my top 5 favorite albums right now...

So before I get started... I should probably let you know my music is ALL OVER THE PLACE. One day I am listening to Erykah Badu, then 2003 Lady Gaga and currently, it has been a lot of Cardi B (of course.) I like rap. I go from old school rap, to punk rap, to Soundcloud rapper-rap to mumble-rap. (yes, that is a thing) I love it all. My next favorite genre is R&B. Gosh, do I love R&B. Beyonce? R Kelly? Chris Brown? Mariah Carey? Ty Dolla $ign? Miguel? Jeremih? Don't get me started... Basically, my music starts within the rap and R&B genres. From there, my ears go whichever direction they like. 

I was thinking how I wanted to structure my ranking... Should I go from #1 to #5? Or the other way around? I figured I'd start with #5 first, that way you beautiful people have no other choice but to scroll to the end and read the whole thing... 

I'm evil. Okay let's begin shall we? 

Album #5: Toni Romiti "Tomboy" (2018)

Ladies! (Or guys too... if were being honest...) 

If you are looking for a great post break-up and self-confidence booster album. Look no further. With songs like "Options" and "Who Dis ft. PJ", you'll be saying... "Why did I waste my time, money and effort on that fool?" The songs are catchy, upbeat, dance-certified, and definitely relatable.

I actually found Toni Romiti during the Vine days. Oh how I miss Vine... #rip. She used to have long curly hair, and was always singing and doing goofy stuff with her friends. Ever since I found her on Vine, she was always someone I could relate to. When she released this album, I was so happy to know that the music industry did not suck her into becoming someone she isn't. Her music is real and based off her past relationships, falling for the guy she "Never Thought" she would, changing her hair and image, her sexuality and so much more. Her music is a mix of R&B and rap. (aka my favorite genres... what a coincidence!)

She intertwines her vocals with clever and honest rap. This mix of R&B and rap is balanced really well within the album which is really nice to hear. She is the confidence booster I never knew I needed until she released the album. Even if you can't relate to relationship drama, her songs are still very catchy and upbeat. I play her album in the shower, when I study or am putting on a world tour concert performance in my bedroom at 10PM on a Friday night. Her music is young, free and uplifting. Take a few minutes. Think about an ex or someone who did you dirty. Play this album.

My ex? Sorry. Not sure who that is... 

Top 3 Songs on the Album: 

1. Options

2. Girls or Boys

3. Where 

Album #4: Playboi carti "Playboi carti" (2017)

"Shawty wanna ball with the team. Money sittin' tall 'yah mean?" -Yah Mean (#12) 

Okay, I'm not going to lie... I have no idea why I've had Playboi Carti on repeat. Maybe it's because he's been MIA for a few months and I miss his ad-libs and mumble rap. Who knows... BUT if you're looking for some hype, party or even work out music. Playboi Carti is the way to go. If there is one song you should know, for the sake of your party-side... it's "Magnolia". If you want to upgrade your party status by a few notches, hit the milly rock. Trust me, you'll look so cool.   Produced by Pierre Bourne, "Magnolia" went platinum around August and became the summertime party starter. Starting on as a "Soundcloud Rapper", Playboi was able to establish his artistic relevance with "Magnolia" and with the success of this album which features other popular rappers such as Lil Uzi Vert and A$AP Rocky. His music goes from easy, melodic beats and flows with the lyrics and ad-libs he uses within them. While his lyrics are mostly about drugs, girls and money, it's the flow that really caught my attention. His flow just works. His music is great for working out, starting your day, doing your make-up, creating a vibe and obviously--practicing your shoulder dancing.

As seen below by the beautiful Uzi... 

At only 21 years old, Playboi has a lot more music to create for his fans and I can not wait to hear more.

Update: He just dropped his new album "Die Lit". This is not a drill... currently listening to it while hitting the iconic Uzi shoulder roll. #goals.

Top 3  Songs on the Album: 

1. Wokeuplikethis* (ft. Lil Uzi Vert) 

2. Yah Mean 

3. No. 9

Album #3: drake "If you're reading this, it's too late" (2015)  

Ah yes. Aubrey Drake Graham. The myth. The legend. Love him or hate him... He is always on the music charts with the catchy beats and the iconic lyrical flow. The two songs that really get on this album are "Preach ft. PARTYNEXTDOOR" and "Now & Forever". I heard both of these songs way back in 7th grade and would scream my heart out to "Now & Forever".

When Drake said: 

"It's over, It's over

Yeah, I'm leavin', I'm gone

I can't stay here no more, and I can't sleep on the floor

Man I'm leaving, I'm leaving 

You know I got my reasons 

Yeah, I'm leaving, yeah, I'm leaving, yeah, I'm leaving

I'm goneeeee" 

I felt that. 

I don't even think I need to justify Drake as an artist and if you've been a day-one fan... you know this album is amazing. Even with more popular songs like "Legend", "10 Bands" and "Energy", this album balances out the hype with the "in your feelings" Drake. You gotta love 'em both. Playing this album after processing it for a few years since 2015, (why does that feel soooo long ago?! ) was crazy for me because it brought back so many memories. The album came out in middle school for me so I was in my adolescent, thinking I'm grown phase which created a lot of emotions. But honestly, what Drake album doesn't bring out the emotions? Exactly. So this album obviously has the relationship drama, the independent woman Drake wants but doesn't deserve and of course how much of a legend he is. This album is a getting ready to go out, concert-in-the-shower and getting ready to slay the day type of vibe. With features from PARTYNEXTDOOR, Lil Wayne and Travi$ Scott, he chooses the right artists for the vibe he is setting. Not only does he incorporate the gushy side with the '6 God' side, the album was the first to go platinum in 2015. Shocker. 

Drake continues to this day to impress us all with songs like "God's Plan" and "Nice For What". As he consistently remains on the top of the charts, he also remains number one in our hearts... wow. I really did that. Drake, sign me. Thank you. 

Top 3 Songs on the Album: 

1. Preach ft. PARTYNEXTDOOR

2. Company ft. Travi$ Scott 

3. Now & Forever 

album #2: Ty Dolla $ign "free tc" (2015)

Ooooowweeeee. Don't get me started on Ty, man. Ever since sophomore year when "Paranoid" came out... I knew he was my first love. 

Let me begin by saying that this man is one chunk of hunk. (Wow, that was an all-time low...) BUT the way this man carries himself, where he comes from, his music, his style, his VOICE. One in a million. There are many things I could go on and on about this man but let me focus on the album "Free TC" which changed my life in many ways. 

I first started to listen to "Free TC" the summer right before freshman year of college. Songs like "Bring it Out of Me" and "When I see Ya ft. Fetty Wap", were on repeat for the up beat  and easy sing-along type of flow. Within these few songs, I decided to just play his whole album in order, one by one. By the time I finished the album, I realized how different each song is. Each song has its own sound, beat and message. The variety within the album is what caught my attention. Trying to get lit? "Only Right ft. YG, Joe Moses & TeeCee". In my feels? "Straight Up ft. Jagged Edge." Going out for the night and need a confidence boost? "Blasé ft. Future." HE'S GOT IT ALL! (I really love him ya'll) Okay sorry, back to business. 

Another reason Ty is up on the music list is because he is an LA Native. Raised on the East Side of LA, he creates a lot of his inspiration both lyrically and visually from the hood he is from. His song "LA ft. Kendrick Lamar, Brandy & James Fauntleroy", is a raw and unique song which shows his love and experience living on the East Side of  LA. Ty explains what he goes through in relation to gang violence and being raised in the hood: 

"In the city of the gang bang

Yeah, we still dying over red and blue strings

Chuck my set up and it feel good 

'Cause don't nobody love you more than your neighborhood " 

He brings his past struggles and hardships into the album, making it raw and really impactful. 

If  you take the time to listen to this album, and all his other songs, you realize he has two sides. His radio hits such as "Paranoid" and "Ex ft. YG" keep his audience on an up beat and uplifting vibe while his low-key songs such as "Miracle ft. Big TC & Free D-Loc" and "Guard Down ft. Kanye West & Diddy", give you the relaxing, laid back vibe. He is an artist for the mainstream music media and for those who appreciate the undercover music.  

I also was lucky enough to see him perform live in February and let me tell ya'll... he killed-t it. He is just so awesome... I might start crying let me stop. I was acting a fool when  he performed "Only Right" and he looked at me, pointed AND laughed... we are basically married now if we're being honest.

Love you hubby! See you soon! xoxo  

Top 3 Songs on the Album: 

1. When I See Ya ft. Fetty Wap 

2. Straight Up ft. Jagged Edge 

3. Only Right ft. YG, Joe Moses & Tee-Cee4800

And now, the moment you've been waiting for... the #1 album I have been listening to is.. 

(*dramatic spacing) 

Album #1: Travis Scott "birds in the trap sing mcknight" (2016)

Here it is. The #1 album. Travis Scott. Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight. A classic. 

This album will be on repeat until I can no longer yell "It's Lit!" anymore. My kids will be listening to this album on their way to school. This album will be my Sunday morning cleaning day playlist. (Don't worry, I'll add some old school tunes too.) Where do I begin with this album... well to be honest, this album was the first I really took the time to listen to in relation to Travis's music career. I enjoyed songs like "Maria, I'm Drunk ft. Justin Bieber and Young Thug" and "Apple Pie" on his past pieces, but this album really grabbed my attention. With features like Bryson Tiller, The Weeknd and Kid Cudi... I was hooked by the way he composed both the music and the message within each song. 

He uses auto-tune and ad-libs to create his individual sound and does a great job at letting up know 'straight up'. (See what I did there?) He mixed his hype, rave songs with his slower, meaningful songs. (aka my favorite type of artist) He successfully balances out his songs with the wavy flow of Bryson Tiller's verses and his beat infused songs with rhymes from artists like Young Thug. I have been listening to this album  in the shower, during workouts, on my way around the bus, on my walks through campus, getting ready for the day... honestly, this album can be played anywhere. It is truly magical. If you can handle some auto-tune here and there, you will learn to love Travis Scott. And if you don't already love Travis... here is a snippet of one of his interviews.

You're welcome. 

 Top (3) Songs on the album: 

1. First Take ft. Bryson Tiller 

2. Guidance ft. K Forest 

3. Beibs in the Trap ft. NAV 

Well, there you have it. My top 5 albums at the moment... with all this new music coming out, this list will most likely change in the next week BUT I just wanted to give ya'll an idea of where my music taste is at. Is it good or bad? Who knows! All I know is that these albums and artists have impacted my life and have created memories within them. Some good. Some bad. But memories are memories and I believe that the music you are surrounded by greatly impacts how you live your life. Everyone's taste is different and I can totally appreciate that. Being put onto music ["being put on": someone showing you new music, a form of friendship and sometimes maybe having a crush?] is so awesome so if anyone has new music for me to listen to... I am all ears! 

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more very soon!