Queue Points

Oftentimes, covers of songs don’t get the same respect as the original. Sometimes the performing artist phones it in, or the style of the cover just doesn’t work. When it does work, though, a cover version can rival that of the original, and, in some cases, improve on it. Join us for this show as we cover … covers. Become a Queue Points Insider: https://qpnt.net/qpinsider Subscribe & Review Us on...

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....

Music news has been packed this week, from the explosive interview from Ray J to Roe v Wade to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, there's plenty to weigh in on. Join us for our 50th show where to discuss these topics and more. Purchase "Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop:" https://qpnt.net/zkQRzg Moods Music: https://www.moodsmusic.net/ Watch Queue Points Show #41 "...

One summertime rite of passage for folks of a certain age has been attending a music festival. The idea of sharing your favorite music with 100,000 of your closest friends has been a way for folks to connect and enjoy themselves during the summer months. COVID-19 had a devastating effect on the industry, but it looks like for 2022, festivals are back like they never left. On this episode we’re dis...

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 wher...

The slow jam is one of the most enduring staples in R&B and Pop music. This song can often define an artists career, and signal an important shift in how that artist chooses to be perceived. For many it’s the slow jam that becomes the favorite, and for a time, didn’t have to be a single to become a radio hit. On this show, we’re diving into “quiet storm” staples - slow jams. Watch this show on our...

When folks are asked to name their favorite women MCs, there are some names who appear often on lists. One of those names is MC Lyte. Lyte has long been considered the gold standard for women MCs. An iconic, recognizable voice, a versatile flow and hit songs to boot, it’s amazing to think that Lyte has now fully transitioned to a Hollywood mainstay with continued cultural relevance. Let’s discuss...

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. Watch this show on our website: https://qpnt.net/show-45 Watch S...

What would you say if we said that Shaquille O'Neal had a fairly successful rap career? Or, wait, that Michael Jackson appeared in an Eddie Murphy music video? Sounds crazy, but there are several artists who were stars in their day jobs and began to moonlight as musicians to different degrees of success. We're discussing some unlikely music careers on the next Queue Points. Disclaimer: Jay Ray is...

“Queens is in the house represent…” A Tribe Called Quest is hard to sum up. A four-man crew, that, for the majority of their commercial career, operated as a three-man team, their catalog helped push the boundaries of what hip-hop could be during the golden era and beyond. Phife's Manager, Rasta Root, has a sit down with DJ Sir Daniel to talk about the upcoming Phife Dawg album "Forever." This is...

Mausiki Scales joins the Queue Points crew for this very special show. DJ Sir Daniel interviewed Professor Scales about the legacy of Fela Kuti, his own musical output, and the influence of our African heritage on Black music as a whole. Learn more about Mausiki Scales at https://www.mausikiscalescommonground.com/. Fela Kuti and his music were both larger than life. It’s been unfair to reduce Fela...

Before “pen game” was a term, Lionel Richie was the living embodiment of what it meant. “Endless Love,” “Easy,” “All Night Long,” and so many more songs made us appreciate how to craft a good song. Oh, and he was part of the band that gave us the forever dance floor jam - “Brick House.” Join us for a discussion about the impact of Mr. Lionel Richie. The Queue Points Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2022 s...

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...

There are many things that negatively impact the cohesion of a group - money, outside influence, substance abuse, personality clashes. On this show we are revisiting group breakdowns from artists that, in their classic line up, had tremendous cultural impact. What happened? How can future artists learn from the examples? Tune in for a lively discussion. Watch this show on our website: https://qpnt...

Forty years ago four Black men released an album with yellow matching packaging. Bad Brains had been banned in DC at several locations, yet with PMA went on to inspire the world. The eponymous debut of Bad Brains wasn't the first time Black punk rockers grabbed the attention of listeners, but it was a beacon for what was to come. On this episode Queue Points is discussing "The Yellow Tape" at 40....

In looking at various Latin music year end lists, it was hard not to recognize the influence of Afro-Latin music on Pop music in 2021. That influence isn’t new, however. On this show, Bruce Phillips, a DJ whose main focus is the music of the African diaspora, will be joining us to discuss this important history. Join us as we discuss the magic of Afro-Latin music. Watch this show on our website: h...

One of the most consequential music artists of all time, Janet Jackson is a force. With 27 Top 10 singles and seven Number 1 albums, she’s often cited as an inspiration for up and coming artists. On the eve of her two night documentary premiere, Queue Points is honoring the one and only Ms. Janet Jackson. Watch this show on our website: https://qpnt.net/show-36   Support Queue Points Become A...

Have you ever been in the gym, and your song comes on? You are suddenly able to power through without any hesitation, right? It’s exhilarating! There are some musicians who have made music for the gym, and others who have made fitness part of their brand. On this episode of Queue Points, we’re discussing artists who have been on the forefront of the fitness revolution. In this show we also remembe...

In the early 1980s, as hip-hop as a cultural juggernaut was taking shape, talented and diverse acts were springing up from New York City and the surrounding areas. Three acts that emerged in 1983 went on to help shape the future of the culture, by being among some of the first to crossover to mainstream Pop success. For this show we’ll honor the influence of Whodini, UTFO and The Fat Boys. RSVP fo...

Azealia Banks' name is often synonymous with controversy, given her busy Twitter fingers. But, also, in her decade on the scene she’s made innovative and influential hip-hop and pop music. This episode, we are diving into Banks’ musical output so far and sharing some of our highlights. Watch this show on our website: https://qpnt.net/show-33   RSVP for our Janet Jackson Documentary Watch Part...

So the numbers are in, and you watched over 10,000 minutes of Queue Points on Facebook! We are so grateful, and for this wrap up we decided to compile moments from your favorite shows to end 2021. Did your favorite make the list? CORRECTION: In this episode, during our last segment, we erroneously refer to Bad Bunny when we really were discussing J Balvin. For more context on the conversation, ple...

For the last live Queue Points this year, we were joined by L. Michael Gipson and Ann Marie "amc" Collymore of the upcoming podcast The Gipson Gazette. Michael and Ann Marie told us all about their upcoming podcast. We dove into the conversation about Black music Christmas classics. We discussed these songs, and their significance in our lives. We’ll also talked about 2021, and what we’re looking...

As the year winds down, Rolling Stone has released their top 50 songs of the year. The Queue Points crew has gone through them, and we have thoughts on some of their choices. Watch this show as we review their list. What is your favorite song of 2021? Did it make the list?  Question of the Week: What’s your favorite song of 2021 and why? Send us a reply here: https://qpnt.net/fanmail   Watch this...

Throughout history there have been musical artists who achieved what seemed impossible. After mega hits, millions of dollars made and the world at their feet, some of them experienced an intense backlash. Some careers were ruined, and some were temporarily derailed. This conversation is about some artists who fell from public grace. We also honor singer/songwriter Blackberri who we learned is in t...

The unfortunate passing of fashion designer Virgil Abloh has saddened the QP crew. This week we are talking about iconic fashion brands of hip-hop. These are the brands that were not only made by hip-hop, but made hip-hop iconic.   We discuss the important legacies of Cross Colors, Karl Kani, Walker Wear and Maurice Malone and his Detroit store The Hip Hop Shop. Watch this episode on our website:...