As the face of Latin trap, Bad Bunny needs no introduction. More important, he needs no definitions. The Puerto Rico native born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has become an international superstar with a major presence across the U.S., and he’s done it all on his own terms, without pandering to America-centric or gender expectations. The […]
Author Archives: Rachel Yang
Posted inMusic
Maren Morris keeps breaking country taboos on Girl
Mainstream pop audiences were largely introduced to country singer Maren Morris through last year’s smash hit “The Middle,” her collaboration with Russia-born German producer Zedd and electronic duo Grey. The song—which showed off her powerhouse vocals—went platinum certified in several countries. About a dozen singers, including Demi Lovato and Bebe Rexha, had recorded demos of […]
Posted inMusic
Rich Homie Quan shows he’s more than just the “Ooh Ooh Ooh” guy
Lyricism doesn’t immediately come to mind as Rich Homie Quan’s standout quality. The Atlanta rapper’s breakout hits, including 2015’s “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” and 2013’s “Type of Way,” were heavy on swagger and catchy beats, but with lines like“15,000 dollars on your bitch wanna fuck me / Got her screamin’ like ooohh,” they lacked creative […]
Posted inMusic
On Collection One, rapper-singer Saint Jhn debuts with vulnerability and swagger
For years, Saint Jhn wrote for the likes of Usher, Joey Bada$$, and Jidenna, and even modeled on the side. But he grew tired of being another artist’s voice or a designer’s mannequin; with his debut album, Collection One (Godd Complexx/Hitco), Saint Jhn—who grew up in Guyana and Brooklyn—aims to tell his story for himself. […]
Posted inBlogs
A spoof of 80s teen movies and more of the best things to do in Chicago this week
Chicago Dance Month Kickoff Celebration and more goings-on March 26-29
Posted inBlogs
Cedric the Entertainer and more of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend
WhiskyFest and more goings-on March 23-25.
Posted inBlogs
Murder and Mayhem in Chicago and more of the best things to do this weekend
Sci-Fi Spectacular movie marathon and more goings-on March 16-18
Posted inMusic
Princess Nokia embraces her dualities and self-assurance on 1992 Deluxe
In conversation, Princess Nokia (born Destiny Nicole Frasqueri) is soft-spoken and thoughtfully tackles subjects like blackness and urban feminism. But get on her bad side, and she’s lethal. In February 2017, the underground rapper from Spanish Harlem punched an audience member for mouthing sexist obscenities and in October, she slapped another man for making racist […]
Posted inNews & Politics
Chicago-area students take to streets to protest gun violence even as scare hits Northwestern
While a report of a gun on campus turned out to be a hoax, it heightened fears on a day of a nationwide walkout.
Posted inBlogs
Artist Alok Vaid-Menon and more of the best things to do in Chicago this week
The Hot Box party and more goings-on March 12-15.
Posted inBlogs
Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and more of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend
Comedian Tom Papa and more goings-on March 9-11
Posted inBlogs
My Dad Wrote a Porno and more of the best things to do in Chicago this week
Harry Potter Trivia and more goings-on March 5-8.
Posted inMusic
Futuristic steps away from ‘nerd rap’ toward new themes and maturity
On “Epiphany,” one of the singles from Futuristic’s December album Blessings, the rapper describes his 2016 album As Seen on the Internet as a “garbage” project filled with repetitive hooks and even a Family Guy impression. The 26-year-old Arizona native had gotten trapped in the nerd-rap gimmick he utilized well in a 2015 series of […]
Posted inBlogs
Casts of Chicago’s hottest plays send posters to support Parkland students after mass shooting
Theaters from around the country are donating materials to furnish Douglas high school’s drama room “to show love and support.”
Posted inBlogs
My morning at the Pitchfork lineup reveal, or two hours of watching paint dry
A Reader intern discovers the life of excitement and glamour that is journalism.