Queue Points

'What's Poppin' Penny?' creator Toni Kennedy joins Jay Ray from Queue Points to discuss her inspiring children's podcast. Learn about the origins of Penny's magical adventures, the importance of trusted adults, and the rich, multi-generational storytelling that forms the backbone of the series. Learn about the upcoming special Juneteenth episode, featuring historical insights and an unforgettable...

In this episode of Queue Points, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray dive into the world of kid music stars who became icons. They discuss the impact and legacy of Tracie Spencer and groups such as The Boys, Another Bad Creation (ABC), Immature, and Kris Kross, noting how ABC's "Iesha" kicked off a new renaissance of young stars. The hosts reflect on the challenges child stars face in the music industry, sh...

In this episode of Queue Points, co-hosts Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel dive into the hottest tracks vying for the title of 'Song of the Summer 2024.' From Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' to Tinashe's 'Nasty' and beyond, they cover the latest chart-toppers, nostalgic hits from 1989, and the enduring appeal of Soul II Soul's 'Back to Life.'  Follow Our Sponsor “What’s Poppin Penny?”: https://qpnt.n...

In this episode of Queue Points, co-hosts Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel are joined by Tashmica Torok and Shannon Perez-Darby from the Popaganda podcast. They discuss the complexities of supporting some of our favorite pop culture moments, problematic faves, the importance of accountability, the impact of pop culture on society, and creating safer communities for women. The conversation delves into how...

In this episode of Queue Points Podcast, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray explore the legendary career of Teena Marie, discussing her significance in Black music history and her status as a uniquely accepted white artist within the Black community. They share their thoughts on how Teena Marie's work and persona would be received in the current social climate, and reflect on her influence in both R&...

In this episode, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray, reminisce about the impact of the musical duo Zhané. The two first discussed the duo during our conversation about the Roll Wit That Flava compilation album where Zhané’s “Hey, Mr. DJ” became the breakout hit. In this episode the hosts discuss their debut album 'Pronounced Jah-Nay' and the follow-up 'Saturday Night'. Celebrating the unique blend of R&B a...

In this episode of Queue Points Podcast, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray are joined by special guest Latrice Sampson Richards. The conversation focuses on the themes of lyrics and intimacy in music, exploring personal and societal healing through slow jams and other styles of music. Latrice shares her thoughts on the emotional connections that music can foster, and the ability to help us collectively he...

For Women’s History Month 2024, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray hosted a live audience at JBs Record Lounge in Atlanta to celebrate the contributions of women to hip hop in Atlanta beyond. The hosts are joined by guests Tosha Love and Empress Rah, and they explore the changing landscape of music discovery from traditional radio to social media. The discussion covers a broad range of topics including Bla...

In this episode of Queue Points, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray are joined by guest Brian Patrick Davis, a digital artist, creative director and songwriter. The discussion provides a deep dive into the nuances of songwriting, music creation, and navigating the music business. Brian shares his journey and the importance of collaboration, giving practical advice to aspiring songwriters on protectin...

Queue Points is the Black Podcasting Award and Ambie Award nominated music podcast that is dropping the needle on Black Music history and celebrating Black music through meaningful dialogue. The show is hosted by DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray. Topics: #QueuePoints #MusicDiscussion #BlackPodcasters #BlackMusic #MusicPodcast Get More In Queue Points Magazine: https://qpnt.net/magazine Subscribe & Review...

In this episode of the Queue Points Podcast, hosts Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel discuss Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' album, exploring its themes, guest artists, and the broader impact on the music industry and society. Guest Big Mike joins the discussion, bringing insights from his experience in country radio. They delve into the nuances of the album, its reception, and the controversies. The hosts also...

In this episode of Queue Points, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray embark on an in-depth discussion and ranking of albums by the iconic female hip hop group Salt-N-Pepa. They explore the cultural significance, commercial success, and personal anecdotes associated with each album, evaluating them based on various criteria such as cultural impact, sentimental value, and nostalgic appeal. The conversat...

DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray dive into the rich tapestry of Black music history through the lens of the iconic children's show, Sesame Street. This episode centers Sesame Street's global influence on children's growth, development, and empowerment. Amid discussing the current concerns about online safety they explore how Sesame Street, with its roots deeply embedded in the Black community, has been a...

On this episode of Queue Points podcast, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray discuss the misunderstanding and underappreciation of House music in today's pop culture, using a recent tweet, by @thunter86 , about the current music era as a springboard. They argue against the claim that we're in a grand House renaissance, pointing out that while House continues to thrive in specific circles, it hasn’t si...

On this episode DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray delve into the complex legacy of hip hop artist Khia. Despite the controversies surrounding her, including both homophobic and transphobic statements, Khia's significant contributions to the hip hop genre are explored. The hosts discuss Khia's early life, her success as an independent artist, and her ability to stay relevant for over two decades in the mus...

In this episode of Queue Points, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray take a deep dive into the career and legacy of Grammy-winning, multi-talented artist, Usher Raymond. The podcast also explores Usher's contributions to diversifying the Black music scene, his 2024 Super Bowl performance, and his new album ‘Coming Home’. Additionally, the hosts welcome guest Michael Motley, a Black history podcaster, who di...

Whitney Jones, founder of Atlanta-based event Slow Drag, is here to discuss her journey and the significance of slow jams in reconnecting Black folks to one another. The trio chat about the way Black culture engages with music, and the restorative potential of slow jams for eliciting vulnerability and intimacy within the community. Whitney shares the importance of Slow Drag being an intentionally...

DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray welcome special guest, Mr. Al Pete, to discuss the impact of producer and rapper, J Dilla on the music industry, remembering his work and legacy. They commemorate J Dilla's birthday, reflect on his unique style, and highlight their favorite Dilla productions and songs.  Check Out Mr. Al Pete on Queue Points The Tables Might Wobble: Mr. Al Pete Shares His Journey As A DJ:...

In this episode of Queue Points podcast, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray explore the importance of Broadway musicals in Black music film history. They discuss the symbolism, impact, and significance of the films 'Dreamgirls' (2006) and 'The Color Purple' (2023), both as iconic cultural narratives and conduits of Black music history. They delve deep into the characters, music, and themes of these m...

In this episode of the Queue Points Podcast, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray delve into the career and legacy of Lauryn Hill. We discuss her musical beginnings, the impact of her debut solo album 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill', and the many controversies that surround her. Throughout their conversation, we try to offer nuanced perspectives on Hill’s artistic genius, her dedication to her craft,...

Using recent lawsuits and ongoing allegations against high-profile music moguls as a jumping-off point, the hosts break down how the music industry’s structure encourages predatory behavior, from shady recording contracts to grooming, coercion, and abuse. They connect these patterns to a longer history of Black bodies being commodified in entertainment, highlighting stories from R&B, hip-hop,...

In this episode of Queue Points Podcast, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray discuss the life and musical legacy of renowned soul and R&B artist, Barry White. They delve into Barry's musical career as a producer, writer, and singer, and his cultural impact as a 'prototype' for Black male sexuality in the music industry. The hosts also shed light on Barry's influence on several artists and the enduring...

In this episode of Queue Points, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray discuss the history and relevance of Black Christmas music. They go over the Top 10 Black Christmas albums ranked by Essence magazine, debating their merits and sharing personal anecdotes about the albums. DJ Sir Daniel also highlights the new Christmas albums from Brandy and Robert Glasper, praising their ability to reinvent classics whil...

In this episode of Queue Points, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray discuss the 1997 film and soundtrack "Soul Food". They examine the impact of the film and its soundtrack on Black culture and music history. The episode focuses on "Soul Food's" narrative about family dynamics and resilience, and the role of music in the Black experience. The hosts explore the soundtrack, noting its importance during a tim...

On this episode, recorded live at JB’s Record Lounge , we explore the intertwining threads of music, family, and generational connections. DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray are joined by Kimberly Stewart Lucas and her son Solomon Stewart Lucas as well as Michelle Dawes Birt and her son Christopher Birt. From sharing musical influences and memories to discussing the impact of social media on music messagin...