Music & Family

 For this assignment I chose my older sister, Nicole. Nicole is almost 28 years old, and has influenced the kind of music I listen to today greatly. 

Nicole does not have much of a musical backrgound, but she did play the Piano throughout high school. She described the feeling of playing the piano as “a great experience.” She enjoyed learning what keys to press and tones they make to create a beautiful sound.  She is now a big fan of R&B music just like me. Growing up when she wanted to listen to music, she started out using a CD player. She would have only one or two CD’s of different artists I could listen to. When I think back I can remember her red Nelly Furtardo CD that I would steal and listen to myself.  As technology advanced, she used an mp3 player. A mp3 player was almost like a baby iPod that you could plug headphones into and download music on. As time went by Nicole, remembers receiving her first generation ipod “maybe in 2010-2011.” She remembered having to use a computer and download my songs from limewire to put on both her mp3 player and ipod. Nicole recalled listening to music almost about anywhere . In the living room on the surround sound system, on vh1 while getting ready for school. She would listen to music at all the same times I find myself listening to music both growing up and today. These places included walking to the bus stop and on the bus, In between classes, in the car and out loud in her room. 

When asked what music meant to her Nicole stated “ Music means a lot to me. Without music I would feel like apart of me is missing. It is both an expression and aesthetic to me. Depending on my mood I have certain playlists that I can reference to. If I am sad I will occasionally listen to slower songs. If i am in a good mood I will listen to upbeat songs that are positive.” This was when I realized me and my sister were very alike, as I find myself doing the same things. She then explained to me that Music also helps her recognize who she is as person based off of what is said in the lyrics and if it’s relatable. She told me that “Some songs can shed light on real life situations I may go through or someone else goes through. It makes me feel like I am not alone when it references in lyrics similar feeljngs I may experience. I also feel connected if I get emotional while a song is playing. Any music that can make me want to bust a move as well. “ I feel like this can be related to many people as well, as I have recognized a pattern with both me and others of listening to music that we connect with lyrically. 

Today, Nicole finds her self listening to R&B artist such as Jhené Aiko, Sir, Brent Faiyaz, Miguel, and many others. These happen to be the same artist I find myself listening to daily, as I grew up hearing many r&b artist playing in her room or on the speakers around her.