Kendrick’s halftime performance, restaurants preparing for ICE raids, and tariffs on aluminum and steel
plus, Doechii’s latest
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s your newsletter team Lauren, Eli, Lesly, Mason, Sam, Gia, Annabelle, Ellie and Nupur. We’ve got a good one for you today.
Today, we have the 200th edition of ‘In the Loop’! Beginning in 2020 as a COVID-19 newsletter, it has evolved into a quick and easy way for students, faculty and anyone else in the Chicago area to get news, directly in their inbox. In celebration, we are introducing a new section: International Headlines! Similar to other sections, this will be a round-up of headlines from around the globe. Gia Clarke will be our first reporter to take on this section.
To start, we have a review of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show. Then, we have information on DePaul’s Innovation Day last month, a COVID-19 monument to be built in Chicago, the USAID freeze and the postponing of hostage releases in Gaza by Hamas. To wrap up, we have information on the National Museum of Mexican Art’s annual “Anti-Valentine’s Day Party” and a review of Doechii’s Grammy-winning album, “Alligator Bites Never Heal.”
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With that, let’s get into it!
My thoughts, speculations and takeaways from Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance
By Eli Smith
It’s been nearly a year since Kendrick Lamar landed his first public blow against Drake on “Like That,” subsequently beginning one of the most important feuds in the history of hip-hop. Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show should not only be the beef’s grand finale, but a reminder of why he went to war with the Canadian superstar in the first place. It was a perfect embodiment of the culture Lamar intends to protect from artists like Drake: those who he feels have colonized the artform and the culture he holds dear. It was also a reminder that hip-hop is American culture, that the voices of Black Americans refuse to be silenced in the current political climate and that despite his commercial success, Lamar will always find a way to make a grand statement through his music.
While his final jabs at Drake are going to be dominating headlines and clogging your Instagram feeds for the next week, the beef is not what made this performance so important. With that in mind, let’s get the most noteable Drake disses from the night out of the way now.
Lamar’s co-headliner was SZA, who has famously been romantically involved with Drake. After performing their biggest commercial collaboration “All the Stars,” Lamar launched into “Not Like Us,” a track which some were unsure he would be allowed to play on national television due to the predatory accusations it throws at his rival. He proceeded to not only call out Drake by name with a sly, memeable grin directly into the camera, but he got the entire stadium to scream the infamous “A-minor” line with him. Oh, and who did Lamar decide to bring out right after this scream of support from the crowd? Serena Williams, the tennis legend and fellow Compton native who is yet another one of Drake’s exes. Someone should probably check on Drake after watching his biggest rival, two of his most well-respected exes and the entire crowd of Super Bowl LIX celebrated his downfall on national television.
With all that being said, I think Lamar knew that this performance needed to be about much more than his petty hatred for Drake. However, weaving an artistically enticing and politically charged narrative into an event driven on commercial success like the halftime show is a seemingly impossible task. Unsurprisingly, Lamar made the impossible look easy.
Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Uncle Sam welcomed us to the “great American game,” but this game was absolutely not the Super Bowl. The layout of the stage was set up to resemble a PlayStation controller, leading me to believe that the game in question was instead the American habit of capitalizing on the success of Black artists while simultaneously vilifying them and suppressing their basic human rights. Uncle Sam has been a prevalent figure in Lamar’s discography, serving as one of his main antagonists on his politically charged 2015 masterpiece “To Pimp a Butterfly.” Given the current administration and Lamar’s history of calling out President Donald Trump on tracks like “XXX,” it’s not a far reach to label this performance as a call to action.
A more prevalent artistic motif in Lamar’s recent work is the use of red and blue clothing to signify Lamar’s efforts to unify different gangs in L.A. through his music. As dancers dressed in monochromatic red and blue outfits filled the stage, just as many came out dressed in all white. While this absolutely served as a reference to Lamar’s Grammy winning video for “Not Like Us,” it allowed the dancers to form a makeshift American flag for the performance of Lamar’s hit “HUMBLE.” It’s hard to see this as anything but Lamar calling out Trump. While standing in the middle of the flag, Lamar implores listeners to sit down and be humble. In other words, he demands that we understand our place as a singular part of a larger society, one that depends on its leaders to humbly serve the interests of all American citizens.
I understand that this does not fully encapsulate how nuanced, powerful and culturally significant this performance was. You may be sick of seeing Lamar’s name in the news, but keep reading about the performance. If all you know is “Not Like Us,” listen to the rest of his discography. Lamar is arguably the most important artist of his generation, and it isn’t just because he really, REALLY hates Drake. It’s because his lyrics, his performances and his artistic identity are intentionally crafted to uplift Black culture and create change. It’s game over between Lamar and Drake, but I think Lamar is ready to continue his fight against hegemonic power structures within the country he has proudly represented for the past year.
DePaul News
By Lesly Fernandez
DePaul celebrates 6th annual Innovation Day — DePaul held their 6th annual Innovation Day on January 31 with faculty, staff, students and community partners in attendance. The theme of the night highlighted research and creative activities at DePaul addressing pressing issues both in and outside of Chicago. The event included four panel presentations inviting faculty researchers into conversation with community partners and a presentation by keynote speaker Andrea Sáenz, President and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust. DePaul Newsline has more here.
DePaul earns NetVUE Grant — DePaul University was awarded a $40,000 grant in December from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) to begin “refounding” its institutional and educational mission. The process — which will begin this month — is meant to be part of the broader Designing DePaul project. This is DePaul’s second NetVUE grant following one in 2016. DePaul Newsline has more here.
Queer Prom to be held this Thursday — The LGBTQIA+ Resource Center, Spectrum and DePaul’s Student Government Association are teaming up to host Queer Prom this Thursday. The event will take place on the Lincoln Park Campus in DePaul’s Student Center, suite 120A/B from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This year's theme is “Frozen in Time” to celebrate and commemorate queer history. More information on the event can be found on DeHub.
Chicago Headlines
By Mason McKee
Chicago restaurants prepare for ICE raids — As many Chicagoans brace for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids President Donald Trump has said will be conducted in Chicago, restaurant workers are already prepared on what to do if ICE agents come knocking on their doors. According to the National Restaurant Association, 21% of workers were born outside the United States. Nearly one million undocumented workers are employed in restaurants as well, according to the Center for Migration Studies. This makes restaurants particularly vulnerable to ICE raids. In response, workers are beginning to spread a toolkit that includes details on what to do if they are approached by ICE. Owners are even beginning to keep fliers and binders with what to do in places like the kitchens and front-of-house, and are advising their employees to carry cards that have their rights on it. Information on where ICE can go in a restaurant is being made available as well: the agents can enter the areas available to customers as they are public spaces, but anywhere like an employee room or kitchen is only accessible if they have a warrant or are given permission by the owner. Many employees and customers are now scared to go to these restaurants because of the risk of potential raids. Even people with documentation are not showing up out of fear they may be targeted for being a darker skin color or having an accent. You can read more about this in the article by Zareen Syed of the Chicago Tribune.
Global COVID-19 monument to be built in Chicago — A monument that honors the victims and front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is to be built and could be finished by the end of the year. The monument, which is to be built in the Illinois Medical District at 2023 W. Ogden Ave., is to be made up of five illuminated sculptures that are rising up from the ground and are meant to look like a blend between a dandelion and the COVID-19 virus. The designer of the monument, Casey Schachner, is a sculptor and art professor at Georgia Southern University. The purpose of the design was to be unifying and even uplifting. “It felt significant both in its visual representation but also what it means. It is technically still a weed, very resilient, but you can have a positive spin on it, too. It was fascinating to discover how many healing properties there are of dandelions globally,” Schachner said. There is also a virtual Memory Garden where people can make a donation starting at $20 and upload an image and text for someone who worked on the frontlines or died during the pandemic. You can read more about this in the article by Joanna Marszałek of the Chicago Sun-Times.
City seeks proposals for new gun violence detection system — Mayor Brandon Johnson is seeking proposals from vendors for a new system to replace ShotSpotter, which the city ended its contract with at the end of last year. The Request for Proposals will run until April 11, with a “pre-solicitation conference” being held on February 19 at the Chicago Police Department Headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan Ave., for potential bidders. Although the technology had its supporters, many critics, including Johnson, have likened the system to being “walkie-talkies on a stick.” Johnson even expressed his criticism of such technologies at a town hall event last week. “Technology, in and of itself, doesn’t stop crime,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t. It just alerts you.” In a statement the city released, it says it would only consider proposals that would “enable [the Chicago Police Department] to detect instances of violent crime, in order to expedite response times, improve the likelihood of obtaining forensic evidence, and enable the rapid deployment of first aid for victims.” You can read more about this in the article by Quinn Myers and Mack Liederman of Block Club Chicago.
National Headlines
By Sam Freeman
Trump to impose sweeping tariffs on steel and aluminum — President Trump plans to implement a 25% tariff on foreign steel and aluminum on Monday, a policy that could hurt American industries and ignite trade wars with allies. Domestic steelmakers, who say they’re struggling to compete with foreign metals, welcome the tariff. Canada and Mexico supply the bulk of U.S. metal imports; a tariff could create retaliation on U.S. products, as well as resistance from other American industries that use foreign metals to manufacture cars, pack food and other products. That’s what happened during Trump’s first term, when he first implemented 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. Former President Joe Biden rolled back those tariffs, replacing them with other trade barriers. Studies showed that the tariff, while beneficial to U.S. metal makers, hurt the broader U.S. economy. Ana Swanson of the New York Times has more information.
Almost two dozen states sue Trump and his team for halting medical research funding — Attorneys general from 22 states collectively filed a lawsuit on Monday to halt the Trump administration from cutting funding for medical and public medical research at universities nationwide. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement: “This reduction in funding would seriously threaten the future of this research. If you’ve ever wished for a cure, for better treatment options, for yourself or a loved one, this should feel personal.” Some universities currently receive 50% or more of the amount of a grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to put toward staff and other needs, but that amount would be restricted to 15%. The suit also said the reduction in funding would cost jobs. Michael Casey of the Associated Press has more information.
Federal court blocks Trump’s from sending three migrants to Guantanamo — A federal court in New Mexico temporarily blocked the Trump administration from sending three Venezuelan men to Guantanamo Bay. This is the first legal hurdle the Trump administration has faced as it seeks to send thousands of migrants to a detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. According to court documents, three men in custody of immigration officials submitted a motion seeking a temporary restraining order to block their transfer, fearing they “fit precisely the profile” of those who had already been transferred. New Mexico Judge Kenneth Gonzales approved the motion Sunday night. Several immigration lawyers are concerned that moving people off the U.S. mainland will limit legal access and due process. "It is unlawful for our government to use Guantánamo as a legal black hole, yet that is exactly what the Trump administration is doing," Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said. Ximena Bustillo of NPR has more information.
Volunteers track what’s been lost in the USAID freeze — President Trump’s decision to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has caused aid agencies to sound the alarm. Humanitarian organizations warn that the situation in Gaza could get worse if assistance is delayed there. Jesse Marks, the senior advocate for the Middle East at Refugees International said: “These are like the front-line defense when it comes to humanitarian challenges and providing humanitarian needs. These are the people who are managing field hospitals, who are actually distributing the aid, getting it from Point A to Point B.” USAID has been a major funder of support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The pause in USAID funding could have detrimental effects. Chantal Da Silva of NBC News has more.
International Headlines
By Gia Clarke
Hamas postpones hostage release — According to a spokesperson for the armed wing of Hamas, they plan on postponing releasing hostages because he said Israel was violating the ceasefire deal. Abu Obeida said the violations included delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to the North, firing at people with guns and failing to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) "to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the communities.” BBC’s Raffi Berg and Ruth Comerford have more information.
Strongest earthquake yet hits Santorini — Santorini was hit by a shallow 5.3 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful earthquake to strike Santorini during recent seismic activity in the area. A magnitude of 6 or higher is considered severe. Santorini has been having an increase in seismic activity since January, and more than 12,800 quakes have been detected. No injuries have been reported since the earthquakes have started, but more than 11,000 people have left the island. The quakes are a result of tectonic plates shifting, not volcanic activity. According to Kostas Papazachos, a professor of seismology at the Aristotle University of Thessalonki, the possibility of a major earthquake hasn’t been completely ruled out. BBC’s Nikos Papanikolaou and Robert Greenall have more information.
Colombia deforestation in 2024 among lowest levels in years — According to Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, deforestation in Colombia in 2024 is still forecast to be among the lowest levels in more than two decades. Deforestation fell by more than a third to just over 792 square kilometers (305 square miles) in 2023, down from around 1,235 square kilometers in 2022. Muhamad was warned that the success of 2023’s low level of deforestation was unlikely to be repeated due to drought and a breakdown in talks with dissident rebels, who the government accuses of fueling illegal logging, road building and cattle ranching. Oliver Griffin of Reuters has more information.
ICC judges look into Italy’s release of Libyan fugitive — Judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are investigating if Italy’s release of a Libyan military officer wanted for war crimes breaches the court’s statute. Last week, Italy’s Justice Minister Carlo Nordio said Rome had no choice but to free ICC suspect Osama Elmasry Njeem because of what he described as mistakes and inaccuracies in the court’s warrant. Njeem was suspected of murder, torture and rape of detainees in Libya. His release created outrage amongst Italian opposition parties and triggered a legal investigation into Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Reuters has more information.
14 East Pueblo: Youth group Yollocalli holds annual “Anti-Valentine’s Day Party”
By Annabelle Rivera
The National Museum of Mexican Art’s youth program Yollocalli Arts Reach held its annual “Anti-Valentine’s Day Party” for people ages 14-25 last Friday.
This year’s event had a masquerade theme and attendees were able to participate in mask-making at the museum. There was also a ball gown party, according to the youth advisory council, along with food, music, art workshops and sexual health information.
The annual event provides a safe space for young adults to learn about topics that are usually considered taboo, like sexual and mental health. The organization says its goal is to give young adults the tools they need to take care of their health and to make educated decisions on what’s best for them.
“We want people to be educated, because there’s this kind of fear and stigma even within our own community,” Aliya Segura, a member of the youth advisory council, told Block Club Chicago “Some people don’t know about sexual health, but sexual health also speaks to reproductive health.”
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Ellie Shelton
I never quite considered myself a rap fan. Having grown up on Biggie, Tupac, Eazy-E and countless other old-school hip-hop artists, I found it difficult to find new music that I genuinely loved. However, in recent months, I’ve found myself playing Tyler, the Creator’s “Chromakopia” and Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” on repeat, yearning for more good lyricism and catchy beats that I haven’t come across in years.
If you are anything like me, Lamar’s halftime show last night has done nothing but exacerbate your constant need for good rap. Fortunately, the winner of this year’s Best Rap Album at the Grammy’s provides the perfect remedy.
Doechii, the third female rapper to ever win the prestigious award, has taken the world by storm with her most recent mixtape, “Alligator Bites Never Heal”. Skyrocketed into stardom, the rapper has received endless praise for hits such as “NISSAN ALTIMA” and “DENIAL IS A RIVER.”
As soon as I heard the rapper’s explosive feature on Tyler, the Creator’s “Balloon,” I knew Doechii would be a standout artist during the award season. Within days of hearing “Balloon” I found myself paying “Alligator Bites Never Heal” on repeat and never stopped. With witty lyricism and syncopated beats, Doechii had cemented herself as one of my top artists of the new year.
“DENIAL IS A RIVER” was the track that originally introduced me to Doechii’s new album. A standout in a no-skip album, the simple and melodic beat behind Doechii’s anxious lyricism pairs for a catchy tune for all the angry, panicked and fed-up women — myself included. The song has become an anthem for my friends and I, the ultimate hype-up track for our bad days, our parties and everything in between.
As the album’s lead single, “NISSAN ALTIMA” offers clever lyrics that prove easy to sing along to after the first listen. The song takes the listener through Doechii’s exploration of her bisexuality — listen closely to hear a number of gay culture references throughout the rhythmic verses. The song’s catchiness alone is enough to get fans on their feet within the first beat. Doechii’s ability to pair witty lyrics with a 90’s hip-hop style beat makes her an incredible standout in the world of rap right now.
The most impressive part of Doechii’s newest album is its versatility. Need a slow track to help you wind down after a long day? Reach for “HIDE N SEEK” or “BLOOM” showcasing Doechii’s honeyed vocals. Looking for a hype-up with the girls before a night out? “NISSAN ALTIMA” will offer you catchy lyrics to scream all while messing up your eyeliner for the third time that night. The mixtape ebbs and flows to offer listeners a complete listening experience while offering variation to keep you on your toes.
Recently, as many college seniors do, I’ve found myself hitting creative walls left and right. My solution? “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” Doechii’s passionate rapping and intense lyrics provide just enough excitement and groove to spur my creativity when I need it most. No matter the problem, Doechii is there to help. I urge readers to listen to the album in full: listen to Doechii’s scintillating lyricism paired with old-school rap beats and join me in basking in the world of the Swamp Princess.
Resources
Need resources regarding cooling centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team