Fling Chune FRIDAY: Let it Out

It's the weekend once again, praise the Lord!  Hopefully you had a great week. Mine?  Not so much.  My job is causing me distress and I don't know how to relieve it.  I'm praying to God for some sort of resolution... still waiting for that.

In the meantime, I've been making some great discoveries on Pandora and YouTube suggestions.  Today's chune is courtesy of Press Play--a group that has a sound that's quite unique: Christian electronica. That's right, ladies and gentlemen: this is perfect for clubbin' in Jesus' name! I'll be the first to admit that techno didn't take up much any of my iPod until stumbling upon this.  But it's def a banger and I crank this in the car when I need to get super hype [i.e. forget-to-keep-both-hands-on-the-wheel-because-they're-pumping-in-the-air-to-the-beat kinda hype] on my way somewhere.  

 

The entire track doesn't play out here but you can get a good workout with the sample. If you like this, def go check out the group for more bangers.  Soooooooo, let's get's this weekend started RIGHT!

God bless,

pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY - Tell the World

Hey, hey, heeeeey!  Praise the Lord for the end of another week, albeit a short one.  Life has been nothing less than off the chain for me, lately... but at least I'm still alive.

I know I missed sharing a couple of chunes for the last few weeks, but I'ma make up for it today!  If you haven't heard the buzz in the world of [Holy] Hip-Hop, you're about to hear it right now: Gravity by Lecrae dropped earlier this week and it is FIRE!  Here's a taste of the hotness, sharing the mic with Mali Music.

Enjoy and be blessed!
pVI

Fling Chune "Sunday [night]" - One-Sixteen

Hey everybody!

Yes--I'm late with the chune.  No--I haven't forgotten about you.  I've just been a little 'distracted' lately... *sigh*  Pray for a sista!

Anyway, I still wanted to fling sumthin' hot your way real quick to kick off your week.  Here's a banger by Trip Lee, featuring KB and Andy Mineo--all of the infamous 116 Clique: One-Sixteen. Enjoy and be blessed!

Fling Chune FRIDAY - Jesus

Wassup everybody?  How was your week?  Mine was slightly unnerving after suddenly finding out something about a co-worker. *sigh*  But life goes on...

Today's chune is simple and straight to the point: calling on the name of JESUS. There's nothing better than knowing the power that comes with it!  Debra Killings' rendition caught my ear the first time I heard it because of the bass on the track--literally.  This chick plays the bass guitar; naw, actually she murders it!  This song is mellow and allows you to take it all in while meditating on that name, but there's no ignoring the deep bass tones throughout. Oh yeah, and she can sang, too!

So go ahead and enjoy this urban worship groove to proclaim the name of JESUS!

pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Hands High

My sincere apologies to everybody for being a day late... the dollar is in the mail. ;o)  I hope everybody had a fantastic week.  Mine was 'aight', nothing new or noteworthy to report.  So with no further ado, leh we fling sum chuuuuune!

I've been trying to play catch-up on my music; mostly via podcasted radio shows and Pandora.  I have a 90s R&B station on the latter that just transports me back to my care-free days of being a teen--LOVE IT!  On iTunes, I'm subscribed to the HolyCulture/RapFest Radio podcast and that feeds my need for hype and holy sounds.  That's where I heard this week's chune that also happens to be a sample from the late 90s banger by Busta Rhymes, Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.  Andy Mineo, the Christian artist who re-made it into Hands High has this webisode project called "Saturday Morning Car-Tunez" where he's remixing "old" hip-hop hits, and you can check them out on his website: AndyMineo.com.

I love stuff like this because as one who overly appreciates phat beats, the lyrics are clean--Christian, even--PLUS I can bang them just as hard as the original.  From the first couple seconds of the track, my head was bobbin' like "Whaaaaat?! That's my JAM!"  You know how that goes... LOL  Anyways, have a blast as you get ya Hands Up to this right heah!

bless,

pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Good Morning

"Hey, hey, heeeey!" (said like Fat Albert)  If you grew up in the late 70s/early 80s, that name shoulda given you a great blast from the past.  Hope everybody had a great week!  Mine got a bit busy towards the end but I'm just glad it's over.  No long talking today--gonna get straight to the chune.

This is definitely a feel-good, bounce-around, get-the-vibes-flowing kinda chune! Just like the name, this joint is sure to get your day kicked off on the right foot.  Like, I can see myself making my neighbors sick of this song because it will be my wake-up alarm every single morning! Mandisa's voice definitely shines through, but unfortunately not over the wack obligatory verse by producer Toby Mac [think Puffy/P. Diddy from the late 90s making his presence known on basically every song every put out by a Bad Boy artist]. Yeah, annoying like that. *Disclaimer: Nuthin' personal against T-Mac; just keepin' it 100.*

Anyway, have yourself a Good Morning, courtesy of Mandisa and yours truly!
pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: City Gates Riddim Mix

Hap-Hap-Happy Friday and belated [Virgin Islands] Emancipation and [American] Independence Days!!  Both days were holidays here in the VI, and I did absolutely nothing with my time off.  Exactly.

Well, no that's not true. I was able to find some delicious gospel reggae music and I'm still licking my lips!  Unfortunately, I haven't been keeping up with Caribbean Christian music for the last couple of months but discovering this riddim was a great re-introduction to the scene.

It's mellow and deep, somewhat in the same vein as the dropleaf and archangel riddims.  And I am so feeling this mix--not only for the seamless transitions between tracks (big ups to the DJ!), but because every artist riding this riddim is hot!  You know, like having to skip a couple of songs because the artist just didn't do it justice... NOT on this mix.

'Nuff long talking! Enjoy as you enter into the "City Gates". :o)
pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Cash or Christ [Fanatics]

Hey errybody! Ready for the weekend?  I surely am [when am I NOT?]! LOL  This week was fairly interesting, as I mentioned earlier.  I'm still chatting it up with the one guy but I'm thinking he needs to fall back just a tad... last night he asked me for my number and I politely declined.  Why?  One reason is sensible and the other is superficial...

sensible: I just met you online and I don't "know" you like that.

superficial: *in my mind* Ummm, he's 4 inches shorter than me. It shouldn't matter since this is just convo, but still...

Meanwhile, in real life: *crickets chirping* O_o

Anyways, this week's chune continues in the vein of my superficial-ness, somewhat.  No major spiritual revelation occurred while I was listening... I just thought the sound was plain-out WICKED!!!  Being the musical connoisseur that I am, I enjoy all aspects of 'ear candy', and Cash or Christ definitely tickled my auditory fancy.

I've never been a fan of heavy metal/grunge rock, but I consider myself musically mature enough to appreciate when something sounds good--regardless of my personal preferences. What's really cool about this chune is that the producers/sound engineers behind 116 Clique had an ingenious idea and executed it flawlessly: take hip-hop songs, strip the boom-bap and lay the vocals over hard rock tracks. The result?  Pure auditory awesomesauce [FYI, this is off an album like that called Amped]!!  I love the fusion of musical genres and this is as delicious as it gets. Please believe that yo' girl is wildin' out to this head-banger! Enjoy!

be blessed!

pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: My Story

Sorry I'm late, but it's still Friday!  Hope you had a great week.  Mine was just fine--nothing to scream about...

I'm gonna get right into flingin' this chune that I found on Pandora (God bless that site!)  So I was bangin' my Lecrae station when "My Story" came up.  I wasn't too familiar with Da T.R.U.T.H. before a couple years ago when word came out about this big Christian rapper 'falling from grace'.  That didn't make me wanna listen to him afterwards, either--real talk.  But then this chune graced my ears the other day and my ears perked up before the first verse was over OR before I knew who the artist was.

Essentially, he talks about still sharing the gospel of Jesus despite not having a spectacular testimony to share with unbelievers because he grew up in a Christian home, stayed on the straight and narrow, yada, yada, yada... The lyrics got me because I could immediately relate to the storyline; and it didn't hurt that the East Coast boom-bap flava was on point.  Enjoy!

be blessed,

pVI

Fling Chune Friday: Write My Song

Happy, happy Friday to one and all! It's the end of my first full week in my 30s and it's been quite full.  Here's the quick and dirty version of what I've learned already:

• I was vocally admired by some white guys while walking down the street in a major metro area... that has never happened to me before. Granted, they were probably drunk but that's not the point. LOL  At least they were kinda-sorta respectful about it.
• I was reminded that good times can be had by simply being surrounded by good company--good food doesn't hurt either. A woman's 30th birthday bash normally has a wild connotation to it but my girls and I kept it simple... and still had a bomb time! I mean, they prayed over me and spoke into my life--what more could I ask for??
• I realized that I probably can't stay [platonic] friends with my old flame. He probably has no clue but certain things he says make me think that there's still hope for us after all these years... It's not his fault that I never emotionally moved on, but it's my fault for allowing him to lead me on. Sooner rather than later, I'm just gonna let him know how I really feel...
• I know that I am SO ready to make major changes in my life! I feel like I've been at a stand-still in almost every area of my being and now I'm gonna start making some moves. Time to throw off my "security blanket" and jump head-first into the unknown... God help me!

Soooo, yeah... big tings ah gwaan dis year! :o)  But in the midst of my 30-ness, I have every intention of seeking and walking in God's perfect will.  And this week's chune is a perfect affirmation of that sentiment.  Even though I'm doing me, I want Him to Write My Song and allow me to sing it as only I can.  My new anthem by Marcus Cole is definitely for the grown, sexy and saved--smooth-like-buttah vocals, deliciously mellow melody and an overall vibe of holy lounge chillness.  I'd tag this track sumthin' like "Gerald Levert got saved and did the House of Blues on a Sunday morning"... ;o)

Be blessed,

pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Outta Control

Happy Friday once again!  I had an "OK" week--except for a pseudo-anxiety attack about starting the next decade of my life--but all's well that ends well. :o)  I think it's especially fitting to end the week on a high note.... and Tyshan Knight has a couple of those in this chune right heah!  The production is top-notch, thanks to Higher Intel Music, and the vocals give you that authentic R&B feel; but what I love the most is the 'feel-good-bounce/nod-ya-head/it's-Friday-heeeey' vibe that just drips off of this track.  My only complaint is that the song is too short--but then it's a FREE download directly from the H.I.M. site, so I can't get mad about nuthin' for this song!

So when I feel like things are getting outta control before my big birthday, I'll just pull this up on my iPod, bang it through some headphones, and bounce my cares away! Enjoy!

Fling Chune FRIDAY: He Can Love You More

Happy Friday once again!  I had a busy week with some special events going on at work, but all's well that ends well. :o)  I think it's especially fitting to end the week with a special reminder.

There's always a lotta hype in the air surrounding the word 'love' and I've just barely begun to scratch the surface on that... but Lisa McClendon points us in the right direction with a song that asks a rhetorical question: Who Can Love You More [than God]?  Well... Got a list of names, yet?  Yeah, me neither.

And as a nod to the one who loves me the mostest *smile*, He directed me to this song at a time when I really needed it.  This was like a surprise bouquet of flowers for my ears and I'm sharing it with you--particularly if you're a single, Christian woman wondering if God has left you by the wayside in your blissful state of singleness.  Savor this for all it's worth as Lisa puts it down, Jill Scott-style.

Stay blessed,
pVI

Fling Chune... Sunday(?): Wanna Be Lov'd

I hope everyone is having a great weekend thus far.  My apologies for not flingin' a chune on Friday... I wasn't feeling any particular songs earlier in the week, plus I was just emotionally drained.  Normally, music is my picker-upper but I was feeling just a bit too bummy to get musically inspired (yeah, it was that serious).  So now you know part of the reason why my heart and mind are all over the place, but on top of all that, my car has been down for a while, I'm trying to make some advances in my career, and I've been sleep-deprived.  Yeah.... but God is still good, cuz things could be worse.  #truestory

Things weren't completely downhill, though.  This week, I've had some especially intriguing interactions with DarkRyderSouth on YouTube about Christian dating, interracial relationships and God's involvement in both.  He was kind enough to make some response vids on some questions/remarks that I posted so definitely check them out--great insights to consider.

So, in keeping with the vibes flowing this week, I found a chune that seems to fit the bill.  I'm not to familiar with the duo Benjah and Dillavou, but my best stab at describing their flow would be "King California reggae".  That's not an official genre, per se, but I think it fits because there is an unmistakeable reggae flava with "the King's" [Christian] lyrical content.  But there's something in there that I can't quite put my finger on, yet seems a bit "duuuude!" to me.  Maybe it's the obvious--that they're both white boys?  I dunno, but I took a liking to Wanna Be Lov'd; first because the title caught my eye but then because the topic of Christian romance is offered from a male (and Biblical) point of view.  It's far from a Scriptural treatise but I never pass up an opportunity to hear what brothers in Christ have to say. Take a listen for yourself:

Fling Chune FRIDAY: I AM the One

Happy Friday annnnnd Women's History Month!  It's been a cool week for me--helped my mom celebrate her birthday by taking a day off and I'm a few steps closer to getting a major possession back into my grasp, so it's all gravy.

This week's chune is one that harkens back to ye olde college days, but it's one of my all-time faves!  It would float through my dorm room on repeat, ad infinitum (and probably ad nauseam for those on my floor) but I just couldn't help it. It's what I like to consider a transcendental piece... one of those that instantly gripped me by the ears and refused to let go of my attention.  Just something about the intro--it's all at once commanding, yet soothing.  The elements of the song flow outward like the waves of a meditative anthem from the throne of the Lord God, Himself.  And vocalists Out of Eden meld harmonies effortlessly to create an atmosphere that just takes you away to another dimension... oh, wait--is that just me?  Well, let's find out!

Be blessed,

pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Chipolopolo

Happy Friday to one and all!!  This week kicked off on a stressful note; and then there was yet another Valentine's day as a single woman... but it's all good. I'm just glad that the weekend is here!

Also this week, history was made by the southern African nation of Zambia as their football [soccer] team won the African Cup of Nations for the first time--ever.  I've only 'met' one person from Zambia, and that was through a social networking site, but I was happy for him and his country in clinching this win on Monday.  Honestly, I'm not big on the sport, except when an African team is kicking the crap outta those balls--or hosting a major event, as South Africa did in 2010.  But the fervor that soccer hooligans fans show for their teams, around the world, is nothing short of amazing!

So this week's chune is dedicated to Zambia's football team--aka Chipolopolo--in the form of a song by the same name.  According to my friend from "Zed" (as Zambia is affectionately known by its people), Chipolopolo means "bullet".  So that's your random African fact for the day!  Oh, and holla to Imade iN Truth for putting me on to this track, which happens to be by Christian artist, Pompi.

Enjoy!
pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Via (acoustic)

Yes, yes, y'all--it's FRIIIIIDAY! It's been a tiring stretch for me plus I have to work this weekend. *sigh*  So my week isn't technically over yet.  But thank God for another Friday, all the same.

Earlier in the week, I was blessed to Tumbl upon Level 3:16--thanks SALTY! Once again, another artist that has me wondering where the heck I've been. SMH  I really need to step my music game up... y'all pray for me!

Anyway, my ears were titillated by the awesomeness of this week's chune. Why?  Simply put--raw talent!  Apparently, this is the stripped-down version of a studio track with plenty of bass and background 'noise', but I'm so glad I heard this one first.  These kids (Are they kids? They look 'youthful'...) are truly anointed as their music flows effortlessly from within. Legit spttin' over the guitar and those vocals are insane!! Luv, love, LOVE IT!  Makes me wanna join a band and sing my sanctified butt off! LOL  But I'll leave it to them... for now. :o)

Be blessed,

pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Adoration (So Amazing)

Happy Friday to one and all!  Thankful to put yet another week behind me... it's been quite a week.  Some things didn't go as planned at work in addition to my flash drive getting corrupted. Backing up is crucial, people--lemme tell ya!  But things could've gone terribly worse, so I'm thankful.

I'm feeling mellow and this chune is perfectly that.  Forever Jones brings a chill vibe to worship with Adoration (So Amazing) that is nothing short of soothing.  This acoustic track does have traces of India.Arie to it, just for  a frame of reference but all of the soul in this song points directly to Jesus.

Enjoy and have a blessed weekend!
pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Thank You

Welp, for the last time this year, Happy Friday errybody!! :o) By the grace of God, we made it through another one. Any resolutions? Reflections? I was thinking of making some sort of "Top 10 of 2011" list, but that would take too long. I have too much to be grateful for to try and pick just 10. It was hard enough to pick what I thought would be the best chune to top off the year... And on that note, this is what I ended up with:

There is really no better way to close 2011--or any other year, for that matter--than on a high note of praise to the Lord for His goodness, mercy and grace! V3 does a good enough job of singing what I feel: nothing fancy, basic and straight to the point. These [blood] sisters hail from Atlanta and I enjoyed their album on heavy rotation when it came out a couple of years back. Not sure what they're into now, but I recommend it for anyone who has an ear for R&B and/or lush vocal harmony.

At this point, I'd like to thank any and everyone who has read my blog! You've made my efforts in this ministry SO worthwhile and I pray that God would touch your lives in His own special way. :o) The next time y'all hear from me should be in 2012, and my plan is to shake things up a bit with a special post to get the year off to a legit start... stay tuned!

Happy New Year!
pVI

image credit: partyculars.net

Fling Chune FRIDAY: [not yo' mama's] Joy to the World

Happy Friday to one and all!  This week actually flew by kinda fast for me... maybe it has something to do with the fact that I had to relocate my workstation on the job, and I'm settling in to my new space well.

Aaaaand, it's officially the holiday season! I'm not fully in the mood yet because I'm preoccupied with a looming 'appointment' next week. *le sigh* But I'm gonna try to help things along with a Christmas chune for your listening enjoyment.

This week, we have one of the classics--Joy to the World--but done in unclassical style. Ayiesha Woods is one of my fave Christian music artists, and she brings some reggae flava to this traditional Christmas carol. She has Bermudian roots and lived there for a while, so I appreciate that she has authentic island street cred... that's probably why her accent doesn't make me cringe (yes, that was for Gabourey Sidibe in Tower Heist, and I didn't even see the movie). 

OK, ah dun wid dat. #VIaccent  ;o) Here's the song [click here]. Have a blessed weekend!

Jesus is the reason for the season!
pVI

P.S. There was no video available. And this player only allows one free listen, so don't click unless you have time to hear the whole song through.

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Meditate

Happy Friday and 'day-after-Turkey-day' to one and all! Sorry this week's chune is running late, but I can assure you that it's not due to Black Friday madness! I haven't shopped for the day (we'll see how long that lasts, though). LOL  But my Thanksgiving was chill, which is normal for me. I'm an only child and my parents divorced when I was a younggin', so I've never really been the beneficiary of those tight-knit family holiday gatherings... and that's fine. 

Today's chune is something of a note-to-self, in that my mind has been going buck wild lately.  I've always had an active imagination and intense thought life [it's an only child thing; you wouldn't understand], but things have gotten to a whole 'nother level... and not in a good way, either.  This will probably be more than you ever care to hear me say, but I'll put it out there, anyway: I'm thinking about sex. Yeah, I said it--this Christian woman thinks about SEX! Like, my inner porn star God-given sexual nature wants to make itself known. *sigh* Too bad that's not an option for me within the immediate future... (And that's already TMI, so I'll shut this convo down...unless you choose to bring it up in the comment box. Then it's on and poppin'! LOL)

But back to the chune at hand--I need to re-focus my thoughts on what really matters.  I want to throw my mind into God with the same reckless abandon, but the score is shaping up like this: God=4, sex=277. #FAIL  So Meditate by sister-group Out of Eden came to mind after having it on heavy rotation back in my college daze.  That was around the time I recently re-committed my life to Christ and needed all the help I could get to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.  I guess life is truly cyclical as I'm in a similar state of mind almost 10 years later.  The good thing is that God remains the same yesterday, today and forever!

Be blessed!

pVI