April 25th, 2021
Summary: Ryan Beatty is Everything!
About Artist: Back in 2018 a student asked me if I’d heard of Ryan Beatty and told me they thought I would like them. It was true. His 2018 album Boy in Jeans was an album I fell deeply in love with. Ryan Beatty is an extremely talented vocalist and musician. His albums are cohesive and beautifully stitched together.
About Song: This track is just one of my favorites from his debut album Boy in Jeans. The album tells the story of his experiences of being gay in high school. I have so many favorite songs from this album, you really have to listen to the album all the way through to understand his genius. Ryan’s more recent sophomore album Dreaming of David is even more of a masterpiece and something I will surely post about soon.
Favorite Part: You have to listen to the full album!
Other: Ryan Beatty Wikipedia
April 12th, 2021
Summary: Português x Español x English
About Artist: There are ton of artists on this song including Tropkillaz (São Paulo Brazil), J Balvin (Colombia), Anitta (Rio de Janeiro Brazil) and MC Zaac (Diadema Brazil).
About Song: This song came out in spring 2019 and was one of my summer anthems for that summer. It is followup to the smash hit Vai Malandra.
Favorite Part: I love the funk carioca vibe. Tenho saudades do Brasil.
Other: Bola Rebola Wikipedia, J Balvin Wikipedia, Anitta Wikipedia, MC Zaac Wikipedia
March 22nd, 2021
Summary: Sometime it’s hard to tell if you are in heaven or in hell.
About Artist: Vic Mensa is from Chicago and is someone I started listening to around 2014 when he was feated on Chance the Rapper’s Cocoa Butter Kisses. Ty Dolla $ign helps sing the hook.
About Song: This song is the outro track to Vic Mensa’s debut album “The Autobiography” (2017)
Favorite Part: The chorus is really powerful. I love how this song touches on topics of sorrow, blessings, brutality, and desperation.
Other: Vic Mensa Wikipedia
March 21st, 2021
Summary: Watch me dance around them puddles.
About Artist: Daniela Andrade is a Honduran Canadian who has gained a following online by posting her covers of popular songs on Soundcloud and YouTube.
About Song: This song is a track off of Daniela’s 2020 EP “Nothing Much Has Changed, I Don’t Feel The Same”
Favorite Part: This song had me at the drop (0:23)
Other: Daniela Andrade Wikipedia
March 18th, 2021
Summary: This is dedicated to that ooh la.
About Artist: John Legend has a voice of gold and face that makes butter melt. I’ve been in love with him since 2003 when I first heard live album “Live at the Knitting Factory”. He has a come along away but he still cranks out the hits.
About Song: This song is the intro track to his recent 2020 album “Bigger Love”. I had ticket to see him in the fall of 2020 but we all know how that ended : (
Favorite Part: I like the old-timey doowap track with the deep bass drop at 0:09. I like the prechorus build and the way the chorus blossoms (0:37). And of course I just love John’s sexy sexy voice.
“You know I’m romantic,
I’d cross the Atlantic for that, Ooh-laa
I’ll wear my best tuxedo,
And you can undress me and we go, Ooh-laa” (1:08)
Other:
March 17th, 2021
Summary: One year later and we still in quarantine
About Artist: Todrick Hall is one of the most talented people in the biz. I’ve gone to many of his shows and he is one hell of a performer. I can’t say enough about his creativity, versatility and just his raw talent. He is a queer icon and all around entertainment threat.
About Song: This song is a remix of his earlier hit “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels”. This song is by no means my favorite Todrick Hall song but on the one year anniversary of my quarantine I thought it’d be appropriate.
Favorite Part: Love the concept and love that he’s spoofing his own song
Other:Todrick Hall Wikipedia
March 16th, 2021
Summary: Haunting, so haunting.
About Artist: Jensen McRae is a young folk singer songwriter from a biracial black and jewish background. Her career is still young with her first single having dropped in 2019. Her songs all have deep personal messages.
About Song: I like Jensen’s other work but this song is just so haunting. After I first hear it, her voice followed me in my head for days. This genre normally isn’t really my thing but wow, this song is something specials.
Favorite Part: I love how the verses flow into the chorus (1:00). Obviously her voice is a major part of what makes this song work.
Other Links: Jensen McRae
