Queue Points

Queue Points LLC
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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. Follow us on social media @queuepointspod everywhere.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Dancing Through Black History With Dr. Marcus Borders: Line Dancing, Skating, and Community

    From roller skating rinks and line dance floors to Southern Soul nights in Atlanta, this episode captures the heart of Black joy, history, and the communal spaces where we find freedom together. DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray welcome Dr. Marcus Borders to discuss how he went from an introverted kid in Atlanta to finding his flow through skating, line dancing, community, and what that journey reveals about us as a people. In this conversation, they dive into: How line dances like the Electric Slide, “The Wobble,” and the Tamia Shuffle offer a safe haven for introverts to step off the sidelines, blend into the crowd, and still shine.The way Atlanta’s skating rinks and Southern Soul line dance nights mirror a family reunion; intergenerational spaces where uncs and aunties, college students, and elders all moving to the same steps across different songs.Why Marcus made skating at Cascade a weekly ritual during the pandemic, and how he defends these dance spaces as essential to his emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.What it takes for a DJ to truly read a Black dance floor—from giving the music space to breathe to smoothly dropping in line dances and slow jams that keep people moving.The idea of an unspoken “music school” happening at every class and party, where Black culture, rhythm, and movement are quietly passed down to little cousins, students, and the next generation, both on TikTok and in real life. If you remember the first time you learned the Electric Slide, gliding to 90’s Quiet Storm cuts, or learning new steps in a basement before heading to the club, this episode will hit home in the best possible way. Guest BiographyDr. Marcus Borders is a Learning Innovation Specialist with Ed Farm, where he supports educators and school leaders in designing blended learning, coaching, and K–12 computer science experiences. His work centers on expanding access to high-quality technology learning and ensuring digital equity for the communities he serves, with a particular passion for elementary educators, students, and adult learners. Dr. Borders holds an Ed.D. and Ed.S. in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University, along with degrees in Urban Teacher Leadership and Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University. A native Atlantan, Marcus can often be found outside of work rolling around one of the city’s skating rinks or learning the latest Southern Soul and trail ride line dances. Follow Dr. Marcus Borders: http://instagram.com/quietasitskept Links to Content Related To This Episode For Research and ContextRoller-skating, an old-school refuge for Black Americans, is getting a revival - Article on roller skating's Black roots as sanctuary, Civil Rights ties, street skating evolution, and modern revival amid rink closures. (NBC News)The History of Black Line Dances: Electric Slide, Cha-Cha Slide, and The Wobble - Queue Points episode on Electric Slide, Cha-Cha Slide, Wobble origins, cultural significance at cookouts/weddings, tying to Black celebration and history. (Queue Points)10 Black Owned Roller Skating Rinks | Black Roller Skaters' Showcase | #BlackExcellist - Showcase of Black-owned rinks like Cascade, highlighting roller skating's role as refuge, self-expression, and addiction in African American communities. (Black Excellence Excellist)The Civil Rights Era Roots of Roller Skating - Documentary tracing roller skating's Black history from segregation-era "Soul Nights" to Atlanta's Cascade as a key hub, evolving into a unique subculture. (Great Big Story)Atlanta's Rolling Skating Community Pays Homage to History - Video exploring Atlanta's roller skating culture as a family bonding tradition in Black communities, with historian Tasha Klusmann on its deep roots. (NBC 11Alive Atlanta)Legacy of Legends: Cascade Skating Rink - Feature on Cascade Skating Rink's 25+ year history as Atlanta's cultural hub, influencing fashion, music, dance, and serving as a safe space for Black families. (Atlanta Voice)​ Chapter Markers00:00 Intro Theme 00:16 Welcome to Queue Points 01:05 Line Dancing Goes Viral 02:41 Meet Dr Marcus Borders 05:01 Introvert on the Dance Floor 06:45 Cars and Early Dance Roots 08:46 Skating Sparked the Shift 10:58 Finding Freedom and Community 13:03 Classes Across Generations 19:11 Atlanta Energy and Joy 22:52 What Makes a Good Groove 24:11 Dancing Like A Game 25:19 What DJs Should Play 26:48 Transitions And Crowd Reading 28:49 Hardest Line Dance Learned 31:13 Practice By Messing Up 34:23 Learning To Fall Safely 35:43 Classes Build Confidence 37:46 Protect Your Safe Spaces 40:10 Passing The Culture Down 42:16 Where To Take Classes 43:31 Final Thanks And Sign Off 45:58 Outro Theme Support Queue Points By Becoming An Insider: https://link.queuepoints.com/membership #QueuePoints, #BlackMusicHistory, #BlackCulture, #BlackJoy, #BlackLineDances, #LineDancing, #SouthernSoul, #TrailRideCulture, #RollerSkating, #AtlantaSkating, #CascadeSkatingRink, #AtlantaCulture, #BlackPartyMusic, #ElectricSlide, #ChaChaSlide, #TamiaShuffle, #QuietStorm, #CookoutMusic, #BasementPartyVibes, #BlackCommunity, #BlackTraditions, #BlackHistoryMonth, #DJCulture, #SkateCulture, #BlackDance, #BlackArtists, #BlackPodcast, #MusicPodcast, #CulturalCommentary, #BlackCreative

    46 min

  2. 23 FEB

    Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” at 35: New Jack Swing, Videos and Memories

    Michael Jackson’s Dangerous turns 35, so DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray pull out the liner notes, the memories and the mess to talk about the album that closed out Michael’s classic run and dropped him squarely into the New Jack Swing era. Think Teddy Riley drums, prime‑time video premieres and Black folks glued to the TV on Sunday night. This one feels like sitting in the living room talking about the first time you saw “Remember the Time” and tried to hit that choreography at school the next day. In this episode, they get into: How leaving Quincy Jones and linking with Teddy Riley shifted Michael into a 90s New Jack Swing sound, while still keeping pieces of the classic studio team like Bruce Swedien and Bill Bottrell in the mix.​Why the “Black or White” premiere felt like a TV event, from Macaulay Culkin and Tyra Banks to the morphing effects and that controversial, angry street sequence tied to early 90s racial tension.​The impact of “Remember the Time” as a Black cultural moment, with Eddie Murphy, Iman, Magic Johnson, the Fly Girls and Fatima Robinson choreography that folded in dances like the Bart Simpson.​Deep‑cut love for singles like “In the Closet,” “Jam” and the nine‑single run that kept Dangerous on radio and TV for years, plus how the tour and videos leaned into fashion, sensuality and spectacle.​How Dangerous works as the last chapter of Michael’s classic era, the weight of what came after, and the way the album still lives in Black memory through parties, choreography and those big 90s TV moments. Read These Related Articles10 of the Most Expensive Music Videos By Black ArtistsExploring Michael Jackson's Hidden LegacyMichael Jackson’s “Dangerous” at 35: A New Jack Swing Classic and a fitting end to MJ’s Classic Period Chapter Markers00:00 Welcome to Queue Points: MJ, the biopic & why Dangerous matters 02:10 From Quincy to the ’90s: Michael’s new era and something to prove 03:41 New Jack Swing takeover: Teddy Riley and the Dangerous sound 04:42 The Music Videos 05:42 “Black or White” premiere: tech, star power, and the controversial ending 10:47 “Remember the Time” as a cultural moment: Egypt, choreography, and the kiss 16:24 Singles for days: “In the Closet,” Naomi, and riding the album for years 19:03 After the peak: tour stakes, career derailment, and the Jackson release-cycle theory 22:19 Legacy check: Neverland imagery, fashion icon status, and why Dangerous still holds up 24:11 Wrap-up & how to support Queue Points Support Queue Points By Becoming An Insider: https://link.queuepoints.com/membership #QueuePoints, #MichaelJackson, #DangerousAlbum, #NewJackSwing, #BlackMusicHistory, #BlackPopCulture, #RememberTheTime, #BlackOrWhite, #TeddyRiley, #90sRNB, #90sKids, #BlackCulture, #BlackJoy, #CookoutMusic, #BasementPartyVibes, #QuietStorm, #MusicPodcast, #BlackPodcasts, #PopMusicHistory, #RBHistory, #BlackIcons, #JanetJackson, #MTV90s, #FoxSundayNight, #InLivingColor, #BlackChoreography, #FatimaRobinson, #Iman, #NaomiCampbell, #EddieMurphy, #KingOfPop

    26 min

  3. 16 FEB

    From Hank Ballard to The Fat Boys: How The Twist Connected Black Musical Generations

    DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray talk about those post-Civil Rights dances our parents' generation did—like the Twist, Watusi, Swim, Jerk, and Bus Stop—and how we Gen Xers picked them up from TV reruns and family talks. It's like sitting around remembering Soul Train lines, What's Happening episodes, and how those moves showed up at house parties and clubs. They trace the Twist from Hank Ballard's original to Chubby Checker's American Bandstand version, then to the Fat Boys sampling it in hip hop.​ Hank Ballard's "The Twist" gets remade by Chubby Checker for a wider crowd on shows like American Bandstand out of Philly.Gen X watching Gidget, What's Happening, and Soul Train, seeing parents do the Watusi or Jerk and arguing about "your music."Fat Boys bring the Twist back in the '80s with their hip hop take, linking '50s records to new beats.Bus Stop line dances on local TV clips, led by folks like Charlie Green, with People's Choice tracks, showing group vibes in Black spaces.Movies like Hairspray and Dirty Dancing catching that era's dance energy from Baltimore clubs to Catskills resorts. Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro Theme 00:16 Welcome to the Show 02:48 The Evolution of Dance in Black Culture 05:59 The Twist: A Cultural Phenomenon 08:49 Chubby Checker and the Crossover Effect 11:45 The Importance of Dance in Black Expression 14:44 Movies and Dance: Hairspray and Dirty Dancing 17:44 The Role of Dance in Social Movements 20:55 The Bus Stop: A Community Dance 23:48 Documenting Dance for Future Generations 27:54 Outro Theme Support Queue Points By Becoming An Insider: https://link.queuepoints.com/membership #QueuePoints, #BlackMusicHistory, #TheTwist, #HankBallard, #ChubbyChecker, #FatBoys, #BlackDanceHistory, #Watusi, #BusStopDance, #SoulTrain, #AmericanBandstand, #BlackHistoryMonth, #GenXMusic, #PostCivilRightsDances, #DJSirDaniel, #JayRay

    28 min

  4. 9 FEB

    The Wop at 40: The Greatest Hip Hop Dance Ever and the Groove of Mid-80s Black Parties

    The Wop turned 40, and this episode sits right in that mid‑80s pocket where hood parties, basement jams, and early music videos shaped how we moved and how we saw ourselves on the floor. DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray pull from memory, region, and music history to talk through why this simple little move still says so much about Black joy, style, and rhythm. How The Wop became the defining hip hop dance for a generation, from its simplicity to why it still looks cool in videos and at parties decades later.​The songs, tempos, and producers that gave The Wop its groove, from B Fats’ “Woppit” to that Eric B. & Rakim feel and the Dougie Fresh and Herbie Love Bug sound.​The many “ways to Wop,” including aggressive, flirty, playful, and party-time versions, and what those variations say about nuance in Black culture.​How region and era shaped the move, from New York’s head‑driven style to D.C.’s upper‑body wave, and how dances traveled without the internet through tours, tapes, and TV.​A bigger conversation on the “genetic code” of Black dance, what today’s music might be losing, and the kind of time‑traveling parties that could unlock that feeling again. Chapter Markers00:00 Intro Theme 00:16 Welcome to the Show 00:27 The Significance of The Wop 02:29 Cultural Impact of The Wop 05:55 Regional Variations of The Wop 07:40 Historical Context and Evolution 17:01 The Role of Music Videos 18:32 The Genetic Code of Dance 22:13 Conclusion and Call to Action 23:42 Outro Theme Support Queue Points By Becoming An Insider: https://link.queuepoints.com/membership #QueuePoints, #TheWop, #HipHopDance, #80sHipHop, #GoldenEraHipHop, #BlackMusicHistory, #BlackCulture, #BlackJoy, #BasementParties, #BlackParties, #LineDances, #OldSchoolDance, #BlackHistoryMonth, #RBHistory, #DJCulture, #MusicAndMemories, #CookoutVibes, #QuietStormEnergy, #BlackFamilyTraditions, #BlackCommunity, #MusicNostalgia, #HipHopCulture, #EricBAndRakim, #DougieFresh, #JanetJackson, #MCHammer, #PaulaAbdul, #BlackDanceCulture, #Podcast, #MusicPodcast, #CulturalCommentary, #BlackPodcasts, #JayRay, #DJSirDaniel

    24 min

  5. 2 FEB

    The Sacred Science of Black Line Dances: Electric Slide, Cha-Cha Slide & The Wobble

    In this episode of Queue Points, Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel unpack the sacred science behind three modern Black line dance staples: the Electric Slide, the Cha-Cha Slide, and the Wobble. Through personal stories, musical history, and DJ wisdom, they trace how these dances move from family gatherings and fitness classes to clubs, cruise ships, and cookouts—and what they reveal about Black community, joy, and continuity across generations.​ You’ll hear them dig into: How line dances operate as a through line and a direct storytelling of Black history in America, from rites of passage to everyday celebrations.​Personal “confessions on the dance floor,” including learning the Electric Slide in living rooms, on crowded dance floors, and sometimes by trial and error under auntie-level pressure.​The roots of the Electric Slide, from Marcia Griffiths’ “Electric Boogie” and Bunny Wailer’s songwriting to the way DJs helped turn it into a shared ritual in the late 1980s.​The surprising fitness-class origins of the Cha-Cha Slide, how DJ Casper built it from “Plastic Dreams,” and why its built-in instructions make it a lifeline for wallflowers.​The role of songs like “The Wobble” as a DJ “cheat code,” creating space for folks who might not feel comfortable dancing one-on-one but still want to be in community on the floor.​ If line dances have ever pulled you from the wall to the center of the room, this conversation offers language for why those moments feel so familiar, necessary, and alive. Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro Theme 00:16 Welcome to the Show 00:27 The Cultural Significance of Line Dances 01:31 Confessions of Line Dancing Skills 04:12 The Electric Slide: A Historical Perspective 12:02 The Cha-Cha Slide: From Fitness Class to Global Phenomenon 20:31 The Rise of the Wobble 22:10 The Impact of the Wobble in Clubs 25:44 DJ Tips for Playing the Wobble 29:23 The Cultural Significance of Line Dances 32:34 Supporting Queue Points 35:13 Outro Theme Support Queue Points By Becoming An Insider: https://link.queuepoints.com/membership #BlackLineDances, #ElectricSlide, #ChaChaSlide, #TheWobble, #BlackCulture, #BlackJoy, #BlackHistory, #LineDancing, #DJCulture, #QueuePoints, #MusicPodcast, #BlackMusicHistory, #PartyMusic, #CookoutMusic, #DanceFloor, #GenX, #HipHopAndRB, #BlackCommunity, #BlackCelebration

    36 min

  6. 26 JAN

    Rihanna Is Our Last Global Pop Phenomenon

    Rihanna has given us hits, images, and moments that defined an era, but what does it mean to call her our last global pop phenomenon? In this episode of Queue Points, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray sit down to reflect on Rihanna’s impact as an artist, a Bajan cultural figure, and a businesswoman whose reach extends far beyond the charts.​ In this conversation, they explore:​ Rihanna’s journey from Bridgetown to becoming one of the most recognizable pop and R&B artists of the 21st century.​The Bajan women performers who laid the groundwork before her, including Alison Hinds, Shontelle Lane, Tamara Marshall, Rosemary Phillips, and Shanta Price.​How Rihanna’s catalog, image, and public persona reshaped expectations of what a global pop star can look and sound like.​The personal and professional challenges she has navigated in public, and how they inform the way audiences relate to her.​Rihanna’s evolution into a cultural and business force through ventures like Fenty, and what that says about the future of international pop stardom.​ If you care about Black music history, Caribbean influence, and the changing nature of pop celebrity, this episode offers a grounded, thoughtful look at why Rihanna’s story still matters. Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro Theme 00:16 Introduction and Welcome 00:58 Rihanna: The Last International Pop Star 01:26 Honoring Bajan Female Artists 02:32 Rihanna's Early Career and Rise to Fame 04:07 Rihanna's Achievements and Impact 05:36 Rihanna's Personal and Professional Challenges 06:53 Rihanna's Cultural Influence and Comparisons 14:43 Rihanna's Business Acumen and Branding 25:44 Conclusion and Call to Action 27:08 Outro Theme Support Queue Points By Becoming An Insider: https://link.queuepoints.com/membership #Rihanna, #RihannaNavy, #QueuePoints, #QueuePointsPodcast, #GlobalPop, #PopCulture, #BlackMusic, #BlackMusicHistory, #CaribbeanMusic, #Bajan, #Soca, #Fenty, #MusicPodcast, #PopMusic, #RB, #HipHopCulture, #MusicHistory

    27 min

  7. 19 JAN

    R&B, Love, and Community Power with JP Brice of CMP Radio in Chester, PA

    R&B, love, and community power sit at the center of this conversation with Jean-Pierre “JP” Brice, founder of CMP Radio in Chester, PA. Drawing from loss, hustle, and healing, JP talks with Queue Points about what it means to build a station, show up for your city, and raise Black boys with honesty and care through the language of music. This is a grounded, reflective episode for listeners who care about Black radio, R&B, and the everyday work of community building. ​In this episode, you’ll hear:How JP went from a 12-year-old dealing with his father’s passing to founding CMP Radio, and why Barack Obama’s election and therapy were key turning points in that journey.Why R&B, especially the Quiet Storm era, remains a toolkit for love, communication, and vulnerability for Black men, and how it helped JP process trauma and choose a different path.The story behind CMP Radio’s mission to “cultivate mature positivity,” including youth programs, Fusion Fridays, and creating spaces where people in Chester feel seen, heard, and supported.A candid father–son moment where JP breaks generational silence—teaching his son and his friends about sex, condoms, and respect, using H-Town’s “Knockin’ Da Boots” as a conversation starter.How memories tied to songs like Stevie Wonder’s “That Girl” and the work of artists like George Benson, Sade, Chaka Khan, and Phyllis Hyman keep JP anchored in joy, accountability, and a deeper sense of responsibility to his community. Take Action​👉 Tap in with CMP Radio Visit the CMP Radio Foundation website and hit “Listen Now”; andIf you’re able, click the donate button to support the work happening in Chester, PA: https://podcast.queuepoints.com/cmpdonate 🎧 Listen to the playlist by JP Check out the "Jean-Pierre 'JP' Brice's Top 5 (+5) R&B Jams" Spotify list while you work: https://podcast.queuepoints.com/jptop5playlist Jean-Pierre “JP” Brice BioJean-Pierre Berman Brice is a Brooklyn-born, Chester, PA-raised media founder, storyteller, and cultural organizer whose work bridges media, youth development, and community empowerment. As the founder of CMPRadio.Net and the CMPRadio Foundation, he transformed lived experiences of loss, incarceration, and renewal into platforms that amplify real voices and champion “Cultivating Mature Positivity.” Through teaching, mentorship, and youth media programs—including work with Chester Charter Scholars Academy—Brice has become a trusted guide for young people discovering their purpose. Honored with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from Americorps and numerous civic recognitions, he continues to build platforms that unite through honesty, accountability, and healing. At his core, Jean-Pierre is a communicator who believes that unity comes through honest conversation, collective responsibility, and narrative control. Whether behind the microphone, in the classroom, or on the streets engaging youth, his mission remains the same: build platforms that make people feel seen, heard, and empowered. Chapter Markers00:00 Intro Theme 00:16 Welcome to the Show 02:00 Welcome Jean-Pierre Berman Brice ("JP"): Bio, Background, and Early Influences 04:19 The Birth of CMP Radio 05:56 Transition 06:02 What Made JP and the team Start CMP When They Did? 06:41 Challenges and Inspirations 09:06 Building a Community Platform 13:03 The Importance of R&B and Personal Growth 15:53 Building Unity and Family Lessons 16:55 R&B and Party Vibes 17:51 Transition 17:59 Father-Son Conversations 20:16 Community Engagement and Unity 22:04 The Power of Music and Memories 24:18 Supporting CMP Radio 27:40 Final Thoughts and Farewell 29:08 Outro Theme Support Queue Points By Becoming An Insider: https://link.queuepoints.com/membership #RnB, #BlackMen, #Masculinity, #BlackMasculinity, #BlackFathers, #BlackMusicHistory, #RBHistory, #QuietStorm, #CommunityRadio, #InternetRadio, #LocalRadio, #CMPRadio, #ChesterPA, #Pennsylvania, #BlackCommunity, #CommunityPower, #LoveIsTheMessage, #QueuePoints, #Podcast, #MusicPodcast, #CulturePodcast, #BlackCulture, #Healing, #Therapy, #Storytelling, #YouthDevelopment, #HipHopAndRB, #BlackJoy, #BlackLove

    29 min

  8. 12 JAN

    The Category Is: Your Favorite Rapper Is A Butch Queen

    “The Category Is: Your Favorite Rapper Is A Butch Queen” is a grounded, funny, and thoughtful sit-down between Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel about energy, performance, and how Black men show up in hip-hop; not about who anybody is sleeping with. Drawing from Black queer culture and ballroom, they unpack why so many of rap’s most beloved figures move with butch queen energy, and why that matters for how we understand masculinity, vulnerability, attraction, and flair.​ In this episode, they get into: What “butch queen” actually means in Black queer culture, and why they intentionally separate it here from assumptions about sexuality.​How artists like Tyler, The Creator, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, Diddy, and 50 Cent embody a blend of masculine and feminine energies in their style, showmanship, and emotional range.​The role of theater, fashion, and performance in hip-hop history, and why showmanship, costume, and “doing the most” have always been part of the culture.​How labeling Black men’s expression as “sassy” or suspect can fuel repression, harm mental health, and sometimes feed into violence, and why giving Black men room to be their full selves is so important.​An invitation to brothers (and everyone who loves them) to think about therapy, balance, and using that butch queen power for something other than ego and chaos.​ If you care about hip-hop, Black queer language, and the many ways Black men hold duality on and off the mic, this conversation offers a clear, nuanced lens to sit with. Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro Theme 00:16 Introduction and Hosts' Greetings 01:45 Defining 'Butch Queen' 03:43 Cultural Context and Ballroom Influence 06:31 Historical and Contemporary Butch Queens in Hip Hop 08:51 Spotlight on Tyler, the Creator 11:05 LL Cool J: Hip Hop's Original Pretty Boy 15:58 Slick Rick: The Ostentatious Storyteller 19:35 Kendrick Lamar: The Balanced Butch Queen 22:06 Big Butch Queen Energy 22:32 Kendrick Lamar's Slow Jam Dominance 23:33 Sean Diddy Combs: The Ultimate Butch Queen 29:50 Tupac: The Butch Queen Architect 36:32 50 Cent: The Messy Butch Queen 39:09 Embracing Full Self Expression 43:22 Closing Thoughts and Farewell Support Queue Points By Becoming An Insider: https://link.queuepoints.com/membership

    45 min
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About

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. Follow us on social media @queuepointspod everywhere.

Information

  • Creator
    Queue Points LLC
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    235
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021-2025 Queue Points LLC
  • Show Website
    Queue Points

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