Evolution of Hip-Hop

The evolution of Hip-Hop has changed dramatically in this past decade. Some say its better how it is now, some say it’s not. Being born in this current generation I never got to experience classic hip-hop. Growing up my father listened to Ice Cube, Westside Connection, Eazy-E and other “gangsta rap” type artists. Nowadays all mainstream artists are rapping about “weed and bitches” which honestly gets really old after 2 songs. But the question is how did it going from rapping about “real” things to rapping about more of materialistic things like cars, women, and money?

 
In my opinion you can’t really compare artists from past decades like Tupac to an artist now like Wiz Khalifa, they just don’t compare in any aspect at all. I feel like when an artist becomes mainstream their music topics changes dramatically. For example, before Wiz “blew up” I enjoyed listening to him because his flow was so different and what he rapped about actually had some-what of a meaning to it. Now that he’s mainstream he doesn’t talk about anything else besides money, cars, and women. The only person who I believe that has a classic flow/style is Kendrick Lamar. As said by some artists themselves like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar is going to “revive” hip-hop and the west-coast himself.

Social Networking: Distracting or Not?

Oh how this generation’s technology is transforming people to spend so much unnecessary time on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. It’s too time consuming but yet so addicting at the same time. There are points where I should be working on an important paper or studying for a final but yet I find myself on Facebook. There’s no real explanation of how I get there but I just do every time I open a web browser.

The point that I’m trying to make about social networking is that it’s a great way to keep in contact with each other don’t get me wrong, but it’s distracting. Whether you’re at home, work, school etc. you can find yourself on a social networking site on smartphones that the majority of the people have nowadays. Maybe it’s different for some people and I’m sure it is, maybe there are people who stay away from social networking for these reasons and I give respect to them because unless I deactivate my accounts they’re almost always in a tab on my web browser or opened in an app on my phone. So now ask yourself, social networking sites, are they distracting or not?

Music and Emotions

Those moments where you’re just so amped up for a game and you’re listening to DMX or some Meek Mill to get you pumped up. Those moments where you’re relaxing on a summer day listening to some Zac Brown Band because it’s so soothing. Some people may not see it but the music you listen to has a huge effect on your emotions.

When you’re trying to get pumped up or ready for a game you want to listen to music that gets you motivated and ready to go right? Music plays a role in your readiness for that game. I know from my experiences that if I was on the bus going to an away game and I forgot my headphones at home my performance during the game wasn’t as good then a game where I listened to music before. If I’m feeling down there’s only one person/artist who I listen to that can get me in a better mood, Taylor Swift. I’m a huge hip-hop/rap fan but variety helps me deal with my emotions. So if you’re ever you’re in a mood that you don’t want to be in, try listening to types of music or songs that can help you change your mood.

Sneakerheads

Every type of shoe is different. Whether it’s the style, the brand, the color, the comfort, etc. Everybody has their preferences, but why do people collect shoes some people you may ask? There’s only one word for this. Sneakerhead.

A “sneakerhead” is a common word for people who collect sneakers, usually Jordans. I myself collect Jordans but I usually wear mine unlike most sneakerheads. Usually sneakerheads buy Jordans and just keep them, usually in the condition of DS (deadstock; a sneakerhead term for brand new—never been worn) People who have been waiting to buy the new retro Jordans have lately been angry at “re-sellers” because the people who want their shoes can’t get them. Re-sellers are people who buy multiple pairs of shoes and just sell them for higher prices, basically like flipping shoes. This leaves other sneakerheads furious because we can’t buy a pair of shoes because of these people.

Being a sneakerhead is very expensive. If you buy the shoes at the release dates then it is the most least expensive way to be a sneakerhead, but requires waiting hours in line for a pair of shoes (which seems very pointless I know but it’s worth it) So say this December you want to buy the new Bred 11s that come out December 23rd. You can buy them for retail $180 but you have to wait in line and there are very slim chances that you will get a pair of them, or a few hours later and people will be selling them for about $300-400. Being a sneakerhead isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.