pop culture
Modern, popular, and iconic pop culture moments in music. From current events, to trending topics and more.
Consent Is Sexy
I love country music. Most of you who have read my past articles with the header “Musing on Music” are already aware of this. Perhaps you don't know that I love it for the funny, yet relatable songs like “Buy Me A Boat” or the more modern-style party songs like “Fix A Drink”, both of which are sung by Chris Janson. However, the most important reason that I love this genre is for the beautiful songs with important messages, like “Drunk Girl” [also] by Chris Janson.
By Gabrielle R. Lamontagne8 years ago in Beat
Why Is Pop Music So Sh*t These Days?
We've all thought it though, haven't we? Every time you put the radio on, you know exactly what to expect, even if you don't know any of the songs. It's always the same sh*t.Okay so let’s say it’s 1998, would I be writing this same article about boy bands, Queen and Michael Jackson? It’s a possibility. Except that, dare I say it, the charts in the nineties (East 17 and Robbie Williams included, I guess) actually had at a little bit of depth to them. Even cheesy pop-music was distinct and rich in musical texture and diversity.
By Juan Nisbet8 years ago in Beat
Girl Groups to Listen To
From the Spice Girls in the 90s to Little Mix now, the world has seen a whole lot of girl groups. The Fader released an article in June of 2018 hosting the question, "Where are all the girl groups?" In the article, they mentioned that it seemed like the world had a plethora of boy bands, but the girl groups were nowhere to be found. Then, they spent half of the article talking about boybands. Here's a hint: maybe, if they hadn't done so much in-depth research on the boybands of today, they would've been able to find some girl groups like the ones I'm about to mention. Here, the Fader, I did the dirty work for you!
By Mina Johnson8 years ago in Beat
'Straight Outta Compton' Sequel???
Released in 2015, Straight Outta Compton told the story of the up and coming rappers based out of Compton, California. The plot involved Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy E, DJ Yella and MC Ren who came together to form the group NWA in the late eighties. Granted 72 percent on behalf of Metacritic as well as 87 percent by Rotten Tomatoes, F. Gary Gray’s picture received favorable reviews. In addition to N.W.A., cameos were provided to characters such as Snoop Dogg and Tupac prompting the notions of a sequel. Met with overwhelming public perception, the film demanded a sequel. Remaining unaffiliated with the Gray film cannon All Eyez on Me, directed by Benny Boom was released last year only to be met with extremely poor perception. This biographical portrayal of Shakur on the screen demands a redemption of the acclaimed rapper. A redemption that can only be delivered with the continuation of Gray’s series.
By Spencer MacAdam8 years ago in Beat
Making Freddie Straight
"The only thing...more extraordinary...than their music...is his story." Recently, 20th Century Fox released a teaser trailer for the upcoming Queen/Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Set to a clever mashup of the band's biggest hits, the trailer guides its viewers from the stage to the studio, from well-known moments still in some of the public's memory to private scenes exclusive to those present at the time. To some viewers, however, a crucial element seemed nearly absent: Freddie's homosexuality.
By Samuel King8 years ago in Beat
10 Relatable Broadway Songs
1.“Dancing Through Life” from 'Wicked' High school was either the worst years of your life or the best. If it was the best, you were probably like the singer of this song, caring more about social pursuits than stressing over academic ones, and found it easier to get along with everyone in school, rather than feeling like an outcast. If high school was worse for you, then you were probably more like Nessa or Elphaba in this song, academically brilliant or in some other way disfigured in the eyes of classmates. Teenagers, with all their raging hormones, can be awful people to each other, as well as the rest of the world. It's also easier for everything to seem dramatically either black or white, good or evil, and therefore categorize those years in a similar way. Although it's true that some people have worse experiences in high school than others, it's never as black and white as we remember it—or even how we thought of it back then. The problem is not knowing all sides of the story, unlike in a television show, where you can see the misunderstanding and miscommunication and drama heading your way before it actually hits. Still, this song is fun to sing and dance along with, whether or not it truly embodies your scholastic experience.
By Gabrielle R. Lamontagne8 years ago in Beat
Life in Plastic, It's Fantastic!
“Wait, it gets cold in Wisconsin?” I sat there dumbfounded in my badger sandals as I had to explain to a friend from Maine that yes, it does get cold in Wisconsin. In the course of my one year in New York City studying at Columbia University, I have had to answer all sorts of questions about my apparently unknown homeland of Wisconsin.
By Joey Rupcich8 years ago in Beat
Artists to Look Out for in 2018
It doesn't matter what genre you listen to, I've got you covered. At the beginning of the year, Fall Out Boy released a new album. It was exceptionally controversial considering everybody knows them for their rock/alternative music. In this new album, MANIA, Fall Out Boy showcases their depth and range while experimenting with a new sound. I feel as though they successfully pull it off, but you'll have to decide that for yourself.
By Sarah Rush8 years ago in Beat
