Podcast
Dissect
Hosted by The Ringer · EN
Analyzing the music and meaning of one album per season, one song per episode. Join host Cole Cuchna as he dives deep into albums by Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Radiohead, Beyonce, Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean, and more. Let's Dissect.
89episodes
Episodes
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S13E14 - The Moral Ambiguity of "Auntie Diaries" by Kendrick Lamar
Jun 17, 202500:57:23Summary readyOur 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 Additional Production: Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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S13E13 - Dissecting "Savior" by Kendrick Lamar
Jun 10, 202500:45:19Summary readyOur 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: Jon Jones Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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S13E12 - Why is Baby Keem on Mr. Morale? Dissecting "Savior - Interlude"
Jun 3, 202500:33:34Summary readyOur 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. 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/adchoices
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S13E11 - Dissecting "Crown" & "Silent Hill" by Kendrick Lamar
May 27, 202500:35:13Summary readyOur 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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S13E10 - Dissecting "Count Me Out" by Kendrick Lamar
May 20, 202500:45:58Summary readyOur 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 Cuchna Video/Audio Production: Kevin Pooler Additional Production: Justin Sayles Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The TDE Song Draft
May 13, 202501:39:00Summary readyDissect’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 themselves with core artists Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q, they have continued their dominance with artists like SZA, Isaiah Rashad, Doechii, and most recently, Ray Vaughn. Season 13 will resume next week with “Count Me Out.” Host: Cole Cuchna Guests: Curtiss King, King Green Audio/Video Production: Kevin Pooler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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it's time to talk about kanye
May 6, 202500:28:38Summary readyNot 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
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The DEFINITIVE Breakdown of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Show
Apr 22, 202501:24:43Summary ready📺 Watch this breakdown on YouTubeDissect'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 design, the wardrobe, the major and minor characters, the color palette, the set list, and the cultural commentary embedded in Kendrick’s show. From the GNX to Uncle Sam, from the divided American flag to the four control button stage, we explore how Kendrick used his 13-minute performance to honor his artform, unite his community, and beat the Great American Game.📍 Topics include:• Kendrick Lamar’s use of the Hero’s Journey to structure his Super Bowl performance• Significance of Kendrick’s wardrobe, from the pins on his hat to his flare bell-bottom jeans• The layered symbolism of Uncle Sam played by Samuel L Jackson• Four Levels of the “Great American Game”• How Kendrick alluded to the timeline of Black American history, from slavery, segregation, great migrations, mass incarceration, and assassinations of Black leaders • Kendrick’s tribute to his ancestors through the dead homies and guardian angels• Meaning of recurring street light symbolism in Kendrick’s art• Symbolism of each of the four control buttons, the gameboard, and playing field🧠 This video is the result of weeks of meticulous research, providing a deep dive into Kendrick Lamar’s use of visual storytelling and symbolism.Let’s Dissect.👇 Chapters00:00 Introduction02:22 Superdome or Red Button?04:42 Decoding the Gameboard and Controller07:01 4 Levels of "Great American Game"09:48 The Meaning of Uncle Sam13:34 Main Character Energy16:45 The Story Begins on "Square" One - Bodies21:40 Powered by Angels - Squabble Up29:19 Be Humble - Decoding the American Flag31:44 The Great Migrations -DNA & Euphoria37:12 Man at the Cemetery Garden42:29 Deduct One Life - Peekaboo49:04 Divine Feminine Counsel - Luther / All The Stars54:59 Uncle Sam Gets Duped56:06 They vs. Us - Not Like Us01:04:55 Serena Williams Reclaims Crip Walk01:07:35 Victory Lap - TV Off01:11:13 Turn Your TV Off / Conclusions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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What's the Best Song on GNX? | LAST SONG STANDING
Apr 15, 202501:53:53Summary readyWe'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 Song Standing is an annual show on the Dissect podcast feed that attempts to crown an artist's greatest song of all time by debating their way through their entire discography. Past season can listened to for free on Spotify.Dissect will resume its season on Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers in a few weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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S13E9 - Dissecting 'Purple Hearts' by Kendrick Lamar
Apr 8, 202501:01:08Summary readyOur 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-like role in the story.Shop Dissect S13 Merch. Follow Dissect on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.Host/Writer/EP: Cole CuchnaVideo/Audio Production: Kevin PoolerAdditional Production: Justin SaylesTheme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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