Freedom & Faith: George Michael with special guest Ammar Kalia

The Pint Sized Purple Yoda: Prince with special guest Aamir Yaqub

In this episode of *The Dead Divas Lounge*, we dive into the enigmatic life and groundbreaking career of Prince. Joined by Grammy Award-winning music producer and engineer Aamir Yaqub [https://aamiryaqub.info/], we explore the genius behind the Purple One's iconic sound, his influence on the music industry, and the stories behind some of his most legendary hits. Tune in for an in-depth conversation that celebrates the artistry and legacy of one of music's greatest innovators. Find out more about Aamir Yaqub here: aamiryaqub.info [https://aamiryaqub.info/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Dead Divas Lounge: Festive Special

In this festive episode of the Dead Divas Lounge, hosts Amiss Tori and her long-suffering Manager James, are visited by the ghosts of divas of holidays past.  From Eartha Kitt's sultry 'Santa Baby' to Judy Garland's timeless 'Have You Self A Mery Littel Christmas', the joyousness of Whitney Houston's 'Do You Hear What I Hear' to Sinead O'Connor's ethereal version of 'Silent Night, each diva brings something different to the Yuletide celebrations.  They also delve into lesser-known Christmas classics, the sultry vibes of jazz, and the surprising streaming trends of iconic holiday tracks. The episode wraps up with heartfelt holiday wishes and humorous reflections on the festive season. The conversation is filled with laughter and a touch of nostalgia as they honour the legacy of these legendary artists.   ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Freedom & Faith: George Michael with special guest Ammar Kalia

In this episode of The Dead Divas Lounge we celebrate the life and legacy of the iconic George Michael. Our special guest is Ammar Kalia, a seasoned journalist, author, and broadcaster with a wealth of experience across the media and music landscape.  Ammar is currently Global music critic and a features writer for The Guardian as well as writing for some of the most prestigious music publications including Crack, Downbeat, Apple Music, Hyphen, Jazzwise, Composer Magazine, The Economist, Mixmag, Vinyl Factory, WePresent, The British Library, BBC Proms, Huck, Dazed, Beat, M Magazine, The Times Literary Supplement, Clash, TANK and The Quietus.  Ammar is also the author of the poetry collection, Kintsugi: Jazz Poems for Musicians Alive and Dead and the stunning new novel 'A Person Is A Prayer' published by Old Castle Books.  In this episode, we explore the many facets of George Michael's life—from his early days as one-half of Wham! to his evolution into a solo superstar with hits like "Faith" and "Careless Whisper." We dive into George Michael’s battles with fame, his struggles with personal identity, and his courageous journey as an LGBTQ+ icon who used his platform to advocate for equality and charity. Together, we reflect on his profound influence on pop culture, his complex personal life, and the timeless music that continues to resonate with fans around the world. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation about one of pop music’s most enduring and beloved figures. We also discuss the broader themes within Ammar's new novel, 'A Person Is A Prayer', of death, legacy, strong women and the men who hold them dear. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Clapping 06:43 Introducing Ammar Kalia and His Work 12:52 Reflections on Death, Legacy, and Art 19:52 Blending Autobiography and Fiction in Writing 28:56 Choosing George Michael as the Diva of Focus 32:52 The Emotional Power of George Michael's Music 33:12 The Art of Making Covers Your Own 37:13 Emotions and Moods in George Michael's Music 41:07 Challenging the Perception of Divas 44:23 The Lasting Impact of George Michael's Music 53:46 The Timelessness of George Michael's Songs 01:18:56 George Michael: An Unapologetic Gay Artist 01:19:26 The Comparison: George Michael vs. Freddie Mercury 01:20:08 Masculinity and Sexuality: George Michael's Authenticity 01:21:08 The Surprise of George Michael's Coming Out 01:22:07 Societal Expectations and the Idea of a National Treasure 01:22:29 George Michael's Unapologetic Authenticity 01:23:25 The Changing Perception of Messiness and Sexuality 01:24:03 Surprising Differences in Monthly Listeners 01:26:46 George Michael's Memorable Quotes 01:39:05 Ammar Kalia's Upcoming Projects Find out more about Ammar Kalia here: ammarkalia.com [ https://www.ammarkalia.com/ ] Order 'A Person Is A Prayer' here: https://bit.ly/3Zzypee [https://bit.ly/3Zzypee] / Amazon: https://bit.ly/3Vhe6j5 [https://bit.ly/3Vhe6j5] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Princess of R&B: Aaliyah with special guest BVDHI

Welcome to Dead Divas Lounge! In this episode, we sat down with a couple bottles of red wine to talk with rising R&B artist BVDHI. As we dive into the wine we also dive into the extraordinary life and timeless music of the beloved R&B star, Aaliyah. Join us as BVDHI shares her insights on Aaliyah's influence on R&B music, her tragic death, and how her artistry continues to resonate with new generations. BVDHI shares personal anecdotes about her connection to Aaliyah's music and reflects on the impact of Aaliyah's style and sound on her own work. The conversation delves into the cultural relevance of Aaliyah's music today and the ways in which she remains a significant figure in the music industry. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Dead Divas Lounge 02:17 Celebrating Aaliyah: The Queen of R&B 03:53 BVDHI's Personal Connection to Aaliyah 08:35 Aaliyah's Influence on 90s R&B 12:57 The Legacy of Aaliyah's Music 19:40 Aaliyah's Aesthetic Appeal and Cross-Genre Influence 25:32 The Conspiracy Theories Surrounding Aaliyah's Death 30:49 Aaliyah's Potential Career Trajectory 38:39 Aaliyah in Film: Queen of the Damned 40:51 The Impact of Early Death on Legacy 42:22 The Matrix and Aaliyah's Legacy 45:40 Aaliyah's Continued Influence in Modern Music 49:09 Nostalgia and the Resurgence of 90s R&B 51:10 Emotional Connections to Aaliyah's Music 01:00:29 Measuring Aaliyah's Legacy Through Metrics 01:14:07 Quotes and Reflections on Aaliyah's Impact 01:20:01 Looking Ahead: New Music and Future Projects Tune in and honour Aaliyah, the Princess of R&B with us! Find out more about BVHDI here: @bvdhi_music [https://www.instagram.com/bvdhi_music/] Stream BVDHI on: Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4TNhxa3GHw0Fi0gBODRdES] | Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/bvdhi/1715129717] Find out more about Amiss Tori on amisstori.com [https://amisstori.wordpress.com/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Elusive Greta Garbo with Drag sensation Dita Garbo!

In this episode of The Dead Divas Lounge', we’re joined by drag sensation Dita Garbo, hot off her appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 6! Known for channelling the mystery and glamour of Greta Garbo, Dita is here to help us unpack the life and the legacy of one of Hollywood’s most elusive stars. We chat about Greta’s lasting influence on queer culture, her impact on drag, and how her mystique continues to inspire performers today. We also discuss Dita's time on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 6 and get a world exclusive on her unexpected choice for snatch game. Dita also talks to us about her ridiculously catchy new single 'Dance Bitch' or as you might know it... Dita Dita Da Da Da Dita! Get ready for an unforgettable conversation as we dive into the divine solitude of Garbo with the fabulous Dita Garbo! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dita Garbo 02:58 Discovering Greta Garbo 06:01 The Allure of Old Hollywood 08:56 The Enduring Legacy of Greta Garbo 12:11 The Connection to LGBTQ+ Community 15:01 Dita Garbo on Drag Race 17:52 Influences and Inspirations 20:58 The Snatch Game Dilemma 24:04 The Tooth Fairy Reveal 29:00 The Joy of Character Creation 30:00 The Birth of 'Dance Bitch' 33:03 Behind the Music Video 35:02 Upcoming Performances and Shows 36:55 Playing Garbo or Garbage 44:53 Reflections on Greta Garbo 48:56 Recommended Films to Understand Garbo Find out more about Dita Garbo here: https://www.ditagarbo.com [https://www.ditagarbo.com ] Watch the music video for 'Dance Bitch' here: https://bit.ly/4focOKI [https://bit.ly/4focOKI] And tune in to this season of Ru Paul's Drag Race UK Season 6 here: https://bit.ly/3CibpXF [https://bit.ly/3CibpXF] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.