Entertainment B5, MCSUN 2011-12, January 2012, Vol 39 Issue 5

“Follow the formula: violence, drugs, and sex
sells, so we try to sound like someone else.”
These lyrics of Macklemore’s song “Otherside”
reflects the candidness you will see throughout
his music, which sets him
apart from many other
contemporary rap artists.
Unlike
your
stereotypical rap artists,
Macklemore
addresses
uncomfortable and relevant
topics in his music such as
the negative affects of drug
addiction, grinding, and
some of the harmful ways in which many rap artists
influence kids.
Macklemore’s musical gift is his ability to
speak both uniquely and eloquently on universal
experiences, while still maintaining a personal touch
throughout his music.
Mackelmore began to work at a juvenile
detention facility in order to deliver his messages to
disturbed youth. Macklemore incorporated music
into his career by becoming an active member of
Gateways, a program within the detention facility
centered on rap.
After the debut of his album “The Language
of My World,” Macklemore began to struggle with
drugs including oxycontin and marijuana. His drug
abuse stalled his musical career from 2005 to 2009.
Currently the 28-year-old artist is clean and has
just completed a tour. From his humble beginnings
to his growing popularity, Macklemore seems to
have a promising musical career ahead of him.
SHIV MONTEIRO
STAFF WRITER
Macklemore
KAYLA COLBERT
STAFF WRITER
Let me start off by saying I
love hip-hop. However, it is a genre
of music that is
extremely hard to
defend. Since its
conception, hip-hop
has moved from
intellectual poetry
to mostly violent
ramblings about
parties and bitches.
Now, I love “big booty hos” as much
as the next chick, but sometimes, I like to
feel like I’m being treated like a lady and
MC SUN staff exposes artists
and bands that are great but
rather unknown.
to my discovery of the rest of their
album, including bonus tracks.
I am proud to say that I have
been listening to them tirelessly
ever since.
The biggest indication of the
genius of Young the Giant for me
is the fact that I still haven’t grown
weary of their music, after having
listened to them practically every
day for the past year.
I’m also planning on seeing
them in a couple of weeks for a
second time because I need to
experience their wonderment
again.
These guys deserve so much
praise and attention for the music
that they are creating.
as Coldplay and Radiohead, but puts his
own spin on the songs. My favorite track
on that record is “There Will Be Tears,”
in which Ocean emotionally describes his
fatherless childhood.
However, if you’re new to his music,
I recommend listening to the tracks he
released under his old stage name, Lonny
Breaux. Key tracks in that collection
include “Ready,” “No Love,” and “Sucka
For Love.” These songs offer plenty of
catchy beats and hooks with clever lyrics.
If you’re into Drake or The Weekend,
you’ll definitely be into Ocean’s sound.
If you’re convinced that romance is dead,
give Frank Ocean a listen and maybe
you’ll change your mind.
the day I stumbled upon this band
a few months prior would go down
in my personal histories as one of
the most important days of my
young life.
Seeing them in concert
basically changed my life. Not
only is the entire group made up
of gorgeous men, but they’re all
brimming with talent.
After having randomly come
upon one of their better-known
songs, “Cough Syrup,” about a
year ago, I listened to it contentedly
until I had exhausted it on my iPod
and I realized that I needed to find
more of their music.
That’s when I found “My
Body” and “Apartment,” which led
get my slow jam on.
Frank Ocean is bringing romance
back to hip-hop, y’all.
Ocean’s songs are largely about
being in love and committed to a woman.
This is in sharp contrast to the music of
his better-known contemporaries, Chris
Brown and Trey Songz, whose songs are
more of the hit-it-and-quit-it variety.
Currently, Ocean is riding the success
of his underground hit, “Thinking About
You,” which features his smooth, falsettolaced vocals sincerely professing his love
to a skeptical young woman.
Most critics will point you to Ocean’s
2011 mix tape, “Nostalgia, Ultra” as the
best he’s released. He samples artists such
Frank Ocean
When Young the Giant
returned to the stage to perform
their
encore
of their
bloodpumping,
bedjumping,
teenage
angst-filled anthem “My Body,”
I jumped around and belted out
each lyric of the song with all my
might until its very end, at which
point I had become exhausted.
I knew at that moment that
EMMA GLASSMAN-HUGHES
STAFF WRITER
Young The Giant
Not all
cover bands
are created
equal.
Named
after a failed
Nintendo gaming peripheral,
Powerglove re-imagines classic
video game and TV music as
power metal anthems.
Mixing nostalgic themes
like the X-Men theme song with
heavy guitar riffs and pounding
BLAKE EATON
STAFF WRITER
sophistication, with various
tempo changes and overlapping
harmonies that turn simplistic
theme songs into epic scores
befitting a heavy metal opera.
The emotions these anthems
evoke are powerful, diverse, and
leave an impact on the listener.
The mix of nostalgia and
innovation that Powerglove
brings to the table makes it a
fascinating band.
Anyone looking for a new
spin on old tunes should look to
them for thrilling and satisfying
music.
B5
ANDREW RAMOS | PHOTOGRAPHER
K’naan’s music ranges from rap, to hiphop, and occasionally rock , but normally his
music is just a mix of it all.
Although he might not be incredibly
renown, he is pretty
famous.
K’naan
was
born in Somalia, but
immigrated to Canada.
When he left
Somalia, it was in the
middle of a civil war.
Because he witnessed much of its bloodshed,
his music protests war, anger, and blood; and
calls for peace, love and happiness.
His upbeat songs just give out joy and
happiness, and make you smile. Hearing his
blissful songs just make you want to celebrate
his happiness.
His sadder songs capture you in their griefstricken lyrics, and cause you to think about
what he is saying, and feel what he is feeling.
His song “Waving Flag” is probably his
most known song of all. He has created multiple
remix of this song including the Coca-Cola
theme song for the 2010 South Africa World
Cup. He even sang it with in other languages
with David Bisbal, Nancy Ajram, Skank, Fefe,
and Ai.
Thus “Waving Flag” has gained much
popularity, and has been heard by many people
all over the world.
K’naan should be listened by all because
of his upbeat music and catchy sounds.
CIRO GONZALEZ
STAFF WRITER
K’naan
drums, Powerglove offers
driving rhythms that boost one’s
confidence with each riff.
While Powerglove appeals
especially to fans of the TV
shows and video games they
draw inspiration from, all
listeners can find something to
enjoy from their music.
Their covers serve as ideal
workout music, with triumphant
melodies and a snappy tempo
that maintains high intensity
throughout.
The songs also exhibit
a remarkable degree of
Powerglove
ENTERTAINMENT // January 26, 2012