Queue Points Is Back, And We're Starting With a 90s Masterpiece
We're breaking down the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, one of the most iconic albums of the 90s and a defining moment in Black music. Plus: a new newsletter format, a poll, and more.
What’s up y’all? We’re back!
Earlier this year we noticed that our Substack newsletter wasn’t resonating the way we wanted it to, so we did what we always do, we took a step back and came back with something a little different.
Starting now, we’re testing a new format. The newsletter will bring you updates on our latest episodes, exclusive Insiders Only highlights, and a Question of the Week tied to whatever we’re discussing on the podcast. We’ve also moved our original writing and show-related articles over to the official Queue Points blog so you can find everything in one place on our website.
In this issue: we’re diving into the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, spotlighting a members bonus on Bahamadia, and keeping an eye on what Suno is doing in the AI music space.
Let us know what you think of the new format in the comments.
Thanks,
QP
This Week On Queue Points
The Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack
On this week’s episode, DJ Sir Daniel and Johnnie Ray Kornegay III dig into the groundbreaking 1995 Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, a record that gave us Whitney Houston’s classic “Exhale (Shoop Shoop),” Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, and some of the most emotionally raw R&B of the decade. They break down the album and what it sounded like culturally in the moment, and why it still matters 30+ years later.
🎵 Want the full experience with music? Queue Points with music is available exclusively on Mixcloud. Click below to listen with songs from the soundtrack included.
Question of the Week
The Waiting to Exhale soundtrack had us thinking … the 90s were loaded with legendary R&B and hip-hop movie soundtracks. Which one is your favorite?
Upcoming Events
What goes into a podcast website that works?
When: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET
Want to know how we built the Queue Points website? Our own Johnnie Ray Kornegay III is joining Arielle Nissenblatt for a live Substack conversation. They’ll be breaking down what makes a podcast website actually work, and how you can build one for yourself. Tune in right here on Substack!
Insiders Member Xtra - Queue Points Watches ‘3 the Hard Way’
In this installment of QP Science 3000, the hosts break down a classic hip-hop posse cut and watch Bahamadia's "3 the Hard Way" featuring Mecca Star and K-Swift and produced by DJ Premier. It's a deep dive into women in hip-hop, and Jay Ray's first-time reaction to the video makes it worth the watch alone.
Available for paid members on QueuePoints.com.
Behind the Scenes of Queue Points w/ Donovan X. Ramsey
From the QP Archives (2023)
Remember cutting posters out of Word Up and taping them all over your bedroom walls? When we sat down with Donovan X. Ramsey back in 2023 to talk about his book When Crack Was King, the conversation went somewhere special, and we kept the cameras rolling. Donovan broke down how Black magazines like Essence, Ebony, Jet, and Vibe weren’t just publications, they were a service, a historical record, and the original way we told our own stories when no one else would. Enjoy this outtake, and revisit our interview with Donovan by clicking below.
Subscribe to Donovan X. Ramsey’s “Had Happened” on Substack today.
Music News We’re Paying Attention To
AI music isn’t going anywhere, and we’re not pretending otherwise. But we are paying close attention to how companies like Suno are operating. Their new creator grant program comes with a striking condition: recipients can never publicly criticize Suno. Ever. We have thoughts. Read the article and tell us yours in the comments.
What We’re Reading On Substack
Joel Gouveia discusses Spotify’s skip driven streaming economy and how it has reshaped songs and release strategies in ways that are destroying the 45‑minute album as a meaningful artistic form.
