The Goodness of SAULT
A friend introduced me to SAULT, a British music collective a few months ago. However, I didn’t do a deep dive until recently, and was mad I waited so long. “Son Shine” is the track that I played repeatedly on Spotify, and then to discover more of their amazing, uplifting sound truly enlightened my soul. This was the music I have been looking for, new music that is centered on God and faith.
I want to share some of my favorite SAULT tunes in hopes they will brighten your day as they do mine.
GOD IS IN CONTROL
My brother once told me to trust that God is bigger, when I once told him of a situation where I felt I did not do my best. I asked what he meant by that and he replied to say that God knows all, and as you did the best you could do, He was already working on your behalf. This song reminds me of that moment.
“God Is In Control” has also been on repeat as a gentle reminder of His hand on my life. Not to mention these words feel like complete rest. The lyrics are sung in Portuguese, which to me adds a heavenly element as most Portuguese songs transport me to a beach or tropical situation.
[Chorus]
God is in control always, always
God is in control always, always
God is in control always, always
God is in control always, always
[Verse]
Let's be okay
God is on your side
To show the light
Hold on!
You only need love
Need prayer
Need faith
Let's be okay
God is on your side
To show the light
Hold on!
You only need love
Need prayer
Need faith
SON SHINE
Let the son shine, through my pain
Son, we will rise…
Your love's protecting me
Your love's protecting me
Your love's protecting me
Your love's protecting me
Your love's protecting me
You're always there when I need
“Son Shine” is a good start to each day. A cheery, lighthearted groove with a good beat. I enjoyed this piece for awhile, and recently I think I uncovered its meaning. Son Shine seems to refer to God’s Son, Jesus! Thoughts? Am I making this up? I took a good look at the lyrics, but specifically the ones above give me this interpretation. Also the spelling of “son” to stand in for “sun.”
My favorite lyric backs my critique:
“Let the son shine through my pain.”
There has been many a moment, where grief has left me paralyzed, stewing in my emotions but still showing up for friends, my job(s) and everything else in my day. And, somehow, I am able to continue and function because of Jesus shining through my heartache and pain. It’s a comforting play on words, and the feel of the tune hug the lyrics, complimenting the message.
Singer - songwriter Natalie Lauren gave me the concept of continuing during an Instagram post she made during the pandemic in 2020. It has stuck with me, and given me permission to carry any and every emotion into my day as I show up. I would offer that it is only because of my relationship with the “Son” that I am able to continue as His love shines in my life, no matter what I am dealing with or going through.
SAFE WITHIN YOUR HANDS
“[Verse 1]
Oh, oh Lord
Protect me from
All that is not yours
I need change
As I’m waiting
I’m safe within your hands
Your hands
Oh Lord
[Verse 2]
Oh Lord
I lost my way
Lead me to your hope
Have my faith
And my patience
I’m safe within your hands
Your hands
Oh, oh”
“Safe Within Your Hands” carries a modern, gospel technique. The chorus immediately gives nostalgic vibes as it reminds me of Sunday services growing up. The lyrics speak directly about God and how we can often lament about making choices that were not in our best interest but in understanding the necessity of relationship with Him, we find peace that helps us forgives ourselves and move forward. Even the chords played are a unique collection of keys that sound a bit chaotic and scattered in a way that makes sense. Our relationship with Him continues to bring us home after storms have cleared.
As the words address the daily relationship in walking with God, I think of morning devotions and trusting in His control and peace. “Protect me from all that is not Yours” leads my mind to Psalms 84:11.
Psalms 84:11 New Living Translation (NLT)
The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
In this tune, the vocalists affirm that relationship with God is enough. Such a beautiful reflection in understanding that whether good or bad, we are always safe in His hands.
HIGHER
A funky, uptempo beat gives the foundation for this track of appreciation. The lyrics in “Higher” speak to being grateful for the feeling that comes from existing with God, that loved one or significant other. It almost sounds like a piece from the late 80s / early 90s. The lead vocalist sings with an energy that complements the music orchestration wonderfully.
“Higher” went to constant rotation when I started noticing it in the THIS IS SAULT playlist on Spotify. My favorite lyrics plead with the subject to understand how mandatory their existence is as the lead sings emphatically “I need you in the world.” Another fun point is towards the end, as background vocals come in these affirming words, “And I love you very much…And I’m thankful for your love.”
Another good song to start your day.
PRAY UP STAY UP
“Pray Up, Stay Up” is an incredibly feel-good tune. Notes of R&B, strong jazz keys, and an old school hip-hop bass line give this track all it needs to live at barbecues during the summer.
The words implore the listener to remain in prayer, while keeping one’s head held high. The words sung by the background vocals state, “They tryin’ to keep us down” and other lyrics with similar meaning. The more I listen, I understand this song speaks to oppression. It’s a rallying cry to continue to fight while clinging to God’s hand.
“Pray up, stay up, pray up
(Can’t keep me down)
Pray up, stay up, pray up
(They tryin’ to keep us down)
Pray up, stay up, pray up
(How you gonna keep me down?)
Pray up, stay up, pray up
(They tryin’ to keep us down)
Pray up, stay up, pray up
(How you gonna keep me down?)
Pray up, stay up, pray up
(Just wanna keep us down)
Pray up, stay up, pray up
(It’s just to keep us down)
Pray up, stay up, pray up
(They wanna keep us down)”
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
It Is Not Well With My Soul
Honestly, it isn’t.
I grew up singing the words “It Is Well With My Soul” pretty regularly in church services. Loud, proud, and routine. Through these lyrics, I was taught to believe no matter what life threw my way, it was well. I believed it was my duty to embrace and trust God through the challenges, heartaches, losses, and strife. While trusting God has now become a tenant of my faith, I was taught early on in the Christian walk to surrender my emotions and smile through the pain.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
The author, Horatio Gates Spafford, wrote this song after losing his 4 daughters in a horrific ship wreck (1873), comparable to the Titanic. While heading across the Atlantic Ocean to be with his wife after this tragic loss, he penned the words after passing over the specific spot where the Ville du Havre sank. (Beth Church Ripon, 2018) As Mr. Spafford and his wife were devout Christians, they made the conscious choice to live their lives on purpose and soon moved to Jerusalem.
A few years ago while watching A Handmaid’s Tale, I started to question how suffering and evil has been explored or used in the Christian church. In the series, one of the characters, Aunt Lydia punishes the main character, June, because she believed that God required pain from us when we disobeyed. Though this show is fictitious, it is not far from history and present-day happenings in the religious world. Many times, in real-life situations, as Christians, we are told to delight in hardships, but my question is this: Is this what our Heavenly Father wants? Does the God of the universe, the greatest Father of all, truly want us to embrace hardships only with joy and without lament?
I’m constantly reminded that Jesus wept y’all. When I look at the life of Jesus, I see that he wept when he learned of his friend Lazarus’s death. And even when he was on his way to the cross, he expressed that he did not want to die yet he still followed through with His Father’s plan. In Jesus paying the ultimate punishment for our sins, I believe we were given the freedom to feel all of the same feelings, he felt, the good ones, the negative ones, and the hard ones.
God gave us all of our emotions. Every one of them came from our Creator. We were meant to feel them, sit with them, learn from them, and welcome them. Sadness and anger are divine emotions meant to be honored and processed, not pushed down into our subconscious and ignored.
One of my best friends used to constantly ask me how I was feeling whenever a difficult time came my way. He would not let me get away with “fine” or “I’m good” when he knew I wasn’t. He encouraged me to genuinely think about how I was feeling and be honest with myself.
Should hard times really be well with my soul? Should I rejoice when heartbreak pops up unexpectedly in my life? Can I truly be asked to see the good in the pain that racist and sexist incidents create in my community? Would you ask that of your children, nephew or niece if they were experiencing challenges and pain?
I will tell you what is well with my soul: God’s hand. His grip on my hand as I walk through and process moments of madness reminds me that He is close and grieving with me. Hebrews 13:3 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Over and over again, Jesus has provided and validated these words in my life.
As a parent, aunt or uncle, or grandparent, would you want the children in your life to respond with pseudo joy, a fake smile, or “it’s fine” when having to live day to day with a hard moment? Or would you rather them speak truthfully about how they feel? Would you rather them process the pain? I know from deep experience that unprocessed pain, held internally, many times leads to stress, health problems, and mental anguish.
“Stress that's left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.” - Mayo Clinic
Sadly, Mr. Spafford and his wife, ended up leading a cult in Jerusalem that began in Chicago. As this was explained in an article by Rev. Angus Stewart (cprc.co.uk), it is upsetting to understand the author of this staple Christian hymn was a “false prophet, a charismatic and a cult leader.” I can’t help but think about how potentially unprocessed grief and pain may have played a part in how Mr. and Mrs. Spafford decided to live in the aftermath of such tremendous heartache.
As God is our “good, good Father,” I cannot see receiving anything but unconditional love and comfort when I am experiencing pain. I cannot see God asking me to ignore the emotions He gave me and not be authentic internally. I cannot fathom my earthly father not giving complete empathy when I am in crisis. With that I do not believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit would expect me to be anything less than authentic to my current state while suffering. Therefore, I will advocate for therapy, properly dosed medication and meditation for anyone who needs it to assist with processing grief and pain in a healthy way. The individuals who work in these fields were gifted with the knowledge, heart and compassion for those grieving loss and living with unimaginable life happenings. In acknowledging my pain and sadness, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit meet me here; reminding me that it is okay to not to be okay.
Resources to Help Process Pain
The Faith of An Indie Artist
Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Darla Baltazar is an established independent singer, songwriter, and producer. In this interview, learn more about her and why her faith in God is at the core of every beat made and lyric she writes.
WG: What inspired you to begin producing, and making beats/music?
DB: When I was in college, I heard Christian R&B Lo-Fi by Jonathan Ogden and I was surprised that that sound even existed. Since I had been recording lots of covers at that point, I decided to look into music production to learn how to make more Christian music in my favorite styles.
WG: What is your process for creating a song?
DB: Ideas and inspiration can come from all sorts of places, but when I do get an idea, I usually record them in my voice memos and share them on my computer. Some days, I find myself playing around with music production and writing lyrics over them. On other days, I start with some words and a melody and try to capture some sounds to go with that. I usually produce and write at the same time, and finishing a song can range from one day to even one year! So I periodically review old demos to see which ones are still workable.
WG: As a Lo-Fi fanatic, I am curious to know what attracts you to it, as I am drawn to it’s slower beat patterns and calm chords?
DB: Good question. As much as Lo-Fi music in general is great, I think I’m more drawn to the kinds that feature jazz-inspired elements like certain chord progressions and samples. I think those things give it a nostalgic feel and thereby gives me a sense of calm and safety.
WB: What is it that you hope to accomplish through your music?
DB: I use a lot of my songs to process my emotions, fears, and worries. As I write them, I also turn to Scripture to renew my mind and keep my eyes on God. My hope is that my music will help people to easily remember words in Scripture during crucial times, encourage them to wage war against sin and idolatry, and cling to Jesus in every situation they go through.
WB: As concerts are happening again and the world has opened back up, what has God been showing you?
DB: With the world “opening back up” after the pandemic, God has been warning me of how easy it is for people to just go through the motions again. I want to stay intentional with everything I do and the projects I work on, keeping God at the center rather than just being a busybody.
WG: Which music or artists have inspired you over the years, and more specifically, who has inspired you in creating Lo-Fi praise and worship tracks?
DB: As mentioned earlier, I first heard about Lo-Fi through Jonathan Ogden and continued to discover more artists like Montell Fish, Isla Vista Worship, and sxxnt. Prior to that, I had been listening to popular Christian music, such as Hillsong United. But when I heard Christian indie music, I began to discover a new kind of worship genre that felt more personal. As an introspective person, I knew that writing congregational church music wasn’t for me, but I still wanted to write songs for and about God. So when I found the music of those specific artists, their sound encouraged me to write songs for Him without being pressured by what was “acceptable” at the time as Christian music.
On another note, I really wanted to collaborate with Jonathan Ogden, and I actually did! I am still in awe of our “Be Like You” track.
WG: What are the challenges and joys of being an independent artist?
DB: It’s certainly challenging financially to be an independent artist, especially at the start. But it’s a great opportunity to learn contentment! It’s also difficult if you’re used to being told what to do, because a lot of doing music independently is figuring it out as you go, and making meaningful connections along the way.
One of the things I love about being an indie artist is that I am usually just treated as a normal human and not a “celebrity.” I get to spend time doing the things I love with people I love. It also teaches me to be diligent in doing my work since I can’t afford to be lazy. Most of all, I am completely free in my artistic and creative decisions and don’t get filtered by the standards of people with who I potentially won’t have the same vision. This is something very important to me because I take my mission to share Christ and encourage the body very seriously.
WG: What are the challenges and joys of collaborating with other music creatives?
DB: The joys of collaborating are definitely incomparable! You have the chance to work with people whose strength is your weakness. You achieve unique ideas that you couldn’t have been able to come up with on your own. The teamwork also makes reaching the finish line more joyful since you get to celebrate it together!
The challenges of collaborating mostly come when you are not used to working with other people or if you don’t agree on certain ideas right away with your collaborator. Sometimes some people also have financial conflicts. Nevertheless, I believe that the key to collaboration is clear and constant communication—with each other, and with God, through prayer!
WG: Can you recommend other female producers? As I compile weekly playlists for Wit + Grace, I’ve realized how few I have been able to find with published work.
DB: Xael, Sarah Nathalie, Christian Singleton and Damares Gomez.
WG: Amazing. Many thanks!
WG: What are you currently working on?
DB: These days I'm busy working on my debut album. It's gonna be called "Soul Talk"! Though it's a very long and complicated process to put together an album, it has been very rewarding. Working with several people has been such a joy, and God has been providing faithfully throughout the whole process. Besides finishing the project of course, my greater goal is that God would truly be glorified not just in the output, but throughout the process. I'm excited for "Soul Talk" to be a part of people's soundtrack in their journey with God. And hopefully down the line, we'd be able to put together some intimate gigs where I could share more stories with the Christian community!
WG: Please be sure to add NYC to your list!
WG: What do you think is a current issue that needs to be addressed in our country?
DB: I’m not from the U.S., but it seems like people are growing more accustomed to a “lawless” society, thinking that they have the right to do and be anything they want. It’s not exactly the same case as here in the Philippines, but I think the younger generation is beginning to accept this norm. Families led by God-fearing parents raising up their children in the ways of the Lord are more crucial than ever.
WG: So this was an interesting find that made me happy. What inspired you to create a devotional for the YouVersion Bible app?
DB: The devotional I had the chance to write for the YouVersion app was centered around the song “Search Me." It was an unusual project for me because it was my first time working on something that I had to submit by a deadline. My struggle with fear of man and perfectionism was tested during that season, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to share what God taught me about searching my heart.
WG: So good. I plan to start it soon.
WG: Tell me, who cheers for you the loudest in your community?
DB: My closest friends who supported me in my decision to pursue music, and who continue to affirm the fruitfulness of what I do for the Lord!
WG: Last question. What is your idea of a good day?
DB: A good day is one where I am constantly at God’s disposal!
Darla’s Favorites and Musings
My Netflix guilty pleasure is “Friends.”
My top 3 bucket list items:
Travel abroad with some close friends
Publish a book
Go skiing
My cereal of choice is granola with soy milk.
I have an 11-year-old Chinese Sharpei and his name is Draco!
“Totally Spies” was my favorite cartoon when I was a child.
Tori Kelly is currently my FAVORITE singer.
The last movie I watched was “2 Hearts,” starring Jacob Elordi. I don’t usually watch movies, but I was pleasantly surprised by the story. I liked how wholesome it was and that faith also played a crucial role in giving such a sad storyline a hopeful ending. I guess if there’s something not to like, it’s that God should have been acknowledged more and more accurately (but maybe that’s just the God-lover in me ).
The last book I read was Practicing Affirmation: God-Centered Praise of Those Who Are Not God by Sam Crabtree.
My favorite restaurant? In terms of a Filipino spot, I really like Max’s. It’s a great choice for when I want go-to home-cooked Filipino dishes along with their signature fried chicken!
How God Speaks Through Music
How God Speaks Through Music
Our chat with music aficionado and writer, Dominique Williams.
Meet music aficionado and Editor-In-Chief of the forthcoming Multitudes Magazine, Dominique Williams, and learn more about how her relationship with music has influenced her growing years, adult life, and vision.
KW: How does music inspire you? Music is essentially what taught me language, but it’s also taught me how to feel and how to express myself. I think music is such a connector, so in a way it reminds me that someone all the way across the world could hear my favorite song and feel the same way I do about it. They could be going through the same thing as me and in that way, I’m never really alone. In that way, music inspires me to connect as well, but it also helps me tell that story. I always play music when I write. I see full scenes when I hear certain songs, so I definitely need music to help me do the things I love, like write. I need it in my everyday life, too.
KW: Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
DW: I was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina but I moved to Anchorage, Alaska when I was nine months old, so I don't really claim North Carolina because I lived in Alaska for most of my childhood. I’ve also lived in England.
KW: What influenced you to love music as deeply as you do?
DW: When I was younger there was always music playing in my house — jazz, R&B, and gospel, mostly. My dad is a deep audiophile and him and my mom forced me to play piano for almost 13 years (even though I wanted to play the guitar), so those years spent learning the piano taught me discipline. I was also a dancer in school and my mom would haul me around town to dance practice and shows, so I understand music as a language that can be told with your body and how it makes you feel physically. You hear it and you are supposed to move. It is a way to tell stories, and it connects us all. I felt very connected to music from a very young age, so for me music is spiritual.
KW: That’s good.
KW: Who are some of the artists / groups you listened to while growing up?
DW: I was a big R&B kid. It was the neutral point because my parents love jazz and sometimes I would voice my opinion about their music being too slow so R&B was the compromise. Some of my favorite artists to listen to while growing up were Amy Winehouse, Brandy, Tamia, Joe, Brian McKnight, Carl Thomas, Jill Scott, Jojo, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Usher, TLC, Christina Aguilara, Boyz II Men, Monica, D’Angelo, Angie Stone, Destiny’s Child, Mya and Jazmine Sullivan.
KW: So can you define what it means to be a music curator? Music curation is a fancy term for “pass me the aux and let me play my jams,” ha! There is also a full story of my relationship with a playlist. I love a lot of different types of music, and I was a musician for many of my formative years so understanding how to make an amazing playlist that blends seamlessly is my lane. My love for making playlists has a lot to do with my ear too. I love lyrics that tell a story. I love strong vocals. So I fully "geek” out when I hear a song I love.
KW: What have you worked on as a music curator?
DW: As music curator, I’ve hosted multiple parties, made all the playlists for company benefits and events, and been featured in publications and radio shows for my playlists and music journalism pieces. My podcast, The Intersection, centered around music thoughts and critiques.
KW: Please share your Spotify story about how you ran out of library storage because you hit 10,000 songs. (I always think of this when I still see I have only hit like 4K songs.)
DW: On January 18, 2018, I found out there was a song limit on Spotify. I was actually shocked because I had no idea that was even a thing. But I was trying to add some songs, and I got an error message saying “You’ve reached your limit, you have to delete songs.” I immediately texted my dad, the other music lover in the family, and told him. He responded and was like “What's the limit, 2000?” My response: “10,000,” and he was shocked. So I googled it. I thought there could be absolutely no way that Spotify had a song limit for users’ libraries, but it was true. Until 2020, there was a song limit of 10,000 songs, and only 1% of people ever reached that many songs. That really is the only 1% I want to be a part of.
*Spotify users can add an unlimited amount of songs to their libraries. (Billboard.com)
KW: Dominique, what is an ideal concert experience for you?
DW: At my big age, standing for hours is just not as fun as it once was, but I still do it because I love a small intimate venue where the artist can really connect with the audience in an authentic way.
“God shows His vastness through music. The older I get the bigger God is to me, and the fuller the story becomes.”
KW: In your opinion who puts on the best live shows?
DW: If I love you, I’ll go see you multiple times. So in terms of folks that consistently put on good shows, I would say, Jazmine Sullvian, Kevin Garrett, Jojo, Allen Stone, Syd, and Jacob Banks.
KW: What has been your most favorite concert to date?
DW: Moses Sumney hands down was one of the most amazing concerts I’ve ever been to in my life. I saw him on my golden birthday this year and it was just transcendent. I do not care if you’ve never heard of Moses Sumney, if he’s in your town, GO!
KW: Speaking of concerts, what is your favorite venue / concert space? I think in NYC/BK I’d say Kings Theater. I’ve been to a ton of amazing music venues and there are only a few I genuinely cannot do. To be fair, I have a theory that the crowd and artist make a show what it is just as much as the venue. NYC is a hard crowd to impress so when you have an amazing show you should be proud.
KW: What has been your favorite music festival to attend regularly?
DW: Beale Street Music Festival. I went to college at the University of Memphis, and every summer we would go. I have some great memories there. I don’t do music festivals any more though. My body truly cannot handle it.
KW: I feel the same way. The only festival I make space for is AfroPunk Brooklyn.
KW: Tell us more about how you plan to implement your love of music in your new publication, "Multitudes."
DW: Music will have a significant role in Multitudes Magazine. I love talking with people who love music deeply or are artists and musicians themselves, so many of the magazine’s articles will feature these creatives. No matter who the person is, the stories all discuss how music shaped the person and how it keeps them inspired on their journey. There will be a playlist with each feature, so people can find their new favorites.
KW: Tell me more about this publication. What is the purpose of Multitudes?
DW: Multitudes Magazine is a digital zine space, for the many versions of our humanity and expression of Black, Indigenous, Latine/X, Asian, and Pacific Islander storytellers, curators, and creators. I wanted to create a space where we could just exist and didn't have to be perfect or put together, but could share how we got to where we are. We talk about the real stuff, the vulnerable stuff, and experience all the feelings that come with it and music is the web that holds the stories together.
I am also hoping to have some folks guest feature and share their love and stories about life and music. The site will launch in Spring 2023.
KW: What artist / music creative would you love to have write for Multitudes?
DW: Oh wow, solid question. I actually have a few.
There is a writer named Yoh Phillips and I absolutely love his music journalism and deep dives on albums. He also has a great ear for first-listen reviews.
Hanif Abdurrabqib, a novelist and essayist who writes for everyone on music would also be a dream of mine.
From across the pond, I would love to have Natty Kasambala who is a culture writer and has a focus on music. I love her profiles on artists.
KW: Well I definitely hope each of these people come to write for Multitudes.
KW: One of the things I love about music is the infinite ways songs can sound. I think it paints a picture of or reflects God’s creativity. How do you think God uses music to show His love for us or His creativity?
DW: God shows His vastness through music. The older I get, the bigger God is to me, and the fuller the story becomes. And music has different genres and languages, but they are reflections of people's lives and stories so if you listen truly, you can connect to something bigger than the song. The connection is something that God uses to bring us together in ways we will never know. Music has the ability to make us cry or dance or sing at the top of our lungs. That feeling of being moved to another action is God blessing us to create beyond what is already there.
KW: Can you share a bit on what your faith means to you?
DW: Faith for me is trusting in the unseen and believing God is putting things together for my good. That’s super cliche, but honestly it’s that straight forward. It’s not easy when stuff gets hard and you want to give up or know why, but it’s knowing it’s not over until I’m through it. With faith in God, I know I will make it through.
KW: How does God speak to you through music?
DW: I had some very low seasons at various points in my twenties, even now, and in those times I always seek to listen to something to uplift my spirits. Sometimes though, I just start feeling low and a song will pop in my head, and it will be about what I'm going through. Other times I will be out somewhere and hear something that speaks to my situation. In those random moments, I know that's God. A lot of these songs will get saved to playlists so if something comes up like that again, I just lean back into that playlist. I think God speaks both to comfort me when I'm down but also to give me hope for things to come.
KW: Who is your favorite praise and workshop artist/group? How do their lyrics speak to you?
DW: I grew up on Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, and she has been getting me through since I was a kid. Her voice is just everything. I think I really identify with her as a person in being a bigger girl growing up, and her song “Flaws” and many others have got me through my insecure seasons.
KW: What is your favorite Netflix guilty pleasure?
DW: Goodness do I feel guilty about anything? Not really, but the amount of times I’ve watched both Gilmore Girls and Sweet Magnolias seems a little absurd.
KW: Who are two of your favorite artists currently?
DW: I will always say my all-time favorite artists are Little Simz and Fana Hues. I listen to them the minute I get on a plane.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
The Sound Of Black History
Black History Month is here, and we are thankful for the history that has brought us to this point. We are grateful for our ancestors and elders who have instilled wisdom through their words and actions. We sit in lament and grief for the injustices and painful points of the past and present that we continue to grapple with as a society.
These five songs are a tribute to Black History, our story. God is seen us through it all and the joy that comes from Him has never been absent, but has sustained our people and helped us survive.
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.”
THIS JOY (Written by Shirley Caesar, Performed by Resistance Revival Chorus)
Originally written and performed by Shirley Caesar, I found this version randomly on Spotify. The harmonies and strong vocals of the Resistance Revival Chorus are so engaging one can’t help but take a moment to reflect on the lyrics. Joy comes from God and is not something anyone can give us.
This cover was created during the pandemic in 2020, and I enjoyed seeing it performed online not too long ago.
2. KEEP YA HEAD UP
This classic track by Tupac Shakur still reigns true. Through his lyrics celebrating women, discussing the oppression of the Black community and political issues, this hip-hop artist creatively produced, along with his mother, Afeni Shakur, a ballad that would remain in history for generations to come.
Unfortunately, many of the issues he speaks to remain in existence today, but the tone of this anthem is hope.
3. I WISH I KNEW HOW IT WOULD FEEL TO BE FREE
Nina Simone used her music to fight for justice. Her voice was revolutionary, and her words remain powerful. This song carries a hypothetical question as the narrator takes the chance to dream. Comparing herself to a bird, Nina shares the depths of the kind of freedom she desires.
It remains a current request as, unfortunately, physical and spiritual bondage is still commonplace in our world. While it is clear that God holds our hand and makes us free in Him, everyone deserves equality, civil rights, and respect.
I wish I could give all I'm longing to give
I wish I could live like I'm longing to live
I wish I could do all the things that I can do
Though I'm way overdue, I'd be starting anew
Well, I wish I could be like a bird in the sky
How sweet it would be if I found I could fly
Oh, I'd soar to the sun and look down at the sea
And then I'd sing 'cause I'd know, yeah
Then I'd sing 'cause I'd know, yeah
Then I'd sing 'cause I'd know
I'd know how it feels
I'd know how it feels to be free, yeah, yeah
Oh, I'd know how it feels
Yes, I'd know, I'd know how it feels
How it feels to be free, Lord, Lord, Lord, yeah
4. REDEMPTION SONG
In keeping with the theme of freedom, I want to mention another classic. Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” begs the inquiry:
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Many of these lyrics were influenced by a speech given by Marcus Garvey in Nova Scotia. I can’t help but think of the many civil rights leader, innocent Black men and women, and children who have lost their lives because of their ethnicity. There is no place for apathy or ignorance, especially from believers. Marley’s song encourages all listeners to continue to sing out for equality.
5. A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
This song is heavy and hopeful at the same time.
I was born by the river
In a little tent
Oh, and just like the river, I've been runnin'
Ever since
It's been a long
A long time comin', but I know
A change gon' come
Oh, yes it will
The lyrics specifically discuss the Jim Crow laws that kept Black and white communities separate:
I go to the movie
And I go downtown
Somebody keep tellin' me "don't hang around"
Many of our parents currently can discuss moments of Jim Crow or racism from the 1960s and 1970s. I encourage you, the reader, to sit with your elders and hear these stories. Sit with them. Ask questions and learn from their experiences. Whether Black or white, everyone has been affected by the racism and prejudice that has infected this country (and beyond) for centuries. When we know our history, we are less likely to repeat past injustices.
All five artists were leaders in the march for freedom, justice, and equality. Nina Simone said, “It is an artist’s duty to reflect the times,” and each one of these songs has done that in some way over the past 50-plus years. They reflect the past and present times while empowering us to hope for a better future.
Shanell Alyssa
Where Faith Cannot Abide
Living a life of faith means eradicating doubt and worry. Shanell Alyssa tells her story.
Shanell Alyssa performed at a City Love NYC showcase last year in Harlem. Her music is bright and inspiring and the lyrics will move you as they did for me. Listen to “Witness” featuring Caleb McCoy, available on all streaming platforms.
WG: Did you always want to be a singer?
SA: I was born in Springfield, MA, and grew up in New England. I’ve always loved the arts and athletics. I’ve been singing for as long as I’ve been able to talk. When I was in preschool, my sister and I sang “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” at a talent show. As I grew older, I joined the youth choir at my church and, eventually, also joined an acapella group in high school, and sang in my high school’s classical choir. I wrote my first song in my senior year of high school for a Spanish class assignment. I went on to lead worship in college and during my last two years of college, I wrote the songs that ultimately became my first EP.
I also acted in several local theater productions throughout my early teens and I also loved playing soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in high school but singing and writing music was my first love.
WG: How do you define your purpose in life?
SA: I wear several hats as an artist, clinical mental health counselor, and music therapist. Within those roles, and in my personal life, I strive to cultivate community with women by simply making time to connect with them. That often looks like maintaining friendships with women and getting to know women I encounter at church, at work and in other shared circles.
I value time spent in the presence of other people and have had some of my most fulfilled moments while in the presence of other women. There is a sacredness to the bonds that I share with many women and believe there’s so much to gain from being honest and vulnerable.
WG: Who inspires you as you walk in your purpose?
SA: I’m inspired by so many people. I realize that I’m inspired by different things about different people at different times in my life. I can’t say that I have one all-time most inspiring person. As of late, I’ve been really inspired by authenticity, people who are, without a doubt, genuine, confident, and loving. The people I’ve seen display this in a striking way most recently are my pastors, Wil and Deborah Bullock.
WG: Who cheers the loudest for you?
SA: My spiritual mentor Dr. Joshua Mills tells me he’s the president of my fan club. And of course, my mom and my dad. I don’t know where I’d be without their constant support. They have been my rocks and my biggest supporters from the very beginning. They’re at 99% of my shows and I know they will always have my back.
WG: What are you most proud of in the work that you do?
SA: Finishing something makes me proud. It’s not easy to get music or visuals to a place where they’re ready to be shared with people. It’s not easy to plan an event and successfully pull it off. I’ve managed to do all of these things several times. I’ve been blessed by the projects and events and seen others be blessed by them too. That’s what inspires me to keep pursuing the work.
WG: What are some challenges you face as an artist?
SA: I’ve struggled with doubting whether pursuing artistry is worth it. I’ve had moments of wanting to quit, feeling like I’m pouring so much money, time and effort into my craft and not seeing a return on the investment I’ve made. In these moments I try to remind myself that I’m doing this because I love creating. I’m not doing it for money or notoriety. I’m finally at a point in my journey where I feel like I’m doing what I was created to do, and that’s the truest thing I can pursue.
1 Peter 5:7 has been an important reminder for me over the years. It’s sometimes challenging for me to trust God and not doubt. This verse reminds me to reject doubt because God is so much greater. At times, we may feel inclined to think negatively or doubt God’s promises, but I realize now that I can choose to reject doubt and worry.
Faith is the rejection of doubt and worry. Faith requires that I seek peace and notice when doubt begins to creep in because that’s a sign that I’m not leaning in the direction of faith. It’s a reminder to shift my focus toward peace. Faith always resides where there’s peace. It can’t live with doubt.
WG: What has God shown you as you continue to grow in your craft?
SA: God has shown me how important it is to walk with the Spirit. It’s been a process, but I’ve learned that I am a spiritual being and if I walk with the great Spirit of God that created me I will live a fulfilled and purposeful life. As I’ve spent time internalizing this, I’ve reached new levels of flow in my creative process, I’ve written lyrics that I couldn’t have imagined writing, I’ve had opportunities that I could not have acquired on my own, and I’ve developed a new confidence in sharing the gifts I’ve been given.
The pandemic reminded me of the importance of enjoying the present. I’ve spent a lot of time in the past worrying about the future and wishing my life were in a different place, so I missed a lot of present moments in that season. I am really enjoying the present and all that it has to offer.
WG: Who's on your current music playlist?
SA: I recently learned about Fana Hues and have been listening to her album flora + fana. I’ve had “Try Peace” by Tiana Major9 on repeat. I’ve also been listening to a few Tierra Whack songs from her 2018 album. My church, Jubilee Christian Church, has a worship group called Jubilee Worship and I’ve been listening to a lot of their songs lately.
Favorite performance venue? I love intimate settings for music and I’ve played a few Sofar Sounds show in Boston and New York City. One of my Boston Sofar shows at a small cafe in Cambridge, MA.
Favorite song to perform? “Blind Love” - I’ve experienced so much joy seeing people sing along to that song.
Favorite way to relax? I was inspired to start running again, and I’m currently training for a half marathon. It is very meditative for me and has helped me pour into myself, decompress, and heal in ways that I did not imagine it would. I also love reading and recently started reading “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson.
Favorite Netflix binge? I recently watched “You Don’t Know Me,” a short 4-episode crime series. It has an interesting plot that made me question how far I’d go to save someone who may not want to be saved.
To learn more about Shanell, visit her website, shanellalyssa.com, and follow her on social media @shanellalyssa for music updates, behind-the-scenes and everyday life content. Her music is available on all streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Her first EP “Rise Above” is available on SoundCloud and Bandcamp.
This article was edited for length and clarity.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Meet Bria The Artist
Bria The Artist
A journey of support, faith and confidence.
I grew up in the Bronx and Peekskill, New York. I was an introverted and artistic child who loved playing outside with my two older siblings and playing dress-up, with an unmatched love for my Black Barbie dolls. I also wanted to be an actress and would create intricate scenarios to act out with my dolls. Eventually, I joined my church choir, got my first solo at 17, and broke out of my shell from there.
Though I've been writing lyrics as a child, making up silly songs and singing them with my sister, I began writing for the public during my senior year of high school. My friend and I performed a song we co-wrote, during a talent show and it was well received. I kept writing and singing through college, performing in talent shows and showcases. I began singing professionally as my mom's backup singer under her stage name, Valerie Not Val. From there I began doing my own shows as Bria The Artist and the rest is history.
I am Bria The Artist because of my artistry in many forms, “Bri-Dimensional.” As a singer/songwriter, producer, painter, sketch artist, and poet, I receive a lot of love from women who've been told they're "doing too much." I make it known that I'm pursuing all avenues of my artistry simply because I can; the only person who can stop me is me.
I believe I inherited that from my mom, who I'm a big fan of because she's literally Superwoman. She has always worn many hats and I try to uplift her anywhere that I can. My mom's my manager and also a singer, businesswoman, entrepreneur, single mother of three, and President of the Peekskill NAACP.
Though sometimes I feel that I'm not doing enough, the community of women that surround me - my mom, grandma, sister, and even church family - constantly reminds me that simply watching me pursue my dreams full force empowers them every day. I'm extremely humbled and grateful for that. I never had to worry about my family being unsupportive of my dreams because they were always the ones funding them.
My sister's intelligent, energetic and funny, has her business management degree and nurtures her family like no other. My brother and father are math geniuses, silly, wise and protective of the women in our family. My grandmother is basically Clair Huxtable with her quick wits, infinite wisdom, and effortless elegance. Overall, each of them exudes God's light and love in all that they do. How could I not be inspired by these people to strive for my best? Though I can be down on myself a lot, their optimism alone has been an inspiration for me to continue my journey.
I'm currently the Artist-in-Residence with my job and it's led me to interact with some fantastic people. I get to create programs and opportunities for women of color while helping them realize their artistic ideas. I get to produce my own curriculum for music and drawing courses all while having time to perform/headline my own shows.
My biggest struggles as an artist have been self-doubt and inconsistency. Starting out, I was terribly shy and insecure. Singing in public left wrinkles in my tops and dresses because I would tug at them so hard out of stage fright and anxiety. I used to leave just about all of my work unfinished and make excuses as to why I didn't like what I'd created or why I shouldn't be on stage. Now, among other accomplishments, I've completed a ten-city tour, including Dubai and Canada, worked with Ne-Yo, and even completed a whole mural for my city.
I've gotten much better, but I still find myself making excuses here and there. Not to mention, social media has made it so that I must be seen every day just to keep up and stay relevant. It can be a bit of an uphill battle for an analog girl in a digital world.
God has shown me that even though I'm always supported, consistency is key and that He'll never ever let me down. I’ve had to let go of things that aren't for me because I need room for something greater even when I don't know what it is. He's also shown me that I need to trust and believe, do all that I can, and let Him handle the rest. Every time.
Faith means no "buts." Faith means believing it's all going to work out. I live it out by practicing my day-to-day verbiage. I'm nowhere near mastery level at this, but it helps to strengthen my faith by not saying and thinking of all the negative "what ifs." Prayer is also a major key in helping me strengthen my faith.
Over time, I have come to realize that I really value my alone time. When I need to rest, I like to be in my room or my studio, watching TV, listening to music, or lying in silence with my thoughts. I also value nature. I live in a beautiful area so I'm able to go down to the riverfront and take a nice scenic walk to boost my energy and make me smile on the inside.
Solitude brought me so much joy during the pandemic. I was happy to be able to work on music with no distractions and push myself to be creative in ways I never thought of before. Planet healing also brought me happiness during the pandemic. My mom was my quarantine partner and we had a lot of dance parties.
I'm so proud of how far I've come.
FIVE FUN FACTS ABOUT BRIA THE ARTIST:
Currently listening to: I have a playlist for everything and it includes music from Louie Vega, Destiny's Child, Earth Wind & Fire, Hall & Oats, Stevie Wonder, Raheem Devaughn, and Ari Lennox.
Favorite performance venue: My favorite venue to perform at has been SOB's in NYC. I believe I've performed there about four times so far and each and every time, their sound system is on point! Their sound engineer gives me the right amount of reverb and throws in those spicy echoes right on time. The band is in tune and the energy of the crowd is absolutely enchanting. The staff there is great and being downstairs in the musician’s lounge makes me feel like a VIP! Speaking of favorites, my favorite original song to perform is "Howlin.”
Most recent TV show binge: That 90’s show.
Favorite mantra or verse: I try to lead with love. However, I've always been drawn to the quote/slogan, "Just do it." I'd like to make it that simple.
Top three cheerleaders: If we're talking literal loud cheering, my mom takes the cake! If you know her, you know she's my number one supporter and is not afraid to YELL IT. Coming in second is my sister, Ajuré. Her voice carries, too and I can always pick up her excited voice from the crowd. Right behind her is my brother's girlfriend and my good sis, Marniqua. She's not afraid to get up close to the stage and hype your girl up!
To learn more about Bria the Artist, visit www.briatheartist.com and follow her on social media @briathearist.
The Music We Shared
Music was and still is (as I like to think) a love language shared between my father and me. He was always very honest when he did not like a song or an artist I sent to him. He went into depth with details about the reasons as well. With the same passion, he would explain why he enjoyed the songs and artists he liked.
The
Music
We
Shared
By Kendolyn Walker
Music was and still is (as I like to think) a love language shared between my father and me. He was always very honest when he did not like a song or an artist I sent to him. He went into depth with details about the reasons as well. With the same passion, he would explain why he enjoyed the songs and artists he liked.
My father grew up in a family that enjoyed music and concerts. So, it’s understandable why he wanted to share that love with his wife and children. Daddy set the foundation for us all to appreciate music from all genres, created by people from different backgrounds.
When Pandora first came out, he fell in love. He put it on his work computer and enjoyed all of his favorite artists daily. Daddy was so deep into the Pandora realm that he refused to switch to Spotify when I pleaded with him to make the change.
So these are some of our conversations. Some I shared with him and some he shared with me. Others were fond memories. They all spoke to the empathetic and warm heart my father had. Here are six songs to give you a taste of the music we enjoyed together.
“Stomp” by The Brothers Johnson
This is the earliest and possibly only song I ever danced to with my father. In talking to my aunts, they shared that I was about two or so, and would request the song by yelling “Thomp, Daddy, thomp!” What a time.
A groovy dance tune with a celebratory tone about heading out to have a good time on the weekend or any evening. It hits home more as Brothers Johnson was a sibling group, similar to my own.
Fast Cars - Tracey Chapman
Tracey Chapman was an artist my dad constantly had on rotation in his car. Her calming voice and guitar tracks most likely created the foundation of my love for the acoustic genre.
Chapman sings about escaping a current hard situation and beginning anew. The drums and guitar, along with her one-of-a-kind vocals, really emphasize the theme of despair and hope.
You got a fast car / Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision / Leave tonight or live and die this way
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold
This was an artist my father told me about in my adult years. I am sure I had already moved to New York City when he introduced me to Eva Cassidy’s work. My father loved her voice and was sad that she died at the age of 33. When she passed, her music garnered a lot of attention. She was always too shy for the stage or large audiences but used her voice to interpret songs from all genres creatively. “Fields Of Gold” was an original track by Sting. Cassidy took this song, created a slower tempo version, and sang it with a ballad, nostalgic tone.
Fly - Sara Groves
I have been a lifelong fan of Sara Groves. Her lyrics and melodies, along with her calming voice, have been a part of my growing years.
This song, “Fly,” became a special one between my father and me when I sang it at a close friend’s wedding. My dad was so excited and happy he continued to play this song for years. It reminds me of the way he championed me and cheered me on in all things.
Groves also sings about championing your loved ones with these lyrics and “flying” when encouraged by her partner’s love.
Speak in a summer tone / Pause in the after glow
Tenderly whisper my name / Tell me once again why I am your bride
So I can fly
So I can fly
Pause in your busy day / Look extra long my way
Wink at me across the room / Kiss me longer
Touch my arm when I am by your side
So I can fly
So I can fly
Oh, how the little things / Strengthen my tiny wings
Help me to take on the world / When you love me, there's nothing I wouldn't try
I might even fly
I might even fly
I might even fly
Save The Best For Last - Vanessa Williams
My father told me once that the main reason he liked Vanessa Williams was that she reminded him of my mother. I specifically remember him telling me this during our drives in his car while this song was playing. This fondness has been passed down to me, as I, too, have enjoyed Vanessa Williams’ music and voice for as long as I can remember. Not to mention it has been fun watching her become an amazing actress as well!
In “Save The Best For Last,” Williams sings about a friend becoming a partner. The feel of this song immediately sends me to the 80’s. The keyboard, drums, and strings cushion the words with comfort and peace. She laments about the times he shared his dreams and hopes with her yet continued dating others. But finally, love wins out, and they become '“the best” for each other.
Wiyathul - Gurrumul
I honestly cannot remember where I first heard this song. My sister told me that I am always listening to new music and new artists, so maybe I found Gurrumul, an Aboriginal Australian singer, via one of my Pandora or Spotify shuffles. But I sent it to my father soon after, and I don’t think I heard feedback on it for a while.
Then I think I was talking to him one day, and he started playing it. Again, we were most likely in his car on a drive. Daddy told me the song had brought him to tears. Even as the lyrics in this artist’s native tongue of Yolŋu, the tenderness of his voice indeed soothes my soul despite the fact I do not understand the meaning. I can’t recall all of my father’s critiques of this song, but he definitely told me the tune made him cry.
Gurrumul was a blind musician and singer. He played the drums, keyboards, guitar, and didgeridoo. Something that made him extremely unique was his ability to play a right-handed guitar, even though he was left-handed.
My father was an amazing man who loved Jesus and music of all genres. These songs highlight his compassion, insight, and wisdom. I am thankful, as Daddy laid the groundwork of my passion for music excellence. His love for music, along with his faith, I now walk in.
Kendolyn Walker is a singer-songwriter based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Althea's Mission
Althea’s Mission
This Brooklyn artist uses her music to remind women of their royalty status.
Althea Walker was born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn. As the oldest of four children born to Jamaican parents, she was reared in a small church in East New York. She attended church services five times a week with her family, including choir rehearsals, where she fell in love with music and the beauty of harmony and sound. Althea then went on to lead the children's choir until she was old enough to lead the adult choir.
Althea was shy growing up so no one knew she could sing until she auditioned for LaGuardia High School, a specialized performing arts school in New York. She was the only student from her middle school to be accepted and after convincing her parents to let her attend, Althea began her journey studying music as a Vocal Music major. It wasn't until Althea’s junior year of high school that she began to take songwriting seriously. She auditioned for the New Music Singers, a songwriting elective at LaGuardia, where she gained the confidence to pursue her craft further.
“My latest project, The Queen Mixtape, was dedicated to my little sister, Jasmine, to encourage her on the road to motherhood,” said Althea. “Even though the project is personally inspired by conversations with my sister, it is also for the single mamas, the married mamas, the mamas with one child, and one of many. Women often doubt their capabilities, comparing themselves to the strength of men or even other women. The entire project spells out the word Queen, an empowering title for a woman. Each track simply says ‘know your worth and don't be afraid to flaunt it.’ Women are queens, in their own way.”
Althea’s biggest inspiration is her son. He helps to affirm that she has the strength to do anything she sets her mind to and Althea is inspired to continue pursuing her music so that one day he can say, “My mom did it, so can I.”
“I am always pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone,” said Althea. “I am learning to put my talents to the forefront, and it’s a constant battle with my shy, introverted nature.”
Recently, Althea created a platform for others to share their talents with her company The Release Blog. Although they are still in the early stages of the business, Althea has produced three successful artist showcases called “Sip & Release,” and 23 episodes of her podcast “The Coffee Bar Series.”
“Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me”
A verse my parents instilled in me from a young age and still sits with me today. I do believe I can do anything because I have God’s favor and strength. This encourages me not only as an artist but as a mother, employee; in every aspect of my life. I am bound for greatness because God’s power strengthens me.”
“For me, faith means continuing to persevere without knowing what comes next because confidence exists in knowing everything will be okay in the end,” said Althea. “So when I go through trying times in life, I refuse to give up easily because of my strong faith. God has shown me that my music will inspire others. I write to touch someone’s heart rather than just to have another song on my belt.”
FUN FACTS ABOUT ALTHEA
Making it through the pandemic: I worked the entire pandemic as a hotel manager. Our guests were Covid patients and first responders. It was a scary time for us all. I was happy that I am able to say I made it through that tough time without bringing harm to my family and/or getting sick myself.
Currently listening to: I am now listening to Ari Lennox’s latest album. Her previous work is on my playlist as well as Naomi Raine, Beyonce (of course), Garnett Silk, Fred Hammond, and Kirk Franklin to name a few.
Favorite performance venues: The Uptown, Bronx, and Brooklyn Night Markets. I loved that the audience was not there with the purpose of hearing my music. The majority were there to eat and shop and so I gained new fans from various backgrounds.
Favorite self-care routine: Sometimes a simple mani/ pedi goes a long way. It affords me a little getaway from work and mom life.
Favorite show to binge-watch: I just re-watched seasons four and five of “A Different World.” I used to watch the reruns as a child but as an adult, I find the show hilarious and informative.
Favorite songs to perform: Free Your Mind. I love singing it and love how it makes people feel when they hear it. It’s another one of my empowering songs with a hook that states, “Sister you gotta free your mind! All he do is waste your time.” The ladies love that song, but the guys usually hit me up after and try to convince me they aren’t always that bad. This happens every time I sing the song. It tickles me so.
Althea’s music and information can be found on all social media and streaming platforms via the handle @sangthea_.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
An Author and Her Music
An Author and Her Music
Renée Watson speaks of her deep love for music, where it came from and how she uses it in her writing career.
WG: Tell us about your own experience with singing, whether in childhood or college years.
Renée: I grew up in a very musical family. My grandfather, who lived with us, played the piano and had a beautiful singing voice. He had an expansive collection of records, and I remember listening to his records and signing along with them, putting on shows in the living room. Once I was old enough to sing in the church choir, I joined the youth choir, and for the rest of my childhood through early college, I sang in the choir and on the praise team at church. In high school, I toured with a local nondenominational gospel choir. We sang at local events, but the best part was traveling to sing at concerts and special programs all throughout the United States and Canada.
I also attended a performing arts high school, and my focus was theater, so I did lots of musicals and still love a good Broadway score even now.
WG: How do you implement music into your daily life?
Renée: In the mornings, I listen to it as I get ready for the day. I usually play something inspirational, so I can ground myself for the day. When I’m walking through the city, I play something upbeat, and I always play music when I’m writing.
WG: Congratulations on one of your recent releases, WAYS TO SHARE JOY. What music artist do you think each of the characters listens to?
Renée: Ryan: Mary Mary
Ray: Wizkid & Lecrae
Grandma: Tasha Cobbs, CeCe Winans
Dad: Anything old school hip-hop & old school 90’s R&B
Mom: Jill Scott, India Arie
KiKi: SZA
Amanda: Doja Cat
WG: How does music play a part in your writing process?
Renée: Music keeps me focused. Playing music that goes along with the theme of the story really helps me connect with the emotional arc of the story and keeps me staying true to the character’s feelings and desires.
WG: In writing on Florence Mills, what inspired you most about her music career?
Renée: I was really drawn to Florence’s age. By the time she was seven years old, she was already singing and performing on renowned stages and refusing to do shows to segregated audiences. I knew right away that I wanted to share her story with young readers and encourage them to use their voices for something good, no matter their age.
WG: What is your favorite instrument to listen to, and why?
Renée: Oh, I can’t pick just one. The jazz lover in me is having a hard time with this one. I think it’s a tie between the trumpet (Miles Davis) and the saxophone (John Coltrane). I also think there’s nothing better than a drum solo.
WG: What is an ideal concert experience for you?
Renée: I love small, intimate venues.
WG: Who has put on one of the best concerts you have ever enjoyed in your life?
Renée: Gospel: Fred Hammond and R&B: Beyoncé .
WG: Which artist/music creative would you love to collaborate with, or write about?
Renée: I think Jazmine Sullivan would be a great person to collaborate with given the themes I write about. If Love Is a Revolution ever gets adapted for the screen, I’d love for her to work on the soundtrack. I’d love to work with Lauryn Hill if Piecing Me Together goes to the screen. I think she’d add so much texture to Jade’s story.
WG: We like to ask everyone this question about their faith and relationship with God so Renée, what does faith mean to you?
Renée: For me, faith means nothing without works. I often reflect on the scripture James 2:14-26, which talks about putting action behind our values and not merely talking about what we believe but showing what we believe by how we show up in the world, in real practical ways. The scripture says, Faith without works is dead, and I try to live my life that way.
WG: With this, how does God speak to you personally through music?
Renée: I look at gospel music as love letters—an exchange of promises, of deep admiration, of longing, of unspeakable joy. Sometimes God speaks to me, reminding me of his promises, bringing me comfort, and telling me to hold on. Sometimes, I speak to him, thanking him and reminding myself of what he’s already done, how he’s provided, and asking him to continue. Gospel anchors me and brings me back to a place of peace when life feels overwhelming.
WG: Speaking of gospel music, who is your favorite gospel artist and how do their lyrics speak to you?
Renée: Fred Hammond. His songs have been the soundtrack to some of the best and worst times in my life. His music always speaks directly to my heart. Urban Gospel is popular now, but 30+ years ago the idea of mixing the sounds of a gospel choir with urban music and worship music did not exist. I remember being in middle and high school listening to my cassette tapes of Commissioned and later my CDs of Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ—those songs felt so familiar but also new. They had the substance of the old hymns I grew up on, the beat and flavor of my generation’s music, and the depth of worship music with lyrics taken straight from scripture. Just brilliant. Not to mention, his skill at songwriting, playing instruments and singing. Fred Hammond is one of the only artists that I can play at a family gathering, and the young and old alike relate to and enjoy the songs.
Renée’s Fun Facts:
Favorite Netflix Guilty Pleasure: Love is Blind and Dead to Me
Favorite cartoon when you were a child: The Flintstones
Favorite Cereal: Steel Oat Oatmeal with brown sugar & butter
Favorite Tea: London Fog or a creamy, sweet chai
Genre for your morning: Gospel
Genre for your evening: R&B
Music to hype you up before events: Depending on the event, I’ll listen to my Lauryn Hill Playlist or Beyoncé. Two Favorite Artists You Love Currently: Samara Joy and Lizzo
Two songs you currently have on rotation: Free Mind by Tems and Goodness of God by Israel & New Breed with Cristabel Clack
As we are in the holiday season, Renee shared her favorite Christmas tunes and put them into a playlist for you, our readers, to enjoy! You can access the playlist here on Spotify. Thanks for listening and taking a moment with us to get to know our award-winning author friend!
Music Is Healing
A few months, ago I was interviewing my friend Leslie about her music interests. At one point she said, “music is healing.” After taking her very quotable words in, I realized I could not agree more.
So many times, music has lifted my spirits or met me where I am. Whether afrobeats first thing in the morning or on a bus commute to liven the mood or chant-like meditation tunes to center my mind, music remedies any situation we are going through.
Music is God’s gift to us and His hand, along with love is evident in every bit. In the creative unison of chords or the harmonious blend of a choir, His anointing is felt.
I remember watching the movie “The Shack” and Octavia Spencer, who played the role of God, kept mentioning her favorite artists. Guess what, they all were! Whether a rock band, or a blues artist, THEY WERE ALL HER FAVORITES. I believe this to be true. God’s tapestry of majestic sounds and melodies has a hand print on every tune, in my opinion. He gave us minds to brilliantly dream and create. You see this most in music. It is no wonder, that music indeed, is healing.
I want to now, take you through three songs that have met and continue to meet me in different moments. One helps me be present, the second one cushions a workday at the apartment and another reminds me of family along with the good time that New Orleans always is.
Moses Sumney is genius. Let me say this again, he is genius. If you listen to his body of work, you are sure to understand why I feel this statement so strongly.
His track, “Self-Help Tape,” is accurately titled. Another friend, Chris, upon hearing this outstanding collage of audio paintings, called it “therapy.” The words, many in the language of Ghanian Twi, are enchanting and somewhat hypnotic in they lull you to be still.
I always listen to this track before I sing or when I am stressed out. It centers me, and reminds me that God is with me. Who else besides God put this beautiful orchestration of harmonies and instruments together? It’s my ear’s delight each time I press play on this song.
Jill Scott has been a longtime favorite of mine as she has consistently reminded black women of our strength and power, when this world (due to white supremacy) always pushes the narrative as far from this truth as possible. Her tune “Light of Sun” is a radiant beam of light on days when I have to focus or just mellow out. Light of the sun/ on my back are the lyrics repeated. It’s the bonus track for Light of the Sun album.
When I listen to this song, I think of the good days. The sunny days spent outside. The times with family and friends who have become family. The happy occasions that make you want to quit your jobs and live in whatever present bliss you are experiencing forever. Yep, that’s “Light of The Sun”. Easy, chill vibes that will leave you wanting to loop the song over and over and over again. I am quite thankful the track is 6 minutes and 26 seconds.
I have only visited New Orleans a couple times. This is sad to me because I have enjoyed my times there deeply so I should spend more time in this magnificent city than I have. The history and the richness of the neighborhoods and people leaves me always wanting a longer stay.
One event I have not been able to make it down for is the annual jazz festival. I hope to soon. Victory Boyd has a tune called “Jazz Festival” that really transport me back to the grand times I had when I was there. This song opens with an acoustic intro, then the singer’s soothing voice starts describing the well-known event. A favorite moment of mine, which also feels somewhat healing and restorative to me, is the break in the song where a group of young adults are teaching an elder to dance, to only then find out he can do the routine with ease. I find this comforting as this audio scene pays homage to those wiser than us, in recognizing that they indeed have seen everything under the sun. This in itself, brings about a sort of peace as I think about my loved ones, those present and those who has passed away and become ancestors.
The Power of Lofi Music in Your Daily Routine
All my life, I have enjoyed the words and the beats of songs. The harmony of choruses and the brilliance of metaphors in my favorite tunes. But let me tell you something, as I have gotten older I prefer a good instrumental. Give me a solid track with genius musicians doing their thing. Somehow, in space, I discovered lofi. Instrumental lofi to exact. It has become a portal to effectively zone out and be productive in my work-from-home life. It has made my apartment a place of rest and solitude.
Lofi is a short term for “low fidelity,” and is defined as “a low-quality recording with audible imperfections, such as background noise or performance mistakes, recorded with inexpensive equipment—the opposite of high fidelity or hi-fi production.” I love the imperfections. One of my highlights is hearing birds singing or cups of coffee being poured to introduce the song. The texture of the music in a lofi track reminds me of the sound quality of a cassette tape, so of course, the nostalgia kicks in with each listen. Heck, I still have a WHOLE collection of cassette tapes from my younger years (I was indeed a teen of the 90s). For this reason alone I have come to prefer lofi as one of my consistent, daily soundtracks.
So let’s talk about the health benefits of lofi, because they are an added bonus to the smooth, easy beats. This genre of music “helps the front lobe in our brain to focus – those flaws or low hums can also put the brain in the mindset to focus.” In this article referenced, it makes the point that lofi has been a hit with students for awhile now specifically during studying. The fact that mosts lofi tracks do not have words, means there are no distractions. This makes so much sense to me, as I routinely I am able to focus during my own work time.
“Lo-fi study music also helps increase brain activity, essentially because of the Attention Drainage Effect Theory which affirms that lo-fi sounds drain distractions by allowing the brain to subconsciously and selectively focus on a task while music is playing in the background.” - JapanNamkama.co.uk
Lofi also helps me relax. I immediately feel calmer mentally and physically when I pull out my playlists. The music’s “soft chill beats actually lull your brain to slow down and tune out stress.” (JapanNamkama.co.uk) The orchestrations of sound make my home a happy place. I mean, all music does that, but there is something about that lofi feel when I want music with no distractions.
A couple lofi tracks I really enjoy are “No Good Thing-Instrumental” by Darla Baltazar. She is born and based in the Phillipines and continually adds to her melodic catalogue of tunes. This track was originally done with words, so imagine my joy when I found the instrumental.
Another artist I extremely enjoy is Rottendam native Glimlip. I think I learned of him early on in my lofi journey. Talk about ease, his work finds me where I am. Green Heart is one my favorites.
Sarah, the illstrumentalist’s music has become one of my recent quality findings. Born in Raleigh, NC and now based in Los Angeles, Sarah is a producer and content creator who I was happy to stumble upon in my Spotify searches. Monarch Butterflies has the perfect lofi vibes for with a solid of a two-step beat.
I’ve curated a playlist of lofi music for your enjoyment. You can listen to it here. I hope it adds a bit of joy and calm to your day and helps you to focus. I hope it makes the to-do lists a little sunnier. The benefits of lofi music runs deep, but it’s my hope that you experience it for yourself and add it to your day-to-day routine.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Three Reasons to Attend the Uptown Night Market Experience!
Anika Dara.
summerbaby and Lee Taylor.
Host AJ Ryan.
summerbaby.
Dan Kiernan.
Amanda Davis.
Photos by Johnncy Ryan.
If you’ve never been to a night market, make it your mission to attend the Uptown Night Market, taking place in New York City this summer and fall. Night markets are bazaars that take place at night and are generally open-air style events dedicated to leisurely strolling, shopping, eating, and listening to music, which originated in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Chinatowns in several other regions of the world
Here are three reasons to attend this summer:
Bring your whole family. Last summer, I had the opportunity to attend the Uptown Night Market at 133rd and 12th Ave. at the Harlem Viaduct. Organized by Masc Hospitality, the same organization behind the Bronx Night Market, which had been running for the last four years. I was elated to find out this street festival — with live music — was being held in my very own neighborhood. When I attended, I noticed that people of all ages came out to enjoy the family-friendly event, filled with excellent music, cuisine, and merchants..
Support local vendors and businesses. This year, 2022, I am happy to report that the Uptown Night Market is now happening every month until November. In addition to this, the Bronx Night Market is celebrating five years at Fordham Plaza. Every second Thursday of the month and last Saturday of the month, the street festivals take place in Harlem and the Bronx. Local vendors are on hand to sell their clothing, candles, soaps, and jewelry, among other things. Food carts and trucks also line the street and plaza for one of the biggest monthly block parties in the boroughs.
The City Love NYC experience. Also, new this year, the music line-up features City Love NYC, which I founded with my good friend Brandon Camphor in 2016 at The Bitter End, in the West Village. It has been our delight to watch the show grow. So you can imagine how excited I was when Masc Hospitality invited us to partners. Every month, at both the Uptown Night Market and the Bronx Night Market, our neighbors in both boroughs can enjoy a full City Love NYC show featuring the City Love NYC band. Each set features three local artists and is hosted by AJ Ryan and AshtnMrtn. This spring and summer alone, we have featured music from Althea Walker, summerbaby, Dan Kernan, Amanda Davis, Anika Dara, and Lee Taylor.
So if you are in the NYC area, we invite you all to come out and join us on the second Thursday of the month in Harlem, or the last Saturday of the month in Fordham Plaza of the Bronx for a good, electric, positive time!
For more information and to keep up with our dates, please follow @citylovenyc on Instagram as well as @bronxnightmarket and @uptownnightmarket.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
The Joy of Christy Bee
“I experienced for myself the transformative power of God’s love and so my prayer is that everyone I am associated with, experiences that as well.”
WG: Tell us about your upbringing.
Christy Bee: I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and honestly I didn't understand how special that was until I began interacting with people who were born and raised elsewhere. Growing up in Brooklyn cultivated a sass, energy, and wittiness in me that is pertinent to who I am today and who I am becoming. It has also cultivated a hunger in me for more than what I know and see. That is part of what drives me.
As a child, I was your typical nerd. I always had my nose in a book or was spending my free time doing math and science work just for fun. I had a very strong imagination and wanted to create an entirely new reality than what I experienced at home, so math, the arts, and sciences captivated my attention. I loved anything that inspired creativity so I was also interested in poetry, music, storytelling, and even fashion.
WG: How do you support and encourage the women in your community?
Christy Bee: I'm a woman who does many different things. I'm a preacher, author, teacher, worship leader, mentor, and entrepreneur. I am also a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. And while I am many different things to many different people, how I show up to the places and relationships God has called me to, is the same —with care, intention, honor, and encouragement.
When I was 11 years old, I suffered from depression, low self-esteem, and self-hate to the point where I did not see a reason to live. Although I grew up in a large family (I have five siblings) I felt completely alone and misunderstood. These things plagued my soul and by the time I was 12, I had already made several attempts to end my life. Thankfully they all were unsuccessful and believe me when I say, that was nothing but the love and mercy of God toward me. At such a young age, my life was void of hope and I believed the lies that I wasn't loved, would never be enough and that life would never get better.
The hardships of growing up in a large family parented by immigrants convinced me that life wasn't worth living, but all of that changed when I was met with the love of Jesus. He spoke a different narrative than that of my life experiences. He told me that He loved me, that He was there to be my friend, and that He had a better plan for my life than what I had already experienced. He didn't shame me for my mistakes or make me feel worse about myself. Instead, He drew me into His arms and just loved me. Experiencing the unconditional love of God at that moment transformed how I saw my life, myself, and those around me. It didn't make my life perfect, but it set me on a journey of healing, deliverance, and breakthrough with Him.
That initial encounter I had with Him completely changed the trajectory of my life. Knowing that He spared me from premature death and seeing the transformation I underwent walking with Him, I felt compelled at the tender age of 12, to give my life over to serving Him and snatching lives out of the fire like we're admonished to do in Jude 23. So when I think of how I show up to empower the community of women and men that God has gifted me influence with, it stems from the experience I had at 12 years old. I experienced for myself the transformative power of God's love and so my prayer is that everyone I am associated with, experiences that as well. I want people to know that there is more to life than the trauma, pain, loss and betrayals they have experienced--because of Jesus' life and sacrifice, we have access to a more abundant life and it's here for the taking!
WG: When did you start your career as a singer-songwriter?
Christy Bee: I honestly have been singing all my life--music and singing have always been an integral part of my church experience and family life growing up! I remember being a toddler running around my family home humming tunes and singing along to the worship music my parents would play. My journey singing in the public eye began when I sang in front of a crowd for the first time when I was four years old at my home church's annual Christmas show. From that point on I was always a part of my church's choirs and plays.
I attended a performing arts high school--Edward R. Murrow High school--and majored in Vocal Music which is where I sang with the ERMHS Gospel Chorus, led by Ms. Cheryl Johnson. My time at Murrow was amazing--I was trained and developed and even built up in my self-esteem and boldness. After spending years hating myself and having low self-worth, God used my time under Ms. Johnson's care in the Gospel Chorus to build me up and set me on a path of self-discovery, creativity and boldness. I am forever grateful for my years there! In terms of songwriting, I can't recall sitting down to write songs in my earlier years of life, but I always spent time making up songs on the fly about the things I saw around me, or the experiences I was having. 2014 marks when I officially sat down and intentionally wrote my first full song, and I haven't stopped since.
WG: Can you tell us a bit about who inspires you and why?
Christy Bee: My sister Jennifer is honestly a big inspiration to me. I have always been inspired by her tenacity, grit, and strength. She has sickle cell anemia and was always in and out of hospitals during our childhood and young adult years, but through all of the pain and hardships with her health, she still strives to live and enjoy life. She not only travels and likes to have a good time, but she is currently pursuing her dreams and passions as a licensed cosmetologist and multi-disciplinary creative. She inspires me to show up, pursue my passions and throw punches back at what tries to knock me out, all while having fun while doing it!
WG: What has been your biggest struggle as a creative?
Christy Bee: My biggest struggle as an artist and creative has been finding safe places to create that aren't competitive in nature or filled with evil intent. It's easy to find people to collaborate with, but it takes time to find the right people with the right hearts to create, build and dream with. I've had a few hiccups along the way and have encountered many counterfeits, but thankfully God has gifted me with people who have the same heart and mind to serve God with their gifts and talents. These individuals also create with no competition or envy. They aren't looking to take advantage or push their own agendas but are Kingdom-minded and want to make Jesus proud!
WG: How do you practically live out your faith?
Christy Bee: Faith is one of the driving forces of my life that impacts every aspect of who I am and what I do. Some of the ways that I live it out practically include caring for the poor, being intentional to encourage and pray for those around me, and choosing to love in a world full of fear, evil, and hate. It's not always easy to live out my faith because there are so many ideas, narratives, and voices that oppose anything relating to Jesus, but I see it as an honor to courageously be a light in a world full of darkness. And it brings me joy to live out my faith in a way that makes God proud.
WG: What has God shown you as you continue to grow?
Christy Bee: God has shown me how faithful He is to His promises and also how committed He is to complete the work He's started in me. He doesn't expect me to know all the answers or be today where I want to be next year, but He is patiently guiding me as I become and leading me along the best pathway for my life as He promises in Psalm 32:8. Through the years I've walked with Him, He has taught me that the journey is more important than the destination.
Often we can get so caught up in getting that job, reaching that goal, or hitting that milestone that we miss out on the beauty of the road that leads us there. So I've learned to enjoy the scenic route and press on even when it's uncomfortable and I don't know what's next. Overall, God has shown me that He can be trusted--with my life, my heart, my dreams, my concerns, heartaches, and fears--and because I can trust Him, I will follow Him anywhere for the rest of my days!
WG: What has brought you happiness while dealing with the pandemic?
Christy Bee: During the pandemic, I found a lot of happiness in (1) songwriting, (2) working out, (3) dreaming again and (4) shopping. Sadly we experienced a lot of loss and grief, but even amidst all of the suffering, we were given the opportunity to re-calibrate and dream a new dream for our lives, relationships, and future. For that, I will forever be grateful.
WG: Who's on your current music playlist?
Christy Bee: I have been listening to a lot of Miranda Curtis' songs recently-- I love how spirit-filled and passionate she is in her worship.
WG: Which of your songs is your favorite to perform? *
Christy Bee: "Secure (Psalm 91)" is one of my favorite songs to perform--I love how it pulls on different types of music that I like and has a good groove. But overall the words of that song mean so much to me, performing it live is always special!
WG: What do you do to rest?
Christy Bee: One of my favorite things to do to rest and pour into myself is to go on a prayer walk in my neighborhood or go hiking at my favorite scenic route/mountain. I find joy in seeing the beauty of God's creation and spending time honoring it that way. I also enjoy watching Nigerian movies and reality TV shows like “Married At First Sight.”
WG: As we close, what else do you want our readers to know about you?
Christy Bee: I'm the founder of the Decided Nation Movement™ which empowers men, women, boys, and girls to live out their God-given identity, authority, and purpose in Christ. Our vision is to empower people to decide to pursue Christ, transformation, and purpose with all that they have and with no apologies or fear. We're all about seeing people choose the promises of God for them and living out His purpose for them.
Christy’s debut EP "There Is More" is available on all digital music outlets, including Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Prime Music, and Pandora. You can also find her books and merchandise on her website: www.thechristybee.com.
A Moment with Sarah Téibo
“Whatever you do, do not limit GOD. ”
Editor’s Note: In the pandemic year of 2020, Sarah Téibo graciously blessed us with an Instagram live interview. She waited up into the wee hour of the night to be on NYC time at 7pm even! We wanted to feature her so that our readers would have a chance to get to know her, in the event they missed our original conversation.
Though born in the U.K., I also grew up in Nigeria in a home filled with music. My earliest memories of music come from listening to Motown classics with her from the age of three or four. Both of my parents are music lovers, and my mother, in particular, listened to a lot of classic Soul, R&B, and Motown music. My dad loved a bit of African High Life, so you could say I had a good balance of contemporary and traditional music, which to a large extent has influenced my taste in music - both what I enjoy listening to and what I write. I started singing in church choirs at the age of 10 and I struggled to find music I loved based on what I was accustomed to listening to but gradually found some great urban/ contemporary artists, including The Clark Sisters, Fred Hammond, Kim Burrell to name a few. By my teenage years, I was writing songs that were greatly influenced by R&B, Jazz, and Soul with an infusion of Gospel.
My first single was released in 2015 and I’ve since gone on to release 3 studio albums with my latest being Restored. I write and share music that I hope reaches and bless as many people as possible. The core message of the songs on the albums is one of encouragement and inspiration. In life, we experience different kinds of setbacks and need to hear uplifting messages ever so often. I personally experienced the tragedy of losing my mother during the process of recording my second album in 2017. It was a very difficult time for me and I found it hard to see the blessings that were around me because of my loss. Songs from the album turned out to be a source of strength for me, especially the title track ‘Keep Walking’. This is why my prayer has always been that everyone who listens to my music would find encouragement for whatever situation they might be passing through. My mother is my inspiration. She taught me faith, resilience, and the importance of creating a lasting legacy for the next generation.
Although it’s been a mixture of highs and lows, I am most proud of being able to constantly write, produce and release music.
It can feel very tasking, especially when coupled with the all-important promotion and marketing activity that needs to go along with it but what I think makes it all worthwhile is seeing and hearing from the thousands of people who not only listen to my music but also tell me first-hand how they’ve been blessed, touched and in some instances even healed by listening.
Although it’s been a mixture of highs and lows, I am most proud of being able to constantly write, produce and release music. It can feel very tasking, especially when coupled with the all-important promotion and marketing activity that needs to go along with it but what I think makes it all worthwhile is seeing and hearing from the thousands of people who not only listen to my music but also tell me first-hand how they’ve been blessed, touched and in some instances even healed by listening. All of this gives me a real sense of accomplishment.
I think one of the biggest ‘flaws in the system’ of the music scene today is the way we consume music. This is because we’re now in a culture that has drifted from the practice of paying for music and immersing ourselves in entire projects (aka albums) that take us through a musical journey, to consuming music for free and in short doses (aka singles). Unfortunately, I don’t think this is sustainable for independent, self-funded artists like myself and possibly for the music industry as a whole.
Through everything God has taught me to be receptive to what He is doing through my gift and also to be responsive to what is happening around me as I continue to hone my craft and ministry.
Faith is not just what we profess, but how we conduct ourselves and demonstrate ourselves as an extension of God’s kingdom on earth. I think living out our faith practically cannot be done if we are not walking in love with those around us - including those we may think are undeserving.
In dealing with the pandemic, I have learned the importance of taking things one day at a time. I have learned to cherish every moment spent with my family. My husband and two daughters are my biggest supporters so our time together is so important to me.
Sarah’s Seven
I’m currently listening to Red Hands and Manor Collective
All my music is available on all streaming platforms
My favorite space to perform is Big Church Day Out. This is the UK’s largest Christian festival and to see tens of thousands of people raising their voices in worship, gives you a taste of what heaven must be like.
I enjoy going on retreats and spa breaks to have some much-needed ‘me time’ and also to reflect.
I don’t binge TV shows lol!
My favorite song to perform is ‘Blessed.’
My favorite verse is “I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” Psalms 121:1-2 NLT
My final word to you, the reader is this: Whatever you do, do not limit GOD. Thanks for spending time with me today.
Singer-Songwriter Adegail on Being Who God Created You To Be
“I try to use all of my skills to equip, empower, encourage and educate women and men alike to be all that God has created them to be.”
What a delight to chat with singer-songwriter, Adegail (such a lovely name!). Currently based in the U.K., Adegail has two singles available for your listening pleasure, including her latest song Strength. Enjoy this conversation and be sure to follow her on Instagram to keep up with her music.
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WG: Where did you grow up and what were your interests in your growing years?
Adegail: I grew up in church, in England, and for as long as I can remember, music has been a part of my life. I started playing the guitar at age 10 and that continued throughout my life. I also was in a gospel choir in primary school and have continued singing in and directing choirs since then. That developed into leading worship at age 18, doing covers online, and now writing and releasing my own original songs.
WG: When did you start writing and singing?
Adegail: I only started writing properly in 2019 but started singing and performing in church choirs when I was in my pre-teens.
WG: What are you most proud of in the work that you do?
Adegail: The fact that I’m able to empower other people to use their gifts and talents. My work and the effort I put into it inspires others to do the same. I’ve seen this in particular over the last two years when I started doing iRadiate workshops and events to equip musicians globally.
WG: What has been your biggest struggle as an artist/ creative?
Adegail: Being brave enough to do things creatively that haven’t necessarily been done before, while also using the resources I have and just trusting that God will make it all work out …. (He always makes a way!).
WG: Is there a verse, quote, or life mantra that you live by?
Adegail: We are blessed to be a blessing. Shine your light.
WG: What has God shown you as you continue to grow in your craft or career?
Adegail: Obedience is not about our convenience many times. Being traditionally very shy, I have learned to overcome ‘self’ to be effective for the Kingdom of God and my community.
WG: What do you do to rest and pour into yourself?
Adegail: Being part of a loving, like-minded community is important and helps me a lot. I listen to a lot of music, as you can guess. Reading the Bible is also the obvious way to recharge as there really are no substitutes.
WG: Who inspires you and why?
Adegail: I particularly get inspired by women of colour who are trailblazing within their chosen industry - starting from my own mother to Sarah Teibo (UK), Tasha Cobbs, and even my childhood inspiration, Tori Kelly. I take inspiration from a range of creatives known and unknown - I think that’s important.
WG: Tell us more about what you do and how you empower the community of women around you.
Adegail: I’m a singer-songwriter, guitar tutor, event organizer, worship leader, and more. I try to use all of my skills to equip, empower, encourage, and educate women and men alike to be all that God has created them to be. It’s an honor to be seen as a role model in various spaces.
WG: Anything else that you want our readers to know about you?
Adegail: I’m excited to host my third live recording later this year and look forward to sharing some new songs at the right time!
“We are blessed to be a blessing. Shine your light.”
Click to enjoy adegail’s latest single.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Audrey Marie on the Importance of Women in Music
In history, women were known to be a support for men. So much has developed since then, but we still tend to face battles where women are not respected as much as men. Creativity still comes as a surprise when it is from women. As an artist, I want to support other women and share that it is alright to put yourself out there as a creative. We have the freedom to express ourselves!
Audrey Marie is a singer whose purpose is standing up for women and all we deserve in the creative world. She hails from Mississauga, Ontario Canada and recently released a track Fireflies available on all streaming platforms. If you look into her library, you will also find her debut album, Healing, as well. Learn more about her life and work from our recent interview below.
WG: Where did you grow up and what were your interests during your childhood, teen years?
Audrey Marie: I grew up in the city of Mississauga (Ontario, Canada). I was born into a Filipino Christian home. My dad is a pastor and church planter, so I grew involved in so many ministries. I enjoy using my creative mind with different skills, such as visual arts and music. I loved spending time with my family and friends and being part of various social gatherings.
WG: When did you start writing and singing?
Audrey Marie: I started writing songs at the age of 16. I started singing at the age of 2. My Lola (Grandma) enrolled me in voice lessons at eight-years-old, and the journey went on from there.
WG: Who are some singers that inspire you?
Audrey Marie: Musically - I grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland & Billie Holiday and I was vocally very influenced by them. But these days, my music is inspired by Tori Kelly, Stephen Day, Terrian and Jonathan Ogden. These are Christian/ modern artists who inspire me with their personal stories and their musical genre and talents. They choose to put themselves out there as artists, and I have so much respect for that. Spiritually speaking, my family and friends are a huge inspiration. Their love and support has been such a great blessing from God. They reassure me everyday that music is a huge calling I have from God and I should always keep going. Their own personal lives are a huge testimony to that and motivates and encourages me to keep seeking God throughout my musical journey.
WG: What are you most proud of in the work that you do?
Audrey Marie: I am most proud of the community that was built from my music. I love connecting with everyone and hearing their personal stories about how my songs can relate to their life. It’s a chance for God's good news to connect with them.
WG: What has been your biggest struggle as an artist/ creative?
Audrey Marie: My biggest struggle is facing my insecurities. Sometimes I worry about what other people think. Sometimes I take other people's opinions too personally. But at the end of the day though, I know what I am doing is a calling from God and His guidance reassures me that everything will be okay.
WG: What would you consider your life verse?
Audrey Marie: Ephesians 2:10- For we are God’s masterpiece created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
WG: How do you practically live out your faith?
Audrey Marie: My faith is my relationship with my God. He is the best thing about me. He is the one who knows me for who I am and loves me even at my worst. He chooses to continue to give His divine grace to me every day. This fact encourages me to give grace and love to my other brothers and sisters every day.
WG: As you continue to grow in your career, what has God shown you?
Audrey Marie: God has and continues to show me that we are all His masterpieces. He has created us in His beautiful image. We are all made so differently, and the way we face the world is so different from another. So that motivates me to keep sharing my gift with others and encourage others, reminding them that they are a masterpiece.
WG: During the pandemic, what brought you joy?
Audrey Marie: As much as it's been very hard during the pandemic of 2020, I have gained a lot of blessings during that time. I could not see a lot of people, so I started to put myself first and focusing on my craft as a musician. I spent a lot of time in rest, silence and personal time with God. From those moments, I learned how to value and love myself. I wouldn't have gotten the courage to release music if it weren't for the pandemic.
Since I started releasing music recently, I haven't gotten the chance to perform anywhere. I have performed live virtually to a song I made last year called "Painted Smile.” Also, I am a worship leader so I love leading worship for a ministry called Mississauga Connect. It is hosted in a Dance studio called Kindred Culture Headquarters.
WG: What song do you currently have on rotation?
Audrey Marie: Right now I am listening to “This Year” by Sire. It is such a great song!
WG: How can our audience follow your work?
Audrey Marie: You can find me on all musical platforms (Spotify, Apple music, Amazon music, youtube, Pandora & Deezer). I have a Instagram account where you can see my visual work @Audreymarie.co and I have a YouTube channel where you see my music videos and interactive videos via Audrey Marie.
WG: How do you make time for rest?
Audrey Marie: I love to make crafts. I am currently making candles for fun. I also play video games, watch movies with friends and have prayer time with God.
WG: What show did you most recently binge?
Audrey Marie: My most recent TV show binge was “All Of Us Are Dead.” I really loved it, but not because the show was amazing. But because I watched it with my best friends and we cracked jokes while watching the show.
WG: Who cheers for you the loudest in your community?
Audrey Marie: My top three best friends: Tori Flores, Shyanne Ocray & Charmaine Castro
WG: How do you empower the community of women around you?
Audrey Marie: I am currently working as a Graphic Designer and a Worship Leader. I love to interact with people in a very artistic way. I know it can be very intimidating to put yourself out there as a woman. In History, women were known to be a support for men. So much has developed since then, but we tend to face battles where women are not respected and men. Creativity still comes as a surprise when it is from women. And as an artist, I want to support other women and share that it is alright to put yourself out there as a creative. We have the freedom to express ourselves!
WG: Any final words you want to leave with our readers?
Audrey Marie: I love to connect with other people! If ever you want to reach out and have a fun conversation, feel free to message or interact with me on my Instagram via @Audreymarie.co. Don't forget that you are God's masterpiece. You have a wonderful purpose in this world. He is using you to do great and amazing things! Lastly, since we are all children of God, I love you all.
The Official Lyric Video for “Focus” which is also featured on our March playlist celebrating Women’s History Month.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
A Cozy Chat with Natalie Forteza
Natalie Forteza and WG Music Editor Kendolyn Walker in conversation.
As Natalie Forteza sat in her Mid-Hudson Valley office and me in my Harlem apartment, we discovered that we share a love for Sadé, Jimmy Fallon, and Ted Lasso. During our Zoom call, we exchanged laughs and her passion for music was evident as she enthusiastically spoke about the writing process, performances, and her journey as an artist.
Natalie’s latest tracks, "What Christmas Should Always Be" and "Who's She" are available on all streaming platforms. I encourage you to take them in, and while you do, continue reading below to learn more about this brilliantly authentic New York-based singer-songwriter.
WG: Tell us more about you and your background - where did you grow up and what were your interests growing up?
Natalie: I’m Texas-born but New York-raised. Around the age of 3 or 4 years old my family—my mom, dad, brother, and I moved to NY from Texas. Up until the age of 12 or 13 we moved every few years. We never lived in NYC, we lived North of the city in different towns of Westchester County, and later we migrated further North to Putnam County. When I got married, my husband & I moved to lower Dutchess County and have remained here for the past 15 years. The Hudson Valley area, and my family upbringing, are the frame in which I’ve grown into the person I am today. It’s always hard to say where I grew up because we moved around a lot the earlier part of my life, and while I have treasured memories in every place we’ve lived, home was always felt wherever my family was.
I was raised by amazing parents. My Mama, Nannette, is Venezuelan-born with some French lineage (and Spanish ancestry somewhere in there too), and my Dad, Antonio, was Puerto Rican with Spanish ancestry [Antonio was my step-dad on paper, but he was always "Dad." He’s the father that raised me to the fullest of its meaning]. My Dad and my Mom gave me my baby sister Adriana. My biological father, Omar, was Colombian, and although I never had the chance the share this world with him, he gave me my brother Anwar, and two sisters Jessika & Alejandra.
Growing up my interests were many, like nature (we often went camping), animals, really anything art! Photography, drawing, painting… I loved it all! I was in my glory when I got new art supplies and even now I still have to exercise restraint in an art supply shop! The pinnacle of my art store visits was when I got a Bob Ross painting set (I never could get those landscapes right though). While I loved it all, i I don’t think I was that great at the visual arts (although I’m thankful my Mom is so sweet to still have some of my watercolors proudly on her wall lol).
“The constant current underneath it all has always been my love for music. I have always been in love with music.”
The constant current underneath it all has always been my love for music. I have always been in love with music. My mother joined the church choir, and she played the Cuatro occasionally at home, but we weren’t necessarily a musical family in the sense that we had musicians in the family, we were just a family that deeply loved music. Music was always on. We listened to a lot of different genres of music: Pop, R&B, Jazz, Opera, Classical, Latin, New Age, and World music. I was fascinated with Opera when I was really little. I’d be held in a trance staring at the TV watching PBS specials, in awe of the spectacular sounds coming out of their mouths! I might be the only kid that wanted to invite other kids over to watch Opera (no surprise that no children came, just Mom). Other than blasting The Police in the car, the music that floods the soundtrack of my childhood the most was Brazilian jazz like that of Joao Gilberto (along with Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, and company), along with Venezuelan folk music like that of Serenata Guayanesa. All of these, hold a golden place in my heart.
It's so hard to explain what it does to my soul when I hear this music, it feels like home. When I hear that music, I close my eyes and reminisce on the afternoons we spent in the yard, swinging in the hammocks, playing with my little sister in the sandbox, Mama’s pitcher of iced tea, being in the kitchen while she cooked, setting the table for company, the many walks we did around the neighborhood and the smell of campfires. Like they say, music transports.
WG: Tell us more about what you do and how you empower the community of women around you.
Natalie: I'm a singer and songwriter. While I look forward to the day that writing, recording, and touring (and being on Jimmy Fallon) become my full-time vocation, I also have the honor of working part-time for a woman-owned and operated health + beauty brand, Cold Spring Apothecary.
It’s hard for me to say how I might empower the community of women around me, as they would know more than I. I’d like to think that I offer them the kind of space to be themselves, to be heard and listened to and to be seen without judgment; how I would want to be empowered and supported. We can be awfully hard on ourselves, so I do feel that it’s important we surround ourselves with people we admire, who we can be honest with, who can see who we are and who we can be even through our shortcomings, and can intervene or come to our defense when we’re not kind or true to ourselves.
WG: When did you start writing and singing?
Natalie: I always sang, I sang in the car wherever we went, I sang in the shower (for the acoustics of course), but it was always timidly in the comfort of my nuclear family. It wasn't until my mid-teens that I worked up the nerve to put myself in front of people, starting at church, then Chorus and concert productions in high school. Even though I had vivid dreams of being a singer, an artist, it felt like a faraway dream and an unlikely reality.
I chickened out auditioning for a music school, so I studied Communications in college, got a job, and tried to ignore those vivid dreams to be “more realistic.”
Before I got the chance to reconsider, in 2001 my Dad, Antonio, passed tragically in the American Airlines flight 587 crash. Needless to say, the only thing I could focus on then was my family.
I ran into a high school classmate years later, and he was surprised I hadn’t “ended up in music,” because he remembered me singing, and loving music so much in school. What he said stayed with me, and with my Dad’s passing, it was a reminder of how life can change so suddenly, so I thought I should do something about it.
I started to look for opportunities to perform, I joined a local jazz group for a short while before I felt I needed to start my own thing. There’s a long list of people I’m grateful for that led me to that decision, and that ultimately led me to who I am today. Some I had short conversations with, and others I have known for years. Having collected words of support, kindness, and encouragement from various sources led me to believe that if I was going to pave my own way, I had to find my own voice, and learn to write my own songs. I NEVER thought I’d be a songwriter. I didn’t have the chops, I didn’t come from a family of musicians, I didn’t go to school for music, I didn’t play an instrument. All these reasons were stacked up in my head. However, through the beautiful degrees of separation that is the music community, I found my musical “hermanos,” my friends and bandmates. I’ve had a blast performing and writing with my writing cohorts: Akie Bermiss (keys) and Anthony Candullo (bass) for the past 10 years.
WG: Who inspires you and why?
Natalie: Oof. I could write endless paragraphs to answer this question. I’ll try to be as concise as possible [cracks knuckles]. Musically, there are quite a few I could mention.
My foremost and steadfast muse has been and will forever be, Sade. I still pray for the day that I might have the chance to meet her and the band. Every artist/musician has a moment when they say, “That’s it! That’s what I want!” Sade (she herself, as well as the band) did it for me. Sade created a space for me. Sade helped me to find my voice. Sade broke molds. While their music had a signature sound, it blurred genre lines (in a time when hard labels were king). Their music felt organic, not trend-driven, and as a vocalist, she delivered velvety melodies without the acrobatics, and the vibe?! C’mon! She’s the Queen. Watching her was like seeing manifestations of my own dreams—the visuals, the drama, the simplicity, the depth, the stage production, the lighting, the fabric, the instrumentation, the recording production, and on and on. In a time, when labels notoriously dictated what, when and how, she seemed to defy that and live her art on her terms, and sell out huge shows. What I can say is for the young, timid, alto singer I was at the time, who didn't have the mega voice of the chart- topping legends of the time, she released me, she gave me permission to be myself, to find my own voice, and OWN it. I never wanted to emulate her, no one can, but she was living proof of the things I had only dreamed of in my head, and proof that you could be true to yourself and your craft AND still be successful.
I’m always gaining new inspiration from artists I discover, but a couple that have been with me for some time would also be Sting—a songwriter who, in my opinion, can look at a stone and write an amazing song about it! Emily King, a native New Yorker, has also carved out a space for herself and her art. Her authenticity feels so organic it seems like you could call her up to meet for coffee. She has the sweetest voice, and just writes superb, superb songs.
“My mom has had tremendous triumphs and devastating trials throughout her life and has met them both with humility, grace, humanity, authenticity, hope, perseverance, and sacrifice.”
In life, there are also many people who inspire me, but this person is the “Sade” of my personal life. My Mama. My mom has had tremendous triumphs and devastating trials throughout her life and has met them both with humility, grace, humanity, authenticity, hope, perseverance, and sacrifice. She’d never say she “lost” anything, she’ll only tell you what she gained. She truly “sees” people, her compassion is boundless, even if she disagrees with you or you’ve crossed her, she’ll tell you like it is, in her sassy-Latina-like way, but also in the nicest way. We have had some dark times, and even in the middle of it, we could find a way to laugh—like stomach-cramps-level laughing, just extraordinary. She pushes us to be our best, and always accepts us as we are. My mother has loved us at our best and at our worst. She gave us our sense of home and our sense of adventure. She’s both couture and good-ol'-classic-jeans. She’s champagne and beer. She’s whimsical and worldly, and through all of it always solidly on the ground.
WG: What are you most proud of in the work that you do?
Natalie: I keep trying and I keep learning. While I can be pretty hard on myself, I can say that I'm not afraid to work, to keep learning, to keep getting better in as much as I can. Whether it's vocal growth, performance, songwriting, time management, social media, production, or playing an instrument.
WG: What has been your biggest struggle as an artist/ creative?
Natalie: I was just about to list a few things right off the bat I struggle with, but after taking a second to think about it, it all comes down to one thing really--staying out of my own way, and more importantly, staying out of God's way is the hardest struggle. It rears its head the most often in two areas:
1. Vulnerability - mostly when it comes to live performances. I put a lot of pressure on myself, and I get in my own way to take risks, to make mistakes—I know it’s how you grow—but letting go is hard to do, and often the what I need to pray about before performing.
2. Letting go of the pressure of always being “on.” There's a lot of problem-solving involved in trying to achieve big dreams; financial constrictions, limited contacts, not having enough time, not having enough help, not having enough exposure. "how do I get to this point?” There's a lot of pressure to constantly be “on," doing something all the time to solve or work through these challenges. I believe in being a good custodian to the gifts & passions I've been given, by growing, being disciplined, and being driven. If I'm not mindful, I'll get in my own way and in God's way, stealing peace and rest from myself, keeping myself from just living life! In doing so I get in the way of relying on Him. So I need to do a better job of inviting Him, including Him in the process, in the challenges, in the failures, and in the victories. Way easier said than done of course, but it's something I'm trying to be more heedful of.
“If I'm not mindful, I'll get in my own way and in God's way, stealing peace and rest from myself, keeping myself from just living life!”
WG: Is there a verse, quote, or life mantra that you live by? If so, what is it?
Natalie: I've had some wonderful, life-changing vocal coaches, one of which was Sharon Bryant. During our sessions, she'd give me an exercise and she'd see me thinking and calculating before anything would come out of my mouth, so she'd put her hands on my shoulders, look me in the eye and say to me, "Natalie, just sing!" Those words help me to get out of my head. Creators often strive for perfection, but it really gets in the way of just doing whatever it is we need to do, including the need to make mistakes. Something I really don't like! I know it's a necessary part of the process, so I have to tell myself, "don't think, just sing." This translates into other areas too. Her words have turned into somewhat of a Nike-like slogan for other things, "don't think, just write," "just trust," "just rest." I've started to write "Just Sing" on my setlists to give myself permission to let go, and give myself over to whatever comes. Thank you for this Sharon.
WG: What does faith mean to you? How do you live it out practically? Natalie: A question that's hard to answer in just a few words. A basic definition of faith is, "a belief and trust in and loyalty to God." But it's more than that, isn’t it? To me, it's a trust-fall into God's hands. It's believing before I can see versus seeing and then believing. It's trusting God's promises. It’s an invitation, a relationship with God, through Christ.
I live it out practically knowing that I'm not perfect, my faith isn't perfect, but He is. I miss having a dad, and it helps me to understand faith, by seeing Him as a parent, my heavenly Father; He wants to provide. He wants to be invited into my life, and He wants me to trust Him even if I don't understand. And when I fall, He's there, every time. There's no question my mother loves her children; she loves all of who we are, the good and the ugly. So if I can believe that, then how much more does God love us?
WG: What has God shown you as you continue to grow in your craft/career?
Natalie: He constantly surprises me. I've thought of or prayed for something, and ever so gently or suddenly He answers it. He's given me strength-physical and mental-when I've asked for it. He's given me creative clarity and inspiration when I've asked for it. Having spent so much time by myself the last couple of years during the pandemic, when I had been so accustomed to working with others, I had to ask for His help to give me the ability, the mental bandwidth, and patience, and He answered all of it overabundantly.
Ephesians 3:20, "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."
He's also showed me to trust the "no's." Another area I struggle with, but so important to be cognizant of. Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano, known as the duo, Johnnyswim, said it best in their book Home Sweet Road, "...When God closes the door sometimes, walk away from the damn door. [Abner] You're at the wrong door [Amanda]...You're at the wrong house. On the wrong block. You know what I mean?! Keep walking, keep moving [Abner]."
WG: What has brought your happiness while dealing with the pandemic (since March 2020)?
Natalie: So much. At the height of the pandemic when we couldn't really go anywhere, picnics on a blanket in the yard made us feel like we were away, we created little seating nooks in our house, so when we made cortados and cappuccinos it made us feel like we were in a cafe somewhere. The first food we got to-go was a bacon-egg-and-cheese from a local spot in Beacon, NY [Beacon Daily]. We would drive an hour just to get out of the house to our favorite town of Hudson to buy coffee and croissants to-go from one of our favorite spots [Le Perche]. Sitting on the front stoop, watching live stream concerts over several weeks of one of our favorite artists, Amos Lee.
One of my absolute favorite things was (and still is) reading my Ian Fleming, James Bond books! They offered blissful escapism and inspired me so much that I wrote my own "Bond song," called "Love is a Gun." The thrill writing it made me so happy you would've thought Barbara Broccoli had asked me to write it for the last Bond film. We made cocktails to celebrate the song's premiere (aka uploading it to SoundCloud lol) at our favorite lounge (aka, our living room). Above all else, what not only kept us afloat through it all but helped us to find happiness amongst the chaos was, gratefulness. Grateful to be healthy, grateful to have everything we needed; work, food, a home, a peaceful home, and each other, having a partner, the best companion, my hubby by my side through it all was everything.
WG: What are you listening to right now? Who's on your music playlist?
Natalie: Ooooh ok, here goes! RY X has been on repeat for close to 2 years now! His album "Live from the Royal Albert Hall" and various classical music playlists were what got me through some of the toughest parts of the pandemic. Amos Lee is always on heavy rotation. Emily King has a permanent address in my playlists, and artists like Lianne La Havas, London Grammar, Yola, Lauren Daigle, Johnnyswim, Max Richter live in the playlist neighborhood too. Can we talk about Adele's new album, 30?! I couldn't be more thrilled for her. Most recently, I listened to Yebba's "Live at Electric Lady." wow. It's been a while since I've wanted to get lost in headphones listening to a record. She's incredible, I find myself hanging on every note that comes out of her, and what I would've given to be a fly on the wall for that session.
WG: What has been your favorite venue to perform in at this point and why?
Natalie: I have a couple of favorite venues like Daryl's House, owned by Daryl Hall, for its first-class hospitality and tremendous sound design--Pete Moshay is the best. The Falcon, also for its heartwarming hospitality, and community is its heartbeat. Tony Falco, a legend and its founder, was a champion of artists and musicians local and worldwide, and while he's no longer with us, his spirit has stayed with us all. But one of the most recent venues I had the honor of playing was the historic Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY, the sound was crystalline and getting the chance to play a historic stage like that in my backyard per se, left me pretty inspired.
WG: What do you do to rest and pour into yourself?
Natalie: Movies. Books. Croissants. And coffee. I love me some movies and a bag of Bjorn Qorn popcorn (I'm terrible at sharing popcorn though). I loved books all my life, but I feel like, for a long time, I couldn't finish them, or I didn't make enough space for them. But over the past few years, I've been able to renew my book love, and really enjoy diving into a book, so much so that I try to carve out 30 minutes at least three times a week to read. Especially if it's a Bond book, James Bond, 007. If I didn’t emphasize this point before, I am a Bond fanatic! My hubby gave me the first book of the series a few years ago, and since then I've been gobbling up the subsequent books, just loving the escapism in them. But the best is when the hubby & I can find a new or favorite spot to grab a coffee and a croissant, those moments are precious and really renew me.
WG: What was your most recent TV show binge? Why did you like it, or why didn't you like it?
Natalie: Ted Lasso! oh, man. Easily one of the best, and favorite shows ever. It was unexpected, I fell so fast in love with his character, rooting for him, and ended up rooting for so many more characters as the episodes unfolded. The character arcs were brilliantly written and executed. I belly laughed, and full-on cried. Touching on so many relatable subjects it was easy to latch onto the emotions (here comes the deep stuff). Honestly, I kinda feel like Ted sometimes, like I'm the new kid trying to convince people why I'm here. I'm often the obnoxious optimist trying to be the hypeman for myself and others (if I could walk around with a "Believe" sign I would), and I think people assume that because I'm an optimist or positive I must not have any trauma or grievances of my own. But like we learn in Ted Lasso, don't judge a book by its cover. Ted Lasso did a great job of punching through expectations and assumptions, with a full range of emotions and did it in a way that when you finished an episode you couldn't resist a smile on your face.
WG: Which of your songs is your favorite to perform?
Natalie: As of late, "Love is a Gun (a tribute to James Bond, 007)”
WG: Tell me about the top 3 people in your life who cheer the loudest for you.
Natalie: Yikes. This feels like the Hunger Games trying to narrow it down to 3 spots: #1. My husband, Saverio. That's easy. Spots #2 and #3 I'm gonna have to give to my whole family (to avoid a chancleta (a flip flop in Spanish) getting thrown at me. My mother, my siblings, my Abuela (my grandmother), and the whole family tree is shaking, cheering for me, I can feel it.
WG: Lastly, where can people find you or your work?
Natalie: www.NATALIEFORTEZA.com. My music is available on all major platforms and social media via Instagram: @natalie_forteza and Facebook: @nataliefortezamusic.
WG: Anything else that you want to share about your passions or that you want our readers to know about you?
Natalie: Random trivia? Hmm... I have a serious popcorn problem, I loooooove Popcorn. I LOVE shoes. I'm not an excessive person, but I can never have too many shoes. Maybe it's a hidden talent, maybe not, I don't know, but I have this thing, a game really, "Who's voice is that?" When watching commercials, I can usually figure out who the celebrity is in the voiceover—it’s not a superpower I know, but could be a fun talent for a skit on Jimmy Fallon one day.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
A Moment With Lauren Dukes
Everything I do is with my whole heart. It is my passion. My ministry. I want everyone to walk away from listening feeling better than the way they came.
- Lauren Dukes (LaurenDukes.Com)
Lauren Dukes is a singer from Chicago who released her self-titled EP in September of 2021, in the midst of the challenges of the pandemic. After years of singing in venues in her hometown, releasing her first project was a huge career milestone and one which Lauren dedicated to those who lost their lives to COVID-19.
Get to know Lauren Dukes below, as she talks about her hometown, her music, her community, favorites, and most importantly, her inspiration.
Her hometown
WG: Are you born and raised in Chicago?
LD: Yes, born in "Chi-City." Didn’t move to Indiana til I was 13. Spent so much time here even after moving, it hadn't felt like I left until around 2012.
WG: What aspects of Chicago do you enjoy the most?
LD: Chicago is the hot spot for music, food, art/culture. Even if something doesn't originate here, it comes here to better itself. I love that anything you could want to do can be found here.
WG: What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago
LD: Mastro's & Home of the Hoagy. This was very hard to narrow down.
Her music
WG: I really enjoy this quote from your website “Everything I do is with my whole heart. It is my passion. My ministry. I want everyone to walk away from listening feeling better than the way they came." Why do you think music is able to uplift people in the way it does?
LD: Because it IS & DOES so many different things. It's an art form, it delivers messages, it heals, and can destroy. It transcends any social construct that divides us. It has a scientifically proven effect on our physiology. Something that powerful will, of course, naturally have the ability to uplift.
WG: What were the challenges in working on your EP during the pandemic?
LD: Losing out on the energy of the whole band recording in the same environment together. I really want that vibe next time.
WG: Which of your songs is your favorite to perform?
LD: L-Boogie (On the mic)
WG: What do you love most about singing and performing?
LD: I get the chance to, hopefully, help people feel better. It's also my form of therapy
WG: What has been your favorite venue to perform in at this point?
LD: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum
WG: If you could collaborate with three people on a song, who would it be and why?
LD: *Isaiah Sharkey. I enjoy his music. There are some of his songs that remind me of Marvin Gaye. His album had such a warming effect.
*Paolo Nutini. I've overplayed his albums and seen him live. He sounds like the second coming of Otis Redding (one of my all-time faves). He has such emotion and passion in his performances. His songwriting speaks to me.
*Janelle Monae. She has material that fits into so many different genres that SHE doesn't fit into a single box as an artist. She sings. She raps. She's a great songwriter & she considers the aesthetic of her performance. She inspires me.
WG: What is your dream venue to sing in?
LD: The House of Blues with MY band. I've had the pleasure of performing there, but it wasn't with my band.
Her community, favorites, and self-care
WG: What do you do to rest and pour into yourself?
LD: I sleep whenever I can. As an insomniac, that doesn't happen often. Also, I pray and meditate as well as enjoy a decadent dinner with friends.
WG: What was your most recent TV show binge? Why did you like it, or why didn't you like it?
LD: Dopesick on Hulu. I liked it because the cast was really good. The plot of the show involved events I follow in real life (the case against the Sackler family & Purdue Pharmaceutical). I didn't like it because the case is ongoing, so technically, it didn't have an ending to the series. You're left feeling uncertain about its resolution. Real-life already is full of uncertainty. I don't like my entertainment leaving more questions behind unless I know they'll be answered.
WG: Are you a reader? If so, what was the last book you read?
LD: This question made me laugh a little because everyone knows an avid reader that won't shut up about it (like vegans or people who do Crossfit, have cryptocurrency, etc). I am a reader. The last book I read is called Letters From My Grandmother: Wisdom of Ages by Dr. Sharon Johnson. I'd like to get The Testaments by Margaret Atwood which is the sequel to Atwood’s The Handmaid's Tale. I read the first book and enjoyed it as well as the show. I'd like to see the direction the sequel takes since it took decades to get.
WG: Do you have a bucket list? If so, what are three of the items on it?
LD: I don't have a bucket list because I feel like they set people up for disappointment if they don't check off everything & that's BS. I prefer to value each day. If I had one, I'd love to visit a few countries in Africa. Then hop over to Spain & Italy.
WG: Favorite food?
LD: A medium-cooked filet Mignon w/sautéed asparagus.
WG.Favorite cartoon when you were a child?
LD: Aaaaahhh. I grew up with so many good cartoons back in my day, it's hard to pick JUST one (sobbing). My top favs were: Sailor Moon, Animaniacs, The Simpsons, Thunder Cats. If those were on, I didn't want to be disturbed. Lol
WG: Favorite singer now?
LD: This question could also result in an hour-long answer. Some top favs are Jazmine Sullivan, Yolanda Adams, Antwaun Stanley, Yebba, Jade Novah, Fatai, Tori Kelly, Peter Collins, and the unnaturally talented Ashley Jayy. There are MORE, trust me.
WG. Tell me about the top three people in your life who cheer the loudest for you.
LD: Dylan Banning & Bryan Banning. They're my sons. They regularly let me know they're proud of me. They are so understanding of my gig schedule, I sometimes can't believe they're real. The way their eyes light up when I sing brings me pure joy. I wouldn't have been able to follow my dreams without them. The third person I will list is GOD because there are many people who show me support and are full of love. I can't list them all, so I'll list who I attribute their presence in my life.
Lauren Dukes’ music is available on all streaming platforms, but you can check out her performance favorite, L-Boogie below. Many thanks to Lauren for blessing us with this interview.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
Jamila Woods: The Calming Force
“My mom played music growing up and I was in my grandma’s church choir, and then later the Chicago Children’s Choir, so I always loved music and singing. But when I got to poetry in high school it changed my perspective on what I could do as a singer. Before that, I was always in choirs and didn’t think I had the voice to be a solo singer. Through poetry, I started writing for my voice and having a message or a story I wanted to tell. The way that I approach songwriting now is definitely influenced by my work as a poet.” (LoudAndQuiet.Com)
Chicago-native singer, songwriter, and poet Jamila Woods found her individual voice in poetry although originally she never envisioned herself as a solo artist. She now uses her gift to speak life to her audience through the mediums of poetry, songwriting, and singing on stages around the world.
I first heard of Woods while taking in music from Chance The Rapper, Saba, and Noname (all Chicagoans) a few years ago. She highlights the track, Sunday Candy, by singing the chorus with a joyful tone. Sunday Candy is a tune by Donnie Trumpet & The Experiment that speaks to the power and warmth of grandmothers as well as familiar routines.
Woods’ voice is the calm that adds balance to hip hop tracks, and blends in beautifully with her own tunes’ orchestration. Whether in Chance The Rapper’s Blessings or Peter Cottontale’s Keys, Wallet, Phone, God, her voice is the element that brings balance to the beat. This makes sense as she grew up in a musical family, so it is only right that Woods would have an ear for the craft. It’s quite lovely to see that so many artists feel the same way as she has many more features under her belt.
One of her albums that I stand in awe of is LEGACY! LEGACY!. The project pays homage to Black male and female legends like artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, poet James Baldwin, and author Toni Morrison to name a few. This album is on-brand for her, as her entire catalog amplifies Black identity and the Black experience. The “GIOVANNI” track is inspired by poet Nikki Giovanni’s poem, “Ego-Tripping.” The “BASQUIAT” track delivers profound lyrics which put Woods’ poetry gifting on brilliant display. Although there is explicit language that would prevent me from playing the track around my nieces and nephew, these words deeply resonated with me:
After, after all
These teeth are not employed
You can’t police my joy, no
After, after all
My smile is not employed
You can't police my joy, no
As I think about the constant stories of policing of Black bodies, Black behavior, and Black culture that sadly fill the newsrooms or go unreported, these words remind me of what cannot be controlled: JOY. I think of the spiritual This Joy, specifically the lyrics:
This joy that I have
The world didn't give it to me
Ooh I said, the world didn't give it
The world can't take it away
In the midst of officers receiving watered-down verdicts to uncovering details about twentieth-century slavery practices, it is quite clear that Woods’ songs are needed to remind all about the strength and joy we are capable of walking in. Her songs tell the story of the faith that has carried us while enduring the challenges of white supremacy and racism.
I included the track Holy on our Black History Month playlist because it speaks to self-dependence while trusting God to provide the confidence needed to live life fearlessly and with love. Along with Holy, Blessings, and Keys, Wallet, Phone, God are songs included as well where Woods is the featured artist providing the melodic vocals that complete each track.
The permanence of Woods’ career seems to have already established itself, so I look forward to watching what’s to come for this artist. In many of her interviews, it is clear that her family and community come first. In her music, you hear her heart for Black women. The positive words, groovy feel, and vibey beats draw you in to enjoy life-changing music while taking in messages that only leave you better.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.