A-Side
On Wednesday, September 22, we poured one out for a real one: Summer 2021.
The end of Summer and the beginning of Fall ushers us in a new direction with a slower, patient, and more intentional pace. That transition reminds me of an interlude.
On an album, interludes help us refocus and recalibrate. It’s a chance to reflect briefly on what we’ve heard and what’s to come. It forms the relationship between 2 songs just as Fall exists to ease us into Winter.
Every year around the time of the Autumnal Equinox, I can’t help but play the song “Summer’s Over Interlude” from Drake’s 2016 album, Views (and use the song title as an Instagram caption). It’s a soft lament led by Majid Al Maskati, 1/2 of the duo, Majid Jordan, who sings “Summer is over, simple and plain”.
There’s just something in the air during this time. The way we move into Autumn always feels a little more intentional. I hope to bring this feeling into A-Side/B-Side as we return from the unplanned hiatus (life comes at you fast! I got a new job and moved to LA). Summer’s over, but we’re just getting (re)started! 👇🏾 Now, let’s get into it.
B-Side
“Summer’s Over” Loosies
When I started this newsletter last year, I wrote about wanting to build a community of people passionate about hip-hop and r&b. So, you’ll be seeing some words from my friends moving forward. For this issue, I asked for songs that they always listen to during *this time of the year*. Their responses are marked with their names.
“Summers Over Interlude” - Drake, Majid Jordan
“Feel It In The Air” - Beanie Sigel, Melissa
“September” - Earth, Wind & Fire
“September” - Mereba
“John Redcorn” - SiR
I first heard this song at the beginning of the pandemic, which had a fall-like energy to it. There was something about the seclusion that came with having to stay inside paired with what SiR sings about in John Redcorn that made me fall in love with the song. The song feels like the ending of summer love and the transition into a lonely fall. Perfect for anyone who finds that odd pleasure in sadness. — Amoy Gill
“Fall For Your Type” - Jamie Foxx, Drake (— Abigail Covington)
“U Go I Go” - Abra
This is my summers over/fall is here track because I think Abra is exposing what it feels like to enter cuffing season. She says “and we was thinking we should, get it together babe, get it together babe.” Abra expresses a desire to be all that her person is, in hopes of maintaining their “love.” The song in and of itself is very layered, and I love how dynamic Abra’s voice comes across. An underlying meaning that really makes this song hit is while she’s succumbing to her person’s “religion and all his other women,” she’s also struggling w a deeper desire to know and love herself. And that’s what fall feels like for me. A deeper desire to know and love myself. S/o to Abra for this track. — Bree B.
“dont be afraid” - Knxwledge
“Nothing Without Intention (interlude)” - Solange
From the Archives
@DaveTrent9 posted Kid Cudi’s Myspace page:
“I’m all about creativity, makin new hot shit, and takin hip hop or music in general 2 a whole nother level. I don’t wanna get in da game 2 blend in, I’m tryna change da face of it. I wanna make my mark.” — Kid Cudi
The Credits
It’s been a minute, but A-Side/B-Side is back! To all of my original, Day 1 subscribers: I appreciate you for sticking around! For all of my new subscribers who somehow found A-Side/B-Side during the hiatus, thanks for being patient! We back baby, where the love?!
- From Ayanna/A-Side/B-Side, With Love
