iPhones For All

Last week, Apple had consumers feverishly waiting for the new generation iPhone to be revealed to the masses.

And for the first time, Apple released two iPhones at once. One is called the iPhone 5C and is just $100 on contract, a perfect phone for those on a budget or young children who will also be attracted to the jolly rancher-esque colors its available in.

The other is the more expected of the pair, the iPhone 5S. Somewhat of a re-up of last year’s ever popular iPhone 5, which sold 55 million units. The iPhone 5S boasts a  speedier processor and a slew of camera improvements. Which include a better light sensor, a more life-like flash, the ability for slow motion video, and live video zoom.

Even for those not into photography, the new iPhone has something for them as well. There has been an entire overhaul of the OS, in an attempt end the redundancy of a system that has seen little change since its inception in 2007.

Perhaps the most surprising change in Apples flagship device is the finger print scanner. A welcomed change from the monotonous passcode route and the infamous “slide to unlock” feature.To unlock it now, all you’ve got to do is push your finger onto the home button, which will then scan you finger and unlock your phone. A novel feature that will no longer leave people scratching their head when trying to remember that pesky passcode. The last and possibly most noticeable update is that the iPhone now comes in a gold hue.

But the question is, is iPhone still the gold standard when it comes to mobile devices? Or are they now playing catch up to other platforms?

Their stock prices are a direct reflection of this, as it is currently $463.50, and just a year ago it was $700.00.

The idea of a budget device is nothing new to the Cupertino tech giant. The iPod which debuted in 2001 offered a cheaper model, which is now called the Nano. A more affordable version of their laptop was available too, the Macbook. Yet it took them six years to release a price conscience iPhone. In the tech world, six year is a very long time.

Other companies such as Samsung, LG and Huawei have been releasing cheaper versions of their top tier devices for years, usually aimed for the enormous domestic Chinese market, and billions of other people in other countries have been waiting to get their hand on a technology that still seems so intangible.

It has taken Apple awhile to see what potential a country like China can hold. For instance, Reuters reported that back in March, 1.5 billion people in China had cell phones, and 280 million of those people were Smartphone users. Here in America, there are just 254 million cell phones all together.

Aside from the obvious competition between companies, bringing this type of technology into burgeoning markets benefits the world. It will lessen the economic inequality that doesn’t include billions of people from accessing such important and large amounts of information.

On the other hand, it has become another option in markets that have already been established, such as in America, where people who don’t feel like (or cant) spend that extra few hundred bucks to have the same phone as everyone else.

Jennifer Horowitz, the mother of an 18-year-old who has just started college has been delighted by the fact that Apple is finally paying attention to those that can’t afford such expensive devices.

“I’ve got a kid who just started college and another in High School, and for the price of one expensive iPhone, I can get two of the cheaper ones now. You know, with tuition being as high as it is, every dollar helps,” mentioned Horowitz.

Some people believe that Apple is just a little too late when it comes to releasing the iPhone 5C.

“It’s almost like they’re running out of ideas for things to do,” said Andrew Gross, a student at St. John’s. “I want an iPhone because it’s a status symbol; if I had the iPhone 5C people would know that I had the cheap one and not the expensive one. So I’m definitely just gonna get the iPhone 5S instead, there’s nothing better than Apple because it’s so cool.”

Those who aren’t iPhone fans at all have a totally different view when it comes to the iPhone’s newfound territory, or lack thereof.

After all, you can put lipstick on a pig.

“I had the first three iPhones and I loved them, until one day the new one came out and I got tired of how it looked, it hadn’t changed much,” said Candace Christine, a senior at Baruch College.

She thought that it was time for a change and decided to get an android handset, and has not looked back.

“It’s more customizable ,I can put icons wherever I want, and if I want a giant clock on the home screen, than that’s what I get,” she exclaimed.

It’s hard to deny the foot print that Apple has left in the mobile computing world, though some wonder if they have strayed from their innovative and groundbreaking ideas. Perhaps Apple just isn’t built to innovate forever; many other companies come to this point as well.

Companies rise to relevance, dominate for a period of time, then fade into the scenery, after all it's the cycle of capitalism and it happens every day.

Kissland, The Weeknd- Review

It’s hard to determine where The Weeknd is in his career, although it started with the release of three mysterious songs at the tail end of 2010.  The subsequent release of three mixtapes in 2011 ("House of Balloons," "Thursday," "Echoes of Silence") cemented his place in music, a space that had never before been occupied. For an artist to carve their own lane, it is impossible for the public to have any inkling on when that lane will vanish, or even merge.

The Weeknd, whose birth name is Abel Tesfaye grew up in Scarborough, a small town in Toronto Canada. Although small, it has plagued him with experiences that effect who he is and his music.

Upon releasing three works in one year, it is easy for fans to become spoiled, greedy and downright bored. How much life can someone live in one year to make them feel comfortable enough to embark upon such a trilogy?

A lot of life, apparently. The first mixtape dubbed “House of Balloons” isn’t filled with the usual sappy love songs or those hip party songs that have no depth beyond the catchy chorus and nonsensical rhymes. Instead, it’s about a shadowy enigmatic teenager who sees the world as his oyster, as long as it included partying, drugs, and girls to brag about.

Once you move onto the second installment, titled “Thursday,” the mood becomes a little more serious, or as serious as it can be for a kid who thinks he can take over the world, by doing as he pleases, even if it comes at someone else’s expense. Sentiments like such can be heard in a song titled “Lonely Star” where he sings “ It seems like pain and regret are your best friends/ Cause everything you do leads to them/ Well baby, I could be your best friend”

Once you move onto the 3rd and final chapter of the trilogy, the mood changes completely, even the title “Echoes of Silence” evokes sadness. It is here where Tesfaye realizes that his actions were wrong, as if he were at a party the night before, and during his hazy hangover a friend retells him the tales of the night. None of which are flattering. All of those things you’d hoped you didn’t do, you did, and all of the things you’d hoped you didn’t say, you yelled. After all, the last words uttered on the trilogy are “Baby please/Would you end your night with me/Don't you leave me all behind/Don't you leave my little life.”

Thus bringing us to his newest offering, titled “KissLand”. Nearly a year after The Trilogy was released to the masses, little is still known about The Weeknd. Not one interview has been conducted, and the only pictures available were those released by his team. With such a carefully designed method, many wondered if he’d maintain this cloak of anonymity , and if the quality of the music would stay up to par.

Starting with the album cover, The Weeknd has decided to go a different route, instead of a party-ridden woman on the cover, it is him, with his head tiled in a condescending way, as if looking down on you, in a dimly lit room with the only source of light coming from the city behind him.

The album is in no way trekking on new territory, neither is it completely rehashing old material either. It is the type of brash, non sentimental existential hate that encompasses The Weeknd. The subject matter is similar, but on a much grander scale, with deeper bass and more pain.

The first song “ Professional” sets the stage for KissLand  "So you're somebody now/ but what's a somebody in a nobody town?" asks Tesfaye with assertion, letting you know from the start that he still holds the power. The track swings between smooth R&B sounds and odd voice in the background and ends with creepy guitar strings in the background.

It is a very laidback track with increased tension as the beat switches half way in and then you know, The Weeknd has returned.

“The Town” is a sensible follow up, with similar atmospheric changes in the tempo where The Weeknd sings about how much his hometown of Toronto, Canada has changed since his rise to fame has allowed him to do shows around the world, for the past year.

The next song “Adaptation” is one of standout tracks on the album, where it’s obvious his lyrics have improved with lines like “I think I lost the only piece that held it all in place/

Now my madness is the only love I let myself embrace. ”

His musical influences of Prince, R. Kelly and Michael Jackson can be identified on this song, especially when it comes to harmonies and cadences. He rambles on about a girl he has lost, which may have been his one true love. Not once does he deny his wrong doings, but he also sees no point in running a race that has already been lost. What other choice does he have, but to adapt?

“Love in the Sky” features a strong, guitar focused beat, with hard hitting lyrics about even harder drug use. He feels as if the world doesn’t understand him and his only way out is to dream.

This is followed by “Belong to the World,” which is filled with memorable hooks. It is a record that is likely being pushed as the single by his label, Universal Records, who slowly try to push The Weeknd towards commercial success.

Commercial success comes up again in the next song ”Live For,” which features one of the most successful modern day artists, Drake. Drake’s guest verse is a welcomed break from The Weeknd’s over indulgence of life and its generosity. It is here where we catch wind of The Weeknd’s first braggadocios lyrics about money. The high-life is finally his and the only way he can express himself is to explain the reality of his situation, nothing more nothing less.

“Wanderlust” is the sore thumb of the album. A beat laden with quick paced drums trying to emulate an 80’s disco track. Paired with falsetto vocals it sounds like a “Thriller” left over. Its unlike anything you’ve heard from The Weeknd before, with an unmistakable pop/rock influence. A welcomed surprise of sorts as he channels his inner Michael Jackson.

The title track, “KissLand” is next, a story about how much his life has changed in the past year: "I went from staring at the same four walls for 21 years to seeing the whole world in 12 months." The only downside is that he barely remembers how his new condo looks because he hasn’t had a chance to enjoy it yet.

“Pretty” gets confessional again with a beat that seems to force its grips onto you before slowly letting go enough for you to breath and decipher the intricacies of the instrumentals. In this song he revisits an old fling, with his only quip being "You will never feel this beautiful."

The last song is “Tears in the Rain” where The Weeknd feels it all slipping away and fully acknowledge what he has lost. But with this new level of notoriety comes love, that will satisfy him.

Well, for now at least.The last words uttered are ‘it’s so sad it had to be this, she forgot the good things about me/she let it slip away. ‘

KissLand is an album about The Weeknd trying to discover himself. And with money and fame now being tossed his way, it’s harder than ever to be loyal to his true person. He has yet to satisfy himself. However, the rogue and unapologetic journey he travels makes for entertaining, truthful and raw music .All I can ask is that this journey never ends.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED ON 20SOME.COM

King of Food in Queens

The smell of gyros fills the air as you trot into one of the most famous Greek restaurants in New York. The sight of the giant chunk of tantalizing lamb on the rotisserie only makes your mouth water more, as you grab a seat on one of the cracked leather stools.

Fontana Famous Pizza & Gyro has been around since the late 80′s and although times may have changed, the quality of all the food has remained constant.

“I’ve only been working here for about four years now,” said one of the servers,” but it felt like I was joining a family here, whether it’s the employees or the regular customers, everyone just gives off a great vibe.

Fontana’s is located on 200-02 Northern Blvd in Bayside, Queens, and is known as the go-to gyro place among the five boroughs, and the authentic menu is the reason why. One of the few chefs prides himself on keeping the cuisine simple and easy. “Why change? a quote that was always told to me ‘Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change’, I’m still not sure how to understand that quote ,but I’m pretty sure change wouldn’t be welcomed here.”, he said as he laughed.

The official meaning of a gyro is simply a pita, filled with meat and salad, but a Fontana’s gyro is so much more, both in taste and experience. The fluffy pita roll is stuffed with steamy, perfectly salted lamb meat, and topped with fresh iceberg lettuce, bright white onions and the reddest of tomatoes. And of course what’s a gyro without tzatziki sauce, which is a mixture of Greek yogurt and cucumbers. All yours for just $7.00. On any given day, a trip to Fontana’s will find one shouting an order at one of the red shirts behind the counter over the joyfully loud conversations often held by Greek natives, which surprisingly isn’t annoying as you here a burst of laughter fill the restaurant, wishing you spoke just enough Greek to get the joke. Though they are happy they are able to share a bit of their culture albeit just the food, with people of so many other ethnicities.

“I think it’s great, other people enjoying the food that we’ve been eating for centuries, even if it’s just the basics like gyros and souvlaki,” explained Charles S., one of the regular customers at Fontana’s. The only bone he has to pick is how people pronounce the famous Greek sandwich; “It’s pronounced ‘yeer-oh,’ not ‘gye-row,’” he exclaimed while waving his hands back and forth as if to strengthen his point.

Queens, is widely known as one of the most diverse places in the world– while strolling down a single block, several countries and cultures can be shared and represented. Just a bus ride away from this Greek staple is one of the newly popular hobbies in the area, Hookah. Layla Hookah is located at 181-34 Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows, Queens, and is one of the most popular hookah bars in Queens. Upon entering the large corner side property, you are immersed in another world and more specifically another culture, as the loud music changes your entire attitude. What makes it different from most hookah lounges is that it doubles as a restaurant. “That’s why I love this place; sometimes I don’t even come in here to smoke, just to grab a 10-piece wing and some fries, than I’m out,” said Stephen Tsakas. The steak is cooked perfectly, and the banana-nutella crepe may just be the best you’ve ever had, not too shabby for a Hookah place.

Hookah is a Middle Eastern tradition; it is a single or multi-stemmed instrument for smoking flavored tobacco, called shisha, in which the smoke is passed through a water basin (often glass based) before inhalation. In recent years, it has become popular in the United States, as a means for young 20-somethings to sit around and hang out– somewhat of a social event.
“I do it because it’s fun. I love doing tricks with the smoke, and it’s nice to just chill with some friends for a few hours outside of the house, and it’s a pretty cheap date,” added Stephen.
A 90 minute session is at least $12, for the flavor of your choice which includes pineapple, vanilla, strawberry, watermelon, and countless others. After choosing a flavor, you are presented with a unique instrument (the hookah itself), along with a mouthpiece, to enjoy the fruity smoke as it billows out of your mouth.

Young women, similar to bartenders walk around endlessly making sure everyone’s coal is burning smoothly and drinks are constantly refreshed, keeping the customers happy as they enjoy this experience with their friends and families. As the smoke from the hookah hose becomes more and more thin, the fun soon mellows out and comes to an end. Though the smoke disappears into thin air, the memories are yours forever, and not to mention the fruity smell of your clothing.

(featured image source:Flickr.com)

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Bags for Big Men on Campus

Before you know it, school will be back in session and that Superman backpack is getting old and won’t work out too well in college. Backpacks are one of the few essentials of school that allows you to show a bit of personality everyday. Here are a couple of bags that are sure to make you the cool kid on campus.

Herchel

(Source: selectism.com)

Who doesn’t love the Herchel bag, the cotton canvas and leather accents make for a stylish and more importantly durable bag. The reasonable prices doesn’t hurt either. These bags are popular among college kids, as they even carry tablet and laptop sleeves. With the recent Stussy collaboration, it’s clear that Herchel is making the right moves.

NorthFace

(Source: Jimmyjazz.com)

Plan on going hiking or camping in the jungle for a while? Well it doesn’t really matter, as NorthFace has become a staple in middle schools and high schools, and you can’t go far without seeing kids with them strapped to their back. All of the cool kids have them; don’t you want to be a cool kid? (P.S. – the Hotshot is the coolest.)

Jansport

(Source: Amazon.com)

Jansport backpacks have been around since 1975. Feel old eh? It was probably the bag that you had in elementary school, and if you were lucky you even had the suede bottom. The brand with the infamous burgundy logo and navy background is known for being durable and is a classic brand. Pick one up to be a part of history.

J. Crew Abingdon Messenger

(Source: jcrew.com)

J. Crew is relatively new is the retail world, having its first brick and mortar built in South Street Seaport in 1989.Since, J. Crew has opened a total of 300 stores and is now one of the top specialty retailers. If you’re looking for a more mature look, or plan on taking your bag to the office. A messenger might be the right choice and look for you.

Givenchy

(Source: Bergdorfgoodman.com)

Is money not an option? Or do you just like having high end accessories? Either way, when your personal assistant is holding your MacBook , or it isn’t in your Maybach, this would be a great option for you. This Doberman print canvas is similar to the other animal inspired pieces Givenchy has released. After all, a dog is a man’s best friend, right?

Speedo

(Source:kiefer.com)

Speedo, ya know, that embarrassing mankini that your dad wears? They also make some pretty solid backpacks, that won’t break the bank. You may not be able to win gold medals like Phelps and Lochte, but you can sport some of the products that they endorse. And it’s pretty obvious, who can make a better water resistant bag, than a company who has made millions off of bathing suits.

(Feature image source: onabags.com)

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Same Old Weeknd ?

Raunchiness, enigmatic, and transcendence.

That’s what changed R&B as we know it.

True feelings, life stories, a recognizable voice and  vulnerability is whats encompassed by R&B.

But is it vulnerability or cockiness?

The rawness of “I deserve your body on my mattress “ is cockiness at its pinnacle

Get me off of this, I need confidence in myself

Even though you don't love me

Vulnerability doesn’t exist unless its hid under an ego, boasting about your current girlfriend cheating on you, to which you respond by doing the same, counts as that.

This is The Weeknd, he who is the torch bearer for a new sonic sound for r&b.

Deeper, sadder, and nocturnal.

The enigmatic figure that was discovered near the end of 2010 has since put out three critically acclaimed mixtapes, House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence. All of which consisted of artwork reminiscent of darker tumblr images.

Each mixtape bests the last because it ready’s you for the next.

The trilogy is a movie, full of slow drowsy and dark songs that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster when fully immersed.

How can that be topped, other than remastering the 3 works adding more lush sound, deeper base and more pain?

Not forgetting the spice of a new refreshing song following each of the mixtapes, sort of like breaks between 3 novels about some of the greatest parties that had ever occurred.

Greatest might be a stretch depending on who you ask, the codeine  filled sexcapades may scare some, while others wish they could be a part of the this exciting underground world that The Weeknd called home.

But can it really seem like a party if youre always there? Or do things become tiring, to the point where you have to seek daylight and tell the world of the dangerous tales you’ve lived through. And when you do, is it boasting or an autobiography?

The Weeknd is just a 20something showing the R&B world what he has to offer, which he himself has said he isn’t  apart of. The only thing R&B about him is the singing, and everything else is cinematic.

Cinematic means motion pictures, yet The Weeknd didn’t release a music video for nearly two years after being introduced to the world. However, all he cares about is bringing you into his world, and knows it will be nothing like you’ve ever experienced-this, easily conveyed in the opening lines of his first track on House of Balloons

You don't know what's in store
But you know what you're here for
Close your eyes, lay yourself beside me
Hold tight for this ride

The first 2 songs ever released under  The Weeknd moniker were Loft Music and a chopped and screwed version of The Morning, posted on the OVO blog. Octobers Very Own, which is headed by fellow Canadian, Drake. Who also provided a platform for The Weeknd to spread is wings in more ways than one. Even before being introduced on the traffic-heavy blog, Drake made it okay for hip-hop to be emotional, even when it includes misogyny. The Weeknd decided to capitalize on the latter,and though it is a popular topic in rap, you’d be hard-pressed to find another singer that creates anti-radio songs as easily, which are filled with curses and bragging.

Though Drake and The Weeknd are polar opposites when it comes to topic,they mostly certainly are musicians that take their crafts very seriously, not to mention the stellar production by both camps. Drake relies on long time friend Noah “40” Shebib for his introspective and heart felt beats.Abel relies on the masterminds named Doc Mckinney and Carlo “Illangelo” Montagnese, to spew out his high pitched notes about countless loose women and lifes adventures.

But will the world get tired of these adventures, or has the Weeknd experienced enough fame, since his arrival to dare I say, evolve?

Or will a new environment just enable him to do what he has been doing at a much larger scale?

I got a brand new place, I think I've seen it twice all year
I can't remember how it looks inside, so you can picture how my life's been
I went from starin' at the same four walls for 21 years
To seein' the whole world in just twelve months
Been gone for so long I might have just found God

Either way, The Weeknd is a polarizing figure of our generation, in an age of transparency, and the dwindling idea of celebrity privacy which seems to be an oxymoron. In the age of the internet there have been no paparazzi pictures of him, and we’ve only seen him in videos released by the XO camp.

Presentation matters to the Weeknd.

As his fame grows, the price of his privacy will as well, but we all wonder how he will adapt,or more importantly, the fans?

Tesfaye knew that not putting a face to the drugged-up body of work would allow the publics mind to roam free.

The devil is in the detail, and The Weeknd controls every aspect of his image, at least for now, fans may feel different once he becomes more of everyone’s, and less of theirs. A situation he spoke on over a year ago.

Until you're used to my face
And my mystery fades
I got you
So baby love me
Before they all love me
Until you won't love me
Because they all love me
I'll be different
I think I'll be different
I hope I'm not different
And I hope you'll still listen

Being caught in limbo like such, makes it hard to really compare him to people like How to Dress Well, Frank Ocean, and JMSN.

As the money grows, it is a mystery whether or not the underground will be able to cope with added notoriety.

After the final installment of the trilogy dropped in December of  2011, people had these fears about The Weeknd’s stardom and wondered again if he could do it again without it being cheesy and repetitious .

And the answer is yes.

The answer couldn’t even be fathomed until “Enemy” was released near Halloween, how fitting.

Armed with a budget, courtesy of his new label, The Weeknd was now able to  what he’d been doing, just at a larger level, and this can be seen with the production of Enemy.

Tesfaye, back to his old ways, samples The Smiths’, by begging a girl during the chorus, saying

“Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want this time”.

The first words he utters after doing his infamous harmonizing is “I’m Back,I’m so back,” signaling that he’s returned to his braggodocious, womanizing ways, thus giving him inspiration for new material. This is his only freebie released aside from his remix of Drake’s “Trust Issues”

Fast forward 8 months, and a string a features  with Wiz Khalifa,Juicy J, French Montana, and brethren Rich Hil, The Weeknd is back,to change R&B again.Nearing the summer, KissLand was released.

Though the Trilogy was full of innuendos and dirty talk, The Weeknd held no punches  on Kissland , a nearly 8 minute song, in typical  Weeknd fashion.

The album art speaks for itself, reading KISSLAND in neon lights, seemingly advertising a seedy Hotel filled with questionable activities. This imagery comes to light, or should I say darkness upon listening to the title track.

(Source:billboard.com)

Not only is the beat sinister, with eerie funhouse sounds, but a looped sample of a women screaming  is played throughout the song, as the Weeknd  repeatedly attempts to coax a girl that she shouldn’t  hold back, and she should just let it out.

The song slows down towards the middle as Abel fills us in on how much his surroundings have changed over the past year,but his behavior hasn’t .The only catchy part is at the end  when he repeats

This ain’t nothing to relate to

Even if you tried,you tried,you tried

Though catchy, it’s hard to determine whether he is bragging or just signaling that the life he leads is dangerous to even attempt to emulate. This snippet was on Youtube, aptly titled John Carpenter, an homage to the horror film director

Soon after Belong to the World video was released by MTV, which already signals the type of song it would be.

The upbeat song attempts to introduce Abel to the masses, and he attempts to put one black boot in the pop world, while steadily holding the other to his underground roots.

All backed by a Portishead sample, making for a creeped out beat. He attempts to be coy but comes off blunt as he spews off about his typical topic of money hungry women, though this time it doesn’t seem to be beneficial to him.

I know you want your money, girl
Cause you do this every day, okay
The way you doubt your feelings
And look the other way

The cadence and harmonies of this song make it memorable, but reading the lyrics aids in the realization of what he is actually talking about.

I'm not a fool
I just love that you're dead inside)
I'm not a fool, I'm just lifeless too

But perhaps The Weeknd is evolving, but the only way he can talk about his current situation is by comparing it to the past

But you to taught me how to feel
When nobody ever would
And you taught me how to love
What nobody ever could

 I know I should leave you
And learn to mistreat you
Cause you belong to the world
I want to embrace you
Domesticate you

Is the Weeknd learning to treat women differently ,or is this a metaphor for the mainstream to accept him. If the music business belongs to the world, and Abel is unable to make it is own, perhaps he is questioning if the benefits outway the risks, and he is better off sticking to what he knows best, because after all, we all know that business and music can never be mixed, for it just taints the art and is never the same.

The song could be synonymous with the girl being a prostitute, all she wants is money, just like the music business. He knows he should leave, or he will wind up getting hurt. This offering for the mainstream music business may blow up in his face and he realizes it wasn’t meant to be, and he resort to his old ways , which culminates on songs like Wicked Games.

If House of Balloons is the Party that everyone is invited to, and Thursday consists of the mischievous details after a lot of the party ended, because nothing good happens after 2am. And Echoes of Silence deals with the repercussions of the sinful and carefree night, what is next?

Do you decide that it’s time to grow up and move on with your life, moaning “Im never drinking again”whilst your head is in the toilet, or do you say “screw it I’m young” and live it up adding to the arsenal of morning-after tales., knowing that you won’t be young forever?

Who knows. But we will find out  August 27^th.         

August 27^th will be judgment day for the Weeknd, to determine if he can surprise fans again.

Because after all,we just want good music right?

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Is it a Born Winner?

Born Sinner, J. Cole’s second official offering as Jay-z’s protégé and ROC Nation signee aims to show Cole’s true and pure talent. But will this talent be respected and upheld by his peers, and most importantly his fans?

The heavily introspective album begins with a boisterous Sunday morning-like choir singing

“I’m a born sinner, but I’ll die better than that.”

Cole’s very first words uttered are

“It’s much darker this time”

in a very somber voice, showing that he knows it is time to show and prove his talents, as if it wasn’t enough to release his album on the same day as the overhyped “Yeezus”. The album does get pretty dark but Cole ironically boasts his talent while rapping about the rocky journeys of life with lines like

“My pops was club-hopping back when clubbing Rick James was out and all I get is Trinidad James.”

Aside from Cole himself, the only other rapper featured on the album is the newly crowned king of the West Coast, Kendrick Lamar. Though Kendrick doesn’t lend of verse of his own, he adds to the melodic and simple chorus, conveying the message that nothing is forever. The smooth track samples A Tribe Called Quests’ Electric Relaxation by way of Ronnie Foster’s Mystic Brew

Often times, artists are unable to live up to the hype, resulting in a forgettable sophomore LP. However Jermaine’s situation is like many rappers nowadays who are unable mature into the single-selling, radio-playing sing-songy artists that money hungry labels profit off of and yearn for.

Cole fell victim to this system upon release of his debut album “Cole World: The Sideline Story”, when records like “Work Out” and the Trey Songz assisted “Can’t Get Enough” are the singles that the record labels forces out of him, after “Who Dat” didn’t satisfy them. Even though it sold over 218,000 copies and earned him a Grammy Nomination, Cole himself acknowledges the pitfalls of his debut album, with these sentiments shared by Nas.

Nas wasn’t completely satisfied with what J. Cole used as a single, which was the catalyst for Cole to make “Let Nas Down“, dedicated to the Queens rapper. The ode to rapper he looks up too shows his own musical insecurities, as he recounts admiring Nas at his peak

“Used to print out Nas raps and tape ‘em up on my wall/ My n*ggas thought they was words, but it was pictures I saw,”

says Cole over the jazzy saxophone looped beat, which also samples Fela Kuti.

Cole’s eclectic choice of samples don’t stop here, as he uses the  1990′s Outkast classic “The Art of Storytelling Pt. 1.” on the 3rd track of the album, titled “Land Of The Snakes” where Cole offers his perspective on the ever popular topic of more money more problems. As girls become less than trustworthy as his fame grows, so does his expectations of them, even mentioning how a awkward run in with an old college flame from St. John’s University, leads to her calling him a misogynist. Cole boasts this behavior, with

“My little black book thicker than the old testament”

and also delivers one of the most clever couplets when referencing Mr.Cee, one of New York’s most historic DJs being caught with a male prostitute, several times over.

“The same reason they call Mr. Cee ‘the finisher’ 
Forbidden fruit, watch for the Adam’s apple”

Cole redeems himself of this behavior with the help of TLC, on what is sure to be his biggest pop hit yet “Crooked Smile”, an ode to women around the world, as he pleads with women to accept themselves for who they truly are. Though the concept has been seen before and is a bit cheesy, Cole refuses to sacrifice his lyrical ability, with lines like,

” Oh, you a woman? I don’t know how you deal/

With all the pressure to look impressive and go out in heels/I feel for you/

Killing yourself to find a man that’ll kill for you.”

Crooked Smile may be the most joyful and uplifting song on the album, where Cole ironically speaks on someone other than himself.

The most somber and intimate song on the album is “Rich N*ggaz“, who J. Cole expresses his distaste for the aforementioned. The peaceful and simple beat, not made up of much more than a looped harp and the sound of rain bouncing off of nearby windows. Cole makes up for this simple beat, with some of his most touching lyrics on the album. Including the realization of his mother’s dependence on drugs and men, namely his step father, who Cole wishes no harm on, but if he were to die in a plane crash, he would be happy. The artistic imagery he references about Nas, comes full circle as Cole tries to mentally stay “afloat,”

“Try to ride the storm out and crash the boat
Could have drowned but I grabbed the rope”

The ocean references fit perfectly with the sound of water in the background and one can almost imagine J. Cole grasping onto the person that was once him.

That person is a Born Sinner, and the title track ends what seems to be a story of J. Cole reminiscing on the good and unfortunate that has occurred in his life, all in a hope to figure out where to go next, now that he has fame and money he knows that there is more in this Cold World.

The question remains, is Born Sinner a good album? Yes, it is an album filled with quotables, amazing production that shows J. Cole is honing yet another craft, and is stuffed with complex lyrics to keep any hip-hop heads or rapgenius.com connoisseur happy.

PUBLISHED ON 20SOME.COM

Up In Smoke

Smoke filled the air, whether it be from burnouts or one of the few dozen grills that added to the good time. The smell of burnt rubber wasn’t nearly as intoxicating as the barbeque, though the windy day didn’t allow for a choice. As the smoke clears, the reason for it all becomes apparent.

Peering out onto the horizon revealed hundreds of cars, strategically lined up to show off the customizations the owners put blood sweat and tears in.

The break in the cold weather allowed for the annual 1^st of the year Bakerzmeet car club to get together after their passion for cars was put to the test by Mother Nature.

“It’s really a beautiful thing to see, we’re finally back out here doing what we love, for awhile I thought this chapter would be a goner, ”said Mauricio Igner, one of the leaders of the tri-state areas’ Chapter.

Bakerzmeet is a car club created in early 1992, although Igner has loved cars since he was born.

“Cars? Cars is all I know, I honestly have nothing if you take that away from me”, exclaimed Igner, with his new stark white custom Bakerzmeet tee, a deep contrast from his dirty greasy hands even after attempting to wipe them off on the use-to-be white clothe hanging from his pocket.

The first car meet of the year is suppose to take place at the tail end of March, but the weather pushed the date off further and further before the car enthusiasts just couldn’t take it anymore, after being cooped up in the house all winter.

Not even mentioning the six or so meets that were canceled at the end of 2012 due to Hurricane Sandy Aftermath.

The meet-up took place in a mall parking lot in Hoboken, New Jersey, a huge parking lot chosen because the first meet of the year is always the largest, and this year was no different.

No one expected the huge turn out this year, as the sea of high-powered cars seemed to grow larger and larger.

For Steven Karatzias, the owner of a 2003 Lexus IS300, this was his first meet after his friend suggested it to him last summer.

“I’ve got something I’m proud of now. Before this car I had a Lincoln Town Car from ’82,1982 bro, that car first came out in 1981.The mileage counter thingy stopped working on it after 150,000 miles.”, Karatzias explained while leaning on his illegally tinted and newly waxed silver vehicle.

“It’s called an odometer, you idiot!” yelled out one of his friends before bursting out in laughter.

The laughter was rivaled across the parking lot, as if jokes seemingly rolled off of the tongues of the hundreds in attendance.

The results of Hurricane Sandy didn’t seem to dampen their moods today, or at least not as much as it had just a few months ago.

“After [Hurricane] Sandy a lot of us lost touch, not even by choice, just times were tough, you know? What can I say to someone who’s car floated down the block, the same car that was passed down to him from his grandfather, the same car that had beautiful canary yellow leather interior but  now just brown mush,” said Igner while looking at the ground with his arms crossed.

“It was a hard time for us, it may seem selfish to talk about material items  like that, but these cars are our lives man, I work a 9-to-5 so that can I afford to mess around with my car. It’s the only time my son and I don’t argue-when we’re working on the cars together.” said Raymond Cartney, Igners’ right hand man.

Cartney also handles all of the business that goes along with running a car club. Membership is $30 a month; in return all members receive countless car decals, the mouth watering barbeque and the Bakerzmeet t-shirt and hoodie in assorted colors.

For many of the members, it’s a small price to pay to spend a day with people whose passion burns just as deep as theirs.

A short walk around the parking lot will find guys shaking new hands and proudly pointing out the changes they’ve made since the last meet. A lot of the cars may even seem normal or dormant looking, until you pop the hood, revealing an engine that could rival those of Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

When asked when the wondrous afternoon ends, Igner chuckled before shrugging and said “depends what time the cops come, should be soon”

Not long after, the faint sound of sirens could be heard, and the burnouts and donuts ceased as many cars sped off into the distance. As the blaring sound of mufflers multiplied, the cars left nothing behind but thinning smoke and a skid mark covered parking lot.