November 30, 2022
Walking into her language arts class, Varenya Vemulapalli, sophomore, overheard her peers talking about a day they had been anticipating for weeks: Spotify Wrapped Day. This year, Spotify Wrapped was released on Nov. 30.
Spotify Wrapped is an annual recap of users’ most streamed artists, songs and genres. Spotify compiles these statistics into a slideshow, which users can share to their social medias. Vemulapalli is one of these users.
“It’s a fun thing to post and share,” Vemulapalli said. “I like to see what other people are listening to.”
Vemulapalli’s top artists were Drake, Playboi Carti, Migos, Lil Baby and Kanye West. This comes as no surprise as her time on the app has been spent listening to rap music for nearly seven years now, Vemulapalli said.
“My brother listened to rap music a lot when I was young,” Vemulapalli said. “So, I grew up with rap.”
With a total of 100,000 minutes spent listening to Spotify this year, Vemulapalli said she is a supporter of the Spotify Wrapped tradition.
Echoing Vemulapalli’s support for the platform, TJ Davis, senior, has garnered nearly 60,000 minutes spent listening to Spotify this year with an emphasis on pop music.
Davis’ most listened to artists are Doja Cat, Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish and Chlӧe.
Davis said he prefers Spotify over other music streaming platforms because of its versatility.
“I have to have different types of playlists,” Davis said “If I’m working or studying I have soothing music to keep me focused, and Spotify recommends songs for those playlists in specific.”
Davis appreciates that Spotify Wrapped allows him to share his music with others. Music to him is a means of expression.
“When I was in middle school, I couldn’t really express myself, so I turned to music,” Davis said.
The social aspect of Spotify also enticed senior Mark Na.
Na used Apple Music religiously for the past three years but because of the social aspect, specifically the Spotify Wrapped, Na switched to Spotify this year.
“I used to use Apple Music a lot, but because they don’t have that kind of sweet spot, I think it’s a lot worse,” Na said.
Music is a really good way to express yourself, and Spotify Wrapped allows students to share who they are and their musical taste, Na said.
Na said his Spotify Wrapped accurately depicted his music taste of rock with his number one band being Green Day.
After picking up the bass guitar at a young age, Na took a liking to playing rock music on the instrument. This would introduce him to a world of rock, that he now loves.
“Rock music has developed into an umbrella term for many different sub genres,” Na said. “So I just like the variety and diversity within the genre itself.”
Since seeing others’ Spotify Wrapped on social media and sharing his own, Na said he has learned more about others than ever.
“Music is what defines you as a person as well. It’s not just about the musical elements of songs or pieces,” Na said. “It’s like a way of life.”
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