Richardine Bartee
This 5@5 morning playlist consists of Boy Willows, Shochan, Sobhhï, and more.
Boy Willows – Flawlessa (Submission)
Everything about “Flawlessa” takes me to a place where warm ocean breeze touches my skin and fills my nose. There’s an aroma from Indian cuisine made on an open fire, and a zestiness in the air from the citrus-lime juice prepared in a blender. I’m in a Morrocan themed villa, somewhere far away from home. I have on a burnt orange sundress. My hair is pinned up and I am barefoot. The shimmer from my ankle bracelet battles the glimmer from the morning sun. It’s incredible where music can take you if you allow it.
Shochan – Planet Hurt (Submission)
The funky sounds emitted from the audio file that is “Planet Hurt” is smoky, sensual and sexy. There’s not much out there about Shochan, the New York City-based R&B/Soul recording artist, but his voice is enough to want to share around. Do that.
Sobhhï – Finders Keepers (Submission)
Love is one of the most beautiful yet complex things in the world. We do some of the craziest things when we are in love. And when we’re falling out of love, or someone is falling out of love with us, it gets even crazier. Why do we do this? Perhaps, it is a fear of starting over. We don’t want to be alone, or without that person. Some of us cannot see life without certain individuals present. We’re dependent by nature. Luckily, Sobhhï, the Dubai-based musician, knows his sound. He makes it easier to digest harsh truths of rejection. Personally, I wish I had his music around during my last four breakups. I would have sent over a playlist of his music—to console the broken hearts of the men that weren’t right for my life. The young ‘seducer’ as he likes to refer to himself, works with SZA, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone’s engineer, Mike Bozzi. Perhaps, it is the reason his records sound crisp and ‘big’. You should get to know Sobhhï. I believe he is destined for more than he’s been able to achieve. Stream his latest single, “Finders Keepers” from the five-track EP: Red II.
Alexander Padei – Batala (Submission)
Cambridge, Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter Alexander Padei’s “Batala” is good for a morning wake up call or alarm notification. It’s also a song that I would add to my playlist for the gym.
Zander – Oh Ohh (Submission)
How spicy and funky do you like your music to be? For me, it is this much. It’s why House/Deep House music is one of the best genres, ever. Whenever I listen to it, I feel like it wakes me up inside. Check out “Oh Ohh” by Zander, the twenty-two-year older producer, now.
Persona La Ave & Baraka – Ocho (Submission) (Bonus)
It feels like what I’d listen to during yoga on the beach. I am in love with the Washington, DC-native’s were able to accomplish. I do wish the track was longer, so I could have more to listen to, but I guess that’s why there’s an album.
