Music Collective: vol. 64 {Nice for What}

There are so many things I love about this song and its stellar visual component. With the fusion of Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" and classic NOLA bounce, 'Nice for What' is a feel good song from start to finish. In typical Drake motive operation, he focused in on what is likely his largest demographic: women. Once again, all summer long Instagram will be oozing with Drake lyrics as captions. 

Directed by Karena Evans, this video spotlights some of Hollywood's most notable women, including a few of my personal role models, such as Yara Shahidi , Misty Copeland, Issa Rae, and Tracee Ellis-Ross. The other phenomenal figures featured in the video were as follows: Olivia Wilde, Letitia Wright, Zoe Saldana, Rashida Jones, Jourdan Dunn, Tiffany Haddish, Syd (from The Internet) Elizabeth and Victoria Lejonhjarta, Bria Vinaite, Emma Roberts, and Michelle Rodriguez. What better way to celebrate women worldwide than to hire someone who is a woman herself? Smart move, Aubrey...smart move.

Reminiscing on some of the best years of my life, Drake has always dropped feel good anthems just in time to show up on playlist curated especially for day parties and road trips. Naturally, the team behind him has found a way to tap into his audience extremely well. Whether it's a marketing ploy or not, every year since '07, Drake has given the ladies something to relate to. It's no mistake that his latest release, 'Nice for What' follows suit. 

Music Collective vol. 63 In My Zone (Side A // Side B)

Most of the albums I loved from 2017 - over the past couple of years, actually - are still in heavy rotation. Projects such as Ego Death (2014) and 99.9% (2016) are aging like fine wine and I listen to those records often. Having recently compiled the annual Musical Year in Review on The Sky Box Suite, many of my favorite releases from last year, like 4eva is a Mighty Long Time, Flower Boy and Ctrl, still get weekly spins from me, so don't mind if you notice some kind of repetition happening on this play list. I've just been super satisfied with my collection lately, which is partially why I haven't posted something music related much on here, aside for the year end compilation. Some old, some new, a lot of Drake for whatever reason, and somewhat random of a compilation, here's what I've been listening to lately. In My Zone (Side A // Side B) will be available for your listening pleasure on Apple Music + Spotify 01.27.18. 

+ S I D E  A :

1. Diplomatic Immunity - Drake
2. Whip It - Bia
3. So Am I - Ty Dolla $ign ft. Damian Marley
4. Dat Side - Cyhi the Prynce ft. Kanye West
5. Neon Guts - Lil Uzi ft. Pharrell
6. Worth It - Dave B. 
7. Walk It Talk It - Migos ft. Drake

+ S I D E  B :

1. Not Discuss It - St. Beauty
2. Sweet Holy Honey - Sango & Xavier Omar
3. Buzzin - Alina Baraz
4. Rather Be - H.E.R.
5. Call Me - Hudson East & ESTA.
6. After the Storm - Kali Uchis ft.  Tyler,  the Creator & Bootsy Collins
7. High - Ledisi
8. Selfish - PnB Rock
9. Anita - Smino ft. T-Pain
10. Never Be the Same - Camila Cabello

+ A L B U M S +

1. November - SiR
2. Skin&Earth - Lights
   • sidenote: Shoutout to LJ | A Journey East for recommending this incredible album. As I was listening to it early, I realized that this album is probably the first time I've ventured outside of hip-hop/R&B/soul scene in quite a while. I'm so impressed.
3. blkswn - Smino
4. No_One Ever Really Dies - N*E*R*D
5. War & Leisure - Miguel
6. Nothing Was the Same - Drake
   • It blows my mind that this album is slick a "throwback" now...
7. P2 - Dave East

Music Collective: vol. 62 {Drippin' in Finesse}

It all began the afternoon of January 3rd with Bruno Mars tweeting about a midnight release of his collaboration with Cardi B., remixing Finesse, a track that premiered on Mars' 3rd studio album, 24k Magic. A few hours later, he mentions Ms. Cardi B, casually teasing about dropping the video as well. After playful online banter between him and his co-star, Bruno Mars then blesses the world with the visual for Finesse.

I don't know about you all, but I love me a good video component. It's this incredibly nostalgic spin on the 90's sketch comedy series, In Living Color. The song itself is so fun and vibrant, just like Bruno's on stage personality, but Cardi B. really brings this remix to life, in my opinion. Her vocals match the flow and her presence is greatly appreciated.

Not only is this song the perfect jam to jump start the weekend, the video takes me down memory lane. Suddenly, I'm back in high school again, catching the latest music videos on MTV before it's time to leave for school. Good times.