SOMETHING IN THE WAY

It’s difficult for me to think about Kurt Cobain and not think about hip-hop. He’s been referenced in a number of rap songs, One of the biggest rappers and producers out of New York carries his name, and I was definitely listening to Kirko Bangz before I knew what the word nirvana meant, let alone who the band was.

I didn’t realize it until recently, but Kurt Cobain has kind of always orbited my taste in one way or another.

I probably started listening to Nirvana when I was 15 or 16. Something I really liked about Kurt Cobain’s songwriting is that most of it didn’t make sense to me at all. Even now, some of it still doesn’t make sense. He was really good at evoking a feeling though. And as an angsty teen who jUsT waNteD tO feEL sOmEThInG, I admired the fact that he could write in a way that made sense to him and it didn’t matter whether people understood.

“Something in the Way” has found me again recently. When I was 16, it resonated because it felt sparse but still really heavy. I had no idea music could do that at the time. I turned 30 a few weeks and it resonates now cause I’m extremely depressed. The song barely has any movement, it’s extremely repetitive, but still manages to say a lot. Kurt sings the song like he has a boulder on his chest that’ll crush him if he moves the wrong way. Unfortunately I know exactly what that feels like.

Lately I can take comfort in knowing that ultimately I’ll be fine. Things are bleak now, but they won’t stay that way. Honestly, sitting down to make this Nirvana cover was truly the happiest I’ve been in a minute. I take that in stride! I’m young, healthy, and very talented. It’s not always apparent, but I have so many things to be grateful for :) S/O Kurt Cobain though you would’ve loved the Slizzys 🐍