ThoughtfulJukebox

Your friendly neighborhood music blogger. 

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Billie Jean- Michael Jackson

When the song “Billie Jean” was released in 1982, I was most likely dan- just kidding. I wasn’t even born nor thought of yet, but I do often think about this time period and how cool it must have been to live during this time. Imagine saying that you went to a Michael Jackson concert with your best friend in the 9th grade. A girl could only dream. Michael Jackson made a pivotal career choice when he released the album Thriller. Going from the Jackson 5, a group that consists of Jackson and his brothers, to a solo act was not a burden for him at all. Michael was destined to be a star and he has a lot of evidence in his discography to prove it. 

I could go on and on about how much criticism this man takes from society both before and after death. Among the many controversies surrounding Michael’s name just so happens to be the thought of him having a son out there that he didn’t want. Where did people get this crazy idea? Well, none other than Michael himself. At least it's proposed in his song “Billie Jean”.

And mother always told me be careful of who you love

And be careful of what you do 'cause the lie becomes the truth.

The song was produced by Quincy Jones, who actually wanted the title of the song to be “Not My Lover”. Though it was one of the most revolutionary songs at the time, over the years people started to take the song literally. People questioned if the singer was being truthful about how many children he actually had. Michael was very protective of his kids Paris, Michael, and Prince “Blanket” Jackson. The infamous “Blanket” who was showed off at a hotel balcony with a blanket over his face shows how private MJ was about his kids.  Of course Michael Jackson would have a lot of girls in every city and every country right? After all he is the “King of Pop”. This appealed to American culture, and as you know once there is an idea or hint of something out of normalcy, people create a whole lot of controversies.

               Billie Jean is not my lover

               She's just a girl who claims that I am the one

               But the kid is not my son

               She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

According to Songfacts this story is somewhat real. Jackson was inspired by a woman who was lounging by his pool. Quincy Jones states that she accused Michael of fathering one of her twins. When I read this I didn’t think anything of it until I saw “one of her twins”. Now scientifically this isn’t impossible, but it is quite funny. Another recent accusation is that Jackson is the father of Miki Howard’s son, Brandon Howard. Miki Howard is a singer who worked with Joe Jackson right before she had a child. You see where this is going. It seems that Howard has the same DNA as the late singer according to TMZ. However, Howard later released a statement, “I did not authorize the testing of my DNA to be compared to that of the late Michael Jackson nor did I contact TMZ regarding the publication of the story.” And there you have it. This was just another fabricated story to give fans and listeners what they want to hear. Besides the cultural criticism that “Billie Jean” receives, it is ranked number one on the Thriller album. I guess among Michael’s many talents he is also a great storyteller. Whether the story is fiction or real, I know that I can always count on this song to get me hyped. 

Sources: https://www.mercurynews.com/2014/03/06/michael-jacksons-billie-jean-a-true-story/

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/michael-jackson/billie-jean

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Another post about J.Cole

There’s not too many artists out there where I can say I despised them at first and then became their number one fan. It’s either I’m sold by the first record I hear or I’m just cool on them overall. When I first heard J.Cole rap on a Miguel feature, I was impressed for the most part. However, there were so many rumors surrounding his name that I saw him as a fake artist who only wanted fame and could care less about music for what it is. Big Mistake. Never judge an artist or anyone for that matter, solely based on what others have to say. It takes a bit of exploring the artist through their work and interviews to really get a grasp of them. 

Jermaine Cole’s background is unlike any other rappers of our generation, though some often compare him to Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Born in Germany as a military kid to a German mother and Black father, Cole found himself moving from a military base to a trailer park in North Carolina following his parents divorce. This didn’t last long however, he was able to move into a nicer house with his own room. Cole’s determination to be the best in everything did not start with his rapping career. As a child in the first grade, he would ask the teacher for his average. I don’t think I even knew what average meant in the first grade. This mentality paid off for him in the end because he graduated from St. John’s University as magna cum laude. This didn’t come as a surprise to me considering the way he flows so effortlessly with great use of language. I guess his intelligence is what separates him from a lot of mumble rappers (as he would call them) we hear today. After all, rapping is just a form of poetry. 

If you don’t think that's determination, J.Cole would camp out in front of Jay Z’s studio waiting for a chance to share his music with him. After being turned down by his Idol, he continued to work on his music. In 2011, Cole released his album Cole World: Sideline Story. This album is what took his career to the next level. He eventually got signed to Roc Nation, a record label owned by Jay Z. One thing I truly honor about Cole as an artist is that he genuinely cares about the work that he puts out. Every song he’s ever released embodies who he is, a great lyricist who has seen life from multiple angles. If you take a listen to his Forest Hills Drive album, he mentions his upbringing consistently. He never forgets where he came from. Though Cole is an unproblematic celebrity who doesn't give in to the lifestyle that fame has to offer, he has been faced with rivalry from younger artists. Maybe it's the fact that he is highly respected by both a younger audience and an older one why artists like Lil Pump sees him as a threat. Despite him being a B list celebrity, Cole dresses like a humble math teacher. He is often made fun of on social media for his selection of clothing. Some even go so far as to say he looks homeless. However, this is my favorite quality about him. He knows that all of what he has can go in a second and that there is more to life than fame and fortune. 

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Hey everyone! Today I’m doing something different on my blog and it won’t be just me here. I have my lovely friend Alyssa who is a talented artist from New Jersey. She is what I would call the next Alicia Keys in the making. Now I met Alyssa at church where we quickly became friends in a matter of time. It wasn’t long until I found out that she was on the worship team. This girl’s voice really surprised me. It’s soft but powerful, which is fitting for her personality. Even though she’s pursuing a career in dentistry, Alyssa still finds time to incorporate music in her life. I brought her on today because I know as college students we have other dreams besides the careers we chose. I want to show you guys that sky is the limit. Never put off a passion of yours to focus on one thing. Alyssa is a prime example of that. But enough of me talking. Let's hear it from the woman of the hour (or however long you’re reading this).  

Hi Alyssa

Gianni! How are you?!

Good good and yourself?

I'm doing well for the most part.

Good to hear. Ok so let's start from the beginning. What made you interested in music and when did you first discover your talent?

Ever since I was a toddler, I always hummed a random tune. Personally, I became interested in music because I was exposed to a variety of options in elementary school. My mother signed me up for violin lessons in second grade, but I decided that instrument wasn’t for me. When I was nine years old, that’s when I truly had talents I wanted to stick to. I remember performing my first vocal solo and piano solo at that age.

Sounds great so do you have a stage name and if so can you elaborate on how you came up with the name?

I just go by my real name Alyssa Espinosa because it's authentic.

Nice, beautiful name by the way.  

What is your most favorite song you’ve wrote?

My favorite song that I wrote is about God’s love. It is entitled “Around”. I wrote this song because there are so many blessings that God gives us, and we are just in awe on how He made those miracles happen.

What would you say your musical style is? Has that style formed from any inspirations in particular?

Well my musical style contains a wide range of styles. I like mostly R&B, K-Pop, Hip Hop, Gospel, and Jazz. It didn’t form from any inspirations in particular, however, the interest just happened naturally.

Interesting...

So what is your creative process like?

Whenever I write songs, I deeply reflect on the experiences I had in life, and I think about the emotions that come with them. Sometimes all of a sudden in late nights, I come up with a melody. In order for me not to lose the tune, I record myself. Later, I find chords on the piano or guitar that would fit the tune the best.

Now I know you play the guitar and sing, which is amazing. At what age did you learn how to play and are there any other instruments you play?

My first instrument I learned was the violin. I believe I was seven years old. I played the clarinet in 4th and 5th grade. Joined choir in 5th grade and onward. Started playing the piano when I was nine years old, and I never stopped. In 7th grade I started playing the ukulele and guitar, and in sophomore year of high school I started to play the saxophone. The instruments that I currently play are the piano, guitar, and ukulele.

Woah, talk about multi-talented!

How is your experience singing at church vs. elsewhere?

Singing in church, I release any potential weights I have on my shoulders. I don’t really worry about the people around me. If I’m performing solo, I practice a lot. I want to give the audience a unique performance.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in regards to your music?

Be yourself. Feel the music. Don’t do a certain style just to please people. Do your style because you enjoy it.

Indeed!

What would be your dream collab?

I love so many artists. But if I had to choose, I would collab with Tori Kelly.

I absolutely love Tori Kelly

Yea she nails her riffs every time.

What are your views on the music industry? Do you see the industry as a pursuit or are you comfortable as an independent artist.

The music industry has pros and cons. They will help you achieve your goals, but at the same time there will be a lot of competition.

For sure! I want to thank you for allowing me to interview you, but before I let you go can you leave the people with some word of encouragement. Specifically those who are interested in music but don't know where to start.

   I would say have fun. Do what you love and not what you think other people love. The most creativity comes from fun authenticity.

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Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon

Everyone has a story to tell whether good or bad. You can hear the emotions connected to those stories in an artist’s music. Let me take you back to Brooklyn, NY where Bashar Jackson who goes by the moniker “Pop Smoke” was born. This popular borough in New York is famous for its wide population, bagels, and close proximity to Manhattan. However, it's also famous for its gang violence which has a heavy influence in hip-hop culture. Pop Smoke often mentions his native town, being proud of where he's from. In his interview with Genius he states that he's from Canarsie, Brooklyn where a lot of people “take drugs to ease their pain, cope with their problems.” Not the typical place someone would want to be associated with but it's deeper than that. Pop Smoke brought drill rap, which originates in London and was brought over to the U.S by Chicago, to New York. This sound specifically has trap influenced beats with dark nihilistic lyrics.  His earliest song “MPR '' which is short for money, power, respect, has lyrics that talks about the young rappers dreams to make it big and the activities that he and his friends partake in.

 “Brodie got locked, but he out 'cause he pullin that pillow weight” 

Growing up in the streets of Brooklyn it’s a struggle to find your way through. Some men commit to gangs at a young age. This results in them either dying to gun violence, getting locked up, or if they are lucky, they make it out. Pop Smoke obviously makes it out and becomes a rising star in 2019. The rapper often sported Christian Dior expressing his passion for fashion in his music as well. The song “Dior” expresses the flossy lifestyle that the rapper embodied. He talks about his guns, women, and sending someone to heaven, if you know what that means. 

Pop, not forgetting to add the Smoke as he states in “Gatti” ft Travis Scott, has a unique baritone voice that seemed to draw people in. When you mix that aggressive tone with the lyrics he uses, it's almost inevitable for the NYPD to target him. As mentioned in The New Yorker, Jackson was “scheduled to headline at the Brooklyn King’s Theatre. That would have shined a spotlight on this prodigious new chapter of the borough’s storied hip-hop history, but he was, once again, prohibited by the N.Y.P.D.” Pop Smoke made this news known to his fans on his Instagram apologizing to them for not being able to do the show. At the time he was facing charges for suspicion of robbery but it was never proved, so he was released on bond. 

 His project “Meet the The Woo 2” saw great success peaking at number 7 on Billboard 200. Pop Smoke was on the verge of becoming a big name artist in the hip-hop scene until he was fatally shot this year on February 19. His death shocked millions of fans. Many grieved over his death by blasting his drill music in the streets. The irony is that he made it out of Brooklyn but got caught up in Los Angeles during a home invasion. It’s sad to see someone who wanted better for themselves make it to the top only to be knocked down by jealousy. Sure he was in a gang and sure he wasn’t the most desired person, but he was still a young adult figuring out life. At the young age of 20, Bashar Jackson was able to show many others like himself that it is possible to be anything you want in life. His posthumous album, “Shoot for the Stars Aim for The Moon” is officially platinum certified. Even though he wasn't here to see the success of his first album, his fans and family back in Canarsie, Brooklyn shared the victory for him. As he says in the song “Tunnel Vision”, which is featured on the album, the smoke will never clear. 

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/postscript/pop-smokes-majesty-and-menace

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Paramore- Ain’t it Fun

It’s crazy how a song can bring you back to a specific time in your life. Like a fragrant candle that your mom used to burn or the scent of a cologne your father would sport, that is how a great song can take you on a trip down memory lane. By now you're probably like what is she getting at here but let me further explain with three words: Ain’t it Fun. Paramore really hit home for many when they released this song. The Tennessee rock band formed in 2004, making music that appeased to many students like themselves at the time. Although they had many issues within the band (like all bands do) they became popular throughout the U.S and the U.K. Soon their fanbase would expand worldwide. After band members Josh and Zac Farro decided to leave the band, the group stumbled a bit causing Hayley Williams to branch out and create music outside the group. It was a bit of a success because a track she features on called “Airplanes” by B.O.B, did wonders chart-wise. That didn’t last however. The group rekindled their passion for rock with one another and attempted to make Paramore a thing again.

The redemption song starts off with the strategic set of drums paired with a xylophone. This seems to be the secret ingredient because not many popular songs incorporate this unique instrument. An electric guitar then comes in just in time for the break. See It's the little details that makes up the ingredients for a hit. We then hear Hayley’s soulful voice.

“I don’t mind letting you down easy but just give it time.” 

If I were to categorize the intro based on my knowledge of music I would say it's definitely rock with a hint of pop. However, as the song progresses you can hear a bit of funk with the strum of the bass and a gospel influence towards the end. Skipping to the chorus, you get a soft edgy feel much like what Paramore is used to dishing out. It’s like they're saying, “hey fans we’re back and better than ever but we’re the same group you fell in love with.” According to hitsongsdeconstructed.com, “The outro functions as a “super payoff” for the listener by fusing all of the song’s key hooks, genres, and influences into one over-the-top section.” I couldn’t have said this any better. The outro gives us a fusion of rock, pop, funk, and gospel by syncing all the different sounds we hear throughout the song. This coupled with Hayley Williams' voice is what sends me into orbit every time.

I’m not sure about other people but I know for me, the lyrics of a song is what resonates with me the most. The song is titled “Ain’t it Fun” and while that sounds like a question, the band doesn’t add a question mark at the end. Now many might say that this was for aesthetic reasons but the literary nerd in me thinks that Paramore had a deeper intention with that. “You're not the big fish in the pond no more, you are what they’re feeding on.” As an adolescent, growing up you think you’ve got the world figured out and your parents and those above you are overreacting. It’s not until you're out on your own that you realize that it's not fun at all. And so Ain’t it fun “being all alone” is a rhetorical question that is intended for the listener to feel rather than answer. Now I’m sure someone with more insight in music can break this song down better than I did, but I really just wanted to share how the cultivation of a song can stick with a person. This song brings me back to health class when my teacher who was also a DJ would play it. Shout out to Mr. Jordan, the spunky guy with a keen sense of great music. I’m sure their fans were in the back of their minds when Paramore recorded this song. I say this because it seems like they were actually talking to me when I first heard this song. They knew what was needed to say and delivered it in the most musically creative way. 

https://www.hitsongsdeconstructed.com/hsd_wire/aint-fun/

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Trendy Music Podcast

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There’s something about the holidays that makes me feel cheerful. I’m always looking forward to the season where people are merry and have adapted the giving spirit. Growing up in a Caribbean household, my parents always went all out for the holidays. They made sure that their first-generation American kids would know what it meant to really celebrate Christmas. This short playlist I’ve compiled of holiday songs is just a summary for the larger playlist I love to play every year. These songs mesh so well together that you have no choice but to look forward to Christmas while listening. I’ve incorporated classics such as “Rudolph The Red-Nose Reindeer” as well as the songs that I think are underrated.

This playlist starts off with “Frosty the Snowman” by The Jackson 5 to set the winter wonderland vibes. This song makes me want to get outside and build a snowman even though I hate the cold. The Jackson's harmonies over holiday bells is a great way to open up a holiday playlist. It's classic but timeless in the sense that kids nowadays know this song.

Speaking of a timeless song, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Burl Ives is up next. As a little girl this was my absolute favorite Christmas song. I felt like I was able to relate to Rudolph because he was different and an outcast. Although it is a short song, it is very straightforward. Because of this song everyone happens to know the story of Rudolph, a fictional reindeer that helped guide Santa on his sleigh. The fact that a song can tell a redeeming story while also giving you cheerful vibes and a dreamy melody is very satisfying.

Another personal favorite of mine is “Rocking around the Christmas tree” by Brenda Lee. Absolutely timeless. As Martin Chilton (Udiscovermusic.com) states, “It must be pretty rare to find anyone who hasn’t had an uninhibited living-room dance to Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’.” I can't remember exactly where I first heard this song but every time I hear it I remember the movie Home Alone. This is one of the best Christmas movies ever, and so hearing this song brings me back to a simpler time in my life where the only worry in my mind was if my parents would leave me at home by myself.

Mariah Carey’s “O Holy Night” is so underrated on so many levels. I hardly hear anyone play this song during the holiday season. I discovered this song from my mother who happens to be a huge Mariah Carey fan. She's always playing Carey’s Merry Christmas album around Christmas. It's important to incorporate a song with soul and powerful vocals to a holiday playlist. If you know anything about Mariah Carey, she exhibits both. This song evokes emotions that I have kept inside all year. Hearing her effortless falsetto makes me want to cry both tears of joy and sadness, because seriously why can't everyone be blessed with that vocal range.

Last but not least, we have “Last Christmas,” no pun intended. This Christmas hit by Wham! is more on the popular side. No matter how many times KTU or Lite Fm plays it, this song will forever be catchy. Who doesn't love a song about a heartbreak? Add that up with the holiday spirit and you get a hit record. Simple math. Driving home through the snow is exactly what this song draws my mind to. I can see my mom reaching to the volume button to turn it up. 

All in all, I’m happy to have presented some of my most played Christmas songs on this playlist. Like the New York Times says in their article “New Holiday Music Playlist: Tunes That Soothe, Provoke and Share a Joke,” “There is no strict formula for great holiday music — some is about family bonding and good cheer, and some captures regret and emptiness.” This couldn't have been said any better. I’ve seen holiday playlists that consist of only classic or pop music. I think what makes a holiday playlist unique is the experiences you have with each song rather than the songs itself. I can genuinely say that this playlist reminds me of Christmas as a child. Each song is tied to an experience of holiday joy. Taking a listen to this playlist is hearing the soundtrack of my life during the holidays.

Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/arts/music/christmas-holiday-albums.html

https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/brenda-lee-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-song/

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The Dish on Stevie Wonder

Have you ever seen Stevie Wonder perform live? I mean, maybe you've just heard his greatest hits, maybe you've even heard all of his songs hundreds of times... but how does it really feel live? After all, the more familiar you are with Stevie's music, the more you know that he plays many different instruments on the same song by way of multi-track recording. Also as far as 'packaged product' is concerned, although Motown gave him artistic freedom in 1970, the sequence and feeling of the songs certainly can't be the same live when he has to switch instruments and plan around logistical needs like bringing whole string orchestras on and off the stage, right?.... Not so!! Stevie has composed and played music at a very high level for too long to allow that to happen, and he has friends!

The regulars and OGs of his band consist of about 15 of the most soulful and virtuosic men and women from various heavy hitting circles of music around the world. Their performances are also frequently in collaboration with local orchestras as instrumentation is needed. On top of that, many of his band mates are also multi-instrumentalists, so he can switch off piano and play the harmonica, drums or what not, and all the parts can still be covered while other musicians are switching around from bass to piano or vocals to bongos for example. He can also rock the entire show from the middle of 3 pianos [two electric, and one acoustic] which have all the vocal mics, harmonicas, and talkboxes he needs to make 20,000 lose their everloving minds!

Ok for the actual experience of the show... it's breathtaking beyond words. The way the energy rises and falls during the buildup is like none other, and he capitalizes on the buzz of it all at key moments to connect with the audience and talk to them about global issues which are important to him. I think this is especially important because it breathes further life to the music itself because the songs are reflective of the beliefs he really expresses regularly as he addresses tens of thousands of his fans in the same breath as his family.

If you're a fan and you expect to hear his music live exactly the way you heard it on the album, you certainly will not! Stevie and the band are extremely creative and flexible with how they embellish on the existing material and meld from one song into another to create a stream of fresh and exciting musical experience, even for the listener who thinks they know the whole discography. This even proves to be the case over the course of a month between concerts on the same tour which shows the ensemble's dedication to constantly pushing the music forward.

There's also a tongue in cheek cinematic aspect of the performances which sort of rounds off the experience and bridges the vibes of the live musical performance aspect and the more formal and serious political address aspect.

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Have My Heart (feat. Chandler Moore & Chris Brown) - Maverick City | 

   What is the difference between gospel and contemporary christian music? Doesn’t the two both have a common goal to praise and worship God? Well the music industry would say that there is a difference and that the difference is often subjected by tone, but in actuality it's just a matter of race. Worship music as a whole is almost always overlooked in our society. Mainly because there are not many who believe in God. But whether you believe or not, experiencing quality worship music should move you. It should also look something like Maverick City, a diverse musical group who is taking worship music to a whole new level.

    “Have My Heart” is one of the many live recorded worship sessions that Maverick City has demonstrated to have authenticity and diversity. This observation mixed with the live piano, drums, and vocals is what draws people into becoming a fan of this group. Hearing the shouts of “yes” and “woo” in the background makes this feel like you’re right there in the room singing along. They are very inviting and charismatic. The first song I’ve ever heard from the group, “Most Beautiful/So in love,”  which is another live session, blew my mind. Admittedly, I found myself trying to box the group in a category as well. I was confused because I have never seen anything like it. Everyone seems so comfortable with each other. The setting that they record in is a filled room with people of every shade lifting their hands high and singing their hearts out unapologetically. According to an interview from Relevant magazine, Chandler Moore says “to be a little controversial, the industry mindset is yo, we have to have categories because if we don’t, people are not going to know what we want to present to them. So even one of the first records, [Billboard] tried to put it out as a Gospel record because I was black and I was on it.” Now when I typed in live gospel on Youtube I was sure to have found Maverick City there with Chandler Moore’s face on the thumbnail. Funny enough only the song where Chandler or another member who is black is leading comes up as gospel. “Have my heart” which has the incredible Chris Brown (not the R&B singer) on the cover does not. 

   This live performance doesn’t feel like a performance at all. It feels like a Sunday morning at church with your friends and all you want to do is pour your heart out to God.  This is what makes the experience so authentic.

If you want my heart you got it you got it

My favorite thing about this performance is watching the people in the backgrounds facial expressions. You can really tell that they are passionate about what they are singing and enjoy doing so. Nothing here looks like it was rehearsed or done for fame and money. True worship shouldn't be boxed in. God is the creator of everything and that includes people and music. Music that extends past the borders of categories developed by the music industry is exactly what Maverick City provides with this live performance and their whole band in general.

https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/how-maverick-city-music-is-breaking-the-worship-music-mold/

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 It’s one thing to review an album that’s popular but to review one that you have had enough time to sit down and ponder what to say is just as conflicting. You think you’ll know what to say when the time comes to start writing, but then you find yourself overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. This is what I felt when approaching to write about 4 Your Eyez Only by J.Cole. One of the greatest albums released in my time. Since this album came out in 2016, I was a sophomore in high school when I first heard it. Now this may just be the bias in me but I've never been able to resonate with an entire album emotionally and mentally the way I have with this one. Unlike your conventional rapper, J.Cole always talks about what others are afraid to. He is goated on so many levels and if he can grasp the attention of a 16 year old bookworm growing up in an urban community, then I imagine this album to have impacted many. Cole tackles the fragility of existing as a black man through various songs while expounding on contingencies as one goes through the motions of life.

 Now the album was dropped alongside a documentary that was released on Tidal. In this documentary, the Raleigh native rapper states “you’re never guaranteed to be this high again. And while I’m here, let me use this opportunity to say the realest [sh*t] I’ve ever said.” (https://www.xxlmag.com/today-in-hip-hop-j-cole-drops-4-your-eyez-only-album/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral). Referring to the most pivotal moment in his career, he chose the right time to share his truths and views on the economic disenfranchisement of blacks. In the album-titled song “4 your eyez only,” Cole uses Jazz instrumentals with drums to narrate the story of his deceased friend who is known as “James”  for confidential purposes. As the story unfolds, it is apparent that this song was addressed to the daughter of his friend. Throughout the album, selling drugs is illustrated as the only means to escape poverty. However, poverty wasn’t the only thing worth escaping from on this album. J. Cole raps about people dying on the daily and even goes so far to add the effect of funeral bells on “For whom the bell tolls.” It seems that there are two outcomes for those living in poverty. One being to die to gun violence or never make it out. We know this isn’t 100% true because there are a few exceptions, J.Cole is a prime example of one of them. But for the rest of us who are not as lyrically inclined or don’t exhibit any talents that's desired by Hollywood, that life is a reality. The mixture of Jazz and trap drums is what makes this album so inviting as well as Cole’s poetic lyricism. That man sure does know what he’s doing. 

 Now the majority of this album is focused on this theme but J.Cole also sings about love and fatherhood, which changes his perspective of life, on a few tracks. The parallels of life and finding love to struggling to survive is the conveying message that captured me as a 16 year old. As I navigated through life as a teenager, I found myself making memories with friends, trying to find love, and trying to escape the violence that surrounded me. Hearing about someone dying wasn't a foreign thing but listening to this album made me aware that I wasn’t alone and that others were swimming in the same water. 4 Your Eyez Only, unveils the realities thats tied to growing up in an environment that’s automatically against you. In its essence, this album gives a voice to the voiceless. 

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2020 as a song

In the words of the beautiful Jhene Aiko, “I can't wrap my head around what’s happening.” I'm sure we all could relate to these words, especially during these trying times. “Summer 2020” is the perfect rendition of the year 2020 as a song. While we all had great expectations going into the new year, it didn’t take months before we found the world as we know it turn upside down. 

5,4,3,2,1… Happy New Year!

As I celebrated the new year with my family, I couldn’t help but get excited for the new beginnings that were brewing in the atmosphere. I was officially done with 2019 and all of the grief it caused me. Obviously, I was oblivious to all the other grief I would have to face. One thing that I look forward to every year is the music that will be released. No matter how dismayed or jubilant we feel, we always need a soundtrack to amplify the moments created between time. The feeling of this song is like watching the sunrise on a summer morning. With its slow tempo and hypnotic harmony, “Summer 2020” captures listeners enticingly with relatable lyrics. You can find this smooth track on the deluxe version of Chilombo, Jhene’s third studio recording album. 

“Times are changing, strangers getting stranger. Generations faced with genocide.”

 In the heat of this summer we faced two adversaries, a pandemic and the virus of racial injustice. Left and right, people were dying due to COVID-19. It almost seemed like a movie as people were going crazy over paper towels and judging others strongly over a simple cough. As people were trying to find entertainment during quarantine, artists including Ms. Aiko, ventured off to social media to keep fans hopeful. While she didn’t perform “Summer 2020” she did perform another song off the Chilombo album called “B.S” ft H.E.R. Despite it being a pandemic, many took to the streets to protest against police brutality. The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor sparked the awakening of the masses. Men and women of color found themselves despair over the deaths of people who look like them. “And I feel like sometimes I cry.” Hearing these lyrics in Jhene Aiko’s soothing voice made me reminisce on the moment I watched a black man murdered while jogging on camera or the shocking video of George Floyd murdered by policemen. My eyes could not hold back any tears. It's clear that the song was intended for us to feel, as the artist was influenced by the tragedies of this year.

“I'll take some rain with my sunshine.”

Since Aiko’s audience is mostly young women who are in high school or college, I'm sure that many wouldn't have realized that she sampled Kool & The Gang’s successful hit “Summer Madness.” But then again this instrumental is so popular and ahead of its time that it will be hard to believe that someone didn’t know it. This isn’t the first time it’s been sampled either, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince made the 70s instrumental fresh and admirable in the 90s with their song “Summer time.” For those who were around in the 90s, this song was well associated with a good time. And while this sample is a masterpiece that should make you reminisce about a fantastic summer, I don't think that people will have that same effect when they listen to “Summer 2020” years later. This isn’t a blow to Ms. Aiko because the song brings a melancholic vibe that anyone can listen to when they feel chill or moody, which is what the singer is known for creating. However, I will be listening to this masterpiece rain or sunshine.

Kool & The Gang- Summer Madness

https://open.spotify.com/track/2uMqG8w8oi09fB2YA2QLOm?si=Jd-31JOmT8WgRFie7QypuQ

Dj Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince- Summer time

https://open.spotify.com/track/4vUiUHGwRsBo6M5pB641Wk?si=QbA2vaQbQWCgNUbU2tqI7g

Jhene Aiko- Summer 2020

https://open.spotify.com/track/0t2q2c43AATY4z1GI883Be?si=5i5rk2I0Q0-mfqBURNwVeg

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