Playlist

So Spotifiy’s 2020 Wrapped has been released, which showcases you musical taste for the year 2020. Not surprising, I was all about show tunes, and specifically Hamilton the Musical. Its just a testament to my OCD with how much I listened to the album, and how quickly it became my most played album/musical selection. SIdenote; There was a few nights I fell asleep to the song “Wait for it”. My best friend J has shared his playlist with me, and there’s NOT a show tune in sight! (Laughing) Its definitely a Rap/Hip Hop, with sprinkles of Reggae, Afrobeats and Caribbean sprinkled in. With a few dashes of R&B and Soul. Although I am not going to admit this to him, its a well rounded playlist. I’ve even hearted a few songs for myself.

How does your musical selection stack up for 2020? What y’all recommending to me?

Tristan Jonez.

U. Falls

Listen.. Before Y’all say anything I KNOW this week, month, is supposed to be all about Christmas and the holiday season but In my defense I WAS looking for a Holiday Movie to Watch … and got distracted!

Have you heard of the television series on HULU called Uptopia Falls? Hulu’s Synopsis, ‘In a genre bending take on a coming of age story, a group of teens in a distant future colony uncover an ancient forbidden archive of historical, cultural and musical relics. This discovery forces them to question everything they’ve been taught, and use the power of music to ignite change in their reality to expose the truth.’

If you are someone who is into music, this is the show for you. Picture a “Fame” but the music, dancing and the ‘flow’ all comes from Music of Past, that you were never taught, but it somehow influences EVERYTHING! I watched episode 1 & 2, and y’all I want to stay up all night and watch the rest but I am going to pace myself. Also, I already took my melantonin for the evening.

Tristan Jonez.

According to … Kiana lede

“Now you feeling guilty, that’s your conscious, Cant you tell a bitch is fed up with your nonsense.” -Kiana Lede

“I know how to be accountable for everything Ive done […] I know I fucked up once and its bad, so I cant front. Guess I’ll just smoke this blunt.” -6LACK

This is not taking account for your actions, telling me you know HOW doesn’t make you accountable for them. List them out, speak on what you’re actually taking accountability for. Giving me a line about it means absolutely nothing to me. Apologize, give me changed behavior, actually growing and working thru your fuck up is what’s going to make me stay, or possibly come back. I know your tactics so doing what you’ve done is going to work, especially when a woman is fed up.

Tristan Jonez

Lyrics from Second Chances ft. 6LACK

Kiana Lede

Listen! Listen!

When I suggest an album, an artist, you need to listen to them immediately! Kiana Lede, is one of those artist you should already be listening to. Even before her album KIKI dropped, but I won’t hold it against you if you haven’t listened to this Queen. BUT If you don’t run and listen to her soon, we are going to have an issue. With features from Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Arin Ray, Col3trane, and more, this is such a R&B album, with tracks you’ll want to repeat for the Summer especially the song Labels featuring Moneybagg yo and BIA. I think I am going to do a “According to Kiana Lede” section because we need to break down these lyrics, including my favorite song Second Chances.

Tristan Jonez.

According to Wale.

“She gonna find her solace, in knowing a nigga is damaged. She gonna take my heart, cuz a nigga took her for granted.”

Solace n. Comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.

Now Wale, I can’t speak for all Women, but being with a damaged man, makes EVERYTHING that much fucking harder, especially anything surrounding emotions. I’m sure if we knew PRIOR to catching feelings for this man, that he was damaged, we would exit stage right immediately. Black men hardly want to identify the triggers that caused damage, barely want to explore how to correct those triggers so he isn’t ‘bleeding’ on the next, or acknowledge that he is damaged at all! IF and when, a man gives us his heart after he’s been damaged, its a struggle, it stays a struggle because he stays on guard, just waiting for the moment we screw up then he can retreat back to his shell.

Vulnerability adj. susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.

Falling in Love requires vulnerability. You are literally placing your heart in the hands of someone who can hurt you, but you are placing faith and confidence that they won’t. You can’t be in love and have one foot in, nah. Love requires both feet, and all body parts including your brain. You have to be more than okay handing over the most sacred part of yourself over to someone. I’m sure not Love can work otherwise, damaged or not.

Tristan Jonez.

Song Lyrics from Break my heart (My Fault) Ft. Lil Durk

According to Wale …

“What if Love is nothing more than a fairytale?”

What if? In all my disappointments in Love, what if I was doomed before I had even started? Doomed before I could really have the opportunity to explore what Love was, What it means to be Loved in a way, that positively changed my life? As I get older I think I am in agreement with Wale … “What if Love is nothing more than a fairytale?” Then I’ve wasted so much of my life, looking, and waiting for the perfect love story. My first love is starting to feel like a story that didn’t really happen. As most of y’all know, my first love committed suicide so I do feel robbed. Sometimes I wonder if I felt the things I really felt, if the love we shared was real, and if it was, why did he make the choice to leave me, knowing all I had been through.

Emotionally I’m not ready to finish this conversation.

Jonez.

Song Lyrics from Cliche, ft. Ari Lennox & Boogie.

Ari Lennox

I just want you hands around my … throat.

Ari Lennox recently dropped her album, and I can literally listen to every single song, without skipping anything. The more you listen to the album, the more you want to listen to only it! I am trying to give the other artist in my Spotify playlist a spin but after one song of someone else, right back to Ari Lennox I go.

I was fortunate enough to be able to find tickets to her show in Orange County, California. I didn’t know it at the time but It was the second show on her shea butter baby tour. Of course, I purchased the meet and greet package, cuz duh! It was a hassle to get to the West Coast from Chicago, I had to connect in Sacramento but the show was more than worth every single aggravation! Good Luck, scoring a ticket to ANY of the remaining shows, they are all sold out, and if they aren’t, the tickets that are available are ridiculously upcharged.

What are your favorite tracks on the album? Because I couldn’t just pick three, my top five are FaceTime, Up Late, BMO, New Apartment and Broke. Honorable mention, Whipped Cream and Choke, although that’s not on the album.

Tristan Jonez.

JT

Growing up I definitely was a fan of N*SYNC. When Justin decided to go solo, even in my child like mind, I knew that was a good look. It also helped that, solo, he was more geared towards R&B versus pop with N*SYNC, being friends with Timberland prolly assisted in the seamless transition. Random Thought; Do we place him in the ‘blue eyed soul category? And if so, is that considered an insult?

At first listen I didn’t exactly love the album , Man of the Woods, but upon locking myself in with it, it’s actually a very good album. I know folks crossed him off after ‘NippleGate’ but it’s been how long? Let’s let it go! I can’t remember the last time I went to a concert but I do believe in this album so fondly that I’m considering seeing him when he arrives in Chicago. If you’ve experienced the album, how does it move you?

Tristan J.

Back To Me

One of the very best women empowerment albums is Fantasia’s Back to me. I can’t exactly remember what was going on in her life, as I am not a stalker, but every single song she comes with fire. Telling woman they can do anything they put their mind to, telling woman not to accept whatever a man chooses to give you but to raise your standards, and leave them right where they stand if need be.

I almost said, this album was dedicated to woman who were just getting back on their feet, but nah, thats just limiting. This album is for those who are ready to change their circumstances, those who need to hear that extra boost of motivation and confidence, that they can do it all!

Tristan Jonez.

FYI: Favorite song, Man of the House, Even Angels and Who’s been lovin’ you, however the WHOLE album is my favorite!

Back Home (Issa Review)

I keep telling myself I am not a Rap fan, that I am strictly an R&B girl but I find myself tuning into Rap Music far more than R&B nowadays. Well with that said, let the review begin.

A catchy hook will always draw me in but Im always praying that the song, whether its the beat or the lyrics will keep me there. For artist, Pretty Boy Lou, he along with his production team, has managed to create music thats a elegant blend of rap and hip hop. On song Seven Figures, his voice comes across raw, as if he is a hungry ass artist, looking for his shine and this is his last chance. The song features Dru Gunnz whose own voice, is deeper but lighter, which affectionately reminds me of a unique Nas/MethodMan blend.

On Back Home, Pretty Boy Lou features his mom, which is a sweet gesture, that anyone can appreciate. And although I do appreciate the gesture, I do believe that this could’ve been his opportunity to possibly collaborate with a bevy of unknown artists that may have rounded out the album better. The album is a refreshing sound, with not only amazing vocals, provided by Pretty Boy Lou, but the music itself is a breath of fresh air. I am excited to see where Pretty Boy Lou will take his music, however I do see longevity.

Be Sure to Pick up his music, as its available Everywhere.

My Top Three Songs, Only One, Sunshine, Seven Figures with an honorable mention, Through the Pain.

Tristan Jonez

Gucci Gucci

So I am NOT a Gucci Mane fan, I’m not sure If I’ve ever really purposely listened to any of his music. However I had been hearing so many good things about his newest album, Mr.Davis that I just had to take a listen. The album has a good flow to it, although I didn’t listen to the track listing in order, it still flows very well. I appreciate that Gucci Mane is not yelling, over EVERY SINGLE TRACK. I do believe he came before the mumble rappers, but he does rap non traditionally slow, giving me the vibe of Mase back in his heyday.

I didn’t really have any expectations for Mr. Davis, but I must admit, I have been jamming to it since I downloaded it this morning. I do believe this album has something for everyone to jam to. I’m most certain that his hardcore fan base, can celebrate this album, and a newbie such as myself, can rock it.

SideNote I: Does the song Back On sample Crime Mob’s Knuck If you Buck?

Of Course, I have to give my favorite songs, Tone it Down, Ride and Members Only. Although I feel as if I shouldn’t like this song, I rock out to Enormous. OD!

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote II: Hearing Chris Brown on Tone It Down, has me super excited for the new Chris Brown project that is schedule to be release soon.

Changes.

#TBT / #FBF

I was going through a few of my old photos from as far as ten years ago and it definitely made me smile to see how much I’ve changed over the years.

When I look at this girl, I see such a carefree, spirited person who had the World at her feet. I was still learning about myself and what I needed from myself. This Tristan, lived life as if the next day wasn’t promised.

This Tristan J is a woman who knows when to be soft, and allow someone else to take the lead, but she’s independent enough to make whatever moves are necessary for survival, she’ll be victorious. She’s still a spirited opinionated woman who won’t hesitate to let you know when you’ve fuked up but she’ll help pick you back up.
When you look at your old photos, what do you see?

Jonez baby!