On Repeat | Zico | Any Song

Sheltering in place (SIP) has resulted in the consumption of a lot of online content. Lately I’ve been going down YouTube rabbit holes. I’m shocked that the algorithm has yet to take me to the lo-fi hip hop girl studying at her desk. On one of these SIP days, while meandering about my place and … Continue Reading

On Repeat | Jazmine Sullivan | Pick Up Your Feelings

The hackneyed phrase, life’s about the the journey, not the destination is all well and good. There are folks whose journeys of self-discovery, healing, or growth are inspirational and worthy of admiration. But then, there are some whose journey seems predestined – written in the stars. I believe that is the case for Jazmine Sullivan. … Continue Reading

On Repeat | Gabriel Garzón-Montano | Tombs

Whatever I write about “Tombs” or Agüita won’t do it any justice. For a comprehensive review, check out Albumism or FLOOD Magazine. I’m just acting as a scribe to my inner fangirl at the moment. I’m one track into the album and excited to hear what Gabriel Garzón-Montano has in store. What I can say about “Tombs” is that if … Continue Reading

On Repeat | Spillage Village | Spilligion

Honestly, I am embarrassed that I am just getting hip to Spillage Village. I consider myself a fan of JID, Mereba, and EarthGang respectively; having seen all of them separately between 2018 and 2019. You can imagine my surprise when I discovered that they comprise part of a musical collective called Spillage Village. For once, … Continue Reading

On Repeat | Erykah Badu | Mama’s Gun

On this day, twenty years ago, Erykah Badu released Mama’s Gun. I clung to Mama’s Gun in the middle of my adolescence. On weekends, I would clean my small bedroom, humming along with “Didn’t Cha Know”. Read the liner notes of the CD insert while softly singing along to “Orange Moon”. Harmonized with the backup … Continue Reading

On Repeat | DEAN, Rad Museum, Mokyo | 숨 (Breath)

Just breathe… It feels like the things will not let up. Since my last post, John Lewis died and more black folx have been harassed and killed. Even more lives have been lost to COVID-19, and just last week, Chadwick Boseman passed away after a four-year long battle with colon cancer. To say I am … Continue Reading

Southern California Dreaming with a Matching Set

The pandemic and onslaught of anti-blackness and police brutality continue to take its toll, but I am finding the strength to press on and do what I can. One of the ways I am able to show up for myself and therein for others, is to find little moments to practice self-care. This includes a … Continue Reading

On Repeat | Anderson .Paak | Lockdown

I have talked at length with my loved ones about my pain, sorrow, frustration and exhaustion. At times, I experienced difficulty tapping into and exuding hope. But as time marches on, so does the movement, and I am inspired by the change that is possible. Anderson Paak’s Juneteenth release of the single and video, “Lockdown” … Continue Reading

Ain’t No Sunshine

Mr. Bill Withers passed away at the age of 81 on April 3rd. His poignant tunes touched many lives, mine being no exception. Recently, I told someone about a road trip I took with my parents to the Grand Canyon as a child. I tagged along with my father to Pic ‘N’ Save, now Big … Continue Reading

On Repeat | Stro Elliot | Kamaal Coltrane

I used to scour the interwebs for new music – blends, mixes and the like. Back when my only music management systems were Windows Media Player and iTunes. I would download as many podcasts featuring DJ’s from around the world in hopes of soaking up some good beats and rhymes. I eventually found WeFunk Radio … Continue Reading