Shake it to the east, shake it to the west
Since work has been doing the absolute most as of late, this week’s newsletter and potentially upcoming ones will be in this format if you don’t hate me. Instead of being extra wordy like life, I’m opting to be kind of a minimalist—until my libra ways kick back in.
Here are some of my recommendations that you should check out this week in the worlds of reading and music.
MUSIC AND PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO:
First and foremost, the new Rapsody album Eve is EVERYTHING. I always like Rapsody music--she's tight and lyrical and a storyteller and she has a nice flow. I do find however that for the most part, I have some songs by her that I love and the others that I skip and never listen to. This album, however, I've played from start to finish many times and I'm obsessed. The album makes me feel beautiful and powerful and I'm sure that was the intent of the album. It's like the ultimate female empowerment album full of bops like "Michelle" featuring Elle Varner that makes me want to shake it to the east and shake it to the west (listen to the song). "Hatshepsut," featuring Queen Latifah is the feature that I needed to hear, not to mention the features on this album are all perfect and help make this a full and well-rounded album.
Finally Missy got the props she deserved and got an MTV Vanguard award. I love that when she gave her speech she thanked Kid Fury and Crissle from The Read because they were campaigning for her. It's kind of like WTF MTV why did you wait so long? Missy is a trendsetter, an innovator and had created/produced/written some of the best music for herself and other artists. In honor of this award win, I put together a list of some of my favorite songs by Missy. These are either her own songs, or songs she produced or wrote for other artists.
LISTEN TO MY MISSY WEB HERE
ALSO, LISTEN TO MY SUMMER LOVE PLAYLIST - NOT LOVE SONGS, JUST THINGS I'M LOVING THIS SUMMER
Lizzo's VMA performance (I couldn't find a link sorry) was everything. I still just want us to be busty besties and live in harmony.
I'm still listening to Snoh's album -Ugh those feelings again - told you this would be my album of the summer but I added in a few new ones: Oakland legend (yeeeeeee) Raphael Saadiq's Jimmy Lee and Gallant's new EP Sleep On It.
Speaking of new albums, Jidenna's new album 85 to Africa is full of jams. I was actually kind of surprised for whatever reason. Kind of like my previous feelings on Rapsody, he always has a few songs on the album that I like and others that I skip. Everything on this album is a mood.
I first found out about Emmavie, on Soulection Radio when I discovered one of my favorite songs she was featured on, "Murder" by Rom. I loved her voice - it's sultry and silky, and she has this cute accent that comes through. That was a few years ago and finally, we get a full project from Emmavie in the form of Honeymoon and it's so good.
As mentioned last week, my favorite group Little Brother released their new album May the Lord Watch last week and I love it. I talked with a friend who said he didn't like the album because it sounded like their old music which made me love the project. Have you listened to it ? Nonetheless, they released the video to "Black Magic (Make It Better)" one of my favorite songs on the album. Watch it here.
I know I always mention Call Your Girlfriend Podcast episodes, but the episode "Friends with Babies" last week was a great episode. It really made me think, "Sis, WTF are you doing with your life."
ARTICLES TO READ:
I just started a new book, How Could She and so far pretty good. Here are some articles that I read throughout the week that I suggest you checking out:
This article was a tear dropper but an important read.
Lastly, please give the gift of love and share this newsletter with your friends.