This season tends to be emotionally heavy for me. Even when good things are happening, there’s that quiet, strange feeling like something’s off but you can’t quite name it. You want to open up, but the words never land quite right. You feel misunderstood, not just by others, but by yourself. And sometimes, you just need a break from people needing you because you need you.

That’s what this playlist has been for me. A space to feel, to process, to breathe.

I’ve been making these for over 15 years. Each one marks a chapter. Where I was, how I felt. Music has always been my way through.

So here it is. A reflection. A companion. A soft place to land when the words don’t come.

Find a park to sit in. Let the grass touch your feet. Take a bike ride. Go for a long walk. And press play.

We are alive. Like really alive.

Steven Othello  We Are Alive! (Playlist 26)
1. Melodiesinfonie feat. Asé – A Fool's Moon
2. anaiis & Grupo Cosmo – B.P.E
3. Erykah Badu & The Alchemist – Next To You
4. Wakai feat. Emmavie – Starter Jacket
5. River Tiber feat. Justin Nozuka – Tell Her
6. Lil Uzi Vert – Chill Bae
7.Jordan Ward – Seedalight
8. Aloe Fm – Yadamean (shes gone)
9. Mejiwahn & Liv.e – Heart String Special
10. IDK – MiLES TRUMPET (i)
11.Abel Takan – 4 your eyez
12. kwn – war to be over
13. Kelis – In The Morning
14. anaiis & Grupo Cosmo – Honeydew
15. James Tillman – And Then
16. Bilal, ?uestlove & Robert Glasper – All For Love (Live)
17. Frank Ocean – Seigfried
18. Annahstasia feat. aja monet – All Is. Will Be. As It Was.

We Are Alive! (Playlist 26)

Hyundai

Rogue Heart

THE FALL

THE FALL (feat. Kiefer & Braxton Cook)

MINDING MY BUSINESS

MINDING MY BUSINESS (feat. Elijah Fox)

Lost In U

The Sky Is Recording Me: 100 Years Later, Vol. 3

LONELY

Deep Dive

Thank You (feat. Yukimi)

TemporaryLuv

Amazing Grace - Dana Sharp - 2025-01-08, 10.50 AM

“The World Is Yours” by Nas made me feel like I could take over the world in real life. I used to stare out my windows, looking over the city, waiting to grow up so I could live those raps. Remember the song you heard when you fell in love for the first time. Mine was “Maria Maria” by Carlos Santana. Or the song that nailed heartbreak. “Where I Wanna Be” by Donell Jones hit me at sixteen and never left. 


Then I heard “Run to the Sun” by N*E*R*D and felt something new. Like I could be inspired by all types of sounds. When I found out Kelis was from Harlem, that was it. Watching her express herself through music, style, and art changed my life.


All that to say, music is still my first love language. It’s been the one constant guiding me. It’s how I communicate. It’s how I show love. When I make these playlists, it feels like a time capsule of what I’m feeling and what life is doing. I’m excited to share the new one.


What song has been inspiring you?

Steven Othello - We Are Alive! (Playlist 27)
Tracklisting:
Destin Conrad – GLORY a poem by Bay Davis
Destin Conrad – wASH U AWAY feat. Terrace Martin
keiyaA – take it
Bryson Tiller – No Contest
MoRuf – PT Cruiser feat. SZA
Odeal – Miami feat. Leon Thomas
anaïs – Moonlight
Venna – Myself feat. Jorja Smith
Loyle Carner – purpose feat. Navy Blue
qu – pray every night feat. Margaux
Samara Cyn – Silhouette
Mick Jenkins – Words I should’ve said feat. EMIL, ENNY
Blood Orange – Scared of It feat. Brendan Yates & Ben Watt
Daniel Caesar – No More Loving (On Women I Don’t Love) feat. 646yf4t
Rosie Lowe – Paris, Texas
Shungu – Last Time feat. Liv.e
D’Angelo – Everybody Loves The Sunshine (Cover)
Sidibe – Never-ending Horizon

We Are Alive! (Playlist 27)