Queue Points

We hear it all the time - “is (insert artist here) the next Michael Jackson?,” “I wish we had another Whitney Houston.” The question we’re asking all of us is “is it possible to have another artist who are one of one?” Why do we keep searching? Join us for this discussion about artists who can’t be replicated. In addition, the hosts have seen the documentary of, one of one artist, Little Richard a...

On June 13, 1988, Guy’s eponymous debut album was released, and solidified a shift in the sound of contemporary R&B of the time. Following that release, we entered the golden era of New Jack Swing, and the king was superproducer and artist Teddy Riley. Riley’s emergence as a producer of note in the mid-1980s continued the lineage of Black innovation in recording and songwriting. This show is all a...

The term blue-eyed Soul was coined in the mid-1960s, and referenced white artists that performed Soul and R&B music. The music industry has a long history of repackaging Black music (originally referred to as “race music”) for white consumption - oftentimes with the Black artists making less than their white counterparts for songs they originated. By the 1970s, white artists such as Teena Marie, B...

April 5, 2023 marked the 50th birthday of musical phenom Pharrell Williams. Whether producing on his own or as part of The Neptunes or performing as a solo act, Pharrell has been part of some of the most interesting and influential music of the last 30 years. An icon of fashion, Williams’ latest role as the Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Creative Director isn’t as much surprising as it is “... of course.”...

If you’ve been around Queue Points for a while, you know that we’ve often had discussions about Rock & Roll, Black folks and our place in the culture. We’ve also mentioned the importance of Cree Summer in those conversations. Check out The Rock & Roll Show to catch up. It’s the last couple of days of #WomensHistoryMonth, and during this conversation we discuss 1999’s “Street Faërie,” Summer’s exce...

The musical essence of Jimi Hendrix inspired the music for the play "The Boy Who Kissed the Sky."  The play is being produced by the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA from April 1st - 15th. The legacy of Jimi Hendrix is one of the most iconic in all of music history. Music composers Divinity Roxx and Eugene H. Russell IV sat down with Queue Points to discuss the inspiration behind the music in the p...

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 open...

Queue Points, like so many in our audience, grew up on radio. Black women on the air has been part of our history, and, on tonight’s show, we’re discussing Black women on the mic and in the business of radio - Cathy Hughes, Lady B and Wendy Williams. We also play a portion of DJ Sir Daniel’s interview with radio legend Joyce Littel as well as reflections on radio from award-winning podcast produce...

Did you know that DJ Sir Daniel has a history in radio? Well, he absolutely does, as he spent many years working with Joyce Littel. With over 39 years in radio, Littel is showing no signs of slowing down, even lending her voice to a segment in Usher’s Las Vegas residency. Sir Daniel gives Joyce her flowers, as they discuss her history. Joyce drops some gems about what’s been most important during...

Planes, trains (maybe not trains) and automobiles, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray hit the road to be present for The Ambies. Queue Points was nominated for the 2023 Best Entertainment Podcast, and this show is all about their experience in Las Vegas - memorable moments, reflections and feelings about the future. Watch this episode on our website: https://qpnt.net/show-91 Watch The Ambies: https://qpnt....

It’s #WomensHistoryMonth, and we’re kicking off the month with a discussion about producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and singer Patrice Rushen. At a time when few Black women controlled their musical creativity and output, Rushen was in a class all her own. 2023 marks the 45th anniversary of her move to Elektra Records. With hits including "Haven't You Heard?" and Forget Me Nots, the era ma...

So hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray have never asked one another questions about music on this show, and this time they do just that. There are no agendas, no specific topics, just the two hosts asking things they’ve never asked before. Join in for this special episode of Queue Points. Watch this episode on our website: https://qpnt.net/show-89 Enjoy Queue Points? Leave us a tip on Patreon: https:/...

On this episode of Queue Points On The Radar, DJ Sir Daniel sits down with Big Trouble, Fait and Essence of the R&B girl group ENV. The Jackson, Mississippi-based group is getting a lot of buzz and have been inspired by the likes of Blaque, Destiny's Child and TLC. They are bringing their own flavor, and ready to show the world the fullness and fierceness of Black women! Their latest single is cal...

Thirty years ago, on February 16, 1993, Flavor Unit, Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere’s musical crew dropped their inaugural compilation CD - “Roll Wit Tha Flava.” After years of making appearances on each other’s work, this was the first time out for the crew as a whole. This episode will chart Queen Latifah’s artistic pivot, the record that marked the shift and the unlikely rise of an R&B powerh...

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...

YEAAAAHHHHHHH BOYEEEEEEEEE! Public Enemy’s sophomore record It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back was a line in the sand for where rap music was heading in 1988. An album that defined an era for Def Jam and thrust conscious rap into the mainstream, Millions is the gold standard for golden era hip hop. For the start of Black History Month 2023, we’re revisiting the impact of this landmark a...

Thanks to Carnegie Hall for sponsoring this episode. Carnegie Hall presents Samora Pinderhughes and Friends: The Healing Project on February 10, 2023 at 9PM. To purchase tickets visit: https://qpnt.net/healingproject . #ad #sponsored Samora Pinderhughes is using his music to talk to us about our current moment, and calling back to a long, and important history of social justice in music. On this s...

During our last episode we discussed the introduction of MC Skat Kat during Paula Abdul’s “Opposite’s Attract.” The inclusion of an animated, rapping cat was one of the signals of hip hop’s growing cultural influence. In fact, hip hop was showing up in cartoons throughout the 1980s. During the 1990s rappers moved easily into cartoon stardom. From Kid ‘n Play to MC Hammer we’re revisiting the era o...

On our first episode in our year-long #1988Series, we are discussing the legacy of Paula Abdul’s music debut Forever Your Girl. The album landed with a bang launching Abdul’s career into the stratosphere with six Hot 100 hits including four number ones. With game-changing videos and tight choreography from Abdul herself, Forever Your Girl, earned its respect among Black music fans. Tune in as we d...

One hallmark of the 1990s was the, still flourishing and profitable, girl group. On episode #5, back in 2021, we discussed why there aren't any girl groups anymore. For this episode we are remembering those groups that were right there on the cusp of superstardom. Jade, Nuttin Nyce, Terri & Monica, Changing Faces, The Good Girls, Brownstone and BlackGirl. These groups had hits, and were so clo...

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.”   Watch Show #40 -...

It’s the holiday season, and Queue Points is excited to discuss the season, and some of the fun music related memories from our past. We’ll also be unveiling our 2022 Holiday Gift Giving Guide, so that you can shop for the music lover in your life this holiday season. View Merry Errythang! our 2022 Holiday Gift Giving Guide: https://qpnt.net/2022guide Download show notes: https://qpnt.net/show-81-...

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...

Well folks, it’s Thanksgiving, and a time when many folks are reflecting on their life over the last year, and preparing to spend time with friends and family. Well, we’ve invited our family to join us to celebrate. Ashli J. Washington and Mashaun D. Simon from B4Nine Podcast are stopping through! B4Nine Podcast is getting set for their next season, and we want to talk to them about what happened...

If you checked out our last show, you heard an intense conversation on the current state of hip hop. This conversation brings into view one of the bright lights in the new school of MCs. Philly’s CSW joins us for a conversation to introduce himself and his philosophy to the Queue Points community. DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray also check in on the Afros & Audio Podcast Conference . This show was recor...