About me: Heyyy! I’m Drea, also known as @sodrewrites on social media. I’m from North Carolina, so I’m a true Southern girl at heart. I’m a 41-year-old freelance writer with an insatiable appetite for good music! I’m also an avid reader, daydreaming poet, and an eager collector of physical media.
Favorite genres: My favorite genre is R&B. I’m partial to 80s and 90s R&B, to be exact. I also love Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, Jazz, and Reggae.
Favorite musician: My favorite musician of all time is the incomparable Royal Purple Highness, Prince. He has shaped my love of music in so many ways.
Other favorites are Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, Outkast, Sade, Anita Baker, Babyface, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Aretha Franklin, Miguel, H.E.R., J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Ella Fitzgerald, Mary J. Blige, Big KRIT, J.I.D, and MF DOOM. I could honestly go on and on.
Q&A:
When and how did your vinyl collecting journey begin?
I’ve always loved music and have been an avid collector of music since I was a kid. I had cassette tapes galore and even more CDs than that. With each boombox I’ve owned and each CD changer I’ve used, my craving for feeding those electronics increased.
While it would be years before I would own vinyl, I always admired them in consoles of family members growing up. Collecting vinyl of my own came to be a natural transition for my need to own the physical media I loved so much.
What’s an album you consider flawless from start to finish that feels like it was made just for you?
I consider a few albums flawless from start to finish, but there’s not many that I feel were made just for me. My taste can be temperamental and all over the place. What can I say? I’m a moody Gemini!
An album that I consider flawless from start to finish is Sign O’ The Times by Prince, hands down. This album is an electric explosion of funk, psychedelic pop, and pure soul. Prince also gives so much to this album in the areas of love, spirituality, and social commentary. From the whimsical “Starfish & Coffee,” the powerfully spiritual “The Cross,” on down to the soulful ballads like my personal favorite, “Adore,” this album has everything!
One album that I feel was made just for me is The Velvet Rope by Janet Jackson. This album taught me to lean into my femininity in a pure, yet intentional way. During my year of discovering the album, I was given permission to be myself in whatever capacity I saw fit. I didn’t have to hide for fear of being seen by the wrong people. I could safely explore what being a young woman was for MYSELF, no matter whose gaze I fell upon.
The Velvet Rope symbolizes expressing the need to feel special while still maintaining emotional boundaries. Listening to this album always reminds me that I can show up as myself– in whatever form or fashion; and still be counted.
Another album that I feel was made just for me is One in a Million by Aaliyah. To me, this album truly encompasses Aaliyah’s jazz personality and “G” mentality. One In a Million is street, smooth, and sophisticated with just a touch of funk. I just love the way her music blended soul and hip-hop, with the help of Timbaland and Missy. This album was fueled by angst, infatuation, crushes, heartbreak, and finding one’s own identity. The fact that I can dance and sing along through all these things makes it a vibe for me!
What have you been spinning non-stop lately?
Lately I’ve been spinning a lot of 80s and 90s R&B. Anita Baker stays on the spins. Midnight Star has also been playing non-stop. Since I recently got New Edition’s Heartbreak on wax (thanks Corey!), I can’t get enough of it!
A few specific albums that have been getting lots of play around my way lately:
- Sons of Soul x Tony Toni Tone.
- Toni Braxton (self-titled debut).
- CrazySexyCool x TLC.
- Queen of the Pack x Patra.
- Eyes of a Stranger x The Deele.
- Ill Nana x Foxy Brown.
- Ego Death x The Internet.
What is the current look and vibe of your listening space?
The vibe of my listening space is calm, relaxed, and comfortable. My listening space is the den, the space at home everyone knows is “mama’s space.” I have a grey sectional couch surrounded by plants. My Monsteras, Pothos, and ZZ plants seem to dance when I put the needle on the records positioned directly in front of them.
On the same table my record player rests, I have framed illustrations of Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sade Adu. Directly above the table is a canvas painting of The DJ by Justin Bua. There’s also comic book art of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation album. I feel like being in this space makes me feel relaxed and ready to absorb all the beautiful music oozing through the speakers without distractions. I’ve amassed quite a few records since moving here, so I know soon I’ll be updating my space to accommodate.
Where are your favorite places to crate dig?
I don’t yet have a favorite place to crate dig. But, I do look forward to finding record stores in every city I visit. I frequent Gravity Records out in Wilmington, NC and really like Lunchbox Records in Charlotte, NC. I also adore McKay’s in Mebane, NC. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone that collects physical media. I’ve found numerous gems in the crates. And I’ve gotten so many good books and video games there as well.
I recently found this place in Wilmington, NC called Schoolkids Vinyl and it’s pretty dope. I found a couple of records there while crate digging recently that I had been looking for years for!
And of course, there is Discogs. If I’m searching for something specific, I know a few shops on Discogs are bound to have them.
Who is your favorite songwriter of all time? Is there a specific lyric from them that deeply resonates with you?
Babyface is my favorite songwriter of all time. Babyface had me yearning and wanting to feel “all the feels” as a kid. As an 80s baby and 90s kid, so many of my favorite songs were written by him. You couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing songs blessed with that Babyface touch.
The first song that made me feel like I understood what falling in love meant was Diggin’ On You. The first song I “slow danced” with a partner to was I’ll Make Love to You. The song playing when I got my first kiss was I’m Ready. All of them written by Babyface! And can you guess what song I walked down the aisle to when I got married? Every Time I Close My Eyes by Babyface. It’s no secret that this man’s music has moved me from a young age and has colored the soundtrack of my life.
What’s your favorite album art of all time?
Hmmm. This is a hard one! I’ll say right now I’m currently obsessed with the RhymezLikeDimez cover art for Why Lawd? and the 20th Anniversary Edition cover art for MF Doom’s MM..FOOD.
Have you ever discovered a classic Jazz or Soul album from a sample in a Rap track?
I’ve discovered so many of my favorite jazz songs/artists from rap songs I couldn’t get enough of:
Electric Relaxation sampling Ronnie Foster’s Mystic Brew. Bonita Applebaum sampling Daylight by RAMP. Didn’t Cha Know sampling Tarika Blue’s Dreamflower.
Listening to artists like Jay-Z, Tribe, J. Dilla, Wu-Tang, and MF Doom put me on to so much music through their samples. Anytime I found a smooth jazz or soul sample embedded in a track, I was scrambling to find more info about the artist they sampled. This opened my ear and expanded my knowledge of music tremendously. I appreciate Ahmad Jamal because of J. Dilla and Madlib. I am obsessed with Diana in The Autumn Wind by Gap Mangione because of J. Dilla and Slum Village as well. And I listen to Isaac Hayes, Baby Huey, and Ohio Players more because of Wu-Tang Clan.
Do you have any tips, hacks, or advice for fellow collectors to support them along their journeys?
The main thing I want to tell fellow collectors, especially those beginning their journeys, is to collect what speaks to them. Your vinyl collection should be a testament to who you are and the music you appreciate. This plastic we hold near and dear to us can get expensive. So, it’s very important to build your collection on music that makes your heart soar. Songs that feel like love, like, and utter joy to you. Albums that remind you of heartbreak. Deep cuts that bring back memories of childhood happiness and whimsy. So many of the albums in my collection are built of songs I loved as a child, albums that remind me of my favorite cousins, and music my favorite uncle put me on to.
Allow your collection to bring joy as you peruse those aisles in the record store. Grab that record that inspires your favorite musician. Bring that Marvin Gaye record home if you know you won’t find it anywhere else anytime soon. As the years progress, you’ll be glad you purchased that Paramore album when you did. There’s no wrong way to choose what vinyl to add to your collection. Purchase an album because it’s something you want and not something you’re wishing to score proverbial brownie points for owning. Enjoy your collection and make it YOU.
And find community. It’s so much fun collecting when you find others that are passionate about collecting as well.
We’d love to include a piece of your writing! Would you be open to sharing a short poem inspired by your connection to music?
Music Is…
…a familiar language for foreign feelings
that weigh heavy on my mind
decorated with percussion
like heartbeats in double time
…a safe space within the meter
where rhythm meets rhyme
a respite when I’m weary
that’s never hard to find
…a trusted confidant
that shared my dreams and fears
lyrics read secrets on my skin
they never exposed, yet held me near
within the confines of heavy basslines
a soothing balm to the ear
a friend that stayed solid
and captured my free-falling tears
…a reminder of sweet memories
created with lyrics of yesterday
comfort when I can’t seem to forget
all the mistakes that I’ve made
…confirmation that God heard me
every time that I prayed
encouragement when He answers
as He helps me find my way
***Wow… Some collectors build libraries, but Drea has built the soundtrack to her life. Her thoughtful answers remind us that the best collections are rooted in joy, memories, and genuine love for the music. We can’t thank her enough for sharing her beautiful original poem, Music Is…, which perfectly captures the comfort, healing, and connection music brings us all. Follow @sodrewrites on IG to keep up with her writing and musical journey. Want to be featured next? DM @soultaurean on Instagram and stay tuned!
