Riffs on Riffs

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, join Toby and Joe for a lively discussion about Beyoncé's latest single, "TEXAS HOLD 'EM.” They discuss Beyoncé's career and celebrate her work ethic and talent, particularly her ability to transcend genres and challenge musical conventions. The conversation explores the history of country music and the role of black artists within the genre. But is genre really just a construct? Why are we so afraid to break musical boundaries? Also, why does the Cheesecake Factory menu have so many pages? Throughout the episode, Joe and Toby celebrate Beyoncé's artistry and the sonic quality of her latest album while also questioning some of the production choices (that click track on “Blackbird”— eegads!). The album Cowboy Carter is overflowing with talent, featuring veteran artists like Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, and Stevie Wonder, and highlighting emerging talents like Tanner Adele and Shaboozey. Toby and Joe explore the parallels between Beyoncé's journey and those of past artists like Charley Pride and DeFord Bailey and shed light on the long-standing challenges faced by black musicians in country music. By acknowledging this history and paying homage to those who paved the way, Beyoncé's album becomes a part of a larger narrative of resilience and creativity. Many artists have switched lanes, from Amy Grant to Darius Rucker. Joe and Toby explore the double standards and biases that exist within the music industry. Why do some artists face backlash for exploring new sounds, while others are celebrated for their versatility? These disparities highlight the complexities of race, identity, and cultural perceptions in music. Join us for the conversation as we explore “TEXAS HOLD 'EM” and the power of art to challenge norms, break barriers, and bring diverse voices to the forefront. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Toby and Joe as they kick off the long-awaited return of Riffs on Riffs, diving deep into the pop sensation Taylor Swift's track "Cruel Summer." Initially released on her 2019 album Lover, the song saw a resurgence in popularity four years later, propelled by Swift's Eras tour. Now, this track isn't your typical carefree summer anthem. Oh no, there's something intoxicatingly complicated going on here. We're talking about a passionate, whirlwind romance that's equal parts thrilling and…well, cruel. In this episode, Toby and Joe dissect the infectious beats and poignant lyrics of "Cruel Summer," exploring its journey to the top of the charts and its impact on listeners beyond Swift's core demographic. Whether you're a Swiftie OG or just discovering her music, there's something for everyone in this episode. Tune in as they unravel the layers of Taylor Swift's music and its universal appeal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to the final installment of Riffs on Riffs' 4-part miniseries about the band 24-Carat Black. On this episode: The legacy of 24CB and its landmark record Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth, and where the former members landed. Riffs on Riffs is a production of Evergreen Podcasts. Hosted by Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell. Our Audio Engineer is Eric Koltnow and our Producer and Sound Designer is Noah Foutz. Executive Producers Gerardo Orlando and David Allen Moss. To help the former members of 24CB and get some new Riffs merch, check out our bonfire store! Listen to new music made by Princess Hearn and Niambi Steele, and to help support us make new music with them, consider donating to our Kickstarter! Check out the playlist for this season! Thanks for another great season. Huzzah! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Riffs on Riffs, Season 3! This is episode 2 of our epic four part series about the band 24-Carat Black. On today's episode: The Dream. Dale Warren's musical vision coming to bear as we hear from former band members about life on the road and in the studio. Featuring more than one exciting Uhaul story, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Riffs on Riffs is a production of Evergreen Podcasts. Hosted by Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell. Our Audio Engineer is Eric Koltnow and our Producer and Sound Designer is Noah Foutz. Executive Producers Gerardo Orlando and David Allen Moss. Check out the playlist for this season! Listen to new music by 24-Carat Black members, and consider donating to our Kickstarter to make even more music with them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Riffs on Riffs, Season 3! This season, we're doing things a little differently - We're bringing you the story of a dark, musical savant with a dream, a van full of teenage musicians with otherworldly talent, and an epic record that has been sampled by hip-hop royalty, even though the group lives in obscurity to this day. We're telling the tale of 24-Carat Black, and on this episode, you'll hear the first of our four part series about the band that everyone's heard, but nobody has heard of. Riffs on Riffs is a production of Evergreen Podcasts. Hosted by Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell. Our Audio Engineer is Eric Koltnow and our Producer and Sound Designer is Noah Foutz. Executive Producers Gerardo Orlando and David Allen Moss. Check out the playlist for this season! Listen to new music by 24-Carat Black members, and consider donating to our Kickstarter to make even more music with them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you call four men in a rock group that don't sing or play music? Join Joe and Toby as they search for the answer and throw plenty of shade along the way. These are a couple of groups that for some reason people love to hate. Don't enjoy this episode? We'll be happy to give you your Nickelback.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BTS is a global phenomenon and a huge part of the popularity of the Korean Wave. So is it wrong to love K pop? Join Joe and Toby as they look to blues icon Keb Mo for some answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are certain songs with content or subject matter that ventures into disturbing territory. Some of them are intentionally crafted stories meant to spur the listener into thinking about uncomfortable topics. Others are, well, just plain wrong. Join Joe and Toby as they examine tracks from Royce da 5’9”, Apathy, Benny Mardones, Neil Diamond, and others. They’ll also shine a light on the sexual abuse that is far too pervasive in the music industry. Warning: Content may include sexual abuse and assault triggers. Please take any necessary precautions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Change is scary, but sometimes the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. Join Joe and Toby as they explore the history of artists that have changed musical genres and found equal — or sometimes greater — success. They'll look at pop artists like Katy Perry and Amy Grant that began their careers in Christian music, and metalheads like Michael Bolton (!) who then switched to pop. All good things must come around again, so they’ll finish up with Darius Rucker, his detour from pop into country, and his return to all things Hootie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s never fun to have your heart broken, and it’s certainly not something you want to happen in excess. Join Joe and Toby as they connect Dua Lipa’s smash hit “Break My Heart” to another 80’s era hit from a popular band from the land down under, INXS. Along the way they’ll debate who played the better James Bond, and Q versus Stacey Q. Crank up this episode, we Need You Tonight! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know that girls just wanna have fun, but apparently that includes doing cover songs! From tainted love to undisputed truths, Joe and Toby dig deep to find the secrets behind smiling faces. So while Papa may be a rolling stone, here at Riffs on Riffs we will always love you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's face it, nursery rhymes can hide some dark and twisted messages — yet we sing them to our kids! Join Joe and Toby as they follow the itsy bitsy spider’s web that connects Humpty Dumpty to Humpty Hump. Don’t let the beat, or the cradle, drop! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slick Rick is respected as being one of the greatest MC storytellers of all time while Doug E Fresh is known as the human Beat Box. Put them together and you're guaranteed a good time and you get a classic hip hop song that's been sampled more times than Joe and Toby can say "back in the day" in an episode. Joe and Toby connect the dots between Slick Rick's La Di Da Di and Miley Cyrus' hit "We Can't Stop". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America's history is full of protests and this time is no exception. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many other black Americans have moved many to protest against police brutality. In this episode, Joe and Toby discuss protests from a musical perspective, exploring songs both past and present that have fueled protests. The revolution will not be televised, but it will be podcasted! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description:  Join us as we travel the coasts of Cameroon and pay a visit to Manu Dibango and “Soul Makossa”. Michael Jackson would later steal the famous hook, “ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-sa” for his hit Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, and even go on to give permission he that wasn’t his to give for Rihanna’s hit “Don’t Stop the Music”. We’ll discuss all that and along the way connect the dots to The Fugees, The Outsidaz, Eminem, D12, Quincy Jones and his daughters. What we geek out over in this episode: Manu Dibango, Coming to America, Makossa, crate digging, Ms. Fat Booty, Sing alongs with Mitch, David Mancuso and The Loft, The Fugees, Cowboyts, Pace Won, Rah Digga, The Outsidaz, offending Tupac, Famous Irish bands, Enya, Latoya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Eminem and D12, story time with Boo Kapone. Bonus Material: The story of the that time Tupac and The King of Pop threw down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in the day, children would read stories at school during story time and would often hear the "beep” that would signify when the page should be turned.  ELO’s Evil Woman and The Pussycat Dolls' “Beep” are generations apart but both illustrate how they worked to turn the page in creativity, impact, and style. Join Joe and Toby as they wind through the connections between these tracks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Truth be told, there is a bit of confusion about what exactly was sampled from Shuggie Otis' "Strawberry Letter 23” to help create Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson”... But one thing that isn’t up for debate is that both of these songs are hits and there’s no time like the present to discuss these artists and their impact. Join Joe and Toby as they wind through the connections between these tracks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If given a choice between sipping whiskey and going blind, the answer is pretty clear. But when listening to Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind” and Chris Stapleton’s cover of “Tennessee Whiskey”, things get a little fuzzier. Join Joe and Toby as they wind through the connections between these two tracks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bobby Caldwell is a longtime crooner and someone that can rightfully say he’s big in Japan. Bobby’s classic track, “What You Won’t Do for Love,” is his most recognizable hit, but in this episode Joe and Toby show how Common sampled another Caldwell track, “Open Your Eyes,” for his iconic song “The Light”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ed Sheeran is a gifted songwriter and performer, but that hasn’t prevented him from getting into hot water around sampling and interpolating other artist’s material. Join Joe and Toby as they explore the similarities between Sheeran’s “The Shape of You” and TLC’s “No Scrubs.” Along the way we’ll take a look at the “Stairway to Heaven” copyright case and see how it impacts Ed Sheeran’s financial future. Don’t worry, he’s going to be ok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices