Hand ups if you’re that friend in the group who can’t stop talking about the Bill Cosby scandal, Elizabeth Holmes and her “deep voice,” Anna Sorokin and how she managed to scam brilliant people, and everything Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy.
Yeah, true crime is addictive.
And it’s not like we take pleasure in the slaughter or scamming of people. But there’s something about the lure of the unknown (solving a whodunnit case is so satisfying), peeking into the deplorable and incomprehensible mind of a serial killer (why? just why?), and of course, getting angry and seeking any form of justice for the victims’ families and community.
Whatever it is, it’s so hard to stop listening.
And sure, you might not be able to trust humans again and leave the lights on whenever you sleep (paranoia is a bih), but entertainment comes at a hefty cost. So don’t judge us.
But if you’re here, we’re assuming you’ve already finished your catalog of Stephen King novels, checked out a few true crime podcasts and Netflix documentaries and perused every episode of True Crime Daily, and are now looking for some untold stories about murder, mystery, and all the horror.
Well, worry not because we have scoured the internet, hit up every true crime junkie we know, and found these 8 Black-owned true crime podcasts (Black-owned because there’s a plethora of cases involving Black people that barely saw media coverage).
So put your Shemar Moore hat on, have your headphones all charged up, and prepare for some serious listening! And make sure to light a candle for all the lost souls (and leave it on in case you get a nightmare!)
Sistas Who Kill: A True Crime Podcast
BFFs Taz and MaRah host this entertaining true crime podcast where they research and tell stories about Black women who – like the name suggests – murder.
They Sherlock Holmes these cases, find out what happened after (their trials) and give us a glimpse of how Black women murderesses are treated differently in the criminal justice system than their white counterparts.
Taz and MaRah are also funnier than most comedy podcasts, and their true-crime conversations are endlessly mind-blowing. Just have a listen, and you’ll be hooked for life!
Listen Here: Deidra Lane
Affirmative Murder
Hosts Alvin Williams and Francel Evans aim to “shed a light on the darker side of true crime” – a daunting feat given the subject matter. However, the pair do it intentionally and carefully with insightful reporting and relatable banter.
The weekly podcast focuses on murder stories concerning minority serial killers and victims, although Alvin and Francel tend to digress a lot – the “what’s buried in graveyards” chats were the best – but that’s what makes it the coolest dark-humored true crime podcasts ever!
Listen Here: Freaknik Origins
Scam Goddess
If you’ve ever fallen victim to the Anna Delveys, Simon Levievs, and Hushpuppis of the world, subscribe to this podcast ASAP.
Hosted by Laci Mosley, this new kind of true crime podcast covers some of the best, most exhilarating, and absurd financial crimes people have committed.
We never thought stories about people getting hoodwinked would be so fascinating to listen to, but then again, we shouldn’t be surprised given all the scammer and grifter shows (The Dropout, The Tinder Swindler, and Madoff: The Monster Of Wall Street) we’ve been watching lately.
Listen Here: The Devious Bisexual Door Dasher
Black Girl Gone
Black women deserve not to be forgotten. Period!
Black Girl Gone host Amara Cofer ensures this by highlighting the “never get told” stories of Black women who’ve gone missing or been murdered.
From cold cases scaling back to the 60s to, more recently, the story of Denisha Montgomery, who was found dead inside the Army Barracks where she was stationed in Germany, Amara devotes every episode to telling the stories of victims and their families.
Listen Here: Suspicious Death: The Death Of Denise Montgomery-Smith
Bruh Issa Murder
Fellow true crime junkies will feel right at home with this podcast.
Self-proclaimed true crime nerds Andre, Battle, Kelly, and Robert, sit down (probably with some Irish coffee or Long Island cocktails) and deep dive into the wide world of murder, mystery, injustice, and human depravity.
And unlike others, the Bruh Issa Murder podcast offers a unique style of true crime content by mixing commentary with splashes of humor (where appropriate), making it one of the best true crime podcasts in the galaxy.
Listen Here: Violent Social Media Crimes
Handcuffed Podcast
If you have watched and re-watched every episode of Law & Order SVU (when is season 25 expected to start again??), run – don’t walk to the latest episodes of this true crime podcast.
Every two weeks (though they’re currently under maintenance), host Rena Tunechii shares the most notorious, bewildering, and outrageous crimes known in the UK and the rest of the world.
And Rena discusses these stories most intriguingly – you literally feel like you’re in Captain Benson’s squad room with Sergeant Tutuola and Munch (RIP) talking about the viciousness and depravity of humankind.
Listen Here: Rough Sex Defence
Black True Crime Podcast
While other podcasts highlight Black victims, Black True Crime focuses on the crimes – excuse us – murders committed by Black offenders, some of which barely get any public attention.
Because of that, these offenders (serial killers) can accumulate many victims and operate for a long time without getting caught.
Texas sisters Kayla and Kristin also discuss missing African-American victims, unsolved cases about Black people, and solved disappearances.
Listen Here: The Zebra Killers
Somebody: A True Crime Podcast
A very recent and addictive addition to the true-crime podcast scene, Somebody sees Shapearl Well and journalist Alison Flowers investigating the fatal shooting of her 22-year-old son, Courtney Copeland, near a police station in Chicago in 2016.
Somebody explores the racial disparities and tumultuous relationship between law enforcement and Black citizens in one of the most prominent cities in the US. It’s one of the most captivating yet heart-breaking stuff we’ve listened to in years, and you’ll be left wondering why?
Listen Here: Courtney
