BONUS: A Few of My 2023 Fav Things!
Prince's Diamonds and Pearls Super Deluxe, Andre 3000's New Blue Sun, Betty Davis Colored Vinyl, Jim Morrison's A Guide To The Labyrinth, and MonoNeon!
I’ve been sitting on this for weeks now. Perfection doesn’t exist. So I’m gonna go ahead and release it into the world even though I might have missed something.
Happy New Year to You!
I hope the new year brings you and all of your loved ones continued health, happiness, and 💜!
I am going to follow James Brown’s New Year’s Resolution, again, this year:
I ended 2023 by watching Glam Slam ‘92!
And I brought in 2024 with James Brown Live at The Olympia, Paris 1971!
I need JB’s energy to help me write this, while I’m currently quarantined with COVID for the 2nd time. The last time was also during Xmas of last year. I feel miserable, but it can always be much worse! I am grateful to be above ground.
I want to take time out to reflect on 2023 as I have a tendency to keep moving full steam ahead. But in moving so fast, I often forget what has happened. It’s important to take a beat and remember. If I don’t do it now, it’ll probably never happen as there’s so much to do for 2024 already…
You can’t have output without input!
Design by Mathieu Bitton
Still trying to track down all of these! They are essential!
My Daily Soundtrack for 2023
It’s fitting that I bookended 2023 and the beginning of 2024 with Prince and James Brown because they both carried me through 2023, alongside André 3000 and Mononeon but we’ll get to that in a moment…
I’ll talk more specifically about Prince in my 2023 My Prince Year in Review newsletter, but this year was an extraordinary year in Prince world.
For one, we got the INCREDIBLE Diamonds & Pearls Super Deluxe box set, which contains a Blu-ray of one of Prince’s best live performances IMHO, Glam Slam ‘92! Run, don’t walk if you have an opportunity to see it! Also, it’s always wonderful seeing him so darn happy!
MASSIVE THANKS 2 Chris James! That Dolby Atmos mix of the Diamonds and Pearls album is FIRE!
New Blue Sun is More Than The Album of The Year!
I love listening to it!
But more than listening, I love watching the accompanying film!
It’s like André is hanging out with me. The only thing better than André’s collaboration with Carlos Nino is his collab with Terence Nance, one of my favorite film directors.
Terence Nance: SWARM at ICA Philly
Speaking of Terence Nance, I had the opportunity to see his first retrospective at ICA in Philly earlier this year on its final day. Terence would be the only person that would get me to go back to Philly. Despite the gray and the rain, I loved staying at the wonderful Study at University City hotel. If you haven’t already check out his film, An Oversimplification of Her Beauty (2013), or his HBO series, Random Acts of Flyness (2018 & 2022)!
My Serenity Tryptech is Finally Complete!
I’ve played Jon Hassell’s Last Night The Moon Came Dropping It’s Clothes In the Street more than any other album in my lifetime including any of Prince’s. That alone should speak volumes. It’s my way of coping when things get too stressful. But, I have a feeling that moving forward that New Blue Sun is going to take that mantel!
These are my go-to tracks when I’m experiencing too much anxiety!
I hope that they will be beneficial to some of you!
Betty Davis Colored Vinyl Reissues from Light In The Attic
Betty Davis pressed on Coke Bottle Clear Wax
They Say I'm Different pressed on Clear Orange Wax
Crashin' From Passion pressed on Clear Purple Crush Wax
Is It Love Or Desire pressed on Gold Metallic Wax
The Doors Live at The Matrix 1967: The Original Masters on Rhino
A Guide to the Labyrinth | The Collected Works of Jim Morrison by Genesis Publications!
MonoNeon’s Output is Insane! My Top 5 from 2023!
These are extremely addictive to me! I couldn’t even listen to Andre’s album because I had this MonoNeon sketch on repeat for days…. No exaggeration! I still don’t like to play it because I know I’ll go to the sunken place… a good sunken place, but a sunken place, nevertheless!
MonoNeon & Andre 3000: "homies told me... man if you put that out man your career is over"
When he drops in Andre’s flute, Ohmygoodness! Genius!
MonoNeon - "Your Microwave Dirty" (Cuzin PillowTalks)
That microwave beep is priceless!
MonoNeon - "Ain't Nobody Lookin' For Ya Bit¢h A$$" (feat. Vince Staples)
The music on this one is mindboggling! How did he put this one together! Love the harmonies on this one. Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!
MonoNeon - "I Got A Sister That Look Just Like Me... " (feat. Chris Brown & Funny Marco)
Man, the bass on this!
And this!
Introducing Arnold Intelligence (A.I)
Benga and Skream Together Again After 10 Long Years
This will only make sense if you know about this! I truly miss doing my radio show!
Jon Batiste! Enough Said…
Favorite Concerts
Chris Rob for #TripleThreat40 Symposium, March 2023! THANK YOU, Chris Rob!!!! I’ll never ever ever forget your performance! INCREDIBLE!
Erykah Badu’s Unfollow Me Tour, July 2023
Liv Warfield at Cafe Wha? July 2023
L*A*W at Bitter End, July 2023 & Dec 2023
Princess at The Rooftop at Pier 17, September 2023
I have seen Erykah Badu on every tour, but this time around she topped herself!
Now, that was a concert experience!
Favorite Art & Photo Exhibitions
Tiffany Lamp Exhibition and Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite at The New York Historical Society, Jan 2023
What a powerful photo above of DeNiro and Scorsese by Bridgette Lacombe (So much is being communicated in a single image), as well as many others, including several of Maya Angelou for the Face to Face exhibition at the International Center for Photography, April 2023!
Bisa Butler: The World Is Yours at Jeffrey Deitch in New York, May 2023
Remembering the Purple One: The Rich Benson Collection at Mentor Newark, September 2023
Spike Lee: Creative Sources at the Brooklyn Museum, October 2023
Art Fair 14 C at Liberty State Park and MANA Open Studios, October 2023
Ray Bradbury, The Art of Fiction No. 203
I’ve never read an interview and cried, but this interview, The Art of Fiction No. 203 in the Paris Review with author Ray Bradbury did! His passion for life is palpable. The power of words.
Favorite Documentaries
Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023) directed masterfully by Lisa Cortes!
Dear Mama (2023) 5-part documentary miniseries directed by Allen Hughes
Donyale Luna: Super Model (2023) by Nailah Jefferson
Love to Love You, Donna Summer (2023) by Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano, Donna Summer’s daughter.
American Masters: Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes (2023) directed by the great Sam Pollard!
Invisible Beauty (2023) directed by Bethann Hardison and Frédéric Tcheng
Turn Every Page (2022) directed by Lizzie Gottlieb about the relationship between biographer Robert Caro and his editor, Robert Gottlieb.
Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones (2023) 4-part documentary miniseries directed by Clay Jeter and starring Dan Buettner!
Bill Cunningham: New York (2010) directed by. I was deeply impacted by Bill Cunningham’s journey and this documentary. His love, passion, and dedication to photography is awe-inspiring!
I started the year by watching the documentary, Moonage Daydream (2022). I really wanted to like the doc because I love David Bowie, but, alas, the director’s approach was not for me. However, it did get me to go on a deep dive of Bowie interviews. This is one of my many favorites.
Favorite Books
The PARA Method: Simplify, Organize, and Master Your Digital Life by Tiago Forte
Tiago Forte’s PARA system has been extremely transformative for me in removing digital clutter which can be energy-draining! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! You can read the entire book in less than an hour and if you don’t have time for that watch the YouTube playlist above instead!
Straight-Line Leadership by Dusan Djukich
“For example, you might be living from a stance of “overwhelmed.” When you can see it, you can choose to shift to a stance of “focused.” Notice that both stances are created places to come from in life.” Dusan Djukich
Sometimes, you’re not ready for a book. I read this first in 2019. It didn’t click. I don’t know why, and I don’t why I was compelled to re-read it this year. It hit me like a Mack truck; I got it! This book resonates with me on a deeply personal level. It may not be for you, but it’s definitely for me!
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
I don’t know how I found out about this book, but I’m a sucker for any book about time. Delegation is a work in progress for me!
You can’t personally outwork yourself... The problem is you only have twenty-four hours a day. Eventually, if you’re doing everything, you (or one of your relationships) will break down.
If you keep grinding, you’ll eventually hit the Pain Line, where you’re experiencing so much pain when you try to grow that you’ll do one of three things: stall it, sabotage it, or sell it.
When you hit the Pain Line, it should act as a feedback loop—this is your opportunity to embrace a new mindset or to continue on in the status quo, waiting for something to snap.
A Buyback Loop occurs as you continually audit your time to determine the low-value tasks that are sucking your energy. Then you transfer those tasks, optimally, to someone who’s better at them and enjoys them. Lastly, you fill your time with higher-value tasks that light you up...
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
“Look for what you notice but no one else sees!” Rick Rubin
This is how I began last year. It was a wonderful way to remind myself of what’s truly important. This is an instant classic that I’m certain I will return to time and time again.
I’m Not For Everyone. Neither Are You.
by David Leddick
“Life unfolds through action…” David Leddick
The title alone speaks volumes. Even though this was released in 2020, I didn’t find out about it until 2023.
The Authorized P-Funk Song Reference: Official Canon of Parliament-Funkadelic, 1956-2023
It’s gonna take me another lifetime to get through this book and the entire P-Funk catalogue! God help me!
Favorite Audiobooks
I only listen to audiobooks read by their respective authors when I can.
Just As I Am (2021) by Cicely Tyson
This was an exception. While Ms. Tyson only read the foreword, I’m glad she didn’t read the entire book. I was crying by the time she got to the end of the foreword. I didn’t begin listening to this until late 2022 and finished it in January of 2023! What a life!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Worthy (2023) by Jada Pinkett Smith
Thicker Than Water: A Memoir (2023) by Kerry Washington
I loved how vunerable both Kerry Washington and Jada Pinkett-Smith were
in their respective autobiographies.
Favorite Software
Workflowy
Most folks use Notion, Evernote, or Apple Notes for digital notetaking. While I do use Apple Notes, my main digtial notetaking app is Workflowy primarily to remove visual clutter by drilling into bullet points instead of looking at long lists.
Text editing to edit video in Adobe Premiere!
Thanks, Arthur Turnbull, for the heads up!
Readwise / Reader
The ability to save something to read later through the reader app has been transformative for me. But there are numerous reasons why this is a great app. Watch the video!
Favorite Podcasts
The Tim Ferriss Show
The Tim Ferriss Show continues to be my favorite podcast. I love longform content. Too many this year to highlight, but I’ll list a few.
Derek Sivers — The Joys of an Un-Optimized Life, Finding Paths Less Traveled, Creating Tech Independence (and Risks of the Cloud), Taking Giant Leaps, and Picking the Right “Game of Life” (#668) Derek Sivers is one of my favorite thinkers and this conversation was no exception. My absolute favorite from 2023!
James Clear, Atomic Habits — Simple Strategies for Building (and Breaking) Habits, Questions for Personal Mastery and Growth, Tactics for Writing and Launching a Mega-Bestseller, Finding Leverage, and More (#648)
Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More (#649)
Sam Corcos, Co-Founder of Levels — The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Assistants, 10x Delegation, and Winning Freedom by Letting Go (Plus: Creating Leverage with Tools, Systems, and Processes) (#694) I’m a productivity geek so, I was glued to this one.
Dr. Shirley Sahrmann — A Legendary PT Does a Deep Dive on Tim’s Low-Back Issues, Teaches How to Unlearn Painful Patterns, Talks About Movement as Medicine (or Poison), and More (#685) This one is right on time. Too much time sitting and being chained to a laptop is beginning to take its toll. A must watch! Here’s the video.
David Maisel of Marvel Studios Fame — Never-Before-Heard Tales of Hollywood Dealmaking, The Art of Aiming Big, Lessons from Power Broker Michael Ovitz, Combining Business Smarts with Street Smarts, The Making (and Importance) of Iron Man, Selling to Disney for $4 Billion, and Much More (#676)
Rich Paul — The Power Broker and Superstar Agent Behind LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Others (#697)
Richard Koch — Revisiting the 80/20 Principle, The Power of Optimistic Journaling, Studying History to Improve Investing, and The Grand Beliefs of Winners (Plus: The Toxic Beliefs of Losers) (#680)
Dustin Moskovitz, Co-Founder of Asana and Facebook — Energy Management, Coaching for Endurance, No Meeting Wednesdays, Understanding the Real Risks of AI, Embracing Frictionless Work with AI, The Value of Holding Stories Loosely, and More (#686)
Shane Parrish on Wisdom from Warren Buffett, Rules for Better Thinking, How to Reduce Blind Spots, The Dangers of Mental Models, and More (#695)
The Plot Thickens: Season Four: Here Comes Pam!
Mad respect to TCM for giving Pam Grier the respect and deep dive she deserves. I’m thrilled that they interviewed Pam for all 7 episodes with 4 bonus episodes!! That’s what I’m talking ‘bout!
The Official Prince Podcast
The Story of Diamonds and Pearls, Episodes 1-4, hosted by Andrea Swensson on The Official Prince Podcast was the best one yet!
The Podcast on Prince
Michael Dean is the best interviewer of Prince folks, hands down! This was my favorite from the year—the one and only Laura LiPuma!
Favorite Newsletters
James Clear’s 3-2-1 Thursday Newsletter. It’s simplicity is refreshing, and it packs a punch! James Clear is the author of the book Atomic Habits.
As we start the new year, a reminder from Atomic Habits:New goals don't deliver new results. New lifestyles do. And a lifestyle is a process, not an outcome. For this reason, all of your energy should go into building better habits, not chasing better results.
Arnold Schwarzneggar’s Pump Club is surprisingly very, very good and centered around health and well-being!
Admired Leadership’s Field Notes for my work hat!
C Liegh McInnis’ Newsletter if you need Black Southern culture in your life like I do living up North! Email him at clieghmcinnis@bellsouth.net to be added to his list.
Favorite Prince Footage Seen For the First Time!
Prince playing ping pong with Jerome Benton!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this, Jerome!
Jill Jones in Azzedine Alaia fashion show!
Jawdroppingly stunning!
Favorite #ManicMovieMonday Poster!
So many INCREDIBLE #ManicMovieMonday posters to choose from! But this was the one for me mirroring American Gigolo! Thanks so much, @PrinceThread!
Favorite Radio Show
My standing favorite bar none is still Simon Harrison’s Basic Soul Radio Show. 13th February 2023 was one of my favorites from the year!
Ayanna Heaven’s Across 110th Street radio show on WKCR-FM NY continues to be my second!
My Favorite Single of The Year!
No More Waiting by Nicolay
Favorite Movies
The Perfect Find starring Gabrielle Union! I could watch this every single day and never tire. I loved the ode to old school Black glamour.
American Fiction starring the one and only Jeffrey Wright!
Bones and All starring Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell
This film won’t be for everyone but it fulfills my need for a new vampire movie (which is my favorite film genre), and, while this is NOT a vampire film, it could be…
Favorite TV Series
SnowFall
Man, I’m going to miss Franklin Saint! I haven’t cared so much for a character since Michael K. Williams’s Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire—what a performance! (and LaKeith Stanfield’s Darius in Atlanta)!
I’m also elated that Oso got away, but I really don’t think that Franklin Saint would have gone out like that. The ending didn’t seem true to his character. I know why they did what they did for poetic license—the intergenerational curse from father to son, I guess, but nah… I don’t think so…
Lupin, Netflix (2021 – present)
I ADORE the Lupin series! Omar Sy reminds me of my great-grandfather Jessie. I imagine this is who he was in his youth: tall, dark, handsome, charming, charismatic, always positive, and always smiling, minus the thievery of course!
The Porter (2022)
Late to the party! Man, I wish they would continue this.
This was the year of Aml Ameen for me. Between discovering Boxing Day and The Porter, Aml Ameen has become one of my absolute folks to watch. His swagger without even having to swag is insane!
Others
The Changeling - I’ll watch LaKeith Stansfield in anything, but I truly loved the first few episodes!
Fall of the House of Usher
Murder at the End of the World
Survival of The Thickest - FUNNY!!
Kaleidoscope
Heists are one of my favorite genres alongside kung fu/hong kong cinema and vampires. I had been in a heist mood, creating my own double feature in the New Year with Cool Breeze and followed by the classic John Huston’s Asphalt Jungle with Marilyn Monroe, which Cool Breeze is based on.
I literally stumbled upon this series the next day. The universe brought me to it! Giancarlo Esposito. A heist within a heist. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this.
Afterwards, I started a heist binge:
King of Thieves (2018) with Michael Caine
The Curse, Season 1 (2022)
Hunters Season 2 that specific episode about the architect
The Great Train Robbery, BBC One (2013)
Heist, NBC (2006)
Hatton Garden, ITV (2019)
The Great Heist, Netflix (2020)
and of course the aforementioned Lupin which needs to be mentioned again because I love it so!
My Favorite Social Media Moments
I adore seeing kids express themselves through dance!
A young MonoNeon at a party dancing at his mom’s job (Holiday Inn Airport, Memphis-1999)
Bro knew he was COOKING (via tasbanks11/TT)
Giannis on the Bucks 2022-2023 season: “Michael Jordan played 15 years, won 6 championships. The other 9 years were a failure?" I’m sports illiterate but Giannis’ words were chillingly powerful!
I miss Atlanta, dearly!
I love seeing someone with more music than me! It makes me know that I’m not crazy after all! However, I couldn’t do this every year! I admire Peter. This is commitment!
Keep singing, baby girl!
Black Man Joy and Mutual Admiration! There’s nothing like it!
Trevor Noah serenading Busta Rhymes with his own rhymes!
Continue to love your haters, Indybugg! “You’re beautiful, you’re kind, you’re intelligent, and don’t let nobody hold you down! ‘Cause you’re a queen…” You got this!
This will definitely be me when I’m a senior,
but I probably wouldn’t be rocking the bathing suit!
First Time Hearing James Brown! by the Cartier Family
This is my favorite reaction video I saw last year. “Those are instruments back there!” That’s right, son! “How did he make such a banger with these few words!” LOL! “MJ and Prince ain’t hit that move! I did not see that coming!”
I also loved watching reaction videos with Dad and Kai at https://www.youtube.com/@frontroom and, of course, Just Jammin’ who is doing an incredible deep dive into Prince’s entire catalogue.
Favorite Photos Seen For The First Time This Year
The Look of Love!
A lot of people passed this year including my beloved Ryuichi Sakamoto (Ryuichi Sakamoto, Towa Tei, & Vivian Sessoms in Kyoto, Japan, 1994)! This newsletter would become very long if I did a proper tribute to each and every one of them. However, Burt Bacharach’s passing put me in a music rabbit hole, and Lance Reddick’s got me to rewatch season 1 of The Wire!
Whenever I want to play Burt Bacharach I know I should listen to Dionne Warwick, but I always put on Isaac Hayes from Walk On By to The Windows of the World (Live from the Sahara) to (They Long to Be) Close to You to The Look of Love! Here's to Bacharach!
I Say A Little Prayer For You
Love, Power, and Peace to You in 2024!
My absolute favorite cover of I Say A Little Prayer is by Leigh-Anne Pinnock from the delightful film Boxing Day directed by Aml Ameen! Unlike my mom, I appreciate vocal runs!
I also ADORE this version by Lianne La Havas!
My Favorite TED Talk of The Year
Why Thinking About Death Helps You Live a Better Life by Alua Arthur
“Death creates context for our lives. My entire life is leading up until that point. How we die creates the period at the end of the sentence, but it is the period that makes it a sentence at all... Hold life lightly!” ~Alua Arthur
Time Waits For No One
I’m obsessed with time because Prince made it very clear in his narrative films and a slew of songs that “Time Waits For No One.”
However, I want to remember what one of my students told me earlier this year, “Stop talking about time! You’re stressing me out!”
I have to be more mindful that others don’t feel the same sense of urgency…
I’ll end this with one of my favorite quotes from Bruce Lee!
To change with change is the changeless state!
2023 Important Memories To Remember
Yesterday, my aunt asked me details about something that we did together and I couldn’t remember. I then asked my mom, and she couldn’t remember. And then I asked my sister, and she couldn’t remember. So, documentation is so important and reflection even better. So, I want to take a moment to document a personal list for me and my family.
I got my 10 years at NYU award!
Mom’s birthday party at Disney World, orchestrated by my amazing cousin! The Mickey Mouse cake was to die for! Riding the Avatar Flight of Passage ride at Animal Kingdom was one of the best moments of my entire life. It felt like I was flying! On the other hand, Tron at Disney World was too short to be so scary!
Buddha Baby Graduated From High School! And he danced and danced and danced! One of the happiest days of my life! Also, watching my aunt teach a slew of teenagers how to line dance was a sight to behold!
Went to Bmore to see a family friend who is a centenarian with my aunt, mom, and sister. We also went to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. But the highlight for me was the B & O Railroad Museum, as a Monopoly and train lover! I gotta go back. I could have spent days there.
My aunt, mom, and sister came to visit in October to see NYC’s Halloween parade. While they were here, we went to see MJ The Musical—the best thing I’ve seen in my life on Broadway! Matt Martinez, who was a standby MJ, was EXCEPTIONAL!
Thanksgiving at my cousin’s house. I got to see my uncle. I wish I could have seen both of them. My cousin has the best backyard I’ve ever seen. HGTV worthy!
Had a wonderful time waiting in line in Criminal Records with my sister for RSD Black Friday for the Prince “Gett Off” DJ Promo 12-inch!
Quote of the Year
My Favorite Purchase of The Year
I’ve never experienced FOMO in my life, but I did this year! I’m thrilled that I acted on it! Thanks, KaNisa, for making me upgrade my sound system! Such a difference!
Thank you so very much for taking time out of your day to read about what inspired me or made me laugh in 2023!
Please let me know what inspired you or made you laugh in the comments.