<\/p>\n
I could write a whole essay or two about Drake alone, and at some point I probably will, but here\u2019s who caught my ears, eyes, and heart this week.<\/p>\n
Drake is BACK. I stayed up all night in anticipation as did all Aubrey\u2019s Angels for his highly anticipated album ICEMAN<\/em>, but before that I tuned in at 9:45PM Eastern sharp for Episode 4, the final installment of his livestream series. Little did I know the entire visual album would be streamed.<\/p>\n Few things caught me by surprise more than Future (who famously kicked off one of the greatest rap beefs of all time alongside Kendrick Lamar<\/a>) being on the project along with one of my favorite underground artists, Molly Santana<\/a>. Newly independent, she held her against two GOATs. Make sure to run up not only this album but the other two he dropped today, MAID OF HONOUR <\/em>and HABIBTI <\/em>(which, when assembled accordingly, spell out HIM. It\u2019s only right).<\/p>\n Please don\u2019t tell me R&B is dead as long as GIV\u0112ON is alive, ok? The visual to \u201cJEZEBEL\u201d is as crispy as his vocals, though I do wonder if any woman would appreciate being called that, even by as handsome a man as GIV\u0112ON. This is the kind of song that would come to life beautifully at Blue Note, so let\u2019s hope he\u2019s hitting the stage with it soon.<\/p>\n Oh don\u2019t mind me, I\u2019m just here dropping off Victoria Mon\u00e9t looking and sounding the most ethereal she ever has. They say goddesses are ancient mythology, but experiencing \u201cLet Me (Live Rendition)\u201d has me thinking otherwise. I love a smooth, dreamy lovergirl record. I\u2019m not enamored with anyone at the moment, but something tells me if I run this back enough times, I can manifest more than a spring fling.<\/p>\n As soon as \u201c[INAUDIBLE: Man begging for forgiveness]\u201d popped up on the screen, I already knew what kind of time Jorja Smith was on. I\u2019m not typically a garage girl when it comes to music, but if it\u2019s Jorja singing it, I\u2019m bound to tune in and enjoy. \u201cWhat\u2019s Done Is Done\u201d will certainly remain in my rotation this summer, not only to dance to but as a reminder to put up with no s***.<\/p>\n Do you know what culo<\/em> means in English? Look it up real quick (though, upon watching the visualizer, it should become obvious hehe). One thing I\u2019ll always appreciate about TiaCorine<\/a> is her versatility. She easily transitions from barred up songs to bops. \u201cCulo\u201d is in the latter category. DJs, if you\u2019re looking for a run record to spin this summer, this is for you.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve noticed, throughout all my selections this week, live instrumentation and pristine vocals take center stage. With Baby Rose, it\u2019s no different. You can feel the longing in her voice due to her unique timbre that isn\u2019t quite present in the voices of other soulful vocalists. The all too honest and close to home \u201cBut, Nvm\u201d will make you reconsider texting back your ex or rekindling that situationship. I discovered this song by her posting a snippet on Threads (thanks, algo) and I\u2019m oh so glad I did.<\/p>\n If a PINE<\/em> falls in the forrest , but no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Ok that joke doesn\u2019t really quite land, but the latest offering by R&B crooner James Savage<\/a> certainly does. I\u2019m really glad artists do this thing where they release singles and visuals to accompany releases because otherwise I would\u2019ve had thee<\/em> hardest time picking my favorite song of his to showcase to you. The jazzy rising hook of \u201cSay Sumn\u201d had me dancing in my seat and then dancing on my feet.<\/p>\nGIV\u0112ON \u2013 \u201cJEZEBEL\u201d<\/h2>\n
Victoria Mon\u00e9t \u2013 \u201cLet Me (Live Rendition)\u201d<\/h2>\n
Jorja \u2013 \u201cWhat\u2019s Done Is Done\u201d<\/h2>\n
TiaCorine \u2013 \u201cLA LA LA\u201d<\/h2>\n
Baby Rose \u2013 \u201cBut, Nvm\u201d<\/h2>\n
James Savage \u2013 \u201cSay Sumn\u201d<\/h2>\n