William Emmons

Will is an Artsweek Editor. In his free time he enjoys listening to Death Grips and having heated discussions about the legitimacy of astrology.

June 8, 2017

WebsterX and Milwaukee’s Hip Hop Renaissance

By William Emmons, Jasmine Rodriguez

Injury Reserve and WebsterX share a dynamic of creating spaces to craft seamlessly gravitative rap songs that are entirely divergent from their contemporaries. They are the embodiments of unapologetically challenging wha...

June 1, 2017

Tracks of the Month: June 2017

By William Emmons, Jasmine Rodriguez

With the release of “Big Fish,” Vince Staples is leading up to his forthcoming album, Big Fish Theory.

May 25, 2017

ScHoolboy Q Says UCSB ‘Not the Worst’ UC Show at Extravaganza 2017

By William Emmons

TDE rapper ScHoolboy Q made an appearance headlining UCSB’s annual Extravaganza late Sunday afternoon. Though highly anticipated, the artist’s set provoked polarizing responses from attendees.

May 23, 2017

The Role of Art in Restoring a Community

By Zoe Jones, William Emmons

Singer and alumnus Jack Johnson got his start by playing shows in Isla Vista backyards. So, post-May 23, he decided to give a visit to his old stomping grounds and make sure UCSB and Isla Vista were not silenced.

May 1, 2017

Tracks of the Month: April 2017

By William Emmons, Max Pasion-Gonzales, Zoe Jones

Following a controversial Fox News sample invalidating his lyrical effectiveness, Kendrick's "DNA." is a fierce declaration of war that rattles the musical and political world to its very core.

April 20, 2017

Phantogram Performs Haunting Indie-Pop at Arlington

By William Emmons

Phantogram brought an impressive set to the Arlington, incorporating a plethora of sounds from their various influences and inspirations.

March 2, 2017

BADBADNOTGOOD Bring a Spectacular Show

By William Emmons

Although BBNG may be characterized as a jazz band, the boundaries of their sound do not by any means fall within the traditional confines of jazz as a genre.

March 1, 2017

Tracks of the Month: February 2017

By Jasmine Benafghoul, Max Pasion-Gonzales, William Emmons

Grown up Fairy Tales dates back to Acid Rap, originally for big brother Chance the Rapper himself, but Taylor Bennett takes it and features his brother as well as Jeremih.

January 31, 2017

Tracks of the Month: January 2017

By William Emmons

At the end of each calendar month, Artsweek takes a look at new tracks that stood out and made a place in our playlists.

January 26, 2017

Favianna Rodgriguez Illuminates the MultiCultural Center

By William Emmons

In present times, artists and activists like Rodriguez are as important and integral to social justice as ever. The rights of many are lost in a state of vulnerability.

November 28, 2016

Poet Paul Tran Enlivens Santa Barbara

By William Emmons

“This war is not over, America. This war is not over, America,” Tran repeated as they elaborated on the adversity their mother faced in her efforts to establish a new home.

November 17, 2016

Camp Flog Gnaw Festival Returns to L.A.

By William Emmons

Ultimately, Tyler, The Creator exceeded the expectations of many music-lovers and critics and established his illustrious carnival as a staple of the West Coast festival scene.