Music often feeds as a distraction from the world around us. In a simple definition, music is an art of sound that expresses ideas and emotions. There are many genres and subgenres in music, but what specifically are Osbourn students listening to? And what streaming apps do they use?

“I sometimes listen to Rod Wave. I don’t like Juice Wrld because his songs are too sad,” said junior Lamarcus Everett.

“My favorite genre is R&B and my favorite artist is SZA. I like music because it builds my emotions and personality. I think music defines people because the music they listen to reflects on their personality,” said freshman Amaya Brooks. To some, music plays a big role in defining people. Some believe you can determine how an individual is just by their taste. “Music is just a way for humanity to express itself,” said freshman Christopher Sheeran.

There are artists behind the music. Some people are cautious of who they listen to, aware of the influence they may have. “I don’t like Sexyy Red because she’s not a good representation of Black women,” Brooks added.

The only way nowadays to exclusively listen to music is on platforms, commonly found on the internet or the app store. “I listen to music on Spotify and SoundCloud. I like to listen to Underground, Polo G, Ken Carson, Yeat, and Lil Uzi,” said sophomore Lamar Davis.

Music has a big impact on individual lives. According to Nielsen’s Music 360 2014 study, “93% of the U.S. population listens to music, spending more than 25 hours each week.” Osbourn is further proof, with students traveling the halls with headphones on their ears. Another common way to listen to music is through playlists. “My number one song on my playlist is For Now by Thee Sacred Souls. I usually listen to music the whole school day because it calms me down and helps me focus,” said freshman Deseane Davis.

Music seems to have a large impact on people mentally. “I listen to music all the time because it helps me with my anxiety,” said freshman William Ewyn. As stated in an American Psychiatric Association study, “Music and music therapy has shown promise in providing a safe and supportive environment for healing trauma and building resilience while decreasing anxiety levels.“

 Music’s impact is especially prominent in the lives of others. Freshman, Abigal Marah stated, “Music serves as a universal language. It has the power to evoke strong emotions and bring people together,” which is efficiently true. Whether it’s through a shared love for a particular artist or genre, or simply resonating with the emotions conveyed in a song, music continues to thrive with the ability to connect with individuals. “It’s been used throughout history for storytelling, cultural preservation, therapy, entertainment, and as a means of social and political commentary,” continued Marah.

 Music dives deeper than just something to listen to. The lyrics of songs further delve into the emotion and authenticity of artists. Examples like Kendrick Lamar and Lana Del Rey, who can significantly influence listeners. “I feel like music is a way to express yourself and when you feel emotional you can just relate to that song,” said freshman Trent Lawson. The lyrical connection between artists and listeners is a profound aspect of music. Many individuals find consolation in the fact that artists are able to put their own experiences, emotions, and thoughts into words, further insinuating the storytelling aspect.

Authenticity in an artist creates the image of realism, giving them the ability to connect with their listeners. The power of music lies not only in its ability to express emotions but also in its potential to inspire and motivate us.  Many artists have used their music as a platform to their advantage, from Bob Dylan’s protest songs during the civil rights movement to Beyoncé’s empowering anthems for women’s rights, music has continually proved its competence over people. It is safe to say that music has a vast impact on Osbourn students’ daily lives.