Sidney Madden
Reporter, NPR Music
Sidney Madden is a reporter for NPR Music. Since 2020, she has served as co-host and co-creator of Louder Than A Riot, NPR Music's first narrative investigative podcast that traces rhyme and punishment in America. Season 1 of Louder Than A Riot focuses on the relationship between hip-hop as an art form and mass incarceration and was recognized by The American Bar Association Silver Gavel Awards and the International Music Journalism Awards for outstanding reporting. Season 2 of Louder focuses on the relationship between hip-hop as a culture and misogynoir, the racist sexism against Black women and femmes. In addition to Louder Than A Riot, Madden serves as guest host of All Songs Considered where she interviews artists and musicians who push the boundaries of the music industry.
Madden joined the NPR Music team in 2017, serving as editorial lead for digitizing music stories that air on NPR's premier news magazine programs. She's produced Tiny Desk Concerts with a special focus on bringing burgeoning, left-of-center artists from the worlds of R&B and hip-hop to the desk. To date, her Tiny Desk Concert productions include Jorja Smith, Megan Thee Stallion, Snoh Aalegra and more. Madden is also the creator of the Heat Check playlist series and has reported out stories online and on-air that contextualize Black music and culture within society's larger strata — whether it's unpacking the genius marketing of Cardi B, Tyler, The Creator's subversive heartbreak or the socioeconomics that fuel Solange's downhome Afrofuturism.
Originally from Boston, Madden graduated from Hofstra University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and sociology. Before joining NPR, Madden was on the editorial team at the hip-hop pillar XXL Magazine and freelanced for MTV News, Nylon Magazine, People's Choice and more.
