This week’s artist is someone who’s totally inspired me growing up. While most people spent their college years drinking and dreaming about what they’ll be after they graduate (guilty!), MC Lars was doing something about his dreams. He spent his years at Stanford doing what he loved, making music in his dorm room. The Graduate is just one of many examples of this work.

About the Artist:
MC Lars, or Andrew Robert Neilson as he’s legally known, grew up in Berkley, California. He started his musical career in high school in the punk band Amphoteric. He then went on to Stanford University where he worked at the school’s radio station. He started making music on his laptop in his dorm, and still makes music that way to this day.

Top 3 Tracks:

Download This Song

Generic Crunk Rap

Ahab

Why You Should Listen to It:
Like I said, MC Lars is a huge inspiration to me for doing things that I love, and hopefully he’ll be the same to you. But the music itself is also pretty rad. It’s hip hop/rap that doesn’t take itself seriously, even sometimes making fun of the whole genre. It’s a great album, and come on, where else are you going to hear rhymes about Moby Dick, Sartre, and Kurt Cobain?

Want more awesome iPod suggestions? You got it!

Boston’s Boy is blowing up now in a big way, booking dates all over the place, and his party jams and special way with the ladies are creating major buzz.  With summer coming up, there is no better time to throw his EP, “Boston’s Boy”, into the car or blast it at a party. But first, you lucky CollegeCandy readers, get to know the guy behind the rhymes.

5 Questions We Ask Everyone:

1. What is your most ridiculous college memory?
Pretty much all of freshman year.  Nothing stands out in particular, but that whole year was crazy.

2. Well, if you can remember anything (or Freshman year at all) let me know.  Five things you can’t live without?
My Macbook, friends, music, weed, family…

3. Any motto you live by?  What’s the Sam Adams creed?
Have fun, I guess [laughs]. No motto really.

4. What’s your favorite song to belt out in the bars, in your car, or for karaoke?
Wait, what’s that song… It’s Michael Jackson. [Yells to friend] Yo, what’s that song from Rush Hour?  Chris Tucker…It’s Michael Jackson?  Don’t Stop Till Yet Get Enough!

Ah great song!  Would you sing it at shows at all?
No [laughs]. That would be good though.

5. What about in ten years?  Where do you see yourself?
On an island, hopefully doing nothing.  Not caring about anything.

In ten years?  That’s so soon to be just on an island!
[Laughs] I don’t know, I mean, I don’t really know where I’ll be then!

5 Questions Just for Sam:

1. How did this whole thing, this “meteoric” rise of Sam Adams, start?
Well it started in Boulder – I was there visiting some friends, played some shows, and it just kind of blew up.

2. You’re a big Boston Boy and your song played at Fenway during opening day. How was that?
That was crazy.  We weren’t there when it happened, but everyone was calling me and we were freaking out.

3. What’s the craziest thing about this whole rise to fame? Is it the fans? On your Facebook and Twitter pages they are definitely showing the love.
Yeah, I love the fans, man; they are crazy.  Like at the shows, when they’re singing along to the songs, it’s the craziest feeling.  But sometimes it gets weird, like when they get my phone number.

They get your phone number? What do you do when that happens?
[Laughs] Try not to pick up?  Sometimes people will call, and just be like “Is this Sam Adams?” and I’ll just hang up.

4. What other artists are you dying to work with?
We’re going to be doing some stuff soon with Wiz Khalifa, and I’d love to work with artists like Drake.

5. So what’s next for Sam Adams?
Well the Stoolapalooza tour already kicked off, so I’ll be touring this summer.  I’ll be playing with Snoop Dogg in Indiana soon, and I really want to meet him.  I just want to hang out with him, he seems like the coolest guy ever [laughs].  I’ll also be recording – in Boston, New York, kind of all over the place.  I’d like to get on vacation sooner than later, but if we keep booking dates, I’ll probably wait till later on in the summer.

Fingers crossed that vacation somehow involves me, romantic dinners and cuddling on the couch.

You may know Sam Adams as the guy who made that beer that your guy friends drink when they want to get fancy, but I know him as the hot Trinity poli sci major, soccer captain, supa fly rapper (oh god that hurt to write) who can rhyme and sing and just basically steal the hearts of every college girl around right now.

Don’t believe me?  Check his Facebook page.  Everyone wants him to come to their town and every girl wants to have her way with him (present company TOTES included), and rightly so.

Sam first came on the scene with his remix of Asher Roth’s (another adorable college MC) “I Love College,” called “I Hate College.”  I heard it in a guy friend’s dorm room one morning, deeply hungover waiting for him to choose a pinny to wear to breakfast, and it changed my musical life.  I searched through literally everything I could find on this guy, and when he started releasing his singles, then eventually his EP, I died.

I listened to “I Hate College” so many times that my roommates wanted to strangle me…until they started loving it too.  I just love that song, especially since he refers to himself as Sammy (Sammie + Sammy = fate).  The beat is good, the artist is hot and, oh yeah, it is completely on point with how I feel about college: “I hate college but love getting laid, social life swagger at night when the sun fades.” Perfection.

After personally contributing around 138,000 of the 139,000 YouTube views, I was alerted by text/Facebook/the Google Alert I set up for this dreamboat when his latest video came out for “Driving Me Crazy.” And I fell in love all over again.  Especially the part where his mom calls him.  I know that’s weird, but whatever – the heart wants what it wants.

Anyway, so now Sam Adams is blowing up.  He’s traveling everywhere, and he’s playing all over the country, and is even appearing on E!  He is so going to be stupid crazy famous by next year, so I would just like to be the one to bring it up: I am in love and I don’t care who knows it.  His lyrics are funny and light and every single one of his songs is something that you can jam to.  Plus, he even did a remix of “Heads Will Roll” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, so just when you think he couldn’t get any better, he does.  I honestly never thought I would be such a huge fan of a rapper, but there you have it.

Sam Adams, you are driving me crazy and I would love to be your lady.

Did I mention that the entire venue was crammed with kegs, Solo cups and celebs? Imagine a frat party. With Zooey Deschanel and Mary Louise Parker. Only the music doesn’t suck. And instead of your bestie making out with the make-shift bartender? A very sloppy David Cross is macking it with Amber Tamblyn.

The show airs tonight at 10PM on MTVu. And everyone who appreciates really good music (and booze) just needs to watch. Here’s a little taste of the going-ons:

- Me and my roommate – aka my assistant/Red Bull Vodka (more on that later) runner for the night – arrive and get placed in prime seating, inches away from the celebs and, more importantly, the open bar. We are closely behind some Real World d-bag who is waving to everyone in general admission. Bro, you are not famous. Sit down. Shut up.

- Pete Wentz in all his mangs (man bangs) glory gets on stage to kick off the Woodies, red Solo cup in hand and gives a big cheers to all the names here. Cam’ron‘s here? What!

- Matt and Kim start the awards with a nearly nude performance. Loving it.

-  Is this a hipster event? There are Ray-Bans everywhere.

- Is David Cross REALLY dating Amber Tamblyn. Oh, they’re making out. Gross. Tobias Funke, you cupid.

- 3!Oh!3! Presents an award, in full-on Gaga attire. Loving them.

- I am so excited for the Death Cab performance, I can barely contain myself. My roommate has become besties with the keg pumper and keeps getting yelled at by the surprisingly dour MTV security.

- Tech N9ne! Seriously, what other MTV show gives you Passion Pit and TechN9ne in the same time frame? Beautiful.

- Passion Pit: Amazing performance. Red bull vodkas, delicious. Even tastier when they’re free.

- Who is this Alexa Chung person and why is she at every event I go to for MTV?

- P.O.S. rocks out right in the crowd.

- Death Cab was phenomenal live. Especially “Sound of Settling.” They’re so good. SO good.

- Cam’ron spotted with huge posse. Now about to perform. Must. Hang. Out. With. Him.

- Leighton & Cyndi Lauper present Woodie of the Year… fingers crossed for Silversun Pickups. My bets are on Kings of Leon.

- Kings of Leon it is. SHOULD I PULL A KANYE?

- No. Too drunk and too far. I need pizza. All this kegger-ness is making me hungry. My roommate is being belligerent and yelling at hipsters. Mary Louise Parker is wasted with all of us. Dead Weather is performing. Hello, Jack White. Okay Time to go home.

- Oh, but not without being hit on by some dude claiming to be in Cam’ron’s posse. I dole out a fake number and exit stage right. PEACE OUT!

Seriously, mix up some cocktails and tune into the Woodies tonight. This is a show not to be missed.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

Meet my childhood friend, Alex! He’s one of the best dancers I know, and represents the new era of fashion that incorporates a street style mixed with urban chic. Every time I see him he’s always dancing; whether it be popping and locking while talking, or doing the finger tut. And all the while in Nike Dunks and a sick graphic tee.

He may be a dude, but his fashion inspires me. If only I could look that cool in a pair of shiny gold kicks.

Name: Alex
Year: 2011
Major: Business and Economics
Alex in 3 words: Loud. Passionate. Dance(r).

1) Describe your personal style.
My personal style is a mixture of different influences. I really love the colorful shirts and sneakers of the west coast but I also love graphic tees and crazy fitted hats. Essentially, I try to ensure that whenever I go out, no one else looks like me.

2) You can’t leave your house without your ________.
59fifty hat.

3) What is your favorite store to shop at?
DLTR, or any specialty shoe store. I don’t do much shopping at malls, I actually prefer to buy most of my stuff online.

4) What/who is the biggest influence on your style?
It would have to be hip-hop dance in general. Not rap; I’m not a baggy jeans and Tims kinda guy. I wear clothes that I can dance in. West coast style!

5) What’s your favorite trend, past or present?
I’ve recently become a fan of skinny jeans. Not Fall-Out skinny, but enough so that you can tuck your jeans into your kicks.

Now, I love my fiction, but sometimes I just get a hankering for a real fact-filled, non-fiction book. I was watching MTV Canada one day saw Rodrigo Bascunan, the author of a fantastic book called “Enter the Babylon System,” being interviewed. On a whim, I decided to get it from the library (if MTV likes him, then he must be bad ass, right?) and boy was I impressed!

Now, before you go grab this book yourself and stare blankly at the cover thinking “WTF is this sh*t?” let me explain something: the book is about guns.

Yeah, I know that you probably have no interest in guns, their history, or their evolution, but hear met out; the  book was seriously great.

Even if you have absolutely NO interest in guns, “Enter the Babylon System” will still entertain and inform you. I have no affiliation or opinion on guns and gun culture and was surprised by how easy the book was to understand despite this. Not to mention how interested I was in the topic once I began learning about it.

I learned so much, from the history of guns to their central role in the hip hop and rap industry today. Within this culture, most carry weapons, sometimes illegally, and many fatal shootings occur because of this easy access to firearms. The authors, who look more like the gang members they discuss than the scholarly men that they are, are vehemently opposed to this new gun culture and use their unique access and perspective to share their reasoning with the world.

I found the authors’ point of view the most interesting part of the book. It’s really nice to see two individuals who had many opportunities to immerse themselves in gun culture take a stance and tackle a national and international issue. They know what they are talking about and it shows, forcing many readers to give real thought to a topic they never considered before. It is a mature and thoughtful book, but as I said, one that can benefit even the least interested or knowledgeable in the topic. And I’m proud to say I now know who rappers are talking about when they name-drop Smith & Wesson or Colt.

Anyone who is looking for an informative, smart, yet entertaining summer read should pick up “Enter the Babylon System.” You’ll need something to make you think a bit after 8 hour days answering phones at that summer job and this book will give it to you in a way that isn’t dry or boring. I found it engrossing and unbiased and I highly recommend it for the non-fiction buff like myself.

T.I. may not be the top candidate for Role Model of the Year, but sometimes with guys, you just don’t care. The sizzling Atlanta rapper has been heating up the Bilboard charts since 2004 with hits like “Bring ‘Em Out“  and “Live Your Life.”  He’s collaborated with industry big shots Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and Pharrell Williams, who called him the “Jay-Z of the South.”

Musical success aside, T.I. (born Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr.) boasts what is arguably one of the hottest bods in the rap world.  From his impeccable pecs to his absolutely awesome abs, T.I. is cut like a diamond. To top it off, his steely-eyed sneer could coax even the most prudish of women into his bed for a thorough eff.  And you know you can call the shots, because he has promised you “Whatever  You Like.”

Today, however, T.I. departs the public as he begins a one-year prison sentence for pleading guilty to a charge of posessing an unregistered weapon.  But he’s already spent a lot of time accounting for his crime on the MTV hit “Road to Redemption,” in which he speaks with troubled teens to keep them from arriving at the same fate as himself.  In my book, demonstrating remorse for one’s mistakes and helping others always score big points on my effability scale.

Besides, his encarceration definitely adds to the forbidden fruit, bad-boy allure he strutts so well.  So, T.I., as you begin your sentence today, have faith that we’ll be thinking of you.  If you ever need a conjugal visit, you know who to call!

This week we’re going to do some traveling. Whether it’s back in time, to another country, or just down South; this week’s new music releases are taking us away. And I don’t know about you, but I love traveling. So grab your bags and don’t bother making a mix tape for the ride, because all the music you need is right here.

Chris Isaak- Mr. Lucky

Oh, hi Chris Isaak. You’re back. Remember “Wicked Game”? You know, “And I wanna fall in love…with you” Yes, I told you we were traveling back in time. Despite the fact that we haven’t heard from this guy in awhile, Chris Isaak just has one of those voices I’ll always be a fan of. Not only is he back with a new album, Mr. Lucky, but he’s got a new TV show as well. The Biography Channel will soon be airing his Inside the Actor’s Studio like program for musicians. So obviously now is a good time for him to come out with some new music himself. The album is great, and comes with a huge perk: a duet with Michelle Branch (yes, I am a fan). While ”I Lose My Heart” is a really pretty song with a country-ish twang, I wish he gave Michelle a larger part (like a solo somewhere in there). Isaak also has a duet with Trisha Yearwood, which is one of my favorite songs on the album, showcasing Trisha’s beautiful voice throughout. I’m not sure any of the songs on Mr. Lucky will surpass “Wicked Game,” but it’s nice to hear Chris singing again.

K’Naan- Troubadour

And now we’re traveling far, far away. What? You’ve never heard of K’Naan? OK, neither had I. But I’m telling you, you totally need to start listening. First of all, Troubadour, K’Naan’s second studio album, was mostly recorded at Bob Marley’s home studio in Jamaica. So you already know the guy’s pretty cool. K’Naan was born and raised in Somalia and raps about his home country, his experiences, and so much more. I’d describe him as a much cooler, more hardcore version of The Black-Eyed Peas. It’s rap, but it’s rap that you can sing along to; rap that holds incredible meaning behind the words. K’Naan sings lyrics like: “They don’t teach us the ABCs/We play on the hard concrete/All we got is life on the streets” and “How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday/When injustice had him caged and trapped in every way/How did Ghandi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all/Didn’t do it to gain power and money if I recall.” Umm, but I swear, it’s fun music! If you don’t believe me, just listen to “Bang Bang,” which features Adam Levine of Maroon 5. I’ve had it on repeat all day and you probably will too.

Joe Bonamassa- The Ballad of John Henry

Joe Bonamassa is going to take us down South. OK, so really he was born and raised in Utica, New York, but his blues-rock music will make you feel like you’re down South; or at least in an underground Chicago bar somewhere. I’ll admit I’m not a big listener of the blues genre of music, but something about Joe Bonamassa’s new album, The Ballad of John Henry, has me really feeling the blues. But in a totally good way. I mean, come on, he does a cover to the song titled “Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter.” I have absolutely no idea what that means, but the song is pretty much a blast. The title track and “Happier Times” almost remind me of a cleaner version of the Drive-By Truckers, so I automatically liked it. But my favorite track might have to be “Feeling Good” a bluesy-rock take on the recently made popular by Michael Buble Bobby Darin original. Who ever said the blues would make you sad? After listening to Joe Bonamassa, I know I’m feeling good.

I’m going to say what everyone is thinking. Ludacris is a modern day Shakespeare. Yeah, I said it, someone had to. If you don’t know every word to “Roll Out (My Business)” then I’m not sure you can be considered an American.

What could be better than a modern day Shakespeare? Pair him with today’s JFK or some other awesome leader of yesteryear. That of course, is Barack “Yeah I did coke, so what?!” Obama. Luda plus Obama? It’s like Batman and Robin, peanut butter and jelly, Paris and Nicole, boxed wine and passing out on a sidewalk! They just make sense together.

Naturally I was psyched when Barack and Luda first met up to talk about AIDS, empowering the youth or bling. My hopes were built up by a conversation that I could only assume they had.

Ludacris: YOU’S A HOOOO, OHHHHH!

Barack: Together… we can change America, Ludacris.

Ludacris: Yeah man, you’s going for that number one spot.

Barack: I want you, to be… my running mate.

Ludacris: YEAHHH Baby. Hells YES we CAN OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! LUDA! YEPPP!

My dreams started to become closer to reality when Ludacris dropped his new song “Obama’s Here”. Brilliance, sheer brilliance. I’d even call it poetic if poetry wasn’t so boring. He even dropped the idea of him being the Vice President! I felt faint with excitement, Ludacris said all the things I simply couldn’t articulate. My personal favorite line? “Hillary hated on you, so that bitch is irrelevant.”

However, things have taken a turn for the worse. Obama wasn’t as crazy about Ludacris’ single as I was. He formally REJECTED Luda’s delicately put-together song. I’m crushed. According to Ludacris, Obama would’ve even give him a “special pardon if [he’s] ever in the slammer.”

Barack! You’re going to pardon him for a future drive-by or shoot up of a club, but you won’t accept his praising lyrics? Ludicrous.

Last time

Of course the originals think that these girls have nothing on them. Let the naming re-begin:

First girl is called Black because that’s what she’s wearing.

Second is Prototype because she says that she’s perfect.

Third one calls herself Luscious D.

The last one is supertall. Prancer thinks that she’s a man and I might too. Flav calls her Tree and says that she’s the black Bridgette Nielsen. That can’t be a good thing.

So I think that the old timers are just fine – they are going to put aside their differences to take down the new ones. Flav is unable to sleep because they are SCREAMING at each other. This happens like every night and twice a day, no?

Amid the screams, this is the only line that I hear is: “What is your education level? Do you got a GED?”

Next morning: While Prototype and the new girls discover the stank that is in the house, proving that VH1 doesn’t spring for house cleaning, the old timers walk around with their clocks on because they think it proves something.

Flav tells them that they are going to do a hiphopera about Flav’s love life. Please don’t. Three acts – two are about Flav’s past and the script is written and the third act is supposed to be about the future. They have three hours to decide who directs, who performs, and to write their act.

Seezinz directs, parts are assigned and why does Hotlanta need henny to get on stage? Don’t you dance? Ohhhh, nevermind.

Prototype is playing Delishis, which entails shoving sheets down her underwear. She wears underwear?

At least they are only performing for Big Rick and Flav. I would have summarized this mess for you but I simply cannot put it into words. Though Prancer does a super long rap and she admits to having sex with Flav.

First award for best performance goes to Prototype. For stuffing her ass?

Next goes to the second best performance, Sinceer for her Act 2 Flav performance.

Next day: the new girls are in the kitchen and Prancer finds them making breakfast in bed. Ew, they cooked in that nasty kitchen? You can’t make food in a dirty ass kitchen.

Flav loves that the four new ones are up on his bed as he eats breakfast. They came up with a rap to tell him that they cleaned – oh, okay. That’s better – not the rap; the cleaning. Tree IS a man, by the way.

Everyone’s got on a hat for the date. Where are they going? Horse races?

Flav wants to give away an immunity clock and before he leaves, he asks the new girls to figure out who should get one.

Yeah, race track date. Flav bets $100 on horse #7. Watch how you spend your VH1 allowance. Oh, he won. “Lucky #7 that’s how many kids I got.” He won three races – good for you. Spend it wisely, Flav.

Back at the house, new girls interview the old timers. A new girl also feels it’s weird that the Thingz have one clock. “Is he gonna f*ck you and then go f*ck your sister?” It’s nasty to think about. One Thing is okay with it, the other is not. The less hungry one would NOT give her sister the immunity clock.

Coming home from the date, Prototype starts talking about her modeling and admits that she’s a video girl. You’re not staying long.

Later on that night, the new girls go to Flav to tell him that Thing 2 should get the immunity clock and he gives them their clocks pre-elimination.

So eliminations: Hotlanta and PRANCER are in the bottom two. Flav thinks that Hotlanta shut down once the new girls showed up because she kept crying and getting drunk and Flav says that he needs a strong woman. He wants her to convince him that she’s strong enough – so she pulls out the ‘I’m not a snitch and I don’t kiss and tell.’ Oooooohh!!!

He calls down Prancer who clearly didn’t realize that other people could HEAR her rap. Flav says that he didn’t have sex with Prancer and that he’s careful with what he writes so that he can send out the right message – and he SENDS PRANCER HOME! I was convinced that she’d make the final two.

Mercedes is her real name and Hotlanta is saved. I can’t believe I was wrong on that.

Next time: Sinceer and her evil clingon forehead will take down the b*tches. And they are staging fake weddings? Flav finally screams out “Everyone shut the f*ck up” and stages his own leopard themed funeral.