What I am Listening to...

Music has always been a integral part of my life. My mom and dad raised me on music of all different genres. My dad's music collection varies from AC/DC, a rock band from the 70's and 80's to Barry White a soul singer with a deep, velvety voice. Where my mom listens to the likes of Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley. When I was younger I listened to the music my parents listened and developed a appreciation for it, but as I got older I developed my own taste in music. Of course when I was in elementary school I lived for boy bands like N' Sync, Backstreet Boys, and 98 Degrees. My first concert was Aaron Carter which then was very cool, but now is quite cringey. Once I hit middle school, I started to listen to more hip-hop and R&B and then in high school I started listening to more alternative music. I still to this day have quite a eclectic musical taste. When I put together a playlist no genre is left out so when I put it on shuffle I'm left guessing what is going to play next. Frank Ocean to Kanye West to Vampire Weekend to FKA Twigs to Van Morrison.

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When I am writing, editing, cooking, cleaning, or doing basically anything else, I am listening to music. I have a Spotify premium account that I pay more each month so I can stream music and make as many playlists as my heart desires. Lately I have been listening to more chill songs and playlists. Songs and albums that are more mellow. Frank Ocean's highly anticipated second album, Blonde, which came out at the end of summer 2016 is what I am listening to right now as I write this blog post. I didn't listen to it extensively when it was released, but now I am really into it. I watched the show Insecure on HBO and I fell in love instantly. The imagery, the humor, the realness, and above all the soundtrack. The show is set in Los Angeles which is known for always being sunny and is a laid back, chill, and carefree city. The soundtrack gives off the same vibes as the city itself. It puts me in a nice and sunny mood so I enjoy putting the playlist on shuffle and getting to work on whatever I am doing. Vontay and I have dubbed Post Malone's song "Congratulations" as our song. We play it nonstop when we are in the car. We have been working so incredibly hard to provide content for our subscribers and to make our dreams come true. We have been accomplishing goals and breaking through any obstacles that are in our way together. "Congratulations" is symbolic of what we are trying to do and is just a dope song. Lastly, on Spotify they have mood playlists and I absolutely love them. I have been listening to the playlist Lush Vibes non stop. I was listening to it while I wrote my blog post on Milk and Honey. Lush Vibes is exactly how it sounds. It's a playlist comprised of instrumental hip hop music that is lush and calming.

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Music increases my productivity, can change my mood, can bring up certain memories, and motivate me. I will continuously switch up what I am listening to and make up new playlists, but there are certain albums that are constant staples in my recently listened to list. I will get into those albums in a different blog and I will also write a blog post about the many music festivals I've been to and the one's I have always dreamed of attending. Until then... I'll keep you updated on what I am listening to each week.

"In memory everything seems to happen to music."

-Tennessee Williams