Tyler, The Creator says "Don’t Tap The Glass" isn’t a concept album. No narrative. No deep themes. Just a fun, fast, braggadocious dance record. But what if that is the concept? In this video essay, we dive deep into Don’t Tap The Glass to uncover the album’s hidden intentionality — from its crate-dug samples and alter-ego iconography to its sacred rules of the dance floor. Through cultural history, sonic connections, and Tyler’s own words, we explore how this album frames dance as a spiritual r...
Aug 01, 2025•15 min•Season 15Ep. 1
Last Song Standing is back! Dissect's Cole Cuchna and The Midnight Boys' Charles Holmes begin a journey to crown the Best Album of the 21st century (so far). Every episode this season, Cole and Charles each nominate one album they feel should be in contention for the century's best. Each album is discussed individually before the two albums battle head to head, where Cole and Charles argue until they can agree on the better album. The winning album from each episode advances to the season finale...
Jul 29, 2025•1 hr 50 min•Season 15Ep. 1
Dissect's Cole Cuchna and Professor Skye share their favorite music of 2025 so far, including their favorite albums, songs, and "underground" projects. They talk through projects by Lorde, Bad Bunny, Black Country New Road, Ray Vaughn, Annahstasia, Mac Miller, JID, Joey Bada$$, and more. Official Spotify Playlist here . Subscribe to @professorskye YouTube here . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jul 22, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 14Ep. 20
Our season long analysis of Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers concludes with its final track "Mirror." Serving as a lyrical epilogue to the album’s emotional climax, “Mirror” delivers Kendrick Lamar’s final moral lesson: “I choose me.” With this mantra, Kendrick brings his morality play to a close, rejecting the performance of salvation in favor of spiritual freedom, radical acceptance, and personal peace. Returning to the character of oklama — “my people” — Kendrick offers list...
Jul 15, 2025•43 min•Season 14Ep. 19
Dissect's Cole Cuchna and The Ringer's Charles Holmes unpack the long-awaited return of Clipse and their new album, Let God Sort Em Out . Was it worth the 15-year wait? The duo share first impressions, breakdown their favorite lyrics and tracks, discuss Pharrell’s full-album production, and what makes Clipse still sound this sharp in their 40s and 50s. They dissect the emotional depth of “Birds Don’t Sing,” Kendrick Lamar’s controversial "Whips and Chains" verse, Tyler, The Creator’s dream featu...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 14Ep. 18
Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers continues with Part 2 of “Mother I Sober” — the album’s emotional and spiritual climax. In this sweeping 48-bar final verse, Kendrick releases decades of generational trauma and invites listeners to witness a ritual of forgiveness, transformation, and liberation. This episode unpacks Kendrick’s evolution from fractured self to healing vessel, as he courageously bares his soul and breaks the silence that has haunted his family for gene...
Jul 08, 2025•53 min•Season 14Ep. 18
Our season long examination of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers continues with “Mother I Sober.” This emotionally devastating ballad marks the narrative and spiritual climax of Kendrick Lamar’s album. Stripped bare and seated at the piano, Kendrick confronts generational trauma, inherited pain, and the illusion of self that’s fractured by abuse, guilt, and silence. Building on the spiritual awareness awakened in “Mr. Morale,” this episode unpacks how Kendrick turns inward with unprecedented vul...
Jul 01, 2025•37 min•Season 14Ep. 17
Our season-long breakdown of Mr Morale & The Big Steppers continues with a line-by-line analysis of its title track. We unpack the 'Mr. Morale' moniker, Eckhart Tolle's influence on Kendrick's current spiritual transformation, and how so much of the song is preparation for the album's next track "Mother I Sober." Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Video Editing: Jon Jones Additional Production:...
Jun 24, 2025•39 min•Season 14Ep. 16
Our season-long analysis of Mr Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Auntie Diaries" - a controversial song in which Kendrick shares his evolution in understanding of his transgender relatives. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram , TikTok , & Twitter . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Audio/Video Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Additional Production: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 17, 2025•55 min•Season 14Ep. 15
Our season-long examination of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Savior" a song that challenges celebrity worship and false idols in the age of influencers, empty symbolism, and "perfect life" social media curation. Shop Dissect Season 13 Merch Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Video Editing: Jon Jones Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 10, 2025•43 min•Season 14Ep. 15
Our season-long dissection of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Savior - Interlude" performed by Baby Keem. We explore how Keem's feature mirrors Kodak Black's, why Kendrick Lamar made this symbolic pairing, and how it all sets up the next song "Savior." Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more abou...
Jun 03, 2025•32 min•Season 14Ep. 14
Our season-long dissection of Mr Morale & The Big Steppers' continues with "Crown" and "Silent Hill." Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
May 27, 2025•38 min•Season 14Ep. 13
Our dissection of Mr Morale & The Big Steppers resumes with "Count Me Out." As the first track on Act 2, the song is positioned as the first therapy session with Eckhart Tolle, as Kendrick reveals some his most vulnerable thoughts and emotions. Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
May 20, 2025•44 min•Season 14Ep. 12
Dissect’s Cole Cuchna is joined by Curtiss King and King Green to draft their favorite songs from TDE artists across 4 categories: Hit Song, Deep Cut, Collab Track, and Personal Favorites. Listen to a playlist of their picks here . TDE or Top Dawg Entertainment has been the most influential independent label of the 21st Century. After establishing themselves with core artists Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q, they have continued their dominance with artists like SZA, Isaiah R...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Season 14Ep. 10
Not an episode I wanted to do, but one I felt I needed to do. My thoughts on the current state of Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West. Our season on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers will resume May 20th. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram , X , or TikTok . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
May 06, 2025•27 min•Season 14Ep. 10
📺 Watch this breakdown on YouTube Dissect's Cole Cuchna breaks down Kendrick Lamar’s innovative 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show — scene by scene, lyric by lyric, symbol by symbol — to reveal a powerful narrative about the Black American experience throughout history. This is not a standard recap. This is a forensic analysis of every detail: the set design, the wardrobe, the major and minor characters, the color palette, the set list, and the cultural commentary embedded in Kendrick’s show. From t...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 14Ep. 10
We're taking a few weeks off Dissect's Cole Cuchna is joined by The Ringer's Charles Holmes to discuss Kendrick Lamar's GNX and debate it's best song. There's GNX background and trivia, lyrical breakdowns, and best song nominations. They also discuss the Kendrick x Drake battle songs to see whether any of Kendrick's battle tracks make the cut. Last Song Standing is an annual show on the Dissect podcast feed that attempts to crown an artist's greatest song of all time by debating their way throug...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 52 min•Season 14Ep. 9
Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Purple Hearts." As the final song of Disc 1, "Purple Hearts" represents a critical juncture in the album where Kendrick calls on God to guide him through the album's emotionally wrenching second half. Kendrick also receives guidance from Ghostface Killah, who plays a Saint-like role in the story. Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Product...
Apr 08, 2025•59 min•Season 14Ep. 9
Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with its eighth track "We Cry Together." We interpret the song as a representation of Eckhart Tolle's concept of the pain-body, an energy field within the body comprised of accumulated, unconfronted trauma and pain. Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn mor...
Apr 01, 2025•41 min•Season 14Ep. 8
Our season-long examination of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Rich Spirit." Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Mar 25, 2025•40 min•Season 14Ep. 7
Dissect's Cole Cuchna is joined by hip hop journalist Rob Markman to discuss the 10 year anniversary of Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly . Together they reflect on the album's release and reception, its enduring themes, and its legacy. Watch Rob's iconic MTV interview with Kendrick here . Follow Rob Markman on YouTube . Host: Cole Cuchna Guest: Rob Markman Video/Audio Producer: Kevin Pooler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 14Ep. 6
Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Rich - Interlude," a track given to controversial rapper Kodak Black. Why? Well, that's exactly the question we attempt to answer. Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Mar 11, 2025•49 min•Season 14Ep. 6
Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with a lyrical dissection of "Father Time." Kendrick confronts the mask of masculinity he inherited from his father and realizes he must transcend the toxic elements or risk passing them on to his own children. Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more abo...
Mar 04, 2025•48 min•Season 14Ep. 5
Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Die Hard." After establishing the capacity for evil in all human beings on the previous song, "Die Hard" posits that the opposite must be true: that we all have the capacity for good, too. Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choic...
Feb 25, 2025•35 min•Season 14Ep. 4
Our season-long dissection of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with a lyrical analysis of "Worldwide Steppers." New episodes release every Tuesday. Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:25 Episode 2 Recap 01:21 "Worldwide Steppers" Intro Analysis 03:33 Meaning of "oklama" 07:25 Significance of Name ...
Feb 18, 2025•59 min•Season 14Ep. 3
We continue our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers with its second track "N95." Kendrick critiques the various masks we wear to fabricate our identities in our performance of self on the world's stage. New episodes of Dissect release every Tuesday. Shop Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad ...
Feb 11, 2025•56 min•Season 14Ep. 2
Dissect host Cole Cuchna shares his initial thoughts and analysis on Kendrick Lamar's Halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 10, 2025•39 min•Season 14Ep. 1
Dissect's first VIDEO season is an 18-episode analysis of Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers . After revisiting Kendrick's years-long public hiatus leading up to its 2022 release, today's episode dissects the album's opening track "United In Grief" - a song that sets up every major theme explored on the album. New episodes every Tuesday. Shop limited Dissect S13 Merch . Follow Dissect on Instagram , Twitter , or TikTok . Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin P...
Feb 04, 2025•56 min•Season 14Ep. 1
Season 13 of Dissect begins Tuesday, February 4th. A VIDEO version of the podcast will be available on Spotify and YouTube. However, Dissect remains an audio-first experience , and has not changed from its original format. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jan 28, 2025•1 min
Dissect's Cole Cuchna breaks down the title, themes, and sequencing of Mac Miller's Balloonerism - a surreal exploration of mortality, addiction, and purpose. Cole dissects each song, explores the psychedelic influences of The Beatles, and places special emphasis on the album's final song "Tomorrow Will Never Know." Dissect Season 13 will premiere February 4th. Follow @dissectpodcast for clues leading up to the album reveal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 13Ep. 17
