Hey, Wussup, Hello! Leon Bridges, The Carters in The Louvre
Hey, Wussup, Hello!
"Saw your pretty ass when you walked into the....." okay finished.
Hi friends! Welcome to the very first edition of Beats & Reads, newsletter. If we've been friends for awhile, this name should sound familiar--I used to have a music blog called Beats, Eats and Reads, where I talked about as the title alludes to music, books and food. Now, since I'm always making playlists and saving too many articles in my Pocket, I thought why not put them in one place in the form of a newsletter. I hope to send this little here newsletter out every week and will either curate a new playlist each week or add-on to an existing one--we will see.
I'd also like to mention that I am writing this edition while listening to one of my favorites Sasha Keable. I first discovered Sasha as the vocalist on Disclosure's "Voices." I was like this girl can sing, so I looked her up and found her debut EP Black Book. The EP had some great songs, one of which is this song that I still love with all of my heart. After her first EP, Sasha released a follow up Lemongrass and Limeleaves, and then vanished completely even taking down all of her music, and scrubbing her social media profiles--thank goodness for the boosters on YouTube.
Last thing, one of my favorite places ever, Issues magazine shop, is looking to stay in Oakland. They have an Indiegogo going on right now to help them stay open, if you have any spare change or even a social channel that you can share the link on, please help. For more information on the campaign, and ways to get involved visit the campaign site here.
Currently Reading: The Terrible by Yrsa Daley-Ward
Although I have yet to finish Yrsa Daley-Ward's latest memoir, The Terrible, what I have read so far has taken me on an emotional rollercoaster. It's dark, and personal, and explores topics like depression, death, and drugs. We learn about her upbringing, and at times what we hear is very unsettling--a tactic that Yrsa intended to do because we've never heard her story [Source]. I would suggest reading this book, so we can discuss. I would also suggest reading this great feature on her in Girls at The Library--the photos are epic, and I'm basically obsessed. Another book I suggest reading, that I've managed to complete, is Morgan Jerkin's essay collection This Will Be My Undoing which had me both in my feels and snapping while reading on the Metro--yes I live in DC now.
Other Reads: Pocket Round-Up
One of my besties just retired from being a teacher--not literally, but she is no longer teaching and wrote a great article about her experience. She also hosts a great podcast about Queen Sugar, called Sweet Talk, that you should listen to as well.
Living in DC is how I always felt growing up in the Bay Area--a sense of pride and ownership over my terrain which is why it's very interesting to see the stance that DC is taking to speak out against gentrification. Will Oakland be next on the list of places speaking out? Will be interesting to see. "Creatives prefer indigenous street-level culture--a teeming blend of cafes and sidewalk musicians and small galleries and bistros, where it is hard to draw the line between performers and spectators."
Speaking of gentrification, I spoke with a friend who lives in LA about gentrification happening in Oakland, California, and DC. He mentioned that in LA, rapper Nipsey Hussle has been buying properties in South Central to somewhat help combat this issue. This conversation made me revisit one of my favorite Forbes interview with Nipsey about being self-made.
Continuing on the hip-hop trail, here's a good read about the night that Biggie died, and yes Beyonce is now a rapper. What are your feelings on Everything is Love? I'm mixed--love some--feel meh on the others. I did, however, enjoy this article on the director of the "ApeShit" video Jenn Nikiru. Also, this article from the Lily because in the Lourve, Beyonce is an icon of victory.
Sadly, here's a very important read on the frustrating year of reporting on black maternal health something that has continuously been on my mind.
Also shameless plug to myself, I've been writing - I've been writing. I have penned a few articles for The Everygirl, one on makeup tips for women of color, and another on finance tips. Let me know your thoughts and anything you think would be interesting to see me write about.
Why have there been no great black Art Dealers? Interesting read on how a small but influential group of black gallerists are correcting history.
Currently Listening: Leon Bridges - Good Thing
Playlists: Spotify // SoundCloud
I’ll be honest, it took me awhile to get into Leon Bridges. His first album, Coming Home, although critically acclaimed, was a little too niche for me. It wasn't until the adorable little girl on HBO's Big Little Lies kept playing "Rivers" that I even gave Leon a second look. With his latest album, Good Thing, Leon has made a fan out of me because at the title alludes to, it’s a good thing. With this album, Leon traded the flooding pants and schoolboy polos for a nice pair of pants, a button-down shirt with an open collar—there may even be a thin chained gold chain peeking through too. This album is also less “Happy Days” meeting at the diner, and more like smooth vibes at the back of the bar. I can’t stop listening to “Shy” and “Bad, Bad News.”
Aside from the Leon Bridges album, there are a few other projects that I can’t stop listening to. First, is Amber Mark’s EP Conexão--which means connection in Portuguese. To say I’m obsessed with the four-track EP would be an understatement, but the project is a vibe. Amber has this sultry, silky tone that I can’t get enough of, plus the production on the album just makes you want to dance. She was recently on the Seth Meyer’s show performing my favorite song “Love Me Right” which you should watch here.
Nick Grant’s latest EP, Dreamin’ Out Loud, has also been in constant rotation since coming out last month. I first discovered Nick when I went to a Dave East concert—sometimes vanity prevails in life decisions. Nick was the opening act and came out with a jean jacket with fur on the collar (wanted to make a Flo-rida reference) and started rapping his song “Black Sinatra” and man was I captivated. The song made me feel like I was an extra in “Paid in Full” or something, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
As us Spotify users know, Spotify is good at helping you find people you may not know if you just let it do its thing. That’s how I discovered Raveena and her EP Shanti. Her voice makes me happy. It’s so breezy and since discovering her, I have had “Love Child” on repeat over, and over again. It’s a great, feel good song that I’ve even developed a music video for the song in my head—very bright, outside, dancing/walking through Brooklyn--kind of like Amerie’s “Why Don’t We Fall in Love” video but like in bright yellows.
The last album that’s been in heavy rotation is the latest from Christina Aguilera. If we are friends, you know that I love Christina Aguilera. My best friend and I had a Geocities fansite dedicated to our love of Christina, and my love has never swayed. Her latest album Liberation is the mature Christina we needed. I didn’t realize it had been six years since she released an album but she hasn’t missed a beat. For the album, Christina collaborated with Demi Lovato, Goldlink, Ty Dolla $ign, and 2 Chainz. My personal favorites on the album are: “Like I Do” “Pipe” and “Accelerate.”