Whitney Jones, founder of Atlanta-based event Slow Drag, is here to discuss her journey and the significance of slow jams in reconnecting Black folks to one another. The trio chat about the way Black culture engages with music, and the restorative potential of slow jams for eliciting vulnerability and intimacy within the community. Whitney shares the importance of Slow Drag being an intentionally created space for Black people, that fosters genuine connections and allows for healing through music.
Topics: #ValentinesDay #SlowJams #SlowDrag #BlackPodcasters #BlackMusic #MusicPodcast
About Slow Drag
Slow Drag is an elevated dance experience with a focus on 70’s soul, jazz, blues, and R&B slow jams to inspire intimacy. With a heavy emphasis on the preservation of Black music, Slow Drag’s mission is to bring Black folk together in a space that not only uplifts the sounds at the heart of Black music but also encourages us to be vulnerable with each other.
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Opening Theme: Music by Danya Vodovoz
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Episode Transcript
*DISCLAIMER: Transcripts are created using AI, and may not accurately represent the content exactly as presented. Transcripts are provided as a courtesy to our listeners who require them.
[00:00:00] Intro Theme (Music by Danya Vodovoz)
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[00:00:30] Introduction and Welcome
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DJ Sir Daniel: Greetings, and welcome to another episode of cue points podcast. I am DJ sir Daniel.
Jay Ray: And my name is Jay Ray, sometimes known by my government as Johnny Ray Cornigade the third. Good evening, people.
DJ Sir Daniel: Listen, Q Points podcast is the podcast that drops the needle on black music history. But before all of that, J Ray, what's good?
[00:00:50] Catching Up With Each Other
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Jay Ray: Man, listen. I am great. I got slow I got, you know, black classic slow jammy things behind us.
I'm excited about our conversation. I'm excited about our guest. And, um, I will say today was a warm, Warm day here today, and, um, that that raised my spirits a bit. The sun was out. Um, it felt like spring, which is weird in, uh, February, but it was good and, um, I appreciate it.
How are you?
DJ Sir Daniel: It's funny you should mention spring because, you know, in Georgia, we have what's called fake spring. And we're we're enjoying the same thing, you know, sunny weather. But what that does is it coaxes the trees to start, um, pollinating the sky a lot faster than what we're expecting. So here we are in February.
And as you can hear, guys, I'm just a little bit my sinuses are doing just a little bit of a thing. I promise I'm not but it'll kinda work because it kinda adds to the slow drag, slow jam flavor that we're going for on this episode. And, JR, I'm super excited about it just like you are because we've been waiting for this guest For a minute, but
she's been busy. She's been so busy.
[00:02:05] The Importance of Subscribing and Supporting Queue Points
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DJ Sir Daniel: I'm telling you, but before we do all of that, Jerry, please let the people know how they can spend their money with us and subscribe and all the good things.
Jay Ray: Listen y'all. So first things first, as you know, we say this all the time. If you hear our voices or you see our faces, hello, you are doing the right thing. You are checking out cue points and that is really, really important. You could do us a solid and hit subscribe wherever you are.
That is Absolutely free, and it helps us to show up in your feeds whenever we have a new show. Another thing that you can do Is you can visit our website at cue points dot com, and you can sign up to become a cue points insider. That is when you get to kinda be inside all things cue points. And you get to learn about events. You get to learn about new products that we have coming out.
All of the above. Right? And that's free too. And you can get more from cue points on our magazine. Cue points magazine is 1 of the dopest Stub Stack Publications out there.
Not just because it's ours, sir Daniel. I just think we are doing some great work over on cue points magazine. So you can go to magazine dot cue points dot com. Sign up. That's free too.
And the last thing Is if you wanna help keep the lights on over in cue points land, which we would really appreciate, you can visit our store at store dot cue points dot com, and you can pick up merch And all types of goodies in cue points land, and we'd really appreciate it.
DJ Sir Daniel: Absolutely
[00:03:37] Valentine's Day: A Discussion
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DJ Sir Daniel: . And, you know, so, Jerry, before Christmas could even come to an end, If you went into any supermarket or any store, what were they putting up already?
Jay Ray: Listen. Valentine's Day stuff was up.
DJ Sir Daniel: Up already. We ain't even got through January yet, but the Valentine's Day chocolates were already up, Ready for, you know, ready for people to start purchasing.
Even Walmart has launched Ray out so you can set it out
Jay Ray: Get it, Wobble. Listen.
DJ Sir Daniel: it for the for the low on on Valentine's Day. But, you know, what To you, Jerry, what does Valentine's Day represent?
Jay Ray: Okay. So I'm gonna be really, really honest. Right? As I got older, I was really whatever on Valentine's Day. Like, it just wasn't a thing that I, like, particularly cared about or celebrated, that sort of thing.
But now in my old age, in my old age of 46, I Really do understand the importance of days like Valentine's Day because I think society has made Valentine's Day like a lot about romantic love, and that's beautiful. But I think we've also extended it to be love for family, love for friends, love for yourself. Like, I love people doing kind of these go out by yourself on Valentine's Day things. I think that's really cute. So Valentine's Day for me at this age represents, um, just like love for people in general, And I really appreciate that.
What about you?
DJ Sir Daniel: Well, 1, um, I really appreciate people who who pronounce it Valentine's Day because that's, You know, that just gives it, uh, you know, a good old down home, just really makes you feel good feeling When somebody calls it Valentine's Day. And, you know, because, you know, this that's just what people will do, but it's it's not really pronounced that way, guys.
It's Valentine's Day. And just like, um, Sean says in the chat, you could call it Singles Awareness Day.
Jay Ray: Mhmm.
DJ Sir Daniel: it, uh, Galentine's Day. I see a lot of women get together with their friends and and celebrate each other. Um, I've never like you, I've never really felt 1 way or another about Valentine's day.
It's just it's nice. It's it's nice to see. Um, I did have the opportunity last year to spend at Rocksteady for their Valentine's dinner, excuse me, which, um, was good to see couples, you know, in their their tables together and just having a good time. And I was I was able to, you know, give the soundtrack for that evening. So that was that was nice.
That was really nice.
Jay Ray: You know, question from you in that vantage point of kind of looking out on the crowd. Like, what was that like, I'm always curious because I I think we have a vision of what Valentine's Day looks like. Um, what did Valentine's Day look like for you from the DJ booth?
What were you observing? What were you feeling? What was the energy in the room like?
DJ Sir Daniel: You know, I was more so, like, I was feeling like, okay. I'm gonna set y'all up. It's up to you to close the deal. That's how I was feeling.
It was like I was looking at people, and I was like, okay. They look like they've been together for a long time. They're they're kinda new. You know? And, It was just me just being silly and having conversations in my head about the different couples and looking at them and just trying to create stories for them And watching them as they got up, it's like, okay now. get none on you, you know, when when you leave up out of here. So that's what that that that that was my vantage point and what was going on with me behind the DJ booth
[00:07:44] Childhood Memories of Valentine's Day
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DJ Sir Daniel: . But also it reminded me of when we were kids,
Jay Ray: Mhmm.
DJ Sir Daniel: Jay Ray you remember in school, they would do that thing where they would, like We would cut up that. We would get construction paper, and we would make Valentine's for our moms or somebody else and A classmate if you felt if you were feeling froggy. Remember that?
Jay Ray: I absolutely remember that. And I think it's it's so interesting now, um, because it was probably it was the eighties y'all. This is kinda cringey. But I remember my mom, she would go out and we would get the box of Valentine's cards. Right?
And it would be like the littles, the the the Snoopy's and them. And Snoopy would be, like, have the big heart, and you would write Valentine's. I don't know who I wrote Valentine's to I'm assuming I wrote them to, like, all the little girls in my class. I'm assuming that's what was acceptable.
I can't imagine Who else? Like if I I don't know. I don't remember. Right? But I also remember, and I don't like these, them little candies with the words on them.
Them little hearts.
DJ Sir Daniel: Oh, sweet tarts, I think they're called. Was that what they were
Jay Ray: But I don't they might have been sweet tarts, but the thing was they taste like mints, but they have, like, I love you on them. Not it.
DJ Sir Daniel: They were chalky to
Jay Ray: They were chalky.
DJ Sir Daniel: Definitely chalky. Yeah. Remember going through the the box of chocolates and, like, trying to decide which that cherry censored 1 was disgusting. I I would bite into that and find out which and spit it out completely. That was nasty. That was nasty work, y'all. I hope they they discontinued that.
Jay Ray: What Yeah.
So I remember those. So and I didn't learn this until I got older. But, you know, if you flip those boxes over, there's a diagram So you can know. Did you know that?
DJ Sir Daniel: Did not. You learn something new every day.
Jay Ray: there's a diagram.
Here's a here's a tip y'all. Instead of going through your grandmama's chocolates and poking a hole to see what was in there, because I did that, and I didn't want the strawberry 1. So or that cherry 1. But, if you flip over the box, there's a diagram that tells you where the chocolate is that you want. So if you find it, just Put your finger there and you can get that 1.
DJ Sir Daniel: God bless y'all. You know, I hope everybody has a wonderful Valentine's Day and Celebrate it in any capacity that you want. We have a phenomenal show Call Slow Jams Can Heal Us, and we are joined by a very special guest.
Um, I can't wait for you all to meet her. I've known this sister For a minute, and I've seen her do the work, and I am so excited to have her on the show,
[00:10:37] Transition
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[00:10:46] Welcome Whitney Jones of Slow Drag
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Jay Ray: we love and know how much slow jams mean to black folks, How much they mean to us, um, to our well-being, and just to the culture in general. Right? And, um, So we're happy that this sister is doing the work that she is doing. So without further ado, I am going to Tell you a little bit about slow drag.
So slow drag is an elevated dance experience with a focus on 70 soul, Jazz, blues, and R and B slow jams to inspire intimacy. With a heavy emphasis on the preservation of black music, Slow drag's mission is to bring black folk together in a space that not only uplifts the sounds at the heart of black music, But also encourages us to be vulnerable with each other. Q points family, it is our pleasure To welcome Whitney Jones of Slow Drag here. What's up?
Whitney Jones: I'm well. I'm well.
I'm in a really great space. I'm very happy. Be I'm definitely very happy to be here,
[00:11:56] The Creation and Evolution of Slow Drag
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DJ Sir Daniel: you know, slow drag has become, like, a has become your your passion, and it's It's a lot of work, though, but please let the people know what would what's the origin story of Slow Drag? How did it come about?
Whitney Jones: Yeah. So, um, I've always been a A great lover of seventies soul music.
Um, in the house, it was me and my mother, and she played her records all the time. Um, she grew up in the seventies, so she has a very extensive collection, um, of records that she would never let me touch, but she did let me listen to them. So, you know, I would kind of, like, sneak and kind of flip through and look at album covers, which is where my love for vinyl came from. But then, Like I said, she was always playing the music in in the home. Um, that coupled with growing up here in Atlanta, listening to Joyce Patel Quiet Storm, Like, it kinda just all of it together, um, really encompass, like, what I what I loved about black music.
Vulnerability of it, just the instrumentation, just all of it. And so for slow drag, I really wanted to create a space where I could go and listen to the music that I love, um, and be amongst my peers. So not necessarily go to the spot the spots They would play this type of music because lots of times, it was, you know, my mother's peers. And, you know, I love my aunties and my unks, But I didn't necessarily wanna party with them. Right?
Yeah. I wanted to
DJ Sir Daniel: she don't wanna go to the crow's
Jay Ray: Right.
Whitney Jones: you know what I'm saying? Like, They were like, yeah. You know, you can go to Ellery's. I was like, oh, do I wanna do that? So, um, and and there was there's, uh, Marvin Gaye song, um, After the Dance, and there's a line in it where he says, um, you're going home with me tonight. And I'm like, oh, 0, that's what that's what we doing? And I was like, well, where is this place? Where is this dance at? You know, where is this where is this dance happening where I could go in slow jam, listen to slow jam, slow dance and just really have that type of night.
And I was asking my friends and, you know, and, again, they were telling me try Ellery's or Go to Starbar for this you know, they do seventies. They do disco on this night. I'm like, I'm not looking for disco. I'm also not looking for a Starbar crowd. I'm looking for My people.
Right? So, like, where is that?
DJ Sir Daniel: black people,
Jay Ray: Rest. Yes.
DJ Sir Daniel: We need some black
Whitney Jones: um, a friend of mine was like, you know, you keep talking about this. You keep asking me about it.
I don't know. Why don't you just create it? Like, get out of my face. So I was like, okay. Let me let me
DJ Sir Daniel: You know what? That seems that's like the the shared story of a lot of people who have been creative and innovated and made and created a space for black folks. It's always been somebody to say, well, If you wanna see it, create it.
Jay Ray: Mhmm.
DJ Sir Daniel: And so that's always been, like, our 1 of our superpowers.
So What is it like? Um, I don't know.
[00:15:24] The Importance of Teamwork in Slow Drag
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DJ Sir Daniel: Well, first of all, creating an event in Atlanta is a feat within itself. So just kinda walk us through, like, your experiences in creating you know, finding your venues and selecting your venues and and getting a team because you can't do everything on your own.
Whitney Jones: Oh, yeah. For sure. So our very first slow drag, It really was a team of 1. It was really just me.
Um, I did Reached out to a friend of mine to create the flyer. Um, and then I had, um, a DJ of mine, Lady Marauder, who I wanted to to spin. So she was there to spin at the party. Um, Kim put the fire together, but everything past That was all me. So I decided that I wanted to make it like a house party.
So I rented the Airbnb, found the perfect venue, wanted to make sure that it was someplace Close to the city, you know, where everybody had access to it. Um, just so did all the work there. And once it started to grow, that was when I was like, you know what? I cannot be out here doing this by myself. So Lady Marauder became my music director.
Cam became my creative director. Um, the bartender that she actually reached out to me because she was like, I see you're having this party. I would love to help you way. The bartender became my executive assistant. Okay?
And then my good friend from middle school. We've, like, grown up together. She became my logistics coordinator.
Jay Ray: I love oh, I love this so much. That idea of that's why This has continued on because of all the love.
There's love all up and through it. Right? The people who so often, right, I think we sometimes will look outside of us to find the things that we need. What you did Is like, no. There are people right here that have said they wanna be part of this.
Let let me ask for help. Now I'm curious. Was that difficult for you to ask them for help? Are you up?
Whitney Jones: Listen.
They still get on me 4 years in, and I'm like I'm I'm very much and and that part of it is because I was raised by a single mother. I am an only child, so I'm very much independent in my own nature. Like, that's just who I am. Right? And so oh, and then on top of that, um, wow.
I was like, I was talking about my mom. My mom must call me right now, girl. I'll I'll talk. Are you back?
Jay Ray: Hey, mom.
Whitney Jones: Right.
But, also, because, um, and I I was a single mom as well. So, like, Um, I was very young mother. So a lot of just my upbringing and my experiences have been very much, I got it. I'll do it myself. Matter of fact, I remember the 1 of the first books that I remember Reading over and over again as a small child was the little red hens.
I don't know if y'all familiar with that story, but it's basically, Uh, a hen that's asking all of these farm animals to help her make bread for her for for the children. And so she's asking, you know, the cow. The cow's not can't do it. She's asking the goat, like, asking all these folks. So she's like, okay.
Well, then I'll do it myself. She goes and she makes all the bread for her children. Everybody comes. Now people all the people that she asked for help, now they want some bread. She's like, no.
No. I did all this work. Now I'm not getting none of this. So this is what I was raised with. Okay.
So it's been really difficult for me, um, even having a team to delegate, to ask for help. But I know that my team is there for me, and it's whatever I need for from them, they're going to make sure it happens. You know, our very last slow drag in January, um, I wasn't feeling well. And, you know, I still tried to show up and Do all the things and help with the setup. And my girl was like, you know what?
Go sit down. We got it. And it's been it's difficult for me because slow drag also my baby. Like, it's something that I really enjoy doing, and I love it. But it's like my child.
And I just you know, I never was saying my son off with just anybody. Like, even the folks that I really love, I'm like, well, this is what you gotta do. You gotta do x, y, and z at this time. Like, You know what I mean? Because this is my baby, and nobody's gonna take care of your baby like you do.
So I have a very Deep connection with this event. Um, but like I said, my team, they've been here from the beginning. And, um, you know, I've really appreciated the fact that I can ask them for help when I need it. So, yeah, they're great.
Jay Ray: That's dope. Um, you know, 1 of the things you mentioned, you know, my connection to to Slow Jam's did as well start with my Father, so my there was always a lot of music around the house. My dad used to be a singer, and so he was just always playing something. And Interesting for me, I think my initial connection to slow jams really became hearing them, but it was really connecting with album covers. So Those sixties and seventies album covers were like a thing.
Specifically, seventies ones. I remember, Um, he every now and again, Diana Ross' touch me in the morning would come on, and that kind of lush arrangement. But I remember the cover with, like, the whites and the clouds and, like, Diana kinda coming through it, and that felt like an experience. Smokey Robinson's Quiet Storm album. I remember the horses and, you know, hearing Smokey's voice, but imagining him like on a farm.
You know, speaking of the the book you just talked about. Right? And I remember just really connecting with this music. And then, of course, as I got older, really starting to understand the words and what it all meant.
[00:21:48] The Experience of Slow Drag
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Jay Ray: I have never been to Slow Drag.
I want to come to Slow Drag. 1 time when I'm Atlanta, if I can make it to Atlanta and Slow Drag is happening, I will definitely be there. But talk to us a bit about the space. Like, what do you, As the curator of this event, observe about the people in the space and what are kind of some of the frequently asked questions that people tend to ask before they come to the space.
Whitney Jones: Yeah. That's a great question. So the very first thing about the space, Um, is which is a signature of ours is our blue lights. So, um, like, That's the that's like the very first question that I ask when I'm looking for a venue, can these lights be blue? If they cannot be blue, How can we make them blue?
Like, oh, we can't do that? Okay. This is not a good fit. Like, straight like that. Because, you know, I I like the I like the blue lights, 1, because of the blue lights in the the basement feeling that it evokes.
Also, because, you know, it's makes it dimly lit, Which also gives it a little bit of, like, um, anonymity. You know? So, like, people are not all up in your face. You know? They can't kinda See what's going on if you wanna dug off in a corner somewhere.
You know what I mean? Like, it just gives it a very sultry feel. But 1 of the things that I observe that I love. Like, I just sometimes I just step back and just kinda just look at the people is, um, it's just love all through the room. Like, whether you come by self, you come with your friends, you come with your boo.
Like, it's just love everywhere. You know? Like, I've had people tell me I mean, I have folks who come every month, like, without pause, um, because they tell me that this is their therapy. You know? Like, this is what they need every month.
Like, they just They have to experience it. Uh, some of the frequently asked questions,
[00:23:44] Do you have to bring a date or my partner to Slow Drag?
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Whitney Jones: definitely number 1 is, do I have to have a date? Do I need to bring my boyfriend? Do I need to bring my girlfriend, my husband, my wife? No.
And I'm, like, really emphatic about that Because, honestly, I created slow drag because I wanted it to be a space for single people. Um, because as a single woman, you know, like, I I wanna slow gene. I wanna slow dance. So I don't have a partner. So what what does that mean?
I can't slow dance because I I don't have a date. I don't have a man. You know what I mean? Like, So how does that like, so I so what I'm supposed to do? So that was I'll be up here like,
Jay Ray: Right. Hold on.
Over in the corner, like, get out. Like, she is getting it.
DJ Sir Daniel: she is getting down.
Whitney Jones: so for me, I mean, that's the the 1 thing that I definitely want people to know about slow drag is that you do not have to be partnered to come to slow drag. It's absolutely okay to be a single person and experience slow drag. Whether you just want to come and enjoy the vibe and the music Or you wanna dance because there are single men, there are single women that come to slow drag. You know? So whatever you're into, There's somebody there for you.
You know? So yeah. I and, um,
[00:25:03] Will there ever be a non-420 friendly Slow Drag?
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Whitney Jones: another question that people ask me, They asked about whether or not, uh, we'll ever have a non 4 20 friendly events of slow drag. Um, so 4 20 friendly is really important to me.
Jay Ray: Love that.
Whitney Jones: it is to me, like, there's a vibe about, you know, having you a little joint, Listening to some Marvin Gaye, you know, Al Green, the Dale Funnitz.
Like, there's a vibe in all of that. Right? And, like, it sets the mood. It's like The aesthetic of it. So when someone asks me, I'm like, I understand why you would want that.
Like, especially if, you know, you get drug tested or you have asthma. You know what I mean? Like, I understand why you would wanna be in that setting. Unfortunately, Slow drag. This is not that place.
Like, you know, we definitely have some people who are not smokers, but they're not bothered by the smoke. You know? They still enjoy the vibe. But as far as having a space where, you know, it's completely smoke free, that's not likely. We'll probably do something outside for that.
Jay Ray: Mhmm.
DJ Sir Daniel: Well, but but for right now, it's not gonna happen. As as somebody who's been to Slow drag. It's not that bad. It's it wasn't you know, the smoke is and I'm not I'm not a smoker.
Um, you know? So, Yeah. It's not that bad, but I wanna touch on something. Before we came on air, Whitney, we were talking about restoration and restoring our bodies And slowing it down.
[00:26:42] The Importance of Slowing Down
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DJ Sir Daniel: Talk to us about the importance.
Jay Ray: Yes.
DJ Sir Daniel: You were talking to us about the importance of slowing it down for not just music, but for our own health. Talk to us about that.
Whitney Jones: Absolutely. So for for me, I definitely, um, believe that rest is key. It's it's it's important. It's essential. Um, I've never been 1, you know, what is it?
I'll sleep when I when I'm dead or whatever. Like, I'm just I'm not that person. I enjoy my rest. I enjoy my naps. Um, and for me, also, like, having moments to slow down, um, it means a lot.
Like, It needs to be an essential to how you're moving because we're in a society, um, where it's like go go go. You know, like, if you're not constantly producing, then, like, what are you doing? And so to have a space where you can be intentional about slowing down, About, you know, bringing that heart rate down.
[00:27:46] The Impact of Slow Drag on Party Scene
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Whitney Jones: Um, I think that is something that a lot of people need to experience, especially as a As a party scene, because most of party scenes are high tempo, fast paced, very much about turning up. And with slow drag, I think that it's a it's just as important to turn down, you know, to have a space where You can create these intimate moments.
Um, and I think that, you know, even with slow jams and slow slower tempo music, Like, it makes you more vulnerable. You know? It makes you, you know, want to be more introspective, um, be more reflective in what's happening, take in what's what's going on. I find a lot of people, um, are less likely to be on their phones at slow drag. You know, I've I've seen people, they take a couple of pictures, but for the most part, you know, there aren't phones everywhere and in your face.
I've actually had people say, you know, I can't wait until the photo gallery is up because I didn't take any pictures. I didn't pull my phone out. You know? Like so I think that is there's something to be said to have a space to slow down in.
[00:28:56] TROY Podcast Mid-Roll
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[00:29:42] The Importance of Connection in Black Community
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DJ Sir Daniel: In in the space of slow drag, as a people, we we're leaning on each other while we're slow dragging.
And so That's very important because talk to us about connection
Jay Ray: Yeah.
DJ Sir Daniel: in the in the black community and in the slow drag Setting because connection seems to be something that's lost. There's a lot of people who don't even are scared to connect or don't even know how to. So talk to us about the importance of that in creating that element.
Whitney Jones: Yeah.
Um, so that's that's a real a big factor for me with Souldrag. 1 of the things that I am seeing, um, so initially, when I created Slow Drag, it was very much for my own selfish reasons. I just wanna slow I just wanna slow dance. Right? As things persisted, um, and the, You know, the move is hard to grow.
I saw that there was, like, really a need for, like, black folks to just have this type of space to be able to make these connections. Um, the Internet discourse alone is so disturbing amongst black men and black women that it's like, okay. Do we even like each other? Like, what's going on? And it would honestly, it made me a little nervous about what it would look like for Soul Drag.
But Everything that's happening, a slow drag, like, I don't see it happening anywhere else. You know? Like, there's a softness all around between the men, between the women. Um, there are people who are having connections. There are folks who, you know, are coming alone And finding each other, um, not being afraid to have intimate moments with a stranger.
Like, It's okay to slow dance with someone that you don't know. Like, it's okay to, you know, let a stranger hug you. You know what I mean? Like, if that's you know, Consent, of course. But, you know, like, it's it's okay for us to come together in this way, and not be, you know, apprehensive of 1 another, um, to not, you know, treat each other with disdain.
Like I said, there's a lot of love in the space of slow drag, and I think that there's, you know, some heavy connections that are happening because of the vulnerability that the music provides.
[00:32:08] The Inclusivity of Slow Drag and How All Black Folks are Welcome in the Space
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DJ Sir Daniel: Atlanta is, like you said, a party city, and there are lots of different people That are drawn to Atlanta because of that. What I have noticed about, um, slow drag is that their black queer women have been able to come in there and be able to be part of the space And now I feel no ways about it.
Is that something that intentionally that you set out intentionally or you were just like, hey. This is a space. This is an inclusive space, um, for everybody.
Whitney Jones: You know, I really love this question, um, because no. The intention honestly, when I created a slow drag, like, I'm a straight woman, so everything was coming from my lens, from my perspective. So, like, it was, um, heterosexual relationships was, like, at the forefront.
But I also knew that Slow Drag was for all black folks. So, like, I'm not going to tell you that you can't come come to slow drag because you're not straight. Like, are you black?
Jay Ray: Yes.
Whitney Jones: That's the only thing that's my only requirement. You know?
Like, anything else, that doesn't matter to me. So I definitely wanted it to be a space where All black people felt welcomed, that they felt loved and appreciated in this space. And I'm so grateful that It has resonated with everybody. Like, I I'm I'm happy to see queer folks come out to slow drag. They're not being bothered.
They're able to love up on each other in peace, and ain't nobody saying nothing to them. Like, it's all love, and I want for everybody to feel that. And, you know, I definitely I while I don't I don't promote it as, you know, like, a queer event, I'd like, I've I've had people reach out and then ask me, is it okay if I come? I'm like, please do. Please do.
Bring your people. Y'all come through. You know? And I haven't had anyone that have experienced any issues, any drama, any mess, and that's just for black folks all all over. So, Yeah.
Definitely creating a space for for for everybody. All black people. Not everybody. All Kent, real you know what? I Whitney, thank you so much for creating an environment like this. I will Speaking for me personally, and DJ sir Daniel and I, um, I've shared this with him. I haven't Slow slow dragged with someone in it's been decades possibly.
Jay Ray: Right? It may have been prom in high school. Right? For 2 reasons. 1, the club scene completely changed.
Right? As DJ sir yes. Y'all have both talked about, like, everything is a turn up. Right? There's no room to just kinda slow it down.
But also as a queer person, right, it's like, that's definitely not happening in those spaces. So just knowing that there's a Space out there that you've created this, uh, space that folks can walk into. 1, slowing down. 2, Affirming folks and wanting black folks to experience, uh, you know, experience this moment that they're having in slow drag. Shout out.
Just shout out to you. Thank you for doing Thank you.
Whitney Jones: Thank you. I appreciate you for seeing me, for seeing slow drag, you know, because, you know, it's it's it's interesting because I keep saying that slow drag is for black folks, And I mean that. Like, I stand on that shit. And I have some people who are, like who try to kinda push back on that, And I don't appreciate it. So I really appreciate when I have other black folks that say, like, thank you for this.
Like, This is necessary. Like, I want for this to be a space for just us. Like, that means a lot to me that there are people who are able to affirm what I'm doing and what I stand for. So thank you.
[00:36:19] Transition
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[00:36:26] The Importance of Men Coming Out and Looking Fly
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DJ Sir Daniel: So, Jay Ray, we we we were talking earlier about We saw a social media post by Whitney earlier, and she was she had to put out a a a a a public announcement, PSA, if you will, to the to the ladies for y'all to slow down and stop buying up the tickets, the men's tickets, Because you have specifically allotted tickets for men. And the reason why you have to do this Or tell us about the reason why you have to do this. What is it gonna take men, black men, to come into the space and feel 1 invited if and be vulnerable enough to to let themselves feel what everybody else is experiencing at Slow Drag.
Whitney Jones: So this so That is my mission for 20 24, right, is to bring more single men into the space.
There are some, but I feel I still think there's, like, some trepidation about them approaching women, you know, but I feel like a lot of that is, You know, club culture, like like, this is not that. You know? Um, I think that for for for slow drag, a lot of There's a lot of intention with slow drag. You know? Um, as a single woman, more often than not, You are coming because you want to slow dance.
Like, it's not just because, you know, you love this music. You love the music, but it's a it's a slow Dance party. You know, I want to spoil dance. So it makes sense that I would come into a space as a single woman Expecting that there's gonna be some man that wants to dance with me. So the likelihood of me, you know, Telling him, no.
I don't wanna dance or leave me alone or don't you know what I mean? It's really low because I came for that. And just because we slow dance doesn't mean that, you know, you're gonna be my husband or you know what I mean? Like, it's just it's just a dance. It's just a dance.
Like, Don't don't think too much don't think too much on it. Right? Enjoy the So right. And so what we're doing for Valentine's Day, we're having, um, We do a a speakeasy type of slow drag.
So it's much more intimate, smaller venue. Um, we call it slow and easy. So we're doing slow and easy DTF. Um, for us, it means down to flirt. Okay?
But if you wanted to mean something else that's that's between y'all. So down to flirt because so it's a single, um, slow drag, essentially, on Valentine's Day. And a big part of that is because Our regular slow drag, we get we are we do get a lot of couples. Like, I see it. It's a lot of that happening, and I get it because Who would not want to have a date night as those red?
So we wanted to be a little bit more intentional with creating space for single folks. So we're doing it on Valentine's Day because we know single folks are probably not gonna be, You know, doing doing too much. This is something for us to kinda have the space to do to do that, to have, to enjoy each other. So I decided that I would do, you know, a a a select number of women tickets and men tickets so that there would be some balance Because this is also Atlanta. It's a lot of women.
It's a lot of women's out here. Okay? So Every time you go somewhere, it's like an abundance of women, and we'll sprinkle them in. You know? So I wanted to say, okay, you know what?
To make sure that there is some some balance, um, let's, you know, kind of limit that. The women's tickets sold out very quickly. So quickly that they've started to ask if they could purchase the men's tickets. you're like, no.
was like, no, sir. I that defeats the purpose.
That literally defeats the whole purpose of us doing a singles event. Like, if I'm selling, you know, 50 women's tickets and 50 men's tickets, but now The 50 women's tickets have sold. And now y'all have slipped into the men's tickets, and it's only 20 men. Y'all are going to be mad at me. You're supposed to be mad at me.
You're gonna ask me, Whitney, where are the men? Y'all are men now, sis.
Jay Ray: Y'all not bought up the ticket.
Whitney Jones: Y'all bought the tickets. Y'all are the men tonight. So I I posted that PSA because The young lady that initially said something, she was like, well, what if I identify as a man for the
Jay Ray: For the night, that's not the way that works.
Whitney Jones: So I know that she was, you know, she was joking, but I had, you know, a couple people a couple of women ask me, like, Well, are you gonna release more tickets? You know? What if I I'm like, no. No. No.
No. So it's really up to the men, the single men, to step up and show up. And I have been told that they typically wait till the last minute. So I did say that I'll see how the the the men's tickets are moving, um, and that will determine if I open up more women's tickets, but I just really want there to be balance. I want I don't want there to be, you know, just a lot of women.
And, again, because it's Atlanta, like, Women seem to wanna tussle over men, and I don't want none of that.
Jay Ray: Now that's No. We we don't want any scrapping and Slow drag. Maybe, Whitney, maybe there might could be some type of incentive to a woman. If you purchase a ticket, a woman purchases a ticket and she gets, I don't know. 5 men to sign up or buy a ticket.
DJ Sir Daniel: Maybe there's some type of incentives there for to do that. I don't know.
Whitney Jones: I mean, listen. I'm I'm definitely open to suggestions.
The 1 suggestion that I'm not open to, though, is letting them in there for free.
Jay Ray: Right.
Whitney Jones: No. I'm not doing
Jay Ray: It's like doing the opposite of, like, the club night.
Whitney Jones: Yeah. No.
DJ Sir Daniel: She's like, no. We're not doing that player.
And speaking of which, so We've seen this time and time again. Whitney, you are going to get drop dead gorgeous for the event. Right? All the sisters are gonna get put on their best, their finest. They're gonna look so fly and beautiful. The brothers, the gents, we're not always on that time. Even when it comes to couples, I will see couples come into that restaurant. She is Dress to the nines. Deck down. Top to bottom.
And him, he might have on a new pair of sneakers. Just real, you know, real regular degular. It's not what in your opinion, why don't the men like to match the fresh of the women?
Whitney Jones: You know? And I I I can't I can't say for certain. I really I really don't know. But I honestly feel like Men don't think they have to put forth much effort. You know? Um, I feel like that's part of the reason why The women's tickets sell so quickly, and the men's tickets are, like, you know, it's like a little trickle. They're selling, but Not with urgency. You know? Like, being in Atlanta, I think that men especially feel like they have their pick of whatever woman.
And once they get with that woman, it's like, girl, you're the 1 that's been out here praying to all the gods for me. Like, I'll wear whatever I wanna wear. I got you now. You know? And, honestly, I feel like, you know, there's just That lack of effort because they just feel like they they don't have to.
They don't have to work as hard. You know? Um, I think that as women, We have to be the ones to kinda step back like, hey. Listen. You know, you want me.
Okay? Like, I'm okay being single. And I And I and I and it's interesting because, like, my friends tell me all the time, like, you out here moving like a man. It's not so much that I move like a man, But I'm not pressed about being a single woman. Like, I'm good.
You know? Like, I I have I go out on dates. You know, I have relationships, um, but I I want things to happen organically in their own time. I'm not chasing after any man. Like, I'm not gonna do that.
You know? And so for me, I definitely and I and I have high standards as well. Like, I'm you can't come to me any kind of way. And if you've done it once, you'll do it again unless I tell you that I don't I don't I'm not gonna take it. So I think a lot of it is women need to say, we're not gonna take that. You know?
Jay Ray: You know, that actually brings up a really good point. And I I think Slow jams and the experience of, uh, people experiencing slow drag to offer a lots of lessons. And that's another reason why I think, brother, so if you're watching cue points, I've never even been to slow drag, but I can guarantee you that the reason why you wanna go Is there are things that you will learn in that space about yourself and about how to interact with other with black women That you won't get anywhere else. Right? You're not gonna get because that's not the way you're creating the space in a very special way that folks just don't do.
Right? And and you are playing music that inspires reflection for folks, That inspires people to really kind of be to sir Daniel's earlier point, be vulnerable.
[00:46:19] The Importance of Black People Being Vulnerable With One Another
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Right? So, um, from your perspective, right, why is it important that we have a space like Slow drag for that vulnerability piece, for that, uh, learning about 1 another in those connections. Why is that important to you?
Whitney Jones: Yes. Um, I mean, the vulnerability piece alone is such a huge component for me for slow drag because, honestly, I feel like black Folks just in general just need more softness with each other.
And I think that slow drag provides that, you know, Even as as as black women, you know, I think we've a lot of us have grown up To kind of have these hard exteriors and to Talk about how independent we are, how strong we are, you know, kind of leaning into this narrative of this strong black woman trope. And a space like Slow Drag like, it breaks all that down. Like, you don't have to be strong out here, sis. Like, you can be soft. You know, you can be fragile.
Um, there's something because, I mean, especially when you when you're talking about soul dragging. Right? Like, The positioning of having, you know, a man's arms wrapped around you, like, it makes you feel very safe. Right? Um, for a woman to have, you know, her arms kind of wrapped around a man's neck, like, you know, kinda pulling them in.
Like, there's There's just there are things that are happening with the actions of slow dancing, of bringing two bodies close together, um, of, you know, Singing the lyrics of the some of these songs while you're while you're dancing. You know, it's like it's breaking down all of the the hardness. And I think that black people need that because too often, we're just really rough with each other. And to be able to have that vulnerability, I think it will start to spill over into other parts of our lives. That's why, you know, a real big part of what I'm doing is I really want black folks, like, all over to feel slow drag.
You know, I I was I joke with my friends. I'm like, you know, slow drag can single handedly change how black folks move with each other. Like, We gonna change the world,
y'all. But, I mean but it's it's because I know that there's There's a need for us to to be vulnerable with each other. You know?
Like, there's just something that that's that's to be said about us Having space to to really, like, lean into just being black and free and comfortable and vulnerable because there just aren't spaces like that for us just to to do those things.
DJ Sir Daniel: Listen, the title of this particular episode is Slow jams can heal us.
And Jay Ray and I were very intentional about calling it that and creating a movement Because like you, Whitney, I believe we're in step together with this whole movement about healing the community for sure. And so And so that's why we're super happy that you're doing the work and that we can't wait to see more of what's to come.
[00:49:47] What are your favorite slow jams?
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DJ Sir Daniel: But, you know, this is cue points podcast. We're all about black music history and dropping the needle on jams. So we can't let you leave without asking you, What is Whitney Jones's 3 favorite slow jams?
Whitney Jones: Okay. So this is an incredibly difficult
Jay Ray: We know.
Whitney Jones: I promise you, 1 of Well, that's, like, always my biggest fear is when someone asks me about my favorite anything because I just I like all I like so much. Right?
So I thought about this, and 1 thing is people always ask me, like, is it just seventies music for you? Like, it's not. I love seventies. I do. I really do.
But I love all black music. Um, seventies, soul, like, except that that decade is my number 1. The nineties, that's also top tier for me as well. But, um, so what what I decided to do is I was going to select My favorite slow jams from the seventies, the eighties, and the nineties.
So my favorite, All time favorite 70 slow jam is I Want You, Marvin Gaye.
Like, I can just just put that on repeat and just Matter of fact, that whole album was really like I said, that was the the, um, inspiration behind slow drag. My eighties pick is Anita Baker, been so long. Like, I just yeah. That 1 is it for me. And then my nineties pick is jealousy, you and I.
Jay Ray: I
Whitney Jones: love
you some jealousy. Every time, you know, someone is like jealousy or Drew Hill or Boyce Smith, it's always jealousy. I don't know. Like, they look rough around the edges, but I like that.
Jay Ray: Yeah.
You know, they got that North Carolina thing. You know, they gone they gone, you know, sing they from in the church. It's all the things. Right? And you know what they did too is, of course, they they they they took it all.
So they had the mix of the seventies, the mix of the eighties, and then mix the hip hop in there. So you got everything in Jodeci, and
Whitney Jones: Yes. Yes. And I really appreciate that because For me, like, I think that is important to see this kind of, um, tough Male persona being vulnerable.
You know? Like, they were out here in their boots in the desert. You know what I We are just, like, begging, but begging. Like, they look like they were going to cut a hip hop album, but They are begging they want me to come back. So, yeah, it's beautiful.
DJ Sir Daniel: Jay Ray, you got some slow jams on deck. What's what's your
Jay Ray: Oh, you know what? So my favorite and I'm sharing this from, um, our Slow Jam show, but my favorite is always, Uh, love ballad from l t d. Like, Jeffrey just say and that refrain, and what we have is much more that you just Can't. And I love the repeating.
I'm like, baby, give it to give it to us. Make sure we hear you. Um, so, yeah, that is, uh, my all time favorite, but I love a, uh, Uh, You Are My Starship is 1 of my favorite songs, period, but absolutely 1 of my favorite slow jams too. And I think they were both on my my original list. What about you, sir Daniel?
DJ Sir Daniel: So I've got Bootsie Collins, um, be with you. That's hot. Um, Angela both feels, um, share your love. And, you know, uh, I'm like, Whitney too, as far as the nineties are concerned, there's a A song by Soul 2 Soul that was on their second album called, um, That's the Way I'm Missing You. And There's something about that song. I I've mentioned it on the show before, but it's a beautiful, beautiful song. It the visuals that they had for that song Is what when Whitney talks about slow drag, that's what you imagine slow drag looking like. If you go to YouTube and look up Soul 2 Soul, That's the way I'm missing you with Kim Meisel on the on the vocals.
You'll see what I'm talking about. But I absolutely love those songs. Oh, Gotta say sparkle by cameo as well.
Jay Ray: Oh, can I throw another 1? Because it's so funny. And I looked behind me.
1 of my favorite modern slow jams, Better than I imagined, Robert Glasper, Her, and Michelle Niguel Cello, that is 1 of the most beautiful damn songs I've
ever heard. Like, Classic song. I Yeah. I love that song so much.
Whitney Jones: I bought that on vinyl. I just had to have it. Like, it's beautiful. Oh my gosh.
Yeah. I'm I'm right there with you on that 1.
[00:54:54] Where can people stay in touch with Whitney and purchase tickets to Slow Drag?
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DJ Sir Daniel: So, Whitney, so the people well, we're hoping that the tickets are selling out, but just in case, for the people that want to find out more information, Please tell them how they can stay in contact with you, but also where they can purchase tickets.
Whitney Jones: Yes. So slow drag dot c o, slow drag dot co, that's our website. That's also our Instagram.
You can find most of the information that you need on those 2 sites. Um, we're also on Facebook, uh, Twitter, TikTok. You know, so just search for slow drag. But we have actually 2 events coming up. We have our singles event, Slow and Easy, on Valentine's Day.
That's for, like I said, single women, single men. Um, that's happening on Valentine's Day. But then our typical, You know, monthly slow drag is also happening this month. That's on the seventeenth. And, um, yeah, all the details are slow drag dot co.
DJ Sir Daniel: I love it.
Whitney, I am so thrilled every time that I see you, and I see another posting for a slow drag event. so happy we finally got you on the show.
Whitney Jones: Me too. Me too. We're just like this was so overdue.
Jay Ray: Yes.
DJ Sir Daniel: For sure. For sure.
And so I'm just I'm excited, Um, for you and to see what happens in the future. So, absolutely, thank you so much for joining us. Jay Ray, Any final
Jay Ray: Yeah. So I wanna echo what DJ sir Daniel said.
Um, the 1, your energy, your intention, Your commitment to creating a space where black folks can heal through music, which is our heartbeat, That is such a beautiful thing, and so thank you for doing this work. Um, and just rekindling or Or making people remember how important slow jams are to our culture. I think As we move so far into hip hop, people forgot. People even forgot that our rappers made slow jams. You know what I'm saying?
Like, that's how important. Like, it's so important, and, um, thank you for helping our folks remember that, Um, and make it an intentional space for black people. I did not know that. I did not know that, and I'm so happy to hear it. We need, like, a black yes.
I I love that it's for us.
Whitney Jones: Yes. Thank y'all so much again for having me. Like, it's definitely been a pleasure. Like I said before, I appreciate y'all for seeing me, for singing Slow Drag, for doing the work here So, you know, help people understand just how important this music is to us, to our culture, you know, especially slow jams. You know what I mean?
So thank you. I really appreciate it. I'm excited about just everything and excited about y'all.
[00:57:56] Conclusion: The Healing Power of Slow Jams
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Jay Ray: Thank you. Thank you. And so Really quickly as we wrap up.
So as everyone who's watching knows, if you are watching us, if you are hearing our voices wherever you are listening at any point, Hit the subscribe button so that you can be notified anytime that cue points has a new episode that is completely free. You can do us a solid by sharing cue points with your friends, family, colleagues because if you love it, they will love it. While you are sharing cue points, share Slow Drag's information. Go to slow drag dot co. There are, um, flyers that you can download.
Put those flyers in that text message too. And if they're in Atlanta, let folks know that they could tap in. Whitney, correct me if I'm wrong. You have a slow drag coming up in New Orleans too. Is that right?
Whitney Jones: Yes. Yes. Thank you so much.
DJ Sir Daniel: Were we on the road?
Whitney Jones: Yes. This is gonna be our first city outside of Atlanta with slow drag, so we are really excited about that. On March second, we'll be in New Orleans.
Uh, we'll be at Cafe Istanbul. We have Seth the Saint. She's actually based in Atlanta, but she's from New Orleans. And look. I haven't even told anybody this, but we also have Raj Smooth.
He's a big deal in New Orleans, and I'm really just very happy about this being our kickoff. New Orleans is also my birthplace, so there's just a lot of meaning and love and just Intention behind this. So March second, you know, we're coming for y'all.
Jay Ray: I love that. So, yes, Share all of that information.
Right? And definitely visit cue points mag. That's where we have a lot of information. We're definitely gonna do something on our, uh, Flavored slow jams for Valentine's Day. So definitely check that out.
Um, and, uh, shop our store, store dot cue points dot com, where you could get new merch. We'll have our Slow Jam's Can Heal Us shirts coming. Um, so stay in touch with all the things. Uh, we are so grateful for y'all. Thank you.
DJ Sir Daniel: Absolutely. And, Jay Ray, what do I always say? In this life, You have a choice. You can either pick up the needle or you could let the record play. I am DJ Sir Daniel.
Jay Ray: My name is Jay Rayal.
Whitney Jones: And I'm Whitney with Slow Drag.
DJ Sir Daniel: And this has been Q Points podcast, dropping the needle on black Music history. We will see you all on the next go round. Peace.
Jay Ray: Peace.
[01:00:18] Closing Theme
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