![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
This week’s Billboard Hot 100, a collection of the most streamed singles, featured multiple duets both poorly and well-crafted. Three of the most popular duet tracks, Timeless, Die with a Smile and Luther, debuted in the top 10 on the chart due to the pop stars featured on the tracks, but not all of them live up to the hype.
Timeless by the Weeknd and Playboi Carti debuted at number three on the chart. While it attemps to capture and critique the superficiality of celebrity relationships, its braggadocious lyrics portray the two artists as douchebags. With lyrics like “If I was you, I would cut up my wrist,” the Weeknd sounds self-centered and arrogant.
Timeless begins with Playboi Carti’s grating vocals in a verse that seems endless. The Weeknd’s vocals are generally soft and dreamy, but in the chorus, his voice sounds stilted as he abruptly stops singing after each line. For most of the song, the Weeknd sings alone with Playboi Carti awkwardly ad libbing at some points. By trying too hard to sound cool, Timeless ends up seeming empty.
Die with a Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga continues to dominate Billboard due to its recent Grammy for best song duo of 2024. Until last week, the track stood at number one, and it now holds the third spot. Despite its high charting position, Die with a Smile lacks a sense of individuality. It sounds like every other Bruno Mars song and its generic melody that does not quite hit the spot. Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga’s voices blend and harmonize beautifully, but their vocals are so autotuned that the song loses its emotional weight.
Furthermore, the lyrics are incredibly nonspecific. Instead of telling a unique story, the song reverts to tired cliches like “If the world was ending I’d want to be next to you.” Although the melody is an undeniable earworm, really sitting back and listening to Die with a Smile exposes its hollowness.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA take the place of the best duet with Luther, securing the number one spot this week. Unlike Timeless and Die with a Smile, it sounds full both in terms of emotion and production. It plays to the artists’ strengths, allowing the two of them to shine vocally and lyrically. SZA’s melismatic runs float over Lamar’s raspy flow with the sample occasionally cutting in, making for a textured and layered listening experience.
Luther’s lyrics may not be completely original, as they refer back to some cliches, but they still tell a compelling story. The song tells the tale of love persisting through difficulties, repeating the phrase, “In this world, concrete flowers grow.” The message conveyed through the lyrics seems believable; it doesn’t feel like two large popstars collaborating to grow their presence, it feels like two artists coming together to make a unique piece of art.
Duets should be treated as a collaborative process rather than a means to gain popularity for artists. While they are difficult to get right, truly well-executed duets can provide a more intricate and profound listening experience than a solo song.
