Photo: WallPapers13
With three days left until the new year, I’ve been thinking about all that I want to accomplish this year. Some of my goals include taking writing classes, learning more about hip-hop, and much more. While writing down my goals for 2019, I was listening to Young Thug’s “Digits.” His line “hustlers don’t stop; they keep going” replayed in my head over and over. I begin to realize that this is a mood (something that is relatable) going into 2019. I need to keep going no matter what.
So for all you go-getters, check out my top ten mood songs stepping into 2019.
1) Young Thug- “Digits”
As stated above, I felt this song relates to what I’m experiencing in my life. At times, I feel it’s taking me forever to reach my goals, and I want to give up, but then I remember Young Thug’s lyrics:
“Hustlers don’t stop, they keep going”
As a hustler, I continue to push for what I want to see out of my life such as reaching my full potential as a writer, author, poet, and much more. While continuing to perfect the many gifts that God has blessed me with, I wouldn’t mind counting up the digits. Shout outs to Thugga Thugga for this record.
2) DG Yola- “Ain’t Gon’ Let Up”
Now, this is a major throwback and if you’re from the “A” like I am, then you have to know DG Yola’s “Ain’t Gon’ Let Up.” Produced by Win on the Track, the 06 record had everyone screaming, “I just don’t give a f*ck!” DG Yola raps about not allowing the haters to get to him and I’m keeping that same energy going into the new year.
I’m not letting up on anything or allowing people’s negative impressions of Sierra Alea Porter, aka CeeSoDope, get to me. As I get myself together, in the end, I know I’m going to shine like a light. My fellow ATLien did his thing on this track.
3) Cardi B – “Get Up 10”
Cardi B’s records have been a mood all 2018 and Sis is coming with me in 2019. Releasing consistent hit singles, Cardi has had her foot on everyone’s neck in the rap game. Belcalis is letting it be known that she’s not going anywhere. Off of her 2018 debut album, Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B’s track “Get Up 10” had me feeling Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares” vibes.
I don’t know why “Get Up 10” wasn’t chosen as a single, but let me tell you, this record has me feeling like I’m the sh*t. Though Cardi raps about her former stripping days, which I don’t necessarily relate to, the MC’s chorus is what gets me hype every time I listen to the record.
“Man, I said we gon’ win
Knock me down nine times, but I get up ten
Look myself in the mirror; I say we gon’ win
Knock me down nine times, but I get up ten, b**ch (woo)”
Cardi B’s swagger and fierce attitude is the push I need in 2019; no matter how many times I get knocked down, Cee is going to get up ten. As I continue to trust in my journey and process, I look forward to the day that I progress to new heights.
4) Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, & James Blake- “King’s Dead”
So going into the new year, please miss me with the BS. No, seriously!
As K-Dot sings the hook on the record:
“Miss me with that bullsh*t
I made a hundred thou’ then I freaked it (I freaked it)
I made 500 thou’ then I freaked it (I freaked it)”
Flipping $100,000 to $500,000 into more cash is a BIG mood.
My favorite Jay Rock line, “boss like Top Dawg, bossed my life up, crossin’ over”, is also the idea for 2019; the goal is to boss up, get better and do better.
Plus, the beat is crazy dope. Shouts out to Teddy Walton & Mike Will Made-It for producing this beat. Like K-Dot said in the last verse, “born warrior, looking for euphoria,” I hope to reach a place of happiness and feel the beautiful joys life has to offer even in dark times.
5) Drake – “Nice For What”
I mean, what do I have to be nice for? I know dark days, hard times, and sure as hell been putting in overtime. Man, listen, going into 2019, I’m not opposed to finding love, but it’s like Drake said:
“You really pipin’ up on these niggas
You gotta be nice for what to these niggas?”
I know the work I’ve been putting in, and I know my worth. This year, I’ve been given the short end of the stick not only in my love life but professional life as well. However, life goes on, and at the end of the day, it’s a real one in my reflection.
6) Lil Duval feat. Snoop Dogg & Ball Greezy- “Smile”
Moving on from the underhanded talk, 2018 had more smiles than tears and that’s what I’m hoping 2019 brings to all the CeeSoDope readers and myself. We all have our bad days, but trust that things can be much worse so “smile bi**h!” In 2019, we’re living our best lives and ain’t going back and forth with anybody.
Like Snoop said, we have a lot to be smiling about and word to Ball Greezy because we are going to get another bag this year.
Oh, and one more thing, bad vibes get cut off.
7) Cardi B- “Money”
Of course, Cardi B makes it on the list twice. As I said, Cardi B has been dropping hit after hit. Her single, “Money”, is no different. Money is a mood every year and with Cardi B telling people that “all a bad b**ch needs is money” is for sure what I want more of in 2019, along with mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health.
I had to throw that in there. (laughs)
“Money” is the song I listen to when I’m going to work, when someone wants me to interview their client, whenever I have to go cover an event, and when I finish the job, I’m like, “money.”
8) 2 Chainz – “Rolls Royce B**ch”
As I leave 2018 and transition into 2019, I’ve come to terms that not everyone is going to believe in your vision. You’re not always going to have a support team, and at times when you have self-doubt, you may be the only one to pick yourself up. While 2 Chainz’s “Rolls Royce B**ch” has you thinking the song is just about his Rolls Royce, I found a deeper connection to the track off his Pretty Girls Love Trap Music project.
“Believe in yourself; health is wealth
Gotta get mine, faster than a step
I mean anything around me that’s against us, they can’t be
I got God on my side, that’s all I need to ride”
This record is motivational and reminds me that God is on my side. I also love the fact that 2 Chainz mentions health being wealth. One of my goals is to make sure that I’m healthy in all aspects of my life.
In 2019, it’s a must to believe in yourself. Who else is going to believe in you?
9) Beyoncé- “Schoolin’ Life”
Beyoncé is a Queen and in some shape, form, or fashion, she’s an inspiration to women and young girls. In 2018, I stepped out of my comfort zone and did a pageant at my alma mater Georgia State University. “Schoolin’ Life” by Queen Bey is the song my pageant sisters and I walked out to during our swimsuit competition.
From her album 4, Bey gave me a boost of confidence while listening to this track. By the way, I came in second place in the Miss Phi Beta Sigma Scholarship Pageant. The record will stick with me as I go into another year of schoolin’ life.
I’m in my early twenties and time is moving fast. Each day I take as a lesson and a blessing, and while some moments of my life have left a bit of bitterness in me, Bey has some words of advice “stop living in regret, baby, it’s not over yet.”
“Schoolin’ Life” is a CeeSoDope 2019 certified mood.
10) J. Cole- “Love Yourz”
“No such thing as a life that’s better than yours
No such thing, no such thing”
I always have to give my props to J.Cole for putting substance in his music with messages that people can listen to and learn from.
While I can sometimes get caught up seeing people living their lavish lifestyles on social media, Cole reminds me that there is always going to be someone out there that has something that you don’t, but you’re never going to be happy until you love yours.
“Always gon’ be a bigger house somewhere, but nigga feel me
‘Long as the people in that motherfucker love you dearly
Always gon’ be a whip that’s better than the the one you got
Always gon’ be some clothes that’s fresher than the ones you rock
Always gon’ be a bitch that’s badder out there on the tours
But you ain’t never gon’ be happy till you love yours”
For 2019, instead of comparing myself to others and what they have, I hope to continue to love myself unconditionally and appreciate what God has blessed me with.
Have a safe and happy New Year CeeSoDope readers! Love you guys!
