The Sexy Soundtrack for the ‘New Black Middle Class’
Summary
Host Anna Sale interviews audio maker Christopher Johnson about his 99% Invisible episode on "Quiet Storm," a smooth R&B radio format created in 1970s Washington, D.C. The story explores how DJ Melvin Lindsay and programmer Kathy Hughes designed this intimate musical experience for Black middle-class women, offering a soothing escape from social turmoil. Johnson discusses the genre’s cultural impact, its role in launching stars like Anita Baker, and its personal significance as a tribute to family and memory.
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