Show #32 - The 2021 Year End Wrap Up

Queue Points is back! DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray are rapping about this week's topics including the death of Chucky Thompson, Hip-Hop's birthday, and Beyoncé's Harper's BAZAAR interview.

In 1992, about Yo-Yo’s sophomore record, Joan Morgan wrote in Spin Magazine “One year later, her outrage continues to provide a voice for those who lack a means of expression, especially when life explodes in their faces and outside their doors.” Because of how much hip-hop has changed, and how quickly, the album “Black Pearl” has been largely lost to history. That’s where Queue Points comes in. We are reminiscing about a Black hip-hop feminist classic, “Black Pearl.”

Also, it’s Pride month, and we are going to be discussing the seminal classic “I Was Born This Way,” the first song to feature lyrics about being an out and proud gay man. Performed, in its original form, by Charles Valentino and made again by Carl Bean, the song has a long and interesting history worth revisiting.

There’s so much to be said about Mary J. Blige. In so many ways, she’s an artist who beat the odds. Underestimated early in her career, her ability to triumph despite that is the stuff of legend. On the eve of her 2022 Billboard Icon Award, we’re discussing her career in the way that only we can. Joining us on our journey is our special guest, Adrian of Adrian’s Playlist of Conversations podcast. Come with us on our journey into the legacy of the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.

The 2022 Oscars, surprisingly, had a lot of Black music connections. The Beyoncé open, the Megan Thee Stallion surprise, Will Smith's win and the Summer of Soul win for Questlove. We are going to dive into it all, and no we won't be ignoring the "incident." Join us for a fun conversation about Blackness in traditionally white spaces.

Can you all believe it? We certainly can’t! It’s been two years since we started Queue Points and 100 official episodes of the show! On this episode we are going to reflect on this milestone, play some shoutouts from some of our listeners and discuss the documentary Marley.

Join us, reminisce, and share your memories with us.

On this episode of Queue Points, the hosts discuss the hit show "Swarm" and extreme fan culture. They reflect on how social media has given fans a personal connection to their favorite artists and the possible downsides of this phenomena. The discussion then shifts to mental health challenges, challenges within the foster care system and the issue of suicide among Black women. 

For the show's opening topics, the hosts show love to Karega and Felicia Bailey of Sol Affirmations, they also touch on the recent lawsuit against rapper Afroman filed by police officers claiming emotional distress, Tony! Toni! Tone! headed back out on tour, and they wish happy birthday to Stephanie Mills and Chaka Khan. Finally, the episode also includes an appreciation of rapper MC Lyte and her distinctive voice, which has become ubiquitous in TV, award ceremonies, and voiceover work.

DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray decided to weigh in on The Grammys. They discuss the #HipHop50 segment, Lizzo and of course, Beyoncé.

On this episode of However Comma ... DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray discuss gun violence, Madonna heading out on tour, Beyonce in Dubai, and why The Real Friends of Weho ain't it.

It’s interesting times that we’re living in. Hip-hop legend Cakes Da Killa made a tweet that we felt like we needed to explore a bit more - “Imagine doing something that wasn’t  considered cool for years to then have it become cool years later and people tell you NOW you have to play by the rules set by people who didn’t even pioneer the shit in the first place.” For this show we are exploring history and asking the question “can Black folks be culture vultures too?”

Joining us to thread this delicate needle are two of our favorite music heads, Joshua Henry Jenkins and Michael Ward of Black, Gay, stuck at home. We’re going to discuss their upcoming event, what they’re currently listening to and more!