The Whirlie Post is the Grimsley student newspaper, dedicated to providing relevant news and impactful stories for the Grimsley community. Current Headlines Discover what's happening at Grimsley! Whirlie Girls Go To Flag Football State Playoffs In its second year, the girls flag football team continues Grimsley’s athletic excellence. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Phillips Despite not having a permanent classroom, Kelly Phillips has settled into life as a Grimsley teacher. Hea dlines Check out other articles from The Whirlie Post Read Here Fact or Fiction? The Whirlie Post wants to hear from you! What stories, rumors, or little-known facts about our school would you like us to investigate? For example, is someone really buried in the auditorium? Tell us what you'd like to know, and we'll try to find out the truth! Tell us the story here Well, I heard... Our Vision Dedicated to creating a community in conversation with itself at Grimsley High School Learn More Letters to the Editor We welcome your respectful thoughts and opinions about the issues and topics discussed in these articles. We may publish your letter in an upcoming publication. First Name Last Name Email Subject Leave us a message... Submit Thanks for submitting!

Current Headlines Discover what's happening at Grimsley! Whirlie Girls Go To Flag Football State Playoffs In its second year, the girls flag football team continues Grimsley’s athletic excellence. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Phillips Despite not having a permanent classroom, Kelly Phillips has settled into life as a Grimsley teacher. Fact or Fiction? The Whirlie Post wants to hear from you! What stories, rumors, or little-known facts about our school would you like us to investigate? For example, is someone really buried in the auditorium? Tell us what you'd like to know, and we'll try to find out the truth! Tell us the story here Well, I heard... Previous Headlines Catch up on what you might have missed at Grimsley! Connecting with Community at Grimsley There are so many different opportunities outside of the classroom at Grimsley High School. Mr. Post Named Teacher of the Year The beloved IB English and Philosophy teacher is held in high regard by both teachers and students. Brooks Buddies Club Reborn Under Grimsley Student Club provides high schoolers with opportunities to work with Brooks Global students and teachers. Meet Your Librarian: Ms. Kiss Tiffany Kiss is new to the Grimsley Media Center this year. Ace the Second Semester: Study Tips for Success How to finish this school year off strong Musical Traditions at Grimsley: Open Mic Night Grimsely’s Modern Band stars in a night filled with Grimsley’s musical talent. Meet Nurse Stockton Keria Stockon is not just Grimsley’s school nurse, but a public health professional. Stress : How Does It Affect You Physically? Learn how stress affects your physical health, and ways to combat it. Renovations of Grimsley To Begin This Summer Bathrooms in Main, Vocational, and Old Science will be renovated. Seeing the Light When There’s No End In Sight Tips on how to combat burnout during the 3rd Quarter Opinion: Renovation Revolution We believe upgrades could transform Grimsley High School Cher Ami Club L'Amitié Internationale at Grimsley is building international relationships through pen pal letters. From Purple Whirlwinds to Navy Whirlies: The History of GHS Even before being named Grimsley, GHS has long been one of the premier high schools in North Carolina. Tight Knit: Grimsley Needlework Club Started by Two Sophomores Club founders want to spread the joy and fun of needlework. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Ostrander Jessie Ostrander knows that math isn’t for everyone, and she’s ok with that. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Brockett Jennifer Brockett, a new art teacher, loves the diversity at Grimsley. Mental health or Work: Do you have to choose? Time management can help you have a healthy balance of both.

Previous Headlines: 2024-2025 Catch up on what you might have missed at Grimsley! Connecting with Community at Grimsley There are so many different opportunities outside of the classroom at Grimsley High School. Mr. Post Named Teacher of the Year The beloved IB English and Philosophy teacher is held in high regard by both teachers and students. Brooks Buddies Club Reborn Under Grimsley Student Club provides high schoolers with opportunities to work with Brooks Global students and teachers. Meet Your Librarian: Ms. Kiss Tiffany Kiss is new to the Grimsley Media Center this year. Ace the Second Semester: Study Tips for Success How to finish this school year off strong Musical Traditions at Grimsley: Open Mic Night Grimsely’s Modern Band stars in a night filled with Grimsley’s musical talent. Meet Nurse Stockton Keria Stockon is not just Grimsley’s school nurse, but a public health professional. Stress : How Does It Affect You Physically? Learn how stress affects your physical health, and ways to combat it. Renovations of Grimsley To Begin This Summer Bathrooms in Main, Vocational, and Old Science will be renovated. Seeing the Light When There’s No End In Sight Tips on how to combat burnout during the 3rd Quarter Opinion: Renovation Revolution We believe upgrades could transform Grimsley High School Cher Ami Club L'Amitié Internationale at Grimsley is building international relationships through pen pal letters. From Purple Whirlwinds to Navy Whirlies: The History of GHS Even before being named Grimsley, GHS has long been one of the premier high schools in North Carolina. Tight Knit: Grimsley Needlework Club Started by Two Sophomores Club founders want to spread the joy and fun of needlework. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Ostrander Jessie Ostrander knows that math isn’t for everyone, and she’s ok with that. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Brockett Jennifer Brockett, a new art teacher, loves the diversity at Grimsley. Mental health or Work: Do you have to choose? Time management can help you have a healthy balance of both. Check Out Current Articles from The Whirlie Post Read Here

Previous Headlines: 2023-2024 Catch up on what you might have missed at Grimsley! Beloved Teacher Makes Musical Magic at Grimsley Marshall “MJ” Johnson celebrates his 20th anniversary leading vocal music at Grimsley. Grimsley Bathrooms to Be Renovated This Summer. Indoor cosmetic renovations, as well as bathrooms and AC will be addressed during summer renovations. Ramadan: My Perspective as a Grimsley Student What does this holy month mean to Muslims and what is the purpose of fasting? Film By Grimsley Student Wins State Competition Golden Dawn director and Grimsley senior Alexander Carpenter aspires to be a successful filmmaker. Donuts: A Perspective A look at producer J Dilla and his unmatched legacy. Athlete Spotlight: Drew Mascia This Grimsley runner is not only an outstanding athlete, but also a hard worker! Giving Back to Grimsley Grimsley Goods finds ways to create a better Grimsley. Student Council Brings Back T.W.I.R.P. Dance Despite challenges, the Student Council hopes the dance will become a spring staple. Three Grimsley Poets Voted Finalists Poems by Nasir Crawford, Rainey Thompson, and Zai’ere Watson were selected in the GCS poetry competition. A Tribute to Molly Rotunda The Grimsley community mourns the loss of a beloved alumna. Objection Your Honor! Grimsley's Mock Trial Club prepares students for the future. Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Potts and Ms. Williams Meet two first-year teachers at Grimsley! Anxiety Is Real I struggle with anxiety in high school. Do you? “Overwhelmed” Grimsley Senior Charlotte Williams overcomes her anxiety. The Whirlie Cafe Exceptional students serve up coffee and gain valuable experience. Seminar Class Cooks Up A Storm GHS Seminar Class finds its sweet spot with a weekly baking competition. Swann Middle to Be Shut Down, Renovated Major changes to Swann Middle School bring mixed reactions from students and teachers. Athlete Spotlight Swimmer Ellie Hunt speeds her way through the water to a successful season. Catch the Beat: Praises for Legendary Chillhop Artists Nujabes and Shing02 engineer the chill sounds of Lo-Fi Hip-Hop. Whirlie Trends Make Friends and Fun Fads in music and school essentials fuel self-expression, giving students a place to belong. What Happened to the School Newspaper? Join us as we dive into the history of the High Life. Check Out Current Articles from The Whirlie Post Read Here

Mental health or Work: Do you have to choose? Time management can help you have a healthy balance of both. By Vishruth Bhargava December 17, 2024 High school is tough, and many students find themselves stressing and sacrificing their mental health in the name of good grades. In fact, some students report that when they feel overworked and decide to take it easy on the schoolwork and studying, their grade starts to drop, which makes them stress even more. All this seems to be a vicious cycle, so what can stop it? Time is key to a better balance. One student says that because of the amount of time they spend on school work and studying, they are unable to really pursue hobbies and interests that make them happy, thus ruining their mood. Because of this common occurrence, time management is one way to improve your mental health while still getting your work done, and there are some methods to manage your time well that I find work well. Set a to-do list to picture how much you have to do for the day and how long you have to finish it. I recently started to use this method and it has worked wonders for me, especially if you are one to overestimate how much work you have. Limit distraction during work. Excessive distractions during work are usually not mentally rewarding and they just extend the amount of time you need to get work done. If working time extends then the amount of downtime you have shrinks, therefore diminishing your mood and mental health. I did this a lot and found myself with little time to do the things I wanted, until I realized that my phone was a big issue to my productivity. Try not to procrastinate. Procrastination is a big problem with me and, reportedly, with many of my peers. Procrastination is logically redundant because you have to do that work eventually anyway, so why wait? The human brain prioritizes happiness now over more lasting happiness later, according to Solvingprocrastination.com. This is why many people, including myself, procrastinate a lot. Despite this human nature, I recently cut back on procrastination due to something I realized that was dragging my mood. When a person procrastinates, the fun they have in the moment is ruined by the looming feeling that they have work to do, and they feel bad the whole day, but if they do work first and then play, they feel accomplishment after finishing their work, and they can enjoy their hobbies without that looming feeling of unfinished work dragging them down. Increasing productivity when working is an important part of having more downtime, but what you do with downtime is equally as important to maximizing your mental state and your mood. Stressful activities and dangerous activities can lower your mental state even further which is why it is important to choose activities that are soothing, fun, or exciting. Some things that Psychology Today recommends that can calm you down are: Taking a hot bath or shower Painting or coloring Listening to your favorite song Play a game you enjoy like Monopoly or UNO Or doing any other things that bring you joy Like all things in life, balance is key when dealing with improving your mental health. Finding the right balance for yourself can be the difference between a happy high school experience and burnout, so find a balance to maximize academic success and the happiness in your everyday life. Please speak to your counselor if you have any more issues with your mental health or if you have any more questions. Continue reading "Overwhelmed": Grimsley Senior Charlotte Williams overcomes her anxiety.

Team Captain Alaya Mesa (#4) has learned a lot from playing flag football. Photo curtesy of Alaya Mesa. Whirlie Girls Go To Flag Football State Playoffs In its second year, the girls flag football team continues Grimsley’s athletic excellence. By Juliet Fisher January 23, 2026 Grimsley had two football teams in the running for a state championship this year. There was a boys' varsity football team that won the state championship. And in only its second year, the Grimsley girls' flag football team made it to the state playoffs. The Whirlie flag football team finished the fall 2025 regular season with a 10-2 record after shutting out seven opponents, including Page and Northwest, and winning the conference. Grimsley only started a flag football team in the fall of 2024 as part of a larger initiative by Guilford County Schools to offer a more inclusive and safer alternative to football. This is the first year flag football had a state championship in North Carolina, and the team was excited to participate. They defeated Enloe in the first playoff round before falling to Southern Durham in the second round in late November. Coach Mike Kennedy has been coaching the team for both years. “I love coaching these girls,” he said. “They have so much courage, trying a new sport. Many of them didn't know anything about flag football before this team.” Flag football is the fastest-growing American sport. According to NFL Operations, the number of girls ages 8-17 playing flag football increased by 63% between 2019 and 2023. Flag football gained major recognition when it was added to the 2028 Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles. Last fall, the Grimsley team practiced every Monday through Thursday for 1 ½ hours. A typical practice began with some stretching. After stretching, the team came together to review some defensive and offensive techniques. At the end of practice, the team faced each other in a scrimmage. One of this year's team captains is Grimsley senior Alaya Mesa. This is Mesa's second year on the flag football team. Flag football has impacted her life in ways she never expected. “Being a team captain teaches you patience and helps you learn how to take accountability,” Mesa said. “Being a captain teaches you to lead with your heart and helps you become a better person.” Mesa leads with the same discipline, focus, and strategy she carries from her athletic ability. “As a captain, I really look forward to the team's energy,” she said. “It makes it easy to appreciate and connect with the team because their energy is so contagious and uplifting.” Grimsley junior Stella Lanier returned for a second year on the team. “My friends and I wanted to try it last year when it first started,” Lanier said. “I fell in love with the sport.” Lanier also plays soccer. “Playing soccer, there is a lot more pressure. Because flag football is such a new sport, we are all still learning together. It's fun.” “I am so proud of my team,” Coach Mike said. “I always remind them to play together as a unit. It takes everyone on the team to win.” Lanier reports the same. “Coming together as not only a team, but as a family and working together is one of the most important things I will take away from this team.”

Ms. Kelly Phillips in one of her classrooms. Photo by Briella Buterbaugh Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Phillips Despite not having a permanent classroom, Kelly Phillips has settled into life as a Grimsley teacher. By Briella Buterbaugh January 23, 2026 We give a warm welcome to many new teachers this year, one of whom is Ms. Kelly Phillips. Ms. Phillips teaches Honors Biology and Earth and Environmental Science. Her favorite thing to teach about is cells, saying “...all the things it can do are interesting.” Even though she teaches in the New Science building, it may be challenging to find her around the building. Ms. Phillips does not have a classroom, and spends her days moving around to different teachers' classrooms. “It’s been a little bit of a challenge, but now that I’ve kind of got into the rhythm and know what to expect, just like anything, it's gotten better,” Ms. Phillips said. Originally Ms. Phillips had no intention of being in the education field. She was offered a teaching job after graduating college and took it, starting at Alan J. Middle teaching Social Studies and Science. In addition to her teaching certification, Ms. Phillips has an early childhood development and psychology degree, as well as an academically gifted certification. “I like learning,” Ms. Phillips said, “and I feel like I keep pushing myself to learn new things.” She’s made a great impact on her students this year. Lily Wildman, a biology honors student, said, “I look forward to Ms. Phillips' class every day, she is truly one of the most kind, fun, and patient teachers I have ever had.” Ms. Phillips gives good tips and advice to students. “Don’t be afraid to take chances, don’t be afraid to make a mistake, and know that’s how we learn. Don’t put pressure on yourselves and understand we do encounter those problems; it's what prepares us for future situations.”

Musical Traditions at Grimsley: Open Mic Night Grimsley’s Modern Band stars in a night filled with Grimsley’s musical talent. By Mila Pucilowski February 26, 2025 Over the years, Grimsley High School has built up many valued and loved traditions. One of those is Open Mic Night. Open Mic Night is a music department tradition. The event happens four times a year and is run by Grimsley's modern band and their teacher Marshall Johnson. Marshall Johnson, called MJ by his students, has been teaching at Grimsley for 22 years. He started the Modern Band program at Grimsley in 2019. “My personal philosophy is that you need to meet students where they are at musically, not try to jam everybody into a one size fits all kind of option.” MJ said. Because of this, Modern Band classes offer opportunities to learn how to play instruments such as bass, guitar, keyboard and drums, and collaborate with other students on popular songs for Open Mic Night. The songs range from “Hey Jude” by the Beatles and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” to Taylor Swift's “Red” and “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter. “I think I’ve just gotten even better as a musician,” said Junior Andrew Crowell, the keyboardist for the Modern Band. “I wasn’t sure how I would do when I first signed up for the class, but I’ve learned a lot about playing music, and I”ve discovered a lot of musicians and songs through preparing for open mic. I’ve added a lot of new music to my library.” Over the five years of the Modern Band Program, “we've continued to add more and more talent to the program,” MJ said. Open Mic is the perfect place for these students to showcase their talents, as well as gain the experience of setting up for shows and performing live for crowds. “It feels good to know that there’s a lot of talented musicians at Grimsley, and it’s really fun to be able to perform music with other people my age,” Crowell said. Performing "Jump" by Van Halen are Modern Band students Grey Davis, guitar; Noah Dupont, bass; Andrew Crowell, keyboard and Elijah Blow, drums at the February Open Mic. Modern Band student Sophomore Nate Fitzgerald’s favorite part of Open Mic Night is “having moments where everyone comes together, actually makes a song and being able to show it off, and have people watch.” Open Mic is also a great opportunity for people who aren't in a music class to showcase their talent. It's also a perfect place to hear different types of music. The evening features anything from metal bands, rock, to instrumentalists playing saxophone in jazz songs. Even if you're not interested in performing, Open Mic Night is still a perfect activity to hang out with friends and meet new people. The next Open Mic is April 3rd. “I love Open Mic, it's always a fun experience to get dressed up with my friends and go listen to good music,” said Junior Genni Porter, who's been attending Open Mic for years. Open Mic started in the early 2010’s before the modern band program even existed. The event was an expansion of the previous tradition called Coffee House, started in the mid 1990’s by Grimsley Madrigal singers to perform songs for each other. But once MJ started Open Mic Night, the two merged together with a mix of singers and bands performing for the night. Now it's more of a performance night for the modern band classes to showcase what they've been working on throughout the year. However, the concert is still open to performers outside of modern band. Open Mic Night has evolved throughout the years and become the perfect place to watch emerging musical talent at Grimsley High School.

Grimsley Senior Alexander Carpenter poses for a photo. Photo by Kevin Massey Film By Grimsley Student Wins State Competition Golden Dawn director and Grimsley senior Alexander Carpenter aspires to be a successful filmmaker. By Ashley Crowell April 4, 2024 Many people dream of being famous one day, becoming a successful musician, athlete or actor. One Grimsley student is already well on his way to achieving his dream “to become a renowned filmmaker, a name that everybody knows,” said Grimsley senior Alexander Carpenter. Carpenter’s latest project is Golden Dawn , a post-apocalyptic style film that was recently named the winner of the NC Filmworks competition. His project has been shown in several film festivals in the state and also will be featured in the Grimsley Playmasters Film Festival on May 17. As part of the competition, the filmmakers are given a required prop, line of dialogue and a selection of film genres from which to choose. Golden Dawn follows three characters in a post-apocalyptic world who are going to steal gold from a cult. “It’s a pretty wild story, but it works well,” said Carpenter, laughing. Carpenter created the film for the competition with some of his classmates in the IB Film class taught by Mr. Matthew Ringrose. “Some of the crew I had worked with on other projects, making films and acting,” said Carpenter. “Some of the crew were working on The Haunted Tour at the time and so I was able to ask them.” Carpenter and his crew had just one week to create the film as part of the competition. “The filming process was kinda tough because there were so many other productions going on, like The Haunted Tour and a bunch of testing…so scheduling was really hard.” Despite having many challenges during production, including microphone malfunctions and restricted shooting times, the team managed to finish in time. “My favorite part of the production was how smooth everything came together,” said Carpenter. Carpenter has had lots of practice putting together film projects and working to have everything come together. “I used to make short little films with a GoPro camera that I had and a couple of other cameras,” said Carpenter. “I was always interested in how people made films and made special effects for films, and that got me interested in editing and putting things together.” Carpenter is well on his way to becoming a successful filmmaker, having won this competition the previous year, yet he continues to seek opportunities to grow and learn more about his art. “The inspiration for this film was kind of an improvement on my project from last year…and I wanted to do a better job of storytelling and creating a more fully designed set.” Storytelling remains the foundation for Carpenter’s films, and he continues to use all of the different elements of filmmaking to tell that story. “Since film is a mostly visual medium, the ability to tell a story through what you’re seeing on the screen, and not necessarily just some dialogue, is something that I really look up to.”

Giving Back to Grimsley Grimsley Goods finds ways to create a better Grimsley. By Carter Watson April 4, 2024 All throughout Grimsley, a spirit of engagement develops as students come together to create a positive impact within Grimsley and throughout the community. Grimsley Goods, a student-led organization, focuses on the food and clothing insecurity in our school’s community. From food drives and clothing donations to teaming up with local organizations, students work together to ensure that every Grimsley student has access to nutritious food and winter coats. This club reflects the dedication and empathy of Grimsley students who understand the importance of assisting and supporting one another. “Grimsley goods is a simple way to help others in a significant way by providing food security and support for those in need,” said Allison Lunsford, a sophomore and an active member of Grimsley Goods. “This club is significant to me because it provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Grimsley.” With the Grimsley Goods Club service learning has become a popular way for students to give back to Grimsley. Service learning not only gives back to the school, but also allows students to enrich their own experiences. Whether it’s volunteering at a soup kitchen, participating in a cleanup service, or even tutoring underclassmen, Grimsley students continue to explore ways to engage in their community and contribute to making a difference in the lives of others. As Grimsley students continue to find and research ways to give back and contribute to our community and our school, the future of Grimsley looks brighter than ever. With each act of service and moment of kindness, students are not only making a difference but also laying a foundation for future students and a caring society. In the halls of Grimsley High School, the spirits of activism, service, and compassion are thriving, inspiring each and every one of us to strive for a better tomorrow.

“I listen to Snoop Dogg Affirmations, and my friends don’t let me get into my head about things,” Freshman Cammie Stoutz said. Seeing the Light When There’s No End In Sight Tips on how to combat burnout during the 3rd Quarter By Kennedy Goree February 11, 2025 Freshmen fever, sophomore slump, junior jam, and senioritis are all sayings that convey the same thing: burnout. Whether you are in your first or last year of high school, burnout can hit hard, especially in the second semester. With the third quarter upon us, certain strategies can help ease the stress and tension, while still motivating you to achieve your goals. Support from friends and family makes a world of difference when searching for motivation in the remaining months of the school year. Stepping back from your course load and spending time with the people who mean the most to you can help you put things into perspective. “My favorite thing to do when I am burnt out is take a break and hang out with friends,” Sophomore Catherine Bowers says. Showing yourself just how amazing you are can inspire you to finish the year strong. “I listen to Snoop Dogg Affirmations, and my friends don’t let me get into my head about things,” Freshman Cammie Stoutz said. Positive affirmations and friends that remind you how incredible you are ,while providing you with a refreshed sense of self-worth, can really make a positive impact on your second-semester success. Lastly, setting goals can remind you what you are working towards. “Reminding myself that if I don’t work hard to reach my goal of going on to college” helps “keep my goals in sight,” Junior Aubreigh Duckworth said. Goals can be a constant reminder and motivation of what you are working towards. Everyone’s goals are different, whether they are short-term or long-term, and visualizing your future will help you enjoy the present. As we approach the last quarter of the school year, keeping these tips in mind can improve your success for the rest of the year.

Through intricately layered beats and chillhop vibes, Japanese producer Nujabes pioneered lo-fi hip hop before his untimely death. His collaborations with MC Shing02 produced beloved albums, but it was Nujabes' solace-filled sound that crossed cultures to make him the godfather of lo-fi. Catch the Beat: Praise for Legendary Chillhop Artists Nujabes and Shing02 engineer the chill sounds of Lo-Fi Hip-Hop. By Jake Acosta Jan. 29, 2024 Production and instrumentals are seen as the spine of music, essential for creating a song. Hip-Hop is prominent in the world of production, especially for the kind of samples and methods that were utilized to make the music. Amidst this soulful atmosphere, one producer stands out in the realm of jazz-rap, using samples from across the globe and flipping them in a way that no other could even imagine. Nujabes, a Japanese record producer and audio engineer, has left a lasting influence on every corner of hip-hop. Pronounced noo-jaa-buhz, he has achieved this legacy despite only releasing two studio albums during his lifetime. From his early mixtapes he released through cassettes, to his first studio album Metaphorical Music (2003), and even working on a soundtrack for a widely beloved anime, Samurai Champloo (2004), to his eventual death in 2010, Nujabes has left a legendary mark on hip-hop forever. Jun Seba Yamada, known by stage name Nujabes, was a hip-hop producer who worked through the early and late 2000s and embraced a jazz-centered, hip-hop sound mostly through sampling. Nujabes’ sound is warm and reassuring, focusing on intricacy and making the most with the depth of his samples. These elements of his sound are what makes most hip-hop fans deem him as the godfather of lofi. The subgenre of LoFi Hip-Hop embraces a softer and cleaner sound, usually through instrumental beats featuring no vocal performance. This is commonly regarded as “chillhop”. Nujabes pioneered this sound and generally did it better than anyone ever has, expressing and communicating exactly how he felt through these instrumentals. Oftentimes when he would have MC’s on his tracks, they would translate into words exactly what Nujabes was aiming for regarding the emotion of the beat. And Nujabes brought the best out of everyone he worked with, one MC in particular being Shing02. Shingo Annen, known by his stage name Shing02, is a Japanese MC and record producer who worked primarily with Nujabes while Nujabes was still alive, even releasing a posthumous record they had worked on together, titled Luv(sic) Hexalogy (2015). Shing02 and Nujabes have been working together since 2001, their first track together titled Luv(sic), which features a young Nujabes introducing Shing02 to his production potential with the best he had at the time. From there, Nujabes went on to further emphasize how meticulous his beat- making process was, and also went on to create 5 more parts to the Luv(sic) series, excluding remixes and alternate versions. These versions were never released together until 2015. Five years after Nujabes died in 2010, Shing02 released Luv(sic) Hexalogy under Nujabes’ name. This album compiled of every song in the Luv(sic) series (parts 1-6) along with remixes and alternate versions of every track, as well as the additional song Perfect Circle and its instrumental. Luv(sic) Hexalogy is beloved by hip-hop fans of all kinds for its peace-inducing, universal tone. Shing02 writes on the tracks about previous loves/friends in his life that have passed away, how they changed his life and his devotion to them through music and everyday being, along with giving thanks to the current friends that surround him. This along with the insanely deep instrumentals from Nujabes that bleed solace and appreciative reminiscence, the match couldn’t be any more perfect for such a given message and composition within a song. This is done all throughout Luv(sic) Hexalogy. Luv(sic) pt 2 emphasizes this perspective through writing. On this track, Shing02 writes about a late lover from the past and how they surfed through life together, writing that he and she couldn’t have met at a better time even if they planned it. He narrates their relationship stages, and how they developed their love for each other, and then her eventual passing and his gratitude to have had the opportunity to to know her. On the other hand, Luv(sic) pt 4 brings perhaps the deepest Nujabes instrumental ever done in his career, with the utilization of his signature drum break being the structure for his soul-lifting samples of piano and sax. The way he includes record scratching to enable Shing02 to begin rhyming, and then follows it up with an ethereal saxophone sample that drives the main melody is something no one else can do, at least in the same way. Nujabes has left a lasting impression on hip-hop fans of all kinds and of all ages. Even people who wouldn’t consider themselves as hip-hop fans give their praises to Nujabes. Whether it’s because of his intricacy or consistent depth, or because listening to one of his beats feels like you’re talking to him face-to-face, or you just like chillhop, Nujabes has brought cultures around the world together in celebration of the most beautiful form of poetry the world has to offer, hip-hop.