Beyoncé. "7/11." BEYONCÉ (Platinum Edition), Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment, 2013.
Because it's today. Shoutout to Corey from Sidewalk Guide for the tip.
I apologize, our love was one for the ages and I contained us
JAY-Z. "4:44." 4:44, S. CARTER ENTERPRISES, LLC. MARKETED BY ROC NATION & DISTRIBUTED BY ROC NATION/UMG RECORDINGS, 2017.
The kid at the beginning of this video singing Nina Simone? Just wow.
What good is a bed when there’s a hooptie instead
Ari Lennox. "Backseat (Feat. Cozz)." PHO, Dreamville/Interscope, 2016.
Thanks to my homegirl Marika for scooping this lil' ditty at SXSW. Ari Lennox has got some serious soul.
Read up on how Lennox found herself working on J.Cole's Dreamville imprint after throwing up some covers online, including this dreamy flip of Beyoncé's "Drunk In Love," in this interview with The FADER.
She slays it on this Otis Redding track, one of my all-time favourites...
...and just one more of her take on the legendary Lauryn Hill's classic "X Factor," background noise and all.
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no
Beyoncé, JAY Z. "Crazy in Love." J Records, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., 2003.
Rough day? Put on this track, catch that sweet sample from the Chi-Lites, try to master the dance moves in the video, and I promise you'll feel better.
And, for those of you living under a rock, yesterday Beyoncé kicked off February and Black History Month with the uplifting news that she and JAY Z are welcoming twins, announced in a divine shot on Instagram. So crazy right now.
The Jeeps pump this new remix
Destiny's Child, Wyclef Jean. "No, No, No Pt. 2 (feat. Wyclef Jean)." Destiny's Child, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, 1997, 1998.
Still feeling those late 90s vibes heading into this week like woah. Why you frontin' when you know you really want it?
Motorcycles, blackjack, classic vinyl
Beyoncé. "DADDY LESSONS." LEMONADE, Parkwood Entertainment, 2016.
The lyrics on this song are pure fire and the arrangement with that extended New Orleans horn intro, the acoustic guitar, and hand claps, is just a little bit country in the best way.
Inquiring minds can learn more in this Billboard article, which chronicles the making of the track with R&B singer-songwriter Kevin Cossom, writer Wynter Gordon, and Alex Delicata.