For many students, college marks a time of discovery and growth through new experiences. This time is often when many students leave the country for the first time and take advantage of their school’s resources to travel the world. Studying abroad can bring new friends and even a new perspective on culture and community. At the University of Maine, the opportunity to grow from an experience abroad is encouraged for students and faculty alike.

Last week, UMaine held two study abroad related events on campus. On Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 3 p.m. in the FFA Room of the Memorial Union, Rochelle Seymour, a visiting professor program coordinator from University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) spoke to faculty and students about teaching abroad opportunities. Teachers from the departments of both biology and anthropology were in attendance, as well as the Office of International Programs director, Orlina Boteva.

“This opportunity brings with it a chance to not only teach in another country, but also to travel on weekends, go on field trips with students, stay with a host family or in a dorm, and experience many things you otherwise would not have the chance to,” Seymour said. “We try to send all of our professors to non-traditional locations in order to give everyone studying abroad the authentic experience. Professors and students can stay with host families, take other classes in the area, and learn things to assimilate themselves into the culture of the area.”

USAC is a study abroad non-profit organization that helps students and professors attend classes all over the world. Founded in Spain in 1982, the program has spread all over the world to 33 universities. There are many types of programs that visiting professors can apply for, each one relating to a different course of study, time of the year and location.

“You have a lot of flexibility with these classes that you can teach abroad. You can offer a course a lot of students need, or offer a new course that you wouldn’t otherwise get the chance to teach, get out of your comfort zone,” Seymour said.

After the Teaching Abroad Workshop, the UMaine Office of International Programming also held the Study Abroad Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the ballroom of Estabrooke Hall on Thursday, Jan. 31. Students were able to talk to representatives from multiple study abroad programs and on-campus resources, while learning more about traveling from a variety of UMaine staff.

“Studying abroad is really important because it’s a way to see how different people think and to open your own mind. University wise, it’s a great way to see how other countries handle your specific major, there is always more to learn,” Devon Garufi, a representative of Academic Programs International, said. “It is just a really fun experience, and it was the best part of my college experience, so I would recommend it to anyone.”

Representatives and faculty in attendance stressed the importance of experiencing as many opportunities as possible while in college. Many staff members from each organization were there to assist students in making decisions, answer questions and provide interested students with reflections on their personal experiences while studying abroad.

“Studying abroad can change you in many ways,” Mia Kazarski, IES Abroad staff member said. “Not only do you get to experience other cultures, examine your own biases, and expand your horizons while traveling, which is all really important, It can affect you in other ways as well. A lot of study abroad providers, IES included, have internship opportunities while abroad, so it looks quite impressive on a resume or application.”

To find out more information about how to study abroad or attend one of these events, please visit studyabroad@maine.edu or visit the Office of International Programs in 240 Estabrooke Hall.

One unexpected prerequisite for attending the University of Maine is the ability to tackle the harsh winters and cold temperatures that New England is known for. This semester, freezing rain and snow made move-in difficult. In response to winter storm Harper, UMaine was forced to take precautions and make adjustments to keep students safe during move-in weekend.

“While the recent storm did not have a significant impact on the re-opening of buildings and dorms, it certainly impacted the students and residents on-campus,” Resident Assistant (RA) Katie Dupuis, a second-year elementary education student said. “Many residents stayed in hotels, or with friends and family members until it was safe to move-in on Monday.”

RAs, faculty and staff sent out information and emails regarding the conditions of the weather on campus. After considering opening the dorms a day early on Saturday, Jan. 20, the university advised students to move-in on Monday, Jan. 21, after the storm had passed.

“The Friday before the storm I didn’t believe how bad it was going to be, especially since most of the news came from customers coming through the grocery check out,” Carrie Middleton, a second-year international affairs student from New Jersey said. “However, the buses that travel through Maine started to cancel… Finally, on Wednesday morning I was able to fly back to campus.”

Storm Harper brought with it heavy gusts of wind, snow, sleet, ice and hail which resulted in power outages, broken electrical equipment, fallen trees and significant damage to personal property. The storm crossed over the Ohio Valley and Midwest, making its way into Maine Sunday afternoon.

UMaine Student Life sent out an alert to students and staff Jan. 18 recommending residential students move in on Monday, Jan. 21, as well as encouraging all students to travel to campus only when it was safe to do so.

“Although [RA staff] were not directly instructed to reach out to our residents about inclement weather, I reached out to residents via email and referenced the University’s website and TXT service for more info,” Dupuis said. “I also kept an open line of communication with residents whose flights were delayed, for example, and made myself available to answer questions throughout the storm.”

Students from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine had to adapt and adjust to traveling in the midst of Storm Harper. Katherine Reardon, a second-year English student from Massachusetts stayed in a hotel room for 3 nights to wait for the storm to pass.

“Everyone was frazzled and trying to figure out what to do, the dorms didn’t open early as planned so we had to make other arrangements,” Reardon said.

Students were originally instructed to begin moving into their dorms on Sunday, but many waited until late Monday night.

“I live about 6 hours away, I was hoping to drive up halfway Saturday, and then the rest of the way Sunday and move in,” Taylor Chomitz, second-year sociology student from Connecticut said. “When I realized there was a bad storm, I was hoping they would open the dorms early. I had to drive halfway on Friday, and stay at a friends place on Saturday. On Sunday, I dug out my car and moved back into my dorm.”

With conditions getting increasingly worse and freezing rain coating the streets, some out-of-state residents had to miss classes and other beginning of the semester activities in order to travel safely.

“Originally I was supposed to take a series of buses up to school on Sunday because that’s when the dorms open, but my family thought it would be better if I went up on Saturday and stayed overnight,” Elizabeth Murray, a first-year environmental horticulture student from New Jersey said. “The buses canceled for both Saturday and Sunday, so I got a flight back on Tuesday and missed my first two classes. My professors were all really understanding and just happy the students were staying safe.”

Wind and freezing temperatures remained constant throughout the beginning of the week, with icy sidewalks and unplowed campus roads causing unsafe conditions for students. Many were advised by professors and peers to walk, rather than drive on the dangerous roads. Teachers made announcements to their students and many allowed those who were missing class because of the storm to be excused.

“I’m from southern Maine, so the drive to Orono is about two and a half hours. Thankfully, I arrived on-campus before the storm hit, so I had time to unpack and prepare for RA winter training. Generally, I try to avoid going out during a storm. It’s important for driver’s to make that call ahead of time, before hitting the road and endangering themselves or others,” Dupuis said.

Traveling safely and mindfully is an important part of living at UMaine, and for more tips and safety information from the police department please visit https://umaine.edu/police/.

Rating: 5 Stars

In the last few years, spoken word poetry has taken the literary community by storm. This popular genre of performance-based poetry is written to be performed aloud, and is spoken at events and readings. Now more than ever, people are reading, listening to, and reciting contemporary poetry that exists in our society, as well as creating their own. In addition, poetry slams have become more popular, and these spoken word performers draw in thousands of people. One poet in particular, Rudy Francisco, captivates his readers with every performance. Most recently however, he has put his words back onto the page and released a new poetry collection titled “Helium.”

Francisco rose in popularity after postings of his performances on Button Poetry’s Facebook and Youtube pages. ”Helium” is his fourth book of poetry, while others include “Getting Stitches,” “Scratch” and “No Gravity.”

His most recent collection covers topics on a wide array of subjects, ranging from race and family, to love and relationships. Francisco’s free-verse modern language reflects and coincides with the spoken word poetry he performs in front of live audiences.

The book is broken down into four sections that are labeled by roman numerals. In the first section, there are 17 poems that are unique in style and form. His first poem in the collection, “Water,” discusses and describes a personal story from his childhood. Lines such as, “My arms became two skinny brown flailing distress signals,” use creative diction and phrasing to create imagery that the reader can experience. His use of description and figurative language add another dimension to the poems; each poem included in the collection brings a new and strong aspect to the work as a whole.

His poem “Complainers” is one of his best known works, and is often performed in contests and at readings. It sheds light on the things that humans take for granted, especially here in America. In this line,“Most people have no idea that tragedy and silence often have the same exact address,” Francisco conveys the idea to readers that the everyday things people complain about often hold very little importance.

The book is sold in soft-back, and includes a colorful, smooth cover. On the front of the book, the title “Helium” is displayed in lowercase letters under a person being lifted up to the stars by a blue balloon. It reflects the magical and emotional aspect of poetry that is expressed in the collection. Although this collection includes 58 poems, the book is fairly short and condensed. Francisco included many short-length poems that are separated by balloon illustrations or section dividers. It is an easy read that has something in it for everyone.

Francisco is currently touring in Canada and the U.S., and performing with other local poets in each area. He classifies his poetry as both a mixture of activism and art. Francisco often tells his audience that he hopes to stir change through his writing. By writing about controversial and sometimes political topics, he gets people talking. “Helium” is a wonderfully eloquent collection of poetry that will be talked about in the literary community for years to come.

On Nov. 15, students gathered in the University of Maine Memorial Union, filling seats around the North Pod and Bears Den in order to take part in this year’s Multicultural Thanksgiving. This dinner, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Life and Student Heritage Alliance Council (S.H.A.C), brought hundreds of staff and students together to celebrate.

The Thanksgiving meal included a presentation from many speakers about the importance of the holiday and ways it is celebrated. Stories about Native American heritage were highlighted in recognition and celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Many clubs and organizations, including the Black Student Union, German club, French club, Asian Association of Maine, Asian Student Association, Hillel UMaine’s Jewish Organization, Iota Nu Kappa, UMaine’s Multicultural Fraternity, the Franco-American Resource Opportunity group, and Crew volunteered to help cook and serve food to the people who attended.

Staff from the LGBTQ Services, Psychology Department and Dining Services gathered around tables and joined in on the festive evening. People had the ability to meet with peers, sit with club and staff members, and share stories of how their family celebrates the tradition. They also asked questions and talked with club members who organized the event, in order to learn more about the tradition of Thanksgiving across dozens of different cultures.

Food from many different cultures and countries was prepared and served, as well as the traditional Thanksgiving foods American families prepare for the holiday. This wide array of food included tacos, lo mein, rice, crab rangoon, mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, turkey, stuffing, desserts, dips, devilled eggs, samosas, pudding, and many other delicacies that represent different parts of American and foreign culture.

“We try our best to make everyone feel included during the holiday season,” Crew member Michaela Hagman said. “This is especially for the students who might be from other places or visiting from different countries. Many people have never experienced an American Thanksgiving before, and without events like these they would miss out on the chance to learn about new traditions.”

The meal is a part of a collection of events on campus that are organized in order to reflect on the importance of Native American Heritage Month and raise awareness of the real history behind Thanksgiving. The UMaine community came together in order to celebrate this holiday, and shed light on the meaning and history behind this treaty between indigenous people and early English settlers.

“We need to acknowledge the historical perspective of Thanksgiving,” Silvestre Guzman, director of the Office of Multicultural Student Life said.

Guzman, along with David Patrick, Dylan Smith and other members of the community, spoke in a presentation at the beginning of the event about its importance and historical implications. A Member of UMaine’s Wabanaki Center, and lecturer, John Bear, informed guests about the significance of the day, and debunked the myth that many Americans think was the start of the holiday that began in Massachusetts.

“Native American culture hosts multiple ceremonies to be thankful for what we have been given by our Creator, and what is available to us in the natural world that we have lived off of for thousands of years,” Dylan Smith, President of the American Indian Student Association, said. “Everyday the sun rises is a day to be thankful.”

The next event in the series will be a presentation by Sherri Mitchell titled, “Decolonizing Our Hearts and Minds” on Monday, Nov. 19 in the Bangor Room of the Union.

Rating: 5 Stars

Trying to escape from the cold in the outskirts of Bangor, Maine, I stepped into a seemingly- ordinary, local diner. Surprised as I took in my surroundings, I wondered how this small place full of charm has gone unnoticed by the University of Maine community.

Located on the highly trafficked Union Street, the simplistic exterior of Nicky’s Cruisin’ Diner is a facade that hides the 50s themed restaurant hidden inside. The walls are lined with memorabilia, signed music records and posters, license plates and photos. The black and white checkered walls give the diner a realistic 1950s atmosphere, and the menu represents the classics that were popular in Maine in the ‘50s.

The time period of the ‘50s is known for its music, milkshakes and country growth. It was a time for change, which is well-reflected in the decorations and layout of this themed diner. An old photo booth stands in the corner of the room, while a life-size car and pictures of Elvis make customers feel like they went back in time in this family-owned restaurant. The restaurant also has an attached ice cream parlor where visitors can order shakes, floats, sundaes and dozens of dessert varieties that coincide with the ‘50s theme. This includes their well-known “Scooby-Doo” desserts, which are mini pies and sweets that are paired with a scoop of ice cream for the perfect portion size.

Poutine, a Canadian delicacy of french fries smothered in cheese curds and gravy, is a staple at Nicky’s and one of their most popular items on the menu. The diner sells a wide variety of comfort foods and breakfast items that each have their own special twist that appeals to the ‘50s theme. Everything from burgers and wraps to bowls of homemade soup can be found on the wide ranging menu.

Another Nicky’s staple is their homemade mac and cheese dish, made fresh with baked pasta and smothered in four different kinds of cheese. They also have unique sandwich names like the “Swimming Reuben” and “Blue Mango Veggie Burger” that attract customers to the diner. There is something for everyone.

“It’s so hard to find a place with an interesting atmosphere that has amazing food to go with it,” Kim Stoddard, second-year UMaine student, said. “It’s a cute little themed diner, great place to take friends or family. I have taken a lot of my close friends here and they all give raving reviews.”

The restaurant was originally an ice cream parlor in the early 1970s, and then became a diner after it was purchased by two owners who amped up the theme-inspired decor and redid the inside of the diner. Nicky’s has a tradition called “Cruise Nite” every Wednesday from May to September when customers are allowed to drive up with their vintage cars to meet new people, take pictures and eat food.

The waitstaff includes dozens of friendly faces who are eager to serve and light up the restaurant with their positive energy and ‘50s-inspired uniforms. For such a small place, Nicky’s Cruisin Diner has left its mark in Maine and given customers a place to enjoy great food.

To learn more about Nicky’s Cruisin’ Diner, see photos or get directions, visit nickyscruisindiner.com.

The University of Maine offers hundreds of different clubs, activities and organizations for students to get involved in. As Black Bears, we take pride in the groups and teams that we are a part of and find ways to balance these extracurriculars with the many other aspects of daily life. One student in particular, fourth-year student Thilee Yost, stands out among the rest as someone who roots herself deeply in the clubs and activities she has joined at UMaine.

As a Teaching Assistant (TA), Resident Assistant (RA), the president of the Pre-Law Society, treasurer of Mock Trial and president of the Philosophy Club, Yost has found ways to juggle all of these activities over the course of her four years, while simultaneously working hard in her classes.

“My job as a TA is so rewarding, and also a big time commitment. I teach the Honors 170 class and there is a lot of learning involved for both me and my students,” Yost said. “It has really helped me develop professional skills, and also taught me how to bring up and discuss controversial topics in the classroom.”

Yost is attending the National Collegiate Honors Conference (NCHC), Nov. 8-10, to present to peers and faculty about her findings in Honors 170. She works with professors in the Honors College, as well as other teaching assistants, to help her students learn and thrive in the classroom.

“Our job in Honors 170 is to break the typical classroom norm when discussing particularly controversial, or politically-charged topics. We try to make the environment a friendly and civil place where opinions and voices can be safely heard,” Yost said.

Yost is a political science and philosophy student, and will be graduating this May. She hopes to take a year off of school to intern, and then apply to law school. Yost is currently preparing to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).

“I knew pretty early on in my college career that I was interested in pre-law and going to law school. I found the society through the Campus Activities Fair in the fall of my freshman year, and have stuck with it ever since then,” Yost said. “I knew my end goal was to apply to law school, so these clubs have really helped me prepare for the future and to help build up my resume.”

This is Yost’s second year as president of the Pre-Law Society, and she just recently helped to organize and host a practice LSAT test webinar. She is also working on planning a Law and Justice Careers Day that was first introduced to UMaine last year.

Over the summer, Yost attended a Student Congress program where she worked with other students to debate and research topics related to the policy that her group was assigned. Her thesis is looking at Asian-American participation in United States politics in St. Paul, Minnesota and Fresno, California. She hopes to learn more about why Asian-Americans tend to vote less than other demographics in the country.

“College is a great place to explore and find your own identity, as cliche as that is. Not everyone takes this opportunity to do that, and they should,” Yost said. “Joining clubs like Mock Trial, and even being an RA, has taught me so much about how to be more confident with things like public speaking, and communicating with other students.”

In her free time, Yost tries to get together with the friends she has known since her first year at UMaine and decompress from the stress of school. She currently works as an RA in Doris Twitchell Allen Village (DTAV) and was an RA for Balentine Hall last academic year.

To learn more about UMaine’s Philosophy Club, Mock Trial, or Pre-Law Society please visit Umaine.edu or contact Yost via Thilee.Yost@maine.edu.

The University of Maine hosts a community full of people who take pride in the rich cultural diversity of the area and celebrate each national heritage month with activities and events. On Thursday, Nov. 1 faculty and students gathered in a circle in front of the Raymond H. Fogler Library to celebrate the second annual Native American Heritage Month Flag Raising Ceremony. The ceremony was co-hosted by The Wabanaki Center, The Office of Multicultural Student Life and American Indian Student Organization.

The ceremony began with an introduction from Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Robert Dana who discussed the importance of the day and the significance of Native American Heritage Month. Other school faculty introduced themselves and gathered around the dean as the ceremony began.

“Every little bit of energy we can invest in making the world a better place will spread to others, and they can make the world a better place for someone else,” Dana said. “We need to have compassion, acceptance and love for each other.”

Chair of Native American Programs Professor Darren Ranco and Ambassador of Penobscot Nation Maulina Dana attended the event to advocate for the need of cultural diversity and acceptance on college campuses.

“The event services to educate the University community about indigenous people on campus and in the state, and raise awareness,” Ranco said. “We are located on Marsh Island in Penobscot Territory and it allows us to mark the space that way, something very important and significant.”

The university works closely with the Penobscot Nation members to plan events and activities that celebrate the history behind the land that the school was built on. Many different programs and organizations have been created on campus in order to encourage the celebration and acceptance of all cultures and heritages.

“It is is important that we nourish this strong bond that connects us together. We are on Penobscot land and we needs to spread awareness of the invisibility of indigenous people and other marginalized groups,” Maulina Dana said. “This is a really great showing of neighborly love, and my work today is to honor all of the people who came before me, and all the voices who aren’t heard. I am so happy and honored to be part of this.”

The flag raising began last year as the beginning of a new tradition meant to honor Native American Heritage Month. Flyers and posters about Native American Heritage Month were hung up around campus to give students access to information surrounding the Native American tribes and cultures in our local community and area. The ceremony concluded with the raising of the flag centered on a pole in front of Fogler Library, where a member of the Penobscot community performed a Penobscot Native flag song that he created with a traditional drum.

“These events most definitely create acceptance and equality across campus. Being able to honor and recognize everyone for who they are is a critical element of a vibrant community,” Ranco said. “This is especially important for indigenous people in educational contexts, wherein previous generations, especially before the 1970s, but even later in some situations, were not allowed access to education institutions or were abused and disrespected in them.”

If students would like to participate in other Native American Heritage Month events throughout this month, they can locate flyers and signs in the Memorial Union. Other events include a Native American Crafts and Artistry Class on Nov. 7 from 6-7 p.m., a Lunch and Learn on Nov. 14 from 12-1 p.m. and a Multicultural Thanksgiving on Nov. 15 from 5:30-7 p.m. To see the full list of events please visit: https://umaine.edu/multicultural/native-american-heritage-month/

On Tuesday, Oct. 30 and Thursday, Nov. 1 Camp Kesem held their first Dog Kissing Booth Fundraiser outside of Raymond H. Fogler Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On the University of Maine’s mall, Camp Kesem organization members greeted staff and students and spoke about the program. Students had the opportunity to kiss, pet and get their picture taken with a dog in return for a $1 donation to the group’s summer camp.

“A really fun part of my job as Development Coordinator is coming up with creative ideas for fundraisers. I figured, dogs are something that people love and it would be a good stress relief after a hard week of midterms,” second-year student Anna Zmistowski said. “Our goal was to send one kid to camp, and we have almost successfully reached the goal.”

Camp Kesem is a national non-profit organization founded in Los Angeles, California, that works with cancer patients and their families. The organization sends children of parents who have had cancer, or currently have it, to a free week of summer camp every year. The Dog Kissing Booth was a sponsored fundraiser that encouraged students to donate to the organization and learn more about Camp Kesem’s goals and plans for the future.

“The camp is for kids who have family members going through cancer or have survived it. It’s also for kids whose parents have gone through a divorce, or another hard time in their lives,” Zmistowski said. “It’s a way for them to escape whatever’s going on. That’s our goal, to take their minds off of it.”

The organization works to plan fundraisers and events throughout the year, both on campus and off. The money donated helps fund each child’s trip to camp, covering all expenses and fees. The camp offers children a place to leave the problems and hardships they are facing and to enjoy a free overnight week-long trip at a designated site.

“Being a family member of someone with a disease like cancer is such a stressful, and tolling experience,” Zmistowski said. “This is why we try to keep in touch with the parents and kids even after the camp ends, and just check in and make sure they always know we are there to help. It’s a way to connect and reach out to people who might need us.”

Camp Kesem also plans and hosts many other fundraisers throughout the school year on UMaine’s campus, and will next be fundraising on “Giving Tuesday,” the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The Dog Kissing Booth was the organization’s first donation event of the year.

“I have had personal experience dealing with how cancer can affect a family. My mom had breast cancer twice in my life time, and while I was going through this none of my friends knew what it was like to have this weight on your shoulders,” Zmistowski said. “Knowing that I am helping kids who are going through that is the biggest reward, and we are creating a community where it is safe for kids to open up about their shared experience.”

Camp Kesem is currently looking for student volunteers who are willing to help out, or even apply for an Executive Board position. Students can apply to be counselors and fill other positions during the camp in the summer.

The students involved in Camp Kesem meet in the Memorial Union in the Wade Center on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. To get in contact with the coordinators or find out more information, please contact umaine.development@campkesem.org, Umaine@campkesem.org, or visit https://campkesem.org

On Oct. 24 in the Donald P. Corbett Business Building, Vanessa McNeal conducted a screening and presentation of her film, “The Voiceless.” As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, McNeal shared her documentary, and her story, with University of Maine students.

“The documentary was eye-opening and amazing to watch,” second-year student Claire Klaus said. “We got to listen to each survivor’s story, while also getting to see their reactions and watch them on the screen. It made the film so impactful and intense. It really got the message across that sexual violence and abuse can happen to anyone, male or female.”

The hour-long film shares the stories of five men who are victims of sexual violence. They individually talk about their experiences, and how it has affected their lives. The documentary helped educate viewers, and show that sexual violence does not discriminate based on gender, race or sexual orientation.

The film draws from the experiences of Kaleb, Jassim, Will, Ivan and Dakota about how these events have changed their outlook on life and who they are as adults, as well as why people should not stay silent when they are abused or raped. These survivors tell their personal stories in hopes that others will feel more comfortable and confident, and share their own experiences.

“Sharing your story can bring people together in a place of healing and connection,” McNeal said. “When you are feeling alone, and someone comes into your life who shares a similar song, it can open up a whole other world. Healing isn’t a straight line. You can have good days, and also some bad days where you might travel back three steps before you can move forward. I wanted to show this in the film.”

McNeal stayed after the film showing for a Q&A session with the students and faculty. Students asked questions about the survivors specifically, and about warning signs and ways that they can help loved ones affected by sexual violence. McNeal also shared her personal story of sexual violence and let the audience know why she decided to create a documentary based off of it.

“This is so important to shed light on because of the statistics that show us one in six men experience sexual violence before the age of 18,” McNeal said. “There are men on this campus, men in fraternities, men you walk past in the hallways and in the grocery store who have experienced this, and it matters. And we should care because we have to.”

McNeal travels around the country sharing her story and teaching others how to speak out and confront adversity. At the Newark International Film Festival McNeal won the award for Best Director for her role in the documentary’s production.

“I wanted to share the stories of these men, and let people know that they are not alone. I wanted to honor their voices,” McNeal said.

For more information on the film, please visit thevoicelessdocumentary.com

Hip-hop and rap have taken the world by storm. Now one of the biggest entertainment industries in America, music is culturally significant all over the country and the rest of the world. Hip-hop artists such as Quavo, Lil Wayne, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem have recently produced new albums, and many have been touring the country spreading and performing their music. Among these artists is rapper Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, more famously known as Logic.

Logic’s newest collection of songs, “YSIV,” was released on Sept. 28 and includes 14 tracks. The fourth, and last mixtape in the Young Sinatra series features artists such as Jaden Smith, Hailee Steinfeld and Ryan Tedder. The mixtape is full of nostalgia and stories from Logic’s life, and this is well-paired with the music that accompanies his vocal lyrics in each rap.

The Young Sinatra mixtapes are especially known for their unique sound, resembling the 80s and 90s rap and hip-hop music that focused on interesting experimentation with sound and catchy lyrics. Young Sinatra is Logic’s pseudonym, or as he calls it, his “alter-ego.” Each song in these albums are is completely different, as Logic tries out different styles and beats that come together and make up a very diverse collection.

The mixtape, or freestyle-type album, begins with “Thank You,” an upbeat track featuring Lucy Rose and The RattPack. It starts with a conversation between two people, which reveals to the audience that this album will be the last one in the series of Young Sinatra mixtapes. The song includes intermittent pauses where fan’s audio files have been inserted into the track. These fans introduce themselves from all over the world, and express their excitement for the new album and their appreciation for Logic’s music. It opens the album with a strong and powerful message that gets listeners excited to hear the rest of the songs.

The next song in the mixtape, “Everybody Dies,” uses strong and passionate language to reflect on Logic’s life and talks about the things he wishes he could have done differently in his past. This song has an intricate and creative beat that plays in the background as Logic tells his fans stories about his childhood and the place he was born.

“One Day” is an inspirational song, featuring Logic’s views on society and opinions about how the world can be changed for the better. Ryan Tedder sings the chorus to the song, and breaks up Logic’s fast-paced lyrics with a short, slower-paced break.

“Adventures of Stoney Bob,” “Legacy” and “Street Dreams II” are other songs included in the mixtape that each have their own special sound and rhythmic structure to them. Logic’s voice changes throughout each one in order to fit the tone or sound of the song, and to convey the intended message or feeling.

“Last Call” is the final song in the album. It is an 11 minute mixture of both personal biography, monologue and rap. Logic tells his life story, explaining how got to where he is today, as both an artist who had to sacrifice a lot to get to there and as a man who loves his family.

During his career, Logic has produced four studio albums, eight mixtapes and 20 singles. The first Young Sinatra album, titled “Young Sinatra,” was released Sept. 19, 2011. His first mixtape is titled “Logic: The Mixtape,” and was released in 2009. This mixtape “YSIV” has been his first full-length project since “Bobby Tarantino II.”