I do love rap and hip-hop, but I’m also a fan of folksy singer-songwriters and pop songs that you may or may not be ashamed to admit that you like. Whatever! Yeah, I’m not one of those people who only like obscure indie rock bands or underground hip hop tracks. I will admit that I sometimes like songs that are incredibly commercial, make no sense, and have no real point. Granted, it needs to have a good beat/melody. Ya heard?

Here are my top 6 picks for the moment. If you want to judge me, go ahead.

Nelly- Just a Dream

- What is it about rappers that sing songs with sad melodies that just get me to put the track on repeat? Its probably because when I was a kid and would have to help my parents at Street Blue, our hip hop clothing store, listening to tracks like this, were an escape. This song makes me think of eating Tastykakes and Roosevelt Blvd. Oh Philly, you annoy me, but I still love you.

Hot Toddy-Usher featuring Jay Z and Ester Dean

Um. This is a hot track with a ridiculous beat. Although these lyrics are out of control…Ready? ”
I’m like oh Kimosabe
Your body is my hobby
We’re freakin’
This ain’t cheatin’ as long as we tell nobody
Tell your girls you’re leaving
I’ll meet you in the lobby
I’m so cold, yeah I need that hot toddy
Hot toddy (hot toddy)

Sara Bareilles- King of Anything

- And seriously…who made you king of anything?

The Ready Set- Love Like Woe

- How can you not be in a good mood after listening to this track?

Katy Perry- Teenage Dream

- Love her or hate her, Katy Perry is the Pop Princess of the Moment, whether she’s singing about kissing girls or rapping with Snoop Dogg about being a California Gurl. (Yup, that’s the way its spelled) I love this song though… because its true..when you’re in love you feel like a 16 year old again. Totally cheesy, giddy, and of course, you get that silly grin on your face for no apparent reason.

Sugar Ray- Someday

- Old SKOOL! Yeah, I know. Dude, Sugar Ray was the premiere 90′s easy pop rock band with tracks like this one, ‘Every Morning,’ and ‘Fly.’ I still listen to this track when the world annoys me and I need to escape into my head. Easy melody. Sweet track.

Okay, back to more positive stuff. I wouldn’t say that I love running, but its one of the only exercises that manages to calm, challenge and completely clear out my head of discombobulated thoughts. I ran the Nike 10 K a while back and did lots of fun videos while I was there…it was a challenge, but super fun. These are the top songs in my iPod right now…so good!

143- Bobby Brackins Ft. Ray J

Got Your Back- T.I. featuring Keri Hilson

If We Ever Meet Again-Timbaland featuring Katy Perry

Magic- B.o.B featuring Rivers Cuomo

California Gurls- Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg

When I was a kid, I used to get in trouble by my teachers for constantly daydreaming in class. I would stare out the window and want to be outside on the playground or listening to the radio. Anyway, this song “The River,” by Missy Higgins makes me start daydreaming and not wanting to do work. It also makes me want to visit San Francisco and hang out with Anthony and meet the people behind Ploomy. As well as going and doing all that touristy stuff like visiting Ghiradelli Square, hanging with the seals, and finding that house where DJ, Stephanie Tanner, and the Olsen twins used to live. (LOL. I used to be obsessed with “Full House”)

Check it out:

I love Keri Hilson, Kanye West and Ne-yo.  Her story is pretty inspirational too..she worked really hard as a songwriter and then became a Recording Artist.  The lyrics to this song are so true… if you’ve ever experienced love before, it can be super scary and exciting.  And like anything in life, if you get knocked down, you have to figure out a way to bounce back.  What a great pre-summer track.

Music is my life.  Well, part of it.  It’s how I deal with life, the ups, downs, and everything else in between.  I’m not sure that I could wake up in the morning without hearing some Mozart, Tupac, or some other fantastic piece of musical work.

I saw this trailer for “The Soloist,” starring Robert Downey Jr. as LA Times journalist, Steve Lopez, and Jamie Foxx, as Nathaniel Ayers Jr, a homeless Schizophrenic man who has lost his art and his path in life.  This is a true story, and it was one of the most touching trailers I’ve seen in a long time. (And I’ve seen a ton)  I cannot wait to see this film about the uplifting power of music and how it can lift anyone up, no matter how down on their luck they may be.   Fab. (BTW, I want to meet Jamie Foxx. Apparently, he has karaoke parties at his house. UM… I’m there)

Because it’s Tuesday, and nothing really exciting happens on Tuesdays. It’s just one of those days when its…just there. Anyway, as I do work, I thought I’d share some of my favorite tracks at the moment.

MIA’s Paper Planes. An oldie, but goodie. Geez, at the time of posting, this video has been viewed over 30 million times!

And the Instrumental for Jay Z and Kanye’s “Brooklyn We Go Hard.” The actual track is copywritten, so I couldn’t embed it. How hot is this beat?

So…I’ve written songs since I was in elementary school, though I cringe to think about the lyrics which were about “Cute boys,” and “My Mean teacher,” and Why I thought fruit snacks were the bomb. No, not fruit roll-ups, I’m talking fruit snacks.

I’d always scribble songs in my journals and notebooks, and hum the melodies during choir or Chorus class, but I was super shy growing up. (though no one really believes me when I say that. It’s TRUE!)

But.. I love music and singing, and took voice lessons with Wendy Parr, a songwriter and Vocal teacher, in NYC. She and I wrote several songs together, and it was so AMAZING when I found out that the song she wrote, “Dreams on Fire,” was on the soundtrack for the Golden Globe nominated, critically acclaimed film, “SlumDog Millionaire.”

So if you’re looking to be inspired or trying to stay positive amidst life’s hardships, I suggest that you listen to the lyrics of this song. Yah. I’m cheesy. So what?

Check it out: