Beyonce at Coachella, Kendrick Lamar wins the Pulitzer, Scandal Signs Off – IP 119

April 17, 2018April 18, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

This week it’s all about Black (Overachieving) Excellence!

Beyonce Knowles Carter descended from the uppermost level of Heaven and bestowed us with the gift of her life changing performance at Coachella – or as it shall now be forever known . . . BEYCHELLA. We’ll share our reactions to the performance and our reactions to the reactions of her performance.

Kendrick Lamar made history this week by becoming the first Hip Hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize. We’ll discuss why this is a huge deal for hip hop and the culture at large.

Shonda Rhimes and Kerry Washington end the sensational and soapy groundbreaking series, Scandal this week. We’ll discuss the relevancy of one of television’s most diverse and jaw dropping shows.

And the Big Sell shines a light on an amazing music/video/fashion collaboration featuring singers Karen O and Michael Kiwanuka; director Ana Lily Amirpour and fashion house Kenzo.

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Black Panther Special, Hamilton’s Hamildrops – IP 110

February 16, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

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From the moment the Black Panther cast took a group selfie at Comic Con the anticipation and expectations for this film began to grow; and over the past year the buzz has reached a fever pitch (especially for these two podcast hosts). Well, the film has arrived and Inside Pop is devoting this episode to everything Wakanda!

We share our review of the film (just moments after seeing a special screening) and discuss the highlights and the themes that most resonated with us.

Then we review the soundtrack for the film which is curated by Kendrick Lamar and features Lamar, Sza, 2 Chains, Jorja Smith and Khalid.

The only way we would divert from our Black Panther deep dive is to review last week’s Hamilton related Big Sell.

And Sean ends this episode with a Black Panther related Big Sell which he hopes will help Amita appreciate the film even more than she already does.

Wakanda Forever!

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#TimesUp, Golden Globes, Justin Timberlake, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Cardi B, Bruno Mars – IP 107

January 10, 2018January 9, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

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This week, Hollywood flexed its social justice muscle once again when it turned the 75th Golden Globes ceremony into a rally for gender equality. We’ll debate the effectiveness of the black clad ceremony and revel in the glory of Oprah Winfrey’s memorable speech.

Then, we’ll review new songs by some of the biggest stars in music including Bruno Mars and Cardi B’s “Finesse (Remix),” Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s collaboration, “All the Stars,” from the upcoming Black Panther film and Justin Timberlake’s Super Bowl appetizer, “Filthy.”

Plus, Amita reviews last week’s Big Sell, the uplifting new age song by Laraaji, “I Can Only Bliss Out (F’ Days)” and then Big Sells Sean on a new song by Kelela.

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Best Music of 2017 – IP 104

December 13, 2017December 12, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

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This year we’ve listened to countless hours of new albums and songs and attended dozens of concerts and are now ready to declare our favorite music of 2017! Listen to this very special year-end episode to hear us discuss the artists who delivered music that inspired us, informed us, entertained us, made us want to dance and put us in that special mood!

We also discuss our favorite singles of the year, our most memorable concerts and the new music we’re craving in 2018.

Our favorite albums list includes:

Kendrick Lamar – DAMN

Jay-Z – 4:44

Laura Mvula – The Dreaming Room

Jamila Woods – HEAVN (Check out her video for Blk Girl Soldier )

Khalid – American Teen (Check out his video for Location)

Gorillaz – Humanz

Miguel – War X Leisure (Check out his video for Told You So)

Mavis Staples – If All I Was Was Black

Earl St. Clair – My Name Is Earl

Sampha – Process (Check out his video for (No One Knows Me) Like the Piano)

SZA – CTRL

Lorde – Melodrama (Listen to Liability)

Valerie June – Order of Time (Watch her live performance of Order of Time)

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Game of Thrones Finale: The Dragon and the Wolf; Pop Culture in NYC, Miguel’s ‘Sky Walker’ – IP 89

August 30, 2017August 29, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

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It’s all about our two favorite places on this week’s episode; New York City and . . .Westeros!

We recap the Game of Thrones season seven finale, “The Dragon and the Wolf,” and celebrate the Stark Siblings’ team work, analyze the Kings Landing Meet-Up Royale and question the ramifications of Jon and Dany’s union (and when we say ‘union’ we mean they SMASHED!) We also tell you where we think this season ranks compared to others and let you know how long you’ll have to wait for the 8th and final season of this epic series.

We also talk about the jam packed week of pop culture consumption we experienced in our hometown of NYC ( the greatest city in the world – just ask the Schuyler Sisters!). Our 7 days of being out and about include:

AfroPunk – where we saw live performances from Solange, Sampha, Soul II Soul, Raphael Saddiq, Michael Kiwanuka, Macy Gray, Nao, Blitz the Ambassador and hung out with hundreds of people representing Black Girl Magic and Black Boy Joy!
Dave Chappelle & Solange at the iconic Radio City Music Hall.
An exclusive screening of the new doc, A Suitable Girl, that explores arranged marriages in India.
Fellow Max Fun podcasters The Greatest Generation’s live Show (and after the live show there was the after party!).
Kendrick Lamar live!

And Amita Big Sells Sean something to help him – and you – deal with Game of Thrones withdrawal.

Plus – we review the new single and music video, “Sky Walker,” by singer, songwriter and mutual object of Pop Insiders’ affection -Miguel.

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Links

Check out the Youtube channel of Nao, one of our favorite discoveries at AfroPunk.

New Music Videos; South Asian Interracial Relationships in TV & Film – IP 85

August 2, 2017August 1, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

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This week we discuss the film, television, music AND music videos that have grabbed our attention!

First up, we highlight some of our favorite new music videos from Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Grimes featuring Janelle Monae. These artists are creating work that’s thought provoking and gorgeous.

Then, we discuss the depiction of South Asian interracial relationships on television and in film. Our conversation is inspired by a recent article that critiques the lack of Asian love interests in the works of South Asian creators like Aziz Ansari, Mindy Kaling, Kumail Nanjiani and Hasan Minhaj. We tackle the issues of personal expression, cultural responsibility and the need to see Brown Love on the screen.

Finally in The Big Sell, Amita rates Sam Dew’s cover of the Bill Withers song “Use Me” and then she gives what Sean calls, “the greatest big sell in the history of the show!” It’s not because of what she sells – but how she sells it. Let’s just say Sean likes it when Amita shares personal info.

Links:

Jay-Z – The Story of OJ

Jay-Z – 4:44

Kendrick Lamar – ELEMENT

Kendrick Lamar ft Rihanna – LOYALTY

Images in ELEMENT pay homage photographer Gordon Parks.

The Last Jedi, Kendrick Lamar, MTV Movie & TV Awards, A Tribe Called Quest – IP 71

April 19, 2017April 18, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

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In this episode we’re focusing on some of the major pop culture releases of the month!

The trailer for the latest installment of the Star Wars series- The Last Jedi– was released and Sean gives an in depth analysis of the themes of this teaser and theories on the film.

Then, there is no containing our adoration for the incomparable Kendrick Lamar and his latest album, DAMN. We review and reflect on the rap genius and share our initial reactions.

Plus, MTV revamped and expanded their Movie Awards to include television and also removed separate gender categories. We discuss whether this is a smart move to refresh a decades old awards show.

And Amita reviews last week’s Big Sell- A Tribe Called Quest’s latest video directed by Atlanta‘s Hiro Murai for the single- “Dis Generation”, and sells Sean on a recent episode of The Mindy Project.

Let us know your thoughts on all of the above on Twitter or Instagram @PopInsiders

Links:

A Tribe Called Quest: Dis Generation video

Rolling Stone track by track guide to Kendrick Lamar’s Damn.

The Walking Dead, Big Little Lies, Prince, Kendrick Lamar – IP 70

April 5, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

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This week, we achieve the impossible- we discuss the finales of The Walking Dead and Big Little Lies without spoiling a thing! Our discussion focuses on the appropriate length of a season and the pros and cons of producing a series with an end in sight.

Then, Sean takes a purple moment to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Prince’s seminal album, Sign O The Times.

And the Big Sell gets super sized thanks to Kendrick Lamar’s single “The Heart Part 4” and the new music video for “Humble”.

Listen now and let us know what you thought about the finales of The Walking Dead and Big Little Lies- @popinsiders on Twitter or Instagram.

Links:
Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble” video

A Tribe Called Quests’s music video for Dis Generation

Essential Music of 2016 – IP 56

December 14, 2016December 20, 2016 | insidepoppodcast

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We’re back with another installment of our Best of the year episodes with our Essential Music of 2016 picks!

So why was this music Essential? These albums and songs acted as the soundtrack of our lives this year and brought us joy, helped us through pain, gave us life, empowered us and sometimes even made us cry. This is the music that fed our souls and we are thrilled to share it with you.

There’s no question that artists we’ve loved for years, like A Tribe Called Quest, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani, Sia and David Bowie continued to provide music that is as relevant and vital in 2016 as it was decades earlier. But our minds were also blown (and our hearts tugged) by a younger generation of music artists — from Solange’s honest and inspiring A Seat at the Table, to Frank Ocean’s heady and heartfelt Endless and Blonde, to Blood Orange’s introspective opus, Freetown Sounds.

We also shine a light on some of the great songs of the year including works by Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, Rationale, Kamasi Washington, James Blake, One Republic and Miguel.

And this list would not be complete without Sean rejoicing one more time for the Hamilton original cast album.
gallery-sia-this-is-acting-1 atcq-cover beyonce_-_lemonade_official_album_cover blackstar_front_cover solange

Links:

Amita recommends reading this behind the scenes article on the making of Sia’s This is Acting album.

Here is the emotional Gwen Stefani video for Used to Love You that Amita connected with.

Sean loves this duet between legends Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand and would love to see Beyonce and Adele recreate this incredible collaboration.

Amita and Sean both believe Solange created two of the most gorgeous videos of the year: Cranes in the Sky and Don’t Touch My Hair.