pop culture
Modern, popular, and iconic pop culture moments in music. From current events, to trending topics and more.
Louis Tomlinson Talks About Being the 'Forgettable' Member of One Direction And New Music
When One Direction announced their infamous and indefinite hiatus in December 2015, the industry was abuzz in anticipation of the new direction each of the band members will choose after. Zayn Malik, who left the band in March 2015, was the first to go solo, venturing into R&B music. Post Zayn's departure, One Direction released their final album, 'Made In The A.M.' before disbanding temporarily.
By Shivani Agrawal7 years ago in Beat
Mixtape Heat: Quentin Miller's 'Falco'
Life is not about how many times you fall down but about how many times you get back up. Quentin Miller is not about to let a terrible accident keep him down. The Atlanta rapper was involved in a car accident last September. This accident led to Miller having to have one of his legs amputated from the calf down. Ever since the incident, Miller has been using a prosthetic leg. Tyrion Lannister once said "Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you." Quentin Miller seems to be embracing that idea with the name of his latest mixtape Falco. Falco is a character from the video game series Star Fox. Falco is the wingman to Fox McCloud and Falco just happens to have metal legs. Just like Falco, Quentin Miller is ready to takeoff and shoot for the stars.
By J.R. Gonzalez7 years ago in Beat
Eminem Grew A Beard
Over the last week, we've sat in silence watching as the internet has blown up over what they are calling Eminem's "New Look." I'm not staying silent any longer. This is the classic case of why Celebrities like Eminem live so much in isolation. These people put themselves out there and share their exceptional talents with the world providing a sense of Entertainment. Yet, the general population takes this for granted. They act as if because these people share that small portion of their lives. That they have the right to get involved in these people's personal lives and judge even the smallest decisions. It's a beard!!If you, or a man in your life, decided to grow a beard, would there be this much hoopla?No. We have that freedom, people like Eminem don't, and this past week is proof of that. I've bitten my tongue reading comments, like:
By Clara Cook7 years ago in Beat
Review: Vince Staples 'Big Fish Theory'
Big Fish Theory is one of the examples of the evolution and diversity of hip-hop. The album is something that your average hip-hop fan might not be compelled to listen at first but they should. The production of the album is different and innovative. In combination with the wittiness and intelligence of the bars of Vince Staples it makes for an amazing project. Big Fish Theory proves that you can make great music without trying to fit into one specific genre or approval of your peers.
By J.R. Gonzalez7 years ago in Beat
#OverloadMondays: New Releases from DJ Khaled, the OVO Clan, Diddy and more.
Before I start, I of course have to address the loss in Hip Hop we had to face this week. Prodigy of Mobb Deep passed away at 42 last Tuesday. The news came suddenly and was just overly shocking. I remember first hearing Mobb Deep, I was maybe 7 or 8, and I was just obsessed with the sound of it. Obviously, it took me some time to catch up to the content but I got it eventually. Their music takes you somewhere. A legend himself, the man was the voice of Hip Hop. The gritty sound Mobb Deep, of Prodigy himself, embodied New York. And he was just 42… damn. Now having to keep up with the current music, I haven’t played my throwback playlist in quite some time. I can’t recall last time I heard a bar from Prodigy. Salute to a real G.
By Sadé Sanchez7 years ago in Beat
German Country Singer Gunter Gabriel is Dead!
Germany's Johnny Cash is dead. As a pioneer of the German country music scene, singing in German and therefore connecting directly to the blue collar masses, country music and especially trucker-song-singer Gunter Gabriel passed away on Thursday, June 22nd. He died from complications from an earlier fall down a set of stairs, on the eve of his 75th birthday.
By A. Michael Uhlmann7 years ago in Beat
Memories of Old and AM Gold (Part 3)
Often reflecting back upon the days when AM radio ruled the airwaves with infectious bubblegum earworms and Casey Kasem’s weekly American Top 40 countdown, I remember prime time television also provided a moderate source of musical entertainment with series such as The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Donny & Marie, and The Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. Show. Additionally, late night programming provided the rock-oriented Midnight Special and Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert for the hard-core music enthusiasts who were dedicated to stay up past midnight.
By Eric Allen7 years ago in Beat
Must Listen: Jay-Z Greatest Songs
"... First I snatched the streets then I snatched the charts/First I had they ear, now I have they heart..." These lines could summarize Jay-Z's career but it hardly covers everything that Jay-Z has accomplished. Jay-Z made history one more time when he became the first hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Former President Barrack Obama made a tribute towards the other inductees but made a special shootout to the hip-hop mogul. Jay-Z has accomplished so much from MC of Marcy Projects to business mogul and philanthropist and music legend.
By J.R. Gonzalez7 years ago in Beat
Review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming The Beatles: 7 of X
Been a bit since I posted a review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles, mostly because this is not a book to be rush-read or even normally read (whatever pace that might be), but savored, and also because I've been writing some science fiction, and there's also the lure of the cool water and soft beach of Cape Cod Bay. But I wanted to record a few words about Sheffield's chapter on "Ticket to Ride", about as rich and satisfying an extended analysis you can find of a Beatles or any worthy song.
By Paul Levinson7 years ago in Beat
Insane Publicity Stunts Done By Bands
If there's one thing the music industry has become famous for, it's the sheer number of insane publicity stunts done by bands and singers who wanted to become famous, stay relevant, or get signed by a major record label. That is, after all, why there have been so many crazy scandals in the music industry.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart7 years ago in Beat