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 Hip-Hop) has a greater legend. But that's not all — the Snobs kick the conversation up a notch, investigating 2Pac's destructive history with Suge Knight, to ponder a brutal scenario: Without Death Row, Tupac would likely still be here... but without Death Row, would Tupac still be '2Pac'? In an unflinching look at both sides of a timeless superstar in the context of a changing world, the crew questions whether his past crime might be forgiven in the #MeToo era, or whether a complicated legacy may inevitably interrupt 2Pac's immortality.

Finally, TMS closes with a roundtable that dares to glance back to alternate pasts, exploring The Album That Never Was, asking: What album was never recorded, but you wish it was? So, until the crew's return, listen and laugh, share the show and scream at your podcast app — but above all enjoy the season finale of your favorite Snobs in the game. Much love for rocking with The Music Snobs, and look out for the new season this summer.

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 of the dreaded Smooth Jazz? And what is 'Jazz' anyway? In a sprawling conversation ranging from George Benson to Herbie Hancock, from Ron Carter to Grover Washington Jr., TMS drops a manifesto on race, taste, culture, the problem with genres, and the harmful divisions in Black American Music.

Next up, the crew brings back a 'versus' to debate 'Nautilus' vs. 'Take Me To The Mardi Gras' – two classic songs by CTI alum Bob James, asking: which of these often-sampled, classic CTI recordings can Hip-Hop not do without? Get ready for an episode with as many difficult questions as hilarious insights, with just the right sprinkling of snobbery.

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) to prove that home where the heat is.

As if that wasn't enough, the Snobs drop a truly ageless roundtable, to ask: whether musically, lyrically or even emotionally — what is the most timeless song ever recorded? Listen up as The Music Snobs go from the keys to the city, to the song for-ever — and get ready for an episode with gems, jokes, and everything you expect from your favorite music podcast in the game.

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, exploring a voice that's truly akin to a musical instrument, putting her recordings both with a band and by herself up against every other frontperson of a famous Funk outfit.

But if that ain't enough for one episode, the Snobs stay in a funky place and resurrect one of their favorite segments — to wonder: What if... Prince had released 'The Black Album' in 1987, as originally planned? Get ready, as the cats break it down so that it forever remains broke. Whether classics that you can't forget or alternate universes that you wish had happened, The Music Snobs got you covered.

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 with a roundtable that asks: What is the greatest crossover song of all time, which still retained its authenticity to the sound or style it came from? In an episode focusing on honor and honesty, The Music Snobs give you answers that are unrelenting — at times ruthless — but always suitably snobbish.

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. TMS finally close out the episode with one of the hypest roundtables yet, to ask: What one singer (Black or white) didn't appear on the 1985 charity hit single 'We Are The World' — but should have been included? Listen up as tough questions mix with tougher answers, along with the usual insight and irreverence you expect from your favorite Snobs in the game.

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 wouldn't be the Snobs without arguing which production style propelled Aaliyah's sound the most — R. Kelly or Timbaland's? And finally, TMS continues the iconic debate with a roundtable on album intros, asking: what artist or group has the most albums with iconic opening songs? Get ready for an episode with loud opinions, louder voices, deep insight and dope choices.

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 to TTT's place in the house of music. The crew closes out the show with a roundtable to talk up the breakdowns of their favorite groups, and ask: What band had the most tragic break-up of all time? Get ready to laugh, cry, and scream at your podcast app, as Season 3 of The Music Snobs continues with an episode for the ages.

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 with a roundtable that looks to the future, deciding who's taken Dilla's sound forward the most since his departure, but not before the crew digs in to Jay Dee's greatest ever beats. The Music Snobs are finally back to explore one of the best to ever do it, as only they can.

Further reading

• Vibe magazine contemporary review of ‘Fantastic (Vol. 2)’, published August 2000 (by Noah Callahan-Bever)
• On: Robert Glasper, genre fluidity in Black music, and the influence of J. Dilla (by Matthew Allen)
• Why J. Dilla May Be Jazz’s Latest Great Innovator (by Giovanni Russonello)

Further listening

• Dilla In The Autumn Wind - mixed by AllyAl

Links:

• Why J. Dilla May Be Jazz’s Latest Great Innovator — Visionary hip-hop producer J Dilla never found mainstream success during his brief lifetime. But in the seven years since his death, Dilla — who would have turned 39 today — has come to represent a major inflection point on hip-hop's evolutionary tree.

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 acknowledges that nothing compares to Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, but still asks: what other ’80s producers could have given Janet gold? Join TMS for an episode that honors one of music’s most iconic albums.

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 of music festivals, YouTube, and more. And just to keep things interesting, the episode includes a wild debate that examines a chosen artist’s studio output versus their own live performances. And which artists did the Snobs choose? Aretha Franklin and Public Enemy.

Special Guest: Nelson George.