Mary J. Blige

Oscar Nominations, Black Panther, Kelela – IP 108

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It’s been a long, strange, sometimes underwhelming trip to the Oscar Nominations but we’re here to share our immediate reactions. We give you our thoughts on why certain movies are heading to the red carpet and others got snubbed and we also try to make sense of why the film Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri has become a frontrunner. We celebrate nominations for Get Out, The Big Sick, Logan, Mudbound and Lady Bird and share our gratitude to whomever was genius enough to book Tiffany Haddish to announce the nominations.

Plus, Sean makes his case for why Black Panther should have received an Oscar nomination THIS year! He’s not joking!

And we end the show with The Big Sell. Sean rates Amita’s Big Sell from last time, Kelela’s “Frontline,” and then Big Sells Amita an article by Alissa Wilkinson (one of his favorite culture critics) on the backlash against Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri. Read it HERE

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Life Defining Music, National African American Museum – IP 102

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This is our final regular episode of the year and we are both sharing AND caring!

First Sean shares his experience visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. He describes what it likes to visit this incredible new museum and discusses some of the amazing pop culture featured in the exhibits.

Then Amita and Sean revisit one of their favorite segments of the past year and share their discussion of the music by some of their favorite female singers that has defined pivotal moments in their lives. Whether grappling with life in the closet, coping with feeling like an outsider, celebrating the joy of a new found independence or discovering a strengthening friendship we highlight the music that has provided an essential soundtrack to our lives. Our “Defining Divas” include Mary J. Blige, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Lauren Hill and BOTH Knowles sisters – Beyonce and Solange.

And then Sean rates the final big sell of the year – the single “Underdog” by singer/songwriter Banks.

And finally Amita and Sean preview their upcoming year end specials! We’re preparing our lists for the best TV, Music and Film of the year and have a few surprising choices in store!

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Jay-Z’s 4:44, Best TV of 2017 (So Far), Bishop Briggs – IP 82

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This week, Inside Pop dives into Jay-Z’s new album 4:44- we discuss some of the personal issues he revealed in his lyrics along with his evolution from his first album to now. We then discuss other artists who have bared their soul through music and some of the confessional – like songs with which we have connected –  including Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, Prince, Mary J. Blige and more.

Then, we revel in the abundance of programming that Peak TV has given us in 2017 with our Best of TV picks of the last 6 months. Find out which shows made our individual lists and which shows we shared our undying affection for.

Plus, Sean gives his Big Sell review and rating of last week’s suggestion from Amita- the singer/songwriter, Bishop Briggs. Then, he shares his Big Sell which comes from one of the series on his Best of TV (So Far) list.

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You can also find Inside Pop on Maximum Fun network.

DJ Khaled, Chance the Rapper, The Handmaid’s Tale, Mary J. Blige, Prince & The Revolution, Jonathan Demme, Gorillaz – IP 73

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The Pop Insiders never lie! As promised – May is lit and in this episode we dive into the unbearable ‘litness’ of pop culture in its first week. We discuss:

  • DJ Khaled’s new song of the summer contender, “I’m the One”. We review the song and focus on Chance the Rapper’s provocative verse.
  • Mary J. Blige’s new album, Strength of a Woman.
  • The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.
  • Our ecstatic experience seeing The Revolution live in NYC.
  •  The passing of the great director, Jonathan Demme.

And of course we end with the Big Sell. Amita reviews Sean’s pick from last week – the recent Gorillaz episode of the music focused podcast, Song Exploder.

This week’s Big Sell: Amita sells a profile on Daryl Hall & John Oates featured on CBS Sunday Morning.

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Check Out James Dinh’s review of The Revolution’s show in NYC HERE

Our Life Defining Divas, Fleabag, Preview of Amita’s Celeb Husband Bracket – IP 67

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This time the Pop Insiders get up close and personal! In the second installment of our series celebrating Women’s History Month, we each share how three female musicians defined different periods of our lives. We discuss music from artists like Annie Lennox, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé and others that gave us comfort, motivation and inspiration when we needed them the most.

Also, Amita reviews Sean’s Big Sell of the Amazon series Fleabag. Sean was iffy on whether Amita would really like this Big Sell- listen to hear her verdict. And Amita’s Big Sell involved a new British artist AND this reading assignment.

Plus – over the past year we’ve all heard Amita mention her ‘husbands’ – those celebrities who have the right combination of looks and talent which make them worthy potential spouses. Well – in our version of a March Madness bracket, Amita shares her top eight husbands which Sean will use to prepare next week’s celebrity husband bracket. This is guaranteed to be the sexiest bracket you’ve ever experienced!

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Check out one Sean’s Defining Diva picks: Eurythmics beautiful dark twisted fantasy aka Beethoven (I Love to Listen to)

 

Lady Gaga, The Walking Dead, Mary J Blige, Big Sell 30 – IP 50

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While you’re scouring costume stores to find a David S. Pumpkins Halloween costume, get your pop culture fix in this week’s episode!

lady-gaga-album-coverWe review Lady Gaga’s new album, Joanne, with friend, DJ and devoted Lady Gaga fan, James Barker. We discuss the music, her slightly stripped down image, last weekend’s SNL performance, and so much more! (Seriously, we couldn’t stop talking about her and well…multiple tangents occurred).

the-walking-dead-jeffrey-dean-morganThen, Sean tries to contain himself while describing the violent and tragic season premiere of The Walking Dead. SPOILER ALERT- he reveals details of what went down with hot but deadly Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan and his deadly bat, Lucille.

Plus, we continue #BigSell30 with a special Big Sell from guest Matthew Billy, host of the music history podcast, Between the Liner Notes. It’s an incredible account of an impromptu jam session with Pete Seeger of “Sailing Up, Sailing Down” that he had the privilege to witness.

All that and Amita’s thoughts on the Mary J. Blige short-lived Crispy Chicken commercial- no spoiler necessary…you can probably guess her reaction.

Check us out on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders to see what we’re enjoying in pop culture throughout the week and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!

Moonlight, Mary J. Blige, Queen Sugar, Alexa – IP49

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Is Fall 2016 shaping up to be one of the greatest seasons for Pop Culture ever? Consider our latest episode that celebrates the ridiculous heights achieved in music, film and TV in just the past 7 days.

First up we discuss the independent feature, Moonlight which opens this week. This movie has filled Sean’s soul and rocked his world so hard that it gets the full House of Hyperbole treatment. Find out why he thinks this film cannot be missed!

 

Then, we discuss the new single from the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige. Mary has sat on the throne for 2 decades but we think her new song, “Thick of It,” is one of the most soul baring and emotionally gut wrenching songs she’s ever recorded. We also reveal the role Mary has played in our personal friendship and podcast partnership.

Plus, we talk about the new television drama on OWN, Queen Sugar. The show is halfway through its first season and continues to bring an impressive blend of  melodrama, social realism and the most gorgeous cinematography on TV. All hail Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay! Whether you’re a huge fan or haven’t had a chance to catch it, Amita shares a tip on the ‘best’ way to view past and upcoming episodes.

And #BigSell30 moves into the home stretch with a Big Sell from friends of the show Caroline and Tom Romita (and their new best friend, Alexa).