Flipping the Script: Discussing Wordplay and MCing With CSW

If you checked out our last show, you heard an intense conversation on the current state of hip hop. This conversation brings into view one of the bright lights in the new school of MCs. Philly’s CSW joins us for a conversation to introduce himself and his philosophy to the Queue Points community.

DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray also check in on the Afros & Audio Podcast Conference.

This show was recorded in person at Rec Philly.

In the lexicon of great rap voices - Snoop Dogg absolutely stands as one of a kind. From his beginning as a young, talented rapper on Death Row’s roster to becoming a staple on “Madison Ave.,” selling us everything from beer and wine to food, Snoop is the definition of a survivor. His journey and evolution is inspiring.

For #HipHop50 let's celebrate the icon, the legend, and the true embodiment of coolness, Snoop Dogg. Get ready to vibe with us on Queue Points!

On this episode of Queue points, in our ongoing #HipHop50 series, we spotlight the influential Idol Makers crew and the 1988 release, "Hurby's Machine." Our focus is Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor, a prodigious and prolific producer and writer whose career seemingly froze in the late '90s, and who has remained largely silent in recent decades.

Join DJ Sir Daniel as he navigates us through this often overlooked chapter of hip hop history, shedding light on Azor's career, the rise of Salt-N-Pepa and Azor’s central role in one of hip hop’s most legendary diss wars - MC Lyte vs. Antoinette. Alongside Jay Ray, DJ Sir Daniel delves into the compelling story of The Idol Makers, the compilation album "Hurby's Machine," and the crew's leader, Hurby Azor. Tune in for a conversation about one of hip hop’s unsung producers.

On this episode of Queue Points, we delve into the book, "When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era” with author Donovan X. Ramsey. Donovan discusses the tragic legacy of the crack epidemic through the eyes of four individuals, illuminating the vulnerability and resilience of the Black community. We discuss topics like harm reduction, the vital role of community, and the significance of having authentic representations of the people impacted by the crack epidemic. 

Sharing deeply personal experiences, we explore the continuous ripple effects of the crack era, the failure of the criminal justice system, and the intersections between historical events like the Great Migration and the onset of the crack crisis. This episode confronts the disparities, the stigma, and the systemic negligence that fueled the crack epidemic. Join us on a journey of understanding and compassion of a misunderstood and misrepresented epidemic.

So hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray have never asked one another questions about music on this show, and this time they do just that. There are no agendas, no specific topics, just the two hosts asking things they’ve never asked before. Join in for this special episode of Queue Points.

YEAAAAHHHHHHH BOYEEEEEEEEE! Public Enemy’s sophomore record It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back was a line in the sand for where rap music was heading in 1988. An album that defined an era for Def Jam and thrust conscious rap into the mainstream, Millions is the gold standard for golden era hip hop. For the start of Black History Month 2023, we’re revisiting the impact of this landmark album.

During our last episode we discussed the introduction of MC Skat Kat during Paula Abdul’s “Opposite’s Attract.” The inclusion of an animated, rapping cat was one of the signals of hip hop’s growing cultural influence. In fact, hip hop was showing up in cartoons throughout the 1980s.

During the 1990s rappers moved easily into cartoon stardom. From Kid ‘n Play to MC Hammer we’re revisiting the era of the rapping cartoon.

This episode of QP Science 3000 features a jump start on the holidays. Can you believe Christmas is already here? We can't. Can you also believe that this video is one Jay Ray never saw before we recorded this. Dive into "Santa Baby" by Rev Run featuring Mase, Snoop Dogg, Onyx, Salt N Pepa and Keith Murray.

The murder of Takeoff has shaken the world as a whole, and like many times on Queue Points, we’re asking the question “what can we do?” Well, for this episode we ask the question with all the accolades, the money and the fame, for hip-hop, “is it still all good?”

Joining us in segment 2 is Mr. Al Pete. Al Pete is the 2022 Black Podcasting Awards Best Music Podcast winner for his podcast The Tables Might Wobble. He not only joins us for our core topic, but tells us a bit about how The Tables Might Wobble was born.

You don’t want to miss this conversation from three hip hop elders about the state of the culture.