Brother Ali - "Faheem"

I love this song. It’s beautiful, touching, and speaks to me on multiple levels. But I can’t listen to it anymore. I have a hard time listening to this song because, even three years later, it still brings up too many bad memories of my parent’s divorce. 

It’s a testament to the power of music. Music can evoke memories of days long past. Memories of people you have shared a bond with. Memories of first kisses or family holidays or simply being around cherished friends. We innately connect our memories to the music that provided the backdrop for the events as they took place. Hearing the same song again can place one back in those memories and trigger the emotions (good and bad) felt at the time.

DMX - "Slippin'" x "No Sunshine"

I know I said the last post would be my last of the night, but I lied and frankly I want to procrastinate with one more post...

Earl Simmons is better known for his Ruff Ryder, ride or die persona.  It's only fair.  Afterall he is the man that brought us the hard hitting tracks "X Gon' Give It to Ya," "What's My Name?," and "Where the Hood At?"  He's the same rapper that brought us party anthems "Get It On the Floor" and "Party Up (Up In Here)," but anyone who wants to accuse the Dark Man X of being a one dimensional artists hasn't listened to his discography past the radio hits.

DMX - "The Way It's Gonna Be"

Earl Simmons, better known as DMX (Dark Man X), is not a rapper known for his political activism or soulful songs, but at the end of the day he is the one rapper other than Ol' Dirty Bastard and Celph Titled who is guaranteed to make me laugh.  Few people realize that the New York MC, driven by his over the top aggressive personality, gravel voice, and comical lyrics is one of the most successful entertainers of all time.  He has sold 28 million albums worldwide and is the only artist ever who can claim that their first five albums debuted at #1 (his sixth album missed the top spot by only 100 sales).  I personally believe that X makes some of the best workout songs of all time (see "X Gon' Give It To Ya").  Though DMX is on the downslope of his career (maybe the result of a few too many B-movies, maybe the result of his audience no longer being shocked by anything he says), this song, which he leaked this May shows that he can still spit it like the X of old.  It's not particularly intelligent, but it's downright funny.