Atlanta Season 2, Avengers: Infinity War trailer, Saturday Night Live, Wolverine Podcast – IP 115

March 21, 2018March 20, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

This episode is the ultimate pop culture to do list for the week!

DO listen to our review of the second season of Donald Glover’s series, Atlanta. We discuss whether the show overcomes the dreaded sophomore season slump.

DO hear our reaction to the latest trailer for Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War. Who will live and who will die? We share our guesses and also estimate how much screen time Doctor Strange will get since he is sharing the screen with 8,000 other heroes.

DO NOT feel any jealousy as Sean tells you what it was like to attend a taping of Saturday Night Live.

DO wonder whether Amita will enjoy Sean’s Big Sell from last week – the new podcast, Wolverine: The Long Night. And also find out which heroes they think should be next to have their own podcast. The inspiration for Sean’s answer can be found in this amazing comic written by Greg Pak.

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

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

March 14, 2018 | 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.

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

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

February 21, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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.

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Black Panther Special, Hamilton’s Hamildrops – IP 110

February 16, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

From the moment the Black Panther cast took a group selfie at Comic Con the anticipation and expectations for this film began to grow; and over the past year the buzz has reached a fever pitch (especially for these two podcast hosts). Well, the film has arrived and Inside Pop is devoting this episode to everything Wakanda!

We share our review of the film (just moments after seeing a special screening) and discuss the highlights and the themes that most resonated with us.

Then we review the soundtrack for the film which is curated by Kendrick Lamar and features Lamar, Sza, 2 Chains, Jorja Smith and Khalid.

The only way we would divert from our Black Panther deep dive is to review last week’s Hamilton related Big Sell.

And Sean ends this episode with a Black Panther related Big Sell which he hopes will help Amita appreciate the film even more than she already does.

Wakanda Forever!

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Oscar Nominations, Black Panther, Kelela – IP 108

January 24, 2018January 23, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

It’s been a long, strange, sometimes underwhelming trip to the Oscar Nominations but we’re here to share our immediate reactions. We give you our thoughts on why certain movies are heading to the red carpet and others got snubbed and we also try to make sense of why the film Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri has become a frontrunner. We celebrate nominations for Get Out, The Big Sick, Logan, Mudbound and Lady Bird and share our gratitude to whomever was genius enough to book Tiffany Haddish to announce the nominations.

Plus, Sean makes his case for why Black Panther should have received an Oscar nomination THIS year! He’s not joking!

And we end the show with The Big Sell. Sean rates Amita’s Big Sell from last time, Kelela’s “Frontline,” and then Big Sells Amita an article by Alissa Wilkinson (one of his favorite culture critics) on the backlash against Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri. Read it HERE

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

#TimesUp, Golden Globes, Justin Timberlake, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Cardi B, Bruno Mars – IP 107

January 10, 2018January 9, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This week, Hollywood flexed its social justice muscle once again when it turned the 75th Golden Globes ceremony into a rally for gender equality. We’ll debate the effectiveness of the black clad ceremony and revel in the glory of Oprah Winfrey’s memorable speech.

Then, we’ll review new songs by some of the biggest stars in music including Bruno Mars and Cardi B’s “Finesse (Remix),” Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s collaboration, “All the Stars,” from the upcoming Black Panther film and Justin Timberlake’s Super Bowl appetizer, “Filthy.”

Plus, Amita reviews last week’s Big Sell, the uplifting new age song by Laraaji, “I Can Only Bliss Out (F’ Days)” and then Big Sells Sean on a new song by Kelela.

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Black Mirror, The Chi, Forgotten Films of 2017 with Dave Karger, Pop Culture Resolutions – IP 106

January 3, 2018January 2, 2018 | insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Did you resolve to put more time and energy into staying on top of the best pop culture stories of the week? Lucky for you, The Pop Insiders are here to help you keep that resolution with our brand new episode!

First, we give our spoiler free reviews of the new Lena Waithe Showtime drama – The Chi (please feel free to listen and then correct our pronunciation of the title of this show) and the first episode of the new season of Black Mirror.

Then we speak with IMDb special correspondent and frequent Today Show awards commentator – Dave Karger – about the movies of 2017 that may not be front-runners for the big awards, but are definitely worthy of your attention. From Detroit to Wonderstruck to Downsizing, Dave will tell you why you should give these flicks a second – or maybe first chance.

We also share our pop culture resolutions for the new year and hold each other accountable for how successful we were in keeping our 2017 resolutions.

And the Big Sell returns – Sean recommends (wait for it) a new new age song (nope that isn’t a typo) to start Amita’s year off on an optimistic and blissful note.

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Best Music of 2017 – IP 104

December 13, 2017December 12, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This year we’ve listened to countless hours of new albums and songs and attended dozens of concerts and are now ready to declare our favorite music of 2017! Listen to this very special year-end episode to hear us discuss the artists who delivered music that inspired us, informed us, entertained us, made us want to dance and put us in that special mood!

We also discuss our favorite singles of the year, our most memorable concerts and the new music we’re craving in 2018.

Our favorite albums list includes:

Kendrick Lamar – DAMN

Jay-Z – 4:44

Laura Mvula – The Dreaming Room

Jamila Woods – HEAVN (Check out her video for Blk Girl Soldier )

Khalid – American Teen (Check out his video for Location)

Gorillaz – Humanz

Miguel – War X Leisure (Check out his video for Told You So)

Mavis Staples – If All I Was Was Black

Earl St. Clair – My Name Is Earl

Sampha – Process (Check out his video for (No One Knows Me) Like the Piano)

SZA – CTRL

Lorde – Melodrama (Listen to Liability)

Valerie June – Order of Time (Watch her live performance of Order of Time)

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Life Defining Music, National African American Museum – IP 102

November 29, 2017November 28, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This is our final regular episode of the year and we are both sharing AND caring!

First Sean shares his experience visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. He describes what it likes to visit this incredible new museum and discusses some of the amazing pop culture featured in the exhibits.

Then Amita and Sean revisit one of their favorite segments of the past year and share their discussion of the music by some of their favorite female singers that has defined pivotal moments in their lives. Whether grappling with life in the closet, coping with feeling like an outsider, celebrating the joy of a new found independence or discovering a strengthening friendship we highlight the music that has provided an essential soundtrack to our lives. Our “Defining Divas” include Mary J. Blige, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Lauren Hill and BOTH Knowles sisters – Beyonce and Solange.

And then Sean rates the final big sell of the year – the single “Underdog” by singer/songwriter Banks.

And finally Amita and Sean preview their upcoming year end specials! We’re preparing our lists for the best TV, Music and Film of the year and have a few surprising choices in store!

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org

Janet Jackson State of the World Tour, Top Female Friendships in Pop Culture, John Legend – IP 101

November 22, 2017November 21, 2017 | insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This week, we bask in the glow of seeing the one and only Janet Jackson (Ms. Jackson if you’re Nasty) in Brooklyn on her State of the World Tour. Find out which one of us puts this show in their Top 3 Concerts of all time.

Then, we discuss our Top Female Friendships in Pop Culture- featuring The Golden Girls, the women of Living Single, Lucy & Ethel, Meredith & Cristina and more. We share how their bonds inspire us and why their relationships are everlasting.

And Amita rates and reviews last week’s Big Sell from Sean- John Legend’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock” and also shares the origin of this song as part of a collection of covers for the new Ken Burns documentary about The Vietnam War. You can find all of the songs and their originals here. And then Amita sells the single “Underdog” by singer/songwriter Banks.

Like us on Facebook

You can also find us on MaximumFun.org