Nostalgia through music

As a group, we've had really thought-provoking discussions on nostalgia. We talked about looking at nostalgia through the political, the cultural and the personal. I wanted to use this post to share my personal experience of nostalgia. 

Over the weekend, I was reunited with my sister. We're big music lovers and usually love to share music we've been listening to when we see each other. She showed me some old songs by a rapper called Dom Kennedy. It was only then I realised my soul was longing for a familiar sound, a feeling and even a certain groove I had neglected for time. Recently, I've been immersed in new styles of hip-hop predominately trap music which comprises of plunging 808 patterns and empty lyrics. I wanted to seek that yearning for a vibe my soul craved, so the next day I scrolled through my Spotify and came across Joey Bada$$. Woah. Now, I was a big fan of Joey in my college days around 5 years ago. The first song I played was 'Paper Trail$' from his first album 'B4.DA.$$', an ode to Wu Tang's 'C.R.E.A.M.' I was flooded with memories. I remember listening to this album on the 51 bus which took me back and forth from Woolwich to Orpington high street every everyday to college. I remember my style then, skinny high waisted jeans or even disco pants paired with a black leather jacket and hi top converses. I carried my books in a Giorgio Armani patent bag my mum surprised me with on my 16th birthday. Lunch would range from KFC, McDonalds to Morley's. Soon we discovered a cafe which did burger and chips for 1.99. The college area smelt of cigarettes, weed and burger sauce. My group of friends and I were the misfits of the college who didn't belong to any categorised group. I was growing up, out of secondary school and asking questions about the world. Essentially, it reminded me of a time where  I was different a version of myself. 

Music is extremely powerful and the music impact can have in our lives is uncontested. These nostalgic memories make me feel so happy and reminiscent. It's interesting though, that the time I was listening to this album and in college wasn't necessarily perfect. I still remember moments of loneliness and frustration. I mean, what time period is perfect? But I'm reminded of a time that has faded away that now lives on through music. 

Here's a taste of Joey Bada$$ from back in 2012 if you want to listen. He's dope! 

Janice