Prince

The Best Television & Music of 2018 – IP 141

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Inside Pop presents our year end special highlighting the very best Television and Music of 2018! That’s right – this one episode brings you our picks for  the most binge-worthy TV shows ( including Atlanta, Dear White People, Barry, The Haunting of Hill House, Killing Eve, Queer Eye, Sense8) and most addictive music (including Janelle Monae, Cardi B, Meek Mill, Florence and the Machine, Ella Mai, Jacob Banks, Chloe X Halle) of the past 12 months. Listen to hear new insights into the shows that sit on top of the TV peak, plus we’ll celebrate our favorite albums and each declare our Song of the Year!

Sean’s Top TV

black-ish

Dear White People

Castle Rock

Daredevil

Glow

The Haunting of Hill House

Killing Eve

Sense8 (Series Finale)

Amita’s Top TV

Atlanta

Barry

The Handmaid’s Tale

Killing Eve

Murphy Brown

Queer Eye

Amita’s Top Albums

A Star is Born (Soundtrack) – Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper

Championships – Meek Mill

Dirty Computer – Janelle Monae

Invasion of Privacy – Cardi B

Ventriloquism – Meshell Ndegeocello

Sean’s Top Albums

Dirty Computer – Janelle Monae

High as Hope – Florence and the Machine

Lean on Me – Jose James

Piano & a Microphone – Prince

Remain in Light – Angelique Kidjo (Remain in Light X 2 playlist)

Ventriloquism – Meshell Ndegeocello

Village – Jacob Banks

Sean’s Song of the Year

Happy Without Me – Chloe X Halle

Amita’s Song of the Year

Boo’d Up – Ella Mai

 

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders

Like us on Facebook

And you can also find us on MaximumFun.org

A Wrinkle in Time, Jessica Jones, Sade, Meshell Ndegeocello, Carousel, Vulfpeck – IP 114

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This week’s episode of Inside Pop has the following Inclusion Rider: Our 114th episode must celebrate the creativity and diversity of women in film, music and television.

The show begins with a review of Ava DuVernay’s epic adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time. Amita discusses what she most loves about the film and Sean questions whether the film’s box office performance and overall reception was affected by the phenomenon that is Black Panther. Amita also shares some of the insight she got from Ava herself at DuVernay’s Times Talk last week.

Then, Amita and Sean rejoice over Sade’s new song, ‘Flowers of the Universe’ (Amita loves this remix of the song).

Next, the Pop Insiders move on to TV and Sean provides a spoiler free review of the second season of Marvel’s Jessica Jones. Will he convince Amita to give the show a try? Stay tuned.

The co-hosts also review Meshell Ndegeocello’s new new album of covers, Ventriloquism, which touches their Gen-X hearts with innovative and emotional covers of songs from the 80’s and 90’s including Prince’s “Sometimes it Snows in April”, Force MD’s “Tender Love” and Janet Jackson’s “Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)”.

Plus, Sean talks about seeing the new revival of the musical Carousel on Broadway starring Renée Fleming and Joshua Henry (his Instagram is a must follow if you love soulful acoustic versions of songs from Hamilton and of course you love that) and discusses the challenges of enjoying a musical from the 50’s that has domestic abuse as a main plot point.

And the Big Sell returns from its month long sabbatical with a bang! Hear Sean’s review of Vulfpeck. And guess which new podcast he’s selling to Amita? The answer will NOT surprise you!

As promised – Sean’s favorite Mama tribute song.

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Super Bowl, Justin Timberlake, This Is Us – IP 109

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

It’s the day when Pop Culture fans and Sports fans join forces to create what feels like a national holiday! In this episode, we dive into the Superbowl and discuss:

  • The pre game turn up in Philly that Sean experienced first hand
  • Justin Timberlake’s Halftime performance (guess which Inside Pop co-host couldn’t even bring himself to watch the entire thing)
  • The Prince tribute that should’ve happened

Then, we seamlessly segue into a review of Timberlake’s latest release, Man of the Woods.

Plus, Amita reviews one of the most heartbreaking hours on television, the post Super Bowl episode of This Is Us.

And finally in the Big Sell, Amita reviews an essay on Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri. And speaking of sports – she pitches a softball to Sean with a Hamilton inspired Big Sell.

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Cover Songs, Fall TV Mid-Season Check, #BigSell30 – IP 96

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Why not take a break from re-watching the Black Panther trailer and listen to this brand new episode of Inside Pop!

First up, we discuss some of our favorite cover songs. What makes a great cover song and what are some of the best? We discuss covers and originals performed by Prince, Adele, Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Annie Lennox and more!

Remember the sense of optimism you felt at the beginning of the TV season? That belief that you’d be bowled over by a ton of new amazing shows and that all of your favorite returning shows would continue to be your favorites? Well, we felt that way too and now it’s time to face the music (or the should we say ‘the flat screen’). We’re doing a mid-season check in to see which shows are must-see and which are about to be deleted from the DVR. We discuss This is Us, The Deuce, Queen Sugar, The Defenders, The Exorcist, Wisdom of the Crowd and more!

And we’ll also check in on the #BigSell30 Challenge and discuss how our lives have improved while experiencing one new piece of pop culture every day this month.

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

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

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders

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

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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.

Give us a shout out on Twitter or Instagram @PopInsiders!

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

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

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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

Grammy Awards 2017, Beyoncé, Adele, Prince, 24: Legacy, August Wilson’s Jitney – IP 63

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

We couldn’t wait until our usual Wednesday release to drop this special episode with our immediate reaction to the Grammy Awards! We pick out the real winners of the
evening- from Adele and her impressive recovery during her tribute to George Michael to the props she gave Beyoncé when she won Album of the Year; Queen Bey’s stunning performance and inspiring acceptance speech; the perfection of Bruno Mars during his tribute to Prince and the troublesome audio issues on ‘Music’s Biggest Night.’

Then, Sean shares his thoughts on the spinoff series, 24: Legacy, and we share our experience watching the brilliant August Wilson play Jitney on Broadway.

And Sean rates and reviews the dance video set to Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River” by Andrew Winghart and then flips the Big Sell on its side with a unique suggestion.

Big Sell 30 Day 16: Your Favorite Super Short Song

| insidepoppodcast

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