Academy Mixtape 2022
One medium that holds true across borders, cultures, and divides is music. No matter where or when we live, music provides a soundtrack to our experiences, both profound and mundane, helping us to celebrate, grieve, vent, get by, and bond with one another. It helps us to understand who we are, fostering self-reflection and curating memories. And this focus on soulful interaction and generative introspection makes music a potentially valuable contributor to the project of relationship building.
The Salzburg Global Media Academy Mixtape was curated by the students to reflect their personal experiences prior to, during, and possibly long after attending the academy.
Listen to the 2022 Academy Playlist here.
Below, are a few reflections of students and faculty who selected songs for this mixtape.
Ain’t got no, I got life (Nina Simone)
“This song calls for the connection of a community and the coming together of people. In the first part of the song, Simone sings about having nothing, leaving her feeling hopeless. Just when she thinks she has nothing to celebrate, she remembers to be grateful for life. So long as she is alive, she can fight for more in life, specifically freedom. This song is an incredible reminder to be thankful for life, despite your struggles. At the end of the day, you’re always going to have yourself to count on.”
Enjoy Enjaami (Dhee ft. Arivu)
“This song explores the power of identities. It tells ancestral stories from the past to paint a holistic picture of family and community. Throughout the academy, we have been exploring themes of cultural identity and storytelling, so this song relates quite well.”
20 Something (SZA)
“We think this song represents the sentiments of most of the students at this seminar. Most of us are in our 20’s or close to it, and we are all trying to figure life out. We realize that it is okay not to have all the answers all the time.”
Sous Le Sunlight Des Tropiques (Gilbert Montagne)
“This is one of my favorite French songs as it always reminds me about the summer vibes, the beaches, and the parties. Every time I feel sad it cheers me up and reminds me how life can really be beautiful if you always try to be positive.”
Superwoman (Alicia Keys)
“Growing up, every weekend my sister and I knew it was time to clean the house when my mom would blast salsa, merengue, or cumbias throughout the house. At a young age, I didn’t understand the great power of motivation a song could bring you to clean the house. The beat of the song had my sister, mom, and I cleaning away but also the memories created, shared laughs, and dancing to the beat of the song bring such warmth to my heart to this day. Even today, I will blast my playlist and clean my room, which I find extremely therapeutic. As a single mother, my mother instilled many world-views and beliefs in me, one of them being feminism and the empowerment of women. Alicia Keys has been fundamental in reminding me of my strength — to never give up; to keep shining bright. They taught us the beauty of being an imperfect human; there is great beauty in our individual stories and journeys. That it’s okay to be on separate paths, and I am on my path to achieving greatness.”
Colors (Black Pumas)
“I found this song by accident during the pandemic. I play it a couple of times whenever I do research. I just enjoy listening to the beat, music, and lyrics. We’re made of different “colors,” from skin color to race, come from different places and backgrounds, and have different personalities. Still, I consider everyone “[m]y sisters and my brothers.” Despite our differences, there are common goals we can work on to move humanity forward.”
Movin’ Out (Billy Joel)
“This is one of my favorite Billy Joel songs. He criticizes people for working long hours to chase the superficial things that are supposed to prove they’ve “moved up” in life. People work tirelessly for a better car or some other symbol of social status, but what’s the point? “It seems such a waste of time/ If that’s what it’s all about.” Joel tells them “Good luck movin’ up, cause I’m movin’ out!” He rejects the idea that this social climbing equals success or happiness. Joel writes this from the perspective of working-class New York culture, and it resonates a lot with me, having grown up in a different but similar northeast U.S. city.”
Jag låg med henne I Tjeckoslovakien
“This song got me into politics and socialism, which is in turn a huge reason as to why I am here at this seminar. I think most of us can relate to having songs that inspired us to learn new concepts and create change. All of us here at Salzburg may come from different backgrounds, most of us can all relate to having a strong interest in politics.”
Slave Song (Sade)
“Slave Song is the sixth song off of Sade’s Lover’s Rock album that was released in 2000. In this song Sade voices the prayers and thoughts of the Africans who were kidnapped into the transatlantic slave trade as they were being forcibly sailed toward an unknown fate. I listen to this song several times a year to make sure I stay grounded. As a scholar in the Black Radical Tradition I take pride in the reality that Black responses to enslavement and oppression were and continue to be rooted in an intensely human worldview which Sade speaks to when she sings, “please do not let me do unto him what he has done to me.” The humility and strength it takes to hold that perspective in light of the long legacy of affronts to our humanity is breath taking. I also find comfort and motivation in this song when Sade alludes to how my ancestors took the time to pray for me/us in midst of all the brutality and pressure they were suffering. It moves me to imagine that type of love and foresight.”
