Rest In Beats

@JonBatiste when the music is your blood, you barely sit still

There will never be another. A truly singular example of modern artistic excellence and profound humanity. When I'd call him, he would dive right into telling stories and I was all ears. I wish those conversations had been recorded because they were drenched in unlimited insight, wisdom and soul. Whether it was his equal parts awe-inspiring and ridiculously humorous recounting of how he helped shaped cultural history, or our shared love of family, world travels, exploring faith and rising from dark times. Almost everything was discussed and I was always grateful for our relationship. To fully unlock and reflect upon it all right now is just too much to process. His anecdotes about work ethic and his constructive feedback of my work were significant factors in sharpening my craft—for instance as a collaborator and unofficial producer on the We Are and World Music Radio albums that changed my artistic trajectory. But some of the most powerful advice he shared with me was rooted in how to develop your humanity. The power of prayers and mantras, which he said every morning . His insight about how "Your music can never be more or less than you are as a human being, so work on the human part" or how he and Ray Charles developed inner strength during the civil rights era by instilling within that "Not one ounce of my self worth depends on anyone else's acceptance of me" , a few examples of MANY. When I won the Academy Award in my speech I evoked his words about the power of 12 Notes, how we all get the same ones and it's up to us what we do with them. When he wasn't able to travel anymore I would always make a point to visit him in LA to show love, talk life and play for him. The last time we saw each other in person I played for him but this time asked if I could record him listening to me for posterity sake . In the clip I'm playing his "Ai No Corrida" then going into a Chopin waltz, then some blues and then Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight" . Always the best for Q. You will be forever missed but my goodness did you make your mark sir !! It's on us now to carry it forward 🤲🏾✨

Quincy Jones showed us that collaboration is the heart of innovation in music. He brought legends together to create magic. Rest in beats, Quincy. 🫡

You listen to Isaac Hayes everyday. lol 🤣

If you're a young and scrappy journo and want some guidance, hit me privately. I won't hand you sources, but I am happy to help flesh out ideas.

Rest in beats, Bobby Caldwell 🎹

Celebrating Dave, Trugoy aka 🔌✌🏾. He did it for us. Rest in beats. #delasoul

@okayplayer Appreciate this 🙏🏾

@okayplayer What is Musiq listening to these days. Any thoughts on the state of R&B and persistence of sample culture?

Rest in beats, Biz 🎤 #justafriend #bizmarkie

#HappyBirthday: With his unique blend of spoken word, political activism and jazz underpinnings, Gil Scott-Heron will always be remembered for his major influence on several generations of jazz and rap performers. Photo by waymedia.

@Dart_Adams The king of “putting people onto” 👑🙏🏾

It’s criminal that we almost would’ve never known about this story, this show, or this man. Thank you @mhaizlip #MrSoulPBS

Rest in beats, Dilla. 🍩 Had to let his music fill the crib like sage on his birthday. #restinbeats

i created a show called Black Girl Songbook. It centers the stories and genius of black women in music. i lean into everything I've experienced as a black woman in music. we debut thursday, exclusively @Spotify. here's the trailer

Lady legend... Cicely Tyson 💐#restinbeats #JustAsIAm

Happy 50th Mary J Blige 👑🎙

1987 I entered the @Defjam tour w PE. I tended to be nervous looking at 15000 fans in front of me every night. There were 2 MCS that directly mentored my calm that summer. 1 was @RealDougEFresh the other was Ecstacy of Whodini. Always there to reassure w advice tips #RestInBeats

Had the absolute pleasure of meeting Ecstasy in 2013 and he couldn’t have been nicer. What a tremendous loss this is. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Ecstasy. Rest In Beats Legend. You will be forever celebrated. 🙏 #ripecstasy #restinbeats

Breakdancing becomes an official Olympic sport for #Paris2024 #Olympics. Salute to legends like @CrazyLegsBX @POPMASTERFABEL @Mrwavenycb1 @BBoyLondon @MoneyMikeHolman @NYCBreakers #mrfreeze #ubc for paving the way.