Chadley Ballantyne and Kristie Born Stun Audience With Emotion-Packed Performance

Julia Gray, Social Media Editor/Art Staff

October 2, 2019

      In a vocal performance between songs, there is a moment where the room is completely silent. If we all ceased to exist, it would be in this moment of equilibrium where we are, collectively, the closest to nothing. Watching assistant professor of music and voice Chadley Ballantyne, D.M.A. paus...

Blonde Does It Better

Sam Hadelman, Writer - The Reporter

May 6, 2019

It took one review of Frank Ocean’s album Blonde published in The Reporter to frustrate me enough into becoming the music writer for this publication. I was studying for my finals sophomore year and I stumbled upon an article titled “Frank Ocean's Blonde is Very Vanilla.” It sent me over the edge. I n...

The Marathon Continues

Sam Hadelman, Writer - The Reporter

May 1, 2019

This piece has not been edited from its original published form, and so may reflect inaccuracies concerning dates.  -- This is a dedication.   This past Sunday night, I read a headline that made my heart drop instantly, “Nipsey Hussle was just shot in L.A.” Though I am a seasone...

Shazam

Nicole Rosen, Writer - The Reporter

April 8, 2019

I got early access tickets via Fandango for the movie Shazam, and went to see it at the AmStar Theater in Lake Mary. I highly recommend this theater, the seats are extremely comfortable and it’s not too far from DeLand. But back to the topic at hand. Shazam! For those of you who have seen the trailers ...

Sad Songs Vol. 1

Rene Campbell, Writer - The Reporter

April 1, 2019

Stetson senior Larissa Hanson released her debut EP Sad Songs Vol. I at Stetson’s Platinum Collective, the Digital Arts Senior Exhibition, on March 22. Hanson not only wrote her own songs, she recorded, produced, and mixed all of the tracks, working with a small team of other students, including J...

Break up with this album. I’m bored.

Sam Hadelman, Writer - The Reporter

March 14, 2019

Ariana Grande has had a run like no other. Starting with her humble beginnings as a co-star on Nickelodeon’s ‘Victorious’, Grande has slowly but surely developed a career unlike any other. Her vocals blossomed over the Babyface-produced record Yours Truly, which showed off her dynamic range and diverse musical...

Treading Water: A Review of Swimming by Mac Miller

Sam Hadelman, Writer - The Reporter; Radio Host - WHAT Radio

December 11, 2018

Mac Miller’s music has been a constant in my life since I was 13. I can remember pretending to know who he was at summer camp in the summer of 2010 to fit in with the cool kids and then anxiously downloading his mixtape when I got home. His first project, K.I.D.S., was the first mixtape I downloaded on...

“The Exodus of Tha Carter V”

Sam Hadelman, Writer - The Reporter; Radio Host - WHAT Radio

October 25, 2018

When Tha Carter V was originally set to release, I was in the worst phase of my Lil Wayne fan-hood. His over the top use of autotune and love for lyrics revolving around oral sex were boring, tired, and dry. I had been witnessing the dissection of my idol for years now. Wayne had struggled to mainta...

“DAMN.” Sam Hadelman on Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer

Sam Hadelman, Writer - The Reporter; Radio Host - WHAT Radio

April 18, 2018

When I read the words, “Pulitzer Award” and “rapper” in the same sentence my heart dropped. The moment has arrived; hip-hop has been recognized on a world-wide platform and in the most legitimate fashion. For years, rap has been neglected in the media and award recognition alike, a prime ...

Failure, Vulnerability and Redemption: Jay-Z Sells Wisdom on 4:44

Sam Hadelman, Writer - The Reporter; Radio Host - WHAT Radio

November 17, 2017

Since Magna Carta Holy Grail, I have been Jay-Z’s biggest critic. Despite him being the reason I got into rap music in the first place, that aforementioned album was lifeless and uninspired. 4:44 was that exact opposite. There, he finally addressed his own personal and industry struggles. With ...

Ella & Louis: Jazz So Good Even Jim Crow is Tapping His Feet

November 10, 2017

Bringing new life into the jazz standards we already know and love, Ella and Louis accomplished what Elvis’ “Love Me Tender” could not: authenticity. To be able to discuss the magnitude of the collaborative album, we first have to discuss the individual musicality of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis ...

Kodak Black births Project Baby 2

September 29, 2017

With his multiple tattoos and lengthy arrest record, he is your parents worst nightmare.Kodak Black oozes controversy. He seems to have no filter on his public statements, and they are offensive. He dresses like what most envision a rapper would; big chains, big grills, full Adidas jumpsuits, the whole...