My Summer Rewind: An Ode to Self-Care 19-“call on me”

Lalah Hathaway and Redman are the perfect pair for a song. In their respective genres of r&b and hip hop, both are the favorites of your favorite artists. When either make an appearance-song features or onstage with their peers-it is all but certain who will steal the show, unless Lalah and Red relent with the […]

My Summer Rewind: An Ode to Self-Care 18-“Ringleader Man”

If I were asked to use a song to describe my personality, “Ringleader Man” by T-Pain would be it. Arpeggio chords bounce around in a ¾ time signature gives the feel of a dark circus, a side show in the key of e flat minor. Pain hums in a soft tone, as if he greets […]

My Summer Rewind: An Ode to Self-Care 17-“Twist My Fingaz”

For a change of scenery, once a week, I used to write at my local Starbucks. When I pulled into the parking lot, the patrons-stay-at-home moms, au pairs, and retirees in a white, upper-class neighborhood-were greeted to the loud, gangsta rap from my jeep. I got a kick out of their reaction when I made […]

My Summer Rewind: An Ode to Self-Care 16-“F[Love]k Me For Free”

I am certain my daughter, nephew, and I would all cringe if we heard one another listened to a song entitled “Fuck Me for Free.” However, I am well aware there will come a day when they will like music I consider vulgar. When it comes to my nephew, I play dumb. He’s 14 years […]

My Summer Rewind: An Ode to Self-Care 15-“On the Radio”

When it comes to in-car music, my daughter and nephew have no idea how great they have it. They have let it be known-as individuals and in concert-they are not particularly fond of my music choices when I am their source of transportation. I’ve heard many-a-gripes about my “annoying 90’s music.” Do I care? Not […]

My Summer Rewind: An Ode to Self-Care 14-“Ricky”

“No matter how tall you get, you’ll always be looking up to me,” I replied in a tone mixed with love and sarcasm. I can admit I am not ready for my nephew to be taller than me; but the emotions are more or less tied to the acceptance of time and not his change […]

My Summer Rewind: An Ode to Self-Care 13-“What You Tryna Do”

I attended Dad 2.0, a conference for writers, bloggers, influencers, and media personalities who are fathers, in Washington DC in February. It was a surreal experience to introduce myself to people I’d known for years but never met in person. I felt validated as several dads told me they enjoyed my work and introduce myself […]