"Slow Burn": Season 3 on the Murders of Tupac and Biggie

After two seasons covering Watergate and the impeachment of Bill Clinton, Slate switched genres. In April 2019, the online magazine announced that the third season of its narrative podcast Slow Burn would be dedicated to the murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. Leon Neyfakh had previously hosted the series; journalist Joel Anderson took over as the new host. Pitchfork reported on April 30, and in early November 2019, NPR presented the season.

Careers in the Shadow of the Coastal Feud

According to the announcement, the season explores the careers of both rappers, the feud between the East Coast and West Coast (East Coast vs. West Coast), the record labels Bad Boy and Death Row, and the unsolved murders. Anderson said it felt almost surreal to explore the people who had shaped his generation and its soundtrack.

A Friendship That Fell Apart in 1994

According to NPR, the season sets aside talk of conspiracy theories and begins with the friendship between the two: Tupac initially took Biggie under his wing until the relationship fell apart after the 1994 attack in New York (Shooting 1994).