the hip-hop record “Gangsta’s paradise” by Coolio relate’s a lot to Lost Notes:1980. with it’s release in 1995 it marked a cultural shift into what hip hop is known to sound like. The song samples “pastime paradise “, by Stevie wonder using his line “living in a pastime paradise” and converting it to this, “lurching stings, the other-worldly choir, and that soaring hook” (Savage), where instead it is, “they’ve been spending most their lives livin in a gangster’s paradise”(0:50).But ironically this song doesn’t highlight a ‘gangster’s paradise’ instead it talks mostly on a man failed by the government system since programs aren’t implemented to change these bad environments people live in, this man represents countless others that conform to this gangster lifestyle because they lack opportunities to develop skills or get involved in anything else besides this gangster life. This song shifted hip hop culture because it caught the attention of a larger audience with its use of minimal foul language, and a catchy beat used to send a message, it showed listeners that hip-hop doesn’t have to be just “gangster rap” . 

“Gangsta’s Paradise “YouTube, uploaded by Coolio, Sep 22, 2022.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw0_qHNRAEA

Savage, Mark. “How Gangsta’s Paradise Changed the Course of hip-hop” BBC, 29 Sep 2022.https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63074469

    During The 1980’s we saw the rise of various genres of music. these genres were a result of artists implementing new things into their music, creating bangers that left us with some of the most memorable and important artists of that decade. Artists of the time like Hugh Masekla and Miriam Makeba, along with Stevie Wonder, used their style of music in order to address social issues. And ,Grace Jones with her diva persona assisted her into stepping over boundaries from what people considered music. These and so many other artists worked on their expression of disgust or gratitude through music, that helped shape it into what we know and hear today. The sound of the 1980’s was the sound of artists taking risks, from showing resistance to social issues, to adapting and changing the culture. These artists pushed the limits into what their music can sound like, changing the way artists of today create their music and use there platform.

The risk sound of the 80’s can be heard when artists attempt to incorporate a groovy flow into their music that speaks up against social injustice.

In addition, artist in the 1980’s used their music as a way to show resilience against tyrannical governments even if it risked there freedom, or ruined there image.

On top of that, music in the 80’s had a wide discography, with new genres emerging here and there, artist either had to indulge in the popping sound or risk being forgotten.

Furthermore, the risk took in creativity through wordplay or beat use, helped artist bring there genre mainstream while also shaping our mindset’s guideline in what we expect to hear whenever a genre is mentioned.

Last but not least, issues beyond a artist control can begin to negatively affect there ability’s, however that does not stop them from performing in shows and doing what they loved most which was creating music.

In conclusion, the 1980’s was such an innovative period of artists using their musical talent, to mix and match different sounds into the genres they liked most ultimately changing what people expect to hear when whatever genre is mentioned . These were just some of the artists that arose in the 80’s and created this sound of  “risk-taking” during a cultural shift in music. They used music to address real world problems while also creating something they know won’t be forgotten in time. The music from the 80’s encouraged other artists to be unafraid in their creative expression through music. 

In todays discussion we went over broken promises, especially one made by the U.S government with the ELA bill, Which gave puerto Rico the ability to govern themselves but didn’t make them independent. we discussed how this was another way of avoiding the word colony. The implication of laws like PROMESA, have brought up questions of whether or not they were really self governing in the first place. each group in todays discussion had different reactions to the episode such as Brendas group who was confused on why Puerto rico kept letting America impose these laws when they know they won’t stand on there word. we also discussed about Cassie from Colorado a women who moved to Puerto Rico and captures the wonders of the island while downplaying and ignoring the struggles that the people on the island really face.

When the episode introduced Manuel Natal and his new political party which focused on current issues on the island such as corruption and the debt they are in, it gives me hope that this newer generation of politicians and elected officials are really into turning around these wrong doings against Puerto Rico, and more focused into converting the island into this stable economic and modern country that doesn’t rely on America help.