Spring 2024 Music, Books + Media
Favorite Musicians 2024 (In no particular order)
I’ve always enjoyed a wide variety of music, from r&b and hip hop, to alternative, and pop. My music taste is all over the place. Here are some of my current obsessions!
Destin Conrad
If you were around during the Vine era, you more than likely know Destin. I’ve been following him ever since and am so inspired by his journey through creating funny videos, to becoming an amazing alternative R&B artist. His music gives smoke session, kick back vibes. Something I put on often after work and I just wanna unwind. His most recent album “SUBMISSIVE” has soo many hits. honorable mention is also “COLORWAY” with one of my favorite songs by him “IN THE AIR” (plus he’s queer so you know the music gon’ hit)
Amaarae
In my opinion, Amaarae is destined to change the ways of afro-beats, r&b and alternative music all together. They are such a slept on artist, but some of yall may know them from their song “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” FEATURING Kali Uchis (also an AMAZING artist). Their most recent album “Fountain Baby” SLAPS. from the melodies, and beats, to the visuals. Amaarae gives Queer, Bisexual representation through their visuals, AND their energy. You can tell they have a beautiful balance of masculine and feminine energy within their expression. Amaarae’s music is out if this world, but something you can dance and shake sum to. 10/10
Greentea Peng
Greentea Peng is such a vibe. Their son “miss da sun” put me on, and i’ve been really loving their most recent album “GREENZONE 108” some of my favorites off the album being “Feint” and “Stuck In the Middle”. Pretty sure they are UK based and UK artists always make music with a sound I absolutely LOVE. It’s a nice switch up from our mainstream American style of music, so if you’re looking for something different, check them out. (Also Greentea has such a pleasing, outlandish style fashion wise and makes music for the weird, earthy, artsy girlies :p)
Jungle
JUNGLE UGJHFH what else can I say. If you haven’t heard of JUNGLE by now literally where have you been?? These past couple of months their song and video “Back on 74” has been devoured by the general public. I’ve been seeing them do ad’s and commercials and everything! (I love seeing my faves come up) Jungle’s song “Casio” put me on a few years back, and I’ve been OBSESSED ever since. It’s about time they get their flowers. Their dancers are so talented, and the visuals and choreography add a beautiful layer to each track. Their whole discography is worth checking out if you’re looking for something to groove to, but I’d definitely recommend listening to their most recent album “VOLCANO” there are absolutely NO SKIPS on this album. Every song is groovy af. (I would see them live but since they poppin now them ticket prices are not it, im SICK)
LIONBABE
When I think of LIONBABE I think queen, goddess, leo energy. I feel like their song “Treat Me Like Fire” is every Leo’s anthem (yes, endure the pain) LIONBABE makes music for the indie girl getting ready to go out with her girls for the night. Very dance, house inspired vibes. LIONBABE will have you feeling like the baddest bitch in the club fasho.
Cleo Sol
If you need healing, give Cleo Sol a visit. The way this woman (along with Jhene Aiko CHILOMBO) got me through my mental breakdowns after my first breakup is insane. Every woman needs to listen to Cleo Sol just so we are reminded of our worth, how much we are loved, and most importantly that we are not alone in our hurt and in our journey’s to heal our hearts.
((o))
((o)) is completely out of this world. A lot of you may recognize them from their collaborations with FKJ (also a great artist) on songs live “vibin out” which is a certified banger. I found them through this song, and have been hooked into their discography ever since. Whenever I am meditating, or doing yoga, or just need to get in the zone, back connected with the earth and my spirit, I put on some ((o)). “SHUH SHUH” alone sends me through different dimensions every time.
WILLOW
Similar to ((o)) WILLOW has the power to send me through different dimensions as well. I have been following Willow as an artist since “Whip My Hair” and oh how her style has changed. I’ve loved every moment of it though. from their more lowkey singles like “Summer Fling” and “Marceline” to their most recent album exploring alternative genre “<COPINGMECHANISM>” I feel like WILLOW and I are one in the same. I’ve heard some pretty distasteful opinions on their music, but they are definitely an acquired taste. All I can say is the girls that get it, get it, and the ones who dont, DONT.
Tems
“Freemind” was my top song of 2023 on spotify wrapped. Must I say more?? What a beautiful mix of Afro-beats and R&B UGH. Tems music is honestly such a mood booster, and her lyricism is something different. They always know the right lyrics to sing that make me feel so seen and heard. Feelings i’ve never been able to put into words, Tems does it so beautifully, and over beats that make you want to whine da waist bayBEE.
Ayra Starr
While we’re on the genre of afrobeats and R&B I cannot forget to mention my baby Ayra Starr. They deserve so much more recognition. Their COLORS show singing “ASE” made me fall in love. Their style reminds me of a good mix betwee Amaarae and Tem’s with a good balance of etheral, and groove. Their most recent album “19 & Dangerous” was absolute GOLD, with features from Kelly Rowland on “Bloody Samaritan” one of my favorites off the album.
Books!
Have any book recommends for me?
Starting 2024, I made a reading goal for myself, which is to read at least 12 books throughout the year (1 book a month) . So far so good, I’ve been having some pretty adventurous reads, and have prioritized reading from Black narratives especially throughout February. Here’s what I’ve been reading this year.
Alright, so the first book I read this year was “A court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J Maas. I’ve heard mixed reviews on this book, but I got it as a Christmas gift so dont come for me. I was honestly so excited to get into this because unlike the saying, I be judging books by their cover (lock me up) and this book is absolutely gorgeous. I was immediately sucked in by the way the author wrote out the setting and scenery. It started in a wintery woods type vibe and I was reading this throughout the winter season so it was such a cozy read. I would sit by the fireplace and be swept away by the magic in this book (and the romance teehee). Though I did find the more sexually charged interactions between Feyre and Tamlin kind of cringe, I appreciated their more innocent romantic interactions. I fell in love with the world building as well in this book even though I wasn’t really interested in following the other books in the series after finishing this one. Am I missing out?
Rate: 8/10
The next book I read in 2024 was “Pride and Protest” by Nikki Payne. Honestly, i’ve never read the original “Pride and Prejudice” so I dont have a lot to compare this spin on it to. But after reading some of it’s reviews I think this might have given me a better experience in terms of interpretation. I loved this book. The main character “Liza” was so relatable for me (probably because she’s a Leo lmao) and I saw myself a lot in her. Her interactions with her family always made me cringe because of the big differences in their morals, and views on social issues, but im pretty sure that was intentional. And omg Liza and Dorsey’s first interaction was definitely a hard cringe. But I feel like this book is supposed to make the reader uncomfortable when obvious biases, and stereotypes are present.
I loved the romantic interactions, and enemies to lovers theme in this book. And the sexual tension between the characters definitely had me feeling some type of way. I cried finishing this book, probably because im just a hopeless romantic who loves a happy ending.
Rate: 9/10
The book i’m currently reading is “Noor” by Nnedi Okorafor which I would categorize as a sci-fi afro-futuristic fiction. I’m usually not a sci-fi kind of girl but I wanted to explore different genres of black books and thankfully stumbled upon this one at my local library. I’m nearing the end of it and I’ve been enjoying it a lot so far. It’s hard for me to stay motivated to read because like I stated earlier, Im not really into sci-fi books, but as soon as I pick this book up, its hard to put down. It takes place in a futuristic Nigeria, which is unlike anything I have yet to read in a book so far. The world building is interesting because it’s definitely a place I can see us being in as a society in the near future. We’re already seeing technology advance in the medical world, and honestly the development of the “Ultimate Corp” company reminds me a lot of Amazon, and makes me think about the future developments of companies like it. AO, and DNA are definitely likeable characters and I want to see the best for them Dont let me down Nnedi (fingers crossed for a happy ending).
Rate: TBD
