By Yesica Gonzalez lStaff Writer| Hip-Hop artist Kendrick Lamar’s new album “DAMN.” was just released on Friday, April 14. Lamar's album was very different from other artists that usually focus on this type of field and I found it to be enjoyable. "DAMN." would most likely be suitable for young adults and any hip-hop lover out there. The album has14 tracks that each have various ranges of beats and melody that distinguishes it from each other. This is Lamar’s fourth hip-hop album and has been receiving various reviews from many online and magazine sources. Online Magazine, Pitchfork, has rated a nine out of ten stars and has considered it to be a "master … [Read more...] about Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.” album review
rap
A night to Speak Yo Truth
By Yesica Gonzalez |Staff Writer| Speak Yo Truth offered a platform where students could share their thoughts and recite their poetry and writing on Feb. 15. Students gathered in the Santos Manuel Student Union Events Center to hear their fellow peers express themselves in a supportive and encouraging environment. Participants expressed themselves through various art forms, whether it was through poetry or song, it was their way of sharing with the audience who they are. Students shared their experiences regarding love, politics and any personal matters. One of the performers, Jendayan Lee, recited a poem that described her personality and characteristics to the crowd. “I … [Read more...] about A night to Speak Yo Truth
“Culture” Migos review
By Yesica Gonzalez |Staff Writer| Hip-hop and rap group Migos, dropped their new sophomore album "Culture" on Jan. 27. Never in the past had I listened to a particular rap album that was intriguing and different from other artists out there. This album would most likely be enjoyed by students who enjoy fast-paced raps and upbeat music. Migos is an American group from Lawrenceville, Georgia, and consisting of members: Quavo, Takeoff and Offset. The group was formed in 2009 and had one album prior that did not reach the success of their current one. They had reflected that their last album was not very much expressing who they were, unlike the present album, which they felt … [Read more...] about “Culture” Migos review
From the pit of PABLO
By Gladys Oliva |Staff Writer| Kanye West made a classic "Kanye entrance" at The Forum, in Inglewood on Oct.26 . The Chicago born and raised artist opened up with the song “Father Stretch My Hands.” His stage setup was unlike any live performance that has been seen before. While performing his hit songs, West’s fans were right beside him and underneath him as he hovered over the crowd throughout the night. The stage was attached to massive cables that would allow it to tilt down and move to one side of the venue all the way to the other, making every seat in the house a great seat. The platform was lit with low key lighting and had orange beams that were shooting underneath … [Read more...] about From the pit of PABLO
The Evolution of Rap
By Misty Williams | Staff Writer| Rap is one of the most evolving genres of music; over the decades it has been seen as political, violent and even inspiring, "rap is a rapid, slangy, and often boastful rhyming on top of a insistent recurring beat," according to Dictionary.com In the '80s and '90s, rap music was mainly surrounded by intricate bars and lyrics spat at significant speeds that made you dig deeper but also had the power to cause an uproar with groups like N.W.A. Today, rap has changed, instead of freestyles and beat boxing owning the genre, it has become more open to harmonizing and melodies with songs like "Controlla" and "One Dance" by Drake being considered … [Read more...] about The Evolution of Rap
Music Festival Playlist
By Lupe Perez | Staff Writer | With midterms around the corner students are already thinking of ways to procrastinate. Coachella and Stagecoach being one of them. These music celebrations range in different genres like Indie, Country, and Rap. Festival season is a great way to meet and experience artists that are unlikely to be heard of otherwise. Students elaborate on the festival favorites this year ranging from the main headliners to the rookies. Calvin Harris’s "Feels so close," inspired by Guns N' Roses song "Sweet Child O Mine," is a great addition to this playlist since both artists will be at Coachella, uniting two generations. Electronic and techno songs by DJ's like Zedd and … [Read more...] about Music Festival Playlist
Homophobia In hip hop!
By Justine Lopez |Staff Writer| Music is a form of art, and no one should ever be told which direction they can take their art. But rappers are known for their 'tough guy' image and of course, their love for women. But what happens when a rapper expresses his love for another man? He gets the black sheep treatment. Even though it's 2015 where being gay is becoming less of a taboo, not everyone has warmed up to the idea yet. Recently on the reality TV show, "Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood," viewers got an inside look into lives of up and coming gay rap artists Miles and Malan. During the time of filming, neither of them came out and both expressed their fear of coming out … [Read more...] about Homophobia In hip hop!
Long Live “At.Long.Last.A$AP”
By Itzayana Jimenez |Staff Writer| A$AP Rocky surprised us all by releasing his highly anticipated sophomore album, “At.Long.Last.A$AP,” which was originally set to be released on June 2. Rocky, who also goes by Pretty Flacko, has always been very open about his life and drug use. In a recent interview with The New York Post, he mentioned his recent interaction with LSD, stating, “Makonnen gave me acid at SXSW (South by Southwest)... After that, I went back to my mansion and fucked nine chicks.” He also mentioned that in his new album. “There’s definitely a psychedelic influence,” said Rocky. In the ninth track, “Jukebox Joints,” he raps, “I’m tripping off the acid, now yo ass … [Read more...] about Long Live “At.Long.Last.A$AP”
Tyler drops the “Cherry Bomb”
By: Itzayana Jimenez | Staff Writer | Notorious for his bluntness, inappropriate slander, and controversial lyrics, Los Angeles native Tyler, the Creator, released his fourth studio album “Cherry Bomb.” To his fans he is real, self-assured, and funny. Tyler the front man of Collective, Odd Future (OF). The OF crew is extremely diverse, having artists ranging from hip-hop to rock. Tyler released this album on April 13. He performed the first two singles from the album for the first time at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. According to the Billboard 200 chart, in it’s first week out the album ranked at number four. “Cherry Bomb” begins with the album’s second … [Read more...] about Tyler drops the “Cherry Bomb”
“Tetsuo and Youth” album review
By Dalal Museitef |Asst. Features Editor| Lupe Fiasco returns as anything less than a fiasco to CSUSB ears. Fiasco reels his listeners through the artistic loops of his latest album Tetsuo and Youth. The Chicago blood artist, Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, featured on rapper Kanye West's track, "Touch the Sky", and who boasted his start to become his own name. His fame then launched from having three Grammy nominations in 2006, one including Best Rap Album for Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor to being voted by GQ magazine as the Breakout Man of the Year. Fiasco's unstoppable track to success led him to release his second studio album called Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, which featured hit … [Read more...] about “Tetsuo and Youth” album review