Music plays a significant role in shaping time. I’ve realized that, despite my love for art, the combination of instrumentals and lyrics has a deeper impact than visual art alone. Music is unique in its ability to reach the subconscious without any physical consent. I know this because I often find myself walking through the grocery store, unknowingly bobbing my head to a song I’ve never heard before, only for it to get stuck in my mind on repeat for days.
I was a big fan of Neo-Soul and hip-hop in my early 20s, listening to artists like Jhene Aiko, SZA, and early Keyshia Cole. Their music felt like the “soundtracks” to my life, or so I thought. In reality, the messages in their songs began to shape me in ways that would have spiritual consequences later on. Hold tight, I’ll talk about that one day. Another post.
It wasn’t just those specific artists influencing our generation. It was all the genres as a whole. A shift occurred that brought an increase in violence, promiscuity, and drug use. I didn’t just notice the change in my age group; I began to see it in the elder groups as well. This isn’t to diminish the talent in secular music, because that talent is a gift from God. Rather, it is to highlight the saying, “What you give your ear to and what you speak … is who you become.”
For a while, I would just move in silence. Every time I got into my car, I rode in silence. Which was a major shift from waking up every day blasting my favorite artist. To my atmosphere being silent. My pallet was changing, and I knew I was in a space of transition. I needed a bop but one that was liberating.
One day, I logged onto YouTube and discovered artists like Eshon Burgundy, Caleb Gordon, and Bizzle, which eventually led me to find talents like Jackie Hill Perry, Anna Golden, Moses Akoh, and more. Their sound was truly liberating, and the production felt so intentional and free. It wasn’t just about the lyrics; I often tell people I could sense the producer’s intent in the beat itself. Weird, isn’t it? I know. Pride, Murder and Trapping wasn’t on my mind by the end of the songs, but the joy of salvation was. Plus, as someone who loves analyzing lyrics, I also appreciate the messages they convey. After all, what we speak can bring fruit of life or death, as there is power in our tongues. (Proverbs 18:21)
I could talk about music all day long. Today, I will keep it short because art itself gets me hyped. There’s a fresh new sound out here, and it’s shifting the atmosphere. Below, I’m going to tag a few artists that I’ve had on heavy rotation throughout my day, so feel free to drop your favorite artists in the comments! I’d love to add to my playlist. Click on the names of the artists to explore their work. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for updates on future blog posts.
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