Craig's Pop Life: A Black gay podcast
By Craig Seymour
Craig's Pop Life: A Black gay podcastJun 19, 2022
Music of Black Gay Pride
In this episode, I discuss the music of Black gay pride.
Aretha Franklin - A Rose Is A Rose
In this episode, I read my 1998 review of Aretha Franklin's A Rose Is A Rose.
My First Music Review
I reflect on my first music review and what it's meant for my life.
Pride 2022 Episode: A Talk with Marc Sadane
James Baldwin, Phyllis Hyman, Sylvester, Larry Levan, Cissy Houston, her daughter Whitney, Luther Vandross, Labelle -- you likely know most of these names, but you might not be familiar with singer Marc Sadane or Sir Dane, as he is also known. Throughout his extraordinary life & career, he's crossed paths with all these folks and has the stories to tell. I am so honored to be able to share my conversation with him. This is history, y'all.
Mr. Sadane also features in my recent HITS article: "How Black Gay Men Changed Pop Music"
Links to a few songs we discuss:
Marc Sadane - "One Minute From Love"
Marc Sadane - "One Way Love Affair"
Marc Sadane - "Never Gonna Stop This Heart Of Mine"
Stephanie Mills - "Don't Stop Doin' What 'Cha Do"
Cultivating Blackness: A Conversation About Teena Marie
In this episode, I talk with musician/writer Tim Dillinger about his essay "Remembrance: Teena Marie." (https://soulmusic.com/perspectives-teena-marie-remembrance/). Here's a playlist of the songs we discuss during our discussion: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/18teHvU0MdgEjlCojTCQrk?si=3eb3b26a4ff04fb5.
Other links:
Tim's article "New Time Religion: The Holy Ghost Falls Down in the Club, Reclaiming Tramaine Hawkins’ Mainstreamed Gospel:" https://godsmusicismylife.substack.com/p/new-time-religion-the-holy-ghost?s=r
Craig's Pop Life Playhouse: https://www.craigspoplifeplayhouse.com/
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: Friday Dance Party
Craig’s Pop Life: James Blake & Karyn White
Craig’s Pop Life: Ashanti, Cherrelle, Shirley Caesar, Kerri Chandler, Pharoah Saunders, Phyllis Hyma
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: Kelis, Mount Kimbie, Lil’ Mo, SWV, & Tevin Campbell
Craig's Pop Life: Tramaine Hawkins, Daryl Hall, & MC Lyte
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: Rod Temperton & Nona Hendryx
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: 10.07.21
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: The Velvet Rope
Craig’s Pop Life: 10.05.21
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: 10.04.21
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: 10.1.21
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: Miki Howard. Patrice Rushen & Cissy Houston
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: 9.29.21
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: Andrea Martin tribute
Craig’s Pop Life Daily: 9.27.21
Craig’s Pop Life 9.25.21
Reflecting on the music of 9/11, the passing of Carl Bean & more
Reflecting on the music of 9/11, the passing of Carl Bean & more. Featuring songs from: Chlöe, Aaliyah, Ari Lennox, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, Taylor Swift, and more.
Aaliyah, Sylvester, Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, & more
Acclaimed writer Craig Seymour plays songs inspired by and related to Black gay culture.
A Black Gay Celebration of Song, ep 1
Acclaimed writer Craig Seymour plays songs inspired by Black gay culture. In this week's episode, he includes cuts from Donna Summer, the Dynamic Superiors, Mary J. Blige, Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and more.
Aretha Franklin's A Rose Is Still A Rose
In this Black Music Month special episode, I reflect upon my review of Aretha Franklin's 1998 album A Rose Is Still A Rose. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Thanks!
Ep 40: Christmas Music Show w/ Beyoncé
Ep 39: Review of Prince's memoir The Beautiful Ones
Ep 38: My Lauryn Hill interview from 1998
Ep 37: Review of Morris Day's Memoir & Why Nostalgic Reissues Are Killing Music
Ep 36: My journey with depression, the 4th Anniversary of Janet Jackson's Unbreakable, & Saeed Jones' memoir
Ep 35: The importance of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation remixes to black gay history
Ep 34: Hustlers Movie (NO SPOILERS), mourning new Janet Jackson music, & Rick Ross’ memoir.
Ep 33: My look back at Mary J. Blige's MARY album (with interview clips)
Ep 32: MTV VMA After Show; On Missy Elliott, Normani, Shawn Mendes, & More
Ep 31: Review of Missy Elliott's Iconography & The Importance of 1619
Ep 30: Why POSE's Luther Vandross joke isn't funny (But Flame Monroe is)
Ep 29: Toni Morrison, Nina Simone, & Mary J. Blige (new single "Know")
Ep 28: Solange's Museum Tour, Sherman's Showcase & More
Ep 27: Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and "Tom Holland's Janet Jackson playlist"
Craig imagines what Tom Holland's Janet Jackson playlist might be and reviews Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon A Time in Hollywood" and Ladee Hubbard's "The Talented Ribkins."
Ep 26: Reviews of The Lion King & Beyoncé's The Gift (First Listen)
Ep 25: Jody Watley Appreciation
Correction: Jermaine Stewart's "Set Me Free" was released in 1992, not 1982. I knew better, but my bad.
Ep 24: More Whitney Houston thoughts; Reviews: Spiderman: FFH & The Bobby DeBarge Story
Ep 23: New Whitney Houston Single & Janet Jackson Remix Reissues
EP 22: The importance of Mary J. Blige ( 2019 BET Awards Recap)
EP 21: Janet Jackson Book Update, That Taylor Swift Video, & My Coming Out Story
Ep 20: Pose, Season 2 Premiere
Craig's take on the "Pose" Season 2 Premiere
Ep 19: It's Gay Pride & I Ain't Happy
Ep 18: Rocketman review, RuPaul's Drag Race finale (NO SPOILERS), Rocketman review, Teddy Pendergrass documentary & more
Craig's thoughts on new releases by Cardi B, Katy Perry, & Miley Cyrus; the Elton John biopic Rocketman; the Teddy Pendergrass documentary; and the RuPaul's Drag Race finale (NO SPOILERS).
Ep 17: What Black, Gay Pride Means To Me
Craig discusses Black, Gay Pride and the cultural contribution of black, gay men such as Joseph Beam, Essex Hemphill, Marlon Riggs, Issac Julien, E. Lynn Harris, and James Earl Hardy.
Ep 16: Brené Brown's "The Call To Courage" & Damon Young's "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker."
Craig discusses Madonna's "Crave," Ciara's "Beauty Mark," "Shrill" with Aidy Bryant, Brené Brown's "The Call To Courage," and Damon Young's "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker."