Music;

Playboi Carti

Carti is objectively one of the most influential people both on the internet and media. Carti has had an impact on clothing, music, and people in general. He believes in growing and changing. His entire life he’s been talking about maturing. Especially, in the recent XXL interview with him, he speaks on his new album ‘Music’ coming out soon. ‘Music’ will be completely different from ‘Whole Lotta Red’, his latest album, as he has said that it will have a completely different vibe. In a general case of rap, he’s considered a mumble rapper. Although, he’s extremely talented and a great option for those looking to get into the rap scene or into rap music listening.

Tyler, the Creator

Tyler is one of the best in our new generation of music. From Goblin to Igor, and his latest release, Call Me If You Get Lost. He truly is one of the best and upcoming artists. Tyler has been quite influential in the culture and rap scene. From the more edgier albums to the ones we have now. You really see Tyler grow and change perspective. Tyler is one my personal favorites and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is getting into rap music.

Brent Faiyaz

Brent is loved by many. For all the good reasons too, he’s seen as a “Hot Boy Summer” R&B artist. A renowned artist as he uses heavy amounts of versatility. He raps yet gives the vibe of an R&B artist, which gives him this special audience, mindset, and type of music. Brent giving us so many good albums like, Sonder Son, Lost, and Fuck The World. He just embodies the true rap x R&B artist vibe. Taking the R&B and rap scenes by storm.

Chief Keef

Coming from Chicago, we have Chief Keef, a renowned artist known for his heavy hitting gang rap. The Chicago rap scene has always been big, since so many rappers we know and appreciate today are from Chicago. Chief Keef gives you that energy that makes you feel like a menace, that pumps you up, that makes you wanna fight. His heavy hitters being, Bitch Where, Faneto, Don’t Like, Love Sosa, and a whole lot more. Chief Keef has always been one of my favorites. I would definitely recommend him to anyone in the mood to feel strong and anyone who can handle it.

Mac Miller

Mac Miller, another one of my personal favorites, first introduced to me by my 8th grade advisor. He’s one of the most influential in the rap scene. Starting off with his frat rap era, with K.I.D.S an amazing hit of an album, but far from his best. He started with this and then branched off into his own branch of rap, making a great name for himself. Although his fans seem to have never dissociated him with Fray Rap, plenty of people have seen him for his true potential and music abilities. A top recommendation from me, always.

TV Shows/Movies;

Bob’s Burgers

The cartoon bobs burgers was first aired on 20th century Fox Television, on January 9, 2011. The first episode showed the potential the tv show had as a household name at the television network. Even though, in the beginning it took a lot of convincing of the network to even fund the new project. But, over time the show built up its audience and now has 2.58 million viewers. The show takes on a comedic perspective on a family of five that work at the restaurant, Bob’s burgers. The family consists of the youngest, Louise, the middle child Gene, the oldest Tina, and the parents Linda and Bob. Each episode they go to solve mysteries and break out into musical performances. But, what truly makes this show unique is the humor. Each character’s weird quirks compliment the others, such as Tina’s baritone voice brings out the childishness in Gene. The show is a realistic depiction of a true family, with all the fantastical adventures of a cartoon. If you really enjoyed the show, you can see it’s first big movie that comes out on May 27th!

Community

Community is a 6 season show about an odd bunch of people going to a community college. There is a group of misfits who go to the community college to redeem themselves after their failed careers. They are constantly fighting in this sort of magical collage. That may sound very boring but trust me, each episode will surprise you. I would recommend it to people who like weird comedies that can get very unrealistic but so fun. Each episode has so much thought and time put into it that I can remember every episode specifically. I wish I could relive the first time I watched that show because it is truly an escape from reality. I have watched it too many times to count at this point, but I will probably keep watching it for a long time. I have spent hours laughing because of Community. It will put a smile on anyone’s face. 

Books;

Realistic Fiction:

The novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was published in 2005 by author Jonathan Safran Foer about a nine year old boy recovering from the loss of his father who died in the 9/11 attack. He finds a key in his fathers closet and decides to find out what it opens. His journey takes him all over the city and allows him to learn more about himself and the world around him. Overall this book is so beautifully written, just get ready for some crying when it’s over.  

Fantasy and Dystopian:

Six of Crows is a novel by Leigh Bardugo published in 2015. It follows a group of gangsters in a magical world full of warring factions, dangerous drugs and twisted officials. This intense tale has a sequel, and Bardugo’s other series (set in the same world) has just been turned into a Netflix show called Shadow & Bone. Six of Crows is one of my favorite fantasy novels and I distinctly remember reading it a few years ago and instantly getting wrapped into the world of Ketterdam and Grisha (the magical people who live there). If you love this genre of books and you have not already read it, you definitely should check it out.

Heartstopper

Heartstopper is a LGBTQ+ graphic novel series by Alice Oseman. Which also just recently got turned into a show. The two main characters Nick and Charlie navigate their complex relationship while also figuring out who they are as individuals. Nick discovers his sexuality that grows within this relationship he has built with Charlie. While Charlie struggles with his mental health and begins his recovery journey from Anorexia. The writing is amazing as well as the drawings. It can get a little corny at times but it is really just a heartwarming series that most people will enjoy. Alice Oseman has also written other novels/novellas like Solitaire, This Winter, Nick and Charlie, Radio Silence, etc. Some of these books go more in depth on certain characters and you can really see how much time and effort goes into them. 

The World That We Knew

The World That We Knew is a magical realism, historical fiction book written by Alice Hoffman. This book is absolutely heartbreaking yet beautiful. It is set during the holocaust following a young girl who must make it to Switzerland with the help of a magical gollum that her mother sent with her. We see her and this gollum trek through these dangerous journeys and grow together. They love each other in a way that doesn’t make sense because it was made out of terrifying circumstances. The way that the author portrays these horrid times with such fantastical setting description and grace blows me away. Personally I love reading about books set in this time period, so if you are like me I would totally recommend reading this book.

Nonfiction:

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks is a really fun and interesting read.  I honestly don’t know how else to describe this book; it is truly wonderful. Oliver Sacks’ writing is fun and quirky, something many nonfiction books lack. He is very insightful and his stories are fascinating.