Joni Mitchell never lies

Janet Jackson, Q-Tip, Joni Mitchell. "Got 'Til It's Gone (feat. Q-Tip and Joni Mitchell)." The Velvet Rope, Black Doll Inc, 1997.

Inspired by a J Dilla Remix of The Brand New Heavies' "Sometimes (feat. Q-Tip)," this is one of my all-time favourite tracks from Janet.

That Joni Mitchell sample from her folk classic "Big Yellow Taxi"? Q-Tip's rhymes? That beat? And that Mark Romanek-directed, Grammy award-winning music video inspired by the photography of South Africa's Drum magazine? Don't even get me started...

Now, why you wanna go and do that, love, huh?

Joni Mitchell, Janet Jackson & Mark Romanek discuss the Music Video "Got 'Till It's Gone" Includes music video by Janet Jackson w/Q-Tip and Joni Mitchell - "Got 'Til It's Gone" (Def Radio Mix). (C) Virgin Records. Directed by Mark Romanek. From the album "The Velvet Rope"

Supa dupa fly

Missy Elliott. "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)." Supa Dupa Fly, Elektra Entertainment Group, a Division of Warner Communications Inc. for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States excluding the United Kingdom, 1997.

Rainy weekend vibes. ☔️💧📻

This track especially has got me today with a rainstorm slammin' into the Bay Area. This whole album though, what a gem. So many bangers.

So many females, so much inspiration

Souls of Mischief. "93 'til Infinity." 93 'til Infinity, Zomba Recording LLC, 1993.

One of the best tracks to come out of Oakland's Hieroglyphics crew, this track is relevant for me today because the Blue Jays, my hometown baseball team, have advanced to the ALCS. The last time they won the World Series was in 1993, so I always think of this song when they have a fighting chance to do it again.

Those WAMCO shirts from 2014. Toronto cats know.

Those WAMCO shirts from 2014. Toronto cats know.

Check out the music video for the track below, or catch Souls Of Mischief's 1994 New Year's Day performance on Soul Train (skip ahead to 3:38 for a quick interview).

🎶  This is how we chill, from 93 'til... 🎶 

Everybody high five, everybody wanna smile

Chance The Rapper, Knox Fortune. "All Night (feat. Knox Fortune)." Coloring Book, Chance the Rapper, 2016. 

Yeah, it's only Wednesday, but this is how I feel.

Today, Pandora unveiled a new brand that I believe so captures the energy, spirit, and sound of music. Learn more about the rebranding journey and see some of the over 1,000 logo iterations in this Fast Company Co.Design article. Stay tuned for more exciting things to come! ✨

Plus, yesterday Kaytranada dropped two new ill remixes — this one, and a flip of Solange's "Cranes In The Sky," off her latest album.

This track will be my weekend banger. Currently on repeat, just getting a little practice in early.

🎶  Start dancing. 🎶 

It's about faith, it's about trust

Sade. "Nothing Can Come Between Us (Remastered Version)." The Ultimate Collection, Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited, 2011. 

There are few words to describe the legendary Sade. Her cool elegance, deep rich vocals, and regal vibe. The syncopated rhythms on this track, that baseline.

Listen to the remastered version of the sultry "Nothing Can Come Between Us" or the below flip via Vancouver producer Pomo.

And, last but not least, check out the throwback video of Sade performing her classic "The Sweetest Taboo." Makes me want to travel back in time something real fierce.

I keep 'em mesmerized, listen to me closely

City High, Eve. "Caramel (Album Version). City High, Booga Basement/Interscope Records, 2001.

Last night we went out to Eli's Mile High Club for this year's Oakland Music Festival and one of the DJs played a set with some smoothed-out but very danceable jams from the 90s and early 2000s. I hadn't heard this track in a while, but when it came on it definitely threw me back to high school house parties, drinking Alize and Hpnotiq (what were we thinking?), and the days of velour track suits (again, what were we thinking?).

City High was signed by Wyclef to his Booga Basement label and this track features rhymes from the great lady MC Eve and a killer sample off of "Silent Treatment" by The Roots. For real, and that's no question.

I got more than just a big stick and some money

Raphael Saadiq, D'Angelo. "Be Here." Instant Vintage, Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc., 2002.

I started watching Luke Cage this week and was happy to see Raphael Saadiq featured so prominently in the first episode. I've been listening to a lot more Ray than usual since then.

There's not much more I can say about these two artists, so I'll let their voices take you away. It's the weekend, so go get lazy and make some babies.

First thing we need to do is buy brand new fits for you

Lucy Pearl. "Dance Tonight." Lucy Pearl, Unidisc Music Inc., 2000.

What do you get when you mix elements from three of the greatest R&B and hip-hop acts of the 90s? Take the incredible Dawn Robinson of En Vogue, Raphael Saadiq of Tony! Toni! Toné!, and the killer DJ and beatmaker Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, and the result is pure soulful magic.

Go ahead and floss your ice, go ahead do what you like. Let's dance, baby, yeah.

The Water

Lauryn Hill. "Just Like The Water." MTV Unplugged No. 2.0, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., 2002.

Water is a powerful force, sometimes devastatingly so.

Today our thoughts are with the people of Haïti and her diaspora living all around the world. 

You can donate to Hurricane Matthew relief efforts through UNICEF here, the International Red Cross here, or learn more about other ways to help here. 

Men anpil chay pa lou.

I got so much magic, you can have it

Solange. "Weary." A Seat At The Table, Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, 2016.

This album is all kinds of magic.

The guest appearances from Sampha, Q-Tip, Raphael Saadiq, Tweet, The Dream, Kelly Rowland, BJ The Chicago Kid, Lil Wayne, and those interludes with Percy Miller (aka Master P of No Limit, the soldiers that made you say "ugh, na na na na").

Full album credits here, thanks to The FADER.

I'll have more to say in due time, after only 3 days this is already quickly becoming one of my favourites of 2016. ✨🔮✨