Try a Road Trip with Your Kid's Playlist

If there is one thing that we adults underestimate, it's the impact of music on the kids in our lives. While I'm a huge supporter of the arts, being part of the band or chorus at school isn't exactly what I am referring to here. No, I mean the music in their heads, fed through their AirPods, creating the soundtrack of their days. Take a look around, the next time you are near a group of teens or preteens. Chances are, their ears are filled with headphones. Ever stop to think what they might be listening to?

A few days ago, my youngest, Liam (now 14) was all excited because Kendrick Lamar "dropped an album without even telling anyone he was going to." This is a big deal, friends. This means Kendrick Lamar doesn't really even need a marketing team. He can release an album and word spreads without any effort on his part. Liam told me he had already listened to the album twice that day, and it was "fire." 

We've had similar talks before, about what he's listening to and who he likes. I mostly listen, because my hip-hop knowledge is sadly limited to the late-90s/early-aughts. I find it fascinating, though, to hear what Liam looks for in an artist and what kind of music appeals to him. 

So, when we took a short trip to go visit my dad, I asked Liam to create our road trip playlist. When he shared it with me, he warned, "There are a lot of bad words," but I promised him I would try not to be too shocked (born yesterday like I was and all). The playlist included works by Tyler the Creator and Kendrick Lamar, for the most part. As we drove, I was schooled on the beef between Kendrick and Drake. (Drake had the audacity to claim that Kendrick abused his wife, from what I gather, then Kendrick was like, "What did you just say?" with more expletives. Evidently, Drake is a shady character who abandoned not one but two children, among other misdeeds.) 

As I listened to the songs on the playlist, I heard themes of loyalty, love, family, friendship, and pride. Liam (and his sister Gabrielle) tends to like the narrative songs, like the one by Tyler the Creator that tells the story of his father not being part of his life. I can easily see how these songs appeal to my kids (and kids like them). We had some good talks about the songs -- and no, I wasn't the one who was getting all English-majory on them and forcing an analysis of the songs. Instead, it was the kids who hit pause to tell me the backstory of one song, or to give some context that they felt was important before listening.

While I can't say I'm going to return to the playlist on my own any time soon, spending time sharing music with my kids was enlightening and enjoyable. We connected on their level, without me adding adult judgment or criticism. My whole purpose was to understand my kids a little bit more by hearing the world from their ears. If you have a kid in your life (yours, or just borrow one), give it a try. Go on a road trip and hand them the aux cable. See hear what happens. 


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