Tag: soul

Nelson Navarro brings Soul to R&B with Thought Provoking Rap Lyrics

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Photograph by Elias Kerasidis (Insta:@krsds_)

Nelson Navarro born and bred in Sunny Worthing, a small coastal town in the South of England. He may be from a small town but he has a worldly sound. The music released by Navarro combines multiple genres of music bringing the Soul to R&B with catchy rhythms alongside thought provoking Rap lyrics. Navarro enhances all of your musical senses with a variety of different collaborations with various artists. Scrolling through Navarro’s Spotify you can experience Drum & Bass remixes of original songs by the likes of Ben Rolo and Alfie Frank. One of my personal favourites of his songs is ‘Picket Fence’ – GiwHa Remix. It makes me imagine summer days laying on the grass and staring up at the blue sky contemplating the meaning of life (in a good way of course).

Navarro is constantly bringing out new songs and music videos on his various social media platforms. Engaging his audience not only with the music but with his edgy appearance, head full of dreads and unique clothing style. Is it feelings of adoration that he arouses or do we just plainly want to be him ?

‘Late Nite’ by Nelson Navarro

The latest music video release of Late Nite, has a classic old school HipHop instrumental with Navarro rapping to the tune of pursuing a woman. The video itself is filmed like a 90’s homemade video, giving off nostalgic retro vibes. The art of a good rapper always lies in the flow and rhythm of the bars. It is safe to say that Navarro has nailed it down to the T. Check out the link above to see more.

Navarro has been getting noticed in recent months featuring on BBC introducing and getting well deserved radio time. He is not only a singer/songwriter he is also involved in the production side of every song release to date. He goes on to say:

“I’ve been recording and mixing my songs for like, 11 years. Shits crazy, when I see that number written down and I’m telling the truth. I started when I was using GarageBand at 14 and kept it moving ever since. Let’s go!”

Nelson Navarro

Collaboration is such a huge part of Navarro’s creative process that he even has a list of artists that he would love to collaborate with on his iPhone. He explains the reason behind it and whose on it:

“I keep a “Dream Collabs” note in my iPhone for manifesting these kinda things. Anderson Paak. Smino. Most recently, Rick Ross. I’ve been reading his book about Bossing Up and that sh*t slaps.”

Nelson Navarro

NOTE: For those of you who aren’t down with the latest slang; “slapped/slaps” means ‘to be excellent or amazing’.

‘Virtuoso’ by Nelson Navarro

As many great musicians, music has been a big influence in his childhood years. His parents met through being in bands, and thus grew up listening to his mum singing and watched his Dad produce music. When asked about his creative process when making music he responded with:

“Nowadays I’m getting really collaborative and that’s great. I’m frequently finding beats online and inviting new producers to the studio because for me it all starts with an instrumental. Once that’s there I start freestyling and recording and I keep going until the songs’ done! I gotta have some time too. Don’t rush me. Give me 2 hours tops. That’s the whole song, top to bottom, mixed and mastered. Done.”

Nelson Navarro
Photograph by Elias Kerasidis (Insta:@krsds_)

With music literally pumping through his blood, it also runs right through to his fingertips being able to play all the western classics like drums, guitar, bass, ‘keys, saxophone and ukulele. Although talented in many musical instruments his main focus at the moment is on vocals. When asked about what music Navarro grew up listening to, he responded with:

“My parents played so much sh*t as I was growing up that slapped – Marvin Gaye, Sammy Davis Jr, Bob Marley. Particularly my mum nurtured my Craig David obsession and looking back, that has been monumental in terms of the flex I come with on tracks these days. Entaa selectaaa.”

Nelson Navarro

You can find out more on Navarro and his inquisitive nature through a series of short videos on TikTok. In which he talks about current trending themes like positivity and manifestation. He conveys personal opinions and words of wisdom, giving a greater understanding to his audience about who he is and why. The short videos reveal the mind behind the great lyrics of his music, which is just fascinating to watch. To see what I am talking about, watch the video below.

@nelsonnavarrouk

Which do you default to: sympathy or empathy? 🤔 #emotionalintelligence #wisdom #question

♬ One Love – Bob Marley
TikTok: @nelsonnavarrouk

A reason to start following and look out for Navarro in the future is the big plans he has for 2022. He has 3 albums planned to be released throughout the course of this year. To make sure to keep up to date, here are his social media platform links: Facebook, Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, Youtube.

Finally, a question that I love asking and will carrying on asking even if it is unanswerable – Favourite song of all time, Navarro say’s:

“Dude! How you gunna stick this on me?! I can give you my favourite song of this moment which is 2AM by Don Toliver. Now that’s some sexy shit”.

Nelson Navarro
Photograph by Sam Rogers (Insta: @sambooka_shots)

10 Playlists for your every Mood

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Music for me is a way of dealing with whatever life brings. Whether it is heartbreak or love, Monday motivation or Friday night tunes, empowering anthems or badass hardcore rock. Whatever it is, music has the capability of enabling your mood through a creative outlet. Lyrics to songs are a common way of me categorising music into playlist, along with genre and tempo. I like to understand the intentions of the artists message through their songs. Then relate them to an appropriate group of songs that compliment each other. Spotify being my main source of music streaming, here is a list of some of my favourite playlists that I have created and listen to for every kind of mood.

1.Sunday Morning: the day of rest, the day of love, the day of gratitude.

This playlist has a mixture of genres and a variety of artists. There are some feel good classics and some mellow acoustic songs to make your Sunday morning breakfast more enjoyable.

2.Boss Lady: “We have to teach our girls to reach as high as humanly possible!” – BeyoncĂ©.

The motivation behind this playlist was to empower women of all ages. It features some of the most influential women in Pop. The themes of the each of the songs have the power to remind each and every girl out there, that they have what it takes to go after your dreams. That being a woman is something to be proud of, and that you should never let anyone take that away from you.

3. Club Nights in my Head: Stuck in Lockdown but still want to feel the Friday night vibes.

This playlist has a combination of new and old club anthems. With all bars and clubs closed for over a year now, reminiscing a good night out with my girls is a common occurrence for me. Before the pandemic crept up on us like annoying pestering little brother, dancing in a club until 5am was one of my favourite forms exercise. Club nights in my head, because that’s the only place I dance nowadays.

4. Friday & Saturday Mash: Funky, groovy and uplifting modern soul vibes

Originally, I had created this playlist for a restaurant that I used to work at in the fun but dark city of Copenhagen, Denmark. With a complete new management team where we were all under the age of 28 of an 150 seat restaurant. Innovation and creativity were key to bring life to the place, to make sure that the right ambience and mood was created. This playlist did just that. The Friday and Saturday Mash was put on at exactly 8pm every weekend. You could feel the switch up in motivation of the staff, as well as in the customers, drinking their cocktails ready to enter their weekend with a bang. It is a great playlist for all ages.

5. Broke Up with your Ass: “I hate you, I love you, I hate that I love you”

Have you broken up with your partner of 5 years ? Or have you have unrequited lover? Or maybe you just got ghosted. Either way this playlist will get out your frustrations. It involves some of my favourite break up songs of all time, including “Fuck it” – Eamon (Gen Y’s guilty pleasure) and “Bad at love” – Halsey. Another one of my favourite songs is “Hi, its me” by Ashnikko, your go to tune for the weak days.

6. Gaming Vibes: Gamers don’t fear the apocalypse, we’ve seen it many times before

One of my preferred ways pass my time, is through gaming. I love great storylines, 1st person game play is my best-loved gaming modes. I like to set myself up with some chilled Rap music, a nice hot cup of tea and lose myself in the world of virtual reality. It calms the mind, rids of the spontaneous in-game frustrations and sets you on a path of victory.

7. Electronic chillin’ maybe trippin’

This one is hits the nail on the head for multiple moods that I have risen, including chilled solo drives, adventurous connection to higher self moments or just letting my mind wonder into day dream. Check it out.

8. Bedroom Steam

This is playlist is pretty self explanatory. If you know me personally you would know that I am a complete cringe ball and hopeless romantic. Some people might find it awkward to play music during their intimate antics, however when you find that one person that you connect with on a completely different level. Music for me, encourages the romantic energy when words of love fly in the air.

9. Heal the Earth

This playlist was created by Elizabeth April, she is a spiritual channeller and influencer. I wanted to include this playlist because of the magical way it makes you appreciate life. The music is alternative tropical house themed. I am lucky enough to have the beach just 5 minutes from my flat. I find myself taking a break from life by going to the beach, putting in my headphones, listening to this playlist and merely appreciating the natural beauty of the crashing waves.

10. Nuko Kind of Love: “Love is not what you say, its what you do.”

This encapsulates pure love energy. Unconditional love. The kind of love you would dream to be your forever.