New Music Friday: Here’s Your Weekend Playlist
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
Did you know that xoNecole has a podcast? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to join us for weekly convos over cocktails (without the early morning hangover.)
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.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How To Tell If You're Disciplining Your Child Or Seeking Revenge
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images