1. London Grammar – Stay Awake
Every morning i wake up to this. it’s my balance. lyrically, i love the meaning. You can hear the conviction in Hannah Reids voice.
![London Grammar - Stay Awake [Lyrics on screen]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UflF-nJMgk4/0.jpg)
2. Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven
1971 was a while before i was born but regardless it runs true that good music never dies. even more so, lyrics with intent and meaning. I am always drawn to acoustics sounds as opposed to synth and zeplin will always be a favourite.
3. Cascade – Rhythm Of The Night
Not going to lie, I have danced around singing into the hair brush to this track. 1993 dance got me good with this one! girls night’s out this is definitely up loud!
4. Tracy Chapman – Fast Car
When you can talk it out, just play a song I say! I believe everyone has their own struggles in their life and to share them so raw and open is a gift. the lyrics in this song capture those exact raw details and even though your situation is different you have a common emotion that binds you together. Its uplifting and gives hope for better days…. good vibes all around!
5. Etta James – Mad About The Boy
Let’s go way back to 1924 where i think a part of me come from this era. i got a real soft spot for Etta James. the honesty in her tone is something i aspire to create in my work. She really is mad for this boy and if you get the chance to hear this on vinyl…. Total bliss. I’ve got her albums on repeat when there is wine involved. My mood setter.
6. Fyfe – For You
Paul Dixon has a way to keep the meaning intense and the beat distracts you so you are still dancing to his groove. I like the message in much of his recent work as well as the electronic indie feel.
7. Jessie Ware – Tough Love
I got hooked on Jessie when i saw her perform live in Bali 2015. Tough Love is a neo-soul melody and lyrically on point. proper acoustic foundation with great electronic production – one of my favourites.
8. Drake – Hotline Bling
Gym time vibes I cannot resist this beat, possibly because the beat itself the original sample is from 1973 Timmy Thomas’s “Why Can’t We Live Together”. I am really drawn to this era of music, I constantly return to it, in this case unknowingly!
9. Nicki Minaj – The Night Is Still Young
Love her or hate her, girls got a mouth and spins out those lyrics in fine form. Nicki has recreated reality in rap, heavy beats and songs that just get you moving and believing It’s all good. 100% on my playlist.
10. Biggie Smalls – Hypnotize
“It was all a dream”…. Honesty is the best policy. He said like it was. Hearing truth in a song, helps us visualise and feel it and for me this is the goal. As an artist if you have this ability to make your audience see something in their mind, feel it in their heart & put their gangster hands in the air….. you got it right!
