From Summer Flings To Boo'd Up Bliss: 10 Songs That Give Big 'Cuff It' Season Energy
Admit it, you have a playlist for everything. You have a playlist for when you're in your car, and driving on the way to a bar. You have a playlist for when you're in the shower, or when you have to relax for an hour. You have a playlist for getting ready for bed, a playlist for when you want to get some-- you have a playlist for everything. Almost everything, that is. Chances are, you've probably overlooked one of the autumn season's most crucial musical collections: the cuffing season playlist.
Though in your defense how were you to know? The season falls awkwardly between the summer and the holidays, so it is sometimes utterly forgotten until lighthearted romances need to be explained and cuddling becomes essential (cue "Big Boy" by SZA).
Fear not, however, as I have created a playlist for you that is designed to ring in the new season in the classiest manner possible. You'll have a soundtrack this season to help you remember all of the good, and sometimes bad, times for when the trees begin to thaw out and the buds have started to bloom. Here are your top ten songs to add to your cuffing season playlist.
"Banana Clip" - Miguel
Try singing this song without smiling, I dare you.
What a beautifully written song that portrays the joy that a romantic journey may provide and the necessity one feels to protect that exuberance. The R&B hit "Banana Clip" feels like happiness, passion, and a little bit of fairy dust. It wonderfully portrays the tingling, fluttering emotions you get when you have a crush and/or are perhaps falling in love. Miguel paints an image of someone who has at last found the person they can rely on, be open, grow, and fly to new heights with.
Using several allusions to weapons, missiles, and other multiple military motifs throughout the song, the R&B musician explores the lengths he will go to protect the love he has finally found. The song produces a more captivating embrace than its allusions do and due to its exquisite harmonies, finely layered vocal arrangement, and funky tempo, this melodic embrace is perfect for falling in love with.
"Hello Love" - Jessie Ware
The opening of "Hello Love" has a summery vibe about it. It reminds me of a period of time when people felt too hot to continue in monogamous relationships, so they ended them in a roaring fire and went back to their old ways. However, by the time the bridge appears, it feels like the steadiness of fall, and the lovers have returned to one another a bit battered and bruised, but with brand-new insights that can only be discovered after they have been burnt a few times too many during their period of singledom.
Jessie Ware's sweet song "Hello Love" is like a breath of fresh air when one realizes something that has been so evident. It feels as though one has finally found the love that one can only experience upon coming home after a long, laborious journey abroad.
"Waste My Time" - Ari Lennox
Ari Lennox's song "Waste My Time" is ideal for the cuffing season, as the song urges her lover to back up their words while squandering her time. In contrast to songs written in the past, "Waste My Time" aggressively requires Ari Lennox to realize the probable outcomes of her request and to be ready for any inevitable adversarial impacts that may follow.
She understands that there can be a satisfying reward to allowing herself to make judgments that don't always bring the best results. Nevertheless, the benefits of this arrangement outweigh any potential negative outcome that is destined to happen when the season finally concludes.
"Come to My Room" - Jesse Boykins III
Even though it might be nice to have someone flirt with you all night, there comes a time when you wish they would stop and express their true desires. This song exemplifies just that. "Come to My Room," is audacious, assured, slick, and sickeningly endearing. With an invitation to his bedroom, Boykins invites his love to see things she has never seen before. Embodying a seducer with his smoky, featherlight, and lulling vocals, he offers to show his love the stars, the universe, and so much more.
Expertly, he strikes a balance between being demanding and beguiling, as he sings over an acoustic guitar and enticing backup vocals. Concluding by promising a pleasurable evening that is full of unending happiness and tenderness, "Come to My Room" makes for the perfect opening number of the soundtrack to your cuffing season.
"P*$$Y Fairy (OTW)" - Jhené Aiko
Another song about an intimate relationship is Jhené's sensual and seductive song "PU$$Y Fairy (OTW)." Throughout the tune, she arouses the desire, pleasure, and physical tension that both people feel and experience during a sexual encounter. The sensual jam, in which Jhené flirts sexily with a lover, is perfect for the season and captivating your new suitor.
This song, like "Come to My Room," succeeds because of its assurance and capacity to convince the listener's crush that complying with their demands and suggestions. Although both songs are specific, they both have unwavering faith in their capacity to suggest meaningful, private times with one another.
"Rocket" - Beyoncé
We don't speak about this song nearly as often as we should. We loved it when it originally came out, but lately we've forgotten how stunning this Beyoncé masterpiece with backing vocals from Miguel and Justin Timberlake is. From Beyoncé's self-titled album, "Rocket," a six-minute slow R&B ballad, is a sex jam that begins with the singer doing a lap dance and progresses into a night of sexual puns on the terms "rock" and "rocket" as she sings about having sex.
This D'Angelo-inspired song brilliantly captures the passion experienced by two people when romance is in full flow. In addition to exploring female sexuality, this song creates a sensuous ballad that would be comforting in any atmosphere on these chilly winter nights.
"After Last Night (w/ Thundercat & Bootsy Collins)" - Silk Sonic
Lately, I've grown uninterested when people recommend Bruno Mars' music. It is unclear where he stands in terms of appropriation and appreciation, and occasionally his romantic gestures come out as a little cheesy. However, the song "After Last Night," performed by Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars as the pair Silk Sonic, demonstrates exactly how great they both are. The guys sing in this ballad about having a passionate, earth-shattering night with their loves and then falling in love with them.
The lyrics of this song, which croon and yell as if pleading for the woman's return, ask when they will be able to see her once more. The song is amusing and beautifully expresses how you feel when the person you intended to see for one night ends up staying for much longer. This song strikes the ideal balance between romantic musings and lighthearted conversation, making it deserving of a spot on your cuffing season playlist.
"Coastin'" - Victoria Monét
"Feels like a Thursday how I'm throwing it back."
Even if it seems a little bit like summer, "Coastin'" is the perfect song for the season since it is, in three words, sweet, delightful, and witty. The tune's '70s-inspired sound perfectly captures the laid-back mood, creating an incredibly assured track to glide in the direction of one's affection. There is a sun-like aspect to this song. It mirrors the sensation of having a crush, but without the anxiety that might accompany it. Instead, it has the lovely familiarity you have when you think you've known your love for ages. You are totally in a trance when you finally feel understood.
"Will I See You Again?" - Thee Sacred Souls
Everybody is questioning their lovers, "Will I See You Again?" during this time of connection and hibernation. In this song, it is often asked whether the sweethearts would return to one another after they have spent time apart. Although not in a demanding manner, the song questions if the two are truly in love or just infatuated superficially.
As the song progresses, the singers grow fonder of their lover and plead for a hardline to be inserted into the relationship while simultaneously wooing their loves by demonstrating how really "good" they can be. The song is endearing and a great complement to a season when many people are looking to settle down, but not just with anybody.
"In the Morning" - Marzz
There are times when I'm listening to this song and I don't pay attention to the message it's trying to convey. Why? I'm preoccupied, I guess. It could be the chorus and bridge's Erykah Badu-like coo. It could be the way Marzz layers her voice to give them a beseeching and longing sensual feeling. It may even be the second verse's sudden finish and rapid progression shift.
Regardless, Marzz's song "In the Morning" explores the largest and most evident danger associated with participating in this season of cuffing: falling in love and having that love rejected. Be sure of where you stand before participating in the seasonal games. Otherwise, you'll be left wondering why the season didn't go on forever and what to do when you wake up in the morning after it's over.
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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.
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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After Decades-Long Career, Terri J. Vaughn Is Finally The Main Character: Exclusive
Terri J. Vaughn first captured our attention in the late ‘90s as Lovita Alizay Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show. Decades later, she is starring in her very own series, She The People, which is now available to stream on Netflix.
The political sitcom, which she co-created with Niya Palmer and later teamed up with Tyler Perry Studios, is about a Black woman named Antoinette Dunkerson who runs for lieutenant governor of Mississippi. She wins and becomes the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. Now, she’s forced to balance working with a racist and sexist governor while also trying to keep her family from running amok.
According to the beloved actress, this project was a long time coming. “I’ve been trying to get my own television series for like 20 years, pounding the pavement, meeting with people, getting clothes, being lied to, just a whole bunch of stuff,” she says in an exclusive interview with xoNecole.
“But just keep going, because this is what I do. This is what I love, and I know how important it is for us to continue to show up and make sure that we are seen, make sure that our voices are heard. For several reasons. I just never give up. So here I am, 20 years later, finally sold my show.”
She The People is inspired by the true story of London Breed, who became the first Black female mayor of San Francisco, Terri’s hometown. And to help make the show more authentic, the Cherish the Day actress tapped former Atlanta mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms to come on as a producer.'“I’ve been trying to get my own television series for like 20 years, pounding the pavement, meeting with people, getting clothes, being lied to, just a whole bunch of stuff."
After bringing the former mayor aboard, it was time to pitch again. And this time, the companies were pitching them. Ultimately, Terri decided to work with Tyler Perry on the series.
“We decided to do it with Tyler for several reasons. I love that. Well, most of the companies we met with were Black-owned companies, but he was the only studio,” she explains. “Tyler is like Walt Disney. That's literally what he is. He has the studio, he has the content. He operates just like Walt Disney.”
And thanks to the cast, the show is nothing short of laughs. The series also stars social media creator Jade Novah as Antoinette’s crazy cousin/ assistant, Shamika, Family Mattersstar Jo Marie Payton as Anotinette’s mom, Cleo, and Terri’s husband, Karon Riley, who plays Michael, her driver and love interest.
While we’ve watched Terri’s career blossom in various ways. From directing to producing, and playing diverse characters, the mom of two says her The Steve Harvey Show character will always be her favorite.
“Well, Lovita was definitely my favorite, especially for my time, the age and everything that I was. Now as a grown ass woman over 50, Antoinette Dunkerson is everything that I've wanted to play. She's everything. She's a mother of two teenagers. She's divorced, so she's co-parenting with her ex-husband. She has to wrangle in a very eclectic family,” she says.
“So I like playing characters that are really flawed and trying to figure it out and doing their best to try to figure it. And she's very flawed and she is trying to figure it out, and she fucks up sometimes. But her heart and what she's trying to do and what her vision is and purpose, it's all for the people. I mean, she the people. She’s for the people, she is the people.”
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