Sparky D Forever: A Golden Era Send-Off
A tribute to battle rap pioneer Sparky D, plus your first favorite female MC, 'white girl rappers,' and the truth behind music's payola game.
Greetings all,
So, we returned to live streaming last week, and we were struck by the fact that the first person to join the stream is someone who has been joining the stream since we started in 2021.
One of the reasons we keep Queue Points alive in two different versions is we feel a great since of duty and pride to those folks who have been with us on this ride for so long.
It keeps us both humble and hungry. Enjoy this week’s slice of our world, and consider joining us for our weekly live streams. We go live on YouTube and Instagram on Thursdays at 8:00 PM ET.
Let us know what’s inspiring you in the comments.
Thanks,
QP
This Week On Queue Points
Remembering Sparky D
Rap legend Sparky D passed away on July 4, 2026. DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray spent some time revisiting Sparky’s life and abrupt recording career. The two not only discuss Sparky as a pioneering MC but also her artistry and mentorship of younger artists.
Want the music playing while you read the history? Queue Points with music from Sparky D is available on Mixcloud. Click below to listen.
Question of the Week
Ever since there have been MCs there have been women on the mic going toe to toe with men. Who’s the first woman MC who you thought was dope and could rock the stage next to anybody? Tell us about why in the comments!
Upcoming Events
The Marketing Playbook for Niche Podcasts
When: Tuesday, July 28th 2026 at 11:00 AM ET
You don’t need millions of listeners to build a successful podcast. You just need the right people to tune in and engage with your work. Join our very own Johnnie Ray Kornegay III as he joins Arielle Nissenblatt, Hanna Southern, and Emily Reeves for this informative session.
Get tickets for this virtual session presented by Well It Depends Labs.
Insiders Member Xtra - ‘White Girl Rappers’
On QP Science 3000, DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray investigate the “white girl rapper” phenomenon by revisiting videos from Betty Boo, 1990’s “Where Are You Baby?” to Tarrie B’s 1994 “Swingin Wit” and Fergie’s 2006 “Fergalicious.” The two explore roots, eras, and cultural dynamics. Oh, Iggy Azalea is somewhere in there, too.
Become a Queue Points member to check it out!
Behind the Scenes of Queue Points w/ Donwill
Drake Discussion Outtake (2026)
The legendary Donwill stopped by Queue Points for Black Music Month, and we had a wonderful time discussing his career, The Almanac of Rap podcast, and so much more. One part of that discussion that didn’t make the final show … when we taped this conversation we were on the other side Drake’s three album release, and of course, it came up. Enjoy this fun moment.
Disclosure: This episode of Queue Points was a collaboration with Okayplayer’s Almanac of Rap. Subscribe by visiting https://qpnt.net/aorshow.
Subscribe to Donwill’s Substack
Music News
A recent NPR report exposes how social media music influencers have become the new corporate gatekeepers, quietly accepting undisclosed payments from record labels to push songs. Operating as modern-day, algorithmic radio DJs, many of these creators command anywhere from $150 to $600 per video to feature specific songs in their "organic" recommendations by frequently bypassing FTC disclosure guidelines at the request of marketing agencies who fear the #ad tag will tank their algorithmic reach.
It’s a fascinating, cautionary look at how the battle for our ears is being funded behind the scenes, leaving us to wonder: is there any room left for genuine, untainted music discovery? Let us know in the comments.
(Shout out to Ted Gioia who posted about this in their feed! It’s how we discovered it.)
What We’re Checking Out On Substack
A beautiful and sobering piece from Nelson George for the United States of America’s 250th birthday. Using the Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful” and Gil Scott-Heron’s “Winter In America” for his two sides of the same coin argument, George writes, “Charles's ‘America the Beautiful’ is a dream of this nation. Gil Scott Heron's ‘Winter in America’ is the cold chill of reality.”
