Can the start get any better than these first two tracks from The Mystery Lights? I still haven’t fully inhaled the whole record, but this is one hell of a start to an album.

I think Vince Staples has earned the crown of best not-totally-mainstream rapper. His debut Summertime ’06 was dark and hypnotic with a forced restraint like a shadow trying to scream. This guy should not be slept on. “All Nite” is one of my favorites he’s released to date.

I heard “Controlla” by Drake on a patio in Croatia overlooking the turquoise Adriatic Sea with mountains beckoning ahead and a beer in hand, and I was in such a chill mood that I realized how great this song was. I had never really listened to it before. It’s amazing how your circumstances dictate how your ears' hear.

Drake’s Views has been critically panned as his worst album, a self-centered album entirely too long (20 tracks!). I think critics are just starting to hate Drake because he’s become too big for his own good. Yeah, the album isn’t his best, and yeah, he constantly talks about his issues, and yeah, who makes a 20 track album?? but I still have 10 of the 20 tracks on the album saved on Spotify, so that’s a pretty good success rate. Forget the critics.

Over a month ago my buddy Sean clued me to the video that later completely blew up the internet of Pharrell Williams’ listening to a student’s (Maggie Rogers) song at NYU (cue to 18:27):

Pharrell Williams hosts a masterclass for music students at The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts as part of his 50TH ANNIVERSARY Artist-In-Residency. Joined by Dean Allyson Dean and Professors Bob Power and Jason King, Pharrell listens to students' projects, offers constructive criticism, and discusses the nature of the creative process.

It's so cool to see Pharrell, a legend and a man I place at the top of the list of influential producers since the 90s react in such genuine appreciation and astonishment at her talent.

P.S. if you didn’t know Pharrell produced the following track at the tender age of 19:

Peace to the Korean Teddy Riley for the video!

WELL NOW YOU DO. AND ENJOY YOUR WEEK!