MC Fall 2020

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Top Albums and Films
During COVID Quarantine
Lady Gaga
(Chromatica)
1.0 million streams
When the stay-at-home orders came into effect, millions of
people found themselves having more time on their hands for
hobbies and relaxation than they did before. Baking pastries
from scratch and interactions with one another on social media
rocketed to create a feeling of getting through this.
Music and online streaming sites weren’t impacted but many
artists and directors took advantage to release their work to
help pass the time and fight for the top ratings on the board.
Here are the top five albums and films of the year so far.
Bad Bunny
(YHLQMDLG)
3.1 million streams
Dua Lipa
(Future Nostalgia)
2.0 million streams
Released on March 27, this is her second studio album that has
a nostalgic pop and disco theme, influenced by the music in her
childhood. “Don’t Start Now” became the lead single for the album and
that was soon joined by “Physical” and “Break my Heart” as the second
and third singles. Her Future Nostalgia Tour begins in January 2021.
The album charted as number one for five consecutive weeks, topping
charts in thirteen countries and the top ten in thirty-one.
Released May 29, Gaga’s sixth studio album was originally
scheduled for April 10th but delayed for seven weeks due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Guest features include Ariana Grande, Elton
John, and K-Pop group Blackpink. The first single “Stupid Love”
peaked top ten over fifteen countries and its second single “Rain
on Me” featuring Grande followed shortly after. The album has
elements of dance-pop and house-pop with house and disco have
influences in the songs. The album peaked at number one for two
consecutive weeks and became her sixth number one album as well
as the fastest-selling album in the United Kingdom.
Movies
Hamilton:
An American Musical
The critically acclaimed Broadway show was released in July
on Disney +. Created by Lin Manuel Miranda, it won eight Drama
Desk Awards and broke a record of 16 nominations and 11 awards
including “Best Musical.” The film is a live stage recording from
three performances, including a one-minute intermission, and has
the original broadway cast, including Miranda himself as Hamilton.
Released on February 29, Reggaeton artist Bad Bunny (Benito
Martinez) dropped his second solo album which features artists like
Daddy Yankee and Jowell Y Randy. The album title, “Yo Hago Lo Que
Me De La Gana”, translates to “I do what I want.” This album debuted
at number two on the Billboard 200, becoming the highest Spanish
album ever on the charts. The album continued to hit charts during
the intense quarantine period. He released a follow-up album “Las
Que No Iban A Salir” translating to “The Ones Who Weren’t Going
Out” in the theme of the ongoing pandemic on May 10. He hosted his
first-ever virtual concert on September 20 based on the album and
celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Weekend
(After Hours)
3.0 million streams
Released March 20, the heavily anticipated album comes four
years after his Starboy album, which is a completely different tone
than many fans were hoping for. The album stayed on the charts for
four consecutive weeks and broke the record for most preorders in
Apple music history. This became his fourth number one album and
reached number one in 20 other countries. His After-Hours tour was
to begin in late 2020 but was delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic.
The top leading singles off the album are “Heartless” and “Blinding
Lights” which have music videos for it as well.
Pop Smoke
(Shoot For The Stars
Aim For The Moon)
1.5 million streams
Pop Smoke, known as Bashar Jackson, was an American rapper
who began his career in 2018 and quickly rose to fame after this
breakout single “Welcome to The Party” in 2019. “Shoot For the
Stars, Aim For the Moon.” released on July 3rd was his debut album
and first posthumous project following his murder on February
19th. A few artists featured are Quavo, DaBaby, Swae Lee, Future,
and 50 cent who executive produced as he was Pop Smoke’s biggest
inspiration. The album debuted number one upon its release and its
deluxe version was released on July 20th, what would’ve been his
21st birthday. Controversy over the cover art was met by fans who
felt the cover by Virgil Abloh was lazy and rushed. 50 Cent posted
over 35 fan-made designs and the final cover was revealed hours
before the release, which was personally chosen by Smoke’s mother.
[image: source Pitchfork], [Image: source theweeknd.com/Republic Records], [Image: source dualipa.com], [Image: source Genius.com], [image source: Time
Magazine], [Image: source Variety], [image source: The Verge], [image source: IndieWire]
Trolls:
World Tour
Sitting at 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, Trolls: World Tour is the
sequel to its 2016 movie, Trolls. Its original release was delayed
to COVID-19 and settled for April 10th, where it was released in
limited theaters and available on digital rental the same day. It
became one of the most successful digital releases, topping the
charts to where Universal is looking into releasing future movies
the same way; leading to AMC theatres and other chains pulling the
movie and shortening windows to watch. It made $26 million in the
box office and is available to stream on Hulu.
Parasite
The Academy Award-winning 2019 film became available for
streaming on Hulu in April 2020 and continued to make a change
in the industry as well as be one of the highest streaming movies
during the quarantine period. It became Bong Joon-Ho’s first movie
to gross over $100 million worldwide and stay on box office charts
as more countries released it. It sits at a rating of 98% on Rotten
Tomatoes and sits first on a survey conducted by IndieWire.
Mucho Mucho Amor:
The Legend
of Walter Mercado
Released on Netflix in July, the documentary goes into the
childhood and life of one of the most influential and acclaimed
astrologers in Latin America and the world. Walter Mercado rose
to fame after an impromptu tv segment for astrology brought
in ratings. Mercado faced homophobia during his career for his
flamboyant and androgynous image but also was a fashion icon in
later years. The documentary catches up with him after his final
television appearance in 2006, learning what he has been doing
away from the spotlight. He makes one final appearance in Miami of
2019, three months before his death on November 2nd.
The film sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes with praising reviews from
countless fans and critics.
By: Fatima Rivera
25 | maceandcrown.com Fall 2020 | 26