"The Wave" Volume No. 20 (Wabi-Sabi)
The Wave Volume No. 20 is musical journey based around the Japanese philosophy Wabi-Sabi, which encourages us to focus on the blessings hiding in our daily lives and celebrating the way things are rather than how they should be.
I was introduced to the philosophy during a conversation with my friend Brandon.
“Wabi-Sabi is the foundation of what let’s me have piece as a man, even though I have to look at the flaws of what I am every single day with a f*****g microscope. But I still love the man I see and I want everybody to feel the way I feel.”
His vivid description of the philosophy immediately resonated with my spirit, moving me to dig deeper and create a show around it.
Simply put, Wabi-Sabi gives you permission to be yourself by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.
The music is the music.
The Wave Volume No. 20 includes vibes from all tribes with my hand-picked favorites and remixes from indie artist, producers and creators. I featured three songs (Bay 2 The A, The Life, Winter Tires) from fellow Georgia State University Alumni, Will Hill, off his new project Atlantafornia.
I highlighted my favorite tracks in the setlist located below. Let me know your favorites in the comment section.
This weeks edition of Dropping Jewels with Julien Virgin featured Sara and Helena. I met the ladies at a rest stop in Victorville, California during a bus ride from California to Las Vegas. We got real about life and they shared some of their experiences with me.
“I walk by faith not by sight,” said Helena adding, “I woke up this morning and I did not have a clue.” Sara resonated with that word and shared that her journey was leading her to a family members funeral. She spoke about how the bus driver helped her with her bus fair in order to make the trip.
In that moment, we all realized that we were blessed; the universe brought our paths together at that moment to receive that energy from each other.
I’ve been working on The Wave Volume No. 20 since volume 19 was released in December 2019. I’ll have spurts of creativity here and there, but it’s not until I catch a wave of inspiration that i’ll lock in and churn out the project. There’s internal and external pressure to produce and release The Wave, however at this point in my journey, it’s important that I move at my own pace to release a complete project that delivers a well-rounded message to my people, which leads to me this quote.
Embracing wabi-sabi is as easy (or as difficult) as understanding and accepting yourself — imperfections and all. It’s about being compassionate with yourself as you are, and building on whatever that is — not feverishly trying to rebuild yourself in order to pose as something else entirely.
I felt moved to share Wabi-Sabi and wavy vibes with you. Love.
If you found value in today’s show, #SupportAHustla and tell your people about it. Play it around your friends, drop a comment and let me know how you feel. Listener feedback is everything to me, it pushes me to continue to create. And for that, I appreciate you all and I’m thankful for you taking the time to listen.
SETLIST:
Boonshot - Down
Snoh Aalegra - Want Yu Around (DJ Mozes NOLA Edit)
Will Hill - Bay 2 The A
Smino - TEMPO (Prod by VZN)
Yuna - Crush ft. Usher (JON REYES DAYNNITE EDIT)
Sean Dream - Astrodream
Charlie From the Couny - Wabi Sabi
KAYTRANADA - Gray Area ft. Mick Jenkins
Will Hill - The Life
Rica G - Note to Self Poem
Rema - Dumebi w/ Shaka Lion (Singularis RMX)
Nouriginal - U Say Ye
Bo - Waves [Bo Bounce EDIT]
Dropping Jewels with Julien Virgin: Sara & Helena (VIctorville Bus Stop)
Romby - I’m Blessed w/ Mayzin & Toni B
Will Hill - Winter Tires
DeeDONTCARE - D’Angelo [flip]
DeeDONTCARE - Climax [EDIT]
MARY J. BLIGE - MY LOVE [KLM FLIP]
J. Robb - new day (baltimore)
J. Robb - Special
THE END