It's finally Friday ladies, and whether you plan on staying in and getting some much-needed alone time or going out with your girls, you'll need some fresh new songs to add to your repertoire of bops and xoNecole has you covered, sis.
From Drake and Future's rags-to-riches visualization of their latest single "Life Is Good" to Meg Thee Stallion and Normani's #GirlGang banger from the new Birds of Prey soundtrack, this list of songs is guaranteed to set the ultimate mood.
Kick off your shoes and relax your feet, 'cause xoNecole is here with some fire ass beats for you to jam to this weekend. Keep scrolling for 10 songs you need to add to your weekend playlist ASAP:
Megan Thee Stallion & Normani (Birds of Prey: The Album) - "Diamonds"
I didn't know I needed a jewel-incrusted bodysuit until today and now I need 12 of them. Meg spit all of the bars and Normani came through per the usual with her crazy dance moves that will have you in a one-man twerking competition (in the comfort of your car, of course).
Drake & Future - "Life Is Good"
Teasing their sophomore joint album, Drake and Future dropped their video for "Life Is Good" and it's a Friday mood. We see the rappers as fry cooks, bakers, mechanics, and more in this comedic rap video with cameos from a few stars you might know.
Summer Walker - "Come Thru" (with Usher)
Although the 23-year-old singer released "Over It" last year, sis finally slid through with a video for "Come Thru" earlier this month which features a sultry Summer and an undeniably delicious Usher swerving through the streets of Atlanta giving us big old school R&B energy.
Alicia Keys - "Underdog"
We can always count on Alicia Keys to pull up with an inspirational bop for the culture and "Underdog" is no exception. Co-written by Ed Sheeran, this guitar-infused track will make you feel seen AF.
Snoh Aalegra - "Whoa"
If you know me, you know I love me some Snoh Aalegra, and the fact that Michael B. Jordan makes me love her even more (and hate her just a little).
Halsey - "You should be sad"
Halsey unleashed her inner hot girl with this country-esque music video that has already amassed more than 1.4 million views in less than 14 hours. Featuring hella bundles, line dancing, a stallion, and cutthroat lyrics about an ex-boyfriend, this is the breakup song you didn't know you needed.
Mick Jenkins - "Carefree" Black Boy
You know I had to pull up with some fresh heat for my die-hard hip-hop fans, and if you didn't know about Mick Jenkins before, now you know. On this soulful, 420-friendly track, Mick raps about the forces the come between his reality and truly living life as a "Carefree Black Boy".
Kehlani - "All Me" (feat. Keyshia Cole)
If your plans are to be 100% boo'd up this weekend, this track needs to be added to your rotation ASAP.
Amindi - "Love Em Leave Em" (feat. Kari Faux)
Jamaican singer Aminde linked up with rapper Kari Faux for this colorful collab that will have you feeling yourself all damn weekend.
Common - "My Fancy Free Future Love" (Tom Misch Remix)
After his latest release, Let Love, Common is back with a woke AF love letter to his future partner in love that promises a life of watching ATL, drinking wine, and ordering Postmates.
Featured image via Giphy
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'Sistas' Star Skyh Black On The Power Of Hypnotherapy & Emotional Vulnerability For Men
In this insightful episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Sistas star Skyh Black, as he opened up about his journey of emotional growth, resilience, and self-discovery. The episode touches on emotional availability, self-worth, masculinity, and the importance of therapy in overcoming personal struggles.
Skyh Black on Emotional Availability & Love
On Emotional Availability & Vulnerability
“My wife and I wouldn't be where we are today if both of us weren't emotionally available,” he shared about his wife and Sistas co-star KJ Smith, highlighting the value of vulnerability and emotional openness in a relationship. His approach to masculinity stands in contrast to the traditional, stoic ideals. Skyh is not afraid to embrace softness as part of his emotional expression.
On Overcoming Self-Doubt & Worthiness Issues
Skyh reflected on the self-doubt and worthiness issues that he struggled with, especially early in his career. He opens up about his time in Los Angeles, living what he calls the “LA struggle story”—in a one-bedroom with three roommates—and being homeless three times over the span of 16 years. “I always had this self-sabotaging thought process,” Skyh said. “For me, I feel therapy is essential, period. I have a regular therapist and I go to a hypnotherapist.”
How Therapy Helped Him Heal From Self-Doubt
On Hypnotherapy & Empowering Self-Acceptance
Skyh’s journey is a testament to the power of tapping into self-development despite life’s struggles and being open to growth. “I had to submit to the fact that God was doing good in my life, and that I'm worthy of it. I had a worthiness issue and I did not realize that. So, that’s what the hypnotherapy did. It brought me back to the core. What is wrong so that I can fix it?”
Watch the full podcast episode below:
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Quinta Brunson Gets Real About Divorce, Boundaries & Becoming
Quinta Brunson is the woman who chooses herself, even when the world is watching. And in her June 30 cover story for Bustle, she gives us a rare glimpse into the soft, centered place she's navigating her life from now. From leading one of television's most beloved series in the last decade to quietly moving through life shifts, the creator of Abbott Elementary is walking through a personal evolution and doing so with intention, grace, and a firm grip on her boundaries.
Back in March, the 35-year-old filed for divorce from Kevin Jay Anik after nearly three years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." The news hit the headlines of news outlets fast, but Quinta hadn't planned to announce their dissolution to the public so quickly.
Quinta Brunson On Divorce, Public Scrutiny & Sacred Boundaries
"I remember seeing people be like, ‘She announced her divorce,’" she told Bustle. “I didn’t announce anything. I think people have this idea that people in the public eye want the public to know their every move. None of us do. I promise you. No one wants [everyone] to know when you buy a house, when you move, when a major change happens in your personal life. It’s just that that’s public record information."
In regards to her private moves becoming tabloid fodder, Quinta continued, "I hated that. I hate all of it."
"I Am An Artist First": Quinta On Cutting Her Hair & Reclaiming Herself
Still, the diminutive phenom holds her crown high in the face of change and is returning to the essence of who she is, especially as an artist. "Cutting my hair reminded me that I am an artist first. I want to feel things. I want to make choices. I want to be a person, and not just stuck in having to be a certain way for business." It's giving sacred rebirth. It's giving self-liberation. It's especially giving main character energy.
And while the headlines keep spinning their narratives, the one that Quinta is focused on is her own. For her, slowing down and nourishing herself in ways that feed her is what matters. "It’s a transitional time. I think it’s true for me and my personal life, and it’s how I feel about myself, my career, and the world," Quinta shared with Bustle. “I feel very serious about focusing on watering my own gardens, taking care of myself and the people around me who I actually interact with day-to-day."
That includes indulging in simple rituals that ground her like "making myself a meal" which has become "really, really important to me."
That spirit of agency doesn't stop at the personal. In her professional world, as the creator, executive producer, and lead actress of the critically-acclaimed Abbott Elementary, Quinta understands the weight her choices carry, both on- and off-screen. She revealed to Bustle, "People used to tell me at the beginning of this that the No. 1 on the call sheet sets the tone, and the producer sets the tone — and I’m both of those roles."
She continued, "I understand now, after doing this for four years, how important it was that I set the tone that I did when we first started."
Quinta doesn't just lead, she understands the importance of curating the energy of any space she enters. Even amid a season of shifts and shedding, her power speaks loudly. Sometimes that power looks like quiet resistance. Sometimes that power is soft leadership.
And sometimes that power looks like cutting your hair and taking back your name in rooms that have forgotten you were an artist long before you were a brand.
Read Quinta's cover story on Bustle here to witness the fullness of Quinta's becoming.
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