Today's matchup pushed Cole & Charles' friendship to its limits: JAY-Z's The Blueprint vs. Beyonce's Lemonade. The LSS Boyz continue their journey to crown the Best Album of the 21st century (so far). Every episode this season, Cole and Charles each nominate one album they feel should be in contention for the century's best. Each album is discussed…

Tyler, The Creator says "Don’t Tap The Glass" isn’t a concept album. No narrative. No deep themes. Just a fun, fast, braggadocious dance record. But what if that is the concept? In this video essay, we dive deep into Don’t Tap The Glass to uncover the album’s hidden intentionality — from its crate-dug samples and alter-ego iconography to its sacred…

Last Song Standing is back! Dissect's Cole Cuchna and The Midnight Boys' Charles Holmes begin a journey to crown the Best Album of the 21st century (so far). Every episode this season, Cole and Charles each nominate one album they feel should be in contention for the century's best. Each album is discussed individually before the two albums battle …

Dissect's Cole Cuchna and Professor Skye share their favorite music of 2025 so far, including their favorite albums, songs, and "underground" projects. They talk through projects by Lorde, Bad Bunny, Black Country New Road, Ray Vaughn, Annahstasia, Mac Miller, JID, Joey Bada$$, and more. Official Spotify Playlist ⁠here⁠. Subscribe to ⁠ @professorsk…

Our season long analysis of Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers concludes with its final track "Mirror." Serving as a lyrical epilogue to the album’s emotional climax, “Mirror” delivers Kendrick Lamar’s final moral lesson: “I choose me.” With this mantra, Kendrick brings his morality play to a close, rejecting the performance of salvatio…

Dissect's Cole Cuchna and The Ringer's Charles Holmes unpack the long-awaited return of Clipse and their new album, Let God Sort Em Out. Was it worth the 15-year wait? The duo share first impressions, breakdown their favorite lyrics and tracks, discuss Pharrell’s full-album production, and what makes Clipse still sound this sharp in their 40s and 5…

Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers continues with Part 2 of “Mother I Sober” — the album’s emotional and spiritual climax. In this sweeping 48-bar final verse, Kendrick releases decades of generational trauma and invites listeners to witness a ritual of forgiveness, transformation, and liberation. This episode unpacks Kendric…

Our season long examination of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers continues with “Mother I Sober.” This emotionally devastating ballad marks the narrative and spiritual climax of Kendrick Lamar’s album. Stripped bare and seated at the piano, Kendrick confronts generational trauma, inherited pain, and the illusion of self that’s fractured by abuse, guilt…

Our season-long breakdown of Mr Morale & The Big Steppers continues with a line-by-line analysis of its title track. We unpack the 'Mr. Morale' moniker, Eckhart Tolle's influence on Kendrick's current spiritual transformation, and how so much of the song is preparation for the album's next track "Mother I Sober." Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram…

Our season-long analysis of Mr Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Auntie Diaries" - a controversial song in which Kendrick shares his evolution in understanding of his transgender relatives. Follow @dissectpodcast on⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠, &⁠ Twitter⁠. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Audio/Video Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Addi…

Our season-long examination of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Savior" a song that challenges celebrity worship and false idols in the age of influencers, empty symbolism, and "perfect life" social media curation. Shop Dissect Season 13 Merch⁠ Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Video Editing: J…

Our season-long dissection of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Savior - Interlude" performed by Baby Keem. We explore how Keem's feature mirrors Kodak Black's, why Kendrick Lamar made this symbolic pairing, and how it all sets up the next song "Savior." Shop ⁠Dissect S13 Merch⁠. Follow Dissect on⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ Twitter⁠, or⁠ TikTok⁠. Ho…

Our season-long dissection of Mr Morale & The Big Steppers' continues with "Crown" and "Silent Hill." Shop ⁠Dissect S13 Merch⁠. Follow Dissect on⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ Twitter⁠, or⁠ TikTok⁠. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p…

Our dissection of Mr Morale & The Big Steppers resumes with "Count Me Out." As the first track on Act 2, the song is positioned as the first therapy session with Eckhart Tolle, as Kendrick reveals some his most vulnerable thoughts and emotions. Shop ⁠Dissect S13 Merch⁠. Follow Dissect on⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ Twitter⁠, or⁠ TikTok⁠. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuc…

Dissect’s Cole Cuchna is joined by Curtiss King and King Green to draft their favorite songs from TDE artists across 4 categories: Hit Song, Deep Cut, Collab Track, and Personal Favorites. Listen to a playlist of their picks ⁠here⁠. TDE or Top Dawg Entertainment has been the most influential independent label of the 21st Century. After establishing…

Not an episode I wanted to do, but one I felt I needed to do. My thoughts on the current state of Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West. Our season on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers will resume May 20th. Follow @dissectpodcast on⁠ Instagram⁠, ⁠X⁠, or⁠ TikTok⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

📺 Watch this breakdown on YouTube Dissect's Cole Cuchna breaks down Kendrick Lamar’s innovative 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show — scene by scene, lyric by lyric, symbol by symbol — to reveal a powerful narrative about the Black American experience throughout history. This is not a standard recap. This is a forensic analysis of every detail: the set d…

We're taking a few weeks off Dissect's Cole Cuchna is joined by The Ringer's Charles Holmes to discuss Kendrick Lamar's GNX and debate it's best song. There's GNX background and trivia, lyrical breakdowns, and best song nominations. They also discuss the Kendrick x Drake battle songs to see whether any of Kendrick's battle tracks make the cut. Last…

Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Purple Hearts." As the final song of Disc 1, "Purple Hearts" represents a critical juncture in the album where Kendrick calls on God to guide him through the album's emotionally wrenching second half. Kendrick also receives guidance from Ghostface Killah, who plays a Saint-li…

Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with its eighth track "We Cry Together." We interpret the song as a representation of Eckhart Tolle's concept of the pain-body, an energy field within the body comprised of accumulated, unconfronted trauma and pain. Shop Dissect S13 Merch. Follow Dissect on Instagram, Twitter, or T…

Our season-long examination of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Rich Spirit." Shop Dissect S13 Merch. Follow Dissect on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a…

Dissect's Cole Cuchna is joined by hip hop journalist Rob Markman to discuss the 10 year anniversary of Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly. Together they reflect on the album's release and reception, its enduring themes, and its legacy. Watch Rob's iconic MTV interview with Kendrick here. Follow Rob Markman on YouTube. Host: Cole Cuchna Guest: Ro…

Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Rich - Interlude," a track given to controversial rapper Kodak Black. Why? Well, that's exactly the question we attempt to answer. Shop Dissect S13 Merch. Follow Dissect on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additio…

By The Ringer

Our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with "Die Hard." After establishing the capacity for evil in all human beings on the previous song, "Die Hard" posits that the opposite must be true: that we all have the capacity for good, too. Shop Dissect S13 Merch. Follow Dissect on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Host/Writer/EP…

Our season-long dissection of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers continues with a lyrical analysis of "Worldwide Steppers." New episodes release every Tuesday. Shop Dissect S13 Merch. Follow Dissect on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocra…

We continue our season-long analysis of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers with its second track "N95." Kendrick critiques the various masks we wear to fabricate our identities in our performance of self on the world's stage. New episodes of Dissect release every Tuesday. Shop Dissect S13 Merch. Follow Dissect on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Host/Writ…

Dissect host Cole Cuchna shares his initial thoughts and analysis on Kendrick Lamar's Halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy The Ringer

Dissect's first VIDEO season is an 18-episode analysis of Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. After revisiting Kendrick's years-long public hiatus leading up to its 2022 release, today's episode dissects the album's opening track "United In Grief" - a song that sets up every major theme explored on the album. New episodes every Tuesday.…

Season 13 of Dissect begins Tuesday, February 4th. A VIDEO version of the podcast will be available on Spotify and YouTube. However, Dissect remains an audio-first experience, and has not changed from its original format. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy The Ringer

Dissect's Cole Cuchna breaks down the title, themes, and sequencing of Mac Miller's Balloonerism - a surreal exploration of mortality, addiction, and purpose. Cole dissects each song, explores the psychedelic influences of The Beatles, and places special emphasis on the album's final song "Tomorrow Will Never Know." Dissect Season 13 will premiere …

Cole and Cam award their favorite music of the year across a number of categories, including Favorite Album, Favorite Song, Favorite Underground Album, Most Surprising Album, and many more. Listen to the playlist of songs featured in this episode here. Host: Cole Cuchna Guest: Camden Ostrander Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Learn more about your ad…

Dissect's Cole Cuchna is joined by Touré, King Green, and James Francis to reflect on the historic year in hip hop. They begin by revisiting the Drake and Kendrick battle, nominating their favorite song, lyrics, and quotable that came from the beef. Then they award and dissect their favorite rap lyrics of the year before closing out the show with t…

Alongside Rhymesayers Entertainment, Dissect is honored to premiere an unreleased interview with MF DOOM as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of MM..FOOD. Recorded in 2004 just weeks before FOOD's release, the interview spanned DOOM's entire career, including his origins as Zev Love X, his approach to writing and production, and thriving as …

Cole and Femi discuss their first impressions of Kendrick Lamar's GNX. After sharing their first listen experience, they dissect the album's themes, concept, and provide extensive analysis on two key tracks: 'wacced out murals' and 'reincarnated.' *Recorded 11/25/24. "Squabbled Up" video released during recording so it was not discussed. Host: Cole…

Cole and Cam share their first impressions of Tyler The Creator's CHROMAKOPIA. They discuss the album's themes and sound, share their favorite moments and features, and attempt to dissect the meaning of the project's title and concept. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The rollout for Tyler The Creator's Chromakopia has been a masterclass in world building and fan engagement. Cole dissects the various video snippets, album title, and character, and speculates on possible album themes and concepts ahead of its release on October 28th. Next week, Cole will return to give his first impressions on the album. Learn mo…

Doechii joins the show to breakdown her new project "Alligator Bites Never Heal" (TDE Records). Cole and Doechii discuss the meaning behind its title and artwork, dissect some of its best lyrics, and Cole even gets to pitch her one of his wild musical conspiracy theories. Did you enjoy the convo? Let us know if you'd like to hear more artist interv…

Cole dissects Kendrick Lamar's new song unofficially titled "Watch The Party Die" and theorizes about the possibility of new album coming soon as soon as Friday the 13th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy The Ringer

There's more to it than you think. Cole dissects the many references and subliminal messages in Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl announcement video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy The Ringer

The moment is here. After revisiting their entire discography over 6 episodes, Cole and Charles finally crown OutKast's Last Song Standing: the greatest OutKast song of all time. Let us know your OutKast list by filling out the template at @dissectpodcast on Twitter or IG. Hosts: Cole Cuchna & Charles Holmes Producer: Justin Sayles Audio: Kevin Poo…

Our journey to crown the greatest OutKast song of all time continues with the duo's classic album Aquemini. Cole and Charles discuss its creation and release, quiz each other with album trivia, and then nominate which songs should be in contention for OutKast's all time best. Hosts: Cole Cuchna & Charles Holmes Producer: Justin Sayles Audio Enginee…

Our journey to crown the greatest OutKast song of all time continues with an episode dedicated to Big Boi. First we cover his 2003 album Speakerboxxx and then nominate our favorite Big Boi features and solo album cuts. Hosts: Cole Cuchna & Charles Holmes Guest/Producer: Justin Sayles Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more ab…

The LSS Boyz continue their journey to crown OutKast's best song ever with a special episode dedicated to Andre 3000. First, Cole and Charles revisit Andre's 2003 "solo" album The Love Below, then cover Andre's incredible catalog of feature verses. Hosts: Cole Cuchna, Charles Holmes Producer, Guest: Justin Sayles Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Them…

Cole and Cam share their thoughts on Childish Gambino's new album (and soon to be film) Bando Stone & The New World. They cover the album's rollout, its exploration of genre, initial thoughts on its concept, and name their Top 3 favorite moments on the album so far. At the end of the episode, they also share their favorite albums of 2024 so far. Ho…

The LSS Boyz continue their journey to crown OutKast's best song ever with the duo's 1994 debut Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Cole and Charles discuss the history of the album, quiz each other with trivia, and nominate the songs they feel should be in contention for OutKast's all time best. Hosts: Cole Cuchna, Charles Holmes Producer, Guest: Jus…

The most comprehensive analysis of Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" to date. Join Dissect host Cole Cuchna as he unpacks every reference and easter egg in the song and music video, dissects the new music snippet at the video's start, and draws some final conclusions from the Drake and Kendrick battle as a whole. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, T…

Our journey to crown OutKast's greatest song ever continues with the duo's sophomore masterpiece ATLiens. Cole and Charles debate its best songs, quiz each other with trivia, and provide some context and history around this seminal release. Hosts: Cole Cuchna & Charles Holmes Producer, Guest: Justin Sayles Audio Engineer: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: …

Our journey to crown OutKast's greatest song ever begins with Stankonia - the album that transformed the duo into global superstars. Join Dissect host Cole Cuchna and The Ringer's Charles Holmes as they revisit the album's history and themes, stump each other with album trivia, and debate the songs that should be in contention for OutKast's greates…

Cole, Cam, and Justin celebrate the end of the Season 12 with an MF DOOM song draft, selecting DOOM tracks across five categories. Share your picks with the guys on social media, tagging @dissectpodcast. Host/EP: Cole Cuchna Guests: Camden Ostrander, Justin Sayles Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices.…