Fling Chune FRIDAY: Angels

Hey errybodaaaay! Hope you all had a great week and have an awesome weekend. I'm feelin kinda crunk right now, and you can blame tonight's chune fo dat!

Angels by KB, featuring Flame, is that hot track that makes you just wanna bounce. Like, you can't NOT get crunk offa dis! Any peeps from the Dirty South in this piece? HOLLAAAAAA!

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Abide

It's been LONG overdue.... but FCF is baaaaaaack!!! Can't promise a new chune every Friday, but you guys have been more than patient--I appreciate y'all!

So with no further ado long talkin', this week we're hearing from Rhythm-n-Praise artist Lexi. Lemme just say that if the music thing doesn't work out for her at some point, she can def make it in show-business.  I mean, her church-themed comedy sketches are mad hilarious and she also has a talk show... but sista gurl can blow, too!

This chune, Abide, became one of my instant faves because of the way it just rolls off the ear.  Lyrically, it's a worship song but musically, it got stank with a tinge of classic Motown R&B. Just lurrrve the vibe! Anyway, time for you to enjoy summa dis heah!

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Conversation Piece

Hap-hap-happy Friday to one and all!  Just wanted to slide thru and fling a chune for you really quickly.

The vibe on deck is 'smooth'... smooth jazz, to be exact.  Like dancehall to classic reggae, or nouveau flamenco to classic flamenco/Spanish guitar, smooth jazz is the younger, funkier sibling of classic jazz.  There's nothing like riding on an instrumental groove that makes you bob your head like a bass guitar player... and that's who is being featured today.

Wayman Tisdale was a former NBA star-turned-musician; unfortunately, he passed away from cancer in 2009.  But his music definitely lives on in smooth jazz pieces like this one.  I first discovered his music back in 2005 on MSN music (an online radio service that was an early predecessor to Pandora), and I've been hooked ever since.

So enjoy the groove and let it take you right on out into the weekend!

be blessed!
pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY - Window

Hey, Hey, HEEEEY!  Praise God for yet another Friday!  I hope everybody had a blessed week.  Mine started off on a less-than-ideal note, but I now know that I'm linking up with some girlfriends from college soon. So that made up for everything crappy.

Today's chune is one of inspiration. It's even, dare I say, prophetic (cuz I'm preaching to myself)!  Canton Jones, one of the OG's of "rhythm & praise", uses this song to declare God's goodness over our lives in the form of a window... Could be blessings, opportunities, favor, anything in that vein.  And--like the proper church girl I was raised to be--receive it all in Jesus' name.  Go ahead and do the same for yourself! :o)

Blessings,
pVI

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 - Rain

Welp, the weekend is back one mo' gain and I couldn't be happier to see it!  This week has been one of the most intense at work so the down time is definitely appreciated.

This chune reflects one of my fave genres: instrumental.  What I love about original instrumentals is that you can make up your own words, based on what the song is saying to you.  Or, you can just skip lyrics altogether and bask in the raw essence of the music in and of itself. Flamenco guitar lends itself especially well to imaginative listening because of it's intense, yet organic nature.  This isn't classical guitar but the style is more nouveau flamenco--think, smooth jazz to classic jazz, or dancehall to reggae (proper).

This piece comes from the fantastical guitarist, Jesse Cook.  His catalog of projects is expansive and displays both versatility and skill in his craft.  I honestly believe that among his many albums, I could literally play "eemie-meenie-miney-moe" to pick one and be absolutely elated with ear candy.  This chune could be considered one of his signature pieces, stylistically: mellow, yet intense; contemplative, but still soothing.  You know what?  Just listen for yourself!

Fling "LAUGH" Friday: Things Black Folks Say At A Funeral Part 2

What's good, everybody?  I know that Friday is almost gone, but I had to slide a lil sumthin' up in here for ya! Most of my content, as of late, has been limited to chunes but don't worry--this isn't slowly turning into a music blog.  With all the crazyness going on in my life, I haven't had time to finish up the draft posts that are waiting for me to complete but I hope to get them out soon.

So, just to shake things up a bit, there will be no chune today. *booooo, hissss*  Yeah, I know you're disappointed, but check it--I got jokes instead. Literally.  I gon' fling summa dat medicine fo yuh soul a.k.a. laughter.

Gospel singer Lexi is just outta control!  She recently ventured out into comedy and the girl is fire...this is one of her first ones but if you like this, def check out her channel (from the vid).

Happy laughing,
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 FRIDAY: Fly Away

What's good, peoples?  It's Friday--that's what!  Had a good week?  Mine was... well... I'm just glad that it's over.  Work is in high gear and things are about to get even more hectic.  On a personal front, I've been struggling and rejoicing at the same time.  God has been making His presence known in some areas and completely ignoring me in others.  I can't help but want to just take an extended vacation from reality.

And such is the basis for this week's chune.  I wanna get up out of the humdrum that my life has become.  I'm tired of merely existing...and taking steps towards change seem to be all for naught. My un-official anthem for moments like these is none other than Fly Away--cuz that's what I literally want to do!

Since I can't achieve that physically, I'll just have to let Lenny take me on a musical journey.  Do join us!

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: These Three Words

What's good, everybody? Hope it's been a great week! Mine went by kinda slow, but it's ending on a sorta busy note.  Otherwise, things are cool with me.

Today's chune is by the one, the only, Stevie Wonder and strangely enough, I never heard it before this year. #truestory #dontstoneme  I happened to hear it on the radio one day and while I recognized the voice, the song was completely fresh and new to my ears. It's breathtaking!

Stevie is one of the greatest and if you disagree--which you can't unless you're in need of a cochlear implant--think about all his songs that have been sampled.  I've lost count but it's a whoooole lot!  They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, and Mr. Wonder more than deserves it.  This man's voice is an instrument of the highest caliber!

With no further ado, behold the beauty of These Three Words.

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 [and dance!] FRIDAY: Azonto

Hey, Hey, Heyyy--it's Fridaaaay! Incidentally, the Friday before a holiday week (and some well-deserved time off).  Welp, this week got off to a harrowing start with ridiculous car trouble. I was convinced that the enemy had my number. But it's ending on a much better note since I heard a word that God is with me through the fire, and He's bringing me out as gold!  I just can't wait to see my SHINE!

So, since I'm in such a celebratory mood, I say we bust a move! Enter the hottest dance craze to sweep the continent--Africa, that is.  Who knows how to do the azonto??  It's kinda like the "Dougie" from Ghana, with it's own theme song and errythang.  I just got turned on to it last week and I am officially HYPE!  Tryna learn it even though I don't exactly have a lineup of West African parties to go to. LOL  But I'm determined to find some way to do the azonto in public with others who know it... wish me luck! :oP

In the meantime, enjoy!
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: Why Me?

TGIF, once again! This was a kinda-sorta long week for me.  A family confrontation went down and the aftermath has yet to completely surface; but when it does, it ain't gonna be pretty. *sigh*  Only God knows why He allows these kinds of things to happen between people who share DNA (not by choice, but it's whatever).

Anyways, I got another Pandora gem to fling today--this one is from gospel sweetheart Kierra Sheard. Why Me? caught me with the beat but sucked me in with the message.  When I step back and think about the fact that God loved me before I was even me, it kinda blew my mind a little.  This song reiterated a post on Tumblr that was every bit of the truth for me: the feeling of being in love with/loved by a mere man gets blown outta the water by the magnitude of of God's love for me.  #nocontest

So enjoy your weekend as you bob your head to this!

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: Calling You

Welp, it's Friday once again--can I get a "halleluyerr"?! LOL  I bet you couldn't tell what my fave day of the week is... ;o)  This week was short--thankfully--and pretty much uneventful. That actually doesn't bother me, though. I saw The Avengers and Battleship over the long weekend so that was my fill of entertainment.

Right now, I got a real banger to fling your way (yes, you're welcome in advance)! This is probably the only time you will ever get a reference to 'C-Breezy' or 'Beebs' from me, but this week's chune definitely has that kinda modern-pop vibe to it.  Jai rocks autotune hard in Calling You, but I actually think it works for this particular track. The lyrics aren't profound--the whole "bag of chips"...really?--but if you strip the boom-bap, you can hear genuine adoration for God. And how could I forget: a guest verse from Lecrae is always legit! #unashamed

So I hope this gets your Friday bouncin' to the right beat! Enjoy and be blessed.

pVI