Music and Movies

By Samuel Moser My feature story got off to a slow start, but I couldn’t be more excited about the direction that it’s heading. It took awhile to come up with a topic specific enough to cover, and it seemed like I wouldn’t be able to find an interview. However, after emailing roughly five people, I finally got a response from one of the park board commissioners at large. She agreed to do an interview, and gave me very helpful responses. Also, she invited me to attend a park board meeting which led me to amazing insight on the situation and amazing connections to interview.  Luckily, all of my setbacks came early on, and I feel like I will be prepared to write the story very soon.  So far, I have learned the importance of perseverance while looking for sources. I now know that it just takes one connection to open up amazing opportunities for a story.  As for next week, I plan to conduct my final interview with either Superintendent Al Bangoura or a North Minneapolis commun...

  By Samuel Moser The Latin Grammy’s named Cuban protest song “Patria y Vida” song of the year on Thursday, according to The New York Times and Reuters . The song inspires people to protest on the streets to demand an end to political oppression and economic misery in Cuba, according to the New York Times. Cuban rappers Yotuel Romero, Descemer Bueno, Maykel Osorbo and Eliecer “el Funky” Márquez Duany wrote the song alongside the reggaeton group Gente de Zona, according to the New York Times. The song’s title translates to “Homeland and Life.” This is the antithesis of “Homeland and Death” which Fidel Castro often ended his speeches with, according to The New York Times.  The song has directly sparked many movements in Cuba. This accomplishes exactly what the artists intended, according to The New York Times. According to Reuters, Bueno said, “This is for my country, for my freedom of expression, and for the freedom of the Cubans.”

By Samuel Moser Auctioneers sold one of Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait paintings Tuesday for $34.9 million, according to The New York Times and NBC News . The art piece is titled “Diego and I,” and it is the most valuable work of Latin American art ever to be sold at auction, according to NPR . The self-portrait is representative of her fragile marriage with Mexican artist Diego Rivera, according to NBC News. Auctioneers sold one of Rivera’s pieces for roughly $10.75 million (inflation adjusted) years ago. Ironically, that work held the title for most expensive Latin American artwork before Kahlo’s was sold, according to The New York Times. Kahlo is known for raw and emotional intensity in her artwork, according to The New York Times.  The buyer of the piece is the founder of a museum in Buenos Aires. He intends to keep the portrait for his private collection, according to The New York Times.

By Samuel Moser Jacob Frey won his second term as mayor of Minneapolis Tuesday, Nov. 2 during one of the most anticipated city elections across the world, according to The New York Times and MPR News . The city chose to favor Frey once again despite going through a major political event in relation to the killing of George Floyd in 2020 that drew eyes to the city and election, according to The New York Times. Frey opposed complete abolition of the police force, and he favored more of an incremental approach to improving law enforcement. His stance recognizes the need for change, but does not approve of such drastic measures, according to The New York Times. The city recognized the importance of this election, and their voter turnout proved it. 53.9% of registered voters cast their ballots in 2021 which is the highest rate out of the last 40 years in Minneapolis, according to MPR News.  The turnout shows that people valued this year’s election because they value their safety. It wa...

By Samuel Moser Georges Bergés Gallery in SoHo, New York started exhibiting the artwork of President Biden’s son Hunter Biden on Saturday, according to The New York Times and the New York Post . It is a solo exhibit, and he is naming it “The Journey Home.” It consists of more than two dozen paintings spanning across two floors, according to The New York Times. Many people are shocked to see that Biden has turned to art, but he has been interested in painting since he was young, according to The New York Times.  As for his painting style, he incorporates a lot of florals mixed with abstract psychedelic pieces, according to The New York Times. Unfortunately for Biden, only a limited number of viewers are able to witness the exhibit for security purposes. It is only open by appointment at the moment, according to the New York Post. Biden describes his art as the thing that keeps his sanity after years of living a publicized life, according to The New York Times.

By Samuel Moser Officials said that eight people died due to a crowd surge Friday night in Houston at musician Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival, according to The New York Times and NBC News . Among those dead, there was a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old. Additionally, there was a 10-year-old critically injured at the event, according to NBC News. Scott, the performer and founder of the festival, is known for encouraging his crowds to “rage” and act in a chaotic manner while he performs. It is a common occurrence to witness mosh pits, crowd surfing and stage diving at his concerts, according to The New York Times.  For Scott’s headlining event, there were approximately 50,000 people in attendance, according to The New York Times.  Scott said he was “absolutely devastated” about the incident. He plans to pay all funeral expenses for the families of those who died, and he intends to refund all attendees who bought tickets, according to The New York Times.

By Samuel Moser Eddie Van Helen passed away Oct. 6, 2020, and he will always be remembered for his one-of-a-kind ability with a guitar, according to The New York Times . Van Halen died at the age of 65 due to cancer, according to The New York Times. He is known for reinventing the capabilities of an electric guitar. His playing style was always hyper-emotional and explosive which never failed to captivate a live audience, according to The New York Times. Van Halen was ranked No. 1 on the list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” according to Guitar World Magazine . One of Van Halen’s biggest claims to fame is his perfection of the tapping technique while playing guitar. Tapping is when the guitarist plays with both hands on the neck of the guitar, and it allows for a unique and colorful sound, according to The New York Times. His world famous band, Van Halen, sold more than 56 million records in the United States alone, and his legacy as one of the greatest musicians of all ti...

By Samuel Moser The LA Live venue in Los Angeles, California is showcasing an immersive art exhibit in honor of Tupac Shakur starting on Jan. 21, 2022, according to USA Today and Billboard . Shakur was one of the most renowned figures in hip-hop before being shot and killed in 1996. He lived to be 25-years-old, according to USA Today. They are calling the exhibit “Wake Me When I’m Free,” according to Billboard. The exhibition will likely travel around the world after spending its first six months in Los Angeles, according to USA Today. Handwritten lyrics from songs like “California Love” and “Dear Mama” are considered some of the highlights from the exhibit, according to Billboard. The creators of this project want to make it clear that Shakur was very relatable despite being a superstar rapper, according to USA Today. The exhibit occupies roughly 20,000 square feet, and it is considered “fully immersive,” according to Billboard.

By Samuel Moser The world welcomed Jay-Z into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Saturday in Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, according to NPR and Rolling Stone . Despite the fact that Jay-Z is a rapper, they inducted him out of respect for his impact on the world of music as a whole, according to NPR. Jay-Z is one of four rappers to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The only other members from his genre are the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur and LL Cool J, according to NPR. 2021 is Jay-Z’s first year of eligibility for this honor since his first album was released 25 years ago, according to Rolling Stone. Former President Barack Obama, along with Dave Chappelle, gave speeches on behalf of Jay-Z at the event, according to NPR. Obama mentioned how meaningful Jay-Z’s music has been to him. He even claimed to be the only president to ever listen to his music in the Oval Office, according to NPR.