As we count down to the ESSENCE Festival, taking place June 30-July 3 in New Orleans, artists from our power-packed lineup will sum up their lives—from childhood to stardom—in 10 songs. Next up it’s Tweet, the soulful songbird who this year released Charlene, her first album since 2005.
1. Al Green, “Simply Beautiful”
My early days were carefree and beautiful. I had not a care in the world.
2. Luther Vandross, “So Amazing”
I was in love…doing music. Life seemed amazing.
3. D’Angelo, “Alright”
Seemed like the beginning of troubles. I still tried to be positive about the things that were happening…not knowing the worse was ahead.
4. Bilal, “Sometimes”
At this point in my life I was questioning everything happening in my life. This song just spoke to my heart the words I couldn’t speak.
5.Mary J. Blige, ”Be Happy”
This point in my life I just wanted to be happy with something in my life: love, career, being a mom….anything! Nothing in my life was going good, and I had an overwhelming desire to just be happy.
6. Tonex, “Make Me Over”
The rock-bottom time in my life. This song was my cry and prayer to God to take my life at the mess it was in and make me into who He wanted me to be.
7. The Clark Sisters, “Is My Living in Vain”
After making the decision to rededicate my life to God, a lot of my insecurities and shame of life choices were answered with this song.
8. Bilal, “Butterfly”
This song also gave me the insight of how everything I went through was to prepare me for something greater. The shell and isolation was just making me stronger.
9. Commissioned, “Waiting to Hear from You”
Even today there may be things I don’t understand, and this song is the truth of how I live now. I wait to hear from God on decisions I have to make. I don’t want to make the same mistakes I’ve made before…ever.
10. Tweet, “I Was Created for This”
I’m confident in the space I’m in now, knowing God created me to not only do music but to tell my story so that I can help someone get through.
Don’t miss Tweet and a star-studded lineup at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival. Buy your tickets now!