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Show life B4 IS A L I V E A N D WrELL MONDAY • JANUARY 22 -2007 see which cd's are worth the purchase Erik Frederickson ''' Life Writer +> Music review Photocredit/Amazon.com Photocredit/Amazon.com Photocredit/Amozon.com Jay-Z: Kingdom Come Akon: Konvicfed Nas: Hip Hop is Dead The 38-year-old rapper seems to have past his prime, but he still outdoes 90 percent of the rappers in the industry. The stylishly confident Brooklyn rapper/DefJam CEO who calls himself "The Mike Jordan of recordin' " is probably hitting the nail right on the head with that line. His latest album comes after a short-lived retirement that nobody thought would last. On his so-called retirement album. The Black Album, he even said, "When I come back like Jordan wearing the 45." I guess he just needed a break, seeing how he dropped 10 solo albums in nine years, all of which went platinum. With producers like Just Blaze, Dr. Dre, Kayne West, and even Chris Martin from Coldplay, who could ever question the quality of this album? He is insanely talented and knows how to pick stellar beats. On Kingdom Come he talks about a variety of things from the New Orleans Katrina disaster, 30-years-old being the new 20 and, of course, his famous girlfriend Beyonce. He still talks about his drug dealing days and hustling, but he also talks about being more mature. He has a song where he talks about giving Beyonce more space for her career. He even has a remix of MC Hammer's, "Can't Touch This," which is one of the best tracks on the album. For the most part, Jay-Z has been talking about the same things his whole career, but he always finds a new and more clever way of saying it. Jay-Z has no lack of confidence, that is for sure. Can you really blame him? Akon is one of most talented producers, rappers and singers in the industry. He produced every song on the album but one: the hit single "Smack That," produced by Eminem. He has progressed quite a bit since his debut album, Trouble. It's as if he never took a break because he is featured on just about every hit rap single that comes out, either singing the chorus or producing the song. Akon has a long criminal record, and he finally did a stint in prison. It was then that he devoted his life (to music instead of the street life, and he has been on fire ever since. He definitely capitalizes on his street mentality, which has been working for him, but also has a much softer side, and it shows with his R&B style songs. He has a distinct ability to stir up emotions with his music. He can also make you relate to struggling, maybe better then anyone, since a good majority of his life, thus far, was a struggle. On his sophomore album, he has both the gangster side and the R&B side mastered. The feel of the album appeals to both guys and girls adequately. The album has more of his R&B side than gangster, and it is the type of album you can listen to from start to finish-no problem. It's apparent that he is here to stay and makes a huge impact in the music industry. The reality is that the music industry has been in need of a musician of this caliber for some time. What's next for Akon? Who knows, but the sky is the limit for this young, ambitious and multitalented superstar. Nas is one of the best rappers ever, and his latest album is another strong conquest in his career. Hiphop fans will remember Nas and Jay-Z battling a few years back. They have since settled their differences and Nas is now a DefJam artist under Jay-Z, who is the CEO of DefJam. They even do a song together on this album called, "Black Republican." This is Nas' eighth album, and it is one of his better ones. Nas talks about how he loves hiphop; he is just sick of the people in it. With lines like, "I feel it's a problem we gotta resolve, hip-hop been dead; we're the reason it died." He makes a compelling argument. Hiphop does seem to be lacking true talent these days. The hit single, "Hip Hop Is DEAD," features. and was produced by, The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am. It is vintage Nas. Lyrically, he is complex and ingenious and always has been since his classic debut album Illmalic vVas released in 1994. It is arguably the best debut rap album ever. He, like many other rappers who've had long successful careers, usually talks about the same topics; he just has a new and more improved way of saying it every time. The album has a talented list of producers and featured artists like Jay-Z, Snoop Dog, Kayne West and The Game. Nas is the type of artist that you just want to hear what he has to say because he is so good at saying it. When you talk about the best rappers ever, you have to bring up Nas' name. Retro movie review A taste of horror We understand that establishing your credit is difficult. A Visa® Credit Card from America First Credit Union can help get you started. Here's why our Visa is your best choice: Low interest rates that keep your card affordable Reasonable credit limits for responsible spending Professional representatives to help you choose the right card And you can put your personal picture on your card for free at wvfw.americafirst.com AMERICA FIRST C R E D I T U N I O N Apply today: www.americaftrst.com 1-800-999-3961 Your nearest branch office Jason Pyles Assistant Life Editor Last Wednesday, Jan. 17, former FBI profiler John Douglas spoke to UVSC. The modern horror classic. The Silence of the Lambs (1991), was inspired by his work. In honor of Douglas' coming, The College Times revisited the film to provide a review for those who are intrigued anew. The best horror movies tap into our deepest fears. Who doesn't shiver at the thought of being helplessly captive in a dark pit beneath some madman's cellar? Or who doesn't shudder at the prospect of having one's face gnawed on (while still alive) by a cannibal? Such psychoses are featured in The Silence of the Lambs. Not for the faint at heart, this flick earns its R rating with the graphic, the gruesome and the grisly. Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) just finished the FBI Academy and is a quick study in Behavioral Science, particularly Psychology in Criminology. A serial killer called "Buffalo Bill" is skinning his victims: overweight young women. His ultimate reasons for this are eventually discovered, and it's a ghastly revelation. Starling is assigned to interview the infamous, maximum-security prisoner Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in hopes of getting his insights to help capture Buffalo Bill. Her assignment comes from Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn). The Crawford character is based on John Douglas. While Buffalo Bill is merely interesting, the Hannibal Lecter character is fascinating. Buffalo Bill is patterned after a composite of three real-life serial killers, whereas, Lecter is fictitious. Those in the movie attempt to describe Lecter as "amonster" orsimply, "They don't have a name for what he is." Film critics consider him one of the most memorable movie characters ever. 1 agree; Hopkins is truly diabolical in this performance. Sandwiching our heroine in peril between two psychopaths is this movie's great secret. Another masterful touch is the meaning behind the film's title. The other Hannibal Lecter flicks, such as Hannibal (2001) and Red Dragon (2002), have not held the samemystiqueastheoriginal. And this year's upcoming Hannibal Rising doesn't look as promising as the original, either. It tells more of Lecter's back-story but without Hopkins. Young Hannibal will be played by Gaspard Ulliel. I'm sure he's a fine actor and all, but Anthony Hopkins could eat him alive. Note: The Silence of the Lambs is available from the UVSC Library; and, to learn more about John Douglas' visit, read Jared Magill's article on Al. NEW DA40 G1000 Available for time building and cross-country flying. Build time and experience with your friends and relatives. Special rates for Students and Faculty. Federally Insured by NCUA and an Equal Opportunity Lender. Modern classic horror flick revisited Call for check-out & rate information Diamond FLIGHT CENTER of Spanish Fork, LC |