Last Wednesday was one of the most anticipated days of the entire year: Spotify Wrapped came out. I absolutely love music, and this day is so cool for so many reasons. Not only do I care about what my wrapped says, but I love to see what everyone else shares on their Instagram stories, whether they use Apple or Spotify.
Not to get all woo-woo, but music is such a core component of our realities. We can relate to it and share it with others; it is a way to dance, celebrate, and have fun. It’s a funnel through which we can process emotions and overcome hardship. The music we choose to listen to says a lot about us. It says a lot about what we’ve gone through and are going through, or it can be as simple as just getting us from point A to point B while driving around town. Music can be not that deep, but also incredibly deep. It serves multiple purposes, and I think most of us could not imagine a world without music.
Honestly, who’s driving to work in silence, who’s warming up for their favorite sport in silence, who’s going to a wedding with no music?
Anyway. Enough about that. Music is important to me and is most likely important for all of us, so today, I’m going to give a rundown of my 2024 Spotify Wrapped. And something so awesome is that this is my blog, and regardless of whether people give a fuck, I can write about whatever I want. I can be enveloped in the delusion that people really want to read about my Spotify Wrapped. That’s the false reality I’m choosing to live in. So here it is.
My top artists were Tyler, the Creator, Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, Kayne West, and Teezo Touchdown. I recommend giving these people a listen.
1. Tyler the Creator:
For starters, Tyler’s new album exceeded all expectations and ideas I had in my head. His creativity, authenticity, and storytelling capabilities blend together to make real art. I think some people would disagree. Especially if they ever heard Tron Cat or Radicals. But his music has changed so much, and to watch an artist grow and change right before your eyes is beautiful. From Goblin to Chromakopia, there is such a shift. A change in who he is as an artist and as a person. I love how I say this shit as if I know the man. Obviously, I don’t. I’m just a silly little fan girl, but it’s still evident that his music has evolved so much. There are songs from every album that I resonate with, and it just makes me happy to listen to his music. Whatever genres and artists you like, it doesn’t matter, what does is that their sounds lift you up. That it makes you happy. Or just makes you feel something. Tyler the Creator does that for me.
Just for shits and giggles, I’m going to recommend one song from each of his albums that I think you all should listen to if you haven’t already. Just brace yourself for his early music. The lyrics are scary.
From Goblin, I recommend She while simultaneously apologizing for recommending it. From Wolf, I recommend PartyIsntOver/Campfire/Bimmer. It’s long because it’s technically three songs, but my favorite is Campfire. Skip to 2:15 to just listen to that one. From Cherry Bomb, I recommend BUFFALO. Moving on to Flower Boy, I like Where This Flower Blooms. From Igor- I Think. From Call Me if You Get Lost- RUNITUP, but honestly, just listen to the entire album. Additionally, DOGTOOTH from the Estate Sale add-on is a favorite. Lastly, from Chromakopia, ST CHROMA means a lot to me. The album has no skips, but it’s the song I relate to most. The lyrics pierce me, and the shit bumps. A final note is that if you have sensitive ears, don’t listen to anything before Flower Boy. Or maybe just don’t listen to him at all.
2. Kendrick Lamar:
My number two artist was Kendrick Lamar. He’s a solid mainstream artist and had a lot of good music come out this year. I listen to a wide range of his discography, and I appreciate the differences in each phase of his music. I appreciate how it never lacks depth and how he can tell a story with meaning and melody. How he can make me both dance and think deeply. Not a whole lot of artists can do both. But the ones who can made it on my top 5 this year.
I’ve never listened to Kendrick’s first two albums, so I’ll give recommendations for good kid, m.A.A.D city through GNX. Good kid, m.A.A.d city has lots of good songs, but the one that sticks most is m.A.A.d city. From To Pimp A Butterfly- King Kunta; from DAMN.- HUMBLE.; from the Black Panther album- Paramedic!; from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers- Father Time; and from GNX- squabble up. Again, this was tough, and these songs barely scratch the surface of his life, story, and music. He has tons of singles and features that are extremely brilliant. But we all know this. We all listen to Kendrick. No need for a random bitch on the internet to nail this idea down for you.
3. Kid Cudi:
Artist number three on my Spotify Wrapped was Kid Cudi. You can never go wrong with Cudi. He has something for every mood and emotion. There’s also something strangely inviting about his Instagram. He’s oddly funny, but I can never be sure just how intentional it is. But that’s beside the point.
INSANO, which dropped in early 2024, was basically a no-skip album, and the features were solid. Additionally, we all know and love his old music. Not many people dislike Cudi. I love him because his music speaks to my soul. He’s just one of those artists that when I hear his music, I’m like, “Yeah. I get it.” That’s not too common for me, especially in terms of rap music. Some of Tyler’s stuff makes me feel that way, but not as many songs as Mescudi. And it makes sense. I’m a white girl from Missouri. I’m not gonna relate to the storylines musicians like Kendrick and Kayne rap about. But Cudi. I can pick up what he’s putting down a little more often. And I appreciate that.
Now for recommendations. I haven’t listened to all of Kid Cudi’s albums because there are like a million, but I’ll make suggestions based on what I have heard. From Man on the Moon: The End Of Day, I suggest Soundtrack 2 My Life (which most of us know and love); from Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, I love Erase Me- Main; from KIDS SEE GHOSTS- 4th Dimension; from Man On The Moon III: The Chosen- Tequila Shots; from The Boy Who Flew To The Moon (Vol. 1)- love.; from A Kid Named Cudi- Down & Out; from Entergalactic- Do What I Want and lastly from INSANO- WOW.
4. Kayne West:
Number four was Kayne West. Old Kayne, new Kayne, any Kayne. The music is good. The music. That’s the only reason I associate with this man. I don’t want to go on a side tangent about how and why he’s problematic but rather stick solely to the focal point of music for this post. We all know Kayne’s music is good. We all know at least a few of his songs. I love the gospel aspect he incorporates into his music, and I appreciate the range of subject matter in his art. I can somewhat relate to being both religious and a little vulgar. And sometimes a little problematic, but I think I’m past that. Besides the point. Now, let me give my song suggestion from each album that I’d recommend if you’ve never been into Kayne and are still, for some reason, reading this post.
From The College Dropout- All Falls Down; from Late Registration- Gold Digger (obviously); from Graduation- I Wonder; from 808s & Heartbreak- Heartless; from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy- Runaway; from Yeezus- Black Skinhead; from The Life of Pablo- Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1; from ye- Ghost Town; from JESUS IS KING- Follow God; from Donda- Jail; from VULTURES 1- STARS; and from VULTURES 2- RIVER.
5. Teezo Touchdown:
The final artist on my Spotify Wrapped was none other than the lovely little Teezo Touchdown. I genuinely love this man so much. He’s a little cutie. Just adorable. I loved watching him grow as an artist, too. I first found out who he was because he opened for Tyler the Creator on the Call Me If You Get Lost tour. Nobody knew who this little fart was back then. After the concert, I started to listen to him more and more, and he gained popularity through features with Lil Yachty, Drake, and Travis Scott. He’s such an interesting artist. His sound is so unique, and above all, his music makes me giggle. Like, I will be cackling listening to some of his music because it’s so fucking funny. But not bad funny, just funny. But unique and creative, too. I like him because his sound is so unlike anything I’ve heard before. It’s awesome.
I went through a massive fan girl phase where I actually called him every day (he posted his number on Instagram), but I eventually gave up. The little cocksucker never answered.
Anyway, here are my Teezo recommendations from the album he has out, but by all means, please go listen to his singles, EPs, and features because this boy has talent. From How Do You Sleep At Night, I love Familiarity (but honestly, the whole album is brilliant), and from the With You add-on, Up and Down is an absolute treasure.
My Top 5 Songs:
Ok, now that I’ve spewed my shit on these artists, let’s briefly talk about my top five songs. Number one was Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar. How strange. What beef does this 23-year-old midwestern girl have with Drake? None, to be exact, but hey, the song makes me dance. Number two was RUNITUP by Tyler the Creator, featuring Teezo Touchdown. If you’re going through a period of self-doubt or lacking confidence, please listen to this song. It helps. Number three was Like That by Metro Boomin, Future, and Kendrick Lamar. It’s so funny because the first time I listened to that song, I genuinely hated it. It grew on me. And once again, you cannot listen to that song without a little boogie or twirl or something. Number four was Carnival by Kayne West. This embarrassing. I feel like I owe the public an apology. But I did run a lot this year, and that song makes me run faster. Lastly, song number five was 3 Foot Tall by Classified for when you’re either running or going through something internally.
My Top 5 Podcasts:
Now, before I close this post, I want to share my top five podcasts with you. These have helped me change my perspective in life and learn a lot about health and fitness. Some are a little chugey and goofy, but the bulk of the content is helpful nonetheless. Number one was Girls with Goals; number two was Inside Anna’s Mind (my favorite podcast); number three was Healthy But Human; number four was 80/20; and number five was The Rebecca Leigh Podcast. If you’re a little wellness girly, these are perfect for you.
Closing:
Moving on. Many people may not care to read a blog post about some random bitches Spotify Wrapped, but if you did, I thank you for it. I have the time of my life writing these, and I hope the people who read it enjoy it too.
Also, be brave and maybe listen to a song recommendation or two if you haven’t heard any that I suggested. I’m also going to link my Spotify Wrapped playlist below if you want to take a browse or listen.
Music truly means a lot to me. Is it so serious I had to get all woo-woo and write a blog post about it? Maybe not. But I did anyway. Because I had the time. And if you read my “Favorite Things” post, you know Spotify Wrapped is my shit. Not just for me, I love to see what everyone else consumes, too. What’s the music that makes up other people’s days, months, and years? Music paints a part of our picture. It writes a bit of our story. It’s important.
With that said, you may hear from me next week. If I have the time on my hands. I probably will.