Drake's "8AM In Charlotte," Tyla's "Water" & Other Singles To Have In Rotation Now
This week's new music list has something for everyone, which is fantastic given that many of us are beginning this cuffing season in very different places. Whether you're still reveling in the freedom that came with your summer flings ("Yea Yea" and "Water"), looking for something more serious and long-lasting ("You're Hired," "Link Up," and "Give It To Me"), or simply basking in your best life ("Champagne Shit [Remix]" and "8AM in Charlotte," here are the week's top new tracks.
"Yea Yea" - Lady London with Dreezy
The most recent song "Yea Yea" by Lady London and Dreezy continues the 2023 theme of paying tribute to the music videos from the late 1990s and early 2000s. The music video for "Yea Yea" takes cues from Destiny Child's "Bills" and "Soldier," replicating its salon setting and brilliant colors in one scene and beautifully black and white cinematography in the other. The usage of the video as inspiration is amusing since it makes us think of the trio we sorely miss.
However, when we learn that in both songs, the girls are demanding a man—or soldier—deserving of their love and affection, the decision to employ this background becomes intriguing, especially when it becomes clear that this time around, the rapping duo wants something completely different.
The two rappers nonchalantly discuss their significance in their respective men's lives and how confident they are in their appearance and sexuality to make anybody who glances their way weak in the knees. They state that although they are aware that they are a popular item, they have no desire to become someone's one and only.
By the song's conclusion, the two rappers are playing off one another's flows and making it apparent that they have no intention of finding love this cuffing season.
"Water" - Tyla
The "Water" dance challenge is the most recent trend to take over TikTok. You have undoubtedly heard this song while getting enticed to see a series of dance routines that have several people moving their hips and crooning to the tune of "Make me sweat, make me hotter, make me lose my breath, make me water." The South African musician Tyla's song "Water" was released near the conclusion of the summer. It soon gained popularity as listeners became enthralled by Tyla's harmonies and demanded to blow her mind and seek her soul.
The melodious tune blends pop, R&B, Afrobeats, and amapiano to produce a catchy chorus and seductive lines. Although the single was released in the summer, with the help of its new music video that was released Friday, "Water" has now given itself the opportunity to go beyond the social media platform and have a chance to reach the charts as it should.
"Give It To Me" - Miguel
The title track from Miguel's latest album, Viscera, "Give It To Me," talks about chemistry and how it tends to draw people closer together. The song "Give It To Me" demonstrates Miguel's creativity on a whole new level.
As fans, perhaps we've grown so accustomed to Miguel's creativity that we've stopped recognizing how well he creates a distinctive yet recognizable sound with each album. The song, which combines R&B with industrial sounds, has a mellow, seductive atmosphere throughout the majority of the song before switching to a more organic and sensual approach in the closing seconds.
Similar to the audio, the graphics are minimal and largely consist of neon-lit views of Miguel and his leading woman flashing their bodies and cuddling while the camera rotates around them. Nevertheless, Miguel uses an electric guitar and breathless declarations to create a soulful and passionate tune over a simple rhythm and engaging beat.
"Link Up" - Ne-Yo
I'm not sure whether this video fits the season, but as SZA and Jean Dawson pointed out a few weeks ago, California doesn't really have seasons, so it could still be applicable today. But even if the video isn't, the song most definitely is. "Link Up" by Ne-Yo offers the suggestion of transforming another's life if given the opportunity to "link up," and was probably written to be a cuffing season anthem, or at least a very trustworthy second best. In this single, Ne-Yo offers love, luxury, attentiveness, change, and other limitless possibilities, in contrast to the other suitors.
As would be anticipated from the R&B singer and notorious lyricist, the song is straightforward and infectious, while the music video is entertaining and, at times, endearing. The only criticism I would have for the song is that it did not come out sooner. As it would have paired nicely with Usher's summer release of "Good Good," or Tinashe's "Uh Huh." Regardless, the song is definitely worth the listen and might even encourage a shimmying of the shoulder or two.
"You're Hired" - NEIKED ft. Ayra Starr
There are certain tunes that simply enchant you without fail. NEIKED's song "You're Hired" feat. Ayra Starr is among such tunes. Ayra Starr, who is content being alone and isn't looking for a relationship, becomes captivated by a possible suitor and promises to make him her lover in exchange for his willingness to fulfill her wants. She begins to entertain the notion of dating him after seeing that she behaves differently around him, in the greatest manner possible, and she openly offers to share the love she has been nurturing for him. It's a sweet tune that puts a grin on your face in a manner that only a new love could.
Regardless of whether he accepts her offer to play the part, it is great to hear a song that sings about love without making it seem like it must happen or one of them will be unable to move on. The song brilliantly depicts the sensation of having a crush and wanting to spend every waking moment with your newfound favorite person.
"Me & U" - Tems
Her first solo single since 2021, the Nigerian singer Tems has returned with a forceful comeback in the style of her most recent track, "Me & U." Originally made with a Drake feature, the single demonstrates Tems' amazing capacity to shine on her own when she places faith, instead of love, front and center.
With the removal of the rapper, Tems is able to explore themes of self-discovery in this lyrical song, creating a sincere connection to God as she learns who she really is, forges sincere connections, and develops a true understanding of herself. The song's simplicity and freedom as Tems discovers herself and learns to love herself makes it wonderful and liberating to listen to.
"Me & U" has the appearance of being a very straightforward love song as Tems sings of companionship and complete surrender as she croons over a softly strumming electric guitar. However, it's not really a love song in the conventional sense; instead, the song focuses on the relationship between the divine and the individual. Directed by the singer, it is amazing to watch Tems in her white gown perform her exquisite dance in the heart of a lush forest and against the azure waves of the sea.
With poignant narration with her distinctive, enticing musical style, "Me & U" shows audiences why Tem's two-year independent single hiatus was well worth the wait.
"Another Love Song" - Toosii
The only thing that makes Toosii's "Another Love Song" a love song is its name. As soon as the song starts, Toosii declares to the listeners that he is sick of the clichéd love song trope. This is primarily due to the fact that he is aware that, regardless of what he composes and sings, there is a good possibility he will be the object of someone else's incapacity to love. But it doesn't stop him from making an attempt at a love song.
He still holds out hope that love will find a way to be on his side despite everything. He occasionally cries out for the love of his life to come back and treat him well. Sometimes, though, his knowledge of himself overcomes him, and he is unable to win back his love before revealing the reasons he shouldn't have even given her a chance.
However, as in any relationship, two people are found to be at fault, and he recognizes that his constant faults are mostly to blame for the reasons he may be pleading. He's sick of love songs, but perhaps he is tired in the sense that he keeps attempting to write them as a sort of repentance. While this is going on, his love gets weary of his endless sorrowful ballads when he has the power to choose to love her rightly from the beginning.
"Champagne Shit" - Janelle Monáe ft. Latto and Quavo [Remix]
With this remix, these n****s about to make a whole lot of money.
The churchy organ chords of "Champagne Shit" provide a rallying cry that is difficult to ignore as Janelle Monáe rides a wave of intoxicated ecstasy with guests Latto and Quavo. As they sing an homage to the good life and the leisure its abundance brings, the group is in a relaxed state of mind. Monáe's comments about flinging "tips" and "hips" set the jovial tone, and Quavo amps it up with comments about having "ice" on his collar and "champagne" on his wrist, as well as countless models holding bottles. Complimentary to the others, Latto, who is having the best year of her career, laments a passionate verse about the need to be treated like royalty and her desire to reward the people she loves as well.
With the inclusion of the two rappers, Quavo delivers the ad-libs that make every Migos song so pleasant to sing, while Latto produces a swag that makes it difficult to resist moving one's hips or skipping as instructed by Monáe. Despite the fact that this partnership is not novel, and most likely won't turn too many heads, its remix possesses the jovial effect of friends who have finally succeeded in their endeavors, which will have the song playing on almost everyone's playlist.
"Homicide" - 6LACK and Jessie Reyez
My entire face breaks out in an unrelenting smile when I see the names 6LACK and Jessie Reyez listed next to one another. The duo reunites for their third collaboration, "Homicide," following years of friendship and mutual respect for each other's artistic abilities. They first collaborated in 2019 on the notoriously crooned "Imported," where the two sang about happily being someone's second choice. Now, the two musicians' long-standing friendship is evident in the exquisite mixing of their equally alluring vocals for "Homicide."
In this song, which depicts a sad waltz between two lovers, the two musicians vividly capture the subtleties of intense love and infatuation. While being propelled by this guitar-driven rhythm that surprisingly integrates trap beats and heavy bass, 6LACK and Jessie Reyez explore the concept of toxic relationships where partners cheat for sport. Meanwhile, exes are forced to see intimate meetings through windows.
While the 6LACK shines with his signature gloomy sound, Reyes' strong and rebellious vocals much outweigh those of her partner as she demonstrates her willingness to join a harmful relationship for its amusement and unpredictability.
"8AM In Charlotte" - Drake
Dressed in colorful hair clips, big leather leggings, and a "Hate Survivor" hoodie, Drake explains the origins of the album cover's artwork at the start of the video. In a lengthy explanation provided by his son Adonis, Drake tells the listeners that the album cover shows how important he feels he has been to the hip-hop genre during the previous 15 years of "dominance." Following the release of "Slime You Out" in September 2023, "8AM in Charlotte" is the second single from Drake's eighth studio album For All The Dogs.
In this song, Drake considers the burden on his "moral scale" as he gets ready to go on tour and encourages up-and-coming musicians to save a portion of their earnings as Andre 3000 did in "Hollywood Divorce." Drake's video is straightforward and narrated with a shaky cam as he contemplates how long he is prepared to harbor resentment against doubters and those who continue to attempt to thwart his unstoppable success.
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Taysha Robinson is a writer and high school English teacher, based in metro-Atlanta. A self described philomath, you can find her reading books and articles of every genre, attending educational conferences, and hiking wherever the terrain will allow.
Exclusive: Dreka Gates Talks Farm Life, Self-Mastery, And Her Wellness Brand
Dreka Gates is making a name in wellness through authenticity and innovativeness. Although we were introduced to her as a music manager for her husband, Kevin Gates, she has now carved out her own lane outside of music as a wellness entrepreneur. But according to Dreka, this is nothing new.
In an xoNecole exclusive, the mom of two opened up about many things, including starting her wellness journey at 13 years old. However, a near-death experience during a procedure at 20 made her start taking her health more seriously.
“There's so many different levels, and now, I'm in a space of just integrating all of this good stuff that I've learned just about just being human, you know?” Dreka tells us. “So it's also fun because it's like a journey of self-discovery and self-mastery. That's what I call it. So it's never-ending.”
Courtesy
If you follow Dreka, then you’re familiar with her holistic lifestyle, as she’s no stranger to promoting wellness, self-care, and holistic living. She even lives part-time on a Mississippi farm, not far from her grandmother and great-grandmother’s farm, where she spent some summers as a child.
While her grandmother and great-grandmother have passed on, Dreka reflects on that time in her life and how having a farm as an adult is her getting back to her roots. “So the farm was purchased back in 2017, and it was like, ah, that'll just be a place where we go when we're not touring or whatever,” she said.
“But COVID hit, and I was there, and I was on the land, and I just started remembering back to going to my grandmother's during the summertime and freaking picking peas and going and eating mulberries off the freaking tree in the bushes.
“And she literally had cotton plants. I know some people feel weird about picking cotton and stuff. She had cotton plants and I would go and pick cotton out of her garden. And she had chickens, and I literally just broke down in tears one day when I was on the farm just doing all the things, and I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh. I'm literally getting back to my roots.”
"I literally just broke down in tears one day when I was on the farm just doing all the things, and I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh. I'm literally getting back to my roots."
You can catch glimpses of Dreka’s farm life on Instagram, which shows her picking fruit and vegetables and loving on her animals like her camel Eessa. Her passion for growing and cultivating led her to try and grow all of her ingredients for her wellness brand, Dreka Wellness. However, she quickly realized that she might be biting off more than she could chew. But that didn’t stop her from fulfilling her vision.
Watch below as Dreka talks more about her business, her wellness tips, breaking toxic cycles, becoming a doula, and more.
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Is It 'Sex On The First Date' If You've Been Virtually Talking For A While?
Aight. Even if the title of this article seems a bit…odd at first, hear me out. For starters, let’s begin with some data. Did you know that, reportedly, somewhere around 53 percent of people under 30, 37 percent of people between the ages of 30-49, and 20 percent of those between the ages of 50-64 either have used or are currently using dating apps (for the record, and I think this will come as no surprise, Gen Z actually prefers meeting people online)?
As far as the dating apps that led to some type of long-term success, a survey from The Knot says that Hinge leads the pack (with 35 percent) followed by Tinder (with 25 percent). Then, if you take into account a Lovehoney survey of 2000 people, which revealed that 60 percent of men and 42 percent of women have admitted to having sex on the first date — uh-huh, now do you see why a piece like this is both relevant and necessary?
Virtual dating isn’t going anywhere any time soon, and although “first date sex” used to be somewhat taboo, clearly, that isn’t even close to being the case anymore. So, since both are a big part of our culture, let’s explore how to approach merging the two (if you’ve been wondering if you should…that is).
What’s the Purpose/Agenda of a First Date?
GiphyOkay, so let’s start by laying a bit of foundation because, personally, I am a big believer that when we don’t know the purpose of something, it’s almost guaranteed that on some level and in some way, we are going to either misuse or abuse it — dating is no exception. And what’s the purpose of a first date?
To get to know if there is more of a connection than just an initial attraction or surface-level chemistry (check out “What's The Difference Between Chemistry And Compatibility?”). And honestly, that’s why all of the social media debates about women expecting a $200 date off the rip and men expecting sex in return if that does indeed go down are nothing short of nauseating to me. ON BOTH SIDES, all it sounds like is a transactional hustle.
Nothing about that type of motive says, “I’m trying to see if there is something real here;” both are about nothing more than how much juice is in the squeeze (and that’s putting it politely — SMDH).
Although there are dozens of reasons why I think dating has become so chaotic for a lot of people these days, here are two of the main ones as it relates to this article in particular:
1) More people need to remember what author M. Scott Peck once said, "Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it." When it comes to first dates, specifically, that’s why I don’t get what all of the drama is behind coffee dates. While TikTok is telling you that agreeing to those means that you are settling, if you value your time, you absolutely aren’t — especially if there have been no real conversations prior to the initial meet-up.
A coffee date or drinks after work doesn’t say, “He’s cheap,” so much as, “If there’s something here, then we can build on that. If there’s not, you got 30 minutes of my time; no harm, no foul.” Time is something that you can never get back, so why waste it? Besides, if you feel the need to brag about going on an expensive dinner, go out with some of your girls, and y’all split the tab.
At least you’ll know that you’re going to have a good time because you actually know those people (by the way, if that triggers you, that already reveals a lot, as far as your motives are concerned). No one should need a date to validate them — especially a first date. If they do, there’s some stuff going on that a date, a man nor a relationship is going to fix (just sayin’).
2) Talk to the long-term couples who are 50+ (if they’re 50, that now means they were in college in the early 90s, by the way). Ask them about what dating was like when they were younger and single. I’m wiling to bet that, for one thing, expensive ass first dates weren’t even on their radar, and two, it was rare that they went out with someone before talking to them, at least a couple of times on the phone.
Yep, as semi-antiquated as it may sound in the world that we live in now, it was pretty standard that if you saw a stranger who caught your attention, you would get their number, talk on the phone to see how the two of you vibe and then some successful conversations down the line, if you both believed that something was there between the two of you, you would mutually decide to go on a date.
And because some type of foundation was already laid, if the first date did end up going beyond just coffee or drinks, it was because the two of you had already invested time — you already knew that you wanted more. And honestly, to me, that is one of the benefits of virtual dating or talking on the phone for a couple of weeks before going on a first date — you can actually get to know someone…beyond what you can get out of them.
“Sex on the First Date” Has Levels to It
GiphyAnd when you take into account all of what I just said, it seems to me that there are two kinds of “sex on the first date” scenarios that should be pondered. One is the kind where you meet someone, text each other about a place to meet up, get to know each other for 1-2 hours max, and then go back to somebody’s place to get it in. The other is when you meet someone and, whether online or by phone, you both decide to ease into things by talking first…for a while. Then, after an awesome first date, sex comes naturally to both of you.
And how long is a while? I mean, because this platform is for women — until you feel safe. Until you have asked the kind of questions that make you feel like you want to spend more time with him on a deeper level. Until you get that his intentions aren’t just shallow…or physical. Until you know that you aren’t just attracted to him — you know that there are things about his personality and character that you actually like. Until you want to go on a first date.
And unless the two of you are talking for 2-3 hours a day, every day, for a week straight, you can’t really come to this kind of conclusion in record time. It may take a few weeks or even a few months — and that is perfectly fine. Someone who wants to know you for you is going to be okay with communication being set as the foundation of the relationship that the two of you are potentially building anyway, so…by the time that you both decide to meet up for a first date, it will be the icing on the cake.
And, because you actually like him for him, the kind of date that he plans, you won’t be grading it based on nothing more than the price tag; it’s a win for all parties involved.
Okay, so if you do decide to go the route of a “slow build,” you do take your time before a first date, and then you do decide to have sex with him — does it constitute as “first date sex”? I mean, technically, probably. However, the reputation of first-date sex is someone is getting to know everything about you (you know what I mean) without knowing much about you at all. On the other hand, when you opt to communicate for some time before a first date (and the sex that follows), it’s not so casual…and yes, that makes it — different.
3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Sleeping with Anyone New
GiphyNow that I hope I’ve brought some peace of mind to if it’s a standard “sex on the first date” type of situation if you’ve been virtually hanging out with someone for a while, let’s talk about some of the main things that you should consider before having sex with anyone who you are beginning to interact with on a physical level.
What is the energy like?
One day, I’m going to write about how true it is that energy is exchanged during sex. A big part of the reason is that we are sources of energy — and honestly, the kind of energy that you experience with someone when you’re not in their physical presence vs. when you actually are? It tends to be quite different.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to intentionally “tap in” to see what kind of vibes are exchanged when you’re around each other before deciding to take it there because there is a possibility that how you feel about someone in person may be different than how you do online or over the phone.
What type of sexual accountability conversations have you had?
One of the biggest mistakes that people make is thinking that real life is a soap opera or a rom-com — for instance, you can have sex, and there be no real consequences. Chile, please.
Don’t ever put yourself in the position where you think that the two of you connect so well that you shouldn’t talk about how often you both get tested, what your approaches are to birth control, what your sexual deal-breakers are, and what your sexual expectations may be.
And listen, if all of this seems like too much for a first date, then you already have your answer about if you should have sex after the first date…RIGHT? Because how is it that you don’t want to get into his mind, yet you’re okay with him getting inside of you? Nope. Uh-uh. Nada.
What would sex on the first date accomplish?
Back when I used to mentor teen moms in public schools here in Nashville, I would always call them out whenever they told me that unprotected sex “just happened.” NO. IT. DOES. NOT. There are so many steps involved, from calling the person, setting up a plan, meeting up, pulling off clothes, etc. — all of us have plenty of opportunities to rethink what we are doing. Same goes for first-date sex.
Listen, no matter how much you are feeling the guy from communicating before the date and even more once you meet him, take the time to ask yourself, “What will sex right now accomplish?” An accomplishment is something that brings about credibility. An accomplishment is something that makes you feel fulfilled. An accomplishment is something that causes you to believe that you achieved something great.
That said, if all you’re after is a good time and maybe an orgasm, perhaps sex on the first date will be an accomplishment for you. However, if after starting off solid with this new guy, if you’re not sure what sex will accomplish, in the grand scheme of things, pause until you know. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that — and the right guy for you will agree.
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Bottom line, if it’s a first real date and you do have sex after it, yes — you just had sex on a first date. Although, when there has been a foundation built prior to it, via healthy communication…it’s less risky and something that you (typically) can feel more confident about — especially if you take all of what I just said into (serious) account.
Sis, when it comes to giving any of yourself to someone new — online or not — please make sure that you do.
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