By Sabeena Singhani, Contributing Writer K.Flay broke boundaries at Baby’s All Right on Nov. 18, opening the show with a literal kick and a bang. Tomboyish Katherine Flaherty dominated the stage, rushing from side to side, looming over those who were closest to the front. She rapped her words, flowing them together like the thick drums…
Tag: rap
“Thank You 4 Your Service” Expands Horizons
By Thomas Lange, Contributing Writer A whopping 18 years after their previous project, legendary rap crew A Tribe Called Quest is back with what was confirmed to be their final album, “We Got it From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service.” The cryptic album title comes from Tribe MC Phife Dawg, who, despite his untimely passing,…
Baba Brinkman: A Tracklist for Chaos
By Hailey Nuthals, Highlighter Editor Who’s the latest rising star in the rap scene? Is it that poet featured on Beyoncé’s “Lemonade?” Is it that guy you found on SoundCloud last week who’s doing a residency at that dive out in Brooklyn? Is it perhaps Baba Brinkman, the guy penning verses about climate change,…
Casey Veggie on Inspiration and Growth
by Opheli Garcia Lawler Casey Veggies is only 22 years old; despite his young age, he started a clothing line called Peas & Carrots, was a founding member of the rap collective Odd Future, and he just released his first major label album, Live & Grow. He began touring with Mac Miller right after graduating…
Rap, in General VI: An Open Letter to Kendrick Lamar
By Opheli Garcia Lawler Dear Kendrick, I’ve had many conversations about your work. I’ve debated, praised and questioned with so many people. Maybe too many people. I made a fool of myself in the London Tube by stopping to kiss your TPAB poster. But my love for your work goes far beyond the fangirl-esque behavior…
Trending Tuesdays, VI: Missy Elliot’s Lukewarm Comeback
By Arlene Lormestoire After nearly seven years of inactivity, Missy Elliott’s single “WTF (Where They From)” feat. Pharrell Williams was released along with a music video that was more about the baggy pants and sparkly lipstick. Hearing “WTF” was fairly satisfying, but somehow not enough. The lines sounded like Elliot, but failed to give the extra…
Rap, In General V: The Crossover Rapper
By Opheli Garcia Lawler The “Crossover” artist is what is used to describe the success of an artist outside of his genre of music. Most commonly, this is title is given to rappers who make a song that goes and makes it big on the mainstream pop charts. Drake is probably one of the most…
Rap, In General IV: Overlooking The Intrinsic Value of Rap Music Videos
By Opheli Garcia Lawler For a long time rap music videos have been thought of to be simple party videos, with Cash Money and DJ Khaled producing almost exclusively videos that show a lavish lifestyle with women, money, drugs and cars. The rap anthem “Mercy” is an example of what a “stereotypical” rap video, with…
Trending Tuesdays, III: A Rap Career in Will-Smithereens
By Arlene Lormestoire “Hola mamacit-a/Go get me a beer-a” are the first two lines of Will Smith’s feature on Bomba Estereo’s new song, “Fiesta (Remix).” Suprising? Not even. The prime actor, part-time rapper of the late 90’s generously lends his voice to this electro-Columbian earworm. Smith somehow applies his heavy, 90’s method of rapping with…
Tyler & Rocky Tour Takes MSG Theater
By Opheli Garcia Lawler Madison Square Garden Theater is a weird place to hold a rap concert. It’s a venue with formal overtones, rules, and other environmental limitations and formalities that could potentially limit the scope of a rap show. Despite the lights being turned on during every set and the plush chairs that no…
Rap, in General, I: An Album Title That Did More Than The Album
By Opheli Garcia Lawler Everyone has already been quick to hop on the criticism of “What A Time To Be Alive.” For an album or mixtape (or whatever think piece you agree with most categorized it as), that was made in 6 days, you can only expect so much. It was a weak album, the…
Theater for College Students: Accessibility and “Hamilton”
By Tara Dalton Theater is an experience. Whether you’ve attended ten shows this school year alone or are looking forward to seeing your first Broadway show this semester, it’s undeniably exciting to be involved with New York’s theater scene. “Wait!” a voice cries out from the back of the room. “I love plays and musicals…
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