Craig's Pop Life: A black, gay podcast

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A black, gay excursion into pop culture with Craig Seymour, author of Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross; All I Could Bare: My Life in Strip Clubs of Gay D.C.; and Who's Your Daddy? His forthcoming book is Special: A Critical Meditation on the Life & Artistry of Janet Jackson (March 201…

Craig Seymour


    • Mar 10, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 44 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    I recently discovered The Craig's Pop Life: A black, gay podcast and I am so thankful that I did. As a black introverted lesbian living in the Midwest, I often feel removed from both black and lesbian culture. However, listening to Craig's pop life has kept me informed and caught me up on all the things I've missed in pop culture. I truly appreciate Craig's openness and his ability to just be himself.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Craig Seymour's wealth of knowledge about pop culture. He shares his knowledge in such an engaging and relatable way, making it feel like you're having a conversation with a close friend. His insights into awards shows, music, TV shows, and films are not only informative but also entertaining. Listening to this podcast is like chopping it up with that friend who always has insider information and industry knowledge that you don't have. It's a fun experience that keeps you entertained throughout.

    Another great aspect of The Craig's Pop Life is the humor that Craig brings to each episode. He has a knack for finding humor in even the most mundane topics and his comedic timing is spot-on. This adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the podcast, making it not only informative but also incredibly funny. It feels like you're sitting down with a hilarious friend who never fails to make you laugh.

    In terms of drawbacks, there really aren't any major negatives to mention about this podcast. Sometimes the topics discussed may not be of interest to every listener, as pop culture can be subjective. However, Craig does such a fantastic job of presenting these topics in an engaging way that even if they initially seem uninteresting, he manages to make them enjoyable.

    In conclusion, The Craig's Pop Life: A black, gay podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in staying up-to-date with pop culture while being entertained by an incredibly knowledgeable and humorous host. Whether you're a fan of music, TV shows, films, or all of the above, Craig Seymour's insights will keep you informed and entertained. I highly recommend giving this podcast a listen.



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    Latest episodes from Craig's Pop Life: A black, gay podcast

    My First Music Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2024 21:15


    I reflect on my first music review and what it's meant for my life.

    Pride 2022 Episode: A Talk with Marc Sadane

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2022 86:56


    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" Part I Part II Mr. Sadane's Facebook Page 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" --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Cultivating Blackness: A Conversation About Teena Marie

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2022 114:22


    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/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Aretha Franklin's A Rose Is Still A Rose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 34:19


    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! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

    Ep 40: Christmas Music Show w/ Beyoncé

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2019 46:00


    Craig talks about his favorite Christmas music. Includes a 2001 interview with Beyoncé about Destiny's Child's 8 Days of Christmas. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 39: Review of Prince's memoir The Beautiful Ones

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2019 33:27


    My review of Prince's memoir The Beautiful Ones --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 38: My Lauryn Hill interview from 1998

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2019 72:15


    Check out this interview I did with Lauryn Hill in 1998 during the heyday of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 37: Review of Morris Day's Memoir & Why Nostalgic Reissues Are Killing Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2019 39:45


    My 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.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 36: My journey with depression, the 4th Anniversary of Janet Jackson's Unbreakable, & Saeed Jones' memoir

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2019 72:52


    My 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 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 35: The importance of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation remixes to black gay history

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2019 43:00


    My Guide To Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation Remixes --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 34: Hustlers Movie (NO SPOILERS), mourning new Janet Jackson music, & Rick Ross’ memoir.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2019 47:23


    Craig 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.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 33: My look back at Mary J. Blige's MARY album (with interview clips)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2019 51:17


    Delayed by punk-ass Dorian, here's my look back at Mary J. Blige's MARY album (with interview clips) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 32: MTV VMA After Show; On Missy Elliott, Normani, Shawn Mendes, & More

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2019 29:49


     MTV VMA After Show; On Missy Elliott, Normani, Shawn Mendes, & More --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 31: Review of Missy Elliott's Iconography & The Importance of 1619

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2019 59:06


    A review of Missy Elliott's Iconography & the importance of 1619 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 30: Why POSE's Luther Vandross joke isn't funny (But Flame Monroe is)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2019 52:14


    My 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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 29: Toni Morrison, Nina Simone, & Mary J. Blige (new single "Know")

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2019 51:11


    Thoughts on the passing of Toni Morrison, "The Amazing Nina Simone" documentary, and Mary J. Blige's new single "Know." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 28: Solange's Museum Tour, Sherman's Showcase & More

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2019 36:31


    Craig talks about seeing Solange's movie When I Get Home at the Pérez Art Museum in Miami and reviews Sherman's Showcase on IFC. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 27: Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and "Tom Holland's Janet Jackson playlist"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2019 53:20


    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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 26: Reviews of The Lion King & Beyoncé's The Gift (First Listen)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2019 26:28


    My reviews of The Lion King and Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 25: Jody Watley Appreciation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2019 67:48


    An 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 24: More Whitney Houston thoughts; Reviews: Spiderman: FFH & The Bobby DeBarge Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2019 56:28


    Craig clarifies his Whitney Houston comments from the last episode & reviews Spiderman: Far From Home & The Bobby DeBarge Story --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 23: New Whitney Houston Single & Janet Jackson Remix Reissues

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2019 40:43


    My 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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    EP 22: The importance of Mary J. Blige ( 2019 BET Awards Recap)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2019 37:35


    My 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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2019 63:19


    I 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 20: Pose, Season 2 Premiere

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2019 60:35


    Craig's take on the "Pose" Season 2 Premiere --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    premiere pose season
    Ep 19: It's Gay Pride & I Ain't Happy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2019 60:42


    Craig 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 18: Rocketman review, RuPaul's Drag Race finale (NO SPOILERS), Rocketman review, Teddy Pendergrass documentary & more

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2019 53:17


    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). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 17: What Black, Gay Pride Means To Me

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2019 47:42


    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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    black gay pride lynn harris black gay pride james earl hardy
    Ep 16: Brené Brown's "The Call To Courage" & Damon Young's "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker."

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2019 39:13


    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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 15: Blackness, queerness, & the Met Gala

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2019 50:36


    Craig 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    EP 14: Janet Jackson on the Rock& Roll Hall of Fame, and Madonna and Mariah Carey on the Billboard Music Awards

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2019 51:35


    Craig discusses Janet Jackson and Stevie Nicks on the Rock& Roll Hall of Fame, and Madonna and Mariah Carey on the Billboard Music Awards --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 13: Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2019 53:10


    Craig reviews Avengers: Endgame (no spoilers) and discusses Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 12: Luther Vandross Tribute

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2019 63:47


    Craig's birthday tribute to Luther Vandross, including audio from his 2001 interview with the R&B legend. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 11: Beyoncé's Homecoming #Beychella

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2019 29:12


    Craig talks about Beyoncé's Homecoming, the Rosa Parks Museum, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 10: Little movie review (no spoilers) & more

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2019 34:27


    Craig 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 9: Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Diana Ross, Labelle, & Mötley Crüe

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2019 39:30


    Craig 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 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    dirt diana ross labelle left eye netflix m lisa left eye lopes
    Ep 8: Us movie review (no spoilers)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2019 35:24


    Craig discusses 2 Chainz, Solange, Boomerang, Triple Frontier, and Jordan Peele's Us with Lupita Nyong'o. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep. 7: A Mariah Carey Remix & A Beyoncé Book

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2019 46:11


    Craig 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep. 6: The Umbrella Academy, Monica, and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2019 39:19


    Craig 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep. 5: A Review of Solange's WHEN I GET HOME

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2019 22:32


    In this special episode, Craig reviews WHEN I GET HOME, the brand new album from Solange Knowles. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep. 4: Paris Is Burning

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2019 48:13


    Y'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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Special 2019 Grammys Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2019 62:25


    Craig 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 2: Blackface, make it stop!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2019 40:11


    In 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

    Ep 1: Craig Be Knowin'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2019 54:42


    Craig 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.) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/craig-seymour4/support

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