Show #65 - The Independent Artist's Journey (Guest: DJ Saint Smith)

The good brother DJ Saint Smith dropped by Queue Points for an exciting and inspirational conversation. He is an accomplished singer and songwriter, who's launched a DJ career. We discuss his upcoming event the Water To Wine Gospel Day Party going down in Atlanta on August 21, 2022, growing up as a "preacher's kid," and what folks can expect from his upcoming album.

Purchase tickets to the Water to Wine Gospel Day Party: https://qpnt.net/wtwgdp

On this show Sir Daniel and Jay Ray will discuss artists whose careers suddenly veered off course. Some are still active on the scene while others are mostly missing in action. Who are some of your favorites? Join us for the discussion of artists whose momentum was interrupted.

We catch the crew up on Prince protégé Rosie Gaines, and discuss albums that either never got out of concept phase, or did, but were never released in the United States including The Roots' Black Thought's fabled "Masterpiece Theatre," Kelis' "Wanderland" and Amerie's "Because I Love It." We also gush over DJ Sir Daniel's Earworm of the Week "Midnight Snacks" by Kelis.

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!

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.

"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.

This week DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray are sounding off on DaBaby, talking Verzuz and honoring the rich Black legacy of Philadelphia International Records.

Venture into the heart of music history as we explore 'Love to Love You, Donna Summer', the poignant documentary co-directed by Summer’s daughter Brooklyn Sudano. Summer’s accomplishments include an incredible 16 #1 Billboard Dance hits. DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray discuss the documentary, Summer’s career and lasting impact of her legacy.

Before that, the two discuss a range of hip-hop topics from Kali’s new single “Area Codes,” “Billboard’s Top 50 Hip Hop Groups,” and three rap songs with Disco origins.

Also, DJ Sir Daniel shares his favorite songs featuring orgasms.

Well it’s official, the kids are back to school, Labor Day is over, and that means Summer 2022 is behind us. But … what was this summer’s “summer jam?” What was that one song that united the world under a groove? Did we even have one? DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray  chat about what happened.

Moetown Lee and Dr. Ed Garnes from the Reclamation Point podcast joined us for an interview earlier in the week to discuss Black men and mental health. We play a portion of that interview on this show, as well.