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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A figure stares at a computer screen in the dark while images of the same person are posted to their wall. Becoming so obsessed with a celebrity to the point of excusing problematic behavior is a problematic norm on its own, Opinion Columnist Jackson Shields argues. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

We just want to dance

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor | September 18, 2024

On March 22, 2024, hip-hop’s boogeyman returned from a 10-month silence to do what he does best: shake the industry awake. With a single feature verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s collaboration project “We Don’t Trust You,” Kendrick Lamar put...

An artists depiction of Kendrick Lamar shows him sitting on the phone; to his right are two panels representing J. Cole’s album “2014 Forest Hills Drive” and Drake’s album “Views.” The recent beef between the three hip hops artists is an example of how rivalries in lyrics can benefit the music industry. (Gabriel Fiorini | Northern Star)

Beef enhances hip-hop

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist | April 8, 2024

Hip-Hop’s history has been defined by numerous things – artist's creativity, ability to push boundaries with their lyricism and production styles, the social commentary with real-world effects. Of all these defining characteristics of the genre, one...

A microphone and a set of headphones hang among recording equipment in the Northern Star’s recording studio. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes shorter albums are more meaningful. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Long albums ruin music

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant News Editor | November 20, 2023

Albums are getting too long. Some of the top albums of 2023 from artists such as Drake, Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen all total well over an hour long. There is no need for an album to have that many songs. Too many songs on an album can make it feel...

Cover album for Drake's new album "For All The Dogs" which features a drawing of a dog against a solid black background. This is Drake's eighth album and can either be a hit or a miss for most people. (OVO/Republic via AP)

Look Both Ways: Does Drake’s new album fall flat?

By Sarah Rose and Nick Glover | October 8, 2023

DRAKE BARKS BARS  By: Sarah Rose In order to listen to Drake, separating the artist from the art is required. As a person, his actions are questionable; but as an artist, his music is masterfully stimulating.  Drake’s new album “For All...

Drake attends the 2019 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Drake's new album "For All the Dogs" comes out Sept. 22 on all music streaming platforms. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Music from Drake, meet-cute film to release next week

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | September 14, 2023

Be on the lookout for new music from famed rapper Drake, witness a new love story and get a feel for British schools next week. “Love at First Sight” For Hadley (Haley Lu Richardson) and Oliver (Ben Hardy), all it takes is one flight from New...

Some of the best hip-hop/rap albums of the past decade, including albums from Kanye West and Drake.

Top 5 hip-hop/rap albums of the past decade

By Zulfiqar Ahmed | February 3, 2022

Hip-hop/rap has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Multiple subgenres have spawned from development of platforms like Soundcloud, that have allowed people from every corner of the world to share their music and build communities. Mumble rap, jazz...

With a word from an Eminem track added to the dictionary, this brings up the question of how much of language is affected by music?

Eminem phrase added to the dictionary. How much does music affect language?

By Peter Zemeske | May 10, 2019

With a word from an Eminem track added to the dictionary, this brings up the question of how much of language is affected by music?

Projected Billboard winners

By Darius Parker | April 24, 2017

Billboard recently announced the nominations for their music awards, and with so many fan favorites up for awards, one can assume the competition is going to be fierce. The ceremony will air 7 p.m. May 21 and will feature several talented artists. Drake...

Ryan, a junior year English major, competed at the Lip Sync Battle where he showed off his dance moves in an effort to entertain the crowd.

Students compete for laughter

By Melynda Lewis | March 27, 2017

Ryan, a junior year English major, competed at the Lip Sync Battle where he showed off his dance moves in an effort to entertain the crowd.

‘More Life’ reveals emotion

By Darius Parker | March 23, 2017

Drake’s “More Life” unveils a more passionate yet aggressive side to the rapper through lyrics and melodies unique to this album.“More Life” was released Friday and has been climbing the charts with tracks dominating the entire top 10 over the...

Rapper Drake released 'Views' on Friday and the album offers a more personal sound from the rapper/singer.

‘Views’ delivers personal sound

By Alexis Malapitan | May 2, 2016

Rapper Drake released 'Views' on Friday and the album offers a more personal sound from the rapper/singer.

‘Anti’ exudes maturity

By Alexis Malapitan | February 1, 2016

Singer Rihanna’s eighth studio album, “Anti,” exposes a mature and vulnerable RiRi.Fans were in for quite the treat as RiRi teased fans with countless Instagram photos and videos leading up to the album’s release Thursday on Tidal. The album is...