This is the way to report his passing. He was instrumental to the birth of hip-hop but by many credible accounts, was also a monster. May his victims know peace.

“DNA” by Kendrick Lamar was a US #4 hit in 2017. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #kendricklamar #EveryHitSongEver

32 years ago today, Stampy the Elephant went on a rampage throughout Springfield, including through the Democratic and Republican conventions as well as a peanut factory. #TheSimpsons episode “Bart Gets an Elephant” first aired on March 31, 1994.

“Door to Door” wasn’t the back-to-basics record it was said to be, but it speaks to my love of 80s music that I actually really liked it. I honestly found it better than the Cars’ early 80s records, which I know is kind of an unpopular opinion. 7.8/10

“Heartbeat City” marked a more glossy, synth-driven direction for the Cars (which I believe had a lot to do with working with Mutt Lange) and I think it really works! The five top 40 hits this album spun off are all fantastic and overall, I’d call it their best record since their debut. 8.1/10

Got a few new 45s that dropped today! The 2nd @daptonerecords.bsky.social 45 from Detroit singer Napoleon Demps & two 45s of songs recorded in the mid-70s from the @coleminerecords.bsky.social reissue imprint Remined, from Detroit group the Barrino Brothers & the late Ghanaian musician Ebo Taylor.

“Shake It Up” is probably the Cars’ most pop album up to that point (and they’re about to get even poppier) but despite that, this album stands out to me the least of their work so far. Still a consistently good record throughout, with no real duds to be found. 7.3/10

“Panorama” isn’t as sticky or memorable as the Cars’ first two records, leaning toward the artsier side of new wave (which is probably why it only had one top 40 hit, and barely at that). That said, the songs are still mostly good and Elliot’s guitar carries again. 7.5/10

Candy-O isn’t the masterpiece that the Cars’ debut record was (imo), but it’s still a damn good album front-to-back. Elliot’s guitar work is especially great. 8/10 exactly. favs: You Can’t Hold On Too Long, It’s All I Can Do, Dangerous Type least fav: Shoo Be Doo

I said a few months ago I was gonna dive into the Cars’ 70s-80s discography which… didn’t really happen. I’m actually gonna go through with it this time! Anyway, their self-titled is still a fantastic album, one of the best in new wave & power pop. 8.9/10

Got the new 45 from Say She She, featuring two of my favourite songs from their album”Cut & Rewind” album last year!

an underrated bop from Neil Sedaka’s ‘70s comeback era. RIP Legend. youtu.be/1PYtoKH3Vhg?...

Cochemea’s “All My Relations”, probably my favourite instrumental LP from @daptonerecords.bsky.social , of the ones I’ve heard, turned 7 this week and today they dropped a new 45 featuring my favourite song on that album on the a-side! (alongside an outtake from his latest album on the b-side)

I was half-expecting something in English. I was not expecting Die With a Smile to be remade into a hot salsa song, nor was I expecting it to be this good.

King Curtis was a fantastic session 🎷 player who worked with a range of artists including Aretha Franklin (that’s him on “Respect”), the Coasters (also him on “Yakety Yak”), Donny Hathaway & John Lennon! Playing his solo greatest hits record today in honour of what would’ve been his 92nd 🎂

“Crazy In Love” by Beyonce was a US #1 hit in 2003. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #EveryHitSongEver #beyonce

Happy would’ve-been-81st birthday to the late, great Bob Marley! Playing his “Survival” album in honour of that and Black History Month.

The birth of a legend! Happy 40th to Janet Jackson’s “Control”, her 3rd album overall but 1st with Jam & Lewis and 1st independent from her father/manager & family, hence the “control” motif.

Janet Jackson released 'Control' 40 years ago today. 💿

The week ending February 2, 1985, Liverpudlian synth-pop/new wave group Frankie Goes To Hollywood earned US #OneHitWonder honors when their Hi-NRG/dance anthem “Relax” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #38. It spent 10 weeks on the chart, peaking at #10. #FrankieGoesToHollywood #OneHitWondered

“Crazy For You” by Madonna was a US #1 hit in 1985. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #madonna #EveryHitSongEver

rip to a FUCKING LEGEND

on the shortlist of the worst #AT40 hits of all time. atrocious recording.

“Couldn’t I Just Tell You” by Todd Rundgren was a US #93 hit in 1972. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 #EveryHitSongEver

something happened on the day he died spirit rose a meter then stepped aside somebody else took his place and bravely cried I’m a blackstar I’m a blackstar…

“Constant Craving” by kd lang was a US #38 hit in 1992. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #kdlang #EveryHitSongEver

“Controversy” by Prince was a US #70 hit in 1981. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 #prince #EveryHitSongEver

“Confessions Part II” by Usher was a US #1 hit in 2004. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #usher #EveryHitSongEver

Opening 2026 (over 17 hours in) with my last record purchase of 2025: Jeff Buckley’s great debut/only album “Grace”!

“Coney Island” by Taylor Swift ft The National was a US #63 hit in 2020. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 #taylorswift #thenational #EveryHitSongEver

Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't nirvana, soundgarden, pearl jam, or alice in chains.

a trio of festive @coleminerecords.bsky.social 45s to close out Christmas Day! I hope yours was as merry as mine was.

THE THING HAPPENED

Kelly Finnigan - A Joyful Sound: 7.5/10 If you love Christmas music that sounds more like classic soul than actual Christmas music, then this is the album for you! /pos I’ve got both the green LP & the book of 45s released for RSDBF. @coleminerecords.bsky.social

about to watch this masterpiece with my family again, as per tradition!

Elvis’ Christmas Album: 6.3/10 I really like the first half of the record, with his all-timer “Blue Christmas” being the obvious highlight. The second half with the slower carols & gospel… not really my thing. Sorry.

Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas: 8.8/10 Quite possibly my favourite holiday album and up there with my favourite albums period. This is the music I think of whenever I think of Christmas, this album and the special attached to it are go-tos for me every single year.

JD McPherson - SOCKS: 8.4/10 If you’re a fan of rockabilly or R&B music, or if you want original Christmas songs that sound like the late 50s then I can’t recommend this album highly enough! It’s an incredibly fun listen from front-to-back and a standard in my holiday listening now!

Haven’t been able to play a lot of the Christmas albums I have over the last month bcuz of illness & other music-related hobbies (rankdowns, mostly) taking up my time. I’m making up for that now with two 💿 from the Queen of Christmas herself…

“Come To My Window” by Melissa Etheridge was a US #25 hit in 1994. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #melissaetheridge #EveryHitSongEver

“Come Together” by the Beatles was a US #1 hit in 1969. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #beatles #EveryHitSongEver

songs that charted for one week in the top 40 or just peaked at #40 are my new fixation, so as far as I'm concerned, this week's #AT40 is off to a great start!

Got some new Christmas 45s released by @coleminerecords.bsky.social from one of my local shops yesterday afternoon. the Kelly Finnigan 45 is two new original songs, the Parlor Greens 45 is a soul version of Auld Lang Syne b/w a William Bell cover. Both great 45s, highly recommend!

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - It’s a Holiday Soul Party: 8.2/10 A great holiday record, a great soul record and, befitting its title, perfect for a holiday party (I think)! #vinyl @daptonerecords.bsky.social

I divide my music streaming listening between AM & Spotify, so with that in mind, here’s some highlights from my Spotify Wrapped this year:

absolutely and uncontroversially one of the fucking best to ever fucking do it

The Cars: 8.8/10 I finally completed my collection of Cars albums (from their initial run, at least) a few months ago and I’m finally beginning to listen through them now! Their debut album is a classic of that era, one of the best debut albums in rock. It’ll be hard to top this.

listening to #AT40 this week in 1973 on SiriusXM and it's off to a great start so far with Barry, Marvin & the Four Tops back-to-back-to-back (to you). I'm waiting for the curveball to come at this point...

Just scored my best ever game of 🎳 tonight, with 198! The two games I played right before that I got 159 & 141 (my average overall before tonight)