95 North. . . The Newspaper

I've been on a hip-hop kick for a few months now, and since it doesn't seem to be abating I might as well discuss two songs from my two favorite rappers: 1. "Tale of Two Citiez": J Cole There's been plenty of chatter about our favorite curmudgeon J Cole's identity as a rapper rooted in boredom, tedious seriousness, and "eh-ness" . That's why we like him. Whether he's rapping about folding laundry, enjoying almond milk, or braggin' on his success and fame only to later chastise himself for doing so, J Cole is a relatable, reliable MC who makes his own beats, and yes, went platinum with no features . He's on a solo journey. Cruising the rap-sphere all alone, Cole often spins introspective tunes like "Tale of Two Citiez"- simple documents that chart his easily traceable, and relatable internal thoughts about growing up without much money and then having it. In typical Cole style, in the end, he asserts that what goes u

Good ol' Ed Hopper's paintings from the late 20's and early 30's capture an America we can still feel today (even after suburbanization)- one of solitary souls eating at the diner, filling up gas, or sitting on a train. Hopper's Americana could be about loneliness and isolation just as easily as it could be about those beautiful moments when you face the world alone- in the morning- late fall- 5 am at Dunkin' Donuts- with a white moon poking out of the sky. That kinda thing. It's all about the sights you chose to see.