Pop Culture

Big Sell 30 Day 22: Star Wars Rebels

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Happy Saturday Pop Culture fans! Here’s your daily dose of pop culture for #BigSell30.

We had such a great time talking to Alan Noah of The Test of Time podcast last week, so we brought him back to give us another Big Sell. This time, he suggested the Disney XD animated series, Star Wars Rebels. He also somehow snuck in a Big Sell for Star Wars Clone Wars in the middle of our conversation too!

starwars-rebels

At first I think I was a little hesitant watching a “kids cartoon”, but Alan took this assignment seriously and truly sold me on this! And of course, he had Sean at, “Star Wars.”

Listen now to hear his description of the series and find out how he was able to make both of us gasp in excitement. (Three words: James. Earl. Jones.)

And definitely check out Alan’s podcast- this week’s episode dissects the John Hughes classic, Sixteen Candles.

Don’t forget to tweet us @PopInsiders to give us your Big Sell and also let us know how #BigSell30 is going for you!

Big Sell 30 Day 21: Six Degrees of Music Separation

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Hey all- Amita here with today’s #BigSell30. We’ve got a few more days left of our month long challenge of trying out one new piece of pop culture everyday.

When I was preparing this post to Big Sell this article, I told Sean I would try to avoid selling another song or album, which I must say was harder than I thought since I’m always listening and discovering new music and want to share  it with everyone! (see Lake Street Dive & Rationale). But when I saw this article and where it lead me to, I had to make a tiny exception. And technically, it’s not really a song. It’s a really fun game!

So, this Big Sell comes from another Big Sell. When we were promoting #BigSell30 in late September, my cousin Sanat Patel tweeted us a great article from fivethirtyeight about the most sampled song in history. “Amen, Brother” by The Winstons has been sampled over 2,000 times over the last few decades! Artists who have used this popular sample include N.W.A., The Prodigy, heavy metal band Slipknot, Janet Jackson and David Bowie. It is a pretty interesting read and gives a ton of info about the history of this particular sample- check it out here. Thanks cousin!

I have to admit, I got a sample education and the article cited another website as the source for its sampling data- WhoSampled. I had to look into this info site and find out more. As fivethirtyeight describes, “Every day, fanatical music lovers identify hundreds of samples from songs old and new and add them wiki-style to the database” and then the staff at WhoSampled vets each submission before entering it on the site. We’ve all heard a ton of samples throughout the years and it’s pretty awesome to go to a site or app to find out where the original sample came from. But the game that I discovered on WhoSampled takes it to another level- and immediately became my Big Sell!

On their home page they promote a fun, music info game called, Six Degrees of Music Separation – a play on the movie themed game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. I was immediately intrigued. This game prompts you to enter two artists and they have some crazy algorithm that figures out how many degrees they are separated by using remixes, producers, covers, samples and more!

I put it to the test using two of our Big Sells: Lake Street Dive and Roman GianArthur- check out the results- did you know that Paul McCartney and Erykah Badu would make that connection?

6-deg

It’s fun, addictive and you can play it for hours…no really, you could. (I just stopped writing this blog to put in random artists for 20 min.)

Enjoy the samples, the game and I’m sorry if you may not be as productive at work today :/

Only a few days left of The Big Sell 30 Day Challenge! Be sure to Tweet us @PopInsiders to let us know how #BigSell30 is going for you and there is still time to send us a big sell!

 

 

 

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).

Big Sell 30 Day 18: Rationale

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Hey all! Amita here with today’s Big Sell. The #BigSell30 has kept me on my pop culture toes this month! We hope it’s been fun for all of you to experience one piece of pop culture every day for 30 days too.

If there was a prize for trying to combine a bunch of Big Sells and make a Super Big Sell- I think this might qualify! 🙂 Take some Black Excellence, with a dash of British influence, (inspired by our fellow British podcasters JoJCast) initially discovered on my Spotify Daily Mix and one of his tracks qualifies as a Super Short Song!

As I mentioned before, I have been enjoying my Daily Mixes from Spotify and three of my mixes have usually been pretty straight forward – one is mostly mainstream pop, one is hip-hop/rap and one is Soul/R&B. But the 4th Mix is a great mix of mostly unknown artists that Spotify curated just for me and it’s where I found today’s Big Sell- Zimbabwe-born British singer-songwriter, Rationale. 

I instantly felt David Bowie, Tracy Chapman, Sade, INXS, James Blake and so many more vibes from Rationale. He came out with an EP last year and the song I heard in my Daily Mix was “Fast Lane“. It’s a great mid-tempo song, but his voice is something else. It has such depth and soul and I had to listen to more. The next single I became obsessed with is the title cut, “Fuel to the Fire” which is an emotional song that has some 80’s influences with a modern pop feeling. The music video is captivating and a perfect compliment to his powerful lyrics- check it out here. I’m also enjoying “The Re.Up” and his latest singles “Palms” and “Something For Nothing”. (Yes I named basically all of his tracks and I don’t care- I fell in LOVE with all of his music!)

As you can see, I became obsessed and started to do some more research to find more info about him. Here’s the skinny on Rationale: He is 32, loves to dance and also produces all of his own music. He did an interview explaining why he called himself Rationale and the reason seems like it’s kismet that I found him for #BigSell30:

L: Why choose the word “rationale” in particular?

R: I had a job in a charity call centre and the boss told us: “Today we’re going to be selling stuff, make sure you get an extra £1 out of people as it’s for charity. Give them an introduction and a hard sell, then, once you’ve got their attention, give them the rationale.” That word stuck with me.

Hard Sell- Big Sell…it’s meant to be! He already has a few notable fans- Pharrell, Justin Timberlake and Elton John have all praised him over the last year and his full album release is scheduled for next spring. He is officially saved on my Spotify and I KNOW that Sean is going love him. I can’t wait for all of you to listen- mark my words and remember his name, he is going to blow up very soon in the states and you can thank me later.

Please tweet us @PopInsiders or leave a comment below and tell us what you think of Rationale!

And don’t forget to tweet us to let us know how your #BigSell30 Challenge is going.

Big Sell 30 Day 17: Kate Tempest Featuring JoJCast

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From the beginning of the #BigSell30, Jo and J, the hosts of the JoJCast, have been big supporters of our goal to experience one new piece of pop culture everyday throughout the month of October . Amita and I are super appreciative of all of the amazing big sell recommendations they’ve tweeted over the past couple of weeks. We’ve been big fans of their Screen Dump podcast since late last year so we are especially thrilled to have them join us for this Inside Pop Special International Edition!

JojCast’s Big Sell is British music artist, Kate Tempest’s new album, Let Them Eat Chaos. If you listen carefully to this podcast you’ll hear Amita and I become increasingly intrigued by their description of this musician/poet we’d never heard before. Jo shares the fact that she has “…an emotional epiphany,” every time she see’s Tempest perform. I love (and quite often depend on) music that elicits deep emotional responses so I was ready to immediately check out this #BigSell! In addition to the new album, Jo and J also recommended Kate Tempest’s appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series (link below). After watching the first song, “Ballad of a Hero,” I was floored!

After listening to our conversation we think you’ll also be inspired to check out Kate Tempest and listen to JoJCast (they’re also podcasting about music now and I guarantee there are many other great recommendations from them ahead).

Listen to: Kate Tempest’s new album: Let Them Eat Chaos

Watch her on:  Tiny Desk Concert

Be sure to follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30

Big Sell 30 Day 16: Your Favorite Super Short Song

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As we move into the second half of our Big Sell 30 Day Challenge (wherein we all commit to experience one new piece of pop culture every day for 30 days) I want to try something different. In acknowledgement of the days when we don’t have a lot of time to devote to pop culture consumption, I want to Big Sell you YOUR favorite super short song.

Most rock, pop, and hip hop songs are typically 3 and a half to 5 minutes long. I’d like for you to think about a really short song you love (something under 2.5 minutes), listen to it and revel in the fact that the song is giving you everything you need in a pop song in less than half the time of a song of average length.

I have two favorite super shorties you’re welcome to claim as your own. Prince and the Revolution’s, “I Wonder U” from the album Parade. I think this may be the only Prince song that isn’t sung by Prince (please correct me if I’m wrong). Instead Wendy and Lisa’s ethereal vocals take center stage; their chant/mantra/prayer ( I Wonder U/What’s On Your Mind)  floats over heavy percussion and flutes and guitar for 1:39. I actually wish this song was a little longer.

And then there’s The Smiths’, “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want.” At 1:52 it is without a doubt the shortest song with the longest title with the saddest effect in my music collection. It’s a perfect song. Morrissey’s Lyrics and Johnny Marr’s guitar pull you down into the depths of despair in under two minutes. If the song lasted any longer you might not be able to recover!

You can listen to the The Smiths’ track on Spotify HERE

So what’s your favorite super short song? Leave a comment below or tweet us @popinsiders and let us know. Be sure to follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30

Big Sell 30 Day 14: Your Childhood Hero Interviews a Supreme Court Justice

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Sean David Johnson here to give you a new #BigSell and to celebrate the fact that The Big Sell 30 Day Challenge has reached the two week mark! I hope you’ve enjoyed the #BigSell30 as much as Amita and I have. We appreciate everyone who has shared their pop culture suggestions. And we have so much more to come in the next two weeks!

My Big Sell for today is another podcast. As you may know, Death, Sex & Money is one of my favorites (I ‘big sold’ the series to Amita earlier this year and she likes it too). The show’s host, Anna Sale, is a master interviewer. She speaks to guests, both the famous and the every day person, about those three very personal words in the show’s title; and gets them to open up and share their inner lives in a really illuminating way. Amita and I also gained such great information and inspiration from her presentation earlier this summer at Podcast Movement (PM16)  in Chicago.

For the past few weeks Anna Sale has been on maternity leave and her hosting duties have been filled by a roster of former guests. I’d like to Big Sell the episode in which Sonia Manzano interviews US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.  If you’re an American child of the 70’s, 80’s, or 90’s (or the parent of that child) you may know Sonia Manzano better as Maria from Sesame Street.

These two women discuss their similar childhoods (growing up poor in the South Bronx), how their lives have been touched by family members with substance abuse problems, the current state of race and representation in this country and so much more.

Justice Sotomayor is incredibly open and Ms. Manzano creates such an easy rapport – the result is an inspiring, empowering and informative conversation.

You can listen to this amazing conversation HERE

Be sure to follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30

Big Sell 30 Day 13: Roman GianArthur’s OK Lady

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Sean David Johnson here with lucky day 13 of our Big Sell 30 Day Challenge. We’re almost halfway into our project of trying one new pop culture experience everyday for 30 days in October. It’s never too late to join – follow #BigSell30 on Twitter for recommendations and please send us suggestions and updates on how the challenge is working out for you!

Today I’d like to #BigSell you Roman GianArthur’s EP, OK Lady.

I first discovered the singer-songwriter-guitar maestro Roman GianArthur on Wondaland Presents: The Eephus, a collection of songs by artists signed to Janelle Monae’s Wondaland music label. GianArthur’s contribution, “iKnow,” is one of the highlights of that EP. Soon after hearing that song I discovered his incredible single, “I-69.” The song’s sweet melody coupled with its playful, sexual lyrics result in a great tune and a very compelling Big Sell for a well known sexual practice.

There’s Only One Rule/Do Unto Me As I Do Unto You/You Know It’s True/The Best Love is Mutual

Preach! (Also, Sold!)

As I searched for more music from GianArthur, I came upon an EP on SoundCloud called OK Lady. The EP blends the songs of Radiohead and D’Angelo in a really interesting way. Not quite covers, more than mash-ups, he seamlessly blends the musical styles of two modern day musical giants and creates a sound that is uniquely his own.  Listen to it HERE.
I’m looking forward to more music from this talented artist (I saw him perform at AfroPunk this summer and he blew the entire crowd away with his set, which started with one of the best covers of Prince’s Let’s Go Crazy I have ever heard!).
Be sure to follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30.

 

 

Fall TV Review, Bruno Mars, Childish Gambino – IP 48

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This week, Inside Pop helps you deal with increasing demands of Peak TV. We review the new Fall TV shows we’re sampling, the returning shows that are still solid and the programs that are either being saved on our DVR or on the cusp of being buried in the Pop Culture Graveyard. Some of the shows that make the list include: HBO’s Insecure, Hulu’s The Mindy Project and NBC’s The Good Place & This is Us.

 

We also discuss the new single from Bruno Mars, “24K Magic” and analyze his Vegas party themed video. Plus, Amita’s Big Sell features music from Atlanta star, Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino.

The multi-talented creator, writer and director of the hit series also sings and raps and Amita handpicks three singles from his last album Kauai, “Palisades”, “Sober” and “Pop Thieves” for #BigSell30. We also discuss his creative collective- Royalty, featured here in GQ Magazine as well as The Roots musical collective discussed here.

Listen. Share. Subscribe and follow us @Popinsiders on Twitter and Instagram. And don’t forget to join us in the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge!

Big Sell Day 11: Lake Street Dive

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Amita here with your daily dose of pop culture for the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge! Join us and try one new piece of pop culture every day for 30 days.

Most of my Big Sells on Inside Pop and in the #BigSell30 are usually musical. I grew up playing the piano, violin and french horn and was in the orchestra, marching band and sang in choir all throughout school. Music is in my veins and I don’t think I can go a day without listening to something. So, when I started to put together a list for The Big Sell 30, it was no surprise that most of my choices were songs or music videos. #Predictable or #Reliable?

So, it’s no surprise that today’s Big Sell is another music choice! I’m selling a really fantastic Jazz/Pop/Country quartet called Lake Street Dive. About 2 years ago I found them while I was doing some online research for something music related and I was hooked. I watched their great jazzy cover of The Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back” that was recorded on a sidewalk in Boston (They met while attending The New England Conservatory of Music). You can watch that awesome video here. The lead singer, Rachael Price has an incredible voice and the group has really strong and smart harmonies that I just eat up.

Their EP, Fun Machine features that cover along with a few others like George Michael’s “Faith” and Hall & Oates “Rich Girl”- but that’s not my Big Sell! (Fooled ya- but you should check that out)

They’ve released 2 albums of original music since the Fun Machine EP and their most recent album, Side Pony was released earlier this year. (Still not my Big Sell…keep waiting!)

As soon as I discovered Lake Street Dive, I listened to their self-titled debut album on repeat and this song just spoke to me. It has so much soul and I will always turn it up and sing along. No more fake sells- THIS is my Big Sell! The single “Don’t Make Me Hold Your Hand” by Lake Street Dive- You can listen to it here on Spotify.

Check it out and let me know you think!

Follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!