Come and have a good time with G.O.O.D.

 
This week I can’t get enough of Cruel Summer.  It’s a melodic masterpiece, hypnotic as it flows.  Ye’ brings together a limitless team most definitely.  Hard melodies from “Higher” giving us a modern take on an a capella mixed with a few of our summer favorites, G.O.O.D Music is just that: good music. Well worth the wait for the end of the summer, allowing them to grab our attention from the earlier summer tracks.  Kanye discussed working on Cruel Summer, stating “I’m not interested in things until they hit me in my heart, like in my gut.”  He said he wanted to “…do something new and exciting in hip hop like minus all the politics.”  Trust our Kanye to keep it deep when it comes to music.

St. John’s own J. Cole is always on top of his game, and one of my absolute favorites.  J. Cole gives us another head bobbin’ track titled “I’m a Fool”, which has been on replay this week. With a hard beat, a smooth break down, and a catchy chorus J. Cole proves once again his intelligence and lyrical talent.  Yet he was mainly in the spot light for something else this week.  He and Diggy’s feud continued when Cole was on set of Kendrick Lamar’s BET Music Matters tour this past weekend, when shots were fired at Diggy.  Just a few days ago Diggy shot back with a song titled “Falls Down” which he released on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club.  Now we all know rappers expressing their drama on the mic is common for our day and era, it can even be entertaining (let’s not mention Ray J and “The Money Team”), but is this too much?  What does it really say to the Hip-Hop community when two young black artists take a hit each other through their music?  Expressive sure, but with Diggy being so young producing songs that aim at the younger generations, what does it teach them?  Also, is this what we will be hearing every so often in their future tracks?  I hope they end it and get back to the music.
 Leave it to Frank Ocean to paint the perfect picture to any song that you can’t get enough of in his summertime album, Channel Orange.  Frank recently released the video for his single “Pyramids” and I can’t stop watching.  He pieced together a few songs from the album to create the 8 minute video and even re-mixed the song “Pyramids” having the slower part play for most of the video, and ending with a guitar solo by John Mayer.  The video has you feeling sort of intoxicated as it progresses, though judging on the lyrics of the song, viewer discretion is clearly advised.  That video is no short of thought provoking and artistic.
One of the best things about living in this wonderful city of New York is the opportunities to see our favorite artists!  September is a great month to go out and see a concert or two, here are a few upcoming shows happening in New York and the Tri-State Area:

·     Snoop Dogg – The Paramount on Wednesday September 26^th

·      LongLiveA$AP Tour  A$AP Mob, Schoolboy Q & Danny Brown– Roseland Ballroom Thursday September 27^th

·      Jay Z – Barclays Center from September 28^th

·      Waka Flocka and Wooh Da Kid – Starland Ballroom October 5^th

What’s on my replay

Swimming Pools Remix – Lloyd ft August Alsina

I’m a Fool – J. Cole

Cruel Summer - G.O.O.D Music

Pride N’ Joy Remix – Fat Joe ft. Trey Songz, Ashanti and Pusha T  

- Alyssa Jones

InspiredWordNYC

“If poetry is a lost art, then I am the compass”. Looking back on it, it’s a very corny Lil’ Wayne-esque quote, but it was a line in poem I wrote for a poetry slam back in high school. However, if we get past the laughing, can we at least agree the quote has some truth to it? In present times, I feel as though our generation solely concentrates on music and film because it’s so readily available. I have no opposition to either, but it seems that writing, poetry, and the fine arts have lost their spotlight over the years. Advocates for the arts, such as myself, would say it’s unfortunate because we live in one of the most artistically rich metropolitan areas in the United States.

                When I was younger I would religiously watch the movie Love Jones; it molded the expectations I had for the poetry scene in New York and made me infatuated with spoken word. As I grew older, I began to research poets, engage in spoken word events, and spend all my money at Barnes and Nobles on Saul Williams’ books. This particular passion I had followed me as I came to college and became the catalyst for my search for spoken word events in the city. My successful search is worthy enough to pass on and share with the public.

                Thanks to Google, I came across a blog that provided me with all the outlets for NYC poetry that I needed. It’s called “Mike Geffner Presents the Inspired Word”. (See footnote for link.) On this blog, you can find links and information for the 411 on local and famous spoken word artists, events in the city, informational articles, and just news updates about the poetry world in New York. Because I was so interested, I signed up for the email newsletter which provides me with information on every time there is a spoken word event going on in the city. There is a wide variety of venues- some veteran and familiar, and others that are random and unknown to prevent creating a set routine. Phone numbers are provided in the email and individuals working at the venue will help you if you have questions or need directions. Although some venues may be 21+ because of the serving of alcohol, many are all ages and start at decent times in the evening. Being a broke college student, I find myself refusing to pay an excessive amount of money for events; the most I paid for an event with The Inspired Word was ten dollars, and I was able to run into Mos Def the same night. At these events, there are opportunities to meet a few faces and network, to cool out in a relaxed venue, and let many urban artists distract you from anything going on with you in the moment and captivate you with their poetic storytelling.

Website: http://www.inspiredwordnyc.blogspot.com

- Olivia Khoury

Let’s Talk Hip Hop

From Nas to Big Sean, this summer has given us months of club bangers, head knockers and everything in between.  Nas presented another lyrical masterpiece titled Life’s Good.  From Queens, hailing his stomping ground, to Bye Baby, sampling from Guy’s Goodbye Love; Nas aims to please.  Life’s Good, jumped straight to the top selling 139,402 copies in the first week and reminded me just why he’s one of the greatest.  It’s an album dedicated to where he’s at, where he’s come from and all the happiness and love he is experiencing now.  Might I suggest watching his VH1’s Behind the Music?  Nas is keeping it real without trying to catch up with a flow like these new artists, staying in his lane and making great music.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated mixtapes of the summer would have to be The Dedication 4 by Lil’ Wayne.  Everyone knows the Dedications have been known for Wayne’s creative lyrics and hard beats, so expectations for this new release in the family were high. This also may have been Wayne’s most anticipated mixtape for his redemption after “Sorry for the Wait”. In hearing it for the first time I was thinking, there must be more, it seemed like a hyped lack of thought piece.  I decided to ask around campus and see what the people of STJ Queens thought. I wasn’t too surprised when I got views like “For the Dedications, it wasn’t up to par” and “He keeps rapping about the same stuff.”  But what I got most was “I just miss the old Wayne!”  Don’t we all?  Lately Wayne’s feature on tracks like, Bands A Make Her Dance got us all ready to hear the Dedication 4.  Maybe next time Wayne. 

Big Sean’s Detroit is a must get!  From start to finish its clear Big Sean is making his mark in the industry. With his descriptive story telling based on and titled after his hometown Detroit has great features and a great track list from beginning until the end. 

A new guilty pleasure of mine is without a doubt Tinashe’s Reverie.  Her hauntingly beautiful voice dances on the tracks with her ode to love, but it’s not your typical mix tape.  Beautiful Tinashe has a flow similar to Jhene Aiko with a sweet R&B feel.  She incorporates echoing vocals with dreamy ambient beats, a relaxing mix from her single Stargazing, to her lyrical art that is Who Am I Working For?  She takes us back to the simplicity of music, which, we have to admit has been lacking in R&B lately.  Definitely check that one out.

I’ll be bringing you your music updates weekly, for shows, hot mixtapes or singles stop back here and I’ll hand you the 411.  Until then, playback, rewind & pause. 

http://globalgrind.com/music/nas-life-is-good-first-week-sales-number-one-charts-details  

Song of the Week - What’s currently on my Replay: “Clique” Big Sean & Kanye, Jay Z

- Alyssa Jones

Fashion's Night Out

"Unity." When asking Tyler Torey Williams what she believes Fashion’s Night Out symbolizes, she replied, "I feel as though it symbolizes unification in NYC; just a lot of passionate people who share one common interest that take time out of their life to come together and celebrate fashion". That's exactly what happens every year. 

Fashion’s Night Out is an annual event for the hipsters, artists, bloggers--and even tourists from around the world--to dress in their most creative ensembles and witness their favorite fashion designs and designers in the flesh. Taking place in the heart of New York, SoHo becomes illuminated on the first night of Fashion Week with celebrity appearances, performances, and courteous goodie bags from vendors to the shoppers (speaking for us broke college students, I know those goodie bags are like early Christmas presents). For the stores and their companies, FNO showcases what they have to offer to clientele, gives them a chance to boast about the people they endorse and support, and turns them into venues for music numbers and runways for models. However, the most enchanting aspect is the mystery of who you might run into as the night progresses.

This past Thursday, September 6th, crowds lined up to catch the handsome heartthrob Pharrell hosting at BBC, which he does every year. Azealia Banks blessed a crowd of people at MAC with her colorful presence; an elegant Alexander McQueen event created a classy aura amongst the smog of adolescent riots in the area; and the beautiful Solange Knowles DJ’ed the night away at Diane von Frostenberg.

FNO is an enchanting night to explore the dynamics of the fashion world: to network with those around you, and to just mingle and admire the fact that so many people around you are on the same wavelength regarding NYC culture. That alone is an experience in itself.

Fool's Gold

With the beginning of a new school year, and the closing ceremonies of summer, many events begin to take place to reconcile the hot days and long nights. On Monday, September 3rd, Downtown NYC was blessed with yet another free concert from the #Been#Trill cats from Fool's Gold. The 'Day Off' concert was the beginning of the end of summer, and the riotous fun that took place is the least you can say as to why it symbolizes NYC events. 

The line-up- Danny Brown, French Montana, Flatbush Zombies, Flosstradamus and many others- were one of the main reasons why this small venue was so crowded. City Winery allows the people at Fool's Gold to take over their cement 'backyard' to throw their annual, free, labor day bash, but this year the space just wasn't enough. When I arrived, I had to walk around the building, what felt like, for miles. So many individuals- from ages ten to fourty- were dressed in their best street attire. There was a group of kids from Australia in front of me in line; they spent just about one grand on tickets just for the event. After losing my place in line, I luckily got in through VIP. Once I was in, a jubilant feeling came over me. I was in by 3 p.m., so I began to brace myself for the remaining five hours of bliss.  

After looking around for a few minutes, I bumped into Atrak and didn't realize who he was until a friend of mine mentioned to take a picture. His cool and reserved disposition welcomed me, and I somehow thought the rest of the day would translate like his smooth demeanor. Wrong. Many performances were cut short due to sporadic technological problems; it began to rain; stage dives bruised me from the neck up; a riotous rush from the outside dominoed to the front, where I was, and people were almost trampled on; it began to rain harder; followed by the fact that they cut the whole festival short because the NYPD came and shut it down. 

Despite all the mishaps, I had an amazing time. Afterwards I had a huge headache, I was dehydrated, water-what hopefully was water- was in my eye from the people on stage doing their thing, and I didn't pay a thing. Witnessing a surprise entrance and performance by A$AP Rocky and the whole A$AP Mob was a quite worth the rain and angry mob. The humbling experience to share the love of music with unfamiliar people is worth enduring it all over again next Labor Day- I'm just bringing a helmet and an umbrella. 

- Olivia Khoury

Are You Ready for the Fall Fashion?

Autumn is here! The leaves are falling, cut-off shorts are being stowed away in storage, and boys will not be able to wear their infamous Jordan slippers and socks outside anymore. (Yes, ladies, the day is finally here. Rejoice.) Season changes yield new trends and style ideas. I personally don’t care for “fashion” trends; I like to embrace individual style and expression. However, here are just a few, a sneak peek if you will, of what to expect for this upcoming fall season- maybe a few you can incorporate into your own unique style!

Sleeveless Vests – It’s not quite winter so full coverage isn’t ideal just quite yet. However, it seems as though sleeveless (fur) vests are making their way into the autumn spotlight for that go-to jacket. For men, this can include cut-off camouflage vests, paired with black jeans.

Full Skirts – The mini is out & full-length skirts are now “in”. I enjoy this look because it is refining the timeless and classy look for women. Layering a full length skirt with a draping, loose shirt with bold accessories is a look I personally admire. Hint: thrift stores are notorious for the full length skirt. Save yourself some money!

(Faded) Denim – The 90’s look is re-emerging, and the faded look is now the norm. Faded denim button-up shirts are an essential piece to one’s wardrobe nowadays. It gives a certain casual aura to an outfit when paired with sneakers and colored jeans, or can also be made classy when paired with high-waisted pants and oxfords or loafers.

Oversized Vest Shirts – I’m an advocate for the women’s oversized look. In the 90’s, it was ideal for women to wear oversized clothing and still portray a tasteful, sexy look. For men, it compliments a great pair of jeans and boots. Allow your confidence to shine through elsewhere other than the tightness of your clothing articles. Oversized shirts always need some balance, so fitted bottoms and neutral shoes can always do the trick. 

- Olivia Khoury