Words of Music

In today’s society, people feel as though hip-hop music glorifies sex, money, and drugs. The three essentials to creating a hit hip-hop song. And when it comes to men in today's rap industry, they aren't seen as sexual deviants in any way shape, or form compared to women in the same industry which is total bullshit. For example, Megan Thee Stallion. A queen that I feel honored to have today, has faced so much hate and criticism in her life about her music and everything it stands for when the real message behind her music is for women who have been put down in their lives to love themselves and be the baddie they were always meant to be. Point blank period. Starting her career in 2016, Megan created a platform through her music for women, especially women of color, to be comfortable with who they are and love everything about themselves and I admire and adore her for that. But sadly people feel entitled to criticize her for being a woman as if men in the hip-hop industry aren't making the same kind of uplifting, inspiring music about a group of people as well. The hypocrisy Megan Thee Stallion and other women face in this industry are beyond aggravating for all they want to do is be respected for their work and not feel less than a man. Artists like Megan aren’t running the culture of hip hop today but are saving it from the downfalls and self-hatred and lack of meaning or message.

As more and more of her songs became hits when released, the more hate and criticism she received as an artist. Usually all men, people would comment under her music videos with responses such as, “Why would she make a song like this, she has to be a whore” or “My kids should not be exposed to stuff like this, shame on you”. Meanwhile, these same men are probably so sexually preoccupied and feel as though their wives don’t love them enough and cheat over and over again. All they are doing is just feeding into the hypocrisy they have created rather than trying to tear it down. It saddens me to hear and read about such hypocrisy because all they need to do is just mind their fucking business but no, they choose to spread hate since she is a one, a female artist, and two a BLACK female artist that is successful. Now even though Megan acknowledges all this hate she only acknowledges it to thrive off of and prove all the fucking haters and criticizers that they are wrong.

In a New York Times special about Megan Thee Stallion, she goes on to speak about what she stands for and how she wants to be a voice for black women everywhere. Same time around this interview, Megan was shot twice in the leg as she was trying to leave someone with whom she wasn’t in a relationship, but that’s not how he perceived it. For a while, she was silent about the situation in fear of what the media and the whole world would say about the situation since women of color are always criticized negatively in situations like this. Megan goes on to state: “My initial silence about what happened was out of fear for myself and my friends. Even as a victim, I have been met with skepticism and judgment. The way people have publicly questioned and debated whether I played a role in my own violent assault proves that my fears about discussing what happened were, unfortunately, warranted.”(https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/opinion/megan-thee-stallion-black-women.html).

Not only because of the criticism black women face in today’s society but the criticism Megan faces as a black artist, she chose to live in silence about an issue that we as non-celebrities don’t think a celebrity would or could go through. And the fact that people would ever even consider that it was her fault that she got shot makes them a sick piece of shit because who the hell asks to get shot, I know I sure as hell wouldn’t so I know she wouldn’t as well. And in the same article Megan continues on with her interview allowing the reader to know that she isn’t afraid of a little criticism anymore and for that, I applaud her and am deeply inspired by her.

Ok so when it comes to her music, of course, she receives hate for basically all of them since they glorify being a girl boss or just a powerful, comfortable women figure in society. Men do not want that tho. They want a woman who is dependent on them and needs a man figure in their life and Megan challenges that thinking through her music. One song of hers I know that received a lot of hate and backlash when it first came out was ‘Body’. In her song, ‘Body’ Megan glorifies the beauties of one’s body and the love and pride she shares about her own. The mindset of loving one’s body doesn’t sink in well for toxic men of today’s society since they feel as though women should love their bodies because a man justified their beauty for them. And respectfully but disrespectfully Megan said FUCK THAT and that mindset. This song was a great eye-opener for women today to just love who they are and the skin they are living in. Can we have more Megans in the world, like PLEASE?

^Megan Thee Stallion - Body [Official Video]^

At the end of the day, Megan Thee Stallion will forever be an icon for the hip-hop/rap community and will always inspire young black girls and women to love who they are for who they are. Even though society constantly criticizes her and her music, as if men in the rap industry aren’t doing the same, Megan still prevails. Over and over again she dismisses the hate given to her and knows that her work isn’t what is wrong with the world, the world just isn’t ready for her work or someone like her who defies the social constructs of what a lady or woman should be. Challenging the system of cultural/societal criticism allows the system to change and grow and Megan Thee Stallion will always be a prime definition of being herself and saying a big fuck you to the status quo. Hope yall enjoyed this piece. Peace and Love.

Ok so before Summer Walker came out of the blue, a rising young black female artist by the name of Kiana Lede was delivering some really good, attacking of the soul, music. Like all love to Summer, I absolutely adore her music and I appreciate her vulnerability within it, but she is not my queen of R&B today. My queen is Kiana Lede and will probably be Kiana till the day I’m 6 feet under because LORD does her music hit differently. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Kiana took advantage of what she was good at during her teen years, songwriting. Already with an amazing voice, she put to work with her keyboard, records that she loved, and her gifted voice and wrote songs in her room that was dear to her. She was able to channel all the hurt, loneliness, and sadness she faced as a teen into her music, giving her a unique and personal take on R&B music that she knew could relate to a bigger audience and as time went on it did.

Some may argue that Kiana Lede is a decent artist and that her music doesn’t seem to fit the narrative of what R&B music should be. And here is my response to those who say such a thing: Stop being a hating ass bitch. In the world we live in, with endless music genres and even crossbreeds of musical genres, there should be no set narrative for what a genre should sound like. Yes, every genre has its own sound to classify it as such genre, cool, but at the same time putting so many rules on a genre of music doesn’t allow it to grow and evolve. It only belittles it creates negative stigmatism on what should be classified as what. And that is a major reason why some people in this world don’t appreciate her music and make it very underrated the way it is today.

Now even though some people in the world may not understand her music, which I don’t know why the hell they wouldn’t but go off I guess, others understand the value behind her craft and the songs she makes for others personally relate to. On Ones To Watch’s biography about Kiana, the author had briefly talked about the uprising in her music career in which they stated, “Recognizing the grind, Republic Records co-founder and chief executive Monte Lipman personally signed Kiana”(https://www.onestowatch.com/artist/kiana-lede). And respectfully so, AS HE FUCKING SHOULD. The CO-FOUNDER and CHIEF EXECUTIVE of freaking REPUBLIC RECORDS saw the passion and greatness within her and her music and made an incredible decision signing her.

Random but not so random quick sidebar: Even though Kiana is known for her singing and songwriting she is actually quite the actress and starred as high school student, Zoe Vaughn, in MTV’s Scream series adaptation and that is actually how I first found out about her as a person.

Ok ok but back to what I was rambling about before, her music. In an interview for VIBE, Kiana had stated, “As an artist, it’s really nerve-wracking for someone who writes about such personal things all the time,”... “Just the fact that it is my story… It’s good to know that other people know that there’s somebody on their side, and they’re not the only ones going through it. A lot of people obviously feel this way, and have been through this same thing that I’ve been through” and that was genuinely humble of her to say

(https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/kiana-lede-interview-next-625946/). She doesn’t just appreciate the fact that people enjoy her music but that they can deep down relate to it like she did while creating it for it shows her that she isn’t alone in this world and artists like this are the ones we need to keep around till the end of time. Artists like Kiana that are more content on how the song personally makes someone feel rather than is this song a hit or not. And for that, I will always give her my utmost respect and gratitude for just being true to her music and true to herself.

Now I couldn’t end this piece without giving proper kudos to my favorite song by her and the message each song holds in my heart:

Starting off we have Heavy. This was by far one of Kiana’s most personal and vulnerable songs I have ever heard by her and that is what made me fall in love with it the first time I listened to it. The entirety of this song is the story behind Kiana’s depression and anxiety and how heavy the world feels around her at every moment she experiences. We really don’t get a lot of vulnerable songs like this and even though this song hits close to home if it had not been personal to me as well I still would have seen the value and genuine passion behind this song for it was just beautifully made.

^(Kiana Ledé - Heavy ft. Jenifer Lewis (Official Audio) ft. Jenifer Lewis)^

A second song I truly cherish by her is called ALL TO YOU. Now this song isn’t actually her song and it belongs to an artist she has collaborated with in the past named Russ. More or less though her verse in the song gave it that sparkle that makes you crave her voice. The slow and seductive tone of their voices creates a natural blend while still creating the story of wanting someone so bad and giving your heart to them just for them to not ever feel the same.

^(Russ - ALL TO YOU (Official Audio) ft. Kiana Ledé)^

With everything that’s been said, Kiana Lede will undoubtedly be one of my favorite artists of all time, R&B or not, but sadly will probably also be one of the most underrated artists I have seen today. Her music not only moves people but allows them to know that you are never alone and to remember who you are as a person because at the end of the day no one should control how you feel besides yourself. I just hope one day more people will see her for her work and connect to her music on a deep and personal level for she is a force to be reckoned with. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Peace and Love.

Andrew or Drew the God (his not so yet well-known artist name) is in a way your everyday regular guy. He goes to work, goes to school, plays videos games at home, all the usual stuff an 18 boy would do you know. I have had the pleasure of knowing Andrew for 10 years, so since we were little ass kids, and can gladly say that this is my guy and I can surely call him my brother. We grew up at the same Music and Arts institution and over the years I saw his love for music grow. Not only does the kid play the electric guitar, but he can sing, act, and he even produces his own music. And to like not even cap since he’s my friend he’s one good ass actor. Hands down I knew I wanted to interview him for this piece since he loves talking about his craft with me and I love to do the same with him so yea let’s get to it.

We started off the interview with a conversation less about t the topic and more about each other but when we finally got to business I knew my first question had to spark his creative mindset.

Me: “Alright bro, tell me why do you make music? Yea this is a simple question but if you really think about it outside of the normal reasons it’s not.

Andrew’s response: “Well shit when you put it like that yea it’s going to be hard (proceeds to laugh), but shit if imma be completely honest I make music to ease my depression.”

After saying this he continues on to state, “In the world, we live in today there are many ways to cope with depression. Some people choose alcohol or marijuana, others choose to take prescription medicine, I just choose to be one with the music.” I was surprised that he had shared a response like this or even talked about his depression for I knew he had depression but I didn’t he would want others to know or read about which was quite the opposite, he was ok with sharing who he is with all of you as I was very moved by this response and was excited to see where the rest of our interview would go. I respected the hell out of him for being so honest and vulnerable.

The next question I asked had asked him was the following:

Me: “So what would you consider to be the pros and cons of producing and making your own music?”

Andrew’s response: “I would say there are more pros than cons but there are sure as hell some cons. The only con I can think of right now would have to be the constant self-doubt if it’s good or not since I don’t have my own team around me. But the pros would have to be that I have complete creative control over my music, I can add acoustic or electric guitar to any songs of my choosing since I know how to play them, and knowing how to create and produce your own music is a great skill to have in the future. Like one day I can produce music for others since I already taught myself all there is to know.”

Since we don’t see a lot of or get to hear about 18-year-olds producing music I felt that it was crucial that I asked such a question and as always his response did not fail. I definitely see how there could be cons to producing your own music but I also do see how there could be more pros to this technique and process. Since he’s a college student as well I didn’t want to up much of his time so I only created the interview with the intent of asking three questions and the third and final question I asked him was the following:

Me: “Igh bro final question to end off the interview. Alright be completely honest with me, where do you see yourself in 10 years? Do you see yourself still playing and creating your own music or do you see yourself doing something completely different ?”

Andrew’s response: “To be honest I really don’t see myself still producing music for the individual artists but since I lobe film, which you already knew, I see myself producing and creating music for tv and film. Like why not do the things you love in life and if I can do the things I love all together for my future career it’s like WHY THE HELL WOULD I NOT DO IT.”

And just like always Andrew was right. If you could pursue a career in what you love and enjoy doing why would you not take that shot and as Nike said JUST DO IT. I am beyond grateful that he gave his time and thoughts for this piece and I am more beyond grateful to have an amazing brother from another mother who is so driven by what he loves for this inspires me every day to do the things I love as well. Hope you guys enjoyed this interview and thanks for reading. Until next time. Peace and Love.

Realistically, when it comes to a high school party most people only go to either A, showboat their new outfits or boyfriend/girlfriend, or B, to get fucked up. I go neither. I go to just experience the vibe and get a perspective on how people in my generation today. Sometimes there are those parties that have trash-ass music and there are others that hit the spot with the music they provide, and best believe I will be talking about the scene of the best high school party I had ever gone to in my entire life.

My junior year on October 30th, which now I think about it probably wasn’t the best time weather-wise to have an outside party, my friend threw this big Halloween party at her house since she has a gigantic backyard. I got to be there earlier than the party started since we were close and my god did these people not fail my expectations. For those who came in costumes, they were basically like no one’s costume felt original in any way, shape, or form. For example, some guys showed up in just all-black attire with glowing masks on which literally screams basic. They honestly didn’t care, they were just there for the party and to get plastered. Those that didn’t show up in costumes tho, were the people I was looking out for. Guys coming in graphic tees, jeans, and a fresh pair of kicks and a hat from lids to match while girls came in most likely a Forever 21 crop top with jean shorts and some white vans. It was just the standardized party outfit which kinda sucked to constantly see.

Now even though the people at the party all looked basic asf, the energy they brought to the table was giving what needed to be given. Of course, at any high school party you can think of there’s gonna be alcohol. Teens love to get drunk, don’t know why because it really couldn’t be me but they just do. And not to say sober people don’t know how to have a great time because they do but it’s something about a happy, energetic drunk person at a party that just brings good vibes. Along with all of this happy energy followed absolutely amazing music. My friend had a senior who was a Dj come and Dj the party and my god he did not disappoint. He started from the classics such as Work by Rihanna and transitioned his way to the hits we listen to today such as High Fashion by Roddy freaking Ricch. It was like he magically scanned the room and understood the vibe that he needed to provide. With his little set up on my friends’ back porch, speakers blasting, this party was by far the best high school party I had ever gone to and that was all thanks to the music provided by the amazing Dj.

Alright, long story short high school parties can be very cliches, like the ones you see in all the teen movies or tv shows. If you’re lucky though, you may come across a party that has a scene like no other, with great music, great vibes, the whole damn package. I’m glad I was able to revisit my past to the best party I had ever gone to for no other party I go to now compares to that cold-ass October night. Well that all folks. Peace and love.

Listen love is a MESSY subject to explain LMFAO. I mean we all experience love on a different level, with different interactions of love and different people to experience love with. Lewis Capaldi explores the messiness and confusion of love in his song called “Leaving My Love Behind” from his captivating album, ‘Divinely Unspired To A Hellish Extent’. Lewis has an astounding history with digging deep within the soul of his listeners and tackling the challenges of love itself. I’d just like to say that i am proud of myself for choosing this song to focus on how the sounds and its concept behind it for this song hits home on some deep shit dude. Alright but enough sad shit about me, let’s talk some sad shit about the song.

Just to be transparent as fuck, I know the absouslte bare minmum about music and the technically of music so bare with me. This track starts off with a melancholy piano intro in i dont know what damn key, but this key does play a trick on you and fools you to think that this song is going to be upbeat and lively, but SIKE it’s not. Lewis’s rich, deep tone breaks into the song and you can just hear the pain behind every word he sings. This first verse tackles the confusion on how downhill the relationship has fallen with a void created in the relationship by his absence, but still he pleads for her to hold on to the love they share. Within the prechorus, Lewis yearns for her to realize that love is not an easy concept for either of them but holding on to something that is not worth it hurts me than to hang on to the false relationship they are both trying to create for each other. When Lewis says the word “Love”, there is a restraint in his voice, he is holding back on the whole wood for how agonizing it is to bring up, but still we understand clearly that he is is ok to let the love go. And if you are careful and paying very close attention you can hear Lewis take a breathe before singing the pre-chorus with the word “Love” for like I said, the downfall of their love is something he doesn’t want to admit.

MY GOD DID THIS CHORUS MAKE ME CRY LIKE A BITCH. Not only do we get a whisper of an electric gutair playoing alongside the piano chords from the beginning, but Lewis jumps right into the chorus with a powerful screech that is full of pain and sadness. Hearing him singing this chorus made me respect him heavly as an artist when I first got into his music. His vibrato in his voice is just so rich and pure and one word out of his mouth and you already know its going to hit you like a fucking truck. In this chorus he relazies that putting effort into something that just wasnt meant to be saved has amounted to his energy and tim being wasted. No one likes to hang onto something that is not worth saving and you precisely hear that in his voice as he sing this entire chorus, SHITTTT even as he sing the entire song. In my opinion I believe his team used no affects on his voice since its just powerful to begin with and focussed on the amazing and controlled range he is giving when he his belting his soul away with the high notes.

(^Me as I listened more and more to the song lol^)

The second verse has that same sound/vibe as the first verse but before existing the first verse, at the very end of it we get nice steady harmony of Lewis singing the line “cracks in conversations way too long, im barely holding on” and when hearing this i was barely able to hold onto my damn tears in my eyes. This time in the prechorus, Lewis chooses to sing this part in his higher range with another, very low, harmony of his voice singing the same part singing in the back. Its something that could be missed but if you are only focussing on the song and only the song you can hear it.  

Overall, the second chorus sounded very similar to the first. Still with the same instruments and same aspect Lewis was bringing within the first time we heard him sing it. Instead of it cutting off into a verse, this chorus smoothly transitions into what i guess you can call it the third pre chorus even tho there was no third verse. In this short, but impactful pre chorus, Lewis pleads and whales over and over “Let me go”. And of course like the sensitive dude I am, I most definitely cried the hardest during this part of the song. To end off with, we get a final chorus with what it sounds like to be a very powerful symphony of violin’s along side the other instruments from the beginning of the song. And in the last few seconds we get a complete absence of all other instruments besides the electric guitar and Lewis voice to capture the last and final words of the song and to create a very remeberbale last moment. Now did I tear up writing this, I sure as hell did. But did I cry out of sadness, NO. I cried out of pride and the personal growth I have conquered within myself through this song. Hope you guys enjoyed. Peace and love. Until next time.

Thank you Lil Nas X for breaking the gay agenda every day and not only living your truest life through how you present yourself but through your music as well. In his 2021 album MONTERO, Lil Nas X served us with tracks that are not only personal to him but can be relatable to many queer people of color, and I am grateful for that. Through all the hate and pain he was able to give us an album that showed who he truly is and that he was okay with who he is and I think we need more artists today spreading that message. Though some tracks sound similar they each individually have their own personal vibe, with some also having greater meanings than others.

MONTERO(Call Me By Your Name):

With it being the first track on the song, Call Me By Your Name reels us in with its seductive chimes. Not only does the music sound amazing and throws it back to ancient Egypt but Lil Nas soothes us with his muffled, but understandable, voice.

DEAD RIGHT NOW:

Off the bat, I knew this song was going to hit different on a personal level since the title is named what it is lol, but overall this song gave what needed to be given. With its message behind individuals wanting you in their life when they were not in yours, Lil Nas gives a brutally honest backstory on the life of pop stars such as him and how people will only want something from you when you are doing good in life.

INDUSTRY BABY:

The sweet trumpets as the opener of the track grab your attention automatically and make you so excited for what is in store for the rest of the song. With its marching band/ hip hop swag, Industry Baby is hands down one of the best songs to vibe out to or get hype to during a car ride with friends or even to get pumped during a good workout. And don’t get me started on Jack Harlow’s feature on this track. Respectfully, Jack ate that shit up and you can’t but help but love his verse on the track.

THATS WHAT I WANT:

I’m still trying to get the vibe of the song because at first I didn’t really care for it and I still kinda don’t but the message that we all just someone to love us was a message a rocked with. My favorite aspect of the song was definitely him singing the chorus and pouring out his emotion in it.

THE ART OF REALIZATION:

Only being 24 seconds long, I really couldn’t tell the message behind this interlude, I guess if you want to call it that, but I feel like there is a hidden message somewhere.

SCOOP:

https://youtu.be/iHLmSXJLH8E

Another song that I kinda didn’t understand the message behind but I think the beat in the song is absolutely fire. Featuring the amazing queen Doja Cat, this track could have been better if her verse was longer for it was way too short.

ONE OF ME:

https://youtu.be/PMHACPDlarM

Nas switches it up with a beautiful, mellow track still delivering his rapping skills. What definitely carried the song was the amazing piano work by Elton John was phenomenal. I became so joyful when I saw him featured on the song for I knew he was going to kill it.

LOST IN THE CITADEL:

https://youtu.be/9YJvvfuLqmA

Nas switches up his poppy style to give us a rock vibe that was absolutely amazing. Whatever band he chose or worked with on this track fucking DID WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE and I was here for it !!

DOLLA SIGN SLIME:

https://youtu.be/daQsxpitJV4

In my opinion, I was more excited for Megan THee Stallions featured verse on the song rather than Lil Nas rapping and as great of a job he did Megan left NO fucking crumbs because she fucking ate that shit up.

TALES OF DOMINICA:

https://youtu.be/NIgeyUn8fVk

The vibe of this song reminded me of music I listen to when I am doing work or trying to focus and although I didn’t understand the message behind the track I still enjoyed it.

SUN GOES DOWN:

https://youtu.be/NIgeyUn8fVk

LORDYYYY, WHAT A MASTERPIECE THIS SONG WAS !! Nas gives us a backstory behind all the pain he endured growing, not only being a black male in this world but a gay black male in fact. The message of constantly feeling lonely was prominent in the song and this track is by far my favorite song by him for it being so personal and raw.

VOID:

https://youtu.be/ccOr_DTgKEs

Being the longest song on the album, Nas delivers another very personal track in which he sings I believe what was either a note to someone he loved or a note to himself. I could hear the rich emotion behind his voice and I loved it.

DO WHAT I WANT:

https://youtu.be/1m0gYENb9R4

Back to the poppy/rap vibe, I didn’t really care for this song and I probably never will but a cool touch on the song was the voice recordings of him winning awards and his song being praised by a news reporter.

LIFE AFTER SALEM:

https://youtu.be/zq3f3D4sW8Q

With its slightly heavy metal feel, this dark and twisted track was very interesting to listen to since it felt so different from his other songs and the rest of the album.

AM I DREAMING:

https://youtu.be/RJ2eo79GUBM

The acoustic, soothing vibe on this was absolutely amazing and to have Miley Cyrus featured on this song was even more amazing. Her voice captivates my soul every time especially when I can hear the emotion behind her voice in a performance or song, and I sure as hell heard it in this song.

Hands down the weirdest “concert” I have ever attended, MTV’s Video Music Award show proved that some of today’s artists really know how to give us a show while others are just not quite there yet with that aspect, but they are trying. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend this year's VMA’s and experience a multitude of performances from many different artists and styles of music. Am I gonna be brutally honest in this post, yes I am and are some of you not going to agree with me, probably not but I dont give a rats ass if you don’t. I'm not going to be covering every single performance from this event because that is just max, but I am gonna be voicing my opinion on what performances stood out to me in either a positive or negative way.

As much as I love him as an artist, Lil Nas X just didn’t deliver the performance I truly was hoping for. It was predictable that he would perform his newest hit ‘Industry Baby'. His stage presence throughout the entire time was phenomenal, but his lack of singing was  the overall downfall. What definitely carried the overall performance was Jack Harlow coming out to perform his verse in the song and the very seductive dance break at the end to his other hit song ``Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’. Whenever I see him perform again in the future I hope he brings everything he’s got to the table, vocals, choreography, the WHOLE package.

(Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow Perform "Industry Baby" & "Montero" | 2021 VMAs | MTV)

OLIVIA, OLIVIA, OLIVIA !! Might I just say for a first ever performance in the music industry SHE ATE THAT SHIT. Not only was her stage performance there but she served us with such amazing energy to one of Sour’s amazing hit’s, ‘Good 4 U’. And not only did she do what needed to be done but her band, my GOD her band didn’t come to play. They gave us so much energy in their performances that I thought I was going to pass out from yelling and screaming. Now I know she's not much of a dancer, but as the dancer I am I really enjoyed the dancer’s energy as well and I wished she had joined in on the choreography for even a small amount of time for it would've made it extraordinary in my eyes. 

(Olivia Rodrigo Performs "good 4 u" | 2021 VMAs | MTV)

Normani, being the goddess she is, gave us a breathtaking performance of her newly single, ‘Wild Side’, that kept me on your toes from start to finish. From the choreography to the visuals, Normani and her team devoured the stage and took my breath away every second watching it. The vocals were alright but what made up for it was the surprise guest Normai was bumpin and grinding onto, the visionary Teyana Taylor. As Teyana was basically crucified on what looked like an upright morgue examining table, Normani seduced us and her guest as she was bouncing up and down all over Ms.Taylor. THAT was a performance I will never forget.

(Normani Performs "Wild Side" | 2021 VMAs | MTV)

Now it was sad to see the duo sisters Chlöe and Hallie perform together but I was proud by Chöle’s first solo performance to her first solo song ‘Have Mercy’. One critic stated, “Her sassy presentation in a pink leotard and matching ankle boots also showcased how much she has learned from mentor Beyoncé as she imbued her performance with drama, twerking and most importantly, actual vocal talent (https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/09/12/vmas-2021-performance-reviews-ranked/8307348002/) and I found this to be absolutely FALSE. Yes she is a fan of Beyonce’s and yes Beyonce has mentored her as an artist, but she also delivered us a performance in her own vision and her own style and I was absolutely blown away by it from start to finish. 

(Chlöe Performs "Have Mercy" | 2021 VMAs | MTV)

Ok, but can we just give a round of applause to Olivia Rodrigo for being the genuine queen she always is (Loud applause sound) because lord Jesus we needed her music a long time ago. With her first studio album Sour, Oliva Rodrigo gives us a rollercoaster of raw emotions and feelings that she has personally experienced in her young life. People argue that since Oliva’s all-time inspiration is Taylor Swift the sound/vibe of the album is very similar to some of Taylor Swift’s past albums, and I believe this to be absolute bullshit. All love to TayTay but I never finished an entire album of hers and if their sounds were “very similar” then I would’ve never connected or finished Oliva’s album as I did. Sour is filled with deep, personal messages that not only allow you to reflect on yourself and your choices but allow you to reflect on those who have added no good to your life. To put it into simpler terms, if you are a good person and your ex treated you like shit this album was made for you.

Now as we dig a little more deeply into the songs, you’ll notice how each song has its own rhythm to it, its own meaning of creation, and the emotion that follows the creation of it. If you like rock or punk music, Brutal is the song for you. At first, when Brutal was released as a single I didn’t enjoy the song much for I am not a fan of rock. Over time though this head bopper of a song grows on you, especially if you relate to feeling like everything in this world is brutally against you. Two songs that go hand in hand with one another are two songs that blew up on Tik Tok, Traitor, and Favorite Crime. Both with their angelical sounds, Traitor tackles more on the side knowing that the one you love doesn’t love you back anymore, and though they might not have cheated on you it still hurts how fast they’ve moved on while you are in just complete agony. Just like its counterpart, Favorite Crime still deals with the fact that you were the only one present in the relationship, the only one who cared about it, with a spin on the fact that everything you had done for them was just fucked over by the fact that they used you and didn’t use you for your love and attention, and sadly they got away with this “crime”.

A song that just HAS to be mentioned in this review is Olivia’s debut single, Driver’s License. This phenomenal song struck the hearts of millions of teens and not only brought Olivia to the spotlight of the music world but was the number one song of Billboards Hot 100 songs for eight weeks straight. This was well deserved for her since she delivered a heartthrob of a song that makes you scream to the top of your lungs. Now I’m not going to cover every song on this album in this review because I could go on for days, but the final one I shall cover is the infamous Good 4 U. When this song dropped as a single I didn’t care for it not one bit but just like Brutal, Good 4 U grew on me exponentially and it is now probably one of my favorite songs to jam out to. Not only is Oliva’s spectacular voice blessing us in this song, but the craftsmanship of the drummer and the guitarist is out of this world. It goes to show how over time music can affect you/grow on you and affect you as a person. Even though I didn’t cover every track on the album, overall as a debut to the music industry/word, Oliva Rodrigo delivered us with a hurdle of emotions. Not only does this album brutally bash the soul but it also allows one to pour out all those negative emotions that they’ve had bottled up inside of them to break free for these emotions were withholding you from being their true and amazing selves. Stay sour my friends, until next time.

(Olivia Rodrigo - favorite crime (Live Performance) | Vevo LIFT)

Not so long ago, amazing singer, songwriter, and my favorite celebrity pothead, Ben Plat released his new album, Reviere. Shockingly it is only his second studio album and my god did he release another banger. Not only did it take my breath away but it made my 40-year-old mother cry her eyes out like the teenage girl she was a few decades ago. With its jazzy and electronic vibe, this pop album transports you to the 80s and makes you wish you could travel back to that time to appreciate pop music from that era. Ben Platt uses his grief and learned lessons from his past to poor out in every song he has on this album. You cannot help yourself to not connect to these songs and let them strike your soul because that is how much power his lyrics hold over a listener.

We start the album off with the first of three interludes that fall at the beginning, middle, and end. As interesting as the interludes were, I genuinely didn’t care for them only because they sounded too robotic for my taste. Even though they weren’t my favorite parts of this collection of music I do love that all 3 interludes tell a personal story of Ben Platt and his self-growth journey. “Childhood Bedroom”, the first full song, automatically catches your interest with its futuristic but majestic sound. It allows the listener to step into a space of serenity and brings back all the happy memories one has had as a child in their very own childhood bedroom. Equally important, “Happy to Be Sad” allows one to know that it is okay to be sad at times and miss that certain someone who you had to let go of for your own sake. Ben Platt’s vocals along with the saxophone solo at the end was an extraordinary way to end this track. The comfort of letting someone go and putting yourself first continues onto the next track with a popular fan favorite “I Wanna Love You But I Don’t”. This track flows through self-love and justification to let someone who you love go because you know deep down in your heart that they only cause you sadness.

(Ben Platt - I wanna love you but I don’t [Official Video)

“Leave My Mind” tackles the concept of trying your very hardest to delete that one person who you thought you loved but wasn’t truly there for you. Like its counterpart and previous track above it, the electrifying “Dance With You” allows the listener to flow through a scene of uninsured love. Ben Platt figuratively dances with his connection with another and allows the one he loves to know that he is sure of their love and he wouldn’t want anyone else by his side to hit that dance floor with. “Carefully” presents us with a soft, heaven-like tune that tackles the idea of having your loved one break your heart in the most gentle way possible. Ben’s stunning voice along with the acoustics on this track go hand in hand so well that I find it amazing how much power a person’s voice can have over you.