Still diggin’, and finding gems.

Post a banger not in English: youtu.be/22HL5ZOOHGI?...

Post a banger that isn’t in English: youtu.be/NJLVJU8eOBA?...

Hey all…I know we’re exhausted with all the money requests, but Mercado Central is in trouble, too: gofund.me/dac7d7cb5

Lastly, visit the “Take a Culinary Tour” area in the Food + Drink section of @exploreminnesota.bsky.social where me and @jrnorton.bsky.social wrote about the many different international cuisines one can experience in Minnesota that also need your support: www.exploreminnesota.com/things-to-do...

There’s also a wide array of international markets, like Karmel Mall, Mercado Central, and more, that could also use your support, which are mentioned in this piece I did for @meetminneapolis.bsky.social: www.minneapolis.org/cultural-dis...

Because these international grocers need your support now more than ever, especially during these times, here’s a guide to the international grocers of the Twin Cities that I wrote for @racketmn.com: racketmn.com/guide-intern...

Shout to Joseph Patel aka Jazzbo the great for reminding me of the In Search Of advance - we got a whole box of these during my college radio days when our EMI rep sent us this album before Spymob made it THE album that exists. This got so much play in my stereo system, it was ridiculous.

Treated myself to a late morning dig at Agharta Records in St. Paul after going toe to toe with last minute grocery shoppers

There’s also this piece about international markets and grocers within the Minneapolis cultural districts, which I wrote for @meetminneapolis.bsky.social

Mad love and appreciation to my homie @jasoncomix.bsky.social - I’m gonna also take the time to big up my piece from @racketmn.com highlighting the international grocers we have in the Twin Cities, too: racketmn.com/guide-intern...

Swooped down on some grails in my @discogsofficial.bsky.social wantlist today

Happy birthday to the legendary @solace.bsky.social - wishing you countless more to come homie!

Favorite albums & EP’s of 2025, aka “the music I frequently revisited in 2025”

Sometimes, being on the email list for the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony fan shop has its perks

Had a good chat with @twinkiejigggles.bsky.social and the crew of @citycasttwincities.bsky.social about my @exploreminnesota.bsky.social piece on African Food in the Twin Cities! Full episode here: megaphone.link/CC8377952249 The Explore MN story is here: www.exploreminnesota.com/food-drink/b...

Let’s be clear: there is not one news personality on Twin Cities television touching the fit game of @chrisreecewx.bsky.social. It ain’t even close.

Saw this at Costco today, and I want to know what the blueberry did. Feels like the blueberry told me “so there I was, minding my business, when all of a sudden…”

Chillin’ (literally & figuratively)

“Light-Years” by Nas & DJ Premier is finally here, and I'm happy to be alive to hear it. Hearing the different iterations and evolutions of Nas during his tenure existent on Premier's production for the duration of “Light Years” is incredible to audibly witness in real time.

12/10/1996

Closing out my freelancing work this year with an update: During the summer, I worked with Explore Minnesota on FOUR restaurant lists, highlighting the best African, Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern spots worthy of checking out. Find the lists below 🧵

BLACK MARBLE NINE is out NOW! Three hours of the best and newest Jazz, Funk, Soul, and Hip-Hop! Go here to get it via your streaming service of choice: blackmarble.uno

“Back of House” seen on TPT’s Almanac last night! (scroll to the 32 minute mark): www.tpt.org/almanac/vide... “Back of House” by Diana Albrecht & @ryanstopera.bsky.social available at @electricfetusmpls.bsky.social, Bench Pressed & here: www.ryanstopera.com/shop/p/back-...

You know the holidays are here when the Eggnog Hot Tub Danish is back in the display case at Brake Bread in Saint Paul.

Pulled off this recipe, and I’m keeping it in the tuck for future sandwich rotation purposes. If you’re like me, and had wild blueberry jam laying around your pantry, it’s really easy to make.

Might notice a familiar face 😎

Shout out to @electricfetusmpls.bsky.social & Agharta Records for the dope RSD (and awesome used) finds today!

IYKYK: youtu.be/S1OC4rRAxq0?...

Sitting with these words by James Mtume from his Red Bull Music Academy lecture in 2014, where he talked about “his history, sampling, and the fluidity of art.”

I play the down low, very very incognito” 📷: captured by my homie Sheela

Had the fortune of meeting Jellybean Johnson at @electricfetusmpls.bsky.social once while digging through CD's. Truly one of the nicest. Sending love and condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and fans of Jellybean Johnson.

Proud to inform you and yours: support your local gifts shop this season! “Back of House” by @ryanstopera.bsky.social & Diana Albrecht is now available in store at @electricfetusmpls.bsky.social & Bench Pressed in Minneapolis! Stop in and get your copy!

11/19/1996

Happy birthday to @mike-eagle.bsky.social, so grateful for you and all the awesome stuff you put into the world. Wishing you countless more birthdays to come fam!

“Back of House, the new cookbook by Diana Albrecht & Ryan Stopera (foreword by me) was covered for BLCK Press today: www.blckpress.com/post/cooking... “Back of House” is available to order now, and you can do so by ordering it here: www.ryanstopera.com/shop/p/back-...

My first foreword is now officially published in a book 🥹 “Back of House” by Diana Albrecht & @ryanstopera.bsky.social is available to purchase NOW! Order your copy here: www.ryanstopera.com/shop/p/back-...

Ryan & Diana talk about “Back of House” with @mprnews.org & showcases a recipe for Drunk Chicken, which is in the book! Check it out here: www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1... “Back of House” by @ryanstopera.bsky.social & Diana Albrecht is available to order now: www.ryanstopera.com/shop/p/back-...

“Back of House” for @mspmag.bsky.social (cc: @ryanstopera.bsky.social): mspmag.com/eat-and-drin... “Back of House” by Ryan Stopera & Diana Albrecht is available to order now (I wrote the foreword): www.ryanstopera.com/shop/p/back-...

this interview made me feel nice

Alongside co-author Ryan, we talked about “Back of House” with @biketrouble.bsky.social for @racketmn.com today: racketmn.com/back-of-hous... “Back of House” by @ryanstopera.bsky.social & Diana Albrecht is available to preorder now (I wrote the foreword): www.ryanstopera.com/shop/p/back-...

Shout out to @sahanjournal.bsky.social for listing “Back of House” as one of its fall reads by local authors: sahanjournal.com/arts-culture... “Back of House” by @ryanstopera.bsky.social & Diana Albrecht is available for pre-order (with me on the foreword): www.ryanstopera.com/shop/p/back-...

Even though Halloween has passed, some are still in the spirit.

Additionally, Mos Def aka yasiin bey’s “Fear Not of Man” also apt as hell.

El-P on “We’re Famous” seems apt for today.

Am I posting this to remind you that Sade blessed us with “Love Deluxe” 33 years ago today? Absolutely.

15 years, and still missing you. R.EYE.P Revisit a piece I wrote for @thecurrent.org about “The Many Faces of Oliver Hart”: www.thecurrent.org/feature/2023...

Something cool happened this past Sunday, you might recognize someone familiar in the photos 😎: www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...