Craig's Pop Life: A Black gay podcast
47 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsA Black, gay celebration of song with Craig Seymour, author of Luther: The Life & Longing of Luther Vandross; All I Could Bare: My Life in Strip Clubs of Gay D.C.; & Who's Your Daddy? His forthcoming book is Special: The Life & Artistry of Janet Jackson (March 2019). Throughout his career, Craig has interviewed Jackson, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and many others. He holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from UMCP, and his research is housed at the Archives of African American Music & Culture at Indiana University.
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Episodes
Music of Black Gay Pride
March 23, 2024 20:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBIn this episode, I discuss the music of Black gay pride.
Aretha Franklin - A Rose Is A Rose
March 17, 2024 00:53 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBIn this episode, I read my 1998 review of Aretha Franklin's A Rose Is A Rose.
My First Music Review
March 10, 2024 16:52 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBI reflect on my first music review and what it's meant for my life.
Pride 2022 Episode: A Talk with Marc Sadane
June 19, 2022 04:49 - 1 hour - 78.9 MBJames 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:...
Cultivating Blackness: A Conversation About Teena Marie
April 17, 2022 04:52 - 1 hour - 104 MBIn 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-tim...
Aretha Franklin's A Rose Is Still A Rose
June 01, 2021 23:36 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBIn 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
December 23, 2019 07:33 - 46 minutes - 105 MBCraig talks about his favorite Christmas music. Includes a 2001 interview with Beyoncé about Destiny's Child's 8 Days of Christmas.
Ep 39: Review of Prince's memoir The Beautiful Ones
November 09, 2019 03:41 - 33 minutes - 76.6 MBMy review of Prince's memoir The Beautiful Ones
Ep 38: My Lauryn Hill interview from 1998
October 21, 2019 03:38 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBCheck out this interview I did with Lauryn Hill in 1998 during the heyday of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Ep 37: Review of Morris Day's Memoir & Why Nostalgic Reissues Are Killing Music
October 14, 2019 06:27 - 39 minutes - 91 MBMy review of On Time: A Princely Life in Funk by Morris Day, lead singer of The Time. I also discuss how nostalgic reissues are killing new music.
Ep 36: My journey with depression, the 4th Anniversary of Janet Jackson's Unbreakable, & Saeed Jones' memoir
October 05, 2019 05:55 - 1 hour - 167 MBMy thoughts on Depression Awareness Month, The 4th Anniversary of Janet Jackson's Unbreakable, RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Saeed Jones' memoir How We Fight For Our Lives, & a hot black, gay rap song by DeShawn Duron Correction: I meant the first episode of Drag Race, not the first season
Ep 35: The importance of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation remixes to black gay history
September 21, 2019 06:58 - 43 minutes - 98.4 MBMy Guide To Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation Remixes
Ep 34: Hustlers Movie (NO SPOILERS), mourning new Janet Jackson music, & Rick Ross’ memoir.
September 12, 2019 12:16 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBCraig discusses the new Hustlers movie (NO SPOILERS), Rick Ross' memoir HURRICANES, and Janet Jackson's decision not to release any new music for the foreseeable future.
Ep 33: My look back at Mary J. Blige's MARY album (with interview clips)
September 06, 2019 06:50 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBDelayed by punk-ass Dorian, here's 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
August 27, 2019 10:30 - 29 minutes - 68.3 MBMTV VMA After Show; On Missy Elliott, Normani, Shawn Mendes, & More
Ep 31: Review of Missy Elliott's Iconography & The Importance of 1619
August 23, 2019 08:45 - 59 minutes - 135 MBA 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)
August 16, 2019 09:52 - 52 minutes - 120 MBMy thoughts on the Luther Vandross convo in Pose's "Life's A Beach" episode & Flame Monroe's show-stopping performance on Tiffany Haddish's "They Ready."
Ep 29: Toni Morrison, Nina Simone, & Mary J. Blige (new single "Know")
August 11, 2019 05:30 - 51 minutes - 117 MBThoughts on the passing of Toni Morrison, "The Amazing Nina Simone" documentary, and Mary J. Blige's new single "Know."
Ep 28: Solange's Museum Tour, Sherman's Showcase & More
August 02, 2019 08:31 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBCraig talks about seeing Solange's movie When I Get Home at the Pérez Art Museum in Miami and reviews Sherman's Showcase on IFC.
Ep 27: Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and "Tom Holland's Janet Jackson playlist"
July 27, 2019 21:24 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBCraig 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)
July 19, 2019 06:38 - 26 minutes - 60.6 MBMy reviews of The Lion King and Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift.
Ep 25: Jody Watley Appreciation
July 17, 2019 05:36 - 1 hour - 62.7 MBAn appreciation of Jody Watley's contributions to the queer community. 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
July 05, 2019 10:58 - 56 minutes - 129 MBCraig clarifies his Whitney Houston comments from the last episode & reviews Spiderman: Far From Home & The Bobby DeBarge Story
Ep 23: New Whitney Houston Single & Janet Jackson Remix Reissues
July 01, 2019 04:17 - 40 minutes - 93.2 MBMy thoughts on Whitney Houston x Kygo "Higher Love" and the Janet Jackson Remix Reissues: "That's The Way Love Goes," "If," "Any Time, Any Place," "Together Again," and "Someone To Call My Lover."
EP 22: The importance of Mary J. Blige ( 2019 BET Awards Recap)
June 24, 2019 08:22 - 37 minutes - 86 MBMy take on the 2019 BET Awards, why Mary J. Blige is so important, and why D.C. gets no love.
EP 22: 2019 BET Awards Recap & the importance of Mary J. Blige
June 24, 2019 08:22 - 37 minutes - 86 MBMy take on the 2019 BET Awards, why Mary J. Blige is so important, and why D.C. gets no love. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support
EP 21: Janet Jackson Book Update, That Taylor Swift Video, & My Coming Out Story
June 21, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBI give you an update on my forthcoming Janet Jackson book. I also discuss Taylor Swift's "You Need To Calm Down" video and my Coming Out story.
Ep 20: Pose, Season 2 Premiere
June 14, 2019 11:08 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBCraig's take on the "Pose" Season 2 Premiere
Ep 19: It's Gay Pride & I Ain't Happy
June 07, 2019 07:05 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBCraig discusses his ambivalence towards Gay Pride. He also talks about When They See Us, Dark Phoenix, The Life and Death of Marsha P. Johnson, The Two Killings of Sam Cooke--and his favorite new web show, Black Coffee.
Ep 18: Rocketman review, RuPaul's Drag Race finale (NO SPOILERS), Rocketman review, Teddy Pendergrass documentary & more
May 31, 2019 07:39 - 53 minutes - 122 MBCraig'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
May 24, 2019 08:19 - 47 minutes - 54.6 MBCraig 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."
May 17, 2019 07:29 - 39 minutes - 44.9 MBCraig 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."
Ep 15: Blackness, queerness, & the Met Gala
May 10, 2019 08:23 - 50 minutes - 57.9 MBCraig discusses the so-called "camp" fashions at the Met Gala and his favorite new music from Tink, Ari Lennox, Jhené Aiko, and Tameka "Tiny" Harris.
EP 14: Janet Jackson on the Rock& Roll Hall of Fame, and Madonna and Mariah Carey on the Billboard Music Awards
May 03, 2019 06:14 - 51 minutes - 59.1 MBCraig discusses Janet Jackson and Stevie Nicks on the Rock& Roll Hall of Fame, and Madonna and Mariah Carey on the Billboard Music Awards
Ep 13: Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace
April 26, 2019 08:43 - 53 minutes - 60.9 MBCraig reviews Avengers: Endgame (no spoilers) and discusses Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace
Ep 12: Luther Vandross Tribute
April 20, 2019 06:51 - 1 hour - 59 MBCraig's birthday tribute to Luther Vandross, including audio from his 2001 interview with the R&B legend.
Ep 11: Beyoncé's Homecoming #Beychella
April 19, 2019 06:42 - 29 minutes - 33.4 MBCraig talks about Beyoncé's Homecoming, the Rosa Parks Museum, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.
Ep 10: Little movie review (no spoilers) & more
April 12, 2019 08:49 - 34 minutes - 39.4 MBCraig reviews Little with Regina Hall, Issa Rae, and Marsai Martin. He also discusses the new FX series "Fosse/Verdon," the PBS documentary "Reconstruction: After the Civil War," and Hanif Abdurraqib's book Go Ahead In the Rain: Notes A Tribe Called Quest.
Ep 9: Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Diana Ross, Labelle, & Mötley Crüe
March 29, 2019 06:56 - 39 minutes - 54.2 MBCraig discusses "Autopsy: The Last Days of Left Eye," Diana Ross' 75th Birthday, a new house music cover of Labelle's epic ballad "Isn't It A Shame," and the Netflix Mötley Crüe biopic, The Dirt. Links to the music at craigspoplife.com
Ep 8: Us movie review (no spoilers)
March 22, 2019 07:01 - 35 minutes - 48.6 MBCraig discusses 2 Chainz, Solange, Boomerang, Triple Frontier, and Jordan Peele's Us with Lupita Nyong'o.
Ep. 7: A Mariah Carey Remix & A Beyoncé Book
March 15, 2019 09:13 - 46 minutes - 63.4 MBCraig discusses Mariah Carey's "A No No" Remix, Normani on The Tonight Show, "Boomerang" on BET, and Veronica Chambers' book on Beyoncé, which features Luvvie Ajayi and Lena Waithe, among others.
Ep. 6: The Umbrella Academy, Monica, and more
March 08, 2019 06:48 - 39 minutes - 54 MBCraig discusses his latest social media interactions one of his favorite artists, Monica. He also talks about Michael Jackson stans, Solange, 2 Chainz, The Umbrella Academy, and the Studio 54 documentary on Netflix.
Ep. 5: A Review of Solange's WHEN I GET HOME
March 01, 2019 08:23 - 22 minutes - 31 MBIn this special episode, Craig reviews WHEN I GET HOME, the brand new album from Solange Knowles.
Ep. 4: Paris Is Burning
February 22, 2019 07:11 - 48 minutes - 73.4 MBY'all, I was kinda bugged out doing this episode. I keep congratulating myself on five shows. Chile, this one is just my 4th. But this episode is still kinda special. I've included an excerpt from a conversation I had about Paris Is Burning in 1992 with my friend, the late--and legendary--black, gay poet, editor, performer and activist Essex Hemphill. I hope you enjoy and that I learn how to count.
Special 2019 Grammys Edition
February 11, 2019 12:18 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBCraig gives his take on the presenters, performers, winners, and losers at the 2019 Grammys, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Janelle Monae, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes, Drake, and Chloe x Halle.
Ep 2: Blackface, make it stop!
February 08, 2019 05:35 - 40 minutes - 92 MBIn this episode, Craig sounds off on the blackface controversies in Virginia, the legacy of Dilla, "The Grammy Curse," and while I'm still not feeling Craig David.
Ep 1: Craig Be Knowin'
February 06, 2019 20:02 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBCraig updates listeners on his forthcoming Janet Jackson book and discusses the black gay politics of the work of Amanda Seales and Michael Arceneaux. He also shares what he's reading (Hanif Abdurraquib's - Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes on A Tribe Called Quest), watching ("Grown-ish," Season 2)" and listening to (Summer Walker, Dawn Richard, James Blake, iyla, and more.)