C Magazine Vol. 1 Edition 2

C

T he Campanile A&E Magazine

Stellar street art page 13

Suburban outfitters page 8

Classy to Trashy page 17

CONTENTS EDITORS’ LETTER STYLE

DIY: PHONE ACCESSORIES

How to decorate your phone case in a cool, hip way.

SUBURBAN OUTFITTERS

While Urban Outfitters Co. makes clothes that we all love, the story and funding behind the clothes is not as attractive.

FOOD

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THANKSGIVING DESSERTS

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A VERY VEG THANKSGIVING

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Get creative and help out in the kitchen this holiday season with some awesome dessert recipes from our staff!

Be the environmentally-friendly chef at your holiday meal with help from C Magazine and our Thanksgiving vegan and vegetarian recipe starter kit.

COVER STORY STREET ART

The line between vandalism and artistic expression is being blurred with a new emergence of street art.

CULTURE OLD TV

With the premiere of new fall TV shows that fall short of expectations, we become nostalgic for a simple time.

FROM CLASSY TO TRASHY Despite best efforts, the music industry is becoming worse and worse in terms of objectifying women.

The way all food should be made.

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BIG ANTS

Southern comfort food meets affordable hangout at this East Palo Alto establishment that focuses on fried.

9 Died and fried.

13 Photo by Nolan Perla Ward

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ON THE COVER Photo by Riya Varma On the corner of Masonic and Haight, artist Apex (Richard Richey) painted this untitled mural in October of this year.

18 Use a QR reader on your phone to see Apex in action.

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EDITORS’ LETTER Dear readers,

Welcome to C Magazine! We would like to thank all you who read our previous edition, we appreciate your support. Also, look for a digital copy of this issue on The Campanile’s website, www.palycampanile.org.

Again, we appreciate all feedback and critique. Please direct all comments to: cmtheeds@ googlegroups.com. Starting next issue we will be publishing letters to the editor, so please feel free to send in your thoughts.

This edition is primarily center on fall topics, including Thanksgiving baking and A Merry Meatless Thanksgiving. In the style section

we discuss the importance of knowing where clothing stores put their profits towards. Finally our cover story explores San Francisco art– street style. Colorful murals and glossy mosaics create an array of street art scattered throughout San Francisco.

Finally in our Culture section, we discuss the nostalgia for old T.V. shows and discuss the downfall of current female rap.

We hope you enjoy our hard work and thank you for your readership.

— Perri Pond and Rachel Wilson Editors-in-Chief

STAFF LIST EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Perri Pond Rachel Wilson

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Caroline Martignetti Rose Fitzgerald

STAFF WRITERS Nikki Freyermuth Bella Graves Sophia Moss Pauline Na Samantha Newell Nolan Perla-Ward Julia Poppy Riya Varma Eric Wang

ADVISOR

Esther Wojcicki

UPCOMING EVENTS The Crucible Last chance to see Paly’s Fall Play, The Crucible, at the Haymarket Theater: November 9 at 7:30 PM. Turkey Trot Come out to the quad on November 15 to enjoy a scrumptious turkey feast.

Thanksgiving Break Enjoy your five day weekend! No school November 21 through the 23.

Madrigal Dinner Paly Choir’s annual Medieval Feast: December 1&2 at 2:00 PM.

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DIY do it yourself Steps:

PHONE 1.

2.

beaded headphones time: approximately 2 hours materials:

-150 colored iron beads -Exacto knife or very sharp kitchen knife -Apple iPhone headphones accessories Take a bead and set it with the hole side down on a flat surface.

Using an exacto knife cut the bead all the way down one side.

Take a pencil and draw a design on a blank case with a ruler and pencil.

After making the design, count how many studs needed.

Using a pencil, trace your phone on a piece of paper.

Cut out the paper along the tracing so it will fit inside the case. Don’t forget the camera hole!

studded iphone case time: approximately 20 minutes materials: -super glue -ruler -pencil -studs (can purchase on Etsy) -plain flat-backed iPhone case

interchangeable iphone case time: approximately 15 minutes materials: -clear phone case (can be purchased on Amazon for cheap) -scissors -paper of your choice -pencil

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STYLE

ACCESSORIES 3.

4.

Take the bead in your hands and open it around the bottom part of headphones.

The bead should slip right on and close without much trouble.

Repeat these steps with whichever color pattern you desire, be careful to leave 4 inches of room without beads or else you won’t be able to fold them (this step might take a while).

Glue each stud and place it on the case.

Let dry overnight before putting the case on the phone.

Lay the paper inside the case and pop it on your phone.

Change the inside at anytime!

5.

STYLE

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STYLE

BEAuTIFUL CLOTHES, UGLY TRUTH

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very product filling the aisles of Whole Foods Market is labeled with its exact ingredients: the butcher reassures me that the beef I buy comes from happy cows (whatever that means), and my favorite cookies state “gluten free” in bold to comfort my allergy concerns.

As a society we are growing our awareness about what we put into our body, but what about the things we choose to cover it with?

Students at Paly are filling their wardrobes with brands like Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People, but have you ever asked yourself exactly what they are supporting by wearing these brands?

Despite what you may think, you are not advocating the liberal façade of flared hippie pants, “Legalize Gay” t-shirts or even controversial ads with two women kissing.

In reality, your purchase is not supporting the cause it advertises; instead, a portion of the profits made from your purchase go towards the opposite of what you intended.

The name Richard Hayne might not sound familiar, but from 1994 to 2005, he donated almost $14,000 to the political campaign of the notoriously conservative Rick Santorum.

Now why, you might ask yourself, is this important?

Well the answer is that this man is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the seemingly “liberal” brands listed above.

You don’t have to dig too deep to find Rick Santorum’s policy on gay rights and

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STYLE

By Caroline Martignetti and Rachel Wilson abortion. He makes his stance pretty clear: neither is tolerated.

So what does this mean if the CEO of these companies is funding this campaign?

Say you buy your “Legalize Gay” shirt at the local Urban Outfitters store, those funds go to the company, the company pays for expenses and then Hayne (the CEO) gets his cut of the profit.

With those profits, Hayne may choose to support Santorum, thus by buying that shirt, assuming you bought it because you believed in the message it stands for, you have directly supported the antithesis of your original belief.

Though Haynes has the right to spend his money the way he desires, it is the consumer’s responsibility to understand where your clothes are coming from and what they stand for, just like that piece of meat behind the butcher counter at Whole Foods Market.

What a company represents is only one part of the larger equation that we must consider when we buy our clothes.

While not all companies are supporting anti-gay rights and anti-abortion causes, it is important as a consumer to take into account what your money is supporting.

Another important aspect we must consider is whether a company farms out labor to sweatshops either at home or abroad.

Many name brand companies rely on sweatshop labor to craft their products due to its inexpensive cost and its plentiful results.

And though labor issues are prevalent throughout the world, the United States has an enormous influence on the trade because of the size of our economy and each individual’s buying power. But with this power comes responsibility.

If we choose to spend our money on fair trade items that come from a reputable company with firm labor policies in place, we can combat slavery instead of unwittingly supporting it.

And it’s not necessarily hard to find out which companies use sweatshop labor. The Not for Sale Campaign is a nonprofit organization that is devoted to reabolishing slavery. Their Free2Work app and website offer a fairly extensive list of companies that have been rated according to their labor practices. This is an important source to consult before giving your money to these brands. Companies listed on their website are graded on an A-F letter scale. Some of the A grade clothing companies include GAP, Athleta, Levi’s,Timerland, Adidas and Banana Republic. This site makes it easy and understandable to find the source of your clothing.

When it comes down to it, supporting these clothing lines becomes a moral dilemma; do you support where the profits are going? It is important to make an educated choice in the products you purchase. Instead of buying from these brands because they have the latest trends or the cutest items, take into consideration where your money is going after it leaves your wallet and whether or not you can be happy with the end result.

BIG ANT’S

FOOD

Text and photos by Nolan Perla-Ward

(From left to right): The chicken and catfish is a delicious dish that perfectly captures what good old fashioned soul food should taste like. However, Big Ant’s most popular dish is its crispy yet tender fried chicken served with warm waffles drizzled in syrup; it is recommended to bring extra napkins and prepare for greasy hands.

Nested close to the East Palo Alto side of the University bridge, Big Ant’s can be hard to find. Unassuming from the outside, you’ll easily glance at it once and never think about it again. But if you’re looking for an authentic Southern food joint to chow down, Big Ant’s is the place.

Located on University Avenue, it isn’t very hard to get to. It’s only about a block or two into East Palo Alto, after crossing the bridge. The outside doesn’t look like much, a simple sign reading “Fish & Chicken, Big Ant’s” merely alerts any potential restaurant goers.

If you look in from the front, you’ll find that the it’s probably empty, but go around to the back entrance and you’ll usually find people in line waiting to order.

Upon entering you’re guaranteed to hear some soft R&B tunes. Occasionally, you may even catch a worker or two singing along. Big Ant’s doesn’t try to create a unique or compelling atmosphere, but the staff will make it their job to make sure you feel welcome and comfortable. They give nothing but hospitality, and try and make sure that you enjoy your experience.

The food is moderately priced, with the exception of some deals on select days. Some of the more popular dishes are Chicken and Waffles ($7), Chicken and Catfish ($12) and a Cheeseburger($5) sum up their prices pretty well. The dishes that contain seafood tend to be more expensive.

As for the food itself, it’s delicious. The Chicken and Waffles ($7), except on Tuesdays where it’s ($5). The combo comes with a waffle, and 6 pieces of either chicken strips or wings. Strips provide more food, but less flavor. You’ll get a plethora of maple

syrup, ranch and hot sauce as well. The chicken is crunchy and savory, perfect when coupled with the deliciousness that is the waffle. Pair the two together, and you’ll have a combo that will make any food lover rejoice.

If you’re concerned with the appearance of your food however, you may be disappointed. Big Ant’s skips the formalities in making food prepare attractive, so don’t be expecting your food to look spectacular. However, the deliciousness of Big Ant’s will override any suspicions you may have had.

Their combos, the Chicken and Catfish ($12) is delicious as well. When you couple this combo with a side of french fries ($1), the combination becomes a powerhouse of fried deliciousness. The chicken is just as great as it is in the Chicken and Waffles: crunchy and savory.

The catfish is prepared well, not too fishy, but not lacking flavor either, the crunchiness texture combined with the chicken makes this combo fun to eat.

Lastly, the Big Ant’s cheeseburger ($5) is a good choice if you’re not in the mood for southern food. I’ve found that pairing it with a side of Mac and Cheese ($2) makes the meal more interesting, as the cheeseburger alone is pretty bland.

However, if you’re making the trip to Big Ant’s, I recommend sticking to the authentic Southern food, it’s their specialty.

Big Ant’s doesn’t try to be anything special, however that is exactly what makes it a simply delicious Southern food joint. It isn’t concerned about it’s appearance, but it is concerned with serving plentiful amounts of delicious food, so head on over to get your southern grub on and prepare to get messy.

FOOD

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Thanksgiving Baking

Pumpkin Doughtnut Muffins

Text and photos by Sophia Moss

Ingredients: (Yield: 12 muffins) For the batter - 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) un salted butter - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon coarse salt - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice - 1/3 cup buttermilk - 1 1/4 cups pure pumpkin puree - 3/4 cup light brown sugar - 2 large eggs Sugar coating - 3/4 cup granulated sugar - 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - 1/4 cup (melted) unsalted butter

Directions: 1. mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and allspice.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and pumpkin puree.

3. Beat in eggs, one at a time, add flour mixture, alternating with pumpkin mixture.

4. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each muffin cup.

5. In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon.

6. Remove muffins from pan, brush all over with butter, then toss to coat in sugar mixture.

Ingredients: (Yield: 24 pies) - 2 refrigerated ready-to roll pie crusts - 8 oz. cream cheese, room temp - 1/2 cup sugar - 1 cup canned pumpkin - 3 eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla - 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice - Pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Use cookie cutter to cut 12 pumpkin shapes from each pie crust 2. Press dough shapes into a 24 cup mini muffin tray, apply egg whites from one egg to the top edges of each pie 3. Mix cream cheese, sugar, canned pumpkin, remaining 2 eggs, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice together until thoroughly combined 4. Spoon mixture into each pumpkin-shaped pie crust.

Bake for 12-15 minutes

Ingredients: (Yield: 2 Loaves) - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 4 eggs - 2 cups sugar - 2 cups canned pumpkin - 1-1/2 cups canola oil - 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) semisweet chocoate chips

Directions: 1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda 2. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Fold in chocolate chips 3. Now slowly mix flour mixture in to pumpkin mixture 4. Pour into two greased 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350째 for 6070 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Mini Pumpkin Pie Bites

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

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FOOD

A merry, meatless Thanksgiving

By Julia Poppy

The traditional Thanksgiving table is normally piled high with fresh dinner rolls, creamy mashed potatoes and succulent turkey. However, with veganism and vegetarianism on the rise, here are a couple of Thanksgiving comfort foods with a twist to replace the nauseatingly buttery dishes.

Just because a dish is meatless does not mean it cannot be mouth-watering. It turns out that healthy, meatless substitute dishes are not just reserved for the 3 percent of Americans who are vegetarian, some of the finest restaurants in the nation are following the popular trend of vegetarianism. “It makes for good eating to reconsider and create dishes that let vegetables play a major role,� said Michael Anthony, executive chef of Gramercy Tavern in New York City.

Some excellent vegetarian side dishes include: pear and toasted walnut salad with cranberry vinaigrette, contemporary candied yams, and a festive kale salad (vegkitchen.com).

Just because you are vegan does not mean that you have to miss out on the classic Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. Look below for an easy, tasty pumpkin pie recipe that is completely dairy free. Care to top it with some vegan coconut cream? Look right below the pumpkin pie recipe and a delicious coconut whipped cream recipe 100 percent vegan awaits.

One does not have to be a vegetarian to enjoy these meatless dishes. In fact, anyone with a penchant for healthy and tasty food is sure to enjoy these scrumptious, heart warming, delights during autumn.

Festive Kale Salad

Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie

(serves 6-8)

Ingredients: 2 pounds kale, stemmed and cut into bite-sized pieces 1 pinch red pepper flakes 1/3 cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup walnuts Sea salt and pepper to taste

(serves 6-8)

Steps: Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. To make the dressing, mix equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar and stir in a touch of mustard.

Ingredients: 15-16 oz. can pumpkin 3/4 pound tofu 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 tsp. ginger 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1/3 cup oil 1 tsp. vanilla 1 cup light brown sugar 1 1/2 Tablespoon molasses

2 Tablespoons flour 1 unbaked pastry crust Steps: 1. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into crust.

2. Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes. Cover crust edges with tinfoil or crust shield. Bake for 20 more minutes. Chill and serve.

Cranberry Sauce (serves one table)

1/4 cup water 1/4 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 teaspoon guar gum (or substitute 2 teaspoons olive oil) 3 tablespoons walnut halves or pieces, toasted 2 large ripe pears, each cut into 8 to 12 slices 4 to 6 cups greens, including bitter ones like arugula or cress

Freshly ground pepper to taste Combine the water, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, mustard and 2 tablespoons of the cranberries in a food processor. Process. Add the guar gum and process. Set aside.

Put washed and dried greens in a large bowl. Pour half the dressing over the greens and toss. Arrange pears over greens and sprinkle walnuts and cranberries over pears.

Add remaining dressing if you like. Top with freshly ground pepper. Serve right away.

FOOD

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Street Art

COVER

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an Francisco is one of the most culturally rich cities in California. It is the birthplace of many major movements, and home to many innovative minds. This mixture of technology and art creates a buzz of excitement unique to San Francisco. Yet it’s the colors, textures and patterns that give the city its personality.

People look to San Francisco as an inspiration for art. It is seen as one of the most artistic cities in America. This emphasis on art is one of the reasons why artists come from around the world to paint on the walls of San Francisco. Street art can be seen merely by walking down the street, as it wraps the city in color and gives it a unique character.

their passion with the world around them. When finished, their stories are laid upon the city itself.

Although lots of street art featured in the city is full of exceptional talent and creativity, some of it lacks respect for certain groups of people.

Actual street artists spend hours upon hours conceiving a message for the purpose of sharing it with citizens, while others plan to spread crude or discriminatory opinions without any artistic motivation.

These vandals give the true street artists a bad name. Vandalism is an action involving deliberate destruction to property, whereas art delivers a meaningful message to the community.

history of Street Art In San Francisco

16th Avenue Stairs

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Many people look at street art negatively, thinking of it as a form of vandalism and crime rather than a legitimate and valuable art form. They do not acknowledge the people who color our cities with their imaginations, making them unique and lively. The murals express what the artists think about the world around them and highlight their different techniques.

San Francisco houses an extraordinary collection of street art on the walls of its buildings and homes. Some citizens find the it a prodigious art form that tells a story to passersby, but there are others who have strong feelings against it.

Rebecca, a 21-year-old San Franciscan, feels that the street art is more beneficial than harmful.

“The street art’s individuality is one of the many characteristic aspects of San Francisco,” Rebecca said.

Our society sees graffiti as destructive. A majority of people were brought up to believe that graffiti and other unrecognized forms of art on the street are vandalism. On the contrary, much of the graffiti filling the streets is a result of unbelievable talent.

Mysterious unknown artists come out at night and throughout the day to share

TEXT And Photos

By SamanTha Newell Nikki Freyermuth and Riya Varma

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COVER

Hidden away in a conventional, suburban neighborhood of Golden Gate Heights, San Francisco is arguably one of the most complex, well thought out pieces of art in the city. The 16th Avenue tiled stairs transform a gray, boring staircase into a fixture of art.

According to the 16th avenue stairs website, the artist Aileen Barr created the tiled masterpiece in 2005 after she was “inspired by the decorated steps that lead up a long hill to the neighborhood of Santa Teresa, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.”

From the top of the stairs, one can only see the gray, monotonous tops of each step.

Looking from the bottom of the staircase, however, one will find thousands of colorful glass pieces creating a hidden picture of a river leading into the moon and the sun.

These tiled steps tell a story that most paintings are not able to. Beginning at the bottom of the stairs, one can follow a river leading upwards in between two mountains into a body of water.

Lining the river are mosaic animals, bugs and fish swimming throughout the waters with dedications to families and friends engraved upon each piece.

Above this body of water “shines” the moon and the sun, as if showing the evolution of something as simple as day and night.

These colorful glass pieces create an image that many usually do not dwell upon, shedding day and night in a completely different light.

The Haight ASHBURY District he Haight Ashbury district became a haven for hippies during the 1960s due to low housing prices, drawing in youth from around the nation.

In the summer of 1967, a new culture emerged from the constant flow of students, creating the bohemian feel that still fills the Haight today.

Psychedelic rock music filled the streets and the drug culture emerged in the public spotlight. Haight Street has a very specific style to its street art. Dur-

T

Rone

ing the 1960s to 1970s,the Haight was known for its hippie inhabitants and rock-and-roll music roots.

The Haight was immersed in hippie culture, including the Summer of Love and openness about drug use. This way of life is depicted in the paintings and murals splashed against its walls.

A majority of the murals relate to the 1960s Summer of Love, often featuring paintings of Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles: all very different, yet all amazingly beautiful.

Rone shares his view and lifestyle as a well-known street artist in San Francisco.

CMag: What inspires your art?

Rone: I’m inspired by the colors & textures I see on the street- I try to bring these into my canvas works.

C: What is the best part about making art in San Francisco?

R: The people you meet.

C: What is your proudest work of art?

R: Usually the last one I painted. I always aim to do something better than the last.

C: What do you do regarding art when you aren’t painting in San Francisco?

R: I paint full time now so if I’m not painting a wall or a canvas, I am sorting out a photoshoot or organizing what to paint next.

C: From your past art pieces, we notice that you have done a lot of street art featuring a distinctive woman. Is this woman inspired by someone you know?

R: The women are based on photographs I have taken of models. But the stories are more about the contrast of the beauty and the decay of the street.

C: Have you ever gotten in trouble with the law while creating your street murals in San Francisco?

R: Not really. But some cops stood me against the wall until they were convinced I had permission to paint the wall- guilty before proven innocent?

C: What is your proudest moment in your career of being an artist?

R: When I could live off nothing else but painting what I love to paint.

CULTURE

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The Mission District

he Mission was originally inhabited by Irish and German workers, but from the 1940s to the 1960s, a large number of Mexican immigrants settled down into the area. From the 1980s and throughout the 1990s, more immigrants fleeing civil wars from Central and South America moved to the Mission, bringing with them Central American companies, their ways of life, art styles and the Latino characteristics it is known for today.

The Mission is an amazing place to seek out exquisite murals and graffiti. Alleys and side streets contain stunning street paintings. The murals and paintings wrapped around the walls of the streets are unique to this city district because of the specific style and Latino background behind them.

Despite the Mission District’s poverty, the beautiful murals spread down alleyways and on the front of buildings brings the idea of happiness and hope to the culturally-rich community.

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Prime time:

Blast from the Past

CULTURE

By Eric Wang

Everyone compares old movies and music to their contemporaries. Television shows are no exception; there are quite a few people who complain about the current state of TV while others say new shows are much more innovative. Here are some classic television shows that serve as both nostalgic reminders of television in the old days and enjoyable sources of entertainment.

Animaniacs Animaniacs

Produced by movie legend Stephen Spielberg, Animaniacs is an ensemble medley of various segments starring different animated characters. The most prominent characters are the three dog-like Warner siblings: Yakko, Wakko and Dot. Joining them are a huge array of different players, the most famous of whom include genius lab rat Brain, his insane companion Pinky and former slapstick comedian Slappy the Squirrel. What makes this series so entertaining is its endless pop culture references, as well as its wide scope of comic techniques; the show features a wide range of humor, from parody and witty banter to adult innuendos. Animaniacs may be a cartoon, but it certainly is entertaining for all.

Ren and Stimpy

There are plenty of children’s cartoon shows today that push the envelope in terms of weirdness and surreal-ism, but none come close to Ren and Stimpy. The premise seems normal enough, starring a stupid cat, Stimpy, and a psychotic chihuahua, Ren. However, the combination of graphic violence and sexual undertones quickly drop the pretense of normalcy. Though the episodes can be downright terrifying, Ren and Stimpy is still an entertaining piece of work that helped set the scene for modern cartoon satires like South Park and Beavis and Butthead. If anyone claims that older shows are tamer than today’s, be sure to direct them to Ren and Stimpy.

Seinfeld Seinfeld

Arguably the funniest show ever made, Seinfeld shines because it’s about nothing. In this case, “nothing” refers to the daily lives of four neurotics living in New York City: seemingly normal comedian Jerry Seinfeld, wacky oddball Kramer, angrily edgy Elaine Benes and sniveling liar George Costanza. Written by Seinfeld and Larry David, the show is most known for its witty dialogue, absurd scenarios and a myriad of memorable characters. Each episode is great for those looking for small bits of comedy. Seinfeld is a relic that was a huge part of 90s culture; those wishing to learn about life in the 90s definitely need to check it out.

Twin Peaks

David Lynch, esteemed director of surrealist films Mulholland Dr. and Blue Velvet, directed and co-wrote this soap opera parody from the 90s. The show follows idiosyncratic FBI agent Dale Cooper as he investigates the mysterious death of a teenage girl in the quirky yet picturesque town of Twin Peaks. Juxtaposing sappy melodrama with disturbing nightmare montages, Twin Peaks is a fantastic spoof of soap opera clichés, combined with deep symbolism and themes. Despite such avant garde presentation, the show has received consistent critical and popular acclaim ever since its release in 1990.

CULTURE

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From Classy “‘Who you callin’ a b***h?’” The opening line of Queen Latifah’s song “U.N.I.T.Y.” from her 1993 album, Black Reign was a direct response to the way male rappers at the time used derogatory terms to refer to women.

The 90s were the first time women rappers had ever emerged in the music industry without being brushed off as a joke; they demanded respect, equality and showed no shame in expressing their opinions loud and proud through their music.

Artists and groups such as Destiny’s Child (Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams), Salt n’ Pepa (Cheryl James, Sandra Denton and Deidra Roper), TLC (Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas), Lil Kim’ and MC Lyte created a strong foundation for female musicians.

Unfortunately, the next generation in-

Quality of music was once measured by meaningful lyrics, overall message, skill, technique, the amount of sweat, blood and tears that were poured into it by the artist.

Unfortunately, this simply no longer seems to be the case. Producers today measure success by quantity, not quality.

How many views does does a song have on YouTube? Is it at the top of the charts on iTunes?

These are the things that matter to them, not that an important message be portrayed to the listener. Somewhere along the road a colossal tragedy struck the hip-hop genre, since then it has ceased to provide anything but degrading beats.

Label recruiters stopped looking for real talent, and started looking for who would turn out the most hits.

To achieve the maximum number of hits, auto-tune software is used on most

The artists who wear the most revealing outfits, have the hottest music videos and catchiest choruses are the ones who end up being successful.

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cluding Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Ke$ha and the Pussycat Dolls (Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Kimberly Wyatt and Carmit Bachar) have torn down this strong foundation with lyrics like “‘Tonight I’mma let

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you be the captain, Tonight I’mma let you do your thing, yeah, Tonight I’mma let you be a rider’” from Rihanna’s hit “Rude Boy.” Lyrics such as these degrade women down to nothing more than an object, thereby destroying the respect-demanding foundations women artists’ of the 90’s built for their successors.

Today, the music industry attempts to reach out to its audiences’ by giving listeners what they want. And as disappointing as it may be, what most listeners want to listen to is sex-laden lyrics with hardly or no depth.

“With the economy in a funk and record sales down for three years running, even established artists are sexing it up— no doubt encouraged by edgy industry executives,” CNN.com said.

It’s unfortunate, but confirmed by CNN.com, that nowadays, sex sells. The artists who wear the most revealing out-

CULTURE

fits, have the hottest music videos and catchiest choruses are the ones who end up being successful.

As a result, almost every song heard on the radio today has some explicit reference to sex incorporated into it.

artist’s voices to make every note sound perfect and polished. If you have a pretty face and producers like your “image” you are more likely to make it in the music industry compared to someone with an angelic voice but an unappealing appear

to Trashy 90S ARTISTS

MODERN ARTISTS

•built strong foundations for future female artists

•destroy respect built up by previous generations

•lyrics empowered women and challenged stereotypes

•lyrics are degrading and offensive towards women

•used skill and technique to create meaningful music

•work to make money and gain popularity

ance.

“When social and economic times are more threatening and pessimistic, we actually prefer others with more mature facial, body and personality characteristics,” Terry Pettijohn, a Ph.D. social psychologist at Mercyhurst College, said.

This is why an artist’s popularity today is solely based on their looks, who they are in a relationship with and how many times they tweet.

“Many of the lyrics have no real depth to them anymore either. Lots of mainstream artists don’t even write their own lyrics. The music is repetitive, and the lyrics sometimes involve swearing and the

same typical situations, like ‘going to a club tonight’, ‘let’s get this party started,’” magazine, website, and book series Teen Ink contributor Gianna A. said.

As unfortunate as it is, music has drastically gone downhill since its peak in the eighties and nineties.

It is not fair to say that there is no good music out there today, however hardly any of it is recognized on the radio.

Any artist or group who actually attempts to get a message across through their lyrics is either not signed with a label or not popular enough to get their important stance heard.

Most people buying music today don’t

want to listen to songs about broken hearts, pain and happiness. People want to listen to what everybody else is listening to: sex.

Steadily declining towards a point of no return, music needs to make a severe u-turn back to music that possesses actual meaning, or soon enough people will be singing about whips and costumes. Oh wait, Rihanna already did that in her 2011 song “S&M”.

Text by Pauline Na CULTURE

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