Queue Points

On this special episode of Queue Points, we sit down with legendary music executive Teddy Astin! While working at Warner Brothers Records, Mr. Astin helped shape the careers of icons like Prince, Madonna, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Sly Stone, and more. He shares his journey from Palmetto, Georgia, to becoming a driving force behind Atlanta’s rise as an international hub for music and film. We also discuss his memoir, “A Golden Pas...

Queue Points hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray drop the needle on the artists who didn’t just make hits, they made fashion history. Starting with hip-hop’s scrappy, innovative origins in New York, the duo explores how rappers turned limited resources into unforgettable looks, and how that style evolved from block to stage to runway.

The picks are personal and cultural:

• Slick Rick’s Windrush-inspired elegance and gleaming opulence
• Fo...

DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray sit down with Philadelphia DJ, radio host and music journalist John Morrison to talk about his new book, Boyz II Men 40th Anniversary Celebration (Epic Ink/Quarto). Morrison breaks down the group’s deep Philly roots, from doo-wop and Gamble & Huff to the rise of 90s hip-hop, and explains how Boyz II Men’s sound and image bridged R&B and rap during a pivotal moment in pop culture.

The conversation di...

In this episode of Queue Points podcast, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray discuss the changing landscape of gospel music, focusing on the evolving norms and the importance of maintaining cultural identity. They delve into the recent comments made by gospel executive Norman Gyamfi about gospel music norms and their impact, sparking a conversation on anti-blackness and the erasure of black culture in music. Special guest Darnell Mille...

On this special Queue Points bonus episode, exclusively for Banjee Boombox, we're turning up the volume on one of hip hop's most pivotal nights - the 1995 Source Awards. How did a tense moment, a lukewarm applause, and Andre 3000’s immortal words (“the South got something to say!”) launch Atlanta into the center of hip hop? Hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray break it all down in classic Queue Points style: smart, entertaining, and roo...

DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray sit down with musician, dancer, comedian, and YouTuber Calvin Michaels. Together, they discuss the influence of Black music on K-Pop, and what gets lost (or copied) in translation. Calvin shares insights about his creative path, personal projects, and the North Star that drives him as a true multihyphenate.  

From Calvin’s personal journey growing up internationally, to the guys’ critique of the “...

In this Pride Month episode DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray are joined by journalist and author Starr Rocque. The trio discuss Barbara Mason's 1984 banger "Another Man" - a song that tackled bisexuality in Black music long before it became a mainstream conversation.

The conversation explores how songs like this, and its later hip-hop connections by Notorious B.I.G. and Nikki D, reflect the experiences people were having but rarely discuss...

In this Pride Month episode of Queue Points, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray dive into Peggy Scott Adams’ 1997 blues classic “Bill.” What happens when a Blues track sparks conversations about queerness, deception, and Black family dynamics in the late ‘90s? Mayhem, y’all. Pure mayhem.

Join us as we explore the cultural shockwaves from “Bill”—from how the song tackled (and sometimes mishandled) LGBTQIA+ visibility, to the tabloid-fueled er...

In this special episode of Queue Points, Jay Ray sits down with Wilmington, Delaware’s own Darnell Miller—musician, community builder, and creator of the Live @ The Loft series. Darnell shares the inspiration behind “Pride @ The Loft,” an event dedicated to celebrating Black queer artistry and creating safe, vibrant spaces for music lovers. Tune in to hear about his journey, the importance of supporting independent Black artists, a...

In this first edition of Queue Points 1-On-1, we welcome Kyriacos, a dedicated listener and DJ from Houston. Kyriacos shares how his passion for music was shaped by his family, the Houston scene, and his journey into collecting vinyl. We talk about his favorite concerts, his approach to supporting artists through merch, and how he navigates the changing music industry. The conversation covers the influence of chopped and screwed mu...

Queue Points takes a rhythmic detour from music history to explore the science of wellness with special guest Johnny Dickson of "No Lab Coat Required." In this enlightening conversation, Johnny breaks down complex health concepts into accessible insights about nutrition, fitness, and sustainable lifestyle changes. As Black men navigate cultural food traditions, economic barriers, and conflicting health information, Johnny offers pr...

In this episode of Queue Points Podcast, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray dive into the captivating world of the Met Gala and Black dandyism in music and fashion. The conversation highlights notable artists and groups such as Prince, The Time, Phyllis Hyman, Janet Jackson, Fishbone, Colonel Abrams, Grace Jones, and even dancehall artists, examining how their styling pushed the boundaries of traditional masculine and feminine express...

In this episode of Queue Points, we explore the complex relationship between hip-hop culture and substance use disorders in Black communities with addiction treatment expert Terrence D. Walton, Executive Director of NAADAC (the Association for Addiction Professionals).

Terrence breaks down how addiction treatment has evolved beyond outdated shame-based approaches toward evidence-based, culturally responsive methods. He examines how ...

In this episode of Queue Points, hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray break down the top five cringe moments in Ye’s career … before today (because that’s a whole other story). They explore everything from the notorious Hurricane Katrina broadcast to the unforgettable TMZ meltdown, delving into how these controversial incidents reshaped the public image of a once-revered musical self-described genius. Tune in for candid cultural comment...

In "From Soul Train to TikTok: The Evolution of Teen Dance Shows," hosts DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray take you on a journey through the ever-changing world of teen dance. They explore the groundbreaking era of Soul Train, American Bandstand, and Dance Party USA, sharing personal memories and cultural insights that paved the way for today’s TikTok dance trends. Whether you’re reminiscing about classic moves or grooving to modern beats,...

In this electrifying episode of Queue Points, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray drop the needle on the musical legacies of three legendary Black women who dominated stage, screen, and sound—Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Did you know these powerhouse performers also pursued music careers? From Debbie Allen’s Special Look album, which could have been a hit if released just a year earlier, to Phylicia Rashad’s disco-infu...

Hip-hop is always evolving, but where is it headed next? In this episode of Queue Points, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray drop the needle on the latest cultural shifts shaping the future of the genre. From Sexyy Red’s viral moment on The Jennifer Hudson Show to Kendrick Lamar’s game-changing halftime performance, the duo unpacks the growing tension between artistry, entertainment, and respectability politics.

Are we witnessing the golden ...

Before the term "super producer" became a staple in hip-hop, Larry Smith was already crafting legendary productions that shaped the genre. On this episode of Queue Points, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray drop the needle on one of hip-hop’s most unsung pioneers—Larry Smith.

From his groundbreaking work with Run-D.M.C. and Whodini to his influence on the early sound of Def Jam, Smith’s musicianship set the foundation for what would become h...

The Grammy Awards are supposed to be a celebration of musical excellence, but when natural disasters strike, should the show go on? In this episode of Queue Points Live, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray dive deep into the controversy surrounding the Grammys' decision to proceed despite the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. They discuss celebrity philanthropy, asking whether public figures have a responsibility to use their influence for g...