College Survival Kit: Top 10 things you will need for School

  Seniors, we all know how it feels! It’s May and we’re in the final stretch before we go our separate ways to college. But before we disperse to the schools of our choice, there are some key survival items that we need to check off our list!

Cleaning up with number 10: Air Fresheners and Cleaning products.

  Everyone knows what goes down in the bathroom whether you like it or not. But why make your roommate suffer, and vice versa? Air Freshener, preferably Febreze™, is a MUST. So do not forget to bring a pack of some sweet smelling, captivating, aromatic sprays!

Staying dry with number 9: Umbrella and Rain Boots.

  If you plan on staying on-campus, then an umbrella and a pair of rain boots will most definitely be items to invest in. Be smart and avoid having the experience of ruining your favorite shoes, by walking class to class in the rain. Do not forget these items when packing; you want to stay dry!

Turning the page at number 8: Book Light

  In college, late nights and coffee are things that everyone will become familiar with. It’s the night before a midterm or final exam; you’re up at 2am in your dorm studying. A book light is perfect because it gives you the freedom to read and study without bothering your roommate!

Listening in on number 7: Ear Plugs

  Roommates are sketchy; you never know who you will end up living with! It’s always a possibility that you will have that roommate; the one that parties, the one that snores, the one with the hyena laugh and the one that screams until their voice is hoarse on the phone! Here’s the end-all be-all to this unfortunate issue, Ear Plugs! Invest in a pair!

Stepping into number 6: Shoe Rack

  More of a problem for girls than guys, bringing a more than generous amount of shoes to school is normal. However, where are you going to put all of them?! If you don’t want your roommate complaining about shoes being all over the place, a shoe rack is a win-win. The room is clean, and the nagging stops like magic!

Putting it away with number 5: Storage Ottoman

   Many of you are wondering what the heck a Storage Ottoman is. Don’t fret! You know those cute little square stools that come in all different colors and patterns? They are the perfect seat and you can store small blankets, hair products or even clothes in them!

Tossing it to number 4: Collapsible Clothes Hamper

     No college student wants to be doing laundry every single week of the semester. A Hamper, or two, to keep dirty clothes in is a must-have!

Hanging it up at number 3: Hangers

   If you’re not the type of person who uses hangers at home, you like to toss clothes anywhere, well be prepared to make this change for college! Space is key. At home, you have all the space in the world but in college you need to be reasonable!

Gettin’ Comfy with number 2: Long Twin Bedding and Pillows

   A nice, comfy, cute bed set is extremely important for reasons that are self-explanatory. Please don’t leave the house on move in day without a bed set; that would be pretty embarrassing!

Striking the Keyboard on number 1: Laptop

   The quickest, most efficient way to getting your work done whenever you need it, wherever you are! Laptops are completely practical, and can be found at great prices.

   So seniors, let this list prepare you! Start college off right and be ready for anything!

The Weeknd: Music Revolutionary

...For Journalism

Abel Tesfaye, better known as "The Weeknd".

   In an industry filled with meaningless music from artist that choose not put their hearts into their songs, The Weeknd has showed himself to be truly different. Abel Tesfaye, better known as “The Weeknd”, is an indie Rhythm and blues artist who many are calling the “Michael Jackson of our time”. The Weeknd has been flying under the radar for about 2 years; but lately people have been buzzing about him due to his performances at one of the most anticipated music festivals, Coachella, April 15^th and April 22^nd, 2012.

    Over the past two years, the music industry has been booming with new talent left and right. It seems as though artists are being pulled from every which direction possible. Many of them prove their ability, but unfortunately, many more do not.

  The Weeknd, born February 16^th, is 22 years old and hails from Toronto, Ontario, Canada (the same region that brought us Mr. Justin Bieber). This man has plenty of vocal talents ranging from singing to rapping and bass to falsetto, occasionally all in one song! His music is quite different from the average R&B singer; it’s more hardcore, so to say. The intros and outros that The Weeknd incorporates in his songs display his passion and dedication to music. They capture you with a smooth soft sound and then after about 20 seconds in, they give you the full effect, adding the 808s and hi hats.

   Unlike many other new artists who make music just to please, The Weeknd puts his heart and soul into his art and it shows. Without a doubt, his talent is incomparable to any other singer of this generation. His cover of “Dirty Diana” by the late, great, King of Pop Michael Jackson, got people buzzing. Some say that he sang the song better than the King himself, and deemed him the “Michael Jackson of the New Generation”! In just a short period of time, The Weeknd rose to fame. He has received recognition from other artists such as Drake, another Canadian, who can pretty much be responsible for Mr. Tesfaye’s road to fame.

Listen to the Trilogy on http://the-weeknd-xo.com/ with Lyrics                    

    On March 21^st, 2011 The Weeknd released House of Balloons, the first EP in a series of three. By June of 2011, House of Balloons, was nominated for the Canadian Polaris Music Prize which is a big deal for an underground artist. Eventually, though, he los to Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs. The next EP Thursday, was released on August 18^th, 2011 and there is story told about that “Thursday” throughout every track. The anticipated, third and final EP Echoes of Silence, was released on December 21, 2011. This final EP featured the much talked about cover, “Dirty Diana”.

   The Weeknd’s label, XO, is highly associated with Drake and his OVO movement. Over the summer and throughout the winter the two collaborated on 3 songs from Drake’s album Take Care. Quickly, people began recognizing The Weeknd for his unique voice and he became extremely popular over the course of 1 year! If looking to get into The Weeknd, I suggest listening to House of Balloons before the other EP’s. His music is quite different but once you fall in love with one song, your ear will quickly approve of the rest!

Sunny, Sunny, Coachella, California. I wish I was somewhat of a Gonzo Journalist, when writing about such things as Coachella, Fashion Week, Fashion’s Night Out, South by Southwest , Lollapalooza and every other huge music, film and fashion event, but unfortunately I experience all of this from my laptop and television (For now!).

But the wow factor and experience is no less. Last night, I was watching Coachella (along with the rest of my fashion and music-forward friends) on you tube. The entire evening was amazing and I really loved it. I made a promise that I have to be there next year!. Anyways, enough about me. Onto my two favorite parts of the night

Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd

Undoubtedly, The Weeknd (The XO of OVOXO) is one of the most played artists on my iPod; So I was extremely excited to see him perform for Coachella. Something about his soulful R&B voice telling stories in a dark, twisted and introverted way has me intrigued. This would be one of my first (and I’m sure the first of many others) time seeing him perform in front of a large crowd…and seeing it live (although I was physically 3,000 miles away). Amazing. He started off with his song “High For This” from his debut mixtape House of Balloons . With acoustic guitar starting alone in the first verse,  then coming in a full band as the chorus starts , Abel tells a story of him and a girl getting high together during an affair.. He continuously reassures her “You wanna be high for this” in his swooning voice. The next song is “D.D” , his cover of “Dirty Diana”, by the incomparable Michael Jackson. And it then effortlessly blends into his song “The Birds” in which he tells the girl “Don’t make me make you fall in love with a n***a like me. Nobody needs to fall in love, I swear I’m just a bird”. It shows an insight on Abel’s outlook on love and how he feels as though he doesn’t really deserve it. He then proceeds to go to “Rolling Stone” which talks about being loved and begging for love. He then goes onto “Crew Love” which is a song with both him and Drizzy Drake did together. This song talks about being at the top of their game and the girls who love them..  The set then transfers into “What You Need” in which Abel is telling a girl “He’s what you want.. I’m what you need.” .  He then sings “The Zone” , and switches back into “What You Need” . His next song is “The Party & The After Party” in which he talks about this girl he meets at a party and the events that take place. The next song that the Weeknd performs happens to be one of my favorites, “The Knowing” . In this song he talks about cheating on his cheating girlfriend and how their relationship becomes strained due to their adultery. The song is so sinister and twisted and shows heartbreak and revenge. The Weeknd then performs “Outside” from his Echoes of Silence mixtape, in which he tells his girlfriend that he will prove to her that he is far from her ex. After this song, The Weeknd goes into another huge favorite of mine being “The Morning” from his House of Balloons mixtape. This song speaks about a girl who believes in “all that money and money is the motive.” , and who lives her lifestyle purely for the fame and money although the lifestyle isn’t the best. This seems to be a common theme throughout a lot of Drake and The Weeknd’s music. Although the life isn’t the greatest, He continues to encourage the girl to live the life stating “girl put in work…girl girl put in work”.  The Weeknd ends his nearly an hour set with “House of Balloons/ Glass Table Girls”. This song is another great and another favorite of mine. It speaks of the culture of getting high off glass tables. The content may be controversial but it’s hard not to get intrigued by the beats and slick words from the Weeknd.

As a whole, I think that his entire set was amazing, and it was perfect for his American debut. I see a lot of great things in Abel’s future music-wise, even if he’s a private artist. We have too many gimmicks in the music industry now, let’s get back to the music.

Get out the Weeknd’s set here: http://www.complex.com/music/2012/04/watch-the-weeknds-full-coachella-performance