By Great Gbemisola Samuel
Music is now a part and parcel of everyone’s life. Different genres of music emerge from expressions of human thoughts and experiences. Genres like gospel, hip-hop, afrobeat, and what have you allow individuals to connect deeply with sounds beyond entertainment. Recent statistics show that approximately 90% of young people aged between 16 and 24 listen to music or digital audio regularly. Music is not occasional anymore. It is now habitual, repeated, and socially embraced by youth.
According to Dr. Oliver Sacks, a neurologist and professor at NYU School of Medicine, music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears. It is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ears. This article further examines the psychological effects of music preference among youth.
Firstly, I would quickly love to establish that musical preference means the choice of music you prefer or love to listen to. One of the psychological effects of musical preference among youths is emotional regulation and mood enhancement. As earlier stated by Dr. Oliver Sacks in this article, music lifts us out of depression, thereby enhancing our mood. The rhythm, instrumentation, and voices have a way of uplifting one’s spirit from a sad state to a happy one. As popularly known, music is a medicine for the mind.
Furthermore, music brings about social connection and a sense of belonging. To further address my above point, I would love to share a quick story. Growing up as a female child attending a government school, popularly known as a public school, I was a very brilliant Humanities student. I started a musical team back then due to my love for music. Whenever my fellow team members sang a song I didn’t know, I would always go back home and make sure I learned the song, so whenever they sang it again, I would be able to sing along. This story shows that every growing teenager or youth always wants to socially belong, either through music or sport. They want to sing along to songs to have connections and a sense of belonging among their peers.
Finally, musical preference among youth helps in identity formation and self-expression. Young people use their musical preferences to shape and reflect who they are. The genres, artists, and lyrics they choose often mirror their beliefs, emotions, and social values, helping them define their personalities and communicate their inner thoughts to others. I vividly remember when I was growing up and listened to all forms of music. When I developed a sense of identity, I decided to change what I listened to because what you hear has a lot to do with shaping your mind, ideas, and thoughts. As a Christian, I decided to base my listening on gospel music. Ever since then, around 2023 thereabouts, I stopped listening to contemporary music. It has helped me express myself, understand some realities, and fully work on my identity. Even gospel music still has a story to tell. I would not say you should switch to gospel music; I mean, that is why it is called preference.
In conclusion, music has a lot to do with our lives. It helps enhance mood, helps us see the world through a different lens, brings out the true self, encourages self-expression, shapes our thoughts and emotions, and in many ways influences how we understand ourselves and relate to others. Every melody makes our body move to rhythm and sound, reducing tension and anxiety while creating a sense of relaxation and emotional balance. Music also helps to calm the mind, uplift the spirit, and improve overall well-being in daily life.
