Episodes
Join Joe and Toby as they revisit Naughty by Nature's iconic song "O.P.P." and its … unique take on relationships. “O.P.P.” was released in 1991 on the Tommy Boy label amidst a burgeoning era of hip-hop. Sampling Melvin Bliss's "Synthetic Substitution" and the Jackson 5's "ABC," "O.P.P." combines diverse elements into a cohesive sonic mix — just like another favorite from that era, the "hot and cool" sides of a McDLT burger! They discuss Treach’s gritty persona, apparent love of baseball, and...
Published 04/30/24
Published 04/30/24
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...
Published 04/16/24
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...
Published 04/02/24
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...
Published 07/26/22
Welcome back to our epic four part series about the band 24-Carat Black! On episode 3, we learn all about the beginning of the end; Stax Records was on the fritz, and Dale Warren was holding the group together with both hands. Hear from original band members and more about the fallout of 24-Carat Black, here on Riffs on Riffs! 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...
Published 07/12/22
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...
Published 06/28/22
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...
Published 06/15/22
Riffs on Riffs is back and this season, we're doing things a little differently: a four-part series about the band that everyone has heard, but nobody has heard of, 24-Carat Black. Featuring interviews from band members, get ready to hear stories of otherworldly talent, teenage musicians honing their chops on the road in posh hotels and the backs of uhauls, an epic concept album decades ahead of its time, and a musical savant with a vision and a dark side at the center of it all. Coming this...
Published 05/18/22
Evergreen Podcasts is excited to introduce The Katz Walk. Hollywood fashion expert, VIP personal shopper and commentator Joseph "Joe" Katz brings you in-depth interviews with celebrities and influencers about their style and personal experiences. He also shares the best beauty and lifestyle tips and tricks to help you look and feel your best. Available now wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 01/22/21
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
Published 11/18/20
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
Published 11/04/20
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...
Published 10/21/20
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,...
Published 10/07/20
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
Published 09/23/20
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
Published 09/09/20
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
Published 08/26/20
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
Published 08/12/20
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!
Published 07/29/20
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...
Published 07/15/20
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.
Published 03/25/20
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.
Published 03/11/20
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.
Published 02/26/20
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”.
Published 02/12/20
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.
Published 01/29/20