Entry 3- The Beginning Of The Ska-Punk Genre: Sublime

 "What I Got"

    The song "What I Got" by Sublime is the most influential song to me and my family. My first name is Bradley named after the lead singer of Sublime Bradley Nowell. I have grown up listening to their music all of my life, but if I had to choose one song that was the most influential to me and my life it would be this song. I chose this song because it represents me and how I always have a positive outlook on life, while also being honest about how life can go sometimes. 

A Little History Lesson

    Sublime was one of the first bands to be labeled under the Ska-Punk Genre. They were a mix of punk rock, reggae, hip-hop, and rap. Considered by many as one of the most influential bands of 90's alternative music. They use a lot of samples and covers and I always used to say they are the best cover band of all time. Unfortunately, Bradley Nowell, the lead singer, died in 1996 due to a drug overdose. He missed the band's major success which didn't happen until after his passing. "What I Got", "Santeria", and "Garden Grove" became there most popular songs. I would argue that "What I Got" became the breakout hit and sent a message that still resonates with the world today about appreciating life even the simple things. 

Rhetorical Analysis of The Lyrics

    The speaker of the song is Bradley Nowell as he chooses to focus gratitude that he has a life and all the minor things that go with it. He has obviously been through a lot but still focuses on what he does have rather than what he doesn't. I would say that his purpose in this song is to remind people that no matter what bad is going on in your life focus on what good is in your life. The audience of this song is anyone and everyone who feels weighed down by life but need a reminder to focus on the good. For context the band was at its lowest point during this song and they still wanted to find a way to find peace among everything that was going on in the band, whether that was personally or financially. The exigence of the song was the urge to celebrate the little things in life even when it feels like your world is crashing down. 

Techniques and Tone

    The techniques that are mainly used in this song are repetition, and contrast. He is constantly repeating "Love is what I got" which just reiterates the songs main point of remembering what you have not what you don't. Many of the verses contrast with each other, as he keeps describing bad situations that happen to him but keeps coming back to the main point of "Love is what I got". The tone of the song is grateful and optimistic. Nowell is constantly reflecting on life not being perfect and that's ok. The tone never turns sour or sad despite all the hard moments in Nowell's life. 

Appreciate What You Have

    "What I Got" by Sublime is more than a bittersweet anthem, it is a reminder to look at the good not the bad. I was born into sublime and honestly I had no choice but to listen to them but I am glad I did. I thank my parents for naming me after Bradley Nowell as I have adapted his mindset of just going with the flow and focusing on the positive not the negative. Bradley used repetition, contrasting, and a grateful/optimistic tone to deliver his message. The message of gratitude for what you have in life and the good. The song encourages any and everyone who listens to live life with what you got. 

    

    

Entry 2: Madden The Only NFL Football Game On The Market- Why It Should Not Be

     The Greatness That Once Was

    About 15 years ago getting the latest Madden from the store was all any NFL fan could dream of, besides maybe a Superbowl, young and old. Whether it was getting to play with the new rookies, playing with new players on your team, realistic physics, and the innovative features that made you feel like you were a part of the game. Over the last several years, many long time madden players will all tell you that it's not the same as it was. As of recently the popular game series has had some small wins, but they keep having bigger losses. Madden now is the joke of sports gaming here is how it slipped and what needs to change.

The Downward Spiral

    By far the biggest complaint is that every iteration feels like a minor adjustment, rather than a big meaningful upgrade. Every year it feels like the same game because the publishers use the same modes, UI, and CPU/AI behavior without big changes and game bugs remain the same without any fixes. Fans constantly feel like they are paying the full price of a game just to get a glorified roster update with cosmetic changes. Metacritic , a popular gaming review site, for the last 15 years of Madden has mostly negative reviews. Most of the reviews cite a number of bugs, glitches, and performance issues. As well as micro transactions and monetization feeling overwhelming. A fellow blog post by Rafly Gilang for the website The Gamer that was made in 2020 still shows how everything that was wrong with Madden back then continues to happen even now. Yet somehow the publisher of Madden EA Sports still continues to have an exclusive partnership with the NFL to continue to make these games. 

Accelerating Decline

    The pace at which they make these games is nothing short of impressive, but that also contribute to why they cannot fix foundational issues. If they continue making Madden every year it will fail eventually. The lack of competition doesn't help as well because even when making it every year you can tell they cut corners and are lazy, but if you give them a little competition it might push for some innovation. Instead they only focus on earning your money instead of just focusing on quality over quantity. Over the last year Madden goes on sale so quickly after coming out now and that can be contributed to the years of abuse from EA in their NFL gaming community. 

Good Enough..... Why Not Great

    Madden isn't a failure by any means, more of a you had so much potential. What I mean by that is yes the game is fun and it makes a lot of money but it could be so much more. Smaller areas they improve in and make fans come back but in the process they have lost so many fans. The direction EA takes Madden is a frustrating one, especially for fans who remember what Madden once was. For the fans that remember what Madden once was its infuriating to know that they settle for good, when it could be great. If EA wants to win the heart of those fans back they need to stop treating Madden like a big pay day and more of a love letter to NFL and football fans across the world. The only way it seems that will happen now is to have some competition for NFL game rights.