Who Is LION BABE? 4 Things You Should Know About This Neo-Soul Duo
If you tuned in to the Soul Train Music Awards on Sunday night, you may have noticed a few unfamiliar faces hitting the stage belting out beautiful melodies and reminding us that R&B does indeed touch the soul. One memorable act was the neo-soul duo Lion Babe, who took to the Centric Certified Stage to perform their single "Impossible".
And it was everything!
Lion Babe frontwoman Jillian Hervey whipped her honey-blonde mane and kicked her sky high platforms across the stage, while producer Lucas Goodman backed his home girl with the right keys and beats. It was definitely a jam-worthy moment.
The duo first hit the scene in 2012 with their hit "Treat Me Like Fire", which has more than 1 million views on Vevo. Since then, Jillian and Lucas have been making quite an impact in music overseas, while recently dropping their Pharrell Williams collaboration "Wonder Woman".
If you're unfamiliar with the group, let me catch you up on the neo-soul duo that will have you listening to their whole Spotify catalog.
1. Jillian is the daughter of actress Vanessa Williams.
Even though Jillian is the daughter of singer/actress Vanessa Williams, Jillian said that she had never actually thought of making music until after she met her producer. She told Hunger TV:
"...My whole family is musical – both my grandparents were music teachers, so it was mandatory to be in chorus, and play an instrument, and be in band. And then there was just always music in the house, and a lot of people around us that were also musicians and stuff...So I think it was just being in that whole atmosphere. It definitely started in the home, but I didn't ever really think about making music until I met Lucas."
2. He's the "Lion," she's the "Babe."
The name stems from Lucas' zodiac sign (Leo), and Jillian's hairstyle (Babe). Jillian's curls are crazy sexy!
3. Their first hit "Treat Me Like Fire" is fire.
Seriously, their debut song is ill. Check out Jillian swinging her honey blonde curls across the screen, and Lucas turning up the beat in the video!
4. The duo got their start when Lucas made dance songs for Jillian.
The two actually met when they were still students. Jillian originally wanted to be a dancer, but after connecting with Lucas, her life started to take a different direction. According to Interview,
Hervey, who studied dance at the [Eugene Lang] New School, and Goodman, who studied music at Northeastern, met at a college party. Goodman was playing songs he produced in his dorm room and Hervey wandered over, wanting to know more. After the dorm room introduction, they began collaborating—first with Goodman producing music for Hervey's dance performances and now, full fledged songs.
5. Lion Bane has opened for Childish Gambino, and has already worked with some heavy hitters.
Their sound and delivery is what definitely sets them apart in the neo-soul landscape. It's no wonder why they've already opened and worked with Childish Gambino, Mark Ronson, and Pharrell Williams.
Get into this group by checking out "Don't Break My Heart" and their acclaimed song "Wonder Woman" featuring Pharrell Williams below!
Are you feeling Lion Babe?
Featured image via Giphy
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 LISTÂ 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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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:Â Â
​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