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.

Artist Lisa Waud brings ‘silliness and joy’ to ‘Portrait’ flower art installation

Detroit botanical artist Lisa Waud is wrapping up her residency this weekend with “Portrait,” an interactive flower installation on the...

In The Groove: Anderson .Paak heads back to ‘Malibu,’ a celebration of The Roots + more

Today on the show… exploring new music from Bartees Strange, Wu-Lu, Sio, Crows, La Luz and more. Plus, a celebration...

In The Groove: Dr. Dog is back, plus a mixtape of rock legends taking on Motown classics

New music discovery with fresh cuts from Philadelphia band Dr. Dog, getting ready to release their first new record in...

In The Groove: New music from Fontaines D.C., King Krule, Dummy, Detroit’s Mango Star + more

Back in the mix and it feels good. A heavy dose of new stuff and first spins on In The...

In The Groove: Sade’s ‘Diamond Life’ turns 40, new music from Forest Law, Hundred Waters + more

Do I need to say anything beyond that this episode of In the Groove was heavy on celebrating the 40th...

SKALAR art installation in Detroit is one of the best you’ll see in 2024

I got to experience one of the best art installations that will land in Detroit this year.It’s called “SKALAR: Reflections...

In The Groove: Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge bring back NxWorries, W.I.T.C.H. returns to Detroit + more new music

Feels good to be back on a Monday bringing you some heat on this painfully hot week in Detroit. Because...

Spot Lite Detroit owner keeping Corktown’s UFO Factory alive as UFO BAR

Despite previous reports, UFO Factory isn’t closing its doors — but it is undergoing a transformation with a new owner...

In The Groove: Getting you ready for Danielle Ponder’s June show at El Club in Detroit

I’m making Danielle Ponder’s upcoming show at El Club in Southwest Detroit on June 21 an official In The Groove...

In The Groove: Listeners pick favorite songs of 2024 (so far), plus John Carroll Kirby, Girl Scout, Perfume Genius + more

This episode of In The Groove felt really good because you were a key part of the show! We’re halfway through the...

In The Groove: New music from Nourished By Time, Lilblackkids, Arooj Aftab, plus birthday flowers for Curtis Mayfield

Landing into a new week with fresh cuts from Nourished By Time, Lilblackkids (a new project from Georgia Anne Muldrow...

Artist Lisa Waud brings the outdoors indoors in ‘Petrichor’ botanical art installation

Detroit botanical artist Lisa Waud is back with her latest project focused on bringing the outdoors indoors in stunning, surreal...