An uncommonly good choice for Art Attack
The choice of Common as the main artist for Art Attack is an impressive one, especially for those closed-minded people who believe hip-hop is all about violence, drugs and misogyny. Common’s lyrics speak of personal growth, respecting life and appreciating family. I strongly urge anyone hesitant about going to Art Attack to download, or, better yet, buy such Common albums as Be, Like Water for Chocolate and One Day It Will All Make Sense.
Maybe hearing Common’s lyrics before judging him can shed “The Light” on his true hip-hop values. Doubters of this artist really should “Come Close” to Art Attack, feel some good music and gain a “Retrospect for Life.” Now those are singles everyone can remember. Don’t get me wrong, I would like to have Fall Out Boy here myself, but I am more than happy with the choice.
I’ve seen a couple of Common’s shows for much more than the price of free, so take this as a gift from Student Entertainment Events. For true hip-hop fans such as myself, I know you will enjoy Art Attack. For those who see hip-hop as what they hear on the radio, please go to Art Attack and hear some good music! For all those who left ignorant comments on The Diamondback’s website, by all means “Go!” to see Common and change your perspective. And for those who are totally upset about SEE’s choice, I am sorry, but I will be enjoying myself along with countless others. I can recognize good music no matter the genre ,but that’s just Common Sense …
Brandon Hopp
Senior
American studies
Students deserve blame for listless classes
The problem is not, as Cyrus Aghamolla implies in his April 10 “Restoring Pick-A-Prof” column, that the professors are failing the students at College Park – it is the students who are failing the professors. I am an overage student who has taken classes in several departments, and in almost every case, there was a professor who was eager to teach and students just as eager to have as little to do with the education process as possible.
Coming to class is not actively pursued. Once there, taking part in discussion is avoided at all costs. I have seen professors drive themselves crazy trying to get some comment from those people who supposedly are there to learn and to benefit from an academic environment. One desperate professor even went so far as to try finding out what the students had eaten for lunch, and no one would speak up. It was not this way at the university where I did my undergraduate work. It is not this way at other colleges today, according to people with whom I have talked. I am afraid students would use a Pick-A-Prof system for enhancing their desires to find professors who give greater rewards for less effort.
Myron Beckenstein
Graduate student
Art Attack article full of holes
I don’t know what bothers me more, the fact The Diamondback did inadequate research for the April 11 article on Common or the possibility that The Diamondback purposely aimed to make it look as though SEE was bringing a subpar performer to the campus for Art Attack. Either way, the article was an insult.
“Kanye West protege” was used to describe Common. In fact, he has been around since the early ’90s and has released six albums. West has been performing since 2003 and has released two albums. West may have produced some songs for Common; that does not make him a protege. They are on the same G.O.O.D. label, but Common has much more experience and critical acclaim than West.
The only song listed in the article was “Take it EZ,” which is from 1992 and didn’t make it to the charts. Nowhere did it mention any of his other best-selling hits, “Come Close,” “The Corner,” “Go!” or “Testify.” The Diamondback stated he’s worked with artists such as The Roots and Mos Def, yet makes no mention of John Mayer or John Legend, more notable names and more recent collaborations.
Finally, The Diamondback gave less than an inch of print to Be, Common’s most recent album. Nowhere did it mention the four Grammy Award nominations, the platinum-selling status, or that it was hailed by many hip-hop magazines as the best album in years.
I sound like Common’s greatest fan; I’m not. I looked up a lot of this information; maybe The Diamondback should have too.
Brittany Tressler
Senior
Government and politics and journalism