Rob Redding facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rob Redding
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Robert Redding Jr.
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Pratt Institute, Marshall University and University of Louisiana |
| Known for | Producing Redding News Review Writing The Professor: Witnessing ... |
Robert "Rob" Redding Jr. is an American podcaster, journalist, educator, author, and artist. He is known for his work in news and commentary. From 2012 to 2013, he hosted his show, Redding News Review, on Sirius XM.
Contents
About Rob Redding
Rob Redding grew up in the Atlanta, Georgia area. His father was a preacher. Rob studied speech communication at the University of Louisiana. He later earned a master's degree in communication from Marshall University in Huntington. In 2021, he was studying for another master's degree in Fine Art at the Pratt Institute. Today, he lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Rob Redding's Career
Rob Redding has taught communication at several universities, including Pace University, New York City College of Technology, and Seton Hall University. Before teaching, he worked as a talk radio host at WAOK in Atlanta. He is known on air as "America's Independent Voice." He was even named one of the "100 most important radio talk hosts in America."
Rob also worked as a journalist for newspapers like The Washington Times. He started his own news and commentary show while working at KMLB, where he was also a program director. His show later returned to radio syndication on WAOK and other stations. After about five years, his show was added to weekdays. In 2014, his show moved from Sirius XM to become a paid podcast called Redding News Review Unrestricted, available on the Redding News Review website.
Important Reporting
Rob Redding has reported on many important topics:
- In 2004, he reported on comments made by NBC anchor Brian Williams about newsroom diversity. This led to a meeting between the National Association of Black Journalists and NBC.
- In 2007, Rob shared news about racist threats made against columnist Leonard Pitts.
- In 2011, he questioned Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, about a skit that seemed to make fun of comments about Barack Obama.
- In 2012, Rob discussed how talk radio affected the presidential election at Temple University and Connecticut College.
- In 2013, he interviewed the music artist Stromae about racism in Europe. Stromae's honest answers inspired his hit song, Formidable.
- In 2017, Rob reported on comments made by CoverGirl's James Charles, which led to Charles apologizing.
- In 2020, an interview Rob did with professor Tommy J. Curry caused a misunderstanding that led to many threats against Curry.
Rob Redding sometimes appears on the National Public Radio Roundtable feature. He has also been quoted in major news outlets like The Associated Press, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.
Rob Redding's Books
Rob Redding is a successful author. Many of his books have been bestsellers.
- His book Africa: How it can save the World (2023) was his 14th book and reached No. 1.
- Smeared (2023) also reached No. 1. This book was part of his master's thesis on "Constructive Expressionism."
- Target: Unwrapping Racism (2021) was another No. 1 bestseller. It explores the origins of racism.
- Dark Soul (2020) and The Professor: Witnessing ... (2019) were also No. 1 bestsellers. The Professor was even turned into a play.
- Sinister Citizen (2017) is Rob's only fiction book. It explores life during President Trump's time in office.
- Why Black Lives Matter: How Borigination Explains How to Get Police and Whites to Treat Blacks Like People (2015) became a bestseller. It discusses ways to address police brutality and racism.
- Unthinkable: Poems, Philosophies and Paintings (2014) was his sixth bestseller.
- Not a Nonviolent Negro: How I Survived Obama (2013) was a No. 1 bestseller.
- Disrupter: Pathway to Political Independence (2012) was a bestseller about living a politically independent life.
- Resurrection: A Historical Anthology of Two Forgotten African-American Philosophers (2012) brought attention to two forgotten Black philosophers.
- Where's the Change?: Why Neither Obama, nor the GOP Can Solve America's Problems (2012) argued that neither political side could solve America's problems alone.
Rob Redding has also written two academic articles.
Early Radio Career
Rob Redding started his media career in music radio. He used the name Tony Smoove when he worked at WIBB-FM in Macon, Georgia, at age 20. He was known for speaking his mind on his nightly talk show. He even received threats because of his strong stance against gangs.
In 1997, his station, WIBB-FM, became the No. 1 station in the Macon radio market, which was a first for a Black-oriented station. He later left that station and joined rival HipHop station WFXM. He released a disc called "Tony Smoove's Aircheck Volume 1" (1998), which featured samples of his on-air conversations. This disc also included early appearances by rappers Bubba Sparxxx and Sonny Spoon.
After about a year, he left music radio in 1999 to focus on news and talk radio. Since then, he has written books, continued his music, and shown his art. His music albums include "Not a Nonviolent Negro" (2013) and "Unleash the Whip" (2012). He also narrated the film "Stay, Brady, Stay" (2009). In 2008, he was voted the third "Hottest Media Types, Male, On Air" for his show. In 2024, he joined Ikon Models, expanding his creative work.
Rob Redding's Art
Rob Redding is also a talented artist.
- In September 2024, he had a successful solo art show called "Black & White" at the Morningside Heights Library in New York City.
- He also showed 10 unique art pieces at the Soho Project Space in New York.
- In June 2023, Consciousness Magazine featured him on their cover, calling him "The Master of Commentary and Canvas." They praised his use of monochrome (black and white) in his art.
- His work "Kenosha 7: Pow, Pow, Pow, Pow, Pow, Pow, Pow and Jacob Blake's Life is Changed Forever" was shown at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery.
- His art style, "Constructive Expressionism," was called "highly original" by Black Star News in 2023.
- In 2017, art reviewer Per Larson called his work "iconic."
- In 2018, he had his first solo show in Manhattan called BIG BLACK ̶C̶O̶C̶K̶ CANVAS: SIZE matters – in ART! at the NoHoM55 Gallery in Chelsea.
- His artwork Black Power: Unapologetically Militant was shown at the Fridman Gallery and later sold for $10,000.
- His art also appeared in the May 2021 edition of Art in America.
Rob Redding's Work
Solo Art Exhibitions
- "Unspoken: Black & White." Morningside Heights Library, New York, N.Y., September 3, 2024, to September 30, 2024.
- "BIG BLACK ̶C̶O̶C̶K̶ CANVAS: SIZE matters – in ART!" NoHo M55 Gallery, New York, N.Y., September 4, 2018, to September 22, 2018.
- "Monodramatic." Midoma Gallery, New York, N.Y., September 16, 2017, to October 20, 2017.
- "Black on White." Producers' Club Theaters & Bar Gallery, New York, N.Y., November 5, 2016, to December 1, 2017.
- "Black on White." Ouchi Gallery, Brooklyn, N.Y., November 15, 2016, to November 21, 2016.
- "2nd Friday ArtStroll at Castleberry Hill in Atlanta." The Ice Cream Loft, Atlanta, Ga., March 11, 2011.
- "Smeared." Warehouse, Washington, D.C., February 1, 2006, to February 26, 2006.
- "The Black Show." The Apex, Atlanta, Ga., August 2004.
- "The Black Show." Brenau University, Atlanta, Ga., February 2004.
- Fayette County Library, Fayette County, Ga., May - June 1990.
- Fayette County Junior High School Library, Fayette County, Ga., February - March 1989.
Published Books
- Ritual. New York, NY: RCI, 2024. ASIN B0DLKFPQ9V
- Unquotable. New York, NY: RCI, 2023. ASIN B0CH3PMK7B
- Africa: How It Can Save the World. New York, NY: RCI, 2023. ASIN B0BX71NG9K
- Smeared. New York, NY: RCI, 2023. ASIN B0BS939QHW
- Target: Unwrapping Racism. New York, NY: RCI, 2021. ASIN B09F4QS3LC
- Dark Soul. New York, NY: RCI, 2020. ASIN B08FZK1P8W
- Sinister Citizen. New York, NY: RCI, 2017. ASIN B01N2ATLG2
- Out Loud. New York, NY: RCI, 2017. ASIN Nolongeravailable
- Why Black Lives Matter: How Borigination. Atlanta: RCI, 2015. ASIN B010VXXGT2
- Unthinkable: Poems, Philosophies and Paintings. Atlanta: RCI, 2014. ASIN B00LKZJMQM
- Not a Nonviolent Negro: How I Survived Obama. Atlanta: RCI, 2013. ASIN B00BOZ8WSW
- Disrupter: Pathway to Political Independence. Atlanta: RCI, 2012. ASIN B008WXKELM
- Resurrection: A Historical Anthology of Two Forgotten African American Philosophers. Atlanta: RCI, 2012. ASIN B007QZXBEY
- Where's the Change?: Why Neither Obama, nor the GOP Can Solve America's Problems. Atlanta: RCI, 2012. ASIN B006WGS0US
- Hired Hatred: Why Politicians and the Political Prejudices They Tout Are Mutually Exclusive from Good Government. Atlanta: RCI, 2005. ASIN B0051ADWOK
Journal Articles
- "Resolution of Risk." (2018)
Film Work
- Sutherlin, John. Stay, Brady, Stay. Narrated by Rob Redding. 2009. Film.
Music Albums
