Tip of tha Iceberg

The switch from being a full-time employee to a full-time student was something I was very excited about, and still is, because I'm enjoying learning and working toward furthering my career. That being said, it has been quite an adjustment that I am still getting used to. I miss the structure, I miss the work-life balance, and I miss special small feelings you would get after a long day. Here I'll break down the list of things I look forward to doing again someday.

Buying something on payday after a long week

I'll never forget one Friday night back in the fall of 2021. I had been working at my new job for maybe two months and came home tired from a long day. As I sat at the kitchen counter thinking about what I wanted to eat for dinner and talking to my roommate, I remembered I got paid that day. I immediately went to the Stray Rats website and bought a hat I'd been eyeing for the last couple weeks. It felt so satisfying to treat myself with my own hard earned money. I yearn for the day I can do that for my family and friends too, and buy myself more expensive goods as well.

Getting my evenings back

I realize everyone works at different times, but I tend to work a lot at night if I'm not on a more set 9 to 5 schedule. Additionally, working with groups can cause meetings and work that is reliant on others to be pushed to later times. Working late at night has impacted my sleep schedule in a way I haven't felt since undergrad. Working a 9 to 5, I would usually get high to unwind for a couple of hours and get to bed for the next day, but now I feel like I don't have that luxury since my mind is operating on a different schedule.

Getting my Sundays back

I've barely watched any football this year, very similar to my undergrad years, because I'm always doing work on Sundays to prepare for the week. While some people take the whole weekend off, I like to at least prep a bit. It can help fight the Sunday Scaries, but also is not ideal for relaxing and watching some ball.

Coordination

In my graduate school program, an overwhelming majority of our projects are done in groups. While this is a great way to collaborate, think collectively, and make friends, it can be very taxing when it comes to coordinating and scheduling. In a 9 to 5 job, every should be available for most of a continuous 8 hour workday. In this setting, you have everyone running on different schedules, some traveling, some working, some who are morning people, some who are night people, etc. It offers a lot of flexibility, but in exchange, you have to jump through some hoops to find overlapping free time to talk to one another outside of the classroom.

I didn't start becoming heavily interested in electronic music until after I graduated in college in 2019. Prior to then, most of my knowledge of the genre came from frat party remixes, popular Skrillex tracks I'd listened to in high school, and the songs I'd heard in clubs and bars during my study abroad semester (most of which I was probably too trashed to even recognize).

As I became more immersed in different genres of music, I realized how complex and diverse electronic music had become, and found myself learning about new artists through social media and music streaming platforms alike. My investment in a $4.99/mo. SoundCloud premium subscription was key to me listening to more unreleased IDs and discovering new DJs and mixes.

Learning more about the origins of these genres and their cultural identities offered so many new layers for me to peel back. For example, learning that Chicago was the home of house music was mind-blowing to me, and it led me to find out who legends like MK and Green Velvet are. Sure, I found out about these details from following more mainstream artists like John Summit and talking to my NYC friends who frequent Brooklyn Mirage, but who fuckin' cares?

As I went deeper and deeper, I eventually began to learn more about Berlin. I knew Berlin had a strong club scene - as my sister reminded me several times when I told her I didn't go to any clubs during my weekend trip there in 2018 - but wasn't familiar with their status as a the world techno capital. Then I learned about the club considered by many to be the capital within the capital, Berghain.

Now, at first I thought Berghain would be like any club I'd ever been to. Loud music, sloppy people, flowing drinks, maybe some bumpskis going around. Nah, Berghain honestly sounds like a dreamy nightmare.

First off, it's insanely difficult to get into and there is a queue that allegedly lasts hours. Then they judge based on your clothing - you should be dressing in black and more edgy to fit with the anti-establishment, grunge, even bdsm-kink themes that characterize the venue. Large groups and excessive talking, especially in English, are also frowned upon. It's also in an abandoned power plant, giving it an ominous atmosphere that I'm sure has killer acoustics for the extremely hard-hitting, ear thumping bass you'll hear. The venue also has a strict no photo policy, to encourage you to be in the moment and enjoy yourself, and also because this place is basically a devil's playground. A free for all for drugs and sex, and it is strategically designed as such. There are dark rooms devoted to sexual escapades, mirrorless bathrooms so you don't have to see how you look mid-bender, and a panorama bar that overlooks the main club level and dancefloor, making for an all-encompassing view of this mega-club. There are also tales of a "piss goblin" - an older man who walks around or situates himself in the bathroom trough to derive pleasure from getting, well, pissed on.

Fresh off the release of his debut album "Goodbye Horses", ian still seems to be in an in-between spot. While his music has really grown on me, he still has yet to prove himself to a lot of rap's biggest critics. He performs in major cities to packed crowds of Gen Z'ers and has received the Lil Yachty co-sign, being brought out at his shows and even mimicking his iconic Coffin walkout, but many still just see him as a culture vulture, jocking the flow of iconic rappers like Future and Yeat.

This all being said, I'm hooked on ian. While he sounds a lot like other rappers, he's not the first to do so, and he does add his own unique flair and style to it. And yes, he's a kid from the Midwest suburbs who played college rugby before dropping out of Clemson. I'm sure it rubs some people the wrong way, but that's bound to happen regardless. He's stringing together crazy melodic hooks so nonchalantly and while he's not hitting the top of the charts yet, I could very much see one of his features doing numbers. I'm also personally a fan of several of his one liners, including "my slippers Marni look like I'm gon' steal yo Christmas" from "AirBnb" and "three point five in this wood, look like Megan Thee Stallion leg" off "Omakase".

Sup gangstas, it's ya boi The Second Coming aka Steezus Christ aka Son of Odd back on the streetwear scoop. I've been keeping my ear to the streets (read: Instagram and Complex) and have been compiling a list of my favorite brand as well as any new ones that stand out. Here I'm going to take you for a walk through some of my favorite brands at the moment.

Metalwood Studio

This LA based brand brings a retro golf aesthetic streetwear without seeming hacky like Macklemore's Bogey Boys. They recently collabed with Maxfli and have really made a fan favorite with their signature Realtree camo hat. I'm excited to see them continue to expand with more sportswear apparel and more sneaker collabs like their Adidas Samba.

Jiberish

Found out about this brand because my favorite DJ, Disco Lines, has been rocking their stuff for a minute. Coming from Denver, the gang at Jiberish expertly crafts a unique blend of kooky graphic tees, eccentric yet clean domewear, and an assortment of techwear that appeal to a wide audience of enthusiasts. I also like the fact that they do monthly drops that aren't restocked. It's exclusive but also frequent enough where you can see a new batch quickly if you miss out on a piece you waited on.

Sinclair Global

It's Clair. Andrew Brooks's brainchild first seemed like any other up and coming NYC name brand, just slapping a cool logo across some nice quality blanks. However, they've grown on me, and not just because their branding resembles the symbol for my Zodiac sign, Sagittarius. Sinclair emphasizes a polished cozy aesthetic that incorporates a lot of tees, tracksuits, and fleeeeeeece.

Warrior Sports Shoes

Amsterdamn. Never knew about this outfitter when I was studying over there, not that I would've dropped the ched anyway, but still Warrior brings crisp materials like fine suedes and weaves to classic, streamlined and chunky, hip silhouettes alike. These will be on my radar moving forward until I can find a pair that doesn't require me to pay the foreign shipping fees.

Mister Green

A "life store" also out of the City of Angels, Mister Green sells a variety of clothing, accessories, and home goods designed for chillers and chillers only. I fell in love with this company when I saw their "Bong Water" mug and immediately ordered it back in 2021. Since then, I've seen a lot of cool pieces including their Euphoria tee and their Psychédathlétiques collection that promotes exercise as a drug. They also stock some other heavy hitters like Civilist Berlin.

Like him or not, there's no denying that Travis Scott has been one of the biggest names in hip hop in recent years. His combination of unwavering energy, electrifying auto-tuned vocals, and both aggressive and melodic beats has solidified him as one of the most unique artists and performers ever. Outside of rap, the man is a marketing machine, from his deals with McDonald's and Nike, to his own brand of seltzers (RIP Cacti I was getting ripped off those bois in 2021). All this goes to say, he has had an extremely impressive run so far, and I can't see him stopping any time soon.

I wanted to break down 5 of my favorite songs of his. His catalog is eclectic and features so many different styles packed into various singles, albums, features, etc. Let's run it.

wonderful (ft. The Weeknd)

Very glad I waited to write this up because Trav brought out Abel at his Sydney show last week. I heard this song pretty late, after Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight had been out for a while, but if this shit doesn't get you FLOATIN then I honestly don't know what will. These two on track is a guarantee for a spooky, heartfelt song that still slaps the walls. The closing song on the album, I easily could've seen this being an intro depending on the direction he wanted to take things.

sdp interlude

Smoke some. Drink Some. Pop One. Travis strings some simple phrases together and makes it slam perfectly on this interlude off Birds in the Trap. It's another reminder that he can adjust his voice to fit any production, no matter how wild and trippy it gets. The layering of the vocals and the transitions on this track are hypnotic, feeling as if you are actually crossfading in and out of consciousness. The Tavatli remix of this song is also one of my favorite Soundcloud remixes in recent memory.

3500 (ft. Future & 2 Chainz)

Let's take it back to Rodeoooooo with this one. People forget the chokehold 2 Chainz had the game in back in the early 2010s. The man simply could not miss. Then you throw Pluto in to make a Big 3 and there's no way you're ever looking back. The chorus alone on this song ripples throughout the room whenever you play it. No surprise again that La Flame switches things up and slows it down only to spike the energy back up again. It's just child's play for him at this point. Here's yet another remix, this one brought to you by my favorite spin instructor in the nation's capital, Techno TJ.

Black & Chinese

Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho dropped in the midst of an insane run for Travis Scott and Migos, so I was on the edge of my seat when it hit while I was home from college on winter break. Black & Chinese brought an unusual speedy element to the table that I feel like we don't see as much from either of these legends. Hearing that beat rumble and then Travis slide onto the beat feels so organic, then they proceed to pass verses back and forth like a game of ping pong. If you want to hear a track from a collab album that has a natural electricity to it, this is your song. Also check out Motorcyle Patches, that shit's a bop too.

COFFEE BEAN

It's tough to pick a song from ASTROWORLD, but I opted to go with COFFEE BEAN because it just has such a powerful, slow bounce to it. Cactus Jack himself takes his time telling a story and pouring his heart out over the beat, taking a break from his usual powerful ebbs and flows. Just like wonderful, this is a closer for the album, and fades out to end the rollercoaster ride perfectly. He's tuckered himself out across the journey, and is ready to unwind and release his feelings in a calm, collected manner, leaving the audience guessing for what music he'll create next.

Honorable Mention: 2013 XXL Freshman Cypher

2 summers ago, I went to visit my friend Brian in New York City. This would be my first trip to see him and some of my other friends from college after the COVID-19 pandemic. Brian asked if I'd be interested in seeing a music group, Rüfüs du Sol, perform at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. I looked up the Australian trio's music on Spotify and the rest was history.

Not only was the show an amazing experience, but I continued to listen deeper into their music catalog, sharing my favorite tracks with other friends and using their style as inspiration to expand my music taste. Their Live from Joshua Tree set is a spectacle that any fan of alternative electronic music and/or sunsets should add to their YouTube arsenal.

Fast forward two years, and we're on the brink of a new album, "Inhale/Exhale", and I'm fucking PUMPED.

Their latest single "Break My Love" hit airwaves on September 11, 2024 - apparently there were other singles released, but cha boi's been busy having his finger on the pulse of other genres as well. The track hits, and it has me ready for this entire album to drop.

Rüfüs has become a mainstay in my music rotation for several reasons.

First off, they have such a unique blend of sounds and aesthetics. Three guys in sleek, black attire spaced out on a stage that can rip a set on the decks or break out some instruments while still maintaining a futuristic look. Their music seems classic yet ahead of its time, layering smooth, echoing, yearning melodies over electronic sounds that are just fast enough to get you excited, but slow enough to keep your high mellow rather than intense. Their beats and transitions aren't harsh, but are aggressive enough to keep your ears perked up and your blood pumping. I can never tell if they're playing music generated on a computer or a physical instrument. It's like an Orwellian rock band.

Second, they seem casual and mysterious in everything that they do. I listen to a song and enjoy it, but consider the deeper meaning in a way I don't with other artists. Maybe I think just because they're Australian that they're mindfucking me with the English language. I don't know.

Well, we finally got it. For the first time in the past few years, Supreme put out a preview that is pretty stacked. Not the best timing considering I just quit my full time job to pursue a Master's degree, but also perfect timing since I'm now based in Richmond, VA amongst some artsy ass mfs. It's always tough to judge and make picks, but I'm here to do just that. See below for my steeziest selections from the Supreme Fall/Winter 2024 collection

(Disclaimer: I'm intentionally leaving out the Tyler, The Creator tee because that speaks for itself. Awesome to see it come full circle and pumped to see if he gets to do more with the brand, but I want to focus on some other pieces here)

Brushed Wool Loro Piana Green Suit

As someone who desperately wants to add a layer of formality to their wardrobe, Supreme suits have been on my mind a lot lately. Loro Piana is pricey, but a wool suit in this beautiful teal-green color is the perfect way to stand out in the office, at an event, or if you just wake up one morning on a power trip. The slightly oversized fit shown here adds a degree of casualty to the fit too. Supreme really knocked it out of the park with this set that's perfect for a brisk fall day.

Snow White Work Shirt

"She want it and I know Snow white drippin' down from her nose (snow white) Don't get that on my clothes"

I instantly thought of the melodic high-pitched Roy Woods track when I saw this garment pop up on my screen. It's a simple jacket that appears to be a nice midweight with a thick, sturdy outer texture. A subtle Supreme script on the front pocket is complemented nicely by a bold, outlined font across the back. I like this piece for it's combination of subtlety and provocation. Disney fans and dope boys - Supreme covered the bases with this one.

S Logo Beanie

Have been wanting an S logo piece for a hot minute and this might just be the understated accessory that's perfect for my domepiece. That green color is very unique too. Overall a solid hat selection in this season, but this simplistic lineup stands out. Def going for this.

Kate Moss Fleece

'Preme Team brought back the Kate Moss collab and didn't take the easy route. In addition to throwing her beautiful, icon likeness on a soft, warm blanky, they flawlessly emblazoned her across a sherpa fleece jacket. It comes in red as well, but I prefer the white to allow for some added contrast. I predict we'll look back on this and realize it was a generational item.

Windstopper Overall

Thought these were Polartec overalls (which were also sick back when those released), but the Windstopper material is even more dope. Not only is it practical and durable, but it gives the overalls and almost suede-like appearance that you could dress up or down. Supreme really brought a new spin on workwear as streetwear with this one, and while I can't see myself purchasing (never say never), I'm excited to see how those who do mix these into their outfit rotations.

Tera Patrick Deck

May as well call this kid "The Afters"...

because he's UP NEXT.

Disco Lines has emerged onto the scene in recent years, bringing the artistic prowess and dedication of the most esteemed dancehall DJs paired with the youthful energy and exuberance of your friend from school who has a dream of hitting it big. 

While he has since created multiple smash hit original tracks and remixes, Disco Lines - née Thadeus Labuszewski - gained notoriety in 2020 for his remix of Taylor Swift's iconic "Love Story". Said remix skyrocketed to the top of the TikTok charts and was paired with its own specific dance, one of many that occupied countless citizens during the unforeseen COVID-19 global pandemic.

Much like his stage name, which draws from a slang term for mixing two illicit substances, what makes Disco Lines so unique is his versatility. From heavy drums to cruising synths with distorted vocal overlays, his music is always fresh and sure to perk up listening ears. This past year he opened on tour for popular Canadian DJ duo Loud Luxury, and has seen a significant uptick in invites to prominent music festivals, effectively cementing himself as one of the industry's biggest up and coming acts. Regardless of his elevated status, what keeps crowds interested is his jovial personality and laidback approach - again, as if one of your close friends with a dream got that well-deserved opportunity to be on a big stage.