METAL: IRON. COPPER. SILVER. TITANIUM. OZZY. Wait, I think one doesn't belong among the others there... For this, I wanted to highlight the modern metal rap getting fairly big in recent times! I very much enjoy this genre. Sometime in the past, I read this genre was dubbed "Florida rap" made popular by artists like Xxxtentacion (RIP). As a controversial a past he had, he truly made some outstanding music. I would like to appreciate his contributions to community artistry and to inspiring so many others. People like $uicideboy$, Xxxtentacion, Scarlxrd, Princess Nokia, Rico Nasty. These are artists I listen to literally all the time. Some of their other songs have angrier messages than others, but all to their own. I want to start out with the most intense representation of metal rap I like: Scarlxrd. He's edgy as hell, brings mad energy, and delivers so smoothly. His videos on YouTube has streamed millions of views, only to show how popular and widespread his message is reaching. My favorites of his are "King, Scar" for the message and "Heart Attack" which is below. The intro to this song cracks me up because to me, it shows the craziness of humanity and how deep we are connected in a comical way. Every time I hear it, it makes me groan with an smh expression. Alas, it's a groan with a smile. The bottom left video gives a proper explanation as background to who this artist is, what inspires him, and how he came to be where he is now. It provides some insight to his creative process and mental map. His visuals are intense - the eye contact, the scratching - which seem to be ripping him apart. I advise to listen first, then watch. Nobody knows where my passion is
$uicideboy$ has been popular for a long time, accruing 58 million views on YouTube and growing. This underground scene is seeing the day of light. I found out about this duo two years ago while talking to a coworker of mine about music he was into. I'm always asking people who they like, what they like, a favorite song. Music preference tells me more about who a person is than any surface conversation about weather or what you did yesterday with your family. It's more personal, deeply complex, and we demand different music for those different layers of ourselves. Sometimes this music demand may change, other times it remains constant. The evolution and growth is expected and necessary to survive. If anyone reading this as ever been in a mosh pit, you understand what a feeling that is. I watched this video, and the river of people flowing in unison brought me back. To summarize. I lost my wallet and my keys that night because I thought wearing a small backpack that everything would be safe?? I was jumping around and sweaty bodies on every side caused friction, leading the zipper to come undone. Everything fell to the ground. I only knew my stuff was missing when someone tapped me on the shoulder and handed me another escaped item. Luckily the venue wasn't huge, and I was able to recover my things. Moral of the story: don't bring anything to a mosh pit if you're tryna have a good time. RICO NASTYYYYYYYY YAAASSSSS I AM HERE FOR THIS. She wild honestly. But I appreciate her for her bad bitch vibes. It's often time the case where women are shamed into not expressing anger or loud energy. It's about making sure other people are comfortable, and women don't lose their composure. But she comes off as very in control and with enough of the chaos to keep it interesting. "Rage" is pretty dope. The video is artistically interesting as well with very cool effects. In this song, I imagine a whole squad with their arms slung over each others shoulders, a few people are doin some weird shit in the center, and everyone hyping each other up. Communal madness. "Smack a Bitch" is a song of surmounting power. It makes me want to squat low, fists up to box, and maintain aggressive eye contact into a camera lens. The energy is here, and I support it.
Dis lil beezy called Princess Nokia is pretty badass. She's very Tomboy (as referenced in one of her songs), but she brings it home. Her style is harder rap, less dark, but very much about real life. "Kitana" is more akin to metal rap, and "Brujas" is too, but with slightly softer notes. The video to "Brujas" is absolutely beautiful too. The aesthetic in the beginning is haunting. Breathtaking. Mesmerizing. Definitely worth the minute of that itself.
XXXTENTATION (RIP). He's been a hit on the radio, and well known for being controversial. The reasoning being his past violence towards women and if he should be famous because of this. I don't know how to reconcile this as I cherish his music but condemn his actions. Either way, he will remain in the hearts of many and on millions of playlists. This song in particular compared to others he's done just seems to work. It's a very short song, but everyone knows it when I bring it up in conversation. I'm not super familiar with the inspiration behind it or anything, but it has that screaming energy, passion, intensity, confidence, carefree air people seem drawn to. Also darkness among other things. Everything here is of opinion, meaning it's only personally relevant and simply to share some good pieces. One thing I appreciate about all these artists in the larger picture is the intensity, amount of self they identify with, and their willingness to express that. All of these ingredients combined has produced some bangers we love, so bless.
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It's summer, and that means travel, relaxation and free time! I recently just returned home from a trip myself and thought it seems perfect to compile some of my favorite road trip/ travel songs. When creating my playlist, I imagine myself listening to this song in the car with people, but usually on a plane to some exciting destination. I always ask myself before adding the song to my playlist: What is going to hype me up? What vibe or beat will make me excited and feel positive when I arrive? Will this improve my experience? Across all genres, there is something for everyone :) Pop-Electronic-Synth
These songs are more pop/synth based, leaving the listener feeling warm and cheery. Usually good for any trip - car, plane, by foot. Whatever floats your boat. Fergie is classic pop, Arizona is def electronic, Theophilus is more r&b with synth, and Jon Bellion is more pop/synth with hip hop roots. Lowkey Vibes
These songs are meant to relax you while you wait to arrive. Headphones are on, looking out the window imagining the great time you will have. The first three are more hip hop/rap with produced beats, but Berhana makes songs for a warm beach-side relaxation vacation. Destinations
I love songs that speak about a specific location in the world. It allows me to create a vision around the song, applying context and imagery to what I imagine would be happening in this music video or situation. George Ezra is indie, Swae Lee is hiphop, Huncho Jack is a rap duo, and Famous Dex is definitely rap again. Imagine listening to these songs on your way to that place! Now that is cool. Additionally, I have been to a lot of amazingly beautiful places around the world. I want to share with you some of the pictures I've taken. Perhaps they're not the best composition or angle or lighting, but my photography skills have been evolving over the years so bless. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to visit another country, city, or region different than their own. Truly, even a town only five miles away may have a different culture. Exposure leads to more understanding, and I would hope everyone grows on their journey. Before I leave you, if there is any song I would hope you listen to out of all of these, it would be by a highly acclaimed artist of our time. A genius. An icon. Someone I have written about previously. Frank Ocean's "Lost" is the perfect song for any trip, anywhere, anytime. If you listen to nothing else on this post, this song is the one to stick through. It has warmth, relaxation, motivation - almost an ambiance. Please enjoy, and remember to take some time for yourself during the summer months. It should be well known at this point in time that it's Pride month. The Pulse nightclub shooting (June 12, 2016) and Stonewall riots (in June 28, 1969) provide evidence of a community in need of support and proper attention. Even if there weren't any violence related events, people still need love and care to thrive! I dedicate this post to all those who identify as part of this community. To celebrate life, one needs music. I want to highlight artists of the community, but also some who are valuable allies - who spread their support and kindness through music. A reminder that this is only one perspective of one person. I often find many messages relatable and valuable, even if I have not personally experienced what the artist is singing about. That is empathy: understanding and valuing something impersonal. With that being said, please enjoy. Also, if you have feedback, I would love to hear it! :) "I KNOW THAT I'M WORTHY I KNOW I'M DESERVING" I found an artist on Instagram some years ago. He had liked one of my pictures, so I investigated further who this person was. What I didn't realize was I had already been listening to his EP When I Get it Right for a while. An Earmilk article articulated well the value of his work. This fabulous artist is Michael Blume. His music touches my soul. It makes me yearn for a better world. It makes me feel more loving towards myself and other people. It inspires me to seek for more meaning in this life, the reality I live. I listen to his music daily. It's understanding, uplifting, motivating. Maybe you can see what I mean. I really can't emphasize specific lyrics because everything he writes communicates so much power, I'd end up putting the whole song down, and that seems excessive.
"Girls Like Girls Like Boys Do" I've known about Hayley Kiyoko for a little while now. She has a pop kind of sound which can be nice at times. Presently, she is known as a gay icon in the music industry and is dating Kehlani at this time of posting. They made this fabulous song together called What I Need. I love their chemistry at the end of the video. It's just nice to see something real.
"I'm so claustrophobic" I'm not so sure what to say about this. It kind of speaks for itself. Doesn't really need the extra fluff. I will say that this song does point out some inconsistencies within subcultures of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies: racial inequality and misrepresentation. Miserable America (to me) is a sad song in a way because, even though his homosexuality may be accepted, he still gets mistreated as a black man. "Sticky Like Caramel"
"You Are Beautiful In Every Single Way"
Frank Ocean
There are so many beautiful songs celebrating love and boss attitudes that I wanted to create a mini playlist of additional songs which deserve attention. Instead of a spotlight, they get a warm welcome.
1. L-O-V-E -Joss Stone 2. When Love Takes Over - David Guetta, Kelly Rowland 3. R U Mad (Remix)- Michael Blume 4. Wish You Would - Mykki Blanco, Princess Nokia (this is a good supplementary article about Mykki Blanco) 5. My! My! My! - Troye Sivan (acoustic) Thank you for sticking around. Again, I recognize this is not a comprehensive list of top songs ever for the LGBTQ+ community or that it best demonstrates anything. Simply, I like these songs and artists who happen to be connected to this culture. It is time to give them more attention and respect they deserve, both as artists and people. |
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