Most of us recognize music genres like metal, rock, hip-hop, pop, garage, folk, ballads, and traditional or culturally based music. ARIRANG took new and maybe some seasoned listeners to a whole different level, specifically Hooligan. I have to say, for me, listening to the album was and still is an innovative back-to-the-future creation.

The phrase “drop it lower than chopped and screwed” captures the essence of a hip-hop genre that has shaped musical culture.

For new BTS listeners, this is probably their first experience with a unique sound rooted in a region with deep historical roots in the South. The group is definitely known for using trap over the years, as well as a few other styles. The idea to reintroduce a regional Black Southern hip-hop technique to a global audience was an amazing decision.

BTS’s “Hooligan” is a creative and innovative venture — musically, visually, and lyrically. It deliberately breaks structure, bends genre, and weaponizes chaos as an artistic identity. ~ poplyrics

The Fusion we experience in the Hooligan track connects Houston’s rich legacy with K-pop’s expansive reach, creating a powerful cultural narrative. The chopped and screwed technique involves slowing down a song’s tempo to craft a hypnotic, extended rhythmic foundation, enhancing the lyrics and storytelling. Pioneered by DJ Screw in Houston, who tragically passed away in 2000, this style has become a cornerstone of the hip-hop scene, echoing Southern influences.

While BTS doesn’t use DJ Screw’s traditional method—like a full 60 BPM slowdown or extensive chopping—they clearly draw from the aesthetic. Their work features: Slowed vocals, Lowered pitch, Echoing repeats, and Dragged-out transitions. For many, this is might be their first experience with anything resembling chopped and screwed music. This is a back-to-the-future strategy that has and continues to keep everyone leaning forward

In Houston, it’s a whole culture

Chopped and Screwed is everywhere —

• mixtapes
• car culture
• local radio
• DJ Screw’s legacy
• The Screwed Up Click

If you were in Houston, it wasn’t a trend; it was daily life.

Thank you, DJ Screw, for influencing both local and global music!

Connecting Houston’s legacy to K‑pop’s global reach. That’s a huge cultural loop.

Update:

So, after listening to others discuss tracks from ARIRANG… I had to dive deeper into the

Glitch`trap as a cross‑continental hybrid fusion from

• Southern U.S. trap rhythms

• Japanese/German glitch sound design

• Modern global pop production

We recognize the sound: it’s familiar (trap) but also broken, warped, and digital (glitch).

Glitch‑trap production — The track fuses aggressive trap percussion with distorted basslines and glitch-hop textures. Music Analysts describe it as “organized sonic mayhem” built to feel unruly but engineered with precision.

Did you know that while K‑pop didn’t invent glitch‑trap, it turned it into a recognizable, polished, mainstream style — something the U.S. opted out of. K-pop has been using the G/Trap sound for over a decade. It didn’t become a recognizable sound until the mid-2010s, and it didn’t become mainstream until the late 2000s

For many listeners, including older folks like myself, this might be our first exposure to anything resembling Glitch-trap, Chopped and Screwed, and other genres put together so creatively! I don’t know about you … but I might have heard it back in the day, didn’t like it, but it feels different now … which has to do with technique and application …

ARIRANG might symbolize a BTS journey, maybe not. What is quite obvious is that we have our own opinions about this album; we must listen to the words they express to their fans, and continue to be open to . In my opinion, the amalgamation of several genres creates a puzzle made up of different pieces of Korean identity, global influence, and personal storytelling. The magic is that the pieces interlock—they don’t clash.

Thanks to BTS!

The Issue

Bryce Jones ~ Petition Starter

For many of us living on the southwest side of Chicago, the daily challenges we face are growing. We are grappling with increased living costs and punitive policies. Under the current administration, I, like many others, felt the harsh realities of life under stringent immigration policies, with ICE raids affecting our community deeply. And now, with rising gas prices because of a failed vanity war, making ends meet is more challenging than ever. We propose to launch a winning vanity war.

We propose a tribute to a figure who stands for hope and change, Barack Hussein Obama. By renaming Wabash Ave in Chicago to Barack Hussein Obama Ave, we would honor him at the time of his presidential center’s opening. This move resonates with hope and progress, uniting us in the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.

But more importantly, the renaming carries symbolic weight, as it alters the official address of Trump Tower to Obama Ave. This would send a small message about the values we uphold as a city, those of inclusivity, resilience, and forward-thinking change, and fighting back in any way possible.

We call on Mayor Brandon Johnson and all city council members to consider this proposal seriously, reflecting the community’s voice and aspirations. Please sign this petition to show your support for renaming Wabash Ave to Barack Hussein Obama Ave, and let us immortalize hope, progress, and small acts of resistance in our cityscape.

Follow the progress with us @401NorthObama everywhere 

Bryce Jones~ Petition Starter

“The historical record shows that European colonial powers, Zionist leadership, the UN, the US, and NATO-aligned states each pursued political agendas that converged into the destruction of Palestinian society. Many members of Congress — across parties and religions — have supported policies that enabled this outcome.”

NATO as an institution did not design the displacement of Palestinians, but NATO member states (the US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, etc.) have been central to the military, diplomatic, and economic power structure that protected Israel from accountability.

They armed Israel

funded Israel

vetoed UN resolutions

provided diplomatic protection

blocked sanctions

framed Israel as a Western strategic asset

treated Palestinian resistance as a “security threat”

Britain created the system.

The UN legitimized it.

Zionist institutions carried out the displacement.

The US protected it.

France and Germany financed and reinforced it as a moral obligation.

This was not a single coordinated plan — but multiple state agendas converging into the same outcome.

6–8 NATO countries consistently take positions critical of Israeli policy.

These include: Turkey, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, and sometimes Portugal.

Source: The internet and ai research for information

Dr. George Logan of Pennsylvania attempted to normalize relations with France. He entered into negotiations with France, without authorization, in the hopes of resuming normal relations. In 1799, Congress passed legislation outlawing such contacts between foreign governments and private individuals. The law remains in the books to this day.

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In early 1807, a British squadron was stationed off the coast of Virginia. They were there primarily to intercept French frigates, which had taken refuge in Annapolis, Maryland. From time to time, the British vessels made use of American port facilities. British sailors were constantly deserting their ships. This became a major irritant to the British. Three deserters were said to have enlisted on the American naval frigate “Chesapeake.” The British protested, and the Secretary of Navy ordered an inquiry. This inquiry confirmed that three deserters from the “Melampus” had indeed enlisted on the “Chesapeake,” but it was determined that the sailors were Americans who had been illegally impressed. This was transmitted to the British, and the matter seemed to be at an end.

Nevertheless, the British commander in charge of the North Atlantic issued an order to search the “Chesapeake” for deserters, if the ship were encountered at sea. The “Chesapeake” was commanded by Captain Charles Gordon, and had Commodore Barron on board. On June 22, the ship departed from Hampton Roads, headed for the Mediterranean Sea. At 3:30 p.m., the British frigate the “Leopard” came down before the wind. The crew hailed the “Chesapeake,” stating that it had dispatches for the Commodore Barron. Barron replied “We will heave to and you can send your boat on board of us.” At 3:45 p.m., the “Leopard’s” Lieutenant Meade arrived with the following note demanding that the British deserters be turned over.

Since the deserters from the Melampus were not on the list submitted, Captain Gordon believed that his assurance would suffice, and sent back a stern reply to the British.

After the British officer had departed, Barron showed the notes to his other officers. While he felt that the matters was closed, he realized that some show of strength was appropriate. Therefore, Barron ordered Gordon to clear the gun deck. Unfortunately, it took 30 minutes to prepare the “Chesapeake” for battle, and the British officer returned to the ship only five minutes later. Barron was hailed. Trying to obtain more time for his crew, Barron replied that he did not understand. The “Leopard” then fired two shots across the “Chesapeake’s” bow, followed by whole broadside at nearly point blank range. The “Leopard then poured two more broadsides into the “Chesapeake,” while it was still unready to respond. Commodore Barron then ordered the flag to be struck. Several British officers then came aboard and seized the three Americans deserters from the Melampus. They also found a true British deserter, named Jenkin Ratford, who was serving under an assumed name. Ratford was later hanged.

The attack on the “Chesapeake” stirred America into a war fervor. If anyone but Jefferson had been President, this incident would probably have been enough to begin a war.

About

American history and world history can be found at historycental- History’s home on the web. Explore our complete time lines of major events in American history as well as World History. Research our special sections on diverse subjects ranging from presidential elections to naval history.

Whatever aspect of history you wish learn about, you will find it at

Source: Historycentral.com

Following a seemingly routine burglary, five men were arrested at the National Democratic Headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C.

However, subsequent investigations revealed the burglars were actually agents hired by the Committee for the Re-election of President Richard Nixon.

A long chain of events then followed in which the president and top aides became involved in an extensive cover-up of this and other White House-sanctioned illegal activities, eventually leading to the resignation of President Nixon on August 9, 1974.

Sources: britannica.com, wiki