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(02/17/21 9:52pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
One of the best and longest-running video game franchises, Soulcalibur continues to show players what it means to strive toward a goal—and their destiny—through the means of using unique weaponry. No two characters have the same weapon or moveset, so I always experience new ways to combat enemies. With the overall plot taking place in the 1500s, without the use of gunfire and machinery, players fight melee with close-quarter weapons. Overall, the franchise introduces many enjoyable and durable qualities like customizable characters, upgrading weapons, maneuvering your small army, and taking down kings and queens with playable characters like no other. The franchise is currently in its sixth release. The game itself is incredible, and it seemed only appropriate to rank the top 10 best Soulcalibur fighters/characters.
10. Seong Mi-na
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="287"] Image from Wccftech[/caption]
To me, Mi-na is the female counterpart to Kilik with skills in long-ranged attacks, keeping enemies at arm’s length. Depending on which title you play in the franchise, this fighter can maneuver quick, devastating blows by swinging her halberd-like weapon—basically Kilik’s weapon but with a blade at the end. She’s determined, willful, and fights alongside love interest and friend Yun-seong, a man armed with a machete-like Chinese sword.
9. Chai Xianghua
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="286"] Image from Shoryuken[/caption]
Best friend of Kilik and a skilled swordswoman, Xianghua is one of the most graceful and kind-hearted characters of the Soulcalibur franchise. Armed with a traditional Chinese sword, the young woman is capable of doing serious damage to her opponents.
8. Ivy Valentine
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="289"] Image from YouTube[/caption]
A sophisticated scientist from London, Ivy Valentine remains one of the most classic characters from the franchise. She created her snake sword, which is capable of annihilating opponents with ease if one knows the right combos. Her father, the ghost pirate Cervantes de León, remains her primary opponent throughout the franchise as they battle with opposing views on Soul Edge.
7. Grøh
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="286"] Image from VG247[/caption]
Nicknamed “The Agent in Black,” this Norwegian soldier first appeared in the latest Soulcalibur installment, Soulcalibur VI. He’s a member of the Aval Organization, an ancient group with the mission to rid the world of what they call “Outsiders,” or those connected to Soul Edge. After failing to defeat Soul Edge’s wielder Nightmare, Grøh maintains a rocky relationship with the Aval Organization, hoping to redeem himself. He fights with a double saber, which can be used as two separate swords if needed.
6. Maxi
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="285"] Image from Wccftech[/caption]
Armed with a nunchaku, Maxi’s fast flips, kicks, and strikes are a homage to the late Bruce Lee. He befriends Kilik and Xianghua along their journey to destroy Soul Edge. Unlike other characters in the franchise, the fighter comments on his attire and good looks often when victorious against opponents, providing some comedy after destroying them.
5. Setsuka
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="285"] Image from Reddit[/caption]
This kimono-wearing assassin first appeared in Soulcaliber III, seeking revenge against swordsman Heishiro Mitsurugi. Setsuka is believed to be of European descent—specifically Portugal or England—but was raised in Japan. Concealed in the handle is her blade, which she seeks to use after her master, Shugen Kokonoe, is killed by Mitsurugi. Setsuka always sports her heeled geta shoes, which makes one wonder how she dives, slices, and performs devastating blows on opponents. She’s considered one of the fastest fighters in the franchise and sports brunette hair only in Soulcalibur III; in all other titles, she has blonde hair.
4. Taki
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="286"] Image from YouTube[/caption]
Sporting her demon protective armor and twin blades, Mekki-Maru and Rekki-Maru, Taki was one of the few mainstay female fighters of the series and a force to be reckoned with. She’s referred to as the “Shadow Huntress of Demons,” often referencing the evil energy and overbearing weight Soul Edge has on the world. Always seeking to destroy the evil sword, Taki uses quick strikes and kicking attacks, often leaving her opponents efficiently dealt with.
3. Heishiro Mitsurugi
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="290"] Image from DeviantArt [/caption]
Tradition sets apart this swordsman from all other fighters in the franchise as he battles his opponents on honorable terms. He’s continually seeking the strongest of the strong—never satisfied with being average in skill. Although he seems hard-headed at times, he shows mercy and believes strength comes not from one’s weapon, but their heart. Mitsurugi is also one of the few characters not seeking either Soul Calibur or Soul Edge, but experience handling a blade.
2. Siegfried Schtauffen
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="284"] Image from YouTube[/caption]
Considered the central protagonist of the franchise and sporting a large, flattened blade, the German-born soldier seeks to destroy Soul Edge. This is after being cursed by the sword with an evil seed in his body taking the form of his alter ego, Nightmare. Throughout the series, Schtauffen talks about honor and seeking the light of the world after accidentally killing his father in battle. Although he’s slow and methodical in his stance and fighting style, he’s one of the strongest characters, capable of defeating the giant Astaroth, an ax-wielding maniac created by the God Ares.
1. Kilik
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="286"] Image from Gamereactor[/caption]
A peaceful young man, Kilik was trained by an older gentleman, who is known only as Edge Master, after he set fire to Kilik’s temple following a brutal massacre. Trained in the Ling-Sheng Su martial arts and armed with a rod called Kali-Yuga, Kilik, alongside his friend/love-interest Xianghua, seek to destroy Soul Edge, after he was possessed by its evil energy to kill many of his temple friends. After his sister Xianglian saves him by putting a mirror-like necklace known as the Dvapara-Yuga around his neck, she becomes possessed, forcing Kilik to murder her. His fighting style allows ring outs—or when characters can easily be knocked off stage with ease—and keeps enemies at bay, so long as he keeps swinging the Kali-Yuga.
Sources: Masterpiece's of Japanese Culture, Soulcalibur Fandom, Steam, YouTube, Writeups
Images: DeviantArt, Gamereactor, Reddit, Shoryuken, VG247, Wccftech, YouTube
Featured Image: Taylor Sheridan
(02/17/21 10:30am)
by Mason Kupiainen
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
On August 28, 2020, Chadwick Boseman tragically died from colon cancer, which he had been struggling with without letting it be known publicly. From starring in films like 42, Marshall, Get On Up, and 21 Bridges, Boseman brought to life many exemplary characters through incredible performances. However, arguably his most significant role is Black Panther, a character and film that have both become culturally iconic. After his death, Marvel remained silent with their plans on how they were going to move forward with the sequel and character until the Disney investors' meeting in December 2020. During the Marvel Studios presentation, Marvel President Kevin Feige revealed that they weren’t going to recast the role, nor use CGI to bring the character back. Instead, the Black Panther sequel will be focusing on the other characters from the first film, and further develop the world of Wakanda. While it’s understandable that Marvel wants to respect Boseman as much as they can, not recasting the role is a major mistake.
Cultural significance
As mentioned before, Black Panther has left its mark on our culture. Although he wasn’t the first black superhero to have a standalone film, his was the most successful one. In its full theatrical run, the film made over one billion dollars, becoming the 12th highest-grossing film of all time. One of the best aspects of the film was how it diverged from common stereotypes. In most films revolving around Africa, they portray it as a savage land that’s filled with horrors. Wakanda flips this stereotype on its head by showing the highly advanced land that’s vibrant and colorful, all the while still incorporating African culture into the mix. While this can still be achieved without T’Challa, the perspective through which we experience this world will be lost.
A fresh, new superhero
After 18 films, Marvel introduced a different type of character than we’d ever seen before. Although having a king of a mystical land as a superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe wasn’t new thanks to Thor, the perspective to the duty of royalty was new to T’Challa. His journey of becoming king of Wakanda and having to handle all the casualties that follow it made his character unique. He tried juggling many responsibilities and stumbled along the way. He’s also challenged in many ways that force him to stand up and do what’s right. This character became important for so many people, giving them a new superhero to be inspired by.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="404"] Image from The Saxon[/caption]
Along with this, T’Challa is one of the best characters within the Marvel Universe and had many future possibilities as to where to take his story. While Marvel hasn’t announced if they’re going to write T’Challa out of the story or kill him off, letting him go without a proper conclusion feels wrong. While there are probably many people who agree with Marvel’s decision and want to honor Boseman’s legacy by not carrying on Black Panther, I see it differently. It feels like the opposite and is a dishonor to him and his portrayal of T’Challa by not carrying on the legacy he created. By bringing in a new actor to replace Boseman, Marvel would be finishing what Boseman started and continuing to inspire people with the character. Sure, they can pass the baton of Black Panther to a character like Shuri or M’Baku, but Black Panther 2 will probably feel strange if they simply wrote T’Challa out of it. The ending of the first film teases much more to come from him, so leaving all this behind would be disheartening to those who became invested in the character.
World of Wakanda
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="395"] Image from Barnes & Noble[/caption]
This might sound weird, but exploring the world of Wakanda in the sequel sounds like a bad idea, considering a similar type of series was just announced. Adding to their already stuffed plate of Marvel shows to come, Disney just announced another show in the works, a series focusing strictly on Wakanda and being developed by Ryan Coogler, writer and director of Black Panther. Having the sequel and a new series exploring Wakanda sounds redundant and runs the risk of diluting the specialty of the world. Although Wakanda is vast, rich, and filled with endless possibilities, it’s not very exciting to hear that Disney is trying to milk the property for all its worth.
Sources: BBC, Box Office Mojo, Deadline, Marvel, The New York Times, Variety, Vox
Images: Barnes & Noble, The Saxon
Featured Image: Quartz
(02/15/21 12:30am)
by Arianna Sergio
Once the Christmas season passes and we bid adieu to jolly St. Nick, the ruby and blush colored rose bouquets, countless brands of heart-shaped chocolate boxes, and colorful plush animals of all types as big as the eye can see start barreling in on the shelves. Tis’ the season for the only day of the year where it's socially acceptable and celebrated to be super corny and mushy with your lover. This day practically oozes affection. This kind of love is a challenge to flee from when it surrounds every move you make throughout February, so the majority of people either completely love it or completely hate it. I have certainly flip-flopped from one side to the other, but something that remains a burning question in my head is how did Valentine’s Day become a holiday?
Lupercalia and St. Valentine
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="414"] Image from Mental Floss[/caption]
This story kicks off with the earliest origin of Valentine’s Day: the pagan holiday Lupercalia. This holiday, which celebrates fertility, took place for centuries in mid-February. Lupercalia was one of the few pagan holidays that was celebrated 150 years after Christianity was legalized, showcasing how popular and influential it was within the Roman Empire.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="413"] Image from Catholic Online[/caption]
At the end of the fifth century, Pope Gelasius became the new pope and stopped anyone from celebrating Lupercalia. Shortly after he announced this, the Catholic church made Feb. 14 their feast day to celebrate the martyred St. Valentine. I have to preface that in the early martyrologies three various St. Valentine’s are discussed, all sharing Feb. 14 as their feast day, and because the historical records are very few and scattered no one can wholeheartedly confirm who the “real” St. Valentine is. The first St. Valentine was a priest who doubled as a doctor. He not only educated the fellow Christians in his community to follow Jesus, but he also aided people who were sickly. St. Valentine was a publicly recognized leader in his Christian community, and at the time Christians were tormented for their faith and were highly sought after and jailed, so he eventually became jailed and then beheaded. The second St. Valentine was a Bishop of Terni, then known as Interamna, and he also became jailed and then beheaded. The third St. Valentine suffered martyrdom with many others in Africa, but nothing else is known about him. Some believe that all of these versions of St.Valentine are the same person, but that hasn’t been confirmed.
Why is it associated with love?
There are copious theories as to why the holiday is associated with love. A few of the most popular being: that in the Middle Ages in France and England it was commonly believed that Feb. 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance; St. Valentine signed a letter that ended with “from your Valentine,” to his jailer’s daughter, who he fell in love with and healed from being blind to a certain degree; and lastly St. Valentine opposed Emperor Claudius II commands and, in secret, married couples to pardon the husbands’ from war. All of these beliefs can provide us with some sort of idea to entertain, since none of us will for sure know what the “real” reason is.
Next time you are shopping at your local grocery store purchasing some of the discounted limited edition Valentine’s Day treats, you can ponder about the mysterious theories that surround St. Valentine, why the pink and red doused holiday is celebrated for love, and how it came to be what it is today.
Sources: BBC, Britannica, Catholic Education, History, National Geographic, Saints Resource,
Images: Catholic Online, Mental Floss
Featured Image: History
(02/14/21 10:30pm)
by Lia Weisbecker-Lotz
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
I love celebrating Valentine’s Day, but not for the reasons most people do. For many, Valentine’s Day is about spending the day with their significant other, showering them in love and care. For me, it’s about expressing my love and appreciation for my friends, family, and myself. I started this tradition in high school where I would make personal Valentine’s Day cards for all of my friends, or anyone I wanted to be friends with. I’d spend hours making these cards, using a list of people I enjoyed being with and a list of things they were interested in. I’d write down any puns I could think of that were also compliments and practice drawing cute versions of animals or characters they liked. As an example, I made one friend who liked hiking and camping, a card with a drawing of a s’more with a cute face below the words “I need s’more friends like you!” I wanted to remind people, especially the ones who weren’t in romantic relationships, that someone loves them. I wanted them to know that I listen to and care about what they’re interested in and passionate about. Because you shouldn’t have to be someone’s partner to be valuable to them.
For some reason, our society holds romantic relationships above platonic ones, making them seem as if they are milestones for everyone to reach. Family members that you haven’t seen in a while always end up asking, “Have you found a boy/girlfriend yet?” Depending on your sexual orientation, hugging anyone of the opposite gender immediately leads to someone asking, “Oh, are you guys dating?” This is especially obvious around Valentine’s Day, as all the commercials and rom-coms begin to play. But if this is the holiday of love, then why doesn’t it include all types of love?
When we’re children, we go around giving cards and candy to every one of our classmates, even those we aren’t very close to. Then at some point, we’re convinced that Valentine’s Day is only meant for couples and crushes. The way there’s an emphasis on romantic relationships, is a mistake. A majority of the most important and longest-lasting relationships are platonic. And there are people who aren’t interested in dating during a certain period of their life, or at all. Which should be normal. And it should also be normal to celebrate your love for friends and family on a day about love.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="404"] Image from Mashable [/caption]
Of course, I’m not the first person to think friendships should be celebrated. In the TV show Parks and Recreation, the character Leslie celebrates “Galentine’s Day,” a day dedicated to her female friends just before Valentine’s Day. And people have started to take up the holiday, making it a day to celebrate the special relationship that comes with female friendships. In 2011, the UN declared July 30 National Friendship Day. Many people in the U.S. celebrate this day by posting photos of friends on Instagram or Snapchat and typing out what they appreciate about them. There’s even a National Self Love Day on February 13 that some celebrate.
Despite this, I think it should be Valentine’s Day where we can celebrate the love of friends, family, and ourselves. The people who dislike Valentine’s Day often dislike it because of the focus on and pressure for romance. Or simply because seeing others in a romantic relationship makes them feel lonely. But this is a day about reminding people that love exists for them. That they have friends who love them, and that they should love themselves. By genuinely making it a day for love, we can stop making people feel alienated or like they’re missing out. Honestly, sometimes, it seems that only people who are in love get to experience happiness on this day. That if you can’t get or simply don’t want to have a date, you’ll never get the joy of this love-crazy day.
Platonic relationships are just as, if not more, important than romantic ones. When romantic relationships fail, it’s our friends and family that we rely on to help us through. When we’re insecure or worried about something going on in a romantic relationship, it’s our friends and family we turn to for advice. Platonic relationships are the backbone and basis of love. Family provides you roots and friendships help you grow. Self-love is the product of that growth, being able to enjoy, not only time with others, but with yourself should be prioritized. Because you have to spend every second of your life with yourself.
Valentine’s Day can and should be, a special day for everyone. To love and be loved, is a special feeling that is not always romantic. So don’t forget all of the people who are here to support you through every dip and rise you go through in life.
Sources: Her Culture, IMDB, Instagram, National Day Calendar, The Atlantic,
Images: Mashable
Featured Image: History
(02/12/21 10:00am)
by Brandon Carson
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Australia’s King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are the only known band with 16 albums, two official live albums, a wide variety of styles, and an entire universe linking them together. Formed in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, each record they make is a new unique take on their sound, starting from surf/garage rock in 2012 and currently landing in the microtonal sounds they tried back in 2017.
King Gizzard is the hardest working band to date. Before 2020, the band was constantly touring, even during their five-record-run of 2017. Each record builds their discography a floor taller, allowing for variety in their already energetic live shows. But not only are they just making the music, they also constantly tie together storylines, create characters, and build worlds inside these amazing records.
(02/10/21 7:00pm)
by Kellyn Harrison
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Ball State’s 41st annual Unity Week Celebration was held the week of Feb. 1. Unity Week only comes around once a year, but it aims to encourage a long-lasting understanding of diversity and solidarity amongst Ball State students through a series of entertainment-based and informational events. On Feb. 4, “Dare to Speak” invited students to a zoom call with speakers Carlos Andrés Gómez and Katie Kramer. There, attendees found themselves in a diverse community and a conversation of equity. Students and speakers alike shared their stories and provided strength to those who reached out.
“Words speak just as loud as actions when it comes to social justice,”- Dare to Speak.
Strength can come in many different colors, ages, sizes, genders, social-economic statuses, sexualities, etc., and the “work is never done” when it comes to expressing this. Nor is the work ever done when it comes to expressing how each person, no matter social identity, should be granted the same level of respect and safety. “Dare to Speak” expressed all this through the art of poetry. Providing a voice to many who may be speechless regarding the topic of their own social identity.
The Art of Justice
“Dare to Speak” was created through the partnership of Gómez and Kramer. When asked how “Dare to Speak” came to be, Gómez said they were continuously booked at the same venues and after a while, started collaborating. They found their writing adhered to the same idea of social justice. Now, together, they read poetry to communities in order to bring attention to many societal discrepancies. Topics include gender and sexuality, race and allyship, and mental health and grief. All of which, at least one speaker can provide a personal experience with. Placing empathy and vulnerability within each community they speak to. Paving the way for promoting allyship to those who also identify within each of these topics and making discussion with those who feel the same easier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcIGTfhANVM&feature=youtu.be
During the zoom call, Gómez and Kramer talked about how strange it is to be reading poetry over the internet or to be communicating only with our eyes because of masks. Kramer said it has forced us to become empathetic and patient because of the challenge masks and technology now play in interacting with people. We are forced to use these characteristics when we can’t hear people very well or vice versa because of masks. Another instance would be the tendency for web calls to continuously have a network connection, something we faced in the meeting. Kramer tied this idea into how society should focus these characteristics on social justice and allyship.
Vulnerability is not a weakness; it is a strength
Independently, each provided their own stories and applied a poem to the topic presented in their experiences. Gómez is a Colombian American poet and author. He is known for his poems “Where are you really from?” and “What Latino Looks Like.” Both of which talk about his experiences living as a Latinx in the United States, where justification of nationality is evident. Where people doubting your answer to “Where are you from” let alone asking the question, is apparent. Where stereotyping social identities and making assumptions is the norm. A definition Gómez used to describe “playing Wheel of Fortune'' with someone’s nationality or race. This was what Gómez talked heavily about in the call, especially after opening up about concerns he had about his biracial children growing up in the United States. After showing this vulnerability, there were several students who also shared their experiences with people questioning their nationality and race. Many of which pointed out a trend of people asking for proof of their race or nationality. Gómez explored the idea of questioning the validity of someone’s social identity when he stated, “What does someone’s race or identity have to do with anything?” This is related to society’s need to establish one’s social identity in a conversation for the sake of separating the identity of those involved. Isolation and objectification both being huge underlying themes within the discussion.
“No matter the environment, identities matter,”- Dare to Speak
Kramer identifies with the LGBTQ+ community and talks heavily about what it means to be human. Her poems discuss what it means to grow up as a queer woman and reach a point of healing while grieving. Through her poems, she advocates for trans rights, mental health awareness, and feminism. All of which push for more awareness of the diversity of gender and mental health of those around us. Pushing for more respect for those within society. Kramer touched on all of these ideas during the meeting. She pointed out not only the importance of understanding each community/social identity, but understanding that sexual identity, gender, and race should not be treated separately. That they should all be treated with equal respect, especially when they intersect. Kramer stated, “Just because you identify as queer does not mean you have overcome gender. Gender and sexuality are two different things and they shouldn’t be.” The poet referencing the major divide between transgender and gay people within the LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, Kramer stressed that gender and sexuality are only your business. They are your business to share with people and shouldn't be forced if uncomfortable. The call for safety and the end of violence was a large topic within the discussion. Kramer provided examples of her family having to think about possible threats just because of her and her husband’s social identity. All of which opened the discussion of promoting the overall safety for all social identities facing a fear of oppression and violence.
When asked how the poets keep from freezing when talking about emotional topics, they concluded vulnerability is not a weakness, instead, it is a strength. Instead of viewing your vulnerability as a flaw, view it as a stepping stone to personal growth and cultivating stronger interpersonal relationships. Kramer said people look for vulnerability because it makes people feel more connected to each other especially during a time of isolation and fear. This is why Kramer and Gómez share their stories with others in hopes of encouraging strength, unity, and diverse communities. Something Ball State’s Unity Week strives for each year it is held. Implementing the hope that such values will be upheld well into the future.
Sources: Ball State University, Bass/Schuler Entertainment, Carlos Live, Dare to Speak, Facebook, The American Prospect, YouTube
Images: Kellyn Harrison, UPB
Featured Image: Bass/Schuler Entertainment
(02/09/21 2:40pm)
by Arianna SergioThe opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. A Fourth of July’s worth of fireworks, a light-up tunnel, and masked dancers oh my! The camera fades out from the classic Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show logo and zooms into a neon Las Vegas-inspired welcome sign, featuring: a globe of the world, an old and new Pepsi sign, pink tulips, a dancer, and of course, the Weeknd wearing his signature After Hours glittery scarlet blazer sitting in a decked out Mercedes-Benz. From here the camera pans with the singer as he walks toward the front of the stage and sits on the edge; the choir’s sound-enhancing sounding ethereal. A crimson-eyed “angel” descends from the ceiling and the choir gets progressively louder, singing more eerily and hauntingly, as they wear Star Wars-esque C-3PO masks. This worked in favor of creating the ideal atmosphere for his much-anticipated performance. The Weeknd, known offstage as Abel Tesfaye, waits a few seconds before he opens up with “Star Boy.” He kept the performance of this song fairly low-key, besides the cluster of fireworks going off above the grand choir. He relied solely on his smooth vocals and his happy feet.
(01/31/21 10:59pm)
by Arianna Sergio
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Lately, I haven’t been able to stop listening to Dominic Fike. No matter what I do, I find myself pulling up his Spotify profile and pressing the shuffle button, so much so that it has become a part of my daily schedule—like second nature. I first discovered Fike in 2018 when his song “3 Nights” blew up. Whenever I was driving I would turn on the radio and instantly hear the beginning chords to that song. Normally when I hear a song that is overplayed on the radio I immediately change the station or shut off the radio altogether, but not with this song. This time it was different. For some reason, I became mesmerized by this song and addicted to his voice. Every time it ended I found myself hungry and craving more. Alas, I never ended up hearing any more music from him let alone hearing anything about him. It was like he fell off the face of Earth. This past July, I was browsing through Spotify’s new releases and I saw an album titled, What Could Possibly Go Wrong. The cover drew me in, with the neon salmon words of the title smeared to the right and the aesthetic mountain landscape in the background, so I clicked on it. I was shocked, to say the least, when I saw Fike’s name attached to it. From the moment I pressed that play button it’s been an album I consistently go back to every day.
Why don’t you know Dominic Fike?
The 25-year-old artist really emerged out of nowhere. As a child, Fike would always play music. When he was ten, he received a guitar and taught himself how to play it. When he got older, Fike joined a local formative rap collective called Backhouse. Born and raised in Naples, Florida, Fike and the rest of Backhouse started making waves in the local scene and began culminating a following. Fike shifted gears and started focusing more on himself and his craft and, soon enough, he released his solo music. Some of his early music that is still online is an EP titled Dishwasher and a single titled “Jada Pinkett,” but everything else has ceased from existence. He released the EP Don't Forget About Me, Demos in December 2017, which was recorded while he was on house arrest for battery of a police officer, as an independent artist while he was serving time in Collier County Jail. The EP ignited a very public bidding war from a handful of record labels who wanted to sign him. He ended up signing with Columbia Records for around $4 million and his music that was already posted was taken down and re-released months later through Columbia.
Don’t Forget About Me, Demos
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="291"] Image from Amazon[/caption]
“3 Nights'', needless to say, is the breakout song on this EP, generating a whopping 536 million streams, and being what put Fike on people’s radars in the first place. This song talks of the evolution of a relationship: going from someone not being fully interested in someone else, to falling in love with them, to then hesitantly straying away. Even though this song amassed the most attention, with its prominent guitar strums and carefree, sunny chorus, it isn’t the best song on the EP. The two songs that are tied for best song in the EP are “She Wants My Money” and “Babydoll.” In “She Wants My Money,” Fike sings about an ex-lover who only wants him for his money, but Fike needs his money more than his ex, so he doesn’t give in. The lyrics, “Look, f**k 'em, I gotta get the money too/ I got three to protect, I need a money tree/ Like, what you need the money for?” showcase his clever lyricism and play on words with Fike counting from 1 to 4. In “Babydoll,” Fike gets personal and opens up about his upbringing. He vulnerably sings about his father being a “pimp” and not being in the picture and how his mother dealt with drug abuse. This song makes you want to bop your head up and down to the retro bass that shines though. In “Westcoast Collective” Fike takes the listener back on his journey of living on the west coast in a house with a substantial group of people, aka Backhouse, and being an unknown rapper wishing for a discovery of some sort. This was before he adapted the alternative pop genre he has mastered today. In “Falling Asleep,” Dominic Fike sings about consciously distancing himself from people because he has a difficult time trusting others. He also gets candid about the pitfalls of his latest fame and wealth. This EP is as transparent as any artist can get for how fresh Fike is to the music game. Fike lays it all out on the table and he definitely serves.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="293"] Image from Pitchfork[/caption]
The common themes on What Could Possibly Go Wrong are the trials and tribulations of being in a relationship and Fike reflecting on his roots, upbringing, and where he hails from. One characteristic that I love about Fike is that he literally couldn't care less about the fame that goes hand-in-hand with being a “celebrity.” In “Cancel Me” he discusses some of the stresses of his newfound rise to fame. He mentions living in LA being overwhelming and how he wishes that he could just go back to his family. He hopes that people “cancel” him, or that people stop supporting him. “Cancel culture” has become an extremely common phenomenon in recent years. Fike raps the lyrics, “I hope I never, ever have to go on TV/ Mothaf**ka, Jimmy Kimmel does not wanna meet me,” and this lyric is one of the strongest on the whole EP. It oozes sass and character, which I personally appreciate in lyrics, and it gives the listener a small taste of Fike’s personality. “Why” is the standout in the album. It’s catchy beyond belief with its simple yet enticing chorus paired with Fike’s delectable high-pitched vocals about having chicken tenders with a lover. “Chicken Tenders,” blends his signature alternative pop sound with R&B, as he sings about living lavishly with his lover. As its title suggests, “Vampire” gives the listener an eerie Halloween in the summer. The creative aspect is what makes this music video hands down the best music video Fike has ever released. In “Wurli,” Dominic sings about being in a toxic relationship and how he can’t help but feel like a “glorified doorstop.” “Florida” is the final track on the album. Fike ends the album by reflecting on where he hails from and sharing how he’s “still the same” man as he was before fame and fortune and how he remains grounded. What Could Possibly Go Wrong is an exceptional debut album for the young artist highlighting all of his strengths as a musician and putting his one-of-a-kind voice on a pedestal.
BROCKHAMPTON, Kenny Beats, and what’s next
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="420"] Image from The Fader[/caption]
Some notable features Fike has done are in “Peach” by Kevin Abstract, a rapper/singer in BROCKHAMPTON, “Hit Me Up,” by Kenny Beats and Omar Apollo, “Stop Selling Her Drugs” by Bakar, and “Dominic’s Interlude” by Halsey. Fike has a close relationship with the hip/hop group, BROCKHAMPTON. Abstract directed a video titled, “This is Dominic Fike,” which was posted to the BROCKHAMPTON YouTube channel. In this video, Abstract does a deep and raw interview with Fike, which then shifts into an offhand “3 Nights” music video.
To best describe Fike is to say that he’s a wildcard. Fans can’t predict his next move, but just anticipate that one is coming. Fike recently posted a short video to his Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube of him blindfolded with a baseball bat and hitting a number two piñata while a nameless song, presumably by him, plays in the background. All these posts are followed with the caption, “What’s next?” One can only infer that the number two signifies his upcoming second album; meaning the new music drought will shortly be over and fans of Fike will be able to see the light of day again.
Sources: Florida Arrests, Instagram, Merriam-Webster, Soundcloud, Spotify, The Fader, Twitter, YouTube
Images: Amazon, Pitchfork, The Fader
Featured Image: GoRadio
(01/30/21 7:34pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
In the city of Cartagena, Columbia, Nathan Drake -just kicked out of a museum for attempted theft- scours the city searching for another way in. An older gentleman spots the boy—witnessing his talents for thieving. Fast forward at least a decade, and the two are scouring the Rub’ al Khali desert, jungles of Borneo, and more. Uncharted’s heartfelt and thrilling journey began in 2007 and continues to capture movie-like escapades over a decade later. With three releases on the PlayStation 3 and three on the PlayStation 4 (including The Nathan Drake Collection), there’s more to return to even after several playthroughs. Here are the Uncharted installments ranked.
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="282"] Image from DeviantArt[/caption]
Drake finds himself in a serious pickle when a simple thief job goes wrong. Uncharted 2 expanded upon our wildest imaginations when Drake travels to Asia to seek Shambhala while on the run from the psychotic war criminal, Zoran Lazarević, who is also seeking the ancient city. Drake’s longtime mentor and friend, Victor Sullivan, returns but is MIA in most of the game, unlike the prequel. Journalist Elena Fisher returns in the sequel running into Drake by chance in Nepal. Introduced to this action-packed sequel is treasure hunter Chloe Frazer. The three intermingle in a comedic love triangle throughout the game.
The game improved its wonky combat system introducing more gun selection, combo selection, and a “very easy” difficulty level, which allows players to enjoy the ride rather than worry about dying over and over. The locations players explore, including Nepal, Tibet, Borneo, and the Himalayas, are breathtaking in their graphics, even 11 years later. Uncharted 2 is by far Drake’s most exciting adventure and includes his most formidable foe to date.
2. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Although as fun as it was, Uncharted's fourth installment didn’t live up to the hype. Overall, the game is excellent as all games in the series are, but I couldn’t ignore plot pieces that seemed thrown in to create or solidify an ending to Drake’s adventures; like Nadine Ross and her military group Shoreline as well as adding Drake’s long-lost brother, Sam, who was never mentioned in previous installments.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="268"] Image from PCMag[/caption]
Now working as a diver in New Orleans for a salvaging company, Drake longs for adventure as his life has slowed down. Like Drake’s luck, trouble always seems to find him when Sam shows up years after believing to be dead after a prison breakout. The brothers travel in search of Henry Avery’s treasure, one of the most notorious pirates of his time, to pay off Sam’s debt to drug lord Hector Alcazar. Sam’s reasoning is later revealed to be a myth.
The combat, graphics, and overall gaming mechanics with jumping, swinging on ropes, and climbing walls were at their peak in this fourth installment. Drake’s family and childhood were not explored as much until this title, so the aftereffect feeling isn’t as powerful when it's delivered here. There are more treasures to collect in Uncharted 4 than all the other titles, and it’s a semi-open world allowing players to remain in one level but with the ability to explore vast amounts of it, collecting treasures and stirring conversation with characters about the environment. The levels are mostly explorable for players to scale walls and drive around in a jeep.
3. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="260"] Image from DarkStation[/caption]
All the adventure began when Drake and Sullivan stumbled upon a German U-boat in the Amazon, trapped in the jungle. As the search for El-Dorado steers this fun-filled story, the mechanics, like shooting enemies and jumping across cliffs, can create intense agitation as players will find themselves falling to their deaths several times. Drake will grab ledges most of the time, but don’t count on it. This seemingly small issue becomes increasingly more annoying as the game progresses. However, don’t let that steer you away from a fantastic story. Fisher and Drake travel to a mysterious island searching for gold and discovers a curse that inhabits the Spanish colonists who invaded the island centuries earlier. The score, done by Greg Edmonson, is incredible standing in memorability with John Williams’ Indiana Jones score and was expanded upon in later titles. As Sullivan, Fisher, and Drake sail into the sunset, players will find the adventure has only just begun.
4. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="256"] Image from Eurogamer[/caption]
Drake’s third adventure takes players to the Middle East in search of the lost city, Iram of the Pillars. Katherine Marlowe, an old flame and former employer of Sullivan’s, also seeks the lost city competing and butting heads at times. Although the locations and overall story were a bit drab, the villain organization was its most interesting point. There’s a connection between history and the present day with Marlowe and her group of mercenaries representing a secret society Sir Francis Drake was a part of when Queen Elizabeth I sent Drake to find the city. The villain shows how far a group is willing to go to obtain an artifact sought after for centuries using a specialized drug on victims to obtain information and bend their will.
Familiar faces Fisher, Frazier, and Sullivan return, and players are introduced to new ally Charlie Cutter. The game emphasized the combat system to the point where, at times, players had no choice but to fight hand-to-hand with their enemies. The game's beginning has players engage with enemies in a London bar crashing through windows, using bottles, pool sticks, and chairs to knock out foes. All the usual gun fighting and exploring are back in the third entry.
5. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="242"] Image from PlayStation[/caption]
Taking away the focus on Drake, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy features Frazier, back after last appearing in Uncharted 3, and Nadine Ross, who was one of the antagonists of Uncharted 4. Players will scour the jungles and ancient temples of India in search of the Tusk of Ganesh. The two women, along with Sam who doesn’t show up until toward the end, race to find the Tusk before Indian insurgency leader Asav finds it first.
Keeping its consistency, all of the recognizable gun fighting and taking cover from enemy fire returns to this installment. One of the differences the game has is the introduction of only a handful of levels. Each level has several tasks and is an open world that allows players to explore their heart’s content. I wasn’t a fan of the makeup, but the game delivered amazingly. Frazier and Ross’ backgrounds are explored more as they were merely side characters in the previous installments. According to Happy Gamer, there’s been talk for the Uncharted franchise to continue with the next release this year on the PS5.
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Happy Gamer, IMDB, Push Sqaure, Uncharted Wiki
Images: DarkStation, DeviantArt, Eurogamer, PCMag, PlayStation
Featured Image: The New York Times
(01/26/21 3:00pm)
by Mason Kupiainen
The DC Extended Universe has had a history of announcing line-ups of films only to change their plans a few months later. Whenever a film comes out and something works within it, they generally announce random spin-offs and sequels that never see the light of day. For example, after Suicide Squad was released, DC announced plans for Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and Gotham City Sirens films, none of which ever came to fruition. Because of this nature of suddenly announcing films to only wipe them off the schedule, it may get confusing as to what films are and aren’t coming out. To that end, this list will break down the confirmed DC films in the works.
Batman
Arguably the most famous hero of all will not only be getting one film but two. Robert Pattinson will star in his own film, but it is still unclear how it connects to the DC Universe. Originally starting out as a standalone film for Ben Affleck’s interpretation of the character, it slowly morphed into this strange, unclear, yet exciting interpretation of the Caped Crusader. However, it was also recently announced that Warner Brothers is gearing up to create another series of Batman films with Affleck’s interpretation of the character, but with another actor in the role.
Flashpoint
A standalone Flash film has been in development hell for a while now. After burning through countless directors and release dates, we finally have some stability. As of now, the film is scheduled to release on July 2, 2022, with Andy Muschietti, director of the two It films, set to helm the project. The project also slowly morphed into an adaptation of the Flashpoint storyline, with both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton set to reprise both of their roles of Batman in the film. Adapting Flashpoint is a strange choice for the Flash’s first outing as it revolves around changing timelines, but at this point, I’m just wanting any theatrical movie for the Flash.
Shazam and Black Adam
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="299"] Image from Game Radar[/caption]
Similar to the Flash, Black Adam has dealt with multiple release changes. now, will not be in Shazam: Fury of the Gods. Zachary Levi has mentioned Dwayne Johnson will be portraying the character and, as of that Black Adam and Shazam won’t cross paths until Shazam 3. Moving forward with the characters, it’ll be interesting to see how DC brings the two into the rest of the universe, or if they’ll keep them contained within their own mini pocket universe within the DCEU.
Aquaman 2 and The Trench
After the release of the first Aquaman film, James Wan was attached to direct the sequel. There’s no word on where the sequel will go, but judging from how the first film ended, it’s likely that Black Manta will be the main antagonist of the film. Aquaman 2 wasn’t the only film announced, but also a spin-off focusing on the Trench. With Wan’s background in horror, being the one to start the Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring franchises, it makes sense he would be interested in making a horror film within the Aquaman world. There hasn’t been a director attached, but producers have said the film will arrive before Aquaman 2.
Wonder Woman 3 and Amazonians
Patty Jenkins will return to take the reins on Wonder Woman 3, but before the film is released, a spin-off is planned to set-up the film. Although Jenkins won’t be directing the spin-off, she and Geoff Johns came up with the story that will somehow fit in with the three Wonder Woman films. Although the plot of the spin-off hasn’t been revealed, getting the chance to explore Themyscira will be interesting to see.
Joker sequels
Even though the Joker film was set up to be standalone, it was only a matter of time before a sequel was announced. Todd Phillips has been working on a story for the sequel, while Warner Bros. has reportedly offered Joaquin Phoenix $50 million for two more sequels. There’s no word on where the sequel will go, but it’ll be interesting to see how they explore the character of Arthur.
The Suicide Squad
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="298"] Image from Variety[/caption]
James Gunn has written and directed the soft reboot of the franchise that will be given an R-rating. The film will be released on Aug. 6, with an HBO Max spin-off series of John Cena’s character Peacemaker in the works. A sequel to this film hasn’t been announced, but Gunn has said that a sequel is “definitely a possibility.”
Superman
For fans of Man of Steel, there is still hope for a sequel. J.J. Abrams has signed on to direct a Superman film, with the possibility of the return of Henry Cavill. Nothing has been officially announced to allow Abrams the chance to tell the story he wants. However, Superman is too iconic of a character to just let the story sit on a shelf. Right now, all we can do is hope and pray that Abrams chooses to bring back Cavill.
Sources: CBR, Cinema Blend, Collider, Comic Book, Den of Geek, Entertainment Weekly, Indie Wire, Inside the Magic, Screenrant, Syfy Wire, The Verge, Vanity Fair, Variety
Images: Games Radar, Variety
Featured Image: The Verge
(01/24/21 8:00pm)
by Mason Kupiainen
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
2021 is ramping up to be a big year for films. Most people are aware of the bigger films like Fast 9, Matrix 4, and Black Widow. However, there are many smaller films coming out that have the potential to be better than the blockbusters. Some of them were pushed over from last year, adding to the stuffed year. While there are many, many films slated to come out this year, here are five films that are looking to be hits.
Cherry
The first film, directed by the Russo Brothers after doing Avengers: Endgame, Cherry stars Tom Holland as an Army medic turned opioid addict. Holland recently proved that he can be an Oscar-caliber actor in The Devil All The Time, showing that he has the ability to pull off this type of role. The Russo Brothers are also a force of nature behind the camera, showing that they can handle action sequences well. The fact that they also chose this film to be their follow-up to Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing film of all time, is intriguing. Making the biggest box office film of all time, they had the potential to probably make whatever film they wanted, which interests me as to what drew them to this project.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5bH6O0bErk
The Green Knight
The Green Knight was originally scheduled to release in May 2020, but it’s finally being released in July of this year. With incredible talent including Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, and Joel Edgerton, and talent like David Lowery behind the camera, it gives the film confidence in its quality. Along with this, the trailer sets it up to be a much different and darker take on the King Arthur story than we’re familiar with. It also feels as if we are getting a breath of fresh air within the crowded fantasy genre. By being produced by A24, it also gives confidence that the film will turn out to be a hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoJc2tH3WBw
Nobody
From the creators of the John Wick franchise comes a new action hero. Starring Bob Odenkirk as the action hero, the trailer promises white knuckle action sequences, in the same vein as the action handled in John Wick. Although Odenkirk isn’t known as an action star, he looks great in the film and has proven in his previous works like Breaking Bad to be a fantastic actor. The director, Ilya Naishuller, hasn’t directed anything notable besides Hardcore Henry. That film, while not particularly good, was an interesting experiment as it was literally seen from the main character’s eyes, similar to a first-person video game. Jumping from that film to this one seems like an interesting move for the director, but one that piques interest. As an action movie junkie, the John Wick films are some of my favorite films in recent years, it’s exciting to see what the creators will do next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZti8QKBWPo
Last Night in Soho
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="456"] Image from IndieWire[/caption]
Edgar Wright’s last film, Baby Driver, was an incredible divergence after doing comedies including Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Wright returns to direct another turn in his career with the psychological horror film, Last Night in Soho. Since the film has been kept under wraps, not much is known about the premise beside it dealing with some sort of time travel. Wright has proven himself to be a fantastic director with his own unique voice and style. From how he shoots and edits scenes, to his clever and witty style of dialogue, it’s always invigorating when a new project is released by him. Knowing he can go beyond his comedic roots to explore different genres makes this film all the more compelling as we don’t know what an Edger Wright horror film will be like, but I have faith that he’ll deliver a fun, thrill ride.
Willy’s Wonderland
Nicholas Cage has been making some interesting career choices in the past decade or so. From great films like Color Out of Space and Mandy to last year’s disastrous Jiu-Jitsu, he’s starring in a low budget horror film that seems like a knock-off of Five Nights at Freddy’s. The behind-the-scenes photos and recent trailer have teased that Willy’s Wonderland could be a ridiculously fun, thrilling movie. With the movie being set in a Chuck E Cheese-style of a restaurant, the designs of the animatronics and look of the film give it a unique flavor. It seems to have a dark, gritty look, but also a tone that shows the filmmakers aren't taking it too seriously. With hopefully another great over-the-top performance from Cage, this movie has the potential to quickly turn into a cult hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v27rfaoB2Y
(01/20/21 8:30pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Lasting six seasons and winning over 30 awards from its inception in 2009 to 2015, Fox’s groundbreaking show Glee celebrated inclusivity, equality, and what it means to be in high school in a way no other show had before or afterward. Although it took place in fictional Lima, Ohio, despite being filmed in Los Angeles, the show captured small-town Midwestern madness that many of us can relate to. Creator Ryan Murphy made the comedy musical expand upon High School Musical, going beyond the stage and deeper into the lives of what made singing so special when nobody else thought it was. Years afterward, the aesthetic was replicated to the best of its ability with NBC's Rise, which lasted only one season. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist explores the life of Zoey Clarke (Jane Levy) who has the ability to hear people’s thoughts and desires through performances from the people in question. The show is in its second season which began in early January. In my opinion, the show merely mirrors Glee’s aesthetic while not capturing its true essence. Rise, on the other hand, is on the more musical side of things. Although Rise was decent in its plot and carried through with its musical ensembles, Glee still reigns supreme and most likely will forever.
Glee left no genre untouched with over 700 performances on the show. During the pilot, the last performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” was influential in many ways. First, with its underlying message of resistance and not giving up on your dreams, the song propelled the glee club to continue singing amidst backlash from the school and principal. The song became something more meaningful after the death of Cory Monteith’s character, Finn Hudson.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="459"] Image from Medium[/caption]
The song was the first performance in the show, with Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and Hudson collaborating their vocal skills. Berry had a dream of landing a role on Broadway and a career in New York, and she performed the song in front of judges during season four. Later on in season five, the song was sung again with the remaining members of the glee club. “Don’t Stop Believin’” was the glee club's glue and base and a celebration of the beginning of a club that started small.
Each character had their unique abilities like Brittany Pierce’s (Heather Morris) dancing, Hudson’s leadership role, and Berry’s vocal range. The characters came from their own backgrounds, with each character explored throughout all six seasons with the introduction of an additional cast in season four. Some characters fought and struggled with one another while others faced struggles within themselves. Some of the more relatable storylines were Kurt Hummel’s (Chris Colfer) struggles with being gay in high school and Hudson’s struggles with being a straight male in the glee club and quarterback of the football team. Toxic masculinity, teen pregnancy, homosexuality, fear of criticism, alcoholism, and many other real-life struggles were tackled in the show.
Although the show came with its heartfelt moments and success, over the recent years, the cast has been affiliated with tragedy with three members gone; most recently, Naya Rivera sadly drowned in early July. It’s unlikely that any cast members will forget about a show that brought people together through music and struggles that many of us face. The characters felt real to the point where I felt like the school and the oppressive environment acted incredibly well by Jane Lynch’s Sue Sylvester were real.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="468"] Image from Hollywood Reporter[/caption]
Glee ended with Berry making it big on Broadway, even winning a Tony award for her efforts in the fictional musical Jane Austen Sings. Each character went in their own directions, some staying in Lima while others moved to Los Angeles, Kentucky, and New York. The final episode, “Dreams Come True,” featured all the remaining cast members singing “I Lived.” Although the ending was decent, Murphy revealed in a 2013 interview that the show was meant to end differently. Berry would’ve returned to Lima after Hudson started his own glee club with him asking her, “What are you doing here?” And Berry would reply, “I’m home.”
There’s perhaps no other show out there in recent years that took something laughable—a musical—and turned it into something so relatable and heartfelt in every way possible. There’s little to hate about Glee with its character development, emotional roller coaster of a storyline, and musical numbers that celebrate a wide range of artists. The cast truly felt like one big family with their issues and celebrations together.
Sources: ABC 7, Bustle, Cinema Blend, IMDB, Insider, International Business Times, Inquiries Journal, NBC, The Young Folks
Images: Hollywood Reporter, Medium
Featured Image: The Outspoken Oppa
(01/16/21 5:00pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Along with his friends at Harvard, Mark Zuckerberg developed a revolutionary way of communication; one that involved zero in-person interaction yet expressed everything anyone wanted to say for better or for worse. In 2004, Zuckerberg launched TheFacebook, or what it's known today as, Facebook. It wasn't the first social media platform (that spot goes to Six Degrees), but it had a vision that paved the way for platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Facebook went from an interactive way of communication to politics, memes, and a news outlet. Later, when Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, etc., were founded, age groups flocked to certain platforms while abandoning others. There’s much to observe in findings and cultural influence where social media is for lack of a better term—the culprit.
In some data findings of July 2020, Facebook remains the king of social media usage 16 years later. YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok come in second place of usage. Facebook users consisting of 25 – 34-year-olds are the main demographic, with males using the platform more than females. Teenagers have been found to use Instagram the most, with females using the platform more than males. These findings are the beginning of an extensive list of demographic data, but trends, language, and cultural influence have resulted from these platforms.
Social media offers shopping and advertising opportunities for companies to reach their audiences. Recently, Instagram began offering a shopping option for users to buy clothes and other products. Facebook marketplace, a relatively successful launch, allows Facebook users to buy almost anything, except live animals. Malls and stores may have competition soon, if not already, as social media has gone from an average outlet to a source of quality for life and daily social interaction.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="419"] Image from Complex[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="424"] Image from The Times[/caption]
In 2016, the Vine alternative TikTok was launched, then named Musical.ly, and has since provided self-expression for social media influencers and anyone else looking to immerse themselves in today’s trends. Cringy challenges like the ‘Old Town Road’ challenge where users morph/change to cowboy attire while the Lil Nas X track plays and the ‘Flip the Switch’ challenge where users trade clothing and positions after flicking a light switch to Drake’s “Nonstop”, among many many other challenges/trends, have taken over the platform. Whereas Vine was more reliant on comedy and humoristic approaches to posts, TikTok goes with pop-culture content and whatever is “trending” with youth culture. One may say individual thinking and artistic approaches to social media are dying. Snapchat’s filter options correlate with what’s “hot” in pop culture currently. Being able to temporarily change your appearance on-screen can brings laughs and provide insight into what people may be talking about.
Words like “chat” and “message” have been more or less replaced with the terms “direct messaging” or – more commonly expressed – “dm’s.” Once seen as something “nerdy” with all the hashtags expressible, hashtags now reach thousands, if not millions of folks around the world looking to connect with similar interests by one simple search.
Like Facebook, Twitter has transformed into something political, especially in the past four years with controversy over President Trump’s tweets. Even what journalists cover is affected by what’s happening on the platform. It was discovered in 2019 most Twitter users are Democrats and young. Memes and other parts of youth culture tend to surface first on Twitter as posting is relatively accessible with a limited character count for easy tweeting. Two years later, Twitter is still in that demographic, it appears.
The barrier between older folks who use social media and younger folks seems to be breaking down or meshing together. TikTok has brought friends, parents, and even grandparents together through comical dances, challenges, and plain fun. As younger folks stick with trends on TikTok, parents and grandparents use their perspectives and age to bring something new to the platform. Having their children or grandchildren demonstrate challenges for them to copy on video is lighthearted, entertaining, and could become TikTok’s brand.
One of the more recent examples of social media influence has run with the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The movement wasn’t the first to be expressed through social media. “Blackout Tuesday” occurred on June 6 with many activists, protestors, and other members either in favor of the movement or a part of the movement. Many Instagram accounts in America consisted of a single post that day, a black square, a blank nothingness, a void. It’s no secret social media brings us together in terms of communication and connections. Still, as the world continues to evolve with the times, one will always find a post on whatever you are searching for anywhere on social media.
(01/15/21 11:00pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Although drag can be confidently claimed as an important outlet of gender discovery and understanding, it wasn’t always that way. Drag can be circled back to Shakespeare’s time when theatre was relatively new, and men had limited options for female roles – in their eyes – so it was not uncommon for men to dress in women’s wardrobe for roles. The word “drag” comes from when the men would talk about how their dresses would “drag” across the floor when they acted their roles.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="252"] Image from House of Mirth Photos[/caption]
Europe’s theatre scene spread to America, where it was known as vaudevilles. From the 1880s to the 1920s, vaudevilles were America’s main source of entertainment as comedians, ventriloquists, dancers, musicians, and more performed together on stage. Julian Eltinge is credited for being the first known drag queen. Charlie Chaplin, known for his comedic silent films shown in black and white, was considered one of the highest-paid actors at the time, but Eltinge took over the title of the highest-paid actor.
The 1930s, also known as the Prohibition era, was not only tied to its secretive alcohol consumption, but also to gay culture. Many gays used secret clubs and locations, free for self-expression, and this became the tie to drag. This underground movement was called “the Pansy Craze.” Gay bars became less discriminated against after the Prohibition era. As their presence became more widespread, so did the police raids that attempted to rid bars of gay activity. The city mafias, out of all people, helped gays pursuing their self-expression free of discrimination. Much of the city nightlife was owned by the mafia. Many nightclubs, bars, and inns owned by the mafia shared a dislike for law enforcement, as did many gays. Drag went underground again. Later on, leaders began to rise when events called for it.
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="367"] Image from Them[/caption]
Outspoken leaders in the drag community, like Flawless Sabrina, had pageants where drag was celebrated starting in ‘58. She was arrested several times for cross-dressing but persisted. Later in the 70s, drag was out and proud, with many African Americans taking the movement's shape. The Rocky Horror Picture Show demonstrated and celebrated drag with a well-known heterosexual male actor, Tim Curry, in a protagonist role. With this famous musical's popularity, drag was slowly becoming something associated more with fun and good times rather than secretiveness. This process didn’t reach its hype until decades later, and it's still going through its journey with acceptance from society. Drag would also become more relative when the 90s came around.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="440"] Image from Entertainment Weekly[/caption]
In the 90s, RuPaul Charles began his career as a fierce “queen,” staying true to his talent in the drag industry and music industry. He released his first album, Supermodel of the World, and has one of the most well-known drag shows globally, RuPaul’s Drag Race, where men dress in drag and compete in competitions. As popular and famous as Charles has become, it’s not uncommon when interviewing gay men and men in drag that they’ll give praise to women who spoke out for gay rights, decades before the 2000s. These women can be traced back as early as the 70s.
In a nearly three-minute interview from 1979, Jane Fonda spoke about gay rights saying gays are oppressed, and those that are for gay rights are “on the side of the angels.” “It’s just, and it’s right,” she says. Nile Rodgers, who was Diana Ross’ songwriter, told Today that radio personality Frankie Crocker informed Ross her ‘80’s hit “I’m Coming Out” would “ruin her career.” As we know today, it did quite the opposite for her career. “I’m Coming Out” celebrated pride in the LGBTQ+ community. With the ongoing drag movement came another well-known member who changed the lives of gay men and transgender individuals everywhere.
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="382"] Image from Reuters Graphics[/caption]
Malcolm Michaels Jr., known famously as Marsha P. Johnson, sadly passed away in ’92 but was considered one of the most well-known drag queens in recent history after having spoken out for gay rights during the Stonewall Riots in ’69. But what was once oppression and bitter injustice has turned into meme-worthy posts on Instagram and fun for people no matter what sexuality. Drag queen, Jasmine Masters, stage name of Martell Robinson, has appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race, but was more widely known from her “And I Oop” clip which circulated on meme pages and social media. Although drag has had its own culture, it has evolved with the times and has developed its own language. The culture has evolved with society in its own way, sporting wigs, eyeshadow, heels, and other beauty necessities. No longer are drag queens in-hiding from ridicule, but are now celebrated for their individuality and uniqueness within the entertainment industry.
Sources: All That's Interesting, Artforum, Biography, California State University Stanislaus, Capetown Magazine, History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Out, PBS, Them, The Guardian, Today, Vice, Vogue, YouTube
Images: Entertainment Weekly, House of Mirth Photos, Reuters Graphics, Them
Featured Image: All That's Interesting
(01/15/21 9:00pm)
by Conner Tighe
Singer-songwriter and Folk Iceland musician Axel Flóvent recently went on a journey of self-discovery while traveling in Europe. As a singer-songwriter, Flóvent writes and composes all his material. After growing up in a musical family, Flóvent sought identity and found inspiration from his life experiences and the environment he was living in. Flóvent says nothing else made sense to him except music, because he gave all his attention and care to it. He seeks to write as a conversation between himself and others. From a video call via Facebook Messenger, the artist agreed to discuss his life on tour, motivation, and the upcoming album You Stay by the Sea, which is scheduled to be released today, Jan. 15.
Conner Tighe: Tell me about where you grew up, your background, and how you got into music.
Axel Flóvent: My dad has been a guitar collector, so I got a guitar when I was nine. I grew up in a very small town in Iceland called Húsavík. There’s not a lot of things to do there. If you don’t play football – in the U.S., you would call it soccer – then you don’t have a lot of social things to do. I wasn’t much into sports, so I had to find some activity. I started playing the guitar, and I had very little patience for learning it the traditional way. I stopped taking lessons because I didn’t want to learn the notes and the basics. I wanted to learn chords so I could play songs. My uncle taught me how to play power chords, and as soon as he taught me, I started writing.
I started writing songs around 10. I moved to Denmark around 10. There I didn’t have a lot of friends either, so I had to occupy my time. I started going into picking up songs and playing all these different Beatles songs. From there, I started writing a lot, and that’s how it started.
CT: Where do you get your inspiration for writing songs?
AF: It used to be music. When I was younger and started writing, I was like if I wrote a great song or wrote a song I thought was great, I thought I could do anything. Now it’s more life. It’s more things around me, and what I’m going through in life that inspires me to write and want to tell the emotional story I’m going through. It used to be when I didn’t have that need to express myself, or I wasn’t aware of the need to express myself back when I was starting so young. I would hear a cool Weezer song, and I thought, “I want to make that. That sounds easy enough.” It was more like that.
CT: Have you toured before?
AF: I’ve done a bunch of tours. It’s probably what inspires me to do what I do. It’s what I love the most is to tour with my friends. I supported Radical Face in the U.S. at the beginning of 2020. It was my first American tour in the states.
CT: When you first toured, was it a big transition for you?
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="407"] Image from Facebook[/caption]
AF: Touring at first, was intense. It was a weird reality to step in, but as long as I adapted to how things worked, it was my favorite thing to do. When you’re on tour, it’s like you have a schedule every day for the next month and a half or so. It feels so relaxing to have everything planned out for you. You wake up, and you have a schedule. There’s nothing you ever dread doing. There are always new things coming. It depends on what kind of tour it is. When I’m supporting artists, I step into a van with a bunch of strangers, or that’s how the American tour was. I toured around with the Radical Face guys, and I was alone, so I didn’t know anybody there, so I had to get to know the crew. It’s a weird reality you step into. I had a lot of working environments where I would step into a van with a bunch of strangers that you spent time traveling with for eight weeks.
CT: What’s an average day like on tour?
AF: You come into a sit-in, and you may have three to four hours to explore, but sometimes you’re so tired because you’ve been in a van for five to six hours, since eight in the morning, and you want to relax in the hotel room for three to four hours. Sometimes you want to explore the city, go to a café or museum. Then there’s the soundcheck, then there’s the show, and then you go to the merch table. You sell some merch, and then you go back to the van.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="423"] Image from Facebook[/caption]
It is quite glorious in the sense you’re doing what you love. You’re able to do this special thing. Every time I’m not on tour, I want to be touring. When I’m doing this, and I’m with my friends, it’s way better because I can still surround myself with a community of people. With my American tour, I loved getting to know the guys, but it was weirder because I didn’t have anybody so close to me and with me, so I was alone traveling America, which was great and amazing, but it feels a little overwhelming to do all of that by yourself. When I think about a normal day, it’s very mundane.
CT: From the first time you started performing to now, how has your music and sound changed?
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="272"] Image from Amazon[/caption]
AF: I feel like it has changed a lot. I have a different side of myself I want to explore more. I like to think about the route, how it started, and I don’t want to lose that part of me, so I hold onto it. I hold onto not changing too much. Sometimes I feel like I need to do different things, and I feel like I’ve released one song here and there that feels more different from the others. That’s how I’ve evolved my sound. I go a little bit further with one song. I feel like for this new record, there are still elements on this record that were there in the first EP Forest Fires I released five years ago.
There are some songs on there that are so different from the first EP, but then there are songs that could be on that EP. I feel like I’m holding onto an old sound, but I’m feeling the need to evolve and change.
CT: Tell me the meaning behind this new album.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="276"] Image from The Line of Best Fit[/caption]
AF: In the easiest sense, it’s a bit about the journey I went on. I moved out of Iceland because I was signed to Sony in Amsterdam, so I moved to Amsterdam. I moved there for the purpose of working more, and I thought I would maybe meet other musicians. I was going there to create my own musical scene, but it was hard because I didn’t know where to look. I’m such an introvert. I’m not an extrovert that goes to a bar and meets people or goes to a musical community. There’s always a limit to how I seek these things. I moved to Amsterdam with a dream, but I didn’t think about the reality of how I would get there, so I ended up staying in my apartment for most of the time and just wrote a lot of music there. I felt like my life started becoming a weird thing, just being alone in Europe, and it’s the same thing with touring. It’s just completely alone. After a year in Amsterdam, I was like, “Okay, I’m not ready to move back home after a year.” I needed to find something new because I was still looking for something.
I moved to Utrecht in the Netherlands for three months to gather my thoughts. Then after that, I moved to the U.K. I moved to Brighton, and the reason I moved to Brighton was I wanted to try to live in the U.K. and also wanted to be by the sea so I would be closer to my home. That was my thought. I was like, “Okay, at least I have the ocean there.” In Amsterdam, I didn’t have any coast to go to let my mind wander off, so I went to Brighton. When I was there, I got a nice studio. I made my apartment quite nice, bought everything new for it, and then after I settled in Brighton for two months, I decided I wanted to move back home. When I moved back home, I finished the record. It was about this weird search that I was looking for something, looking for an answer in the quality of the place I lived in, and then I moved back home where my friends and my family and these things I took for granted before and it’s just about the realization. It doesn’t sound like very deep thought. It was like I needed to go on this journey to tell myself something that I already knew somehow, and then I wrote an album about it. I guess what I needed to tell myself was that I cannot fill the inner void with my work or with moving to a busier place.
CT: Can you take me through your creative process and how you get into your “zone?”
AF: I’m constantly looking for my “zone” as well. I’m constantly trying to change the environment and how I write. What I usually do is use a plugin I’ve not used before. I try to find a new sound and start it with a drone of some sort. I like to start with a title or drone that puts up the atmosphere of the song. It helps me to pick up the electric or acoustic guitar to start strumming on it to get into the vibe. As soon as I pick up on a chord, I get into the mood of the song, and sometimes I babble on, sometimes I record on my phone like complete nonsense. The way I usually write my lyrics, for example, I babble nonsense on my phone and tell myself I got this idea. I’m just writing a melody. I’m just writing from the top of my head. I pick up the nonsense, and I write down what I think I’m saying, and to that, I finish. There’s a bit of an abstract line in the sentences and the lyrics, but then I try to make sense of it in the end. How I do it is I start with a chord, and then I make more sense of it and structure it a bit. If I were a painter, I would paint on the paper and start making sense of it afterward.
CT: Can you see yourself doing something if you weren’t in the music industry?
AF: I’ve thought about this so many times because especially now with COVID-19 and not having a lot to do, and as a musician, you need to think about, “What if there wasn’t this thing to do anymore? What if I needed to do something else?” I feel like maybe I would teach. Maybe I would like to explore that way and teach what I’ve learned in my journey as a musician if there was a place for that. On the side, I would always want to create something. It’s hard to imagine my life without music. I like to paint. I like to draw artistically and create, as well. I want to write a book when I’m older. I don’t read a lot of books. I like the concept of the story, and a book is something I really love. It’s just I’m such a slow reader, and my mind strips up very easily. So that’s something I romanticize about.
CT: Do/did you have a mentor or someone that helped you through this or were you self-taught?
AF: I think I just easily absorb what’s around me, and I grew up with my brother Þórir Georg being a musician and releasing music. He showed me all the music I discovered when I was young. I grew up in a musical family, so I wouldn’t say I’m completely self-taught. I had the need to learn it on my own. When it came to the technical training of things, I studied classical guitar for five years to get my fingers and technical things in place. Other than that, I didn’t learn anything in school, for example. It was like the people around me, my family more.
CT: What’s your favorite song to perform that you’ve written?
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="291"] Image from Amazon[/caption]
AF: With a band, “City Dream” is my favorite song to play. When I’m alone, I think “Tourist” from the new record. My favorite song from my new album to listen to is probably “Still Awake,” which is unreleased now. It has a similar vibe to “City Dream.”
CT: What has the music industry taught you about yourself?
AF: I feel like I started so young I didn’t know anything about it. I learned it from experiencing it, so it definitely taught me a lot. I used to not need to be responsible for a lot. I used to like my old label responsibility for things and how my old manager took responsibility for things. Now I want to be responsible for the things that I’m doing. I don’t like putting it on other people. That’s what I’ve learned the most is being independent. Not in the sense nobody can touch what I’m doing, but I need to be aware of what’s going on the business side of things.
CT: Where do you see yourself going with your music in the future?
AF: I want to reach more people and tour more. That’s the ultimate dream to tour with my band and be able to control the touring schedule a bit. It would be a dream to tour half the year. I guess I would have to be a bit bigger than I am now to be in that position. I think that’s my biggest dream. I don’t think about a lot of other goals and achievements than doing music more than I currently do.
Sources: Europa Vox, FMS Magazine, Instagram, Mathworks, Nettwerk Music Group, YouTube
Images: Amazon, Facebook, The Line of Best Fit
Featured Image: Facebook
(01/15/21 8:00pm)
by Mason Kupiainen
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
There’s no need for any explanation as to why 2020 was disastrous for film fans. Despite the few great films that did come out — like Tenet, Wonder Woman 84, Soul, The Devil All the Time, and The Invisible Man — there weren’t many films that caused a lot of excitement. Plenty of indies and streaming services continued to release films, but many of the notable titles didn’t garner a lot of attention. Nonetheless, within this wasteland of a year, there were a few notable titles that didn’t receive the love that they should have.
The Way Back
One of the movies that came out right as the pandemic began was The Way Back. However, it didn’t get a full theatrical release as it was only in theaters for a week before being shut down. The movie stars Ben Affleck as an alcoholic struggling to get his life back on track. Once he gets the opportunity to become the basketball coach for his high school’s team, he begins trying to come to terms with the troubles of his past.
Almost all sports dramas have a basic formula: they have a coach struggling with something who stumbles upon a team who’s struggling to win. Although the two find a common ground and help each other overcome some of their issues, The Way Back doesn’t simply utilize this basic formula. It has a spectacular third act that will leave you stunned. It throws away the cliché ending for a more sad, realistic take on this certain situation. Affleck gives one of his best performances, and the compelling story made this one my personal favorites of the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzNJVSsjE-I
The King of Staten Island
Inspired partly by Pete Davidson’s real life, the movie follows a 20-something-year-old man struggling to find a purpose in life. He’s still living with his mother and dealing with issues from his past. When his mother finds a boyfriend, she starts pushing Davidson’s character out of her house, forcing him to face his demons and discover who he truly is.
Davidson is a talented comedian, and the movie is filled with his style of humor. Being the funniest film of the year, it’s also able to be one of the best dramas of the year. Surprisingly, Davidson is also able to carry the film and give a strong performance, delivering all of the emotional moments. It never felt as if the movie was forcing ideas onto the audience, but instead, it felt natural with the story. With the movie releasing on video-on-demand, it seemed as if no one gave the movie a chance and it quietly slipped under everyone’s radar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azkVr0VUSTA
The Banker
Releasing on Apple+ as an original film, The Banker didn’t gain much attention, if any. The film is based on the true story of two black men in the 1960s who establish a plan to buy property and give equal opportunity for other African Americans. With a star-studded cast including Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, and Nicholas Hoult, it’s strange the movie slipped past everyone. However, the movie turned out to be exceptional and became one of the year’s biggest surprises. It’s a movie that becomes more interesting knowing it’s based on a true story, especially seeing some of the lengths they go to. Jackson gives a knockout performance, and Mackie is able to play a different type of role from his Marvel films. The direction and look of the film are also incredible. Since it takes place in the 60’s, the costumes and background help immerse you into the time period. Along with this, there were many beautiful shots of LA that look as if they were pulled right from that time. There were many wonderfully-executed camera shots and scenes were handled really well, making it disappointing that it wasn’t released theatrically. Even though Apple+ as a whole is useless, since it lacks content, this film makes it almost worth getting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_-nk9-sMus
Hillbilly Elegy
Pushing aside the political controversy and hate surrounding the film, Hillbilly Elegy turned into one of the biggest surprises of the year. It’s one of, if not the most, uplifting movie of the year. Its message of pursuing through hardship and never allowing that to be an excuse to give up is powerful. Although it’s not to the level of quality of Apollo 13 or Rush, Ron Howard did a fine job at directing. Unlike those films, the directing didn’t add anything, and there weren't any memorable shots
What truly made this film special was the story and acting. Both Amy Adams and Glenn Close give some of their best performances. The true story of J.D. Vance clawing himself out of the hole he was born into and being able to turn his life around, even being able to get himself into Yale, is astonishing and inspiring. The choice to tell his story by jumping between the past and present made it even better, as you get the chance to see how his home life and family changed over the years as the movie progresses. Ignoring the negativity the film has gained, the movie truly is an encouraging and hopeful film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPnfMMgRK58
News of the World
Having been recently released, the film hasn’t gained any attention. Starring Tom Hanks, the movie takes place right after the end of the Civil War. Hanks plays a man who travels from town-to-town and reads off the news to the townspeople. After coming across a wagon wreck and finding a young girl whose parents have died, he attempts to take her to whatever family she has left but faces many hardships along the way.
At the heart of the movie, its message about the power of storytelling is moving. Along with this, having the story take place shortly after the Civil War provides many marvelous moments throughout the film that show the growing tension throughout America. Hanks’s character comes across an array of different characters, all of which have different thoughts and feelings toward the outcome of the war. Since the film is a western, there are a few outstanding shoot-out scenes and many glorious shots of the land, making this one of 2020’s films not to miss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTZDb_iKooI
Sources: Screen Rant, The Atlantic, Variety
Images: YouTube
Featured Image: Reelviews
(01/13/21 7:30pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
1979 was a big year in the entertainment industry. Alien, Mad Max, The Amityville Horror, and more well-known films were released, but a bigger breakthrough was also released to the world: The CD. A thin, reflective disc became the most popular and sought-after avenue for playing the best music had to offer. Before the internet and after the beloved record player, CDs would take over the music industry only to begin their decline decades later. Although at one time CDs could be found anywhere music was sold, the music industry has evolved, leaving a barren wasteland of CDs in its wake.
5. The first CD was released in 1982 for the band ABBA
Swedish pop band ABBA takes credit for having the first CD featuring their album The Visitors in 1982. The eight-track album featured songs “Two For the Price of One,” “I Am the City,” “Cassandra,” and more. ABBA consisted of members Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, and Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad. Although Fältskog and Ulvaeus married in ‘71 and Andersson married Lyngstad in ‘78, the two couples split, leading to ABBA’s downfall in ’83.
4. Cars began to replace CD players in the 2010s
When cars began to feature CD players in the car, something revolutionary after the invention of stereo cassette players in vehicles, there was no going back. In the 70s and 80s, cassettes were popular. A large square slot for the cassette turned into a narrow square slot for the CD. This would last until the mid-2010s, when vehicle companies Ford, Honda, and Toyota began to get rid of the car CD players. Bluetooth and the evolution of technology took over, making the thin discs a thing of the past altogether. With vehicles becoming more technologically advanced, it almost seems less convenient to insert and eject CDs continuously in a car.
3. Vinyl are more fragile than CDs
With its resurgence in popularity, beginning back in the 2010s, vinyl became more nostalgic for some, but a retro style for others. Vinyl records capture more sound waves than CDs because of its analog recording. The groove embedded in the record ensures no piece of the sound wave goes unheard, unlike the CD. Thumbprints and scratches leave CDs in a risky position as these nuisances can render CDs useless, leave the music sounding scratchy/patchy, or leave parts of the music out. Although fragile in its design, vinyl comes in first in terms of fragility. Stacking vinyl can cause scratching even with the sleeves on. Oil from skin contact can damage the plastic. A carbon fiber brush is needed to clean vinyl, as standard cleaning products won’t do the job. Leaving vinyl out of their sleeves can accumulate dust, scratches, and even the sun can damage the record if left out.
2. 2008 was a bad year for CD sales
2008 was the beginning of the end for CDs as sales dropped, with 17 million people reported not buying the products. Although convenience has taken over with the continuous decline in CD sales, they are still sold in stores like F.Y.E., Barnes and Noble, Target, Meijer, and other large corporations where electronics are sold. At one time, CDs were one of the best storage systems for music, providing tunes stored in one small disc. Then the rise of streaming services like Pandora, iTunes, and Spotify came along. They offered an endless supply of tracks that could be played wherever, therefore ultimately being a better means of playing music than CDs.
1. CDs can be used for up to 200 years
Manufacturers have tested CDs in the past to see what environments the discs do best in with temperature and humidity levels. In one study, with a 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent humidity recommendation, the discs can be workable for 30 years, but this isn’t confirmed for all CDs. Some CDs have been known to work past 100 years if stored at the recommended temperature. Chemical reactions can occur, known as “CD rot” or “bronzing”, where the outer layer of CDs literally rots away and leaves the silver inner layer exposed. But since not all CDs are the same, no one set environment will work for all CDs. The basic gist is to store CDs in an environment with nonfluctuating temperatures to secure the longest lifespan.
Sources: Ars Technica, BBC, CLIR, Electrohome, Forbes, How Stuff Works, IMDB, Kodak Digitizing, Lifewire, Mirror, Retro Manufacturing, The Vinyl Revivers
Featured Image: Commodore Waves
(01/13/21 4:11pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Talented at the age of four, AJ Mitchell grew up in Belleville, Illinois, where he learned his piano skills from his father, a pianist. At six years old, Mitchell wrote his first song and, in high school, he was a member of the choir group. He performed at local coffee shops and bars until finding fame in 2016 on social media. His debut single “Used to Be” was released in 2017, which Mitchell claims it's his favorite song of his to perform.
With inspiration from Coldplay, Lil Wayne, The Beatles, and Bruno Mars, Mitchell writes creatively and has done so even more since quarantine began. The singer takes experiences in his life and crafts +them into pop tracks like his 2019 single “Down in Flames.” “I wrote that song about communication. A big lesson I learned was communicating. I saw two of my close friends get into a bad argument, and from my perspective, I saw how the situation could’ve been a lot different, a lot better if they communicated,” said Mitchell in a YouTube clip.
Mitchell is seemingly vulnerable with his fans. With posts from his childhood featured on his social media and many in-depth interviews with mostly entertainment publications, the artist appears genuine and wants the world to know he’s here for the craft and not the fame. His realistic approach when interacting with fans and social media gives Mitchell credibility with his music. His mannerisms, body language, and overall temperament shown in interviews linked above display what kind of person Mitchell is. Although the artist’s fame came quickly, he explains how his mom encouraged him to keep performing.
YouTube star Jake Paul sought out the young artist to be a part of his social media group called Team 10. During his time in the group, he met his future manager, who secured him a record deal after Mitchell left the group to pursue music. Mitchell released his six-track album Hopeful in 2018 that spoke about your average dabbles in angsty teenage romance with beautiful vocals and a range comparable to boy bands that capture hearts. Mitchell is the prime example of a newcomer musician on the verge of something greater, like Shawn Mendes in his 2014 era.
MTV’s Push highlights new and breakout artists where artists Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Eminem, and Future, among many others, have been nominated in the past for Video of the Year Awards, although Push awards artists in other areas like Artist of the Year, Best New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Collaboration. Mitchell was featured on MTV’s website in 2019, where exclusive interviews about his life and music career lie, and in 2020 MTV featured Mitchell as a nominee for Best New Artist. The singer has collaborated with artists like DJs Frank Walker and Steve Aoki and rapper Rich the Kid. Recently for the holidays, he released “Blame It on the Mistletoe” with Ella Henderson. It will be exciting to see who else Mitchell strikes a collaboration with in the future.
Since late 2019, Mitchell has been talking about releasing his second soon to be album, Skyview. Heading into 2021, there’s no Skyview in sight, although on Instagram, Mitchell has been teasing the album's arrival with images of him recording in the studio. “If only could hear this…” he says on a Dec. 29 post.
The artist may introduce 2021 with Skyview as a good luck charm for a better year. Since the album wasn’t released in 2020, he may drop the album by surprise. Keeping an eye on his social media will provide excitement for his fans.
Sources: AllMusic, Instagram, MTV, Seventeen, YouTube
Images: Instagram
Featured Image: Euphoria. Magazine
(01/07/21 3:00pm)
(01/01/21 6:30pm)