When walking the halls of HHS, what do you hear? Maybe it’s people chatting, or perhaps it’s Associate Principal Mr. Farrley reminding students to “Walk and talk.” But what about the students of HHS with their headphones and AirPods in? What do they hear?
With Spotify Wrapped recently released, I decided to investigate what the students in the halls of HHS are listening to. Most students tend to share their music tastes with friends and others around them, but what about the people we don’t connect with every day?
By surveying students working in the halls and the media center during the third block, I found that Frank Ocean was popular across all four grade levels despite not having released new music since 2020. From his songs trending on social media to the near relatability of his lyrics, Frank Ocean has continued to captivate teens.
Another common theme amongst the grade levels was an artist named Rod Wave. Other favorite rap artists were Don Toliver, Kendrick Lamar, NLE Choppa, and Latto, all of whom released new music within the past year. Artists like these are often the artists of school dances, as the loud base and catchy bars make rap the dance music of this generation.
The bedroom pop category had more big names like Gracie Abrams, Jeff Buckley, and Mac DeMarco. For country lovers, students named artists like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and Zach Bryan. Now, not all of the students’ favorites were big names; there were also names like LMA, Stray Kids, and Depeche Mode.
Surveying students about their favorite artists got me wondering where they get their music. When inquired about their top artist, many students asked if “they could check,” most opened Spotify and checked their “recent” chart on the Spotify homepage. While many students use Spotify to listen to music, others use apps like Apple Music and Muzi.
As the halls of HHS continue to echo with the rhythms of student life, it’s clear that music remains a constant companion. From Frank Ocean’s soulful lyrics to the pulsating beats of Rod Wave, the soundtrack of HHS is as varied as the students. Whether through Spotify, Apple Music, or other platforms, students continue to connect with music in personal ways, shaping the cultural landscape of the school.
