Riffs on Riffs

Uno. Dos. Tres. Cuatro! Let’s connect the musical dots between Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull with his mega hit “I Know You Want Me” and one of America’s most prolific rock bands of all time. What we geek out over in this episode: “Street Player” by Rufus & Chaka Khan (1978), The Bucketheads “The Bomb” (1995), Nicola Fasano & Pat-Rich “75, Brazil Street” (2008), Bad Boy Latino, and Pitbull’s achievements, charity work and even some of his stage antics.

You are about to set adrift on a journey through time, where P.M. Dawn’s romantic rap ballads took hip-hop by storm and the new waves of British pop make a splash. What we geek out over in this episode: The soul music genre, saxophone solos, Bob James “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” (1974) and Run-DMC “Peter Piper” (1986), Joni Mitchell “The Boho Dance” (1975), Christina Applegate, MC KRS-One “The Bridge is Over” (1987) & “South Bronx” (1986), and the Boomerang movie (1992).

This episode recalls the remarkable life and talent of 90’s music and film sensation, Aaliyah, and the funk band that inspired one of her greatest hits. What we geek out over in this episode: New Orleans second line, Aaliyah’s hits, history of the baby coo, Record Producer Timothy ‘Timbaland’ Mosley, Jodeci, and the music of Record Producer Allen Toussaint.

This episode will soar through the sultry vocals of pop singer Halsey and into the funky and free spirited 5th Dimension. 
What we geek out over in this episode: Power duo Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. and The 5th Dimension, “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969), roller skating, R&B singer Jaheim “Could It Be” (2001), Terror Squad “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me” (2004), rapper/producer Black Milk “Shut It Down” (2007), and chipmunk soul.  

This episode will hypnotize you with a not-so-well-known funk/soul sample from 1983 featured in Biggie’s hit track, “Big Poppa.”

 What we geek out over in this episode: Da Brat “Funkdafied” (1994), Whitney Houston “One Of Those Days” (2002), Gwen Stefani “Luxurious” (2005), Jay-Z “Ignorant Sh*!” (2007), Mac Miller “Good Evening” (2010)

Revel in the genius of Mariah Carey and the eclectic new wave sounds of a 1980’s tune that inspired Carey’s 1995 mega hit “Fantasy.” What we geek out over in this episode: Andre "Dr. Jeckyll" Harrell and Alonzo "Mr. Hyde" Brown - “The Champagne Of Rap,” “It's Nasty” (Genius of Love) by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five (1981), Mark Morrison, Burger King’s Return of The Mac N' Cheetos, Hanson, Erykah Badu, and a colorful analyzation of ODB(isms). Bonus Material: Yo Gabba Gabba

Riffs on Riffs hosts celebrate the wonders of hip-hop infused music sampling that created this miraculous thing called Hamilton. What we geek out over in this episode: East Coast hip hop group Mobb Deep, Prolific rapper Big Pun, Notorious B.I.G., Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, DMX, Pirates of Penzance, and South Pacific the Musical.    Bonus Material: The Hamilton Mixtape of selected songs and remakes from the musical featuring Kelly Clarkson, Sia, Miguel & Queen Latifah.

In this episode, Joe and Toby dive into the prolific life of Prince and how his music helped hammer a career path for a former bat boy of the Oakland A’s. What we geek out over in this episode: Purple Rain (obviously), Kim Basinger (circa Batman), Larry Graham and the slap bass technique, Genuwine, George Clinton’s Parliament “Give Up the Funk” (1975), and Faith No More’s “Epic” (1989) song. Bonus Material: The Metallica Cover “When Doves Cry” Intervention.

It’s the nation that Janet Jackson built for millions of fans across the world while interweaving a legendary funk band and a 90’s R&B diva - all in one tantalizing episode of Riffs on Riffs! What we geek out over in this episode: Bootsy Collins (again), Shrek the Third, powerhouse songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson’s mystery daughter, Babyface, and the hit movie & soundtrack Waiting to Exhale.

Let’s hop into the time machine and explore three genres across three decades of music’s iconic artists including a modern pop star, a 90’s British dance duo and a Woodstock era guitar legend. // What we geek out over in this episode: The Female Preacher, Bobby Byrd, The Animals, flippin’ the Stratocaster, and (with great enthusiasm) Taylor Swift feuds.

In this episode, we’ll find out how this 80’s video legend helped eliminate some of hip hop’s biggest problems — and along the way, help Alicia Keys set the world on fire. // What we geek out over in this episode: bad music videos, Gremlins, answer songs, Jay-Z singles, “Mississippi Queen”, Rick Rubin, and bongos.

Grab your Pop-Tarts and a bowl of Baron Von Red Berry’s; we are going to crash Saturday morning cartoons and discover the original sounds of the genius rap group, Wu-Tang Clan. // What we geek out over in this episode: Cheerios, ASR-10 sampling keyboard, the Serato technology, Rihanna’s music videos, and THE Carlos Santana.

Let’s go to the edge of an 80’s classic track with rock goddess, Stevie Nicks! We explore the origins of “Edge of Seventeen,” beginning with a legendary English rock band and ending with a diva group that made it possible for us to survive the 90’s. // What we geek out over in this episode: “White Reggae,” sting operations, drum sounds of the 70’s, and Kelly Rowland.

If it’s possible to Zapp through time and trace the iconic Tupac song, “California Love,” all the way back to one of the greatest blue-eyed soul legends of the Woodstock era… we will do it! // What we geek out over in this episode: Funk legends, Bootsy and “The One”, and the GEICO lemonade commercial with Ice-T.

Get a little taste of what's in store for Season 1 of Riffs of Riffs. Join musicians, Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell, as they put the spin on original and sampled tracks. From Joe Cocker to Prince, from Alicia Keys to Stevie Nicks, you'll love discovering how your favorite tunes got their sound. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app, and you'll get the first 3 episodes on October 17th.