Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History explores untold stories of Black Americans

Sony Music Entertainment and Pharrell William’s production company OTHERTone today announced the premiere of Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History, a new podcast series from journalist, cultural critic, and the “Dean of Black Twitter,” Michael Harriot. Each week, Drapetomaniax will uncover the untold stories of Black Americans in history with an unapologetically Black perspective. The first episode of the new series is available now.

Using a recipe that includes detailed research, a little barbershop humor and a parade of celebrity guests, Drapetomaniax will spotlight key figures and moments in Black American history that were previously whitewashed from textbooks. From the story of Rosetta Tharpe, the queer Black woman who invented Rock & Roll, to Forest Joe, an escaped slave for which America’s first police squad was created, Harriot will offer a compelling, hilarious and more accurate version of Black history. The ongoing weekly series will feature guest stars such as MSNBC’s Joy Reid, humorist Roy Wood Jr., actress Yvette Nicole Brown, journalists Nikole Hannah-Jones and Roland Martin, actor KevOnStage, politician Bakari Sellers, television personality Tiffany Cross and more.

Harriot, who coined the popular phrase, “invited to the cookout” has been looked to as an authoritative voice on race, culture and politics by prominent news outlets such as MSNBC and CNN. His award-winning journalism has appeared in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Guardian and more.

“Drapetomaniax is a simple recipe,” said Harriot. “We picked the most fascinating figures and important-but-largely-unknown events from Black history and seasoned it with the biggest stars, the best storytellers and the most respected scholars.”

Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History is a production of Sony Music and OTHERTone. Pharrell Williams is the executive producer at OTHERTone and Moses Ajibade Soyoola is the producer.