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■ COMMON Continued from page 6 providing encouragement to make dreams come true. And it’s all delivered in a manner that speaks to your soul, positively affecting your life. This testimony of lyrics includes verses like those on “The Food,” in which he says, “Shorties get the game but no instructions to assembling,” to explain why young people get caught up in the system of the drug game. He continues his explanation in the song “Real People” with the lyrics, “I wonder if the spirits of Bob Marley and Haile Selassie / Watch me as the cops be tryna pop and lock me” and “that’s why I write freedom songs / For the real people.” He explains that he hopes his music will provide freedom so people can enjoy the gift of simply being. On “Love is,” Common reaches out to his male listeners when he says, “You and your baby’s mama thought love was a sport / As men we were taught to hold it in / That’s why we don’t know how till we older men.” In this verse, he expresses his concern about the way men deal with their emotions, as he feels love is one of the key elements to being in tune with one’s inner self. Common’s testimony is accompanied by high-pitch piano chords, classic jazz and R&B samples from artists such as Marvin Gaye and the Chi-Lites, as well as signature hip-hop turntable effects. In addition, there are guest appearances by John Legend, the new choirboy of rhythm and blues, soft-rock’s musical mastermind, John Mayer, and one of the only men in soul who can hit high notes with a voice box, Bilal. However, what you may not appreciate is the brevity of the songs. With the longest track being just more than four minutes, sometimes you get the feeling that some of the songs just aren’t complete, and it leaves your soul hungering for more. Overall, “Be” will go down in hip-hop history as a classic. With its old-school feel and inspirational content, it paints a picture of true life with words of colorful sounds. Hit play on your remote control to life, because as Common put it, “(this is) poetry in motion like a picture now showing.” Enjoy the artistry. , Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc.edu Suiting up for beach season made easier with style tips By KELLY DECKER FOR THE GAMECOCK Selecting the right swimsuit has been a constant struggle among women. With what seems to be an infinite number of swimsuit styles and colors to choose from, it is difficult to know where to begin, not to mention how to determine if the suit fits right. This seasons trends, however, offer a variety of swimsuit options to cater to just about anyone’s personality. And with a few tips, you will be ready to suit up in no time. A I* T ■• > T T •niAAJlUlllg IU LdUlCJ I lLMliC Journal’s “Swimwear Report: Summer 2005 Trends,” the five hottest trends in swimsuits this ' summer are metallic-colored suits; tribal-influenced suits with “rich hues and bold prints”; white and multi-color crocheted suits; bold printed suits with bright colors; and one-piece suits with cutouts on the side or the front of the suit.. Deep, rich hues are popular, “Fuchsias, yellows and oranges have been really big selling colors this season." WANDA DEW MANAGER OF TARA GRINNA SWIMSUITS according to sales assistant Beverly Beck at Everything But Water, a swimsuit specialty store in Charleston. “We’ve been seeing a lot of PHOTO COURTESY OF KRT CAMPUS Some of this summer's hottest trends include deep, rich colors, tribal-influenced patterns, polka dots and one-pieces with cutouts. browns lately. It has been a really popular color among customers,” she said. Bold colors are another big trend this season, said Wanda Dew, manager of Tara Grinna Swimsuits in Myrtle Beach. “Fuchsias, yellows and oranges have been really big-selling colors this season. Hot pink has also been pretty popular,” Dew said. As for printed swimsuits, Dew said printed suits have far outsold solid-colored suits in her store. T I I / *11 uuv.iv^ iviag<u,uiv. muoiidu-o medley of different swimsuit trends in the May issue. From stripes to paisley prints, there is certainly no absence of color. Lucky also reveals that the basic black-and-white suit is still chic and beach-worthy, showing a variety of versions of the classic color combination in polka dots, geometric and animal prints. Selecting a bathing suit does not stop at color, as there is also style to consider. “Halter tops on one-piece suits and bikini tops are always big sellers,” Beck said. “The hipster (the low-riding bikini bottom) is also really big right now.” Ornamented swimsuits are another hot trend this season. “Suits with beading or ruffles have been really popular,” she said. After selecting the right color and style of suit, you may have some questions concerning whether it is the right size and fit. Believe it or not, these two factors are more important than you might think. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc. edu 2910 Devine Street 254-7900 Solving Problems Including: DUI, Criminal Defense, Auto Accidents CROMER LAW OFFICES A General Practice of Law J.L. "Bubba" Cromer, Jr. Former S. C. State Representative 0,6/Mtll(\w*4 AN HISTORIC RESIDENCE Efficiency $525 One Bedroom $585 Two Bedroom $620 Rent includes all utilities and cable TV. All rates quoted are month to month. (Leases available, prices subject to change) . Located across from the University Of South Carolina Horseshoe and the State Capital, Cornell Arms offers the premier location for downtown living. (803) 799-1442 1230 PENDLETON STREET COLUMBIA, SC 29201