Voxcali

Voxcali

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Voxcali episodes

  • ATEEZ Continues Ascent with 10th Top US World Album

    Following the massive success of GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4, ATEEZ continues to solidify their status as global icons with ten No. 1 albums on the US World Chart.

    Through an extensive collection of Korean and Japanese releases, the eight-member band ATEEZ has cultivated a standalone reputation in the K-pop industry since first debuting in 2018.

    Their 2026 mini-album, GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4, furthered their streak of commercial success.  Led by the title track “Adrenaline,” the project peaked at No. 1 on the World Albums chart in both the United States and South Korea.  To date, ten of the group's albums and EPs have reached the top spot on the U.S. World Chart.

    The group remains widely recognized for their 2023 hit single, “Bouncy (K-Hot Chili Peppers),” which has amassed over 340 million streams.  Building on that momentum, ATEEZ made history in 2024 as the first K-pop boy group to perform at Coachella.  Only months after the festival, they released “Work,” marking their first single to claim No. 1 on the U.S. World chart.

    In 2025, the K-Pop band released GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3, featuring the tracks “Lemon Drop” and “In Your Fantasy” – the latter of which became their highest-charting entry on the Billboard Hot 100.

    ATEEZ’s string of hits has cultivated a massive global following, including 4.3 million monthly Spotify listeners and a combined social media presence of over 31 million followers.

    3 min
  • Vox Momenti: Sweet Gasoline

    Nostalgia for cheap gas only takes you so far.

    Verse 1

    Where it began
    I can’t begin to knowin’
    But then I know it’s growin’ strong
    Was in the spring
    Back when the pumps were smilin’
    Thirty-five cents didn’t feel wrong

    Pre-Chorus

    Hands on the wheel
    Windows down, radio playin’
    Didn’t think twice ’bout the miles
    Gas station lights
    Buzzin’ soft on a Friday
    Fill it up and still got a smile

    Chorus

    Sweet gasoline
    Ba ba baaa
    Good times never seemed so good
    So good! So good! So good!
    Sweet gasoline
    Ba ba baaa
    Now it costs more than it should

    Verse 2

    Look at it now
    Prices climbin’ like a fever
    Numbers jumpin’ off the sign
    Who lit the match?
    Folks say it’s all connected
    To dreams of glory out of line

    Pre-Chorus

    There in the air
    Talk of wars and bravado
    Lines get drawn in desert sand
    Somewhere along
    Came the itch for the spotlight
    From Donald Trump’s heavy hand

    Chorus

    Sweet gasoline
    Ba ba baaa
    Good times never seemed so good
    So good! So good! So good!
    Sweet gasoline
    Ba ba baaa
    Now we’re payin’ what we should

    Bridge

    Fillin’ up feels like a gamble now
    Numbers spin and you just shake your head
    Used to drive just for the hell of it
    Now you’re thinkin’ ’bout the cost instead

    Verse 3 (EV Turn)

    Lately I’ve been
    Thinkin’ ’bout a quiet motor
    Plug it in and let it ride
    No pump, no line
    Just hummin’ down the highway
    Watchin’ all that stress subside

    Pre-Chorus

    Maybe it’s time
    Trade the fumes for a future
    Leave the old days in the past
    Still hear that song
    But the road’s a little different
    And the change might finally last

    Final Chorus

    Sweet gasoline
    Ba ba baaa
    Good times never seemed so good
    So good! So good! So good!
    Sweet gasoline
    Ba ba baaa
    Now we knew we never could

    Outro Tag

    Sweet gasoline…
    Or maybe somethin’ new
    Rollin’ clean and quiet too…
    Still I sing for you

    5 min
  • Asian American Heritage Month Events Across Los Angeles

    Los Angeles is celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in May with cultural festivals and industry galas.

    If you’re in Los Angeles during the month of May, there are many ways you can tap into the culture and community to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. 

    Starting at the beginning of the month, on May 2nd, Pierce College is kicking things off with their 5th annual Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival and Food Fair. From 10AM to 3PM, stop by to enjoy live music, traditional dances, and many AAPI owned food vendors. Experience multiple cultures all in one place and start things off with the fair’s vibrant energy. 

    On May 6th, one of the more elevated AAPI Heritage Month events will take place. The AAPI Design Alliance Gala will be hosted in Koreatown and will bring together a plethora of influential talents and brands in order to raise awareness for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander pioneers in design. Beyond the awards and recognition, the gala serves as a major networking opportunity for those looking to build community in a more intimate setting. 

    Later in the month on May 16th, the AAPI Joy Festival is a free event hosted at the Los Angeles Public Library. From 11AM to 4PM, you can celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with workshops, performances, and activities for the entire family like drumming, lei-making, and culinary demonstrations. This festival focuses on celebrating AAPI voices and identity in order to promote a deeper understanding of the community and the stories behind it. 

    Finally, that same weekend on May 17th, visit the AAPI LA Market from 10AM to 4PM. This market is one of the biggest AAPI events in the city. Everyone gets free entry and is invited to try some of the best food and drinks from AAPI owned businesses. The day will be filled with live music and other community activities that will truly capture the spirit of the AAPI community.

    AAPI Heritage month is all about support. Supporting local businesses, artists, and the stories that have gone unheard for too long and in a city like Los Angeles, there’s no better place to celebrate.

    3 min
  • MLB’s Fraud Watch Includes Two All-Stars

    From injury woes in Houston to performance regression in Cleveland, these three players are currently at the center of the league’s biggest concerns.

    While some big leaguers are thriving, others have raised serious concerns early in the 2026 season.

    Astros’ rookie Tatsuya Imai has struggled to find his footing.  He had a rough debut allowing 4 earned runs in 2 and two-thirds innings. Even worse, in Imai’s third appearance he allowed 3 earned runs in just one-third of an inning before landing on the 15-day injured list for right arm fatigue and a lack of grip strength.  The poor showing has contributed to the Astros’ league-worst 5.93 team ERA.

    Left fielder Steven Kwan has got off to a slow start at the plate for the Guardians batting just .220 with one home run.  The sluggish outset of the four-time Gold Glover and two-time All-Star has led some fans to question whether the team missed an opportunity to trade him at peak value.

    Perhaps most alarming has been Kodai Senga’s regression.  The Mets’ 2023 All-Star has stumbled to an 0–3 start with a bloated 8.83 ERA.  Earning $15 million this season, his struggles have become a focal point of the New York media, with the team’s manager fielding questions about whether he should remain in the starting rotation.

    If these trends continue, each of these players risks defining their season for the wrong reasons.

    2 min
  • Vox Momenti: The Hot Asian Woman’s Burden

    Can you really be hot if you aren't keeping up with the latest beauty treatments and trends?

    VERSE 1

    (dry, matter-of-fact delivery — like reading off a to-do list)

    Wake up at five, gotta start the ritual

    Sheet mask on, seven steps, habitual
    Snail mucin, fermented rice water
    My mother said beauty requires order

    Double cleanse, then the essence goes first

    Toner, ampoule, hydrating mist burst
    But now TikTok says I need a gua sha stone
    And glass skin trending — girl, I can't be cloned

    PRE-CHORUS

    (building frustration, melody rising)

    And now they're saying

    Try the bird's nest, try the collagen
    Thread your brows the Chinese way, Korean way
    There's always another way

    CHORUS

    (full, anthem-like, slightly unhinged energy)

    Oh it's the hot Asian woman's burden

    Forty steps deep and I'm still not certain
    Slugging? Cushion? Fermented serum?
    My bathroom shelf is a whole museum

    Rice bran, pearl powder, ginkgo leaf

    Is this skincare or is this a belief?
    I just wanted to moisturize my face
    Now I need a spreadsheet and storage space

    VERSE 2

    (faster, more anxious delivery)

    Jade roller first or after the vitamin C?

    Niacinamide clashes — someone explain it to me
    Seoul said brightening, Tokyo said matte
    Shanghai said dewy — I can't balance all that

    Now the aunties want me doing gua sha for my jaw

    And a face yoga class on Tuesday morning raw
    Japanese sunscreen, minimum SPF 50
    My schedule's not a routine — it's a city

    PRE-CHORUS

    (same melody, slightly more breathless)

    And everybody's posting

    Try the mugwort, try the propolis
    Snail filtrate, donkey milk, and tremella — this
    is more than I can live

    CHORUS

    (full belt)

    Oh it's the hot Asian woman's burden

    Forty steps deep and I'm still not certain
    Slugging? Cushion? Fermented serum?
    My bathroom shelf is a whole museum

    Rice bran, pearl powder, ginkgo leaf

    Is this skincare or is this a belief?
    I just wanted to moisturize my face
    Now I need a spreadsheet and storage space

    BRIDGE

    (deadpan rap / spoken word — slight comic exhaustion)

    Monday: double cleanse, tone, essence, two serums, eye cream, moisturize, sunscreen

    Tuesday: add the retinol — but not with the acids — never with the acids
    Wednesday: sheet mask, ampoule, gua sha, face massage fifteen minutes minimum
    Thursday: I read that red light therapy and microcurrent at the same time might cause…
    Friday: I give up — no wait — I watched a new video —
    Saturday: mugwort steam, volcanic ash, apricot kernel, mung bean, snail again
    Sunday: rest day. Just kidding. Centella. Always centella.

    (deep breath)

    And I still haven't started on the hair.

    FINAL CHORUS

    (ironic orchestral swell, choir-like backing vocals, slightly chaotic and triumphant)

    Oh it's the hot Asian woman's burden

    A hundred trends deep and the timeline's certain
    There'll be a new one — by Thursday morning
    Some root from a dynasty — without warning

    Rice bran, pearl powder, ginkgo leaf

    I've turned my bathroom into a reef
    I just wanted to take care of my face
    But apparently that requires infinite grace

    OUTRO

    (exhausted, stripped back, just voice and guzheng)

    I look amazing though…

    (pause)
    I think…
    (longer pause)
    There's a new serum dropping next week.
    I already bought it.

    [fade out]

    4 min
  • Munetaka Murakami Ties Historic MLB Rookie Record

    Skeptics have gone quiet as the former NPB standout proves his power translates perfectly to major-league velocity.

    Munetaka Murakami is officially silencing the skeptics.  On Wednesday, the Chicago White Sox third baseman tied a historic MLB rookie record by homering in his fifth consecutive game.  This dominant power surge has effectively shut down critics who questioned his ability to handle major-league velocity.

    Following this explosive streak, Murakami’s odds to win AL Rookie of the Year have quintupled since Opening Day.  He now boasts 10 home runs for the season – the second-best mark in the league – alongside a 1.026 OPS, ranking third overall.

    The White Sox seem to have secured the steal of the offseason; signing the four-time NPB All-Star to a $34 million, two-year deal now looks like pure genius, given the dominant showing.

    2 min
  • Gideon Yu is Silicon Valley’s Quietest Deal Closer

    Before he helped modernize the San Francisco 49ers business operations, Gideon Yu was closing billion-dollar deals with YouTube and Yahoo.

    With the NFL Draft in motion, most of the attention sits on the players, but behind the scenes executives are shaping the future of the game and one of the most influential is Gideon Yu.

    Yu was born in Seoul and moved to the United States at a young age where he was raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated in 1993 from Stanford with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, then later received an MBA from Harvard Business School, but his success did not start in sports.

    During the beginning of his career, Yu held senior finance roles at Yahoo and YouTube, building up his Silicon Valley resume. He worked his way up to treasurer, then senior vice president of Finance for Yahoo, executing over 30 investments for the company after being there for 4 years.

    In 2006, Yu took over as YouTube’s Chief Financial Officer assisting the company in navigating its $1.65 billion acquisition. He later served as Facebook's CFO from 2007 to 2009 before fully transitioning to sports.

    By 2011, he joined the San Francisco 49ers as Chief Strategy Officer before moving up to President just one year later in 2012, where he played a major role in the team’s relocation to Levi’s Stadium, which also included an $850 million construction loan. Under his leadership, the 49ers organization modernized their business operations and saw on-field success with playoff runs and a Super Bowl appearance during this time.

    Today Yu is no longer President, but is still a co-owner of the team. He is also still active in venture capital and currently serves on several boards such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Board of Trustees.

    As a co-owner of the San Francisco 49ers, Yu became the very first Asian American to co-own an NFL franchise, proving that he could achieve victory in both Silicon Valley and in the NFL.

    3 min
  • 340-Pound AAPI Tackle Pegged for First-Round of NFL Draft

    After a junior season with zero sacks allowed, Samoan Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State has established himself as a premier interior lineman in the NFL draft.

    Olaivavega Ioane enters the NFL Draft cycle as a premier offensive line prospect, with most mock drafts placing him as a mid-first-round selection.  At 6’4” and 320 pounds, the Penn State standout has become a focal point for scouts seeking elite power at the guard position.  This physical presence was further validated at the NFL Combine, where he measured in with the second-largest hands of any offensive lineman in attendance.

    Known to teammates as “Vega,” Ioane became a full-time starter for the Nittany Lions in 2024.  That season, he earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors while anchoring a line that produced the fifth-most rushing yards among Power 5 programs on the way to a CFP Semifinal appearance.  

    This past season, the Samoan powerhouse was named a First-team All-American, showcasing his ability to protect the pocket without surrendering a single sack in 311 pass-blocking snaps.

    Following a standout junior year, Vega elected to forgo his final season of eligibility and declare for the draft. 

    The Polynesian is a native of Graham, Washington where he led Graham-Kapowsin High School to an undefeated state title.  He was named a three-star recruit and briefly committed to the University of Washington before ultimately flipping to Penn State.

    The 2026 NFL Draft commences on April 23rd.  Expect Ioane to be taken off the board quickly as teams look to immediately jumpstart their offensive line production.

    2 min
  • Vox Momenti: From India with Ambition

    The essential Indian American Dream captured in three verses. by Vox Momenti

    [Verse 1]

    One suitcase, two degrees, a borrowed winter coat
    Mom packed masala, Dad said, “Beta, take this note—
    Work hard, stay humble, call us every week,
    And don’t forget who you are when you finally peak.”

    Landed in San Jose, blinking in the sun,

    Uber to a sublet with four guys and one bun—
    Of Maggi on the stove and a mattress on the floor,
    Dreams bigger than the skyline he’d never seen before.

    [Pre-Chorus]

    Badge around his neck, coffee in his veins,
    Stand-up at nine, then debugging till it rains—
    Or doesn’t, ‘cause it’s California, you know the deal,
    He’s coding his future one deploy at a time, for real.

    [Chorus]

    From India with ambition, in a hoodie and some hope,
    Climbing up the Valley on a spreadsheet and some code,
    From chai in the morning to stock grants at night,
    Building up a life in that fluorescent light.
    From India with ambition, yeah he’s playing it smart,
    With a green card dream and a well-optimized heart,
    From a tiny rented room to a cul-de-sac view—
    “Made it, Ma,” yeah, he’s making it through.

    [Verse 2]

    Years go by, promotion, now he’s “Senior Engineer,”
    Explaining cricket rules to coworkers over beer.
    Sends money back home, flies parents in June,
    Shows them Google campus like it’s Disneyland, too.

    Mom says, “Beta, shaadi?” Dad just nods his head,

    So he downloads Hinge and reads bios in bed—
    “Love travel, love food, must be family-first,”
    Finds a girl from Jersey who can match his mom’s curd.

    [Pre-Chorus]

    First date over dosa, second over chai,
    Third date they’re comparing which school districts to try—
    She’s a product manager, he’s still writing code,
    They’re syncing calendars for a shared life mode.

    [Chorus]

    From India with ambition, now it’s “we” not just “me,”
    Two laptops glowing in domestic harmony,
    From Diwali with friends to a Costco spree,
    Building up a life in suburban symmetry.
    From India with ambition, with a joint bank account,
    Arguing if Fremont or Cupertino counts,
    From swipe right to mandap, vows under the lights—
    Optimizing love with some Jira invites.

    [Bridge]

    Saturday at Patel Brothers, filling up the cart,
    Frozen parathas, mangoes, every spice and every part.
    A WhatsApp group of cousins, HOA complaints,
    Weekend temple visits, matching festive paints.

    Then the Zillow hunt begins, “good schools” in bold,

    Escrow wars and bidding, stories often told—
    Finally keys in hand to a beige dream home,
    Where the lawn is perfect and the Wi-Fi’s strong.

    [Verse 3]

    Two kids now running through that open-plan space,
    Speaking half in English, half in some mixed-base—
    “Dad, I wanna act!” “Mom, I’ll be online!”
    TikTok dreams colliding with IIT design.

    He smiles kinda nervously, sips his evening chai,

    Thinks of all the code he wrote to get them this sky—
    Maybe they won’t follow the same careful road,
    But they’ve got their own dreams, not just his upload.

    [Pre-Chorus]

    Dance class on Tuesday, auditions on Zoom,
    Influencer lighting in their bedroom bloom—
    He once debugged servers, now he debugs trends,
    Watching new ambition through a different lens.

    [Final Chorus]

    From India with ambition, now it’s legacy,
    Not just lines of code but a family tree,
    From a crowded flight to a life so wide,
    With a thousand little worlds all growing inside.
    From India with ambition, yeah the story evolves,
    From solving for X to problems life resolves,
    From one bold arrival to a future brand new—
    “Go chase it, kids,” yeah, he’s passing it through.

    [Outro]

    One suitcase, two degrees, now a house full of dreams,
    From India with ambition… and everything in between.

    5 min
  • Vox Momenti: Thumb of Thunder

    Trump's insomniac posts are keeping the entire world on edge — as they're meant to. by Vox Momenti

    [Verse 1]

    Well the clock strikes midnight in the glow of a screen
    And the world’s on a wire where the silence should’ve been
    There’s a thumb in the shadows tappin’ out a decree
    Like a king with a keyboard shoutin’ “Listen to me”

    Got a tower full of echoes and a head full of steam

    And a feed full of daggers dressed up as a dream
    Every word like a spark in a powder keg room
    Singin’ lullabies of chaos to a restless doom

    [Pre-Chorus]

    Oh the wise men whisper, “Let it go, let it slide”
    But the itch in his fingers got nowhere to hide

    [Chorus]

    It’s the thumb of thunder, it’s the crack in the night
    It’s a storm in a sentence that’s lookin’ for a fight
    From a mansion to a market to a faraway land
    Just a flick of a finger and it’s out of his hand
    Yeah the world keeps turnin’, but it stumbles and posts
    On the ghosts of the words that he needed the most
    But he just can’t stop, no he don’t understand
    That a spark ain’t nothin’ ‘til it burns through the land

    [Verse 2]

    Well the diplomats dancin’ on a razor’s thin thread
    While the markets start tremblin’ at the things that he said
    Got the generals guessin’ if it’s jest or command
    And the traders all prayin’ with their heads in their hands

    There’s a kid in a classroom watchin’ headlines scroll

    And a farmer in Kansas feel it shake his soul
    From Tehran to Toledo hear the same refrain
    Just a tap-tap-tappin’ like a runaway train

    [Pre-Chorus]

    Oh the old guard’s sighin’, sayin’ “Cool it, be still”
    But the habit’s a fire that outruns the will

    [Chorus]

    It’s the thumb of thunder, it’s the crack in the night
    It’s a storm in a sentence that’s lookin’ for a fight
    From a rumor to a riot to a satellite feed
    Just a careless little phrase turnin’ want into need
    Yeah the world keeps watchin’ like it’s some kind of show
    While the fuse gets shorter everywhere that we go
    And he just can’t stop, though the warnings all stand
    That a spark ain’t nothin’ ‘til it burns through the land

    [Bridge – Spoken/Sung]

    Now you can build all your walls and your gilded facades
    You can dress up your anger in a flag and applause
    But the words don’t vanish when the spotlight is gone
    They go driftin’ like ashes, and they carry on

    And the chorus of chaos don’t care who you blame

    When the match meets the moment and it whispers your name

    [Verse 3]

    Well the morning comes crawlin’ but the damage is done
    And the newsmen are countin’ what the midnight has spun
    There’s a shrug in the hallway, there’s a joke on TV
    But the tremor keeps rollin’ underneath you and me

    Got a world on a trigger and a man on a feed

    With a hunger for thunder that it don’t really need
    And the silence he’s chasin’ is the one he won’t keep
    ‘Cause the noise is a habit that don’t ever sleep

    [Final Chorus]

    It’s the thumb of thunder, it’s the crack in the night
    It’s a storm in a sentence that’s lookin’ for a fight
    From a whisper to a wildfire to a history page
    Just a blink and a breath turnin’ calm into rage
    Yeah the world keeps turnin’, but it’s losin’ its thread
    To the things that are typed and the things left unsaid
    And he just can’t stop, though the whole world demands
    That a spark ain’t nothin’—
    ‘Til it burns through the land

    [Outro]

    So the screen keeps glowin’ and the night don’t rest
    And the thumb keeps movin’ like it knows what’s best
    But the echoes grow louder with each command
    Just a spark…
    Just a spark…
    Burnin’ through the land.

    6 min

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