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Volume 71, Issue 2
OCTOBER 17TH, 2018
Day of the Dead Ashley Castillo Contributing Writer
Texas Southern University/ EARLIE HUDNALL
A conversation with J. Prince Janaya Britton Entertainment Editor
Texas Southern University opened its doors to 5th Ward Houston native and the CEO and founder of Rap-A-Lot Records, James Prince. The legendary record company is responsible for bringing iconic Southern artists like Bun B, Slim Thug, Pimp C, and more into the music limelight. “I made the transition from the streets to corporate America,” said J. Prince. “I had to adjust to the squares.” J. Prince’s visit was centered around his new book “The Art and Science of Respect”, which focuses on his rise, and trials and tribulations while creating a name in the music industry. TSU gave students the opportunity to sit in and listen to a conversation between James Prince and President Austin Lane to celebrate the book. The visit also served to initiate a series of talks with successful people in different fields for the student body in the upcoming school year. The students in attendance were able to ask their own questions about how to build their careers in the music industry. Topics of discussion ranged from talking about J.Prince’s humble beginnings and oddly enough— a throwback Mercedes. Dr. Lane talked about the style and culture during the beginning of Rap-A-Lot and asked J.Prince about a photograph of Prince’s first luxury car, ( PRINCE, see pg. 3)
Día de los muertos or Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that has grown in popularity around the world in the last few years but has been a traditional Mexican holiday for nearly 3,000 years. The origins of Day of the Dead can be traced back to Mexican tribes like the Aztec, Nahuas, Totonacas and others located in Central and Southern Mexico. It was a time to celebrate the lives of their deceased ancestors through a month long celebration that occurred around August. People celebrated death as part of life and conserved skulls as a trophy that symbolizes rebirth. During this celebration the dead were believed to wake up and have their souls reunite and enjoy food, drinks and parties the world offers with their families. When Spanish colonizers arrived to Mexico they were terrified by the tribes’ pagan practices and while converting them to the Catholic religion, moved their celebration to the first and second day of November to coincide with their Catholic holiday, Día de todos los Santos y Todas las Almas, a holiday that celebrates all Catholic saints that do not have their own holiday in the church calendar. Families get together, cook, and build beautiful, colorful altars that represent the things their loved ones loved while on Earth. La flor de muerto, the cempasuchil flower, is one of the main decorative pieces used in altars since it was believed to preserve the sun’s heat and light up the way back home for the deceased. Pictures of family members and candles crowd the altars as well as some of the person’s favorite things. On November first and second, cemeteries throughout the country light up with candles and host festivities all night long. Cigarettes for the once alive smokers are lit and shot glasses for the drinkers are served while the deceased wake up from their eternal sleep to enjoy the things they once loved.