Episode 174

The Grammys vs. The Moment: Are They Reading the Room?

Published on: 17th January, 2025

The Grammy Awards are supposed to be a celebration of musical excellence, but when natural disasters strike, should the show go on? In this episode of Queue Points Live, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray dive deep into the controversy surrounding the Grammys' decision to proceed despite the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. They discuss celebrity philanthropy, asking whether public figures have a responsibility to use their influence for good—or if it's all just great PR.

The conversation expands into a broader discussion about musicians' role in humanitarian efforts, reflecting on iconic moments like “We Are the World” and whether today's artists could pull off a similar collective action. Plus, the hosts examine the impact of modern celebrity culture, the challenges of organizing relief efforts in the digital age, and whether award shows should adapt in times of crisis.

As always, this episode blends education with entertainment, bringing insightful commentary on the music industry, culture, and history—all with the signature Queue Points flair. Tune in for a compelling discussion on music, responsibility, and the power of artists to make a difference.

#Grammys #CelebrityPhilanthropy #MusicIndustry #AwardShows #WeAreTheWorld

Chapters

00:00 Intro Theme

00:16 Introduction and Greetings

01:02 Weather and Snow Stories

02:33 Natural Disasters and Their Impact

04:13 Celebrity Responses to Disasters

07:31 Award Shows During Crises

13:19 The Role of Celebrities in Humanitarian Efforts

19:11 Collective Humanitarian Projects in Music

22:45 Modern Challenges in Organizing Humanitarian Efforts

30:19 Celebrity Opinions and Social Issues

32:06 Inauguration Performers and Country Music

33:22 The Village People Controversy

37:24 Wendy Williams' Conservatorship Struggles

42:23 Drake's Lawsuit Against Universal Music

47:04 Jay Ray's Ancestry DNA Results

49:18 Upcoming Events and Closing Remarks

55:10 Outro Theme

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About the Podcast

Queue Points
Queue Points is the Black Podcasting Award and Ambie Award nominated music podcast that is dropping the needle on Black Music history and celebrating Black music through meaningful dialogue. The show is hosted by DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray. Visit https://queuepoints.com to learn more.
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About your hosts

DJ Sir Daniel

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DJ Sir Daniel is a DJ/Selector and part of Atlanta's, all-vinyl crew, Wax Fundamentals. Co-host of the Queue Points podcast, he is an advocate for DJ culture and is passionate about creating atmospheres of inclusivity and jubilation from a Black perspective.

Jay Ray

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Johnnie Ray Kornegay III (Jay Ray) is a podcast consultant and co-host and producer of Queue Points, the Ambie Award-nominated podcast that drops the needle on Black music history. In addition to his duties at Queue Points, he is the Deputy Director of Strategy and Impact for CNP (Counter Narrative Project). A photographer, creative consultant and social commentator, Jay Ray's work is centered around a commitment to telling full and honest stories about communities often ignored.