You can tell a lot about someone based on the music they listen to, that is almost unarguable. Much like an artist uses and mixes different colors on a palette to paint a picture, your hobbies and interests do the same, music just being another color on that palette. I've always believed I loved music but anyone who's known me for a long time knows that isn't true. One of my biggest regrets is not really listening to Hip-Hop until the end of Highschool. Prior to college I spent most of my life listening to post-hardcore/"screamo". Nothing was inherently wrong with the genre, but I was super obnoxious about it. For example: in my sophomore year I took a computer science class where one of my assignments was to create a basic HTML website, (I couldn't just make a regular website), I had to be an asshole and create one full of emo kid album covers from random bands I listened to that would appear over random Hip-Hop albums (that I was too obnoxious to listen to) when you scrolled over the image with your mouse. I was terrible. I'm grateful I've been able to become more open-minded and discover some seriously awesome music. I want to share some of my all time favorite songs, and in doing so, share some of who I am. I admittedly have no idea what some of these songs are actually about but regardless I know what they mean to me.

1. Modern Baseball - "The Water Boy Returns"

"Hey man, whatcha thinking about? Not to be blunt, but haven't heard from you in days. Are you okay? You can talk to me. Do you have anything to say?"

Modern Baseball is easily my favorite bands, they specialize in this happy sounding sad songs. I find comfort in this song in particular, it feels like the song itself came to check up on me, but it also reminds me of the people who care about me and the people I care about.

2. MINMI/Najubes - "Shiki no Uta (Song of the Seasons)"

One of my not at all guilty pleasures is Japanese music, I have no idea what is being said in this song, but the vocals are magical and the song is relaxing overall. But if you've ever watched Samurai Champloo than you know this song and probably appreciate it as much as I do.

3. Denzel Curry - "Ultimate"

"I kill 'em, no Kony, these niggas ain't homies Claim you the homie, I turn into Broly Dropping melodic, enter the cosmic Flow like a prophet, lyrical toxic"

This song is lit, it doesn't matter what he's talking about. The beat goes hard. It gets me hype. I can't listen to this song and not feel an undeserved sense of confidence, I'd like the say that lyrics matter all the time...this is one of those situations where it doesn't.

4. Sambomaster - "Seishun Kyousoukyoku"

I discovered this song while it was the opening theme of Naruto, as the song is in Japanese I can't understand what they are saying, but with some killer instrumentals and a wonderful melody, the song's passion translates effortlessly.

5. Oasis - "Masterplan"

" 'cause everything that's been has passed The answer's in the looking glass There's four and twenty million doors On life's endless corridor"

Oasis is easily another one of my favorite bands, this song gives me one of those really hard to describe feelings but the closest word I can think of is intangible. Intangible because it makes me feel a sense of safety, that is akin to invisibility, nothing can see me so nothing can harm me, any sense of worry or fear passes through me my body and soul become as light, and thin as air.

6. Madvillain - "Great Day"

"Lookie here, it's just the way the cookie tear Prepare to get hurt and mangled like Kurt Angle rookie year"

I can't even begin to say how much a enjoy listening to this song, the wordplay is refreshing compared to a lot of the mainstream Hip-Hop you hear on the radio. Listening to this song reminds me of smelling really good food and wondering where the hell it's coming from.

7. I The Mighty - "Ivy"

"I thought that you were a rose and let you lay in my bed But you made a home beneath my skin"

I've never introduced this song to a person who didn't like it, we all have negative people in our lives and this song reminds me a lot about what it mean to let those people go.

8. Gang Starr/ Inspectah Deck - "Above the Clouds"

"I Self Lord and Master shall bring disaster to evil factors Demonic chapters shall be captured by Kings"

This song is a classic, the deep lyricism itself is enough to be admired.

9. Kendrick Lamar - "Blacker The Berry"

"I'm as black as the heart of an Aryan"

Kendrick Lamar is another one of my favorite artists, in this song he talks about racism and violence, yet again making "conscious rap" cooler than it was a song ago.

10. Modern Baseball - "Going to Bed Now"

"I'll kick myself to sleep before I shake that Grimy, dirty, crusted, arrogant hand So please leave my house"

My favorite song from my favorite album, this is the song I dedicate to all the spoiled pricks in my life as I play it from a boombox in the horse carriage I'll be riding when I see them in hell.

11. La Dispute - "Edit Your Hometown"

“Don’t make the same mistake as me. Say ‘Goodbye’ and ‘Be gone’ and ‘Be great’ and be done and be free.”

We all come to a point in our lives where we have to make tough decisions, I think this song embodies just that, the idea of making a choice for yourself and running with it and eventually gaining freedom from it.