Danielle’s Polyjamorous World of R&B, Pop Icons, and Songs That Surprise You
From basement listening sessions and Beyoncé devotion to artists she almost overlooked, Danielle’s picks reflect a listener who believes the best discoveries often come from keeping an open mind.
Before Danielle (@madamoiselledaniellevinyl) became the self-described “polyjamorous” listener she is today, music first became a source of comfort. After moving to Germany as a child, she found herself spending hours downstairs with her family’s computer and her mom’s Motown CDs playing in the background. After watching The Temptations miniseries,the way she listened to music changed, other than the music itself, she became interested in the lives, histories, and stories behind the artists who made it.
The prompts offer a closer look at the different ways Danielle connects with music. One asks which album changed her perspective on an artist, leading to a reflection on how artists can grow beyond the work that first introduces them and why keeping an open mind can lead to unexpected discoveries. Another asks which song she would still play on 1% battery, where Danielle reflects on finding reassurance and positivity in a track that has become a personal source of comfort. The next one explores which album cover feels the most nostalgic to her and the cultural memories and visual identity attached to a defining era of pop music. A different prompt turns toward an artist she discovered later than most, highlighting the excitement of finding a new favorite and recognizing the qualities that make them worth paying attention to. The final prompt asks which song immediately gets her moving, capturing the energy, choreography, and shared joy that music can create.
Which album changed your perspective on an artist?
I was not a Tyler fan at all before this album. My knowledge of his artistry and the person I assumed him to be was strictly limited to his earlier work, which I felt was too abrasive and shocking for my taste. I saw a clip of the music video for his song, “Yonkers,” where he ate a cockroach, and checked out immediately.
Years later, I randomly heard the song, “See You Again” and was vibing. I learned that it was Tyler. I was surprised because the softness of the song was not the Tyler that I was introduced to all those years ago.
Much like its title suggests, Flower Boy is a perfect representation of his growth and emotional maturity. It’s tender, vulnerable, and introspective. I’m glad I decided to let go of the bias I had against him and give the album a chance, because otherwise I would have missed out on an incredible artist who raps, produces, and composes. I truly believe he is one of the most gifted artists of today regardless of genre.
I believe “Where This Flower Blooms” is the heart of the album. It isn’t just your typical “come up” track where the artist proudly reminisces on how they became successful; it’s also a retrospective and serves as an example of self-awareness. Tyler acknowledges that his public persona in the past wasn’t always favorable and how the stereotypes of dark skinned Black men exacerbated the perception of him. Now older, he spins his experiences and lessons learned into a positive. The metaphor of a flower blooming to symbolize growth isn’t new, but when applied to someone who is often denied humanity it becomes even more poignant. “I rock, I roll, I bloom, I grow. (I glow.)” There’s something about a chant in a song that feels like manifestation. If you say it enough times, it will happen. Tyler lived through his mistakes, learned from them, and did the inner work to mature. And he wants you to know you can, too.
“911/Mr. Lonely” featuring Frank Ocean & Steve Lacy is another one of my favorite songs off the album. The hook and pre-chorus are infectious and I find myself in my head even when it's been a while since I've listened to it. It shows how loneliness affects everyone, even those who appear to have a tough persona.
“I’ve been kissin’ white boys since 2004” is a line from “I Ain’t Got Time!” that stood out to me and many other listeners because hip hop overall has not been very welcoming to anyone who falls even slightly away from the heterosexual end of the spectrum of sexuality. At the time of its release it was heavily debated whether this was an official coming out or just Tyler being his facetious self, especially since in the past I knew he had faced accusations of being homophobic. To a new fan, the revelation was a pleasant surprise to hear him be so open and casual about it.
November is my birth month, so I was intrigued by the title alone. Tyler pleads to the listener, "Tell me, what's your November?" In “November,” the month represents a time in one's life someone looks back on fondly and the yearning to return to that period. I consider myself to be a very sentimental person, and lately nostalgia has been intensifying, so I can relate. To me, the cool temperatures often associated with autumn, during which November falls, makes it the prime season for reminiscing so it's no coincidence that it's when I came into this world.
Readers are always told to “never judge a book by its cover.” This phrase sums up my journey with Tyler, serving as an important reminder for me to not write off an artist before properly delving into their discography.
What song would you still play on 1% battery?
If Black America had a soundtrack, the late Frankie Beverly and his band, Maze, would definitely be on it. At any family event, this is a group you’re guaranteed to hear at least once.
“Happy Feelin’s” is one of my all-time favorite songs. It’s the definition of affirmation music. Whenever I’m stressed, anxious, or in my head, I turn this song on.
Frankie sings, “I’ve got myself to remind me of love.” I often get overwhelmed by the state of the world and the negativity that comes with that hyperawareness. When I look around, it seems like not enough people care, and our quality of life is suffering for it. This one line reminds me to stop, take a breath, and look within whenever I feel this life is devoid of compassion. If no one cares, I do. All it takes is one person.
Clocking in at just over 7 minutes long, this would be time well spent if my battery (both my phone battery and my social battery) was low. I’d want to end on a high note that makes me feel good about myself and hopeful for what could be.
Which album cover feels the most nostalgic to you?
Confession: While I did enjoy BSB’s hits growing up, I was more of an *NSYNC fan, so I never really devoted my attention to them like I did with the latter. I was born in 1991, which makes me a millennial, so this album will always be a defining cultural touchstone of the years I came of age no matter which group got my loyalty.
The late ‘90s was all about Y2K, and everything about this album cover screams “turn of the century.” The color palette of white, blue, and silver and the tunnel of light beams behind the group’s members represent the shiny optimism we had for the future. It matches the music, too: grandiose, polished pop perfection that pushed boundaries and defined an era. In the words of the Boys themselves, it was “Larger Than Life.”
Considering the overall lack of boy bands and girl groups in American pop music three decades into the new millennium, the fact that there are multiple people on the cover alone is nostalgic in and of itself. It also reminds me of a time when we truly had community outside of the digital space.
Which artist did you discover later than most?
For the last couple of years, I had seen Zara Larsson’s name floating around, mainly in comments from her fanbase under other artists’ posts on social media and the “Symphony” meme featuring her song with Clean Bandit, which resurfaced after almost a decade. It wasn’t until last year when she released “Midnight Sun” that I finally decided to give her music a listen, but I was immediately floored.
I was even more impressed with this year’s release of Midnight Sun: Girls Trip. It was promoted as a remix album, but knowing how the “remixes” of today are basically just the same track with an added feature, I wasn’t expecting much. However, I was elated to find out that in addition to a new lineup of female artists- a mix of some seasoned artists and some up-and-comers- each track was reworked!
Zara is everything a pop star should be. She has vocals, she can dance, she has an established image, and she has a clear understanding of music history and those who came before her. While her essence is reminiscent of the pop divas of the early 2000s, she doesn’t just reference others’ work; she’s carving out her own space. I also like the fact that she’s very vocal about social issues.
The moment she’s having is well-deserved, and she has a new fan in me. I’m excited to see what she does next!
Which song immediately gets you moving?
New Edition is the blueprint for the modern boy band. They successfully transitioned from preteens to adults (cue “Boys to Men” off their album Heart Break, one of my favorite albums of all time), and their music grew with them. Each member also saw success during their solo ventures, which is pretty much unheard of.
The new jack swing era is my favorite era of music. It was fun, high energy, and positive, and I love the fact that there was an emphasis on choreography. Watching live performances from that time period is a favorite pastime of mine. It will never not be amazing to me that they were singing and dancing (often in suits!) at the same time. No half-stepping was allowed during this era.
As soon as you hear the drum roll in “If It Isn’t Love,” that’s your sign to get up out of your seat. It’s an iconic cut from the new jack swing era. And doing the dance from the music video is a must!
I’m an avid concertgoer, and their “The New Edition Way Tour” was my first concert of 2026. It was such a joy to see the entire arena doing the choreography during this song!
“Polyjamorous” is probably the most fitting word Danielle could have chosen for herself. As she puts it, “my favorite and default genre is R&B/soul due to my cultural upbringing, but I am more than willing to give anything a try.” Growing up in the MTV and VH1 era introduced her to a wide range of artists beyond that foundation, and that openness is part of what she admires about Beyoncé too. Watching her career unfold from Destiny’s Child to her current era, Danielle has seen an artist who refuses to be limited by what people expect from her. She moves through different sounds, draws from different influences, and somehow makes all of it feel connected.
The same thing applies to the artists Danielle keeps returning to. Whether it’s a familiar favorite or someone she discovers years after everyone else, she seems happiest when there is still something left to uncover.
A self-described “polyjamorous” fangirl, writer, and music lover who follows artists across genres, eras, and unexpected discoveries, always looking for the story behind the song.
