6 Songs That Help Me Get Through

Like I always say, music is such a huge part of who I am. When I’m going through a rough patch in my life or when I am just searching for a dosage of daily inspiration, I always go to my iTunes. The power that a single song possesses is immense and is often times the best medicine for a wounded soul. During the past year and a half of my life, I went through more trials than I ever have in my 20 years on this planet. There were times when the words of encouragement my friends and family gave me simply weren’t enough to ease the pain I was going through on the inside. It was during these moments when I found solace in the sweet, raspy voice of Lauryn Hill, the spirit-gripping lyrics of Dead Prez, and the hypnotizing cadence of Bob Marley. The songs I listened to gave me reassurance that everything would be okay in the end. They challenged me to act wisely. Their rhythms put my mind to rest. Their content gave me hope. These are just a few of those songs, just click on their names under the photos. Enjoy!

“See, I picks my friends like I pick my fruit & Ganny told me that when I was only a youth

I don't go 'round trying to be what I'm not, I don't waste my time trying to get what you got

I work at pleasin' me cause I can't please you, and that's why I do what I do

My soul flies free like a willow tree, doo wee doo wee do wee…”

Appletree by Erykah Badu

“Sometimes you just have to let it go 

Leaving all my fears to burn down
Push them away so I can move on…”

Closer to My Dreams by Goapele

“Life can bring us through many changes, it’s alright. Just don't give up and know it's gonna be alright.

People come and they go, it's just the way that it goes. Everything is everything, it’s alright.”

Alright by Ledisi

“Beware the false motives of others. Be careful of those who pretend to be brothers

And you never suppose it's those who are closest to you, to you.

They say all the right things to gain their position, then use your kindness as their ammunition

To shoot you down in the name of ambition, they do..”

Forgive Them Father by Lauryn Hill

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds

Have no fear for atomic energy ‘cause none of them can stop the time

How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand aside and look?

Some say it's just a part of it, we've got to fulfill the book.”

Redemption Song by Bob Marley

“We can't be stopped if we don't give up, even though they hold us back we still find ways to come up

A lot of people make promises with no plans to keep 'em. But me, no matter what I'm ridin' till I get my freedom

If I fail, then it's only a challenge to go harder. Don't want to be no martyr so I adapt to things smarter

It's death before dishonor. And I put that on my son and my momma

And don't take it as a threat, that's a promise.”

If I Fail by Dead Prez

What are the songs that help you through tough times?Leave them in a comment! 


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The Most 'Slept On' Musicians (In My Humble Opinion)

These are just some of the many artists I feel do not get the recognition they deserve for the music they make. It seems that all the artists that stimulate my mind through their music are the ones who no one has really heard of or the ones that people have heard of but they just don’t really listen to. These artists don’t get paid like those on the top 20 charts, but I feel that is just the cost of producing true art. It’s like how I feel about my clothes; my favorite pieces in my wardrobe are all things I bought from thrift store or vintage shops. Even though they aren’t where most people go to shop, some of the best things can be found in them. The things I find while thrifting are one of a kind, soulful, and express my personality more than anything else. That is the same way I feel about these underrated musicians.

Here they are & my favorite song from each of them in no particular order
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The Foreign Exchange

Come Around by The Foreign Exchange


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Pharoahe Monch

Hold On by Pharoahe Monch feat. Erykah Badu
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K-Os

I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman by K-Os

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Noisettes

Every Now And Then by Noisettes

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Rhymefest

Sister by Rhymefest

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Bilal

Sometimes by Bilal

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Ledisi

Alright by Ledisi

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This list doesn’t even skim the surface of the numerous artists who don’t get enough attention. Don’t even get me started about how I feel about genius hip-hop musicians who have been around for so long but who still have not been given the attention that they fully deserve such as The Roots, Talib Kweli & Slum Village. And those R&B/Soul singers whose voices are ten times stronger and more dynamic than half the media puppets they play on the radio…I’m talking about people like Donell Jones, Jaheim, Amel Larrieux, Raheem DeVaughn, Dwele, Vikter Duplaix, Avant, Donnie…the list just goes on & on. And it’s a dang shame. Crap is so easily accessible in the music world, if you want to be enlightened through music you have to actively search for that good good. It shouldn’t be that way, but unfortunately it is.