Throwback Joint: Come Close by Common feat. Mary J. Blige

This is, by far, one of the sweetest songs and music videos ever created; my heart melts literally every time I watch it. As I have mentioned numerous times before, I love Common. He is such a solid musician. I you were paying attention to the news yesterday, you may have heard some of the to-do buzzing around concerning Common’s invitation to a White House poetry event. Faux News even went as far as to call Common a “vile rapper” which, in my opinion, is laughable. That is all I will say concerning that topic. Sit back, relax, enjoy, and reminisce…

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My Favorite Albums of All Time

I haven’t done a music post in a while so I decided to share some of my favorite albums with you all. These are 7 of my favorite albums of all time along with a couple songs from each album that I am particularly fond of. Enjoy the music!

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Easily my favorite album of all time. Once I had heard Lauryn’s gorgeously raspy vocals coupled with those thought-provoking lyrics, I was sold. This is actually the album that got me into listening to hip-hop. 

Ex-Factor

Lost Ones

Like Water for Chocolate

This is such a cohesive album! From the brilliant production to the brilliant name to the brilliant cover, it is so much more than just standard rap music. It extends far past those boundaries. It is pure art.

The Light
Nag Champa (Afrodisiac For The World)

Frank

Amy Winehouse is bloody amazing. Point blank. Period. I LOVED her album Back To Black, but Frank (her debut album) will forever have a special place in my heart.

Know You Now
In My Bed

Mama’s Gun

This is such a smooth album, from start to finish. It’s soulful, it’s introspective, it’s daring. It’s everything that I look for in good music.

Times A Wastin'

A.D. 2000

Fantastic, Vol. 2

I mean, J Dilla solely produced this album (all except for 2 tracks). Of course it’s going to be amazing! All you need to do is find a comfortable spot to lie down, grab some good headphones, and allow the beautiful, mellow sounds of this album to wash all over you. That’s what I do! I believe I have listened to Fall N Love well over 300 times on my iTunes.

Fall N Love

Untitled (Fantastic)

Black On Both Sides

I feel this is Mos Def’s best solo album by far. I love the strong messages in his lyrics. I always feel so inspired after listening to this.

Umi Says

Climb

Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite

This is an album for the grown & the sexy. I love every single track and I really appreciate his jazz infused sound. Maxwell is such an amazing artist; I can’t wait for his new album to drop!

Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)
Sumthin' Sumthin'

What are your favorite albums of all time? Leave them in a comment and I’ll be sure to give them a listen!

Let's Take A Moment to Recognize Some Real Hip-Hop

This is just a very small sampling of that real, unadulterated, straight from the soul hip-hop that you don’t find too much anymore; that music that actually sounds like the artists put some thought into what they were saying before they recorded it. I will love true hip-hop forever and I don’t think she’s dead (you’ll have to excuse me, I like speaking in metaphors). I think hip-hop is in a coma and she’s trying to wake up but the music industry has a pillow over her face, forever trying to stifle her and keep her silent. A good number of these so called "hip-hop" artists running around nowadays are what I like to call "media puppets" because that is their main concern: their image and the way they are portrayed in the media. If they put the same amount of effort they put in their image into their music, then they would be worthy of being called true hip-hop artists. But for now I will just refer to their brand of music as commercial rap...actually that's a little too long for me to write so I'll just abbreviate it as c.rap. Anywho, this is just my humble opinion. As far as I am concerned, as long as there is at least 1 artist still making true hip-hop, hip-hop is alive. Enjoy the music :)

I deal with the real, so if it’s artificial let it be.

Throwback Joint: The Light by Common

I haven’t posted a throwback in a minute. This song is so beautiful, it takes me to a happier place whenever I hear it. There is just something about the video too, its simplicity & its natural beauty, that allows one to really focus on the words of the song which tell of an unconditional love. You know, that type of love that people dream about for so long until they finally meet that person and once that happens, nothing else even matters. Life is complete and the candle in your heart which was once so dim is now illuminated so brightly by the light.  Enjoy.

There is a light that shines, special for you & me :)