Every year (Late Nov/early Dec) the big streaming platforms send out something that displays the music we’ve been listening to all year. 

Though I’ve had albums on streaming platforms for four years now, I never really thought about people having me on their list(s)- until it finally happened.

On one hand it felt good to know that one of your friends/peers like your work enough to listen to it enough times where it ended up on a yearly list- on the other hand it made me think of all my friends/peers that have listened to hundreds of minutes from strangers, and posted their lists.

               I went to an open mic last week, and at least three performers came up in succession, and spoke about their Spotify Wrapped list- each time the crowd made noises indicating the commonalities… but when I came up and asked how come I wasn’t on any of their lists…. Crickets. 

               Not that I wasn’t aware, but for me it lets me know I have way more work to do. 

               I was happy that the album that made the cut wasn’t a recent one- made me feel that the poet was actually a fan of my work, and was looking deep through the cuts. 

               I’m excited to embody these tracks next year- whether acapella, instrumental, or with a live band.