August Newsletter
Hey ,
Welcome to the family! I hope that this finds you well and in good health and happiness. The world is crazy, so make sure that you’re taking time to relax, relate, and release. In this newsletter, I’ve curated my favorites for the month, restaurant reviews, and my thoughts and opinions on the culture. This is a heavy newsletter because so much has happened over the course of last month, so let’s stop with the formalities and get into this letter.
- FOR THE RECORD -
Beyoncé- Renaissance
I gave my initial thoughts on this album on Instagram and they have quickly changed. I am in no way calling Beyonce a drug dealer, but in some kind of way, she put crack in this album. I haven’t been able to stop listening to it. The musicality of the album and the creative vision is unmatched. Nobody is touching Beyoncé. Whether you like the album or not, you cannot deny the impact of her craft. She’s not one to do the same thing twice; she’s going to constantly push the standard and everyone else is struggling to keep up.
This album is an hour-long DJ set that is so well crafted to the point that you want to listen to it from beginning to end. To all the new artists: this is how you make an album. Albums should be created to make the listener have to listen to it straight through at least the first time. With platforms like TikTok growing rapidly it becomes easy for songs to become trendy, so that makes artists and labels focus on singles instead of creating a full body of work. In my opinion, albums should tell a story or focus on a specific theme. This is a party album. This album makes you want to get up and dance, fall in love, and then start back dancing. My top favorite songs right now are Cuff It, America Has A Problem, and Plastic Off The Sofa.
I’ve been hearing a lot of responses from church leaders about the song “Church Girl”, and I think it’s very unnecessary. You’re making it very clear that you don’t know your flock at all. The church for some reason turns a blind eye to the lives of the people in the congregation. The song focuses on the double lives that Christian women often have to live. Having to present a phony church persona (which isn’t in the bible) and then go and live their regular lives. Y’all leave Beyoncé alone. She’s reaching the audience you obviously can’t seem to reach during your Sunday Services.
The Game- DRILLMATIC Heart vs. Mind
Let me preface this by saying that I am about 99.9% sure that I have never heard a song by The Game before this album. I can say that I was pleasantly surprised. The album had a nice flow, and it was easy to listen to straight through. This album feels like a DJ Khalid album. There are so many features that it’s easy to bypass songs to go and hear one of your favorite artists. I don’t think I will go back and listen to this album in its entirety. There were a few songs that I really liked, but this isn’t a monumental album in my opinion. Great vibes throughout the album and creative verses. My favorite songs on the album are Easy (feat. Kanye West), Money Cash Clothes (feat. A$AP Rocky) and Universal Love (feat. Chris Brown, Chlöe, Cassie).
Calvin Harris- Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2
If anybody knows how to make an album for the summer, it’s Calvin Harris. This entire album feels like summertime! When I listen to this album I want to be in a convertible driving down the Pacific Coast Highway. This is a feel-good album filled with big-name features such as Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, Chlöe, 21 Savage, and many more. Calvin Harris is one of the greatest producers alive. His talent is unmatched. He has a distinct style that makes his music stand out. My favorite songs right now are Woman Of The Year (feat. Stefflon Don, Chlöe, Coi Leray), Obsessed (feat. Charlie Puth), and New To You (feat. Normani, Tinashe, Offset). This is a great background album to help keep you motivated and focused on what you’re working on.
- CABLE IS DEAD -
Sweet Life: Los Angeles- Season 2
LET’S GET INTO IT!! If you don’t already know, Sweet Life is my favorite reality show. I’m not a big reality tv fan, but this show definitely makes an exception. Season 1 was full of vibes. Fun and lively 20-something vibes. This is a show about young Black professionals living their lives in LA. I fell in love with the show last year, so I was thrilled when they announced that the show was renewed for another season.
Season 2 came in with the DRAMA! There were some loose ends left untied at the end of season 1, and no one reached out to anyone to fix these problems. This is the reason the first episode was so chaotic. Well, let’s be honest, the entire season was chaotic.
My Takeaways/Personal Thoughts:
I understand that this is television that has been edited to appease an audience.
-Creating a villain seems unnecessary to me for this type of show. This show wasn’t created to be messy, it was just supposed to show black people living in luxury. Tylynn should not have been edited to be the villain of this show. She got entirely too much hate.
-They brought too many new people in, this season. There were too many cooks in the kitchen.
-P’Jae grew on me by the end of this season. I can definitely see the personal development.
-Robb was too much and Marcus was a predator.
-Keilan is not ready for marriage and Candiss needs to realize that and move accordingly.
-Lovvvee Candiss. She had a great redemption story this season. Her vibe was always cool and calm.
-Bri is my favorite person on the show, but she shouldn’t have let Peteri go. I think they could have found a way to make it work. I hate to see them split. And she was not being manipulative when Tylynn was talking about her behind her back.
-Jaylenn needs to marry Ty. He knows he wants to, so stop letting the naysayers keep you from making your girl happy.
-Rob. I liked you in season 1, but I’m not feeling you as much this season. You did too much and not enough this season. Keep your day job.
-Single Becky was a VIBE! Once she had that conversation with Myami it was all good vibes from Becky for the rest of the season. I’m so glad that she and P’Jae are back together.
You can watch seasons 1 & 2 on HBO Max.
- ON BEYONCÉ'S INTERNET? -
Rolling Stones Magazine Names Harry Styles the New King of Pop
This is so disrespectful. When I read this, I was utterly disturbed. This is disrespectful to Michael Jackson and all of his hard work, and disrespectful to Harry Styles to give him a title that someone else already has been given. Michael Jackson is a household name that was able to cross over genres, races, and even overseas. I am not a big Harry Styles superfan, but the Harry’s Home album was phenomenal. From beginning to end I really enjoyed his album. I can see the impact that he has on culture (to get specific, mainly White culture). Please give Harry another title that fits him and his accomplishments.
Solange Knowles Set to be the First Black Woman to Compose Music for NYC Ballet
It’s time that we put respect on Solange’s name. Since her first album Solo Star, Solange has shown us that her pen goes further than lyrics, she is truly a songwriter and musician. She is a force to be reckoned with. Her mind is absolutely insane. To see her most recent works like A Seat At The Table, When I Get Home, and the visuals from those, I know that this ballet composition will not fall short of her greatness.
- ON THE HORIZON -
Abbott Elementary Season 2
Set your alarms, calendars, PalmPilots, whatever you use to September 21st. Abbott Elementary is back for another season and I am so excited. This show is hilarious and NEEDED in the world right now. Quinta Brunson is a comedic genius, and I'm proud to say that I've been a fan of hers for years. If you’re not caught up, you can watch season one online through Hulu or HBO Max.
2022-2023 NFL Season
Football is back on our screens starting Thursday, September 8 with the LA Rams playing the Buffalo Bills. Go ahead and pick your teams now because we won’t be doing the switcharoo come the end of the season.
Atlanta’s Final Season
Another one of my favorite shows is coming to an end. The final season of Atlanta is coming to screens September 15th. Let’s thank the lord that they’re back in Atlanta for the final season because I can’t take another season of them in Europe (because I'm still confused). You can catch up on Atlanta through Hulu.
- I'LL HAVE WHAT HE'S HAVING -
Sixty Vines | Nashville, TN
I recently had the immense pleasure of trying out Sixty Vines in Nashville, TN. The space is beautiful with plenty of seating and space for you to enjoy yourself. I sat at one of their bars and enjoyed a refreshing Moscow Mule and I was able to try some delicious wine. The bartenders were very warm, inviting, and knowledgeable. My bartender in particular was able to recommend wines that fit my taste and palette. They had great prices that allowed me to try different wines without running up a check. If you’re ever in Nashville, please check them out! Head over to my Instagram page to see further into my experience. (P.S.: Ask for an order of their potatoes. You won’t be disappointed)
1. Trails To Triumphs Podcast: This is a phenomenal podcast hosted by Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins. She brings on high profile guests to discuss their trials to triumphs story. It's very uplifting and encouraging to hear these discussions. Some of her previous guests include Kelly Rowland, DeWanda Wise, Amber Riley, Robin Thede and many more. You can listen to it wherever you listen to podcasts! | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Amazon Music
2. African-American History Gets Its Own AP Class: As a former student of AP classes, this is so exciting. The study of African-American history IS American history. It deserves to be taught because it is so important. Knowledge is power! Read more about it here.
3. Southern Legacy Hoodie: Fall is here! You know fall is here when Pumpkin Spice starts being sold at Starbucks. This is a great hoodie that will elevate your fall closet. You can shop this hoodie in several color ways at The Heir Co. Shop
4. The Big Steppers Tour: I recently had the pleasure of seeing Kendrick Lamar in concert and it. was. AMAZING! Mr. Lamar is a PERFORMER!! He gave a full hour-and-a-half performance that had me engaged from beginning to end. If he's coming to a city near you, you have to go see him. He's an icon and a legend in the making.
5. The Big Leap: This book changed my life. It gave me insight into my "Upper Limit Problem" and how I can remove it. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to go to the next level in life. This book gives you the tools to level up and remove the excuses. You can purchase the book here.
- AND VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU -
Thank you so much for reading this newsletter! Over time, it will condense and bring you the highlights of the month. There's so much more to come and I can't wait for you to experience life with me! Tell a friend to subscribe to this newsletter because this is coming with all the exclusives!! Once again, thanks for reading and we'll talk soon.
