Category Archives: youth media

music, youth media

Florence + the Machine: Ceremonials

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NEW ALBUM by Florence + the Machine: Ceremonials

By: Laura Saker

Florence + the Machine have just released their newest album, titled, Ceremonials. This is the band’s sophomore album. The most popular tracks on this album are: “Only If for a Night”, “Shake It Out”, and “Never Let Me Go”.  The album all together is very creative, passionate and blissful. Florence Welch’s voice is unique and really makes the lyrics come to life. All of the tracks are very alike in a way; however this makes the whole album appear very peaceful and easy to listen too. The album is appealing to a variety of people and has received excellent feedback from people of all ages. I would recommend this album to anyone that likes soothing music and meaningful lyrics. Ceremonials already hit stores on November 1, 2011. Go pick up your copy today!

 

artists, cast members, music, youth media

The Beastie Boys by Alex Goldstein

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The Beastie Boys are an american hip-hop trio from New York City. It’s members contain Michael Diamond (Mike D), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock). Mike D plays the drums, MCA plays the bass, and Ad-Rock plays the guitar. They have been around since 1979, and started out as a harcore punk band.

Over the years, they have became more into the hip-hop genre of music. They have just released a new song this summer, called “Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win. It is a very good song, in my opinion, but it is for a special listener. I know for a fact if i asked my relatives to listen to this song, they wouldn’t like it, because they are simply not used to listening to this type of music.

The Beastie Boys are very special in that they can rap, sing, and play instruments while all mesh to make fantastic songs. The music video for this also shows an episodic of action figures. It is probably one of the coolest music videos i’ve ever seen. Although the beastie boys aren’t on the radio that often anymore, they are still an extremely popular music group, and have received an extravagant amount of awards for their music, which consist of: best rap performance; best hard rock performance; best alternative performance;best rap album;best pop instrumental; etc.

As you can see, they produce all different types and kinds of genres in the music industry, and i would like to see even more out of this very talented group!

artists, music, youth media

Lil Boosie and David Guetta

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by Jake Wasserman

Twenty-eight-year-old Lil Boosie has been a rapper since 2000.  He is not very popular in comparison to other rappers.  He did feature in a once very popular rap song with multiple artists, “Out Here Grindin’,” by DJ Khaled.  Currently, he is serving a 4-year jail sentence.  He presents rap music with a very simple beat to rap over.  His rhymes are right on.   In “Dime Piece,” he likes to reiterate his chorus.    In the music video for “Dime Piece,” many camera shots are at a strip club with him dancing with the girls.  Also, many shots are shown with him reading lyrics out of a notebook.  By depicting this image of him reading lyrics out of notebook, he is showing is everyday life: writing lyrics.  To enjoy this artist, you have to really enjoy rap, since his music really is not about the beat and instruments, even though the snare drum is used constantly which is a great addition to a rap song.  His music is more about the lyrics and style of rap.

David Guetta, a 43-year-old French House music producer and DJ, has been popular all over the world.  His music has been topping the charts and people cannot stop dancing to his music.  One of his newest hits, “Where Them Girls At,” has been a hit all over the radio.  This tune is very upbeat and gets people stomping their feet and bopping their heads.  The beat that David Guetta gives to the song is simple, yet listeners never get bored of it.  In the music video, he features the two artists singing in the song, Nicki Minaj and Flo-Rida, who nail their lyrics down.    It starts out with a camera shot over a city with skyscrapers with bubbles everywhere.  David Guetta is featured on top of a skyscraper as a DJ.  Overall, David Guetta keeps on topping the charts in Hip-Hop and Dance music.  He is one of the best artists today that produce dance music.

cast members, lifestyle, youth media

PREVIEW: Best of Backpack and Messenger Gear

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And the winners are..………

After close scrutiny and durability testing by a team of experts, and yes 10 years of school carrying stuff makes you an expert,  we have declared some winners in each category.

As different schools and different  dudes have different requirements, there is not a “one size fits all” solution to what to buy and what to carry.  Commuters need one thing and on campus housing might need another.  Still,  we were about to narrow down the field to just a select chosen few.

BEST COMMUTER BACKPACK  (Lighter weight division)

“The Smart Alec” by Tom Bihn-Seattle .

This bag is light weight but sturdy .

The Smart Alec has two long pockets on either side of the bag that zip open and close with splash-proof zipper. One of the side pockets has an expanding water bottle pocket .The other side pocket has two pen slots and a wallet/PDA sized pocket, and can also fit other items such as a paperback book, notebook, scarf, or other smaller accessories.

The comfortable shoulder straps on the Smart Alec are made from 3/8″ padding that offers serious comfort without bulk.  This worked great for Ben who is 6’5″ tall.

 

MOST AWESOME LARGER SIZE ( longer) BACKPACK

“The Babylon Backpack” by  Wheelmen & Co.

 

 

One of the greatest features of this backpack is that it sits a little narrower and longer than the traditional size backpack.  We found this bag doesn’t interfere with standing  in line at airports as it doesn’t sit “out” as far on the sides .  The quality is amazing with leather trim and a waxed cotton outside shell.     This bag was Max’s choice for the perfect backpack.

 

BEST ACCESSORIES TOM BIHN-SEATTLE

Vertical Sleeve for papers and folders

Vertical Freudian SlipThe Freudian Slip slides inside the Smart Alec and features four slots of files and folders on one side, and organizer pockets for cables, small electronics, business cards, pens, and more on the other side. Best of all, you can pull the Freudian Slip out of the Smart Alec and hang it nearby your desk, giving yourself easy access to your accessories while keeping them organized.

Organizer Pouches:these simple pouches will add an extra pocket of organization to any bag. The clear window allows you to know what’s inside.  We found that these were especially good for jump drives and SD cards along with cables.

 

FAVORITE MESSENGER BAG-SKOOBA Ipad/Netbook Messenger

Just perfect for our new Macbook Air, the SKOOBA messenger bag is a great size for Ipads,  netbooks, kindles, nooks and smaller size electronics. Compact and light, yet packed with  pockets.

• Holds iPad or other tablet or netbook(up to 10.5″ x 8.5″ x 1.5″), plus power cord and accessories, with room to spare for books or papers and more.

• Over a dozen pockets and compartments in all, hold cords and adapters, compact gadgets and accessories.

If you are able to go without carrying books or large notebooks, this bag is awesome.   It was definitely  our favorite messenger bag of all the ones tested.

 

BEST BIKE COMMUTER BAG-NORTH STREET BACKPACK PANNIERS

 

This small, durable backpack organizes everything you need for the day.  A quick-release flap and pockets inside and out keep everything organized and accessible at a moment’s notice.  Each bag is made from durable water resistant fabric which works well in the unpredictable South Florida weather.  They are made in Portland Oregon where it rains a lot too.  The only downside to this bag is the metal connectors where it attaches to the bike frame.  You wouldn’t want to bang into anyone with them cause they are quite rough on the edges.  Other than that, this bag is a perfect commuter backpack for bike riders.   Check out all the great bags this company makes for bike riders!

 

 

That’s all for the award winners.  Check back in late August for our video feature.

The Crew

artists, cast members, music, youth media

Miami’s Own Cris Cab

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Cris Cab Interview by Rachel Barrick


Cris Cab, a 17 year old singer/musician from Miami, Florida is on the verge of becoming one of the next big artists in the music world. He is an extremely talented young musician with a positive, “it’s all good” attitude toward life and his music. Cris’ inspiration came to him at a very young age, as music always just came naturally to him. Since he was young, he was always surrounded with music, and it became a natural tendency of his to have music play a major role in his life. Music has always been a passion of his, and performing and producing it is all he has ever wanted to do

. Cris’ major influences in music include artists such as Bob Marley and John Mayer, along with more modern, hip-hop artists Jay-Z and Drake. His favorite genre of music is reggae, which can be heard in much of his own original music. Cris’ music is incredibly meaningful, portraying his immense talents and positive ideals, and is the type of music that can most definitely be enjoyed by everyone. Cris writes and produces his own original music, along with recording a few cover albums in order to draw in listeners and expose them to his music. His musical talents, however, are not limited to singing, playing guitar, and producing. Cris, as he put it, plays a “smorgasbord of instruments” as well. Cris’ ultimate goal as an artist is mainly to expose people to good music, and to show them what has given him his love of music and formed his passion for it. In reaching this goal, he hopes that being a musician and performing his music will be a part of his life forever. Cris begins his East Coast tour on June 7th, 2011; the same day on which his debut album, “Foreword” will be released.

Some of Cris’ songs on this album include “Good Girls” and “No Hatred”. Fans can get his music on iTunes, and can listen to it on blogs, and Facebook. Everyone can check out Cris and his music on his website CrisCab.com, his Facebook page, Cris Cab Music, or on Twitter at Cris Cab Music as well.