The Hudsonian

Her debut single, “Obsessed,” released in March 2021, marked a significant turning point. The song’s upbeat tempo and catchy chorus showcased Rae’s vocal potential, but it also told a story of vulnerability and self-empowerment. 

Critics were quick to weigh in on her transition. Some praised her for courageously venturing into a new realm, while others questioned the authenticity of her musical talent. But what stands out is Rae’s determination to craft a genuine sound that reflects her experiences and aspirations. In an age where many celebrities rely on industry connections or established songwriters, Rae has taken the reins of her musical journey, co-writing songs that feel personal and relatable.

It’s an act of bravery that showcases her willingness to be vulnerable and share her truth with the world.

Addison Rae’s debut EP, AR, released in 2023, showcases her diverse musical style, featuring catchy melodies and personal lyrics that resonate with her generation. One standout collaboration on the EP is with Charli XCX, an established pop icon known for her innovative sound. Their track “2 die 4” perfectly blends Rae’s youthful energy with Charli’s edgy hyperpop sensibilities.

Rae and XCX collaborated again for Charli XCX’s smash album, “Brat.” The album took social media and the summer by storm and listeners praised Addison Rae for her catchy contributions to the remix of “Von Dutch” with hyperpop legend A.G. Cook.

In August of 2024, Rae cemented herself as a force to be reckoned with in the pop music landscape with her single, “Diet Pepsi.” The song has garnered over 140 million streams on Spotify and is her best-performing song so far. The production is vibrant and infectious, showcasing Rae’s growth as an artist while appealing to her dedicated fan base. Some fans have compared the sound of “Diet Pepsi” to that of Lana Del Rey, noting the carefree Americana aesthetic, similar to Lana’s aesthetic in the “Born To Die” era.

Addison’s most recent release “Aquamarine” explores themes of self-love, exploration, and the beauty of fleeting moments, with Rae’s smooth vocals painting vivid imagery that resonates with her audience.

The music video further enhances the song’s themes, featuring stunning visuals and fluid choreography that evoke a dreamy atmosphere as she poses and vogues, smoking cigarettes through the dimly lit back alleys of Paris. The video emphasized the emotional and reflective nature of the lyrics. Overall, “Aquamarine” solidifies Addison Rae’s place in the music industry as an artist who can blend fun with heartfelt storytelling.

As we look to the future, it’s clear that Addison Rae’s foray into pop music is just the beginning. With each new release, she challenges herself to grow, both as an artist and as an individual. The path ahead may be challenging, but if her journey thus far is any indication, Rae is going to leave an undeniable mark on the music world. Her evolution is a testament to the power of authenticity, reminding us that it’s not just about the destination but the journey we take along the way. In the end, Addison Rae is more than a TikTok star. She’s an artist with a story to tell and we’re all eager to hear it.

The movie documentary, The Founder, tells the story of Ray Kroc, a salesman struggling to be successful in business. That is until he meets the McDonald brothers, Mac and Dick. Drawn to the brothers’ business model of fast food, he is given a tour of their restaurant and told all the details of how they put it all together. Ray’s mind starts shifting gears and he sees an opportunity to take them and their company to the next level. Hungry to make something of himself, Ray doesn’t just take a bite out of their burger, he takes measures to own the entire business.

This film reveals so much about human nature. Selfishness, greed, lust, desire, power and corruption. The slyness of evil.

Ray Kroc started out what seemed to be an ambitious man. But the emptiness of his unfulfilled desires led him down a selfish path as he sought to fulfill them at any cost. While he may have fallen prey to greed in the beginning, he was very aware of all his actions and decisions that came as his power and influence grew.

This man knew exactly what he was doing. Aside from being humiliated and disregarded, he is not a victim of evil. As soon as he got the power he desired, he abused it.

He divorced his wife because he lusted after another man’s wife. Knowingly giving his ex-wife, the house and the car, but nothing to own in the company. She did nothing but support him in his endeavors. All she wanted was some time spent with her husband, quality love and he repaid her with a divorce. In my eyes, she’s free. Free of a man that did not respect or value their marriage.

He disrespected the McDonald brothers by making deals without their consent out of selfish ambitions.

Creating more franchises, getting rid of real milk and using a powdered substance for milkshakes. Going into real estate to buy the land so he could have more power over them and be ‘free’ from his contract. Stealing their idea of the golden arches for his own business logo. Even taking their last name. He was blatantly disobedient towards them and didn’t care because he was so focused on acquiring more and more. Recognition, respect, riches. His ego was steadily increasing, and this man became full of greed.

The nature of greed is to want more than what you need. Greed whispers “what I have is not enough” even if you have enough, or more than enough. It’s easy to become greedy when you are ungrateful.

Truth be told, he had no moral reason to divorce his wife, and he didn’t have to betray Dick and Mac to succeed. His choices following his gains expose the dark side of his human nature. Yes, he was ambitious, but he was also desperate, ungrateful and corrupt. Yes, he was successful, but at the expense of stepping on others. The measures Ray took may not look evil because nobody was abused or murdered, but that doesn’t negate the actions and choices he made that were clearly immoral.

In the realm of hip-hop, few artists can seamlessly blend vulnerability with bravado quite like Tyler, the Creator. With his latest album, Chromakopia, Tyler not only showcases his artistic evolution but also dives deep into the complexities of identity and fame. The journey begins with the music video for “Sorry Not Sorry,” a B-side from Call Me If You Get Lost. Tyler invites us into a theatrical experience, gathering an eclectic cast of friends, family, and former lovers in a cinematic setting. As a soldier leads them to their seats, we are introduced to the transformative character of St. Chroma, which is a representation of Tyler’s inner struggles.

The narrative unfolds dramatically, with Tyler enclosed in glass, where he engages in the act of shedding his past. This culminates in the pivotal moment when he removes the pastel ushanka of Sir Baudelaire, symbolizing the release of old personas that no longer define him. Front and center, Tyler’s mother, Bonita Smith, opens the album with a powerful statement: “You are the light. It’s not on you, it’s in you.” This sentiment reverberates throughout the project, framing Tyler’s introspective exploration of legacy and self.

Musically, Chromakopia is an ambitious endeavor that captures Tyler’s duality. The album opens with “St. Chroma,” which bursts forth with a melodic flute that resembles a battle cry.

Accompanied by driving rhythms, Tyler’s whisper-rap urges listeners to lean in, as he says, “I have something important to share.”

Daniel Caesar’s ethereal vocals bring more life to the track, prompting us to question, “Can you feel that fire?”

The atmosphere shifts, drawing us deeper into Tyler’s psyche.

In tracks like “Noid,” Tyler navigates the depths of his mind, confronting fears that lurk beneath the surface. He reflects on the pressures of fame, revealing feelings of being constantly observed by fans and critics. At 33, Tyler grapples with the reality that while many of his friends are starting families, he is haunted by anxieties about potential break-ins from obsessed admirers. The eerie electric guitars sampled from Zamrock legends Ngozi Family create a chilling mood that resonates throughout the song. It echoes the haunting Swahili warning from Get Out: “Listen to your ancestors. Something bad is coming. Run.”

A consistent voice throughout the album, Tyler’s mother, serves as his moral compass. In the heartfelt track “Like Him,” he questions whether he will follow in the footsteps of his estranged father. Bonita complicates this narrative by sharing, “He’s always wanted to be a father to you… He’s a good guy,” prompting Tyler to reflect on his long-held criticisms of his father’s absence. Coupled with the anxiety of a pregnancy scare in “Hey Jane,” it becomes clear why Tyler is so preoccupied with fatherhood. In “Take Your Mask Off,” he confronts his fears, confessing, “Boy, you selfish as f***, that’s really why you scared of bein’ a parent.” This really highlights the humbling experience of recognizing flaws within one’s self.

Unlike the flashy lifestyle depicted in Call Me If You Get Lost, Chromakopia redefines Blackness as a cultural status symbol.

Tyler weaves themes of white supremacy into his narrative with subtlety and skill. In the track “I Killed You,” he begins with a playful interpolation of “Wheels on the Bus,” but quickly pivots to critique Western beauty standards.

With vibrant percussion reminiscent of a New Orleans parade, he challenges Black listeners to embrace their uniqueness,

boldly proclaiming, “You the room, baby, they the motherf-ing elephant.”

Tyler’s collaborations with several Black women further amplify the joy of music-making as a Black artist in hip-hop. In “Sticky,” featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne, he confidently says, “Give a f*** ’bout pronouns, I’m that n**** and that b****,” all delivered over an irresistibly catchy beat. The energy of this track is high and exciting, with a hook that’s sure to stick around in the listener’s heads long after the song ends. Tyler’s ability to shine through whimsical beats, as seen in tracks like  “Balloon” and “Thought I Was Dead,” reinforces his prowess as a rapper.

For all the introspection that comes with navigating his thirties, it’s the confident tracks like “Thought I Was Dead,” “Rah Tah Tah,” “NOID,” and “Sticky” that resonate the most. Tyler’s disdain and ultimately rejection of his former self hits hard as he raps, “That version of Tyler that you knew was a memory,” anticipating critiques with a dismissive, “Who is that? You n***** get too attached to hear the theory.” Not long ago, his controversial lyrics incited fear and controversy in listeners and in the media, but he has emerged as a more approachable figure without sacrificing the sharp wit that defines him as an artist and a lyricist. Not many artists have his infectious confidence, which he is able to use as a tool for creating discussions rather than flat-out cockiness.

Ultimately, Chromakopia stands as a testament to Tyler’s growth and it is a powerful exploration of identity, vulnerability, and the struggles that come with fame. He emerges as an artist who isn’t afraid to confront his past while celebrating his present, making light of some of the darker portions of his journey. This album is so much more than a collection of songs, it’s a journey through Tyler’s mind, a picture painted using his experiences, fears, and triumphs. As he navigates insecurities and revels in successes, Tyler, the Creator remains a force that captivates, challenges, and inspires.

You get on a train from the train station and see all these empty seats until you are called by a blue cat who introduces himself as Rover. Next thing you know you’re thrown into an adventure that’s not too big and not too small. Just taking care of a small island and making new friendships. What is this you ask? Well it’s an animal crossing game!! For those unfamiliar city folk was the first animal crossing game to come out on the GameCube. In almost every single game not including spin offs or pocket camp you are the island representative and it’s not exactly a goal but more of a note in mind if you’d like to nurture your town back to its former glory.

The new installment New Horizons which came out in 2020 has taken into account only some aspects that the old games have incorporated though and even if they have

expanded on them, like crafting, diys, nook miles, cooking and even new ways to decorate houses like in the dlc happy home designer which is now happy home paradise the old games have just some level of charm to them that seems to be just missing.

From the back stories of each npc to the slow burn friendships you make with each villager instead of them being a little too friendly in new horizons.

One old feature I’d like to take into account in this article though is the center tree in New leaf. There’s a small ceremony where you plant your own tree and after it grows you can then sit at it.

Doing so initiates a cutscene with slow and memorable music and lists the dates of each achievement that passes throughout your time in your little town. It’s something that’ll never leave my mind to this very day and I so wish that was the case for new horizons but just keep in mind that it’s not a completely bad game because of it. The thing is New Horizons was promised to be updated for at least three years but stopped and decided to go the dlc route.

Though the wait for dlc from New leaf was even longer there was still stuff to do within the game, such as tortimer’s multiplayer Island. I just hope that the next installment takes into account the things that have made animal crossing… Well, animal crossing!!