Dissect – The 21st Century Song Draft

Host: Cole Cuchna (Dissect, The Ringer)
Guests/Panelists: Charles, Justin
Release Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Theme:

The Dissect crew hosts a special, year-end "21st Century Song Draft," playfully and passionately debating and drafting the most iconic, influential, best—and worst—songs of the 21st century (2000–2020). Panelists Charles, Justin, and Cole each pick songs in six categories in a snake draft format, sharing personal memories, musical analysis, and lots of banter, as they debate the music that has defined this century.

Key Segment Timestamps & Headings

1. Introduction: Draft Rules & Categories (01:23–03:30)

• Cole introduces the concept: each participant will draft songs in six categories:

  1. Number One Hit (charted #1 on Billboard 200 at least one week)
  2. Best/Most Important Song
  3. Worst Song
  4. One Hit Wonder
  5. Moment Maker (defining/performance/cultural moment)
  6. Personal Favorite ("wildcard" pick)

• The draft is done "snake style," with pick order randomized.

Notable Quote:

Cole (03:09): "Today's categories are... hit song, best or most important song, worst song, one hit wonder, and personal favorite. Draft order... snake style. Let's get into it."

2. Drafting Begins: Picks & Rationale (04:00–58:00)

Each host picks songs in each category, defending their choices and sparking debate. Highlights below.

Number One Hit

• Justin: “Not Like Us” (Kendrick Lamar) (05:08)

  • Justin plays strategically: "I'm going number one hit, and I'm picking 'Not Like Us.'"
  • Sparks instant pushback: "Drafting 'Not Like Us'...should get you disqualified." (Charles, 05:18)

• Cole: “Irreplaceable” (Beyoncé) (12:20)

  • Shares a personal story: "This song in particular, I remember, was my most played song on iTunes in 2007." (Cole, 13:02)
  • Surprised it's not on the others' boards.

• Charles: “In Da Club” (50 Cent) (52:16)

  • “I've never seen a rapper come out like that. The video was on constantly. My parents liked this song!” (Charles, 52:52)

Best / Most Important Song

• Charles: “Runaway” (Kanye West) (06:52)

  • Deep analysis of Kanye and celebrity culture:

    "I think 'Runaway' is the moment...Kanye realized...the currency is just getting as much attention as you want...Everything shifts." (Charles, 07:30)

  • Cole agrees it’s the quintessential Kanye song: “It gives you a window into his personality. The musical genius...the innovation.” (Cole, 08:30)

• Justin: “Grindin’” (Clipse) (20:24)

  • “This song only gets better with age. In the moment it really hit, but now...it’s iconic.” (Justin, 21:05)
  • Charles: "It's symbolic...Pharrell introducing the world to these guys...perfect." (21:40)

• Cole: “Alright” (Kendrick Lamar) (55:01)

  • “It was chanted in the streets. Represents a cultural moment, and you can have a conversation about this century through the song.” (Cole, 55:39)

Worst Song

• Charles: “Happy” (Pharrell Williams) (16:36)

  • “When that song comes on, I'm in a bad mood now. Get like, y'all...I'm like, shut the up. I hate that song.” (Charles, 16:55)
  • Justin and Cole good-naturedly roast this pick.

• Justin: “Rude” (Magic!) (19:12)

  • “Why you gotta be so rude?...That white boy reggae...is such a terrible song.” (Justin, 19:40)

• Cole: “Yeah!” (Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris) (27:10)

  • “I'm sorry. I hate this song. I hear it way too much...overplayed at stadiums.” (Cole, 27:16)
  • Charles is appalled: “This was literally in contention for my number one song.” (Charles, 27:13)

One Hit Wonder

• Cole: “Panda” (Desiigner) (14:49)

  • “The adlibs...it's like kind of a perfect song.” (Cole, 15:36)

• Charles: “Ridin’” (Chamillionaire) (24:02)

  • “I thought this was the greatest song in the world when it dropped...it hit the suburbs like an atomic bomb.” (Charles, 24:02)

• Justin: “Mo Bamba” (Sheck Wes) (45:54)

  • “It's a great song...I knew it was coming in one battle after another, and I still was like, I know, I know.” (Charles, 47:14)

Moment Maker

• Cole: Daft Punk, Alive 2007 "Pyramid" Performance—"Around the World / Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" Mashup*(35:16)*

  • “One of the most memorable and influential concert series of all time...still living in the world that they built.” (Cole, 35:16 & Charles, 35:21)

• Charles: “Codeine Crazy” (Future, from the Monster/Beast Mode/56 Nights mixtape run) (37:28)

  • “To be there and bear witness was...I'm getting chills....This moment touches me.” (Charles, 37:15)
  • Justin and Cole debate the "mixtape run" versus Lil Wayne's era (38:31–41:37).

• Justin: “Thinkin Bout You” (Frank Ocean) (48:35)

  • “When that album first dropped a couple days after that letter came out, it kind of changed everything.” (Justin, 49:12)

Personal Favorite

• Cole: “Genesis” (Justice) (57:01)

  • “If I'm going with my actual heart, it's Justice – Genesis. When I put this on, it's...it gets in my blood.” (Cole, 57:49)
  • Charles: “Incredible pick. I still listen to this album. Genesis is an inspired pick.” (58:29)

• Charles: “Confessions Part II” (Usher) (61:09)

  • “I would wait on BET to watch. 'Confessions part two,' I thought, was one of the deepest artistic works of all time...I'm a romantic. When Usher slides on his knees and hugs the woman, I was like, yo, this is the greatest thing of all time.” (Charles, 61:09)

• Justin: "We Gonna Make It" (Jadakiss & Styles P) (65:00)

  • “It's a song that has just lived with me for almost 25 years now...might be the most obscure pick on this, but after all the pandering, I love it.” (Justin, 65:23)
  • Charles: “It's the best pick. Jada back. When I finally landed the sale, I was like, fuck, he did.” (Charles, 65:34)

3. Personal & Cultural Reflections (11:38, 13:02, 36:56, 60:41, 63:06)

Throughout the draft, hosts weave in stories and memories, such as:

• How “Irreplaceable” soundtracked Cole’s 2007.
• The suburban and city spread of "Ridin’ Dirty" and "In Da Club."
• The impact of Daft Punk’s Coachella set and Future’s mixtape run as generational events.

4. Honorable Mentions, Draft Debriefs & Genre Debates (73:01–78:34)

They run through notable songs and artists not picked, like OutKast (“B.O.B.”), Adele (“Someone Like You”), Destiny’s Child, SZA, Kid Cudi, The Killers, Gnarls Barkley, Steve Lacy, Drake, Jay-Z, and more.
Philosophical questions arise: "What defines a one hit wonder?" and "Does winning matter, or is it about the bond created?"
Cole channels Daoism:

"It’s not about who wins. It’s about the bond that we just created in this 90 minute podcast." (72:32)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Charles (07:30): “I think 'Runaway' is the moment where...everything shifts not only in the 21st century, but everything shifts in popular music.”
• Justin (21:05): “This song, I think, only gets better with age...everything about the song.”
• Cole (35:16): “Daft Punk at Coachella. Revealing the pyramid...one of the most memorable and influential concert series of all time.”
• Charles (16:55): “When that song comes on, I'm in a bad mood now. Get like, y’all...I'm like, shut the up. I hate that song.”
• Cole (72:32): “It’s not about who wins. It’s about the bond that we just created in this 90 minute podcast.”

Final Draft Boards

Cole:

• Number One Hit: Beyoncé - "Irreplaceable"
• Best/Most Important Song: Kendrick Lamar - "Alright"
• Worst Song: Usher - "Yeah!"
• One Hit Wonder: Desiigner - "Panda"
• Moment Maker: Daft Punk - “Around The World / Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” (Alive 2007)
• Personal Favorite: Justice - "Genesis"

Charles:

• Number One Hit: 50 Cent - "In Da Club"
• Best/Most Important Song: Kanye West - "Runaway"
• Worst Song: Pharrell Williams - "Happy"
• One Hit Wonder: Chamillionaire - "Ridin'"
• Moment Maker: Future - "Codeine Crazy" (Monster/Beast Mode/56 Nights era)
• Personal Favorite: Usher - "Confessions Part II"

Justin:

• Number One Hit: Kendrick Lamar - "Not Like Us"
• Best/Most Important Song: Clipse - "Grindin'"
• Worst Song: MAGIC! - "Rude"
• One Hit Wonder: Sheck Wes - "Mo Bamba"
• Moment Maker: Frank Ocean - "Thinkin Bout You"
• Personal Favorite: Jadakiss & Styles P - "We Gonna Make It"

Additional Highlights & Fun Debates

• What is a “One Hit Wonder”?: Is Steve Lacy a one hit wonder? Panel concludes it's not about one viral song, but about lack of sustained mainstream presence.
• Best Mixtape Run: Future vs. Lil Wayne: Panel debates cultural and musical legacy of both artists’ mixtape eras.
• Drake & Jay-Z: Shock as neither are picked, though both are referenced repeatedly.
• Personal Funeral Songs: Justin shares he has a "funeral playlist" (63:06); Cole says for years his would be Radiohead's “Everything In Its Right Place.”
• Fashion Flashbacks: Discussion of hip-hop and indie-scene fashion in the 2000s (V-necks, G Unit, Rocawear).

Closing Thoughts

• The draft is equal parts joking, personal nostalgia, and critical/music nerd analysis.
• Conversation is lively, with playful trash talking, especially over divisive picks (“Yeah!” as “Worst Song,” “Happy” getting the same treatment, and “Not Like Us” as a "cowardly" strategic first pick).
• The show closes with a rapid-fire recap of unpicked songs and plans for future episodes.
• Overarching message, per Cole: “It’s not about who wins. It’s about the bond that we just created in this 90 minute podcast.” (72:32)

Recommended for music fans who love deep debate, personal stories, and want a crash course in the songs—and culture—of the 21st century.