Sound Barrier: Sylvester

SOUND BARRIER is a new documentary podcast about artists who break barriers in music and culture. Season 1 is about Sylvester— a musician who is perhaps even more relevant today than in the 70s and 80s. Imagine: before Elton John was out of the closet, before androgynous performers of color like Prince were in the mainstream, there was an openly gay Black man who dressed in drag. Sound Barrier delves deep into his music and his life, showing him in all his genre and gender-bending glory. Discover the Black queer ancestor who paved the way for today's most innovative artists.

Episodes

Never Grow Old

August 10, 2022 • 32 mins

With his most commercial record in years, Sylvester signs with a major label, becomes the face of a movement, plants a flag for Black musical excellence with an iconic performance, and is honored by his chosen hometown. In the season finale, Sylvester’s fabulousness transcends his own life, and lights the way for generations of intersectional artists to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark as Played

Hard Up

August 3, 2022 • 30 mins

Sylvester goes broke, makes history on MTV and returns to his Pentecostal roots as AIDS ravages his community. But at the same time, Sylvester discovers the greatest love of his life – and makes some of the most meaningful music of his career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark as Played

Stormy Weather Girls

July 27, 2022 • 31 mins

Sylvester loses some of his closest creative collaborators — some to success, others to a mysterious disease that doesn’t have a name yet — and he starts a new chapter with a small label run by old friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark as Played

Backlash Blues

July 20, 2022 • 34 mins

Between the racist backlash to disco, the late ‘70s record industry collapse, and a bizarre case of mistaken identity, superstardom is a mixed blessing for Sylvester. His follow-up album is an expensive commercial disappointment, and he’s got to scramble to keep up with the changing times. This episode features never-before aired audio from his legendary 1979 concert at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. Learn more about y...

Mark as Played

Giant Step

July 13, 2022 • 26 mins

Sylvester always thought disco was tacky, but he really wants a hit record. So he finally embraces the popular sound – and rockets to superstardom. He’s the toast of Europe. His songs win Grammys. But at the same time, mistrust and shady dealings with management are pushing his band to the breaking point. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark as Played

Castro Famous

July 6, 2022 • 35 mins

A legendary Motown producer signs Sylvester to a record deal, and a new band helps him build a passionate local fanbase. Now he’s just gotta break through to the pop charts. But for an intersectional artist who’s too Black for mainstream radio, and too queer for Black radio, crossing over is a mighty challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark as Played

Warming Up the Hot Band

June 29, 2022 • 40 mins

Sylvester tries to make it as a glam rock star, but ends up self-sabotaging on an epic scale: spending his advance on clothes, not paying his band, and fleeing to Paris when he can’t stand the heat. This episode includes a lost demo from his early days that hasn’t been heard in 50 years, and tells the complex story of Sylvester’s initiation into adult sexuality in a manner that may not be suitable for all audiences. Learn more abou...

Mark as Played

A Night at the Opera

June 22, 2022 • 35 mins

Sylvester moves from South Central LA to join a performance-art commune in San Francisco that’s mostly made up of white hippies in drag. But for Sylvester, being fabulous isn’t an outrageous game of dress-up. It’s for real — and so ultimately, he throws them under the bus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark as Played

Welcome to the Fabulous World of Sylvester

June 15, 2022 • 1 min

If you know Sylvester at all, you know him as the gender-bending Queen of Disco whose hit song “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) has lit up many a dance floor. But he was so much more than that. As a queer person of color – way before “gender-fluid” was even a term – Sylvester broke all kinds of barriers. And he refused to compromise his authentic self as he paved the way for generations of intersectional artists to come. In this fir...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

The Breakfast Club

The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Decisions, Decisions

Welcome to "Decisions, Decisions," the podcast where boundaries are pushed, and conversations get candid! Join your favorite hosts, Mandii B and WeezyWTF, as they dive deep into the world of non-traditional relationships and explore the often-taboo topics surrounding dating, sex, and love. Every Monday, Mandii and Weezy invite you to unlearn the outdated narratives dictated by traditional patriarchal norms. With a blend of humor, vulnerability, and authenticity, they share their personal journeys navigating their 30s, tackling the complexities of modern relationships, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions that challenge societal expectations. From groundbreaking interviews with diverse guests to relatable stories that resonate with your experiences, "Decisions, Decisions" is your go-to source for open dialogue about what it truly means to love and connect in today's world. Get ready to reshape your understanding of relationships and embrace the freedom of authentic connections—tune in and join the conversation!

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

All The Smoke

ALL THE SMOKE pairs two of the most outspoken and controversial players of their time. Known as fiery, intense competitors during their on-court careers, Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson are now two of the most widely respected voices by today’s crop of NBA stars. Serving as mentors to numerous players throughout the league and with their hands firmly on the pulse of the game, they have first-hand insight into the minds, lives and pressing issues facing today’s players. Barnes and Jackson, who have played alongside two generations of All-Stars, will dish on the latest news and drama from on and off the court without boundaries.

Advertise With Us