Music On The Brain

Music is part of our everyday life. We listen to it while driving, working out, doing homework or simply just to past time. We listen to music when we are sad and depressed. We listen to music when we are happy and full of energy. Did you ever wonder why? There’s more to it than just liking a particular song. Music has an affect on our brain. Growing up, I always heard that listening to Mozart while studying will help you perform well on a test.  However, there are some studies that prove against it. It’s also stated that certain music has a negative affect while trying to retain numbers or list. Lifehacker states, “When you listen to music you know, it stimulates the hippocampus, which handles long-term storage in the brain. Doing...

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What Good Is A Voice If It Can't Be Heard?

In a world where following trends make you “cool.” In a world where we all try to fit in, very few stand out. She may look normal from the outside, but she is much different within. Her powerful, uplifting and breathtaking vocals have made her a leader in today’s pop culture. Adele, 23 years old has risen to great success, gaining tons of radio time and selling out shows across the world. In the prime of her career, her amazing voice has been a gift and a curse. Adele cancelled the remaining gigs on her tour. Austin, Orlando, Miami and Nashville are a few among the canceled shows. Adele is having throat surgery. Rumors quickly spread. It was once thought that the British singer had throat cancer. Adele insured her fans that the rumor was...

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Say Cheese!

Stars deal with paparazzi on a daily basis. For many stars, paparazzi have taken embarrassing pictures and/or videos of them, which in turn cause media controversy. What happens when you’re a victim of your own paparazzi act? Lets ask…    Another wave of leaked X-rated photos hit the Internet. The newest victim: Scarlett Johansson. The celebrity sex symbol has pictures surfacing on many gossip websites. The actress is seen posing nude in multiple pictures. One, covered in a towel reviling her backside and the other fully nude laying on a bed. It’s not clear to whom the pictures were addressed to, if to anyone at all. Like many celebrities in recent history, Johansson has been targeted by a group of hackers. The hackers are...

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Today's Announcements Are brought To You By The Following Podcasts...

ELU Episode 21 – Tough Cookies and Heart Attacks:            Mike Tyson has been in the eye of media since he stepped into the ring. As many would know, not all of the publicity has been good. With the exception of the positive publicity of his phenomenal boxing skills, Mike Tyson surrounds himself with controversy. In the recent history, the tribal tattoo on his face has become an argument of copyright infringement. In the movie Hangover 2, one of the characters gets an identical tattoo on his face. The man who designed Mike’s tattoo, Victor Whitmill filed a suit against Warner Brothers for copyright infringement. It’s obvious that is WB is in the wrong, but what kind of price tag do you put on a tattoo design? If the case goes to court,...

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Machine Gun Kelly: It's Bad Boy, Baby!

Machine Gun Kelly just signed with his EST 19XX gang to Bad Boy/Interscope Records. He flew to New York to met with the one and only P. Diddy. Diddy has been following MGK’s success for a long time coming. He promotes him through Twitter and other social media sites. MGK is the new face of hip-hop. He raps about life issues and his struggles growing up. He’s a gifted performer and interacts with the crowd. In Cleveland, Ohio, MGK is known as a hometown hero. He’s putting the city on the map. Machine Gun Kelly is the most unique sounding hip-hop artist in the game. His Midwest accent, fast flow and twist of words has led him to musical success. Not only is MGK an extremely talented vocalist and instrumentalist, but he is also an amazing songwriter....

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The 27 Club

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In Planking We Trust

To plank or not to plank, that is the question. Planking has become a worldwide sensation. The fad dates back to 1997 and is claims to have been invented by Gary Clarkson and Christian Langdon in England. It wasn’t until 2011 when planking reached it’s worldwide status. The word “planking” was coined in Australia. Planking is defined as the art of lying facedown in unusual public spaces and capturing it on camera. Like all rising sensations, not everyone is welcoming the craze. Many define it as “dumb”, “childish” and according to rapper Xzibit, “racist”. The rapper tweets, “Planking is the dumbest sh*t ever. Planking was a way to transport slaves on ships during the slave trade, it’s not funny. Educate yourselves." Despite the words of...

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Music & Mothers

There are 2 things in this world that I love unconditionally- my mother and music. Being Mother’s Day and all, today is a chance to celebrate both.  Atlantic City brings Mother’s Day Music Festival to its beautiful Boardwalk Hall. The concert packs the house, for those in attendance come to watch and listen to some R&B legends. The line up consists of Charlie Wilson, Keith Sweat and The Whispers. The headliner was originally Teena Marie. However, it’s unfortunate that she suddenly passed away on December 26th, 2010. Teena was only 54 years young. Despite the horrible news, the show must go on. As the years past, the concert gains popularity. Last year alone, Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall had to turn away hundreds of fans due to a sold...

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I Bring To You: Jay Brooks!

In an industry where sound means everything, Jay Brooks manages to negotiate his self to the top. As an inspiring audio engineer, Jay specializes in a/v sales and event coordination. His main objective is to sell and negotiate prices for rooms and equipment rental. I sat down with Jay to discuss his negotiation experience and what he has learned while working in the industry. On a daily basis, Jay says he deals with negative emotions. “Clients are always trying to get a better deal. Many believe that the prices are too much. I use my experience to defuse the issue. Leverage and power is my tricky tactic. No one in the city offers the deals we have. It allows me negotiate more loosely.” Jay is always looking for a deal to benefit, both, him...

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A Music Lovers Crisis

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head, one that you desperately had to hear? What would happen if you couldn’t find the song or CD you were looking for. No need to panic. Pandora is here to the rescue. Or are they. Pandora, what many would call the “death of the radio” showed some signs of imperfection. For those who don’t know, Pandora is a personalized internet radio service that helps you find new music based on your old and current favorites. You can create customized web playlists that attend to your listening needs. It lets you choose an artist and it picks similar artist to complete those playlist. “OAKLAND, CA—The headquarters of personalized online music provider Pandora remained in a state of chaos Thursday as frantic workers struggled to find a song that 32-year-old Boston...

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Who's Idea Is It Really? The Truth Behind The Music

Music. Many would consider it my life. It’s been apart of me since an early age. An age so early where I was too young to buy it, an age where I had to close my ears when profanity was present. Music sculpted me into the person that I am. Music kept me sane. It kept me living. I am a collector of music. I have devoted my whole life, buying and trading music. I respect and look up to many artists from all genres. I am a fan. I am loyal. I support local and national artist. I respect artists who are true. I respect those who speak the truth. I respect artists who paint pictures and spread knowledge. Those are reasons why I continue to support musicians the way I do. But wait… What if the artist is fake? What happens when I that you thought was real turned out to be a complete lie? What if...

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SXSW: Doing More

In the heart of the “Live sound capitol” South by Southwest brings in 9 days full of interactivity, films and of course music. This 9-day event stretches all across Downtown Austin. Year after year, SXSW brings in thousands of visitors to the Austin area. Visitors pour in from all areas of the U.S. ready to hit the streets for good times and great music. This year, SXSW celebrates its 25th year anniversary. Once I thought the creators and sponsors of the festival couldn’t out do themselves, they prove me wrong. While visiting their website, I noticed, they now give out non-profit scholarship. SXSW Interactive selected the five most innovative ideas and awarded. One of this year’s winners is Erika Righter for Concert for Kids. As a recipient, you receive a free SXSW Interactive badge (a $750...

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Music is Medicine, Music is Sanity

Robert Gupta discusses the well-known story of Nathaniel Ayers. Nathaniel Ayers, a Julliard trained musician suffering from paranoia schizophrenia. His story became a book, which then came the move Soloist. While performing with Ayers, Gupta recognizes how music is medicine and while listening to the passionate message, so did I. It doesn’t matter what mood I am in, music always reflects it. The very cd in my car can tell you exactly how I am feeling. Music is uplifting. I now know I need music, but I also know that music needs me.             Finding my way into the music industry has been difficult. There has been many times where I just want to give up. At those times, I often think I am capable of settling for a regular 9-5 job. I’m...

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Free Dumb of Expression

America, the land of the free or some would say. Our founding fathers had a grand plan, a plan to create a wonderful place where all can be free. Free to believe in anything, free to speak their minds, free to voice their opinions. Although our National Anthem assures us that we live in “The land of the free”, Americans cannot honestly believe that. Censorship has ruined the way people are able to express themselves. These expressions can be done in numerous ways such as, speaking, art and music. As the years pass, we are less able to express ourselves freely. We must take others into consideration. We have to be careful with what we say in fear that we will offend someone. Kanye West, rapper, singer and producer released his 5th solo album,...

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Dre: Too Little Too Late

One of the most anticipated albums of all time is finally about to breach the surface.  Fans have waited 6 years for Detox, Dre’s third and final solo album to be released. The original release date was set for 2004. Dre, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope records released the first single off the album, Kush featuring Snoop Dog and Akon. Kush, like all songs affiliated with Dr. Dre has a hard-hitting low-end bass that will knock pictures off the wall. Although, the song is everything I would expect from Dre, the song is disappointing. The hook, preformed by Akon, is long enough to be it’s own verse.  The style of Dre just isn’t popular right now. It was in style 10 years ago when Dre’s classic album, The Chronic 2001 was released....

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