'1950', King Princess

December 12, 2019 by earlaina whitt

I chalk it up to my age to justify me not knowing too much going on in the pop world. There are so many songs that I hear, and I’m like “Who is this?” just like my mom used to do with me while I was singing ‘…Baby One More Time’ in the backseat of the car. I recently heard about King Princess through a colleague. He recommended I listen to ‘1950’, a song of hers released in 2018. I listened to it on my ride home and was in awe. It’s simple yet complex, perfect combination for a great pop song. I think it may be time to stop saying I’m too old to check out new stuff.

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Throwback, No Thursday-'Come Over', Faith Evans

December 10, 2019 by earlaina whitt

I’m a lover of R&B, and lately I’ve been falling into a rabbit hole of Bad Boy. Puff had an ear for GOODT R&B. Finding both amazing singers and producers, he always knew how to place things together and make them blend. Faith Evans debut album is one of legend but to me, this song stands out something crazy. Melodies, lyrics, blending BGVS, and an amazing bridge. I love a bridge. Take a moment later and revisit this album, you might find a gem or five that you vibe with.

Enjoy.

(Don’t ask why Spotify put this generic album cover up, I have no idea. Sunsets are cute I guess)

Soundcloud Treasures-'Royalty' The Mixtape, Childish Gambino

December 10, 2019 by earlaina whitt

I’m in the process of researching for a piece I’m working on covering Donald Glover. I noticed this morning that ‘Because The Internet’ was released today in 2013. I started listening to the album, impressed all over again by Gambino finding his voice as an artist. As the album progressed, a switch in a beat of a song made me want to dig up this gem linked below. We can always count on Soundcloud to give us what we miss from our dead file sharing sites.

With features from RZA, Bun B, & Ghostface, it was apparent that he was in a space where he was respected by his OGs and his peers alike. Released on July 4th of 2012, we found him in his own stride, in his own lane, making the music he wanted to make.

Ratchet Donald is my favorite.

Childish Gambino has been sprinkling a few tracks here and there leading up to today, the release of Royalty. Featuring Production by Myke Murda, Skywlkr & Ludwig and Boy-1da and including established and upcoming like Beck, Ghostface Killah, RZA, ScHoolboy Q, AB-Soul, Bun B and Danny Brown. www.madsubculture.pt

'Love You Too Much', Lucky Daye

December 09, 2019 by earlaina whitt

Ah, cuddle season jams. From the album ‘Painted’, released this past May, Grammy Nominated artist Lucky Daye is setting a part from his counterparts. Soulful, current, and nostalgic all at once.

Enjoy.

'Reverend', Smino

December 09, 2019 by earlaina whitt

Smino is definitely one of the most consistent rappers that are out and active right now. We can always count on him with a nice lil bop but I think we get hypnotized with his musicality and forget that he can actually spit. Released back in August, this song definitely showcased just that.

Enjoy.

Solange Performs Super Medley on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

December 09, 2019 by earlaina whitt

Our beloved Solo Star is still on an amazing run performing beautifully crafted performances after dropping ‘When I Get Home’ back in March. I considered the album ‘trap jazz’. If you’ve never listened to it, it’s definitely worth a stream. Probably one of my favorites that was released this year.

Five Lessons Learned From Hov

December 09, 2019 by earlaina whitt

We were recently honored to finally get Jay Z’s music back on Spotify this past week on December 4th, his birthday. Super flex if you ask me. However, I’m happy because now I don’t have to finesse a Tidal trial 3 times a year like I usually do.

As I dived back into the discography, I found myself happy to hear some of the songs I haven’t heard in a while. Like most late 20-somethings, Jay holds a special place in my heart. Every album dropped during my formative years shaped me in some way.

So for this installment of Lovestein’s Listens, here are five songs by our favorite uncle that taught me how to move in a room full of vultures. See what I did there?

“U Don’t Know’

Work, work, then work some more. The struggle is never pretty but if you’re maneuvering around it unscathed, you’re good. Play calculated and smart. Keep your options open and find ways to advance yourself further.

“Mama ain’t raise no fool, put me anywhere on God’s green earth I’ll triple my worth. I will not lose.”

‘Lost One’

Everybody can’t go, period. You find yourself in spaces after you’ve grown and matured, and the people you came up with look at you crazy. It’s amazing to think that friends can just separate and go their own ways after so much time put in. But it takes for you to understand that maybe you aren’t the problem. It could be them, and frankly, that doesn’t have to be your concern all the time.

“Time don’t back, it goes forward. Can’t run from the pain, go towards it”

‘American Dreamin’

Keep a plan. Know your strengths, weaknesses, pros, and cons. Everybody in this world got a thing they’re searching for. Sometimes people are chasing the same thing but you have to set yourself a part. What makes you special? What makes you worthy of having that one thing you want? Again, stay calculated and understand that end goal.

“Nothing wrong with aim, just gotta change your target”

‘Murder to Excellence’

Being Black in a certain level professionally is interesting. You’re happy to get to your goals and reach certain levels of success. But you find yourself asking “Do I even belong here?” You do. Allow yourself to thrive in these spaces. You worked hard just like everybody else, stay in the place you deserved and show them why you’re there. Own the kingdom you cultivated for yourself.

“Domino, domino. Only spot a few Blacks the higher I go.

‘Legacy’

After all the work, allow the fruit of labor to flourish in it’s rightful place. The foundations you build are for your family and the generations that will follow. And the foundation isn’t just money, it’s emotional. Generational curses could be done with you making one decision that wasn’t made by your ancestors. We’ve seen so much go bad in our families, and the fallouts from it. Imagine doing something good, exhibiting morality, and creating better habits for the future? Legacy lives on, always.

“See how the universe works? It takes my hurt and help me find more of my self. The gift and the curse.”

'Dreams, Fairytales, Fantasies', A$AP Ferg, Brent Faiyaz, & Salaam Remi

December 09, 2019 by earlaina whitt

Def got my lil diddy bop on to this. Ferg dropped a gem for the ladies on his latest album ‘Floor Seats’. Always count on Salaam Remi to give us a fire R&B joint for the fall. Brent Faiyaz assists on the track with a nice vibe that just makes you wanna cuddle.

Enjoy.