BONUS: A Few of My Favorite Things from 2021
Prince (of course ;), Books, Music, Film, TV, and Social Media
Happy 2022 to Everyone! Here’s to LIFE!💜
I wanted to commemorate what kept my spirits up these past 12 months of 2021, the year that was harder for me than 2020. The majority of it is music-, media- or Prince-related! Let me know what kept your spirits up!
My Favorite (Non-Family) Experience of 2021!
Watching/hearing the Welcome 2 America concert on Paisley Park's sound system with my dear friend Zaheer Ali for the Welcome 2 America Release Party in July 2021!
My Favorite Books of 2021!
Will by Will Smith and Mark Manson ON AUDIBLE!
If you only LISTEN to one book this year, this would be the one! I don’t know how this book translates by reading is. Hearing Will Smith read it is an absolute must!
I have mad respect for Will Smith. If I could have a real conversation with a “celebrity,” he would be the one! His life philosophy has always intrigued me. It’s so great to get some insight into it through this book.
I wish that Morris Day would have recorded his own autobiography, On Time: A Princely Life in Funk. There’s still time he could re-record it!
Bruce W. Talamon’s Soul R&B Funk Photographs 1972–1982. This a must-have photo book if you love Soul, Funk, and R&B! Here’s a sample:
4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
If you really know me, you’ll know that I’m obsessed with time and time management. This was a great read!
A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload by Cal Newport
My Favorite Films of 2021
The haunting score speaks volumes for the inarticulable in a world of disposable, Barry Jenkins’ film adaption of The Underground Railroad seeps in & the standalone The Gaze is even more powerful! I've HEARD the stories of slavery all of my life but w/ The Gaze & The Underground Railroad I SEE them in a way I NEVER have before. However, I FEEL them everyday! They are my ancestors. They live within me!
Passing is beautifully shot and the score is perfect! I loved the silence and choreography of movement in the film. I know most folks are complaining that the two leads (Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson) don’t look like they’d pass. I’m ok with that; it’s about the performances.
Them really crept up on me. I didn’t want to like it, but I’m a sucker for a period piece. Deborah Ayorinde’s performance was impeccable!
Really Love Starring Ralph Angel (Just kidding :) It was great to see Kofi Siriboe smile for a change!
Favorite Film Seen in 2021, But Not Released in 2021 ;)
I’m late to the party but when I discovered that Stella Meghie (who directed last year’s The Photograph) directed Jean of the Joneses (2016) I understood why I ADORED this film. Taylour Paige’s performance was riveting; Her (facial) looks alone.
My Favorite TV Shows Binged-Watched in 2021
Believe it or not, I only found out about Snowfall in 2021. I guess I’ve been living under a rock… (ahem, the purple world is all-consuming)! I’m glad that I did because I was able to binge-watch the first 4 seasons for total immersion into these characters. The only other time I’ve done that is when I found out about Nip/Tuck, ages ago.
All I got to say is that Damon Idris as Franklin Saint is simply mesmerizing! Can’t wait for Season 5 to drop on 23 February 2022!
My two favorite film genres are vampires and heists. Lupin doesn’t disappoint. Omar Sy’s performance is refreshing and so darn charming! I wish I could travel through life with the effortlessness that he possesses.
Man, Oh, Man, What. A. Journey! Again, mad late to The Knick party! Why did this series get canceled?!^%$#@! The standout here is André Holland. I was so happy to see him again in Passing this year!
Edi Gathegi killed it as Ronald Dacey in Start-up! This is another series that I wished they would not have canceled! Again, I had never heard of it until this year!
My Favorite Documentaries
I watched a crapload of documentaries this year. Too numerous to name, so I had to boil it down:
Absolute MAD RESPECT to fearless Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja for climbing all 14 summits under 7 months. (The previous record was over 7 years.) 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible has to be watched to be believed. Purja’s willpower, commitment, and laserlike focus are unsurpassed!
I would love to climb one of these, but I know I never will. Besides, Mount Everest is like Grand Central these days. I don’t have the constitution for it, but watching others and feeling their need and desire to do so always calms my anxiety.
I got obsessed with Mount Everest after originally watching the documentary The Epic of Everest (1924), the newly restored film record by the BFI National Archive of the legendary Mallory and Irvine Everest expedition of 1924, and eventually watched countless others.
I’ve read The Crystal Horizon: Everest-The First Solo Ascent by Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner and two sides of the same story, The Climb by Russian Kazakhstani mountaineer Anatoli Nikolaevich Boukreev and Into The Air by writer and mountaineer Jon Krakauer, about the ill-fated expedition to summit Mount Everest in 1996. Everest is (one of my favorite films) dramatized this expedition.
Insecure: The End was more inspiring than the entire series itself! I’m a process freak. I loved hearing about the behind-the-scenes love and care. Can’t wait to see what Issa Rae does next!
Tina Turner has always been an inspiration to me! I didn’t learn anything new, but it was great to hear her reflect upon her career and life at this stage in her journey!
Mr. Saturday Night is about Robert Stigwood of RSO Records–a fascinating character.
I was so proud to see the brilliance of my dear friend, Zaheer Ali, highlighted in this incredible documentary!
Summer of Soul
I loved seeing Mavis Staples go toe to toe with Mahalia Jackson, even though my Mama thought she should sit down!😂
ICON: MUSIC THROUGH THE LENS: On Camera, Episode 1
Hitsville: The Making of Motown
American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free
The Beatles: Get Back
Even though this was released last year, I watched it about a month ago after also watching Mr. Saturday Night mentioned above.
I was delighted to see that Rick James finally got a proper doc! I wish someone would take up an academic Rick James torch!
My Favorite TV Show of 2021
Queen Sugar, Season 5 (The last 2 last episodes and the wedding particularly.)
My Favorite Prince Podcast Episode of 2021
Like last year, again, Michael Dean’s Podcast on Prince and specifically his Robin Power episode!
You can’t describe this episode; you can only experience it! It was a journey with unexpected twists and turns. Michael Dean is doing God’s work! “Hats off to you, sir!” #WorkItLikeAJob
I support Michael Dean through Patreon. I highly suggest you do too if you care about Prince’s legacy.
My Favorite Prince Book from 2021
Prince and the Parade and Sign O' The Times Era Studio Sessions: 1985 and 1986 by Duane Tudahl
This is my absolute, favorite book series about Prince, as it illustrates how hardworking and prolific Prince was. In fact, if I could only have one book about Prince, this would be the one.
The cover on this one, love the photo Duane selected and the design by the talented Reverend (who also designed the #SOTTSDC & #W2AVC flyers), is stunning!
Hopefully, Duane will continue the series with 1987 and 1988. More light and love needs to be given to The Black Album, Lovesexy, and if the gods align, the Batman Soundtrack.
I hope you’ll consider picking up a copy or two to read and share with your purple friends. I want to make sure that the third book is written and completed. This will only happen if this one sells. Duane’s scholarship is super important to Prince’s legacy!
Thank you, Duane, for writing two stellar books! I know how hard you work on them to make sure that they are as accurate as humanly possible. I look forward to the third!
My Favorite Prince Fan-Made Content of 2021
VISIONS Episode 01: Clouds by Edgar Kruize
I am not a Prince fan compared to Moodyman!
Even though this is from 2020, I never tire of watching this! I was elated to find this online after it originally streamed. I thought it was lost forever. If you missed it, now would be a good time to experience this.
Favorite Quotes about Prince from 2021
The national holiday was the 40th anniversary of Controversy!
Two Very Important Prince Twitter Threads
My Favorite Gifs from 2021
Like 2020’s all but one courtesy of KaNisa Williams
My Favorite Quotes of The Year
Ludacris on Desus & Mero
My Favorite Social Media Moment
This is totally me with cheese puffs, instead!
My Favorite (Non-Prince ;) Podcasts
I listen to a lot of podcasts when I commute to work. When it comes to non-Prince podcasts, the reason I love Tim Ferriss’ podcasts is that he also believes in the deep dive. His podcasts are always 2 to 3 hours. Of the ones I listened to, these are the 2 for the year that really had an impact on me.
Thrilled to see one of my alumni Maxwell VanHook get interviewed by @mauricecherry for his brilliant @revisionpath podcast! Two of my favorite people on the planet in conversation with one another... Life doesn't get any better than this!
My Favorite Art Exhibition from 2021
You Won’t Bleed Me: How Blaxploitation Posters Defined Cool & Delivered Profits (September 2, 2021–February 6, 2022) at Poster House
Posters courtesy of Mathieu Bitton!💜
A Piece of Art that Transfixed Me in 2021
I visited the Whitney to see the Dawoud Bey exhibition, but, instead, I got transfixed by Archibald Motley’s Gettin’ Religion (1948). You have to see it in person. Seeing it on a computer screen or in a book just won’t do!
#Drum&BassForever
This gave me SO much joy that words don’t even begin to describe how I felt listening to this! Drum & Bass used to be my daily soundtrack for years. I listened to rinse.fm ALL of the time! So much so that I seriously thought about moving to Bristol at one point. However, because I suffer from S.A.D. I knew I couldn’t deal with the grey days!
IF the above link is not long enough for you, here's almost 2 hours’ worth.
The Only Live Show I Saw in 2021
Liv Warfield was also the next to the last (St. Paul) person I saw in March 2020!
My Top 3 Box Sets from 2021
Prince’s Welcome 2 America Deluxe
I know some were underwhelmed, but I was NOT disappointed. Elated this was the first posthumous unreleased album from Prince’s vault. It’s in the top of my favorite Prince albums list, not at the bottom, nor the middle. Also, Mathieu Bitton’s art direction and design were of the highest quality that Prince, rightfully, deserves.
Lee Morgan’s The Complete Live at the Lighthouse 12 LP Collection
Blue Note Records released all 12 sets from Lee Morgan’s historic engagement at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, California from July 10-12, 1970.
I want this kind of treatment for Prince, but not 51 years later. I don’t have that kind of time.
The Doors’ L.A. Woman (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all of the outtakes from L.A. Woman! I wish the Prince Estate would do something similar with every single version of songs Prince recorded.
My Top 4 Albums from 2021
Play with the Changes by Rochelle Jordan
This is the album I played the most last year, and I’m still actively listening to it. Rochelle’s voice is very malleable. She is a child of Aaliyah! I only wish detailed liner notes had been included. Two of my favorite producers contributed: Jimmy Edgar and Machinedrum. Thanks, Jimmy Simpson (one of my extremely talented alumni:), for the recommendation!
Rare, Forever (2021) on Ninja Tune (one of my favorite record labels) by Leon Vynehall
Thanks, Jimmy Simpson, for another stellar recommendation!
Something To Say (2020) by Cory Henry
I waited to listen to this until I got my electric blue vinyl and that didn’t happen until 2021 as opposed to 2020. Cory Henry never disappoints. I’m obsessed with “Icarus!” Van Hunt co-wrote the song.
Why does it have to hurt?
Why must we pay a price to be in Heaven?
Let me drop back down to earth
Fall out of a dream to fly, become a legend
[Chorus]
If I ever see the sun
Will I ever get burned?
If I ever see the sun
Will I learn what Icarus learned?
Jon Hassell’s Seeing Through Sound: Pentimento Volume Two (2020).
This is what 83 sounds like. He knew how to show the whippersnappers like Oneohtrix Point Never (who I also love) how to do it.
I didn’t get this until 2021. Little would I know that this would be the last album that Hassell would release during his lifetime.
Rest in Music JON HASSELL!❤️
22 March 1937 (Memphis, Tennessee)– 26 June 2021, aged 84
I was today years old when I discovered Jon Hassell had passed away. I need to expand my Twitter circle. I only found out after googling to see when his next album was going to be released. I was hoping he’d release Pentimento Volume Three.
Words fail to express how I feel about this, but gratitude will have to suffice. Thanks for all the music, Jon Hassell, your music will live on forever!
Whenever I’m anxiety-ridden, I put on Last Night the Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes in the Street. I have since 2009. Calms me down every time. I KNOW I’ll be listening to this one until the end…
My Favorite Radio Show of 2021
Simon Harrison’s Basic Soul Radio Show continues to be my go-to… Every passing year, I miss doing my own radio show. However, Prince World right now is all-consuming! I’ll definitely get back to No Turn Unstoned one day… God Willing!
By Far My Favorite Video of The Year
I rarely watch videos anymore, but I was transfixed by this one. The cinematography, choreography, and swagger make me proud to be a woman! However, the video wouldn’t be compelling without the 🔥 music and Little Simz’s delivery!
“All Action. No Talk”
The Smith Family Rocks
Since we started this list with Will, let’s end it with Willow!
Willow surprised Jada for Mother’s Day & got Jada’s rock band, Wicked Wisdom, back together & sang one of her songs, “Bleed All Over Me”! Willow’s vocal delivery truly elevated this song! Also, I love how this heartwarming gesture was for the sole purpose of giving back to her mom! This version rocks and so do Mamas, especially my own!
The original