Show #80 - Music from the Frontlines of the HIV Epidemic (Guest: stephen hicks)

We’re back after a week off! In this thought-provoking podcast episode, we delve into a significant issue: the scarcity of songs about Black fathers. As the United States recently celebrated Father's Day, we couldn't help but notice the absence of such musical tributes.

Dr. Ed Garnes joins us as we unravel this phenomenon, analyze its underlying causes, and discuss actionable steps towards rectifying this disparity. Tune in to gain insights and be part of the movement for change. 

Podcast Shoutout: They Reminisce Over You Podcast - https://troypodcast.com/

In the 1980s, Spike Lee showed young Black folks like DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray what was possible for us. Spike showed Black love and Black experience unapologetically on screen, and became an inspiration for many. Spike was also very connected to hip hop culture, and infused hip hop, Jazz and soul into every part of his films. On this episode we’re discussing the brilliant, Black, film history of Spike Lee through a music lens.

We are back for 2023! Kicking off our first show of the year is us remembering the enormous impact and jam-filled legacy of Schoolhouse Rock. The legendary platform premiered on January 6, 1973, and we’re celebrating its 50th birthday.

In addition to that, during the first segment of the show, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray recap the Dionne Warwick documentary “Don’t Make Me Over.”

For the remainder of 2022, we are broadcasting However Comma... in celebration of hitting 400 followers on Instagram. On this show DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray dive into the Lensa AI app, SZA's new record, Brittney Griner, Patti Labelle, Diddy and a whole lot more.

Dionne Warwick is a legend and an inspiration. As one of the most charted vocalists of all-time, Ms. Warwick set the bar for singers, and her impact is still being felt today. From Gospel to Soul to Pop to Jazz there’s a Dionne song for us to all savor. This show will celebrate the legacy of one of music’s greatest. Join in the conversation.

The Queue Points Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2022 series is a four-part series dedicated to Black artists nominated for induction into the prestigious class. Vote For Your Favorite Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Nominees by visiting https://qpnt.net/rockhallvote by April 29, 2022.

When you mention a year in a song, it’s a final act. That song is now forever associated with the year you reference. Also, it can date a song that, for the artist, is an eternal piece of art. It’s our belief that there’s really no down side to including the year in a song, it actually serves as a memorialization of sorts.

With the 2022 release of Joey Bada$$’s 2000 the Queue Points crew began reflecting about songs that featured a year in the title. 

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.