To escape everyday life, many people tend to turn to music, especially teens. Music is an outlet, which I’m pretty sure we all need with today’s presidential election. This is the playlist I’ve made exactly for this occasion along with my thoughts.
- “ADHD” by Kendrick Lamar
“Her president is black.”
Note: After the midnight following Nov. 8, 2016, no longer will her president be black (although Barack Obama remains president until Jan. 2o, when the president-elect is sworn in).
- “Forbidden Fruit” by J.Cole
“Ayo, I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”
Note: Me, in the upcoming hours/days/term(s).
- “Ultralight Beam” by Kanye West
“We don’t want no devils in the house, God.”
Note: Not pointing any fingers, but the house is definitely not white, and the “devil” is certainly not spray-tanned reddish orange.
- “Skyline To” by Frank Ocean
“That’s a pretty f**king fast year flew by.”
Note: When the end of something comes, it always seems shorter than what it actually was, much like President Obama’s presidency.
- “Brain Cells” by Chance The Rapper
“It’s a quarter to imminent, ten minutes to infinite.”
Note: Imminent – about to happen; Infinite – impossible to measure or calculate
- “Hello” by J.Cole
“S**t seem so sad when you look back.”
Note: 2008-2016.
- Intermission: “Pick up The Phone” by Travis Scott
Every. Single. Line. However, I am quite partial to the bridge: “Never will I cheat on you/ Never will I commit treason/ Blowin’ a bag on you/ Do all of that for no reason/ I’ma pull up and murk too/hittin’ the block and I’m bleedin’/Throwing that Rollie on you/ I like the way it be freezin'”
Note: Personal favorite and turn-up song. Instantly makes me feel better/forget about everything.
- “ untitled 04” by Kendrick Lamar
“They say the government mislead the youth”
Note: Cue the electoral college and voting system.
- “Too High To Riot” by Bas
“F**k all the leaders that’s too high off power/ They do all the lying and treat us like prisoners”
Note: none.
- “Pink + White” by Frank Ocean
“If you could fly, then you’d fly south/Up north’s getting cold soon”
Note: Like birds, we would like to migrate away from the debate we’ve found ourselves in the middle of.
- “Folgers Crystals” by J.Cole
“Now, I could be the change that I wanna see/ I could heal the world for real if a n***a speaking honestly”
- “Blood on The Leaves” by Kanye West
“We coulda been somebody.”
Note: Bernie Sander’s Ode to America.
- “Father Stretch My Hands Pt.2” by Kanye West
“I just wanna feel liberated, I, I, I”
Note: Matches the chaos I’m feeling in my head as the day approaches.
- “Chain Smoker” by Chance The Rapper
“This part right here, right now/Right here, this part my s**t”
Note: Good song to end off on ’cause it reminds us that in the end, it’s all good.
Billaé, 15, is looking forward to writing more pieces like this for VOX that others will see and hear.
