One Song

Latest Episodes:

Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

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)

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2Pac ft. Dr. Dre's "California Love" Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

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)

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Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

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!

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One Song Spotify Playlist

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Boyz II Men's "Motownphilly" w Shawn Stockman: Part Two Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

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

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Boyz II Men's "Motownphilly" w/ Shawn Stockman: Part One Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

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

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Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" with Sam Sanders Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

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

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Deee-Lite's "Groove Is In The Heart" Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

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.

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D'Angelo's "Devil's Pie" Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

How did D’Angelo’s ‘Devil’s Pie’ foreshadow the sound of his seminal album Voodoo? This week on One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY discuss D’Angelo’s upbringing and influences, the unmistakable Dilla influence of the rhythm section, and pay respects to the groundbreaking R&B pioneer.

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One Song Spotify Playlist

SONGS DISCUSSED:

“Devil’s Pie” - D’Angelo

“Untitled (How Does It Feel)” - D’Angelo

“Brown Sugar” - D’Angelo

“Lady” - D’Angelo

“Send It On” - D’Angelo

“King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown” - Augustus Pablo

“Sea of Tranquility” - Kool & The Gang

“The Root” - D’Angelo

“Castles Made of Sand” - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

“Kick in the Door” - The Notorious B.I.G.

“Supa Star” - Group Home

“And If I Had” - Teddy Pendergrass

“Train in Vain” - The Clash

“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” - McFadden & Whitehead

“Jericho Jerk” - Pierre Henry & Michel Colombier

“Psyche Rock” - Pierre Henry & Michel Colombier

“You Know My Steez” - Gang Starr

“The Love Song” - Da Bush Babees feat. Mos Def.

“The Charade” - D’Angelo and The Vanguard

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Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

How did “Lust for Life” become Iggy Pop’s ultimate reinvention? Diallo and LUXXURY dive into his Berlin partnership with David Bowie, unpack the unstoppable Motown-inspired drumbeat, and reveal the meaning behind one of Iggy’s most provocative lines.

One Song Spotify Playlist

Songs discussed:

“Lust for Life” - Iggy Pop

“Search and Destroy” - The Stooges

“Stay” - David Bowie

“Nightclubbing” - Iggy Pop

“Rock and Roll (Pt. 2)” - Gary Glitter

“Closer” - Nine Inch Nails

“What In The World” - David Bowie

“Sound and Vision” - David Bowie

“The Passenger” - Iggy Pop

“Heroes” - David Bowie

“You Can’t Hurry Love” - The Supremes

“Barbara Ann” - The Beach Boys

“Rock Around the Clock” - Bill Haley and His Comets

“Touch Me” - The Doors

“C’mon Marianne” - Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons

“Maneater” - Daryl Hall & John Oates

“Town Called Malice” - The Jam

“Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” - Jet

“Fun House” - The Stooges

“Down On The Street” - The Stooges

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Wu-Tang Clan's "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Is Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) the most defining debut in hip-hop history? In this special One Song episode, Diallo and LUXXURY go beyond a single track to unpack how the Wu-Tang Clan built a gritty, cinematic world that unleashed rap’s most iconic supergroup.

One Song Spotify Playlist

Songs Discussed:

“Protect Ya Neck” - Wu-Tang Clan

“Funky Drummer (Parts 1 &2)” - James Brown

“Devika (Goddess)” - Lonnie Liston Smith

“Flash Light” - Parliament

“Mic Checka” - Das EFX

“True Fuschnick” - Fu-Schnickens

“Ring the Alarm” - Fu-Schnickens

“La Schmoove” - Fu-Schnickens

“Bring Da Ruckus” - Wu-Tang Clan

“Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit” - Wu-Tang Clan

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

“C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)” - Wu-Tang Clan

“As Long As I’ve Got You” - The Charmels

“Method Man” - Wu-Tang Clan

“Impeach the President” - The Honey Drippers

“Hard to Handle” - Otis Redding

“Rock The Bells” - L.L. Cool J

“Flick of the Switch” - AC/DC

“Brooklyn Zoo” - Ol’ Dirty Bastard

“Break Your Promise” - The Delfonics

“The Grunt” - The J.B.s

“Rebel Without A Pause” - Public Enemy

“Method of Modern Love” - Daryl Hall & John Oates

“Set It Off” - Strafe

“Get Off Of My Cloud” - The Rolling Stones

“How High” - Redman & Method Man

“Purple Haze” - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

“Ice Cream” - Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah, Method Man & Cappadonna

“Shadowboxin’” - GZA feat. Method Man

“All I Need (Razor Sharp Remix)” - Method Man feat. Mary J. Blige

“Live At The Barbeque” - Main Source feat. Nas, Joe Fatal & Akinyele

“Bring The Pain” - Method Man

“Shimmy Shimmy Ya” - Ol’ Dirty Bastard

“Daytona 500” - Ghostface Killah feat. Raekwon & Cappadonna

“Triumph” - Wu-Tang Clan

“Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide” - Gravediggaz

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