Hey guys!

I love music. Anyone who knows me, knows music plays a big part in my life. I grew up in a Pentecostal church so gospel music is in my core. But I also grew up in a Jamaican household with parents who share my strong affinity for diverse music. So i grew up( and still do) listening to a vast variety of music like Mahalia Jackson and Andre Crouch , The Temptations ( my faves lol) and Otis Redding, Usher and Jodeci, Linkin Park and Tupac. I know such a weird musical palette.

I used to listen to everything mindlessly. “I’m just enjoying the beat” I used to say. But I realized that I really had to be careful with the content of the lyrics I was listening to.      ( The whole “Garbage In Garbage Out” term is a good example of this; whatever to put into your system is ultimately what you will put out.) As I got older, and deepened my relationship with Christ, I really had to take a step back and re-evaluate what I was listening to. Philippians 4:8 reads,

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

I don’t think Rihanna’s new song “B***h better have my money” fits into the category of things that are “pure” and “honorable” or “worthy of praise”. So that’s pretty much the scripture that I try to base my choice of music on. Now I’m not here preaching and pretending that I only listen to gospel music,but I would say that 85 percent of my choices are gospel 🙂  What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good love song or a reggae ( not dancehall) tune. 🙂

Ultimately, I think that it is important that you base your choices on your own personal convictions. If you are a believer of the Christian faith( and have established a relationship with the Holy Spirit) certain things( songs) just won’t feel okay for you to listen to. Pay attention to lyrical content. Even if you aren’t a Christian, you should try to fill your mind with content that is uplifting and positive.

So on that note ,I thought I’d leave you with a few songs I have been listening to over the past little while.

Tasha Cobbs:
Album: Grace
Genre: Gospel/Inspirational
Songs on Replay: Happy, For Your Glory, Grace, Greater

Lecrae
Album: Anomaly
Genre: Gospel/Inspirational Hip Hop
Songs on Replay: Welcome to America, Dirty Water, Say I Wont, Runners, All I need is you

Mali Music
Album:Mali Is
Genre: Inspirational/R&B
Songs on Replay: The ENTIRE Album 🙂

I actually had the opportunity to meet him last November when I was part of a team of amazing and talented singers( hey GDC) singing back up for an up and coming gospel artist who my brother/friend Tyshan Knight. Mali is so humble and real and I think that’s why I love him as an artist even more. Looking forward to new projects. I think everyone I know is sick of hearing this album and his previous album 🙂

I’ve also been listening to a lot of Jazmine Sullivan again lately. I’ m so upset that I missed her in concert last month in Toronto.. sigh oh well next time. One track that I have been playing on repeat is “Forever Don’t Last”

In a previous blog I mentioned Tina Campbell’s Destiny as a song I was anticipating. The rough cut on Youtube is beautiful I can’t wait for the album release. ( It was supposed to be May 7th but it has been pushed back)

Lastly, I was watching the Ellen DeGeneres show and Jamie Foxx was on. He debuted a snippet of a new song off his upcoming album “Hollywood: A story of a dozen roses”. I believe it’s coming out this month. Check out Jamie on Ellen here:

I’m supposed to be in love by now
It’s been so long for me I don’t know how
Been drowning in the sea of broken vows
But I’m supposed to be in love by now

I’ve been chasing a dream, now I’m chasing you
Running hard but my legs feel weak
I’d done played every part I’d done played a fool
Write the movie or be your lead
But I’m supposed to be in love today
Go through my phone and through them all away

In love by now….

Like wow…. cue the waterworks. I am literally sitting here on my bed typing this and bawling( anyone who knows me, knows i’m always bawling lol 😛 ) Such a talented artist ( even with that horrible USA anthem rendition at the Mayweather/ Pacquiao fight -_- ) and I don’t use the term “artist” loosely. I can say he is an artist because he is a classically trained pianist, writes his own lyrics, can sing well live and is a heck of a performer. I can’t wait to hear the finished product of this song and see what this album has to offer.

What are you listening to these days? Any new and upcoming artists I should know about? Let me know!

xoxo