Queue Points

Queue Points LLC
  • 5.0 (19)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 10H AGO

    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

  2. FEB 16

    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

  3. FEB 9

    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

  4. FEB 2

    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

  5. JAN 26

    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

  6. JAN 19

    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,...

    29 min

  7. JAN 12

    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

  8. 12/22/2025

    Patti LaBelle’s "Where my background singers?" Performance of "This Christmas" Is A Black Camp Classic

    It’s the holidays, and you know what that means on Queue Points: it’s time to talk holiday cheer … and foolishness. Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel revisit Patti LaBelle’s infamous 1996 performance of “This Christmas” for the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, where everything that could go wrong absolutely did – no background singers, cue cards [with the lyrics] out of order, and Patti onstage begging, “Where my background singers?” while still belting for her life. The hosts dig into what actually happened behind the scenes and how this one night turned into a yearly meme and a Black camp classic folks quote every December.​​​ From Jay Leno and Watch What Happens Live to the legendary Patti Pie era, Jay Ray and Sir Daniel also walk through other moments where Miss Patti broke the internet and reminded everyone why she’s a national treasure with an unmatched sense of humor. This episode is part love letter, part cultural autopsy, and part holiday hangout, perfect to throw on while you’re trimming the tree, wrapping gifts, or rewatching Patti ask for “the next card, honey” one more time.​​​ Key takeaways: How a mistimed entrance, wrong cue cards, and late background singers turned “This Christmas” into peak Black camp instead of a holiday standard.​​​Why the performance vanished into archives for years and then found new life as a social media holiday classic that people now rewatch every season.​​Patti’s own reflections on the night, from joking about the disaster with Jay Leno in the 90s to later “not remembering” the moment on Watch What Happens Live.​​How Patti’s other viral moments – the Tyra Banks cupcake segment and the Walmart Patti Pie explosion – cemented her status as a meme-able diva for multiple generations.​​​Why Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel see this performance as a joyful tradition and proof that even a hot mess can become a cherished cultural artifact.​​ Links to Content Referenced in This Episode James Wright Chanel on The Patti Labelle PiePatti LaBelle and Lisa Lillien on The Tyra Banks ShowPatti LaBelle’s ‘Where Are My Background Singers?’ Moment | WWHL - After Andy Cohen shows Patti LaBelle a clip of her “This Christmas” performance that went viral, Patti says she doesn’t remember the “where are my background singers?” moment.Patti Labelle on Jay Leno In 1996 Discussing 'This Christmas' Performance - Brandon Fonseca (@bless_bands) 31 likes, 3 comments - bless_bands on December 4, 2024: “Throwback Patti talking about the viral “Where My Background Singers” moment @mspattilabelle explaining what happened the night after singing “This Christmas” at the Christmas Tree Lighting on @nbcjayleno 🤣 MUA: @derrick4mkup #PattiLaBelle #Jayleno #LateNight #WhereMyBackgroundsingers #Chrsitmas #Comedy #Legendary”.Patti LaBelle video from 1996 national tree lighting has become a family tradition for saxophonist - Nearly 30 years later, the video of Labelle desperately calling, “Where my background singers!” while frantically asking for faster cue cards has become iconic.National Christmas Tree Lighting, December 5, 1996 - C-SPAN - In the annual Pageant of Peace, President Clinton pressed the button to light the national Christmas tree, dedicating it to peace, love and the young people of the world. He said, "Let us rejoice that our nation is at peace." Ms. LaBelle, the Children's Choir from Roanoke, Virginia, the Mannheim Steamroller band and young dancers from the Washington Ballet performed seasonal numbers. Willard Scott celebrated his 25th year as Santa Claus for the...

    21 min
See All (234)

Trailer

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

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
    234
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021-2025 Queue Points LLC
  • Show Website
    Queue Points