Ryan Patrick Hooper is the award-winning host of "In the Groove" on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. Hooper has covered stories for the New York Times, NPR, Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, SPIN and Paste magazine.

Hooper grew up reading the Sunday paper with his dad. That’s where he learned the basics of writing while dreaming of one day writing the stories himself. At 16, he knocked on the door of his hometown paper and asked for a job as a reporter. Since then, he's written extensively for the Detroit Free Press -- the same paper he grew up reading.

Since joining WDET in 2017, Hooper has expanded the station’s arts and culture coverage and received numerous awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasting along the way. Nationally, Hooper was awarded a 2020 RTDNA Regional Edward R. Murrow award for feature reporting for his story “Would You Rent a Stray Dog From the City of Detroit?“ In 2018, Hooper was named the Associated Press Michigan Editors Broadcast Rising Star in broadcast journalism. He received the prestigious Crain’s Detroit Business “20 In Their 20s” award in 2014. His commitment to volunteerism was recognized by the State of Michigan in 2007.

His juggalo-inspired I.C.Pizza costume was selected by the Huffington Post as one of the best Halloween costumes of 2014.

In The Groove: The return of Detroit’s Slum Village, Arooj Aftab teases new album (May 8, 2024)

I love when someone like Detroit legends Slum Village drop a new album — their first in nearly a decade...

In The Groove: New music from Mount Kimbie, Bel Cobain, Reyna Tropical and more (May 7, 2024)

Today, we’ve got a real grab bag of new music and deep cuts. First, let’s focus on the fresh —...

In The Groove: Kamasi Washington unleashes a masterpiece ahead of his Detroit show (May 6, 2024)

It’s only May and there’s no doubt Kamasi Washington has released one of the best albums of the year with...

In The Groove: The wonderfully weird world of George Clinton cameos and a deep new music Friday (May 3, 2024)

There are a lot of new releases to pay attention to for this new music Friday on In The Groove,...

In The Groove: Detroit heavy mix with Los Hermanos, John FM, Jeff Mills, One.Be.Lo and more (May 2, 2024)

On Thursday's episode of In The Groove, I opened up the floodgates with beautiful music from Detroit’s own Los Hermanos,...

In The Groove: Detroit rappers Danny Brown and Jaiton, the stunning music of Maria Chiara Argirò and more (May 1, 2024)

Wednesday's In the Groove is a two-hour show with an international flair, starting with Maria Chiara Argirò, whose stunning track...

In The Groove: Spotlight on Bullion’s ‘Affection,’ English Teacher might be best band in the world (April 30, 2024)

Tuesday's episode of In the Groove crashes into true summer vibes with Troye Sivan’s clever sample of Jessica Pratt on his...

In The Groove: Moody Monday mix with Detroit’s Monica Blaire, Charlotte Day Wilson and more for April 29, 2024

Today's episode of In the Groove is a celebration of new music featuring a moody Monday mix with Tierra Whack,...

In The Groove: DJ Holographic, St. Vincent, Peggy Gou, an OutKast anniversary and more for April 26, 2024

New music Friday on In The Groove brings fresh cuts from St. Vincent, Peggy Gou, Lambrini Girls, Dr. Dog, Kon,...

In The Groove: Listen to a tribute to Detroit techno legend Mike Huckaby, plus music from Danny Brown, Feist and more

Today’s In The Groove is 100% dedicated to the life and legacy of Detroit techno and house electronic music pioneer...

‘Breaking the Waves’ running through Sunday at Detroit Opera House

Composer Missy Mazzoli has been called a post-millenial Mozart. This week, Detroiters will have an opportunity to see her work...

In The Groove: Birthday candles for Gil Scott-Heron and Marvin Gaye, plus disco-meets-pop

On In The Groove, I consider Gil Scott-Heron and Marvin Gaye to be poet philosopher kings who could take lyrics capturing the moment and turn...