ultimate Working Mom

In your mind, Kelly Rowland might be the teenager of Destiny's Child fame, or the solo artist with dance floor anthems like "Commander." But these days, Kelly's much more than a pop star. She's an entrepreneur, philanthropist, writer and mother of two beautiful children. She recently published a children's book called Always with You, Always with Me, her ode to working moms.

Kelly Rowland On Being the Ultimate Working Mom

Listen · 32:51
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1095899616/1197700094" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Colton Underwood On Defining Masculinity On His Own Terms

Colton Underwood. Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR

The Limits with Jay Williams

Colton Underwood On Defining Masculinity On His Own Terms

As a former NFL player and star of the Bachelor, Colton Underwood has embodied the highest ideals of masculinity. He worked hard to fit the mold of what everyone expected him to be. Until it almost killed him. When he finally accepted his sexuality and came out in 2021, the impact felt seismic.

Colton Underwood On Defining Masculinity On His Own Terms

Listen · 36:08
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1094149321/1197700098" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Rapper Denzel Curry On His New Measurement of Success: Peace of Mind

Denzel Curry Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR

The Limits with Jay Williams

Rapper Denzel Curry On His New Measurement of Success: Peace of Mind

Denzel Curry brought his rage to rap. For years, he's been known for taking a crowd and turning it into a moshpit. It was his way of taking his internal pain and expressing it. These days, though, Denzel is looking inward and so is his music. Now his mission is to find peace, and he wants the rest of us to find it too.

Rapper Denzel Curry On His New Measurement of Success: Peace of Mind

Listen · 22:16
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1092107884/1197700106" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Wu-Tang's RZA on Redefining Hip-Hop & Building Generational Wealth

RZA. Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR

The Limits with Jay Williams

Wu-Tang's RZA on Redefining Hip-Hop & Building Generational Wealth

Hip-hop producer RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan always knew he was going to be one of the greats. And believing it was his first step to achieving legendary status.

Wu-Tang's RZA on Redefining Hip-Hop & Building Generational Wealth

Listen · 36:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1086510843/1197700122" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Mark Cuban on Diversity in Sports, Reforming American Health care and the Presidency

Mark Cuban Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR; Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR; Getty Images

The Limits with Jay Williams

Mark Cuban on Diversity in Sports, Reforming American Health care and the Presidency

Whether it's the NFL or the NBA, health care policy or America's two-party political system, Mark Cuban believes that when you buck tradition you begin to grow.

Mark Cuban on Diversity in Sports, Reforming American Health care and the Presidency

Listen · 32:47
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1078930028/1197700142" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Brian Flores on Taking a Stand Against the NFL

Brian Flores, former head coach for the Miami Dolphins, talks with NPR about his lawsuit against the NFL and racism in the league. NPR hide caption

toggle caption
NPR

The Limits with Jay Williams

Brian Flores on Taking a Stand Against the NFL

Brian Flores is not messing around. The former Miami Dolphins head coach was fired last month, and had his eyes set on the top job with the New York Giants. But a misdirected text from New England Patriots general manager Bill Belichick convinced Flores, who is Black and Latino, that the hiring process was rigged against him, and that race was a major factor. He responded to the NFL by filing a class-action lawsuit on Tuesday. He was one of only three Black head coaches in the NFL at the time of his firing, in a league that has a majority of Black players. The lawsuit accuses the league of systemic racism and discriminatory hiring practices. It's made for a whirlwind 48 hours for Flores, who did not come to the decision to take legal action lightly. And it's arguably a louder stand than when Colin Kaepernick took his knee and paid the price. In this episode of The Limits, host Jay Williams sits down with Flores to talk about the change he hopes to inspire in the NFL, and the sacrifices he's willing to make to see that change take flight. For sponsor-free episodes, weekly bonus content, and more, subscribe to The Limits Plus at plus.npr.org/thelimits. Follow Jay on Instagram and Twitter. Email us at thelimits@npr.org.The Limits is produced by Karen Kinney, Mano Sundaresan, Leena Sanzgiri, Barton Girdwood, Brent Baughman, Rachel Neel and Yolanda Sangweni. Music by Ramtin Arablouei. Our executive producer is Anya Grundmann. Special thanks to Charla Riggi and Erin Register.

Brian Flores on Taking a Stand Against the NFL

Listen · 24:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1077927110/1197700146" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Nike's Larry Miller, His Story of Redemption and Building The Jordan Brand

Larry Miller Photo illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Photo illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR

The Limits with Jay Williams

Nike's Larry Miller, His Story of Redemption and Building The Jordan Brand

Larry Miller has been a top executive in sports and athletic wear for decades. As the Chairman of Nike's Jordan Brand, he's in charge of a multibillion-dollar global apparel juggernaut. But as a teenager growing up in West Philadelphia, he made a violent mistake that haunted him for decades: he murdered an 18-year-old man, Edward David White.

Nike's Larry Miller, His Story of Redemption and Building The Jordan Brand

Listen · 24:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1076361599/1197700150" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Reporting on your colleagues' murders changes how you work

Journalists and supporters hold signs as they protest the murders of their colleagues Lourdes Maldonado and Margarito Martinez in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The sign says, "Journalism at risk. Don't kill the truth." GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images

Latin America

Reporting on your colleagues' murders changes how you work

The murder of two journalists in Tijuana in less than a week has shocked reporters there and sparked outrage nationwide.

Reporting on your colleagues' murders changes how you work

Listen · 4:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1075936067/1076119568" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Wednesday

Latin America

Journalist killings in Mexico raise concerns among colleagues

Three journalist have been killed in Mexico this year, two of them occurring in Tijuana. NPR's Asma Khalid talks with 'Tijuana Press' editor Vicente Calderón about the city's pattern of violence.

Journalist killings in Mexico raise concerns among colleagues

Listen · 4:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1075881061/1075881062" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org