This summer, Queue Points had the honor of becoming the featured podcast at Banjee Boombox ‘25 in Atlanta—the dynamic woman-led QTBIPOC festival collective devoted to uplifting gender expansive and sexually diverse artists. The energy in the space was electric: a vibrant mix of artists, creators, and music lovers, all committed to amplifying marginalized voices and celebrating Black music’s deep roots and connections.
From our tables, we had opportunities not just to connect with festival-goers, but to engage in critical conversations about music, culture, and creativity. For our bonus episode, we sat down with special guests and tackled big questions: Has gospel lost its influence on mainstream Black music? Has the rise of streaming helped or hurt the art form?
“I think without the influence of gospel, artists aren’t ready to do that. And they only can go in the studio and do 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 takes when in reality it didn’t used to be like that. And then just the way you feel— it brings that feeling, of emoting emotion from other people— and you just don’t feel that anymore. That’s my take on it.”
- Tyree Parks
Tyree Parks shared wisdom on gospel’s enduring legacy, reminding us how icons like Whitney Houston and Fantasia honed their talents in the church, and why that foundation is essential—even if today’s music landscape feels different. We were reminded that the feeling, the spirit, and the emotion rooted in gospel is still a crucial part of preparing artists for the stage—even when technology lets people “doctor up” voices in the studio.
Then, podcasting legend Keisha ‘TK’ Dutes stopped by. We caught up on her new podcast journey and how gospel and house music function like family—interconnected, influential, and sometimes under-recognized in the broader scope of Black music. TK was open about the ongoing reckoning with burnout, creativity, and healing—real talk for every marginalized creator.
Check Out the Banjee Boombox Gallery
“I’m feeling real vulnerable right now, and, and it is vulnerable. The whole, the topic, it’s my healing journey, you know, of course, burnout, grief... the burnout is real, and the way it affects us marginalized people, also Black women, also, just every category… Yo, I have to reckon with that.”
- Keisha ‘TK‘ Dutes
Corey Gumbs, founder of the Black Podcasters Association, gave us the producer’s perspective. The constant demands of streaming may pressure artists to release more (but sometimes less developed) work—and the analog vs. digital divide is as real as ever. Finding balance between quantity and quality is still a challenge for artists and producers navigating today’s musical landscape.
The hosts teamed up for a sit-down with Jasmin Benward—artist, author, and music supervisor—who gave us a peek into the art of music supervision and why inclusion and access matter. Jasmin’s commitment to bringing new voices to every project was a reminder of why spaces like Banjee Boombox are so needed: creatives supporting creatives, uplifting each other, and refusing to gatekeep.
“My first instinct is to find, um, local artists that I can work with because why would I not have their voices in this space? … I make it a point not to gate keep.”
- Jasmin Benward
We left Banjee Boombox inspired, full of new stories and connections, and eager to keep up the work of amplifying the culture. Be sure to check out the bonus episode for full interviews, extra shoutouts, and all the energy from Atlanta. If you’ve enjoyed what you heard, subscribe to Queue Points and join us as we continue to celebrate Black music’s legacy and future.
