Sharing Earbuds

Ray Bellville

Hip-Hop/Rap Journalism

 Humans have interesting ways of casting spells on others, whether it’s their looks, an action, or the way they speak. A live musical performance does all the above while also captivating bystanders in a trance of vibrations. Not only a live performance but something as small as an earbud can also bring about this effect. But what happens when it’s someone else’s? I found myself questioning the intimate nature of sharing music.

Building your taste

Whether you’re old or young you’ve been shown music to some degree, maybe it was a parents mp3 playlist full of Alicia keys, or your dads CD book packed with Tupac and T.I. Still to this day I listen to these when I have a chance and feel all my memories climbing and crawling back into my brain from the era I was living at the time, but why? When music travels through the air as vibrations and enters your ear, it stimulates the hippocampus, causing you to reminisce. That’s why some songs bring out a nostalgic feeling; anytime I hear “Devil in a New Dress” by Kanye West or “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, I get sent back to my aunts in my hometown, giggling and gleaming while playing 2K.

Deepening your playlist

Sharing music with those you love and hold close to you fills your heart with nostalgia, comfort, and solace. I keep my playlist, vinyl, and CDs very close and secure, mainly to protect the reels of memories I have associated with all my likes and guilty pleasures. It’s a culmination of bad and amazing memories from past exes, friends, co-workers, family members, and even teachers. Though nothing lasts forever and our times together are limited, I find it very important that people allow themselves to remember others through music. I also find it important to share music; the stories and lore associated with them, and explain why that song was put on a specific playlist. 

Resonating

Over the years, the sounds that are the most pleasant to the ear will eventually find their way into choosing what concerts or clubs to attend when you’re older. The vibe you want to chase now has music to help you find it as you move into the more mature stages of your life. It changes your preferences, and as someone who went from RnB to Metal, it was an eye-opening experience to attend a Garage Rock Battle of the Bands.

 Cultural barrier

Sharing music can also be a way to breach a cultural barrier. In my time, I’ve met many co-workers who aren’t American; some speak English as a second language. That, however, doesn’t stop them from belting “Love On The Brain” or anything by Rihanna. It also doesn’t stop them from showing me the deep cuts from Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro. And that leads to the rabbit hole when putting someone into your memories in art form. Even past a language barrier when it comes to certain instruments used, usually I tend to lean towards more erratic brass from trumpets and tubas, which I luckily find in a lot of banda, samba, and soul. I also enjoy hearing the languages and new traditional sounds that come with a regional sound like the UK drill scene, reggae, and Crunk music.

To be frank, music should be circulated more, and more people should indulge themselves in the search. It can be a very effective icebreaker and also open you up to the individual’s personality. It allows access to their emotions and a specific set of memories that the encounter can now add onto. The best thing stemming from the interaction is a new friend and another perspective on someone’s taste and what makes their taste.