It’s More Than Music

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — October 10th, 2003

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It’s More Than Music

That beat isn't the heart of a performing athlete.

It's those Sony headphones that cover the ears of athletes who choose to prepare mentally by stimulating their olfactory nerves.

"Music tunes up the cerebral hemispheres for optimal performance. When an individual goes through a pleasant emotion, his or her brain chemistry changes," Dr. Jules Harrell, psychology professor, explained.

Music has a huge impact on the characteristics of brain waves. When the beat and rhythm increases, the frequency of the brain wave becomes shorter. 

"It's all mental. An athletes knows the power music has on the mind," Harrell said.

It's no coincidence that the athlete's weapon of choice is a CD player with plenty of ammunition-- batteries. 

The phenomenon of music burning gives athletes the freedom to compile their own personal CDs. 

Whether jazz, rock or rap, there are no outside complaints because this is one ritual that stays between athlete sand their music.

"It depends on the player. Everyone has their own taste, that's what inspires them," said Head Coach Cathy Parson.

From techno to Mystical, her players select music that will allow them to take their mind off what's about the take place. 

Head Track Coach Michael Merritt recalled his track career and what music did for him. "Music is a way of relaxing, preparing mentally for a race. When I use to race, I listened to reggae to sooth me. I wanted that quiet zone." 

For Merritt music was used to calm the spirit, but hurdler Nicholas Wright needs his music to help him keep his focus. 

"I listen to hear what they're saying or the beat. It depends on how I fell," Wright said.

When the distractions and interrupts throw an athlete out of rhythm, it's music that drowns out these noises. 

"Listening to music help me to zone out," said sprinter Leonie Prao. "Track is a team thing, but when it comes to individual events you have to block everything out." 

Alone with their music, an athlete becomes more creative. Their system of preparation works more efficiently.

Tomorrow, this efficiently will be put to the test as the Bison look to preserve their intensity and stay crunk with the help of DMX, Bonecrusher, Three-Six Mafia and Lil Jon.

What happens when the music is gone.

"The mind retains the rhythm and beat continuously." Harrell said. 

The source may be absent, but the brain stores and remembers the beat and the rhythm keeping the body in constant motion.

Sometimes retention isn't enough. 

"Music plays an essential part in black life," said Carr. "The band is a part of the whole ethos of the ritual. You can't imagine a game without the band."

HBCU's would be nothing more than a game without bands like "Showtime" and "The March 100."

In both Burr and at Greene Stadium, basketball and football are aware of the presence of the band, however, they're so emerged in the game that they're not actively listening.

But they can hear them.

The band keeps the rhythm and ultimately impacts their performances. 

They can feel the beat because athletes play at a certain rhythm of the band.

The brain embraces music.

"The psychology of music changes the physiology of the game. Anything that adds a psychological aspect is going to change things in terms of brain chemistry and add adrenaline," said Harrell.