Current Events
Page: 5
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty
By now you’ve heard of Donald Trump’s latest stunt of plastering the side of a garbage truck with his campaign’s logo in an attempt to own the libs at the expense of a Joe Biden gaffe. But social media is quick with the punch back, with “Garbage Farce One” trending, and it’s hilarious.
Whoever on Team Trump came up with the idea of their Cheeto Overlord cozying up to a garbage truck in Green Bay, Wiscnsin might not really be gang gang. Just saying.
Add to that Trump in a struggle attempt at dressing up like a sanitation worker—a legit blue color job no one should be ashamed of, by the way—and the slander was inevitable. The hypocrisy is that Trump has referred to the United States as a garbage dump for immigrants and he’s even said much worse. Yet the snowflakes are having a meltdown because Biden allegedly dragged them. For the record, Biden said he misspoke, something Trump has never even bothered to say after, for example, referring to immigrants as vermin.
As for the stunt, the fact people hopped on calling what surely would have been a Decepticon in the Transformers universe as Garbage Force One is comically on brand.
Don’t take our word for it, peep the reactions in the gallery.
This is comedy pure gold. Garbage Force One. 😂😂😂 #HappyHalloween https://t.co/PT2A5h644V
— Sheri 👩🦰 (@redsheri1) October 31, 2024
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Gilbert Flores / Getty / Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion is not playing with you bloggers who have been dragging her name through the mud. On Wednesday, the rapper sued blogger Milagro Gramz to let her know she had time.
The Hip-Hop superstar is accusing Milagro Elizabeth Cooper, aka Milagro Gramz, of alleged cyberstalking and promoting deepfake pornography as well as pushing “false statements” about the criminal case involving Canadian Yosemite Sam, aka Tory Lanez, who is currently doing and saying anything to get out of jail after he was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
Per The HuffPost:
Megan’s legal team alleges that Milagro Elizabeth Cooper, aka Milagro Gramz, has engaged in a yearslong “campaign of harassment and cyberbullying” against the rapper, spreading “falsehoods” about the high-profile shooting case to Cooper’s “tens of thousands of social media followers.”
The law firm representing Megan accuses Cooper of being a “mouthpiece and puppet” for Lanez by promoting “the debunked theory that Mr. Peterson did not shoot” the Houston rapper, also known as Megan Pete.
“Defendant Cooper performed Mr. Peterson’s public bidding to denigrate, belittle, insult, and spread false statements about Ms. Pete on her online social media platforms, for no other reason than to bully, harass and punish Ms. Pete for Mr. Peterson’s conviction and to tarnish her reputation, causing emotional distress,” Wednesday’s lawsuit states, according to a copy obtained by HuffPost.
The suit points to several instances in which Cooper allegedly made false claims about the shooting case in public.
One of the examples the suit points out is that Gramz made a “false and outlandish claim” on social media that the gun Lanez used to shoot Megan Thee Stallion was “missing” and was not presented as evidence during the high-profile trial.
“The firearm remains in the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department,” the complaint said. “It is standard procedure in California criminal cases to show an image of the firearm in question rather than present the firearm in court.”
Megan Thee Stallion Claims Milagro Gramz Shared A Deepfake Porn Video
The “HISS” rapper also accused Cooper of sharing a deepfake pornographic video featuring seemingly realistic footage utilizing artificial intelligence allegedly showing Thee Stallion engaging in sexual acts.
The 29-year-old musician is also accusing Cooper of intentionally inflicting emotional distress and invasion of privacy and is requesting a trial by jury.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Cooper acknowledged that the rapper has officially come for writing in a post, “I’ve been informed that I’m being sued by Alex Spiro on behalf of his client Megan Thee Stallion.”
In a statement, Thee Stallion addressed the lawsuit, saying, “It’s time to hold bloggers accountable for years of harassment, cyberbullying and the publication of misinformation about my personal and professional life.”
Clearly, Megan Thee Stallion was fed up. The lawsuit comes on the heels of people like DJ Akademiks sharing false information claiming the California appeals court had found Lanez innocent. Now, clips of her documentary are being shared, and she is leaving no crumbs and snatching wigs.
Social media has been reacting following the news of the lawsuit and to the documentary.
You can see those reactions in the gallery below.
1. Trrrruuueeeee
3. At least somebody is in her corner
4. Mmmmmhmmmm
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: DREW ANGERER / Getty
The largest newspaper in Puerto Rico endorsed Kamala Harris in the presidential race, blasting Donald Trump in the process.
The fallout from a comedian’s remarks at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Madison Square Garden over the past weekend continues, as the largest newspaper in Puerto Rico has officially endorsed Kamala Harris in the presidential election. The editor of El Nuevo Dia, María Luisa Ferré Rangel, didn’t mince words in describing the effects of Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke calling Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage”, shocking many who saw the clip. “Today, the hearts of all of us who love this beautiful Garden of America, and of the world, clench with rage and pain,” Rangel began. She stated that while those three million who live in Puerto Rico cannot vote in the election, the five million of Puerto Rican descent who live in the United States can: “Today we urge all those who love our beautiful island, the land of the sea and the sun, not to lend their vote to Donald Trump. To all Puerto Ricans who can vote in this upcoming United States election and represent those of us who cannot: Vote for Kamala Harris.
“Let’s not forget the paper towels he threw at us while we suffered without electricity for months [after Hurricane Maria] and let’s not forget that the funds did not arrive because Trump – through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development – told them to stop because he considered Puerto Ricans ‘bums who live begging,’” she wrote, also highlighting Hinchcliffe and others’ odious remarks and calling out those Latino supporters of the Republican presidential candidate: “They also insulted Latinos, Blacks, and women. An angry mob shouted prostitute at the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. They also spat in front of a group of her supporters. Many were Latinos, who applauded, not understanding the consequences. One day it will be your turn.”
Rangel strongly highlighted the clear difference between Vice President Harris and former President Trump, writing: “Trump does not discriminate. He is a convicted candidate who not only has no remorse, but considers women to be an object that can be touched whenever he wants. Many have raised the alarm.” She’d illustrate the promise of a Harris presidency for all, writing: “Her speech has not been one of hate. On the contrary, it is one of inclusion.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Aaron J. Thornton / Getty
Music artists wanting out of their contracts is nothing new in the game and it seems like Ari Lennox is the latest in a long line of disgruntled rappers/singers to demand they be given their walking papers from the record label they feel is holding them hostage.
Taking to her Instagram stories, the “Pressure” singer went into detail as to why she no longer wants to be a part of Dreamville and Interscope saying they’ve been “playing” with her all month and “treating me like they’re sorry for me and like I’m the face of mental health.” Further expanding on her discontent with her situation, Ari explained where she was coming from in the situation.
“What I don’t like is being signed and lied to and manipulated. Not one person at those labels ever knew how to market or protect me. Y’all don’t know the half. Constant let down and neglect. This industry stuff will never be for me.”
https://x.com/big_business_/status/1851513547265605725
According to Rap-Up, Ari even explained how she had to come out of pocket to pay for Google ads after the label released her visuals to “Smoke” without her permission.
Per Rap-Up:
The Shea Butter Baby creator hopped on Instagram Live to further air out her problems with Interscope. There, she revealed that the visuals for “Smoke” were released without her permission. “You cannot expect an artist to be anything without advertisement,” she said before mentioning that she’s been paying for the track’s Google Ads.
“I just want to be released, and it’s just that simple, and I’m tired of being nice,” the D.C. native explained. “I was trying to do everything the right way, but now I’m pissed. This was my final straw.”
Knowing what it’s like to be in a dire situation with a record label, T-Pain offered his services and took to the comments section to let Ari know that he’s there to help steer her through this situation as he’s been through the motions himself.
“Bb… … I need to talk to you. I wanna at least throw out some suggestions from experience on how I navigated from being supported by a label to fully independent. It’s fuckin tough as shit but you’re so talented and smart I knew if I gave you a littler perspective from my recent experience, I’ll at least spark something you can take and absolutely kill this shit on your own and be your own boss.”
Yeah, Ari Lennox is over it. Damn. pic.twitter.com/vwx35bshhN
— Write Life (@TheQueenMuse1) October 30, 2024
We hope she reached out to T-Pain to see what could be done to help her get out of her situation. Who knows, maybe her label will honor her wishes and just let her walk away, but if we’ve learned anything about the music industry over recent decades it’s that they rarely ever give the artists their freedom when asked to.
What do y’all think about Ari Lennox calling for her label to release her from her contract? Let us know in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: The Washington Post / Getty
The Washington Post has become the latest so-called progressive publication to feel the wrath of the fall-out following its decision not to endorse a presidential candidate in this uncomfortably tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and the orangey-white nationalist who has normalized slinging lies and bigotry from the political stage.
According to anonymous courses cited in an NPR report, more than 200,000 people canceled their subscriptions to the Post after the publication announced it is “returning to its roots” by staying neutral in the race to the White House and declining to endorse Harris or Donald Trump.
if you’re in line to cancel your washington post subscription, stay in line pic.twitter.com/y2DEOSrVl0
— Florida Chris (@chrislongview) October 28, 2024
It’s not terribly surprising that the Post is basically hemorrhaging subscribers, considering folks on social media put out the call to send a message to the Post and its owner, Jeff Bezos, that its readers won’t stick around if it won’t make an endorsement in an election this crucial.
BREAKING: Jeff Bezos is forcing the Washington Post NOT to endorse Kamala Harris for President — just in case trump wins the election.
🚨EVERYBODY CANCEL YOUR WASHINGTON POST SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW. 🚨
FUCK YOU, JEFF BEZOS. pic.twitter.com/joQOvl5H8z
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) October 25, 2024
From Variety:
On Friday, Washington Post CEO and publisher William Lewis wrote in an article on the paper’s website, “The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election. Nor in any future presidential election. We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.” The Post has endorsed a candidate in every presidential election since 1976, with the exception of 1988. Lewis, who joined the post in November 2023, was formerly CEO of Dow Jones & Co. and publisher of the Wall Street Journal.
As first reported by NPR, Bezos — who bought the Washington Post in 2013 — had recently decided that the newspaper would not endorse either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in the 2024 election. The paper’s editorial board had already drafted an endorsement of Harris. Some observers (and, evidently, thousands of subscribers) interpreted the move as an attempt by Bezos to avoid getting targeted for attacks by Trump.
The fallout for the Post comes just a few days after the Los Angeles Times lost its editorial chief, who resigned over the publication’s relatively new owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, ordered the Times’ editorial board not to endorse Harris after endorsing a Democratic president in every election since 2008. Journalist Mariel Garza said in her resignation letter that it mattered that the largest newspaper in California declined to endorse “in a race this important,” and that “it matters that we won’t even be straight with people about it.”
“It makes us look craven and hypocritical, maybe even a bit sexist and racist,” Garza wrote. “How could we spend eight years railing against Trump and the danger his leadership poses to the country, and then fail to endorse the perfectly decent Democrat challenger — who we previously endorsed for the U.S. Senate?”
Yeah — this is the wrong time for major news outlets to choose silence in the name of pseudo-neutrality and objectivity. The choice between a non-fascist woman who will have worked in all three branches of government if elected and the guy from The Apprentice who spouts non-stop hate speech and propaganda is clear. The Post and the Times needed to do the right thing.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: CNN / x
A CNN discussion fell into chaos as guest panelist Mehdi Hasan was labeled a terrorist by another guest, and social media was incensed.
On Monday night (October 28), CNN host Abby Phillip was moderating a panel discussion that devolved into chaos as one guest panelist inferred that Medhi Hasan, another panelist, was a terrorist. The discussion was centered on the controversial Donald Trump campaign rally held the day before in Madison Square Garden, including Hasan and conservative Ryan Girdusky. Hasan opined that if right-wing supporters of Trump didn’t want to be labeled as “Nazis”, they shouldn’t make anti-Semitic statements. “You’re called an anti-Semite more than anyone at this table,” Girdusky replied, to which Hasan retorted, “Yeah, by you.” As Hasan stated that his support of the Palestinian people made him susceptible to those attacks, Girdusky then said, “Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” referring to the Israeli military operation targeting Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon weeks ago by setting off their pagers which contained hidden explosives.
Here’s the video of Ryan Gidursky saying to Mehdi Hasan, “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.” https://t.co/Zn1B7SCI8i pic.twitter.com/5MX93GOeAe
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 29, 2024
Girdusky tried to continue speaking but the former MSNBC host cut him off. “Did you just say I should die? Did you just say I should be killed live on CNN?”, he asked. Girdusky then claimed he thought Hasan supported the Hamas terror organization, which Hasan denied, leading Girdusky to say, “Then, I apologize.” The other panelists were stunned as Phillip said, “Ryan, that is completely out of pocket.” The program went to commercial, and Hasan and Girdusky weren’t present. Phillip would issue an apology to Hasan and the viewers on-air.
Phillip: I want to apologize to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table. It was completely unacceptable when we get this discussion started, you’ll see that Ryan is not at the table… I want to apologize to the viewers at home pic.twitter.com/wyPaStHUex
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 29, 2024
CNN would issue a statement on X, formerly Twitter, banning Girdusky from appearing on the network. Girdusky attacked CNN afterward, writing in another post on X: “You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Qatar-funded media. Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.” The situation was met with outrage by many on social media who viewed the clip. Lawyer Qasim Rashid questioned the network’s decision to have Girdusky on in the first place: “He calls it a “joke” but his racist comment isn’t isolated. He’s a Project 2025 advisor, runs a racist PAC, & previously wrote for a Nazi—yet CNN invited him on anyway. Why?”
MAGA pundit Ryan Girdusky spewed to Hasan “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.”
He calls it a “joke” but his racist comment isn’t isolated.
He’s a Project 2025 advisor, runs a racist PAC, & previously wrote for a Nazi—yet CNN invited him on anyway. Why?🤔https://t.co/dKvLG9W7ie
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) October 29, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
1. Vince Aries
3. WinstonOrozco_1
4. Adam Parkhomenko
5. Dante Atkins
6. EmperorTChalla
7. DaizyGedeon
8. Ricky Davila
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Matt Cardy / Getty
An account on the X platform known as “Black Insurrectionist,” who made a false claim against Governor Tim Walz, was revealed to be a white man.
An individual spreading some of the more virulent conspiracy theories online, who went by the handle of “Black Insurrectionist,” was revealed to be a white man and supporter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. According to reports, the “Black Insurrectionist” account, which went by DocNetyoutube on X, formerly Twitter, belongs to a white man named Jason G. Palmer. Palmer is a resident of upstate New York and had been using the account to peddle these conspiracies about Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The false claims were amplified by Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.
“Black Insurrectionist,” the anonymous social media persona behind some of the most widely circulated conspiracy theories about the 2024 election, can be traced to a man from upstate New York.
He’s white. https://t.co/vHdrBj9pFQ
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 25, 2024
Palmer’s deception included promoting a false claim that Walz had an inappropriate encounter with a student when Walz was a football coach decades ago. That lie originated as part of a Russian disinformation campaign, according to U.S. security officials. The account also spread a falsehood about ABC News concerning the presidential debate in September, claiming that an employee gave Vice President Harris the questions in advance. This was circulated by the account’s 300,000 followers, and former President Trump would be asked about the account and replied, “I love the person.”
The 51-year-old has a highly checkered past, according to several individuals who were interviewed for the report. He reportedly owes the Internal Revenue Service $6.7 million in unpaid back taxes, has a history of drug addiction, and has been on record as defrauding multiple business partners. His home was also raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation a decade ago. The incident reminded those on X, formerly Twitter, of multiple accounts that engaged in “Blackfishing” during the closing weeks of the 2016 presidential election. Palmer’s identity was confirmed by the Associated Press in conjunction with a specialist from the Human Rights Center at the University of California at Berkeley. The account has been deleted from the X platform.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Social media giant TikTok announced a partnership deal with UnitedMasters to provide users with more access to numerous independent artists.
In a press release, the social media platform TikTok announced that they reached a deal on a partnership with UnitedMasters. The direct partnership will give TikTok access to UnitedMasters’ full catalog of independent music artists numbering over 2 million, which includes Brent Faiyaz, Tobe Nwigwe, and FloyyMenor among others in a multi-year collaboration. Artists with UnitedMasters will also have access to TikTok’s own Commercial Music Library.
“Our partnership with TikTok provides UnitedMasters artists unparalleled access to a vast global audience, while TikTok creators and users gain early exposure to some of the most impactful independent music today,” explained Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of UnitedMasters in the press release. “TikTok recognizes the power of music and creativity, which is why we are excited to formalize this partnership.” According to Social Media Today, the move is inspired by TikTok users’ predilection to find and share new music within the app. An internal report from the social media platform stated that approximately 75% of its users learn about new artists while viewing clips in the app. The partnership also gives those artists with UnitedMasters more exposure to global brands with a presence on the platform, including Diageo, Bose, Walmart, ESPN, Coca-Cola, IKEA, and Dove.
“We want to make the world’s best music available to our global community of over a billion music fans,” said Ole Obermann, Head of Music Business Development at TikTok in the statement. “That’s why we are so excited to be entering into a direct deal with a prominent independent label like UnitedMasters, with its deep, diverse roster of independent artists. Together, we’re ready to amplify these voices and bring their music to a global stage, unlocking new opportunities for discovery.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Dwyane Wade / Dwyane Wade Statue
The internet came together to roast the Miami Heat after the team unveiled a new statue honoring Dwyane Wade that looked nothing like the legendary shooting guard.
Sunday was supposed to be a monumental day for the Basketball Hall of Famer. Instead, it turned out to be a day full of hilarious jokes.
The Heat unveiled Wade’s statue in front of the Kaseya Center in Miami during a ceremony, and immediately, social media had the same reaction: They asked, “Who is this man?” because the statue looked nothing like the 42-year-old retired NBA superstar.
The statue was supposed to depict Wade doing his iconic “this is my house” moment during his playing days. Instead, we got someone impersonating Wade, pulling off the moment.
Social media wasted no time taking the statue and using it in hilarious memes. One of those memes took the head of the statue and put it on Wade’s body during the iconic LeBron James alley-oop from Wade moment.
“Dwayne Wade’s statue is some NASTY WORK,’ the satirical sports X account, The Hater Report, wrote in the caption alongside a photo of the statue.
Another post read, “that ain’t D WADE, that’s homie from I Am Legend!!!”
“The Dwyane Wade statue will haunt me until my dying day,’ another user said on X.
During his speech, Wade even asked, “who is that guy?” Apparently he was just trolling, because he later shared a video of himself overseeing the statue being made.
Welp.
We can’t be mad if Dwyane Wade isn’t made about his statue, but he’s still gonna get these jokes.
You can see more reactions to the statue in the gallery below.
3. Accurate
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Sarah Stier / Getty
Trump rallies have hit yet another low with some disgusting remarks made against Puerto Rico. In turn Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and others have endorsed Kamala Harris.
As spotted on Variety Magazine the recent Donald Trump rally in New York City spewed various vulgar racist insults and wild untruths throughout the six-hour long event. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe opened up the festivities with jokes aimed at several communities including Mexicans, Jews and more. His hack routine included some disparaging and very alarming lines aimed at Puerto Rico. “There’s a lot going on. I don’t know if you know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico” he said. The vulgar remarks were met with very little laughter prompting the crowd to sit through another awkward moment.
Trump rally speaker goes on vile racist tirade against Latinos pic.twitter.com/PuEjn2lLQF
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 27, 2024
Naturally his vile commentary soon went viral and was deemed by hate speech by Latinos and others alike. Immediately after Bad Bunny took to Instagram and shared a reel from Kamala Harris reminding us all that Donald Trump not only blocked aid to the island after Hurricane Maria but disparaged Puerto Ricans via crass insults. Jennifer Lopez also shared the same clip to her Instagram Story and also posted Madame Vice President’s proposed economic plan for the PR. Singer Ricky Martin also endorsed Harris via his social media saying he also “remembers” how Trump failed to have compassion for Puerto Ricans after facing the deadliest and costliest hurricane to strike the island.
Latino politicians also voiced their displeasure. New York congressman Ritchie Torres also to X, formerly Twitter to call out the struggle podcaster. “As a Puerto Rican, I am tempted to call Hinchcliffe racist garbage but doing so would be an insult to garbage. When casting their ballots at the voting booth, Latinos should never forget the racism that Donald Trump seems all too willing to platform.”
While citizens of Puerto Rico can’t vote, Puerto Ricans have heavy concentration in several swing states including North Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. You can find out where you can vote early here.