REFLECTION & REASON

Is it just me? Does anyone else feel this, almost, spiritual uplifting and unifying of African people, globally? It's quite possible that this thought is completely unoriginal, and that there are impeccably articulated descriptions of this already in existence online. But right now, I felt the need to connect with someone who is feeling...THIS. Music is usually my catalyst, and everything about this particular song this evening just made me stop and pause. I felt it. Without understanding the language, knowing much about the artist, or even the particular African country of origin. The beauty of it is that by this time next week, I'll have had the opportunity to dive deeper into Asake's music and see what I've been missing.   If this is the first Asake track that really caught my ear, then I want to know why. I want to listen to the musical journey thus far. Reconnect with the songs I didn't realize he was featured in. Like listening to some 2012 Burna Boy...n...

To fall this deeply into Afrobeats and Amapiano as of late is so refreshing and special to me, because discovering a new genre is something that can only truly happen a handful of times in life. I'm a bonafide music lover. And I most definitely live and breathe Caribbean music. On a level. But this. THIS! This music has touched my soul. A few of these songs actually brought me to tears...and they're not even the "tears" types of songs. Pure joy. This music has recently spoken to me in a way that I have to embrace wholeheartedly. Not only because of how it sounds, but mainly because of how it feels. I have to give credit to two DJs in particular who played the significant songs that sparked an entire musical movement for me. DJ Private Ryan , who dropped Akanamali on one of his mixes and sent me into a frenzy of discovery and downloading. Also Sir DJ Corey , who played Gcina Impilo Yam  on a mix that moved my spirit to the heavens. And yes, I'll give additional cr...