Pop Culture Chronicles

EDM or Electronic Dance Music has hit the music scene hard for the last 6 years or so and there have been numerous DJs to displace their music, but the DJ who is one of the leaders in EDM is Steve Aoki. Steve Aoki in his new documentary, I'll Sleep When I'm dead, chronicles his life as a Japanese-American living in Southern California and the son of famous Rocky Aoki, founder of Bennihana, wrestler, real estate mogul, and much more. Aoki gives the viewers a glimpse into his life as a child and growing up under his father's shadow, being bullied based on his Japanese heritage at school, and trying to find his place in the world, until as a young adult, when he discovered punk rock music and later DJ-ing , and starting his own record label with some friends. Initially, Aoki didn't see himself as a DJ but as a record executive, but he found a way and his talent shined through. He also found mentor-ship and friendship with the late great DJ, DJ A.M.  Aoki began to gain noto

For those of you who are looking for a new summer show to watch, I suggest the new Netflix series, The Getdown. The Getdown chronicles the lives of urban youth in the South Bronx, NY in the late 1970s.  The youth who were faced with much violence, poverty and crime, find outlets in music, and developing a new sound, with hip-hop. A group of young teen guys assemble and call themselves, the Getdown crew, the make rhymes and beats with their DJ and make new dances and compete with rival crews in nearby neighborhoods. In addition, there's a group of young ladies that sing and try to make it out of the Bronx as well, by forming a disco group.  Yet, they are faced with the backlash of parents and their religious upbringings that may hinder their road to stardom. The show encompasses the life and times of the NYC youth in the late 70s and the people, especially in the Bronx. I highly recommend you watch this show and the new season is set to debut in 2017. It is now streaming on Netflix

With college football coming up in the US in a couple weeks, this new show on Netflix sparks the fire for football again. Last Chance U, with its 6-episode first season, entails a community college, Eastern Mississippi Comunity College, and head coach Buddy Stephens. Stephens and his staff have won multiple NCJAA football titles in the past 10 years , and have resurrected the college careers of former D-1 athletes that come to the school with off the field issues. Stephens and his staff and the athletic tutors look to mold these players and challenge their off the field issues, such as academic failure, crime, drug/alcohol usage and most of these players come from underprivileged backgrounds. The show does an excellent job of interviewing and highlighting these players and giving their stories. In addition, once these players follow this program and achieve their athletic and academic standards, the players have gone on to play in new D-1 college programs, graduate, and potentially hea