
Mariah The Scientist's "From A Woman," Ice Spice's "Pretty Girl," & Other Singles To Have In Rotation Now

The music of this week has continued the trend of artists harmonizing about love and the various stages of their respective relationships. Songs like Jamila Woods' "Practice" and "Closer to God" depict the divine and human love growing together. While "What Now" and Offset's "WORTH IT," depict romantic partnerships navigating difficult terrain.
Some songs, like "SAY MY GRACE" and "Capable of Love," express a yearning for the past, while others, like "From A Woman" and "From A Man," were written with love in mind. This week's music proves that stunning innovation will always be inspired by human connection, regardless of whether those relationships are beneficial or not.
"What Now" - Brittany Howard
It's been eight years since the Alabama Shakes came out with an album. And in those eight years, I understand why their hiatus may be indefinite, though, it doesn't mean I have to like it. What I do have to like, or better yet, what I can't help but like, is the very thing that made Alabama Shakes so damn good: Brittany Howard.
Howard sings about a succession of relationship problems and a reluctance to apologize in her newest single as a solo artist, which also serves as an announcement for her upcoming album. These tremors might be the beginning of an irreversible split.
She doesn't intend to argue with her boyfriend, but she has grown weary of speculating about what greater fulfillment could be waiting on the other side. In the end, she isn't sorry and doesn't know where the relationship will end up now. Howard delivers a strong, soulful vocal performance over a tight, funky beat. With some blues, it sounds like a tune from the late 1980s or early 1990s and is perfect for the chill autumn vibe.
"From A Woman" - Mariah the Scientist
Atlanta singer-songwriter Mariah the Scientist's 2023 track "From A Woman" is thought to be a "female" rendition of her partner Young Thug's song "From A Man." In the song, Mariah sings about finding someone she can depend on and have complete faith in. At times addressing Young Thug directly, Mariah the Scientist fluidly changes her vocal range from a light timbre to a clean falsetto to showcase the winding route that love has led her down and the ecstatic joy that someone has when they realize they have found love after never having believed in its existence.
This fall, "From A Woman" is a sweet ballad that belongs on every playlist. And it is another reason to wonder why more listeners haven't already flocked to the R&B singer.
"From A Man" - Young Thug
Young Thug has been releasing music steadily since May 2022 while being detained in Atlanta on a number of RICO-related allegations. His most recent song, "From A Man," which was posted online about a year ago, discusses Thug's accomplishments and many awards while he demands the respect he feels he is due. Despite what his detractors may think, he concludes the song by saying that his financial success has only given him advantageous circumstances and doesn't seem to be ending soon. This song is characteristic of Young Thug in that it offers both praise and criticism. If you're a huge fan of Young Thug, you'll like listening to it. He continues to employ the same auto-tuned falsetto, ATL trap rhythms, and mumbled words as before.
Although the song is named after and romantically associated with Mariah the Scientist's track "For A Man," there is no obvious connection between the two songs. The only reason these tracks make sense as a pair is so that Mariah the Scientist may promote both singles while Young Thug is still awaiting trial and perhaps to draw in more listeners to the R&B artist. Sadly, it appears that this single will receive more accolades than the one that is actually deserving of it.
"WORTH IT" - Offset & Don Toliver
Offset doesn't have the biggest fan in me, but over the past few months, I'm beginning to change my mind. Since its announcement, many fans have been anticipating the release of the brand-new album Set It Off, especially after all Offset has experienced in the past several months, from his conflict with former group member, Quavo, to the passing of the beloved Takeoff. On September 30, 2023, Offset's SET IT OFF album listening party in Paris, France, featured a live performance of this suave Offset and Don Toliver duet.
Now, with the depiction of the suffering that comes with love, over some gentle guitar chords, it is clear why this has become a popular song since the album's release. As Don sings about a special woman who is aggressively shattering his heart, listeners receive subdued notes that Toliver glides on with strong, crisp vocals. Meanwhile, Offset flows over the verses in a concentrated and purposeful manner that isn't always associated with the rapper. With this unexpected duo, this will be the ideal song to add to your autumn playlist.
"Closer To God" - Diddy ft. Teyana Taylor
With their most recent song, Teyana Taylor and Diddy bring us "Closer to God" as she briefly comes out of retirement. Displaying unbelievable vocal skills, Taylor sings about how being with her love makes her feel closer to God. Taylor, who calls the song a "message of love," also directs the music video, which illustrates the spiritual trip she underwent in the process of collaborating with Diddy on the track. The video conveys the profound emotion of feeling divinely linked while in the midst of real love.
According to Taylor the song is meant to depict the enchantment of meeting someone who draws you nearer to the sacred, together with genuine emotion and vulnerability. The song is goooood, and it makes us all wish Taylor was still recording music. It also makes us appreciate Diddy while he continues to produce.
"Practice" - Jamila Woods ft. Saba
Although the video is entertaining and attractive, I'm not a great fan of how the concept for the video was carried out, but it's fun, and the music deserves praise. The last lead song from Jamila Woods' album Water Made Us, "Practice," includes a verse from Chicago collaborator Saba. The message of the song, according to Woods, is that we don't have to "get everything right" or "have everything together" to just enjoy ourselves and be in the moment with someone. With her comments, Woods extols the virtues of the relationship that blossoms slowly and without undue stress.
Woods says of the song, "I was trying to shift how I often evaluate relationships based on their potential for longevity rather than how I feel in the moment." The song is endearing, sweet, and has a nice melody. It would make a lovely anthem for this season of romance and stillness.
The song's title, "Practice," interpolates the words "We're talkin' bout practice, talkin' about," which the legendary Sixer Allen Iverson repeated 22 times in a news conference in 2002, further adding to its charm.
"TK421" - Lenny Kravitz
You would be doing yourself a disservice if you listened to this song without watching the accompanying video. Lenny Kravitz makes an appearance to rip through his most recent hit, "TK421," in his customary ageless style. Even though I am unclear of the song's specific title, Star Wars is probably the best guess; it doesn't matter since it is a thirst trap unlike any other. A Prince-coded funk-rock tune, this new track is taken from his forthcoming album Blue Electric Light, which is set to release next March.
In this video, Kravitz goes through his morning routine, dancing naked throughout the house, smoking in a towel, and swaying in leather jeans as he sings in the bathtub. The song is fun and reminiscent of the time when Kravitz used to control all of our playlists.
"Capable of Love" - PinkPanthress
I was vocal in my "Why?" when PinkPanthress announced the release of another song. This isn't meant as a critique of the artist because I like her singles. I did, however, start to wonder why she had been in such a hurry. This pondering lasted for only a few minutes because PinkPanthress revealed the release date of her first album, Heaven Knows (November 10), within the same hour. She makes every second count in the record's newest single, "Capable of Love," which clocks in at just under four minutes.
In the film, PinkPanthress makes her way across a field carrying a suitcase while singing. There, she discovers a huge hole in the ground and utilizes it as a means of release, throwing an old phone, scribbled notes, and abandoned possessions into the gloom, only to later follow its destruction through a portal. The song is catchy, as all PinkPanthress songs are, and is fun and energetic as its synthetic rhythms force you to dance along.
"Pretty Girl" - Ice Spice & Rema
Today, an Afrobeats single featuring Ice Spice and Nigerian singer Rema will be released. In the Bronx drill scene, Ice Spice is a budding talent. The song, which celebrates her Nigerian background, expresses optimism that if you give someone the chance to win your heart, they won't break it. Ice Spice promises to treat Rema kindly and to make sure he remains her first priority after hearing his request.
This song is perfect since it captures both the summertime exuberance and the serene mood that allows it to be played at any time. If the song succeeds, it will be the Bronx drill rapper's sixth number-one hit on the charts. After his Selena Gomez's "Calm Down" remix rocked the summer, Rema will soon have his second smash.
"SAY MY GRACE" - Offset ft. Travis Scott
Offset returned to the top with yet another hit after the release of an album, official video, and lyric video. The trap, drill-like sound in this song gives it the same usual ATL rap vibe as before. Offset and Travis Scott, longtime friends and regular collaborators, reunite on the hotly anticipated single "SAY MY GRACE."
Offset and Travis Scott, two of Takeoff's closest friends and collaborators, are still deeply affected by his passing. Offset makes mention of Takeoff's death and that of his grandma in the opening verse.
He is seeking solutions that will probably never materialize, and knowing this, he just returns to doing what he knows, which is saying his grace. Travis Scott addresses his sorrow for Takeoff's murder in his guest verse as well. In the end, the song is a good dedication to the loss Offset has experienced in the last year and the various ways he has learned to cope with it.
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Featured image via Ice Spice/YouTube
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.
Luxury Hairstylist On Viral 'Hey Boo' Texts & Professionalism In The Hair Industry
As Black women, our hair is our crowning glory - whether we paid for it or not. We take pride in how we wear and take care of our hair. As with everything, hair care and hair styling have evolved over the years. Long gone are the days of Blue Magic (although I hear it’s making a comeback).
Now, we have a plethora of creams, oils, conditioners, shampoos, and stylists to choose from. Beyond wearing our natural curls, we have a range of options, from wigs and sew-ins to tape-ins, I-tips, and K-tips. So much choice! But you know what they say about too much of a good thing...
The Black hair industry has definitely blossomed in the last decade with a wave of new stylists and salons popping up all over the place. As much as I love that for us, many of these stylists have become the subjects of viral TikTok and Instagram tirades because of their alleged questionable behavior and bizarre rules.
Excessive policies, strange fees, long wait times, poor performance, and the infamous “Hey boo” texts. Beauty is pain, they say… xoNecole got to the root of these issues with luxury hair extensionist Dee Michelle, who’s been in the hair game for 20 years and runs a seven-figure business - all while being a mom of four.
Antonio Livingston
“I started my business with my career in the hair industry [at] very, very young age when I was maybe like eight...So, over the years, I've just built a very successful seven-figure business very quickly just by offering high-end services and creating great experiences for my clients, many of whom are high-profile professionals,” she said. “I'm also a mother of four, including a set of triplets, which inspires me daily to show what's possible with my hard work and focus.”
Dee’s business has gone viral on social media because of what many call outrageous prices for her invisible K-Tip installs.
“When I developed my invisible K-tip extensions technique, I made sure that it wasn't just about the hair or the style, but about providing a high-end experience from start to finish. So, my clients just aren't paying for the extensions or just the style itself, but they're investing into my meticulous, seamless craft and premium hair sourced from the best suppliers…I've spent so many hours mastering my craft, creating this seamless method that gives my clients long-lasting natural results, and my pricing just reflects that - the value of my expertise and the exclusivity of the service.”
The K-tip specialist stands on business when it comes to catering to her clients and giving them an experience worth the cost.
“And it's just important for me to also say that my clients are high-profile individuals who value quality, their privacy, and their time. They want a service that fits into their lifestyle and their time. They want things that deliver perfection. And I deliver that every single time.”
I’m sure we’ve all seen the various TikTok rants about people’s nightmare experiences with stylists and uttered a silent “FELT!” We asked Dee her opinion on a few nightmare scenarios that beg the response, “please be so forreal."
On stylists charging extra to wash clients’ hair:
“I think they should just include it in the price, to be honest. Because I feel like when clients go to a stylist, they're expecting you to wash their hair. Personally, if I see that washing is extra, I just wouldn't go to the salon because it just shows a lack of professionalism, in my opinion, and a lack of experience.”
“I think they should just include it in the price, to be honest. Because I feel like when clients go to a stylist, they're expecting you to wash their hair. Personally, if I see that washing is extra, I just wouldn't go to the salon because it just shows a lack of professionalism, in my opinion, and a lack of experience.”
On ‘deposits’ that don’t go towards the cost of the service:
“I think that's kind of weird, too, for deposits to not be like a part of the service. I've seen people have booking fees and I just don't understand it, to be honest. I disagree with that kind of policy…By all means, people should do what works for them, but to me, it doesn't make sense. Why does somebody have to pay a fee just to book an appointment with you? I don't get it. It feels like exploitation.”
On stylists charging extra to style (straighten/curl) wigs, sew-ins etc., after installing:
“I don't get it. Clients come to us to get their hair done, to get it styled. So why is it extra for you to style it? If you're going to charge extra, just increase your price. I feel like it could be just a lack of confidence in those stylists, feeling like people won't pay a certain price for certain things, or just their lack of professionalism as well, because people are coming to us to get styled.”
On the infamous “Hey boo” text stylists send to clients when they need to cancel/reschedule:
“Professionalism in any industry, especially the beauty industry, is everything. So texting a client the, “Hey boo” is so unprofessional, and it's damaging to the client-stylist relationship. Clients book their appointments expecting a level of respect and care, especially when they're investing their time and money and a service. And I get it, emergencies happen, we're all humans. However, it should be done with a formal apology and a clear explanation.”
“Professionalism in any industry, especially the beauty industry, is everything. So texting a client the, “Hey boo” is so unprofessional, and it's damaging to the client-stylist relationship. Clients book their appointments expecting a level of respect and care, especially when they're investing their time and money and a service. And I get it, emergencies happen, we're all humans. However, it should be done with a formal apology and a clear explanation.”
We know all too well what kinds of things will keep us from ever gracing certain hairstylists’ chairs with our butts again. So, what should hairstylists do to provide a good service to their clients? What is good hairstylist etiquette?
“For one, being on time is an important rule for stylist etiquette. It's just not okay to require your clients to be on time, and you're not on time. Also, communication. Being able to communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally, whether that's in person, via text, or on social media. Style is etiquette. Appearance matters. So just maintaining a clean, polished, and professional look. Clients respect you more whenever your appearance reflects your work. There's just so many things, but another thing I would say is active listening. So, being able to pay close attention to what your client wants and also clarifying any questions that they might have. Just to ensure that they feel heard and to minimize any misunderstandings.”
Dee also shared some red flags to look out for when considering a new stylist.
“Even me as a client, if I'm booking somebody and they have a long list of rules, I don't even book with them. That's, for one, just such a huge turn-off. Also, stylists who have inconsistent or unclear pricing, that's a red flag. People who change their rates too much without an explanation. Poor communication. So, if a stylist is responding very slow or responding unprofessionally, or giving vague answers to questions, that can make clients question whether or not they are respecting their time and their needs.
Another red flag - an inconsistent or low quality portfolio. And I feel like, I see this a lot with stylists stealing other people's work, and their portfolio on social media is just very inconsistent.”
We couldn’t let Dee go without getting the tea on what styles she predicts will trend in 2025.
“I feel like people are going back to natural-looking styles. So, a lot of people are ditching the wigs, the lace fronts, things like that. People are still wearing them, of course, but it is becoming more of a trend to embrace your natural hair and something that's not looking too fake. That’s one thing that we're going to be seeing a lot. I would say a lot of layers are coming back, heavy layers. Those are becoming really, really trendy. And people are leaning more towards platinum-colored hair. I've been seeing lots of like blondes coming out. Also, jet black is always going to be a trend. But I would say more like natural colors, but natural colors that are still making a statement.”
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Feature image by Antonio Livingston.
Dry January may be over for some, but for others, sobriety is a lifestyle. Non-alcoholic spirits like Ritual and Free AF are becoming more popular and even temperance bars (dry bars, sober bars) are popping up around the world. Resorts are also taking note as many are putting wellness front and center by offering mocktails and incorporating yoga and other mindfulness practices.
The Expedia Group reported that more than 40% of travelers have said they're likely to book a detox trip within the next year. If you're one of the travelers looking for a wellness vacation, check out these 10 spots below.
Bimini, Bahamas
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Resorts World Bimini recently introduced its Wellness Weekends with Shay Williams, a local Pilates Instructor, and Sound Healer. Guests can enjoy a private pilates class and sound healing session for $269 per person.
Aruba
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Aruba Marriott Resort offers soothing aloe-based treatments at the island's largest spa. Their Lobby Bar also has a signature mocktail menu with options like the Strawberry Cooler.
Curaçao
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Curaçao is located near Earth's main vortexes, which are considered the world's chakras and/or portals making the island a strong energetic hub. Speak with one of the local gurus or enjoy a blissful spa day, at the captivating 8, The Experience. The spa features services like chakra-balancing, stress-fixing massages, and more.
Bellevue, Washington
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Bellevue is a quaint and charming city surrounded by nature's beauty. Travelers can kayak on Lake Washington or hike the snow-capped mountains of the North Cascades. It's also home to the iconic Bellevue Club Hotel, which features an athletic club and spa.
Adairsville, Georgia
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Barnsley Resort is the perfect escape from city life. It's located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and guests can enjoy horseback riding, hiking trails, golfing, and canoeing with a mocktail in hand.
Cape Cod, MA
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Holistic health lovers may want to visit Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, which introduced new year-round wellness retreats, helmed by wellness expert and Retreat Sales Manager Liza Bertini. The retreat offers a range of fitness classes like yoga and pilates as well as programs catered to sober-curious people, grief and other health issues.
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
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Lake Atitlán is recognized as one of the most spiritual places in the world and Casa Palopó is located right on the edge. The luxury boutique is one of the only two Relais & Chateaux hotels in Guatemala. With only 15 rooms and a 3-bedroom villa, guests can roam the lush grounds and take-in panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding three volcanoes. Some of the resorts' activities include a Maya blessing ceremony, yoga, or volunteering at nearby villages.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta recently underwent a huge renovation that includes a refreshed treatment menu and facilities like cold pools, steam room, and sauna. Guests can enjoy oceanfront yoga, running and walking paths, tennis, and a flora-inspired mocktail menu at Bar Flora.
Baja California, Mexico
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At Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa in Todos Santos, guests can create their own custom essential oils and scrubs at the resort's apothecary workshops or they can indulge in holistic treatments in the spa. Other wellness-focused activities include daily yoga, meditation, and fitness classes.
Punta Mina, Mexico
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Detox and reset at W Punta de Mita, which is a located on Mexico's most iconic surf breaks. There's holistic remedy-inspired mocktails, ice bath therapy, and spiritual Cacao Ceremonies designed to reconnect mind, body, and spirit. And, of course, surfing is a must.
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Feature image by Thomas Barwick/ Getty Images