JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons The recent decision by authorities in the Russian republic of Chechnya to ban music based on tempo is not only absurd but represents cultural authoritarianism. The ban, which limits songs to a tempo of 80 to 116 beats per minute, aims to align with the “Chechnyan…
JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons J. Cole, a sought-after rapper raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is known to many as an artist with lyrical prowess. Recently, Cole finds himself entangled in a web of controversy. This time, it’s not just about a rap beef with Kendrick Lamar; it’s about a transphobic…
JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons South by Southwest (SXSW) has lost its integrity. The once exciting Austin Texas music festival is now becoming less of a music festival and more of a billboard on which they platform defense contractors, including Raytheon subsidiaries and the US Army. SXSW first appeared in 1987…
BY: JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy @weareumaw on Instagram It’s time to tune into the reality of the music industry. The melodies we love are oftentimes composed against a backdrop of economic struggle for the artists who create them. While the Living Wage for Musicians Act may not be a silver-bullet solution to unethical…
BY: JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy of Wikimeida Commons Even though music can be a powerful tool in politics, the “Nikki Haley Anthem” is more laughable than uplifting. With 2024 being a presidential election year, it looks like Americans are getting the same matchup as the 2020 Election: Joe Biden versus Donald Trump. However,…
BY: JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons In a landscape brimming with talented artists creating compelling music, it’s time to move past Kanye West’s divisive legacy and embrace new voices. Polarizing Chicago rapper, singer, songwriter, producer and former presidential candidate, Kanye West, collaborated with the talented singer and songwriter, Ty Dolla $ign,…
BY: MORGAN KILGER, NEWS EDITOR Photo Courtesy of @taylorswift on Instagram Calling all ‘swifties’ — there’s a new era. At the 2024 Grammy Awards this past Sunday, Taylor Swift announced her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” to be released on April 19. This shocked her fanbase since hints at the re-release of her “Reputation”…
BY: JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Amid the media attention that arrives with the Grammy Awards, it’s important to remember that the capitalistic system through which artists get paid is still broken and unfair. While we usually talk about this “unfairness” in the context of Spotify because of its questionable and…
BY: JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Photo courtesy @lilnasx on Instagram If many sought-after and heterosexual hip-hop artists can depict themselves as Jesus Christ or place themselves on a crucifix with little to no backlash, why are people upset when Lil Nas X does it? The only clear answer is that bigoted and homophobic people can’t…
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Album cover courtesy of @taylorswift on Instagram Stars cortesy of Wikimedia Commons Even though most of the re-recordings of Taylor Swift’s older records have demonstrated improvements in sound, much of the initial magic is lost on “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” Taylor Swift is an artist who needs little-to-no introduction. From…
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Photo courtesy of @thebeatles on Instragram Even though there are minor issues with the mixing process, The Beatles’ new single “Now And Then” is an emotional epilogue to the band’s 60-plus-year journey. The song was once a passionate John Lennon piano ballad demo from 1977 and was later completed…
BY: JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Spotify logo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons The recent reshuffle of Spotify’s royalty model has led the music-streaming platform to brazenly screw over smaller musicians more than ever. In short, the Billboard and Music Business Worldwide reports both highlight that the royalty-model changes will include a new threshold of minimum…
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons After his Vancouver concert Saturday night, Lil Yachty owes his fans an apology — at the very least. Yachty’s performance was cut short due to safety concerns after concertgoers stampeded the arena floor’s general-admission section. Numerous videos and reports from the concert detail the…
BY: JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION ASSIGNMENT EDITOR photo courtesy of @champagnepapi on Instagram stars courtesy of Wikimedia Commons On Drake’s new album “For All The Dogs,” he is less interested in perfecting a sound and is more concerned with giving his audience every kind of Drake. Since his two previous albums were detours in sound, “For…
photo courtesy of @oliver_anthony_music on Instagram BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Whether or not you believe Oliver Anthony is a right-wing industrial plant or apolitical, some of the lyrics in his contemporary folk song “Rich Men North of Richmond” amplify conservative talking points, even if he didn’t intend them to be interpreted that way. …
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, STAFF WRITER Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons While Frank Ocean’s fans at Coachella were disappointed with his performance, the entire situation perfectly reflects the enigma that is Frank Ocean. Artists nowadays are doing anything they can to stay at the forefront of their fans’ minds because social media can overexpose and saturate…
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, STAFF WRITER Joe gives “Endless Summer Vacation” a 2/5 stars Photo courtesy of @mileycyrus on Instagram Stars courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Miley Cyrus continues to present herself as a lone wolf who can’t be stopped or controlled. She is more genuine and less rehearsed than the majority of pop artists. Considering that…
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons BY JOSEPH DEBELL, STAFF WRITER Aubrey Graham’s (Drake) streak of music recently has been underwhelming. Considering that Drake is 36 and his recent records haven’t had the best reception from a creative standpoint, it’s not entirely outlandish for him to retire. While Drake has easily been one of the most…
The die-cut poster on display in the Reilly Center David Scibilia / The Bona Venture BY: DAVID SCIBILIA, NEWS EDITOR “The heart is speaking; the spirit is speaking,” Jason Benefield, the producer of “Speak on Sistas”, said. “[‘Speak On Sistas’] is the ultimate event for women of African descent.” “Speak On Sistas” is an event…
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, STAFF WRITER Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons SXSW needs to do a better job of paying artists what they deserve, especially considering that some artists that play in the festival come from all over the United States. South by Southwest (SXSW) first appeared in 1987 after the city of Austin, Texas, wanted…