January 2020 | Playlist of the Month

Updated: Mar 31, 2020

This is how the first month of 2020 went by so far:

Widespread bushfire season in Australia (since June 2019);
Jakarta flood which killed 66 people;
US and Iran attacking each other;
Ukrainian plane crash taking 176 lives;
Taal Volcano eruption rising to Alert Level 4;
Novel Coronavirus spreads worldwide from Wuhan, China;
And the tragic death of the basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, together with daughter Gianna Bryant, and several others while aboard a helicopter in Calabasas, California.

And that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Here's a rundown of the events this #January2020 from the Wikipedia Portal. (1)

Many thought that January felt like a whole year on its own. And the feeling is mutual.

I remember being exceedingly excited and recharged after the new year and new decade came in. My plans and goals were set up.

But despite the positive preparedness and mentality above, I still had my own share of rejections and disappointments. I wanted to fast forward to the good times and backtrack and correct whatever faults I did in the past. The thing is, that is not possible.

“Be sad. Be mad. Be frustrated. Scream. Cry. Sulk. When you wake up you will think it was just a nightmare only to realize it’s all too real. You will be angry and wish for the day back, the game back, THAT play back. But reality gives nothing back and nor should you.” (2)

- Kobe Bryant

I never understood basketball and never been hooked in that entire culture. But basketball speaks the universality of HARDWORK and PERSEVERANCE. There was a time for me to absorb the negativity of this month and feel it in my skin and bones. Loathing was there. Looking for a decent explanation is in my thoughts. I let it consume me for about a day. I needed to feel the negativity so I can rise from it. Then, I tried my best to shake it off.

I understood what Kobe Bryant wants to say and I am taking his words by heart. It's just what I needed. I was close to throwing all the preparation I did for January. Glad I could still hang on. The reality does not give anything back, therefore, I should not sulk in the past.

So here's my list that helped me get through this rocky month. I've discovered new music so that's still a good thing to remember about the first month of the decade. This is always a part of what I look forward to every month. Good music is endless. New artists are born and discovered each day.

I also want to highlight The Black Eyed Peas' different version of their classic, #WHEREISTHELOVE ft. The World. There are some acoustic versions like "La La Lost You" by NIKI and "Runnin'" by Naughty Boy ft. Arrow Benjamin. Let me also introduce you to Summer Walker, an up-and-coming R&B artist who featured the R&B legend, Usher in "Come Thru", with some familiar melodies and lyrics you need to catch in the song. I have a penchant with unique artists who are unapologetically authentic with their craft. JP Cooper also released a new song, "In These Arms", (with the acoustic version, too, of course). Hurtful, pierces through the heart, but that's what makes it a great song.