Is there such a thing as a “perfect song?” Well if there’s someone who might be able to make it, leave it to one of the most culturally influential artists in music and fashion history! On this episode of One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY break down Grace Jones’ 1985 chart-topping, club-ready hit, “Slave To The Rhythm.” They dive into all the layers that make this song so pristine — including Grace’s smooth, powerful voice, the lush '80s synths, a really funky bass line, and D.C.-style go-go beats – and talk about the creative team that helped Grace attain international icon status as a boundary-breaking musician and model. 

Regulators…MOUNT UP! Get ready for One Song history to be made. On this episode, Grammy-nominated rapper, producer, DJ, and masterful storyteller Warren G joins Diallo and LUXXURY to break down his 1994 G-funk classic hit, “Regulate.” Warren shares stories about learning to produce music while growing up in Long Beach, meticulously crafting beats and selecting the samples for his hit song, and taking West Coast hip-hop to a whole new level. By the end of this episode, you'll know things like: Did this artist invent G-funk? Is the story that Warren G and Nate Dogg tell in this song a true story? And is the Eastside Motel a real place?

One Song Nation – won’t you smile for another episode? Because we know you’re gonna love it! On this episode of One Song, actor, comedian and musician Jon Benjamin (Archer, Bob’s Burgers) joins Diallo and LUXXURY to break down one of Steely Dan’s most beloved, jazz-infused songs from 1977, “Peg.” They discuss the lengths the band’s core duo – Walter Becker and Donald Fagen – went to achieve their vision for this song and its album 'Aja' (it took 40 musicians!), and why it may be “one of the strangest hits to ever grace the mainstream.” (Pitchfork’s words, not ours.)

As Spooky Season falls across the land, no mere mortal can resist the power of this 1983 smash hit. On this very special Halloween episode of One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY break down Michael Jackson’s spookiest pop song, “Thriller.” They discuss how the King of Pop teamed up with Quincy Jones to make the iconic title track for the best-selling album of all time (70 million+ copies!), and how its cinematic music video redefined what a music video can even be. And prepare yourself to hear Michael’s isolated and stacked vocals…they’ll make you jump right out of your seat!

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 messages of Afrocentricity, universal love, harmony, and spiritualism.

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 isolated stems!), how the song became an anthem for female empowerment (among many other things), and Chaka’s professional and personal connections with Whitney Houston, who famously covered the song 15 years later for The Bodyguard soundtrack.

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.

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 into the U.S. market.

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. 

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 butt and a smile. 

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.

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 successful women-led rock bands.

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.

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.

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 makes their songs so catchy, and why the Swedes are so incredible at songwriting.

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.

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.

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.

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. There’s Camila Cabello's "Chanel no.5,” Lorde and Charli XCX working out the labyrinth of emotions that come with female friendship on the “Girl, so confusing” remix, and Sabrina Carpenter’s ode to the female ego, “Please Please Please." On this episode, Charlie, Nate, and Reanna – with some insight from journalist Ilana Kaplan – unpack these tracks at length, exploring what these artists are saying about femininity, and by extension, themselves.

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."

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.C, The Request Line by Rock Master Scott and more. Music genres: Hip hop, R&B, progressive rap, Female Rappers.

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.

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?

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. 

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 this classic track. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 unforgettable melody and haunting lyrics in a special episode that was shot in the Hartbeat podcast studio after a sustainable makeover. As part of the makeover, soy-based products were used, including chairs upholstered with the soy-based material produced by Modern Meadow, wall mounted photographs printed with soy-based ink, and upcycling a drum into a coffee table with wood supplied by HempWood, which contains soy-based resin.This episode was produced with the support of U.S. Soy.

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.

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. 

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 megastar and made it rain. Literally. 

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. 

It’s time: The peak of the pyramid! On this episode of One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY explore what is, arguably, Daft Punk’s creative and commercial zenith: Get Lucky. Together with generational defining acts, Pharrell and Nile Rodgers, Daft Punk craft a song that became an instant classic. Luxxury, of course, has the stems. And is ready to take you inside this infectious slice of funk.

Hey One Song listener, did you ever wonder how much Diallo and LUXXURY like Daft Punk? Well, the answer is a lot. So much, in fact, that one episode could not contain their love of robot helmets, French house music, obscure samples, and pyramids. So we’re doing a special Two Part deep dive into Daft Punk and their feel-good pop masterpiece, "Get Lucky". This is Part One: The early years of Daft Punk, their inspirations, and how they changed pop music with their triumphant Coachella performance in 2007. 

Today on One Song the ultimate pop music dichotomy: It’s a record that is simultaneously huge. But also very niche. The chances are you know the breezy synth pop masterpiece, Walking on a Dream. But how much do you know about Empire of the Sun, the duo who made that song? Probably not a lot. Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are here to right that wrong. The duo will also take you on a tour of 2000s synth pop, and break down the making of the Pnau remix of Cold Cold Heart (it ties in! We promise!).Artist: Empire of the SunAlbum: Walking on a DreamReleased: 2008Genres: Alternative/Indie, Dance/Electronic, Pop, New AgeFeatured songs: With You Forever by PNAU, Tell The Girls That I'm Not Hangin' Out, Embrace by PNAU, We Are The People by Empire of the Sun, Future by Cut Copy, Shadows by Midnight Juggernauts, Shooting Stars by Bag Raiders, Into the Galaxy by Midnight Juggernauts, UFO by Sneaky Sound System, Rocket Man by Elton John, Twilight by Electric Light Orchestra, Kiss The Bride by Elton John, The Last Seduction by LUXXURY, Cold Heart by Elton John with Dua Lipa and PNAU, Where's The Shoorah by Elton John, He Not In by Chicken Lips. 

This time on One Song, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY discuss an instant classic: Doja Cat’s 2023 hit, Paint the Town Red. The fellas are joined on the podcast by the Scam Goddess herself, Laci Mosely. Join the trio as they break down Dojo’s journey from Mooo! to her critically acclaimed album, Scarlet. Artist: Doja CatAlbum: ScarletReleased: 2023Genres: Pop, Hip-Hop/RapFeatured songs: Walk on By by Dionne Warwick, What The World Needs Now Is Love by Burt Bacharach, Anyone Who Had a Heart by Dionne Warwick, I'll Never Fall In Love Again by Dionne Warwick, Do You Know the Way to San Jose by Dionne Warwick, San Jose by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Walk On By by Burt Bacharach, 2 Wicky by Hooverphonic, Mona Lisa by Slick Rick.

This time on One Song it’s a jam that Luxxury describes as “musical potpourri”. Join him, and co-host Diallo Riddle, as they unpack Deee-Lite’s Groove Is In The Heart. It’s a song that is packed with samples taken from house, disco, funk, jazz, dance, and exotica. Come for the groove, stay for the Bootsy Collins outtakes. Artist: Deee-LiteAlbum: World CliqueReleased: 1990Genre: Disco, funk, house, hip hop, dance-popFeatured songs: Get Up by Vernon Burch, Vibeology by Paula Abdul, I'd Rather Be With You by Bootsy Collins, Redbone by Childish Gambino, Apple Juice Kissing by Deee-Lite, Armagideon Time by The Clash, Armagideon Time by Willie Williams, Real Rock by Sound Dimension, Loraine by Linton Kwesi Johnson, TECHNOVA by TOWA TEI, Find a Way by A Tribe Called Quest.

This is THE sexiest One Song episode yet! To celebrate Valentine’s Day LUXXURY and Diallo are dissecting Marvin Gaye’s classic ode to lust: Let’s Get It On. Come for the exquisitely horny wa wa pedal, stay for the supremely lush vocal stems. 

On this special episode of One Song, Diallo & LUXXURY answer listener DMs and react to new music from Megan Thee Stallion, Justin Timberlake, and Justice (with Tame Impala). 

On this special rerun, Diallo and Luxxury dig into the biggest selling 12 inch single of all-time: Blue Monday, by New Order. The guys break down how the song was created, its surprising disco influences, and one of the most nonchalant vocal performances ever recorded. 

On this special rerun, Diallo and Luxxury dive deep into the Notorious B.I.G classic, Mo Money Mo Problems. Join the guys as they break down the song's use of a disco beat, Stevie J's unique contributions, and prepare to feel chills when you hear Biggie's isolated vocals.Album: Life After Death Artist: The Notorious B.I.G. Featured artists: Mase, Diddy Genres: R&B/Soul, Hip-Hop/Rap Featured Songs: I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross, Worst Behavior by Drake, Break Your Heart Right Back by Ariana Grande and Childish Gambino, Star Wars Theme by Meco, I Can't Explain by Nazz, Guns on the Roof by The Clash, I'm Rowed Out by Dynamite Platoon, The Banjo Song by The Big Three, Venus by Shocking Blue

This week on One Song, hosts Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are “Under Pressure”. That’s right, the guys are bringing you Queen’s rock monster: A song that was number 1 in three countries, has been ranked as one of the 500 greatest songs of all-time by Rolling Stone magazine, and is often cited as one of the greatest collaborations of all-time … And that’s before we get to the iconic vocals, that bassline, and the story of how “Under Pressure” went from rock history, to hip hop infamy. 

This week on One Song we’re getting “Into the Groove”. Hosts Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are joined by Madonna superfan — and star of hit show, Scandal — Guillermo Díaz to discuss the iconic dancefloor-filler. Come for the isolated Madonna vocals, lore surrounding the recording, and all of the synths. Stay for a breakdown of Guillermo’s many Madonna tattoos and his recollection of the time he met the Queen of Pop.Artist: MadonnaAlbum: Like a VirginReleased: 1984Genres: R&B/Soul, Pop, UK R&BFeatured songs: Call Me Mr Telephone by Cheyne, You Are in My System by The System, I Feel For You by Chaka Khan, Wood Beez by Scritti Polittli, Into the Groovey by Sonic Youth, Into the Groove by Mina, Into The Groove by The Triffids, Into the Hollywood Groove by Madonna, Sidewalk Talk by Jellybean, Toma Que Toma by Tomas Gubitsch.

Join hosts Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY as they recap their favorite (and least favorite!) things of 2023, and look ahead to new music they’re excited for in 2024.

This episode of One Song Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are joined by DJ and KCRW radio host and Sly Stone's daughter Novena Carmel in a special “Thank You” episode. We’re saying thank you to a songwriter, producer and multi instrumentalist who has made us dance to the music, taken us higher, and made us - the everyday people - appreciate the infectiousness of singing a simple song.Artist: Sly and the Family StoneAlbum: "Everybody Is a Star"Released: December 1969Featured songs: Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson, Sittin' Up in My Room by Brandy, Trip to Your Heart by Sly and the Family Stone, Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J, Yellow Moon by Visacaynes, C'mon and Swim by Bobby Freeman, Laugh, Laugh by The Beau Brummels, Somebody to Love by The Great Society, Thank You For Talkin' to Me, Africa by Sly and the Family Stone, The Nazz by Lord Buckley.

Today on One Song we’re going to be telling you a story. It’s a story about rhythms and remixes, interpolations and sampling. It’s a story about a song that became huge – it’s been in movies, commercials, and it’s one of the most sampled Reggae songs ever. But one of the last people to find out about its success was the singer. This time on One Song Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY bring you the story of Sister Nancy’s Bam Bam.