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5 Albums that Helped Shaped My Life

August 11, 2020 by Whitney Leave a Comment

Last month was all about my mid-year refresh. This month, it’s all about celebration and reflection. As I mentioned in my last post, August is my birthday month. Like many of you, I’m sure, reflection and celebration are part of your birthday month. So today, on my 34th birthday, I want to celebrate my love for music by reflecting on and sharing the 5 albums that helped shape my life.

Albums That Helped Shape My Life

1. Waiting to Exhale Soundtrack, Various Artists (’95)

I remember listening to this cassette tape for the first time around 11 or 12 years old. My parents had this huge stereo in their room with a CD player, tape deck, and AM/FM radio. Every Saturday morning, my mom would play either R&B or smooth jazz music, or a combination of the two, and the music would blare from the speakers. I remember sitting on my parent’s bedroom floor one morning, thumbing through their collection, and putting this soundtrack in the tape deck. From the first song, Exhale (Shoop Shoop), I was hooked.

This soundtrack introduced me to some of the most notable 90’s female R&B voices like Chante Moore, Brandy, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, and of course, Whitney Houston. So, not only does this album hold nostalgic memories, but it also serves as one of the first albums that initiated my love for 90’s R&B.

2. Body Language, Boney James (’99)

The first concert I ever attended was a Boney James show. I’ll never forget how excited and “grown-up” I felt. My parents had tickets and because they couldn’t find a babysitter, I ended up being the third wheel that night. I sat in between my parents and absorbed the smooth saxophone sounds of Boney James’ album, Body Language. I’m pretty sure that was the night smooth jazz became one of my favorite genres of music to listen to. The way Boney played was magical and entertaining.

Looking back, I’m thankful that my parents exposed me to jazz at a young age. My uncle was an avid saxophone player and my grandfather played jazz music constantly. So, it’s no surprise that Boney James captured my heart the way he did. Some of my favorite songs off the album are Into the Blue, the title track, Body Language, and I’ll Always Love You, featuring Shai.

3. Mama’s Gun, Erykah Badu (’00)

This album solidified my love for Neo Soul music. Although introduced in the 1980s, Neo Soul was at its height in the early 2000s and Erykah Badu was one of the leading artists in this genre. I remember being intrigued by her light, airy, crystal clear mezzo-soprano voice. I was also taken aback by this album’s array of musical elements.

Mama’s Gun is one of Badu’s most cohesive and organically laid out albums. The song Didn’t Cha Know flows into the next song, My Life, like a waterfall. This happens throughout the album and its genius. These effortless transitions make the album so easy to listen to. As a music lover, I appreciated that in 2000 and I still do in 2020. If I can listen to an album with no skips, to me, that’s an incredible body of work. Mama’s Gun is just that.

4. Full Moon, Brandy (’02)

Brandy has been my favorite singer ever since I can remember. Even as a young girl, I knew her voice was different, but in a good way. When I reached my teen years, I truly fell in love with her voice and appreciated her range, vocals, and sheer talent.

I was 16 when this album came out and it was basically the soundtrack of my life at the time. From Can We to What About Us? to All In Me to the title track, Full Moon, this album helped me navigate my way through my teenage love life. For that, I will be forever grateful. Listening to the album at 34, I can relate to the songs even more. Full Moon is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

5. Fight of My Life, Kirk Franklin (’07)

2007 was one of my most difficult years. My grandfather passed away at the top of the year and his death hit me like a ton of bricks. I was so lost, so numb, and so heartbroken for so long. It was tough to find someone to lean on because all of us, especially my immediate family, were in so much pain. Thankfully, music, particularly this album, helped me trudge my way through the grieving process.

Even to this day, when life gets a little heavy and I find myself getting tired and weary, I can play this album and find solace. Some of my go-to songs are Hide Me, How it Used to Be, Jesus, Declaration (This Is It!), and Help Me. These songs remind me that despite the troubles I face in this life, I can always find comfort, strength, and peace in God.

5 Albums that Can Change Your Life

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Music has a fascinating way of making you feel just about every emotion. It also has the power to heal, connect, and uplift. These albums have blessed and enriched my life in many ways, and I am eternally grateful.

Filed Under: Music, Style Tagged With: Brandy, music

Music Therapy | Mary J .Blige Releases The London Sessions

November 25, 2014 by Whitney 2 Comments

I’m always excited when my favorite artists drop a new album. So when I heard that Mary J. Blige (MJB) was working on something new, I was thrilled! I don’t know about you, but I’m still listening to What’s the 411 and Growing Pains – those are my favorite albums from her. So what’s new for MJB? Her highly anticipated and universal 13th album, The London Sessions, is set to drop on December 2nd. Christmas gift, anyone? 🙂

I had the pleasure of listening to the entire album last week. When I listen to new music, I like to listen to the album all the way through once, no skips or repeats. Then I listen once more to try and pick out my favorite songs. I listen for head-nodding beats, lyrics with depth, and the overall vibe of the songs. I did just that with MJB’s The London Sessions and I must say, she’s got something really great with this new project.

Nobody But You is a song I can see doing very well on a plethora of radio stations. The sound is very London, but that’s a good thing. It has universal appeal, just like the rest of the album, and has the potential to reach so many people. MJB took a leap of faith with this project by not only recording (in 3 weeks) in London but also working with artists like Sam Smith, Emeli Sandé, and Disclosure.

My favorite song, hands down, is Whole Damn Year. It was as if she was singing from a page of her diary. From the beat to the lyrics, to her vocal tone, the song is very MJB. It’s a really good song filled with so much raw emotion and passion, and that’s what MJB is known for. She is a passionate artist and her previous bodies of work prove that she’s a remarkable storyteller. That’s something I feel is extremely important for a good artist/songwriter to be – a good storyteller.


So tell me, are you a Mary J. Blige fan? Will you be purchasing The London Sessions on December 2nd? Let me know!

The London Sessions definitely reveals MJB’s evolution as an artist and I cannot wait to add this classic and universal album to my collection. If you want to pre-order The London Sessions, head to iTunes or Amazon. Trust me when I say this album will make a great Christmas gift for any music lover on your Christmas list. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

Mary J. Blige Facebook Fan Page

Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions Website


**I participated in the Mary J. Blige The London Sessions album review program as a member of bLink Marketing Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.**

 

Filed Under: Entertainment, Music, Style Tagged With: music

Chrisette Michele Interview: Rich Hipster, R&B Divas of LA & More

August 20, 2014 by Whitney 15 Comments

Yesterday morning, I had the pleasure of speaking to the lovely Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriter Chrisette Michele. A fan of her music and overall style for years, I was thrilled and humbled to be one of the bloggers to interview her. Chrisette has been diligently working on her upcoming music project, The Lyricist Opus, as well as her new blog/website Rich Hipster. She’s also been busy filming the latest season of R&B Divas LA. With so much going on, Chrisette still took the time to graciously share her thoughts on beauty, style, fashion, current events, and more. Following Chrisette’s style evolution from her first album, I Am, I can tell that she appreciates vintage and thrifted pieces. So, of course, I had to throw in a question about thrifting. 

Chrisette Michele - Rich Hipster

Who are your mentors and how did you find them?

I have so many right now. India Arie is one of them; we started off being signed to the same label. She came to see me perform at an open mic night one day without knowing I’d be performing and ended up taking me on tour with her. She’s been my mentor ever since. Iyanla Vanzant is another person I speak to often, just to talk and get advice from. Pattie Label, Lionel Richie – these are just people I’ve met, maybe backstage or on stage; they decided to give me their phone numbers and told me to keep in touch. They’ve been very helpful throughout my life.

 What are 3 of your top vintage/thrifted pieces? 

(1) Those long silk kimonos. You throw them on with a white tank top, a pair of ripped-up jeans, stilettos, and all of a sudden, you’re fabulous! (2) Levi’s jeans – the cutoffs you get in the summertime. They last for a really long time, you can ruin them bleach, and they cost like $7-$10! (3) This long rectangular patent leather French Connection clutch I got in San Francisco. It has golden, and sequin stripes across it and was like $6…brand new with tags and everything! I carry it with me everywhere I go when I want to be fabulous!

How do you determine who you want to collaborate with?

It’s all about the vibe. We have to connect, and I have to understand why you’re making the music. Usually, I’m in the studio hanging out with the person I’m working with before we even make the song. Most of the hip-hop collaborations I’ve done, I met them outside of the studio and hung out. I mean, it took hanging out with Jay-Z 4 times before I could execute my part on the song correctly. It’s really about friendship and a connection.

Chrisette Michele - Rich Hipster Interview

Chrisette also explained that as she grows as an artist, she has a “responsibility to let her fans know what she’s doing,” hence the launch of Rich Hipster and her decision to join the cast of R&B Divas of LA. From watching her on R&B Divas, you can see that she’s willing to open up and share (most of) her thoughts and feelings with the other ladies. And despite the tension between her and Chante Moore, Chrisette made sure she let me know that “women can get along even if they don’t like each other – they can figure it out.”

Women can get along even if they don’t like each other – they can figure it out. – @ChrisetteM

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Chrisette’s excitement for her next musical project, The Lyrics Opus, was evident, and I, too, cannot wait for the musical masterpiece to drop! She explained that “this is what real music looks like” and says there will be no rap or hip-hop collaborations with this project. And as far as launching Rich Hipster, this is the 1st time she” has not been afraid.” When you visit the site, it’s clear that she’s inviting you into her world. She shares outfit posts, some behind-the-scenes footage of crafting The Lyricist Opus, and so much more. It’s quite an enjoyable experience! I applaud and commend her on being so fearless with her vision. I admire that.

Rich Hipster - Chrisette Michele


So tell me, have you checked out Chrisette Michele’s new site? Are you excited about her upcoming project? Let me know!

Again, I was truly honored to have an opportunity to chat with Chrisette yesterday. She has a sweet spirit and is not afraid to show the world who she is. For more on her upcoming projects, visit Rich Hipster and be sure to catch her on Wednesday nights on R&B Divas of LA. I’m really looking forward to finding out the outcome of that “I Know Right” collaboration with her, Chantè Moore, Leela James, and Lil Mo. Mmmm…. 😉

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