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The musicians who have humbled themselves on “11 Songs Filled with Blessings” include Charlie Wilson, Daniel Caesar, Freeway, Lana Del Rey, and Smokepurpp.

Cutting straight to the chase, blessings is what this playlist centers on, period.  The artists sharing their music on 11 Songs Filled with Blessings have all been blessed in their lives.  In some cases, it’s purely spiritual, while in other cases, they acknowledge the source, while ‘testifying’ about their ‘come-up.’ Regardless, the end is the same – every song featured on this list has some form of the word ‘bless.’ The musicians who have humbled themselves include Charlie Wilson, Daniel Caesar, Freeway, Lana Del Rey, and Smokepurpp. Yeah, maybe ‘humbled’ wasn’t the best word choice… Anyways, without further ado!

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1. Freeway, “Blessed”

Ft. Faith Evans

Think Free • Roc Nation • 2018

The most recent song on this playlist hails from rapper Freeway. “Blessed” appears on his quietly released, 2018 comeback album, Think Free. Think Free is also the title of a documentary about the rapper’s kidney disease.  Notably, he experienced a life-changing health crisis, suffering kidney failure in 2015. Tapping R&B veteran Faith Evans for the thoughtful chorus, Freeway gets to work with his own share of sharp, thankful rhymes.  What’s great about this particular record is the resilience and positivity – understanding the gift that is life – that Freeway exhibits her.

2. Daniel Caesar, “Blessed”

Freudian • Golden Child Recordings • 2017

“Everywhere that I go, everywhere that I be / If you were not surrounding me with your energy /…Anyplace that I can’t feel you, I just wanna be near you.” The gospel sensibility is deep on “Blessed,” one of many highlights from Daniel Caesar’s Grammy-nominated R&B album, Freudian. Freudian focuses on both romantic and spiritual matters, and “Blessed” is no exception, dealing with Caesar’s relationship with God.

In the context of the album, “Blessed” is a natural follow-up to “We Find Love.”  While it pulls things back compared to the preceding number, it doesn’t compromise quality or energy. By the bridge, the spirit is lofty: “And I’m coming back home to you.”

3. Lana Del Rey, “God Bless America – And All the Beautiful Women in It”

Lust for Life • Interscope • 2017 

“God bless America, and all the beautiful women in it / May you stand proud and strong like Lady Liberty shinin’ all night long.” Lana del Rey delivers on “God Bless America – And All the Beautiful Women in It,” a women’s empowerment record, written in anticipation of politics affecting women. Interestingly, it follows “Coachella – Woodstock in My Mind” in the sequence of Lust for Life, a record that is the catalyst for numerous social and politically-charged records. The melody on the chorus is simple, yet beautiful, while the messaging is pitch perfect for the current climate.

“Keep your light on, babe, I might be standin’ outside / You let me in, don’t leave me out, or leave me dry.”

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4. CyHi The Prynce, “God Bless Your Heart.”

No Dope on Sundays • Sony • 2017

In 2017, rapper CyHi The Prynce issued his debut studio album, No Dope on Sundays. One of the songs happens to fit the topic at hand, “God Bless Your Heart.” The eighth track from No Dope on Sundays isn’t a gospel song – understatement.  However, it’s clear that CyHi The Prynce is thankful to God, and encourages others to exhibit a similar mindset. “God bless your heart… / Be thankful his mercy let us say all these precious thoughts.” Could be even more secular, right? Right.

5. Charlie Wilson, “I’m Blessed”

Ft. T.I.

In It to Win It • RCA • 2017

“Ask me how I’m doing, I’m blessed, yes / Living every moment, no regrets / Smile up on my face, I’m like oh / Yes, I’m blessed, yes, I’m blessed, yes.” Veteran R&B singer Charlie Wilson opens In It to Win It thankfully on “I’m Blessed.”  The record commences with him testifying about God’s goodness before delivering a stunning, spiritually-driven performance (“My prayer was I asked God not to let the devil kill me out here, while I was in the streets before I could get back”). This is well-rounded, inspirational adult contemporary R&B at its best.  Wilson doesn’t tweak the formula, but he doesn’t need to.  Is the appearance by T.I. necessary? No, but it gives Uncle Charlie a youthful compadre and proves that the vet can hang with anybody.

6. Lecrae, “Blessings”

Ft. Ty Dolla $ign

All Things Work Together • Reach • 2017

“Blessings” is among the highlights from All Things Work Together, the 2017 album by Christian rapper Lecrae.  On “Blessings,” Lecrae enlists one of urban music’s hottest artists for the assist, Ty Dolla $ign.  While Ty Dolla $ign isn’t typically associated with the religious or spiritual, he is responsible for the memorable sung hook:

“If I ever took a loss, I learned a lesson / I won’t ever think I’m better than the next man / I’ve been down before the come up, I ain’t stressin’ / Baby I’m too busy countin’ all these blessings.”

Later, Ty gets his chance to shine on once again on the second verse.  He doesn’t reference God, but he also avoids the hellish.  As for Lecrae, he spits ferociously.  His approach and appeal are secular for the most part, but he gives the glory to God: “Won’t take the credit, I know where we get it / Them blessings be comin’ from God above.” An infectious post-hook adds the cherry on top: “Count it up, count it up, count it up / Blessings.”

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7. Bryson Tiller, “Stay Blessed”

True to Self • RCA • 2017

“Note to self / Stay true to self / Short, I could use the help / And you know what to do to help / Going in circles, trying not to lose myself, no.” Going into 2017, Louisville, KY hip-hop artist Bryson Tiller was one of music’s rising stars.  It was no surprise that his second studio album, True to Self, debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200.  Unfortunately, Tiller didn’t produce nor ear a hit as impressive as “Exchange” from T R A P S O U L.  Nonetheless, he does have something to offer on this blessed playlist. “Stay Blessed” is a lushly produced record that successfully captures the urban contemporary experience. While “Stay Blessed” is more nebulous than rigidly defined, Tiller deserves credits for being honest about his feelings and thoughts after his girl leaves him.

“Used to look at me and tell me ‘Don’t stress, love’ / That’s why I need you whenever I’m stressed, love / Cut me off, tell me ‘stay blessed,’ love / Hey, stay blessed.”

8. Smokepurpp, “Bless Yo Trap”

Deadstar • Alamo / Interscope • 2017

South Florida SoundCloud rapper Smokepurpp wanted to bless his audience on his 2017 album, Deadstar – well sort of.  He dropped a banger with “Bless Yo Trap”, which features exceptional production work.  Naturally, the production sounds like its straight out of the trap. Another selling point is the aggressive, hard-as-nails persona that the young rapper showcases.  Clearly, he’s not playing around.  The hook is memorable and repetitive: “Bless yo trap / Lil Purpp bless yo’ trap, Lil Purpp bless yo’ trap.” No, “Bless Yo Trap” isn’t deep or transcendent – Smokepurpp takes the opportunity to flex and nothing more.  But, the vibe is notable if nothing else.

9. Chance the Rapper, “Blessings”

Ft. Jamila Woods

Coloring Book • Chance the Rapper • 2016

“I’m gon’ praise him, praise him ‘til I’m gone / When the praises go up, the blessings come down… / It seems like blessings keep falling in my lap.”  One of the amazing things about Chance the Rapper is how humble and how thankful he is.  On “Blessings,” a highlight from his Grammy-winning album Coloring Book, he isn’t shy about referencing the importance of God in his life.  There are numerous spiritual references, such as “He has ordered my steps, gave me a sword with a crest / And gave Donnie a trumpet in case I get shortness of breath” on the first verse, as well as “Hit Jericho with a buzzer beater to end a quarter / Watch brick and mortar fall like dripping water, ugh!” on the second verse.  Jamila Woods assists on the hook, excerpted above.

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10.Vivian Green, “Count Your Blessings”

Ft. Treena Ferebee

Vivid • Make Noise • 2015

“People often say she’s so underrated / but I’m blessed, I’m blessed, I’m blessed.” Indeed, Vivian Green is one of R&B’s most underrated artists, but she has never let that dictate the quality of her output.  Vivid, Green’s fifth studio album, is another fine addition to her collection. While “I’m Not Broken” and “Get Right Back to My Baby” represent the most elite moments from Vivid, “Count Your Blessings” has a terrific message.  Assisted by Treena Ferebee, Vivian Green is thankful for all that God has given her throughout her career, underrated or not.

11. Big Sean, “Blessings”

Ft. Drake

Dark Sky Paradise • Def Jam • 2015

Big Sean spends an entire song, “Blessings,” dedicated to the blessings he’s been bestowed. He gets an assist from Drake as he speaks of “Blessings on blessings on blessings.” Drake is responsible for the killer hook:

“I’m here for a good time, not a long time, you know I / I haven’t had a good time in a long time, you know I / I’m way up, I feel blessed / Way up, I feel blessed.”

Hard-nosed, minor key production, and an agile flow from Sean only make the blessings that much more substantial.

“At the top of the rap game and progressin’ / Check after check, checking off my check list / Try and blow my cake, just know that’s a death wish / No mistakes in life ever, it’s  only lessons.”

Photo Credits: Alamo, Chance the Rapper, Def Jam, Golden Child Recordings, Interscope, Make Noise, RCA, Reach, Roc Nation, Sony

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