Death of Autotune: WOW!

I heard about it for a couple weeks but today I finally heard Jay-Z's "Death of Autotune". All I can say is that this song is like that. Once again Jay-Z dropped a hit. Of course it's gonna ruffle a couple feathers but artists are overusing autotune and it's getting a bit unoriginal.

It's no secret that New York fell from dominance of the hip-hop charts in recent years. Jay, one of hip-hop's elite, has no choice but to try to defend an artform that he thinks is slowly dying due to gimmick which is what considers autotune to be.

I have respect for Jay and his efforts but how much longer can he make these tracks before some young blood comes in the game? Who's gonna take his place and speak against what they feel is a degeneration of hip - hop music. It's imperative that all forms of the music need to be represented but who's going to compete the South's younger talent in Jay-Z's absence? Right now we have Fabolous, Red Cafe, Jim Jones, and many others, but who else is there? 

To wrap this up, New York rap needs some young blood to take the game and address the problems they face. We need catchy hooks and nice lyricism over a nice beat. Who's gonna bring that? 

To Be a Journalist Nowadays...

Today, the highest court in North Korea sentenced two American journalists to 12 years of intensive labor in prison.  This case has been hot since it broke out on May 20th. North Korea's government has been very quiet about the legal process and even the date of the court proceedings. In addition, talks between the U.S. and N. Korea have been futile in the midst of N. Korea's campaign to test nuclear weapons. 

The protests are over. These journalists have NO chance of an appeal. What does this mean for U.S./North Korean relations? I say watch out for North Korea in the next upcoming months. They have agressively tested U.S. power and patience for the longest and this incident adds to the lists of "tests" they have conducted. Hopefully President Obama and Secy. of State Clinton can nip this in the bud as bloodlessly as possible but only time will tell. 

Back in Action!

The RealTalk  blog is back in action! I've been away for a long time but not without achieving several accomplishments. However, I never forgot about my first love, writing blog posts. Now that it is summertime, hopefully I can get some posts in. Usually, I would type straight from the George Washington University campus but now I am at home.  That doesn't mean there's less news. Life still goes on and there is something new to talk about. 

Check the blog and see my take on what's happening in the world today.  Feel free to contribute anything you can to the conversation. We might be talking about something that interests you. 

- Samuel Collins, Jr. 

Some Poltics on President's Day

With the Hatchet SA Debates coming up on Tuesday, it is more important as ever to talk about our candidate’s platforms and discuss the issues affecting the GW student body. Before I go on, I think it's important that you have access to your candidates' websites and learn about their platforms

SA President
Ogheneruemu Oyiborhoro - http://www.ivoteog.com
Tarek Al-Hariri - www.tarek4sa.com

Other presidential candidates as well as candidates for other positions (EVP, etc.) have groups on Facebook that are filling up with people that follow their ideology. If you still do not know who to vote for or you are losing faith in the political process, look at these candidates platforms and ask questions because at the end of the elections, whoever gets into these positions have to represent student’s interests to the best of their abilities. If you want to get started, look at GW Decision on Facebook and really start to look at the issues and critically think about which candidate truly represents your thoughts. WRGW has taken a step in making this easier for you by inviting one of the candidates, Ogheneruemu Oyiborhoro, on the show to talk. In the next coming weeks, more candidates will show up on the show to answer more questions. Stay tuned and do what you have to do as a student to be involved in the voting process so that voter’s turnout increases past 35%.

-Samuel Collins Jr.

Edward's Bowed Out...Or Did He?

After trailing third behind his two opponents Sen. Hilary Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), former Senator John Edwards officially dropped out of the running of the presidency earlier today when speaking to the people of New Orleans. He did so hoping his two Democratic opponents will address "the plight of the poor, and talks about trade and health care."

Even though he dropped out of the race, John Edwards still plays an important part in this primary. By making calls to both candidates and talking of change among the economic classes, particularly the middle class and lower class, he is emphasizing an issue that has faced our nation in the past and ideas that both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama have tried to get across their supporters several times throughout their campaigns. Edward’s ghost still haunts this primary through the philosophies of his opponents who all strive for the same things as he strive for, particularly structuring the economy that helps the lower class.

With the talk of endorsement in the air, many wonder who Edwards will endorse. Looking through the lenses of John Edwards, I think he benefits from waiting for tomorrow’s debate to finalize his decision on who he will endorse. Whoever he endorses will feel the tidal wave of support from those that supported Edwards before, the poor middle class whom he represented. Because he was committed to these people, it’s no surprise that whoever receives his endorsement will feel as passionate about the subject as he does.

Only time can tell what is going to happen, but please do not think that John Edwards campaigned in vain. Change is really in effect and this man has the opportunity to be a part of that. He has utilized that opportunity to the best of his ability and his endorsement will have an even greater impact in history for it is the start of an even greater push to address the problems that have plagued this country, especially that of the little man not having his voice heard because of their status in this country. Thank you Mr. Edwards.

Samuel Collins Jr.

Sunday's Show

Be prepared for an exciting News in Depth show this upcoming Sunday. On the show, we will be talking to three members of Barack Obama's campaign team,Kevin Tierney,Sol-Matteo Pakes and Oliver Gilbert. The best part of this is that these students actually attend GW! On this segment we will address everything from South Carolina, Sen. Ted Kennedy's endorsement, the work of a campaign worker, and most importantly predictions about Super Tuesday. So if you're curious about all of the above be sure to tune in to http://www.gwradio.com/ or channel 22 Sunday at 12 noon.

-Samuel Collins Jr.

Welcome and Please be on the Lookout!

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

Last semester a few freshmen along with myself tried to apply for our own show on WRGW named Real Talk with the goal of addressing important issues affecting all GW students. Already a member of the WRGW family, it seemed to be the easiest way to ensure a show. Unfortunately, the application did not go through, one reason being that the station was in the process of creating a show similar to ours. Even though there is no Real Talk, interested listeners can still catch me along with my colleague Taylor Barnes talk about important issues affecting GW students every Sunday at noon in WRGW News in Depth at www.gwradio.com or Channel 22 on your television. 

But please do not think for a minute that the Real Talk movement ever died! This time, it took on a new form as a blog, the newest yet most unorthodox source of news on the internet. Even though this is so, myself along with anyone else who wishes to contribute their views will use this as a tool to address concerns about what happens at the George Washington University and in the world. Today I learned that usual voter turnout in SA elections are at a low of 25 percent. While I am mad, I also see this as an indicator of the cynicism of our student body who most probably has no faith nor feels any connection to the SA. This statistic alone should be a catalyst for immediate change in the way that we think about our government and most importantly what our government thinks of us. It's very apparent that the world is ready for change as seen in our presidential elections where there is an African-American man and a woman running for president. Let's take this time to influence a movement on the web and take back what is ours so that those in office and those across the university hear concerns. 

While I am still a student and my workload is as heavy as anyone else, I will still make as many posts as possible and any person who sees this is more than welcome to leave their input because that is really about. So please, ladies and gentlemen become part of a movement and  be on the lookout for more within the coming week and again look out for me on Sundays at noon at www.gwradio.com or Channel 22 on your television.

Samuel Collins, Jr.