Teen Pulse

In the 1990s, rap music dominated the music industry. While some rap songs got radio play, the more volatile form, known as “gangsta rap” was at its strongest with artists such as Snoop Dogg and The Notorious B.I.G.
After the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur (aka 2Pac) in 1996, and the collapse of West Coast Rap Giant “Death Row Records,” West Coast gangsta rap took a downturn. Newer West Coast artists, such as Game, have tried to breathe life back into the genre, but to no avail.
Released on Oct. 22, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” is new West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar’s major label debut under Aftermath, Top Dawg and Interscope Records. With the debut of this album, under executive producer Dr. Dre (Andre Yong), hope is restored in the almost forgotten genre.
Born in Compton, Calif. in 1987, Lamar got his first taste of gangsta rap when he witnessed 2Pac and fellow rapper Dr. Dre filming for their single “California Love. In 2003, Lamar released his first mixtape, which gained enough attention for him to be signed to Top Dawg Entertainment.  Lamar caught Dr. Dre’s attention after the release of his fifth mix tape, “Overly Dedicated” in 2010.  

For members of the Los Alamos High School Cross Country team, autumn is all about running.  
Beginning the first week of August, team members start practicing and getting in shape everyday, running about three to four miles each session.  
Rob and Kathy Hipwood have been head coaches of the boys and girls teams since 1994. Eight other assistant coaches help to make sure the team is practicing well and helping the runners to progress throughout the season.  
“The team has been doing great, both boys and girls. We are very pleased with the race performances from varsity to C team. The teams have been racing very consistently. So we think it’s been a very successful season so far,” Rob said.  
Cross Country teams are usually fairly large at Los Alamos High School, but Kathy noted the LAHS Toppers’ team is made up of 97 runners this season.  
“This is the biggest team, not by a lot, because it’s been consistently in the 80s over the past 19 years,” she said.  
The runners are divided into varsity, junior varsity and C teams. The varsity and junior varsity runners practice a little more, including running at 6 a.m., before school begins.

Monday: Halloween bingo
Tuesday: Jar-o-lanterns in White Rock, mood rings in Los Alamos
Wednesday: Movies and munchies
Thursday: Jar-o-lanterns in Los Alamos, mood rings in White rock
Friday: Broomstick bags

The Los Alamos Youth Activity Center is located at 475 20th St., next to Ashley Pond, 662-9412.
The White Rock Youth Activity Center is located at 10 Sherwood Blvd., across from Smith’s in Rocket Park, 672-1565.
The centers are open from 3-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

In today’s music industry, themed albums have become almost as rare as seeing a giant squid.
With the introduction of the MP3, today’s artists tend to shy away from entire albums being centered completely around one subject. Instead, production efforts are put into making one stellar single that will hopefully peak enough interest in the listener to make them check out the rest of the album.
“The 2nd Law,” English rock band Muse’s sixth full-length studio album, is a type of album that has not been seen for years. This album is unique because not many bands are bold enough to make themed albums anymore.
Perhaps two of the most well-known themed albums are The Who’s “Tommy” and Queensryche’s “Operation Mind Crime.” Each of these efforts was famous because of their content and how the bands told a story through their albums.
Muse does the same with the “2nd Law.” The songs tell different stories as the album unfolds. Parts are about a planet being depleted of its resources, while the title suggests that the amount of musical energy will explode throughout the album.