One Song

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. One Song Spotify Playlist Songs Discussed: “California Love” - 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre “Same Song” - Digital Underground feat. 2Pac “Keep Ya Head Up” - 2Pac “Dear Mama” - 2Pac “Changes” - 2Pac “What’z Ya Phone #” - 2Pac “777-9311” - The Time “Pain” - 2Pac feat. Stretch “Ambitionz Az a Ridah” - 2Pac “Hail Mary” - 2Pac “Thug Luv” - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony feat. 2Pac “Paper Planes” - M.I.A. “Ill Street Blues” - Kool G Rap & DJ Polo “Woman To Woman” - Joe Cocker “With A Little Help From My Friends” - Joe Cocker “Knick Knack Patty Wack” - EPMD “West Coast Poplock” - Ronnie Hudson “So Ruff, so Tuff” - Zapp “Magic’s Rap” - Magic Fraga “ROCKIN” - Shoreline Mafia “Funky Little Beat” - Connie “Love” - Lambrini Girls Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a holiday song so timeless that it can top the charts decades after it’s released? On this episode, Diallo, LUXXURY, and One Song Executive Producer Lesley Gwam break down Mariah Carey’s 1994 hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” They dig into how Mariah co-wrote the track with longtime collaborator Walter Afanasieff, and the sonic choices that turned it into an unforgettable Christmas classic. Get your ears ready for Mariah’s marvelous, isolated vocals! Don’t let financial opportunity slip through the cracks. Use code ONESONG at Monarch.com in your browser for half off your first year. One Song Spotify Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is “Motownphilly” one of the most doo-wop-influenced R&B tracks of all time? In part two of their Boyz II Men deep dive, Diallo and LUXXURY explore the group’s iconic vocals for “Motownphilly”, the slow-jam legacy of Boyz II Men and the current climate of R&B music. One Song Spotify Playlist Songs Discussed: “Motownphilly” - Boyz II Men “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Bab” - Barry White “Teddy’s Jam” - Guy “Can You Stand The Rain” - New Edition “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” - G.C. Cameron “End Of The Road” - Boyz II Men “Doin’ Just Fine” - Boyz II Men Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to Quince.com/ONESONG for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Get last-minute hosting essentials, gifts for all your loved ones, and decor to celebrate the holidays for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What made the music of 90s R&B groups so infectious? This week on One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY welcome 4x Grammy Award-winner Shawn Stockman as they kick off a two-part breakdown of Boyz II Men’s legacy with their debut single “Motownphilly”. They discuss Shawn’s musical influences, Boyz II Men’s early career development, and the New Jack Swing that elevated them to the next level. One Song Spotify Playlist Songs Discussed: “Motownphilly” - Boyz II Men “End Of The Road” - Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love To You” - Boyz II Men “On Bended Knee” - Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” - Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men “Bears” - Zebra “Love Said Not So” - Bebe & CeCe Winans “Don’t Believe The Hype” - Public Enemy “1-4-All-4-1” - East Coast Family “Iseha” - Another Bad Creation “Please Don’t Go” - Boyz II Men “I Want Her” - Keith Sweat “Planet Rock” - Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force “A Fifth Of Beethoven” - Walter Murphy “It Don’t Mean A Thing” - Chuck Brown “Brass Monkey” - Beastie Boys “I Want To Be Free” - Ohio Players “Kool Is Back” - Funk, Inc. “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” - Yes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices