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What I’m Currently Jamming On…

November 8, 2015by Sophie1 Comment

Hey y’all!

Just dropping by to share with you some of the music I’ve been currently jamming on over the past few months. I have quite an eclectic musical palette. I don’t only listen to one particular genre of music. I like a little bit of everything….. except what I think they call ” screamo”. I just can’t get behind it.. sorry lol. I listen predominantly to Christian/Gospel music but I do have an affinity for the musical talents of a plethora of different artists. So let me share with you a few of the songs I’ve been annoying the people around with by playing 24/7. Some are newer songs and some not so new! Enjoy!

Kirk Franklin Losing My Religion ( the entire album). I know you all knew this was coming! I’m borderline obsessed with this album ( and it’s not even released yet! It drops this Friday November 13th.) I’ve used two of these songs of his songs in prior Monday posts.( click the links to read those blogs) I’ve always been a Kirk Franklin fan, and this project is gearing up to be one of his best works yet! The track I’ve been playing on REPEAT this week especially is called “Road Trip”. Take a listen down here:

Kirk Franklin: Road Trip

Tasha Cobbs- Fill Me Up. This song came out many months ago, The album, “One Place Live” was released at the end of August, but her single had been floating around for quite some time before that. Now “Fill Me Up” is a really old Jesus Culture song that she put her own spin on. I love her voice and loved what she did with this song. The original is so powerful as well, I may need to put that one back on to my daily playlist.:)

Jesus Culture: Fill Me Up

Tasha Cobbs version:

Israel and New Breed: Mighty to Save: This song is a revamped version of a popular Hillsong. I love the original but I love the way this version has a bit of a Caribbean spin to sections of it. It reminds me of my church ( a predominantly Caribbean church) who finds a reason to “reggaefy” every single worship song. I must admit, I too love a good worship song with reggae vibes. As a worship leader, I have the most fun on stage when I’m rocking out to a good old-fashioned reggae song 😛 I blame my father for that !

Mighty to Save

Thinking Out Loud: Lukie D. Okay… I am obsessed with this version of the Ed Sheeran song. I wasn’t overly in love with Ed Sheeran’s version. I liked it well enough but not to play on repeat. If I heard it on the radio , I probably wouldn’t turn the dial. But, enter Lukie D and the good old-fashioned reggae drop beat and I was SOLD! I love it. I have even forced the kids in my class to listen to it…repeatedly. (lol)

Thinking out Loud:

All of Me- Jah Cure Version. I also love the original, but radio killed that for me!( classic overplay syndrome) Then along came Jah Cure ( with the classic reggae drop beat again) with his smooth vocals and different take on this song and once again I was in love!

All of Me(Jah Cure)

All of My Help: Geoffrey Golden Totally my testimony right now! Can’t say much more. The song speaks for itself.

Lastly, the final song I have been killing for the last 4 or 5 days or so is “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton. I just jumped on the Chris Stapleton train after I heard him and the infamous Justin Timberlake give a performance of a lifetime on the CMA awards, of JT’s song “Drink You Away”. ( they also sang a rendition of Tennessee Whiskey at the top of their set) Country music is probably the genre of music I listen to the least. Outside of a few Jewel. Leann Rimes or Rascal Flatts tracks, my country knowledge is not that vast. But honey…. when I watched that performance, my mouth was left agape! His voice is so smooth. Tennessee Whiskey reminds me of an old track called Misty Blue ( by Etta James) same kind of vibe. There is so much soul in this young man! Check out his performance with JT down below and the song itself.

JT/Chris Stapleton- Drink You Away

Tennessee Whiskey:

What are you currently listening to? Stay tuned for my Holiday Playlist 🙂

xoxo

#Christian, faith, gospel, gospel lyrics, gospel music, kirk franklin, motivation, music

Monday Motivation: 123, Victory…

October 19, 2015October 19, 2015by Sophie3 Comments

Hey guys!

Quick blog post today because your girl is TIRED( lol). Nothing would give me more joy than to jump right in some cozy pajamas and my bed and call it night, but I couldn’t do that without stopping in and leaving a quick message for you 🙂

This weekend I was listening to the song “Wanna Be Happy” by Kirk Franklin and I decided to stop by the ITunes store to see when Kirk’s new album was due to be released ( just out of curiosity because I love that song 🙂 … its due out November 13th ) While I was there browsing the set list, I saw that another track had been released. So naturally, I clicked on it and gave it a listen. The track is called 1 2 3 Victory… and the way that track spoke to me in that moment…. sigh..

I can’t even begin to explain how much I needed to hear the message in this song. As light-hearted as the track is, the message is so real! We sometimes forget when we are going through struggles, that we are not alone and ! Part of lyrics read, ” You waiting on God, He’s waiting on you, With all you been through, Now its on you, What you gonna do?’. A smart soldier never goes into a battle alone. God’s waiting on you to tag Him in! That’s what He’s here for! Give all your worries to Him and you will be victorious!! So God, I’m tapping you in!!! ❤

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Check out the song and lyrics down below and have a blessed Monday!

xoxo

1,2,3, Victory Lyrics:

Chorus:
Hey Yo 1, 2 3
Get up we got Victory
No weapon they throw at me
You know it wont prosper, no

Verse:1
Just got laid off ( I’m doing good)
House aint even paid off ( I’m doing good)
Should be afraid but ( I’m feeling good)
All the time you say ( God is good)

You can calm down, down down
Don’t forget who’s in control
Walls are falling down down down
Get ready for the new Jericho

Chorus 2:
You waiting on God
He’s waiting on you
( so what you gon’ do)

Chorus (2x)

Verse 2:

Storms raging ( I’m doing good)
See the world changing( I’m doing good)
I know it’s not easy
But life can’t defeat me (God is good)

Chorus 2:

You waiting on God
He’s waiting on you
With all you been through
Now its on you , so what you gonna do?

Bridge:
The battles not yours
It is the Lords
Tried on your own
You’re not that strong
But greater is He
That takes up for me
And soon they will see
My names victory( 2X)

Alive in Asia, Christian blog, christianity, Covered, gospel artist, gospel lyrics, gospel music, Israel and New Breed, new music

Monday Motivation: Israel and New Breed Covered: Alive in Asia

August 17, 2015August 17, 2015by Sophie2 Comments

Hey everybody! I know I have been slacking in the blogging department but the weather has been nice here in Southern Ontario that I have just been living it up and enjoying my summer! Forgive me! I’m getting back in the groove! Speaking of grooves, I wanted to share with you some of the new music I have been jamming on the last few weeks in particular one album (lol) That album comes from one of my favorite gospel groups Israel Houghton and New Breed. The album is entitled “Covered: Alive in Asia”. This was a much-anticipated album for me, as I have loved everything they have ever put out! Not only is there a strong message about Christ, the music is fun, upbeat catchy and can transcend a plethora of genres.

Some of my favorite tracks on this album are:

In Jesus Name: ( listen here)

Mighty to Save ( listen here)

Already Done featuring Jonathan McReynolds ( listen here)

I strongly encourage you to check this album out! Even if you haven’t made a decision to be a Christian, anybody who is a lover of music, can appreciate the artistry of this album!

I’m also looking forward to the release of Tasha Cobbs new album “Jesus Saves” this week 🙂

May your Monday be blessed!!

xoxo

gospel music, i love music, music, new music

What I’m Currently Jamming On….

July 2, 2015July 1, 2015by SophieLeave a Comment

Hey y’all

As you all probably know by now I am a lover of music. I love music of all different types of genres. Honestly, my music collection is like a melting pot. So many different sounds and music styles… it’s definitely very unique. My friends sometimes look at me and ask “what are you listening to?” with a look of shock and confusion. I mean it’s not often that you see a Canadian-Jamaican girl enjoying the musical styles of Led Zeppelin 😛 . But I do! My range is anything from Incubus to Donna Summer to Michael Bolton to Usher to Chaka Khan ( one of my all time favorites) Andrae Crouch (RIP), Tasha Cobbs, Musiq and ALL 90’s R&B <3.

First and foremost though,I love gospel music. That is the genre of music that I find my peace in. It’s the music I connect to the most simply because of my relationship with Christ. Now I’m not going to pretend that I only listen to gospel music because that would make me a liar and a hypocrite. But.. that being said, being a Christian does influence my choices. It forces me to pay attention to the lyrics more closely and be careful of the content I’m allowing in or encouraging others to listen too.

However, I’ve been pretty discouraged with the face of music lately. Lots of great “performers” but not a whole lot of “artists” you know? Nevertheless, I love music and I’ve found a few ” feel good” hits that I currently have on replay.

1. Classic Man by Jidenna ( clean version)

2. See You Again by Charlie Puth feat. Wiz Khalifa

3. Elastic Heart by Sia

4. Fill me up/Overflow by Tasha Cobbs

5. Nobody Love by Tori Kelly

6. Lucy by Destra

7. Kissing by Yemi Alade

8. Tina Campbell- Destiny

What are you guys listening to right now? Let me know!

xoxo

bible, blog, Christian blog, christianity, God, gospel, gospel artist, gospel music, Jonathan McReynolds, monday, motivation, music, new music, no pressure

Monday Motivation: No Pressure!

May 18, 2015by Sophie1 Comment

Hi guys!

I hope your weekend was excellent! Here in Ontario,Canada we celebrated Victoria Day which meant most people had Monday off. ( I was one of them 🙂 ) I took the opportunity to visit family and friends out-of-town. What a blessing it was to just unwind and regroup and spend time with some of the people who I love the most in this world!

I just have a quick post for you today. There is an artist by the name of Jonathan McReynolds that I stumbled across a few years back. He had a hit song called “I Love You” that was so delicately played and sung, that I immediately was drawn to his ministry. He is working on a new project and I came across one of his new songs called “No Pressure”. What a beautifully written song! The lyrics are as follows:

I, I can’t even turn on my phone
Without being reminded of the lie
That I am alone and broken, unsuccessful
I, I can’t always talk to my friends
‘Cause they’ve got expectations
That I may or may not be living up to
I really need to rid myself

Of the pressure, pressure, pressure
To be someone else that the world has made
Jesus take from me
All the pressure, pressure, pressure
To be someone that you did not create

Help me be me
And only see you
Let me decrease
And glorify you

I, I thought my intentions were good
Just act like a Christian should
And hope someone watching would approve
And be inspired
But you’re not feeling my show
Then how far could I go
Before all of my accomplishment
Go down in fire

Just cause of
Of the pressure, pressure, pressure
To be someone else that the church has made
Jesus take from me
All the pressure, pressure, pressure
To be someone that you did not create

I just wanna live
I just wanna live for you
Nobody else, but you

Often times, society places expectations on us to be what they deem socially acceptable and I find that as a Christian, the church places such pressure on you to be a model “citizen” of Christendom . However, sometimes as we who follow Christ do that, we end up not being genuine in our endeavors to serve Christ. That’s why I love the part of the song that says “…The pressure, pressure, pressure /To be someone else that the world has made /Jesus take from me /All the pressure, pressure, pressure /To be someone that you did not create…”

That’s my prayer this week! That God would take away all the pressure to live up to anyone’s expectations but His. In turn, my living up to His expectations, will serve as an example of what He requires of us. Remember what it says in Romans 12:2

New Living Translation
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

I hope this song blesses someone this week! God bless!

bible, blog, christianity, conviction, destiny, gospel, gospel music, holy spirit, jamie foxx, jazmine sullivan, lecrae, mali music, music, music choices, new artists, Tina Campbell, YouTube

Monday Motivation: Music

May 11, 2015May 11, 2015by SophieLeave a Comment

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

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Destiny…. Wow Tina Campbell!!!

April 28, 2015April 28, 2015by Sophie2 Comments

Have you ever had a song touch you so deeply? Like the song was honestly written for you? That’s exactly how I felt about this song “Destiny” by Tina Campbell( of Mary Mary fame) Tina recently embarked on a solo career after her sister Erica Campbell found great success with her solo debut.

Now, I love me some Mary Mary and I did enjoy Erica’s project, and love her voice… but there is just something about miss Tina’s voice that gets me right down in my core. Tina went through a real struggle; I mean a real storm this year with infidelity in her marriage .( All of this is documented in her and Erica’s reality show) She showed the true fact that as a Christian you will be faced with storms and that its okay to be angry! But it’s how you channel this anger and how you come out of your storm that speaks volumes! The grace that this woman showed …. man it just got me. She showed the true process and hard work that true forgiveness takes. I hope that if faced with an overwhelming situation like that, that I will be able to exercise grace and forgive just as I expect God ( and others) to forgive me.

Now y’all, I was watching the latest episode of the reality show where Tina debuts this song during a show and man it gave me chills. Then I went on YouTube and found her singing the song in its entirety; just her voice and an organ … The tears that rolled down my face and the sobs that bellowed from the deepest parts of my stomach… God purposed that song just for me and just in time. With His help I will reach my destiny!

This song and Tina’s solo project isn’t even released yet. It will be released on May 7th. I hope this song blesses you the way it blessed me.

**************************************************************************************

Here are the lyrics:

I’ve got a destination in my view
The road may be bumpy getting there but I’m pressing through
I will enjoy this journey no matter come what may
I’ll become better and stronger and wiser every day

I’ve got a vision and a purpose a divine destiny
It may not look like it right now but faith aint what I see
It is the things I hoped for, believing that it will come
And no matter how long it takes I know Gods will shall be done

His will is that I prosper
His will is that I win
His will is that I fight on
His will is that I live

He gave me what I needed when he gave me His son
He gave me hope and a future
He gave me the greatest love.

And now that I’ve got Jesus helping me along the way
He’s perfected everything about this old girl making me brand new in every way

So I’m singing Hallelujah I’m not what I used to be
I’m following Jesus every day…. to reach my destiny