#24: Quotes of the month!!

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”

Marcus Aurelius

“Character.

Intelligence.

Strength. Style.

That makes beauty.”

Diane Von Frustenberg

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.”

“If hate is poison then love’s the cure.”

The Script

“To a great mind, nothing is little.”

Sherlock Holmes

“When you embrace all your flaws, then will your beauty be seen by everyone!”

YSK

2016: Albums of the Year: Part 4!!

This year was a great year for music, here's the last set of albums. Incase you missed 1, 2 & 3. Enjoy xx

J Cole - 4 Your Eyez Only

Like every Jermaine album I was excited for this as it was sorta unexpected and the documentary 'Eyez' made it even more anticipated. This album to me is a story of his friend's life but also relates to his own life. I feel like the album tells a story in someone else's perspective rather than Cole's (well some of the album). The project talks a lot about death, fatherhood, marriage, crime and more. The album mentions a bit about his mental state where he wanted to give up on life (on 2014 FHD he mentioned how he was unhappy), him falling in love, the death of his friend, a real life story of a SWAT team showing up at a house where the album was partly recorded named Sheltuh on 'Neighbours', him 'Foldin Clothes' for his wife and then to 'She's mine pt 2' where he talks about his daughter and showcases his joy and love. The last song is seemed a letter for his daughter apologising in advance  if the fame got him and he lost his life and also to his friend's daughter to remember her dad as he is no more. As always the production, lyricism and delivery is on point though I did hope for at least one feature. Cole lived on to share his friend's story and despite it not being a typical Cole album it still passes as a confirmed classic!

Post Malone - Stoney

Someone once told me to listen to 'White Iverson' and from then on I became a fan of Post and wanted an album. To be very honest, his mixtape August 26th was below expectations but I did like 'Money Made Me Do It' ft 2chainz, this made me not really excited for the album. After the first listen I was impressed with the vibe and production the album exhibited. My favourite track is'Congratulations' ft Quavo (ps I think Quavo does a great job on features). Overall the album has that party/trap vibe with pretty great catchy hooks. 

Shawn Mendes - Illuminate

Whether he is needing 'Stitches' or making'No Promises', Shawn has proven that he can sing his heart out and will probably give you his heart while he's at it 😊. Illuminate is an amazing album with stories about love, heartbreak and life after heartbreak. For someone like me who can't really relate the beats and lyricism are soothing and make me imagine a world whenever perfection is a reality. 'Mercy' & 'Treat Me Better' are my most played.  If you are going through it, listen! Shawn might create a soothing illusion of a perfect love story for you!

Kid Cudi - Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin'

Kid Cudi aka The Chosen is one of the best creative minds in music we will probably ever get to hear. That being said, he hasn't made an album I have vibed with since Man on the moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. Indicud was just an ok album and Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven sounds like a futuristic album, so I will let you know if it has grown on me in a few years lol! Although, this project is like 40% humming (he's low-key a professional), it might just be his best album in 6years. With Cudi albums I never look out for lyrics rather I  get excited to hear the production which of course I wasn't disappointed. 'Rose Golden' ft Willow Smith, 'Baptized in Fire' ft Travis Scott, 'Does it' and 'By Design' ft Andre 3000 are my favourite tracks. Cudi tells his story; The Story of The Chosen and frankly if you are like me you will get lost in the creativeness and discover your own meaning to the project!

Little Simz - Stillness in Wonderland

I found out about Simbi on Kehlani's song Table, to be honest I haven't paid attention to any British female rappers so I thought 'let's see what she's all about'. This project tells a good story about music and her life with good lyricism and production. 'Doorways + Trust Issues', 'Shotgun' ft Syd and 'Picture Perfect' are my favourite tracks. With Simbi I took a journey through wonderland and out repeatedly and I enjoyed it every minute of it.

John Legend - Darkness and Light

From the album title I wanted to listen to it to hear the stories. To be honest, I have never really paid attention to John's music, maybe a few songs hear and there because the man can sing (probably top 5 R&B men).  The project has amazing songwriting and production, it starts off with a humble like gospel song 'I Know Better', goes on to a song for his daughter Luna and a love song about a hopeless world (who else can do that?). 'Penthouse' ft Chance the Rapper &'Darkness and Light' ft Brittany Howard are my favourite tracks. This project covers topics like his life, the world we live in today and struggles of being black. John has proven that if you have a voice you can use it to discuss as much issues and whether talking about darkness or light you can still make amazing songs that can showcase your talent and evolution (this isn't a typical John Legend album). As for me I will be looking forward to more of John's work.

Let's see what 2017 has to offer!

What albums have you been listening to?

Have a great New Year!

photos via iTunes!

2016: Albums of the Year: Part 3!!

There were too many albums this year so I decided to make 4 posts rather than 3, even with that I had to reduce the list greatly! If you missed 1 & 2 catch up :D! Enjoy xx

Travis Scott - Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight (BITTSM)

At first when Days before Rodeo came out I thought I couldn't listen to Travis. Over time I gave songs like 'Skyfall', 'Drugs you should try' and 'Quintana' ft TI a chance and to my surprised I was absorbed by the creativity of a 'trap' mixtape. For me Rodeowas quite disappointing but Birds happens to be one of my favourite albums this year. Lyrically it is just alright but you don't expect much lyricism from Travis but the production on the other hand is amazing. If I were a dj all the songs from birds will be on high rotation because it is that good. 'Way back' ft Kid Cudi, 'Lose' and 'Goosebumps' ft Kendrick Lamar are probably my most played. Can't wait to hear what he does as a producer on Cruel Winter, I'm glad I let the persistent friends convince me to give Travis Scott a chance‼️ 

Frank Ocean - Blonde

One of the best albums of the year in my opinion. As someone who always found his other works quite depressing but this was different. At first listen I gave it a 7/10, after more listens I felt it was a 9.9/10 as it is such a brilliant piece of art. From the nostalgic feeling he expresses in 'Pink+White', to the cocky, adventurous soul in 'Nights' and the soothing vibes the entire album gives. I was engrossed and couldn't help but replay it over and over again. Frank is certainly one of the best & creative musical minds I'll ever be privileged to listen and hopefully someday meet‼️(ft Shettima)

Ari Lennox - PHO

Ari has one of the best vocals today and this EP showcases that. She gives that pure R&B and soul  and also modern vibes which makes you want to listen to the EP on repeat! On 'Yuengling' and 'Backseat' ft Cozz she exhibits an Erykah Badu feel on jazzy beats while as 'Cold Outside' and 'Backwood' have that trap soul vibe. This EP is covered with Ari's sultry voice on amazing production. 'Night Drive' might be my most played but each song tells its own story! It is a project for every soul lover and one of my favourites this year!

Isaiah Rashad - A Sun's Tirade

I had no idea who Zay (Isaiah) was and how good he was till a friend put me on his song'Nelly', this was around the time  Cilvia Demo which I appreciated so that made me more excited for new music. This album which is amazing orchestrated is sadly really underrated and I feel not enough paid attention to it. But if you listened to it, you'd understand why I think it is amazing!

Zay has always been the least rated and least hyped member of TDE and when you listen you will wonder why that is. '4r Da Squaw'is one of the best tracks on there and that possibly because it has one of the  best life lessons to it, he talks about the relevance of money to him and it makes you think whether money is going to somehow buy happiness for you once you acquire it or will you be rich and unhappy? The visual showcases people and their net worth but the ones with the least seem to be happier! Zay overall delivered great lyricism and great stories from his battles with alcohol to the life of fatherhood he was plunged into early in his life. Whether you have personal issues or you are just a hip hop lover or you just want some feel good music, this album is for you! (ft Shettima)

Solange - A Seat At The Table

This album is probably my personal favourite of 2016 lol I know I say that a lot but everyone needs to listen and bask in such greatness and talent. Solange stands out to be an amazing artist with impeccable fashion sense and she exhibits both in lyrics and visuals. This album talks about the struggles of being a black person whether is being killed, discriminated and even struggles of black people in history. She narrates these situations in such a way that you can't help but vibe, and the interludes also tell their own stories. I could go into how every song makes me feel but that will make this post too long as I'm not sure I can summarise the moods lol. 'Rise', 'Cranes In the Sky' &'Don't touch my hair' are my favourite tracks! The piano keys, jazz feel and stories of pain, pride, sorrow and more makes the album a confirmed classic in my books. Solange has always been an artist who has stayed true to her roots and to be very honest that one of the many reason I adore her. For the love of great creativity and real music I recommend this classic work of art to everyone!!

A Tribe Called Quest - We Got It From Here... Thank you for your service

If you love real hip hop then you need to know a few tribe songs! Though it is their first album in 18years, it still had lyricism as expected. The project discusses the issues happening today like tolerance, discrimination and of course America's 2016 Election. Tribe kept to their amazing delivery on a bohemian funk vibe which has inspired rappers like Andre 3k. 'Melatonin', 'Kids' and 'Ego' are my most played tracks. The album may have missed a little more of Phife (Rest In Peace) but overall the production, features and lyricism are great and you can't help but vibe to it.

Alicia Keys - Here

Alicia has almost always made an album about her life stories and every time it gets better.  This project talks about her 'Blended Family', beauty standards on 'Girl Can't Be Herself' and many other issues. 'Holy War' which might be my favourite, is a plea for tolerance and equality which is one of the biggest issues in our world today. Like always the vocals were perfection and so was the production. Despite the fact that she has made anthems in her career like 'Fallin' and made us fall in love with New York on'Empire State of Mind', this work of art felt like  it had a deeper heartfelt  songwriting just to create anthems and a classic!

Bruno Mars - 24K Magic

From his first work Doo-Woops & Hooligans, Bruno has found a way to win our hearts. A definition of a pop star he is as he can sing, dance, love you 'Just the way you are' and even catch a 'Grenade' for you 😆. Over time he has made many hits whether his or featured like Travis McCoy's'Billionaire' & one of my favourites 'Uptown Funk'. In my opinion whether you dance on not Bruno has put you in a better mood with his art. Like fashion trends from the past that make a comeback, music with 80's vibe seem to be greatly enjoyed by everyone including millennials and Bruno executes it perfectly on this project. The songs range from 80's dance to Pop with songs like '24K Magic' and 'Versace on the floor'. Thanks to Bruno, if you are having a bad day or you just feel like listening to a happy fun album, this is the album for you! (ft Bobby)

Belly - Inzombia

Belly has been one of those artists that has stayed consistent on his projects. I became a fan after hearing 'Might not' ft The Weeknd. Another Day In Paradise is probably one of my most appreciated albums this year and Inzombia falls in the Top 10 mixtapes. Belly is one of the most lyrical rappers of recent times but people don't usually notice that from the kind of music he makes. Inzombiais one of those projects that you can sit back and just vibe to and go on a ride of emotions on repeat, it constitutes of many stand out tracks like 'Consuela' with his narcos themed rhymes and great guest verses from Young Thug and Zack though Thugga went off topic lol. It goes from thought provoking songs like 'Die Alone' to heartbreak songs like 'The Day I Met You' giving everyone a song to enjoy for a particular mood. 'Actin Different' and 'Outkast' ft Ty Dolla $ign are my most played as they low-key put me in a happy motivational mood. Belly is definitely one to look out for and I see him getting his due credit very soon. (ft Shettima)

What albums have you been listening to?

Happy Holidays‼

photos via iTunes!