12 Notes: On Life and Creativity
by Quincy Jones and The Weeknd

I’m often asked what my “formula for success” is, or what my road map is to becoming (at the time of this writing) the all-time most Grammy–nominated artist, but to be honest, there is no formula or road map, and if anyone tells you there is, they’re full of it.

Now, to provide you with a bit of background about the organizational structure of the book, the number twelve has always had a special meaning in my life. Nadia Boulanger, my former teacher in Paris, used to tell me, “Quincy, there are only twelve notes. Until God gives us thirteen, I want you to know what everybody did with those twelve.” Bach, Beethoven, Bo Did...