Rob Redding

Rob Redding Biography

"The voice of the voiceless" and "the prophet of rage" are just some of the things his subscription-paying listeners say about "America's Independent Voice" Professor Rob Redding.

Redding is well-regarded by scores of the world's most intelligent subscription-paying listeners (living in 24 states) due to his bold views on "Redding News Review Unrestricted" talk show via his 24-7 news site, ReddingNewsReview.com.

These subscribers get "Redding News Review Unrestricted” because he has been the most listened to black independent talk show host in the country for years. He has been heard six days a week for nearly half a decade and more than 420 episodes in all 50 states (via SiriusXM Satellite Radio and via syndication) for more than 6 years and 3,600 hours. Finally, they get "Redding News Review Unrestricted" because his reports and positions on issues have been continually nationally recognized and award-winning.

Because of his listeners, "Redding News Review Unrestricted" is now shaking up the talk radio industry with daily broadcasts from ReddingNewsReview.com. ReddingNewsReview.com is his award-winning subscriber-supported and the Web's oldest black news aggregation Website. Called a "clearinghouse for African American news" by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper and the "vanguard of Internet news sites’" (AllAccess.com). ReddingNewsReview.com has garnered three consecutive "Black Web Awards".

By 2018, Radio Online heralded a milestone for "Redding News Review Unrestricted," celebrating its 1000th episode and noting that Rob Redding "has established an impressive base for his show across the U.S. as ‘America’s Independent Voice.’" Fast forward to 2024, and Urban Insite proclaimed that he is “dominating Black news online with his podcast ‘Redding News Review Unrestricted’” after reaching his 2000th episode.

He has also won other top honors, including a gold American Advertising Award and an Associated Press award for Internet news.  Talkers’ magazine in 2003 noted his uniquely independent views on government by listing him as one of the "100 Most Important Radio Talk Hosts in America."

Public Intellectual

Redding, who is an inductee of Marquis Who’s Who in America 2023, has been quoted in nearly every major news publication and electronic outlet multiple times.

In 2025, he was featured in The Associated Press and over 1,700 member newspapers and 5,500 member television and radio stations for speaking out against hikes in health care for Americans.

In 2023, he was again featured in The Associated Press for speaking out on COINTELPRO. “As a Black man in America, as someone who speaks out about the government all the time, I understand that Black people and especially Black leadership cannot trust America," Redding said.

In 2022, he was featured in The Washington Post for his take on the Jan. 6, 2021 political riot in Washington, D.C. He told the newspaper: The rioters were attempting to “subvert American democracy because now it’s becoming equal for all people.” He also spoke out to The Associated Press about misinformation is increasing political extremism. “This is not a sustainable course”…“People are in such denial about how dangerous and divisive this situation is.”

In 2019, he was featured in The New York Times as one of just 526 participants to represent America at “America in One Room.” That same year Castropolis called him “one of the most important Black Voices in America today.”

In 2017, the show won an award from the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy’s Alain Locke Award for its segment by Dr. Tommy Curry on "Killing Whites." He has been subsequently featured in the Guardian newspaper as a result.

Furthermore, Redding has been called one of the most "respected names in the media" by urban magazine Upscale and "one of the most intellectual and intriguing radio talk show hosts," by urban industry authority Radio Facts. The publication has gone on to say Redding is “incredibly intelligent and talented radio talk show host…he is a rolling stone who is not afraid to tackle some of the ‘uncomfortable’ issues in the black community.” Rolling Out magazine said Redding has an "unequivocal message of hope, accountability, and astute political analysis." Consciousness Magazine agreed in its cover story: “Expressing opinions is what radio talk show host, political commentator and bestselling author Robert “Rob” Redding does well with confidence and ease.”

He became one of the few, if not only, black program directors of a mainstream talk radio station, KMLB-AM in Monroe, Louisiana (August 2009 to August 2010). Around that same time, he was the narrator for the film "Stay Brady Stay", which was screened at numerous movie festivals and aired on Louisiana Public Broadcasting for three years. Redding is the founder of BlackTalkers.com, a Website covering the black talk radio community. He has also been a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel, National Public Radio and C-SPAN. He has been quoted in some of the world's top newspapers – from France's Libération to the Washington Post and Politico newspapers.

Redding occasionally accepts invitations for TV appearances and has also appeared in other people's written works. Redding has written plenty of articles outside of ReddingNewsReview.com. He spent three years as a political reporter at the Washington Times and other publications. (He previously worked at the Macon Telegraph, the Prince George’s Journal, the Prince George’s Gazette, and the Prince George’s Sentinel.) He left The Times to diversify his politically independent résumé to become the communications director for a major Democratic campaign.

Author

Redding is a cultural critic whose 18 books include 11 No. 1 bestsellers. He has achieved nine consecutive No. 1 releases, a rare accomplishment that has drawn consistent attention from readers, reviewers, and the press. His most recent book, Black Power in the Age of Artificial Supremacy, introduced the emerging field of Robootology and reached No. 1 on Amazon’s Machine Theory list. Coverage has highlighted its urgency and its global relevance to conversations about race and artificial intelligence.

Before that, he published New Identities: Unmasking Male Racist Transphobia, his eighth consecutive No. 1, which critics and readers have described as a sharp and necessary intervention in identity politics. Ritual followed in October 2024 as his seventh No. 1, with commentary noting its bold critique of church and societal rituals. Unquotable, his sixth No. 1, was praised for its distilled clarity on race, class, and sexuality. Africa: How It Can Save the World, his fifth No. 1, was noted for its sweeping argument about Africa’s global importance.

His visual and literary work intersect in SMEARED, which topped art categories and was recognized for documenting his Constructive Expressionism. Target: Unwrapping Racism reached No. 1 and drew attention for pairing analysis with original artwork. Dark Soul reached No. 1 with its exploration of Black identity and spirituality. The Professor debuted at No. 1 and was discussed for its examination of gay interracial relationships and Black power. In 2017, Out Loud was his No. 2 tell-all autobiography - half broadcast and half book - was . T called "shocking" by Metro Source and CBS. The NYC GAYLETTER called the book "juicy" just after Redding pulled it from Amazon in January of 2018 and made it only available for a short time on his website ReddingNewsReview.com. His first fiction, Sinister Citizen, ranked highly in LGBT categories and was noted for its portrayal of Trump era America.

Earlier works also received strong responses. Why Black Lives Matter reached No. 1 and was widely shared for its direct analysis of policing. Unthinkable peaked at No. 4 in art categories and was recognized for its poetic and philosophical tone. Not a Nonviolent Negro: How I Survived Obama debuted at No. 1 across multiple categories and became his most successful release, accompanied by a top hit album. The Not a Nonviolent Negro album was a follow up to his dance album Unleash the Whip!, which was released on Dec. 4th, 2012, on iTunes and Amazon.com (via CD Baby). The album, which also takes portions of his talk show and sets them to heavy dance beats, reached No. 2 on Amazon.com "Hot New Releases" in the "DJ & Dance" "House" category and got 3 1/2 stars from former About.com dance music critic Jimi Bruce.

Disrupter became his second No. 1 and was noted for its argument for political independence. Resurrection reached No. 3. The foreword was pinned by Dr. Lewis R. Gordon.

One a Day Fade Away climbed to No. 29 on Amazon. Where’s the Change?: Why Neither Obama, nor the GOP Can Solve America’s Problems ranked was ranked number 30 after release. Hired Hatred peaked at No. 3

Across books, music, and visual art, Redding’s work continues to generate strong reactions from audiences and the press, keeping Black Power in the Age of Artificial Supremacy active in public conversation as the defining book of his current era.

Educator

Redding, who has taught at several universities in New York City, is known for his thesis "Black Voices, White Power: Members of the Black press make meaning of media hegemony." He wrote the thesis while earning his master’s in communication studies. It was published in the Journal of Black Studies in March of 2017. He has also coined the phrase, "Resolution of Risk," which was first used at the International Public Debate Association's National Tournament., after his thesis was published in the organization's peer-reviewed publication (The Journal of the International Public Debate Association).  The paper was presented by Redding before a packed audience at Bossier Parish Community College. 

He has lectured at Pratt Institute, Temple University, the University of Maryland in College Park, Connecticut College, Morris Brown College, and Howard Community College. Redding was researched and studied by the communication school at Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium in 2014, for The University of Missouri in 2018, and Florida State University in 2007. In 2012, Stanford University selected Redding as John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship Semifinalist for his journalism innovation.

He has also served as a panelist for the National Association for Black Journalists. Redding was also a keynote speaker for the National Council of Negro Women Metropolitan Atlanta Section and the Atlanta Urban Media Makers. 

Artist

Finally, this polymath is a former hip-hop radio personality and acclaimed abstract artist. 

He has been a top-rated hip-hop radio personality in Macon, Ga. – a city that is famous for another family member, Otis Redding. As a radio personality, he was first to record multi-platinum selling rapper Bubba Sparxxx - on Redding’s album "Tony Smoove's Aircheck Volume 1."

He is also a professional-selling painter (since age 12) and he has shown in Europe and beyond. His works have been called "iconic" by NYC art critic Per Larson and "trademark" by NY Art Beat. "It is always an event anytime Rob Redding's smear paintings are featured," writes John Blee, a respected critic and artist.

His work "Black Power: Unapologetically Militant" announced sold for $10,000 dollars at a group art show at Fridman Gallery (July of 2021). It later sold for an equal sum again to a private buyer in Georgia in November of 2024. It was his biggest selling artwork to date. "I am tired of simply arguing that Black Lives Matter,” Redding told Black Star News. “The pandemic has taught me that sometimes you have to have a radical approach just to get to where whites beg you to kneel instead of ripping shit up.” He also spoke about selling the work and Middle Passage during an interview with Canvas Rebel.

His last most recent solo show entitled Black & White at the Morningside Heights Public Library was “highly successful”, according to Consciousness Magazine in the fall of 2024. The Black Power Peace sold to a new buyer days after the show. During that same time, he was apart of the the Dirty Little Drawings show at Soho Project Space. Consciousness Magazine raved: Redding “rocked the queer art world at the Soho Project Space of New York with a collection of 10 avant-garde reflective images that confronted racism among gay men. Last month, he joined Ikon Models, further diversifying his portfolio of creative expressions.” Redding’s influence extends beyond the airwaves, as he was voted the third "Hottest Media Types, Male, On Air" for his broadcast show in 2008

Redding’s appeal has been evident for years. Back in 2008, he was voted the third "Hottest Media Types, Male, On Air" for his broadcast show.

In 2023, Black Star News called his art work “Bad Words” which attacks a growing deluge of homophobia in the country “salacious.” The New York newspaper wrote: Rob Redding is “a mixture of bright, bold, and brash.”

Finally in 2023, he graced the cover of Consciousness Magazine which declared him “The Master of Commentary and Canvas.” The magazine called his style and subject matter “racy.” The magazine wrote: “He blends black and white acrylic paints making them look like oil paintings.” The magazine featured coverage of his participation in a 14 person show in Manhattan where he was only one of two featured in New Criterion.