recollections vol. 1
introducing a new guest curator series — spotlight on Naiya of Herban Mystic
remember last week when i said there would be a new series with guest curators? well, that time is now and i’m so excited to introduce the first post. i tapped my friend Naiya of Herban Mystic to share a few keepsakes she cherishes and why. Herban Mystic is centered around spiritual wellness and ritual goods for personal transformation. with this collection, Naiya offers a glimpse of the sonic medicine she enjoys (some major selections that will pair perfectly with herbal medicine if you catch my drift). get ready to tune into Herban Mystic Radio — i’ll let Naiya take it from here!
Well first, happy new moon.
Second, hello. I’m Naiya, owner and founding member of Herban Mystic, and I’m so honored to kick off the guest features here on things i collected.
I pondered it all. Crystals? Books, half-read? My herbs were heavily considered, but then… this collection of records on my wall stood out more than usual to me. Later, after realizing I had a CD player in my car (it’s a new relationship and we’re getting better acquainted), I remembered the 3 CDs I had collecting dust on the shelf. Having physical copies of music is such a statement of how strong you connect with it...
So, here it goes.
On my wall of honor, I have 6 records…
1. New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) x Erykah Badu — classic material that I didn’t really catch onto until maybe my first heartbreak in my early 20s, which is funny because she (allegedly) wrote this after her break from Jay Electronica, another favorite of mine who I don’t have a record of. Nonetheless, this album fills my heart space and reconnects me with my true self. From heart to crown chakra.
2. Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager x Kid Cudi — These are the hymns of my loner high school days. It was dark and moody and made my cancerian moon come alive. I was okay with not being okay until I was fine.
3. Say It Loud (I’m Black and Proud) x James Brown — Simply because I’m blessed to be Black and I feel like this is a household staple when you are.
4. Prima Donna x Vince Staples — Now this honestly isn’t my favorite project by Vince but I have so much love for him that I couldn’t resist having something of his to play on my record player. And it’s a pretty, crisp white that aesthetically contrasts the others.
5. The Stoned Immaculate x Curren$y – This was a cool addition because out of all the projects he released, this is his debut album. Spitta is an underground legend, so him having a work so polished and lyrically sound warrants being placed on my wall of honor. Plus, I have contrast again of the cannabis green among the many black records.
6. Tactile Galactics x Secret Circuit – I’ll be honest, I purchased this album solely because of the cover art. And also the word “secret” appeals to me (I want to know too!) Then, to top it all off, the psychedelic sounds on this record take me back to 2012 when I had just discovered Terence McKenna, reading Food of the Gods; on a mission to trip out to some shrooms and/or DMT. Neither of which I have come into contact with, but when I do, this record I’ll play for sure.
In my car, I have 3 CDs…
1. These Days x Ab-Soul — If you can’t tell by now, I’m a die-hard STAN of lyricism. This album is what I like to call conscious fun (for the most part because there’s like one sad song). Ultimately, though, Soul is my IYKYK artists. What’s more is I was able to get this signed by the man himself after one of his Atlanta shows at the old Masquerade. I didn’t realize how rich of a memory that would be until now. I also gifted him an amethyst crystal. It was really a beautiful exchange.
2. Big Boi and Dre Presents OutKast — I am proud to say that I attended the Outkast ATLast weekend show they did a few years back. Was it 2014? I think so. I was pleased that Dre didn’t have the same withdrawn energy that he had at Coachella, he was present and very much alive as his music. I ride around to this because it has their greatest hits that I grew up to. It also feels very player to ride around Atlanta in a Chevy Impala bumping Outkast, I can’t even cap.
3. Black Messiah x D’Angelo and The Vanguard — I’m spiritual, okay, and have to listen to music that appeases my soul. This is that. I remember the anticipation that built up around this album. Sort of like Man on the Moon II, it was deep and moody, but the band (The Vanguard) deepened the experience even more for me. The production of this record stands out the most of all the records listed here and the poet in me really lives for these lyrics. And once again, I’m blessed to be Black, so I gotta keep it on me.
special thanks to Naiya for sharing some of her collection with us! be sure to check out Herban Mystic for updates on exciting things to come. i hope you were inspired to revisit a fave or check out something new! this series will return the second week of every month going forward. do you know someone with a dope curated collection or you’ve got one of your own — music or otherwise? holla at me!