Life in 10 Tracks with Amaal Nuux
Life in 10 Tracks is a feature series that is all about being injected into a moment in someone’s life through music. In it, passersby reminisce on the tracks that remind them of bad haircuts, breakups, and all of the joyful, poignant moments in between.
Growing up in Toronto, Amaal Nuux embraced the poetry of her culture and, from an early age, sought to make music inspired by the struggles those in her birthplace, Mogadishu, underwent. Here, she elaborates on her very ‘90s early inspirations—which range from DMX to S Club 7 to, of course, Destiny’s Child—to elucidate why those artists became influential in molding her sound today. In doing so, she also curates a playlist that is absolutely filled with bops.
♫ listen to amaal’s playlist
This is probably one of the first songs where I have a vivid memory of the first time I heard it and the emotions that swept over me.
I was in elementary school at the time, coming home from school, and the minute I stepped off the elevator, I heard the record blasting down the hallway. I froze instantly; the beat sent chills throughout my body, and then slowly, I started walking towards it, leading me right to my door. Realizing it was coming from my house, I knew not to knock on the door because I was certain my parents weren't home—otherwise, my brother wouldn't be blasting it. Not wanting to scare him into turning it off, I stood there quietly, captivated by the song, and although I wasn't understanding the lyrics or melody, it was deeply moving. I could hear the pain and tension in his voice, and it caused my eyes to swell up with tears.
I was too young to understand why I was feeling this way, but I knew at that very moment I fell in love with music, and of course, as I got older, it was even more validating to finally understand the lyrics. It taught me that music transcends language, and the feeling can be simply conveyed by the voice and instrumental backdrop.
“Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio / Listen to the album Gangsta's Paradise (Tommy Boy Music, 2005)
This song swept through my school, and literally, everywhere, kids would just start singing, "Hi, My name is What? My name is Who? My name is chicka-chicka Slim Shady." It was such a different sound and a really playful song. I feel like it really spoke to us kids and became our song that year.
“The Real Slim Shady” by Eminem / Listen to the album The Marshall Mathers LP (Interscope, 2000)
This record means a lot to me because not only do I absolutely love it, but it was one of the first records I sang during our monthly karaoke Friday events. My friends chose this song, and we divided it up into three. It was one of the first songs I ever fully memorized, and the reaction I got from my peers was amazing.
It was one of the first times I heard people complimenting my voice.
“Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child / Listen to the album The Writing’s On The Wall (Sony BMG Music Entertainment, 1999)
This record just screams my childhood! All the kids knew the chorus, and we would just sing it together on the bus going on a field trip. It brings back memories of those light blue jeans, metallic tops, and spiky hair.
“S Club Party” by S Club 7 / Listen to the album S Club (S Club Ltd., 1999)
Growing up, I didn't have much of a musical presence at home because it just wasn't a norm in my culture. We didn't have a radio until much later, but in the early days, the moments we got to listen in were during our car rides with my dad coming or going to school. Even then, it was mostly set at a news station. On a rare occasion, there was this song that became my dad's favorite, and he would blast it singing at the top of his lungs, and we would all join in. He even went as far as getting the cassette tape (which was super rare for him) for the single.
We had it playing on repeat for years. It really became our family theme song, and till this day, we still play it. Brings us the best memories!
“C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train)” by Quad City DJ’s / Listen to the album Get On Up And Dance (Atlantic Recording Corporation,1996)
A literal BOP!
There wasn't a child or adult that didn't know this song. It brings me back to truly happy, child-like careless, fun, free times! It also helped that they were super cute, and Zac Hanson was probably my earliest celebrity crush.
“MMMbop” by Hanson / Listen to the album The Middle of Nowhere (The Island Def Jam Music Group, 1997)
This record is truly iconic and timeless.
It could come out today, and it would be a hit! I thankfully know this song because my brother's friends would be playing it when they would come over, and I would again listen in from outside the door loving every bit of it.
“Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison / Listen to the album Return of the Mack (Warner Music UK Ltd, 1996)
This song brings me back to a specific moment. I was lying on my couch at home and heard my neighbor blasting this song from their house. Our balcony door was open, so it was coming into the living room directly. I was reading a Goosebumps novel called The Haunted School and eating chocolate chip cookies with milk. My neighbor had it on repeat, and till this day, when I hear it, it zaps me right back to that moment and the feeling I got from reading that book.
“Get It On Tonite” by Montell Jordan / Listen to the album Get It On… Tonite (The Island Def Jam Music Group, 1999)
Another song where Fugees were instantly captivating.
I first heard it from a friend who was singing the whole song on the playground. All the girls in my friend group were singing it out loud, and I didn't know the song yet and felt so left out. Thankfully, I heard it on the radio weeks later at school, and it's still one of my favorite songs to this day.
“Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Fugees / Listen to the album The Score (Columbia Records, 1996)
Another song that my friends at school introduced me to. After school, one of our classmates' older brothers came to pick him up with this song blasting from his stereo. It felt like an anthem, a powerful song that was easy to sing along with after hearing the first chorus. I remember all of us screaming the lyrics and physically stopping, dropping, and doing all the actions laughing and having the time of our lives. We made sure to always walk home with that friend whenever their brother came to pick them up and would always ask him to play that song.
“Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” by DMX / Listen to the album It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot (UMG Recordings Inc.,1998)
