"You're in control love, don't let the static drown you."

In this week's episode, we explore Static by a Queen, a Sis, your favorite IG Storyteller, Ari Lennox.  I recorded this show back in December a few days before I unplugged from the world. I have listened to this song a million times and it hit me different while I was speaking at a conference; it reminded me that people will talk their ish and you have to ignore that static.  My momma always says, "A mouth is meant to talk and eat."  Ari, thank you for your gift, your talent, your realness.  We salute you Queen. 

To Mixtape Masters, listen to this week's episode and hit me up and tel me what static you will ignore and which music you will embrace.  Remember, you may not be in control of what happens to you but you are in control of how you respond.  You have work to do, God has work for you to do. 

In Love and Light,

Julie Em

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#AriLennox #SheaButterBaby #SoulTrainsAwardsSleptOnHer #SoSad #AMissedOpportunity #Dreamville #TMinus #JCole  #HipHop #AlbumMixtape #ROTD3

"I almost lost my head, trying to run, trying to fly, trying to float. Candles on top of the dresser, baby you down, need to Bless Up."

In this week's episode, we explore Sacrifices by the Dreamville collective off the Revenge of the Dreamers III. Sacrifices, the last track on the album, encapsulates the many ways we can make sacrifices to get to the place where we want to be; however, we need to make sure it is in alignment with where God wants us to be. We explore 4 types of sacrifices that can happen 1) Sacrifice of Person Health & Well Being 2) Sacrifice of Comfort Being in the Light 3) Sacrifice of People and Relationship and 4) Sacrifice of Not Doing It All.

Please explore the meaning behind the bars with me in Sacrifices and let me know if anything resonates with you and your life experiences.

In Love and Light,

Julie Em

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#Dreamville #JohnnyVenus #Smino #Saba #JCole #Sacrifices #HipHop #AlbumMixtape #ROTD3

"And you know that you that one when you beat all the other odds, I keep one foot planted at home and the other one on swivel though, gotta keep em both cause this ish can get way too pivotal, All the work is analog, All the payment digital."

In this week's episode, we explore Big Sean the Don Life. Ya'll this song is bars upon bars upon bars. Overtime encapsulates how hard in the paint you need to go when you're trying to achieve your goals. Sean essentially examines all of his experiences into one song -- who knew it was even possible. I really wish people would stop sleeping on Sean. He's so underrated! Please explore the meaning behind the bars in Overtime and let me know if anything resonates with you and your life experiences.

In Love and Light,

Julie Em

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#BigSean #DonLife #Overtime #HipHop #AlbumMixtape

"I just put diamonds on all of my teeth, now they probably think I ain't intelligent."

In this week's episode, we explore North Carolina artists and the beautiful intro off of the amazing collaboration - Dreamville's Revenge of the Dreamers III. We will discuss lessons we glean from J.Cole. Lute and DaBaby through their bars. We will also look at the bars tying into the Bible Books of Ecclesiastes 1:9 and 1 Samuel 17.

We will also highlight the lessons we've learned from the one and only Chad Butler, aka Pimp C, around black people being kings and queens.

Have you ever felt pre-judged before someone got to know you? How did you navigate this? Hit me up, I want to know.

In Love and Light,

Julie Em

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#Dreamville #ROTD3 #PimpC #Trill #AlbumMixtape

"Got a lot of haters and a lot of homies, some friends and some phony."

In this week's episode, we explore my beloved city - Houston TX aka Screwston, Texas. On November 12, 2004, Still Tippin was released (produced by Salih Williams) and further catapulted the beautiful city and rap culture of Houston into the spotlight -- but truly, it put the north side on the map. To be clear, Rap-a-Lot had been the pioneers of Houston Hip Hop, and then Screw came through representing for the Southside. Inspired by the South, the North wanted to create movement; DJ Michael Watts did this and created Swishahouse.

This song will always be a Houston Classic. Forever.

Also, shout out to my homegirl and dance group member Coco from High School who had a cameo on the video on the pay phone -- I see you Colincia!! xo

#SouSiaFaLia

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In Love and Light,

Julie Em

"Now what's that? You've come way too far to take the bus back. Head to the sky until you touch that. And even when you're sun tapped, You're beaming like a Starlite."

In this week's episode, we explore the smooth, sultry sounds and lyrics of the dynamic duo Knxwledge and Anderson.Paak better known as NxWorries. In ascension, the closer you become to the sun ☀️, the more sun tapped you become. Being sun-tapped often comes with great enlightenment but it also can leave you feeling drained.

Explore these lyrics with me and tell me how you stay connected to the Source.

In Love and Light,

Julie Em

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"Sleeping with the enemy, My demons are too intimate...Tweakin' my energy, Eat and die sympathy, Scream and cry infamy, Come alive mentally, And love die physically, My love cry miserably."

Anyone who knows me, know I'm a huge Wayne fan. His consistent flow and lyricism are Kelly Bundy dumb. Examining this song was a pleasure.

This episode explores Wayne discussing his demons and in life the sides of you that you may not realized exist within you. The beautiful irony of this song is the contrasting sample Weezy F used to make Demon...reminding you that no matter what, God has you in His hands.

Does this song resonate with you? I'd love to know if you can relate to this song and the meaning behind it. Hit me up.

In Love and Light,

Julie Em Baby, Please say the Baby

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"Letters to my Dad that I never wrote, speeches I prepared that I never spoke, words on a paper that I never read, proses never penned they stayed in my head." - Shawn Corey Carter

In this episode, we explore the final 11 lessons from Jay-Z that he has taught us over his 13 studio album career. We examine lyrics as they relate to our lives to provide an opportunity for introspection on how we can better move through this world to produce positive impact.

Thank you for joining me on this journey of exploring 44 lyrics from Jay-Z that have impacted my life. I'd love to hear the Jay-Z bars that have been instrumental to you. Hit me up:

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In Love and Light,

Julie Em

www.albummixtape.com/44-jewels-from-jay-z-vol-iv/

"The sun, it ain't even fun no more, man I'm jaded, man it's just a game, I just play it to play it." - Shawn Corey Carter

In this episode, we explore the next 11 lessons from Jay-Z that he has taught us over his 13 studio album career. We examine lyrics as they relate to our lives to provide an opportunity for introspection on how we can better move through this world to produce positive impact.

I'd love to hear the Jay-Z bars that have been instrumental to you. Hit me up:

IG: instagram.com/albummixtape

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Twitter: twitter.com/albumandmixtape

In Love and Light,

Julie Em

http://www.albummixtape.com/44-jewels-from-jay-z-vol-iii/

In this episode, we explore the next 11 lessons from Jay-Z that he has taught us over his 13 studio album career. We examine lyrics as they relate to our lives to provide an opportunity for introspection on how we can better move through this world to produce positive impact.

Tell me if any of these bars resonate with you or cause pause for reflection - IG: @albummixtape or email me at [email protected]

In Love and Light,

Julie Em