Get ready to share the spice of life and glide like a 747 to a classic cookout jam from one of the best selling bands of all time! On this episode of One Song, Grammy Award-winning pop star, rapper, and actress Estelle joins Diallo and LUXXURY to talk about Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1981 hit “Let’s Groove.” They break down band leader Maurice White and his bandmates’ recipe for creating certified gold songs and albums that blend funk, soul, disco, jazz, and beyond; and how their music spreads message...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 19 min
If there’s anything you want done, baby, just turn to a legendary artist who knows how to do it naturally. On this episode of One Song, award-winning journalist, author, and podcaster Danyel Smith (Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop) joins Diallo and LUXXURY to break down Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” the 1978 disco crossover hit that launched her incredibly successful solo career. They discuss Chaka’s powerful, dynamic vocal range (just wait until you hear the isolate...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 28 min
All you ever wanted and all you ever needed from Diallo and LUXXURY is here in this episode. Okay, well, not *everything,” but in Part Two of our Depeche Mode special, the guys break down band’s biggest hit, “Enjoy The Silence.” Get ready to learn Depeche Mode’s techniques for crafting moodier, darker, and more atmospheric sounds, why this song took them to global superstar status, and how they paved the way for countless bands to create synth-driven, danceable music. Learn more about your ad ch...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Question – how much do Diallo and LUXXURY love Depeche Mode? Answer – so much that they couldn’t pack it all into one episode. So get ready for a thorough two-part deep dive on these pioneers who defined the sound of electronic music! In Part One, the guys discuss Depeche Mode’s early years and their dynamic approach to using synthesizers and drum machines to make their music. Plus, they break down how “People Are People” was made – the song that took them from the underground scene to breaking ...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 14 min
This week on One Song, we’re sharing another podcast that LUXXURY and Diallo both love: Petty Crimes. It's a weekly comedy podcast where co-hosts and long-time friends Ceara Jane O’Sullivan and Griff Stark-Ennis add a playful twist to the world of true crime. In each episode, the hosts passionately investigate minor interpersonal disputes and deliver a hilarious yet analytical verdict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 19, 2024•46 min
Live from Las Vegas, Diallo and LUXXURY are joined by Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter, producer, and actor Tank to discuss one of the top party jams of the 1990s: “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe. On this special episode, they discuss how three former members of New Edition took R&B to a new level by blending rapping and singing, pull back the curtain on how the song was made (remember that iconic drum intro and those smooth harmonies?!), and state the case for why you should never trust a big...
Sep 12, 2024•58 min
One Song Nation – you don’t have to worry no more. Diallo & LUXXURY know you can go without learning how The Weeknd’s massive 2015 hit, “Can’t Feel My Face,” made him into a global megastar. On this episode, they break down how The Weeknd collaborated with Swedish powerhouse songwriter Max Martin and his team to make a diamond-certified, chart-topping, dark R&B song, and peel back the layers on those Michael Jackson-inspired vocals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 14 min
You're gonna burn, burn, burn to the wick if you don't recognize this song as one of the greatest rock anthems of all time! On this episode, Diallo and LUXXURY break down "Barracuda," a rally cry for empowerment and defiance that broke barriers for women in rock in the 1970s. They dive into Ann and Nancy Wilson's masterful vocal and guitar work respectfully, discuss how the song was fueled by anger and frustration over sexist activity they faced, and talk about how Heart became one of the first ...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad, Diallo & LUXXURY are here to comfort you by breaking down one of the most memorable R&B songs of all time. On this episode, the guys discuss how Al Green wrote the “Let’s Stay Together” so quickly, why producer WIllie Mitchell’s influenced Green’s singing style, and share Green’s sweet, isolated falsetto vocals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min
On One Song, we do our best to give flowers to artists we admire, especially those who left us far too soon. On this episode, Diallo and LUXXURY break down Juice WRLD’s monster hit from 2018, “Lucid Dreams.” They dive into what influenced Juice to channel his emotions into his music, how his signature song brought emo rap to the mainstream, and why the song’s lyrics about heartbreak and mental health inspired a younger generation to comprehend their emotions. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 13 min
If there’s not a soul out there, or someone to hear your prayer, just turn to one of the most popular and successful musical groups of all time – ABBA. On this episode of One Song, actor and comedian John Early (Now More Than Ever; The Afterparty) joins Diallo & LUXXURY to break down the Swedish disco supergroup’s hit “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)." They discuss how the members of ABBA managed to craft the song in the middle of a divorce, how their meticulous production process ma...
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 14 min
One, two, three, and to the fo' -- Diallo & LUXXURY is at yo' do'...ready for another One Song episode! And on this episode, they break down Dr. Dre's hit that introduced the world to g-funk, tell the story of how Dre recruited Snoop to be a featured artist, and discuss why "'G' Thang" has become one of the most influential hip-hop tracks of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Hipsters Unite? This week on One Song, Diallo Riddle and Luxxury are tackling a confrontational track from one of the most successful alt rock bands of the 90’s — “Cherub Rock” by The Smashing Pumpkins. The guys go deep on the early 90’s indie rock scene, band frontman Billy Corgan’s quest for musical family, and the Pumpkins’ complicated relationship with the indie rock community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min
As the hosts of One Song, Diallo Riddle and Luxxury know a thing or two about being a duo. This week, One Song’s most dependable pairing uses their knowledge to analyze “I Can’t Go For That” from the hitmaking duo of Daryl Hall and John Oates. Join the guys as they break down the tenuous balance of creative partnerships, the effects of the blue-eyed soul phenomenon, and uncover the secret third person who co-wrote many of Hall & Oates’ biggest hits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 11 min
This week on One Song, we’re sharing another music podcast that LUXXURY and Diallo both love. It’s called Switched On Pop, and it’s about the making and meaning of popular music, hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding. The episode we’re sharing focuses on the fact that the first half of 2024 has been for the “pop girlie.” It seems like every major artist who’s dominated the discourse this year has been a woman, ostensibly making music about what it means to be a woman. ...
Jul 11, 2024•48 min
Is creeping ever okay? If you ask Rachel Lindsay (co-host of the "Higher Learning" podcast)…it is when TLC does it. This time on One Song, Diallo is joined by Rachel (who fills in as guest host) to break down why “Creep” is sneakily an empowerment anthem, the impact of the song's unforgettable music video, and how TLC’s look and sound evolved on their second album, "CrazySexyCool." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr
On this special re-run, Diallo and LUXXURY are joined this week by comedian and friend of the pod, Punkie Johnson. Together, they go on a quest to flip it and reverse it and unpack the many layers of samples and interpolations that went into Missy Elliott’s 2002 banger, Work It. Come for the badonkadonk, stay for the obscure Paul Simon sample. The song Work it is the first single from Missy Elliot's 2002 album Under Construction. Stems, interpolations and sampled songs from Peter Pipe by Run-D.M...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 1 min
What good is a format if you can’t break it every now and then? On this special episode of One Song, Diallo & LUXXURY break out the listener mailbag, answer some DMs, and bring an entirely new angle to the "Buffalo Soldier"/"The Banana Splits" theme song connection. Finally, they react to the early contenders for the Song of the Summer from Tommy Richman, Sabrina Carpenter, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 20, 2024•53 min
This week on One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY frolic through "Flowers" -- Miley Cyrus' smash hit from 2023. Along the way, they discuss the track's importance as an self-love and empowerment anthem, its connection to Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man," and pose a very important question: Can Diallo say “I can love me better than you can” without sounding narcissistic? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 13, 2024•58 min
On this special rerun, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY get Toxic! Join for LUXXURY’s thesis on why the song is a pop masterpiece that weds high art and obscure sonic references with Britney Spears’ bubblegum vocals. There’s also all of the usual deep dives, rabbit holes, and interpolations — Including a James Bond connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 06, 2024•55 min
The importance of Blondie’s “Call Me” can’t be quantified in sales alone. Sure, it was a global hit. But it’s also a part of cinematic history: It’s played during the iconic opening sequence of the movie American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere. It is one of the signature compositions of the man they call the “godfather of disco”, Giorgio Moroder. And let’s not forget the vocal and lyrical contributions of the legendary singer, Debbie Harry. Join hosts Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY as the break down t...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 6 min
This week on One Song, WE BEEF! Join LUXXURY and Diallo Riddle as they unpack the history and evolution of diss tracks, break down the Drake v Kendrick Lamar spat, and explore how disses work in other genres because, lest we forget, white people are messy too. The chaps are not alone on this journey: They are joined by comedian King Willonius who scored a viral hit with his contribution to the Drake v Kendrick battle, BBL Drizzy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 23, 2024•58 min
This week on One Song we’re sharing another music podcast that LUXXURY and Diallo Riddle both love: It’s called Broken Record. The tagline for the show is “liner notes for the digital age” and each episode features a different in-depth conversation with an iconic artist. This time it’s Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament from Pearl Jam. Broken Record is hosted by Justin Richmond, with interviews by producer Rick Rubin, writer Malcolm Gladwell, former New York Times editor Bruce Headlam, and Leah Rose. ...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min
On this very special episode of One Song, Diallo Riddle & LUXXURY are joined by hiphop legend Questlove, and a live studio audience packed with the One Song Nation. Questlove chose this week’s song, Cold Lampin’ with Flavor, and the great man guides us through its place in hip-hop history, the Bomb Squad’s prodigious use of sampling, and how it represents a masterclass in production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 09, 2024•1 hr 9 min
In 1973, Dolly Parton released her seminal track “Jolene”. In the years that have followed, the song has been reinterpreted and reimagined by many artists including Olivia Newton John, Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, the White Stripes, and, of course, Beyonce. On this episode of One Song, LUXXURY and Diallo Riddle are joined by comedy legend Andy Richter to talk through the history and impact of this singular anthem, and the many Jolenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 02, 2024•1 hr 6 min
This time on One Song Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY not only tackle a song that, arguably, possesses the ultimate accolade: It is Diallo’s favorite song to sing at karaoke. “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears is not the British synth pop group’s biggest hit – that would be “Mad World”, “Sowing the Seeds of Love”, or “Shout” – but Diallo makes a strong case for why there’s no better song to belt out at 2am in a karaoke booth. Join the guys as they break open the stems and walk through the song’s unf...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Back in the late 80s gangsta rap was booming. But three kids from Long Island emerged to spread a message of peace, love, and unity. Those three kids -- Posdnuos, Maseo, and Trugoy the Dove -- were De La Soul and together they broadened the perception of hip hop: They made it funny, weird, and psychedelic. This time on One Song, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY break down “Buddy” from De La Soul’s seminal album Three Feet High and Rising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 13 min
You love this song. But the band who wrote it? They hate it. And in many ways, that’s entirely appropriate. Because on this episode of One Song Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are wading deep into a song that ’s an ode to self-loathing, anxiety, obsession, neurosis, self-lacerating rage, and … being kind of a creep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 11, 2024•57 min
Usually on One Song we focus on the music's cultural impact. But this time we're talking about the meteorological impact! When Rihanna's Umbrella topped the charts in the UK, it coincided with a period of heavy rain and flooding. The same thing happened in Romania and New Zealand. Coincidence, or did Rihanna's hit change the weather? On this episode of One Song, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY explore the song's backstory, delve into the stems, and get to the bottom of how Rihanna arrived as a global ...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Bob Marley’s music is everywhere. And, in a sense, so is Bob Marley: He was the subject of a recent biopic, there are murals painted of him around the world, and his poster is still common in college dorm rooms. But has that ubiquity taken away from his music? On this episode of One Song, you’ll hear Bob Marley’s Jamming like never before. LUXXURY has the stems, the interpolations, and the contrafacts; and Diallo Riddle has the Bob backstory and some hot takes on music biopics. Learn more about ...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 14 min
