Random inspiration to write a random article at 2 a.m.? Why not. Basically I’ll do this every once in a while where I’ll update you all with what I am currently listening to. Honestly looking at this list I’ve wrote down for this it is literally just songs that I listen to in the shower. If you know me personally you know that my music moods can span from pure pain and sadness to feeling like I’m about to run over Brandon Jacobs off of the hype. This idea is also strictly inspired by one of my favorite YouTubers in Shawn Cee. He’s been doing this for almost four years now so I figured I might as well give it a shot. Let’s get into it.
1. Neighbors – Pooh Shiesty ft. BIG30
Pooh Shiesty has been on a very fast climb to the top of raps new stars recently. After signing to Gucci Mane’s “1017 Records” around April of 2020 the Memphis native has not slowed down one bit. With collaborations with Lil Baby, 21 Savage, Lil Durk, & Gucci Mane himself, Shiesty has made his presence known. This song right here, featuring his childhood friend BIG30, is just something you can bump in the gym or if you’re like me right at the ripe hour of 9 a.m. to wake myself up. His recent project, “Shiesty Season” peaked at #4 on the Billboard charts selling 62K units in its first week. It doesn’t look like he’ll be stopping any time soon.
2. Selfish – Vory
Like I said, my music selection can go from 0 to 100 and vice versa. Vory was an artist I mentioned in my article about what artists I have discovered in 2020. Since my discovery of Vory his music is played on my phone at least five times a day, and that’s probably on a slow day. This month he is my most listened to artist with 313 minutes played. This specific song right here just makes me think of a late night drive with the sun just setting in the background. It’s an immaculate song and he needs to get his well-deserved recognition soon. He’s one more album away from becoming a well-known star in music. He has the talent and there’s already more music coming from the Louisville native.
3. No Love Lost – Blxst
Blxst is an artist that I had recently discovered in January and since then I’ve done a deep dive on his discography. The California native is currently taking over the West Coast as he has already gotten features from Cali’s finest in Ty Dolla $ign, Tyga, & Dom Kennedy. His project (also called No Love Lost) is a great listen and he has, in my opinion, made his sound unique and his own. My favorite song would have to be either Overrated, Be Alone, or No Love Lost. Even J Cole is a fan of Blxst. I’m excited to see what’s in store for him.
4. Outside – 6LACK
The world needs a new 6LACK album. This September will mark three years since, “East Atlanta Love Letter”, an album that will have an everlasting impact on my life. If that album was just the song, “Sorry” it would make the daily YSN rotation with no hesitation (bars???) 6LACK is obviously working on his own stuff but has recently hopped on Lil Tjay’s highly anticipated song, “Calling My Phone” which has debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. That is both Lil Tjay’s and 6LACK’s highest charting song of their careers. So I would say, 6LACK is doing pretty well for himself. This song in particular is a look through the mind of 6LACK as he longs for someone to be with him. The lyrics, “I need someone I can play with when it’s time to go outside and play again” are simply an ode to many people’s thoughts of the mentally draining time period that has been COVID-19. Mental health has become a huge topic of discussion due to the fact that human interaction has decreased to a whole different level during the 2020 quarantine. The symbolism of this song for me is just not knowing what is to come in the future. And the uncertainty of feeling/being alone is creeping into 6LACK’s mind as he thinks about his own future. Or at least that’s how I portray it. A song that would be included in any late night drive of mine that’s for sure.
5. Peace of Mind – PartyNextDoor
The unsung hero of Toronto’s music scene. PartyNextDoor never misses. Since his debut self-titled project in 2014, Party has been delivering consistently great music. His own distinct and unique voice has made him a staple in the R&B game. No matter what anyone says, if you’re relevant for seven years in the music industry you are successful in my opinion. This specific song is a calming listen. This is what I would listen to if I was taking a drive into the city at 11 p.m. in the summer with the windows down. If you can’t tell by now I love going on drives blasting music, but I digress. Now Colours 2 is not his best project by any means, but songs like “Peace of Mind” and “Rendezvous” are incredible. His last break from releasing an album was four years so we shall see when our next full-length PartyNextDoor album will be.
6. Back Again – King Von ft. Lil Durk & Prince Dre
First off, rest in peace to King Von. This is back to the hype side of my daily listening sessions. Especially when you in the shower acting like you’re in a music video. This is the song for that. King Von always delivered with contagious energy and on songs like, “How It Go” & “Demon”, incredible story-telling. Sadly, King Von’s life was tragically cut short but his legacy lives on forever. Lil Durk has been quoted recently saying more King Von music will be releasing. However, it’s only appreciated never needed. I just want these labels to stop milking their artists deaths (ex: X & Juice Wrld) and just let them rest.
7. Toxic Punk – YoungBoy Never Broke Again
The YouTube king has now entered the article. Youngboy is famous for sometimes only releasing some songs on YouTube and still running up the streams regardless. No promo needed. When you have three #1 albums you can do that kind of stuff. Youngboy’s cult-like following has shown out again as the hype for his upcoming album, “Sincerely, Kentrell” is higher than ever. This song right here is just a good vibe as Youngboy raps about how he is having hallucinations and the struggles he is having with drug abuse. The beat and flow is uptempo and catchy but the lyrics are a dark & revealing truth about his own life. Hopefully he gets the help he needs because I can’t do anymore artists dying at this point.
8. Beatbox “Freestyle” – DaBaby
The walking example of, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. DaBaby has been a significant presence in the rap game for almost three years now. After two #1 albums, Stevie Wonder can definitely see that he having it. His signature flow and sound will just have you bopping your head to his songs. However, hearing him diss Jojo Siwa made me pause and rewind for a second. This song and his new song, “Masterpiece” are actually pretty solid but the only problem is I don’t think you can drop a 16-track album of those exact songs. They sound great but too much of anything is never good. Definitely interested to see how he takes on his new music.
9. You’re Mines Still – Young Bleu ft. Drake
I’d be lying to you if I told you I didn’t scream, “IF I EVERRRRRRR” when this song come on. Now obviously Yung Bleu should be respected and not just known for this song. Man has three gold plaques with no features for a reason. “You’re Mines Still” currently has almost 57M views on YouTube and is still gradually rising up the charts. This song is a smash hit and is a great song to either go on one of my signature drives or just to vibe out to while you in the house. Right now I’d say it gets at least one listen a day in my phone. And I’d like to take full credit because based off of my streams alone he was able to get this house. All jokes aside, it’s only up from here for Young Bleu so I’m wishing nothing but the best for him.
10. Pyscho – Dave
An incredible song by an incredible artist. Dave is a 22-year-old rapper from England who has taken over the UK with his music. He mainly started off with drill if I’m not mistaken but with this album, “Pyschodrama” he touches on dealing with his own mental struggles and the rooted pain of racism and obstacles that a black man faces in everyday life. This song right here is a beautiful example of what the album exemplifies. It contains all the elements/subject matters that are covered in the album as a whole. The intro is a therapy session of a doctor asking Dave where they should start. And immediately Dave asks, “how do you stop all the pain?” This is also the intro to the album so to start it off this intense immediately grabs the listener’s attention. The hard bass and the soothing vocals leading up to the beat drop is one of the highlights of the track. The switch of tone comes at around 2:15 when he goes from talking about his own childhood struggles to switching to the flexing rapper p.o.v talking about wanting to take a pretty woman for a test drive. However, once you think he’s just going to casually finish the song talking about the usual money, cars, and girls he switches it up at the three minute mark again. He talks about battling with manic depression, the sadness of his dad’s passing, and his need for therapy. When I first listened to Dave’s last verse it made me I stop everything I was doing and just listen in awe. Him taking about the consequences of suicide and holding his mother’s hand through the agony of losing his father got to me.
Whenever an artist takes us as listeners on an introspective journey it always intrigues me. Because no matter what they are humans just like us. Relating their struggles with struggles of our own is what makes the music connect to listeners. It’s what makes music special. Dave is an incredible artists that has already won BRITs for his incredible discography and I can’t wait to hear his next album. That will conclude my songs I’m listening to. My current rotation is diverse with sound, artist, and lyrical content but it all seems to make the days feel better. See you guys next time. This is YSN, signing out.
