MUSIC REVIEW: "WOMAN" Jill Scott

YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS My Jilly from Philly IS BACK!!!

This album has been on repeat!!! These songs give me life LOL!!!

Just think 15 years ago Jill Scott came into our lives with Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 and the hits "Getting In The Way" and " A Long Walk". Since then this beautiful spirit and poet has blessed us with four prior albums before her new one "Woman".

You can definitely feel the vibe that Jill is bringing with this album: freedom, happiness, soul-searching, and being yourself.

With the first single "Fool's Gold", you can tell by the lyrics, Jill knows she's been duped by her love in trusting and believing in him. "Cruising" is so mellow makes you want to get into your car and go with the evening breeze flow. "Prepared" I kept hearing Elton John's "Benny and The Jets" melody in my head. But the lyrics are on point. You gotta be prepared for that next level of life.

I absolutely love "Closure" when she is telling her former love don't expect any breakfast after their last romp in the bed together and get out! The beginning when the riffs change makes me start dancing and saying 'HEY!"."Say Thank You" makes you think you are at the cafe listening to spoken word and Jimi Hendrix is being channeled on the guitar from beyond. "Can't Wait" is an awesome song. Makes me think of the 70s. Go head "Boss Lady".

"Wild Cookie", I love when Jilly starts her albums with poetry. But this song- OMG ladies our wild cookies be doing some cray cray stuff LOL. Your wild cookie may get pregnant after listening to that (hence lonely pregnancy)... "Back Together" is definitely channeling Aretha and that soulful experience that you feel when you hear it. "You Don't Know", which I believe will be the second single has a Memphis sound feel to it like STAX.

"Coming To You" has that 60s Motown feel to it where you want to start doing The Temptations dance. Plus it has a James Brown horn bridge breakdown :). With "Jahraymecofasla" I hear a little Minnie Riperton with the melody. I don't know what that word means but I want to have that feeling.
"Run, Run, Run" definitely will make you dance with it's 60s and 70s sounding groove and sing a long of "Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah".

On "Lighthouse" she is letting her boo know that she is his shelter so "lay those burdens down" and let it go and have inner peace."Willing-Interlude" yaaaaaaaaaasssssss speak on it Jilly. Men wants us to be loyal, faithful, flawless and they are not those things... "Pause-Interlude" we have all been there where we want to schedule a "necessary breakdown" and need to make that call to the heavens above. Plus we don't want to be bother with "the nosy people". Last but not least "Beautiful Love" feat BJ The Chicago Kid is so mellow and make you just wanna grab that special someone and make "beautiful love".

This album is great. Jilly from Philly has made me happy again like "Light of the Sun". Still got "Until Then (I Imagine)" on repeat.

****/5

SMOOCHIES

MIKA MAIL: Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Hi Mikaluvs <3,

Twice a month I will post Mika Mail...so send me some thoughts!!!!

This week I had a Mikaluv reach out to me about their life and a certain decision that they want to make.

I will help you boo the best way I can..

Hi Mika,

I'm a 100% Mikaluv fan...Girl your posts hits home a lot. I have a big dilemma. I have been in a on and off relationship for several years now. I really am tired of this man and his antics. He has done everything in his power to make me feel guilty about wanting a better life. I feel he has mentally abuse me and made me feel bad. He lost his job six months ago and have not been able to find a new one. I currently work 40+ hours at work because I want to move in a better neighborhood for my child.

We have a daughter together who is 10. I don't want my daughter going up thinking that this type of relationship is ok. He has made my life a living hell. I can't deal with it anymore.

I've made a decision that I want to leave him and be by myself. I feel that my life will be so much better without him. Of course he is a good dad but a bad boyfriend. I know it will hurt at first but I have to eliminate the stress out of my life. I am a good woman. I go to work, currently in college, take care of my baby girl, pay all my bills on time, etc. I know I can be with someone who will be by my side and work with me to achieve a better life.

I recently had a suitor who is very well off and wants to do anything and everything for me and my daughter including helping me buy a house in the neighborhood that I want to live in.

I really don't know what to do but I gave myself a deadline of August 30th to make this major decision.

Any advice?

Miss Sick and Tired

Dear Miss Sick and Tired,

I'm truly sorry that you're dealing with this. You sound like a young woman with a good head on your shoulders and major goals. I am very proud that you have set a deadline. In my opinion it might be best to get rid of the toxic relationship that you are in but please don't jump into a brand new relationship because a suitor has made himself known. Give yourself "me time" please. You just want to be happened loved but it's best to love yourself first before you can love anyone else. 

Keep doing you and trust me homeboy will realize what he had if you make that decision to leave. As for your daughter (I have a daughter myself) please don't ruin their relationship because you two did not work out. you say he is a good dad. Let him continue to do that. I'm sure your daughter see that her mom is a warrior and a conqueror. 

Stay Blessed and SMOOCHIES!!!



Ok Mikaluvs if you want to send me some Mika Mail send it to:

dadivamika@gmail.com

I do ask permission before I post ;)

Temptation

                                                         Destiny's Child "Temptation"

                                               (Video Credit By Destiny's Child VEVO)

Hi Mikaluvs <3 and MFFT Fans,

A while back in a previous post I said I will do one on Temptation. I went on FB and asked the question:

WHAT IS TEMPTATION?

I got a lot of in boxes about what you all thought...Thank u <3

Some of y'all said it was about the desire to hook up with the wrong person when you know you are with the right person, peer pressure, sex, lust, stepping out to try something new that you know is not good for you, etc...

According to Webster's dictionary Temptation is "a strong urge or desire to have or do something or

something that causes a strong urge or desire to have or do something and especially something that is bad, wrong, or unwise" 

The thirst and desire is real y'all.

I chose Destiny's Child song "Temptation" because that is the biggest temptation a lot of people face.
Temptation to cheat on their mate.

There is that certain someone that makes you say "Damn, I gotta have that or be with him/her" but one problem...you're in a relationship. So do you make the mistake of letting the temptation get the best of you and pursue this person or just keep dreaming and keep it moving and not ruin the good thing you have?

Some people have to get to that one thing that they are desiring...no matter what the cost is.

Unfortunately there is so many temptations out there: lust, money, advertising, food, etc.
We do fall for the okie doke once in a while.

I can tell you from experience that on a daily basis I get "suitors" in boxing me about having a side or secret relationship with them...and I must admit I am a big flirt and I <3 the attention...but I refuse to fall for that infatuation...

I have too much at stake to ruin my life or relationship for a quick f**k or a romp with someone I think is hot.

Life is so funny...sometimes it works for the best or the worse...

Being tempted by something or someone normally works for the worse and there is dire consequences...

What DO YOU all think about TEMPTATION???

SMOOCHIES!!!

MIKA MAIL: Missing Your Company

Hi Mikaluvs <3,

Twice a week I will post Mika Mail...send me some thoughts!!!!

Here is an email that I got from a Mikaluv. Funny... It is from a guy :)

Dear Mika,

I love your posts and pics on Facebook. It makes me smile. I wanted to ask for a female perspective on this situation that I am currently in.

A couple of months ago I started talking to this girl. She is mad cool and the times we have been together have been magical. We always flirt on our texts and I get so happy if I just get a "Hi", "I really need to see you", etc from her. We both have busy lives so I didn't expect to speak to her daily but the last time we were together, we just hung out at my house and watched tv and talked into the wee hours until she left. To me that was more important that sex. I started digging homegirl real hard after that. I wanted to see her more than ever. I really like this girl but for some reason we stopped talking all of a sudden. She is not returning my calls, texts, or Facebook messsages. I know she has seen all of them but nothing/nada. I have no idea what happened? We were vibing so well. It hurts because I don't know what to do. I want to ignore her and see if she will finally respond, but I'm missing this girl like hell and I'm so tempted to go see her. I listen to sad love songs and then I reread our old texts almost daily.

WTF do I do? This girl has got me having feelings that I never had before with anyone else. I really miss her company.
:(

Signed,
Missing My Boo and her company

Dear Missing My Boo and her company,

OMG!!!! I have been in this situation before.

Yes it definitely hurts if you're developing feelings for this person that you didn't expect to. Plus NO SEX WAS INVOLVED... That is real interesting why she just all of a sudden stop talking to you after months of talking. She either lost interest, found someone new, got extremely busy in her life, or developed feelings herself for you and got scared. The least that she could've did was be woman enough to tell you that you two were not going to be together anymore. Quit playing BS games. I sooooooooooooo hate that. But think maybe she was not the girl that was supposed to be in your life...keep it moving...the ONE is still out there for you and you will vibe and enjoy her company just as you did with homegirl.

Stay Blessed and SMOOCHIES!!!

Ok Mikaluvs if you want to send me some Mika Mail send it to:

dadivamika@gmail.com

I do ask permission before I post ;)

What Doesn't Kill You...Makes You Stronger...

Hi Mikaluvs <3 and MFFT Fans,

These past couple of weeks have been real hard on me...
I'm dealing with sickness...but that is not going to stop me from achieving my goals regarding this blog and my vlog on YouTube.
I have truly been in a deep funk...
I was just told today some bad news regarding a career move that I was trying to make.
Yeah it really hurt at first but it makes me more determine to go after this position again when it's available and ACE IT!!!
I am a fighter...  Life goes on and I am going to get out of this funk and make sure that I am being a blessing to others...
I refuse to let this sickness keep me down but me me strive to get better so I can be the best Tamika that I can be.

Like the picture says..."Motivation GETS you moving and determination KEEPS you going."
DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Words I live by and hope you do too!!!

Tell me your thoughts...leave comments :)

Stay Blessed and SMOOCHIES,

Da Diva Mika aka Tamika Shanea'