One Song

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
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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.

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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)

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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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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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One Song is sharing an episode of the new podcast Fela Kuti: Fear No Man. When the world is on fire, what can music actually do? Host Jad Abumrad recounts the true tale of one of the great political awakenings in music. Fela Kuti was a classically trained Nigerian musician who traveled to America, only to return to Nigeria and transform his sound into a battering ram against the state. Doing so, he created a new musical language of resistance called Afrobeat. But when the mix of art and activism got too hot, the state pulled out its guns and literally opened fire. In this episode, we hear how Fela’s music had the power to move hearts, change minds, and heal the deepest wounds. Listen to more episodes of Fela Kuti: Fear No Man on Audible or at https://link.mgln.ai/onesong
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