If you’ve read my post about MY BEEF WITH BLACK RADIO, you know I don’t get in the car without my special home made mix of kid-friendly/mom-approved music. I mean, I’d much prefer the babies groove to Chrisette Michelle’s “Be Okay,” De La Soul’s “Me, Myself & I,” or Michael Jackson’s “Can’t Help It,” than the hot mess they’re pumping into out stereos these days. I mean, Lil Boosie’s “Better Believe It”? Pleasure P’s “Under”? Jeremih’s “Imma Star”?

I. Can’t.

And. I. Won’t.

(Lest blood gush out of my and my children’s ears.)

Nick hooked me up with a new iPod connection in my ride a few months ago, so I don’t have to make my own mix CDs. But I have to admit, even with the thousands of songs I have in my iTouch, I’ve grown a little bored with my playlist. A couple weeks ago, I copped albums by a few of my favorite ’90s R&B bands, including Intro, Brownstone, and Mint Condition. I also bought Jay-Z’s latest, “The Blueprint 3,” because his “Welcome to New York” and “Run this Town” put me in a New York state of mind (Go Brooklyn! Strong Island!) But dude, I need some new music—seriously.

Can you guys help me out? What’s on your playlist these days? Let’s swap some of our favorites so we can all up our music game (and keep the kids’ ears pimp-free). Here’s what’s been in constant rotation on my iTouch:

• Melodies (feat. Leon Ware) — Liquid Spirits
::The architect of Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You” pairs with a very cool hip hop/neo-soul group out of Europe::

• So Cold (feat. D’Angelo on Rhodes) — Don-E
::If you, like I, still stan hard for D’Angelo, you’ll love this smooth neo-soul singer, also from the U.K.::

• I’m Done — Tweet
::The most beautiful “beat it, Negro,” song I’ve ever heard::

• So Beautiful — Musiq
::This man knows his way to put a smile on a girl’s face::

• I Know You — Esperanza Spalding
::Thoughtful, fresh music!::

• Stop the World — Maxwell
::Um, Maxwell. Need I say more? I didn’t think so::

• Chains — Kirk Franklin
::A brilliant song that reminds us to curb the self-pity and drama::

• Secret (Live) — Maroon 5
::Adam Levine? Please believe it.::

• Hidden Charms (Acoustic E.P.) — Van Hunt
::Sweet, simple, inspirational::

Okay, bring it: What are you listening to?

I had some dear friends over for dinner last night, and while I was cooking—collards, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, fried corn, and Nick’s smokin’ smoked ribs—I was rocking out to the “Genius” mix on my iTouch, and stumbled across a beautiful poem that I’d never heard before. The piece, a prelude to the title track on Dwele’s album, Some Kinda, implores us parents to encourage/coax/threaten/expect the best out of our children, because they just might be the next somebody special. I found myself playing it over and over again, just to digest the words and really think about what I’m doing here in my home to encourage/coax/threaten/expect greatness from my kids. After awhile, I was floating through my kitchen, talking about, “You better preach, Dwele!” I’ve always loved this musician’s music, particularly his ability to tell a story and convey a message through his words. Check it out, enjoy!

And so it is
You’re already one in a million before you take your first breath
Or see your very own personal some kinda
So keep on…

And she will let you know daily
I brought you in and I will take you out
But she won’t, though
‘Cause she herself believes that you have your very own special some kinda that you can bless this world with one day
And that’s fo’ sho’
How the sayin’ go?
Mama knows…

If you are blessed with dance
And when you do with the concrete that holds your feet
Slides and adjusts with your every movement as though it’s trying to keep you afloat
just to see what you gonna do next?
That might be your some kinda.

Keep on with your some kinda music, your some kinda art
Your seed might be the first president of your kind
When he or she gets here, don’t give up
Nurture their some kindas

You may birth the next promoter of world peace
World, please,
in your lives, imitate this art that I have spoken

And keep on…

Watch more Chocolate High videos on AOL Video

I love India.Aire and Musiq Soulchild for many reasons, most certainly for their song-writing talent, their incredible voices, and their dedication to their art and their culture and their people. The two of them make beautiful soul music, universal in its appeal, but so extraordinarily meaningful to those of us who appreciate solid songs about self-empowerment (Aire’s “Video” and “I Am Not My Hair”), the excitement of new love (Musiq’s “Buddy,” and “Girl Next Door”), divine power (Aire’s “God Is Real”) and responsibility (Musiq’s “Betterman” and “Motherfather”).

I especially love that India and Musiq have repped black love to the fullest on each of their albums—unabashedly, beautifully. And not just black love between men and women, but black love between mother and child. For sure, I found a different kind of meaning in Aire’s “Beautiful Flower,” when I sang it to Lila each night at bedtime:

You are everything I ask for in my prayers
So I know my angels brought you to my life
Your energy is healing to my soul
You are a beautiful surprise
You are an inspiration to my life
You are the reason why I smile
You are a beautiful surprise

As far as I know, India isn’t a mom and those lyrics were intended for a man, but I found that every note, every word resonated with me as a mom, who, even with the second baby, was still astounded by the “beautiful surprise” God had sent my way. Still am, really.

My latest musical obsession, though, is a new song my two favorite artists recorded together—one that unabashedly celebrates black love, the kind between a man and a woman. It’s sexy and super sweet, and I’m totally addicted; this song makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like a teenager tucked away in her room, rewinding the sweetness of the first kiss. The chorus alone gives me butterflies:

There is somethin’ about your love
That makes me just want to open up
Your flavor is the sweetest thing in life
I’m addicted to your chocolate high
Cause i want you, and i know that you want me
So let’s stay close like we supposed to be
And just get high off our own supply
I’m addicted to your chocolate high

Addicted indeed.

Press play—I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. In the meantime, I’ll be somewhere hugging my husband—my own personal chocolate high!