Valentine’s Day Playlist

2.14.20

For many, Valentine’s Day is tough holiday to swallow. Watching other’s posting with their significant others, getting cute gifts and flowers and saying really cute things about one another. It may make singles feel some type of way. Me on the other hand, was super excited to write this piece. Maybe it is me being a strong, single, independent women, that tailored my picks for this list. But I feel pretty good about it. I’m talking about my Valentine’s Day Playlist. It is for the singles, and the couples, enjoy.

Konclusions: YG & Kehlani

The song is great but I’m going to have a hard time writing this to you guys. When YG had posted that the song was dropping, I was excited, and nervous at the same time. Call me superstitious, but do couple songs ever work out? Meek Mill & Nicki Minaj drop “All Eyes On You”, break up shortly after. Moneybagg Yo and Meagan Thee Stallion release “All Dat”, and break up days later. I remember when I first saw YG post this track cover and I said aloud to a co-worker, “I am so freaking excited for this, but this probably means their relationship is ending soon.” It just tends to happen. YG and Kehlani were a surprise couple that began last year after the two had both recently ended serious relationships. I felt like they were the perfect couple, musicians with tattoos that look tough on the inside, that are just looking for a real, genuine love. Sometimes I feel like I’m psychic, because as Valentine hits, YG’s promo posts are gone and Kehlani has her own diss track about calling YG a cheater and saying she wasted her time on him. Anyways, a tragic ending to another hip-hop couple I adored. But this song was everything.

Obviously the song is called “Konclusions”, (conclusions) because the Blood won’t use “Cs” where he can help it. YG says his love his bulletproof, Kehlani says “when I say I love you, I love you that means I love you.” I really thought they were in love, and I was so happy. I don’t typically listen to Kehlani’s music, I’ve just always loved her for her style and attitude. But oh my, her voice is incredible. I am also a sucker for a thug rapper making a love song. Absolutely adore this song, and I hope that the two can work it out.

Purpose: Calboy FT. G Herbo

Calboy has a super nice voice and I feel like hip-hop feel good / love songs will be his spot in the game, kind of like Lil Durk or A Boogie. G Herbo slightly surprised me, but I am head over heels for it. A man with a horrible past, that is truly making strides to put it behind him. G Herbo has got a bad rep for his last relationship, but by the looks of social, is doing what he can to be the best father to his son that he can be. After all that they’ve gone through in the public eye, I’m proud of that. I feel like this song, which is a complete 360 to the hard, aggressive music he is used to creating, is a shout out to his current girlfriend, Taina.

Calboy’s chorus says that he has “found his purpose.” G Herbo has the third verse, where he comes in kind of singing, but still clearly G Herbo’s deep, distinctive tone. His whole verse is basically describing what he has been through, and how he is moving it on putting that in the past. This is not a direct love song, but with how him and Taina have been posting on Instagram all booed up, and how G Herbo just doesn’t make music like this, I think it’s directed to their situation, and it is the cutest thing ever. I hope he stays on track and they work on in the long haul. I do love a baddie making a gang child come home. Not to mention, we definitely don’t need Fabo and Emily B coming for G Herbo, so he’ll be good if he knows what’s best for him.

Forever: NLE Choppa

Another rapper you likely didn’t expect to see on this list, am I right? You may assume from his name, NLE Choppa usually raps about guns and violence. However, it seems his relationship with Mariah is (or at least, was) quite serious. He tattooed her name, and she well, she tattooed his face. I heard they broke up, but I can’t be sure. Because I don’t really care that much, they’re seventeen. So I guess I can be pretty sure that these tattoos are a mistake, but this song is still cute.

I  see the way you looking, got a smile like your mama
How you make a n**** happy through my pain and my trauma?
And we cruising up in traffic with the top down in the summer.

Clearly, NLE Choppa was feeling some type of way about his lady. It seems like he must have have met her parents, whether it be on a serious note, or to drive them to the movies. But it is overall a really cute song. Behind every King is a Queen to hold him down right? (I’m not saying NLE is a king, but that’s what this song is about and it’s why it is on our Valentine’s Day playlist). Young love, good luck kiddos.

Who You Loving?: Dream Doll & G-Eazy

Who is Dream Doll and G-Eazy loving nowadays, anyways? Dream Doll and YBN Almighty Jay have called it quits, I’m calling BS on G-Eazy and Megan Thee Stallion. I think the two shockingly have great chemistry on this new release. I thought it was a weird match at first. But of course Dream Doll comes in with her confidence, G-Eazy with his smooth attitude and slick, back here.

And here we are, a lovable hit.
I'm swimming in your love, I'm deep in it now
Valentino and Chanel, I'm peeping your style
I'm chasing your heart, and I'm keeping it now
At first I ain't know how to love, but your teaching me how. - G-Eazy

Are you kidding me!? But I still can’t be your girlfriend, right? * eye-roll * This song is pretty sure, but a for sure hit. Two fine souls on a scandalous track together, how romantic. I’m watching you two.

Face Down: Kevin Gates

Maybe don’t put this song on your playlist if you’re in a sensitive, less than trustworthy relationship. I don’t know what it is about Kevin Gates, because he’s not cute, but he can turn a terrible song into something pretty hott. This song is one hundred percent about makeup sex. I guess it’s one of those, sexy when you’re mad Ne-Yo type of songs. We’re given a couple’s fight, but a detailed, passionate sex scene.

We all know Kevin Gates has a troubled past, with the law and with his relationship. “Dreka”, another song from this album, was confessing all his wrong-doings to his wife. I honestly couldn’t handle it, she is a rider for sure. But the two recently announced their third child is on the way. I’m sure Kevin Gates knew when making this album, and turned it into opening a new chapter in his life. Congrats is in order, best of luck to them on keeping their marriage on track.

What3va I’m Wit: Moneybagg Yo

The sensitive gangster just had to be on my list. When this song first came out, I was hoping it was about Megan Thee Stallion, even though I’m sure it was recorded before her. Now, it has been confirmed that Moneybagg is in a relationship with Ariana Fletcher, “social media personality and model from Chicago.” When Moneybagg Yo said “she’s into romantic hood n**** with tatts on his face” I felt that. I just want him to be happy, so as long as he is, so am I.

Overall, this song is the cutest thug love letter. Compliments top to bottom, “ballin’ together”, ”blow a bag when I’m with her”, “don’t need a pen this vocal is a love letter”. He also preaches confidence in the relationship. They’re both in the public eye, but not tripping over anyone trying to interfere - trust. Before Moneybagg Yo came out with this album, he said people missed his hard stuff, and we were going to get it with this album. Honestly, I do not think we did. I wanted that, and I’m still itching for it. But I feel he has a strong place in ghetto love songs. This one goes deep, and has relationship goals all over it.

Make Me Feel: YBN Cordae & YBN Almighty Jay

YBN The Mixtape is good, and I suggest you listen if you have not done so thus far. I just think it’s super cool seeing how far these guys have come. And by that, I mean that Nahmir got the gang famous from “Rubbin Off the Paint,” Almighty Jay blew up because of Blac Chyna and a bad fight, and now YBN Cordae is going to have the craziest solo career of all them, with a strong (and the only of the three) chance of sticking around because of how crazy of a lyricist and dedicated businessman he actually is.

But this song. Again, it’s funny for me to think about, these guys are all in their very early twenties making a love song for girlfriends whom have already came and past. Music lives on, and I love this song for Valentine’s Day. The chorus says “she makes me feel like a boss” and talks about showing off their girlfriends, spending money, and having fun. If you’re not going to life each other up, then what are you doing really? From misfits to gentlemen (for now) cute!

Melody: Tee Grizzley & Lil Durk

This tape came out on my birthday in 2017 (which is in December). I swear I didn’t have anything else on repeat through the following summer. Most of this project was hard, but this one was probably my favorite. Lil Durk has his criminal history, but is good at making songs for the ladies. I think Tee Grizzley got his time that he did, because he was a gutter rapper staying true in the time prime of Sound Cloud rappers and auto tunes. The two have always been close, and the chemistry on a variety of different beats worked out really well, in my opinion.

Melody is basically describing a new, passionate relationship. Maybe she has a man that you know from back in the day. Whatever baggage exists, it doesn’t matter, because the vibes are strong. It’s a border line relationship/friends with benefits story. But whoever this could be about, has clearly got Tee Grizzley’s attention. He damn near sang his whole verse. I don’t know who the girl is in the next photo, but it looks like she spent Thanksgiving with him! Could be his mom though, she looks young in other photos.

This song is probably new to many, but I’m a big fan.

Lay Up: Meek Mill, Wale, Rick Ross, Trey Songz

There is no kind of rap love song, like a MMG love song. This one is definitely an oldie, but one of my favorites. It’s a song you can sing to, listen in the car for fun, or you know when you’re spicing things up on Valentine’s Day.

Of course they had to bring in Trey Songz to sing the chorus. Automatic hit for ladies right there. The rest of the group talks about their relationships - but also their money. It’s like a cute love song, but wait I’m still a gangster. I think they do that on purpose, to keep a bad boy image. Even though Wale said he’d never be in love, Meek Mill is the only single one, and he’s been tweeting for a girlfriend for the past two years. I’m sure if he went on live and sang this song, his DMs would be flooding. Heart eye emojis for life on this song.

We Ride: Gucci Mane

I saved this song for last because it is the one actual, real love song I put on this list. Gucci Mane tells his story about what he’s been through. When no one had his back, Keyshia did. Their story is truly incredible. Keyshia was supposed to be a video girl, but Gucci wanted her from day one. She waited while he spent time in jail. He stuck with him through the drugs and the groupies. A real ride or die, and Gucci expresses his love and gratefulness all on this track, accompanied by a beautiful chorus. The two really have been through it all together, and have helped each other grow into two completely new, amazing, beautiful people. Keyshia says that Gucci even helped her build her brand, selling waist trainers and beauty products. Their relationship is what I hope for, for the rest of these couples on this list. And just like Gucci and Keyshia did in their wedding, I will, be walking out of the church with my husband to this song, when the day comes.

Bags imagery courtesy of Poglia & Co