Mufasa: The Lion King Sound Track So by now, you know how much I adore Mufasa: The Lion King. It is leaps and bounds better than the live-action version of The Lion King. However, that soundtrack though!  Listen to podcast now. Spoilers included. It is composed by none other than Lin-Manuel Miranda and that might make me biased because of how much I love the music for Hamilton and Encanto. Mind you this soundtrack only has seven tracks but each one is impactful.  Ngomos- I loved this opening to the film because it took me back to the first time I went to the movies. It was to see Coming to America and I got the same feeling from the beginning of that movie when Mbube Wimoweh by Ladysmith Black Mambazo started playing. It was more of a nostalgic moment for me but a great way to start the movie.  Milele—This is a beautiful song that takes the time to lay the groundwork for the viewer to see and be a part of Mufasa’s destiny. I also really enjoyed hearing Anika Noni R...

Chevalier  Chevalier, starring Kelvin Harrison, Minnie Driver, and Ronke Adekoluejo, is on Hulu y'all! I dragged my daughter to watch this in the theaters with me and she was not feeling it. She told me that she was expecting to go to sleep. Sleep she did not because the movie was captivating and kept our interest. Honestly, the man was captivating and the way the story was told and the film was paced kept us interested.  Chevalier follows the life of a real person who was born to a slave and a nobleman. Joseph Bologne was brought to London by his father to learn and be great because even as a young child, his father recognized the greatness in him. Among his many talents, being an accomplished violinist and formidable fencer were the most popular and widely known.  There is romance, drama, tension, foolish choices, and tragedy that kept the story going. I cannot imagine the confidence, arrogance, and boldness, he must have had to accomplish what he did in such a time. Th...

  ICU by Coco Jones Music Musings Music and sound can be very helpful tools in our stress management practice. I have a “Feel Good” playlist that I listen to whenever I need a mood boost. It is filled with songs that just make me smile or give me a confidence booster. Then there are songs that make me smile because they remind of me someone or an event, or they are just nostalgic.  I happen to be a romantic at heart and beautiful love songs to equally beautify melodies get me every time which is why we are featuring Coco Jones ICU.  I have watched Coco Jones as Hilary Banks on Bel Air and had no idea she was also a singer until this song was released. The song is beautiful to me for several reasons. The first one is that the melody is just pleasing to my spirit and plays so smoothly over my ears. Her voice accompaniment makes me sway and reminisce. The lyrics are everything as well.  I love love. I have experienced love that is all-encompassing and just makes you fee...

Listen to the Podcast Music can be a wonderful stress reliever which is one of the reasons why I have it as part of my stress management tool kit. Psych Central has a great article that details some of the benefits of music titled, The Power of Music to Reduce Stress .  Muni Long - Hrs And Hrs is my new 🔥🔥🔥🔥 joint that I have been listening to.  This song is absolutely beautiful. I have been listening to it on repeat for a while now.  Hrs and Hrs,  Muni Long   Yours, mine, ours I could do this for hours Sit and talk to you for hours I wanna give you your flowers And some champagne showers Order shrimp and lobster towers But it's me that gets devoured Ooo When you do what you do Im empowered You give me a superpower Together the world could be hours You sit me up on the counter Instantly it's thundershowers Storming for a couple hours When we finish take a shower I could do this for hours And hours And hours I could do this for hours And hours And hours I cou...

I don't need you to lower the bar for me. I know I'm Superwoman. I know I'm strong. I know I've got this cause I've had it all along. I'm phenomenal and I'm enough. - Kelly Clarkson, Broken and Beautiful  Not only should you engage in smiling to help with stress but also believe that you are phenomenal and you are enough. No matter what we are going through, we have the strength to change the tide.  @wandatobyrn ##StressWellTip Smiling reduces stress. Smile with me 🧘🏾‍♀️ ##smiletherapy ##AffrimationFriday I am enough! ♬ original sound - Glitterandlazers

Never imagined I would ever be free from your story. Staring in the face of it. I finally see I am everything I need. - Safe Page, Laura Mvula Laura Mvula's songs always move me. This new release is no different. I have been listening to it on repeat. I like to think of all the hard situations in life that I have overcome to get to where I am today. When I think of safe passage, I think of those people in my life who have provided me with a safe space to express myself or a shoulder to cry on or an ear to vent to, or just their presence.  There are times when you have to be your own safe passage from your own story, and it may take a few trips to realize that you can break free. It may not be easy but we are capable of overcoming and thriving. You are everything that you need and you can exemplify that by not giving up on yourself. Check out her video on Youtube

Chloe x Halle has been on my favorite list ever since I discovered them singing away on Youtube before they were signed to Beyonce's record album. I was equally excited to see them in concert as I was to see Beyonce when they opened for her second On the Run tour. When I think of stress less, uplifting music, their album is my go-to. So, I was excited to see their Tiny Desk (Home) Concert uploaded to Youtube about a week ago. It is a lovely 20 minutes and that last song- 🔥🔥🔥!

What are you listening to? I have been bumping Chole X Halle's new album, Ungodly Hour . It is giving me a morsel of peace in these crazy times. I am a little biased. I absolutely love their singing style and how their voice blends together. I love how they stay true to themselves and make music that they care about instead of catering to the masses. It is so much better when an album becomes popular organically.  Chloe and Halle have shown some maturity in this new album from the musicality, lyrics, and videos. It is nice to see their progression into womanhood. From the intro, you already know they mean business. It is simple and a little jarring because they don't sound like the little girls we were introduced to from their Youtube days, doing covers.  Ungodly Hour follows their follow up to their 2018 Kids are Alright album and it is just as enjoyable if not more. The intro on the album is almost like an introduction to the new them. They do not need to ask permission to m...

Chloe X Halle stepped up the sexy in their new video for Do it . They are putting out the grown and sexy vibe while keeping it classy. It is no secret that I am a fan of these ladies and have been ever since their Youtube days before they were signed by Beyonce. Keeping it cute. Oh oh oh. That's just what I do do do.  And that's just how we do it I am a fan of their melodic voices and the ability to put their own spin on different musical arrangements. Chloe X Halle have made their own lane and steered away from pandering to what is expected of two young talents commercially. The purist homage to art is to be true to your artistry regardless of outside influences and they have seemed to navigate that world well. Since I am on my girl power bandwagon, their new song keeps that flow going. When I want to feel good or big myself up, I play a song that speaks to how fly I am or at the very least, should be feeling. It's a smooth flow that you can play and vibe to....

What are you listening too? I am jamming to Kelly Rowland's Coffee Listen there was so much coffee up in her video that I was in awe. It is a beautiful display of melanin magnificence. Kelly Rowland is giving us so much sex appeal in this bad boy. She got her melanin glistening in the sun with barely hidden boobs clad in sheer white. Whether you like your coffee black or with creme, the video got you.  Pardon my sincerity You know I'm a rarity My love be your therapy All around remedy Baby, who instead of me? - Coffee, Kelly Rowland My favorite part of her lyrics. We better recognize how awesome we are! In a relationship, we should be each other's remedy. If you are not bringing healing and growth to the table then about-face and get your butt out of here. The melody and smooth feel is a nice flow. This is a smooth sexy single.

What are you listening to? I am always listening to a little bit of this and a little bit of that. This time around my little bit of that is Laura Mvula. She is a British singer with three albums that I have spent quite some time binging on. There are so many singles of hers that I absolutely love and I feel capture our spirit and emotions in action. Her voice and melodies are soothing and stirring all at the same time. I have many favorites from her but her cover of Coldplay's Magic is phenomenal. I just love love love her version. I am a true romantic at heart and the lyrics to this song tug at my sentimental side (yes, I do have one). I have been in love and remember what that true love feels like. Mvula's version of this song reminds me of that. Love is definitely magic and when you hold on to it and continue to believe in it, there is always hope. Even when you have lost love, we should never let go of the belief that we can love again or be loved in return. It is a b...

When the lyrics are enough. Music is another tool I use to maintain my sanity and sometimes, I do not really need to say anything about the song or the feeling it invokes. The melody and lyrics are self explanatory. What you get out of it is a personal experience. I simply enjoy sharing music that uplifts me, inspires me, and overall makes me feel good. Vertigo by Khalid is one of those songs. Image by Gerd Altmann  Vertigo Khalid Are we better off believing What the ignorance suggests? I wish living life was easy (life was easy, yeah) But mine has been a mess They say it comes with the seasons, mhm But the seasons comes and go, they go I go blurry when I'm thinking Is it me or vertigo? Criticized, who am I to give up? And breathing, what's the reason to let up Sympathize, who am I to give up? Putting on my favorite record on Are we alive? Or are we dreaming? After the ride Are you leaving? Are we alive? (Riding this, riding in this) Or are we drea...

Emeli Sandé is one of my favorite artists. Her voice is beautiful and soothing at the same time. Her songs uplift my spirit. Extraordinary Being is a single on her album Real Life and was also associated with X-Men's Dark Pheonix. I listen to it when I need a reminds of how fabulously awesome I am. No long post needed as the song and lyrics are enough and convey the gloriousness of our existence. Lyrics Hey, yeah You are what God imagined, you are a true perfection Baby, you're made of stars, don't let nobody tell you different You are a lot of soul, mixed with a lot of magic Look how the sky turns gold every time you're dancing You deserve all the love, why don't you let it in? Don't punish who you are for who once you have been You've got a heart of fire, it's gonna take you higher Just let it flow, look at you glow, you gotta know That you're an extraordinary being Yes, you're an extraordinary being See, your anatomy is made ...

A few years ago I posted about Sydney Guillaume, a Haitian choral composure, whose work is being sung by choirs all over the world. Through his art and talent, he is sharing Haitian culture and exposing our marvelous resilience throughout the world. Check out my previous post and his song Twa Tanbou. Kanaval is not new but always puts me in a good mood. It makes me want to get up and dance and revel in the glory of my life. The second song I want to highlight is titled Gagot which basically means a hot mess. I really enjoy this composition because I think it not only captures the essence of the Haitian people but also what life is all about. Often times, we expect or would like to live in this perpetual state of joy and happiness when in reality to live life is to push through layers upon layers of mess. On the surface, it may seem like a bleak understanding of our existence, but the miracle is in our ability to push forward and create moments of joy and happiness and fulfill...

Music inspires me. Research has shown that music can affect mood, anxiety, stress and overall wellbeing.  I have a "Feel Good" playlist of songs that I know put me in a good mood and I play it whenever I need a little pick me up. Solange's single Stay Flo is one of the songs that puts me in a relaxed, vibing groove. It inspired me to write my latest cinquain about letting life flow. If we do not learn how to move through the ups and downs of life, we will be bogged down with disappointments instead of working towards moving through time. We cannot get stuck or stay still because we will find that time has moved on without us and we could have made moves. Stay Flo Problems  come and go, good times don't seem to last yet joy's in my spirit, going with  the flow by WMT Check out the Stay Flo Lyrics

Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought. -E. Y. Harburg I love to post about the songs that I am listening to because that is one of the things that I use to help manage my day, life, mental stability, and stress 😜. Music is an easy tool to have in your stress management toolbox. Janet Jackson has put out so many great albums that I thought I would take a listen to one of my favorites. Janet Jackson All for You Janet Jackson's All for You album was released on April 24, 2001. That's a whole teenage adult ago. Much has happened over the last 18 years but this album is still fire. I do think the album did not get as many accolades as her previous releases. The album has a little bit of something for everyone. It has sexy (Love Scene, Would you Mind), dance (Doesn't Really Matter), hurt (Truth), fun (All for You) and pissed off (Trust A Try, Son Of a Gun). My favorite dance track is Doesn't Really Matter...

Roses by Gashi (who sounds like Post Malone or Post Malone sounds like him IDK 😄) is this hot track that I recently added to my 2019 playlist. I have a thing for smooth laid back beats and melodies. At first, it really sounds like a sexy joint. The lyrics though had me thinking about how people find themselves in a repeating cycle of hurt and pain in the name of love. I think the title is on point because it correlates with the roses (honeymoon) phase in the cycle of abuse. Are we not allowing ourselves to be abused emotionally when we continually allow someone to hurt us and when they come back with apologies, roses, and gifts we forgive them and let them back in only to do it all over again? http://www.safetynetnipissing.ca/what-is-abuse/ The theory behind the idea of falling into a cycle of abuse is that there are three or four periods. Boy meets girl and it's great, lovely and all is right in the world. Then at some point, an incident happens. Sometimes it starts smal...

Afrowave 3 by Afro B Afro B's Afrowave 3 release has been playing nonstop of my playlist this week. Particularly track 15 entitled Melanin. Every now and then, you may need a little mood stimulator and music is one of the best ways to elevate one's mood. Black women do not always get mainstream love so when someone takes the time to celebrate us and the skin we are in, I have to give it some props. The entire Afrowave 3 album is fire. Melanin is one of my favorite tracks. It has a smooth, laid back groove that has me swaying back and forth, enjoying the vibes. Just know that you are beautiful in your skin!

Otherhood with Angela Bassett led me to Further by Correatown and I am fairly certain that I am not the only one. I'm so mad at myself that I did not know about this song eight years ago when it first came out. I probably was not in the appropriate place to receive it but I receive it now. Otherhood is a Netflix movie starring Angela Bassett, Felicity Huffman (currently is a bit of drama for some really poor privileged choices, but I digress)  and Patricia Arquette as mothers who are being ignored by their adult sons. They decide to do a surprise visit on their kids and the fun ensues. It is a cute movie. Maybe I related to it a bit because I anticipate that will be my case with my son. He does a really good job of ignoring me now except when he needs something of course. I am hoping the teenager boy bug will fade away as he grows into adulthood. Unfortunately, for Carol (Angela Bassett), Helen (Felicity Huffman), and Gillian (Patricia Arquette) their son's were waist-dee...

Lizzo I love you Concert Tour I had the wonderful privilege of attending Lizzo’s “I Love you” concert and it was absolutely freaking phenomenal. I love you is 1000% the best name for the tour. She is unapologetically raw. She radiates self-confidence and self-love. Whether or not it is a front, does not even matter to me. I say this because ultimately, we never know what a person is going through when the lights go out and the mind starts churning. Artists are especially hard on themselves and oftentimes suffer from self-doubt because they are critical of not only their craft but also their ability. I imagine this is what allows them to strive for perfection.  Regardless of what is going on inside that creative mind of hers, I love how Lizzo gives the most positive, radiant self-love vibe. She sang her heart out and left her lungs on that stage. Her energy and that of her dancers was off the chart. I was exhausted and my voice was hoarse afterward. I came home and fell ou...