46 episodes

A 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.

Craig's Pop Life: A Black gay podcast Craig Seymour

    • Music
    • 5.0 • 23 Ratings

A 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.

    Music of Black Gay Pride

    Music of Black Gay Pride

    In this episode, I discuss the music of Black gay pride.

    • 20 min
    Aretha Franklin - A Rose Is A Rose

    Aretha Franklin - A Rose Is A Rose

    In this episode, I read my 1998 review of Aretha Franklin's A Rose Is A Rose.

    • 14 min
    My First Music Review

    My First Music Review

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

    • 21 min
    Pride 2022 Episode: A Talk with Marc Sadane

    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"



    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"

    • 1 hr 26 min
    Cultivating Blackness: A Conversation About Teena Marie

    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/

    • 1 hr 53 min
    Aretha Franklin's A Rose Is Still A Rose

    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!

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
23 Ratings

23 Ratings

Kimberly second review ,

Gave me my black lesbian card back.

Recently discovered this podcast, and so thankful that I did. As a black introverted lesbian in the Midwest, parts of me felt so removed from black and lesbian culture, listening to Craig’s pop life, keeps me informed and catches me up on things I’ve missed in pop culture. I appreciate his openness and ability to just be.

orangebike ,

Entertaining, Intelligent, genuine and charismatic

I’m amazed how a podcast narrated byI person can be so entertaining.

WhatsGoodToya ,

The Real Deal

Craig Seymour possesses such a great wealth of pop culture knowledge and I truly love the way he shares it. Listening to his podcast is like chopping it up with that friend that you love talking about awards shows and music with but they have a bit more industry knowledge and inside scoop than you do so always do more listening than talking. I would say that the difference is that you’re only listening and not talking back because it’s a podcast but I definitely find myself talking back to him during the podcast. LOL! That just proves how fun it is.

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