Songs can make me feel every emotion possible. I love to listen music and every time I'm going through something I listen to a song that fits my mood. Music makes things better most times, unless I'm angry then it would just fuel my anger. Music can even describe how people should act in society. Here's a few songs that do all of these things and more.
JOY
Jill Scott-"So Blessed" This song symbolizes joy in various ways. She speaks about loving her son and how she feels about him. She sounds extremely happy about her life. This song does make me happy when I listen to it. I feel that I want for nothing in life and that I am blessed to wake up and be able to listen to her song. Things aren't always as bad as it seems. I feel extremely joyous when I think about the opportunities available to me. This song reminds me of all of these things.
Mourning/Sad
Marsha Ambrosiuos-"So Far Away" This song speaks to me because her sadness is real. She tells a story about her gay friend that committed suicide because he was gay. When people feel left out in the world they will be sad. She made this song in memory of him and other suicide victims around the world. It makes me sad and I start to think about kids in my high school that committed suicide. It even makes me think about my granddaddy who passed away my freshman year of high school. I was devastated and it feels that he is far away. As I listen to the song I ponder on the thought of "why do people have to die?" I always tear up listening to this by myself.
Anger
Honey Cocaine-"Bullshit" To me anger isn't always about screaming and fighting. Sometimes it's just using curse words continually. The name of the song speaks for itself. I don't like bullshit and it makes me angry. So when I am upset, I tend to listen to songs like this. They don't make anything any better. It makes think about the person that made me mad. I begin to think about doing mean things to that person most times. Sorry for the bluntness of the song, if you're offended please let me know.
Family
Lil Boosie-"My Brother's Keeper" I have two little brothers and a little sister. They all are my favorite little people even though, they're all taller than me. However, I have brothers and sisters that aren't related to me through blood. But I believe anybody can be family. It's not always the people that have your blood. Family is family regardless of race or blood. Blood is supposed to be thicker than water, however that's not always the case. The song describes the things a family in Boosie's world would do for one another. I feel like I have more family than most people are born with. At the end of the day I will back all them up and take care of themif need be. That's what a family is supposed to do.
Sexuality(woman)
Aaliyah-"More than a Woman" Every woman is made to believe she is to please her man. In this song it describes most women. We want to be loved by that one guy that makes us feel special, so we will do anything to keep him. That's the tragedy becasue somethimes those things don't always help, but they hurt us. To be a woman is to be loved.
Sexuality(man)
Destiney's Child-"Soldier" I feel that these girls said it best, a man is suppose to provide and be protect. No woman wants a man bumming off of her. A man is suppose to be able to take care of his lady. For a man's street cred to be up to par means that he can't be out acting a fool. Fools will not get anywhere in life, and no woman wnants that. Men also are seen as to be strong enough to be the head of the family. In most families the man of the house will sit at the head of the table, because he's the alpha male.
My name is Khristian Batts and I come from a world not far from yours. I am originally from Fort Wayne, but I've been raised in Indianapolis most of my life. I am the oldest child of four. I think differently about life decisions than most people my age. Many experiences have contributed to my view of the world and the values that have been instilled in me. A lot of these things can also contribute to the type of life I lead. Now you can sit back, observe, and listen to things that make me.
Marvin Sapp-"Never Would Have Made It"
My faith in God has been tested since the moment my parents told me they were going to get a divorce eight years ago. My life isn't a tragedy, but it hasn't always been easy. Marvin Sapp describes the way God helped him get through problems in his life. I believe that God has helped me get through the many things in my life. I believe that without him I wouldn't be here in this class. I have put myself in situations to be harmed and each time came out safe and sound. I never understood as a young teen why everyone around me was dying and getting hurt. I've lost multiple family members and classmates in the past four years and it was rough as you can imagine, but I made it. Without God in my life I wouldn't be me.
Lyfe Jennings ft. Lala Brown- "S.E.X"
As a believer in God, I believe my body is a temple. I have to watch what I put into it and who I let in. Many of my classmates lost their virginities sometime between middle school and high school. In my case I am still to this day a virgin. I wear that name proudly. I have chosen abstinence becasuse as Lyfe Jennings says in the song all a boy wants is sex. I've been told by numerous boys how much they "love" me. At the time I was too young to understand love so I did believe some boys until I got a little older to see right their lies. I don't plan on having sex until marriage becuase it's just the best thing to do. It will keep me from getting hurt or an unexpected pregnancy. I am also determined to break the generational curses in my family. No woman in my family on both sides have ever waited until marriage. Many boys see my purity as a way to break me down, but I'm too strong to fall for the okey doke. Listening to this song encourages me to wait. A lot of people respect me for my decision, it's often left without a boyfriend, but I'm too confident in myself to lower my values for someone else's pleasure. Sex would make things complicated at this point in life anyway, so I say no to sex.
India Arie ft. Akon- "I am Not My Hair"
Everyone is equal, so why judge? My love for people is genuine and I belive that each person is their own person. I've never been able to understand why the world can't think the same way. Obviously, I have locks which are not always accpeted in the professional world. But why not? I'm the same person with a relaxer. India Arie says "I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am the soul within". I live my life based on these words. I am not black and I am not dreadlocks. I am Khristian Alexis Batts. No one deserves to be treated badly because of their ethnicity or hairstyle. In my world, there are no races besides the human race. I walked into this program and found there weren't many African Americans and then found out that I'm the only one in my class. In all honesty I felt a little weird, but then I remembered it doesn't matter what I look or what my classmates look like, we're all students hungry for an education. People from my hometown often say "You act white" or "You talk like you white". There is no such thing as acting a color, I can only be myself. I'd like to say that I see no color on your skin.
Wiz Khalifa ft. Snoop Dogg-"Wild, Young, and Free"
My life isn't a total bore. I am outgoing and cheerful. I like to take risks and enjoy life. I just don't like putting my life in jeopardy. Now the things described in this song aren't all things I live off of. It's really the concept of living young and free. This is the time of our lives and we should be living it up. Too much homework and no play is very unhealthy in my world. I don't believe in doing things I don't feel comfortable doing just to fit in. That's nowhere near fun at all. I just do things I enjoy to make my life pleasureable.
Alicia Keys-"Superwoman"
Around me I see hurting women. However these women do what they have to raise their children on their own. A lot of them are working two and three jobs to make ends meet. Many don't think about the importance of a mother. Even married mothers are hardworkes. Mothers are the backbone of families and nowadays they are left alone to put the pieces together. My mom is a single mother and I see her as a superwoman. She has worked to provide for our household with comfortable living. My mom is very important to me. No matter how times we fight and disagree she will always love me. She does what she can when she can. At the beginning of my parents' divorce my mom wasn't stable. She had no work experience because she stayed home with us through their entire marriage. Instead of blaming us for the mishap, she picked herself up and got a college degree. She now has her bachelor's and master's. My mom and many more moms in my world are superwomen.
Dro Man-"Jiggalate"
Yes, this song is called jiggalate! It is a hot song among many teens in my world. The song tells the listener to "hit the jiggalate let em hate, gon' jiggalate". At this point in time I'm not sure how many cities know about this song. It's a hot dance and it's fun to do. I chose this song because it represents my hometown. We are a people of togetherness but as well as seperation. In the video there are children and adults alike doing the dance. Everyone came to the video shoot really to have a good time. Now if there were fights after or before, I have no clue. But Indianapolis unfortunately is very violent and big on gangs and cliques. I hope to someday to change that trend in my world with my talents and skills. The song doesn't promote the importance of education or the concept of nonviolence. This song unfortunately is an eastside song, so serious westsiders hate this song. It's almost a crime to play it out there. Togetherness is important to me and so that's my future goal.
Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull-"Dance Again"
I am a dancer. I love to dance. If I could, I would dance instead of walking. Dance is my life and I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. The difference between me and other dancers is that I've never been in a professional class. I've danced with street groups and churches. But I love it too much to let my lack of training to discourage me. My parents just weren't the parents to sign me up for things, however, they've learned over the years. My passion for dance is so strong that others around me can feel it. It is my way to calm down or vent. When I dance I send a message, I don't just perform, I speak with my hips.
These were just a few things that define me and my life. Everything here is apart of me and who I am. I hope that you feel a bit closer to me through this blog post.
