As we move forward in life, one thing remains constant—change. No matter the industry, we’re always witnessing shifts, and if there’s one space where change is especially evident, it’s the music industry. Over the past decade, streaming platforms have completely transformed how we access music, offering an endless supply of tracks at our fingertips. But here’s my question: do these platforms really know what we actually want? Do they think we’re content sticking to one specific genre forever?

See, if you’re like me, the answer is a resounding no. I don’t want to be boxed into a single genre or sound. I want to discover—whether it’s the latest chart-toppers, hidden gems I’ve never heard before, or classics I haven’t revisited in years. And that’s where my issue with algorithm-generated playlists comes in. AI-driven recommendations are fine if you’re looking for something familiar within a set category—psychedelia? Here’s some Pink Floyd and The Doors. Funk? Here’s Funkadelic and Stevie Wonder. Cool, right? Sure. But what if you want something completely unexpected? That’s where AI falls short, and human-curated playlists win every time.

The beauty of human-curated playlists is that they’re crafted with intention. Someone—whether a DJ, a music enthusiast, or an artist—has taken the time to personally select tracks that have influenced them, moved them, and marked a certain moment in their lives. That’s an experience an algorithm just can’t replicate.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve come across incredible human-curated playlists—from the Musicology Podcast to Somewhere Soul, Mera Bhai, Baylee Lefton, and more. Listening to these, I realized something: we’ve lost the human connection in music discovery. These curators are doing what we used to do—taking time out of their day to create something meaningful, to introduce us to new music and forgotten gems, and to break us out of the algorithmic cycle. It’s like making an old-school mixtape—painstakingly selecting each track, crafting the perfect sequence, and then passing it on to a friend to share that same musical experience. Or better yet, it’s like attending a DJ set, having no idea what’s coming next, but trusting that the music will hit just right.

And because of this, I’ve discovered incredible artists I might have never stumbled upon otherwise—The 3 Pieces, Luv(sic) Hexalogy, Letta Mbulu, William DeVaughn, and so many more. This isn’t just a playlist—it’s an art form. It’s a way of reaching out to the curious—the ones daring enough to open their ears and let the music take them somewhere new.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not against AI-generated playlists. If you want to stay in your comfort zone with familiar hits, that’s totally fine. But personally? I don’t want to hear the same Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, or Beatles songs over and over again. Instead, I want to dig deeper—to find the hidden gems within their discographies. In fact, just recently, I came across Up the Hill Backwards from David Bowie’s Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980)—a track I had overlooked for years, but thanks to a human-curated playlist, I finally gave it the attention it deserved.

Music shouldn’t revolve around AI algorithms. We need the human touch—especially when it comes to curating playlists or even curated radio stations like Rovr and NTS Radio, where musicians, DJs, and true music lovers put together sets based on what has inspired them, rather than just what an algorithm thinks we might like.

If I had to make a comparison (and you know I will), it’s like comparing a chef to factory-made food. A chef carefully selects ingredients, crafting a dish so flavorful and unique that you’ll be talking about it for months. Meanwhile, factory-made food? It’s just processed, designed to appeal to the masses, but ultimately lacking depth. That’s the difference between human-curated and AI-generated playlists.

So here’s my take: we need more human-curated playlists. Music isn’t meant to be repeated endlessly in the same cycle—we need to step out of our comfort zones and explore the unknown. And sure, I still revisit my favorite songs—I mean, who doesn’t? But at the same time, I’m always on the hunt for something new. I constantly curate, listen, scrap, and rebuild playlists, exposing myself to new sounds and perspectives.

As the legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius once said, “Music is the only thing keeping the planet together.” And he’s right. Music is a universal language—something that connects us no matter where we are or what we’re listening to. If you’re serious about discovering new music, start by stepping away from the algorithm and embracing the human touch. Trust me—it’s worth it.