The Cause Podcast: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy Trailer

The Cause Podcast: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy Trailer

Author: Dr. Reiland Rabaka July 1, 2025 Duration: 2:23

The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy with Dr. Reiland Rabaka explores how music and culture inspire movements for justice and social change. Hosted by Dr. Reiland Rabaka — Professor of African, African American, and Caribbean Studies, and Founding Director of The Center for African and African American Studies (The CAAAS) at the University of Colorado Boulder — each episode uncovers the stories, rhythms, and voices that shape our world, from civil rights anthems to the global force of hip hop.


Dr. Reiland Rabaka hosts The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, a series produced in collaboration with the Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Each episode feels like a necessary gathering, a space where the rhythms of song, the lessons of the past, and the ongoing work of building a just society converge. You’ll hear dialogues that are both courageous and nuanced, moving beyond simple answers to examine how cultural expression and historical understanding fuel democratic engagement. This podcast is built on the conviction that art and critical thought are not separate from the fight for equity; they are its very heartbeat. Rabaka guides these explorations with a scholar’s depth and a listener’s curiosity, drawing connections between a protest anthem, a pivotal moment in history, and the contemporary struggle for racial justice. It’s an audio experience designed to provoke thought, deepen perspective, and remind us that learning itself is a form of action. Tune in for insightful reflections and powerful conversations that challenge, inspire, and underscore the interconnectedness of our cultural and political lives.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 34

The Cause:  Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy
Podcast Episodes
Ep 2, The Funk Movement, Book Overview by the Author [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:02
In the second episode of The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, Dr. Reiland Rabaka takes us deep into the rhythmic roots of his latest book, The Funk Movement: Music, Culture, and Politics. This episo…
Ep 1, An Introduction to The Cause [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:26
Welcome to The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy with Dr. Reiland Rabaka. In this inaugural episode, Dr. Rabaka introduces listeners to the heart and soul of the podcast—a space dedicated to exploring…