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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FIU chapter.

Music can be the most powerful aspect of how one can resonate with another. I always enjoyed music because it was literally an escape for me. The words from the artist and how I visualized my life correspond to how I was feeling at that moment.

From the artist, we choose to decide to listen to, the genre of the song, to the lyrics that we constantly replay in our heads over and over again. Music has been fundamental for many people.

“If I can’t say it, my music can.” -Diana Dupelord

I tend to not be able to communicate well with my words. I try to express my feelings in other ways such as the music I listen to. Sometimes it can become surreal because you have an artist that is explaining exactly what you are going through and how one is feeling. It can feel as if they understand you on a personal level. In most cases they do.

The majority of artists want their music to influence others in a powerful manner. For example, Jhene Aiko’s latest album ‘Chilombo’ has explained the feelings and emotions that most people go through. From feeling an intensity of emotions that can be overwhelming to feeling encouraged through her voice, her words, and her story.

My Top 5 Favorite Songs from Chilombo:

*LOVE

*Born Tired

*Pray for You

*Tryna Smoke

*Summer 2020 (interlude)

Every artist that I listen to influences me through their personal life experiences. Some explain their words through hardship and pain. While others explain their words through peaceful and loving moments.

My Top 5 Favorite Love Songs:

*Drake- Fire & Desire

*Garden (Say It Like Dat)-SZA

*A Sunday Kind of Love- Etta James

*Pretty Little Fears (feat. J Cole)-6LACK

*You’re the One- Dondria vs. Phatfffat

My Top 10 Relatable Songs:

*Summer Friends-Chance the Rapper

*Take Care (feat. Rihanna)-Drake

*Saint Nobody-Jessie Reyez

*Vulnerable-Bill K. Kapri (Kodak Black)

*Contagious- Young Thug

*Pigment- H.E.R.

*Made For Me- Chad Thomas

*Broken- Jessie Reyez

*Same Ol’ Mistakes- Rihanna

*Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)-Alicia Keys

My DAILY Listens ALBUMS:

*Care Package- Drake

*Views- Drake

*H.ER.-H.E.R.

*SweetSexySavage (Deluxe)-Kehlani

*Florida Girl- Savannah Cristina

*Trip-Jhene Aiko

Recommendations & Why:

*Trigger Protection Mantra-Jhene Aiko (Sense of Calmness and Peace of Mind)

*Father, Father Laura Mvula (Breathtaking)

*River-Leon Bridges (Soul-Fulfilling)

*W.A.YS.-Jhene Aiko (Sense of Motivation)

*Free-Peri Jones (Leaves You with a Sense of Ownership)

Diana Dupelord is a Senior Editor at Florida International University Her Campus Chapter. She oversees a group of writers that exemplify different genres of writing. She is responsible for ensuring article credibility, while managing and editing writers' content before publication. Diana continues to expand her editorial experience by becoming a Student Editor for FIU's Undergraduate Research Journal for the 2024 Cohort. She dedicates her time to working with Student Writers during the drafting and publication process to ensure efficient published academic research. Additionally, she has served as an intern for Her Campus Media X Ulta Beauty by creating written content on natural hair for the empowerment of Black Beauty. The art of writing has allowed Diana to optimize her passion for it. She is dedicated to sharing her life experiences through her love for writing. Her transparency has allowed her to influence and inspire people by portraying the empowerment of her written pieces. She emphasizes her reasonings to teach the world as "Breaking Barriers is My Purpose."