Generation Z Magazine

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GENERATION Z Jan - April 2017

HALSEY’S “NOT AFRAID ANYMORE” FOR 50 SHADES OF GREY

Performed by rising star and uber sexy singer/songwriter Halsey, read the review inside.

TOP TIPS: HOW TO SAVE MONEY AT UNIVERSITY 8 EXERCISES THAT YOU CAN DO IN YOUR UNIVERSITY ROOM HOW SAFE DO YOU FEEL IN YOUR CITY?

EVEN THE VAMPIRES BITE THE DUST - THE VAMPIRE DIARIES’ EPIC SEASON FINALE An Emotional End to an Epic Saga of 8 Years, Read the full article inside to see how the tale of the salvatore brother ends.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

contents STUDENT SURVIVAL | P3 How to Save £££ at University 10 Flatmates you will most likely live with at University How To Make Long Distance Relationships Work At University Student Friendly Retailers – The Go-to Student Shops 8 Exercises That You Can Do in Your University Room How Safe Do You Feel in your City?

MUSIC | P13 Charlotte Hunter

Beth Huthart

Halsey’s “Not Afraid Anymore” for 50 Shades of Grey The Unforgettable “Bom Bidi Bom” by Nick and Nicki Ed Sheeran – Divide, A Triumphant Comeback ”King Kong” by Icarus The Weeknd UK Tour Harry Styles – Sign of The Times Dodie’s Intertwined Tour is More Than a 6/10 Throwback Songs 2017 Album Releases: Jan-June

TV AND FILM | P25

Talha Javaid

Hanifa Kamal

WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION OF GENERATION Z MAGAZINE. Generation Z is a magazine that aims to provide students (ages 16-25) with articles that matter to them. We didn’t have a student magazine during our transition to further education and so, our goal is to offer high quality, engaging content that is important and relatable to the reader. We have selected some of the best articles that have been published on our website (www.generationzmag.com) to feature in this round-up magazine. We would like to thank those who have visited the site and our contributors. See you next issue!

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Even The Vampires Bite the Dust-Vampire Diaries Epic Finale Iron Fist – Marvel and Netflix's First Failed Collaboration 13 Reasons Why You Should Watch "13 Reasons Why" Top 10 TV Shows to Watch on Netflix While You Study Checking Your Privilege in "Get Out" Logan – A Heartfelt Goodbye to 17 Years of Wolverine Beauty the Beast – An Emotional Rollercoaster Teaser | Deadpool 2 Top 5 Films to Watch in April/May

FASHION | P41

Paris Fashion Week 2017|The Good, The Bad, And Damn Ugly Feminist Slogan Tees Rule Fashion World Make Up Trends Gone Mad Coachella 2017 festival fashion

INTERNET/TRENDS | P47

How The Internet Has Allowed Lonely People to Connect Types of Memes When Does a Meme/Trend Stop Becoming Cool? The Evolution of YouTube Vloggers

EVENTS | P51

Upcoming Events

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How to Save £££ at University

of what is included in that rent, some landlords will include all of your bills in your rent and this is normally the case with University accommodation and private student specific accommodation but others won’t do this.

Before you start University, you will want to make sure you have a student bank account. Most student bank accounts will give you a 0% overdraft, this essentially means you get a set limit overdraft and they won’t charge you for using it. This is perfect if your student loan just about covers your rent payments or you get a bit click happy when shopping online. Beth Huthart

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t’s no secret that University is expensive; it’s one of the main things that worries people when they’re considering applying but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself whilst you’re there. There are ways to aid the financial burden and ensure that your time at University isn’t spent worrying about how you’re going to afford to live. The first and most important thing to do is apply for student finance! These loans help pay you tuition fees and pay any other fees you pay encounter including rent if you choose to move out of your parents home, groceries and the emergency

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garlic bread’s you order to get you through those long nights in the library when your deadlines are looming. When applying for student finance, make sure you enter the correct information and apply for EVERYTHING you are eligible for and if your parents are supporting your application make sure you send any paper

work that is needed as soon as possible. There is nothing worse than not getting your student loan in on time, if you do start University and you still don’t have your

first instalment don’t panic! Contact student finance first and find out why you haven’t been given your money then get in touch with your University, they normally have short-term loans to help out with these types of emergencies especially if you have to pay rent.

On the topic of rent, make a note of when it is due; you don’t want to pay late! If you’re living in University accommodation or private accommodation specifically for students they should have heir payment dates scheduled to be around the same time as student finance. This might not be the case if you choose to rent from a landlord. Make sure you are aware

Another advantage of student bank accounts is that you sometimes get incentives for signing up, these can include rail cards, NUS cards, Amazon prime memberships etc. but don’t just go with a bank for the incentive make sure it’s the best fit for you and your needs. Sites such as moneysaving expert and savethestudent have great guides written by people who know a lot more about

the subject. A great advantage of University, besides the degree and the experiences, is student discounts! Most places/services will offer some form of student discount however a way of unlocking even more of these discounts is by purchasing a NUS card. These cards are £12 for 1 year and gives you access to hundreds of discounts both online and in store so in the end it pays for itself, a full list of discounts can be found on the NUS website. You can either have your card delivered directly to your student union at University or to another address of your choice.

do occasionally email you with discount vouchers for things you purchase regularly which come in handy and also sometimes offer discounted deliveries.

Finally, don’t let money worries stop you enjoying your University experience if you’re really struggling with money then it may be time to consider getting a part time job BUT it is also important to remember why you’re at University in the first place so make sure you’re able to do all of your assignment work and do your job withThe most important thing is to out one interfering with the budget. This doesn’t mean writing other. down how much you spend every time you spend money but just If you’re struggling to make make sure you know how much ends meet and it’s making you’re working with. When you you consider dropping speak get your student finance work out to your University! Most (if how much of that is going to rent not all) will offer some form and how much you’re left with. of loan to ensure you can stay and finish your course, Look out for offers in supermar- these will differ between kets when you do your shopping Universities so make sure and sign up for point schemes you talk through all of the such as Tesco Clubcards and options available to you. Nectar cards, they won’t be immediate money savers but they

“If you chose to move away from home and plan on travelling by train to go back and visit it is worth purchasing a 16-25 rail-card. This gives you a 1/3 off rail fares and access to some other discounts for hotels and trips.” 5


10 FlatmatesYou Will Most Likely Live With at University

Beth Huthart

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hen you move into your first student flat, you will meet some people who might become your best friends but there are also some that you will probably ever speak to again after first year.

Generation Z brings you 10 types of flat mates you will most likely live with at University.

1) The One Who Has Never Had To Do Anything For Themselves Before

been allowed to do anything without their parents breathing down their neck. They won’t know their limits when it comes to alcohol so will probably be sick in a taxi at some point, but it’s fun to watch them come out of their shells.

3) The Thief

They will steal everything from food, plates, cutlery, toiletries and clothes. It’s been nearly 4 years since I encountered my first thief… the bagel thief. Every time anyone in our flat bought bagels, they would be stolen. To this day I’m still annoyed about it – bagels are expensive!!!!

“Which Flatmate are you? Let us know on our social media! @generationzmag

The flatmate who you meet on the first day because their parents are there forcing them to say hello and introduce themselves. After that you never see them, maybe once or twice when they venture to the kitchen but other than that, do they exist?

5) The One Who Gets Good Grades Despite Being Out 7 Nights a Week

There will always be ONE, the guy/girl who goes out every night of the week but still gets good grades. No one is sure how they’ve do it but they manage to pass everything and never miss a deadline even though no one ever sees them doing wok. Please share your secrets!

6) The Parent(s)

These flat mates will be the ones looking after the messy drunks, offering to help clean

up and just overall looking after you all. You’ll be thankful for them when it’s 2am and you want chicken nuggets and they offer to cook them for you.

7) The Slobs

Possibly the worst type of flat mate! They won’t clean up after themselves in the kitchen and there will be a strange odour coming from their room that no one wants to ask about.

8) The Passive Aggressive Note Writer

This one you love, when the not isn’t aimed at you. Sometimes the notes come with funny little doodles other times you wonder whether they are actually just a death threat disguised as a witty joke.

9) The Nice Ones

This is just the nice way of saying the ‘normal’ ones. The ones you actually like and probably go on to live with for your entire time at university.

You’re p robably a good mix of all of the above but by the time you’ve figured this out you’re best friends and it’s too late…you’re stuck with them but you don’t mind.

10) The Clingy Ones

These flat mates are the ones that you don’t particularly want to be close with but they cling to you even though you have a whole other group of friends. You might feel guilty at first and feel like you’re upsetting them but you’re there for you not to keep others happy.

These types of people that you live with will seems to be a nightmare at the time. However, when you look back on these memories, you will realise that these traits in people have made you better equipped to deal with people!

(Especially if you’re the bagel thief…we need to know…for #science)”

This flat mate is the type you will find in the kitchen crying at least once during freshers week because they don’t know how to cook… well, anything. They might 6 | Generation Z

have one staple meal they know how to cook but after eating it every day since their parents left, they’ll be sick of it. Some of these type of flat mates are willing to learn and will probably stand and watch you cook asking ‘what now?’ But some will somehow survive their first year on toast alone.

4) The One Who You’re Not Sure Actually Exists

2) The ‘Used To Be Innocent’ One

This flat mate is the type that has been sheltered and going to university is the first time they’ve

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How to Make Long Distance Relationships Work at University Charlotte Hunter ver my time at university, I’ve spoken to a handful of people who have had to experience a long distance romantic relationship. Whilst some have failed, 3 years later, some are closer than ever. For me, it just means that those that didn’t make it, obviously were not in love enough with one another to make it work. If you are in love you will always find a way to keep that flame burning. This is not to dismiss the fact that long distance relationships are easy. Here are some tips to hopefully keep your relationship solid.

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Don’t talk to each other every Drunk texts are never a good idea eidoesn’t have to be a Rolex watch second of the day. Although ther as they leave the partner at home or the latest top notch fragrance, communication is the factor that in floods of worry about whether or not little gestures such as flowers or drives a long distance relationyou’ll get home ok. cards can go long way to remind ship, too much communication someone how much they mean can be a bad thing. This could Don’t lose sight of who you are just to you. Plan weekend breaks trigger panic to what your partbecause you met a new group of friends away which gives you a chance ner is doing and getting up to. It’s at university. University is a place where to look forward to something tobest just to message each other people take the advantage of their indegether after so much time apart. at least 2 times a day depending on Like romantic relathe conversation “Remind your partner how much you mean to tionships, keeping or scenario. Don’t close with family them by sending them little gifts.” message at all or members is imporonly once when on tant. Keep them a night out on the updated with your town university projects. pendence away from their normal lifeLet them know about your latest So many arguments start when styles. Some students completely change project! Lets be honest, everyone half of the couple has gone at university losing who they once were, one at university has their own on a night out with friends and just to fit in with a particular set of people projects to worry about so ofthis is simply due to the fact that to be deemed ‘cool’. This has caused me fload on your parents instead of the partner doesn’t not trust you, to witness many a break up as the other your friends as they have an outbut the people that could be out half claims ‘You’ve changed’. Mix it up sider’s outlook on what happens in the town. Whilst they trust Instead of messaging make sure you see at university. Ask for advice! you, they have no idea what the each other on Facetime or Skype at least intentions of a complete stranger twice a week just to refresh yourself on Read the full article on are and can’t bare the fact of you how good-looking your other half is. It’s Generationzmag.com getting chatted up whilst you always good to spice things up by sending might not even be aware you are. the odd racey text too (#sendnudes). It

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Student Friendly Retailers – The Go-To Student Shops

Charlotte Hunter

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ant to look on trend this summer? Be ahead of the game, step outside your comfort zone and impress your pals by changing your regular shopping regime and trying out Generation Z’s top student shops. You may have heard of most of these retailers but some are even fresh to Generation Z’s ears too.

Women’s Shops

The founder originally began selling vintage clothes from her eBay account, and later switched to sell its own label of clothes, on her own website. Although some of its pieces are pricey, they make sure that us students don’t miss out by regularly offering generous student discounts on UNIDAYS!!

Not so alien in comparison to NastyGal, Missguided is faultless. With categories to suit all body types such as Tall, Petite and Plus misguided knows we come in all shapes and sizes. Constantly updating their website with the latest looks you can be sure to be always looking fabulous when crawling to your lectures. Let’s not forget their occasional 50% off days when they discount every single item on their website too! If you’re not a fan

of online shopping, Missguided has recently opened its second UK store, In November last year, the Manchester-based retailer opened its first store at Westfield shopping centre in London, and now Kent will be the second location to get a branch of the online fashion retailer. The 16,000 sq ft store will be located on Bluewater’s lower Rose Gallery and is expected to open this summer.

We couldn’t forget the nations favourite bargain bonanza could we? Although some people may judge, Primark stocks some rather tidy garms. I’ve purchased a few items from here during my time at university and some have them have even been complimented and my friends are confused when I confess to where they are from! Get yourself down to Primark if you are a little low in the money department as you will be surprised as to what you can find! Plus if you do get asked where your new top is from you can always lie and say “Zara bbz”.

Admittedly, girls do have a lot more retailers to choose from. But Generation Z have chosen its favourite men’s shops for students.

Men’s Shops

Everyone knows what ASOS is, and if you don’t then you’ve definitely been living under a rock! Considering girls have a lot more online shops to browse than boys ASOS does seem overstep the mark and makes sure it has anything and everything you boys could ever wish for. The online retailer also has amazing student discount. What’s more, is that the retailer has ‘Asosmarketplace’ which is similar to DEPOP and EBAY where You can shop exclusively for all the best unique used and unused clothing at very reasonable prices!

Read the full article at Generationzmag.com

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8 Exercises That you Can Do in Your University Room

Talha Javaid

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iving away is hard as it, especially for first year university students, who now have to take off the training wheels and really work on becoming independent. It can definitely be a huge daunting task to juggle multiple assignments, socialising, eating well and staying sane. Sometimes going to the GYM isn’t an option but fret not as Generation Z brings you a list of workouts that you can do in the comfort of your own Uni Room.

water, gotta keep hydrated, that’s sure you keep the body as the end of one cycle. Now Repeat the straight as possible and also process 5 to 6 times in total. keep your hands directly under your shoulders. This exercise targets: chest, shoulExercise 1: Butt Kicks ders, triceps, core, hip flexors, Run in place whilst kicking your hamstrings and quads. heels to your butt with each stride. This exercise targets your hamstrings, quads, glutes, calves and shins, and raises your heart rate, getting you pumped.

Exercise 5: Push ups

As basic as they are, they are effective. But if you want Exercise 2: High Knees to make things harder, try Run in place, bringing your knees T-Push-ups. You start by above hip level whilst making sure performing a traditional push up but as you come up, shift your hands are in front of you at hip level, palms down, and tap your your weight to your right Just because you can’t go to side, lift your left arm off the the actual gym doesn’t mean knee on each step. Or, pump your arms like a sprinter, with elbows floor, and rotate your torso you still can’t stay in shape. at 90 degrees. This exercise targets so you’re in a high side plank Here is a list of workouts that with your feel slightly apart. your Quads, glutes, calves and shins, will only take you 30 minInhale. As you exhale, careutes. Just think high intensity, hip flexors and once again keeps your heart rate up. fully rotate your torso back and your overall goal to have to the floor. Lower down for a great summer body. Exercise 3: Squat Jumps another push- then repeat Working out 5 days a week Stand up with feet hip-width apart, the process but on your left side, do the opposite. This can reduce a risk of heart toes pointing forwards as best as disease, can even relax your you can. Then slowly go down into a then completes one rep, do as mind therefore help you squat then using your heels, pushing much as you feel comfortable with. concentrate better on your all of your weight onto the balls of deadlines and your feet to jump up before landing This exercise targets: chest, hectic schedules. lightly on the balls of your feet and then go down into a full squat. Make triceps, shoulders, core, lats, So in addition to rushing off sure your knees don’t wobble. If this adductors and abductors. to that 9.am lecture, here isn’t your cup of tea, then get rid of are a few exercises that will the jump and just do normal squats Exercise 6: Leg get your heart racing and or even some lunges. This exercise Raises calories burning in the small targets Quads, glues, calves, shins. This is a simple move, you lay space you have. back comfortably, and press your lower back against the Exercise 4: Climbing After having completed each Begin in a higher plank stance. Then ground. Place your hands exercise, rest for 2 minutes, run your legs up to your chest as either side of your body or take a drink make sure it’s quickly as possible whilst making under your buttocks. Now

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you lift your legs straight up together to a 90-degree angle, then lower them back down until they hover above the floor, making sure they don’t touch the ground and repeat for as long as you are capable. This targets your: Hip flexors, abdominals and obliques, really good for your lower abs.

Exercise 7: Hovering

Staying on the floor, now lay on your front and put your arms above your head, keeping your legs in a straight line. Lift your right arm and left leg at the same time, squeeze your glutes and lower back muscles, then lower each and lift your left arm and right leg and then repeat the process. This is like a Superman position. Focuses on your lower back, lats and shoulders.

Exercise 8: The DOG This position comes

from YOGA and if

you know it, then there is no need for further reading. You start off in a downward dog position, shift your weight forward and come in a high plank position. Lower to the floor, like a push up, keeping elbows tucked close to the body. Then shift to the tops of your feet as you push through to upward facing dog, keeping your thighs and hips lifted off the ground, and arching your spine.

As you exhale, push up and back into a downward dog position completing the wiggle. This move targets your shoulders, arms, back and your core. Always remember exercise helps to not just relax physically but also helps us to focus mentally. So now that you have a routine, why don’t you go try it, you can even suggest some of your own routines to us by commenting down below or tweet us on twitter. But for now, stay well and stay fit. See the demonstration on the online version at generationzmag.com

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How Safe do you Feel in Your City?

Charlotte Hunter

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ight people have been arrested and six addresses raided in London, Birmingham and elsewhere in connection with the Westminster terror attack. Officers stormed a flat in Birmingham late on Wednesday night, with West Midlands Police directing inquiries about the operation to the Metropolitan Police. In the wake of the recent terror attack in London on the 22nd of March, we give advice to students on how to feel safe in the city and living away from home. It’s so scary to think that such criminal acts can happen right on our door step of Birmingham, without us knowing. Aside from terrorism many other crimes inevitably happen in big cities, and it is estimated that a third of the UK’s student body becomes a victim of crime, mainly theft and burglary. Luckily here at Generation Z we are ready to give you advice on dealing with inner city crime and getting involved with the wrong crowd.

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Generation Z’s Top 8 Tips on Staying Safe in Your City!

1. Never roam the streets at night alone

It may seem like common sense but try your best to make sure you’re accompanied by a friend when walking the city streets at night as you never know what maniac could be round the corner. Its always better to be safe than sorry. If getting in a taxi alone too make sure it’s a registered one with a badge!

2. Make sure your house or room is secure

Unfortunately it is known that burglars strike the vulnerable and students come under that bracket. Keep safe by having extra locks on your doors and keeping your valuables out of site from the window. It’s even better if you can get yourself a little safe to lock your belongings in!

3. Control your drinking

Drinking too much can leave you defenceless and sometimes even aggressive. This can be easily avoided by controlling how much you consume. We understand that everyone enjoys a few bevs at university but try and be responsible as you could regret it in the long run.

4.Have security numbers

stored in your phone book You never know when you might be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Make sure you’re prepared by storing vital numbers in your phone such as reception and security numbers of your building, house or apartment. Most universities also have councillors or safety student advisors so you can always have someone to talk to if your feel you are unsafe.

5.Try to avoid getting involved with the wrong crowd We aren’t going to dodge the bullet like some other student

advisors may do. We know drug abuse and violence happens in many universities across the country. If you feel you have somehow got yourself into a sticky situation or a friendship group you feel you shouldn’t have make sure you talk to someone and don’t bottle it up. Someone can always try to help if you voice your problems and if you feel you can’t talk to anyone at your university, here at Generation Z we have set up an anonymous email and phone hotline for anyone who needs advice or help. (Details can be found at the bottom of this article.)

6. Register at your local doctor

Health is just as important as safety. We can guarantee that you will get ill at least once over your time at university and although it could be as little as a common cold unfortunately some students find themselves in a bit of a pickle when they fall ill and haven’t got their mum or dad around to help. This is why

you should register with your nearest doctor so your never too far from some medical advice.

7. Be vigilant

Keeping your eyes open and watching your surroundings is sure to be beneficial if you’re in busy areas such as shopping centres and busy clubs and pubs. If you see an incident beginning to unfold make sure you are aware of your nearest exits so you are able to flee quickly and efficiently. University is supposed to be one of the most of exciting chapters of our lives if you follow these tips and are sensible about your surroundings you’re sure to have an unforgettable time with your new friends. Useful contacts: Tel:- 07722985143 Email:WearegenerationZ@ outlook.com

“Our Final and most vital piece of advice is…. DON’T EAT PINK CHICKEN!!!” 13


Halsey’s “Not Afraid Any more” for 50 Shades of Grey Beth Judge

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he feather-like hush of the tingling verses. The immense echoes of the crashing choruses. The uninterrupted intimacy of this seductive single could only soundtrack best selling novel 50 shades darker, and only performed by rising star and uber sexy singer/songwriter Halsey. The sinful sounding lyrics of Not Afraid Anymore are beyond the advocacy for abusive relationships, that Halsey fans alluded to recently on twitter, and doubtlessly epitomise the film’s storyline of Anastasia gaining power and confidence within her relationship with Mr Grey.

However, not even the continued repetition of these courageous lines can camouflage the suggestiveness of the record. Salty innuendos such as ‘Dying to taste this sick sweet warmth’ are constant reminders that this song is most definitely about sex, and classically 50 shades. Although, it’s the music behind the voice that’s truly representative of the tone. The alchemistic heartbeat of the song is given a lease of life with the crashes of thundering drums and occasional twinkling piano notes, scattered

throughout the composition, dramatising the sense of enigma. The easing vibrations of bowed instruments at the very end secure that, although self assured and steamy, an aura of elegance remains obtained, making it a perfect fit for the film, yet still questionably for the charts.

This particular song from the 50 shades sequel completely opposes that of the arguably more popular single by Zayn and Taylor Swift. With the vocal stamina and bold message of confidence evoked by Halsey during Not Afraid Anymore, makes it a far better debut single for the film, and deserves much more recognition. However, it could be said that The Weekends ‘Earned It’, from the first film, marked the start of his chart topping career in mainstream music. Perhaps it’s still all just the beginning for Halsey. Watch this space.

“Lyrics such as ‘I am not afraid anymore’ and ‘I am not ashamed anymore’, on the surface, imply that this is a song about empowering women, facing their fears, and proving their worth.”

Image Source: Universal Studios

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The Unforgettable “Bom Bidi Bom” by Nick Jonas & Nicki Minaj Talha Javaid

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ifty Shades Darker had its ups and downs, but one thing that always benefits the franchise is its music. The movies haven’t disappointed with their sexy singles and social media came alive when the news broke about Zayn Malik and Taylor Swift doing a collaboration the single “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.” At first you think, “Really?! Nicki Minaj and Nick Jonas sang together?” It’s pretty unbelievable, but once you get past that and accept the idea, you realise that their collaboration is fire. Let’s face it, the mixture of Nick’s sultry tone and Nicki’s wild rapping skills is a combination that was always going to be a money maker. We wonder why it has taken them so long to work together.

“For you ladies “You play the front, I’ll play the back, you’ll be the first, I’ll be the last..’’ Hearts exploding yet or no?”

The song definitely delivers the sex appeal and spark we always crave from a new piece of music. You can’t help but fall in love with the beginning, lose yourself in the middle, and find yourself wanting to listen to it all over by the end. I may have broken the repeat button due to this amazing song.

At the beginning of the track, Minaj captivates you with her ‘uhhuh, yeah’, charming you with that sex appeal. And then Nick chimes in with ‘yeah’ and just like that

the song becomes one our favourites on the entire soundtrack. The song as a whole gives off super steamy vibe, which is why you can see why it was included in the Fifty Shades Darker movie. You are allured in straight away and then Jonas begins with his smooth voice on the first verse and you have no choice but to listen till the very end. I wasn’t a huge fan of Nick Jonas before, but this song has converted me into a fan. Moving onto the chorus, which is undeniably catchy, Nick Jonas does the song and lyrics justices as his voice melts in with the chorus. You’ve only got to listen to the song once and it will be stuck in your head the whole entire day, making you want to groove. Minaj makes her mark in the song with her own verse which is oh so Nicki Minaj. And because we don’t want to ruin the song for someone who hasn’t listened to it

we won’t give away much, but the line we can give away is this. “I’m about to blow and I ain’t talkin’ Samsung” How can any song of Nicki be complete without sexual references right? But to round up, Generation Z loves, “Bom Bidi Bom” and it’s definitely a vital part of the overall soundtrack. The song alone is enough reason why we want more collaborations between Nicki Minaj and Nick Jonas. They complement each-other and we are so glad they teamed up for this sexy song.

But don’t just take our word for it, listen and fall in love with Bom Bidi Bom yourself, by clicking on the video below. But do let us know what you think about it by leaving us a comment or by our social media @generationzmag

Image Source: Universal Studios

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Ed Sheeran's “Divide”, a Triumphant Comeback Beth Huthart

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fter a year out of the public eye Ed Sheeran has returned with his triumphant third album Divide (÷), following on from the success of Plus (+) in 2011 and Multiply (x) in 2014.

Divide takes you on a musical journey from the fields of Suffolk to Ireland and as far afield as Spain and Ghana; the album showcases the many different influences Ed has been exposed to on his travels during his year off.

Divide has the songs that you would expect from an Ed Sheeran album, the acoustic love/ heartbreak songs and the tracks you can imagine him performing live with just him, a loop pedal, and his guitar but even when tracks such as ‘Galway Girl’ and ‘Nancy Mulligan’ take a different path musically it is still intrinsically Ed Sheeran. The album’s opening track ‘Eraser’, that was released via a live version through the You-

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Tube Channel SBTV in February, is reminiscent of ‘You Need Me, I Don’t Need You’ and ‘The Man’ from Ed’s first and second album respectively. The lyrics call out the idea of fame being a perfect lifestyle (“I chased the picture perfect life, I think they painted it wrong I think that money is the route of all evil, and fame is hell”) and closes by ‘welcoming’ listeners to the ‘new show’ and is a good opener for the rest of an album released after his year away. Ed recently told Spotify that he wanted the album to ‘feel a bit schizophrenic’ and for each song to hit something different both ‘subject matter wise and style’ and the album definitely

fulfills all of those things. The album pulls you down into a slow ballad and then pushes you straight into an upbeat track that could pull you out of the experience but it’s done in a way that doesn’t do this. It doesn’t follow the expected path, which is quite enjoyable to listen to, and a change from many other albums out there… and which other artist could sing the phrase ‘his asshole bleached’ without making you flinch?

A Perfect Summer Anthem “King Kong” by Icarus

Beth Judge

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carus has released its funky tune “King Kong”, perfect to blast in the summer heat of 2017 and beyond. The grey clouds hang heavy, saturated with rain. It hammers against the aluminum roof of the car as blades erratically sweep away the frenzy. The traffic’s amass. Choleric commuters slam their horns with one hand, hysterically guzzling a coffee in the other. They eager not to be late for work…. again. It’s a desperately dismal morning to say the least. But there’s light through the gloom, excitement amid the grey.

While the blades keep wiping, the sweet sounds of Icarus’s King Kong blaring from the car radio ensure the journey is far from lifeless. The Monday morning drudgery feels like Friday night festivities from the first beat.

From the very beginning, you can taste the Mojito’s freshness on your tongue. The warm sunbeams caress your skin as you prepare to dance the night away under an Ibiza sunset. It has summer party anthem written all over it. The trumpet and trombone toots, accompanied by the consistent tiny tingles of tambourines, gives the song bold, bustling carnival vibes. Cowbell clangs add a distorted, fun sound, which the vocals represent too. You can hear her smile whilst singing, making the tracks escape from reality all that more vivid. The lyrics are utterly meaningless, but in the best way possible. On the road, the commuters are still frazzled, sucked

miserably into the nineto-five vortex, dreading the week ahead. Except for Icarus, whose pool partying, bronzed skinned, Mojito-drinking world is the perfect wonderland. King Kong is truly a feel good anthem with the unblemished biology to be the summer sound of 2017.

“They’re all about supporting the sunny spirit of tune. They’re exactly what the track needs to embody that content and carefree mood that summertime is all about.”

19


The Weeknd

The Starboy and His Worldwide Tour

“Sign of The Times”

Beth Huthart

Jess Chumber

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he Weeknd is currently travelling the world, blessing us with his haunting, yet angelic voice with his tour, “Starboy: Legend of the Fall”. We got a chance to catch his show at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, UK. Here are our thoughts on the Starboy.

I finally witnessed The Weeknd in the flesh. He was literally a few yards away from me, I could almost touch him. I managed to push and shove to the front row, hoping to get a good glimpse of The Hills singer. I was right under the spaceship, which was huge and kept changing in colour and shape throughout the concert. The Weeknd was taking us on a musical experience, and the crowd and I loved it.

The ‘Starboy’ singer, Abel Tesfaye, wowed the audience with his superb, velvety vocals and serenaded the audience with crowd favourites, ‘False Alarm’, ‘Starboy’ and ‘Wicked Games’.

The energy and atmosphere was amazing and The Weeknd could feel it, as he kept telling the crowd how lit it was and told us how the left side is lit (which I was on by the way!). You could really tell that Abel was putting his all into each and every song. Each performance was given so much energy from him and the crowd. His energy and passion fed into the crowd, and we went crazy at each song. Apart from the annoying person

next to me who was screaming the lyrics and was badly out of tune, I was still able to hear Abel sing and watch him feeling utterly starstruck. I was well and truly shocked that I was this close to him! This was probably due to the fact that the stage was like a runway, ensuring he was near his fans. It also improved the overall experience, as The Weeknd was right there and amongst the crowd. The Weeknd sung the huge hits we know him for such as ‘Starboy’, and the Canadian singer serenaded us with were ‘Sidewalks’, ‘I Feel It Coming’ and ‘All I Know’.

Abel is a true performer and knows how to get a crowd feeling elated and thrilled. There is so much engagement and connection between the performer and audience, which is something that is appreciated. I would definitely recommend seeing The Weeknd in concert if you are lucky enough to grab a ticket in time. The Weeknd is touring from 17 Feb 2017 – 4 Aug 2017.

“Abel thrived off the crowd’s energy and it was reciprocated through the cheers and screams from the ecstatic crowd.” Image Source: The Weeknd’s Official Facebook Page

20 | Generation Z

Harry Styles’ Debut

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hen One Direction announced they were going on a ‘hiatus’, I have to admit, as an unashamed One Direction fan, my main thought was ‘FINALLY!’, I get to hear solo Harry Styles music. Now over a year later, I have eventually been blessed with his first solo single, ‘Sign Of The Times’.

On the 4th April, 2017, Harry joined his, in his own words, ‘best friend’ Nick Grimshaw on Radio 1 for the official first play of his new solo single. I, along with his thousands of other fans and new comers, were not disappointed with what he had to offer. The track is a rock ballad that shows off Harry’s strong rock influences. Although it’s not by any means heavy rock, it is a definite departure from the music he made during his time in One Direction.

‘Sign Of The Times’ is an almost 6 minute long epic that somehow doesn’t feel like it’s that long; the 5 minute 41 second run time is definitely a risk for a first single as it’s unlikely to get played in full on radio but it works. Harry’s vocals on the track show off a range that he didn’t get to showcase that often with One Direction, singing a good portion of the song in falsetto – which is beautiful fyi. His vocal style is definitely suited to something heavier than pop, his gravely tone just screams to be used on an indie or rock track. The first hint we had at Solo Styles (I’m sorry) music was a TV ad that aired during a live episode of ‘The Voice’ on ITV. The single was debuted alongside a 2 hour long interview with long time pal, Nick Grimshaw, which was a great way to introduce Harry to people who may not have paid attention to him during his time with One Direction. It was a

relaxed, chatty, very honest interview and due to the existing friendship between him and Grimshaw it made it feel like it was just two friends having a catch up rather than The First Solo Interview. The track broke Adele’s charting record by reaching #1 on ITunes in the US in just 19 minutes, and was #1 on ITunes in over 80 countries following its release. Harry was also the first person who has been able to knock pal Ed Sheeran off the top spot for a number of weeks. The track also reached the top spot

“Harry’s vocals show off a range that he didn’t get to showcase that often with One Direction”

on the UK Big Top 40 on Sunday, despite a Spotify glitch meaning the track lost thousands of streams ‘Sign Of The Times’ still managed to reach high spots on streaming charts. Harry will have his live solo debut on American institution ‘Saturday Night Live’ on the 15th of April; not only will Harry be performing 2 tracks but the show will be being broadcast live across the whole of America for the first time in it’s history…no pressure then. ‘Sign Of The Times’ is Harry’s first solo offering from an upcoming album that he says is coming ‘very soon’ and quite frankly we can’t wait to see what is to come next! Image Source: Columbia Records

21


Dodie’s Intertwined Tour

Beth Huthart & Hanifa Kamal

W

ith the release of dodie’s (the lowercase ‘d’ is not a typo, it’s an aesthetic, get with the times) EP, Intertwined, in November 2016, it was only natural that dodie went on a nationwide tour. We were lucky enough to catch dodie at her show in Birmingham.

Image Source: Beth Huthart

is more than a six out of ten

Image Source: Rebecca Need-Menear

The show began with dodie’s support act, fellow YouTuber, Rusty Clanton. Rusty, a wonderful American who pronounces “Birmingham” as an adorable “Birming-HAAAM” took the stage joined by only his guitar and his raw, and pardon the pun, rusty voice (That’s a compliment…we’re huge fans of his voice). Rusty sang a few of his most popular songs and gave cute little anecdotal stories between each song that gave his set a more intimate feel. A few favourites from his set were “One More Cup of Coffee”, “Married in the Morn-

22 | Generation Z

ing” (which was introduced with a story that made the audience give a collective ‘awww’), and “Socks” (It’s not a song about socks FYI). Rusty finished his short and sweet set with some shameless self-promo by saying, “we’re selling some ep’s and shirts…help me buy my flight home!” and headed backstage. Do yourself a favour and check out his music on YouTube and Spotify! Dodie sang all of the tracks from her EP, Intertwined, as well as some original songs that she has released via her YouTube channel.

Dodie had a calming stage presence and seemed confident up in front of the audience. In between songs she told the audience the meanings behind the songs. One particular speech that stood out was the one before her song ‘Her’ in which she discussed her own experience with accepting the fact that she was part of the LGBTQ+ community, and how everyone in the audience was ‘welcome and safe’ at her show no matter what or who they are. The connection and love between Dodie and

her fans is obviously very authentic. Dodie, a multi-instrumentalist, mainly focused on singing throughout the show, as dabbling in the keyboard, guitar, ukulele and the iconic recorder, which she made sound a lot better than we remember it sounding in primary school! She covered Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” with her recorder for a brief few seconds before transitioning into her own song “I Have a Hole In My Tooth”. This moment certainly got some belly laughs from the audience, particularly when she and Rusty (who provided some guitar and backing vocals throughout her set) dabbed at the end.

Dodie was joined onstage by a band that included a cellist, violinist, drummer and bassist, which gave her songs that are YouTube only uploads (these normally are just her and a piano/guitar/ukule-

le) more depth. Her songs “6/10” and “One For The Road” were particular highlights when it came to this. Not only was it thrilling to see Dodie onstage, it was also nice to see her jamming with her band mates and have little jokes with them throughout the show. It was obvious that they were all having a good time on stage, which added to the general happy, euphoric atmosphere that was present throughout the entire show. Seeing Dodie in the flesh as an actual real person gave the songs we loved a new meaning. Her interactions and connection with the audience made the show feel like you were watching a friend perform. We believe that Dodie is destined for success with her soft, calm voice mixed with powerful, emotional lyrics. Not only is she a well

respected Internet personality, with over 1.5 million subscribers over her YouTube channels she is also an extremely talented musician and her concert reflected this. Shout out to Manager Josh making the tour happen and Chupa Chups for the #spon. Dodie’s EP, Intertwined, is available to purchase or stream right now. We recommend you do yourself a favour and check out her music, you won’t regret it!

“Everyone in the audience was ‘welcome and safe’ at her show no matter what or who they are. The connection and love between Dodie and her fans is obviously very authentic.” 23


THROWBACK SONGS Beth Huthart

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don’t know about you, but here at Generation Z the soundtrack to our meetings are songs that we used to listen to when we were younger. Ah, the nostalgia of the good old days before Uni deadlines and all nighters in the library! Here are our Top 10 Throwback songs.

1996

1999

Spice Girls “Wannabe”

Smash Mouth - “All Star”

Busted - “Year 3000”

R Kelly - Ignition (Remix)

We’re still not sure what ‘zigazig ah’ means, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is still one of the most iconic songs of our generation. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but it’s still an absolute classic.

This might be the biggest meme on the Internet with videos such as ‘All Star by Smash Mouth but all of the lyrics are in alphabetical order’ taking over YouTube, but it’s still a classic song that you can’t help but sing along to at the top of your lungs. Plus, if you really look at the lyrics it’s kind of motivational…who are we kidding it’s the song from Shrek and we love it!

Busted might have got back together, but that doesn’t mean we’ve forgiven them for breaking our 10 year old hearts when they split up. But really, how mad can we be when we can relive tunes like this as 20 somethings?

I only have one thing to say about this banger…what is it a remix of? Where is the original ‘Ignition’? R Kelly, we have questions, get in touch for an interview yeah?

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2002

2003

To Motivate Your Studies 2004

Natasha Bedingfield “Unwritten” ‘Staring at the blank page before you’ is too relatable for us to deal with when it comes to our time at Uni… thanks Natasha.

2006

Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland - “Sexy Back” Everything Justin Timberlake releases is amazing, but in the mid-2000’s he was releasing banger after banger. Timbaland also clearly started the twerking craze 7 years before Miley with the line ‘Let me see what you’re twerking with’. Also, remember when every song ever was ‘ft. Timbaland’?

2008

Miley Cyrus - “7 Things” Also known as ‘@Nick Jonas’. The Golden Days™ of Disney drama, and quite frankly the start of our subtle teenage angst all came from this song. You would be lying if you told me you and your friends didn’t make ‘7 things’ lists about the guys you fancied in school.

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2017 Album Release Dates

to Keep in Your Diary (Jan - June)

Hanifa Kamal

2

017 is going to be a great year for artists making a comeback. We have so much music to look forward to in the first half of the year. From Stormzy, to Ed Sheeran. Zara Larsson to Dua Lipa. Generation Z explores the albums that we will all will be blessed with in January – June!

JANUARY

DATE NOTES

Wiley – Godfather 13/01 Kehlani – SweetSexySavage 27/01

FEBRUARY Big Sean – I Decided. 01/02 Sampha – Process 02/02 Rag’n’Bone Man – Human 10/02 Bebe Rexha – All Your Fault: Pt. 1 16/02 Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer 24/02

MARCH Ed Sheeran – ÷ 01/03 Charli XCX – Number 1 Angel 08/03 Zara Larsson – So Good 17/03 Rick Ross Rather You Than Me 17/03 Drake – More Life 18/03 James Blunt – The Afterlove 24/03 Nelly Furtado – The Ride 31/03

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APRIL The Chainsmokers -Memories Do Not Open 2 Chainz, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music Pentatonix, PTX Vol. IV – Classics David Bowie, BOWPROMO and Cracked Actor

DATE NOTES 07/04 07/04 07/04 22/04

MAY Goo Goo Dolls – You Should Be Happy – EP Linkin Park – One More Light

12/05 19/05

JUNE All Time Low – Last Young Renegade 02/06 Coldplay – Kaleidoscope 02/06 Dua Lipa – Dua Lipa 02/06 alt-J Relaxer 09/06 Allie X – CollXtion II 09/06 Lorde – Melodrama 09/06

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Even the Vampires Bite the Dust Talha Javaid t’s hard to begin with this one, after 8 long years of phenomenal storylines and great characters, fan favourite show has finally concluded on a beautiful but a bitter sweet note. Get ready people because this one is emotional! And if you haven’t watched it, this is your only chance to stop reading because Generation Z is about to go into detail about the EPIC season finale.

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The Vampire Diaries is a tale of two vampire brothers falling in love with the same girl, and their inability to let go of that love even if it means getting killed in the process. Over the seasons we have seen Stefan and Damon fight, bite and even completely destroy the people around them but whenever it came to it, they always had each other’s backs. And the last ever episode reminded us of that, of how badly the brother’s craved each other’s forgiveness. If you are a fan then you know the story of the Salvatore Brothers, with Damon’s first line being “Hello Brother” still as iconic as ever. So we pick up with Mystic Falls, the hometown of Stefan and Damon and every other major character of the show being under attack, and this time it was Katherine who was pulling the strings as the leader of hell. Katherine who had been major villain since series 1 was killed of midway through season 5 and came back to serve her final revenge. Katherine also is the doppelganger of Elena, both of which are played by the talented actress Nina Dobrev. So as Katherine orchestrated the bell of hell to be rang 13 times, which meant the fire of hell to burn the town into ashes including every single person in it, the brother’s raced to find a way to stop her. I was worried that it would be impossible to do the finale justice with just one episode of 45 mins. How wrong I was. There wasn’t a moment in which I wasn’t breathless or shocked. Everything was well written and emotions were definitely running very high. As Elena was still under a sleeping spell which linked her life to Bonnie’s her best-friend which entails that if Bonnie is alive then Elena will remain sleeping until Bonnie grows old and dies herself. Then and only

28 | Generation Z

– An Epic Season Finale then the curse would be broken, which meant Damon would have to wait 60 or even 70 odd years until he could be reunited with his beloved Elena who had taken the cure of vampirism before she fell into her slumber. The cure was taken from Elena’s body and passed onto Stefan who in the episode before married Caroline, another one of Elena’s best-friends. In this episode, Katherine took Elena’s body and hid it and the Salvatore brothers raced to find her before the fire consumed everything. Stefan ultimately finds Elena but she is unable to leave the building due to a spell also orchestrated by Katherine. Meanwhile, Katherine taunts Damon by telling him that Stefan will always be the better man, which of course is something Damon has always felt insecure about, not being enough for Elena. On the other hand, realising that Damon won’t leave Elena to parish in hell fire, Stefan tells his new bride Caroline to leave and that he will see her soon, this scene alone in which the newlyweds bid farewell was enough to wound you emotionally. The emotive scene between Candice Accola and Paul Wesley showed their on-screen chemistry and made us feel thankful of having had Steroline as a couple through the later seasons of the show. But as Bonnie discovers there is a way she can stop the spell, and destroy hell once in for all, all depended on one thing though, was she strong enough to truly enhance her witchly powers. Her dead lover’s spirit aka Enzo encouraged her, another heart felt moment. Bonnie knew that the only way this would be worth it. If Katherine was in hell when Bonnie sent the fire back to hell through the tunnels under mystic fall, therefore avoiding the destruction of the town and ending Katherine’s life once in for all. Read full article on our website,

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IRON FIST – Marvel and NetFlix’s First Failed Collaboration

Talha Javaid

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arvel Studios have always delivered phenomenal films and even the television shows have been classic with beautiful storylines and incredible narrative structures. But with this flawless victory over DC, Marvel finally slipped up and created Iron First, which does nothing for Generation Z. as always, I was excited by the hype created by Iron Fist’s predecessors, Daredevil, Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, all brilliant shows and all brilliant characters.

in getting you hooked on a show, so I watched without an opinion but alas as it went past 10 minutes’ marker, it went from enjoying myself to watching it for the sake of watching it, I wanted it to end as quickly as possible in the hopes of it getting better the next episode, oh how wrong I was. Iron Fist, for those unaware of the plot, tells the story of orphaned Danny Rand (Finn Jones), a martial arts whiz and heir to a business empire who has spent the past 15 years living as a warrior monk in a mystical alternate dimension.

But many people could say that it takes a while for a series to actually build up interest, in terms of Daredevil for me, the first season was slow and it took me a while to really understand the character of blind hero; Matt Murdock, it took me longer to develop any care for the character also and in comparison the villain from the first season was more interesting.

Jessica Jones being by far the And this could have been extremely cool strong tv series of Marvel, could and well different and as back stories easily have lost 2 episodes I had allocated a weekend to go, it was unique but the show failed to without suffering as they didn’t binge watch Iron Fist, and soak use that uniqueness to its advantage. benefit the plot in any form or up into the nerdy awesomeness shape. but found myself disappointed It’s a major kick in the teeth that the and here’s why. show doesn’t perk up audience’s Luke Cage as glorious as it was, interest until the sixth episode and felt slow at first but his charI have always said to myself, because it’s a 13-episode series, that’s acter development in Jessica the first 10 minutes are critical both disappointing and well shocking. Jones made us stick through

30 | Generation Z

that slow period. However, Iron possessed Colleen Wing, a local Dojo Fist’s problems are a little more owner who unwittingly strikes a friendcomplicated then these minor ship with Rand. Tom Pelphrey and Jesissues that the previous Marvel sica Stroup wonderfully portray sibling tv shows faced. The hard-core characters Ward and Joy Meachum, fact is that it just simply drags childhood friends of the protagonist when it clearly shouldn’t. Liter- and also co-heirs to his family business ally the show is about a billion- who are now struggling since his sudaire who is back from the dead den return. (Ward in an evil killer way, who can sporadically “focus his Joy in a confused way; both in a stylish chi” and bring forth his magic business attire way). glowing super fist powers, and yet it drags. It should flow nicely There’s also the return of Carrie-Ann with hints of humour, self-aware Moss’s lawyer Jeri Hogarth and Rosario jokes, a lot of action sequences. Dawson’s Claire Temple. But as always all are let down by the pace of the show Tiny scenes between David and repetitive dialogue, like I said the Wenham’s sinister Harold show doesn’t really enhance the hidMeachum and his assistant, for den talents it has. Plot points should example were welcome, but have definitely been pressed and given all in all really indicated how a sense of importance, example being boring the narrative of the show Rand confined in a mental ward and was. struggling to really find himself, felt well lacking and unimportant whereas Without undermining these the action scenes or fight scenes rather critics, it’s worth noting that felt dry and didn’t provide a sense of Jones (who also starred in Game danger. of Thrones) does indeed give a solid performance of a person There was definitely lazy writing as trapped between two the character of Rand really could have cultures. There is a definite been explored and expanded in a way exploration of his character, he’s where we could have seen his otherno hero but instead is a vulnera- worldly qualities and a chance to have a ble man child in a sense. peek at how the mystical city where he came from looked like. This would have In turn the whole cast are full of definitely allowed the audience to root strong individuals, Jessica for him rather than just feel well Henwick makes a chill, selffrustrated and sorry for him.

Diehard fans like myself found myself forcing to sit through the painful agonising story of Iron fist, purely to keep myself up to date with the character of Iron Fist.

This was also done because Iron Fist plays a big part in the upcoming Defenders, which fuses Iron Fist’s fellow TV heroes, Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage into a team. The series is expected to be aired in late 2017 and hopefully with the addition of the other characters, Iron Fist can become more tolerable. Whereas I forced myself to watch this show, not everyone has the time to spend five hours or so to wait for a TV series to really get well good. Generation Z gives Iron Fist a solid 5/10, purely because of the potential and the choice of the cast of the show. Better luck next time Marvel.

“For contemporary audiences, white male comic book heroes whose powers draw upon perceived mysticism can be seen negatively: in saying this, Marvel faced a whitewashing backlash ahead of the release of Dr Strange, and a white saviour backlash ahead of Iron Fist’s release.”

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E

ver since Netflix 4. Teenagers played by announced that they were young adults bringing one of the most beautiful novel to life, I had been Sometimes it’s adults in their late 20’s or early 30’s that play teenagers and excited to see how it would all you can totally see that, but having most turn out. of the cast be teenagers themselves reGoing into this series, I hadn’t at ally made this show worth the watch as first read the book myself, but it all became more real and believable. I briefly had the idea about the synopsis, bearing in mind the title itself gives it away, but the mystery of how the story turns out was still there. I thought it would be a good distraction for the upcoming deadlines but how wrong I was as it became more a binge fest as every episode left me wanting to watch the next and then the one after until I found myself a day and a half later finished and bawling my eyes out, wanting more.13 hours of incredible story that leaves you unsure of how you really feel.

10. Binge worthy

As mentioned before you’d think you can watch an episode then go off do your thing, no!! this show hooks you in and before you know it, 13 hours later you are finished and thinking – WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

5. Not high school drama 11. The steps of mysare well plotted but drama that happens tery This was incredible, every tape to high schoolers was well scripted and portrayed We often watch shows which is set in high school and resolves around that high school bullshit, but 13 reasons why takes that approach in a new way where theyshow it from the victim’s perspective through the use of clever storytelling.

6. It offers an interesting take on technology

so ambiguously. The flashbacks were also so mysterious that you didn’t really have a chance to think about how it would all pan out. I was overwhelmed with some of the twists that had occurred, it shocked me!! And I normally can figure it all out before it happens.

12. It reiterates that The show itself is modern and funky but uses old tech to really blend past everyone truly has and present together, the use of cassette their own story tapes to tell Hannah’s story makes it 1. The music is The show does this purposely to worth the watch. highlight that behind every face amazing is a story ready to be told, that It’s true, the soundtrack is amaz7. The cinematography is you shouldn’t judge a book by ing, every song is well placed its cover. It really does make you within the scene it’s in and it beautiful and subtle think about people in a different really shows you how a song can It’s beautifully shot and seems very really change the mood of the authentic and realistic with the sets and way and puts life into perspective. scene, character or the audience. locations. 2. It will break your 8. Tackles timely issues 13. There is a hope which effect people like me, like for another season heart but for a good Issues you, like all of us. The show doesn’t Whilst this maybe just specureason shy away from tackling the issues of lation, there is a slight chance Being as this is a show that tackles the issue of suicide, it needs to be emotive and it delivers almost instantly, it connects with you on an emotional level and you can’t help but feel your heart ache for some of the characters because their angst is so damn relatable.

3. The opening credits are incredible Short and simple, also artistic and clever, couldn’t have changed anything in them.

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bullying, homophobia, rape, and suicide which is why it’s so unique to watch, because it makes you wonder what you’d do in that situation.

this might be true as the ending of the show felt very unfinished and raised more questions than answering them. Whilst fans might feel that there 9. The lead is an up-and- is no need for another season because it would tarnish the coming actress story of Hannah Baker, I’m one Something I find very cool, because she who has mixed opinions about seems like a natural, she played the this. There are somethings I part phenomenally and was incredibly want answers to, some versatile to portray such dark tortured character’s stories I want character. It’s always good to cast finished, but then I realise that someone new for a role such as Hannah it would tarnish Hannah’s story Baker as the audience don’t know what and this was a show about her. to expect.

Talha Javaid 33


Top 10: Tv Shows to Watch on while you Study Talha Javaid

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tudents offer suffer from the lack of inspiration especially when it comes to deadlines. Writing an essay can be a daunting task, however fret not as Generation Z presents you with some ulterior methods. This article focuses on how you can use Netflix to help you for when you study, see tv shows don’t have to be bad. They can be educational or in this sense, can help to keep your mind from exploding whilst you write. So here’s a list of tv shows on Netflix you can have on in the background as you do your university work. 1. Fresh Prince of Bel-air A classic, a show that taught us values of family and how important it is to be kind. 6 seasons packed with laughs, tears and valuable lessons. This is definitely a solid contender to help for when you study, have it discreetly in the background to lighten the mood for when your essays get to serious.

4. Gavin & Stacey Old, yet classic. 2 series of pure fun with lovable characters that will leave you hooked. Soon you’ll be putting it on whilst you do your academic readings. Who doesn’t love a British romantic sitcom.

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2. The Big Bang Theory Well we all know that there is nothing more inspirational, then watching a bunch of successful nerds in comedic situations, this show will give you laughs for especially when you are at loss for words for your assignment, might even get you to try write more. 9 Seasons of total awesomeness that can be easily binged watched whilst you work.

3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine 3 seasons full of hysterical situations which will leave you in stiches. The series follows the lives of cops in New York but takes a hilarious spin on it, but also teaches the values of friendship. You only need to listen to it in the background and you’ll get work done easy.

5. Bad Education Now this is ironic, Bad education will leave you wanting to study harder. 3 series full of unexpected comedic situations a teacher get himself into in the classroom will leave you grinning from ear to ear but also hooked. Hope you are ready for all-nighter whilst you watch this and write your essay at the same.

6. That 70’s Show 8 seasons of pure joy and a real sense of life back in the 70’s. Will make you appreciate the life and technology you have today, but will also provide you with endless amount of giggles, so sit back, start writing whilst the 70’s show is in the background. 7. How I met your Mother This series follows the life of Ted and his friends, as he tells his kids about how he met their mother. Truly iconic cast with brilliant humour, definitely something to keep on, whilst you put that pen to paper. Definitely will put you in the mood to work and finish what you started as Ted finishes his story. 8. Don’t Trust the b—- in apartment 23 Talk about a roommate from hell? Maybe some of you can relate huh? This series shows that you live with even the most outrageous of people and have fun, the series definitely will take you by surprise and make you laugh when you least expect it to. Worth a watch, or worth a listen to as you do some academic readings. 9. Friends with better lives Although only having one series, the series definitely doesn’t disappoint. Includes endless amount of witty banter and quirky jokes and hilarious situations. It really makes you appreciate your friendship group and heck, might be even good to give it a watch on a group study date.

10. The Ranch If you are a fan of Ashton Kutcher and like comedy, well this is the show for you. The show follows the Bennet family, and really makes you laugh about how open they are with each-other and how quickly they tear each-other apart. Nevertheless at the Ranch there is never a dull moment, you’ll me smiling throughout each episode and will crave more, even if maybe you are half watching because you are too busy typing away, writing your essay.

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Checking Your Privilege - A Realistic Approach to Racism Talha Javaid

has numerous number of black servwhich leaves you pleased that you ants, already adding the element of went to the cinema to view it. eneration Z explores why Get slavery to the movie, an element which Reviews regarding the films are Out works in leaves you hooked. The servants are as mixed, as many describe the film showing why racism is really though robots, controlled, manipulatas a satire on white liberal elitism, terrifying. ed by an unknown entity. If this isn’t one that asks (white) viewers to weird, Chris is startled by the large “check their privilege”. But maybe This movie is a refreshing amount of white visitors to the house these audiences are reading thriller amongst being a who gawk over it from just such a privileged horror with comedic scenes that Chris’s frame and genetic make-up, perspective which repeats the lighten the dark narrative of the making various racially charged and process of the dynamics parodied movie and it’s fetishizing comments. To quote which in the film. Thus timing is well thought out with left me gobsmacked: “Black is in in invalidating black experience what is currently hapand neglecting the pening in America with fact that the film Trump’s presidency. “It’s a beautiful racial horror film which em- may not be about the bodies the fears of black race and displays experience of whiteThe movie showcases ness, nor created what it means to be black them in a way which we can learn from specifically for the in America in an intense edification of white especially now with Trump’s terrifying way. I went into this thinkaudiences. In a way America.” ing; it would follow the he’s trying to get the cliché of most of the horworld to open their ror films but they broke the first Fashion!” Chris’s fears are further real- eyes and see that things may have cliché as it was by making a black ised as the family are discovered to not changed but some people still guy the main character of the film. just be racist but to be pathological ‘ne- latch onto past perspectives. Short note version: The movie grophiles’ who somehow have develfollows a young talented black oped an insane and horrific system of photographer Chris played by kidnapping, mind controlling and then British actor Daniel Kaluuya who finally brain swapping black people, goes to meet his white girlfriend’s to use them in any way and shape for parents for the first time, with example, pets, sex slaves or body subreservations against the idea as stitutes, mind-blowing right? We won’t he worries that the family might spoil the ending but rest assured that already be racist. it was satisfying, normally in movies such as this “the black guy or character Of course as soon as he arrives to is killed off first” or is killed before the her parents’ home, he discovers film reaches its climax, but the movie that the seemingly liberal family brilliantly executes the ending in a way

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Generation Z gives Get Out an 8/10

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A Heartfelt Goodbye to 17 Years of Wolverine Talha Javaid

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ackman first portrayed the mutants rather have all been wiped declining and Wolverine can only character who wields the out and have disappeared. Our main keep him drugged to prevent adamantium claws, wears protagonist now is driving a limo anything from happening. white tank/jean combo in 2000 and is using his real name, James But this where Laura comes in. movie X-men. A film that started Howlett, Charles is shown to be more a franchise that spawned various nullifying his own past when it’s lucid and in control then Logan sequels, prequels, and spin offs. It mentioned. Wolverine/Logan is believes as he is telepathically was definite that Hugh was a fan slowly connected to Laura. favourite mass murdering mudying from the poison from his tant, and Logan showcasLogan beautifully evokes es the character in a way “ Laura has a deeper connection with Logan the films of Akira Kurosawhich we never thought or Sergio Leone, both though, both on an emotional level and wa we’d see Logan as. The known for their agenetic connection. Whereas Logan and influence and takes on the director James Mangold did the character of Wol- Laura are both victims, Laura has it worse Western genre, as menverine/Logan justice. Genby growing up in a lab where she was tioned before Logan isn’t a eration Z brings you their Superhero movie – so there tortured to induce her mutation early, thoughts on why Logan is no giant monster, mubecoming a killer just at the age of 12.” tants or anything else that was as epic as it looked. threatens the world. There Of course the trailer is nothing but Wolverine doesn’t build the intense hype own bones, what was once a factor who is dying, an older mind conthat normally an X-men or which kept him from aging and trolling mutant who are trying Wolverine movie would, but always healing now working against to help Laura not experience the there is something deeper to him. He puts morality and life into pain and horrors that Logan did. this movie. There is no way you perspective here. Logan now looks would leave the cinema and aged and well less fit than he was Of course when Laura arrives in not have tears in your eyes. before, showing that the poison has his life everything about that Everything about it was really taken a toll on his body, both protectiveness intensifies, he flawless. This wasn’t a movie physically and emotionally. Together really wants to fulfil his promabout Superheroes but about a with Mutant Caliban, Logan is taking ise to get her to the safe mutant simple man and his quest to find care of an older Professor X, also sanctuary in Canada. safe haven for his spawn. known as Charles Xavier, a mutant whose mind is the most powerful Logan is definitely a must go see The movie is set in the year on the planet and can kill instantfilm, we give it a 9 out of 10. 2029, where the X-men or ly. Charles’s health itself is quickly

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Beauty and the Beast – an Emotional Rollercoaster Tale, Old as Time

Charlotte Hunter

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verybody knows this timeless tale of a girl who gets taken hostage by a horrific beast but did anyone forget how emotionally draining the tale really was – because we definitely did. Finally, on Friday the 17th of March 2017, 26 years later from the original, we got to relive the Disney classic through an amazing cast, with Emma Watson in lead role.

If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you arrive at the cinema equipped with tissues and make up remover wipes as when you’re not crying of sadness and heartbreak you’ll find yourself crying with heart-warming happiness It is unquestionably a film you have to watch in the cinema to get the full cinematic experience and not one you download from home and watch in bed alone, I say this because the beautifully crafted songs can only be totally appreciated when blasted on the cinemas sound system and not through your HP laptop speakers. The songs, alongside the stunningly made costumes make you feel as if you’re watching in a theatre. A special round of applause needs to be awarded to Emma Watson, Kevin Kline and Luke Evans whose faultless performances undoubtedly stole the show. 45 Minutes longer than the original, the film takes its chance to

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play on Belles (Emma Watson) relationship with her father (Kevin Kline) And whilst us uni students are working hard on the next chapter of our lives (away from our parents) this part of the movie really hits you in the feels and makes you stop and think about how appreciative you are of having them in your life. On the contrary, Gaston played perfectly by Luke Evans adds the comedic element to the film with his short one liners adding a sprinkle of light heartedness for the older viewers of the film.

On the topic of the audience, I would say this version is definitely one more for the parents and teenagers, rather than the kids! P.S how scarily alike to the cast look to the animation characters. It is important to note that the Disney classic even features a gay moment which has caused a lot of controver-

sy. It happens as the characters get together for a big celebration at the end of the film. During a group dance, LeFou starts off dancing with a woman, and then strikes up with the dress-loving henchman. Whilst some wished it were gayer, we are happy that it is being accepted and celebrated; OH WE LOVE THE 21ST CENTURY.

We can’t say that the film was completely faultless as we would have the tiniest bone to pick. So we reach the end of the film just as the beast is about to transform into his old self (The Prince). Talk about anti-climax. As the transformation happens we are finally met with the face of Dan Stevens and whilst he is an attractive man, we were kind of looking for someone along the lines of Zac Efron? Channing Tatum? Liam Hemsworth? Ahhh well at least we fancied him more when he was in beast mode.

“Overall, the film leaves you feeling immensely happy and lovey dovey and it’s definitely a film you can’t miss. 9/10 from us !!” 39


E T L

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Talh

v a Ja

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t last, our favourite anti-hero returns and with a bang to say the least. Dead Pool 2 won’t grace our screens

until 2018 but that doesn’t mean Wade Wilson is going to stay mute until then. The Katana wielding, spandex wearing, comedy god teased us with a clip which reminded us why we fell in love with Dead pool in the first place, it also shows how perfect Ryan Reynolds actually is in playing this character, he truly does Wade Wilson justice. The clip lasts about 3 mins and 41 seconds and it catches the essence of the first movie, the dark humour, the music all work together to create a morbid comedic effect which leaves you feeling amused and satisfied about having watched the clip.

The clip begins with Wade (Ryan Reynolds) walking down the street minding his own business and it comes across a heated argument between thug and an older man, wanting to rush to the elder male’s aid and save him from the “Motherfucker”. As he calls the thug, Wade runs into the nearby phone box to change into his dead pool attire, which is where

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we get to see a glimpse of Reynold’s naked behind as it presses against the glass, all done to lighten the dark scene.

But of course he takes too long to change and when he leaves he’s confronted by Stan Lee who makes a brief cameo for once again comedic effect. As Deadpool arrives at the scene of the argument, he finds that the elder male has been shot dead, to which he seems upset aboutuntil he’s verbal diarrhoea of witty one liners begin to pour out of his mouth. Claiming he should have called 911 and that if it was Logan, the man still would be alive, almost as though playing the victim to make us believe he tried his best.

What I love about this is how fucked up Wade truly is, he lies down with the dead male and takes his coffee to drink as he bleeds out under him, I mean now that’s truly iconic and it’s what make deadpool a great success. Rest assured, this teaser just added fuel to the fire of the fan base. 2018 cannot come soon enough and with Deadpool set to appear in X-men spin off series, we are sure that Wade is just getting started. Watch the full trailer on Generationzmag.com.

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Films to Watch in April/May

Talha Javaid

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ith Major deadlines heading your way, it’s good to relax and destress with trips to the cinema. This year has already given us some great movies, with March 17th lining up the highly anticipated live action version of classic Disney film “Beauty and the Beast”. But there is still more to look forward; Generation Z presents you a list of movies you must go see in the next couple of months. 1. The Fate of the Furious For action lovers this a movie to definitely indulge in, the 8th instalment of Fast and Furious comes out April 11th and will surely not disappoint. The trailer already has displayed a major plot twist with Vin Diesel’s character turning his back on his crew. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out. With The Rock returning, we are sure that this movie will be anything but boring. It will be how the franchise copes with the loss of late Paul Walker. Definitely a great way to kick start the final leg of the semester.

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2. The Lost City of Z If you seek some adventure, be sure to check this movie out. It follows Charlie Hunnam as he takes on the Amazon rainforest in search of a lost city. You will surely not be disappointed as the movie shows great promise of intense scenes packed with action. Based on David Grann’s novel, the story follows the life and mysterious disappearance of Charlie’s Hunnam’s character Colonel Percy Fawcett. The movie is also set to release on April 14th, so it will definitely be great to space out cinema trips.

3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 The long awaited sequel of this marvel movie is set to be one that we won’t forget. If we learnt anything from the first movie, is that the Guardians will do anything to entertain us. We are looking forward to seeing baby groot, and our favourite talking raccoon aka Rocket, played by Bradley Cooper. This movie stars Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, the leader of the guardians.If you are a fan of marvel cinematic verse this movie is a definite yes for you, and one you shouldn’t miss because of all the potential Easter eggs. The film is set to be released on April 28th, a perfect time to start thinking about the summer but relax whilst doing so.

4.Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men tell no Tales Mark your calendars as May 26th brings the fifth instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Dead Man tell no Tales showcases Depp’s character on a hunt to find the Trident of Poseidon to save himself from a vengeful foe. When Jack Sparrow is involved, it’s a guaranteed adventure amongst the sea. We are sure this film will bring something new to the table and explore a new myth in a cool way, so get yourself ready for adventure, all aboard the Black Pearl.

5. Baywatch Ready everyone? Cause this movie will definitely get you in the mood for summer, Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron team up in this comedy/action movie to bring the heat to the screens playing sexy life guards. The movie is a remake of the series with the same name so has a lot of expectations to live up to. The trailers certainly haven’t disappointed, as the movie promises, fun, beach and well explosions. Priyanka Chopra also stars. Baywatch hits the screens also on 26th of May, but be sure to watch in the first week of June to start your summer off the right way.

Hope you have made notes, because this is just the beginning, as June onwards, Hollywood is taking the world by storm with the release of Wonder Woman, the remake of the Mummy, Spiderman Home coming, War of the Planet of the Apes, Thor Ragnarok and many more. To find out more ultimately visit our website at Generationzmag.com 43


Paris Fashion Week 2017 The Good, The Bad and The Damn Right Ugly

Charlotte Hunter s Fashion month comes to an end, we still haven’t seen the last of it quite just yet as Paris Fashion Week has brought celebrities out in full fashion force ready to be papped. Although, it’s fair to say some of them should definitely have left their outfit choices back at home in the wardrobe.

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The Don’ts Pamela Anderson

The Do’s Lily Collins Lily Collins looked ready for the Spring and Summer Months as she stepped out at the Valentino walk wearing a flattering white Bardot patterned dress. Her white court heeled shoes added the final touch of elegance for her season appropriate look that would look great at a wedding or Summer garden party.

Pharrell Williams You didn’t think we’d leave the boys out did you?! How cool does Pharrell Williams look we give a strong 8.5 for this laid back fashion masterpiece. He wasn’t afraid to rock the trend of the moment — red Adidas track pants paired with a camo jacket. Some may say risky but we love it and we can definitely match this look with some high street retailer prices.

Ok, so we get that Fashion month is a chance to be brave and bold but we are not a fan of Pamela’s latest look! She unfortunately gets awarded the worst dressed of the whole week. That dress most definitely does not go with those purple boots?!

The dress (that looks similar to that of my Grandmas vintage curtains) totally contrasts the busting cleavage (which look like the Mitchell brothers). We think it’s time that Pamela debuted something that compliments her figure in a more flattering manner. We can’t however, knock her for looking that good at the spritely age of forty nine.

Zayn Malik There is one word that springs to mind when we see this look and that is BORING. Black jeans, Black T-Shirt and a camo jacket? Its Paris Fashion Week Zayn you’re not popping to the local shop!!

Read the full article at generationzmag.com

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Also, we are not a fan of the fringe! Luckily, it was GiGi walking runway and not Zayn. 45


Feminist Slogan Tees Rules Fashion World

Makeup Trends Gone Mad

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Charlotte Hunter any people use make up for reasons individual to them – whether it’s for confidence art or something other – there is definitely no denying that make up is marvellous! But what ever happened to the days where we used to apply our Maybelline dream matte mouse with nothing but our bare hands? Today, people will apply their makeup with literally anything! This article outlines some of the most bizarre and creative methods Generation Z has come across during this recent phenomena.

Jess Chumber

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ondon and New York Fashion week has seen the revolution of feminist power through fashion. This new fashion trend that has emerged has created a lot of hype and buzz on social media, and people love it! This new feminist political stance was seen on the runways at New York Fashion Week on designer’s shows such as Prabal Gurung; Versace also embrace female empowerment during Milan Fashion week with strong fashion statements.

“Bella Hadid rocked the runway with slogan t-shirts such as “Nevertheless, She Persisted” and “The Future is Female”

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This new age feminism fashion trend is mostly popular in the form of slogan tees which are now available in the nearest high street shops and online. We can now rock the feminist trend at an affordable price and stay empowered and unite with our fellow ladies from different cultures and countries. We can take a political stance with our fashion, which is truly special and powerful, as our clothes will do all the talking. Topshop are known for its edgy and stylish clothing at a decent price. Their sassy and uniting slogan tees have classic designs that any girl can rock! H&M is a high street brand that

offers great basic clothing at affordable prices. Their simple designs are almost a staple to their branding. However, their feminist tees really step outside their own box and offer their own unique take on style.

Trends for Foundation

Trends for Eyes

The Ballbag Yes, you read that right. I did indeed say Ballbag. If you haven’t come across this video on social media yet, them I’m sure it will make its way onto your timeline in the next few days. The video shows 18 year old Johnna Hines applying her foundation with none other than her boyfriend’s Testicles. How does this situation even come about? What we really want to know is if it actually worked! Not that we’d be willing to have a face full of sweaty scrotum but it’s always good to know I guess in case you do lose your beauty blender, right??

Vaseline Eyes are one of the most attractive features on the face and usually draw the most attention. We’d do anything to make them stand out and look even better. Vaseline, (petroleum jelly) is rumoured to deliver exceptional conditioning and moisturising for eyelashes that are dry and brittle. It helps them grow longer, thicker, and stronger apparently! The best way to apply Vaseline to your eyelashes is to use a clean mascara brush to apply and leave them to condition over night! Who knew ay!

The Condom The condom has also been listed as a great way to apply your foundation. Who knew that make up would turn so sexual? However, this one has some logic. Using a condom over your beauty blender supposedly prevents the Beauty blender from absorbing and wasting tons of product. So if you’re a hard up student and want to save yourself from buying too many bottles of foundation,

“Whack a condom over your beauty blender and you’ll be well on your way to getting out of your -£1000 overdraft.”

Eyebrows -We’ve seen a fair share of eyes brow trends recently- from the Scouse brow to the feather brow! But why not save yourself from cringing from these trends when your 20 years older looking back at photos and just keep your natural ones in tip top trim!

Trends for Mouth

Suction cups Suction cups were all the rage when Kylie Jenner went from having lips as thin as A4 sheets of paper to looking like a baboon’s behind. Whilst the suction cups do work! They only last for a matter of a few minutes before returning back to their original shape. When this trend first started social media was filled with suction cup fails. So we strongly advise that you don’t take this beauty tip on board.

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Coachella 2017 Festival Fashion

Charlotte Hunter he sun is out and the late summer evenings have just begun and festival season is just about to take off into full swing. So we definitely need some outfit inspo! Generation Z takes a look at all the best outfits from one of America’s biggest festivals Coachella and see what festival trends the celebs have set that will be making a big stand this summer in our high street shops.

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Looking similar to Vanessa Hudgens, Nicole Scherzinger also opted for black boots and a hat perfectly accompanied with a black mesh dress and denim jacket. It’s fair to say she looked “shamazing” as she would so wittingly put herself.

It’s like Vanessa Hudgens was born to wear festival wear. Year after year she debuts amazing looks and she always pulls them off effortlessly. This year Hudgens opted for something simple but effective with black shorts and a detailed black bralet but it’s all about the accessories that make this outfit amazing. The big black chunky boots, hat and light patterned kimono pull this piece together! We can’t wait to see what she wears next year.

Why is Rihanna so cool without even trying? The Barbadian Singer and Songwriter wore a glitter unitard underneath a simple white vest and denim shorts. She managed to pull it of impressively. The star even knew she looked good when she captioned her Instagram post “I can’t go home yet, cuz enough people ain’t seen my outfit.” She also finished off her look with some big black chunky boots, we’re starting to see a trend here…

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The Weeknd and Selena Gomez were turning heads at this year’s Coachella as they went even more public by smooching in front of cameras at the festival. And whilst we weren’t so keen on Selena’s bright blue flowered dress and bandana/ handkerchief. We loved Abels rather interesting deep blue check or striped (we’ll let you make your mind up) shirt. He definitely out dressed his new girlfriend on this occasion by completing his outfit with some super suave rounded sunglasses.

For those of you who don’t know who Cam Newton is, He’s an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, or is he a fashion forward trend setter because that’s what he appeared to be at this year’s festival!

The Footballer plucked up the courage to wear a flamboyant floral two piece topped with shades like Abel and a straw hat. Whilst this look might be too much for some guys we certainly admired Newton’s fashion pick this weekend.

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How the Internet Has Allowed Lonely People to Connect

Hanifa Kamal

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he Internet – perhaps one of the most powerful tools that mankind has created. It has made humans who have never met before form relationships and bonds over interests and hobbies that can’t be formed in the real world. Generation Z explores how the Internet has made lonely people feel just a little less lonely. With the Internet being a worldwide phenomenon, you are most likely to find someone online who is into the same things as you. Do you like that niche, indie band? Someone on the Internet loves it too. Do you like writing fanfiction about two characters on a TV show that would never get together in real life? Someone on the Internet does too. When you’re growing up, in school/ uni, and even in the workplace, you are bounded by a random cohort of people. You learn to like what they like, and visa versa. You could be surrounded by 100s of people, and yet still feel lonely. However, the Internet, in particular the New Media and Web 2.0, has allowed lonely people to connect with other lonely people.

Illustration by Robert Neubecker

With social media having such a large focus on community and encouraging interaction with one another, there is no wonder why a lot of people feel inclined to check their

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social media frequently. They’re not aimlessly scrolling through Twitter, they’re checking up on their buddy in France. With the virtual, online world, the possibilities of finding people with similar interests to you are endless. If you watch a show that none of your friends in real life watch, there is a high chance that there is a whole fandom on Tumblr dedicated to that TV show. Tumblr, a microblogging website, allows you to post and reblog posts that you relate to on a personal level.

Social media has allowed those introverted and anxiety-ridden souls be their true, authentic selves online. Where it may be difficult for those types of people to open up in real life and take time to feel comfortable in front of people, the Internet breaks down that social barrier of awkwardness and getting to know someone, as you would’ve already find common grounds when talking to people online.

It’s mind boggling to think that you could have so much in common with a “stranger” on the Internet whom you’ve never met in comparison to someone who you have known since school. It’s not strange to find people who have 4 solid friends in real life, and have 10+ online friends who they feel strongly connected to. If the circumstances are right, some people meet their online friends in real life. They meet up, and see each other in the flesh. They don’t see their peer through a computer screen, but they see them as a real-life, breathing human right in front of them. The Internet has blessed everyone with the opportunity to connect with other humans on a deeper level. Whether if you find someone who is just merely interested in the same band as you, or find someone who you fall in love with, the Internet has allowed two humans unite and feel a little less lonely. It has allowed lonely people to be lonely, together.

The Dissection of a Meme Types of Memes On The Internet Hanifa Kamal

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emes are a staple to Internet culture. You will most likely come across a meme on almost any platform on social media. It is inevitable that you’ve been tagged/sent in a meme, or tagged/sent others in one. Memes have developed over time, which has created a fragmented economy of memes. Generation Z explores the types of memes you will find on the Internet. The Classic/Old School Meme

The classic, old school meme are timeless memes that will never die. They can still be used today in a serious or ironic manner. Classic memes such as “Y U NO?” or “One Does Not Simply …” still float around the Internet and offer meme enthusiasts nostalgia of the simpler days.

The Shit Posts Meme

The shit posts meme can be complex and simple at the same time. It’s hard to explain, but if you’re an active user on Tumblr, Reddit, or 4chan, you have definitely come across a shit posts meme. According to Wikipedia (great source), a shit post meme is: “aggressively, ironically, and trollishly poor quality“. The definition also describes the people who shit post too (like me).

The Viral Meme

“DAMN DANIEL!” Sounds familiar? Yes, this is a classic case of the viral meme. It’s the type of meme that goes viral on Twitter and makes it way to Facebook, making it a mainstream meme. Do you sense the meme snobbery exuding right now? Yes. Yes you do.

The Facebook Meme

Facebook is where memes come to die. The Facebook meme usually consists of stolen memes with added watermarks, or memes that are terrible, you can’t even laugh at them ironically.

The Fandom Meme

With fandoms come inside jokes and memes that outsiders would simply not understand. These memes can be funny if you’re in on the joke.

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When Does a Trend/Meme Stop Becoming Cool?

Hanifa Kamal

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rends/Memes are a staple to most of a Millennial’s and Gen Z’s culture. They manifest into our virtual lives and even real life. Trends/Memes fizzle in and out of our lives. We look back on certain Trends/Memes and cringe how it was such a popular craze. But when can we pinpoint exactly when a trend/meme stops being cool? Generation Z investigates. When the Traditional Media Use the Trend/Meme

When it makes its way onto Facebook

When it gets on the Ellen DeGeneres show

Memes (usually the dank ones) usually make their way onto Reddit, 4chan and 9gag first. It then circulates onto Tumblr and gradually to Twitter. These are the entry points where a Trend/Meme becomes viral and at its peak. When it reaches Facebook, it suddenly becomes uncool – especially when the meme has a caption of “WHO DID THIS???” followed by a row of laughing emoji’s.

When your mum/dad know about it

The life span of a Trend/Meme is limited. Sometimes Trends/Memes fizzle out naturally due to people not finding it relatable/funny anymore, or they have moved onto the new craze. Trying to resurrect a Trend/Meme from the dead is impossible. Think about it, what Trend/Meme that has died ever came back? Hover boards? Pepe? Y U No? Doge? Exactly. A Trend/Meme naturally dying is perhaps the most humane way and Trend/Meme can go.

When the traditional media (TV, Print, Radio) get a hold of a trend/meme, it instantly becomes dead – no question about it. We get it; you’re trying to be funny and relatable to the young demographic. But let’s be real – it’s embarrassing and ruins the fun for everyone. This is quite niche, but Ellen has ruined some trends. Ellen DeGeneres is pretty much America’s Mom. Not like a regular mom, a cool mom. But she loses some cool Mom points by inviting people from popular, viral Trends/Memes onto her show and giving them $100,000 for just being a meme. Take Alex from Target or Damn Daniel for example. Their overnight success went viral, and Ellen killed their Meme career faster than a “Whip” in a Nae Nae. When your mum starts dabbing, you know that the trend is well and truly deceased. We get it mother, you’re on the Internet and you know how to use “The Facebook”. For everyone’s sanity, stop dabbing.

When it just…fizzles out

Trends and Memes bring us all giggles and happiness. There’s a Meme/Trend for everyone and that’s what’s so beautiful about them. Trends/Memes are here to stay for all eternity. However Trends/Memes will inevitably die. But don’t we all? –Dabs and then Hits The Quan–

The Evolution of YouTube Vloggers Hanifa Kamal

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ouTube launched in 2005 as a platform to share videos to anyone worldwide. Since then, it has transformed into a platform where videoing your life can make you virtually famous. Vlogging has changed drastically since its introduction to the world. The Low-Fi Webcam Vloggers

It all began with the Low-Fi vloggers who sat down in front of their computer, turned on the webcam, and rambled for a few minutes about what happened during their day. A common aspect of the Low-Fi vloggers is the terrible video quality (we’re talking 240p), atrocious sound quality, and cheesy video editing Windows Movie Maker. These were more innocent times where you could genuinely #relate to content creators.

The “I’m British Male and Have a lot of Hair” Vloggers

If you were a young, British (ideally Caucasian), somewhat-attractive male in 2009-2015, chances are, you would’ve been the next YouTube sensation that pre-pubescent girls would’ve adored. It doesn’t matter what your video content was. You could’ve made a video on trying “Candy from America” and would’ve raked in millions of views and “dat YouTube money.”

The Daily Vloggers

Daily vlogging was a phenomenal that started around 2008/09, where YouTubers would typically upload onto their second channel and post a video of what they did that day. It would be typically recorded on a Flip Camera (anyone remember those?), and clips would be chucked into iMovie. YouTubers like Shay Carl and Charles Trippy are the true OGs in daily vlogging.

The Family Vloggers

Family vloggers have become popular in the past 3 years or so. Usually, the typical, successful vlogger comes with a traditional nuclear family – mother, father, and 2-3 kids (and perhaps a cute pet). There have been ethical debates on whether exposing young children on the Internet are a smart idea. Also, the argument of “Child Labour” has come into question. Do these kids get some of that sweet ad revenue? Nevertheless, family vloggers such as The Shaytards, The Michalaks, and The Sacconejolys are offering viewers a taste of what family and adulthood means.

The Cinematic Vloggers

The Cinematic Vloggers are similar to The Daily Vlogger in the sense that they make content based on what they did during the day. However, since 2015, the regular vlog format has changed dramatically. Since Casey Neistat, a filmmaker, started to vlog in 2015, the vlogging world was stunned of how engaging, and visually beautiful Casey’s vlogs were. His story telling through his shots, music, and general charisma allowed Casey’s channel to grow rapidly in such a short space of time. Casey has revolutionized the daily vlog. Since Casey, vloggers have upped their game, switching from point and shoot cameras to bulky, DSLR cameras with a fancy mic set up.

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Charlotte Hunter

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Events

March - May 2017

irmingham, the city of students, has thriving nightlife. Birmingham is not limited to one genre of music. There are various spots in the 2nd city that will surprisingly fulfil you club music needs. Check out a few events that will be happening from March – May 2017.

SCRU NIGHTCLUB – GRAND OPENING 17th March and 18th March Location: Digbeth Price: £5-£10 The grand opening of this brand new club starts this weekend with a jam packed weekend of all the best artists including Acts appearing at the club include 808 State, Marshall Jefferson, Valentino Kanzyani, Barac, Priku, Steve Bug, Magda, Robert Dietz and Cabanne.

The Next Chapter- Chapter X III Festival Birmingham 15th April Location: The Rainbow Venues, Digbeth Price: TBC The Rainbow Venues annual celebration is just around the corner. In 2017 they enter chapter 13, set to be their most ambitious year to date, creating a full on metropolitan festival experience for their birthday! We are definitely going

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to make sure we make an appearance.

The Chapter festival is known for combining unique industrial spaces, from the Arena to the Warehouse, and the Blackbox to the Arch. They set host to an event of epic proportions, uniting thousands of music fans for a House, Tech, and Bass music marathon. Teamed up with the city’s greatest producers, they showcase a huge pool of international DJ talent and some of our favourite DJs of the last decade, creating a mixed musical theatre of genres, this is shaping up to be one of their biggest shows to date.

OUTCHEA-2017 25th May Location: Birmingham (venue TBC) Price: £21.43 – £31.85 This urban student bar crawl has one sole mission – to be the most memorable event in history! Outchea is calling out all university students across the UK to join up in one city, on one night wearing one T-Shirt branded OUTCHEA! The Urban music event was originally founded by a group of students in 2013 and has been partying on ever since its biggest achievement to date is being featured on channel BBC3! (Impressive!) The Venues for this event have not yet been announced but we can assure the OUTCHEA founders will choose somewhere that is bound to blow up!

This event is one not to be missed Tickets and T-shirts are now available to buy online on their website www.outchea.co.uk 55


© GENERATION Z 2017

Special thanks to Ross Hawkes for keeping it real.

56 | Generation Z


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