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Gulf Coast High School Shark7878 Shark Way,Bites Naples, Fl 34119 April 15th, 2016 Seventh Edition Ending the Year Under the Lights! by Jennifer Morgan

Growing up, children watch movies make up done, but only have a certain will look back at these pictures for and hear stories about how prom is a amount of time to get it done and make years and one day maybe even show magically time. Prom is not exactly as sure it is exactly the way they want it your children. you see it in the movies, but it is close. to look. Because it is prom, it has to be When it is time to go to prom most For me, the most exciting part of perfect. Personally, I left everything to groups hire limos or party buses. Ev- prom was the week before, when ev- the last minute, so I was out on the day eryone gets excited to see if it looks eryone was getting asked to go to- of prom buying jewelry and make up magical like the movies. After wait- gether in cute ways. Someone had the three hours before I had to be ready. ing in a line to give your tickets, you members of the band play a song and Getting your hair and make up done walk into a dark room. Once you’re walk into the cafeteria. Some made makes you feel like a princess. Little eyes adjust, you see the dance floor in cakes with “PROM?” written on it. girls look forward to going to prom the center of the room with tables sur- Others made cute signs and surprised and preparing that day can be excit- rounding it. After picking a table with girls randomly throughout the day. ing. After putting your dress and heels your friends, you sit there and have For girls prom can be stressful. Once on, everything comes together nicely. dinner. It was an average tasting meal, you are asked, you have to go in search When you look in the mirror, you real- nothing too fancy but edible. of the perfect dress. Also, you do not ize it is actually prom day, the moment After eating, people got up and want anyone else to have the same you have been waiting for. danced. It was wonderful to see how dress as you, so you have to try to go Most people meet with a friend group different friend groups came together to a place or order from a website that and take pictures. It is fun to see all of and danced together. Everyone had fun others will not think of going to. It is your friends dressed up nicely. Par- and was laughing. For one night there not always easy finding a dress for ents take hundreds of pictures, making was no conflict or separation. I would prom, but once you do, you then get you feel famous. Pictures were another not say prom is as magical as it is in really excited and a lot less worried. memorial part about prom because you the movies, but it is still a magical and On the day of prom, it gets even have fun smiling and posing with your memorable night. more stressful. Girls have their hair and best friends. You also know that you Are Instagram Likes Worth Your Life? by Sophia Neglio The “selfie” has been embraced widely by ev- jured or killed. Nevertheless indulging in extreme eryone including astronauts, fighter pilots, and selfies has has many other consequences includ- even major worldly influencers such as presidents ing fatality or permanent disability. It is now un- and the Pope. There has been a wave of excite- derstood that there have been more deaths from ment over the new trend. This new trend is taking taking selfies with sharks this year, (eight deaths) extreme selfies. Extreme selfies can range from and in 2015 it was reported that at least twelve standing on the top of a building to swimming people had been killed in selfie-related incidents. with sharks. The point of taking an extreme selfie In Denver, Colorado a wildlife park was report- seems to be to see how close one can come to edly shut down after tourists kept getting to close death and capture a picture of it. Due to the dan- to bears in attempt to take selfies with them. gerous circumstances behind taking these selfies, Teenagers all over the world have been tak- it has resulted in many deaths. Near the city of ing extreme selfies from high buildings, high Foshan in Guangdong province, A 19 year-old bridges, while riding bikes and motorcycles and girl was tragically killed while trying to take a from high cliffs. The craze for taking such insane selfie on train tracks when the train came and photos comes from the desire to post them on so- killed her. The spot was very picturesque and ac- cial media to get the maximum number of likes. cording to NetEase, it’s a popular spot for tourists Life does not seem to be an issue for these teens to visit during the spring with blooming flowers as their only concern is capturing the perfect ex- and passing trains. Apparently the girl received treme selfie; not matter what the consequences. several warnings from concerned bystanders but This issue has become so widely known that it she still continued to take her dangerous selfies. prompted the Russian government to publish a Unfortunately this isn’t the only incident that has safe selfie guide for the use of the general public, arisen from teens taking life threatening selfies especially the teenagers. Due to the widespread near trains. Two teens in Nanjing stood on the urge to take this extreme and dangerous selfies, it railroad tracks causing the train to stop. Luckily, may be in every countries best interest to publish the trains stopped in time and they were not in- a safe guide. Teacher Spotlight: Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Hunter Mrs. Goodwin Years at GC: Years at GC: “18 years! I was part of the original staff opening year, 1998.” “This is my 3rd year.”

Role at GC: What she loves most about our school:

Science Teacher and Swimming Coach “The teachers! We have a great faculty, and they really put kids first.” Best moment or memory while at GC: “Finding out that my boy swimmers won the 3A state aca- Best moment or memory while at GC: demic team championship this past fall while on vacation. I couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the trip.” “Years ago, we used to have “Fun Fridays” during lunch which included music, dancing, and various activities in the court- yard for students and teachers to participate in.” Feature Stories Little Foot Brings New Discoveries to Develompment of the Human Species by Jessica Gardy Important Dates

“Lucy” the ape was discovered in 1974 humans provides a new level of informa- and is thought to be the world’s most fa- tion on which part of Africa homosapians to mous early human ancestor dating back to first came from. The new skeleton was almost 3.2 million years ago. She is about nickname “Little Foot” because of the Remember: 40% complete and a member of the Aus- small size of the bones. They have not as- tralopithecus afarensis species that roamed certained if Little Foot is a boy or girl yet. eastern Africa and had a skinny frame but Even though scientists can’t date exactly was only three and a half feet tall. From how old little foot is, they do know Lucy’s the features of her body, such as leg bones age and that they lived on opposite sides suited for walking, scientists believe she of Africa, which means that there might be walked on two feet like humans. more diverse ancestors to humans out there. Grad Bash Lucy was determined to be a female due The researchers thought that they could to her size and also other discoveries of date Little Foot from the rocks in the cave April 22nd fossils show that males were much larger. but they soon found that the stones didn’t She was the only human-like skeleton ever form at the same time as Little Foot did. found until scientists found another, nearly They were able to figure out the stones’ complete, skeleton in a cave in South Afri- age by measuring the levels of aluminum ca about 20 years ago. This new skeleton is and beryllium isotopes in the quartz crystal thought to be at least 3.7 million years old found in the same layer the skeleton was but there is much speculation on the age. found. “The most important implication from There were also other discoveries in the dating Little Foot is that we now know that cave where Little Foot was found. Early australopithecines were in South Africa age stone tools were near Little Foot and early in their evolution,” lead study author scattered around the cave dating back 2.2 AP/AICE Exams Darryl Granger, a geochronologist at Pur- million years ago. The dating in consistent due University in West Lafayette, Indiana. to the rock samples the researchers took. April 23rd - “This implies an evolutionary con- Researchers and scientists are working nection between South Africa and East together to figure out exactly how old Little May 6th Africa prior to the age of Little Foot, and Foot is and where it belongs on the human with enough time for the australopithecine time line. species to diverge.” The discovery of this new ancestor to Photos from Google Images Night of Noise Successfuly Brings Awareness to Naples Community by Alexis Powell Graduation On April 2nd, GLSEN sponsored the Night of the students to take hilarious pictures and Noise Dance at Naples United Church of Christ. have fun just being themselves. Many people June 3rd The Night of Noise is not just for LGBT stu- who went were excited and overwhelmed by this dents, but for all supporting students who want event, especially for high-school underclassmen. to celebrate this special event. Humberto Rivera, who is a sophomore at GCHS, stated that the dance was “really fun”, and he The Night of Noise is a night to “break the had a great time. silence” of anti-LGBT bullying; It follows after the Day of Silence, which is a day to honor and Unfortunately, the dance was delayed half- support all LGBT students who have been vic- way through the night when an unexpected fire For more information on tims of verbal and/or physical harassment. alarm went off. Fire respondents came onto the upcoming events, please visit scene and luckily no fire had broken out and gch.collierschools.com GSA members from all over Collier County nobody was hurt. While some attendees left the schools came out for this successful event. It dance during the delay, everything went back to was filled with lively music, great food, colorful normal and the dance was exuberant once again. decorations, as well as photo booths that allowed Photos from Google Images College-Bound Student Learns He’s Been Missing for 13 Years! When he finally found out the truth it was because his social Imagine applying to college and finding out through a security number on his application did not match his actual school counselor that you have been on a national registry for records. Now, months later, his father appeared in court in missing children for 13 years! This is exactly what happened order to testity as to why he took his son. Even though evi- to 18 year old Julian Hernandez last year. dence showed he was a great father, he was still sentenced to Julian Hernandez was a normal teenager, attending high minimum of four years in prison for his crime. Hernandez’s school with a great father helping to support his studies and attorney is fighting for a lighter sentence claiming “he is a after school activities. In the hopes of going to college, he de- perfect father.” cided to apply to Ohio State University. After his application While speaking with the Washington Post, Hernandez’s at- was reviewed, he received a call from the university admis- torney, Ralph DeFranco said, “I just meant he couldn’t have sions office telling him that he was reported missing since he done any more. The young man is a senior, he’s a straight-A was five years-old. According to Julian’s mother, his father student who played sports; he was planning to go to college.” threatened to leave with Julian if she ever attempted to break Julian still loves his father and hopes he will not be pun- up with him. Julian’s mother also said that his father is very ished for his actions. For the moment, he is not allowed to controlling and not the best person to be in a relationship with. speak with his father over the phone because of a court order When his father kidnapped him, he took him from their from the judge. Even though he is facing tough times, Julian hometown in Alabma and moved him to Ohio. While there said that he just wishes to be normal again and that he hopes he tampered with official state records and changed his name the media will respect his privacy while he deals with this so he and his son could not be found. Julian had been told his issue. mother was simply unfit to be a parent and that is why she had Julian has been reunited with his mother and hopes to build no part in his life. the life he never knew he lost. Photos from Google Images Beware When You Enter Shark Waters

Sports Girls Tennis Travels to States and Makes GC History! Recent by Savanna Lawrence breaker. Signings: The GCHS Girls’ Varsity tennis As far as singles went, Viva Laas team traveled to the state tournament conquered Sterling Reese 6-1, 6-0, after winning the regional title on May Emma Heiderscheit defeated Emma 7th. The lady sharks took a 4-3 vic- Williams 6-0, 6-0, Bella Lawrence tory over the Barron Collier Bobcats, won by default, Savanna Lawrence ending their 2015-2016 season at re- won 6-1,6-1, and QiQi Anderson gionals for the first time in 9 years. lost to Francine Viot 6-1, 6-1. At The top six players from the varsity this point the girl’s were ranked top Sean Doyle / Lacrosse team went to Orlando April 12-14 to 4 in the entire state of Florida. Never Savannah College of Art & compete with the top 8 schools in the before has a Gulf Coast Girl’s tennis Design state. team made it past regionals, let alone the top four teams in the state. On The first day, the girls versed Liberty Lyster / Cross Country Osceola High School from Kissimmee April 14th, the girls entered an incred- Palm Beach Atlantic University Florida. Freshman, Emma Heider- ibly difficult match against West Boca sheit and Sophomore, Viva Laas High School, who eventually contin- paired up to win a point at number ued to win the entire State Champion- Jordan Griffith / Fencing one doubles against the number 1 and ship Tournament. Air Force Academy 4 from Oceania. Senior, Bella Law- The Lady Sharks had an amazing rence and Junior, Savanna Lawrence run in the State Tournament and are Will Sheriffs / Football took on an undefeated doubles team very excited for the 2017 season. Bentley University-Waltham and lost by 2 points in the third set tie Dimitri Valcourt / Football Congrats to all Spring Sports for Their Outstanding Team GPAs. Elmhurst College Donald Retallick / Football Girls Tennis Boys Lacrosse Hastings College 3.646 3.253 Peter Bukzar / Football Lawrence University Softball Cameron Kaye / Football Boys Tennis 3.210 Girls Track and Field Troy University

3.234 3.365 Rip Lyster / Swimming Baseball Carnegie Mellon Girls Lacrosse 3.169 Boys Track and Field 3.492 3.219

The Black Mamba Says Goodbye and Scores 60 Points During Final Game!

by Sophia Neglio Bryant became the youngest player in the NBA to win three championships and become known as a “clutch On April 16th, Kobe Bryant, also known as the player” for his exectuion in the fourth quarter of the Black Mamba, played his last professional game for finals. the NBA and said goodbye to thousands of fans at Though Bryant has seen many trying times during the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Kobe planned on his career, he is still known as one of the best bas- retring this season and he did in style by scoring an ketball players of our time alongside Michael Jordan. amazing 60 points versus the Utah Jazz. He set ar re- Jordan has expressed his love for Braynt on several cord high for any player this season and he also outso- occasions and even made a tribute video for him at cred the entire Jazz team. The final score was 101-96. one of his final games. Kobe Bryant was drafted to the NBA by the Los “I’m a big fan. I still love watching you play. We Angeles Lakers straight out of high school. He is one are very proud of what you have accomplished over of the few professional basketball players, besides the years. Have a good game, but not too good,” said LeBron James to come out of a high school draft. Michael Jordan on the video tribute to Bryant. Though he did not see much playing time when he Though most people would think he would go first entered the NBA, he continued to improve and home, lounge by the pool and take a nice long vaca- work on his skills in the hopes of being a starting tion with his family, Bryant has done the exact op- player. posite. He is still waking up early in the morning, His luck soon changed when Phil Jackson became working out and training like nothing has changed. the coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryatn became “I gotta go workout. I gotta find a new routine. It a starting shooting guard for his team and went on gives you a sense of purpose. It gives youa plan.” - to win the Lakers three back to back championships Kobe Bryant. with star center, Shaquille O’Neal. At the age of 23, Photos from Google Images Entertainment Reliving Coachella: A Complete Review on the Year’s Most Anticpated Music Event

Getting older can be terrifying: ing everything at the wall and watch- friends drift apart, bones grow brittle, ing most of it stick to the sweaty, and debt and stress threaten to take shirtless masses. The Diplo-led act over. That’s the thrust of some of is easy to be cynical about—at times LCD Soundsystem’s most enduring they don’t even feign interest in the work; the recently reunited band’s act of DJing and they traffic in fan headlining set on the opening night service more than any sort of craft or of this year’s Coachella riffed on the subtlety. That said, it was a welcome idea over and over again, to tremen- surprise when Sean Paul was called dous effect. After a five-year hiatus, out for his second guest spot of the “Losing My Edge” doesn’t just read weekend. Another double cameo as James Murphy fretting about the performance came courtesy of Kanye trendy kids on his block—he’s pok- West, who bounced around the stage ing his head out to see the lay of the to his own “Power” during Friday’s land, to see if anyone’s still listen- equally absurd set from Diplo and ing. They are, of course, and LCD’s Skrillex’s Jack Ü; earlier that night, nearly two-hour set, which benefited Kanye crashed A$AP Rocky’s per- from superb sound design, was an formance to play “Father Stretch My unqualified win. Murphy’s exami- Hands, Pt. 1,” but was plagued by a nations of his own mortality usually faulty mic. have a tongue-in-cheek quality, so Neither Diplo project drew as his band’s earnest cover of David many fans as Calvin Harris, who Bowie’s “Heroes” was a touching closed down the festival as the Sun- add. On record, “All My Friends” is day night headliner. The Scottish DJ complicated, but in its context as the went for the happy ending but came night’s closing number, it sounded off trite, skittering between his own like a victory lap. material and sickly sweet remixes of Not all reunions were so success- Top 40 staples. Early on, he played ful. A quick count of skull-and-bones a cloying flip of Rihanna’s “B**** 10 Cloverfield Lane: tank-tops suggested that Saturday’s Better Have My Money,” and when Guns N’ Roses set was the most an- Rih herself trotted out toward the end ticipated of the weekend. So while for “We Found Love,” it was clear the band surprised just about every- just how much more powerful the Another J.J. Abrams Mystery body by taking the stage on time, real thing can be. by Sabrina Rueckner Elizabeth Winstead) who’s franti- tease). For a lot of people, though, Axl, Slash, and co. didn’t find any- One of the interesting dynamics cally packing and rushing out the the Abrams signature, the shared thing resembling a groove for the at Coachella this year was how the Before we get started, let’s get door of her apartment. Whatever the tone, and the publicity machine’s half-dozen songs. It certainly didn’t festival morphed from one thing to one thing straight. If you’re the type reason, she needs to leave and she veiled come-on may be enough to help that Rose was confined to a another as the sun disappeared. The of spoiler-averse moviegoer who needs to leave fast. She drives into get them to fork over their ten bucks throne—furnished by Dave Grohl, to late afternoon and early evening slots has a tendency to write angry letters the night, gets into a terrible car ac- and roll the dice. But will they get be fair—since breaking his foot dur- included some of the happiest, breez- to the editor or hammer out irate, cident, and wakes up in what looks their money’s worth? ing a warm-up gig in Los Angeles. iest sets on the docket from Court- CAPS LOCK comments below re- like a concrete cellar. She’s got an Directed by first-time feature But the problems ran deeper than a ney Barnett, Gary Clark Jr., and the views, do us both a favor and just I.V. drip injected into her arm, but filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg, the lack of gyration, and aside from the 1975, whose singer Matty Healy stop reading now. Seriously. I’m this is definitely not a hospital. And, film puts Goodman’s twitchy How- novelty of seeing the principals to- wryly tried to remind the crowd that not really planning on spilling su- oh yeah, she’s also chained to the ard, Winstead’s skeptical Michelle, gether again, the marathon show left they were more fortunate than nearly per-important plot points here, or wall. She’s someone’s prisoner. Be- and a third bunker dweller (John plenty to be desired. everyone on Earth to be able to af- telegraphing any surprise third-act fore you can say Room II (or Saw Gallagher, Jr.’s Emmet, a young Ice Cube, who played immediately ford wristbands—but the happiness twists (if, in fact, there are surprise VII), in walks John Goodman, with handyman neighbor of Howard’s) before Guns on the main stage, was was baked in so deeply by that point third-act twists). But let’s just agree a tray of food in his hands and a gun into a claustrophobic subterranean somewhere in between—more natu- that his reality bomb was simply met that if your potential enjoyment of on his hip. He tells her that he’s not space waiting for a sign that all ral and still more adaptive than the with raucous cheers. 10 Cloverfield Lane rests on know- her jailer, but her savior. He pulled is clear back on the surface. But bronzed rockers, yet not quite as vital Savages may be the best guitar- ing as little as possible going in, her out of the wreckage. He also ex- slowly, Michelle and Emmet find as LCD. It can be easy to forget how driven rock band in the world right then go on over to some of the other plains that she can’t leave because holes in Howard’s story. For the re- anarchic N.W.A. was. Straight Outta now, but it also may be the least fit fine article. Okay? Okay. there’s been some sort of terrorist cord, everything I’ve just described Compton, last year’s surprise hit to play a major music festival. Sav- Disclaimers like the one above are chemical attack, or nuclear Arma- takes place in the first-third of the biopic about the L.A. rap pioneers, ages is all dark, all the time, a band getting to be a bit of a habit with J.J. geddon unleashed by the Russians, movie. But I think it would be rude touched most of the bullet points: that seemingly has to question itself Abrams productions, like Lost, Star or, who knows, maybe it’s a Mar- to say any more, not because the terrified record executives, pompous when life is going good. Guitars go Trek: Into Darkness, Star Wars: The tian invasion. studio would prefer it that way, but family-values activists, and cease- left, then right and then distort any Force Awakens, and now this one. Seriously, stop reading here if you because the small handful of thrills and-desist letters from the FBI that sense of place while settling into a The man has constructed his cult don’t want to know more… in 10 Cloverfield Lane are of the only served to fuel the publicity ma- cutthroat pace. So a sunny Southern around mystery. And he seems to What happens next doesn’t have jump-scare variety. They work best chine. But Cube, who opened to a California event such as Coachella get off on making us all complicit in very much to do with Abrams and when you don’t see them coming. massive crowd that was undoubtedly is generally at odds with what Sav- his secrets. Not that I have a prob- Matt Reeves’ stealthy found-foot- The movie doesn’t have anything expecting an appearance from Dr. ages is putting forth. No worries, as lem with that. Writing a spoiler-free age monster mash from eight years deeper on its mind than shouting Dre for a rumored N.W.A. reunion, the band made Coachella its own review is simple enough (if a little ago. Abrams himself has cryptically “Boo!” But sometimes a well-timed was the engine of those breakthrough private playground, performing a limiting). Plus, I’m a believer that referred to 10 Cloverfield Lane as “Boo!” can be enough. After all, records, and his performance was a 50-minute set full of torrential gui- there’s nothing more satisfying than merely a “blood relative” of 2008’s it’s why they still make jack in the potent reminder of why they helped tars, with sauntering basslines and walking into a movie theater know- Cloverfield, and thankfully, that boxes. shine a light on Compton in the acrobatic vocals that have a ques- ing next-to-nothing about the film doesn’t include a similar first-per- For a rookie director, Trachten- first place. N.W.A.’s MC Ren and tion-everything attitude. Older tracks you’re about to see and getting the son shaky cam M.O. But apart from berg appears to be a real craftsman, DJ Yella joined Cube onstage for such as “Husbands” were borderline rug pulled out from under. Abrams’ a similar what-is-happening air of even if what he’s crafting doesn’t “Straight Outta Compton,” “Dope- sing-alongs, but not many can chant latest film, the quasi-/semi-/kinda-/ anxiety, you have to squint to con- add up to as much as you hope it man,” and “F tha Police,” all of in time to a song whose goal is to not really-sequel to 2008’s Clover- nect it to the Cloverfield universe will. Like Shyamalan’s Signs, it’s which highlight his supernaturally put authority through the wringer. field is a decent enough rug. It’s apart from the fact that it’s arrived 90 minutes of anticipation – menac- colorful writing. Even without Dre, Newer tracks such as “Adore” flirted lean, and tense, and moves with fast at the multiplex with next to no ad- ing trap-setting that leads to a big the set as a whole, had the feeling of with balladry, but bassist Ayse Has- precision. Still, it’s not as scary as vance warning. (Then again, there pay-off that is well staged but also a a breezy, informal reunion: O’Shea san kept the rhythms predatory, and you want it to be may be connecting threads that I’m little anticlimactic and hokey. In the Jackson Jr., who starred as his father Gemma Thompson made sure her The movie opens with a young not willing to divulge…Abrams end, I wished there was a better pay- in Straight Outta Compton, helped guitar lines sliced through any sense woman named Michelle (Mary isn’t the only one who can be a off to warrant all the great mystery. out with the verses on “Dopeman,” of complacency. Listeners were sup- and Snoop Dogg dropped by for “Go portive but on edge. As lead singer to Church” and “The Next Episode.” Jehnny Beth said, “We don’t like Even Cube’s duet with Common was your money. We don’t like your fun in the kitschiest way—how else soul.” That’s a message as opposed do you bury a decades-old hatchet to Coachella as there possibly can be, but to shill for your new Barbershop but Savages weren’t here to fit in. movie? “I wanna peer over the edge,” Outside of the legacy acts, the big- Grimes sang in the opening num- gest draws in Indio this year were the ber of her late Saturday evening set EDM superstars. What can you say at Coachella. Then for the next 50 about a show where the impromptu minutes, she and three dancers ran marching band becomes an after- through nine highly kinetic songs thought? Major Lazer played Sunday that toyed with pop’s boundaries. to a sea of college-aged fans, throw- While as thrillingly relentless as any

Photos from Google Images Entertainment

of Coachella’s more traditional electronic- driven dance acts, Grimes’ songs never stop flirting with unpredictability. Her upper-register voice wafted in the Indio desert wind one mo- ment, and then she’d fall to the ground to let out a hair-raising, punk-rock worthy howl the next. Meanwhile, an upbeat guitar clashed with frantic beats and placed an optimistic spin on her de- termined, don’t-back-down vocals. Grimes also had a tough gig. She was Coachella’s main coun- ter-programming to headliners Guns N’ Roses. Still, placed in Coachella’s mid-size dance tent, Grimes easily filled it and had an adoring crowd that was clearly ready for more. She even apolo- gized for the set being so short. But she made the most of the time she had, performing in front of a backdrop that at times flashed a drawing of presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and bring- ing out like-minded genre-bending artist Janelle Monae for the wickedly off-kilter “Venus Fly,” where synthesizers stuttered and stopped and the voices of the two singers skidded around a bass that was equally as slippery. “Scream,” with a guest rap from young Taiwanese artist Aristo- phanes, was the rare Coachella moment that felt borderline dangerous. When Grimes wails, you stop and take notice, a skill she shares with the leader of the band that was over on the main stage. And it was another California up-and-comer who won legions of fans at the Mojave tent on Sunday. Anderson .Paak, who was introduced to many as the featured player on Dr. Dre’s Comp- ton: A Soundtrack, took the stage alongside his band, the Free Nationals, and put on the kind of show he’s been honing for years under the radar and for which he’s already earned a hand- ful of nationally-televised gigs. The setlist was anchored by songs from this year’s Malibu and earlier solo work, but it also featured the day’s most rewarding guest when T.I. came to the stage to play the artists’ collaboration, “Come Down,” and proceeded to run through his own “Bring Em Out” and “About the Money”. The festival’s most eagerly awaited guest star for many fans was Kesha, who joined Zedd on Saturday to sing “True Colors.” Excepting court appearances, it marked the embattled singer’s first public appearance in months. There was a sizable number of fans who wore Kesha-related clothing throughout the day, be it concert merch or homemade “FREE KESHA” uniforms. She didn’t comment on her legal war with Dr. Luke and Sony during her time onstage, but the ap- pearance marked a redemptive moment, how- ever brief. Despite volatile acts like Death Grips finding their way onto the bill, the weekend’s real politi- cal charge came courtesy of a rap duo. Run the Jewels was introduced by Bernie Sanders, whose relationship with Killer Mike has spawned not just a multi-part video interview series, but the first job for an Atlanta rapper in the spin room of a presidential debate. But Mike and El-P, whose music remains tailor-made for the festival for- mat, weren’t content with relying on the Ver- mont senator’s star power. They also brought out Nas, who is nominally the group’s label boss as the head of Mass Appeal Records. The Queens legend played his 2002 single “Made You Look,” which revealed itself as something of a template for RTJ’s in-your-face hip-hop. But Coachella’s truly show-stopping rap per- formance came from someone a little closer to the desert. Long Beach native Vince Staples continues to make a name for himself as not only one of the best young rappers in the world, but as a personality colorful enough to rival anyone in the genre. The backbone of his live show is razor-sharp street rap; after a surprisingly moving performance of the slow, sung “Sum- mertime” from last year’s Summertime ‘06, he cracked that “the trash” was out of the way and skipped to his two up-tempo modern classics, “Norf Norf” and “Blue Suede.” When people talk about Coachella, especially in the last couple of years, they tend to focus on age: How are there AC/DC fans and Drake fans in the same campsite? Who wants to see Calvin Harris and Guns N’ Roses? And while a contingent of drugged-up humans who need to be at every set definitely exists, the prevailing mood—the one that keeps this massive event from spinning out of control—is one of calm remove. Maybe it’s the oppressive sun, but Coachella succeeded this year for letting excit- ing acts coexist without friction or ideological sparring. You could roll your eyes at the whole thing as a corporate behemoth, but it’s one of the few events of its kind that artists seems genuinely happy to be at, and that feeling can be contagious.

Photos from Google Images