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For millions globally who heard the Canadian chanteuse’s Portishead-influenced hit, “Here”, off her impressive debut, 19-year-old Alessia Cara tapped into a familiar vein. She inadvertently repped for the complex, artsy other- unveiling the creative, sensitive introvert many secretly are. She’s the “Wild Things” rebel girl who might prefer to be in a beanie, hoodie or flannel shirt scoffing at the popular plastic queens or planning for a bright future pursuing big dreams beyond the safety of “Four Pink Walls”. She could be the one who treasures flaws and “scars to your beautiful” who won’t let you in easily but if lucky enough, will make the unexpected romance well worth the wait.

Every time I hear someone lament that soul or funk is dead, I laugh. Blessed to be sent a lot of dope albums this year, one stand-out in this lively and danceable intersection, which pays homage to those soldiers who came before us, is Nigel Hall’s brilliant “Ladies & Gentlemen… Nigel Hall”. Reflecting expert band musicianship and retro respect for the craft that feels like smooth honey in your tea and as cozy as your favorite sweater on a cold day, Nigel assembled an all-star dope crew of Soulive and Lettuce brothers Ryan Zoidis, Adam Deitch, Eric Krasno , Ivan Neville and Questlove who guests on a key Isley Brothers cover.

Counting down the dopest projects of the year as we prepare to bid 2015 farewell, adios, deuces, I naturally gravitated back to my highest rotation records. The ones that made me cross international borders and created excitement within me as soon as they dropped. One such project getting the #CarlitasCut co-sign is K-os’ ‘Can’t Fly Without Gravity’. Ever since ‘Superstarr Pt. Zero’ entered my ear canals in 2003, he’s consistently been on my radar, dropping smart, thought-provoking and left of center genre-bending albums, simultaneously alienating and attracting fans with every turn. His sixth full-length is no different and I needed to connect with its creator.

With the last few hours of 2015 ticking by and Christmas in the rear view, I’ve begun to lock in my picks for the best projects of the year. One album making #CarlitasCut without hesitation is Judith Hill’s ‘Back In Time’. No stranger to the music business, Judith’s groove-filled debut, aided by Paisley Park’s king of the funk castle, Prince, reflects an undeniable pro with instinctive talent beyond her years. The artist who sang backup for Stevie Wonder and served as duet partner in Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’? The person who won a Grammy earlier this year being featured in the ‘Best Music Film’ – ‘20 Feet from Stardom’? The person who hit the small tube, coached by Adam Levine on the fourth season of ‘The Voice’? Yup, that’s all her and she’s just getting started.

As we wrap up 2015, it’s time to give props to those in music who posted big W’s this year when it counted. The producer/Harvard Fellow/label head that immediately comes to mind is 9th Wonder. Never sitting idle, somehow finding the time to do it all, he recently released ‘Indie 500’ with Talib Kweli, bringing trusted in house Soul Council producers, Pharoahe Monch, Problem, Slug, JAMLA-repping Rapsody (who featured on ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ which will probably grab Grammy gold) and an assortment of other young, fresh talent to the attention of their well-respected and established fanbases.

As I begin crafting my “Best of 2015” music lists, I think of all music that made me stop and take notice. What caught my ears’ attention and never let go? One such stand-out album este año was Mexican artist Natalia Lafourcade’s ‘Hasta La Raiz’. When I heard the title track, I knew the record was special. The Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences agreed, showering Natalia at the end of November with four Latin Grammys including ‘Record Of The Year’ and ‘Song Of The Year’. She’s also received mainstream Grammy recognition with a nomination for a “Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album” Grammy this week!

A Tribe Called Quest needs no introduction. Anyone listening to rap during the cherished 90’s era STILL knows all the choruses and verses by heart. Jumping on each other’s tracks within the Native Tongues collective blew our minds. When “Sometimes Y” member Chef Jarobi White ventured to the West Coast for his Eats, Rhymes and Life events with his culinary company during Labor Day Weekend(where fellow ATCQ member Ali Shaheed Muhammad provided music poolside), I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ask the in-depth questions Tribe heads have always wanted to ask.

Twas the day after Halloween which signaled three things. One-People might stop posting pics of dogs and cats in Star Wars costumes now that Halloween is over, two- male chin scruffiness reigns supreme this month and three- 30 Days in LA is finally here! 2015 is flying by at lightning speed and Red Bull kicked off Day One of their annual November takeover with their “Wax on Wax” event at Madame Tussand’s Wax Museum last night. Strolling past a movie premiere wrapping up at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and superhero and Michael Jackson impersonators on Hollywood Blvd, I made my way in to peep the three floors of music activities. Curated by Afropunk, each floor and room had a different vibe.