What happened to '90s R&B love? I remember listening to artists like Brian McKnight, Ginuwine, Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Jodeci, etc. and crying. I was a child; I didn’t know of romantic love. But their music made me want to experience it. I craved the love you had to feel to sing like that.
Those songs made me want the pain of heartache, the joy of ecstasy and fulfillment, and the mind-numbing confusion of misplaced love. I didn't know the words to articulate these feelings. I still have a hard time. Regardless, I wanted to be the inspiration behind the music. Please, don't think I'm lovesick and dream of cotton candy, flowerbeds, pink clouds and fairy dust. Ok, I sometimes do.
We live in the age of hook-up culture. Let's define hooking up. I used to think if people hooked up, it meant they had sex. I was wrong. Hooking up can include or is not limited to kissing, sexual intercourse, and oral sex. While this isn't a new phenomenon, it seems more embraced today.
I’m not opposed to hookups. What goes on between two consenting adults is none of my business. We should support lifestyle choices. Therefore, give respect to those who choose not to participate in hooking up. Don't judge someone for NOT wanting to do something.
It seems to me people are running for the hills when it comes to relationships. I will have to agree with Drake, “We live in a generation of not being in love and not being together.” But perhaps it’s the opposite maybe people do want intimate relationships but can't find the person who wants the same and the result is hooking up. Hey, a warm body is still a body right? Perhaps, both these theories are wrong, and people just want sex.
I’m not sure what the reason is for this trend. It may be due to personal choices or external pressures. I won’t claim to have the answers.
Disclaimer: Interestingly, the term hook-up has different meanings in different cultures. When a black person says, “We are going to hook up” it means to meet up. But it's also contextual it can also mean doing a favor, “I’ll hook you up with a discount at my job.”