8 Black British podcasts you need to hear

When it comes to podcasts, Black Brits are creating some of the most exciting content and conversations out there—especially those of the younger generation.

Whether it’s exploring the hard topics around racial struggle, going back in time to uncover our colonial past, delving into the latest Twitter spats, or getting stuck into pop culture, young black podcasters are making us think and crease with joy and laughter in equal measure. 

As the founder of Naked Politics, the media platform that engages and empowers young people in politics, we’ve been exploring young black lives, showcasing their experiences and insights into how we can create a better world. 

To celebrate Black History Month, here’s a list of some of the best Black British podcasts that are currently living rent-free in my head, that we should absolutely be listening to well beyond just October. 

Busy Being Black

Hosted by Josh Rivers, who has possibly the soothing podcast voice I’ve ever heard, Busy Being Black is an award-winning podcast exploring living in the fullness of queer Black lives.  The podcast documents conversations with those who have learned—and are learning—to thrive at the intersections of their identities.

The conversations delve deep, feel immensely healing, and simultaneously uncovers the difficulties and celebrates being black and queer. The podcast also has a mini-series, “Theory in the Flesh”, which entails conversations with “health professionals, grassroots organisers, activists and thinkers” to explore what can be done “to support each other, get the help we need and demand more from the organisations that should be supporting us.”

Black Gals Livin’ 

Described as “two huns chatting about mental health, pop culture and random shenanigans every Monday”, hosts Vic and Jas from London and Essex, provide plenty of laughs and scream-out-loud moments as they discuss the topical issues on your timeline. 

By the end of the first episode, you’ll feel like they’re your mates; they keep their views very candid and don’t pull any punches. It’s refreshingly honest and in a world of contrived content, also feels extremely human. 

The Black Curriculum Podcast

Created by 23-year-old Lavinya Stennett, The Black Curriculum addresses the lack of Black British history in the UK Curriculum. They deliver arts focused Black history programmes, providing teacher training and campaigns through mobilising young people, to facilitate social change.

Their podcast discusses various case studies of Black British history from their syllabus. Efforts have been made to insinuate British history is only whiteness; The Black Curriculum Podcast deconstructs these myths, and is a great, snappy resource for finding out more about our Black British history. They cover pre-colonial times to more recent history such as The Bristol Bus Boycott. A must-listen. 

Two Twos

Hosted by Rose Frimpong and Nana Duncan, two Black lesbians living in London “speaking their unapologetic truth whilst creating a safe space for people like themselves and bridging the gap between LGBT+ people and cis-gendered straight people.” 

Their podcast pulls no punches, discussing everything from colourism, to cancel culture, trans rights and toxic masculinity in the stud community; their experiences and views reflect an intersectionality not often showcased or explored within more mainstream media. Their episodes also have some incredible guests within the Black queer community, who share so much insight into navigating blackness and queerness. 

Human Resources

Described as “the true story of British involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and how it touches every part of the nation”, it's hosted by Moya Lothian-McLean, a journalist, and political editor of Gal-Dem. She has a personal connection to the topic being both a descendent of both Black African Slaves and White slave owners or overseers.

The series is a brilliant exploration of how central to our nation slavery was—expertly challenging the often touted out defence that “it’s all in the past”. From Sir Issac Newton, to The Metropolitan Police, Cadbury’s chocolate, the city of Liverpool and even the Bank of England. Human Resources shows us just how relevant the Transatlantic Slave Trade as an economic system continues to be in the society we live in today and is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the full extent of our murky colonial past. 

Slay in Your Lane: The Podcast

Authors of the award winning guidebook for Black women Slay in Your Lane, Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené explore topical news and popular culture from a Black British female perspective. They also provide lots of advice on the themes touched on in their book, such as navigating the workplace, finances, education, health, relationships and dating.

There’s a great mix of interesting down to earth conversation between the two and with guests, plus they also have dedicated episodes exploring how they planned and wrote Slay in Your Lane, giving a really helpful insight into the challenges of writing and publishing a book. 

Have You Heard George’s Podcast? 

The award-winning and critically acclaimed podcast from George the Poet, a London-born spoken word performer of Ugandan heritage, and a social and political commentator. 

The podcast is wonderful in the way it’s so hard to pin down or categorise; it is both spoken word, reporting, fiction, biographical and more, moving between each genre type seamlessly. He touches on marginalisation, being overpoliced by the state, Grenfell, black trauma, media bias and more. The podcast feels like an insight into George’s psyche, as we navigate his thoughts and ideas. An extremely powerful series that will leave you with food for thought about the world we live in, and how it can be better.

Young, British and Black 

Finally, we have Naked Politics’ own podcast discussing the struggles and hurdles facing black youth, and also highlighting the incredible joys of being young British and black, with four ordinary black British people aged 19-24. 

Young, British and Black showcases a diverse range of views and experiences within the black youth community in Britain. Too often black youth is associated with criminality, violence and disruption and we fail to see them as full human beings. The reality, as I hope this podcast shows, is that young black British people are innovative, questioning, funny, complex, politically aware and also incredibly joyful.

Though some of their experiences carry pain and difficulty from living in a racialised society, they continue to have hope for a better future and remind us that being Black still entails laughter, fun and joy. 

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