What do we talk about, when we talk about 2Pac? Almost 30 years have passed since the killing of Tupac Shakur — emcee, actor, freedom fighter, street legend. In the season finale of The Music Snobs podcast, the crew focuses on one of modern culture's most enduring icons, to ask: What was the single most important quality that defined 2Pac? In a conversation that reaches far and wide, TMS goes beyond the music to explore the limits of 2Pac's intensity, and examine whether modern music (let alone ...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 69
The Music Snobs presents... TMS Black Label – the first in an annual series on the classic Black music record labels of our time, starting with the legendary CTI Records. A label famous for a locked-in instrumental groove, cutting edge engineering, and a house full of superstars, The Music Snobs declare that the CTI never sleeps – but did it really? Was the label justifiably infamous for targeting a more radio-focused sound than Impulse or Blue Note, and did it inadvertently lead to the creation...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 68
There's no place like home... or is there? Taking Chicago as the city to beat, TMS lay down the challenge to choose the nation's music capital, and the center from which all Black American music flows. Is the Windy City the easy winner — or are Detroit, NYC, LA, ATL, NOLA, MPLS, Dayton and Oakland more worthy contenders for the crown? In a fast-paced debate that turns all the way up to 10 from the get-go, the crew take on impact, art, legacy, business (and yes, a very long list of artist names) ...
Feb 06, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 67
Funk, Blues, Rock n' Roll, R&B and standards — of the few singers that have genuinely done it all, have any done it better than the inimitable Ms. Khan? This episode, The Music Snobs give long overdue love to one of the most important artists of any lifetime. From classic masterjams to the deepest solo cuts, TMS travels song by song through a catalog that undeniably has the range, to ask: is Chaka Khan the most versatile vocalist of all time? The crew's love letter to Chaka gets intricate, e...
Jan 09, 2023•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 66
One episode was never going to be enough... the Snobs are back to present part two of A Brief History of Black Music — by White Artists. In this final installment, the crew turn their sights on legendary pop acts, unsung heroes, and Hip-Hop profiteers. From London to Memphis to New York, TMS travel the world to accuse the fakes and bear witness to the real, questioning which white artists have genuinely contributed to Black Music, and which are temporary tourists. The episode continues the theme...
Dec 12, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 65
White artists have been celebrated by the mainstream for performing Black music throughout history — but which ones are the real deal, and which ones have eclipsed more worthy Black artists? The Music Snobs podcast presents... A Brief History of Black Music — by White Artists, the first instalment in a loud and lively A-Z of everything from classic crossovers to culture vultures. From Led Zeppelin to Eminem to Kenny G., the crew name names, go in on the whitewashed, and shout out the true blues....
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 64
Instantly recognizable. Influential. Inspirational. But — Is Aaliyah An Icon? This episode, The Music Snobs explore the impact and legacy of R&B superstar, Aaliyah Dana Haughton. Spotlighting her music and film roles, her image and tragic death, the crew investigate what lifted her to the heights of fame — and tackle the elephant in the room to ask whether the #MeToo era has given Aaliyah her due respect as a survivor of abuse. In a debate that goes deep on the nature of notoriety, the Snobs...
Oct 10, 2022•58 min•Ep. 63
Cutting through a crowd of '90s new jacks, Oakland's own Raphael Saadiq, Dwayne Wiggins and Timothy Christian Riley seized attention with their evolution of musical romance. TMS takes a closer look at what made Tony Toni Toné the timeless R&B group that we came to love — and miss, when they broke-up all too soon . The Snobs study the ingredients of the secret sauce that gave us The Tonies' most iconic songs — debating whether their classic instrumentation or romantic lyrics are more critical...
Sep 06, 2022•53 min•Ep. 62
On this episode In the 16 years since J. Dilla 's untimely passing, the shadow of the visionary hip-hop producer looms large over his birthplace Detroit — and the entire world. The long-awaited return of TMS asks: Is J. Dilla the greatest influence on music in the 21st century? Get ready for a challenging debate, diving deep into the genre of music that wouldn't exist without Jay Dee , his reinvention of rhythm — and whether his early death impacted his legacy. The return of The Snobs closes wit...
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 61
More than three decades ago, Janet Jackson dropped an album that changed us all without changing anything about itself. As we approach Control’s 35th anniversary, The Music Snobs wonder if this seminal work of art is the first unapologetically Black crossover that didn’t change a damn thing to appeal to the mainstream. Things get even more interesting when the Snobs examine Control’s range and debate whether or not Janet’s slow jams define her as much as her dance tracks. Next, the crew acknowle...
Jan 19, 2021•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 60
Your favorite music journalist’s favorite music Snobs are back—and this time, they brought a guest. Legendary journalist and author Nelson George joins Arthur, Scoop, Isaac, and Jehan to explore the perilous state of live music performance, its recent past, and its endangered future. Can the art of music evolve without the presence of live performance to push it forward? Did technology threaten live music even before the pandemic? To help answer these questions, the crew dives into the culture o...
Nov 24, 2020•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 59
He was the everyman who spoke for Black men. He turned up his blue collar against the winds of change and remained a straight talker at every turn. He courted no glitz and evoked no glamor. His songwriting was threaded with the yarns of griots and represented the fabric of his people. His voice reverberated against the walls of love and longing, and often managed to break through. He turned complex emotion into simple truth. Bill Withers was the personification of Black music. Join The Music Sno...
Sep 21, 2020•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 58
On a very sanctified yet extremely secular episode of The Music Snobs , the crew sits down to discuss spirituality in music and whether or not God makes the greatest groove. From Soul and R&B, to Hip-Hop, Jazz, Pop, and Funk: the Snobs breakdown and debate about the influence a higher power can have over the power of music. Put on your Sunday best and meet The Music Snobs at the church, the mosque, and the temple, and get ready for an episode that’s sure to rock the pews and make you want to...
Jul 02, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 57
In the 30 years since A Tribe Called Quest dropped their debut LP—People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm—the group’s iconic status has become unquestionable. But on this episode of TMS, Scoop, Isaac, Jehan and Arthur get together to explore a more controversial title: Is A Tribe Called Quest the most important group in hip-hop history? Get ready for a compelling, all out debate that covers everyone from The Pharcyde to Dilla to Kendrick Lamar, while taking the time to investigate t...
May 11, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 56
For the first time ever, The Music Snobs meets Snobs On Film in one unforgettable episode to celebrate both podcasts’ season finales!!! Listen as the Snobs combine the two shows to go deep on the (im)perfect marriage of cinema and sound. The crew explores the natural relationship between music and movies while questioning which artform impacts the audience the most. The ensuing debate inevitably leads to a wild roundtable: What movie soundtrack do you absolutely love even though you have no desi...
Sep 07, 2019•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 55
This is an episode you don’t want to miss. As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of his seminal LP, "Fulfillingness’ First Finale", The Music Snobs dedicate an entire ep to the incomparable Stevie Wonder . The crew examines a specific period of Stevie’s career long enough to ask a vital question: what is it that makes the albums Stevie released between 1971 and 1976 so classic, and how can we explain the undeniable impact they’ve had on music ever since? Join TMS in paying tribute to a musician w...
Jul 23, 2019•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 54
What determines whether or not a musical artist is authentic? Are artists like Solange and Tyler, The Creator showing us who they really are, or are modern celebrities more manufactured than ever before? Sht gets real on the latest episode of The Music Snobs. The crew dives into the very definition of authenticity in the music biz, then takes it up a notch by calling out the fakers and questioning why "keeping it real" is so important in black music. Before the episode ends, the Snobs get even r...
Jun 20, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 53
On this episode The Music Snobs are asking our Stans to answer an important question: Are the superfans of today valued experts and a vital force for the world to hear new music, or are they a cancer on music appreciation? Get ready to confront your truths and admit your biases while we explore fandom in the age of online armies and off the rails obsession. To wrap up the ep, we ask each Snob: what was your most memorable encounter with a celebrity?
May 24, 2019•53 min•Ep. 52
Have you ever wondered how an unknown Atlanta duo broke through a landscape dominated by the East and West coasts to become, arguably, the greatest hip-hop group of all time? So did The Music Snobs. To answer that question, and many more, we invited singer Keisha Jackson—an eyewitness to the rise of music’s favorite ATLiens—to sit-in with us and dive deep into the legacy of André Benjamin and Antwan Patton. Along the way, the Snobs discuss everything from the origins of the Dungeon Family to the...
Apr 25, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 51
Although he defines the term ‘iconic’, it’s a safe bet that you don’t know enough about the artist whose career has influenced everyone from Amy Winehouse to Drake. The Music Snobs dive into the style and legacy of Ol’ Blue Eyes and examine the impact of Sinatra’s cool on every aspect of pop culture.
Mar 20, 2019•45 min•Ep. 50
This is the episode only The Music Snobs could do. In this era of music streaming, corporate interests, and brand dominance, we take an uncomfortable look at the role of music journalism in the digital age. Guest-Snob and Vibe Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Datwon Thomas, joins us to ask some important questions. Is genuine music criticism still alive? Or are modern journalists too afraid to bite the hand that feeds them? The crew also finds time to present “All the Critics Love U”—a roundtable discu...
Feb 21, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 49
Welcome to Season 1, Episode 1 of The Music Snob’s new format ! To kick things off we’ve centered this episode around one of today’s most innovative and promising artists: Anderson .Paak . Join us as the Snobs discuss .Paak’s unique brand of music and his atypical rise to stardom . Then get ready for this season’s first roundtable: What great song by one artist would fit perfectly into another artist's catalogue ?
Jan 16, 2019•56 min•Ep. 48
When Childish Gambino released This Is America he verified a burgeoning truth: sight is the new sound . With the recording industry now dominated by the visual appeal of online and mobile content, TMS asks: what does the power of YouTube, video albums, and Instagram branding mean for the future of actual music? Stick around for a picture-perfect roundtable when the Snobs ask each other: what album would have been better received with different cover art?...
Oct 15, 2018•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 47
In mid-February love is always in the air, but is it in the groove? Salaam Remi —producer behind hits for Amy Winehouse, Miguel, Nas and more—joins TMS to debate the past, present, and future of the ballad . From Sinatra's stylings and Miles's blues, to Marvin's longings and Drake's feelings, the Snobs dive into the heart of the love song only to discover the soul of the slow jam. Before leaving, Salaam and the fellas nominate their pick for greatest break-up song of all time . Happy Valentine’s...
Feb 14, 2018•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 46
The Music Snobs take a sonic trip across the pond to discuss the lasting love affair between U.K. artists and black music. From Soul II Soul to Sampha: what is it about the British that connects them so passionately to what’s commonly viewed as an American art form ? Lastly, during an inspired Round Table, the crew gets the rare opportunity to right their wrongs when each Snob is asked: out of every opinion you ever stood behind on TMS, which one would you take back ? Links: Jazzie B - Interview...
Jan 11, 2018•48 min•Ep. 45
A special From the Vault episode of TMS: After his untimely death, just as it was during his unparalleled career, the mainstream has celebrated Prince’s purple pop while consistently ignoring his black funk . During this special and previously unreleased 'From the Vault' episode of TMS, Scoop, Isaac, Jehan, and Arthur give the man who may well have been the greatest artist of all time the eulogy that only they could . During an unforgettable conversation, the Snobs explore life without a legend ...
Oct 28, 2017•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 44
The Music Snobs take on the future by examining one of the present’s most talked about artists: Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino . With his 2016 album “Awaken, My Love”, the creator of TV’s “Atlanta" elevated himself from hip-pop prodigy to neo-funk pioneer—or did he? Scoop, Isaac, Jehan, and Arthur question the impact of Childish on the current soundscape and wonder if his explorations can ignite tomorrow’s sound . And to top off the episode, the fellas ask each other what was the most import...
Jul 04, 2017•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 43
Join us for a very special episode of The Music Snobs as the crew welcomes the multi-talented singer, songwriter, and musician Van Hunt and debuts a brand new TMS segment. With the advent of online ‘crowdfunding’ becoming a regular occurrence in the music industry, the Snobs plus their Guest Snob debate the pros and cons of moving the crowd in the digital age and what it means for fans to become investors. And if that wasn’t enough, this ep features the premiere of ‘Versus’, where Snobs pair up ...
Mar 04, 2017•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 42
After spending all of 2016 trying to shake off 2016, Scoop, Isaac, Jehan, and Arthur have returned to take a critical look at race and artist responsibility in current music.
Jan 30, 2017•53 min•Ep. 41
2015 gets the ultimate side-eye when your favorite Snobs take a moment to reminisce over the past 12 months in music. Join Scoop, Isaac, Jehan, and Arthur as they sound off about the return of R&B's undeniable influence over Pop music in 2015 then take time to resurrect the "8-Track" by naming their 8 favorite songs of the year. And just to set the new year off right, the fellas introduce Snobstradamus: an unforgettable round table discussion that predicts what events will impact music most ...
Dec 31, 2015•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 40
