Riffs on Riffs

Latest Episodes:

Getting Igor's Attention Jul 03, 2019

Show notes

Joe and Toby connect the musical dots from Tyler, the Creator's hit track "Igor's Theme" (2019) and trace it back to a Paris-based 70's soul group. What we geek out over in this episode: Head West, Fleetwood Mac "Black Magic Woman" (1968) & "Oh Well" (1969), sounds of the 70's from "Sentimental Lady" (1972) and it's mondegreen, skateboards, Odd Future, Fruity Loops & Captain Crunch, horrorcore hip-hop music genre, and Tyler the Creator's hits, controversy and beyond.

Donny is Too Short Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

If you can look past his lyrics, you'll find one of the most decorated artists in his genre when it comes to platinum and gold plaques. It's Los Angeles-born, Oakland-raised rapper Too $hort who can be credited with not only initiating the Bay Area's indie hip-hop scene as well as having a hand in the birth of crunk music. In his 30 years of music, Too $hort became one of the most celebrated rappers of the 90's and beyond, and has recorded 20 albums with collaborations all across the board: From Jay- Z, Tupac, Biggie, Scarface from the Geto Boys, and Lady Gaga... Not too bad! Joe and Toby connect the musical dots from Too $horts hit track "The Ghetto" (1990) and trace it back to an unforgettable 70's soul singer.

What we geek out over in this episode: NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) Controller and Metroid, multiple public service announcements, Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack, "I Thank You Baby" (1969) with June Conquest, George Benson's cover of "The Ghetto" (2000), Leon Russell's "A Song For You" (1970) covers - grab a box of tissues! - including Ray Charles, DMX/Bizzy Bone and, of course, Donny Hathaway's version; "This Christmas" (1970), 'pushing the envelope;' and a plethora of hit records by the Oakland-raised rapper, Too $hort… and Richard Marx.

Bonus Material: "In the Ghetto" by Elivs Presley (1969)

The Shape of My Lucid Dreams Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

In yet another genre-twisting episode of Riffs on Riffs, we'll connect the musical dots between breakout Chicago rapper, Juice WRLD, and the 1993 Sting sample that was used for his #2 Billboard hit, Lucid Dreams. A meshing of pop, rock and rap lends a sweet feel to what Juice WRLD is bringing to the table amidst the rise in new wave hip-hop. Get to know the talented and soulful musician, Juice WRLD, and his broken hearted melodies that sky-rocketed him through the musical stratosphere.

What we geek out over in this episode: Sting's Catalog, MC Nicknames, Sting sitting on a piano by accident during the recording of Roxanne, Queensryche, MC Milk Dee and Audio Two's Top Billin' (1988), and The Chainsmokers & Juice WRLD In My Head (2018).

Bonus Material: More Shape of My Heart song samples by Nas, Carl Thomas, and The Roots featuring Musiq Soulchild.

Old Town Ghosts May 22, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe & Toby discuss the rise of a Hip-Hop Cowboy, Lil Nas X, the 20-year-old rapper and internet savant behind the hip-hop-country crossover "Old Town Road." In yet another rags to riches/started from the bottom tale of stardom, Lil Nas X was a college dropout living on his sister's couch in Atlanta with a negative balance in his bank account. Now, he's crushed Drake's single-week streaming record and had the Number One song in the country for five weeks straight and there are no signs of stopping. Get ready for a genre-bending ride through this amazing episode of Riffs on Riffs with hints of country, rap, hip-hop and metal!

What we geek out over in this episode: Susie Stop Playin', Trent Reznor, Nothing Records, More Cowbell, Netflix's Bird Box, Iggy Pop's Nightclubbing (1977), Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt (2002), Country-Rap a.k.a. Hick-Hop, Ryan Upchurch track called Country Cut Celebrity (2018), Old Town Remix with Billy Ray Cyrus, and Bubba Sparxxx Country Folks (2013).

Bonus Material: Joe Watson's Mashup of Nothing Breaks Like a Heart (2019) featuring Miley Cyrus, and her dad's breakout hit, Billy Ray Cyrus' Achy Breaky Heart (1992). ENJOY!

Trans-European Hot Tubs May 08, 2019

Show notes

Dubbed "The Beatles of electronic dance music" by The New York Times in 1997, Dusseldorf-based band Kraftwerk pioneered the genre, and some see them as the grandfathers of techno… and they did it without computers! From the most obscure indie rock to the most mainstream pop, and even hip-hop, all across the board, most music bears the impression of their invention; and by invention (i.e. materializing something out of thin air), Kraftwerk didn't just pioneer a genre. Until the moment "Autobahn" hit the airwaves in the autumn of 1974, nothing like it had ever existed. Let's dive into the mammoth 40-year reign of Kraftwerk and their impact on music.

What we geek out over in this episode: Well, Joe & Toby didn't exactly 'geek out' over their least favorite music genre - Electro-Pop - but here's a few highlights that YOU might geek over… Tranzmusik, Hot Tub Time Machine (the movie), Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Forces's Planet Rock (1982), Coldplay's Talk (2005), Timbaland's Bounce (2007) featuring Dr. Dre, Justin Timberlake & Missy Elliot, Blue Monday (1983) by New Order, Leave Home (1995) by The Chemical Brothers and Redman and Method Man collab How High (remix) (1995).

Bonus Material: Favorite 80's synth television theme songs! You know Knight Rider (1986) is on the docket for this one… ENJOY!

Pop Goes the Sledgehammer Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe & Toby dive into one of the biggest hits, "Pop Goes The Weasel" (1991), from Brooklyn-based hip-hop trio 3rd Bass. Considered to be a ground-breaking group of the time in the 1980's, 3rd Bass was a mixed-race rap group who broke out in a pre-Eminem rap world. Learn more about talented artists behind 3rd Bass and where they nabbed the sounds for their greatest chart topping hit song. Hint: He's an iconic English musician who can really bring the Sledgehammer.

What we geek out over in this episode: The life and music of English singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, Genesis, "Solsbury Hill" (1977), "In Your Eyes" (1986), hip-hop group 3rd Bass: MC Serch, Prime Minister Pete Nice, and DJ Richie Rich, Henry Rollins, The Who's "Eminence Front" (1982), Stevie Wonder's "You Haven't Done Nothin'" (1974), "Back to the Grill" (1992), and Non-Phixion's "Black Helicopters" (2004).

Bonus Material: Who Sampled Phil Collins' mega-hit and iconic drum fill from "In the Air Tonight"?

Be Careful of Exes Apr 10, 2019

Show notes

She's hip-hop's current "it girl," plastered all over our televisions, can be heard in most of the current music on the Billboard Hot 100, has multiple Grammy nominees - and one win! - for her debut album Invasion of Privacy and can even be found in women's make up cabinets with a lucrative collaboration with fashion icon Tom Ford. The Cardi B effect is rippling throughout hip-hop and we can't seem to get enough this Bronx-born rapper. In this episode, Joe & Toby dive into one of Cardi B's chart-topping hits, "Be Careful" and connect the musical dots back to another iconic Grammy winning female artist of the 90's.

What we geek out over in this episode: The Fugees epic catalog of music, Lauryn Hill flubbing at the Apollo, Don McLean's "American Pie" (1971), 70's American Singer-Songwriter Lori Lieberman, a few Bob Marley hits, and (oddly enough) The Banana Splits TV show from the late 60's.

Bonus Material: 50 years of musical connections! Featuring Cardi B's sample of Ex Factor for Be Careful, Barbra Streisand "The Way We Were" (1973) to Gladys Knight's version and finally to Wu Tang Clan's "Can It Be All So Simple" (2009) to our featured song, Lauryn Hill's "Ex Factor."

Shooting Pains Mar 27, 2019

Show notes

Every sporting event and arena in America has House of Pain to thank for its lasting contribution to hip-hop history with their 1992 crowd pleasing hit, "Jump Around." Even movies like Mrs. Doubtfire to Black Hawk Down and Bridget Jones' Baby, have utilized the energetic popularity to supplement their soundtracks. 27 years later we are all still jumping around to this jazzy-punk-hip hop mash-up of greatness. Joe and Toby discuss House of Pain members - Everlast, DJ Lethal & Danny Boy - and their musical connection to an American saxophonist and vocalist who recorded for Motown during the 1960s.

What we geek out over in this episode: Junior Walker and The All Stars, The Cosby Show theme song, Moonglows vs. Moondog, Record Producer and Singer Harvey Fuqua, "Harlem Shuffle" (1963) by Bob & Earl, 1950's American Singer Thurston Harris, ToeJam & Earl video game, Chubby Checker's "Popeye the Hitchhiker" (1962), DJ Muggs, and 'Chickity-check yo self before you wreck yo self'.

Bonus Material: Everlast and his success as a solo artist.

Oops Upside Your Funk Mar 13, 2019

Show notes

Superstar DJ and British record producer Mark Ronson has earned both praise and popular success for his throwback, funk-influenced work with a range of diverse and international artists and musicians. From Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, to Adele, and more, Ronson has forged a trail of magnetic tunes, in his own right. In addition to winning Grammy Awards for Producer and Record of the Year, he also topped the charts with his fourth solo jaunt, Uptown Special, and its multi-platinum lead single, "Uptown Funk," which peaked at number one across the globe in 2015. Ronson, alongside lead vocal Bruno Mars, and a slew of additional song writers, took from the soul and funk sounds of the past to brew up a toe-tapping beat that everyone, all 3.5 billion YouTube views, thoroughly enjoyed!

What we geek out over in this episode: The Gap Band Albums II, III, IV, V, VI, etc!, the incomparable Charlie Wilson, Trinidad James "All Gold Everything" (2012), Collage "Young Girls" (1983), The Sequence "Funk You Up" (1979), Dua Lipa "Electricity" (2017), Miley Cyrus "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" (2018) and Grammy & Oscar winning Lady Gaga/Bradley Cooper "Shallow" (2018).

Bonus Material: Who sampled The Gap Band "Yearning for Your Love" (1980)?

The Way to a Little Bit of Love Feb 27, 2019

Show notes

She is one of the industry's leading princess' of pop with a trail of hits, world tour and a Grammy to prove it. In this episode Joe and Toby explore the music of pop sensation, Ariana Grande. Alongside her widely successful music career and string of chart-topping collaborations - from Iggy Azalea, the Weeknd and Nicki Minaj - to name a few, Grande performance goes beyond her infamous ponytail. It is safe to say her cheesy kids' sitcom days are over! It's time to hop in the time machine connect the music dots between Ariana Grande's 2013 hit "The Way" and a fellow ballad singer from 1979.

What we geek out over in this episode: The impressive power ballads of Brenda Russell, Nickelodeon's Victorious, "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes (1992), Troglodytes (Cavemen), Rush 2112: Overture, Big Pun "Still Not a Player" featuring Joe (1998), and Ariana Grande dating debacles via TMZ style gossip.

Bonus Material: Jimmy Castor's Troglodytes (Cavemen) sample used by NWA, Christina Aguilera, Blackstreet, Lil' Kim & Phil Collins. Bonus, Bonus Material: "The Bertha Butt Boogie" by The Jimmy Castor Bunch.

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