First Time Friday - This Is Me...Then

Jennifer Lopez This Is Me...Then album cover (2002)

“This Is Me… Then” by Jennifer Lopez was definitely the first album I owned. Even though it came out in 2002 when I was 4 years old, I bought it much later. I felt like it was one of those classic albums that you will always love and listen to. From a very young age, I have been a fan of her, every time a song came on when I was flicking through the music channels or on the radio, I would always stop what I was doing to listen to it. Before Jennifer Lopez, I was highly influenced by the type of music my older brother listened to which was mainly hip-hop. However, as I grew up I appreciated pop music more.

It was the mix of upbeat music, eccentric dance moves and R&B influences which made me fall in love with her music. When I was introduced to “Jenny from the Block” for the first time, I was convinced that she was one of the best contemporary artist at the time. However, singing “don’t be fooled by the rocks that I’ve got” as much as I did as a 5-year-old thinking she was talking about actual rocks and not diamonds was a bit embarrassing.

Growing up, I would make soundtracks and burn them on a CD as if I knew anything about music. However, the two songs that I would always gravitate towards are “Jenny from the Block” and “All I Have.” Therefore, it’s not a surprise that this was my first album. Although, I purchased it myself when I was seven years old (2005) and by then she had come out with new music such as the song “Get Right” which I was also obsessed with, I felt that buying her older album that introduced me to her was the right choice to make.

Even listening to “Dear Ben” where I really didn’t quite grasp the lyrics at the time, I still loved the mellow beat and how the album had a range of upbeat and subdued rhythms in the album which showed off her talent. Not only her music, but her stage presence is quite remarkable. The fact that she gains the same response she has always had on stage, makes her and her music timeless.

Jennifer Lopez influenced me in more ways than one. Her style would always intrigue and I was always excited to see what outfit she would wear in her next video or when she performed live. Her quintessential noughties style would always excite me to watch her perform.

“This Is Me… Then” was the first album which really got me excited about music and made me want to learn about all kinds of music. Even though her music is relatively pop and I am now into Indie music, it influenced the outlook I have on music. Through my love of this album, I continued to follow her and I still enjoy listening new tracks she brings out.

- Manisha

Listen to This Is Me...Then on Spotify.