Hello there! We’re back with another playlist. Those who know me, know that I am a certified music lover. Music has been a massive part of my existence since I joined the school choir way back in 2010. Now, as an adult, I’ve grown to truly appreciate the art of song production. The lyrics, the vibes, the rhythms, the style, etc. Music is genuinely cathartic to me and I love to share the gift of music with others.
This playlist was created specifically for summertime vibes. These songs can be your best friend on your late-night drives with your boo-thang, a bonfire with some close friends, and everything in between. Follow me as I hit on a few of my personal favorites from the list. Be sure to comment with your favorites tracks from the playlist; after you download it, of course.
Deja Vu (Live) by Teena Marie
I’m going to go out on a limb and say the opening track to this playlist is my favorite by Teena Marie, AKA Lady T, AKA the Ivory Queen of Soul. Something about live performances always finds a way to my heart. It probably has to do with the roar of the crowd in the background or the extra emotion you hear behind the lyrics or the instrumental choices that differ from the studio version: I honestly could go on for days. Teena’s vocals in this rendition are out of this world, the resonance throughout the venue is electrifying, even through the speakers. There’s one specific bridge in the song that just explodes into a euphoric vibe once it reaches its apex. You’ll know it when you hear it.
Listen to the track here.
Danger by Erykah Badu
The definition of a feel-good bop. A head-knocker if I’ve ever heard one. The instrumentation in this song is absolutely insane. Erykah Badu is a true R&B queen. I know in my heart that every single piece and part of this song was produced and proofed with a fine-tooth comb. Queen Erykah did not come to play with you all! I don’t even know what else to say about this masterpiece, if you’re not hip, don’t disrespect your ears any longer and listen to it A.S.A.P.
Listen to the track here.
Sometimes by H.E.R
Singer-Songwriters have a special place in my music-loving heart. When an artist writes their own music directly connected to personal experiences, it certainly hits different and there’s no denying it. Let’s look at the receipts. Mariah Carey, 19 number ones. 18 of which, were written by Mariah. H.E.R has those same songwriting abilities and Sometimes is an exhibition of her raw skill. The chorus says,
Sometimes sh*t don't go your way, sometimes
And sometimes you gon' have those days, yeah
And sometimes you'll feel out of place
You can't promise me it'll be the same
' Cause sometimes change
Did you feel that? Because I sure did. Songs are uber-powerful when they really get those deep into those human experiences that we all have encountered. Every person reading this has gone through a storm that occurred when we thought all of our ducks were in a row. How do we handle those storms? By accepting that we can’t control what we can’t control. H.E.R hit the nail on the head with this one.
Listen to the track here.
If these songs caught your attention, please take the time to listen to the rest of these handpicked gems for your listening pleasure. I got y’all on Spotify and Apple Music. :)
Happy listening.
For my Spotify folks
For my Apple Music folks
Comments