Podcast episodes

TLC redefined the girl group blueprint, but which tracks truly define their legendary career? In this episode of Top 5, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph tackle the iconic discography of T-Boz, Chilli, and Left Eye.

The duo faces the impossible task of narrowing down their Top 5 favorite TLC songs, debating the cultural impact of hits like "Waterfalls," "No Scrubs," and the self-love anthem "Unpretty." Beyond the singles, Garrett and Mike provide a definitive ranking of every TLC album, fr...

How did the best-selling American girl group of all time go broke while at the top of the charts? In this episode of 50 for 50, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph dive deep into 1994 in music and the cultural phenomenon of TLC’s CrazySexyCool.

The problem many fans don't realize is that despite selling 14 million copies and defining the "Hip-Hop Soul" sound, T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli were famously earning less than $50,000 a year.

The benefit of this deep dive is a masterclass in music i...

The early years of American Idol were defined by massive talent and even bigger headlines. In this episode of The Cool Check-In, Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph revisit the show’s formative seasons, identifying the true standouts who transformed a British import into an American cultural juggernaut. We look past the polish to find the contestants who truly defined the "Golden Age" of reality competition.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Garrett shares a personal story from the heig...

Ranking Janet Jackson albums and songs is no easy task, but Mike Joseph and Garrett Gonzales are diving deep into the icon's legendary catalog. Many fans struggle to narrow down Miss Jackson’s hits, often debating which era—Control, Rhythm Nation, or janet.—reigns supreme.

In this episode of Top 5, we solve that debate by ranking our top three favorite Janet Jackson albums and our definitive top five songs. We break down the production genius of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis while highlighting esse...

How does a child star escape the world’s most famous musical shadow? Before 1986, Janet Jackson’s history was defined by others—managed by her father, Joe Jackson, and limited to bubblegum pop and sitcom roles like Good Times and Diff'rent Strokes. She was a talented performer without a voice of her own.

In this deep dive, Mike Joseph and Garrett Gonzales explore the high-stakes gamble of the Control era. By firing her father and decamping to Minneapolis to work with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, ...

Michael Jackson and The Jacksons redefined the sound of soul and disco, but which "adult era" albums truly reign supreme? In this episode of Top 5, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph take on the monumental task of ranking every Jacksons album from their transformative post-Motown years.

Many listeners debate if the group ever topped their early success, but the "Epic" era brought a level of creative freedom that changed everything. We break down the evolution from Philadelphia International...

The Jacksons' Triumph stands on par with their greatest work, marking the definitive era when they transitioned into a self-produced, grown-up band. Hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph dive deep into the 1980 landscape to explore how the brothers moved beyond the shadow of Motown to claim their creative independence at CBS/Epic.

By 1980, the Jacksons weren't just pop stars; they were sophisticated producers. This episode unpacks the high-stakes history of their Motown exit and the technical ...

Tupac Shakur’s life is often treated as a myth, but author Jeff Pearlman is here to report the human truth. In this episode of The Cool Check In (part of the 50 For 50 series), Garrett Gonzales sits down with the acclaimed author to discuss his new book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur.

Many biographies simply rehash existing legends, leaving fans with a surface-level understanding of an icon. Pearlman breaks this cycle by detailing his rigorous reporting process, revealin...

Tupac Shakur’s discography defined a generation. In this episode of Top 5, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph tackle the impossible task of narrowing down the legendary Pac’s catalog to just five essential tracks.

The struggle to rank a revolutionary artist often leads to heated debates over commercial hits versus deep-cut lyricism. We break down the cultural impact of anthems like "California Love" and "I Get Around," while weighing them against the emotional gravity of "Dear Mama" and "Ke...

Tupac Shakur’s All Eyez On Me is the definitive double-album of 1996, but has the myth of 'Pac eclipsed the man himself? Many fans struggle to separate the polished legend of the revolutionary from the chaotic reality of his Death Row Records era. In this episode of 50 For 50, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph peel back the layers of the legend to examine the real story behind this magnum opus.

We dive deep into the making of the album, from his Digital Underground roots to the influence o...

Amy Winehouse changed the the game with Back to Black, but the story behind the New York and Miami sessions is as complex as the artist herself. In this episode of 50 for 50, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph conduct a comprehensive deep dive into the meteoric rise and tragic shadow of a generational talent.

We explore the transition from her early career to the high-stakes recording process that defined the mid-2000s. The duo breaks down:

The sonic contrast between the New York and Miami...

The Fugees' legacy is undeniable, but which tracks truly defined an era? Join hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph on The Top 5 as they rank the best songs from the legendary trio and their iconic solo careers.

Many fans struggle to narrow down the massive discography of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras, often overlooking the deep cuts that fueled the 90s hip-hop revolution. In this episode, Mike and Garrett break down the artistry behind massive hits like "Killing Me Softly" and "Ex-Factor...

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill redefined music in 1998. In this episode of 50 For 50, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph deep dive into the masterpiece that shifted the culture. Many fans know the hits, but few understand the internal friction and the complex legacy of the woman behind the art.

We explore the origin story of The Fugees, their meteoric success, and the eventual breakup fueled by the tumultuous affair between Lauryn and Wyclef Jean. Mike and Garrett break down the sonic land...

Looking for the ultimate Lionel Richie playlist? Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph count down the top 5 solo hits and Commodores classics that defined an era of soul and pop.

Whether you are a die-hard fan of 70s funk or 80s ballads, narrowing down a legendary catalog is a challenge. In this episode of Top 5, Garrett and Mike tackle the impossible task of ranking the best work from one of music’s most iconic figures. We break down the evolution from the gritty groove of "Brick House" to the glob...

Lionel Richie’s 1982 debut album redefined pop stardom, but does it hold up today? Hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph dive deep into the self-titled record that launched a solo icon. In this episode of 50 For 50, we analyze the transition from The Commodores to the solo stage, exploring the intricate history of the band's breakup and how Lionel’s unique relationship with Kenny Rogers paved the way for hits like "Truly."


The central debate: Is Lionel Richie a master of the craft or is his ...

The new Selena Netflix documentary, Selena y Los Dinos: A Family's Legacy, offers an intimate look at the Queen of Tejano’s meteoric rise, but it also leaves fans wondering "what if?" Hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph dive into the never-before-seen footage and family archives that define this 2025 release.

The central problem addressed is the "lost crossover"—the moment Selena was murdered just as she was poised to dominate the English-speaking market. By analyzing her business savvy, fas...

Struggling to rank the massive catalog of R&B icons New Edition? In this special "Top 5" supplemental episode of the 50 for 50 podcast, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph take on the impossible task of narrowing down the best of the best. With decades of hits and legendary solo careers to navigate, fans often debate which tracks truly define the NE legacy.

Mike and Garrett break down their personal Top 5 favorite New Edition group songs, followed by a deep dive into the best solo and sub-gr...

Transitioning from a boy band to a mature R&B powerhouse is a hurdle many fail to clear, but in 1988, New Edition defied the odds. On the debut episode of the 50 for 50 podcast, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph dive deep into the legacy of Heartbreak. The duo explores the high-stakes gamble of replacing the iconic Bobby Brown with the powerhouse vocals of Johnny Gill—a move that fundamentally reshaped the group's trajectory.

By partnering with legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis...

Meet Garrett and Mike. Ever wonder how the music of the past shapes who we are today? Join hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph as they launch the 50 for 50 podcast, a deep-dive journey into the albums that defined generations.

In this debut episode, Garrett and Mike explore the history of their friendship and the unique framework of this project. They bridge the gap between nostalgia and modern critique by examining their personal relationships with iconic records, then and now. You will gai...

There's a new music review podcast on the horizon. Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph collaborate on 50 For 50 to celebrate their soon-to-be fifty years on earth. They'll review one album for every year from 1976 through 2025.

Make sure you subscribe to the 50 For 50 feed. YouTube page and website to come.