Chowder for the kitten, Mello Yello lemon

KAYTRANADA, Anderson .Paak. "GLOWED UP." 99.9%, XL Recordings Limited, 2016.

You gotta love those Facebook friendship video notifications. Big Blue just reminded me that six years ago, I met Kevin Celestin (aka Kaytranada), when he and his brother, Louis, nervously registered to perform at Hip Hop Karaoke in Montréal. Looking a spitting image of Kid 'n Play with their backpacks and snapbacks, as soon as they stepped on stage, you could tell these kids were destined for greatness. Their nerves dissipated, raw stage presence took over as they fed off the crowd's energy, and I can only imagine they were hooked from there on out.

The self-styled "Celestics" returned to perform at HHKMTL several times (throwback videos below, pardon the audio quality) sometimes as a duo, other times a solo act, and often with their larger crew.

In the years to follow, the Montréal beats scene, affectionately called "PIU PIU music," took off (check the documentary), Kevin would proceed to work his ass off, make killer beats, tour the world, meet some legendary folks in the music industry, and produce one of my favourite, and Polaris Prize award-winning, albums with 99.9%. That record featured a stacked roster of guest appearances, including this jam with the incredibly talented Anderson .Paak.

If she can't dance, then she can't ooh?

ANDERSON .PAAK. "Am I Wrong (feat. ScHoolboy Q)." MALIBU, STEEL WOOL / OBE / ART CLUB / EMPIRE, 2016.

I don't think that's a wrong assumption to make.

Who wants to love somebody like me?

Alicia Keys. "In Common." Here, RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, 2016.

2016 is shaping up to be an incredible year for music. While we've been rocked by the loss of several of our greatest legends -- from Bowie to Prince -- the next generation of artists (Anderson .Paak, Kaytranada and Solange, just to name a few) have been releasing some truly meaningful work that, I believe, will stand the test of time.

And it just keeps coming. In anticipation of her new album, Here, out this Friday, Alicia Keys earlier this week released her short film The Gospel, directed by A.V. Rockwell. Roam the streets of Keys' New York City as Rockwell captures everyday moments and stories, get lost in the cinematography that propels you forward, in constant motion, as the film addresses the impacts of police brutality.

I'm looking forward to all the remixes I'm sure are about to drop in the coming weeks of today's track, "In Common," bound to be a club anthem this winter.

Cool beans, cool beans

Anderson .Paak. "Come Down." Malibu, STEEL WOOL / OBE / ART CLUB / EMPIRE, 2016.

.Paak gave us a real nice present for Halloween yesterday: the official music video for "Come Down," a track produced by the great Hi-Tek. 

I dig the Ernie Barnes shout-out at the end of the video, with a shot of his classic "Sugar Shack" painting that graced the cover of Marvin Gaye's 1976 record I Want You. Just another example of .Paak choosing "to follow what the greatest do," as he sings on "The Bird."

Enjoy.

🎶 That's a whole lot of reefer, let me help you with the pre-roll 🎶

I'm jumpin' the wall, raisin' the bar

NxWorries, Anderson .Paak, Knxwledge. "Get Bigger / Do U Luv." Get Bigger / Do U Luv EP, Stones Throw Records, 2016.

That brand new joint from the forthcoming YES LAWD!, off the Stones Throw label (one of my faves).

The record drops October 21st. Just a couple weeks to go.

Never say never

Mac Miller. "Dang! (feat. Anderson .Paak)." The Divine Feminine, Warner Bros. Records Inc., 2016.

Dang! I spoke too soon about Mac Miller. At first, I was embarrassed to say how much I'm digging his latest release, The Divine Feminine. But it's good. Real good.

The Divine Feminine features guest appearances from greats like Bilal, CeeLo, and Kendrick, just to name a few. And there’s that Robin Williams monologue on love and relationships from Good Will Hunting sampled on “Soulmate.” 

Mac is starting to grow up and hold his own. This album makes me feel hopeful for where new hip hop is heading, respecting what came before it and introducing younger audiences to the roots.

Watch Miller perform "Dang!" live with Anderson .Paak in the video below from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

This one's for all the little dreamers

ANDERSON .PAAK. "THE DREAMER." MALIBU, STEEL WOOL / OBE / ART CLUB / EMPIRE, 2016.

I told you there'd be more from this album.

There's so much about this track that I absolutely love. Whenever I give it a spin, I can't help but feel motivated and hopeful for the future. The lyrics, the message, the guest appearance from Talib, backup vocals by the Timan Family Choir, that Mohawks sample off "The Champ".

Happy Friday. Go on, you little dreamers.

Lessons learned from the ancient roots

ANDERSON .PAAK. "The Bird." MALIBU, STEEL WOOL / OBE / ART CLUB / EMPIRE, 2016.

I'll have more to say about this album in posts to come. For now, check out the opening track from this breakthrough artist, reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield with influences from Kendrick, his thoughtful poetry and smooth keys.

.Paak isn't messing around when he asserts that he's choosing "to follow what the greatest do."