It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE music fan, to me music is everything, I can't imagine a world without it. Music is such an empowering thing to have in this world as it does a beautiful job at capturing phases in our lives, acting as a great soundtrack for each phases and allowing us to shed the skin of our past experiences and turn them into lessons.
I thought it would be nice to share those life shaping songs with you today along with a little anecdote of why. It’s going to be a long one so buckle up, grab a snack or two and be sure to head to the playlist to the right of the post to find every single song all in one place.
soundtrack to my life
In 2003 Missy Elliott released her fifth studio album "This Is Not A Test" which was actually the very first album I owned, it served as a great introduction to her artistry and hip-hop overall, the production is so flawless and the arrangements are as unpredictable as ever. Missy spits rhymes and croons sultry ballads.
Timbaland and Missy Elliott set the standards high for others to follow, especially about taking risks and being experimental - stepping outside your comfortable zone and creating something that sees you evolving in all areas and seeing yourself as your only competition. And I love the fact that she tries not to conform which makes her different and makes each and every album she releases very unique, engaging, and exciting.
Tweet is one of my favorite singers of all time, she has such a haunting yet soulful, jazzy, smokey vocal range that beautifully compliments her bold lyrics. Her debut album "Southern Hummingbird" takes you on a very unique and soothing journey, as it's filled with a solid set of songs that expressed alot of honesty as if they're telling you the story of her life.
"Southern Hummingbird" - will have you in your feelings as she cuts through the bullshit from the jump, as you see a woman who willing to go the extra mile for love while knowing that will come to a painful end but she willing to risk it all, she loves hard like the rest of us. And on the flip side she tells you that you will go through your pain, sink in it, recognize it and then move on and realize your happiness is paramount.
Floetry's debut album 'Floetic' came out in 2002 and earned the British duo many accolades the whole world over but it`s extremely sad that they didn`t produce more albums beyond their two albums including their second and final album "Flo'Ology".
'Floetic' was a solid musical offering and a great introduction to these two and also pushed Neo soul music forward with a great mixture of poetry and soulful vocals.
'Floetic' was a solid musical offering and a great introduction to these two and also pushed Neo soul music forward with a great mixture of poetry and soulful vocals.
Lead singer Marsha Ambrosius has a very delightful voice to listen to and poet Natalie Stewart has a soothing voice, while offering some powerful lyrics about love and heartache. Giving this masterpiece of an album the edge and differentiates them from everyone else. My personal favourites have to be 'Headache', 'Mr Messed Up', 'Now Your Gone {More Than I Can Feel}' and 'Getting Late' which always had me in my feelings as I can heavily relate to the lyrics of wanting someone badly but the fear of getting hurt again makes it even harder "I see the memories we replayed, same space face bodies, I know there's a method to your manliness but I'm a afraid."
Jill Scott’s seductive debut "Who Is Jill Scott" is a timeless masterpiece that saw her laying a strong foundation for her artistry, so soulful and poetical. "Love slipped from my lips, dripped down my chin and landed in his lap....." sang the Philly songstress who beautifully showcased the quality of her voice – she is blessed with both power and restraint.
The minute I put on ‘Who is Jill Scott’ all the stresses of my world vanish into thin air, I close my eyes I can picture my past, present and future love. It`s such a mind blowing, conscious, positive, uplifting and spiritual journey, from start to finish.
She`s such a creative storyteller as she expresses herself so eloquently and honestly that it hurts when she sings about her feelings. This album touches you and makes you want more it makes you feel good and then sad. It takes you on a ride of emotions, my personal favorites are "Honey Molasses", "A Long Walk", "Do You Remember","Slowly Surely", "Love Rain" and "Show Me".
Teedra Moses' debut album "Complex Simplicity" was a such a refreshing and stylish musical offering with rich elements of old school jazz, hip-hop and soul all wrapped up in a very beautiful package. When the album arrived it was critically acclaimed and it housed two singles, the aforementioned "You'll Never Find" and "Be Your Girl".
This album literally from the beginning to the end is nothing short of amazing. Teedra's vocals are so unique and she beautifully displays all the layers within them and delivers lyrics with attitude and heart and also showcases alot of transparency that you as a listener hear her truth through her lyrics. Standouts are "Caution", "No More Tears", "Backstroke", "For A Lifetime" and "Caught Up".
In 2003 Beyonce stepped on the music scene as a solo act after years of being part of the legendary girl group Destiny`s Child. She released her breakthrough solo album "Dangerously In Love" which spawned the singles, "Crazy In Love", "Baby Boy", "Naughty Girl", "Me, Myself, and I".
When Mariah Carey released 'The Emancipation Of Mimi' she had a lot to prove because years prior to this release she had a huge mental meltdown on national television and had became the butt of many jokes after release of the disaster album and movie 'Glitter'.
What are some of the albums that y`all feel extremely connected to and have helped shape you?.
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