Author: Jordan Brown

Dark Academia 8/10

Honestly, if you don’t like this aesthetic I don’t trust you. The color scheme in this is so pleasing to look at. My favorite thing about this one is the incorporation of different shades of brown. Just looking at it makes me feel smarter. I like that it has a sense of historical feel to it while still looking very modern. I recommend using very classy type of jewelry with this style like small pearls and diamonds. Basically something that not too sparkly or out there. Also try to add subtle color blocking, because it helps with dimensions.

Indie Pop 6.5/10

This is one of the most vibrant aesthetics I’ve come across. I personally am an all black and dark colors kind of girl, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate this beautiful style choice. The colors in this aesthetic helps to bring more attention to the fits, if that makes sense. I’d like to think that a lot these styles were inspired by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. A lot of his artwork incorporate bright and vibrant colors that you wouldn’t think fit together. It is really beautiful to admire much like this aesthetic here. With this style I suggest being minimalistic because the colors do enough. Pick bright contrasting, complementing colors and wear colorful jewelry. Add a painted or denim tote bag and your fit is complete.

Grunge 12/10

If you see me in any color other than black, then I probably didn’t have anything to wear. I relate to this aesthetic so much because it like a literal reflection of my personality. If you look in my closet right now you’ll probably be met with 15 different shades of black and maybe like a splash of color in the back. Even though the color scheme is very limited, my favorite thing to do is play with color. For instance, I’ll pick out a graphic tee that has a splash of red in it and pair it with denim or black pants. Next, I’ll add a pair of red shoes with silver jewelry. Sometimes I don’t like wearing jewelry because it can get in the way, so what I’ll do is add a chain to my pants instead. I am a strong believer that you should not only accessorize yourself, but your clothes also. All this to say, play with color.

Jooncore 1000000/10

This style has to be my absolute favorite and not just because Joon is my bias. I’ve always loved earth tone colors and he has a way of incorporating them so well. His fashion taste is a reflection of his personality and I love to see that in style pieces. Like I said before this style has a lot of earth tones such as white, beige, sage, moss, and crocodile greens with small hints of black. I think these colors go together very well with gold jewelry. Gold still plays into that earth theme, but it also contrasts against the colors making it stand out even more. Honestly, color-blocking clothes is the best way to style this. Also collared shirts and layering adds more dimension to this style.

Street Fashion 3000000/10

I mostly dress like this which why I love this style so much. This style has a lot of big graphic tees, baggy pants, biker shorts, and basketball shorts, which is something I can appreciate. Another thing I love about this type of aesthetic is the use of big chunky shoes. When I first got into fashion, the first thing I bought were a pair of white, chunky Fila. No matter what kind of outfit I had on, those shoes would go with it so well. So if you plan on getting into this type of style, make sure you have a good pair of chunky shoes. Another tip I would recommend is to have a variety of long solid color socks. This is really good for adding an extra accessory to more summer styles.  What also makes this style so perfect is that fact that it doesn’t have a color scheme. However, it can also make the process of creating an outfit more difficult. You have to see what colors work best with what and what makes it stand out. You can use any kind of solid color jewelry with this style, but I personally love big silver chains. Use all of your resources and add a hat to your fit and maybe a big or slender pair of shades. If you would like to layer, make sure whatever you put on top of your graphic tee is open. For me the shirt makes the fit and if you cover it up then it’s not really street fashion anymore. However, if your jacket is your centerpiece wear a solid color shirt underneath so it won’t take away from it, but PLEASE leave it open.

Bantu Knots 7.5/10

Bantu Knots are my most favorite to look at. What I love most about this style is not just the small beautiful buns, but the intricate parting styles. What ties this whole style together is the geometric work put into the parts  by the stylist. I’ve seen circle parts, triangle parts, and even heart shaped parts. Though the shaped and instruction is limited, there are many other things you can do to spice-up this beautiful hairstyle.

1. ADD MORE HAIR!!! Adding more hair to your own helps to accentuate the style. With Bantu knots being an up-do style, it already brings more attention to your face. Having bigger knots help to make everything flourish together. I can’t really explain it in words but big Bantu Knots are so beautiful and it really adds another element to this prominent cultural style.

2.ACCESSORIZE PLS!!!! I personally loveee adding jewelry into my hair. It makes your hairstyle sparkle more. With Bantu knots, I heavily recommend using GOLD jewel pieces. Silver is good, but gold makes you seem more out-standing especially, if you’re going for a more early 2000s or African look. Enjoy the finer things in life and add these unique pieces to your hair.

3. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EDGES. As I stated before, this is an up-do style, and while edges may not seem important, they do also help bring more attention to your hairstyle. I personally can’t do edges to save my life, but after getting this hairstyle so much in my early stages of the “Big Chop”, it made me want to learn. With this style, you can jus do a simple swoop on the edges on your head, or you can be an over achiever and Picasso the thing. Whether big small, curly or laid, edges can always bring that special something to any style.

While the style itself is a beauty to witness, taking it down is my favorite part. Knot-outs are what we call the result of keeping and maintaining the hairstyle for so long. In result of this, we are left with defining curls and a lot of volume. However, in my experience, it doesn’t always come out this way. The result of Bantu Knot-outs depend on humidity, the amount of product, and pure luck. You’ll never see the same results twice with this hairstyle, but it is a pretty protect style nonetheless.

Fulani Braids 1000000/10

Honestly, if there was one style I could wear for the rest of my life, it would be Fulani Braids. They are so beautiful ands very easy to manage. Like the previous style, adding edge designs to this look takes it to a whole other level. If anybody wants to donate funds to me for this hairstyle, I take CashApp <3. Anyways, let’s get more in depth about this hairstyle.

Fulani or feed-in braids originate from the Fulani (Fula) people in West Africa and the Sahel region. It is most widely known for the its unique braiding patterns and the unique braided loop on the side of the head. I personally love seeing this style with huge beads. If I had to choose a favorite type of bead to complement this beautiful hairstyle it would probably be in between wooden and clear ones. I really emphasize on accessorizing these hairstyles, but this style is so detailed that you could do without.

Getting these braids are worth the pain. Now I am labeled  as “tender-headed” in my community, which basically means my pain tolerance of someone pulling on my hair for hours on end is very low, but I am very willing to sit through that just for these braids. How long it’ll take solely depends on the length and pattern of your hair. The only down-side to this style is the pain you’ll feel after getting them and the long hours of sitting in a chair while someone neatly and tightly braids your hair. That is if you’re not “tender-headed”!

Mini Twists 6/10

I love a good twist out, HOWEVER twisting my thick 4c hair takes up so much time!!! And sure they look cute when they’re fresh, but after taking a short well-needed nap they look so weird. Though this is still a controversial topic in my community right now, I still struggle with my relationship with length. I have shrinkage. That basically means after my hair dries, it poofs and shrinks down.  When I twist my hair, I usually use a lot of product to successfully comb through my very kinky coils. After my products dries over night, my hair goes from my shoulders, to the tops of my ears. This is perfectly normal and it actually means that you hair is very healthy. This is where harmful stigmas come into play. Black women are very hyper-emasculated and that often comes from seeing black women with short hair and a strong physique. Though a lot of  attention is being brought to this issue, I still try to separate myself from that narrative. Thus sprouting my love-hate relationship with my natural hair. 

Mini twists aren’t the bad guy, but the twist-out is. Like Bantu knots, the results of a good twist-out is solely based on luck. It may give you gurl defining hair one day, and poofy naps the next, but the real skill is finding what technique gives you the results you want. Honestly, the time and effort I put into these aren’t worth the results I see after I take them out, but freshly done twists always make me come back to this hairstyle.

NOTE: Please do not attempt these hairstyles if you are non-black. This is not an exclusive statement, but one of concern!

AAVE stands for African-American Vernacular English, or Ebonics. In simple terms, it is the way Black/African-Americans speak to each other on a regular basis. It has recently been recognized as a language of it’s own. Often times Black and African descendants were forced to code-switch from our day-to-day speech to “proper English”. AAVE is often demonized and used to mock my people, causing many of us to derive from the language. I want to share the importance of this language, the validity of it, and why as a non-black person you shouldn’t be able to speak it.

Sense of Community

Growing up, I would often speak fluently in AAVE. It was a way I could connect with other kids in my community. It was a way of life for me, I would speak it and think nothing of it. However, when I got older, my teachers and family members would often subtly correct my way of speaking. They would say, “No one is going to take you serious if you talk like that.” “You need to correct your speech before you go into that school”. They would even go as far criminalizing me just for the way I spoke.

So, I listened to them. I began to talk “proper” and “correct” the way I pronounced different words. In doing that, I lost my connection with my friends and classmates. I would be teased for being the “whitest” black girl they know. I felt as though I couldn’t talk to my friends in the same way I did before. Though I was being teased and neglected by my classmates, I would often be praised by adults and teachers. I had very mixed feelings about it, but I learned a technique that let me have the best of both worlds.

I learned to code-switch around the 5th Grade. I would speak regularly around my friends, then act like a totally different person in class. Even now, I still catch myself code-switching in the middle of conversations with people. I feel more comfortable speaking it around people like me and I immediately go in to code-switching mode when I’m around my white-counterparts. Though I am still working on it, I still feel as though I am going to be invalidated for speaking AAVE and incorporating it into my work.

AAVE/EBONICS IS VALID

It took me so long to accept the statement above. I would hear so many authority figures demonizing my language that I lost all sense of self. But after reading so many articles and hearing other Black people speak on it, I learned that it is something that should be more prominent in my life.

Talking down on this language is a form of systemic racism. Racists use any tactic they can to strip black people of their culture and use it against them. Something I think is worse, is when non-black people use Ebonics in a form of mockery and/or out-of-context of the situation or person. What I mean by that is, I find it very harmful when someone non-black uses it without knowing the meaning behind it and incorporating it in their speech when they simply don’t talk like that. That shows that you don’t care about the people, the language, or the meaning behind it. This is a form of cultural appropriation. When I see it used out of context my automatic thought is that this person is racially insensitive, and when I establish that, it very hard for me to see that person in a different way.

You’re Not Entitled to the Language

Though that line may come off harsh, there is so much truth to it. If you are a non-black person and you use Ebonics, why do you feel you can? One of the things that comes with uplifting this language is dismantling that entitlement. It is a language that derives from slavery. It was a horrific point in time were Black people were not allowed to speak to each other out of fear of rebellion. It is a mixture of broken English and our original language. The history and significance of it isn’t one that you can just take out of context. You’ve read my story and saw the lost sense of community I had to experience just because I spoke it. So I encourage you to remove AAVE terms and manners from your speech, if you’re non-black, and educate yourself on the matter. Be an ally and the change you want to see.

Though, many of the men in the rap industry aren’t comfortable enough to accept Lil Nas X’s sexuality, he shows us time and time again that he doesn’t care and he’s a prominent figure in rap. I personally think that people often get too caught up in his sexuality rather than paying attention to his artistry. His pen work and usage of different instruments is something that surpasses all the hate that he receives.  Welcome to Montero, here I will be analyzing some of my favorite songs from artist’s Lil Nas X new project. After all the hype around this album, I really want to get down to the root of these songs and why they are so controversial. 

INDUSTRY BABY FT. JACK HARLOW

Firstly, I want to bring attention to the amazing horns in this song. Supposedly, Lil Nas created all musical instrumentals on this album. It is not a frequent thing to see rap artist make their own instrumentals, and I would just like to show  my appreciation for his multitalented skills. What really grabs the attention of his audiences is his usage of bass. The beat is nice enough but the bass adds that extra flavor to the song. It gets your head moving and quickly becomes one of your favorite songs from this artists.

Let’s talk about this amazing feature with Jack Harlow. He is another rap artist that has recently blown up over the summer of 2020. His flow and voice is unique and he brings so much artistry to the rap industry. This collaboration was so unexpected for me, but it worked so well. The way Harlow always has a way to ride the beat for ANY song is so admirable. I would love to hear more songs from these two because they are so complementary.

This music video is so good!!! Lil Nas puts so much effort into his music videos. It has a story, it has texture, it has outfits, it has comedy. I would classify his music video style as a work of cinematic masterpiece. This isn’t something that is very common in the rap industry, the most you’ll ever see is a few men in a video just walking around lip syncing songs. He has really set the standard for men in the rap industry and I’m so excited to see more!

THATS WHAT I WANT

This song is my favorite from Montero. It really takes us back to Lil Nas’s country roots. If you’re unfamiliar with what I’m referring to, Lil Nas dropped the first ever trap country song titled Old Town Road featuring the country godfather himself, Billy Ray Cyrus. This was the song that really put him on the map, gaining attention from artists all across the world. There has been so many remixes of this song even a version featuring my favorite boy band BTS. But enough about the past, let’s get into this amazing track.

What stood out to me the most was the bridge. It was so catchy when I first heard it and it is the perfect lead way into the hook. One of the things that are most prominent in the track is the vocals it really complements the instrumental really well. As a country music hater, this really changed my mind about the genre. It has heavy country undertones but what is most prominent is the alternative and trap tones of the song. It really appeases to all audiences and I think he really hit the mark with this one.

Also Billy Porter is in the video!!!!

DEAD RIGHT NOW

Once again he brings in the horns!! I don’t know what it is about his incorporations of different instruments, but it really does something for me. Maybe that’s just the band kid in me talking, but I really love that so much.

I think this song is the best representation of this album. Through-out the album he has a really good way to sticking to the theme and I think this song is the best representation of that. The added horns and other instruments emphasize the ethereal and celestial feeling of the album. 

This is a really cocky song, and what’s an album without a bragging song?! It’s about cutting loses with someone and having the confidence to talk about it. He lists his accomplishments in the album all while celebrating his independency. He also let’s us know that he can see through the façade that people put up after his claim to fame. This song is definitely a 9/10. The softness of the bass helps to bring attention to the lyrics, and they are so relatable. I suggest listening to this song whenever you see an ex, ex-bestfriend, or anyone who ever doubted your success. This song is definitely the confidence boost you didn’t know you needed.

SCOOP FT. DOJA CAT

I know I’ve said this a lot, but this is my favorite song from the album <3.  This feature was one of the reasons I was so excited for this album to be released. I feel like these two were a cultural reset we didn’t know we needed. I love to see grossing artists collab with each other to make an amazing song and they really exceeded any expectations I had for this song.

Doja Cat is an icon when it comes to music and fashion. She really has made her way into the music industry and has become a household name for all. What I fear the most when big artists like Doja Cat collab with up and coming artists like Lil Nas, is over-shadowing. I see too frequently where one artists out raps or out sings the original artists on the track taking away from that artist’s work. This song was a perfect balance of both of their voices. You got to hear Doja Cat’s personality and pen work while also appreciating Lil Nas X’s. This is yet another complementary duo that I am excited to hear more from.

From his features, to his solo tracks, Lil Nas X has shown us yet again why he is an artist to look out for. His consistency in lyricism and musical production is what makes him such a valuable and unique artist and I believe it needs to be appreciated more. The way he pays attention and provide us with so much creativity and detail really shines through his work. I encourage you to set aside all the press and criticism and listen to this album with open ears and an open mind.

I haven’t written one of these in a while, so I have a lot new music to talk about.

Kyle Dion, DUCKWRTH, & UMI

Never would I have thought to see my favorite artists all on one track. Everything about this song is perfect. From the video aesthetics to the smooth voices and beat, everything was so well put together! Whoever thought to make this collaboration deserves both of sides of their pillow to be cold. I’m struggling to put my admiration for this song into words. Kyle Dion is an icon when it comes to slow/up beat songs like this. He really brings the track together with his high notes and his bridge and chorus is heavenly. After his verse is done, we are introduced to the godlike voice of UMI. UMI has been my favorite artist since 2018 and to see her make a song with DUCKWRTH is very overwhelming. When I found out about this track I could’ve died!! She is a really great lyrists and her feminine voice highlights the song’s light heartedness really well! Last but not least, DUCKWRTH. This man really takes all of my money every time he drops an album. Though I can listen to his music for free digitally, I find the action of buying it is more pleasing. He is a really good alternative rapper and he complements the song really well. I would like to add that the first few lines of this song is kind of vulgar, so listen with caution.

Juanpalitoschinos

I really love this group!!! I just discovered them today through Apple Music’s autoplay feature. Autoplay suggests and plays songs that are similar to the one that you are currently listening to. It is a great feature for music fanatics like myself because it helps us to discover more smaller artists like Juanpalitoschinos! When I clicked on their profile, (because I tend to do that a lot), I noticed that they only have two songs released on apple music. However, that did not stop me from listening to those two songs over and over again. It’s classified under the pop genre, but I feel like that’s not a genre they deserve to be under. If you ever heard of other Hispanic/ Latino artists like Cuco, then you would get the type of genre they make music under. It’s kind of a spin on bedroom/indie pop with a lot of Latino undertones. It’s honestly my top three favorite genres of music. The first song I ever heard from them was Lo que tú me das and words can not describe how good this song is! The beat really grabbed my attention and the grainy/smooth Spanish that comes after is so good! It feels like your in a coming to age film! If you like artists like Beach Bunny, Cuco, boy pablo, or BROCKHAMPTON, I strongly suggest you give these artists a listen!

Little Simz

I mean look at her…iconic. It’s surprising to see that not a lot of people in the U.S know who this artist is. If you’re a little confused on who this woman is, then let me tell you how she recently blew up all around the world. Tiktok started a trend with her song Venom to showcase women empowerment. Though that is my favorite song by her, she also has so many tracks that are phenomenal. She is a rapper based in the UK and she is mostly known for her pen work and her ability to rap with incredible speed. She is so inspirational because she unapologetically herself and you can see that confidence in her performances. She recently dropped the track Woman featuring another one of my favorite UK artist Cleo Sol. The song is about empowering black women no matter where they are from. It talks about our hardships and close sisterhood and how we always have each other. I love this artist so much because of her womanist statements and her ability to incorporate that into her artistry.

Still Woozy

Still Woozy will always and forever be one of the most wholesome artists I have ever listened to. He really has a way to express topics through music in a way that is so unique. They way he puts really sad stories/messages in such a upbeat and happy song is a skill that not many can master. I don’t really know how to describe his voice because it’s not really singing. It’s a mixture between talking and singing, but when he does sing!! I feel like he knows exactly when to sing a certain part of the song, because he knows it will add such a heavy impact on the song. Here are some songs to get you started, That’s Life, Goodie Bag, and Maybe She. These are just a few of my favorite songs but any song from his discography can hit for you in a completely different way.

ph-1

I love Harry so much. He is one of the funniest and down-to-earth people I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. He is a rapper based in South Korea signed under the label H1GHR. His music is so good! I am a really big rap fan and I’ve always wondered what rap looked/sounded like in different countries and languages. His music was the opening experience for me. He was actually one of the first Korean artists I listened to and let me tell you this man’s music does not disappoint. His more chill/love songs are my favorite because it really complements his personality more. However, his more hardcore/hype songs are so good. I really encourage to listen to this artist not only for his amazing music, but also for his great personality! Here are some of my favorite songs from him: Like Me, Perfect, Nerdy Love, and a track that he was featured on called The Purge.

Writing these posts really makes me feel like I should be paid to be their promoters. I do really love all these artists to much and I really hope ya’ll decide to listen to them.

Texas recently passed an abortion ban that allows just about anybody to sue abortion providers, and anyone that has aided the women receiving the abortions. It also prohibits women from seeking abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. This ban does not exclude rape and incest survivors from this bill. Yet again, we are at the mercy of white men and big corporations. They continue to police our body and our choices, disregarding the needs of the female population. It’s unconstitutional, a violation of free will, and downright  unethical.

Did you think this through?

Here’s what my concerns are, if these women are not allowed to receive abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, then who is going to take care of the baby when it is possibly put up for adoption? Social workers don’t get paid nearly enough and orphanage capacity could possibly be at a all time high. With a pandemic still being prominent to this day, this couldn’t be good for the health of the workers and the children that are in their care. So many children will be put in the system, and that could be traumatizing enough. If the child isn’t put up for adoption, then they may be subjected to a home where they aren’t wanted. This could affect the mental state of an entire generation, leading to something way darker.

A Different POV

It was so upsetting to see this ban being passed, because as a black woman it was 10x more scarier for us. Did you know that black women are more likely to die from pregnancies than any other race in the United States? It’s really heartbreaking for me to see these women being forced to carry a child no matter the circumstance. Our relationship to the medical field is already strained as is, this could possibly push us farther away from it. After all, the BIPOC  and low-income communities are more affected by this, as they makeup almost half of the population in Texas.

Food for an Annoyed Opinion

For one, what a woman chooses to do with her body is none of anyone’s business but her own. Whether you are pro-choice or pro-life, the decisions of these women deserve to be respected. Instead of worrying about what a woman does with her body, maybe we should be focusing on real problems in our country like mass shootings, hate crimes, and suicide rates.

My discover weekly was recently updated, so it’s my turn to update you on what I’ve been listening to. Remember to keep an open mind when listening to new things. Here are four new artists that has been added to my playlists.

GRAY

GRAY is a Korean-Hip-hop artist who is signed to AMONG. He dropped a brand new album today (or of you’re reading this later- August 18,2021) and from what few songs I’ve heard, the album is amazing. I’ve never listened to one of GRAY’s solo songs so this was a new sound for me. In my previous article, I talked about how he was featured on Yugyeom’s album on the track All Your Fault and to be honest it was my first time hearing him. After sitting down and listening to Close 2 U, a track on his album featuring punchnello, I fell in love with his sound.

Fana Hues

I recently discovered Fana’s music through another one of my favorite artists. Her voice is really abstract and alluring, so I was drawn to her voice instantly. I value alternative sounds and she brings a new perspective to R&B to the industry. She was recently featured on Tyler the Creator’s newest album CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST under the track  SWEET/I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE with fellow R&B artist Brent Faiyaz. Through this album, I was able to discover her unique voice. My favorite song from her would have to be Desert Flower because it’s poetry complemented by a beautiful voice. You can feel the art just bleeding from the song and it’s inspirational. It gets me thinking about how I could possibly write something so powerful in the future. Plus, it features yet another on my favorite artists Mereba. The way their voices complement each other it makes you just want to levitate.

RINI

I want to start off by saying that after listening to one of RINI’s songs I downloaded them all. It took all of my storage and I don’t regret it. He never misses. I couldn’t name even one of his songs that sounds bad. He is just that great of a writer and singer. I know I have a lot of these on this list, but RINI is also a R&B artist. I first heard one of this songs a while back, but I haven’t listened to him since. I recently got back into his music because my sense of music taste has changed. My recently added is consisted of a lot of chill songs and he is the godfather of them. One of my favorite songs from him is Good Intentions from his EP After the Sun. It’s about finding a new love interest and getting to know them, but their guard is always up. Throughout the song, he sings about being there for that person and being persistent with his interests towards them. It’s a good throwback vibe song and it captures the essence of this artists, so if you’re planning on listening to him I suggest you start with this song.

AUDREY NUNA

I could write a book about how much I love AUDREY NUNA. She is an amazing and talented artists with hits and features that are just golden. She is a great lyricists even when switching between Korean and English in her songs. Her fashion taste in other-worldly and it adds to the aesthetic of her music. I discovered her through YouTube suggests. I don’t know what it is about YouTube, but they always give me the best songs to listen to and their playlists are immaculate. I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite song of hers because they’re all my favorite, however I do have a favorite feature. On the track, Top Again,  she features one of my most favorite rappers and that song just leaves you speechless. They way their voices complement each other and bounce from one another you would probably think they were a group. Not many people know about her, but she is a rising star and I’m glad to be a fan of her journey.

Something New

So, I got this idea from my friend Sydney to make a playlists for you guys so… thanks Syd:).  I could update it weekly with new finds and keep you posted with the blog too. I’ll also add songs that won’t make to the blog. I also want to hear you! Well, I want you to add some of your new finds to the playlists so we can all have that sharing experience together.

One of my favorite past times is finding new music. I was never one to stick to a certain genre and was experimental with my taste. I would like to show you some of my new favorite songs that I’ve discovered in the past few days. I’m always late to certain things so these songs might be old, but I would like to give you my interpretation of these songs and what they’ve meant to me since being added to my playlists.

PinkPantheress

PinkPantheress is new to the world of music, and she blew up on Tiktok with songs like Pain and Break It Off. Her smooth angelic voice complements the soft beats behind her songs. If I had to put them in a genre I would say bedroom pop is the closest to her work. She recently dropped a minuet long single called “Attracted to You” and it once again blew up on Tiktok. The one song that stood out to me most was her song “Passion” because it has a nice pace and soft beats to it. This aesthetic goes against the message of the song. It talks about loosing her passion for music and heartbreak of it all. The lines “The teachers always called it a shame” and “They say I don’t have passion the same” are something I resonate with because I struggled to find my passion in writing. I love the song so much because it really grasps the feeling of losing passion for something you love because of the environment that you’re in. I recommend listening to her whole discography because I’m sure you can find something that relates to you as well!

Yugyeom

Yugyeom is a Korean R&B artist who was recently sign to AMOG, a label owned by Korean Hip-Hop artist Jay Park,  last year after the disbandment of his hit K-pop group GOT7. His first solo album Point Of View: U was released June 17, 2021. This album is really filled with golden R&B hits. When the album first dropped, I listened to it straight through with no skips. Yes, it was just that good! Yugyeom has a really smooth and velvety voice that is perfect for the beats on this album. The album features amazing Korean R&B and Hip-Hop artists such as, DeVita, Jay Park, Gray, and punchnello. I couldn’t pick a favorite song from the album, but an honorable mention would be I Want U Around ft. DeVita.

DPR Live

I’ve been listening to DPR Live for years now and every time he releases music its like listening to a new person. He recently dropped a new EP called IITE COOL. It features some big names in Korean Hip-Hop such as Hwa Sa, Beenzino, and another artist under Dream Perfect Regime, DPR IAN. This new EP really catches the essence of the summertime. He talks about the highs and lows of this hot season creating some perfect summer hits. My favorite song from the album has to be “Yellow Cab”. It’s just a fun song about his current success and how crazy his fans could be. In the song, he goes into detail about the pressure of being a celebrity and having to be this perfect person for his public image. My favorite line from the song has to be “Can’t understand Korea sometimes, Why is it that foreign fans are quicker to realize that…” As a non-Korean person I can’t say too much about this issue, but I’ve been listening and following Korean Hip-Hop and Pop culture for a while, and one thing that is constant is the fact that Korean artists often are over worked and it causes a mental strain on them. I really love that he brings up this issue and it is disguised by an up-beat background. The message contrasts from the song giving the song more texture. Here’s some honorable mentions from this artist: Martini Blue, Jasmine, and Summer Tights.

Mac Ayres

Mac Ayres is a R&B artist I recently discovered on Spotify. After he dropped out of Berklee, he soon released his first EP Drive Slow in 2017. When first I heard his latest EP, Magic 8Ball, I sat and listened to it straight through. I was surprised when I heard the first song from the EP, Sunny & 62, because his music didn’t match his looks. His voice is so soulful and earthy. He makes the kind of music you can sit and vibe to on a sunny afternoon. My favorite song from Magic 8Ball would be Every Time because the bass is so heavy on the slow, smooth beat. His voice is like honey on the track making it all the more enjoyable. The song talks about losing trust in someone he loves and how everyone is telling him to be weary of this person. He feels uncertain about this relationship and you can really tell that from his voice. The entire EP is something everyone can enjoy because it witches from more up-beat songs to something more sad. His versatility really shows with this EP.

To Get You Started

This is just a glimpse of the type of music I find on a weekly basis. I really like being able to enjoy new sounds and experience cultures through music.  I find that not limiting yourself to one genre can be enlightening. I heavily recommend that you explore music out of your comfort zone. It opens your mind to a lot of different things you don’t know about the world. I never let a language barrier get in the way of music because music is a language of it self. Here’s some artist to get you started on your musical journey: Kali Uchis, JHope, August D, Xaiver Omar, Baby Rose, Kaytranada, and Serena Isioma.