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Jackson Laurie: A Model for Accessible Hip-Hop Production

At its core, hip-hop depends on strong production—the beats and sounds that set the tone and support the lyrics. With music-making tools now more accessible than ever, many amateur producers are creating high-quality tracks that push the genre forward, making hip-hop more open to fresh ideas. These emerging talents are reshaping the scene and deserve closer attention.

Jackson Laurie, based in Atlanta, is a prime example of this new wave. His innovative production style blends jazz, funk, soul and electronic elements within hip hop, creating a distinctive sound that stands out. His atmospheric and layered sound design crafts immersive productions that use ambient synths, layered instrumentations and dynamic rhythms which provides depth and engages listeners on multiple levels. His rhythmic sophistication features intricate drum patterns, crisp hi-hats and deep bass lines that drive energy while also providing melodic elements, demonstrating his ability to balance groove and mood. Jackson Laurie’s 2019 album, Mania, showcases this fusion, with tracks like “Starlight” and “Perspective” highlighting his skill.

Meanwhile, producers like Montreal’s Team Ross mix dancehall, afrobeat, amapiano, and chill R&B into vibrant beats that fit artists such as Omah Lay and Drake. French producer Kofi Bæ combines jazz, soul, indie, and electronic sounds into soft, lo-fi instrumentals, contributing to France’s underground scene.

Blending styles and strong production are vital to hip-hop’s ongoing evolution. Underground and emerging artists, like Jackson Laurie, Team Ross, and Kofi Bæ, keep the genre dynamic and diverse. Their creativity fuels hip-hop’s growth and ensures it remains relevant in an ever-changing musical landscape.

Forget the Gym: Even a Little Movement Can Work Wonders

Here’s some refreshing news for anyone who’s ever groaned at the idea of hitting the gym: you don’t have to. Really. Science says so.

There’s no “best” exercise, according to researchers who’ve studied physical activity for decades. That’s right — no gold medal for the treadmill or a blue ribbon for yoga. What matters most? Moving your body in any way that fits your lifestyle.

Whether it’s biking to the store, raking leaves, dancing in your kitchen, or walking the dog — it all adds up. Even brief bursts, like climbing stairs or dashing to catch the bus, can cut your mortality risk by as much as 40%.

Here is a list of easy and practical suggestions to include short bursts of movement throughout your day.

Taking a brisk walk during a phone call.

Carrying groceries instead of using a cart.

Throwing a ball around with your kids.

Parking a little farther from your destination.

Skipping the elevator and taking the steps.

The real magic happens when you go from doing nothing to doing something. A few extra steps a day can support your heart, brain, and immune system. And forget the 10,000-step myth. Experts say 7,000–9,000 is plenty — and even 3,000 is a solid start.

Researchers are still uncovering how movement benefits us — how working your legs can improve your lungs, kidneys, and more. But one thing’s clear: your body loves movement. And the best kind of activity? The one you’ll actually stick with.

So skip the guilt and forget the pressure to be an elite athlete. Move how you can, when you can — and don’t underestimate the power of everyday activity. Your future self will thank you.

Dealing with Anxiety: from Childhood and Beyond

While childhood fears of monsters and shadows typically fade with age, anxiety can follow us into adulthood, taking new forms amid global crises and technological overwhelm. But experts suggest an unexpected pathway to peace: embracing creativity and curiosity.

Certainly, children have fears and those fears are normal. The question is about how to distinguish between common fears and excessive anxiety. Many experts explain that the difference is really centered on the frequency, intensity and duration of the fear. Many professions explain that positive reinforcement, encouraging children to face their fears and seeking professional help are all important steps, as needed, to help children with anxiety.

What about for adults? “Our brains have a negativity bias that makes us hyper-attentive to potential threats,” explains sociologist Martha Beck. “It’s like focusing on one cobra among fifteen puppies.” This survival mechanism, while useful for our ancestors, can trap modern humans in persistent worry cycles.

Unlike healthy fear, which subsides once danger passes, anxiety lingers and feeds on our thoughts. The solution isn’t fighting these feelings head-on, but approaching them with genuine curiosity and compassion. “Listen to your anxiety like you would a frightened creature,” Beck suggests. “Say ‘I hear you, tell me everything.'”

Engaging in creative activities – whether painting, sculpting, or simply coloring – activates different neural pathways that can break anxiety’s grip. The key is focusing on the process rather than the product. “Make art not for the outcome, but for how it affects you,” Beck advises.

This approach, combined with professional support when needed, can help transform anxiety from a persistent threat into a manageable companion, allowing both children and adults to build more balanced, peaceful lives.

10 Anticipated Movies of 2025

It’s always exciting to start another year and to see what great movies are on the horizon. Here are ten to watch for this coming year.

  1. “Superman” (July 11) – James Gunn reboots DC’s flagship hero with David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan in a fresh take on the Man of Steel.
  2. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (July 25) – Marvel’s latest adaptation stars Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn in the third major attempt to bring the super-powered quartet to life.
  3. “Wicked: For Good” (November 21) – The conclusion of the two-part musical follows the complicated relationship between Elphaba and Glinda in the land of Oz.
  4. “Michael” (October 3) – Jaafar Jackson portrays his uncle Michael Jackson in this highly anticipated biopic featuring Colman Domingo and Miles Teller.
  5. “Mickey 17” (April 18) – Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho returns with Robert Pattinson starring in this sci-fi tale about an expendable space clone.
  6. “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (July 2) – Scarlett Johansson joins the dinosaur franchise for another prehistoric adventure.
  7. “Back in Action” (January 17) – Cameron Diaz ends her decade-long hiatus to star alongside Jamie Foxx in this Netflix spy thriller.
  8. “How to Train Your Dragon” (June 13) – The beloved animated franchise gets a live-action makeover from Universal and DreamWorks.
  9. “Paddington in Peru” (February 14) – The beloved bear returns for a third adventure with Hugh Bonneville and newcomer Emily Mortimer.
  10. “Karate Kid: Legends” (May 30) – Jackie Chan returns to mentor a new karate kid played by Ben Wang in this franchise continuation.

First South Korean Author Wins Nobel

Han Kang, a 53-year-old South Korean author, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”. This historic achievement marks the first time a South Korean author has received this prestigious accolade, and only the 18th woman out of 117 laureates since 1901. Han’s literary journey began with poetry before transitioning to prose, with her novel “The Vegetarian” gaining international recognition after winning the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. Her works often explore themes of human vulnerability, historical trauma, and the complex relationships between body and spirit.

The Swedish Academy praised Han’s unique style and innovative approach to contemporary prose. Her win has been celebrated across South Korea, with President Yoon Suk Yeol describing it as “a great achievement in the history of Korean literature”. 

Here are one poem by Hang Kang to give readers a sense of her work.

Pitch-Black House of Light

That day in Ui-dong
sleet fell
and my body, companion to my soul
shivered with each falling tear.

Get on your way.

Are you hesitating?
What are you dreaming, hovering like that?

Two-storey houses lit like flowers,
beneath them I learned agony
and towards a land of joy as yet untouched
foolishly reached out a hand.

Get on your way.

What are you dreaming? Keep walking.

Towards memories forming on a streetlamp, I walked.
There I looked up and inside the lightshade
was a pitch-black house. Pitch-black
house of light

The sky was dark and in that darkness
resident birds
flew up casting off the weight of their bodies.
How many times would I have to die to fly like that?
Nobody could hold my hand.

What dream is so lovely?
What memory
shines so brightly?

Sleet, like the tips of mother’s fingers,
raking through my dishevelled eyebrows
striking frozen cheeks and again
stroking that same spot,

Hurry up and get on your way.

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