🎵 Music & Hip-Hop

    🎵 New A$AP Rocky album exceeded expectations. Production is top-tier, Danny Elfman & Tim Burton made great contributions, & the features (especially Doechii) all killed it. Here is a great interview with A$AP talking about the album.

    🎵 From the new CDs & a few online finds:

    Shrek did Sly dirty on this one. Also, brief essay on Peter Gabriel coming soon. 👀

    🎵 3 new CD’s added to the growing stash today, found at Record Whirled in Brooklyn for a great price:

    • Peter Gabriel (3) Album
    • Prince’s Self-Titled Album
    • Sly and the Family Stone Greatest Hits Album

    🎵 I was reminded today that the “Shazam app history forms a uniquely fascinating record of personal delight, curiosity and serendipity.” It was a fun exercise to go back and listen to some of the songs that had caught my attention in the wild this year—if you use the app, I highly recommend you take time to do the same. I found a grip of absolute 🔥 fire 🔥 songs that I want you all to enjoy too:

    My full Micro.blog playlist here, as usual.

    🎵 Oh man, this track from Method Man (of Wu-Tang fame) and Erick Sermon is insane. First verse is incredible. These older artists have been showing up this year. 🫣

    🎵 Been listening to:

    So a lot of time in the Mk.Gee and Dijon extended universe, plus a little Drake bc I like him with the melodies, not when he acts tough.

    🎵 My Thoughts On Dijon’s Album “Baby”: bradley-andrews.com

    (Hint: I love it)

    🎵 This new De La Soul track featuring Nas is fire. There is no doubt that the West is UP right now in hip-hop and I love to see Nas himself pass the torch. Unbelievable time to be both a rap fan and from the 909:

    As wild as the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s, how it was sick, how did it slip? Now it’s just Doechii, Dot and SZA with most powerful hits

    🎵 Been listening to:

    Divinize has a few unreasonably gorgeous lyrics. Youtube Playlist Here.

    🎵 Been listening to:

    I’ve added songs that I recommend on Micro.blog to a Youtube playlist and will try to keep updated.

    🎵 Here are some predictions and wish lists of Grammy winners for 2026 based on the nominations. Having Clipse and Kendrick on so many of the same tickets puts me in a tough spot, but here it goes:

    Record of the Year:

    • Wish: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Predict: DtMF by Bad Bunny

    Album of the Year:

    • Wish: Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse
    • Predict: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS by Bad Bunny

    Song of the Year:

    • Wish: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Predict: Golden from KPop Demon Hunters

    Best New Artist:

    • Wish: Leon Thomas
    • Predict: Leon Thomas

    Producer of the Year:

    • Wish: Sounwave
    • Predict: Dijon

    Pop Solo Performance:

    • Wish: DAISIES by Justin Bieber
    • Predict: Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter

    Best Pop Duo:

    • Wish: Defying Gravity by Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
    • Predict: Defying Gravity by Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande

    Best Pop Vocal:

    • Wish: SWAG by Justin Bieber
    • Predict: Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter

    Best R&B Performance

    • Wish: Folded by Kehlani
    • Predict: It Depends by Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller

    Best R&B Song

    • Wish: Folded by Kehlani
    • Predict: Folded by Kehlani

    Best Rap Performance

    • Wish: Chains & Whips by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice ft. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell
    • Predict: Chains & Whips by Clipse, Pusha T & Malice ft. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams

    Best Melodic Rap Performance

    • Wish: Luther by Kendrick and SZA
    • Predict: Luther by Kendrick and SZA

    Best Rap Song

    • Wish: The Birds Don’t Sing by Clipse
    • Predict: The Birds Don’t Sing by Clipse

    Best Rap Album

    • Wish: Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse
    • Predict: Let God Sort ‘Em Out by Clipse

    Lot of repeats, but you can tell who I am pulling for most. That being said, it is an unusually strong nomination list this year. I am not mad for any wins that Dijon, Leon Thomas, Doechii, Tyler, or Billie get, as I am huge fans of each.

    🎵 Been listening to:

    I confess, I didn’t know that the Dennis Edwards song was the original sample for Hit ‘Em Up until NLE released his diss track, KO, this week. KO is a fun track, phenomenal video, but forgettable as a diss, especially when imitating Pac.

    🎵 Been listening to:

    Forever support LaKeith, a fellow 909er. And Leon Thomas really is about to go on a historic R&B streak, I think.

    🎵 Been listening to:

    RnB is definitely having a revival, which is exciting.

    🎵 If it weren’t for No Malice poppin’ off on the Clipse album, I would say that Chance the Rapper deserves the rapper of the year award.

    In case you’re out of the loop, here is a good place to start on Chance’s recent album. And the song he dropped today with Kodak is definitely going on repeat.

    🎵 Been listening to:

    Excited to see where The Favors go from here — a really strong first project. Also, comparing Cardi B’s album to her ex-husband’s latest has been both insightful and dramatic.

    🎵 Been listening to:

    Dominic Fike’s latest album is not the most effortful, but he has so much talent that it is still a solid musical project. Just wish he rapped more!

    🎵 Been listening to:

    KIARI has earned a purchase from me. Incredible rapping with some mature tracks from Offset. Love seeing an artist grow.

    🎵🎥 Machine Gun Kelly having one of the best dance sequences in a music video in recent memory is so unexpected… but so enjoyable.

    Shoutout also to Travis Barker of Blink-182 who is credited on the song. A fellow Inland Empire native who made it out and became a legend. 🤘

    🎵 I cancelled my music streaming services a few months ago and have instead been burning CD’s to my iPod. Found 7 albums (for only $1 each!) at a Housing Works Thrift shop in the Upper East Side of Manhattan this week and am stoked to listen this weekend:

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