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....

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 ...

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...

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...

Janelle Monae is Screwed. Her new single is fun yet sends a strong, if not on the cusp of controversal for some, message. She has never shied away from political messages and speaking her mind. Screwed is not different. I enjoy the song because it has a fun and whimsical side to it while being in your face at the same time. She is one person that is not ashamed to to take a stand for what she believes in. Whether you agree with her social/political commentary, her music is one to be reckoned with.

I, like I imagine a lot of other people do, use music to help me through all types of situations in life. Music is just one artistic avenue that we can use to help us heal an cope with life's up and downs. This song Lovely by Billie Eilish ft. Khalid is one of those songs that resonates with my spirit. First of all the melody lulls me into a very peaceful and comfortable place. The lyrics, on the other hand, are anything but. For me, they tell of a struggle, a fight in which the person is not letting herself lose. No matter how tough it may be or how long it takes, she is not giving up. From one perspective it can seem depressing but I choose to see where she still believes in herself enough not to give up. And that she also has an understanding that this is just a moment that she will get through. However, there a times when we have to go through it. I honestly do not know what is meant by "welcome home" but I interpret it as life has its ups and downs and when ...

Miguel's Coffee Music has been shown to help with stress relief. You will constantly read from me how the arts are important to our overall wellbeing and stress managment. If a regular dose of music is not part of your daily regiment then make some time to start including it. In general, I miss R&B. I miss listneing to it as much as I used to. R&B can be the soundtrack to my life. I have been working on listening to it more again. There are some wonderful R&B artists out there. I love Miguel's Coffee. Sometimes it is okay to get lost in a beautiful moment between two people. That is what this song reminds me of. A little slice of getting lost away from the hustle, bustle and daily demands of responsibilities.

Could this be love? Could I be out of my mind or could I be caught up in the thought of spending time? -Vivian Green, I Don't Know Vivian Green's I Don't Know reminds me of new love. New love creates such a natural high that a girl could definitly lose herself. This is a fun and playful song with a good message. No matter how good it feels, we need to pause and make sure it is real because the "newness" of it all can cloud judgment.

So we just going to keep let the foreigners kill the R&B game? Maybe I need to do better in following US singers. At any rate, Best Part by Daniel Caesar is a melodic beauty. Simple and moving. "If you love me won't you say something." If is nostalgic to me.

Fifth Harmony's Fifth Harmony Fifth Harmony's new self titled album has been out since August with hit singles Down and He Like That . I have been bopping my head to the album for the last couple of weeks. The clean version is my go to when I am riding in the car with the kids, which annoys them to no end because they would rather listen to their crap music, but guess who's smiling the entire time. The album has ten tracks and I think that is not enough. I would have liked a couple more songs to round it out. They have the right amount of up tempo versus slow but it could have done with a good ballad to show off their vocals a little more. All in all, I am enjoying the album. It has some fun, sexy songs and some uplifting ones as well. Rate: 9/10, I am really feeling He Like That right about now and the video is pretty hot and sexy. These young women have come a long way since X-Factor. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Ever get butterflies when someone you like is around but they do not know it. It has been a long time since I have had a crush but Yuna and Usher capture that feeling really well in their single, "Crush." It is funny watching my kids grown up and go through their crushing phases. How do you tell your kids to cherish these moments. They do not get it. They want to rush through life. Then they will rely on nostalgic songs to remind them of their childhood.

Shining Beyonce Shinin', shinin', shinin', shinin', yeah (Shinin', yeah) All of this winnin', I've been losin' my mind, yeah (Losin' my mind) Oh, hold on, hold on, baby Don't (don't) try to (try to) Slow me down (down) Hold on, don't (don't) try to (try to) Slow me down In order to accomplish big things in this life or go for higher goals, we have to have a level of confidence that is not going to allow others to deter us. It is not about taking advice or listening to wisdom, but about blocking out the haters. Sometimes the negativity could come from those that are closest to you, sometimes it can even be yourself. We have to get to a point that we do not let our efforts get dampened by the naysayers. That may mean putting on a great song that gets you motivated and pushing forward like Shining by Beyonce does for me.

This is just a beautiful song. Ledisi's voice has always been phenomenal. If you have love in your life, be thankful for it, treasure it, nurture it, get high off of it.

Fifth Harmony's holding you Down. I have loved this group ever since X-Factor days. I was sorry to see them go down to four instead of five but I am loving this new single nevertheless.

Get your dance on with Kelly Rowland in her fun video, Dumb. I love the song, love the video, love the dancing. I play it in the morning when I want to get the blood flowing with a quick three minute heart pumping dance. She also has a wonderfully infectious smile that will do well to brighten your day. Smile and dance along. Get your natural morning high going. Get dumb :).

Hidden Figures, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe and Kevin Costner, grossed just a little over 22 million to beat out Rouge One for he number one box office spot this weekend, and I could not be more excited. It is a fabulous film with fine acting and well put together dialogue and cinematography. In Hidden Figures "three brilliant African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) -- serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world." Based on the true story of Johnson, Vaughan and Jackson, this film brought to light not only their involvement but the countless women of color and women all together who contributed to a significant moment in history against all od...

Need instant stress relief. Laugh a little or a lot. Laughter is medicine. I enjoy watching Toby Baker's voice overs. They always lighten up my mood. This one below was one of my first ones. Do a search for Tony Baker on Facebook for more. Fun stuff.

How you feel about yourself can greatly impact how you deal with life's stressors. Self belief and love gives us an extra drive, boost, and zest for life. Know that no matter what you go through or what hardships may fall upon you, inside you were created to handle them and they only add to the beautiful tapestry of your life. Day to day we experience emotional ups and downs. Life is not withouth pain and sorrow. Take those times and let it motivate you and drive you to keep on going because it is about living through those experience to enjoy the love of family and friends and making new connections. Love yourself enough to know that your life is worth living. Love yourself enough to know never to give up. Love yourself enough to know that all of these things add to  your beauty. Know that you are beautiful, scars and all. Check out Alessia Cara's - Scars To Your Beautiful below. Perfect song for some self love today.