2018 Best Movie Moments and Entertainers of the Year – IP 142

December 26, 2018December 23, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

If it’s the end of December, then it’s time for our last episode of the year- our round up of the best movie moments of 2018! This year, Action, Horror, Indie, Drama, Foreign and Documentary films make up our lists. From the blockbuster Black Panther to the silent thriller A Quiet Place to the indie darling, Eighth Grade, we break down which moments moved us to tears, made us laugh and kept us on the edge of our seats.

But wait, there’s more! For the first time ever- we are sharing our picks for Entertainer of the Year. We first discuss our runners up and why they made our list and then we announce who each of us chose as THE Entertainer of the Year!

Closing Quote – “Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you.” – The Matrix

Films discussed:

A Quiet Place

Black Panther

Eighth Grade

Free Solo

If Beale Street Could Talk

Roma

Sorry To Bother You

The Favourite

Three Identical Strangers

Entertainer of The Year contenders:

Beyonce & Jay-Z

Cardi B

Donald Glover

Janelle Monae

Lin- Manuel Miranda

Sissy Spacek

Tessa Thompson

Listen to our Best TV & Music of 2018 episode here

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The Best Television & Music of 2018 – IP 141

December 12, 2018December 11, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

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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

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Avengers: Infinity War, Janelle Monae’s Dirty Computer, Tribeca Film Festival, Kanye West- IP 121

May 2, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

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We’ve witnessed (and survived) a huge week in pop culture and are here to tell the tale!

First, we share our SPOILER FREE thoughts about the latest chapter in Marvel’s Avengers series- Avengers: Infinity War, and find out if the superhero filled sequel succeeded in meeting our expectations

Then, we’re all about Janelle Monae’s latest album, Dirty Computer, and the accompanying emotion picture. We predict the songs we want to be the next single and chat about her musical evolution from her first album to this new offering.

Plus, we had the privilege to see a Tribeca Talk featuring Oscar winning screenwriter & director Alexander Payne and legendary talk show host Dick Cavett and share some of the tidbits from their conversation.

And Sean gives his thoughts on Kanye’s latest public statements.

And of course, The Big Sell. Amita shares the musical journey she went on with Sean’s three tiered Prince video project and shares an EP from a young jazz/soul/pop singer from New Zealand named Wallace.

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Spring 2018 Pop Culture Preview, Max Fun Drive – IP 117

April 4, 2018April 3, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

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In honor of the Max Fun Drive- we are proud to present our Spring Pop Culture Preview! We’ll share some inside info on the highly anticipated TV, Film and Music due out this Spring. And to help us out- our special guests – the hosts of Long Distance POPcast and JoJCast also share their picks!

Spring is no longer the season to bide your time while you await the big summer blockbusters and concert tours. Some of the most innovative and surprising pieces of pop culture are about to slide into your earbuds and onto your television and movie screens and we’ll tell you what cannot be missed!

Spring is also the time to support your favorite podcasts by becoming a member of Maximum Fun! We’ll tell you the glory (and gifts) that await you if you decide to become a member or renew your membership.

Take a look below at all of the upcoming pop culture packed into this special podcast!

Music

Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer

Elton John Revamp

Lake Street Dive

Movies

Tully

Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami

Television

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Black Panther Box Office records, Janelle Monae, Musicians turned Actors, Vulfpeck – IP 111

February 21, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

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We can’t help but discuss Black Panther again- from the shattered box office records to the worldwide reaction-
Wakanda Forever!

Plus, Christmas came early with the 30 second teaser trailer for Janelle Monae’s latest ’emotion picture’ Dirty Computer. We speculate on when we’ll get new music from Monae, and some of the themes in the trailer.

Then, we discuss musicians who became actors- some successfully and some…not so much.

And Amita gives her review of the Atlantic article about Black Panther Costume Designer Ruth Carter and sells Sean on a feel good funk album from the band, Vulfpeck.

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New Music Videos; South Asian Interracial Relationships in TV & Film – IP 85

August 2, 2017August 1, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

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This week we discuss the film, television, music AND music videos that have grabbed our attention!

First up, we highlight some of our favorite new music videos from Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Grimes featuring Janelle Monae. These artists are creating work that’s thought provoking and gorgeous.

Then, we discuss the depiction of South Asian interracial relationships on television and in film. Our conversation is inspired by a recent article that critiques the lack of Asian love interests in the works of South Asian creators like Aziz Ansari, Mindy Kaling, Kumail Nanjiani and Hasan Minhaj. We tackle the issues of personal expression, cultural responsibility and the need to see Brown Love on the screen.

Finally in The Big Sell, Amita rates Sam Dew’s cover of the Bill Withers song “Use Me” and then she gives what Sean calls, “the greatest big sell in the history of the show!” It’s not because of what she sells – but how she sells it. Let’s just say Sean likes it when Amita shares personal info.

Links:

Jay-Z – The Story of OJ

Jay-Z – 4:44

Kendrick Lamar – ELEMENT

Kendrick Lamar ft Rihanna – LOYALTY

Images in ELEMENT pay homage photographer Gordon Parks.

SAG and PGA Awards, Black Mirror, Loving, Missy Elliott, Nile Rodgers, MILCK – IP 61

February 1, 2017January 31, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

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Awards season is in high gear and we have the latest winners from the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Producers Guild Awards!
We discuss the outspoken SAG winners who took the opportunity to speak out on current events in unique and inspirational ways and Sean gets on his soap box about appreciating films regardless of awards recognition.

Then, we bring back our Late to the Party segment and talk about our delayed appreciation of Black Mirror and the films Loving and Kubo and the Two Strings. Amita also shares why Hell or High Water was not worth her wait.

Also, we celebrate our love for Missy Elliott and her new video, I’m Better.

And once again we return to Sean’s House Of Hyperbole and hear about his experience sitting front row at his musical hero, Nile Rodgers, recent concert.

Finally, Sean gives Amita his review of last week’s Big Sell, and introduces his Big Sell- jazz singer, Abbey Lincoln.

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Links

Nile Rodgers makes a case for Chic’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Listen to Sean’s Best of Nile Rodgers’ playlist.

Check out Abbey Lincoln’s African Lady.

Oscar Nominations, TV Preview, Aziz Ansari on SNL, Women’s March, St. Beauty – IP 60

January 25, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

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Buckle up because we’ve got another exciting installment of Inside Pop- featuring the best of Film, Television and Music this week!

First up, we analyze the recently announced Oscar Nominations and discuss whether Oscar is still so white, how the love for La La Land will affect the Oscar telecast and the best way to predict who will win.

Then, we give you our Late Winter / Early Spring preview and share inside info on tons of shows including Twin Peaks, 24: Legacy, This Is Us, Fargo, Star Trek Discovery, The Good Fight and many more!

Plus, Amita reports on the experience of participating in the NYC Women’s March and she and Sean rate Aziz Ansari’s hosting skills on Saturday Night Live.

Finally, Amita rates Sean’s Big Sell from last week, two new singles from St. Beauty – the duo who are reaching new heights on Janelle Monae’s Wondaland record label.

Links:

Amita’s Big Sell: Watch the moving song captured at the DC Women’s March “I Can’t Keep Quiet” here.

Favorite Movie Moments of 2016 – IP 57

December 21, 2016 | insidepoppodcast

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In this special year-end episode we take a look at our favorite moments from some of our favorite movies of 2016. And we’re joined by film critic Dave Karger, who not only shares his top 3 movie moments, but also gives us a list of his favorite films of the year that fell under almost everyone else’s radar.

This is THE podcast episode to listen to if you’re a) looking for recommendations of new films to check out, and b) want to revisit a film you loved and see it in a new light!

We have a diverse roster of films for our discussion including:

Moonlight (hands down – Sean’s favorite film of the year)
Lion
Manchester By the Sea
Patriots Day
La La Land
Captain America: Civil War
Hidden Figures
The Witch
13th
Nocturnal Animals
Julieta
Jackie

Those are the films – but you’ll have to listen to see which moments gave us the feels, the chills, the laughter and the thrills.

moonlight hidden-figures

la-la captain-america-civil-war-black-panther-poster

Make sure to check out our other year-end episodes:

Top TV Shows of 2016

Essential Music of 2016

Links

This scene from Moonlight features Mahershala Ali and Alex Hibbert and depicts the main character, Little, learning how to swim.

Dave Karger and Amita Patel want you to pack the kleenex and enjoy Lion’s heart tugging story and gorgeous cinematography. Check out the trailer.

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

October 13, 2016December 11, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

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.