If you're looking for new music, here is a perfect place to start!
Once in a while, I'll ask friends to send me some of their favorite music because I want to start listening to artists, but also it helps you understand your friends better. I like discovering new artists that I have never heard before because I know that I would have never been able to find them on my own. If you're looking for someone new to listen to, then you've come to the right place!
My favorite song from them is "Four Out Of Five"!
My favorite song from them is "Brave New World"!
My favorite song by him is "Tints"!
My favorite song by him is "Slow Dancing In The Dark"!
My favorite song by him is "Honest"!
My favorite song by him is "Japanese Denim"!
My favorite song by him is "Another Sad Love Song"!
I'm not responsible if you and your partner make a baby because of this playlist.
The weather is getting colder and the nights are getting longer. Partying and being out is no longer a top option because you just want to chill with your boo and cuddle and other grown folk things. Below are ten songs just for chilling and provide sensual vibes from artists you may or may not know and some of these songs may be a tad bit old. But good music never goes out of style. So, it's officially cuffing season folks, time to get the cuffing.
This song by neo-soul singer Daniel Daley and producer Nineteen85 (aka dvsn) are masters are turning the simplest things into a soulful masterpiece. This song could be considered an ode to the baby-maker master of the song himself, D'Angelo, as "Mood" resonates an "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" vibe. The longing falsetto from Daley and the consistent squeak of the piano line turn this song into something you and your partner need to have on a joint playlist.
The song speaks of making time for one another and Daley understands that many people would want his partner. As he sings, the bass only gets heavier, peaking at a captivating guitar solo towards the end. The song has a heavy yet light feel and the songs wrap around you like a strong lover's hold. "Mood" was released on the album Morning After last year and can be found on all major streaming services.
If you have never heard of The Internet, get ready because you're about to have a new favorite R'n'B group to listen to. The band came to as a side project from Odd Future members Syd and Matt Martians. The Internet formed in early 2011 and now consist of the following members: Sydney Bennett "Syd" (vocals), Steve Lacy (vocals and guitar), Matthew Martin (keyboard and vocals), Patrick Paige II (bass guitar) and Christopher Smith (drums). The song for this list, "Special Affair" off of their third album Ego Death starts with a sultry bass line and rhythmic drums to match.
Syd, known for her silky voice, sings about a one-night stand and proceeds to call it a special affair. The song sets the perfect mood for a chill night and doesn't add any pressure to the environment. Although still unknown to some, The Internet is developing a fast following after their fourth album Hive Mind came out this past summer and they kicked off their tour.
Another slow jam for you and your boo! Off of her 2016 album, "No Hard Feelings," singer Dreezy teams up with autotune legend, T-Pain for a slow jam about being physically and emotionally close. The song premiered two years ago on Beats 1 and is still on constant rotation within my playlist. The combination of the saxophones and the mellow beat soothes the ears as Dreezy's alto voice sings. This song keeps the energy like the previous songs and the artist only wants to be close to the person they are singing about.
Lemme tell y'all something. If you don't know about Daniel Caesar, you are out of God's will, OK? While "Get You" is more about self-reflecting on past loves, Caesar explained in an interview with Billboard that "Get You" is a song of praise to a love I didn't even feel I deserved at the time." This song is an overall praise to love and the euphoria one feels when with their lover and they "see it." They see the thing that made them fall in love in the first place.
Caesar also combined his relationship with God and his relationship with his lover to help create this song off his album "Freudian." The lyrics are raw and unfiltered, "Every time I look into your eyes I see it. You're all I need."Caesar has consistently provided music lovers with a breath of fresh air every time he opens his mouth.
This funky blue-eyed artist I mentioned in one of my previous articles and I love JMSN. JMSN sings about wanting his lover but is afraid he can't compete with her sex appeal. JMSN captures the funk and soul many crave for nowadays with R and B and it makes sense. JMSN provides soulfully good music for you and your boo. JMSN's whole discography provides great music for chilling or just to listen to when you're alone.
With his second appearance on this list and this band's first, "Beauty & Essex" by band Free Nationals is perfect, new song that came right on time for the cold weather. The band's first single was released about two weeks ago and so far has been gaining a lot of traction due to the Daniel Caesar feature and the mellow beat. Free Nationals is so far making their way onto many people's R'n'B playlists due to their funky mellow groove that is sure to have you and your partner enjoying the song.
Jhene Aiko is no stranger to making love songs and this one proves it. "While We're Young" is about devotion and love no matter the odds and how she wants to spend the rest of her days, nights, and life with her lover. Jhene Aiko's airy, sweet tone is easily one of the best things about her work along with the writing that comes with it. Aiko uses that tone to perfectly emulate the light, airy feeling of being in love with someone and she's able to do just that with "While We're Young".
On the more seductive side of the spectrum is "Lights On" by H.E.R. H.E.R. is uses her anonymity as an artist to focus solely on her music. In "Lights On" she sings about switching it up in the bedroom and wants her lover to "leave the lights on". While we do not actually know who exactly H.E.R. is, as she hides behind shades and dark lighting during her live shows, we do know that she has a way with words and a way with songs. No matter the occasion.
Not Bruno Mars. Not Bruno Mars. Not Bruno Mars. I know I made this mistake when I first saw this song pop up on my Spotify and became very confused when I thought Bruno Mars changed his name and completely started singing in a different register, but no this is Bruno Major! Bruno Major croons to a simple beat and a few strings of an electric guitar as he sings about love not coming easily and doesn't mean they shouldn't try. Any hopeless romantic would take this song and run for the hills with it as it defines a moment in a person's life where they really want to try and stick it out through a relationship. "Easily" manages to capture the beauty and pain of love and how love can be a hard thing when it wants to.
The final song on this list is called "The List"! See what I did there? To wrap this up, we have Moonchild who is talking about the opposite of what we're talking in this article. She's talking about all the things she actually can't stand about the person she fell in love with. "I hate you make me nervous. I always say the wrong things." She's always running to the person and the list just keeps getting longer and longer as she stays with them. In "The List," the keys and the horns melt perfectly together to create a five-minute masterpiece. While the song is about trying to get away from this stifling love, the song is still good. If you want, just ignore the meaning and just enjoy the beat. It helps.
Well, folks, I'm afraid that's the end of the list! All of these songs are available on major music streaming services. Special shoutout to Spotify for literally playing random songs and giving more music and artists to fall in love with. While some of these songs are older than others and some artists are different from others, regardless, the proof of the creativity is in the music.
Music will get you through these midterm times I promise
As someone coming from a high school where midterms didn't exist, October has been pretty rough. To get me through the long nights crying at Gelman, though, I've created this playlist to remind me that good things exist.
Shoutout to my roommate Marie for introducing this to me since I've had it on repeat ever since she played it in the dorm.
I've probably mentioned King Princess in more than one of my articles by now, but honestly that's just how much love I have for her as an artist. If you listen to any artist on this list, I encourage you to take a chance on her.
Get some tissues and turn up your volume dial because you are about to cry. In the best way though!
People need to start realizing it's okay to be sad! When you are feeling in the dumps, these songs will either uplift you or make you sadder. Pick your battle and let's do this!
This is a melodic, instrumental song that will melt your heart. Every time I hear this song, I reminisce and feel a jolt of love through my bones. There's also an amazing shift change towards the end of the song that is revitalizing.
There's an 80% chance you have listened to this song once in your lifetime. It's probably because every movie wants a snippet of the song to display a sad or dramatic moment. Either way, this song makes me feel hurt every time I hear it.
Man, this song hits home for me. Have you ever been in a room with somebody that was once important to you and now they are just another stranger? Jamie already has a haunting voice over the song, and you feel paralyzed.
SORRY I HAD TO... This song reminds me of my little brothers. Matty wrote this for his, so I think about how they are doing now that I am away from home. I have DEFINITELY cried to this song before.
This song is haunting because we can all recall a time we first met someone and how they impacted our lives. The echoing voice reminds me of another time. I will always appreciate this song.
I just remembered this song and got chills. The beat in this gets to you because this song is about putting a toxic person in the past and "burying them."
"Cocaine heart is broken/time to retire," at least I think those are the lyrics. This song has an amazing buildup that will get you in or out of your feels. Chet Faker has a memorizing voice that deserves to be recognized.
Robert Glasper Experiment has a very interesting approach to jazz, and KATYRANDA knows his way around making a good beat. The lyrics of this song are relatable to anyone who has experienced a heartbreak. This song has gotten me through some hard times.
This song immediately reminds me of my best friend who lives in Chicago. She's far away from me and I miss her every day. "Rivers 'til I reach you" gets me through the stressful times in college when I know I will see her soon. I have cried with her listening to this song. Love you boo!
I get major childhood memories listening to this song because my mom and dad used to sing me this song. Now that I'm getting older, this song will always be close to my heart.
How could I forget to mention Frank Ocean? I just started listening to him a few weeks ago (I have been missing out on a LOT). He has a beautiful falsetto voice paired with chill beats. I find myself singing this song the most from his album. There are several Frank Ocean songs you can post for when you're in your feelings but this is the right song for me.
Another artist to check out is Daniel Caesar. He has beautiful slow and romantic songs that make you want to live your fantasy. This has a positive outlook on relationships, so this puts me in my feels the right way.
Last but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, we have Mac. Even before the tragic news, this song (or entire album) put me in my feelings because it is romantic and funky and unique. This one is for you, we love and miss you dearly.
Tired of the same 10 songs being played on the radio over and over again? This list will (re)introduce you to urban artists that belong on your playlist this summer.
Music has the unfathomable power to make us feel emotions that we didn't even know we felt. That's why it's so important to feed your soul with the right jams. I've compiled a list, in no particular order, of singers that you may or may not recognize; I think these artists are the perfect food for anyone from a hopeless romantic to someone who just values a sexy instrumental.
Don't let this list restrict you, as it is technically incomplete. There are many more musicians out there that are creating art that they wish to share with the world. Similarly, don't let the starting song limit you either. Each artist on this list has plenty of music released on multiple platforms for us; their singles and albums are endless.
Even for the artists that you recognize, they may have some undiscovered gems that make you look at them in a whole new light. Be adventurous with your music!
A Song to Start You Off: "Bad Blood"
A Song to Start You Off: "Sativa"
A Song to Start You Off: "Mood"
A Song to Start You Off: "Cutting Ties"
A Song to Start You Off: "Pink + White"
A Song to Start You Off: "Say It Again"
A Song to Start You Off: "The Devil's In The Details"
A Song to Start You Off: "Alone Together"
A Song to Start You Off: "Kicks"
A Song to Start You Off: "Freudian"
A Song to Start You Off: "Come Down"
A Song to Start You Off: "Belong To You"
A Song to Start You Off: "Saved"
A Song to Start You Off: "Girl"
A Song to Start You Off: "Everything Is Yours"
A Song to Start You Off: "Blind Man"
A Song to Start You Off: "Don't Watch Me Cry"
A Song to Start You Off: "Going Once, Going Twice"
A Song to Start You Off: "Drip"
A Song to Start You Off: "The Space Between"
A Song to Start You Off: "Pineapple Skies"
A Song to Start You Off: "Your Teeth In My Neck"
A Song to Start You Off: "Garden (Say It Like Dat)"
A Song to Start You Off: "In The Midst Of It All"
A Song to Start You Off: "Know Myself"
A Song to Start You Off: "She Don't (ft. Ty Dolla $ign)"
A Song to Start You Off: "Bad Dreams/No Looking Back"
A Song to Start You Off: "Black Fever"
A Song to Start You Off: "Coloring"
A Song to Start You Off: "GLOWED UP"
Hopefully, this list opened you up to some names that you'd never heard before. (My personal favorites are numbers 7, 12, and 28.) Enjoy your new "playlist" and keep bushing your boundaries; you'll thank yourself later!
You can make a bigger impact than you think.
I have had to "cancel" many people in the year of 2018, like Kanye West, Daniel Caesar, and almost Chance the Rapper. Those were all related to one situation that truly infuriated me. I no longer listen to Kanye or Daniel Caesar, and I no longer support their works or efforts. Why? Because I cannot support those who do not support me.
Jeffree Star, a make-up YouTuber, should have been canceled eons ago. His racist remarks are inexcusable, even though he's "changed." He still makes remarks of this caliber, they're just not as publicized. With articles and evidence of his ignorance everywhere online, there is no reason people should still support him. Yet, Star has hardly suffered because of this. Why? Because people continue to watch his videos and to support his products. They do not understand the importance of canceling someone.
When H&M was selling the product that portrayed the young Black boy in a hoodie that implied that he was a monkey, their profits plunged four billion dollars. If that doesn't show you the power of canceling someone or something, what can?
Scarlett Johansson is a more recent example. Johansson is an acclaimed actress and with good reason. It's her personal decisions that negate this. Recently, Johansson took on the movie role of Dante Grill, a trans man who owned a massage parlor in the 1970s. Trans people are a marginalized group and are underrepresented in the acting world, due to mistakes like this. Many actors/actresses have refused their roles for understanding that it is not a role for them. Someone as deep in the game as Johansson should be able to do the same.
Why shouldn't a trans actor play a trans role? Hollywood already suffers from too many works where cisgender actors have stolen their roles, so when will it stop? When asked for a response, Johansson's rep gave the flippant response that critics can "be directed to Jeffery Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman's reps for comment." Those are all cis actors that have also made the mistake of taking on a trans role. A rather juvenile mindset, Johansson is saying that if they did it, why can't she? Johansson has also played a whitewashing role while working with the same director, amongst other problematic behavior. Do not support this movie.
Note: If looking for authentic trans-actors, check out the FX series "Pose!"A great series that chronicles life in the 1980s for transgender people in NYC, it's worth the watch.
This is why not supporting those making inexcusable mistakes is important. You must show them that we are holding them accountable. We live in a day and age where knowledge is accessible with the click of a button. Willful ignorance is not endearing to anyone. The H&M profit drop (which they still have not fully recovered from) is an example of what canceling someone can do. We are their consumers; we are their source of income. The big stars and stores are nothing without those who support them. When your favorite celebrity messes up, call them out. No one should have to support anyone who does not support them.
