Those moments when your Uber driver is bumping that old school hip hop on Pandora and your day is made.
La-Di-Da-Di, mmmmm we like to party
Don't make me get money and platinumize my body
I love taking road trips because it means I get to dig around in my high school CD case, which lives in our car, and travel back in time when I play DJ. Those of you who've known me since high school can imagine that I was pretty stoked this weekend when I remembered Aijuswanaseing was in that case.
I remember when I first saw Musiq Soulchild perform -- it was on BET's "106th & Park" with AJ and Free (yes, I, like most teenage girls back in the late 90s / early 2000s, had a serious crush on AJ) -- and I was instantly hooked by his smooth vocals and modern take on soul music. (There I'm talking about Musiq Soulchild again, not AJ.)
This song has been a karaoke favourite over the past couple of decades, and I even saw Common perform it when he was in San Francisco earlier this year, but the original is still my favourite.
Donald Glover's new album is out December 2nd. I haven't been able to stop listening to this track since it dropped earlier this week. I hear elements of Prince and OutKast and I can't wait to listen to the rest.
In LA for the CTN Animation Expo this weekend and we're bumping Kendrick on the long drives from spot to spot.
Happy Friday, y'all.
Feeling the need for some Brazilian music today. Inspired by one of the tracks Aïsha shared in her interview with me a few weeks back.
It's one of those days. Foggy, grey, and misty. Need some Air to slow things down.
🎶 I'm a highschool lover
And you're my favorite flavour
Love is all, all my soul
You're my playground love
Yet my hands are shaking
I feel my body remains
Time's no matter, I'm on fire
On the playground, love
You're the piece of gold
That flashes on my soul
Extra time, on the ground
You're my Playground Love
Anytime, anyway
You're my Playground Love 🎶
I first caught J5 perform live in Toronto at The Guvernment - Kool Haus (formerly Canada's largest nightclub, shuttered in 2015 to make room for waterfront condos).
It was May 2004, the world was still reeling from the impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks three years earlier, the US was occupying and at war with Iraq and Afghanistan's Taliban, respectively, Billy Crystal was still hosting the Oscars, and George W. Bush would win re-election in November, but the lyrics on this track still feel relevant twelve years later.
🎶 Imagine life without a choice at all
Given no hope without a voice at all
These be the problems that we face
I'm talkin' poverty in race
But no matter what the case we gotta
Hold on to this feelin', Freedom (Freedom!) 🎶
Mos Def. "UMI Says." Black On Both Sides, Rawkus Entertainment LLC, 1999.
🎶 I want to tell you how I feel right now 🎶
A Tribe Called Quest is back. We've been waiting 18 years for this, and this album does not disappoint.
The rhythm on this joint is so funky, and the lyrics are on point given the political climate. ATCQ offers an inspiring call to action right from the get-go with "The Space Program, the first track off the record.
🎶 Move on to the stars 🎶
What a year it's been for losing musical legends.
Last night, as news broke that the great Leonard Cohen had passed away, I exchanged messages of grief and sadness with old friends who have, like me, been so touched by his music and poetry. One noted, poignantly, that "God is building a supergroup."
The lyrics and melody of "Hallelujah" have always touched me, whether performed by Cohen himself or covered by others -- Jeff Buckley's rendition stands out for me in particular.
In positive news, today ATCQ released their first album in 18 years. (More to come on that tomorrow.)
For now, we celebrate the music, the art, and the legacy of Leonard Cohen.
And here's Jeff Buckley's hauntingly beautiful rendition of the song, made famous by John Cale's cover (also below).
Finally, last but not least, here's the great Canadian singer and pianist Rufus Wainwright with his take on the ballad, accompanied by Choir! Choir! Choir!.
It's been a surreal couple of days. I am a sucker for Spike Jonze's music videos, and "Sky's The Limit," where he cast little kids as adults, always seems to help lighten the mood.
Like Wu-Tang, this one's for the children.
🎶 The milks was chocolate, the cookies, butter crunch // 88 Oshkosh and blue and white dunks 🎶
While we wait for this American election to be called, and for the candidates to make their statements, I'm flipping that track from Toni Braxton we shared Monday. Feels appropriate given the news on Prop 64 passing here in California.
Here we go. #Election2016