Paisano Plus

PLUS

PA I S A N O

INDEPENDENT STUDENT MAGAZINE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO

SEX &

HIP-HOP

P. 15

SPRING 2016, ISSUE 1

OIT 2016

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Contents 6

Campus Street Style

8

couples on campus

10 coffee: more than a caffeine fix 12 miss san antonio: heart of gold 15

sex, love and hip-hop

22 hip-hop: a timeline 25 an artist’s perspective 26 nightlife guide: n. St. Mary’s streey 27 quiz: which presidential candidate is your bae?

28 student submissions: creative writing 30 student discount guide

{ Paisano Plus } Magazine Editor: Jade Cuevas Interim Paisano Editor-in-Chief: Mia Cabello Interim Managing Editor: Randi Gilmore Assistant Magazine Editor: Urub Khawaja Photo Editor: Fabian De Soto Web Editor: Michael Turnini Account Executive: Jenelle Duff Business Manager: Lizzette Rocha Social Media Coordinator: Madeline Harper

Letter from the Magazine Editor

S

ince 1981, The Paisano Independent Student Newspaper has provided the UTSA community with a quality source of news for students, a weekly issue written for students by UTSA students.

In recent years, we here at The Paisano felt that to best serve all UTSA students and cater to their diverse interests we should publish a special issue — enter the Paisano Plus.

Commentaries concerning love, dating apps such as Tinder and the hip-hop industry accompany our cover story.

Mabl blln^ Zelh bg\en]^l Z ikhÛe^ h_ Miss San Antonio 2015 and UTSA student Emma Rudkin who impacts local ebo^l pbma a^k ghgikhÛm hk`ZgbsZmbhg4 Z \h__^^ Zl Zg ZkmblZg \kZ_m4 Zg] Z `nb]^ of student discounts.

So go ahead UTSA, take a gander, enjoy all Paisano Plus has to offer and Twice a semester, Paisano Plus then let us know what you think. Give covers feature articles on the topics us feedback, point out what themes you want to read about to truly satisfy and articles you liked most and inform your news needs. In this magazine us on the type of topics and trends you rhn ee Ûg] ma^ l\hhi hg _hh]% ni]Zm^l want to hear more of in future issues. on local nightlife, spotlight student This is a magazine for you, so feel free organizations and standout individuals, to make your voice heard. m^ee rhn paZm l ahm bg _Zlabhg Zg] fn\a ;nm Ûklm% lbfier mnkg ma^ iZ`^ Zg] much more. enjoy. ?hk mabl blln^ l \ho^k lmhkr% p^ ]^eo^ into the world of dating — spoiler Ze^km3 bm l ghm ^Zlr' Bg mabl l^Zk\a% p^ honed in on three features of college dating: sex, love (the search for it), and hip-hop music. While the three are separate entities, they blend to create Jade Cuevas the world of college hookup culture.

J

specialissues@paisano-online.com

Distribution Manager: Patrick Martinez {Staff} Annette Barraza, Christopher Breakell, Allison Gayda, Alyssa Gonzalez, Chris Herbert, Johnee Jasso, Memorie Johnson, Jesus Nieves, Caroline Traylor {Cover Photo} Fabian DeSoto {Advisor} Diane Abdo {Special Thanks} Editing 2433 {Advisory Board} Stefanie Arias, Jack Himelblau, Steven Kellman, Red Madden, Sandy Norman Paisano Plus is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-proďŹ t, tax exempt, educational organization.

The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, ďŹ nanced or endorsed by UTSA. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations.

Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed towards:

14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 690-9301 specialissues@paisano-online.com Š 2016, The Paisano

RUN. WINE. BEER. CHEFS. FUN.

Okay, so there’s more to it than that.

PRING

2016 S

Saturday, March 19th, 2016

8:00 a.m.

at The Shops at La Cantera For more information please visit culinariasa.org or give us a call at 210.822.9555 Team and Individual awards for all age groups. All proceeds benefit Culinaria.

Come enjoy the race in a beautiful setting geared for your senses and your taste buds. Gather your friends for a team or meet new ones at the race. There’s a race expo to get you equipped for all your race day needs and a reception like none other. Run. Drink. Give at the tastiest run in town. #EatDrinkGive.

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Follow The Paisano /ThePaisano @ThePaisano @paisanomedia

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“I try to dress based on how I’m feeling.”

- Thomas Roberts

“I like to always be welldressed and look nice everyday.”

- Adriana Gonzales

6

“My style is like my identity, it’s part of who I am. It helps me stand out.”

- Sterlin Sibley

“I think you should dress for the life you want.”

- Desmond Nava

“If you look good, you’ll feel good. For me, you look how you feel.”

- Je’Kierah Coleman “I always try to dress like I’m JRLQJ RQ D ƓUVW date.”

- TJ Tomasko

The Paisano Plus went on the hunt and asked, “What does style mean to you?”

Photos/Interviews by Allison Gayda Graphics by Urub Khawaja

campus street style

Couples on Campus Photos/Interviews by Caroline Traylor

How long have you been together?

M: “Those lines are kind of blurry.”

M: “She’s really pretty and cool to hang out with. We started out as friends.”

C: “My favorite thing about him is his sense of humor.”

- Claire Esquivel (pre-nursing sophomore) and Mason Hardy (business sophomore)

What relationship advice do you have for other couples?

K: “Communication is key.”

D: “Even though you’re in a relationship, be sure to keep your own identity.”

- Dzire Newton-Jones (public health junior) and Khiry Savoy (business management freshman)

How did you meet each other?

D: “We met in Writing Comp II.” A: “He just started talking to me after class and we ended up exploring campus together.”

D: “We hung out a lot before we actually went out.”

- Dustin Alandez (computer engineering, sophomore) and Angela Chin (undeclared freshman)

Are you a couple?

D: “I wish.”

What gave you the idea to put up the swing in the Sombrilla Plaza?

M: “He had the extra board in his garage and was like, ‘Melissa, let’s make a swing!’”

- Melissa Soliz (biochemistry freshman) and Dannion Trudell (business sophomore)

8

WHAT TO DO IN AN ARREST SITUATION - WAIVE YOUR RIGHTS - CONSENT TO A SEARCH - ACT FOOLISH ON CAMERA - TAKE ANY POLICE TESTS - CONFESS TO ANY CRIME - RESIST ARREST OR SEARCH - FIGHT WITH THE COPS - INVOKE THE 5TH AMENDMENT - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - BE POLITE AND CALM - VIDEO TAPE IF POSSIBLE - HAVE FRIENDS ON CALL - HAVE BAIL MONEY - THINK BEFORE YOU REACT - CALL THE DUDE!

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COFFEE: MORE THAN A CAFFEINE FIX

By Christopher Breakell ukewarm, brown liquid usually does the trick at 2 a.m. the night before the midterm paper is due; however, when surveying option, more students are going out of their way to sip on a quality cup of coffee.

Starbucks no longer has a monopoly on college students’ favorite fuel either; from Indy to Local, San Antonio coffee shops are popping up everywhere and brewing bold flavors with beans from all over the globe.

A lot of work goes into making that perfect cup too, and coffee shops are taking greater steps to control the process. Several shops around town have started roasting their own beans, because the quicker the bean goes from roaster to cup, the better the coffee will tastes.

White Elephant Coffee Company opened up about seven months ago in the Southtown area and roasts its beans in-house.

Its roaster not only benefits the establishment, but also all of the local shops the company distributes to, including Press Coffee, Señor Veggie and Halycon.

Much like with wine, the soil, elevation and atmosphere of where the coffee beans are grown affect what notes and flavors emerge, explained barista John Hernandez.

When a farm has the perfect combination of the three, buyers must act quickly.

“If you like something you have to move on it immediately because everybody else is going to be into

L

10

it,” Rosella Coffee barista Emily Kolb explained.

This limited supply and high demand is why shops like Rosella Cofee often sell pour-over coffee at “market price.”

For example, a couple of months ago, a farm in Colombia produced only nine bags of exceptional beans, and White Elephant Coffee Company was able to grab two of them. However, the scarcity drove the price up so much that a cup came out to over $7, which shocked some customer’s senses almost as much as the caffeine content did.

This cherished Colombian coffee was “single-origin,” a term that seems to be thrown around quite a bit nowadays.

Single-origin has a nice ring to it too — as if the beans haven’t mingled with the wrong crowd. However, Hernandez explained that saying singleorigin makes for better coffee is “like saying that a pepperoni pizza is better than a pepperoni and mushroom pizza.” It’s just a matter of preference. In fact, shops often mix beans from two different regions to enhance the flavor.

Once a shop finds the right beans and properly roasts them, the final product is in the hands of the baristas. To get the most out of a cup, Hernandez opts for the pour-over method, a manual way of brewing coffee.

White Elephant uses this method when trying new beans because it is the most controlled way to brew.

Kolb’s drink of choice is an Americano. “You taste the espresso plus you kind of see the craftsmanship of the barista,” she said.

Barista’s craftsmanship may seem excessive for combination of hot water and espresso, but even the proper measure and tap (amount of pressure used to press down the grounds) could greatly alter the taste. This explains why a barista might seem to be treating his or her coffee grounds like a hand-held sand box: there’s a reason behind the mindful behavior.

People can debate the best coffee drink all day, and they will, but a coffee connoisseur such as Kolb knows that the perfect cup just “depends on your mood and the time you’re getting coffee.”

COFFEE IS A CRAFT.

Photo: Randi Gilmore

Photo Courtesy Emma Rudkin

12

MISS SAN ANTONIO: HEART OF A QUEEN

By Annette Barraza mma Faye Rudkin isn’t your average college student.

She has already won Miss San Antonio, started a nonprofit and found her calling in life: helping others.

“The secret is that ... you can be a college student and still make a difference,” Rudkin said. “You find out who you are, who you are meant to be when you help people.”

Rudkin is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at UTSA, is a part of the Honors College and is a member of Young Life, a nonprofit organization with a faithbased message that is invested in helping young people.

Rudkin’s nonprofit, Aid The Silent, advocates for and supports the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The organization has recently attracted a large social media following with its #ShowYourAids social media campaign. #ShowYourAids attracted national attention when it was supported by the NFL’s first legally deaf offensive player, Derrick Coleman, who posted a photo wearing his aids using the hashtag.

The nonprofit accepts donations year-round and had its first official fundraiser, a 5K, in November.

“I was very surprised,” Rudkin said about the race. “A lot of people showed up! We were able to buy a FM system for a little girl. The system can be worn by the teacher and the student so that whatever the teacher says is directly relayed to the student.

We were also able to raise funds for a child’s speech therapy.”

Rudkin receives many emails from people, especially from

E

parents with female children that have a speech impediment.

“There are not a lot of female role models (in the death and hardof-hearing community) for them and I’ve received emails from all over the world,” Rudkin said.

Aid The Silent recently celebrated its first birthday. On the anniversary Rudkin had a humble celebration. “I was with a group of friends — some that supported me from the start with Aid The Silent — and we all sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Aid the Silent while eating pecan pie. It’s amazing that we got to this point because, like restaurants, most nonprofits fail within their first year. When Rudkin was 19, she was at a Young Life camp when the idea for the nonprofit formed.

In addition, she has started a new outreach in partnership called Deaf Life. It is the new branch of Young Life, and is meant to be an international example. “The idea is that I will travel the country and set up branches all over the country.”

Rudkin says even she is surprised at the way her life has turned out and gives credit to God. “I went from being bullied when I spoke due to my accent to being invited to various places to speak and am even in talks to become a part of the Christian speaking circuit. God took my greatest insecurity and used it for his cause.”

Rudkin’s advice to anyone who would like to make a difference is to “be authentic, see what breaks your heart and makes it hurt so that when the time comes where you can do something about that, you will be invested. After all, just because you are a college student, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference.”

Well said.

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LO V E

HIP-HOP WH AT ’S TH E D EA L?

By Jade Cuevas Think of the last party you went to. Perhaps it was a casual kickback with friends (and friends of friends). Or maybe it was littered with people you had never met. Drake’s “Hotline Bling” or Travis Scott’s “Antidote”, prompting party patrons to smile and “dab” as they continued to dance and drink.

As the night went on, you may have noticed a trend: people pairing off in twos.

Engrossed in conversation as the laws of proxemics are forfeited, pairs continue the night, leaving the party behind.

Because while parties may start off fun in large groups, the option of finding a person

to hook-up with may seem more tempting than hitting up a taco truck with your crew.

College is prime hook-up time. It offers a community of people in the same age range; so, it’s easy for college students to meet as many new people as they want. And situations can quickly become very heated.

So what happens the next day to the couple with natural chemistry that met at the party? Will they see each other again?

Where do they stand in terms of their relationship? Sexual partners? Significant others? Bed buddies?

Your guess might be as good as theirs.

SEX

( TH E EA S Y F I N D)

A

ccording to the American Psychological Association (APA), recent data has shown that 60 to 80 percent of North American college students have experienced a form of hooking up — many with people they have known for less than 24 hours.

A hook-up is defined by most as a casual sexual relationship. Time Magazine reported the average college student having five to seven hook-ups during his or her time at college.

Those hooking up may be more receptive to the idea of sex

positivity. Local sexologist Melissa Jones, owner of The Sexology Institute and Boutique, defines sex positivity as “being inclusive of everyone and being understanding and loving of all people” — an essential theme of hook-up culture.

“Sex positivity is about embracing your own sexuality, being proud of who you are and understanding your own body,” says Jones. “This way, when you are in a relationship with someone, then you can be empowered to tell your partner what you like.”

Hook-up culture approaches sex as a business deal — an effective

exchange.

Look to a growing fad in hookup culture: dating apps. While the apps claim to be a place to find love and form relationships, college students use them to increase hook-up efficiency.

Instead of having to go out, meet people, talk with them before finally confirming if both parties are interested in more, dating apps effectively refine the search. No chatting or small talk needed.

So, what’s the big deal? If two people want to have sex with each other, why shouldn’t they?

While the idea of two

consenting parties empowered by their sexuality sounds great, there is — as always — a downside.

Maintaining physical health may seem obvious at first glance: use protection. Easier said than done. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), there are 20 million diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) each year, about half of the diagnoses belong to people between the age of 15 and 24.

In 2015, the CDC also reported that Texas ranked 10th in the U.S. for chlamydia infections (498.3

Photo: Mia Cabello

COMMENTARY:

TINDER, DATING APPS

BY JESUS NIEVES

“ WH EN I H I T ‘E M / I MA K E ‘E M SAY “A H H ” / S E X BE M Y DAY J OB. ” – PR E T T Y R I C K Y,

“GRIND ON ME ”

cases per 100,000 persons). Texas also ranked 12th in the U.S. for gonorrhea cases (129.8 per 100,000 persons).

Although the risk of contracting an STD is foreboding enough, mental-health consequences are a feature of hook-up culture as well. Think of the couple from the hypothetical party. These two may hook up and never speak to each other again: their one night is the only experience that connects them.

But according to Jones, that connection may mean more than you think.

“You make a connection with that person (a sexual partner) on a chemical level, no matter what,” Jones states.

The chemical level of sex is to some strong stuff: there’s dopamine (pleasure) and serotonin (ecstasy), but the real bomb to be prepared for is oxytocin — or more commonly known as the “love drug” or “cuddle chemical.”

This chemical makes us humans want to bond with another person. And while small things like hugs and handholding can stimulate the chemical, sex is

when the chemical has the biggest reaction.

According to the APA, oxytocin increases the chances of feeling guilt, shame and in some cases experiencing depression after a one-night stand. In one study, 72 percent of women and 32 percent of men agreed with this statement: “I feel guilty or would feel guilty about having sexual intercourse with someone I had just met.”

And while both genders have different post-sex reactions, a cycle of shutting on and off the “love drug’s” effects has undeniable negative reactions.

Meeting someone new, deciding where to go on a first date, figuring out what you want in a relationship: dating is a challenge — especially for college students with busy schedules.

Luckily, we live in the age of technology. With dating apps such as Tinder, dating is now as easy as a few taps on a phone.

I never considered going on Tinder until about a year ago when a couple of my friends convinced me to give it a try. Most people I knew had a Tinder account, but used it only every once in awhile. After some convincing, I finally gave in and created a profile. But I still had my doubts.

During the first few weeks, I got on the app to look at some of the profiles out of curiosity and boredom. Some of the profiles were serious, while others were clearly made for fun. It was amusing to see people from high school and fellow college classmates while scrolling through the app. As months went on, I messaged a few people on Tinder, but never went on a date with any of them.

While it was fun to talk to some new people, many of the matches did not want to make the commitment to meet in person. Nevertheless, I ended up making two new friends via Tinder.

While I did not meet my “perfect match”, it seems that one of my friends did: she met her current boyfriend of a year on Tinder. Her relationship is an example of the best case scenario of what can happen on dating apps, and has altered my own personal view of Tinder.

I always thought dating apps were just for desperate people; however, because of the fast paced lifestyle of college students, dating apps make meeting people easier, serving as an alternative way of finding out what the dating world has to offer.

Photo: Mia Cabello

LO V E (A RA R I T Y)

T

hink of the last time you went on a date. Who were you with? How did you feel?

When thinking of the word “date” the mental image in our mind goes to the cinematic shot of a couple sitting at a table in a restaurant playing the classic game of “getting to know each other” before having a goodnight kiss.

Dating commonly assessed as a one-on-one event a couple partakes in to spend quality time together. In reality though, college dating is much different.

“There is no actual dating. There’s no getting to know anybody,” says college student and kinesiology major Emily Harwood. “Before I started college, I thought ‘Oh, it must be easy; everybody’s dating,’ But really, everybody was just hooking up.”

For both Harwood and Jones, dating has turned into less of a “get to know you” event and more of a “let’s have sex and see where it goes” event. Additionally, Jones explains how dating as a two person event has increasingly been replaced for group setting like parties and bars.

While some relationships may develop from a hook-up, forming and seeking romantic relationships through hooking up is problematic.

“If you keep seeing them — even if they might not be the right person for you as far as your goals and values — and then bond to them on a sexual level, that may be all that is keeping you two together months or years down the road,” Jones says. “You won’t have any of the other value systems holding you together and

then your relationship falls apart.”

Jones explains how each relationship needs an intellectual connection, while sex acts as the glue to maintaining a healthy relationship.

An intellectual connection shouldn’t be hard to find when in college — the center of knowledge — right?

Wrong.

Hook-up culture has dominated the dating field and become such a prevalent factor in most college students’ lives that the International Women’s Forum (IWF) found that one-third of college seniors have been on fewer than two dates.

“This is the ‘Netflix and chill era,’ but it’s just sad because there’s so much potential for really incredible sex in a fantastic relationship,” Harwood says. “Our generation is so afraid of having a real connection that we just stay with ‘Netflix & chill’ because something better scares everybody.”

College students are often at a crossroads between holding out for a relationship with opportunities for meaningful intimacy or finding a convenient sexual partner to spend the night with.

According to Harwood’s findings, most people opt for convenient sex.

“It feels like if I’m not dirty texting by the first date or sending nudes they (guys) will be like ‘Okay, bye. You’re a waste of my time,’” she says. “Or they don’t invest enough time after one or two texts or phone calls — not even phone calls — just texts.”

And if two parties want to have a hook up, it’s fine, but neither should expect anything more. “I mean I guess if you’re looking at it (sex)

purely as an outlet — recreation — than you’re getting your aerobic exercise,” Jones says. “But I don’t think it would work long-term. There are a lot of studies that show that isn’t healthy for you.”

Dating apps are easy — there is a minimal time and energy investment.

Who has any spare time in college?

There are only 168 hours within one week.

According to the National Survey of Student Engagement 2015 results, the average college student will spend about 15-16 hours each week preparing for classes. That number would be bumped up during midterms, finals and major project or paper deadlines.

On top of classes, most college students have part-time jobs and hectic schedules. Add time taken for social life, student organization involvement and students are busier than they thought was possible.

So where does that leave dating?

Co-founders of the popular dating app Tinder, Sean Rad and Justin Mateen told Time Magazine the app was created with relationships in mind, but Rad explained that the app isn’t meant to be taken too seriously.

“Nobody joins Tinder because they’re looking for something,” Rad said. “They join because they want to have fun. It doesn’t even matter if you match because swiping is so fun.”

“Convenient,” “easy,” “short-term,” “no strings attached” and “fun”: all terms used to describe college dating. Nevertheless, as “fun” as it is, college students are in a long-term relationship with short-term hookups.

COMMENTARY:

LOVE IS WORTH IT

“ A R E W E DATI N G? / A R E W E F- C K I N G? / A R E W E BES T F R I EN DS? / A R E W E S O M E TH I N G I N BE TW E EN TH AT ? ” – CH I LD I SH G A M BI N O, “ H EA R T BEAT ”

BY ALYSSA GONZALES On the expedited conveyor belt to adulthood, we are trained to focus on our future and the actions that will get us there, and love gets filed into the “when I’m older” compartment of our minds.

If there is one thing that should not be pushed aside or done halfheartedly, it is love.

College students are commonly told that their college relationships likely wont last and that they have their whole lives ahead of them to find and discover love.

What a double standard.

If we, college-attending adults, cannot be trusted to believe in our emotions or know ourselves even when our words fail us, how can we be expected to choose a major or career path — equally important life decisions? Has love become an unnecessary distraction from the rest of our lives?

The way I see it, our priorities have become skewed. The more we focus on our career paths and ourselves, the lonelier we become.

We become so caught up in where we think we need to be, that the relationships we create are shallow.

We want no strings attached.

We want no hard feelings. We want something to pass the time.

Why does it seem like no one is willing to risk everything for love? Is raw emotion so foreign and terrifying that careless hookups are the desired or the ideal option?

I have been advised not to waste my time and energy on one person, that a relationship limits my options to live and be a typical college student. I’ve been told that love and commitment should come later in life — as if love is a mundane adult responsibility.

But that’s not a sacrifice I’m willing to make.

Love can be beautiful if it is given a chance. It can blossom when both parties invest themselves completely.

HIP-HOP ( TH E C O M M O N D EN O M I NATOR)

A

s people start to pair off during this hypothetical party, the hook-up culture anthem plays in the background: hip-hop.

It’s no secret that most chart-topping hip-hop songs deal exclusively and explicitly with sex. And while hip-hop is certainly not the first to claim this theme — classic Marvin Gaye — modern hip-hop has become increasingly more upfront about the topic. ti-BTU UIJOH * SFNFNCFS JT PVS beautiful bodies grinding up in the club / Drunk in love.” – Beyoncé, “Drunk in Love” ti-FU NF SJEF ZPV UISPVHI UIF OJHIU / I’m a sexaholic and I’m cool with it.” – Genuine, “Sex” ti8F DPVME HFU JU QPQQJO PO UIF living room floor / ‘Til I hear you holla baby gimme more.” Jerimih, “Birthday Sex” While these lyrics don’t seem to mean much when they are being casually hummed in the car with a bumpin’ beat, taking the time to read them can make some people feel almost provocative.

Something as small as song lyrics carry a bigger message when the song is a chart-topper.

DJ, rapper and resident UTSA assistant professor of biculturalbilingual studies Marco Cervantes explains how lyrics have a bigger meaning to us than we initially think.

“Is it (hip-hop) reflective of relationships of hook up culture? Does it maybe also impact it? I think so,” Cervantes says. “I think it could be dangerous, as well, if some of these lyrics and content are considered the norm — especially in relation to women.”

A 2008 Public Health Report studied 279 of Billboard’s top songs finding that about 40 percent of the songs contained sexual references. Of those songs, 64 percent included lyrics about degrading sex (in which one person objectifies another) in rap music and about 28

percent from hip-hop music. Of these songs, most of the degrading sexual references objectified women.

What impacts does it have on people who repeatedly listen to these songs? When you’re at a party and a group of people are singing along to subject matter of “f-cked three h-es I met this week” (Travis Scott) and “I got what you need, come f-ck with me” (Nelly), perhaps those lyrics start to subconsciously be considered as permissible sexual behaviors.

College students begin to internalize a hip-hop artist’s mentality: do what they want, when they want it.

Ever seen a group of drunk college students belt out Drake’s “All Me” — an anthem of Drake’s self-achievements — flawlessly adopting his persona? For that moment they truly believe that they “…

Got b-tches in my condo / Just bought a shirt that cost a Mercedes-Benz car note.” It’s not a pretty sight.

Hip-hop, which has been around since the 1970s, has become the front runner of pop culture within the past few years. It’s the main staple at a quintessential college party, the songs played at all clubs (even Cowboys Dancehall) and overall a hot topic of conversation in media and workplace chit chat (Meek Mill/Drake feud).

In other words, if you want to be cool, you know hip-hop.

“I’m seeing it grow in popularity,” Cervantes says. “It’s one of those genres that of music that you can put out material very quickly and make it very accessible and I think that’s appealing for a lot of young people especially.”

Though hip-hop’s subject matter is questionable at times for many people, there has been an increased interest in what other hip-hop artists have to say.

“So I see it as, they (sex-centered lyrics) could have an impact and it could be potentially dangerous and misread as reality — depending on the song, though,” Cervantes says. “I’m thinking about some artists that talk about

relationships in more complex ways.”

He mentions J. Cole as one of his main points of focus.

With lyrics like “I care about you, so I’ll wait / you don’t need to say anything / you just need to know that,” J. Cole raps about the complexity of relationships — an approach that is still considered fairly new for hip-hop.

“I think artists are taking more of a stand now,” Cervantes says.

“Mainstream artists are starting to complicate notions of relationships — I’m thinking about J. Cole — that touches on aspects of vulnerability as well, which is something I don’t remember growing up with artists like Ice Cube or Notorious B.I.G, where you’re not necessarily being ‘cool’ if you were talking about relationships.”

This theme of sensitivity has started to spread to other mainstream hip-hop artists like Nicki Minaj, who defended her relationship with fiancé Meek Mill. A podcast poked fun about Mill becoming “too sappy” since making music with Minaj.

In reply, Minaj tweeted “Why would you be bothered by another man showing love to his girl?” and “Let’s celebrate black love. All the best w/ur podcast. All jokes aside.”

It seems there’s a slow but steady shift happening throughout hip-hop.

Cervantes notes the change specifically with influential rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose album To Pimp a Butterfly, made waves for issues of racial injustice. “I’m definitely seeing a change,” Cervantes says. “Not only in romantic relationships but racial differences.

As hip-hop begins to change, maybe college students’ sex-centric lives will shift to deeper meanings and issues as well.

Time will tell. Ironically, Cervantes never thought hip-hop would become so influential. “When I was younger, a lot of people claimed hip-hop was going to die.”

Photo: Mia Cabello

COMMENTARY:

HIP HOP’S MISOGYNY PROBLEM

BY CAROLINE TRAYLOR

“ A N D H E TE L L I N G M E I T ’S R EA L / TH AT H E LO V E M Y S E X A P P EA L. ” – N I C K I M I NA J, “ A NA C O N DA ”

S O WH AT ’S TH E D EA L? ( R E V I S I T E D) Dating is hard. It’s extremely hard.

Sifting through people to connect with is not an easy task at any age.

Yet, despite knowing how hard it is, people are strangely optimistic.

“I think there has always been a level of complication,” Jones says. “But now, we as a society talk about it more — which I think is good. College students have been having sex for years but haven’t been talking about it. Maybe not to the level they are now, but it’s always been happening.”

And Harwood is the most optimistic.

“I want to believe that it will change. I so badly want to do something, somehow

to reach out to everybody and say, ‘Do you see what’s going on? How can we better ourselves?’”

As a college student, Harwood refuses to play by hook-up culture’s rules or lose hope of finding a deeper connection. “I feel what we are doing right now is not great. Not that it (hook-up culture) is degrading, but it’s not helping either.”

There is no one aspect of college culture or society to blame for college students’ blasé approach to dating and relationships.

The only way to find the connection is to get out and try — preferably with Drake’s “Right Hand” as an anthem.

Being a woman who loves hip-hop is the ultimate internal conflict.

While it is by far my favorite genre of music, sometimes it feels like I’m in a toxic relationship with hip-hop.

At the beginning of the relationship things were exciting, meaningful and provocative; but somewhere along the way the relationship took a misogynistic turn, characterized by verbal abuse that interchanges “woman” with “bitch” or “hoe”.

I see the good in you and that leaves me with glimmers of hope; Nevertheless, I feel twinges of guilt as I twerk.

Every genre of music is guilty of having sexist elements, but in hiphop, they are much more explicit.

In his 2013 song “U.O.E.N.O.” rapper Rick Ross boasts about drugging and raping a woman: “put molly in her champagne/ she ain’t even know it/ I take her home and enjoy that/ she ain’t even know it.” A more recent example is a tweet from one of hiphop’s most successful and revered artists Kanye West who stated, “BILL COSBY INNOCENT !!!!!!!!!!”

Even Drake, the supposedly sensitive voice of hip-hop, in his hit “Hotline Bling” is a bitter, sad-boy anthem, bemoans his ex’s newfound sense of

independence with, “ever since I left the city you/ you got exactly what you asked for/ running out of pages on your passport/ hanging with some girls I’ve never seen before.”

There are women in hip-hop who enjoy commercial success and demand respect in a male-dominated industry, but even they are not safe from double-standards. This was made especially evident in 2014 when Nicki Minaj released the album art for her single “Anaconda”. The Young Money artist known for going toe-to-toe with all of your favorite male rappers (outshining the likes of Jay-Z and Kanye in her “Monster” verse) appeared squatted in a pink sports bra, blue sneakers and a pink g-string, proudly displaying her voluptuous posterior.

There was backlash.

The owner of allhiphop. com wrote an open letter to Minaj expressing his disappointment and citing his fatherhood to a young daughter as the source. Pandora censored the image as think-pieces spread throughout the internet claiming that Minaj was selling sex.

Where was all of this paternalistic concern for the ornamental, scantilyclad women in Nelly’s, 2 Chainz’ and Snoop Dogg’s videos? Where are their think-pieces?

Continued on page 30

: HIP-HOP A TIMELINE While the message of mainstream hip-hop has changed, even been dumbed down, over the decades, quality hip-hop music has come out in the last decade.

Hip-hop music’s evolving production, powerful lyricism and creativity that pushes boundaries have impacted many people. But five albums in the last 10 years have been pivotal in shaping and defining the modern hip-hop scene.

By Christopher Herbert

Some criteria to keep in mind: *Only albums released from 2010 to 2015 were considered. *Only one album per artist is considered, (the same rules apply for honorable mention). * Mixtapes are not eligible for this list but can be considered for honorable mentions.

Honorable mentions on page 27

Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Release Date: Nov. 22, 2010 Certification: Platinum Singles: “Power,” “Runaway,” “All of the Lights,” “Monster” My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy sounds like a medley of his four previous albums: The College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation, and 808’s and Heartbreak. In My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kayne West merges the best qualities from his previous works to create a masterpiece. In it, West divulges the stresses of celebrity, ego and uncertainty, making some of the best songs in his discography.

201 1 201 0 Drake-Take Care: Release Date: Nov. 15, 2011 Certification: Double-platinum Singles: “Marvin’s Room,” “Headlines,” “Make Me Proud,” “The Motto,” “Take Care,” “HYFR,” “Crew Love” While there was some debate over whether this album actually qualified as hip-hop, Take Care solidified Drake’s status as the genre’s top dog. Over half of the album are singles. In this record, the sensitive rapper shares details about his complicated love life with countless verses that have been quoted on fans’ Twitter pages and inspiring the internet sensation “Drake the type of...” meme. Drake has since released Nothing Was the Same, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, and What a Time to be Alive (a collaboaration with Future) but none of these albums have come close to the commercial and content successes that Take Care achieved.

22

Killer Mike/ El-P: Run The Jewels 2 Release Date: Oct. 24, 2014 RIAA Certification: None Singles: “Oh My Darling Don’t Cry,” “Blockbuster Night Part 1,” “Close Your Eyes” Many mainstream hip-hop fans might not have heard of Run The Jewels, a rap duo comprised of Georgia MC Killer Mike and New York underground producing legend El-P. However, in 2012, these two worked together on Killer Mike’s R.A.P. Music album and demonstrated an undeniable chemistry. Their second album, Run The Jewels 2, features hard-hitting and futuristic beats paired with powerful, fast paced lyrics that would push both of their names past mainstream obscurity. Many music critic sites, and magazines have expressed their respect for this album.

Kendrick Lamar- Good Kid, Maad City Release Date: Oct. 22, 2012 Certification: Platinum Singles: “The Recipe,” “Swimming Pools,” “Backseat Freestyle,” “Poetic Justice,” “Don’t Kill my Vibe” When this album was released in 2012, many were unaware or unaccustomed to Kendrick Lamar’s unorthodox rap style; however, many who listened were treated to one of the most important hip-hop albums of the decade. This concept album details Kendrick’s life in Compton, Calif. before he became a rapper. This album feels like a gangsta rap’s ultimate musical. What makes this album the best hip hop album of the 2012 is its versatility. Very few contemporary hip hop artists can balance making music with a powerful message, great production value and still meets commercial success. While Kendrick has made other acclaimed albums such as Section 80 and To Pimp a Butterfly, this was his absolute work and will be remembered as one of the greatest hip hop albums ever recorded.

2 0 14 201 2

J-Cole- 2014 Forest Hills Drive Release Date: Dec. 9, 2014 Certification: Platinum Singles: “Apparently,” “Wet Dreamz,” “G.O.M.D,” “No Role Modelz” North Carolina rapper J.Cole has been a notable hip-hop artist since 2009 when he released mixtapes like the “Warm Up,” “The Come Up,” and “Friday Night Lights.” His debut album Cole World put him on the map but the Sideline Story in 2011 was considered a disappointment. His next effort, Born Sinner (released two years later) was a noticeable improvement, but was still overlooked by some. In 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Cole showed hip hop fans his true potential. Despite being released without much hype, 2014 Forest Hills Drive is indisputably the rapper’s greatest work yet. Many of his songs are still a regulars on radio stations’ rotations — a rarity for tracks over a year old. 2014 Forest Hills Drive is noteworthy for being the first album in 25 years to go platinum with no featured featured artists.

All photos courtesy: Billboard.com

23

All photos courtesy of artists mentioned

Jetty Crittenden

“

My na name is Jetty Crittenden and I’m a 19 1 year old freshman at UTSA majoring in Actuarial Science. The objective of my work has yet to define itself completely, but is mostly focused on portraiture and manipulating the presentation of the women and faces I paint in order to present different themes and to the viewers. Even in subtle ways, I try to set a certain mood with each piece that the audience can identify with. My influences vary, but for sure two of my biggest ones are Gustav Klimt and Alphonse Mucha.

Right now, I’m heavily influenced by early Christian art, triptychs and medieval design. This influence is both aesthetically-based and conceptuallybased, as I reference early medieval art to imply certain modern “holy” and “sacred” themes in my work. As of now, I’m working on developingg these ideas and teaching classes at Michael’s. ichael’s.

9[Z]'Ûem^kl

” Adrian Herrera Myy name is Adrian Herrera.

I’m sstill pretty young — only 18 years old. Technically, I’m still starting out. With each piece of art I create, I’m still just in the stage of experimentation with different sty platforms that I’m looking forward to diving into in the near future include print media such as zines or poster designs and of human interaction with their environment (i.e., humans, nature, technology, inner turmoil, etc.). In fall of 2016, I’ll be attending Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA where I’ll be studying fine arts art with a specialization in photography graphy and graphic design.

“

@adianherrera

24

”

Compiled by Alyssa Gonzales

Malia a Gomez

“

Myy n name is Malia Gomez and I’m I getting my BFA in drawing. I’m still exploring myself as an artist but am primarily interested in incorporating anatomy as well as the human figure in my work. I experiment a lot and am kind of all over the place with all of the artwork that I share! I share everything on my Instagram and repost on my Facebook just to get myself out there and get some feedback. I use hashtags to reach out further beyond my g friend zone and get recognized by other people in thee arts.

”

@maliagomez

Mikki Pasasadaba Mik

“

Durin my studies in UTSA as a BFA student, I During have received momentous instruction given to me by very influential and helpful instructors.

In addition to this, being surrounded by a wonderful art community and student body, my passions as a growing artist have increased, along with my aspiration to share a connection among individuals through art. I believe that art is ion to the piece. Several messages can be conveyed through art, the viewer’s mind is allowed to conceptualize and appreciate these certain themes and even emotions. Because of this, I try to convey the different qualities and perceptions of our humanity within most of my artwork. My intention with art is to establish this connection between people and be able to share with them an artwork that carries a meaningful idea and understanding about society and us as individuals. @mik_dab

” AN ARTIST'S PERSPECTIVE

NIGHTLIFE IN SA: N. ST. MARY’S STREET Compiled by Johnee Jasso Graphics by Urub Khawaja Faust Tavern – Bar / Restaurant * Dive Bar 517 E. Woodlawn, San Antonio, TX 78212 Happy Hour: 4pm – 9pm - $2 wells, $5$ Bloody Marys, mecheladas Specials: Monday Wing Night; Forever Friday: resident DJs Outdoor patio, “Crossroads” southern kitchen, occasional themed menu (i.e.

Simpsons Halloween) Pulled pork sandwiches, mozzarella mac, lil hushpuppies, vegan roll

The Mix – Bar * Live Rock Bands 2423 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212 Happy Hour: Open – 8pm Casual, chill and supports local bands

TBA – Bar 2801 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212 Happy Hour: 5pm – 8pm Very inviting, nice ambience Covered outdoor patio, great food and drinks, recently updated menus grilled cheese sandwiches – smoked, westsider, caprese.

La Batonica – Bar / Restaurant * Vegan Bar & Restaurants 2911 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212 Specials: Gay Hour – Thursday 6pm – 9pm Service Industry Wednesday – All Night Tejana Tuesday On the pricy side Hispanic vegan eats and drinks.

Limelight – Bar / Dance Club 2718 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212 Live Music, Open Mic Night Karaoke Night Tuesday Comfortable atmosphere — for music lovers

Brass Monkey – Bar / Dance Club 2702 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212 Specials: Two-Step Tuesdays Hump Day Hangout Thurzgayz -.75 cent wells 2$fireballs 80’s Night Fridays 2 dolla errrthing NewWave ClassX Sunday 2$cherry vodka sours Cheap drinks — for music lovers

Tacos El Regio – Restaurant/Food truck 2726 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212 Crowd favorite on st.marys street.

Between hardbodies and limelight Asada tacos, quesadillas, mini tacos, tortas, tostadas. All under $10

The Phantom Room – Bar / Dance Club 2106 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212

26

Wednesday karaoke Party vibe Draws huge crowds on weekends, Max capacity Cheap drinks — for hip-hop lovers

HIP-HOP: A TIMELINE CO NTI N U E D

F R O M PAG E

23

2010 Rick Ross-Teflon Don Nicki Minaj- Pink Friday Kid Cudi-Man on the Moon II Eminem-Recovery

HONORABLE MENTIONS 2011

2013

2014

Jay-Z/Kanye West- Watch The Throne Big Krit, *Return of 4eva*

Mac Miller, Watching Movies with the Sound Off Earl Sweatshirt-Doris Pusha T, My Name is my Name Chance The Rapper *Acid Rap* Danny Brown- Old Childish Gambino- Because the Internet.

Lecrae Anomaly Travis $cott- *Days Before Rodeo* Freddie Gibbs/Madlib-Pinata

2012 Ab Soul-Control System Schoolboy Q- Habits & Contradictions Joey Bada$$-*1999* Action Bronson, *Blue Chips*

2015 Big Sean- Dark Sky Paradise Wale- The Album about Nothing Dr.Dre-Compton Future- Dirty Sprite 2

Pick a Founding Father

Which presidential candidate is your bae?

Be Fr nja an m kl in in Choose a CRAYON?

z

z Ja

Do you identify as a feminist?

PIZZA!

r nde e yo Blu

am J ry r be

Fave social media?

Kim or Kendall?

T-Swift or NICKI? Blonde or Brunette?

DONALD

Ted

Hillary

Bernie

I CAN REMEMBER

By Krystal Trlicek

If I close my eyes and search long enough, I can remember some good things about that house. I remember Barbara setting a glass jar of tea out in the sun on a stepping stone. I remember the soothing sound of wind chimes making music on the porch. From that porch I could look to my right and see Barbara hanging the laundry on a line of clothespins just like we were living on one of those farms in the movies. I remember what it was like to wake up to a rooster’s crow, and burst out of the front door feeling cool grass iced with morning dew under my little bare feet. Of these things I remember most of all, the glorious rays of sunlight that illuminated our small, open home. The sunlight shining through the glass exposed any darkness left over from the previous night, and it calmed my fear of the night to come.

After four o clock in the morning, when he left for work, peace overcame us. We would ignore her black eyes

and bruised legs. We would sweep the shards of glass. Then, when the past was behind us, we would sip that tea made of sun and enjoy our few hours of playing house. I would even run to the end of our gravel road and call on the neighbor children.

I would introduce them to you as my friends, but in reality us children only wished to keep each other occupied. Their families hated my family, and could I blame them? I can recall an ultimatum made by Keith threatening one of our neighbors by claiming he would shoot their Labrador puppy should it run into our yard and chase his chickens again. He shot that puppy. He made a little boy and his very own wife cry because of it. But I wish I could tell you that killing an innocent dog was the worst thing he did.

He only threatened the neighbors as hobby. What he did on a daily basis was terrorize his own home. When the sun began to set, darkness approached again, and the only light we

would see before the morning were the headlights from his truck. When we heard the gravel crunch under his tires and saw the beams of light through the window, our stomachs would churn and our teeth would clench. Not every night was awful. In fact, sometimes he would fling open the door, pick me up and spin me around above his head laughing and embracing me with love, but before he walked in the door, we had been clueless as to what kind of night it would be. We were on his time and his temper.

Our lives were controlled by his blood alcohol concentration which began at a dangerous ratio before he even made it from work. As I listened to his work boots stomp up the steps towards the front door, I would hope for a normal rhythm and not a drunken stumble. As the lock clicked and the door knob rotated, I would wonder why my life had to be under siege by other peoples’ choices.

SILENT CAR RIDES

By Patrick Martinez Am I going to school today, daddy?

-Shh, your dad’s asleep baby…Drank too much.

You see, he would have woken up had he-Had he what?- I’m trying to tell you, hush.

To my niece, I speak of education How important it is to a young girl She misses school with life’s complications, Yet in attendance, she shines like pearls Early mornings are shared with silent rides, but she understands that I’m here for her.

-He can’t take you, babe. He hasn’t the time.

-I know that…You’re my biggest supporter.

I stop. Time for school, baby. I love you.

Seeing her smile always elates the mood.

28

BENDING

By Rebecca Grant

I sat up, emerging from the comforting depths of deep sleep.

The clock said 11:00 AM. I wanted to care how late it was. I truly did. I had missed Economics again, but I thought it was for the better anyway.

I did not feel up to explaining why my homework was not done once again.

Just a year ago, I would have been horrified at the thought of missing class, much less not completing homework on time.

I was a perfectionist. Now I just was.

Everything I had done to get where I was had been so consuming, like a black hole of constant success and achievement. Now my reason for living so productively was gone.

When exactly did I realize I didn’t want to be a physician?

Perhaps it was when I realized just how cutthroat the competition was.

Hell, I didn’t even realize freshman pre-med classes were a competition.

That reality hit me like a switch, stinging deeper than I even realized.

I had missed one day of class to go to an unavoidable doctor’s appointment, so I asked the girl I talked to in class for notes. She showed up at my dorm later with her notes neatly typed out.

Once the test results were posted, it was clear she had given purposefully incorrect notes.

My test results were also discouraging. The general environment of the class was hardly nurturing since the professors openly acknowledged Biology I as a “weeding out” class.

I couldn’t get up, even with my clock’s red numbers glaring at me angrily. It was a physical impossibility. I slept the entire day once again. I woke around nine that evening, feeling sick of my inability to thrive or even function.

I wordlessly got up, the prospect of my pain being over giving me the

energy I needed to walk outside to the balcony.

I stared intently at my white fingers, gripping the edge of the guardrail right outside my dorm.

I tried to calculate how far down it would be from the third floor of Harlan Hall. Would it kill me or would it just leave me wishing I were dead once again? A shaky sigh escaped my trembling lips and I watched my warm breath visibly dissipate into the air. I wished I were those condensed droplets of air, so easily, painlessly, scattered by the merciless air.

My roommate was studying, and I knew that’s what I should have been doing. Somehow, the consistent 4.0 student I had always been was lost somewhere beneath the quagmire of listlessness and numbness that pervaded my senses. I could hear that person screaming at me to get it together, to do my homework, to continue succeeding, but her cries were muffled by all the mire she was drowning in.

“What are you doing? Talk to me,” my roommate, Megan, said, jarring me from my morbid line of thought.

She was wearing a green knit sweater and had a plaid blanket draped over her shoulders.

I didn’t look her in the eyes, but instead stared at her blanket while I spoke. “I don’t care anymore. It’s strange. I thought I knew exactly what I was going to be, what I was going to do with my life,” I answered, then looked over my shoulder at the railing with longing in my eyes and voice, “It hurts. Oh, God. Help me.

End it.”

She hurried to my side as a sob stopped short in my throat. “I have to ask you something. Are you safe?

Are you going to endanger yourself?” she asked, trying to look into my downcast eyes.

“I want to die,” I answered flatly.

The words didn’t come out as a melodramatic realization. Instead, they felt more like a statement about the weather or an idle chat about the news. Nothing dramatic about it.

“Get your stuff together. We’re getting you home,” she said, ushering me back inside.

I couldn’t think properly. I didn’t know what I would need. I had no idea how my parents would respond.

Was I going to be hospitalized? I stood in my closet, staring at the clothes. I eventually pulled my cheerleading uniform off the hanger and a ghost of a smile found its way to my lips. It was the only thing that made me happy anymore.

Megan sighed and gently took the uniform from my hands. She found my duffle bag and packed me the bare essentials. She stuffed my purse in there, knowing I wasn’t even thinking about it.

“I called your boyfriend. He’s going to drive you home,” she said, hugging me. I gripped her shoulders, but felt nothing from the human contact.

“I don’t think I love him,” I said insipidly as I looked at the air over her shoulder. All she did was nod and squeeze me tighter. I didn’t think I even wanted to see him. For some reason, seeing him seemed like it would make everything worse, but what option did I have? I couldn’t drive myself and be safe.

As if scripted, a knock came at the door. My roommate opened it and invited Chad in. I grimaced when I saw him wearing the stupid red t-shirt with quotes from his old youth pastor on it. The youth pastor happened to be his dad – a man I despised with all my being. He had been my pastor too and betrayed my trust when he stole money from the church and my parents. I didn’t have to see him often, but that stupid shirt with the hole in the sleeve made me

think of him and it sickened me.

Chad didn’t ask about the grimace.

He probably assumed I was just very depressed. He went to me and hugged me, but I felt so hollow. I didn’t hug him back, not to be cruel, but I felt like I physically couldn’t. I was exhausted despite having done nothing at all. Breathing itself felt like labor. I couldn’t imagine walking down the stairs three floors, then to his car.

“Let’s get you home,” he said quietly and thanked Megan for taking care of me. I gave her a listless goodbye and allowed myself to be escorted out of the dorm. Seeing the railing again filled me with regret.

I had my shot and I blew it. Now I would have to see doctors, therapists, and maybe even be hospitalized.

I had to stop to rest multiple times, so after the first flight of stairs, Chad just picked me up and carried me to his car. I didn’t care enough to protest. He set me down gently in the passenger’s seat of his rusty old car and closed the door.

I glared at the radio, which he had turned to K-Love. I didn’t want to hear about hope and the future and how much God loved me, so I shut it off. When he slid into his side of the car, he looked perplexedly at the radio and turned it back on, apparently not realizing I had switched the irritating sound off.

I didn’t say anything because that would take effort, and I didn’t have any to give.

The car ride was dead silent, almost awkward. If I could have felt anything when I saw the sign for my neighborhood, I would have been relieved my ride was almost over. The trees in my neighborhood seemed to reach their arms over our car, hiding the moonlight from my eyes. They were cold and cruel, eliminating any light or hope the moonlit night could have given me.

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These often faceless women are deduced to their body parts. Why is it that a woman expressing her sexuality on her own terms is problematic and ruining the youth, while male rappers using women as decoration in their videos elicits no negative response?

Sexism did not originate from hiphop and is not a symptom of “black culture,” which seems to be implicit in most critiques of hip-hop.

Hip hop’s roots can be traced to the South Bronx (NY) in the 1970s and developed as a local, underground alternative to the mainstream beat.

At hip-hop’s core is a confrontational message in response to urban poverty and police brutality and a push back against systemic racism. The genre that began in the streets of New York as political and underground is now an international, multibillion dollar phenomenon that dominates mainstream charts. Now artists like Common, Mos Def and Talib Kweli whose lyrics are socially conscious and politically oriented are labeled with an “underground” or “conscious” prefix. However, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly has demonstrated a resurgence of political hip-hop; Lamar’s most recent work is a detailed examination of race relations in America and still

enjoyed commercial success.

In order for artists to achieve mainstream success they must conform to the demands of their record labels. An article in The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that “70 percent of the paying (and downloading) hip hop audience is white kids living in the suburbs.”

Companies that depend on black talent like Pandora, Live Nation, Apple, Spotify, AEG, Warner Music Group, Clear Channel Communications and Universal Music Group are dominated by white executives, often from privileged backgrounds.

So, if white audiences are consuming hip-hop and white executives are producing it, who is to blame for its problem with women?

The sexism we see in hip-hop music is a reflection of the sexism we see in society as a whole. Hip-hop, however, is dominating pop culture and Top 40 charts, making it an easy scapegoat. Rampant misogyny in hip hop is simply a by-product of rampant misogyny in American culture.

Of course I wish for a less misogynistic hip-hop but I know that until then I’ll keep listening. Chris Brown was wrong about how “hoes ain’t loyal”.

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ENTERTAINMENT 31