New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

The crowd cheered as the music spurred them on. Global Citizen was a 24-hour global broadcast from Central Park, where artists and activists advocated for poverty relief and environmental protection. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Music and activism combine at Global Citizen

The festival saw artists like Billie Eilish and Lizzo take the stage in the heart of New York City. 
Paree Chopra, Staff Writer October 5, 2021

On Sept. 25, 60,000 people gathered at The Great Lawn in Central Park to watch Global Citizen Live. The 24-hour global broadcast spanned seven continents and brought together some...

Since the beginning of the pandemic it’s been impossible to watch our favorite artists perform in-person. NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts have stepped in to help fill the void until things return to normal. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Must-see Tiny Desk concerts to cure your live music withdrawals

From the Blue Man Group to Billie Eilish, here’s a list of some of the most memorable NPR Tiny Desk concerts to enjoy until live performances return.
Candace Patrick, Staff Writer April 28, 2021

With nearly 20,000,000 views, it is safe to say that watching NPR’s Tiny Desk series has become one of the internet’s favorite pastimes. Featuring artists big and small, the...

Lizzo is a female singer, rapper, songwriter, and flutist, who highlights intersectional feminism, fights for the equality of all women, and specifically speaks to women of color. She promotes self-love and lifts up her audiences and encourages them to empower others in their lives. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Celebrating iconic women in music: Lizzo

In honor of Women’s History Month, WSN writers share their most influential female artists.
Maya Mehrara, Contributing Writer March 16, 2021

If you want to feel like a queen, without needing a crown, go ahead and blast Lizzo’s music.  Nobody represents or advocates for the modern woman quite like Lizzo. Lizzo’s...

Pulling from the prejudices and experiences of living as a black woman in Toronto, rapper Haviah Mighty rose to popularity with 13th Floor, her first solo album. The 2019 release received the prestigious Polaris Award last fall. (Photo by Adeyemi Soteeoh Adegbesan)

Canadian Artist Haviah Mighty Represents Strong Women in the Rap Game

Polaris Prize winner Haviah Mighty is making waves across North America with her unique style and powerful lyricism.
Destine Manson, Contributing Writer February 21, 2020

Canadian rap artist Haviah Mighty is shaking up the music industry in Canada with her latest album “13th Floor.” Drawing from her experience as a black woman growing up in...

Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, is an empowering film that broke traditional barriers in Hollywood. (via Facebook)

‘Hustlers’ Is the Female-Driven Crime Drama Everyone Has Been Waiting For

“Hustlers,” featuring Constance Wu and Jennifer Lopez, tells the unbelievable true story of a group of strippers-turned-criminal-masterminds who take on Wall Street. Originally featured in New York Magazine, their story has now hit the big screen in a film full of female empowerment.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Arts Editor September 16, 2019

Drugging Wall Street men with a mix of MDMA and ketamine and making them max out their credit cards on booze in strip clubs? It may sound crazy — it sure sounded that way to...

Lizzo, I’m Crying Cuz I Love You

Lizzo, I’m Crying Cuz I Love You

Lizzo’s rising popularity highlights a lack of positive representation of fat women, and gives hope for the future.
Abby Hofstetter, Opinion Editor August 22, 2019

A less-than-quiet transformation is happening to the public’s relationship to fatness, especially fat women. Generation Z, specifically, has been privy to a body positivity movement...

The Symposium: Academic Stand Up (Photos courtesy of Mariana Feijo)

Black History Through Comedy at the Symposium: Academic StandUp

NYU alumna Kyle Marian invites black scholars to turn their stories about microaggressive health care, racist museums and woke laws into stand-up comedy for The Symposium’s Blackademia Takeover.
Natalie Doggett, Contributing Writer February 13, 2019

The Symposium: Academic StandUp, a monthly stand-up series for research-inspired comedy, welcomed an audience of 116 people on Sunday at Caveat for its Black History Month special,...

The crowd at Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Chicago.

Best Festival Lineups

From New York to Spain and even Alabama, WSN staff has compiled a list of the best festival lineups this summer.