McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

From left, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg perform during halftime of Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13 2022, in Inglewood, California.

Review: 50 years, 50 rappers

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor August 31, 2023

2023 marks the 50 year anniversary of the most listened to genre in America. Born in clubs and DJ booths in The Bronx in New York City, rap has changed and evolved in many ways over those 50 years.  With...

Throwback Review: The Slim Shady LP by Eminem

Throwback Review: “The Slim Shady LP” by Eminem

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor March 3, 2023

Eminem is undoubtedly the biggest most recognizable artist in rap history, however, he wasn’t always such a powerhouse. Before 1999, he was an unknown battle rapper from Detroit. One album would rocket...

Throwback Review: “The Score” by The Fugees

Throwback Review: “The Score” by The Fugees

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor February 21, 2023

February is host to many significant album releases, but for this throwback review, we at the Messenger thought February 13th, 1996’s “The Score” by Fugees was the best pick. The final album by the...

David Bowies Blackstar, released at the end of his life in 2016, endures as one of his powerful — even in a particularly popular and influential catalog.

Throwback Review: “Blackstar” by David Bowie

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor January 26, 2023

David Bowie is one of the most recognizable and influential artists of all time, and it’s only right that he goes out with a swan song for the ages. Released on Jan. 8, 2016, “Blackstar” is the...

Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak teamed up last year to release the surprise album An Evening With Silk Sonic which is still impressive a year later.

Throwback Review: “Spend the Evening With Silk Sonic” by Silk Sonic

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor December 6, 2022

On March 5, 2021, surprise single “Leave The Door Open” by duo Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars, going by the name “Silk Sonic” was released to absolutely roaring applause. Fans awaited an album...

Kendricks Lamars second studio album good kid, m.A.A.d. city was released on Oct. 22, 2012 by Top Dawg Entertainment.

Throwback Review: “good kid, m.A.A.D. city” by Kendrick Lamar

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor November 21, 2022

Kendrick Lamar has long been considered one of, if not the best rappers and poets of this generation, especially after projects like “To Pimp A Butterfly” and “Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers.”...

Though Green Days Dookie rocketed them into the mainstream — dragging pop-punk from the underground with them — Insomniac showed that there was more to the band than snotty punk-rock stereotypes.

Throwback Review: “Insomniac” by Green Day

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor October 18, 2022

Green Day is arguably the face of the pop punk genre, and at the end of 1994, they were at a career high. That February they released their album “Dookie” which would peak at number 2 on the Billboard...

Bruno Marss 2010 debut combines elements of pop, funk, R&B, rock and other styles to create music both familiar and unlike any other artist before him.

Throwback Review: “Doo Wops And Hooligans” by Bruno Mars

Gabe Santos, Staff Writer October 7, 2022

Bruno Mars has been an iconic figure in pop culture for some time now, having released some of the biggest songs of the past decade, and is one of the loudest voices in pop music, neo soul, and R&B.  However,...

Though the popularity of HBOs Euphoria is due to its dramatic portrayal of teenage addiction, much of its mood is created by its equally dramatic soundrack.

Throwback Review: “Euphoria” by Labrinth

Gabe Santos, Staff Writer October 6, 2022

HBO’s “Euphoria” has been one of the most popular TV shows for the past year. It offers a dramatic interpretation of high school life — but what really sets it apart is the imagery. Gorgeous...

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