Miguel’s Life Soundtrack Part 3
As I approach my 44th birthday and realize how important music is to my daughters, I've contemplated my musical influences throughout my lifetime. This article is the third installment of a four-part series in which I cover my musical evolution in college.
Lado B - Evolution - Tracks 1 - 6
Back to Basics
When I started college, salsa dancing was all the rage. The irony is that until then, my brothers and I would make fun of my dad for liking the same old music college kids were partying to. I was also introduced to Colombian-style salsa, which was rare in my household. The song most played on the radio, at events, or clubs was Joe Arroyo's 'Rebelion.' Vanessa once joked that your Miami visit was incomplete until you heard it played. Salsa became a big part of my life. It helped me socialize and played a crucial role in meeting my muse, Vanessa.
Hip Hop 101
I joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity at Florida International University (FIU) during my first year. There were many options at FIU, including African American and Latino fraternities. Latino fraternities were a little redundant at the time at FIU, as the traditional fraternities already had many Hispanic members. However, the dynamics dramatically change once you leave the FIU bubble, even mingling with the nearby University of Miami chapter. Carlos was one of my fraternity little brothers raised in New York and a Hip-Hop scholar. He knew all the underground rappers, their stories, and music that wasn't readily available. If you were around Carlos, you would learn something about the hip-hop lifestyle, whether you liked it or not. I learned a lot and expanded my musical taste; I'm grateful. Still, he probably would not approve of my Jay-Z's 'Hard Knock Life' selection as the representative of our time together; it would not have been hardcore enough for him, but Jay-Z's Volume 2 was the album that reintroduced me to hip-hop. My advice on Greek life is to wait until your sophomore year before joining and give the Latino options a chance.
Break Up
I had my first long-term relationship in college. I'm very grateful for it; I learned so much about myself. At some point, my partner decided to part ways and move back home out of state, a decision that destroyed me. I went through three phases of recovery. First, there was Andy Montañez's 'Payaso' stage, in which there was a lot of anger, casting blame, and shame. Second is Frankie Ruiz's 'La Cura' stage, where the healing begins, but there is still that sadness within. Third was my favorite and the pick for the soundtrack, El Gran Combo's 'Me Libere' stage, where I can finally feel free. This song was my anthem during this time. It is worth noting that she returned, and we reunited, but it was never the same; I kept a lot of resentment. I went on my first co-op trip to Austin, and we ended up splitting up; although I think it was the right thing to do, I'm not proud of how it ended.
Island Pride
The 2005 MTV Video Music Awards launched Puerto Rican reggaeton into the US mainstream. Watching Fat Joe introduce Don Omar, Tego Calderon, and Daddy Yankee onto the main stage and them bringing the house down filled me with such pride. For a small island, Puerto Rico has given the world a lot of artistic talent, but this was the first time I saw artists I was vested in in the mainstream. You can watch the moment here. Although Don Omar and Tego (one of my all-time favorites) were famous, Daddy Yankee was at the next level. His album Barrio Fino and main hit 'Gasolina' introduced reggaeton to the world. As Residente mentions in his song, 'Gasolina' was a hit even in China. It was played everywhere in Austin, sandwiched between 'Sweet Home Alabama' and 'Pour Some Sugar On Me.'
Last Call
While sneaking into a career fair at FIU, I was recruited by IBM. They offer me the option of a six-month co-op in Rochester, MN, or Austin, TX. I had no idea where either of those cities were. Still, when I checked, the weather in Rochester was 10 degrees Fahrenheit, making my decision very easy. I'm going to Austin. In 2005, I drove from Miami to Austin for my first internship. Austin was not what it is now and was a culture shock for me. One of the first differences that hit me was the nightlife. Going out in Miami required getting dressed up with slacks and a button-down shirt, or they wouldn't let you in, and you had to prepare to spend big money between parking, cover, and drinks. In Austin, there was only the option of 6th Street bars, cheap drinks, live music, and attire was optional, including wearing pajamas. We had so much fun. Bars would close at 2 AM, and the typical song played at the end of the night was either Lynyrd Skynyr's 'Sweet Home Alabama' or my favorite, Def Leppard's 'Pour Some Sugar On Me.'
Rediscovering Alternative
While I was in high school, my musical influences were mostly Latin and whatever was played in Power 96. I didn't listen to the popular alternative bands of the time, like Green Day and Blink-182. My time in Austin led me to reconnect with these bands. One song that became one of my favorites as it has the chill vibes I enjoy to relax today was Sugar Ray's 'Fly.'