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As I bid farewell to the first half of 2017 and seek music to replenish our soul summer song playlists, one album automatically getting the add is Cody’s ChesnuTT’s latest effort ‘My Love Divine Degree’. Continuing in his introspective and social commentary combination trademark style, Cody’s new full-length focuses on conscious culture and the Black family structure. Collaborating with Raphael Saadiq on a few tracks, broad influences meld like a spiritual union at the intersection of soul and folk, while occasionally dabbling in electronica and reggae.

On a day guaranteed to include the gamut of emotions, Prince fans all over the world will stop to pay tribute to the one and only. When considering crucial musicians contributing to Prince’s legacy, one cannot help but mention NPG and 3rdEyeGirl member Ida Nielsen. As we all know, Prince didn’t just pick anyone to share stages or record music; it required a combo of on-point skill of your instrument(s), adaptability to creative genius change and possession of personal fly style to be down. A formal student at The Royal Danish Academy of Music and an informal student of the funk ultimately led her down the Purple path.

As we begin to wrap up a quarter chapter of 2017, it’s time to look ahead to potential dope releases to come. On my wishlist of groups I hope blesses the world soon with their latest effort is LA-based R&b/jazz trio Moonchild. Sonically introduced to this threesome at Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys benefit a few years ago, our paths crossed again at Durham’s Art of Cool Festival again. Purchasing their DJ Jazzy Jeff and James Poyser remixed single of “The Truth” recently, of which the proceeds supported the ACLU, made me more hyped for new MC music.

As the clock continues to tick down on a strange but musically productive year, the producers who placed a lasting impression on critical projects in 2016 def deserve year-end props. Terrace Martin, one such artist/producer, garners such recognition, with undeniably dope contributions, releasing his 2017 “Best R&B Album” Grammy-nominated solo project ‘Velvet Portraits’ as well as producing for several artists like Rapsody, Schoolboy Q, YG, Herbie Hancock and Kamasi Washington to name a few. Already a two-time Grammy winner for his work on Kendrick Lamar’s brilliant ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’, it’s probably safe to assume 2017 will be just as hectic. Starting his career, working for Diddy in high school, set Terrace on his accolade-filled musical path.

Continuing to highlight the artists that left their mark as we wind down a very busy and strange 2016, Mello Music Group (MMG) artist Mr. Lif def comes to mind. A well respected Boston repping MC, his trademark flow and memorable collabos with other legendary statesmen within the indie hip-hop scene precede him. Dropping a dope pensive solo album ‘Don’t Look Down’ as well as ‘The Life and Death of Scenery’ project with MMG mate L’Orange, Mr. Lif’s toured internationally for a loyal fanbase worldwide during a fruitful, productive year.

As the clock runs down on 2016, we continue taking a look at the live artists who made an impression during this busy year. The ones that delivered memorable performances you couldn’t forget. One such artist making #CarlitasCut is Rhode Island’s own raucous rebel B. Dolan. Getting his start on spoken word and poetry scenes in the late 90’s, he later found a home and a fruitful, productive partner in crime in Sage Francis and Strange Famous Records. If you’ve been checking for him online, you’ll notice his sense of humor and his activist passion for causes like knowmore.org, a corporate crime database users can use to search on key corporations they support.

Heading towards the end of 2016 and the myriad of concerts and fests held throughout the year, it’s time to reflect back on the musical acts that delivered stand-out performances. The ones where months later, you are STILL talking about them. One such performance making #CarlitasCut came from Oakland based GENRE-banding cumbia band La Misa Negra at Boise, Idaho’s Treefort Fest. After viewing a clip of the octet performing on YouTube, they were a must-see act, whipping the jumping crowd into a frenzy after midnight, causing the floor to shake and move with every note. Later in the year, the group would eventually take their energy to Napa Valley’s Bottle Rock Fest which also featured the likes of Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.

Now that’s 2016’s winding down, it’s naturally time to begin thinking about “Best Of” live acts of the year. With thousands of international and local fests and shows to pick from, the competition’s fierce. One of this year’s best live artists making #CarlitasCut is Phoenix’s Mega Ran. Seeing him perform live at Boise’s Treefort Fest earlier this year, he commanded the attention of the whole room as everyone crowded in the middle to watch him expertly freestyle about the oddest items taken from audience members’ pockets. Between appearing at Comic-Cons, consistently hitting the road with artists like MC Lars and Sadistik, Mega Ran’s also found the time to release multiple podcasts and projects including ‘Mat Mania: The Album’ which features a collabo with Murs.