What’s the soundtrack to life at Bergen County Academies (BCA)? In 2024, it was everything from the vibrant pop of Sabrina Carpenter to the raw lyricism of Tyler the Creator. The playlists of BCA students were a reflection of their diverse personalities and shifting tastes.
In 2024, Spotify maintained its position as the most-used music streaming platform at BCA, with nearly 80% of survey respondents saying they used it. Its personalized features, like Spotify Wrapped and curated playlists, simplified the music discovery process. Looking back on students’ listening habits, nearly 40% of students reported spending over 4 hours a day listening to music.
“I spent 139,672 minutes listening to music on Spotify last year,” said Micah Wu, a junior in AEDT. “I usually spend around 6 to 7 hours listening to music everyday. It may seem like a lot, but Spotify makes it easy to find new songs and playlists that fit my mood, so I’m never without something to listen to.”
Live performances and the rise of new artists were a defining aspect of 2024 as well. Artists such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Gracie Abrams showcased their talent through both electrifying and heartfelt live shows and deeply personal albums, proving that music’s impact goes beyond streaming numbers.
“I wasn’t able to go to any of Sabrina Carpenter’s concerts, but her music exploded last year,” said Luna Cannone, a sophomore in AVPA-V. “She was in the music industry for over 10 years and 2024 was the year she finally broke into mainstream music. Her album ‘Short n’ Sweet’ reached number one and I love the album so much. It’s a lyrically humorous album that deserves all the credit and fame it’s getting right now. I really hope she wins a grammy this year.”
Aside from new and rising artists, students also gravitated towards a variety of artists that have consistently remained popular such as Billie Eilish, Tyler the Creator, and Kendrick Lamar. In particular, students have enjoyed Billie Eilish’s new album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” which is most known for dealing with themes of relationships, insecurity and love. Many of her listeners believe that she has matured not only personally, but musically, as she continues to delve into more serious topics.
“I liked Billie Eilish the most in 2024,” said Aili Wu, a freshman in AVPA-T. “She definitely impacted my music taste, especially through her new album, which showed a lot of maturity from previous music she recorded. She wrote songs with topics that were easy to resonate with, and she went for an almost ethereal approach to the melodies while still keeping true to her style.”
Kendrick Lamar also made waves among students with his new album “GNX,” as well as his rapid-fire releases, many of which were rumored to be disses towards Drake. He entertained students with these disses early 2024, and with his new album, featuring a song collaboration with SZA.
Regardless of the speculation surrounding his feud with Drake, students agreed on one thing: the music was exceptional. Tracks such as “Not Like Us,” “meet the grahams,” and “Luther” showcased his unparalleled storytelling, cementing his status as one of the year’s most talked-about artists.
“I was acquainted with Kendrick’s music before with songs like ‘LOVE.,’ ‘All the Stars,’ and ‘Money Trees,’ but I never really got into his stuff until the Drake and Kendrick feud that happened back in March” said Sophia Lee, a sophomore in AVPA-V. “Not just the songs that were released then like ‘Not Like Us,’ ‘meet the grahams,’ and ‘euphoria,’ but all his songs show his skills as a musician, which is something I really love about him. I love listening to Kendrick Lamar and have him in most of my playlists now.”
Tyler the Creator ended the year as a favorite among students after his latest album drop of “CHROMAKOPIA.” This album blends together genres such as jazz, hip-hop, and soul. “CHROMAKOPIA” showcases an emotionally vulnerable side of Tyler the Creator as he touches on unexplored topics such as his sexuality, insecurities, and the absence of his father throughout his life. Many students agree that this is Tyler’s most personal and powerful album, portraying who he is ‘behind the mask.’
“I listened to the whole album, and it was an artistic masterpiece,” said Selvi Agolli, a freshman in ABF. “I would stay up all night just to listen to his album. From the rap of ‘Rah Tah Tah,’ ‘Sticky,’ and ‘Balloon’ to the mellow and slow melodies of ‘Like Him’ and ‘Darling I,’ I thought he was so amazing. It got a lot deeper into Tyler the Creator as a person as well, especially how he feels about his father.”
As 2024 is left to the past, the music that defined the year at BCA remains as part of the student experience. From standout albums to live performances, 2024’s soundtrack was a reflection of students’ ever evolving tastes and creative expression. With the new year already here, it’s clear that music will continue to play a central role in shaping the culture at BCA.
