There are approximately eight billion people on Earth and the average person listens to 1.3 million songs in their lifetime. A study done by headphoneaddicts.com states that the average person listens to about 961 hours and 10 minutes of music per year. So, the work of a DJ must be very challenging as they must take into account of all the music genres and their audience to culminate playlists that people can relate, express themselves, and have fun listening to. 

Although people listen to music in incredible amounts with the different genres of music in the world, it would take over 600 years to listen to the entirety of it. Thus, for some that have only been exposed to a certain genre of music, they may not be aware of the vast world of music and the freedom it has to offer. 

“It’s not necessarily what you like, but what you think they would like,” senior communications major Jamell Winn II, otherwise known as DJ Brooklyn, stated on the topic of recommending music to others. “But I like when people recommend what they like, because I get to know them.”

As people grow, their taste in music changes, and while there are some whose music taste continues down a linear pattern, some may have friends with different music tastes leaving them with a never ending supply of songs to discover. There are others who may not have that or have only been exposed to certain genres and have yet to start their musical journey.

Making a new playlist may seem like an easy feat, however, there is actually a lot more that goes into it than one would imagine. 

“Recognize where you are, take account of your surroundings, is it a rainy day? Is there finals? What’s going on? Play something that relates to the people around. Certain songs hit at certain times,” Winn II explained. 

When making a playlist for oneself, one would need to consider these factors as well. What do you like? What do you connect to or what songs would you relate to at the moment? So, if you are struggling to find new music, make a different playlist for different moods then have one big giant playlist with all your favorite songs. 

A start could be alternative music, artists who are in this scene that DJ Brookyln recommends include: Sleeping with Sirens, Boys Like Girls, Sum 41, Bring me the Horizon, Chevelle, and State Champs. My personal playlist includes artists like Will Wood, I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME, Waterparks, Maggie Lindemann, Penelope Scott, and Scene Queen. 

A playlist for country music, DJ Brooklyn recommends these artists: Darius Rucker, Alan Jackson, Jimmie Allen, and on the line dance spectrum, King George and Sir Charles. The Tennesean recommends Allison Russell, Amythyst Kiah, Brittney Spencer, Shy Carter, and Breland. 

Female Hip/Hop artists DJ Brooklyn recommends include: Monaleo, KenTheMan, SUPAHBADD, Flo Milli, Baby Tate,  and Rico Nasty. Piggybacking off of DJ Brooklyn’s selections, within my personal playlist women who are outstanding within this field include, Cuban Doll, GloRilla, cupcakKe, Kash Doll, Pardison Fontaine, and Kenzo B.

On the side of the male Hip/Hop artists, DJ Brooklyn recommends: Bigkaybeezy, Lil Bam, Quinn NFN, Rio Da Yung OG, TLE Cinco, 22Gz,  Sheff G, and ELI FROSS. Within my playlist I would include: Pivot Gang, Nardo Wick, G Herbo, SSG Splurge, Babyface Ray, Nas, Dugg, and SleazyWorld Go.

An artist who has gained traction for his unique style of music is Rod Wave. DJ Brooklyn suggests listening to Jay The Yungin, Polo G, Roddy Rich, Bigxtheplug, Asnon Seabra, Marc Rebillet, and Idontknowjeffery. 

Another artist that has been in the public spotlight is SZA with her newest album “SOS.” Within this R&B genre, DJ Brookyln recommends Solange and Tems. From my playlist I would suggest: Savannah Cristina, Jazmine Sullivan, Summer Walker, Snoh Aalegra, Coco Jones, Ari Lennox, and Nelccia. 

Other artists to add to your playlist include: Cloudy June, DJ Fat Sloop, Slush Puppy, Baby Storme, and the musical soundtracks from “Newsies,” “In the Heights,” and “Dear Evan Hansen.” 

While this is only a mediocre start to a few playlist, it is the building blocks to discovering more about your music taste. Music is a form of art that people use to express themselves and find the time to look at what music you enjoy. Look out for DJ Brooklyn at the Twist Bar and Grill.