Mixtape to my Life

Frank Ocean Feat. Andre 3000 “Pink Matter”

Question the world. Be curious. 

Your brain is constantly exposed to so much. 

We allow society to frame our minds...place so many expectations on defining what things are for us, how to go about certain situations... 

What is right, what is wrong, etc. 

We should question society's placed perceptions. 

Create your own ideas.  Open your mind. Question the status quo. 

Frank questions the purpose and existence of such delicate body parts, like the brain and the female anatomy. 

It was eye opening to strip them down to body parts for just a second. 

It made me appreciate the complexity of those body parts, the complexity of human existence. 

Three stacks' verse is nothing less than perfect in this song.

"Butter knife, what a life anyway"

Every line of his is so on point, it feels like a warm cup of tea. 

It gives me so much comfort how he can easily body a song. 

Match his slick rhymes over the soulful beat. 

6lack Feat. J. Cole "Pretty Little Fears"

Goosebumps. 

I feel in love. 

With what? With who? I don't know. 

But I feel that shit.

What a beautiful ode to love. 

"Got on yo bodysuit, you know I'm on your ass today, would you let me hit it thrice if I ask today" Yes, yes I would. haha

The queens they chose for the music video... perfect. 

She is real. Radiant. Relatable. So pure. 

I see myself in her. 

I am worthy of respect, just like her. 

Because, I too, am someone and I matter. 

Also, lovin' the casual shoutout to SZA with that "Love Galore" reference. 

Cole is the master of features. And this is the collab I never knew I needed. "Hey why the world do you like that? Like they don't know you God sent, but I view you like that". This line has me stupid smiling, wishing someone would see that much value in me. 

Knowing that you can be so vulnerable, someone can know every joy and sorrow about you. And they have that deep appreciation for you. That is love. 

The kind of love I remain hopeful for (but until then happy loving my damn self).

 You can be physically attracted to someone but that is meaningless without a connection. By connection, I mean that unexplainable vibe. That energy that just feels so right. 

What a deep level of trust, trusting someone with your heart like that."Mmmmmm"....what an embodiment of this sing. Shout out: "I'm loving your light, vulnerable. Letting your guard down, it's honorable.""For your vibe and your smile, I don't mind a lil rain"

The Killers "Mr. Brightside"

This is not a song you hear. It is one you experience. 

As soon as the guitar riffs hit, one's transported to that particular time in their childhood. 

This infamous 2000s hit was and will always be a hot commodity. 

As an adult, the song now has a deeper meaning for me because it is forever associated with my first international trip, my trip to Thailand.

Picture this - a group of strangers, all from the US in their 20s and 30s, losing their shit to a cover of "Mr. Brightside" by a local Thai band in a small bar (Knockout Bar) in Chiang Mai. 

It is moments like that, where one is truly presents and appreciates the experience of truly living. 

We literally just met but that did not matter because in that moment we were so deeply connected. We shifted from being strangers to becoming family. 

In that moment, I realized not to give a shit. Just live. Don't let the judgement of others rip you from truly enjoying a special moment. 

Shout out: "But it's just the price I pay, Destiny is calling me, open up my eager eye, 'cause I'm Mr. Brightside" 

Kid Cudi "Mojo So Dope"

First things first...Scott is BABE.

He is the artist I have supported since I first heard "Sky Might Fall".

Thank you YouTube recommendations for introducing me to A Kid named Cudi back in 7th Grade. And it has been beautiful to see his journey since then. 

I feel the emotion travel from his soul, to his mouth, to his mic, to the system and bless me right into my tears. 

That real transfer of emotional energy. 

It is his specialty, he is a master. 

The part where he emotionally sings "give a fuck about your lifestyle"...When I hear that line, I want to fucking cry. 

I choose this as my song of the day because it reminds me to live my truth.

Keep it real. You owe it to yourself.

Be authentic as possible because if you aren't living for your own dreams, then you'll fall in the background of someone else's. 

And lose sight of your own dreams, lose sight of yourself. 

Daniel Caesar (Feat. H.E.R.) "Best Part"

I get chills every time I hear this song. 

This is THE Love song for me.

This is that FOREVER thing.

The song that brings tingles to the body, an electrifying joy.

Makes you feel love, without ever being in love. 

This is the song I see myself dancing to at my wedding.

There is value to hold in each other but also in ourselves. 

Don't forget - we are all worthy of this kind of love.

I should shine just like the love that is radiating in this song.

I am worthy of happiness and love. As are you. 

Lauryn Hill "I Gotta Find Peace of Mind"

This song is raw. 

Hill is the master of emotions. 

You can literally hear her heart being poured out in this song. 

It is a declaration of heartbreak and an expressed breakthrough. 

For there is strength in facing the truth. 

Sometimes it takes us getting to the lowest points to realize the truth. 

We can be our biggest bullies, as we inflict pain onto ourselves. 

Faith can remind us to be the best version of ourselves - 

A highest version that is deserving of respect and REAL love. 

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

You should never settle for the current situation you are in.

That is the beautiful thing about life. 

It is ever changing, always evolving. 

First Step - MINDSET.

Be kind to yourself, surround yourself with good energy and the rest will follow. 

Shout out: "Every day's another chance”

Frank Ocean "Nights"

A lyrical poet. Master beat navigator. 

An artist that creates a true work of art, a timeless masterpiece. 

Frank's shift in tone compliments the transcending beat. 

Blonde has me in my feels over a breakup I've never experienced.

I'm in tears over a love story that has not happened to me. At least not yet. 

That is how powerful Frank Ocean is.

He evokes emotion so well. It's an experience that creates depth to the human spirit. 

Therapy to my ears. Therapy for the soul.

Cue the Jimmy Neutron moment - not a brain blast, but an emotional surge.

I'm left in nostalgia. Happy and sad. All the feels. 

Well played Frank. 

Shout out: The beat transition that happens in the middle of the song AND in the middle of the album is undeniably one of the greatest moments in music history. The duality in this album is so detailed, yet the execution seems effortless. It is a collision that finds beauty in chaos. 

Jungle “Casio”

One of my favorite music videos EVER. 

The hair. The hip thrust. 

Every beat, every movement so mesmerizing. 

This song transcends you to another decade.

This song has me imagining a love story in my head that is on the brink of ending, but there's still so much hope that it will continue to thrive.

Our mind can be so poisonous. We can fixate on a negative thought which bubbles over to our feelings. 

IT'S ALL UP IN YOUR HEAD NOW.

We long for what we have to continue, to last forever. But we say nothing and damage everything. 

Jhene Aiko “W.A.Y.S.”

This song runs deep. 

It digs deep through my emotions, my fears, my insecurities. 

Souled Out got me through some of my most depressing moments in college. 

Failing grades. I was naive - Prioritizing a letter over mental health, over self care. 

It is so easy to get fixated on perfection, on leaving the right impression.

BREATHE. Forgive yourself. 

It was my getting to my lowest point that snapped me out of autopilot. 

Dark clouds are bound to come from time to time, but they pass. 

We move on, stronger than ever. 

Tomorrow is a new day, filled with potential. 

As long as you seek the light. 

H.E.R. "21"

Modern Lauryn Hill, but more classic than ever.

Talent untouched by the evils of corruption.

The circle gets smaller but the trust gets deeper. 

Faith unfazed, confidence souring high.

Hustle in silence, for karma will repay. 

Talent is boiling, the heat cannot be handled. 

Impact is monumental. Connection is all too real. 

Look at how far you've come. 

Pay off is so rewarding when the passion runs deep. 

Good energy abound. And you are more than ready for it.

Shout out: "Can't work as hard as me but wanna eat,  can't cheat the grind"

Childish Gambino “Summertime Magic”

Put noise-cancelling headphones on. 

Lay down on the bed. 

Close those eyes. 

Ultimate euphoria. 

Drum's pulsing through your veins. 

Coming in sync with your heartbeat. 

A smile radiates as bright as the sun. 

The sun on Guava Island. 

The rays kiss your skin. 

That's the warmth of unconditional love.

LOVE - RiRi and Bino. 

A presence that cannot be ignored. 

Truly present in the moment. 

Nothing can distract the surge of happiness. 

Dance now. Dance forever. 

For the hands of time cannot touch this Summertime Magic.

Shout out: The slow intro of the song.

Noname "Reality Check"

Noname's track is effortless, from the smooth bars to melodic hook. 

So chill. The bars. I could ride to this.

It brings visibility of the internal battle of pursuing your dreams and bringing them to light.

In the process, you are hooked. 

In your comfort zone. "Your go-to coffee shop" where you know you are satisfied. But if you just take that step across the street, you never know what greatness awaits on the other side.

Confront that internal fear, "let your light glow" and embrace you, all of you. 

The good, the bad.

Seize the day. 

Opportunities present themselves in cunning ways. Be present. You never know when saying yes to the randomness of life can be a game changer.

Shout out: "you are powerful beyond what you imagine"