#MotivationMondays | Sometimes You Gotta Get Knocked Down to Get Up

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This week I am giving you words to motivate you and music to keep you moving along.

Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall) by Mystikal has been on my "Steady On My Grind" playlist for years. Giving me the inspiration and good vibes I need, when I feel low, tired, and done.  The song has a great message about being able to overcome setbacks, failure, and self-doubt, along with a New Orleans bounce-filled, jazzy beat (Note: This song has no explicit language, so it is work and kid friendly).

My favorite lines from the song are:

"So if you ain't ready you better get ready/

I know I do it better when I'm being opposed/

Ah stick ya chest out, keep your chin up/

'Cause sometimes you gotta get knocked down to get up/

You keep bumping me against the wall/Yeah I know I let you slide before/But until you seen me trust me/You ain't seen bouncin' back"


If you have never heard of this song, check out the video below. 

Pump It Up: My 15 Power Workout Songs Playlist

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Need some motivation to get you through your daily workouts or runs? Pump yourself up with a few of my favorite butt-shaking, head nodding, make you wanna run to the club workout songs. Music can make any workout feel quicker and much more fun.

So, warm up, work out, and cool down to 15 of my favorite workout tunes.

Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J

Work by Ciara featuring Missy Elliot

Where Have You Been by Rihanna

Mc Hammer by Rick Ross featuring Gucci Mane

Breathless by Roy Cape All Stars and Blaxx

Work by Iggy Azalea

 Damn Baby by Janet Jackson

Rumble by Skinny Fabulous

Baby Hello by Wande Coal

WTF by Missy Elliot featuring Pharrell Williams

Bundelele by Awilo Longomba

 Done D Party by Fay-Ann Lyons

 Anaconda by Nicki Minaj

Dancing On My Own by Robyn

When Love Takes Over by David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland

#MotivationMusic: Closer by Goapele

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I have big things on my horizon. With all of the negativity and distractions in the world, listening to this song (and Goapele's voice) soothes my soul, calms my fears, and reminds me every step I take is bringing me closer to my dreams.

Hopefully, this song helps you stay motivated and focused on your dreams. Enjoy

#PhenomenalWomenMonth : Old Skool Ladies Hip Hop Classic "I Wanna Be Down" Remix

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Old Skool Ladies HIP HOP ... Classic I WANNA BE DOWN // BRANDY...

Old Skool Ladies HIP HOP ... Classic I WANNA BE DOWN // BRANDY // QUEEN LATIFAH .... #PressPlay

Posted by Vintage OLD SKOOL on Sunday, March 20, 2016

Talk about "Black Don't Crack!" : 1995 (image on top) and then 2014 (image on the bottom)

Toya T's Soul JukeBox: "Something in My Heart" (remake) by V Bozeman

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If you are fan of Empire, then V Bozeman's beautiful voice and face should be familiar to you. If you don't know her, it is okay because I am here to make the introduction.

Here is her version of the 90's R&B classic "Something in My Heart," originally sung by Michel'le.

Still Standing By Monica --The Code Red Tour (Live at the Gramercy)

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I told y'all in an earlier post that "Still Standing" was one of my top 5 Monica songs. Last night, I got to see her perform it live at the Gramercy Theater in New York City. The message of this song is so powerful. It is about overcoming the odds and standing strong. This song helped me get through some tough times. And, I feel it is fitting that I got to hear Monica sing it as this year---my best year in the last 3 years---comes to a close. I am truly grateful to be STILL STANDING.

Check out this song's lyrics and Monica's powerful performance:

Still Standing 

Mama always told me

Baby, you gotta walk by faith

And not by sight

Real talk, you gotta listen

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh, yeah

Oh, listen to me now, I'm gonna say it loud

So you won't be confused 'bout what we talkin' 'bout

I been through the storm, had dirt on my name

I'm still holding on, champion of the game

(They said)

Whatever, don't kill, you make you stronger

Well, I must be the world's strongest woman

See I done, done a whole lotta growin'

Everything you say, I'm already knowin'

'Cause I

I been up against ropes

Everything you're going through

I been there before, seen them all come

And I seen them all go

You can bet your last that

My head won't hit the floor, never

And I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing

I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing

I had a lover take his own in front of me

I asked God, why is this happening to me?

But I didn't fold, I held my own

And now I'm deep in love with who I belong

(This is my life)

They say with age comes wisdom

And the white flag, I can't give 'em

Tryin' to tell you how it's s'posed to be

See, this is more than just a song to me

'Cause I

I been up against ropes

Everything you're going through

I been there before, seen them all come

And I seen them all go

You can bet your last that

My head won't hit the floor, never

And I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing

I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing

I'm unbreakable, baby

Luda, yeah, it's a family affair

I may have done the things they say I did

But I'm not who they say I am

Try to throw my name in the dirt

But I really don't give a damn

I'm still standing like the statue of liberty

And I put my name in the history books

So you'll forever remember me

Remember me as the toughest warrior

Or the ultimate fighter

'Cause I'm the truth and nothing but

It's like my hands on the bible

And it's the survival of the fittest

The realest, it's not a facade

Still standing on my two feet

'Cause I'm a child of God

Do something

I been up against ropes

Everything you're going through

I been there before, seen them all come

And I seen them all go

You can bet your last that

My head won't hit the floor, never

And I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing

I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing

I been up against ropes

Everything you're going through

I been there before, seen them all come

And I seen them all go

You can bet your last that

My head won't hit the floor, never

And I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing

I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing

I'm not gonna give up, never

Come too far to look back, oh

Oh, ohh, I been there before

I've seen it, I've seen it, I've done it

I've done it, I'm done, let me live my life now

I let it go, I let God, I let it go, and I let God

Don't hate me now

I ain't who I used to be no more

I'm still standing, I'm still standing

I'm still standing, oh, I'm still standing

I'm still standing, you can't take this joy away 

My Top 5 Monica Songs

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I told y'all that I planned to end this year with a big bang. On Sunday, I will be attending my second concert of the month. This one is a little different because I have loved this artist for 20 years, from my preteen years to my 30s. I can remember first seeing Monica's "Don't Take It Personal" video on one of BET's (now defunct) music video shows and loving everything about her and the song. She was young, sassy, and gorgeous. Back when it was Monica versus Brandy (though I love both of them) in the teen pop singer wars, I was team Monica all the way. She was one of the artists on my music bucket lists to see perform live and this weekend I can check her off. Even better, I have VIP tickets and I will get a chance to meet her, get her autograph, and talk a picture with her. I hope I don't start crying (because that would completely mess up the epic picture I plan to take with her).

So, in anticipation of my Monica experience, I have compiled a list of my favorite Monica songs. Sit back and enjoy the amazing vocals of Miss Monica. 

Album---"Miss Thang"

Album---"Miss Thang"

Album---"New Life"

Album---"New Life"

Album--"Still Standing"