Music is what I think of when I look back at the past four years. Ask yourself right now “What song did I listen to when I was depressed?” and “What artist was on at every house party?” Whatever you answered I hope you smiled when thinking about it. I’m not sure about everyone else but when I look back at my most listened to songs for each year 2017 through 2020 I can imagine the house my cousin lived in, the people I hung out with most at the time and the person I was in love with. All of these moments combined are a collection of who I was when I was on my journey of self discovery.

2017: ‘Frank’ — Album by Amy Winehouse, ‘YuNg BrAtZ’ 🅴 by XXXTENTACION, ‘The Boss’ by Diana Ross, A Seat At The Table — Album by Solange and ‘The Race’ 🅴 by Tay-K.
Special Mention: ‘Lookin’ (feat. Lil Uzi Vert) 🅴 by Playboi Carti
I remember this year being the year my cousins and I got in trouble the most. Everything we did stressed our parents out to the point where I almost didn’t return for a second year at South. All I’m going to say is if you went to high school in the Pointes during this time you know that these younger kids will never experience parties like THAT ever again. Free isn’t even the word. I was life itself.

2018: ‘Madonna’ — album by Madonna, ‘Murder She Wrote’ 🅴 by Tay-K, ‘ASTROWORLD’ 🅴 — album by Travis Scott, ‘Someone To Call My Lover’ by Janet Jackson and ‘JESUS’ by Brockhampton. Special Mention: ‘?’ 🅴 Album by XXXTENTACION (1998-2018)
2018 was the year that I became severely depressed, I don’t know what it is about sophomore year but I began to spiral like the staircase in Cleminson Hall. I’m extremely glad to have had people in my life that were going through similar things though because without my friends I’m not sure how that year would have ended. There were some good moments but this was the year that truly impacted me.

2019: ‘Thotiana’ and the ‘Famous Cryp’ 🅴 — album by Blueface, ‘Bands’ 🅴 by Shoreline Mafia
‘Sandy’ 🅴 by RICO NASTY, ‘Make America Trap Again’ 🅴 by Babyface Ray, and ‘Immunity’ — album by Clairo. Special Mention: ‘When I Get Home’ — album by Solange
I’d started my junior year off very strange. At this time I was staying with my cousin at his home in “The Cabbage Patch” instead of my parent’s due to misunderstandings but the summer before school started I’d spent some time in Los Angeles with said cousin going to kickbacks in the hills and late night drives on Pasadena’s infamous ‘Suicide Bridge.’ Around October I went back home and really grew up, faced myself and discarded pride and ego. 2019 was very formative for me. A very odd year but unforgettable for sure.

2020: ‘Chilombo’ 🅴 — album by Jhene Aiko, ‘I Call Your Name’ by Switch, ‘All I Do Is Think Of You’ by Troop, ‘Other Side Of The Game’ by Erykah Badu, ‘The Gift’ — album by Beyoncé, ‘That’s All I Ask’ by Nina Simone, ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free’ by Donny Hathaway.
Special Mention: ‘Provider’ by Frank Ocean
In 2020 I fell in love with one of my best friends, got hurt, went on global mandatory lockdown, got tear-gassed for George Floyd, dove deeper into my spirituality, and connected with my ancestors. Heartbreak is one of the worst things in life but I’m happy I went through it because I truly blossomed.
My final senior selection in 2021 would have to be ‘So Good’ by Destiny’s Child because in the words of Bey, “I’m doing SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, good, good, good, good, good, good.”