Queue Points

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...

The murder of Takeoff has shaken the world as a whole, and like many times on Queue Points, we’re asking the question “what can we do?” Well, for this episode we ask the question with all the accolades, the money and the fame, for hip-hop, “is it still all good?” Joining us in segment 2 is Mr. Al Pete. Al Pete is the 2022 Black Podcasting Awards Best Music Podcast winner for his podcast The Tables...

Queue Points is back, and we’re live, and it’s time for you to vote! Because it’s voting season in the United States, we’ve decided to dedicate this show to the importance of getting out to vote! Malika Redmond, CEO and Co-Founder of Women Engaged, joins us to discuss her history of civic engagement, overcoming sexism and challenging misogynoir and why folks should be getting out to vote no matter...

Thanks to Carnegie Hall for sponsoring a portion of this episode. Carnegie Hall presents Rhiannon Giddens: Songs of Our Native Daughters on November 4, 2022 at 8PM. To purchase tickets visit: https://qpnt.net/giddens . #Ad #Sponsored Queue Points is proud to present part 4 of our Country music series featuring Mike “Big Mike” Bryant. We had so much more ground that we wanted to cover so Big Mike i...

Thanks to Carnegie Hall for sponsoring a portion of this episode. Carnegie Hall presents Rhiannon Giddens: Songs of Our Native Daughters on November 4, 2022 at 8PM. To purchase tickets visit: https://qpnt.net/giddens . #Ad #Sponsored Queue Points is proud to present part 3 of our Country music series featuring Mike “Big Mike” Bryant. We had so much more ground that we wanted to cover so Big Mike i...

Thanks to Carnegie Hall for sponsoring a portion of this episode. Carnegie Hall presents Rhiannon Giddens: Songs of Our Native Daughters on November 4, 2022 at 8PM. To purchase tickets visit: https://qpnt.net/giddens . #Ad #Sponsored Queue Points is proud to present part 2 of our Country music series featuring Mike “Big Mike” Bryant. For this episode we pick up where we left off with honoring the...

Thanks to Carnegie Hall for sponsoring a portion of this episode. Carnegie Hall presents Rhiannon Giddens: Songs of Our Native Daughters on November 4, 2022 at 8PM. To purchase tickets visit: https://qpnt.net/giddens . #Ad #Sponsored Queue Points is proud to present part 1 of our Country music series featuring Mike “Big Mike” Bryant. We had so much more ground that we wanted to cover so Big Mike i...

The news about FN Meka shocked many of us, but if we pull back the layers of it, the music industry has been test driving the idea of Blackness as an avatar for decades. What could this mean for our future, and how can we push back on it. On this episode we’re discussing artificial intelligence, holograms and Blackness in the music industry. Enjoy Queue Points? Leave us a tip on Patreon: https://q...

Beef is as synonymous with hip-hop culture as the five elements themselves. From the earliest days rappers have had to prove who’s the best MC. Over the years raps on records have often turned into violence. Adding in the aspect of money, it can be a recipe for disaster. Join us for that discussion. DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray will also reveal their top 3 dis records and discuss the nomination of Qu...

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 s**t in the first place.” For this show we are exploring his...

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 ear...