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My eyes don't light up when I hear your name anymore. I don't get chills when you walk by and my heart doesn't race when you smile my way. You don't get to me like you used to. You're just a bad memory in my mind. So don't be surprised next time you make your way past me & I don't even glance at you. And don't bother talking to me, you won't get a response. I'm done fighting the same losing battle. The saddest part is that you have no one to blame but yourself. I gave you everything and all you did was mess up. Now I walk around with a smile & I laugh louder than before. Looks like you lost me...

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My first single ❤️

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The 16 Best Songs of 2016

Each artist is included once only.

16 - BANKS - **** With Myself

Even Banks agrees that this song has many meanings and is open for interpretations. But for me, it’s symbolizes self love and acceptance. Rather than being consumed by the opinions of others, you only need your stamp of approval.

15 - Nick Jonas - Under You

I cannot comprehend how this song was not a single. It was produced by Max Martin and if that doesn’t scream single I don’t know what does. At least we got a video featuring Shay Mitchell, it isn’t entirely being payed dust. 

14 - AURORA - Running With The Wolves

AURORA’s debut album “All My Demons Greet Me As A Friend” is an excellent effort and this song is one of the standouts. It gives me some electropop vibes but also alternative-rock vibes as well. AURORA is a star on the rise.

13 - Alicia Keys - In Common

This song is everything, it’s simple, fresh and a new side of Alicia Keys. There’s no big chorus or any vocal runs in this one, but there is an insanely catchy feel good Caribbean dance beat. With the black and white aesthetic, Alicia nails this one.

12 - The Weeknd - Starboy

Hands down, this song is one of the best singles that were put out this year. Who knew Daft Punk & The Weeknd make such a good collaboration. I love when he says “You talkin’ bout me, I don’t see the shade”. I relate on such a deep level.

11 - Tove Lo - True Disaster

Tove Lo’s the kind of gal that always sounds perfect in her own unique sound. While her album “Lady Wood” was a miss, “True Disaster” was definitely a HIT. This is exactly what you can expect from the Swedish starlet, great beat, great vocals, great catchy chorus.

10 - K. Michelle - Not A Little Bit

Think I need any of the people that have betrayed me in the past? No I don’t and this song just reassures me. If they think I need them…. not a little bit.

9 - Gwen Stefani - Rare

Oh my god I can’t help but smile while listening to this song. It’s so sweet, I’ve written about this in the album’s review. It was and remains my favorite track on the album.

8 - Lady Gaga - Million Reasons

I didn’t love “Perfect Illusion” when it came out, but then it grew on me. The same can’t be said about this one, instantly I loved it. It’s such a raw, beautiful, meaningful ballad. Might I add, I’m not very fond of country music but Gaga brings out the best in everything.

7 - Kanye West - Ultralight Beam

The little child in the beginning saying “we don’t want no devils in the house”, that’s me right there. Hallelujah, Kelly Price’s vocals take me to church on this one and Kanye is my favorite rapper. What more does one need?

6 - Solange - Cranes In The Sky

I never gave Solange a chance before critics were praising her for the body of art that is “A Seat At The Table” and she deserves every bit of that praise. What an excellent album. This song is one that I relate to so much, it’s about sadness that won’t go away. It has simple production and vocals for days, preach Solange!

5 - PARTYNEXTDOOR - Not Nice

This was the first song I ever heard by PARTYNEXTDOOR and it’s absolutely amazing. It has the same vibe as “Work” by Rihanna, which they made. Everyone was so focused on “Come and See Me” that they couldn’t focus on this gem. Where’s the recognition?

4 - ZAYN - sHe

This is better than “PILLOWTALK”, “It’s You”, “Like I Would” and every other song on “Mind Of Mine”. I also don’t know how this wasn’t chosen as the lead single, would’ve given Zayn a longer reign at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

3 - Rihanna - Love On The Brain

Rih was like “take that” to all the critics who thought she couldn’t sing. She could sing and wonderfully too. I’m over the moon excited for this song, it’s rising on the charts and is officially a single but still no video? I’m hoping she does a visual for the whole album.

2 - Keke Palmer - Hands Free

Keke Palmer is this year’s biggest breakout star for me, not in terms of success because she deserves to hit those charts but in terms of quality. Her EP “Lauren” and sporadic singles “Enemiez”, “Reverse Psychology” and “Yellow Lights” were all out of this world, she is serving Beyonce & Rihanna quality songs this year.

1 - Beyonce - All Night

I don’t know what it is with the Knowles sisters, I just can’t get enough of them. What an outstanding song on my personal favorite album of the year “Lemonade”. After singing about a destructed relationship on the whole album, she finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s so heartwarming.

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Britney Spears - Glory: Ranked from Worst To Best

Private Show

Everything about this song is bad. It’s not cohesive, the verses and choruses are completely different. The chorus is a mess, and if a pop song does not have a good chorus it really messes up the whole thing. Her voice sounds nasally and really bad. What’s sad is that she chose it to be the pre-order single, how is someone supposed to take the album seriously with a song like that.

Clumsy

A bad song but not as bad as “Private Show”. When she says clumsy in the beginning it gets me kinda excited for what’s next and then the nasally Britney comes on and the rest of the song is ruined. She really needs to pick songs that make her voice sound good. But the oops part and the beat drop sound good at least, and then she keeps repeating the same exact lines over and over again. It’s a skipper. “Call me a fool or call me a saint”, I’ll go with fool for this one.

What You Need

Not as bad as “Clumsy” and “Private Show” but similar to the other they all shouldn’t have even been on the album. In what world does someone pick these songs over “Liar”.

Hard To Forget Ya

This song is okay. It’s generic and extremely repetitive. I deleted this one, it just does not do it for me. The production is good though. It’s not unlistenable but I wouldn’t listen to this voluntarily.

Coupure Electrique (Deluxe Edition Track)

I don’t understand anything in this song, but it’s still better than the songs above. It’s weird hearing Britney singing in French, but she sounds good.

If I’m Dancing (Deluxe Edition Track)

I know this song is not actually good but I enjoy it for some reason.

Invitation

The opening track is very sexy and mid-tempo much like the lead single “Make Me”. I didn’t like this song at first but it is a grower. Invitation is a stellar intro to “Glory”. 

Better (Deluxe Edition Track)

Britney’s arguing that getting intimate she knows is better than a complete stranger. I can’t relate at all but I do love the bridge of this song. It’s a good song but I see why it’s a deluxe edition track.

Change Your Mind (Deluxe Edition Track)

Who knew Britney is a multi-language speaker. Queen of singing in Spanish and English. Similar to “Better” I see why this would be a deluxe track but both are miles better than “Clumsy” and “Private Show”.

Slumber Party

The track title sounds lame, but it was surprisingly good. It has a bit of a reggae feel, which I love when it isn’t over used. Here’s a surprise... it’s about sex, nothing we haven’t heard before from Britney.

Do You Wanna Come Over?

This song is extremely fun, if chosen a single it could be big in the clubs. It has “In The Zone” teas. The pre-chorus and the chorus are so perfectly matched. This is the Britney we have learned to love, unlike other songs on the album this song seems like it was MADE for her and no one else.

Just Like Me

“Just Like Me” has the same vibe as “Perfect” by Selena Gomez. Both songs are really good. The production could be better on this one, but it’s still produced well. This song is about finding her man cheating with someone who looks like her. Womanizer woma woma womanizer he’s a womanizer oh...

Make Me... (feat. G-Eazy)

As I said before, this song was one of the most songs I enjoyed listening to over the summer. Constantly giving me Selena Gomez “Good For You” teas. It’s truly... something sensational. 

Just Luv Me

I just luv this song and I definitely see what Britney was thinking when she wanted this to be the lead single. This song shows Britney in her most confident self and if you know me you know I LOVE CONFIDENCE. One lyric that stood out for me was “and you don’t gotta say it, I know that I’m worthy”. QUEEN!

Love Me Down

This track has the best chorus on the whole album. If it wasn’t for the post-chorus being very unnecessary I would’ve said this song is the best on the album. This song also has a bit of reggae infused beats, which I appreciate. This song reminds me a lot of her “In The Zone” track “Showdown”, but it’s better.

Man On The Moon

This song is a highlight on the album, it’s so cute. The lyrics, her voice, production everything is great. The chorus really melts my heart, it reminds me a lot of one of my favorite Britney songs on “Femme Fattale” called “Trip To Your Heart”. The theme of the song is very smart, just as I wrote Britney’s album off after Private Show and Clumsy she redeems herself and proves why there is only one Princess Of Pop.

Liar (Deluxe Edition Track)

The best song on the album, what a shame it is a deluxe edition track. I’m so sad this song is actually gold. I’m impressed that she could deliver a song as good as this after her last album whom we shall not name. This song is better than anything she has ever released on Britney Jean and Femme Fattale. The Justin Timberlake shade gives me life. Here are some receipts: 

Justin in Cry Me A River: “Your bridges were burned and now it’s your turn to cry.” Britney’s reply: “I’m left in the ash from the bridges you burn.” AND then AGAIN!!! “Baby cry, cry, cry you ain’t fooling anyone”

Justin in Holy Grail: “Have my laundry in the streets dirty or clean give it up for fame.” Britney’s reply: “I ain’t fuckin with your dirty laundry”.

Honestly, queen of shading 10 years late.

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All Summer Sixteen: This Summer’s Biggest & Best Hits

A list of this summer’s songs that are brighter than the sun in mid-july and the ones that I was definitely listening while having sand in my hair and salt in the air. 

Britney Spears featuring G-Eazy - Make Me...

Does this song remind you of anything that we’ve heard and absolutely had on repeat last summer? “Good For You” by Selena Gomez it is, ofcourse! This sultry-mid tempo pop gem has definitely made me get back into the princess of pop’s discography from “Toxic” to “Gimme More”. The best thing about this song is that G-Eazy does not seem like a last minute addition to the song, so she can hop on the rapper bandwagon but rather a significant verse. But as soon as Brit Brit redeemed herself and made us all “Ooh” she releases a promo song titled “Private Show” and YIKES was that autotuned garbage.

Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna - This Is What You Came For

Gotta say, I’ve liked this song after I knew Taylor Swift was on it and wasn’t credit, keep her features far far away from me because she isn’t my favorite person right now. She even does a little back up singing to the song, a good addition I must guiltily say. This song can be found in the upper half of the Top 10s in almost every country, a good deserved for Riri and Calvin.

Charlie Puth featuring Selena Gomez - We Don’t Talk Anymore

First off, I’d like to say that this song wasn’t as big as I wish it was but it can still be considered a hit. That was Selena’s impact, she comes in at 1:17 and sounded like pop royalty on this song. She definitely stole the spotlight and even outshined her other summer single “Kill Em With Kindness”. What’s really sad is both artists really don’t talk anymore, ooh it’s such a shame.

Drake featuring Rihanna - Too Good

Drizzy’s fifth single off of his tribute to Toronto “Views” album certainly does live up to it’s title and does the 6 proud! This is a song that really does please everyone in the car when you have the AUX chord, the pop fans love it, the rap fans love it, the R&B fans love it. It’s songs like this that makes Views the highest selling album of the year so far.

DJ Snake featuring Justin Bieber - Let Me Love You

The Biebs really did deliver on this song, it’s better than all his other DJ collaborations. Sadly, this wasn’t his biggest hit this summer, you probably guessed wrong it also wasn’t “Cold Water”. His biggest hit this summer was another Selena Gomez feature but this time instead of being on a song it was written via Instagram comments. Damn, artists can be so easy going and flexible when it comes to writing songs. Similar to Gomez, M.I.A and Zayn wrote a song together over Whatsapp which is set to be released on her upcoming album “AIM”. And people still say Selena can’t write hits, she definetly wrote Justin’s hit on the deactivate button!

Justin Timberlake - Can’t Stop The Feeling!

I literally can’t listen to this song sitting still, gotta shake my booty, wave my hands in the air. I just can’t stop the feeling, it’s such a fun uptempo bop!

Kanye West featuring Rihanna - Famous

Queen Rihanna is staying out of this big “World vs Taylor Swift” mess, but still collecting coins off of the two songs that caused the most controversy around Taylor Swift. This song is the equivalent of “Bad Blood” only to Taylor’s PR Team and her dedicated group of 15 Swifties. Kimye really slayed TayTay on this one.

Katy Perry - Rise

Although it’s only a promo single Katy decided to give us a sneak peak of what she has been working on for her upcoming album. This song is good in quality but it doesn’t have the hit quality that any of her big singles, hence why she clarified it isn’t the lead singles. Katy released it for the Olympics which I think fits perfectly but she also released it around the time of the whole Taylor Swift drama which fits more perfectly than the Olympics. Queen Katy blessing us with songs with not one BUT two great causes.

Meghan Trainor - Me Too

In a world where everyone wants to sing about loving someone, breaking up with someone or even hating someone, Meghan Trainor decides to put this song out as a single. All I have to say to this is PREACH! Love yourself before you love anyone else, what a great cause I really hope it gave a lot of people that confidence boost it gave me.

Sia featuring Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills

Contrary to Britney Spears’ case, this feature was a last minute feature hence why Cheap Thrills is a solo song on the album. Sean Paul wasn’t needed here. I really don’t know if his messy hollering in the beginning of the song was a crucial part to getting this song to number one. Despite that, it still stays unbothered as a really solid pop song that deserved that number one spot for several weeks on the Billboard Hot 100

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The songs that didn’t get the airplay and the success that they should’ve deserved.

Demi Lovato - Body Say

DNCE - Toothbrush

Hailee Steinfeld and Grey featuring Zedd - Starving

Tinashe - SuperLove

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Puppy Love.

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Growth -

In order to excel in life an individual must go through a journey of self-improvement. All aspects of our lives can only truly improve if we take responsibility for their improvement. The greatest area of such betterment that will impact all other areas of our lives, is improving and developing ourselves. Here, I’ve compiled a total of 20 tips that I think will help you on your personal growth journey:

1. Start by letting go of the past. Holding on to any negative energy from your past will prevent you from moving onto better things. Breathe, forgive, forget and carry on with your life. Don’t spend days dealing with whatever happened, it won’t change the fact that it happened.

2. Challenge yourself, to anything. Set a goal you want to achieve, and give yourself a period of time to achieve it. Once your goal is achieved, reward yourself! It’s the best way to motivate yourself to do things that are out of your comfort zone. E.g: Give yourself three months to learn Italian, and once your goal is achieved take yourself out for some pasta and a pizza.

3. Start journaling. Keeping a journal/diary is a great way of documenting your growth and gaining self-awareness. That way you can see how far along you’ve come and be proud of yourself for all your achievements. On days when you’re feeling blue, just read your older entries onto the journal to remind yourself that things could be worse and that no matter what you should always look at the glass half full, rather than half empty.

4. Pick up some new hobbies and habits. Starting something new will incite you to be more flexible and will help you gain more confidence. E.g: Reading a book a month, exercising, waking up earlier, or even drinking more water. All simple things that will drastically improve your way of life.

5. Enjoy your own company. This is something that I can say I’ve truly mastered throughout the years. You don’t need to always go out to have fun. Stay in, make some popcorn watch a movie. Make a cup of tea, read a book. Draw. Paint. Write. Compose. Dance. Entertain yourself. Treat Yourself. Solitude really is bliss.

Nobody’s perfect, there is always room for improvement. Make the best of it!

Be the best you that you can possibly be.

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to glow, you shouldn’t shade.

Nas (via thenaspost)

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Independence Over Acceptance -

It is said that adolescence is the easiest, most enjoyable time of your life. But I disagree. I’ve been an adolescent for the past five years, believe me when I say, I’ve struggled.

In today’s society, a teenager is expected to reach heights academically, all while maintaining a healthy and social lifestyle. Although this might sound attainable, it is quite the opposite. The main struggle an adolescent has to face is the struggle of fitting in with a certain crowd. Which is normal since everyone wants to be accepted.

Although the feeling of belonging is great, it is usually never honest. Throughout your adolescence your personality will face many changes, which you may refer to as phases. This is common with all teenagers. Through these phases, you will try to alter specific aspects of yourself to fit the requirements that the group you wish to be a part of demands. And that is when your confidence will be disrupted.

Confidence is the most important trait a person can have, because if you have it, all your other traits won’t matter. Someone that’s confident is someone that knows their worth and value, and won’t accept to be treated in a demeaning matter. When an individual lacks independence and confidence, he becomes a follower, “Un Monsieur Tout-Le-Monde” as said in french. His group’s opinion becomes his, he stops thinking for himself and starts letting his entourage think for him. Which is dangerous, since your opinion is the only thing that can utterly be yours.

As a former adolescent, I understand the struggle of fitting in. I’ve gone through it. But believe me when I say, I choose solitude and independence over sociability and acceptance.

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to new beginnings -

Let me start off by saying, i really hope this counts for something someday.

Welcome!
I am Nas, and this is my first post, hence the title. I’ve started this blog for multiple reasons but essentially because, i’d like to reach out to the public through my writings. I’ve been writing for the past two years, but kept all my work to myself. Today I’ve decided to share my thoughts and ideas with you.

Stay tuned.

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Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman: Ranked From Worst To Best

The pop princess delivered with a solid third album. 

11. I Don’t Care

One of her worst songs to date even “Put Your Hearts Up” is better. Instantly deleted!

10. Let Me Love You (feat. Lil Wayne)

Weezy’s verse does not dissapoint, and Ariana sounds great as well. Definitely one of the weaker parts of the album.

9. Be Alright

A good song but there’s not much more to it, she shouldn’t have chosen it to be the song to perform on SNL.

8. Side To Side (feat. Nicki Minaj)

The third Ariana-Nicki collaboration is not as good as the first two, but still a very enjoyable song. Nicki sounds bad-ass as always.

7. Everyday (feat. Future)

Ariana and Future makes a good collaboration! A very twerkable song.

6. Sometimes

A very cute and poppy acoustic song, a song about guarding your heart from invaders.

5. Moonlight

Very beautiful and sweet song, MoonlightBae came through on this one. The closest thing to a mesmerising Ariana ballad on this album.

4. Dangerous Woman

The lead single and title track of the album makes me feel like a dangerous person every time I listen to it. Dark and mysterious Ariana is the best Ariana.

3. Greedy

I love how this song begins and then you have the 80′s beat, it’s very light fun and poppy. 

2. Into You

Thank god this song was chosen as the second single, currently my favorite song on the album. Extremely catchy.

1. Leave Me Lonely (feat. Macy Gray)

The best track on the album, the most surprising too. A mid-tempo haunting song about a dangerous love that’s taking you for granted. Perfect post-breakup anthem.

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The Standout Tracks of “Thank You” by Meghan Trainor

I think we can mostly all agree that Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” was extra, but I’m surprisingly glad it happened. It gave her the exposure she needed to produce some pretty decent songs on her first album “My Selfish Heart”, “Dear Future Husband” and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”. But if you think “Title” is great, you don’t know what this girl has up her sleeves. “Thank You” is much more than just an album with radio hits. It shows a completely different side of Trainor. 

The album is really all about thanking the people who got her where she is now. The title track “Thank You” is for the fans and must get a tour video. “Mom” is a thank you song to her mother, Kelli Trainor. “Friends” is a thank you to her friends. Humble Meghan Trainor is my favorite, this album brought out her vocal abilities, her song-writing skills and empowerment.

Everytime I listen to the album, I feel like “hell yeah, I love myself”. Self-love and empowerment is another theme of the album, shown by the obvious “I Love Me” with Lunchmoney Lewis, the second single “Me Too”, and her version of “Watch Me Do”.

This album is a statement of self-empowerment and being humble. It shows Trainor at her best. I have to say it really did inspire me, most of my workout jams are gonna be from it.

STANDOUT TRACKS:

1. Thank You (feat. R City)

2. Mom (feat. Kelli Trainor)

3. Better (feat. Yo Gotti)

4. Me Too

5. Kindly Calm Me Down

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Beyoncé - LEMONADE: Ranked from Worst To Best

The queen released the album of the year, ranking this album is extremely hard because it is excellent from beginning to end. The album’s collaborations are all with critically acclaimed artists just like Beyoncé!

12. Forward (feat. James Blake)

This song could have been replaced with another track but both Beyoncé and James Blake’s vocals sound good. An un-needed interlude.

11. Don’t Hurt Yourself (feat. Jack White)

This is arguably the most experimental track on the album, there are a lot of elements of rock in it.

10. 6 INCH (feat. The Weeknd)

I’ve been wanting this collaboration for such a long time. Beyoncé sounds so bad-ass here!

9. Formation

The album’s lead song and the go-to when wanting to turn up. She sprinkled her hot sauce all over this one, because it is FIRE!

8. Sandcastles

A beautiful deep ballad about dreams and how they are destroyed by reality.

7. Hold Up

What a Caribbean bop produced by my favorite producer Diplo!

6. Pray You Catch Me

This song is like a mashup of Heaven and Haunted from her previous album. What a fantastic, beautiful, raw ballad.

5. Sorry

We know Becky won’t have good hair anymore because she is snatched like the rest of us. WOW BEY WOW! 

4. Daddy Lessons

And the award for Best Country Song goes to... the new queen of country Beyoncé. Queen of making country music relevant again.

3. Love Drought

Bey makes trouble in paradise sound like actual paradise. Reminds me of Jealous from BEYONCÉ.

2. Freedom (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

Legendary collaboration, very liberating while listening to.

1. All Night

Now that I listen to this song, I realized she used excerpts of it while performing “End Of Time” recently. Phenomenal production.

I am snatched, BeyHive is snatched, Jay Z is snatched, even Becky is snatched! The world is shook, listening to LEMONADE in full can be summed up by three words A RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE! 

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Drake’s Possible “Views From The 6” Tracks: Ranked From Worst To Best

5. Summer Sixteen

Underwhelming, to say the least.

4. Pop Style (feat. The Throne)

Three of the best rappers out there on one track. It sounds bad ass, but falls short in comparison to the other songs that have been released so far.

3. Right Hand

An Instagram success! Somehow everyone is everyone’s “right hand, go to”. A solid track that I can only hope will make the album!

2. Hotline Bling

Drake’s biggest hit to date, this song deserved to go #1! Anytime it gets played everyone turns up. A classic whose fate to appear on “Views” is undecided.

1. One Dance (feat. Wizkid & Kyla)

This was released at the same time as “Pop Style” but charted higher than it in every country. The features on this song are nowhere near as legendary or known as Yeezy & Jay-Z. Drake’s soothing vocals on this song are perfection! A must listen.

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Iggy Iggs teases album cover photo shoot! #DigitalDistortion #IggyAzalea