How To Find Your Ideal Type of Music

Music is something that many people find to be an incredibly important part of their lives. It’s something that makes them happy (even boosting their mood when they’re feeling down), it can help relax them, and it’s even something that can help with creativity or exercise. It’s motivating and, above all, it’s fun. 

Yet there are so many different styles of music in the world that it can be hard to work out what’s going to make you happiest and what’s going to be the most fun. Although it’s fine to like lots of different styles of music (and many people do), if you can work out what your favorite is – the ideal style for you – then you’ll always know precisely what to listen to when you need a boost. With that in mind, read on to find out more about how to find your ideal type of music. 

Photo by cottonbro studio

Think About Yourself 

One way to find your ideal type of music is to think about yourself and engage in some self-reflection. When you think about your particular personality, your emotions, and what you just like in general, you might be able to narrow down your music choices and listen to the things that really speak to you and mean a lot, rather than things that don’t do a lot to or for you, even if they’re pleasant enough to hear. Perhaps you’re an extroverted persona who’s energetic and loves dancing. In that case, you might like a different style of music compared with someone who is more introverted and likes to listen to music rather than move to it. 

When you understand more about how music makes you feel, and you know more about yourself, you’ll be able to match these two things up so that the music you listen to helps to give you the peace, happiness, and solace you’re looking for. 

Try Different Genres

Just because you’ve always listened to one particular type of music, that doesn’t mean it’s the one that’s going to be best for you. It can almost become a habit when you turn on the radio or download a song to ensure it’s in the genre that everything else in your collection is in.  

But what if you changed that? What if you decided that you would try an entirely different genre instead? You could search for the best music torrenting sites and find all kinds of new styles of music there with easy access. Pick one to begin with that you’ve never listened to before, and see what you can find. Not only will this be fun, but it will teach you a lot about music in general too. Of course, you might find that your old favourite genre is actually best, but equally, you might find something you like better that you would never have tried before if you didn’t specifically go exploring. 

Learn About Music History 

Understanding the origins of certain types of music and how that style has changed and evolved over the years can be fascinating, and it’s a great way to find new genres that might appeal to you. You can research the genres that you listen to most and then start to think about other types of music – you might even find they’re all linked in some way to help you determine what to look into next. Gaining this knowledge won’t just give you more appreciation for the music itself, but it will give you a good amount of insight into the emotions and themes you’ll find in the music too, and that can really mean a lot. 

Take classical music, for example. That has a long history that dates back many centuries, and there are some massively influential composers involved, like Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach, for example. Or what about jazz? Jazz has roots in African American history, and again, it goes back a long way, giving you a chance to understand more about all kinds of history from around the world and in various time periods. 

Go To Live Performances 

There’s something really special about live performances that can elevate any piece of music into something wonderful. That’s why it’s a good idea to go to as many concerts, musicals, and other events as you can. Not only will you hear the music, but you’ll see it performed, and that can give you a lot of information about how the piece has been created, and if the performer is putting energy and emotion into the song, it’s even better, and will stay with you for a long time. 

Try to see live events that encompass lots of genres, and go to small local gigs as well as big arena-based ones. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the music, connect with the rest of the audience, and you might find a new style of music to love.

Reality Star Destiny Payton Selected As Newest Ambassador for Atlanta Fibroid Center 

According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 80% of women will have uterine fibroids before reaching the age of 50, with an even larger percentage in African American women. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) pioneer Dr. John Lipman, MD, FSIR, is continuing to lead the charge in educating women about non-surgical treatment options for fibroids by signing Serial Entrepreneur, Singer, and Love and Marriage: Huntsville cast member Destiny Payton as an ambassador for the Atlanta Fibroid Center. As an ambassador, Destiny will publicly speak regarding her personal journey with fibroids and increase the awareness of nonsurgical treatment options like UFE. Dr. Lipman and Destiny initially met in 2022 while attending Cynthia Bailey’s4th Annual Fibroid Awareness Brunch, where Destiny became inspired to speak transparently on her personal struggle with fibroids and infertility. Cynthia Bailey found her fibroid relief with UFE with Dr. Lipman which was chronicled on Season 6 of Real Housewives of Atlanta.

“I’m so excited about this journey. I’ve been speaking with so many women who are in need of this information.” – Destiny Payton

Destiny is one of many African American women who suffered from uterine fibroids and was told by a previous doctor that a hysterectomy was her best option for treatment. Destiny understood that hysterectomy was a permanent solution, but losing her uterus was too big a price to pay; even if she didn’t have a child. Fortunately, she held out and was blessed with a son (who’s now 2 years old). “The doctor told me a hysterectomy was my best treatment option, and I just did not believe that. It felt like a fear tactic”, says Destiny.

“Numerous studies have shown that most women suffering with uterine fibroids will be given only the surgical options and not told about UFE”, says Dr. Lipman. “The uterus provides many other important functions outside of childbearing. Women should not have to lose their uterus in order to successfully treat a benign condition (fibroids). Women are entitled to know all of their options and not just the surgical ones.” Dr. Lipman speaks from over 30 years of experience, as the Founder and Medical Director of the Atlanta Fibroid Center, a state-of-the-art medical facility specializing in the non-surgical treatment of uterine fibroids. To date, Dr. Lipman has performed close to 10,000 uterine fibroid embolization procedures (UFEs), making him the world’s most experienced UFE physician. With Destiny on board, it is hoped that awareness for the UFE procedure and its accessibility will be enhanced greatly.

Dr. Lipman and Destiny have created ‘Dear Destiny’, a weekly Instagram livestream where they will connect and answer questions regarding uterine fibroids and procedures available to treat them. The livestreams will premiere in Summer 2023. Additionally, Destiny is offering a giveaway for a livestream participant to receive a free consultation by Dr. Lipman at the Atlanta Fibroid Center. “Our goal is to specifically target women who do not have accessibility to medical options outside of having hysterectomies and major surgeries”, says Dr. Lipman. For more information on fibroids, the UFE procedure, and updates, visit the official Atlanta Fibroid Center website at www.ATLii.com,and by following Dr. John Lipman on Instagram @dr_lipman.

All media inquiries should be directed to PRTeam@epimediagroup.com.

American Rock Legend STYX Performs At Wild Adventures Theme Park

The Wild Adventures LIVE! concert series presented by Valdosta TKO Nissan continues Saturday, April 22 as STYX takes the stage at the Wild Adventures Amphitheater.

American rock legends and multimillion-selling group STYX have recently released their 16th studio album The Mission. Drawing from over four decades of barn-burning chart hits, joyous singalongs, and hard-driving deep cuts, STYX promises an unforgettable performance for fans of all ages. Audiences can look forward to hits such as “Lady”, “Blue Collar Man”, “Lady”, “Come Sail Away” and “Renegade” to the Wild Adventures Amphitheater stage.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, April 22 at 8 p.m. General Admission to the concert is included free with a 2023 Season Pass, and Gold and Diamond Passholders can purchase Reserved Concert Seats for just $5 in advance. Guests who do not have a 2023 Season Pass can purchase General Admission to the concert for $10 and Reserved Concert Seats for as low as $15 as an additional cost to park admission.

Before the STYX concert, guests can enjoy a live performance from Jacksonville, Florida southern rock group Whiskey Heart at the Water’s Edge Stage from 4 to 7 p.m. “Water’s Edge Brews and Bites serves freshly baked hand-rolled pretzels, local draft beer from Georgia Beer Company and refreshing wine slushies,” said Adam Floyd, sales and marketing director. “It’s the perfect spot to relax along the lake with refreshments and live music in between thrills and splashes in the park and a world-class concert from STYX.”

Families can enjoy every Wild Adventures LIVE! concert and unlimited visits to Wild Adventures Theme Park and Splash Island Water Park all season with a 2023 Season Pass on sale now at WildAventures.com.

Wild Adventures Theme Park is located at the halfway point between Atlanta, Ga. and Orlando, Fl. off Interstate 75 and is home to more than 40 family and thrill rides, hundreds of exotic animals, dozens of concerts and special events each year and Splash Island Waterpark, named as one of the “Top 30 Waterparks” in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Wild Adventures is ranked as one of the Most Affordable Theme Parks in America by Travel + Leisure, one of the Top 10 Most Affordable Water and Theme Parks in the U.S. by AOL.com and the Top Theme Park Deal in Georgia by Yahoo! Finance.

Covergirl Alexis Skyy: Journey to Transformation, Healing, and Success

Pivoting from a cast member of Love and Hip-Hop to the emerging multifaceted businesswoman gracing our timelines today, Alexis Skyy literally started her spiritual transformation right before our eyes. Accrediting her daughter with being a major influence for her holistic transformation, she has intuitively created the haircare line, The Hair Pot as an initial generational wealth builder for her firstborn Alaiya Grace.

Not only is Alexis curating ventures in hair care, real estate investment, and fashion, but the highlight of her journey is she is bringing other women along for the ride to spiritual healing. Creating safe, digital, and in-person spaces for trauma survivors to speak openly of their past experiences, Alexis is utilizing her platform of over 5 million followers to be an inspiration to women young and old.

Access205- #1 Entertainment Guide in Birmingham: Orchestra Noir Returns to the Magic City

The Magic City welcomes Orchestra Noir, The Atlanta African-American Orchestra!  This exciting performance is scheduled for Friday, February 17th, 2023 at the Alabama Theater, located at 1817 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203.

Orchestra Noir has high-energy reviews with audiences saying, “You will not be disappointed in the musical experience of this all-black symphony!”  With previous performances throughout the southeast, the magical sounds being played are infused with all genres of blues, classical, hip-hop, and jazz; definitely a treat for the city of Birmingham.  Directed by the conductor, composer, and arranger, Jason Ikeem Rodgers the Orchestra Noir performance has received numerous awards such as Best of Atlanta:  Classical Meets Contemporary.  Attendees are encouraged to have a good time; dance, relax, and sing to the melodic tunes.
Tickets to attend this must-see event can be purchased on Ticketmaster with prices ranging from $29 – $89 (and up.)  Don’t miss out on attending, click on the link here to purchase online.

Orchestra Noir was founded in 2016 by Maestro Jason Ikeem Rodgers. Through orchestral performance, Orchestra Noir celebrates the cultural achievements of African-American music pioneers across all genres of music including classical, jazz, blues, hip-hop, and R&B. Orchestra Noir has witnessed a meteoric rise to be one of the most talked about orchestras in the nation, as it continues to successfully bring orchestral music to a diverse audience in grand and spectacular fashion.

Awarded ‘Best of Atlanta: Classical Meets Contemporary’ by Atlanta Magazine, Orchestra Noir has worked on projects with global brands such as Time Warner, NBC Universal, Atlantic Records, Lionsgate, YouTube Music, BET, OWN Network, the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and countless more. In addition, Orchestra Noir has worked with international hip-hop stars 2Chainz, Migos, and 9x Grammy Award-winning super-producer Bryan-Michael Cox. Orchestra Noir has been covered in prominent media publications such as The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Atlanta Magazine, Good Day Atlanta, CBS Radio, The Atlanta Modern-Luxury, Birmingham Times, and many more.

Mariah Carey Shares Photo With Daughter in NYC

Mariah Carey shares a photo with her daughter Monroe as they were in NYC on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022.

PHOTO CREDIT: Mariah Carey via Twitter
About Mariah Carey
MARIAH CAREY is an author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, producer and multiple award-winning artist and songwriter. She is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to-date and 19 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (18 of which are self-penned) – more than any solo artist in history. With her distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Carey is truly the template of the modern pop performance. Mariah is also an inductee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has been recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, numerous American Music Awards, three Guinness World Record titles, both Billboard’s “Artist of the Decade” and “Icon” awards, the World Music Award for “World’s Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium,” the Ivor Novello Award for “PRS for Music Special International Award,” and BMI’s “Icon Award” for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a few.                                                        

Carey’s cultural impact has transcended the music industry to leave an indelible imprint upon the world at large. In 2009, Carey was recognized with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Palm Spring International Film Festival for her critically acclaimed role in Lee Daniels’ “Precious.” A Congressional Award recipient, Carey has selflessly donated her time and energy to a range of philanthropic causes near to her heart including Save the Music, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, World Hunger Relief, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, among many others. A tremendous supporter of children’s charities, both domestic and international, Carey founded Camp Mariah in partnership with the Fresh Air Fund, a retreat for inner city children to explore career development. In 2020, Mariah’s riveting memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey was recognized as a New York Times #1 bestseller upon release. In 2021 she announced the launch of her foray into the world of spirits with Black Irish – an Irish cream with a name that serves as a playful nod to her family heritage.

Access205 Magic City Classic Entertainment Guide 2022

The Magic City Classic is the largest historically black college and university (HBCU) football game in the country.

Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University play in the game annually at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, and the winner could potentially earn a spot in the SWAC.

It’s not too late to purchase tickets (click on the images) and view the guide below.

Access205 Entertainment Guide:

1.  BBQ and Blues Festival with The Manhattans
Sunday, October 23th from 12 pm – 4 pm

2.  Stop The Violence featuring Master P
Tuesday, October 25th starting at 6 pm

3.  Alumni Block Party
Wednesday, October 26th, 7 pm – 10 pm

4.  2022 IGNITE Empowerment Summit (click on the image)
Tuesday, October 25th from 8 am – 3 pm

5.  Stokley Magic City Classic Tailgate Festival
Thursday, October 27th; Gates Open at 4 pm | Event Starts at 6 pm

6.  Magic City Classic Giveaway Wednesdays
** Online **

7.  The Ultimate King of Pop Experience
Thursday, October 27th Doors Open at 6 pm | Starts at 7 pm

8.  Magic City Classic Afrobeats Party by AfroLuzionz (click on the image)
Saturday, October 29th at 10:30 p.m. – Sunday, October 30th at 4 pm

9.  Magic City Classic Weekend “5th Annual” Friday Night Soiree at The Harbert (click on the image)
Friday, October 28th at 9 pm – Saturday, October 29th at 2:30 am

10.  Rickey Smiley Morning Show Live
Thursday, October 27th from 5 am – 9 am

11.  Welcome to Birmingham The Opening Ceremony (click on the image)
Thursday, October 27th from 8:30 pm to 12 am

12.  Thursday Night Live Karaoke Showcase (click on the image)
Thursday, October 27th from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

13. The Classic Kid Capri Party (click on the image)
Friday, October 28th from 9 pm – 2 am

14.  Sunshine and Wine
Friday, October 28th, 2 pm – 7 pm

15.  11th Annual Battle of The Choirs
Wednesday, 26th Doors Open at 6 pm

16.  Stardome Featuring:  Rod Man (click on the image)
Friday, October 28 – Saturday, October 30 | Doors Open at 5:45 pm, Show Starts at 7 pm

17.  Behind The Mask
Wednesday, October 26th Doors Open at 5 pm | Show Starts at 6 pm

18.  Magic City Classic Post-Game Concert
Saturday, October 29th

19.  McDonald’s MAGIC CITY CLASSIC 2022 (click on the image)
Tailgate starts at 10 am – 2 pm | Game begins at 2:30 pm

Additional Events for The Season:

Music Fest:  Turkey Day Classic 2022
Wednesday, November 23rd
Doors Open at 7 pm | Showtime at 8 pm

Access205, LLC. is a social media advertising and email blast company that specializes in designing and managing e-mail blast campaigns for events and businesses in Bham, AL. With our email blast campaigns and flyer distribution, your business and/ or events will receive great exposure and experience an increase among current customers and potential customers.

Kimberly West Agency™ is a boutique public relations firm specializing in brand design, image consulting, influencer marketing, media relations, social media planning, and special events planning.

Collaborative Post

Le Diner en Blanc Birmingham 2022: The City’s Elegant All-White Picnic

Elegance was the word used to describe Le Diner en Blanc Birmingham 2022.  On September 17th, the magic city was engulfed with several surprises during this exclusive event!

Arrivées

Table Leaders were amazed to arrive with their assigned group at Railroad Park.  For those that don’t know, Railroad Park is located in the heart of downtown Birmingham.  It was the PERFECT location for the elegant, all-white picnic!

Additionally, guests came together underneath the stars and gathered to live music, a 360 photo booth, and an adult moon bounce.  The best surprise was the giant hot air balloon that even captured the attention of the local news station, asking, “What is happening in the city tonight?”

Le Diner En Blanc Birmingham was hosted by the event management company, Destination Birmingham, owned by Jasmine and Lynda Allen.  The dynamic team not only coordinated the entire event but manages a group of dedicated volunteers!

La Conclusion

Above all, Le Diner En Blanc Birmingham was a successful and enchanting evening for those in Alabama.

Le Dîner en Blanc Birmingham

Photo Credit: Le Dîner en Blanc

 

Le Diner en Blanc Pro-Tip (s)!

  • Register with an email account that receives messages.
  • Guests should arrive in comfortable shoes and change for photos.
  • Try not to overcomplicate the packing process; have the DEB essentials.
  • Dress according to the weather in your region.
  • Do not forget to pack your umbrella.
  • Be mindful of the beverage selections but remember that you can bring your own sodas/water.
  • Purchase your cart, chairs, wagon, and table three weeks prior to the event.
  • Do not wear off-white; this is an all-white affair.
Diner en Blanc Traditions Birmingham
Le Dîner en Blanc is an elegant large-scale picnic from Paris

Most importantly, remember that Le Diner en Blanc is what you make of it!  jusqu’à la prochaine fois

If you like this post, click here:  Le Diner en Blanc Birmingham 2021- The Magic City Sparkled #DEBBHAM

Rapper Ye, Formerly Known As Kanye West Interview with ABC News Live

In case you missed it, this morning on “Good Morning America,” a portion of ABC News Live Prime Anchor Linsey Davis’ interview with Ye aired. In the clip, Ye discussed his social media use, co-parenting and more.

Watch more on ABC News Live tonight at 7 p.m. ET and tonight on “Nightline.””A Conversation with Ye: Linsey Davis Reporting,” a half-hour special on ABC News Live, airs at 8:30 p.m. ET and streams later on Hulu.

WATCH: https://gma.abc/3LwNkx2

Credit “ABC News//Good Morning America”

Ye opens up in ABC News exclusive interview

By Mark Guarino, Katie Conway

Ye said he has “new respect” for ex-wife Kim Kardashian and felt sorrow for causing stress in the relationship since Kardashian filed for divorce in February 2021.

“This is the mother of my children, and I apologize for any stress that I have caused, even in my frustration, because God calls me to be stronger,” Ye, the recording artist and entrepreneur formerly known as Kanye West, said in an exclusive morning interview that aired Thursday on “Good Morning America.” “I need this person to be less stressed and of the best, sound mind and as calm as possible to be able to raise those children at the end of the day.”

In a wide-ranging interview that covered Donda Academy, a school he started in California, to his plans to once again run for president, Ye repeatedly circled back to the responsibility that he has as a celebrity and his insistence that he have a say in the future of the four children he fathered with the global social media and reality TV star.

“As a dad and as a Christian. And I have a right to have a voice on what my kids are wearing, what they’re watching, what they’re eating,” he said. “I have a platform where I get to say what so many dads can’t say out loud.”

Ye said he “absolutely” wants his children to attend Donda Academy, “a gospel school” he created named after Donda West, his late mother who chaired the Department of English, Communications, Media Arts and Theatre at Chicago State University on Chicago’s South Side. She died in 2007.

“I’m their dad. It has to be co-parenting. It’s not up to only the woman. Like, men have a choice also. Men’s voices matter,” he said.

The private school, which Ye said was originally named the Yeezy Christian Academy, is located in Simi Valley, California. According to the school’s website, the academy’s mission is to help students “learn fundamentals, grow in their faith, and experience two enrichment classes.”

Ye said the school gives “kids practical tools that they need in a world post the iPhone being created.” He said the school is in its third year and has an enrollment of 82 students.

“So many schools are made to set kids up for industries that don’t even matter anymore,” he said, pointing out that the focus areas of the school is “on practical skills” such as engineering, computer programming and farming. He added that the school has tutors who focus on specific areas and could “actually turn your kids into, like, geniuses.”

“And if your kids are geniuses … they’re three grade levels ahead,” he added.

Ye told ABC News he hired a female basketball coach to help improve the skills of North, his 9-year-old daughter. He also helps coach North “every morning,” he said. The effort, Ye added, showed dramatic results. “She trained every day and I really stayed on her. And when she came back, she had the confidence,” he said.

Ye, who created the fashion brand Yeezy, also addressed the dissolving of his partnership with the Gap. Last week, Ye sent the Gap a letter terminating the 10-year partnership, saying the clothing retailer breached its contract to sell his Yeezy Gap line of apparel. Ye said he plans to open his own line of stores simply called YZY.

Mark Breitbard, Gap brand president and CEO, said the company and West are “not aligned” in how they work together, according to a memo sent to employees and reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. “Simply put…while we share a vision how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned,” Breitbard wrote, according to the Journal.

It was all kind of a disregard for the voice of something that I co-created.

In addition to criticizing the Gap, Ye has recently criticized Adidas, a retailer that carries his apparel. Ye has been working with the athletic brand since their partnership was announced in 2016, but lashed out at Adidas when the brand released its Adilette 22 sandals, which resemble Ye’s Yeezy slides. Ye called their footwear “a fake Yeezy.”

“It was all kind of a disregard for the voice of something that I co-created. I co-created the product at Adidas. I co-created the product at Gap,” Ye said.

“That means that I was there for some specific agenda, not for Yeezy Gap to be everything that it could be, or this dream that I had about what the Gap could be,” he said. “It’s time for me to make my own thing.”

Adidas Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted said in August that West was probably the most important partner the company had, according to the Wall Street Journal. Adidas is trying to find a path toward continuing the partnership, the paper reported.

Since his ongoing battle with Adidas, Ye said he’s determined to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes of his brand.

“We had to level up,” Ye said. “Really show ’em who’s the new boss in town, that I’m the boss of me. I’m no longer just the man ridin’ atop the polo horse. I’m not just a mascot in the middle of the games, gettin’ the crowd hyped up sayin’, ‘Hey, wear this, do this,’ but you know, just learn financial engineering. Learn how to — learn how to really run a company.”

Ye added that he plans to move forward with an Oct. 3 fashion show in Paris that was initially planned in conjunction with the Gap. He secured a new producer for the event, he said, via Instagram.

Today, YZY Gap engineered by Balenciaga announced a new line of outerwear and knitwear, which will be made available online. YZY Gap engineered by Balenciaga also announced that YZY Gap will be available at stores outside of the U.S. for the first time at Gap’s Tokyo and Shanghai flagship stores.

Potentially, another presidential run

In November 2020, Ye conceded his run for president. He had loaned $6.8 million to his 2020 presidential committee, essentially self-funding his campaign during the first month and a half of his run, according to a Federal Election Commission disclosure filing.

Ye said he “absolutely” plans to run for president again but did not specify when.

“That time wasn’t in God’s time,” he said.

Ye said he is often misunderstood because of his adamancy for his Christian faith, which drives him to perform “Sunday Service” with a gospel choir at different locations around the U.S. He said he’s a “radical” for wanting to promote “the idea of family, the idea of God, the idea of protecting your children’s innocence for as long as possible.”

“When you remove the love and fear of God, you open up the love and fear of everything else. And it’s easier to have sheep when people don’t have God. It’s easier to control the people if people are not controlled by God. Because then they can be controlled by how many likes they have or whatever’s happening on their TikTok or how much money or the perception that people have,” he said.

“But we only have one audience here and that audience is God. And He’s watching us at all times,” Ye said. “He’s got my back.”

GOOD MORNING AMERICA EXCLUSIVE: Frances Tiafoe Talks Amazing US Open

While he didn’t make it to this year’s U.S. Open championship, Frances Tiafoe’s tennis journey still looks very bright.

The 24-year-old American was a breakout star of this year’s tournament after he beat tennis legend Rafael Nadal to advance to the quarterfinals.

Tiafoe spoke in an interview with ABC News on “Good Morning America” Monday about his journey to one of tennis’ biggest stages.

While he said he felt “a ton of different emotions” through his run, he hailed the Grand Slam as “the best two weeks of my life.”

“Probably the best thing [was] seeing the first lady Michelle Obama after the match,” he said of his semifinal match with Carlos Alcaraz. “I was on the one changeover and I looked and she looked at me — and then when they announced her and seeing the crowd erupt, that was pretty impactful.”

He was the first Black American man to reach the semifinals of the U.S. Open since 1972. The last player to do so was Arthur Ashe, the namesake of the stadium where Tiafoe and Alcaraz battled.

“It’s truly a blessing. All the work that my parents did over the years and having them see that and be a part of that is crazy. And to be in the same sentence as Arthur Ashe in anything is unbelievable and something no one can ever take from me. So I’m going to remember that forever,” Tiafoe explained.

Tiafoe said he hopes to continue to move the sport forward for others as a role model.  “My whole life I’ve wanted to pave a way so people like me can also play the game of tennis and just be great leaders as well as great individuals,” he said.

Tiafoe lost in five sets against Alcaraz; their match lasted four hours and 19 minutes. The 19-year-old Spanish phenom advanced to the final and won the tournament.

“I feel I let you guys down,” Tiafoe said after the match, addressing the crowd during an on-court interview. “This one hurts. This one really, really hurts — I’m going to be back — and I will win this thing one day.”

Tiafoe credited picking up a racquet to his father, who was the head of maintenance at a tennis center in Maryland.

Tiafoe, whose parents immigrated from Sierra Leone amid war in the 1990s, grew up outside of Washington, D.C., with his brother, Franklin.

“My parents are everything,” Tiafoe told ABC News. “We wouldn’t be doing this interview, all achievements, I wouldn’t have them without them. I’m just so thankful for them, and them instilling in me hard work and understanding — being humble and grateful for everything that comes your way. They shaped me to the person I am today.”

In 2020, Tiafoe won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award, the ATP’s award for off-court impact.

Tiafoe added that being an inspiration is “what it’s all about.”

MORE: Serena Williams loses at US Open, likely ends professional career

“We all have a certain gift and to use that gift to inspire so many people to do great things in life,” he said.

As for the fate of the sport, Tiafoe said he thinks “American tennis is in a great place.”

“You’ll see some Grand Slam champions soon,” he said, mentioning Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, who he said is “playing great tennis.”

“I’m super excited to be in that conversation,” Tiafoe said. By Kelly McCarthy, Haley Yamada & Henderson Hewes