Thursday, June 16, 2011

30 Days of Music - Children's Story


Slick Rick is one of those true storytellers and this song is the best example. I can see the story as he goes through the verses without even seeing the video. That's what happens when you use the words to create  the visuals. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

30 Days of Music - Feels Good

Tony! Toni! Tone! was one of the great groups from the 90s. Musically they made me want to hear their songs.

"Feels Good" is one of my favorite songs by Tony! Toni! Tone! This is from their second album The Revival. No special reason but the beat is infectious. Check it out below.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

New music coming out soon!

This year has been full of great music and June will be no different. I have been waiting to hear from these artists and the anticipation is killing me.


Ledisi - Pieces of Me - 6/14
Starting the month off is Ledisi with her follow up to Turn Me Loose. The title track is a empowering song explaining exactly who she is. "Shut Up" is another great song to haters to keep her name out of their mouths. She is having an online listening party on June 9th. Click here to listen.




Jill Scott - The Light of the Sun - 6/21
I have been waiting for this album for so long. Jill has posted snippets of some of the songs and they sound good so far. She's going on tour this summer with Mint Condition, Anthony Hamilton, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Doug E. Fresh. Needless to say I will be in attendance. Jill and Anthony both put on great shows so I know it will be good.



Kindred the Family Soul - Love Has No Recession - 6/28
Kindred has left Hidden Beach as well moving on to Shancie for their new album. The first single, "You Got Love" is catchy and the video is a nice complement to the song. I'm looking to hear more tracks because I wasn't a big fan of their last album.


If you know of other albums that are coming out this month, let me know. Always looking for new music to listen to.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

30 Days of Music - Hosanna

Kirk Franklin is one of my favorite gospel artists. His music has been influencing me since he first came out. Is music has always been different from what was being sung in church and was something that I would want to listen to outside the church.

Kirk Franklin's music has always made me feel something. The slow songs make you think, the upbeat ones make you move. "Hosanna" is one of the songs I put on in my car on my way to church for a few reasons. 1) To help me wake up 2) It get me in the mood for service. Check out a live performance below.

30 Days of Music - Nothing Even Matters

This song is my favorite duet probably ever created. Lauryn and D'Angelo's voices blended so well together. the song simply states that because of the love they have, nothing else matters in the world. The vamp at the end when D'Angelo is repeating "nothing but you" and Lauryn is free styling over him is beautiful. 

"Nothing Even Matters" is off The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the album she won five Grammys for. This is my second favorite song off the album ("To Zion" is the first) and it fits perfectly on the album. Let me know how you feel about this song.


Friday, June 3, 2011

30 Days of Music - Caged Bird


Alicia Keys caught me with her first CD. He voice was different from what was on the radio and she could play the piano as well. Songs in A Minor was a great album and is still my favorite of her catalogue. It is being re-released this month as a collector's edition for the 10th anniversary.

"Caged Bird" is my favorite song of this album because it's so simple but still so deep. It's about wanting to be freed from what people want you to do and do whatever it is you want. To show off your true talents instead of being safe. Let me know what you think.


Thursday, June 2, 2011

30 Days of Music - 4 My People


Missy is one of my favorite rappers so she had to be on this list. "4 My People" was from her third album . . . So Addictive. Missy made an impact on the music world with her inventive beats and out of this world videos.

"4 My People" gets me excited. In college, this was the song me and my roommate would put on while we were getting dressed to go out. This song is in heavy rotation on my workout playlist. I can't help but rap along to this song. And it features a verse by Eve which is even better. Check it out below.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

June is Black Music Month

Since it's Black Music Month, I've decided to take this opportunity to write on this blog more often. So going forward I will post some of my favorite songs every day.

Boyz II Men is my favorite group of all time. I've been a fan of them since they first came out. The first CD I ever owned was II. The combination of their four voices made them the special group that they are.   Nathan, Michael, Shawn and Wanya make up the most popular group of the 90s. Michael with his deep bass voice talk singing on some of their more popular songs. Wanya who could beg with the best of them. And SHawn and Nathan who stood out when necessary. They were it for me. Michael has left the group but they continue to make music and entertain their fans.

It would have been easy to chose one of their Grammy winning hits but some of my favorite songs are album cuts. "I Finally Know" is off Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya, their fourth studio album. This song is about realizing that the person you've been looking for has been right there the whole time. I like this song because it is basically saying not to dismiss someone as a love interest because they are a friend. Check out the song below and let me know what you think.