I just love music, and I know music well. My neighbor in prison is 50 years old, and he tells me about music that was popular in his time. I even asked him, “How is it that I’m much younger than you, and the music you mention came out at a time when I wasn’t even born yet, but I know these songs?” He responds by saying it’s because my mother, uncles, and aunties listened to this music. It made sense since they are around his age.

Music is so powerful that it can captivate and even control people—don’t you think? Have you ever heard a song you really like? How does your body respond? You might bop your head up and down, tap your foot, and you might even get up and dance. But music also inspires and shares emotions; for example, a woman singing a love song or a heartbreaking song might make you say, “I relate so much to that.” It can motivate you to do things as well. These are just a few examples of how powerful and moving music is.

I grew up in an era and neighborhood where hip-hop culture was very popular, so rap was common where I lived. You could hear kids listening to all kinds of rappers. I grew up listening to T.I., an Atlanta rapper, and the first song I heard from him was “Rubberband Man.” Then there was Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz, Lil Scrappy, Dem Franchize Boyz, Boyz n Da Hood, C-Murder, and so many more. I just loved rap music and the hip-hop culture, the style of dress, which I grew up with. This was normal to me.

Music has been a big part of my life. I love it so much that if I’m sad or angry, it calms me or makes me happy; it just sets my mood. Now, in prison, it gives me a sense of freedom. I can just hear the music, close my eyes, and touch the world, feeling free and happy even if I’m in prison. If you ask me what kind of music I like, I’d say mostly all kinds—if it sounds good and I can feel it, then it’s my kind of music. But if you ask me what my favorite genre is, I would say reggaeton because it’s a genre full of fun. It has songs about sex, romance, love, relationships, heartbreak, and so much more. It makes Latin women want to dance, and even men, too. The artists are so talented—they sing and rap, and I can feel their pain in a song or the love and intimacy. It’s popular music that has evolved so much and can be mixed with all genres of music. I’ve heard reggaeton mixed with pop, rock, techno, house music, Mexican regional music, R&B, trap, and so much more.

One of my favorite reggaeton artists is Farruko, who I can relate to because he has been in prison, just like I currently am. He also likes tattoos, which I have many of, but he has changed and cleaned up his music, which I’m trying to do as well—change, be a better person, be successful, and do positive things. Feid, also known as Ferxxoo, is another artist I like; he came out as number two in the Latin urban music charts. His music is catchy, fun, and danceable. He also has many tattoos, and most of his songs are a bit sexual, but that’s honestly what reggaeton
is known for.

Another artist I admire is Karol G—her voice captivates me, but she’s also really talented and a powerful icon for women. She came out as number three in the Latin urban music charts and won an award for her song “TQG”featuring Shakira. “TQG” means “Te Quedó Grande.” in English, which translates to “It Was Too Big for You,” and for many Latin women, this song was an anthem for dealing with cheating men—it resonated with many women and had a significant impact. She has many songs, and her voice and music are so good.