Columns and Opinions

Keep fighting! Black Lives Matter has gained so much traction these past few months, and the next step is remembering that movements require long term internalization into one’s way of living. Times are gett...

Rexx Life Raj, both as an individual and musician, is refreshing. He’s not interested in the fame, or the clout, or anything in between – he never has been. Instead, he believes what makes people gravitate...

If there’s anything that living in the age of COVID-19 has taught me, it’s that there really is no shortage of creativity in the human spirit. Look on any social media page and you’ll find people at home...

Black lives matter! Black songwriters, musicians, and artists are an integral part of American music history. Jazz, blues, and rock music were all founded by Black people, and all around the world, regardless ...

On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin asphyxiated — murdered — George Floyd, a 46-year old Black man, and in doing so, set the world ablaze. While there are few words I can use to descr...

50 years ago, the Beatles released Let It Be (1970), their last release after nearly a decade of leading one of the most innovative eras in music history. In this near- apocalyptic Year of Our Lord 2020, the r...

This semester, I enrolled in Music 128, a class centered around the study of musical improvisation. Although currently part of the Music department, it is a pilot class for the L&S ‘Big Ideas’ initiati...

Maybe I’m biased, but I think the concept of a concert is the best thought to have ever crossed a human being’s mind. The opportunity to go to concerts is one of the reasons that drew me towards becoming a ...

Following Pussy Riot’s political backlash in Russia due to censoring their explicit lyricism and content for their protest in Moscow's Christ the Saviour cathedral in 2012, two band members were charged with...

In her essay called “The Lost Races of Science Fiction” published by the acclaimed science-fiction author, Octavia Butler, she wrote, “Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Amerindians, minority characters, in gene...

The following is dedicated to Honey. Godspeed. I am breaking down to “Take Care” by SASAMI. This is not the first time in recent weeks. I am not alone tonight, one roommate playing Minecraft and the oth...

In the first few seconds of the first song on London Calling (1979), The Clash drags you into a punk post-apocalypse and refuses to let you go. The title track is a statement, a story, a prophecy, and an irrev...

Finals week is quickly approaching, and everywhere I look I see students hunched over studying - usually sporting Air Pods or Wireless Beats. Recently, I have been very curious as to what kind of music is featu...

It’s a Friday night, you just finished your last midterm for the season. Where are you likely to be? A.) Paaartyying!!!! Black out or get out baby  B.) Girls night!!! We chillin n vibin togetha<3  ...

Popular music from the 20th century onward is often categorized into decades. These decades are not always so clear cut, and many different musical movements and trends pervade each. As the 2010s are coming to ...