Summary: The truth is only what you get away with.
About Artist: Kanye West is an egomaniac who has done some horrible things. Having said that I still listen to Ye’s music.
Roddy Rich and Shensheaa are of a more recent generation, both in their mid 20s.
About Song: Pure Souls, Hurricane, Praise God, Jail, Jesus Lord, New Again, are just some of my favorite tracks from DONDA.
Favorite Part: I love the celebratory vibe.
Other:
DONDA (Wikipedia)
Roddy Rich (Wikipedia)
Shensheaa (Wikipedia)
Summary: Pure Nas with a fire verse from Ms. Hill
About Artist: Nas and Lauryn Hill are two of the greatest to ever do it.
About Song: Nas’s 14th album Kings Disease II dropped last week and this song “Nobody” is just one of many smooth classics on the album. Lauryn Hill has a great verse and it’s got those illmatic vibes.
Favorite Part:
“My awareness like Keanu in The Matrix
I’m savin’ souls and y’all complainin’ ’bout my lateness
Now it’s illegal for someone to walk in greatness” (3:15)
“I’m in the secret place, I keep a sacred space
They keep showin’ their hands, but keep hidin’ their face
If I’m a messenger, you block me then you block the message
So aggressive, the world you made is what you’re left with
Pride and ego over love and truth is fucking reckless
Y’all … got a death wish, the stupid leaves me breathless” (3:50)
Other:
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
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
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
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