Writer: Jalen Nash
100 Black Men of Syracuse supports community through education, service
“Saturday Academy” at the 100 Black Men of Syracuse aims to help students develop emotionally, academically and socially through different programming. Read More »
CoreLife Eatery turns New Year resolutions into reality
CoreLife Eatery’s 21-day CoreLife Challenge encourages participants to stick to their new year resolutions and kickstart a healthier lifestyle. Read More »
It’s time uncredited ‘ghostwriters’ in rap music get their proper due
For some fans, the use of ghostwriters in hip-hop can give off a sense of inauthenticity in its performers. But these writers have largely been responsible for some of the biggest hits and evolutions in the rap music industry. Read More »
SahBabbii, Melii and Valee prove Bandersnatch is a great scene for emerging artists, college crowd
Although the crowd was small, Bandersnatch artists delivered memorable, high-energy performances. Read More »
Young black creatives are exploited by a broken system — 2 SU seniors want to change that
Serving as a liaison between creators and brands, CLLCTVE empowers young creatives to develop their craft, understand their respective industries, recognize opportunities and precisely quantify the value of their work. Read More »
How religious music continues to impact the music scene today
The impact of religious music may not be quantified in record sales or mainstream appeal, but its value comes from how it encourages participation amongst its listeners. Read More »
Kanye West needs to be more responsible with his words, as a figure of influence
Kanye West has recently made national headlines, but it’s not for his music. Read More »
Spotify to help independent musicians grow while preserving artistic freedom
The rising popularity of independent artists has also led to a greater variety of streaming services, such as Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube. Streaming platforms have made it easier for fans to access music and musicians to grow their fan bases digitally. Read More »
John Legend made history as the first black man to reach EGOT status
John Legend recently made history as the first black man to win an Emmy, Grammy Award, Oscar and Tony Award, reaching the heralded “EGOT” status. But there’s something bigger going on with black representation in the awards arena. Read More »
Playboi Carti cut it short, but A$AP Ferg finished strong
While this year’s Juice Jam music festival wasn’t a slam success, it was enough to leave students happy and wanting more. Read More »
Tupac ‘died’ 22 years ago, but this is why he’s still around
Whether Tupac actually died or not, his influence on music, art and hip hop culture still live on. Read More »
Hip-hop can no longer be a men’s-only club
With rising hip-hop and rap artists such as Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, the music world is constantly evolving. But it’s time for the industry to change alongside it. Read More »
‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,’ 20 years later, is still iconic
“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” was released on Aug. 25, 1998. Twenty years later, it proves to be a timeless classic that continues to influence artists today. Read More »
If music is your thing, here’s what you can look forward to this semester
Music columnist Jalen Nash breaks down the impact campus events such as Juice Jam and Mayfest have on bringing students together, one beat at a time. Read More »
Remembering the legacy of Aretha Franklin
Music columnist Jalen Nash reflects on Aretha Franklin’s lifetime of influence on music, women’s empowerment and civil rights activism. Here’s just some of what she left behind. Read More »
'Astroworld' is upending the music scene, and here's why
Many artists are starting to realize the power of using social media to stay intimately connected with their fans. Read More »
50 years of fusion: Remembering Miles Davis
Music columnist Jalen Nash discusses how “Miles in the Sky,” released 50 years ago today, reveals Davis’ role in revolutionizing jazz music. Read More »
Why ‘Everything is love’ showcases the timeless talent of older rap artists
Music columnist Jalen Nash praises Jay-Z and Beyonce’s album, “Everything is Love,” and analyzes the evolving landscape of rap music for older performers. Read More »
A look at Kanye’s new album ‘Ye’
Kanye was Kanye in his eighth studio album he released last week. Music columnist Jalen Nash breaks down how each track connects to Kanye’s former albums and personal life. Read More »
J. Cole delivers a warning to new rappers with summer album ‘KOD’
J. Cole's latest album "KOD" addresses his unwillingness to compromise his music in exchange for popularity, and calls out artists who do in "1985." Read More »
Mayfest is a great day for music fans, both on and off SU campus
University Union's annual event was a success, and our Music columnist gives a roundup of some other nearby gatherings for local music fans. Read More »
What Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize means for hip-hop
Recipients of Pulitzer Prizes include figures like Robert Frost, John F. Kennedy and now Kendrick Lamar — the first artist outside of jazz or classical music to win the award. Read More »
Here’s what the XXL Freshman covers from 2015 on should look like in hindsight
With hindsight 20/20, Music columnist Jalen Nash takes a trip in the time machine to recreate each XXL Magazine Freshman cover from 2015 on. Read More »