How did “Crazy in Love” announce Beyoncé’s arrival as a solo superstar? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY dig into this career-defining moment, breaking down the iconic Chi-Lites horn sample, Beyoncé’s commanding vocal performance, and an early demo from producer Rich Harrison that reveals how the song’s infectious hook came together.

Songs Discussed:

“Crazy In Love” - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z

“Flat Beat” - Mr. Oizo

“Survivor” - Destiny’s Child

“Independent Women Part I” - Destiny’s Child

“Jumpin’ Jumpin’” - Destiny’s Child

“Bootylicious” - Destiny’s Child

“Work It Out” - Beyoncé

“‘03 Bonnie & Clyde” - Jay-Z feat. Beyoncé

“Me and My Girlfriend” - 2Pac

“I Used to Love H.E.R.” - Common

“I Gave You Power” - Nas

“Bonnie and Clyde” - Brigitte Bardot and Serge Gainbourg

“Dilemma” - Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland

“Why Don’t We Fall In Love” - Amerie

“Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)” - The Chi-Lites

“Oh Girl” - The Chi-Lites

“Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” - Beyoncé

“Talkin’ About” - Amerie

“1 Thing” - Amerie

“Get Right” - Jennifer Lopez

“Part Time Punks” - Television Personalities

“Blessings” - p-rallel & Sam Deeley

One Song Spotify Playlist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does a song with no bass and no chorus become a global anthem with the most recognizable riff of the 21st century? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY break down The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” exploring the cultural moment, the iconic bass-that-isn’t-a-bass riff, and the analog choices that turned a stripped-down idea into a modern classic.

SONGS DISCUSSED

“Seven Nation Army” - The White Stripes

“You’re Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl)” - The White Stripes

“St. James Infirmary Blues” - The White Stripes

“St. James Infirmary” - Cab Calloway

“St. James Infirmary” - King Oliver

“Grinnin’ In Your Face” - Son House

“Fell In Love With A Girl” - The White Stripes

“Feral” - The Gories

“Symphony No. 5” - Anton Bruckner

“All By Myself” - Eric Carmen

“Otoma Da Naba” - Florence Adooni

“Dead End Love” - Phaidia

One Song Spotify Playlist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What song connects 1960s soul, Irish new age, and ’90s hip-hop? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY go deep on Fugees’ classic “Ready or Not” with special guest Wyclef Jean. Together, they deconstruct the track’s haunting beat, uncover its surprisingly sourced bassline, and unpack the layered samples and interpolations that helped turn the song into a defining moment in hip-hop history.

Songs Discussed:

“Ready Or Not” - Fugees

“Maria Maria” - Santana feat. The Product G&B

“No, No, No Part 2” - Destiny’s Child feat. Wyclef Jean

“Hips Don’t Lie” - Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean

“What Would You Do?” - City High

“Fu-Gee-La” - Fugees

“Shook Ones, Pt. II” - Mobb Deep

“Temperature’s Rising” - Mobb Deep feat. Crystal Johnson

“Vocab (Refugees Hip Hop Remix)” - Fugees

“Orinoco Flow” - Enya

“Boadicea” - Enya

“Ready or Not Here I come (Can’t Hide from Love)” - The Delfonics

“If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” - Nas feat. Lauryn Hill

“If I Ruled The World” - Kurtis Blow

“Ninety Nine (Flash the Message)” - John Forté

“99 Red Balloons” - NENA

“Anything Can Happen” - Wyclef Jean

“Bubblegoose” - Wyclef Jean

“Gone Till November” - Wyclef Jean

“Dance Like This” - Wyclef Jean feat. Claudette Ortiz

“Amores Como el Nuestro” - Jerry Rivera

One Song Spotify Playlist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards flip disco on its head with Diana Ross’ chart-topping solo hit “Upside Down”? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY explore the Chic production, groove-driven arrangement, and rare outtakes from the Queen of Motown herself.

Get 50% off 1 month of Trade at drinktrade.com/ONESONG

Songs Discussed:

“Upside Down” - Diana Ross (00:32)

“Cold Rock a Party (Bad Boy Remix)” - MC Lyte feat. Missy Elliot (02:13)

“Le Freak” - CHIC (04:39)

“Good Times” - CHIC (04:42)

“I Want Your Love” - CHIC (04:49)

“We Are Family” - Sister Sledge (05:44)

“Love Hangover” - Diana Ross (06:38)

“He’s The Greatest Dancer” - Sister Sledge (10:56)

“I’m Coming Out” - Diana Ross (11:55)

“My Old Piano” - Diana Ross (13:02)

“Crazy Train” - Ozzy Osbourne (18:34)

“Legs” - ZZ Top (19:03)

“Everybody Dance” - CHIC (24:04)

“Walk the Night” - Skatt Bros. (29:21)

“Give Me the Night” - George Benson (36:06)

“Muscles” - Diana Ross (54:09)

“Notorious” - Duran Duran (55:39)

“Polarlicht” - Xmal Deutschland (58:18)

“Deeper Shade Of Soul” - Urban Dance Squad (59:23)

“A Deeper Shade Of Soul” - Ray Barretto (01:02:27)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes “Billie Jean” one of the most timeless pop songs ever? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY dive into Michael Jackson’s masterpiece, unpacking its iconic (and borrowed) bassline, the innovative engineering that shaped its unmistakable sound, and how the song transformed MJ from superstar into a singular cultural force.

Songs Discussed:

“Billie Jean” - Michael Jackson (01:17)

“C Is For Cookie (Funky Version)” - Cookie Monster (04:05)

“Take On Me” - a-ha (06:34)

“Pass the Dutchie” - Musical Youth (07:20)

“Nightline” - Pointer Sisters (12:03)

“Nightline” - Ellen Foley (12:10)

“Should I Stay or Should I Go” - The Clash (12:40)

“The Lady In My Life” - Michael Jackson (13:45)

“The Girl Is Mine” - Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney (14:54)

“Say Say Say” - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson (15:13)

“Hey Lover” - LL Cool J feat. Boyz II Men (15:57)

“Wake Up” - Bill Wolfer (21:08)

“State Of Independence” - Jon & Vangelis (25:52)

“State Of Independence” - Donna Summer (28:01)

“Only You” - Steve Monite (57:42)

“Desperate Journalist In Ongoing Meaningful Review Situation” - The Cure (58:37)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did “California Love” crystallize Tupac Shakur at his peak? LUXXURY and Diallo dive into the West Coast anthem, untangle its stacked list of collaborators, and examine how Pac’s charisma and contradictions collide to create a lasting cultural moment.

Songs Discussed:

“California Love” - 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre (0:00)

“Same Song” - Digital Underground feat. 2Pac (9:38)

“Keep Ya Head Up” - 2Pac (10:39)

“Dear Mama” - 2Pac (10:46)

“Changes” - 2Pac (10:53)

“What’z Ya Phone #” - 2Pac (13:12)

“777-9311” - The Time (13:24)

“Pain” - 2Pac feat. Stretch (13:47)

“Ambitionz Az a Ridah” - 2Pac (14:41)

“Hail Mary” - 2Pac (14:50)

“Thug Luv” - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony feat. 2Pac (15:06)

“Paper Planes” - M.I.A. (15:28)

“Ill Street Blues” - Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (23:53)

“Woman To Woman” - Joe Cocker (24:44)

“With A Little Help From My Friends” - Joe Cocker (25:09)

“Knick Knack Patty Wack” - EPMD (26:29)

“West Coast Poplock” - Ronnie Hudson (38:25)

“So Ruff, so Tuff” - Zapp (39:18)

“Magic’s Rap” - Magic Fraga (41:23)

“ROCKIN” - Shoreline Mafia (52:54)

“Funky Little Beat” - Connie (53:51)

“Love” - Lambrini Girls (54:35)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a holiday song so timeless that it can top the charts decades after it’s released? On this episode, Diallo, LUXXURY, and One Song Executive Producer Lesley Gwam break down Mariah Carey’s 1994 hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” They dig into how Mariah co-wrote the track with longtime collaborator Walter Afanasieff, and the sonic choices that turned it into an unforgettable Christmas classic. Get your ears ready for Mariah’s marvelous, isolated vocals!

Don’t let financial opportunity slip through the cracks. Use code ONESONG at Monarch.com in your browser for half off your first year.

One Song Spotify Playlist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is “Motownphilly” one of the most doo-wop-influenced R&B tracks of all time? In part two of their Boyz II Men deep dive, Diallo and LUXXURY explore the group’s iconic vocals for “Motownphilly”, the slow-jam legacy of Boyz II Men and the current climate of R&B music.

One Song Spotify Playlist

Songs Discussed:

“Motownphilly” - Boyz II Men

“Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Bab” - Barry White

“Teddy’s Jam” - Guy

“Can You Stand The Rain” - New Edition

“It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” - G.C. Cameron

“End Of The Road” - Boyz II Men

“Doin’ Just Fine” - Boyz II Men

Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to Quince.com/ONESONG for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Get last-minute hosting essentials, gifts for all your loved ones, and decor to celebrate the holidays for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What made the music of 90s R&B groups so infectious? This week on One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY welcome 4x Grammy Award-winner Shawn Stockman as they kick off a two-part breakdown of Boyz II Men’s legacy with their debut single “Motownphilly”. They discuss Shawn’s musical influences, Boyz II Men’s early career development, and the New Jack Swing that elevated them to the next level.

One Song Spotify Playlist

Songs Discussed:

“Motownphilly” - Boyz II Men

“End Of The Road” - Boyz II Men

“I’ll Make Love To You” - Boyz II Men

“On Bended Knee” - Boyz II Men

“One Sweet Day” - Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men

“Bears” - Zebra

“Love Said Not So” - Bebe & CeCe Winans

“Don’t Believe The Hype” - Public Enemy

“1-4-All-4-1” - East Coast Family

“Iseha” - Another Bad Creation

“Please Don’t Go” - Boyz II Men

“I Want Her” - Keith Sweat

“Planet Rock” - Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force

“A Fifth Of Beethoven” - Walter Murphy

“It Don’t Mean A Thing” - Chuck Brown

“Brass Monkey” - Beastie Boys

“I Want To Be Free” - Ohio Players

“Kool Is Back” - Funk, Inc.

“Owner Of A Lonely Heart” - Yes

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is “Dreams” what it sounds like when personal chaos becomes collective brilliance? In this live episode from On Air Fest with KCRW, Diallo and Luxxury explore this Fleetwood Mac classic with journalist and podcast host Sam Sanders. Together, they dive into the Rumours-era drama and unravel why the magic of “Dreams” feels both intensely personal and universally resonant.

One Song Spotify Playlist

Songs Discussed:

“Dreams” - Fleetwood Mac

“Silver Springs” - Fleetwood Mac

“Albatross” - Fleetwood Mac

“I’ll Be Around” - The Spinners

“Dancing On My Own” - Robyn

“Hey Ya!” - Outkast

“My Ship” - Herbie Hancock

“Boom Boom Pow” - Black Eyed Peas

“Nice & Slow” - Usher

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did Deee-Lite turn a wild mix of samples into a timeless dance-floor anthem? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY reshare a One Song favorite, unpacking the eclectic patchwork that makes “Groove Is in the Heart” so irresistible. Come for the groove, stay for the Bootsy Collins outtakes.

Don't let financial opportunity slip through the cracks, use code ONESONG at Monarch.com in your browser for half off your first year.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices