A Song For Any Mood
Anyone who knows me knows I have an obsession with Beyoncé, which started when I was 7 when she released her BDay album. I have many fond memories dancing around to Deja Vu, Upgrade U and all them bangers pretending I was her at a concert. I think her voice is so incredible and seeing her live she sounds just as amazing, if not better. (Halo brought me to actual tears). Her positive messages of body image and feminism always inspire me. Her latest craze is her love for her FUPA (Fat Upper Pubic Area), due to her emergency c-section, so ofc FUPA's are now in and everyone can stop tensing so much. Her latest album is a co-abulm between her and Jay-Z which has so many perfect summer songs (one of them being called Summer), and I constantly find myself singing one of the songs and having a little jig. Two of her biggest inspirations are Michael Jackson and Prince who I also love, so it's no surprise I love her.
For when you're parting with your girls- Crazy In Love and Freakum Dress
For when you're going through a break up- Best Thing I Never Had and Sorry
Girl Power- Formation and Who Run The World
(The list goes on).
For A Chilled Vibe
I absolutely adore Frank Ocean, like how can people not? His voice is so smooth and beautiful, and them high notes though... Honestly one of my favourite artists out there and I was lucky enough to see him at Lovebox. The fact he's so good and more about the music rather than all the fame and how winning awards doesn't determine his success just makes him seem so genuine and f**king cool. Imagine how many Grammy's he could've gotten of he'd actually submitted Blonde for Grammy consideration.
I recommend: Ivy, Self Control, Chanel, Lost, Pink Matter and Bad Religion
Female Power and British Music
British women are killing it at the moment in the music industry. Jorja Smith, Dua Lipa, Mabel, Raye, Becky Hill, Ray BLK and Steflon Don to name a few. They even support each other rather than tearing down the competition. Jorja Smith's voice is a mood and with recognition from Drake and Kendrick you know she is going to go far. Dua Lipa is the most streamed female at the moment and she's only 22! They're all so talented and I'm glad British women are finally getting recognition in the music industry. Especially black, urban, female rappers like Ray Blk.
I recommend: Blue Lights and Teenage Fantasy by Jorga Smith and My Hood and 5050 by Ray BLK.
Get Your Groove On
As a genre I love to listen to R&B. It's so catchy and you can dance and sing along to it. I grew up listening to a lot of R&B and had many albums my parents would buy me at Christmas of a pick and mix of various R&B artists that were big. But atm I'm loving Post Malone, Chance the Rapper, Drake (although most of his hits get overplayed and end up going out of fashion very quick), Bryson Tiller and Anderson .Paak. However, we need more female artists in the genre like Kehlani and SZA. Recently there has been an increase of powerful women other than Beyonce and Rihanna (who have been killing it for years), like Cardi B and Arianna. I don't think anyone can make a hit that will make you want to dance and attempt to twerk like Rihanna anytime soon though.
Hip Hop/Rap
Kendrick Lamar is another artists who I believe uses their platform for good and this reflects in his quality of music. I am soooo excited to see him at Reading Festival, if you see me I'll probably be crying with happiness. I'm also lucky enough to get to see Travis Scott there too. Goosebumps, Antidote and Butterfly Effect are 3 of my car songs for the summer and I'm currently listening to his new album Astrowrld. Other artists in the hip hop genre I listen to are Childish Gambino (who I am gutted I didn't see at Lovebox this year), A$AP Rocky and J Cole.
Dancing The Night Away In A Sweaty Crowd
My other favourite genre of music is Indie Rock. I love going to gigs withs my mates and seeing the bands at festivals. I've been lucky enough to see the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Kooks and Sticky Fingers. I HAVE to see the Arctic Monkeys before I die. Their music, especially their old stuff, you just can't get any better. When people talk about how music isn't what it used to be I tend to agree and disagree. The Arctic Monkeys are one of those bands that make you realise music isn't dead and all the cheesy, generic pop hasn't killed it. I listen to vinyls a lot including rock bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, from when music was at an incredible time.
I recommend: Fluorescent Adolescence, Mardy Bum and When The Sun Goes Down by The Arctic Monkeys. These Girls, Liqourlip Loaded Gun, Gold Snafu and Australia Street.
Feel Good Music
I love different genres of old school music. I danced to a lot of jazz, soul and blues at dance school and so I love listening to that genre of music, from Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding to Stevie Wonder. I listen to this genre of music when I'm revising as it stops me from getting stressed as you can't help but be happy and chilled out. I also grew up listening to a lot of Michael Jackson, I mean who didn't? So I still listen to his more upbeat songs like PYT and Don't Stop Till You Get Enough. If you're ever in a bad mood just listen to any of these artists. Someone who has inspired so many artists is Prince. He is one of the biggest legends in music. It's hard to not sing your heart out to Purple Rain or dance to Kiss. His Purple Rain vinyl is one of my favourite presents I've received.
Other than what I've mentioned I recommend:
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing by Stevie Wonder, Stand By Me by Ben E. King, Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding and Think or Respect by Aretha Franklin.
A True Classic You Can't Hate
(If you do you should reconsider your life choices)
Amy Winehouse's voice is so unique and raw and her music actually meant something. Her songs have so much meaning and have helped me through a lot of tough times. Whether it's the intended meaning or not, her lyrics are so relatable and you can infer a message personal to you. I think she is one of the best, if not THE best thing to come from female British music. She is one of my favourite musicians of all time and I love to listen to her music whether I'm in the car or on vinyl when I'm chilling in my room.
I recommend: Tears Dry, You Know I'm No Good, Love Is A Losing Game, Wake Up Alone or if you want to listen to her less mainstream, more jazz/blues music then listen to her Frank album.
