Music is a powerful tool for expressing emotions, connecting with personal experiences, evoking memories or nostalgia. It’s often an escape from reality that creates a sense of mood and changes our state of mind. Regardless of its specific or exact intention for a person, music is empowering.
As we wrap up 2024, the Change Consulting team is sharing our personal anthems of the year – the song that helped us overcome and persevere through the ups, downs, twists, and turns that 2024 brought in.
- Nesima Aberra — Cynthia Erivo featuring Ariana Grande, Defying Gravity. Coming out of watching the film adaptation of ‘Wicked,’ one of my favorite musicals, I’ve been reminded of how great this song is as a personal anthem and also a political one. You can apply this song to so many situations and find strength and inspiration in what it means to go against all odds, ignore the opinions and threats of others, and also learn how to keep and let go of relationships that don’t serve you and your overall purpose. There’s a lot of uncertainty, negativity and grief in the world, but how can we learn to rise above that?” I’m through accepting limits – cause someone says they’re so – some things I cannot change, but ’til I try, I’ll never know.
- Kiah Albritton — Beyonce, Church Girl. I’m gon’ let go of this body, I’m gonna love on me / Nobody can judge me but me, I was BORN free. Two years later and this song is still being played almost daily in my home. In 2024, I found a lot of healing in somatic therapy and learned how vital movement is for me to actually feel and process my feelings. This is my go to song when I’m feeling overwhelmed or stuck in an emotion.
- Nicole Carroll — Tanerélle, Love from NGC7318. This song just really demonstrates the power of storytelling. The singer tells the story from the perspective of an alien who falls in love with a human woman, showing all of the beauty and complexities of loving someone in a society that struggles to understand whether that’s queer love or being with someone from a different world.
- Mariah Cochran — Yaya Bey, chrysanthemums. Besides having a divine voice, Yaya Bey’s lyrics are beautiful. I could quote the whole song but some of my favorite lines are: I go as high, as I go deep/ And nothing ever ever stood in the way of me/ I I I, I guess I’m just that fly. The song has been a reminder and invitation to embody my light through all seasons.
- Lericia Collins — Cordelia, Little Life. A little bit more, a little bit less – a little bit harder than I thought they said. A little bit fine, a little bit stressed. A little bit older than I thought I’d get – but I think I like this little life. The words and feel of this song constantly remind me to remain grateful for my life and experiences. The people who love me, my possessions, the trials, career shifts, – everything is meaningful. This song kept me grounded and centered on the most valuable things in my life. 2024 has been the year of gratitude for me. I plan to continue this focus in 2025!
- Layla Crater — Beyonce and Miley Cyrus, II Most Wanted – II Most Wanted makes me feel all the feels. With the Fleetwood Mac inspo, two distinct voices that go so well together, and a kind of rowdy chorus, it’s perfect for belting out as loud as you can by yourself. It also feels like a Thelma and Louise-type anthem to female friendship, which is carrying me through 2024 into 2025. And as an LA girl at heart, I wish I could sing ‘I’ll be your shotgun rider till the day I die / smoke out the window flying’ driving down the 405 late at night with my closest friends.”
- Kay Cuajunco — Jorja Smith, By Any Means. Go ahead and stand your ground / We’re on the long road to freedom. This song has helped me stay grounded, listen to my body, and remember that even in these wild times that can bring up a lot of emotions, I’d rather feel it all than be numb to it. I’d rather fight by any means for the future we deserve. I can see the change, feel the heat of the fire / If you feel the pain then you know you’re alive / Both feet on the line / By any means I will fight
- Kyung Jin Lee — Deee-Lite, Groove is in the Heart. A blast from the past to get you moving and grooving.
- Alexis Meisels — Townes Van Zandt, Pancho and Lefty. This song was introduced to me for the first time this year. I’ve had the joy (and sweet memories) of first hearing it sung by my friends and played on guitar around a campfire. It’s cinematic, poetic, evocative and soothing, and reveals a new story about its characters every time I hear it.
- Lana Nguyen — Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA, All the Stars. I love this song for the tension and hope it reflects. It soberly speaks on duplicity and what’s fake or illegitimate, yet also there is something so beautiful about the levity or hope in SZA’s chorus. It felt particularly resonant when thinking of Kamala and her concession speech that reminds us ‘Only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.’ We need the stars and the optimism and the hope and it doesn’t negate the struggle or more difficult reality on the ground.
- Stephanie Ong — Stevie Wonder, As. It’s not just a 2024 thing but a life anthem. Stevie Wonder is a musical genius and the power of his music has fueled my soul in just about every high or low stage. This year especially, DJ Spinna (one of my faves) came into town for Wonderfull, a joy filled and soul fulfilling party celebrating Stevie’s music. We hugged, we sang, we cried and we danced…for hours! This is the vibe I am taking into 2025 and always. Just as hate knows love’s the cure. You can rest your mind. Assure, that I’ll be loving you always.
- Bilen Mesfin Packwood — Glorilla, Let her cook. Kiah re-introduced me to Glorilla and I am grateful. She has been on repeat this year, especially this song. Along with Kendrick, it’s what is in the background while I am working on all things Change and client related.
- Dina Sigal — Brittany Howard, Stay High (all the versions). Not for the reasons you might think, this song got me through the pandemic, and now through 2024 and into 2025. When everything was shut down and uncertain, the sound of BH would be so soothing while biking through the park. These days, I try to lean into [my understanding of ] BH’s intention for the song – gratitude and spending time with your loved ones or doing something you love or whatever keeps you positive in life, doing what makes you feel joy.
Listen to our Change Consulting 2024 Anthems on Replay Spotify playlist here.