skinny.

Latest / Arts Unscripted with Monica Holt

Babatunde Akinboboye on Hip Hopera, Authenticity, and Letting Audiences Lead

Reimagining a centuries-old art form takes more than talent; it takes courage, curiosity, and a deep belief that tradition can evolve. Few embody that spirit like Babatunde Akinboboye.

A classically trained baritone and viral "hip hopera" artist, Babatunde is redefining what opera can sound like—and who it's for. His mashups of rap and arias have captivated millions online, and garnered attention from The Ellen Show, America's Got Talent and TIME Magazine. He's now channeling that distinctive style into his upcoming debut album.

In this episode, Babatunde shares how he discovered opera by…

The skinny

The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.