Introduction

For my popular music portfolio, I’ve included the works that I feel showcase my writing capabilities to their fullest extent, while also being representatives of who I am through my music taste and interests. The music I listen to is an extension of me; the songs are compiled on a soundtrack of my life. I feel that musical interest, combined with my writing, will allow people to get a greater understanding of me. I’m sure I’m no different than most people, I use music as means of enjoyment, but I also find relatability in specific songs that feel as though they were either written for me, or ones I feel I myself would have written, just because they hit so deeply. It’s such a great opportunity to have been able to compile a portfolio filled with works that relate to music in some way, while also allowing me to be vulnerable in the process.

For starters, I included my memoir mixtape because this assignment enabled me to showcase my vulnerability the most out of anything I’ve done in this class. The mixtape told a slightly vague-yet-telling story of pinpointed moments from my life, beginning from childhood, to adolescence and finally, these earliest years of adulthood so far. These songs have been musical saviors in my life, each attached to a particular memory- whether good or sad- that has had an impact on who I am. Through music, and these songs in particular, I can appreciate what I’ve done to get to where I am right now in my life. For the revisions, I included a few more songs that I previously didn’t have on my original mixtape, as well as a more in-depth connection to memory and the Matrix.

I have also included my album review on Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. This is one of my favorite albums and my most played vinyl. I have adored them for as long as I can remember. Their music has given me comfort when I needed it most, as well as providing catchy tunes that I consistently find myself singing along with today. Analyzing this album, as well as lead singer Stevie Nicks’ alluring stage presence and off-stage persona was such a joy to research, simply because aside from the band, Nicks herself is one of my favorite singer-songwriters ever. I can speak for hours about how much I love this album, but I’ll leave my album review to do the rest of the talking. As for revisions, I dove deeper into Fleetwood Mac’s endurance over the decades, as well as analyzing a bit more on a few of the songs I mentioned.

I decided to include my infographic on the band Paramore due to how important they were especially during my adolescent years, around the time I first began to venture out into different genres and musical artists. Of course at this time, Paramore was largely one of the leading punk-rock bands of the 2000s, however, over time, they began to free themselves from just one genre, instead opting to explore other similar genres with slightly different undertones, never staying in one musical genre space due to their endless experimentation with sound. Their lyrics, though, have never changed. Despite the musical and visual changes that the band has undergone in the recent years, the emotional, powerful lyrical component has never dwindled. I like when artists dive head first into experimentation, and the fact that Paramore doesn’t allow themselves to be defined by only one genre is representative of their desire to blaze their own path, to play by their own rules- nobody else’s. Revision-wise, I dove further into the idea of “post-genre music”, where the artists’ themselves are no longer defined by the genre they once were associated with, instead deciding to free themselves from this association by switching gears and experimenting with multiple types of sound for each era of music.

The process of putting together this popular music portfolio was a lot of fun. It was a joy to get to dive into different mediums to put together work about some of my favorite artists ever. I hope this portfolio succeeds in showcasing my musical taste, as well as glimpses into the person behind the taste.

You Are Now Entering the Memoir Matrix 

It’s not about whether you’d prefer the red pill or the blue pill, but rather, which memory you’d like to unlock depending on the song. It’s not unusual for us to attach memory to music; it’s one of the best ways to document moments in time that feel like they’re worth remembering and a way to re-access them at a later time. Neurologist Oliver Sacks has spent much of his career analyzing the connection between music and memory, even recounting his experiences with those who have Parkinson’s Disease or Alzheimer’s who, despite the physical and mental changes they have undergone, still have music memory. They can still remember songs they had sung once before, and are able to unlock memories through listening to music. Somewhere inside all of us, music has the ability to access deep memories, some of which we thought were long gone. I use the term “matrix” in my title because these memories are something within, which then take on the form of a song. It unlocks something deep within us. Music is just that powerful.

“Music is much more than a beautiful luxury: It is a fundamental way of expressing our humanity — and it is often our best medicine.” – Oliver Sacks

Moonshadow by Yusuf/Cat Stevens — For My Inner Child.

With the softness of the melody paired with the lightness of Stevens’ voice, this song reminds me of being 6 years old, sleepily sitting in the back of my dads car. We’re on our way to our small Pennsylvania vacation home for the weekend to visit my Nana. As my eyelids begin drooping, they catch a snippet of the full moon staring brightly back at me. I believed it was following our car, also joining us on our trip to PA. I was too young to imagine any other reason as to why it moved so perfectly alongside us. Just kids things, I guess. I miss that wide-eyed innocence. This song brings that back to me, even just for a few spare moments. If my inner child could be represented by a song, it would be this one.

Acoustic #3 by The Goo Goo Dolls — The Teenage Apple Ripens in Angst.

This brings out the angst within me, reminding me of my parents’ relationship when I was younger. I often wonder if I get in my own way- or other people’s way. As a teenager, this song made me think of my mom and hit me with a truck of regret. Regret for what? I couldn’t even tell you. I regretted my life, despite the fact I had barely even lived it. I regretted that my Mom found my journal, filled with writings about these regrets, amongst other notes. For a brief period of time, she looked at me differently, possibly coming to a realization that the changes I was going through weren’t the most positive, or that her child was briefly becoming someone she did not recognize. I hope she knows I love her. My inner voice asks me “have you told her you love her recently?” For awhile, the answer was no. I was short and snappy, so she became that way towards me. I guess I deserved it. Despite feeling anger towards her, I still ran to her arms when the world became too much to bear. I felt anger towards the world because I felt like it was laughing at my pain, putting me in situations which made me feel small and weak. I was given a father, but not a dad. I love him, but he’s different now. Everything is different now, including myself. I feared that I was morphing into someone I didn’t want to be around, but I couldn’t escape this person since this person was me. It was one of the worst feelings ever.

Older by Sasha Sloan — A Deep Secret that is so Obvious.

My parents are not the same people they were to me when I was young. I find that hard to grapple with. I’m a teenager now, coming to grips with anxiety and depression diagnosis’. I cry to my mom over my dad. Parkinson’s is taking over, so is his anger. I cry at night, angry with myself over my own presence. I feel like I came in the way of my mom’s dream. Deep down inside, I know I didn’t, but this bottomless pit of guilt ate me up inside for the longest time. At 14, I felt like a villain in my mom’s story as well as my own. I felt small and alone, despite having my mother’s arms to run to. I play hide & seek with my own self, wishing desperately I could hide away forever. Never-ending nightly questions stemmed from verbal abuse from someone who loved me. My parents are just like me. I understand that now better as an adult. I can’t change the past, though sometimes I really wish I could. Things have changed since childhood. I don’t speak to dad anymore; Mom has shown me her softer side. We healed together. I still have her arms to run to for comfort sometimes, but what’s changed is now, she also has mine.

Landslide by Fleetwood Mac — The Bandaid Laced with Salt.

It fits like a missing puzzle piece. It is both the bandaid and ripping the bandaid off. If the “what if’s” of life had a song, this would be it. However, it does so in a gentle way, not with the intention of causing fear, but introspection. Here I wrap myself in Stevie Nicks’ voice and transport myself to another realm. I know my inner child is still in there, perhaps this will encourage her to come out. This song represents my relationship with my own life, reminiscent of the thoughts of “do I want to be here?” My life has been a landslide, yet somehow, I’m still here. That counts for something. I become very introspective when this song comes on and I acknowledge the seasons of my life that have grown me, watching me transform into the person I am today. I feel release each time I listen to Landslide. Despite it being a very well-known song to which nearly everyone can relate to, within the lyrics lies a story unique to each individual listener, who relate it to a part of their lives where the song just…fits.

Medicine by The 1975 — It is a Soundtrack to My Life.

This song transports me back to the walls of Madison Square Garden back in 2017, at the 1975’s concert with one of my best friends. 2017 had been a challenging year, but this moment was one of the most rewarding. The stadium plunged into brief darkness, before it glowed with an orange hue, accompanied by the lights of thousands of phone lights, swaying to the soft music. The saxophone holds for a long note that doesn’t hit, but instead, gently touches you right in the heart. My friend is shorter than me, so lays her head on my shoulder peacefully, saying “I’m.. I’m just gonna lay here for awhile. If you don’t mind.” I didn’t answer, I didn’t have to, since she somehow knew it was just fine. Amongst thousands of other fans, we immersed ourselves in the peacefulness that this song brought, knowing we were living within one of our favorite moments ever. When we replay that song now, we are automatically taken back to that moment where time stopped, as if it were listening to the band play their tunes, too.

Art Class by beabadoobee — When I realized my heart was not as dark as I thought.

This class changed my life, but not because of the artwork we created. Here, I met my partner. Classmates became fast friends, and i found myself looking forward to art more everyday. Being someone who was uninterested in romantic relationships, realizing I developed a crush on him during the last week of high school ever (we both were seniors) was such great timing (sarcasm). But.. we never lost contact. I moved two months later for college- permanently. I was afraid of losing contact with him, and for a few months, we did. But then the following spring sprung something new. As we began talking more frequently, we began a long distance relationship at the end of that summer. We’re still together now. I think about that art class with gratitude for bringing me joy in creating artistic pieces, and for introducing me to my partner. I can still picture it so clearly: him sitting across from me as we paint our pieces, cracking up at a joke. What we did the most was laugh; we still do that a lot now. It’s such a joyful sound to hear his life, just like it’s a joyful sight to see him smile.

Endless Road by Angel Olsen — Emerging from Wonderland, Alice has finally come home.

I am brought back to my time spent away from New York City, during my first 2 years of college. I’m undergoing a transformative period in my life, grappling with a life beyond what I was used to in a place that did not feel like home. Even though we tried to hard to make it home, it just wasn’t. In our trials in trying to move back, the world was plunged into a pandemic. Late night thoughts of worry and anguish- would we get home? How will we accomplish this? But we did. This song makes me think about the recent years, the roads my life has taken me on. When I was living within those years, I was filled with regret, anger and sadness that swallowed me whole. But now, I look back with a clear mind, seeing it for what it really was, not what I thought it was. It was an experience that challenged me, which therefore allowed me to become comfortable with stepping beyond my comfort zone- something I hadn’t expected to happen so soon. I removed the box around me that I had built for myself, feeling less afraid of venturing out into a world beyond it. However, there is nothing like the feeling of returning home. I feel home when I am engulfed in my mother’s arms; home when I’m holding my boyfriend’s hand, or surrounded by a group of friends, or my best friend. Everything leads me back to home.

Dreaming of You by Selena — Love Letters take on many forms.

When my partner and I were apart during the first year of our relationship, this song especially made me think of him. Aside from it already having been one of my favorite songs, my emotions towards it changed after I began dating him. We were unable to experience some kind of normalcy in our relationship early on due to the fact that we were long distance. This created challenges that neither one of us had control over, however, we got through them together. Never did we ever think of giving up on each other or our relationship, and when we finally were reunited, we felt that we could get through anything. This song always makes me think of him.

This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) by Talking Heads — Full Circle moment kind of song.

I have found myself in recent years muttering to myself “this must be what it feels like..” about a moment or feeling that I’ve captured in memory-right in the moment. This song is representative of that type of feeling for me. It’s a joyful song, one that brings me straight into the dancing mood. It, too, is reminiscent of home. This is what it feels like to return home after a long time. This is what it feels like to fall in love for the first time. This is what it feels like to truly love who you are. I play this to bring me into high spirits. My inner child is still here, I know this for sure. This song feels like eating your favorite food after not having it in so long, or seeing your favorite person/people after being separated for so long. I have danced to this song with friends in the past when we’ve come together. It is a song that brings an immediate smile to my face.

Rumours, Harmony & Conflict: Fleetwood Mac’s Enduring Legacy  

In October of 2020, a man named Nathan Apodaca posted a clip to Tiktok that showed him skateboarding down a busy street while drinking Ocean Spray cranberry juice. In the background, the lyrics, “Now here you go again, you say you want your freedom” play. This opening line is the beginning of the widely recognizable song, “Dreams” by the band Fleetwood Mac. Immediately, the song catapulted back to the charts. Sales soared. Once again, it found its way back into the eyes of the public. Since it’s release in 1977, the song has become one of Fleetwood Mac’s fan-favorites. Through this viral Tiktok, younger generations are now connected with a band from way before their time. 

 “Dreams” opens as the number one single off the album Rumours, which has sold over 40 million copies worldwide since its February 1977 release and is credited with being one of the greatest albums of all time. Fleetwood Mac’s popularity has only seemed to increase in the decades since their introduction. Their music has spanned generations, inspiring those of all ages with their poetic verses and production quality. I know that personally, when I hear the familiar opening of “Dreams”— the quick drum beats followed by a clash, then a piano— my ears perk up. When Stevie Nicks begins to sing, I hum along to the melody.

During the time it was being recorded, the Rumours studio sessions were filled with animosity and tension amongst the band members, which influenced the album’s lyrics and sounds. Founded in 1967, Fleetwood Mac had gone through its fair share of members. At the time of the Rumours recordings, the band was composed of drummer Mick Fleetwood, bassist John McVie and his wife, keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie, lead guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and his girlfriend-at-the-time, vocalist Stevie Nicks. During the sessions, the McVie’s divorced, while Buckingham and Nicks were having an on again/off again relationship, which caused them to fight often during the studio sessions. Cocaine addiction was running rampant among the band, too. 

Despite this chaos, when listening to the album itself, it feels like a blanket of comfort for your ears. The lyrics appear to be so carefully woven by intricate harmonies and poetry, even though they were written amidst relationship issues, affairs and addiction. In particular, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks’ relationship was coming to an end, which resulted in two of Fleetwood Mac’s most famous songs. “Dreams”, was written by Nicks. She pens dreamy, mythical, reflective lyrics surrounding a relationship turned toxic. In response, Buckingham wrote the song “Go Your Own Way” specifically directed at Nicks and their breakup.

“Go Your Own Way” begins with a small electric guitar rift before immediately jumping into Buckingham’s vocals, when he sings the famous opening line: “Loving you isn’t the right thing to do..” which welcomes the sound of drums to accompany it. As the song continues, you can hear the anger in Buckingham’s voice, specifically in the line “Packing up, shacking up’s all you wanna do.” It sounds upbeat, a quick tune that if you listened to without the lyrics, you would assume it to be about anything other than a relationship breakup. 

In contrast, there’s “Dreams’’, which explores hypothetical loneliness accompanied by a beat-driven production. It’s a timeless tale of a love affair that has further added to the timelessness of the album it’s featured on. It also establishes the style of Stevie Nicks— mystical, “witchy” and ethereal in both her lyrics and her stage presence. Her distinctive vocals and poetic lyrics walk hand in hand. “Now here I go again, I see the crystal visions”, beginning the second verse. There is both an admiration and fascination with her, which as a fan, I feel is a big reason the band has maintained their relevance. The allure of Stevie Nicks has the ability to pull people in. Her style, stage persona and lyrics make her the rockstar icon that she is. Additionally, she is the only woman to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as both a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019.

The production on “The Chain” differs from the previously mentioned songs. It mixes hard rock, folk and country in four minutes and twenty-eight seconds. Another fan favorite, “Don’t Stop”, is a pop rock song that was used during Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, whereas “Gold Dust Woman”, a song about cocaine, has unusual composition due to its use of an electric harpsichord combined with a jet phaser and broken glass sheets to accentuate Nicks’ voice. In addition to his other breakup song about Nicks, Buckingham penned the album opener, “Second Hand News” about her. With vigorous vocals and a marching band type of beat, the song is one of the album’s more energetic numbers. “You Make Loving Fun” is sung by Christine McVie and introduces the tambourine to the album, which was played by Nicks. The duet between Nicks and Buckingham, “I Don’t Want To Know” , a country-rock concoction, adds fuel to the fire during the Rumours recordings, fitting the patterns of the other songs centered on their relationship. 

Personally, “Songbird”, written and performed by Christine McVie, is my favorite Fleetwood Mac song. A beautiful piano ballad centered around the self-sacrifice of true love, it holds one of my favorite lyrics of all time, “And I wish you all the love in the world, but most of all, I wish it from myself.” Despite not being as popular as the songs previously mentioned, I still find it to be an enchanting love song that is quietly powerful due to its lyrical content. It is powerful, but not in an “in your face” way. It showcases McVie’s songwriting abilities, a talent that is behind many of the band’s songs. “Songbird” is spine-tingling, a simple “just you and me” song. To me, that is why it’s so beautiful. 

At the time I was writing this, February 28, 2021, Rumours comes in at #53 on the Billboard 200, over 40 years after its initial release. In 2018, it was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry, being deemed as “culturally, historically or artistically significant.” It enabled the band to last for years, even after a time of great turmoil amongst the members. It can be safely assumed that Fleetwood Mac stayed together due to the success and impact of Rumours. This was the album that made them, them. To add, Rumours was also rated the seventh greatest album of all time in Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” in 2020. Enduring is a word that I feel sums up who Fleetwood Mac are; Rumours is a clear representation of an album that has endured its share of resurgence, especially in the 2020s, but has never dwindled in its popularity. The lyrics are just as relatable to people now as they were to those living in the 70’s. Could it be due to the alluring, mystical powers of Stevie Nicks herself? The fascination with an infamous relationship that produced iconic breakup songs in a way that was cleverly constructed through breezy guitar rifts? Or is it due to a plain and simple fact: Fleetwood Mac is one of the greatest bands in history and their music is just that enjoyable to listen to. They have been able to accomplish something special— cultural relevance and a connection to a fan base ranging from all ages, who equally appreciate their music. Rumours is a rock masterpiece with the ability to transcend, remaining as a pillar of powerhouse music with vocals to match. Its lyrics are catchy and show no signs of dwindling in popularity. Give it a listen, I can assure you you won’t be disappointed.

Ain’t It Fun: A Timeline of Paramore’s Sonic Experimentation 

As seen in this infographic, Paramore has gone from an alternative, pop-punk genre to becoming more of a post-genre type of band. What exactly does it mean to be post-genre? In my infographic, I dive into the meaning of being “genre-less”, showcasing how Paramore are a perfect example of a musical artist whose sound has changed from their first album to their latest. Enjoy!

Acknowledgements

My boyfriend, Brandon – my mom – my friend, Ashley – Paramore – Cat Stevens – Selena – beabadoobee – Oliver Sacks – the 1975 – The Goo Goo Dolls – Sasha Sloan – Talking Heads – Fleetwood Mac

Introduction

For my portfolio, I chose the assignments in which I felt are most representative of who I am. I chose Hamilton: An American Musical and A Revolutionary Teaching Tool because I love making my classes relevant to my students and I love my job.  When you are a high school teacher, you will try to integrate anything to make your lessons relevant to the students you serve. When I first saw Hamilton: An American Musical, it was for pleasure, but when I began listening to the album, I began thinking as to how I can include it in my lessons (I am still figuring this out). The reason I took this class was for my own pedagogy, so I think that it’s important to include this part of myself in my portfolio.

I included A Latina’s Unrelenting Playlist because being a Latina is what I am most proud of. My Memoir Mixtape is reflective of my upbringing and my love for Spanish music, which made this assignment simple to write. I did make modifications to my draft by making it more personal and including a quote from a Latin artist of the impact Spanish music has on people. I think that revised essay stresses on my appreciation of Latin music.

I included my podcast, A Deep Dive into FFVII Music 1990’s vs 2020 because I am a girl gamer (albeit a lazy one). After the story and the gameplay, the next thing that is important in a video game is the music, it helps set the mood. Nobuo Uemtasu, the composer of most of The Final Fantasy games, is highly regarded and even holds Final FantasyConcerts. The impact that his music has had on the games is notable, which is why I decided to conduct a podcast comparing the 1997 and 2020 versions of his music. I made sure to include the suggested revisions, to give it more of a podcast feel.

The last assignment I included in my portfolio is my infographic, Rappers on Systemic Racism. The events of 2020 made a huge impact on me as a Latina and a teacher. I found it necessary to take time and reflect how long artists have been singing about it. I felt that by researching these songs, I would become more aware of some of the experiences my students endure.  It was eye-opening. In my revisions, I made sure to be descriptive on all the songs I included on my infographic.

I believe that my portfolio embodies who I am as a person, my reader will have a clear idea as to who I am. I hope you enjoy reading through it!

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Hamilton: An American Musical and A Revolutionary Teaching Tool

Hamilton: An American Musical is an innovative album that takes the American Revolution and harmonizes it with modern music and rhetoric to make something truly exceptional.  As a high school teacher, I understand the difficulties that come with teaching the American Revolution when students often don’t find it relevant to them. I remember when I was learning about the American Revolution, I used to think, “This happened 300 years ago, so what does it matter to me now?” Thankfully, there has been a paradigm shift that is encouraging the media to make history more accessible to everyone. For example, I know that when I am watching The Crown and something unexpected happens, the first thing I do is grab my phone and investigate the incident on Google. The same goes for Hamilton: An American Musical; it is an educational experience that makes the audience curious about the real-life characters and events in the album. Miranda grew up in New York City and attended its public schools, and I like to think he uses rap to keep the story of the American Revolution enticing to kids with a similar background.

Hamilton is an album that you have to listen to several times in order to wholly appreciate what it offers. Realistically speaking, not everyone can listen to the album on repeat, the way I do. Miranda recognized this and responded by using the chorus to emphasize certain parts of the faster paced tracks. If you are like me and don’t have an appreciation for rap, it can be harder for you to understand what is going on in the play. This is where Miranda artistically applies the chorus to help open up the songs to a wider audience. For example, in the song “Guns and Ships,” Daveed Diggs raps at a God-like pace, making it extremely difficult for someone like me to keep up with what he is singing. As Diggs chants, the chorus sings, “Lafayette” repeatedly to help keep the audience by telling them, “this is who is singing, and he was important to the American Revolution.” However, for rap and hip-hop aficionado’s the songs and the content covered in them prove to be entertaining and enticing. It leaves you wanting to know more about these characters. For a US History teacher teaching in NYC, this is a dream come true.

The entire album is a modern re-telling of Alexander Hamilton’s life, meaning that each song reflects a different part of his life. For example, “My Shot” is energetic and reflective of a young man’s aspirations in life while “It’s Quiet Uptown” is low-spirited and reflective of loss and grief. In any album, each song has a different beat and rhythm, Hamilton is different in this aspect. Within one song, the beat and rhythm can change drastically. In “Right Hand Man,” the song starts out with an ominous mood with the foreboding of an impending doom, but it ends with a hopeful sensation.

This transformation in mood was accomplished by the orchestra changing the beat and rhythm at least 5 times over the course of the song. A possible reason for the constant change in beat and rhythm is because this album is telling a story at a quick pace. This song starts off by hinting at the impossible chances of the colonies winning the American Revolution, but then it introduces Christopher Jackson’s George Washington, the driving force of the American Revolution. However, George Washington expresses his reservations of his abilities, resulting in him choosing Alexander Hamilton as his “Right Hand Man.” This song reflects Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey (Call to Adventure and Obtaining a Mentor), and like any other story, the mood and tone need to change, which is what “Right Hand Man” does with its beat and rhythm. The continuous change in beat and rhythm serves the purpose of keeping the audience on their toes as to what is going to happen next in this musical story, which makes it a great tool for an English classroom. As an ELA teacher, I would use Hamilton: An American Musical to teach skills like, analyzing authors purpose or central idea and ELA content like mood or tone.

While I am a huge fan of Hamilton: An American Musical both as an educator and a New Yorker, I realize that the music also has limitations. This modern re-telling of the American Revolution is Hamilton: An American Musical’s principal attraction, but also its flaw. Miranda assumes that his audience has at least heard of the characters that he presents. Personally speaking, I have only heard of the founding fathers and King George. The smaller characters like Hercules Mulligan and the fast-paced music made it difficult for me to truly appreciate his contributions and his purpose in the story. If anyone around the world is not familiar with American history, were to listen to this album, would they truly be able to appreciate the music?

Another complex flaw that exists in the play is the representation of the cast and the portrayals of the Founding Fathers. Personally, I loved and appreciated the colorblind casting that Hamilton prides itself on. However, I can understand why some may have qualms with African Americans portraying notorious slave owners while heroizing them. I imagine Miranda foresaw this as a problem and did his best to address these concerns in his lyrics. For example, in “Cabinet Battle #1” Hamilton retorts to Jefferson (a proud slave owner): “A civics lesson from a slaver, hey neighbor/ Your debts are paid ’cause you don’t pay for labor/ “We plant seeds in the South. We create.” Yeah, keep ranting/ We know who’s really doing the planting.” Here Miranda and Hamilton are demonizing Jefferson’s hypocrisy of the American ideals. The complexities of the representation of race that exists in Hamilton: An American Musical makes for a great conversation for a Participation in Government classroom. Considering the events of 2020, I strongly believe that children should be given a safe space to discuss these intricate topics.

If utilized correctly, Hamilton: An American Musical can be used as a hook for a Social Studies or ELA classroom. I am hoping that my fellow educators will find a way to integrate the play into their curriculums. Despite the complex racial issues surrounding the play, one thing is for sure, Hamilton: An American Musical compels its listeners to do their own historical research, granting an educational experience.

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A Latina’s Unrelenting Playlist

Growing up in a Spanish household, there was always one thing that was a constant in my life: music. As far back as I can remember, there was always music playing in the background of my home. As my mom cooked dinner, she would have Marc Anthony playing in the background, she is what we call a salsera (a person who loves to dance salsa).When we took road trips, my dad would have Elvis Crespo blasting in the car. When we attended a wedding or baptism, there was always an expectation that people should always be on the dance floor, even while the food was being served.

Spanish music is such an important part of the culture, that anyone who doesn’t dance is considered a pariah. Whenever we would visit my family in Ecuador, my poor brother would be the butt of all the jokes, as he never wanted to learn to dance (everyone tried to teach him, it just never stuck). Unlike my brother, I enjoyed dancing, it was a form of expression that I always appreciated. I loved dancing so much that I begged my parents to enroll me in a dance school. They did look into it, but being immigrants, they couldn’t afford it. Nevertheless, they did try to make up for it by teaching me themselves. Boy, did I love every minute of it. As a child of divorce, the only fond memories I have of my father are of him teaching me how to dance to salsa and merengue.

As kids become teenagers, they succumb to peer pressure, begin rejecting their backgrounds and seek out the popular culture that their friends are embracing. As I got older, even though I didn’t have many Latin friends, I never lost my appreciation for salsa and merengue. I craved more Spanish music. As technology started evolving, and personal music devices advanced, there was always a salsa or merengue playlist on it. There were just some songs that stuck with me over decades that were a necessary staple on my iPods. Most of the songs I will be listing out will be salsa or merengue, but there are a few staples that need to be mentioned that do not fall under this genre.

Selena- Como La Flor 

Speaking frankly, no Latin playlist is complete without Selena. It is disrespectful to her memory to claim that you have an appreciation to Latin music and not have one of her many hits on your playlist. Selena is still known as the Queen of Tejano Music and her songs of love and flirting are still widely listened to despite her passing over 15 years ago. Most of her songs fall under the genre of Cumbia, but she was an important part of both American and Hispanic culture, so it is important for a Hispanic American, like myself, to include her in your playlist. Selena was the embodiment of a healthy diffusion of Hispanic and American cultures without prejudice. Selena aimed for people to see her as both Mexican and American, and wanted people to appreciate both identities. Selena’s legacy of dualism is so relevant that in tough times like these, I enjoy listening to her music to be reminded that being Hispanic is not something that should be demonized but embraced. Como La Flor is Selena’s first song to hit Platinum, this is a must have on your Latin playlist because of its beautiful analogy. Selena’s song compares a withered flower to a lost love, and it is beautifully written. Any person who has loved and lost can appreciate the romantic language and analogy, which makes it a Latin playlist must have!

Marc Anthony- Vivir Mi Vida 

Marc Anthony is known as the King of Salsa, and his musical crown is appropriately given. While I have been exposed to many different salsa artists, none sticks out like Marc Anthony. My grandmother used to say, “Marc Anthony sure is ugly, but he has the voice of an angel.” I laughed every time I heard her say this, but she was right, his beauty comes from his voice and lyrics, which is exactly what I fell in love with. I could listen to all his albums on repeat and never get tired of listening to them (his looks did not matter to me). Vivir Mi Vida is unique because it’s not about love, but life. This song’s message is simple, go out there and live your life, and don’t let the bad times interfere with it. Marc Anthony does a good job of making his song and message lighthearted, catchy, and danceable. This is a must have on a Latinx’s playlist because it is important to remember that you need to enjoy and live life no matter how difficult it can get.

Elvis Crespo- Suavemente

Suavemente is a song that everyone has heard of and danced to, which makes it a necessary staple to your Latin playlist. Whenever you attend a Latin party, it is a guarantee that you will be listening to Suavemente. I remember for my Quinceañera, I specifically requested the DJ play this song because it was a song that both my American and Hispanic friends could dance to. Without fail, it drew all my friends and family to the dance floor (and still does). Even fifteen years after my Quinceañera, this is a song that all my friends and family enjoy dancing to. This is a song that I will always play at parties, as it is a guarantee to get the party going. This merengue hit went Platinum in 1998 and persists as one of the most listened to songs in Latin culture. The reason I believe this song is so popular is because of its easy danceability. When it comes to Hispanic parties, you always want your guests dancing, which is probably why you always hear Suavemente at them.

Celia Cruz- La Vida es Un Carnaval

If you grew up watching Telemundo like me, you know of the dancing woman who would sing “Azucar!” You loved her because her simple “Azucar” sent a message to enjoy the sweeter things in life. When I first saw Celia’s Telemundo commercial, I turned to my mom and asked her why my grandma was on TV. My mom burst out laughing, explaining to me who she was and stressing that I could never tell my grandmother what I had said (she wasn’t fond of Celia). I swear though, they were like twins. Celia Cruz is an artist that is from an older generation, but nevertheless important. She was known as the Queen of Salsa or Latin Music and made a huge impact on Spanish culture. She inspired modern day artists like Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. Marc Anthony had many tributes to her in his music and when receiving awards. For example, in his song Valio La Pena, he references Celia in a lighthearted manner, he says: “Como dice Celia/ My English is not very good looking.” I also imagine that Marc Anthony’s song, Vivir Mi Vida was inspired by La Vida es un Carnaval. Celia’s song is about how it is important to live like it’s a carnival and not dwell on the bad things that happen in life. At the end she also makes sure to denounce things war and weapons. She was an important force that wanted to make a change in the world. No matter what, Celia reminds you to enjoy life, no matter what is thrown at you, which is why she is a necessary addition to any Latin playlist.

Son By Four- A Puro Dolor 

Son by Four is unique because bands are a rarity in Spanish music, most Latin artists prefer solo careers. Son by Four’s most popular song is, A Puro Dolor, which has several different versions, including a ballad and another in salsa. This song is a must have on my playlist less for the artists and more the memories that I have attached to it. This was a song that my father always played when we drove somewhere. After he left, it still stuck around in a good way. This is my brother’s favorite salsa song, which says a lot since he doesn’t listen to older Spanish music the way I do. Whenever my mom, brother and I are spending time together, we always put it on so we can sing it together. On a more objective level, the song speaks on rejection in a pretty and melancholic way. This theme is so accessible, because rejection is something that everyone has experienced, it’s probably the reason why it is such a popular song in the Latin community.

Luis Enrique- Yo No Se Manana 

Luis Enrique is known as the Prince of Salsa and received widespread recognition with Yo No Se Manana. Luis Enrique is best known for romantic salsa. I have listened to Yo No Se Manana many times over the course of my life, and while it is subtle, I believe he is speaking about a one-time romantic encounter. He sings how he doesn’t want to promise anything for tomorrow, because we don’t know what will happen. Maybe they will love or hate one another, who knows? The point is that they need to enjoy and live in the moment (which is what most of the song is about). This song will always make it onto my playlist because like Marc Anthony’s Vivir Mi Vida and Celia Cruz’s La Vida es un Carnaval, it speaks on life. Luis Enrique is right, we have no idea what will happen tomorrow, and people can relate. His romantic analogies of life being like an unwritten book (meaning we haven’t made decisions) and a roulette (taking chance) are quite stirring. Whenever I am having a rough day and I hear this song, it reminds me to have hope for tomorrow, because it could be better.

While I did my best to create a playlist this encapsulates both my childhood and the Latinx culture, it only scratches the surface. does not truly cover everything. Speaking honestly, I struggled with cutting down my playlist that has persisted over the years. There are many other artists that I wished I could’ve included in this list, such as, Jennifer Lopez, Johnny Rivera, Jerry Rivera, and Enrique Iglesias. However, when it came down to it, I wanted to keep my list of the songs I have had over the course of most of my life.

Enrique Iglesias, once said, “The power of music in Spanish is so strong, that I couldn’t stay away from it any longer.” I am a stubborn person, and I acknowledge that my 90’s soul has kept me from listening to more modern Spanish (and English) music, but I agree with Enrique. There is a reason why I cannot move on to appreciate modern music, and it’s because my childhood provided me with the best of what Spanish music has to offer. There is nothing like Spanish music, it is a beautiful form of physical and verbal communication that is appreciated by everyone no matter their background. Even the more modern musicians like Prince Royce and Romeo Santos make songs that are reminiscent of previous generations. For the Latinx community (not just myself), all these songs mean something to us. They are a part of our culture, overall being and have had an important impact on our lives. Simply put, these songs are a part of us.

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A Deep Dive into FFVII Music 1990’s vs 2020

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Rappers on Systemic Racism

The year 2020 has opened the eyes of many on the social injustices that exist between different racial groups. The events of 2020 made me want to examine the trends that exist in songs that are written about these injustices.

My earliest choice is Tupac’s “Changes” which was released in 1992. Tupac’s approach is quite different from my other choices, and I suspect it has to do with the time period and how racial injustices were viewed in the 90’s. If you notice on the chart, Tupac is represented the least because his tone and diction are significantly different than the other songs I mention. Unlike Hill’s explicit contemptuous tone for the way that African Americans are treated, Tupac takes a sadder approach in getting his message across. He wants his audience to be saddened by the situation that African Americans are in, while asking for changes. Hill uses the line “Rapings and beatings and suffering that worsens” against the melody of the Christmas song “My Favorite Things” to express her obvious frustration with society’s treatment of African Americans. Hill wants her audience to be furious with the rapings and beatings that African Americans are enduring. She is more explicitly saying that people need to be angry and fight for a change in the existing injustices. Tupac on the other hand takes a sadder tone and considering the time period, I understand why. In this time period, African Americans were painted as criminals. With this in mind he uses lyrics like, “Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares/ One less hungry mouth on the welfare,” to get his point across. Tupac is lamenting on how the system is affecting African- American children and how few opportunities they have to succeed.

In “Changes” Tupac’s diction is more laid back and I suspect that it was due to the time period, as there wasn’t as much call for social change as there is today. Tupac had to adjust his word choice so he uses words like, “That’s just the way it is/ Things will never be the same/ That’s just the way it is.” His diction created a chorus that everyone is still familiar with today. If you also notice, “Changes” has one of the higher points in danceability, which I imagine was done purposefully. Tupac probably felt that the best way for the song to catch on was by making sure it becomes popular, hence why the song is danceable and singable. By making this song so popular and accessible, he was able to create a song that everyone can reference while still asking for social change even beyond his life. Lil Baby’s “The Bigger Picture” on the other hand literally starts with snippets of media coverage. Lil Baby utilizes real and honest diction to express the state of paranoia African Americans live in. For example, he raps, “Tell ’em wherever I’m at, then they comin’/ I see blue lights, I get scared and start runnin’/ That shit be crazy, they ‘posed to protect us.” Here he is expressing to the audience that a simple police interaction has many scared. By using pathos and imagery he is calling out for a more immediate social change because no one can reasonably live in a constant state of fear.

The last two songs, Eminem’s “Untouchable” and Childish Gambino’s “This is America” are unique as they take a satirical approach to America’s racial disparities. Eminem uses his position as a white rapper to emphasize how society views people like him as “untouchable.” He includes himself in the white narrative by singing, “And just in case a chase might ensue, we got that tried and true/ Pistol drew right at you, we’d be delighted to unload it/In your back, then walk up and lay that taser on the side of you.” Here he is making fun of the excessive violence white police officers use African Americans. Eminem’s satirical approach is obvious in his lyrics, but for “This is America” you need to watch the music video in order to truly appreciate Childish Gambino’s satirical approach. In the music video, Childish Gambino shoots down several different people, but the guns are always handled more carefully than the human lives it just took. I believe that “This is America” is a statement to people who put priority in their guns over the gun violence that is happening against African Americans. Both Eminem and Childish Gambino are stressing the ridiculousness of the racial injustices that exist in America. They want their audiences to think, “Is this for real,” “you’ve gotta be kidding me,” or “this has to stop.” Both artists are using satire to encourage their audiences to recognize the blatant inequalities so they can call for change.

As can be seen in the infographic, each artist has taken a unique approach to how they view racial injustices. While each song is very different, one thing is for sure, they are all making a heavy political statement.

Acknowledgments

My boyfriend, Phil – My brother, Andy – My best friend, Jonathan – My mom – Lin-Manuel Miranda – The Cast of Hamilton: An American Musical – Tupac – Nobuo Uematsu – Final Fantasy – Selena – Marc Anthony – Elvis Crespo – Celia Cruz – Son by Four – Luis Enrique – Jennifer Lopez – Johnny Rivera – Jerry Rivera – Enrique Iglesias – All Latin Singers