2Pac: The Last Immortal?
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 […]
The CTI Never Sleeps: A Classic Black Music Record Label
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 […]
Chicago vs. America: Is Chicago The Capital of Black Music?
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 […]
Chaka Khan: The most versatile vocalist of all time?
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 […]
A Brief History of Black Music — by White Artists, Part 2
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.
A Brief History of Black Music — By White Artists, Part 1
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 […]
Is Aaliyah An Icon?
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 […]
Tony Toni Toné, And The Revival of Romance
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 […]
J. Dilla: The Greatest Influence On Music In The 21st Century?
The Music Snobs is a monthly podcast on Black music — and beyond On this episode of The Music Snobs 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. […]
Janet Jackson’s Control: The First Unapologetically Black Crossover?
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 […]