THE MUSIC SNOBS

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 important quality that defined 2Pac? In a conversation that reaches far and wide, TMS goes beyond the music to explore the limits of 2Pac's intensity, and examine whether modern music (let alone Hip-Hop) has a greater legend. But that's not all — the Snobs kick the conversation up a notch, investigating 2Pac's destructive history with Suge Knight, to ponder a brutal scenario: Without Death Row, Tupac would likely still be here... but without Death Row, would Tupac still be '2Pac'? In an unflinching look at both sides of a timeless superstar in the context of a changing world, the crew questions whether his past crime might be forgiven in the #MeToo era, or whether a complicated legacy may inevitably interrupt 2Pac's immortality. Finally, TMS closes with a roundtable that dares to glance back to alternate pasts, exploring The Album That Never Was, asking: What album was never recorded, but you wish it was? So, until the crew's return, listen and laugh, share the show and scream at your podcast app — but above all enjoy the season finale of your favorite Snobs in the game. Much love for rocking with The Music Snobs, and look out for the new season this summer.

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 sleeps – but did it really? Was the label justifiably infamous for targeting a more radio-focused sound than Impulse or Blue Note, and did it inadvertently lead to the creation of the dreaded Smooth Jazz? And what is 'Jazz' anyway? In a sprawling conversation ranging from George Benson to Herbie Hancock, from Ron Carter to Grover Washington Jr., TMS drops a manifesto on race, taste, culture, the problem with genres, and the harmful divisions in Black American Music. Next up, the crew brings back a 'versus' to debate 'Nautilus' vs. 'Take Me To The Mardi Gras' – two classic songs by CTI alum Bob James, asking: which of these often-sampled, classic CTI recordings can Hip-Hop not do without? Get ready for an episode with as many difficult questions as hilarious insights, with just the right sprinkling of snobbery.

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 more worthy contenders for the crown? In a fast-paced debate that turns all the way up to 10 from the get-go, the crew take on impact, art, legacy, business (and yes, a very long list of artist names) to prove that home where the heat is. As if that wasn't enough, the Snobs drop a truly ageless roundtable, to ask: whether musically, lyrically or even emotionally — what is the most timeless song ever recorded? Listen up as The Music Snobs go from the keys to the city, to the song for-ever — and get ready for an episode with gems, jokes, and everything you expect from your favorite music podcast in the game.

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 cuts, TMS travels song by song through a catalog that undeniably has the range, to ask: is Chaka Khan the most versatile vocalist of all time? The crew's love letter to Chaka gets intricate, exploring a voice that's truly akin to a musical instrument, putting her recordings both with a band and by herself up against every other frontperson of a famous Funk outfit. But if that ain't enough for one episode, the Snobs stay in a funky place and resurrect one of their favorite segments — to wonder: What if... Prince had released 'The Black Album' in 1987, as originally planned? Get ready, as the cats break it down so that it forever remains broke. Whether classics that you can't forget or alternate universes that you wish had happened, The Music Snobs got you covered.

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.