Show #11 - DaBaby, Verzuz and Honoring Philadelphia International Records

This World AIDS Day, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray are dedicating the show to the music that helped educate and inform during the height of the HIV epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s. There is no justice movement that emerges without art, and many musicians turned HIV activists during the most difficult years. Black artists were absolutely on the frontlines demanding money for research and treatment and educating the community.

Joining us for this conversation is stephen hicks.

Traveling the independent artist road in music can be challenging, but also rewarding. There are artists on the scene who’ve found ways to explore their talents in many ways, and one of them is DJ Saint Smith. 

An accomplished singer/songwriter, Smith is creating his own sound, “Church&B.” We are going to explore his career, inspirations, his upcoming Gospel day party “Water to Wine” and his debut album “Yours, Saintly.”

"In the background, the toll of the AIDS epidemic impacted the Black gay community and other vulnerable communities in the 80’s and early 90’s. Black gay men often flocked to a sacred space - the dancefloor - if only for a few hours. Safer than the sex they were often afraid to have, they could move, sweat, laugh, cry, relinquish, replenish and take a trip with the pulsating beat of the club as soundtrack." from Black Gay Men Of The AIDS Generation Invented Your Party

Sacred Ministry is a workshop that discusses how three Black gay DJ's emerged during the AIDS crisis, inspired a new genre of music, and helped a generation of men cope with the devastation of AIDS to a beat.

Kipper Jones is the missing link. An important connector between Black musical generations, Kipper likely inspired your favorite songwriter to be a songwriter. From “I Wanna Be Down” to “The Comfort Zone,” Kipper’s pen game has given us timeless classics, but it’s his life that inspires the most. This Queue Points conversation is a special brotherhood discussion, where Kipper catches us up on where he’s been, what’s happening now, and where he’s going.

From music to HIV to prostate cancer to the church - Kipper takes control of his narrative and discusses his life affirming "stupid faith." You don’t want to miss this important conversation.

Jay Ray and Sir Daniel lost it when they heard about the upcoming Verzuz featuring the legends Chaka Khan and Stephanie Mills. On this episode, the two discuss the important legacies of these two performers. 

They are joined by the incomparable Singer/Songwriter Kipper Jones, who hung out for the entire night, while the Verzuz watch party happened. Kipper tells the super fun story of how Chaka hit the high note in the studio during the recording of "Somethin' Deep." 

As a note, this episode ends once the watch party portion commences.

Sir Daniel and Jay Ray are giddy and unafraid to talk about it. They dive into the iconic Big Daddy Kane and KRS One Verzuz. Did hip-hop really win the night?

Roxanne Shante really had a moment at Verzuz. Also, ABC recently aired The Real Queens of Hip-Hop special.  What did they think? Tune in and find out.

On the inaugural episode of Queue Points hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray discuss the SWV and X-Scape Verzuz, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and what music Jay Ray is recommending this week. They have chat about the time hip-hop was banned in Washington DC.