Earl Hopkins is an award-winning arts and culture reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, focusing on the institutions and trailblazers shaping the city’s identity. His upcoming book, “How J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar Saved Hip-Hop” is scheduled for a Fall 2026 release under DC-based publisher Rowman & Littlefield.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Earl graduated from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism in May 2019. After graduating from OU, he worked as an education and family issues reporter for the Evansville Courier & Press in Southwest Indiana before transitioning to arts and entertainment coverage. He went on to cover music, fashion, film, and food as a culture reporter for the Austin American-Statesman and The Columbus Dispatch.
Along with his daily work as a reporter, Earl hosts the Outside The Margins Podcast, where he interviews acclaimed musical artists, athletes, comedians, and other entertainers. He’s interviewed the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Tracy Morgan, Chelsea Handler, Wiz Khalifa, Jason Kelce, and other big-name celebrities throughout his career. He's also a sought-after freelance writer who’s contributed essays, music reviews, and branded content for Complex, GRAMMY.com, MTV, Stereogum, UPROXX, Spin, and other publications.
Earl is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, and NABJ Philadelphia. He’s also a noted event moderator and featured speaker, who’s addressed the state of the freelance economy and entertainment journalism with aspiring media professionals at universities across the country.