music is life .

Music is important. There’s a genre, artist, and song for every mood and occasion. My Papa got me a laptop in middle school, and I’d learn the lyrics to all my favorite songs. I’d go to a lyric website, copy and paste the lyrics into a Word document, and save it to my “lyrics” folder 😭

I grew up thinking I was an only child. My grandparents were a little protective, so I stayed in the house a lot until I started high school. In my free time, I listened to a lot of music. Every day, I couldn’t wait to get home and watch 106&Park, and at the end of the year, when they had their Notarized, Top 100 Music Videos of the Year, I was in front of the television, guessing who was at #1.

My dad is a DJ and his parents along with the majority of my aunts, uncles and cousins, can sing. My older siblings can hold a note or two, and I’m not too bad myself. As far as I know, my mom wasn’t a singer, but she had a musical ear; after all, her favorite was the one and only Mary J. Blige. My Nanny and Papa weren’t singers, but they always filled the home with the old school legends: Gerald Levert, the O’Jays, Isley Brothers, and even R. Kelly. Prince and Michael Jackson were my Nanny’s favorites.

I remember being in college, and with my friends, I was known to play the throwbacks. I’m a mid to late 90’s R&B, early 2000s-2016 R&B/Hip-hop girly. I enjoy artists such as Chris Brown, Kehlani, Ella Mai, H.E.R, Ciara, Jagged Edge, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Destiny’s Child, T.I., and the list goes on. If you’re around me and music is playing, you may hear throwbacks such as “Crank Dat” (Soulja Boy), “Unappreciated” (Cherish), and “Fergilicious” (Fergie). Of course, I can’t forget my praise music. Kirk Franklin (“Declaration [This Is It”]), Maverick City (“Promises” “Wait On You”), Elevation Worship (“O Come to the Altar”), Tasha Cobb (“You Know My Name”) are all part of that playlist.

Being in my zone with music is my safe place. I often imagine the artist and their process in the studio. When I’m getting ready in the mornings, when I take extra time in the bathroom, taking a shower, or maybe I’m in a “just because” mood. Regardless, you’ll be hearing me say, “hey Google, play some music.” “hey Google, volume 5.” 🤭🫣

Society gives artists such a hard time nowadays since social media has progressed. They can barely walk the streets without paparazzi in their face or hiding somewhere in a tree. Just like God has given me, and you, our own set of talents and gifts, God gave them the gift and talent of artistry. Personally, with that in mind, I show artists grace because if they were a regular Joe, would we really care about their lives and what’s going on?

Music is life. At least mine, anyway 🤷🏾‍♀️

Help me broaden my musical horizons. Which song do you have on repeat right now? Who needs to be added to my playlist?

Comment below.

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