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...

Summer is one of the best times to listen to music since the songs we listen to most get tied to the memories we make and adventures we take.

Playlist: Summer sunshine sounds

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 25, 2023

With the 2022-2023 school year coming to an end, everyone is looking forward to the warm weather of summer break. Of course, no summer break is complete without some good music to go along with it,...

All musicians create demos, but most of those demos arent meant for fans to enjoy. Streaming, though, has made it easier for for fans to find demos — and sites like Soundcloud have made it easier for leakers to share demos widely.

Demos, leaks and lost tracks

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 22, 2023

In the digital age it’s easy for music that artists never intended to release to be heard by general audiences. Every so often someone will get a hold of demos or unfinished tracks in mass quantities...

MCHS band Robot Man won the 2023 Battle of the Bands, played at the spring spirit rally and has become popular. The band will be releasing original music soon.

Robotman to drop first release

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 18, 2023

Local darlings Robotman burst onto the scene in early February to roaring applause. The group, composed of junior students Charlie Miller, Coco Levesque, and James Mihevic, would win the Battle Of The...

Messenger Mixtape Track 12: I Know The End by Phoebe Bridgers

Messenger Mixtape Track 12: “I Know The End” by Phoebe Bridgers

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 16, 2023

As the year comes to a close, so does The Mchenry Messenger. As seniors graduate and move on to their lives after high school, it felt right to have a specific theme for this final track on the mixtape...

A persons high school experience is defined in some ways by the music they listen to. Heres a playlist of the songs that defined the experience of the Class of 2023

Playlist: Class Of 2023 Playlist

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 15, 2023

With graduation approaching, The McHenry Messenger sent out a survey to the senior class, asking for the music that acted as a soundtrack to their high school career. We compiled them on this Spotify...

Music has always been an important aspect in the culture of the world, but how has music influenced changes in that culture?

Cultural resets: Moments that changed the focus of popular music

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 2, 2023

Music is an ever evolving, and ever important piece of our culture. We at The Messenger have attempted to mark shifts in the ocean over the course of American musical history. For the purposes of this...

Tyler, The Creator performs on the Frank Stage on the final day of the three-day Day N Vegas hip-hop music festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021.

Review: Everything must remain

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor April 18, 2023

Tyler, The Creator’s “Call Me If You Get Lost,” released in the summer of 2021, would go on to win the Grammy for “Best Rap Album” and would be critically acclaimed upon release.  Many unreleased...

Messenger Mixtape Track 11: “Waterfalls” by TLC

Messenger Mixtape Track 11: “Waterfalls” by TLC

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor April 13, 2023

So far the songs on the Messenger Mixtape have been very diverse. With that being said, we have yet to have a true, straight up R&B song on the playlist. That is until Lydia Lawrence, business...

Messenger Mixtape Track 10: “The Great Gig In The Sky” by Pink Floyd

Messenger Mixtape Track 10: “The Great Gig In The Sky” by Pink Floyd

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor April 6, 2023

Submitted by features editor Alayna Majkrzak, “The Great Gig In The Sky” by Pink Floyd, while obviously a pop culture staple regardless, has seen some recent resurface due to its popularity on...

Cast members pose for photos backstage during MCHS production of The SpongeBob Musical.

Gallery: “The SpongeBob Musical” behind the scenes

Kennedy Tetour, Managing Editor April 5, 2023

MCHS Drama Club put on their production of "The SpongeBob Musical" in early March, inviting audiences of all ages to come witness the bright, fun environment that is Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants. The...

As MCHS is winding down for spring break, The Messenger has put together our top picks for the perfect spring break playlist.

Playlist: Blooming beats

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor March 24, 2023

Spring break is finally here! The last checkpoint before the end of the year, Spring is the time to celebrate the warm weather and make new memories, while also catching a quick breather before the...

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