On Sept. 24, 1991, Nirvana released their second album, Nevermind, changing the course of music history. Although Nirvana had already been in the music scene for years, they were still relatively unknown. That was until Nevermind’s lead single, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was released to radio in August of that same year. Unlike their debut album, Bleach, Nevermind was slightly more polished and radio-friendly allowing the music to connect with a wider audience, skyrocketing the trio into the limelight. Despite the more radio-friendly aspects of the album, Nevermind still brought a whole new wave of grunge and alternative music to the mainstream. With grunge’s newfound home in mainstream media, other musicians with similar sounds began to pop up throughout the rest of the ‘90s. Nirvana’s distinctive sound can be seen as a clear influence to groups like Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and the Cranberries.
While Nirvana went on to release their third and final album, In Utero in 1993, Nevermind remains their most successful. Today, Nevermind has sold over 30 million copies worldwide making it not only one of the most successful grunge albums but one of the all-time best-selling albums. The impact Nevermind had on the music industry will never be forgotten, and that is why, on this day in music history, we remember this timeless album.
– Helena Najar
In a year filled with extravagant avocado toast, Tide-Pod-eating children, Beyonce headlining Coachella and a phenomenal Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 list, there was one thing we didn’t expect — a tax fraud case accusing Colombian singer Shakira of failing to pay the Spanish government €14.5 million — coming to about $15.8 million — in taxes. Towards the end of Sept. 2018, the Spanish government claimed that Shakira failed to pay her taxes from 2012 to 2014 when she was considered a resident of Spain. On the other hand, Shakira denies these claims and states that she was residing in the Bahamas at the time. The Spanish government also accused Shakira of funneling money to an offshore account to avoid income and wealth taxes, totaling $7.1 million.
In 2018, Shakira was traveling constantly for her El Dorado World Tour which began on June 3 in Germany and ended on Nov. 3 in Columbia. For Spain, however, she was still considered a resident based on the location of her spouse and children and Barcelona being a “center of economic interest.” At the time, Shakira was married to Gerard Piqué, a famous FC Barcelona soccer player, and had two children who also resided in Barcelona. As a result, Spain felt that it had sufficient evidence to charge Shakira with six counts of tax fraud.
On November 20, 2023, Shakira was found guilty of six counts of tax fraud but faced no jail time. Instead, she was made to pay what she owed and was fined half that the €14.5 million, coming to €7.3 million (about $8.1 million). Shakira also paid €432,000 to suspend a three-year prison sentence. In the end, it looks like Shakira’s hips do lie.
– Andrea Jurado-Gutierrez
On Sept. 29, we celebrate the 29th birthday of one of the indie and alternative rock world’s most devastating lyricists, Julien Baker. Best known for her work with the indie supergroup, boygenius, Baker has spent the better part of 14 years providing teenagers who have never gotten over anything with the most crushing of songs.
Julien got her start in Sept. 2010, releasing her first single, a cover of “Nothing Better” by The Postal Service. After that, some patience was required as we awaited the release of her debut album, Sprained Ankle, in 2015. Following Sprained Ankle, Julien continued to build on her phenomenal solo career with albums Turn Out the Lights and Little Oblivions. Although her start was small, she built up a devoted following throughout the years, leading to the eventual explosion of popularity that resulted from boygenius’ debut album, The Record, released in 2023. After blowing up in 2023 with boygenius, Baker became a six-time Grammy nominee, taking home three wins just last year, further cementing her musical success.
Over the past couple of years, I have gotten deeply acquainted with Juliens’ discography. There is such deeply rooted emotion and melancholy in her music—whether solo or with boygenius—that it’s hard not to fall back on her in the more gloomy times. I, along with many others, have found solace in her work, knowing that we aren’t alone in our thoughts. I can’t imagine a Spotify Moody Mix or a lonely walk to class through the snow without her. Although, she’s likely in hibernation after the chaos of last year’s boygenius summer, happy birthday Julien. I can’t wait to see what devastating work of genius you gift to us next.
– Noelle Simonelli
