Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" w/ Nick Kroll

Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" w/ Nick Kroll

Author: Hartbeat May 15, 2025 Duration: 1:13:56
Listen all y’all, it’s “Sabotage” this week on One Song. To help break down this 1994 Beastie Boys classic, Diallo and LUXXURY are joined by the incredibly talented actor, comedian, writer, and producer Nick Kroll. On this episode, they discuss the impact of the iconic (and hilarious) music video directed by Spike Jonze, unpack why not all white rappers are built the same, and learn how Beastie Boys producer/engineer Mario Caldato Jr. served as inspiration for the lyrics. Plus, Nick tells the guys about the time he performed a cabaret version of “Sabotage.” One Song Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40SIOpVROmrxTjOtH7Q1yw?si=f5e3eb90a58549a0 This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ONESONG and get on your way to being your best self. Songs Discussed: "Sabotage" - Beastie Boys "Cooky Puss" - Beastie Boys "Fight For Your Right" - Beastie Boys "Paul Revere" - Beastie Boys "Remote Control" - Beastie Boys "So What'Cha Want" - Beastie Boys "When the Levee Breaks" - Led Zeppelin "Rhymin & Stealin" - Beastie Boys "The Big Beat" - Billy Squier "Sweet Emotion" - Aerosmith "Killing in the Name" - Rage Against the Machine "LA Deli" - Sloppy Secondz "Get It Together" - Beastie Boys ft. Q-Tip "Intergalactic" - Beastie Boys "Tezeta" - Mulatu Astatke "A Day In The Life" - The Beatles "Sex Machine" - James Brown "Family Affair" - Sly & The Family Stone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered what happens when a seasoned comedy writer and a sharp-eared music producer get stuck on the same track? That’s the simple, brilliant premise behind One Song. Each episode, Diallo Riddle-the Emmy-nominated force behind shows like ‘South Side’-and producer Blake "LUXXURY" Robin take a single, often iconic, pop song and hold it up to the light. What you get is less a formal dissection and more of a freewheeling, deeply funny conversation between two friends who happen to be experts in their fields. They’ll pull apart the production quirks you’ve never noticed, unpack the cultural moment that birthed the hit, and share personal stories that the music triggers, all while landing plenty of laughs. This isn’t a dry history lesson or a technical masterclass, though you’ll certainly learn things. It’s the joy of hearing two passionate minds revel in the details of a three-minute masterpiece, whether it’s a chart-topper you’ve heard a thousand times or a forgotten gem they insist you need in your life. The magic of this podcast lies in its focus: by digging into just one song per episode, every layer-from a specific synth sound to a bizarre lyric-gets its moment. It’s a celebration of pop music’s weirdness and wonder, delivered with the easy chemistry of a great hang. Tune in and you’ll find your listening habits changed, as you start hearing your favorite songs with new ears and a bigger smile.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

One Song
Podcast Episodes
The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:36
How does a song with no bass and no chorus become a global anthem with the most recognizable riff of the 21st century? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY break down The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” exploring the cultural m…
Fugees' "Ready or Not" w/ Wyclef Jean [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:16
What song connects 1960s soul, Irish new age, and ’90s hip-hop? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY go deep on Fugees’ classic “Ready or Not” with special guest Wyclef Jean. Together, they deconstruct the track’s haunting beat, un…
Diana Ross' "Upside Down" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:03
How did Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards flip disco on its head with Diana Ross’ chart-topping solo hit “Upside Down”? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY explore the Chic production, groove-driven arrangement, and rare outtakes f…
Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:46
What makes “Billie Jean” one of the most timeless pop songs ever? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY dive into Michael Jackson’s masterpiece, unpacking its iconic (and borrowed) bassline, the innovative engineering that shaped it…
2Pac ft. Dr. Dre's "California Love" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:33
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…
Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:53
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 F…
Boyz II Men's "Motownphilly" w Shawn Stockman: Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:21
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 Boy…
Boyz II Men's "Motownphilly" w/ Shawn Stockman: Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:04
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…
Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" with Sam Sanders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:12
Is “Dreams” what it sounds like when personal chaos becomes collective brilliance? In this live episode from On Air Fest with KCRW, Diallo and Luxxury explore this Fleetwood Mac classic with journalist and podcast host S…
Deee-Lite's "Groove Is In The Heart" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:56
How did Deee-Lite turn a wild mix of samples into a timeless dance-floor anthem? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY reshare a One Song favorite, unpacking the eclectic patchwork that makes “Groove Is in the Heart” so irresistible…