The Power of a Good Playlist: My Life in Five Tracks

When I was ten years old, my dad taught me how to properly clean a pair of Clarks while blasting Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” from the old boombox in our kitchen. "Don’t worry ‘bout a thing" became an anthem of reassurance whenever things got too heavy, whether it was navigating my parents’ Jamaican expectations or surviving the high-stress maze that is D.C. public school adolescence. Looking back now, I realize music has been the quiet undercurrent of every pivotal moment in my life. My soundtrack isn’t just a playlist—it’s a compass, a therapy session, and a hype-man rolled into one.

It might sound dramatic, but every big decision I’ve faced—whether it was transferring into a tougher high school to chase scholarships, moving to Boston for grad school, or throwing myself at the mercy of Georgetown’s intellectual wolves—had its own playlist. The right song has a way of translating your complicated emotions into something that just clicks. So, if you’re the kind of person who swears by a good tune to realign your vibe, pull up a chair and let me introduce you to the playlist of my life so far—a soulful mix of songs that don’t just echo my experience but might just make you rethink your own.

1. “Get Up, Stand Up” – Bob Marley and the Wailers

Let’s kick this off with a classic from the homeland. Growing up in northeast D.C. with Jamaican parents is like having two very different but equally passionate hype-men in your corner—one who’s all discipline and determination (thanks, Mom) and one who’s all soul and storytelling (that’s my dad). “Get Up, Stand Up” was more than just a song in my house; it was practically a sermon. If I came home complaining about failing a test or getting benched during basketball practice, my dad would remind me, “You a Kingston boy deep down. You never give up, yuh know.”

This song taught me resilience long before I could even spell the word. It became my anthem during those early Capitol Hill days when I was just another intern trying to prove my worth in a sea of ambitious Ivy Leaguers. Picture this: fluorescent lights, hours of answering phones, and one too many coffee runs until I finally got to draft my first speech memo. I’d walk home afterward with Bob singing in my ears, internalizing the message that no one’s going to fight for what’s yours unless you first stand tall.

Takeaway: Find your mantra song—the one that gets your shoulders back and your head up, even when the world feels like it’s working against you.

2. “Da Butt” – EU (Experience Unlimited)

If you’re from D.C. and don’t get hype when this comes on, we can’t be friends. This go-go classic played at every single family cookout I attended, right alongside plates of oxtail and heaps of cornbread. Go-go music is the heartbeat of D.C.—syncopated beats, call-and-response energy, and a groove so infectious it hits your bloodstream instantly. But “Da Butt”? Oh, that’s a mood all on its own.

During my college years at Georgetown, when I was buried under political theory textbooks and struggling to connect with a culturally different (read: mostly white and wealthy) student body, I’d throw this track on during late-night study sessions. It grounded me. I’d close my laptop, let the rhythm take over, and remind myself that home—real home—is never too far away.

Takeaway: Sometimes, the best way to deal with stress is to put on a dance anthem so shameless it makes you laugh. Bonus points if it connects you to your roots.

3. “Love T.K.O.” – Teddy Pendergrass

Now, let’s talk heartbreak, shall we? Because you don’t really know a song until you’ve ugly-cried to it at 1 a.m. in the aftermath of a failed relationship. “Love T.K.O.” swoops in here like that slightly older, definitely wiser auntie who lets you know, “Baby, it’s okay to be sad, but this too shall pass.” Teddy had no business crooning with that much velvet intensity, but he gets it. He just does.

I remember one particularly cold Boston winter during grad school when I went through a breakup that hit harder than I expected. I was out of my element, in a new city, drowning in academic reading, and—let’s be honest—just lonely. I played this track on repeat that week. It forced me to sit with my emotions instead of avoiding them, and weirdly enough, that’s when I started healing. Relationships don’t always go the way you hope, but songs like this remind you it’s okay to take the hit. Love, after all, is worth stepping into the ring.

Takeaway: Heartbreak playlists aren’t about wallowing—they’re about acknowledging your emotions so you can work through them. Let yourself feel.

4. “Family Business” – Kanye West

Say what you want about Kanye’s current antics (and yeah, there’s plenty to say), but when it comes to early Kanye tracks, they hit you right in the emotional solar plexus. “Family Business” is one of those songs I listen to whenever I need to feel grounded—especially when I’m missing family and that uniquely chaotic Jamaican energy.

It’s funny how family dynamics can follow you into relationships. You catch yourself repeating your parents’ advice mid-conversation or preparing meals based on a childhood Sunday dinner routine. I couldn’t avoid it if I tried—it’s baked into my bones. This song hits a soft spot because it feels like home folded into four soulful minutes. It makes me remember where I come from, even when I’m halfway across the world researching my next book.

Takeaway: Your family shapes you in ways you don’t always notice. Find songs that tie you to those unspoken connections—they’re your rock.

5. “Alright” – Kendrick Lamar

Now, you didn’t think I’d make a playlist of my life without including Kendrick, did you? “Alright” has become a cultural anthem for good reason: it’s equal parts defiance, joy, and affirmation. The minute those drums kick in, you’re ready to square up with life. And trust me, as a Black man navigating a world that sometimes feels designed to undermine you, a mantra like “We gon’ be alright” is nothing short of revolutionary.

For me, this track became critical in my creative process. Writing political thrillers isn’t always fun—it’s research-heavy, emotionally exhausting, and often forces me to face hard truths about how power and inequality operate. There were days I wanted to just scrap it all and go back to policy work. But then I’d throw on “Alright,” Kendrick’s rhythmic assurance thumping in my ears, reminding me there’s value in storytelling even when it’s complicated or uncomfortable.

Takeaway: We all need an anthem that says, “Keep going.” Find yours and let it fuel you when the world feels like it’s asking too much.

Final Thoughts: Music as a Mirror

If you’re still reading this, first off—respect. Second, let me leave you with some parting wisdom: the songs that resonate with us are rarely random. They’re emotional timestamps, preserving who we were in a moment and teaching us a little something about the person we’re becoming. Whether it’s a Marley classic urging you to fight back, an upbeat go-go anthem that makes you feel 16 again, or a heartbreak track that softens the blow, your soundtrack is uniquely yours—and uniquely powerful.

So why not curate it intentionally? Turn it into a living document of your best moments, toughest lessons, and wildest dreams. Trust me when I say this: when the right song meets the right moment, it’s pure magic. And who doesn’t need a little magic now and then?