Music Journalism
The Juice
Short Form Content
What do These 3 Albums Have in Common?
Blind Ranking Diamond Certified Songs
Blind Ranking Albums From Hip-Hops Top 3
3 Facts to Guess the Song
Blind Ranking Tyler, the Creator Songs
Blind Ranking Atlanta Rappers
Blind Ranking Rappers
What’s The Better Album: Illmatic or Ready To Die
Blind Ranking Hip-Hop Groups
Blind Ranking lil Rappers
3 Facts to Guess the Artist
Blind Ranking Debut Albums
20 Questions to Guess the Artist
3 Facts to Guess the Album
New Blue Sun Review
Blind Ranking Grammy Winning Albums
Blind Ranking Producer Tags
3 Facts to Guess the Song
Interviews
MI$$
Law
Joseph Chilliams
Blvck SVM
Jordan Rose
Chris Patrick
Redveil
Jev.
Sol Chyld
CAPZLOCK
Respect My Region
As a journalism intern at Respect My Region, I wrote daily album reviews, providing insightful and engaging content for a prominent music and lifestyle magazine.
Mitch Pfeifer, CEO of Respect My Region, recommends me for content creation roles, praising my ability to work autonomously, craft professional and creative content, and contribute to the company's growth.
Soundfynd
As a digital music journalist for Soundfynd, I created engaging written content and designed eye-catching Instagram graphics, contributing to the account’s vibrant community of over 50k followers.
Diazic
I interned for an AI music discovery program that went bankrupt after my tenure, where I rated and reviewed over 100 songs daily while analyzing social media metrics to track artist growth. I discovered several moderately successful artists, including Skaiwater, Tony Shhnow, and Cybertrash.
Articles
The Forever Story Review
The Forever Story highlights the JID’s evolution into a multi-dimensional artist, blending intricate wordplay, powerful vocal improvements, and impeccable production to create a standout album that showcases his mastery of both rap and melody.
Dear Kanye
In a heartfelt and critical open letter, I express my disillusionment with Kanye West, condemning his recent antisemitic remarks and distancing myself from his music and legacy, despite previously being an unwavering fan.
Graduation: 5 Years Later
This retrospective on Kanye West's Graduation celebrates its lasting impact on hip-hop while acknowledging both its timeless highs, such as "Flashing Lights" and "Can't Tell Me Nothing," and its dated lows, like "Stronger" and "Drunk and Hot Girls," in the context of its pivotal role in shaping Kanye's career and the genre's evolution.
How did 21 Savage get so good?
This article traces 21 Savage's transformation from a meme-like, underwhelming rapper to one of hip-hop's most improved and respected artists, crediting his growth to hard work, strategic collaborations, and a unique artistic vision.
CMIFYGL Deluxe Review
This review of CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale highlights Tyler, The Creator's dynamic artistry and introspective growth, showcasing eight standout tracks that blend hip-hop, soul, and funk while reflecting his evolution as both an artist and person.
SOS Review
This review highlights SZA's emotional rawness and artistic growth, praising her genre-defying sound, captivating vocals, and vulnerable lyrics, which collectively elevate the album to her magnum opus despite a few missteps.
Who's the Next big 3
I predict the next "Big 3" of hip-hop, featuring JID, Travis Scott, and Baby Keem, each poised to dominate the genre with their unique sounds, cultural impact, and commercial success, filling the void left by Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole as they contemplate retirement.
Top 5 worst rappers
The article ranks the five worst rappers ever, based on their lackluster music, controversial actions, and repulsive personalities, with 6ix9ine claiming the top spot as the most reprehensible figure in hip-hop
Top 10 Grammy Winning Rap Songs
A critique of the Grammy Awards' often questionable history in selecting rap winners, showcasing a list of the top ten Grammy-winning rap songs that exemplify cultural impact and musical excellence.
Top 10 J Cole Features
This article highlights the top ten guest features by J. Cole, showcasing his versatile artistry and standout contributions across a range of collaborations with artists like Wale, 6lack, and 21 Savage.
My Shot is a Perfect Rap Song
This article argues that "My Shot" from Hamilton is a perfect rap song, showcasing Lin Manuel Miranda's masterful lyricism, complex rhyme schemes, and innovative musical elements that blend hip-hop with historical narrative.
Mixtape Mag Basketball & Hip-Hop
I explore the deep cultural and historical connection between hip-hop and basketball, tracing their shared origins in low-income African-American communities and examining how figures like Damian Lillard, J. Cole, and others embody this intersection in both their careers and creative expressions.
What Made WAP So Provocative
This article examines the contrasting reactions to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's explicit and empowering song "WAP," exploring how it was criticized for its sexual content, especially in comparison to male-performed hip-hop songs with similar themes.
Classwork
20 Watts
The Garage Lights Continues To Be Syracuse’s Next Indie-Rock Juggernaut
The Garage Lights delivered an energetic and captivating performance at Sharkey’s Bar in Liverpool, NY, blending infectious stage presence, dynamic instrumentation, and notable covers
Eminem and Music Criticism
In this analysis of Eminem’s career, the paper explores how the backlash to his 2017 album Revival led to a dramatic shift in his artistic approach on Kamikaze.
Album Review: Few Good Things by Saba
This review of Saba's Few Good Things explores the artist's shift from the introspective grief of his 2018 album Care For Me to an exploration of newfound success and the accompanying anxieties in Few Good Things.
Kanye West and Drake’s Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert
The review highlights how the Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert, despite its historic significance with Kanye West and Drake reconciling, was underwhelming due to lackluster production, distant cinematography, and Drake's disappointing song choices.
Do It For Fun: A Look Into The Garage Lights’ Lead Singer Avaana Harvey
Avaana Harvey, the charismatic lead singer of Syracuse University's indie-rock band The Garage Lights, embraces the joy of performance and creative spontaneity while navigating her passion for music and acting, all while remaining grounded and focused on the present.