
Jhene Aiko, Jazmine Sullivan & SZA: Here's Your Weekend Playlist

You've successfully made it through Week 37 of 2020 and if nobody else told you today, sis, I'm proud of you. Between death, depression, and social injustice, it's been hard to catch a break in the new decade but if there's one thing we can count on to keep our spirits lifted, it's the sound of music.
In the spirit of Stacktember, it's important to note that the upcoming work week is upon us, my good sister, so use this weekend as an opportunity to spark up and wind down with a bomb ass playlist before you get back on your grind.
With fresh new music from our favorites like Jazmine Sullivan, Jhene Aiko, and SZA, here's a list of 10 songs you'll want to keep on repeat all damn weekend.
Mulatto - "On God"
Earning a spot in the 2020 XXL Freshman Class, Mulatto has come a long way from the young artist we met on Jermaine Dupri's The Rap Game in 2016. With a new video for her single "On God", the rapper proves that she is a more-than-worthy contender in the male-dominated hip-hop industry.
Jhené Aiko - "Speak"
If there's one thing about Jhene Aiko, sis is going to raise your vibrational energy, whether you like it or not, and her latest ode to self-love, "Speak", is no exception.
Teyana Taylor - "Still"
I'ma let y'all finish, but Teyana Taylor had the coldest maternity photos of 2020. I said what I said, don't @ me, and she brought that same energy to her Black Panther-inspired video, "Still".
SZA - "Hit Different" ft. Ty Dolla $ign
SZA and Ty Dolla Sign recently linked up to release a visual for "Hit Different", the R&B bop that says what we're all thinking.
Disclosure, Kehlani, Syd - "Birthday"
I'm not sure what it is about birthdays and holidays that make you want to send that "Wyd" text to your exes, but the struggle is real and it's one that Kehlani and The Internet's Syd know well. These two R&B queens recently linked up with UK group, Disclosure to give us the weekend vibes we didn't know we needed.
Joyner Lucas feat. Ashanti - "Fall Slowly (Evolution)"
When I grow up, I want to age like Ashanti and that's on period. In her latest visual collaboration with Joyner Lucas, our good sister serves us all the looks and participates in a steamy make-out scene that would make a preacher sweat.
Jazmine Sullivan - "Lost One"
Now that fall has arrived, it's time to retire your knees until next summer and pull out the slow jams. Luckily, Jazmine Sullivan just dropped a single that is guaranteed to get you all the way in your feelings.
Chloe x Halle - "Do It" ft. Doja Cat, City Girls & Mulatto
Female empowerment in the industry is at an all-time high and we love to see it. Our good sisters Chloe x Halle tapped The City Girls, Doja Cat, and Mullatto for a remix to their hit song, "Do It" and there were bars for days.
Big Sean ft. Ty Dolla $ign, Jhené Aiko - "Body Language (Detroit 2 Preview)"
While Jhene and Big Sean let us know that their relationship was "None Of Our Concern" long ago, we can't help but love to see these two link up and give us a glimpse into their love story.
TOBE NWIGWE - "EAT"
This is now a Tobe & Fat Nwigwe stan post and this husband and wife duo's latest single is sure to make you a fan, too.
Featured image via Giphy
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Your May 2025 Monthly Horoscopes Are All About Blooming Softly & Trusting Divine Timing
May is about being patient, nurturing your dreams, and creating beauty in your world. This is a more stable and generous month than the chaos that April brought, and we get an opportunity for closure, healing, and rejuvenation this month. We are still amid some important retrograde transits, but these are ones we can navigate better by grounding our energy in the present moment, and not allowing ourselves to stress over the what-ifs.
With the Sun in Taurus for most of the month, May reminds us that there is beauty in finding your peace and not allowing anyone to disrupt that.
Pluto goes retrograde in Aquarius from May 4 until October 13, and this will be a time of remembering your power when it comes to your purpose, innovations, and the ability to attract support into your life. Mercury moves into Taurus on May 10, making this a good time for negotiations, creating new plans financially, and sticking to your word on something that holds value to you. The Full Moon of the month occurs in Scorpio on May 12, and this is the Flower Moon of the year, signifying growth and seeing the beauty in your life.
This Full Moon is all about letting go of what doesn’t feel authentic or resonate with you emotionally, and about experiencing more closure and healing within relationship matters.
Your May 2025: A Monthly Overview
Gemini Season officially begins on May 20, and we enter air sign energy, which is good for communication, business, and coming up with inspiring and new ideas. On May 24, Saturn enters Aries, beginning its new transit where it will remain for the next few years. Saturn in Aries is bold, direct, and straightforward, but so are its lessons. There is a gift in resilience and finding your strength during this time, and this transit will show you where your power is, but it may challenge you to confront self-limiting behavior in the process.
Mercury enters Gemini on May 25, and Mercury loves being here. Mercury in Gemini is the creative genius, and this is a month of aligning yourself with this energy. On May 26, we have a New Moon in Gemini, and it’s time to set your intentions for where you want a communication breakthrough in your life, and what new ideas you want to start planting the seeds for. This is a good New Moon for networking, exchanging ideas, having more fun, and getting inspired.
Article continues after the jump.
May 2025 Horoscopes for Every Zodiac Sign
Keep reading for your sun, moon, and rising sign below to see what May has in store for you.
ARIES
The impact from April is finally behind you, and you get to move forward this month, Aries. After a month of retrogrades and Eclipses, you are starting to see the progress of what you have been working towards financially this year. The Sun is in your 2nd house of abundance, self-confidence, and values this month, and you are putting your dreams here first.
With Venus also in Aries for the entire month of May, you are feeling the support within and without this month, and this is a beautiful month unfolding.
On May 24, Saturn enters your sign, beginning its transit in Aries, which will last for the next few years. Saturn is the master of tough love, and you are going to be learning a lot about yourself during his time and going through a growth spurt. The New Moon of May is at the end of the month on May 26 and will be giving you the answers and clarity you have been looking for, highlighting open communication in your life. Overall, this is your month of fewer obstacles and more progress.
TAURUS
Taurus Season is officially underway, and you are the main character right now, Taurus. Remember that. This month is about trusting your intuition and the timing of things, and knowing that things are working in your favor. With Venus, your ruling planet, in your 12th house for the month, you are seeking a lot of closure and culmination right now and are healing what was. Mercury enters your sign from May 10 until May 25, and it’s all about the perspectives you are gaining right now.
Don’t be afraid to ask the important questions and get down to the bottom of things that have been worrying you. On May 12, there is a Full Moon in your 7th house of partnership, and you are closing the door on what has not been working for you in love. You are seeing the clarity of what you need within your emotional world and how you want to navigate the changes you have been through here now.
GEMINI
May is a new beginning for you, Gemini. You have a lot of energy and vitality with you this month, and you are ready to accomplish some personal goals and intentions of yours. For most of the month, the Sun is in your house of closure and healing, and you are finding yourself rejuvenated from the transformations you have been through. Gemini Season officially begins on May 20, and with the Sun in your sign, nothing is holding you back from shining and living in your truth right now.
On May 25, Mercury enters Gemini until June 8, and Mercury loves being in your sign, as this is your planetary ruler.
Mercury in Gemini is forward-thinking, quick, and intelligent. You are coming up with solutions to previous challenges or obstacles, and overcoming something that has felt restrictive mentally. Before the month ends, there is a New Moon in Gemini on May 26, and this New Moon is one of the best times of the year for you to set your intentions and manifest your dreams. Remember you are worthy of what you are setting out to accomplish this month, Gemini.
CANCER
Cancer, this month requires you to slow down, take care of your health, and allow things to come to fruition the way they are meant to. There is a chance you could be overthinking more than usual this month, and you are being reminded that there is only so much that is in your control, and to give yourself some more grace. The Full Moon in Scorpio on May 12 will help you gain a little more clarity of the heart and is going to be a time of feeling the love and appreciation in your life.
Saturn enters your 10th house of career on May 24, remaining here over the next few years, and you are getting an opportunity to grow and discover where you may have been limiting yourself professionally, socially, or within your aspirations in life. This time is all about reminding yourself that you deserve recognition for the work you do, but that you must also be the one believing in yourself as well. On May 12, there is a New Moon in your house of emotional healing, and you are seeing the gifts of alone time, safe spaces, and tending to your creative inklings at the end of the month.
LEO
This month is an opportunity for a new beginning in love and progress within your emotional world, Leo. You are learning to trust your intuition more, and you are putting more of your energy into your heart’s desires. With the Sun in your 10th house for most of the month, you are shining in your truth and remaining confident in your goals in life.
Venus is in your house of adventure for the entire month, and this is a good time for experiencing romance while traveling or getting out of your comfort zone a little.
Saturn makes a significant move from Pisces into Aries at the end of the month and enters your 9th house. With Saturn here, you will be learning more about what mental growth and clarity mean to you, and this is a good time to dedicate yourself to higher education, traveling, gaining a new perspective, and honoring your integrity and values. The New Moon of the month is on May 26, creating magic within your friendships and community.
You are leaving this month with hope in your heart and new plans for the future.
VIRGO
May is a month of abundance and fruition for you, Virgo. Your dreams and intentions are coming to fruition, and you are owning that which you have created for yourself. With Venus in Aries, this is a good time for seeing support in your life financially, dedicating yourself to your commitments and responsibilities, and seeing the gifts in that. On May 12, there is a Full Moon in your 3rd house of communication, and this is an intuitive time for you, giving you the strength needed to close the chapter on what you don’t resonate with anymore.
On May 24, Saturn enters your house of shared finances, rebirth, intimacy, and resources, and over the next few years, you will be learning the importance of connecting with people who truly have your best interest at heart, and not committing to what feels unstable. Before the month ends, we have a New Moon in Gemini in your house of career, and this is a good time to manifest and set your intentions for where you want to see professional growth in your life.
Overall, May is about embracing your freedom while honoring the people and connections that help you grow and make you feel more secure in life.
LIBRA
This is a month of feeling empowered and ready to take on anything that comes your way, Libra. You are inspired by the progress you are making in your life right now, and with Venus in your 7th house of love, you are being well-received. This is a month of finding your balance between your path and the growth of your relationships, and there is a sense of support, harmony, and love in your life in May.
You are owning your authenticity and living in your truth fully, and this energy is magnetic.
However, Saturn also enters your 7th house of love this month, where it will remain for the next few years. Saturn empowers and helps you grow, but you can also feel a little more challenged within your relationships during this time. The more you can own your wants and needs, the more you can find vulnerability and support within your relationships. On May 26, a New Moon in a fellow air sign occurs and happens in your 9th house, creating a chance at a new adventure and an opportunity to discover some new inspiration.
SCORPIO
May is about believing in the impossible, Scorpio. It’s time to take a leap of faith in yourself and to remember your power. You are seeking a new beginning in your life, and with the Sun in your 7th house of love for most of the month, you are being supported and encouraged in the process. Pluto, one of your ruling planets, goes retrograde in your house of home and family from May 4 until October, and you are gaining clarity on the people and support systems you can rely on more.
The Full Moon of the month is in your sign on May 12, and this is the Flower Moon of the year. You are in full bloom and ready for whatever is next for you, and this is beautiful. Previous intentions and goals come to fruition for you overall in mid-May, and there is a lot to look forward to right now as you are getting excited about it all. Before the month ends, we have a New Moon in Gemini in your 8th house, creating a sense of empowerment through what you are looking to change and transform in your life right now.
This month is about not being afraid to take more risks and doing things your own way.
SAGITTARIUS
May is a beautiful month of magic, success, and good fortune, Sagittarius. You are feeling lucky this month and are attracting success to you in many different areas of your life. Venus, the planet of love, is in your 5th house of romance for most of the month, and you are enjoying your life, feeling the love within your heart, and expressing yourself freely in May. You are a magnet for your manifestations, and dreams are coming true for you this month, Sag.
On May 12, we have a Full Moon happening in your house of endings and closure, and you are closing out a big chapter in your life this month.
You are letting go of old pain or emotional experiences and choosing not to repeat a pattern that left you feeling hopeless before. On May 26, we have a New Moon in your sister sign, Gemini, enhancing your need for love, connection, and relationship development this month. This is a great New Moon to set your intentions for what partnerships you want to see grow, heal, and come to fruition for you. Overall, May is your month of fruition, balance, and believing in the magic in your life.
CAPRICORN
May is about slowing down and allowing yourself to find the answers you have been looking for, Capricorn. This isn’t the time to rush your progress or doubt where you are in life. The Sun is in your 5th house, and this is good for finding more time for fun, pleasure, self-care, and asking your heart what it needs. With Pluto going retrograde in your 2nd house of values and income, you are being reminded to hold yourself with integrity and to know that you are worthy of the things you are asking for.
The Full Moon on May 12 is a beautiful time to connect with loved ones or those who inspire you. The universe wants to show you that you are not alone this month and that you deserve to live a life where you can enjoy yourself more and manifest your dreams, rather than believing everything needs to be a challenge to be worthy. Saturn, your ruling planet, then enters your 4th house of home and family, and over the next few years, you are going to be rediscovering what home means to you.
AQUARIUS
Your guidance for May is to trust that what is falling from your life or changing for you is doing so for your benefit, Aquarius. Trust that what is happening is happening for you and not to you, and don’t doubt that you will rebuild from this. With Pluto going retrograde in your sign from May 4 until October 13, you need a break from some of the confusion you have been feeling in your personal life, and you are getting a chance to gain a new perspective this month.
Use this time to get inspired by change rather than let it bring you down, and ground yourself in the present moment more.
Saturn enters Aries in May, where it will remain for the next few years, helping you grow in the areas of your life that have to do with communication, networking, transportation, siblings, and education. You will be learning a lot during this time and will be finding new outlets for self-expression and communication. Before the month ends, we have a New Moon in Gemini occurring in your 5th house of romance, pleasure, hobbies, and entertainment, and after a month of navigating endings, changes, and closures, you are ready for a fresh start and are receiving one in love now.
PISCES
Allow what is to be, be, Pisces. May is a month of allowing yourself to trust the timing of the universe and not giving up hope that things are going to turn out beautifully for you. On May 12, there is a Full Moon in fellow water sign, Scorpio, and this is a time to get inspired and see the benefits of closure. This Full Moon is about gaining a new perspective and not doubting what is clearer to you now, that you are worthy of a new beginning.
On May 24, Saturn moves into your 2nd house of income, and you are going to be moving through a journey of developing financially, and working on maintaining stability while building new foundations in your life. The New Moon in Gemini at the end of the month is about setting your intentions for your home and family life and creating some new energy here. Overall, May is your month of breaking ground on the things you want to create for yourself and trusting the timing of how things are unfolding.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Kyra Jay for xoNecole
Not A Mom Yet? Here’s How To Celebrate Yourself This Weekend
There is no one way to walk the journey to motherhood, and that part doesn't get talked about nearly enough. For many women, Mother's Day is a joyful time to honor the moms who raised us. But for others, it can bring up a quieter kind of grief: if you're trying to conceive, navigating infertility, mourning a pregnancy loss, or simply not a mom yet when you wish you were, this season can feel especially heavy.
So here's your gentle reminder: your experience is valid. And your womanhood is whole, even now. Instead of sitting in that ache this weekend, why not pour a little love back into yourself? Below are seven beautiful, empowering ways to celebrate you this Mother's Day weekend—no matter where you are in life’s journey.
FatCamera/Getty Images
Freeze Your Eggs (Literally—or Just Make the Appointment)
Whether you’re actively planning for the future or simply want options, taking control of your reproductive journey through egg freezing is an act of self-love. Book a consultation, start the research, or even just give yourself permission to explore your choices without pressure. Your path is yours, and honoring that is worth celebrating.
bymuratdeniz/Getty Images
Write a Love Letter to Your Body
Your body has carried you through every high and low, including the complicated feelings around fertility, waiting, or loss. This weekend, honor her. Write a letter thanking her for what she’s done and is still doing. Then pamper her with whatever she needs: a massage, a long nap, or a solo dance party.
Guido Mieth/Getty Images
Plant Something With Meaning
Start a little plant or herb garden and dedicate it to growth in all its forms—yours, your dreams, your healing. Watching something grow under your care, especially something you plant with intention, can be deeply therapeutic and symbolic. It’s not about waiting, it's about nurturing.
South_agency/Getty Images
Curate a “Someday” Keepsake Box
Fill a box or journal with things you might one day share: a note to your future child, a favorite book, family recipes, photos, or affirmations. If you're the creative type, turn it into a junk journal—a scrapbook-style memory book where you can freely collage, write, and collect tiny, meaningful things over time. Even if motherhood never arrives the way you expected, this ritual says: my love is real, and it’s already here.
FreshSplash/Getty Images
Host a “Chosen Family” Brunch
Maybe missing your own mom is making Mother’s Day particularly triggering. Remedy this by gathering your girls, aunties, cousins, or anyone who’s poured into you like a mother would.
Celebrate the non-traditional bonds that shape and hold you. Light a candle for the mothers you’ve lost, honor the women who’ve mothered you in other ways, and allow yourself to feel loved, seen, and surrounded.
Don’t have community, but longing for one? There are organizations created specifically for Black women by Black women that host dinner parties and curated gatherings, so take some time this weekend to sign up for one. Brown Girl Brunch, Black Girls Wine Society, and The Sip By Black Girls Social Club are just a few.
pixdeluxe/Getty Images
Take a “Sacred Solo” Day Trip
Pick a destination that brings you peace—a beach, a trail, a small-town bookstore—and go alone. Let this be your day of joy, stillness, and spiritual reset. Bring a playlist that lifts your spirit, a journal to unload your thoughts, or just yourself. Sometimes the most radical act of celebration is presence.
Caia Image/Getty Images
Do The Thing
You know the thing. That hair color you’ve had saved on Pinterest for years. That silent meditation retreat, wine-tasting tour in Portugal, or even just that spontaneous weekend in a hotel with fluffy robes and room service.
There are some things—big or small—that are easier to do now than when you have a little one in tow. So give yourself permission to live your life out loud while it’s still yours alone. Celebrate this season not as a holding pattern, but as a launchpad.
—
Whatever your journey looks like, remember: you are worthy of celebration, just as you are. This weekend, make space for joy, softness, and deep self-recognition. Because motherhood isn’t the only thing that makes you powerful. You already are.
The Mother Load
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by LeoPatrizi/Getty Images