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Source: SOPA Images / Getty / Instagram
With Twitter still on a path to self-destruction thanks to Elon Musk, Instagram is looking to offer people a substitute.
The Verge reports Instagram is working on its own text-based social media component that aims to be a direct competitor to Twitter, according to Social and Influencer Marketing teacher Lia Haberman. Via her ICYMI Substack newsletter, she shared a screenshot of a marketing slide detailing the new app.
According to the slide, the new app has no name and is just “Instagram’s new text-based app for conversations.” Haberman reports it is codenamed P92 and Barcelona.
Users can sign in using their current Instagram username and password, and their bio, IG handle, followers, and verification status will transfer over.
Per The Verge:
In the app, you’ll see a feed, and you can make text posts up to 500 characters long with attached links, photos, and videos.
The app looks pretty much like if you mixed Instagram and Twitter together, based on two screenshots included in the leaked marketing slide. And Meta will apparently have some good moderation controls from the start, “equipping you with settings to control who can reply to you and mention your account,” the slide says. Any accounts you’ve blocked on Instagram will apparently carry over.
Per the slide, the new Instagram App will feature some form of decentralization, noting, “Soon, our app will be compatible with certain other apps like Mastodon.”
Instagram Suffered A Serious Service Outage
No one asked for this new app, but okay. But it would also be nice if Meta made sure Instagram works appropriately. On Sunday, the popular photo-sharing app turned TikTok clone was down “for a couple of hours,” according to The Verge.
Timelines did not refresh, and users were receiving error messages when refreshing them. If you hit Instagram via the website, it only loads a blank page.
“Earlier today, a technical issue caused some people to have trouble accessing Instagram. We resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted, and we’re sorry for any disruption this has caused,” Meta spokesperson Dave Arnold told The Verge in an email following the service outage.
Like any time Instagram is down, social media (Twitter) has plenty of jokes because nothing is serious on that app.
You can see the jokes in the gallery below.
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Photo: SOPA Images / Getty
2. Howling
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Source: WWD / Getty / Gabrielle Union
Here we go, another unnecessary debate about something a celebrity said concerning their household.
Gabrielle Union isn’t shy about sharing anything regarding her marriage. We all remember when she admitted to being a munch revealing her husband, 41-year-old former NBA player Dwyane Wade enjoys his butt being eaten.
As you can imagine, that caused an uproar at the time, and now Union is once again the center of social media discourse, this time it has nothing to do with what goes down in the couple’s bedroom, but instead, it’s all about how they manage their finances.
During an interview with Bloomberg Originals, the 50-year-old actress opened up about splitting everything “50/50” with her husband.
“It’s weird to say I’m head of household because, in this household, we split everything 50/50,” Union said. “But in the other households that each of us have to support, there’s always this gorilla on your back that is like, ‘You better work! You better work! You want to sleep in? Somebody might not eat.’ And it’s hard. It’s hard to let that go, so I’m working on that.”
Union shares a daughter with Wade, 4-year-old Kaavia, whom the couple welcomed via a surrogate, as well as being a stepmother to his other three children from previous relationships. Zaire, 21, and Zaya, 15, whom he shares with his ex-wife Siovaughn Funches and son Xavier, 9, with Aja Metoyer.
The actress says supporting her family motivates her to keep working hard.
“I have more responsibilities for my money,” she said. “I get nervous. Like, ‘Oh god, that movie didn’t open. Well, what does that mean? Am I going to have enough to hold everybody up?’… I’m trying to find peace in the journey, not using my anxiety and scarcity mindset to be my engine, which is hard.”
Twitter Had Plenty To Say About Gabrielle Union Splitting Everything 50/50
To be expected, Twitter had plenty of thoughts on the matter and couldn’t believe she was going half on things while being married to a former professional basketball player, who is part owner of an NBA franchise and has other lucrative business deals.
“Gabrielle Union said she go 50/50 with a man who is a part owner of an NBA team. the lights are on but ain’t nobody home,” one Twitter user wrote.
“1. I’m not splitting anything with a man who got 3 kids + a bonus child. 2. I’m not splitting anything with a man who made a bonus child that I gotta look at as a constant reminder. 3. Why does millionaire Gabrielle Union sound like she living paycheck-to-paycheck w/ a husband?” another tweet read.
MSNBC anchor Symone D Sanders Townsend defended Union, saying, “The responsibilities Gabrielle Union refers to is being THE financially successful person in your family. So many folks of her age & younger are the 1st to achieve “real money” – that can be a burden. If you don’t understand ok but let’s not pretend she was saying something else.”
Add this debate to the long list of things Twitter will waste its time on. You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: WWD / Getty
2. No chill
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Source: Nintendo / The Legend of Zelda Tears of The Kingdom
Is the Game of The Year competition already over? Many critics and gamers believe so with the arrival of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Today is a big day for Nintendo. Reviews have officially dropped for Tears of The Kingdom, and it is no surprise that it keeps the same energy as Breath of The Wild and then some.
Right now, on OpenCritic, the game is sitting at a mighty 97 rating based on 62 critic reviews, earning the title of the “best-reviewed game on the website. On Metacritic, a 96. Tom Marks of IGN gave Tears of The Kingdom a perfect score, writing in his review, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an unfathomable follow-up, expanding a world that already felt full beyond expectation and raising the bar ever higher into the clouds.”
“An excellent sequel and one of the best Zelda games ever made. A follow-up that builds upon and refines the achievements of the original while adding many new and equally innovative ideas of its own,” GameCentral said in its review, where they also gave the game a perfect score.
“Tears of the Kingdom is a triumph of open-ended game design that pays homage to the best parts of the Zelda franchise’s own storied history–and sometimes exceeds them,” Steven Watts wrote in his review for GameSpot.
Is The Game of The Year Debate Already Over?
The ridiculously high reviews for the game have gamers and critics saying Tears of The Kingdom is a lock for Game of The Year honors. That is a safe bet because Breath of The Wild was met with similar praise when it hit the Nintendo Switch in 2017.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom arrives on Nintendo Switch consoles on May 12. You can see more reactions about the GOTY lock in the gallery below.
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Photo: Nintendo / The Legend of Zelda Tears of The Kingdom
1. Welp, that settles it.
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Source: Brian Lawless – PA Images / Getty / Donald Trump
CNN is hosting MAGA Man, aka Donald Trump, in an upcoming town hall; people are understandably upset about it.
Disgraced, twice-impeached former President Donald Trump is hilariously the front runner to be the “Republican” nominee for President of the United States, setting up a rematch with current POTUS, Joe Biden.
Trump, an incredibly flawed and tainted candidate, is coming off an epic L after a jury found Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation in the E. Jean Carroll civil case, where he will also have to pay her $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
For whatever reason, CNN is still hosting the orange menace in a live town hall in New Hampshire, where he will field questions from likely and unlikely voters on Wednesday, May 10, at 8 pm ET. CNN This Morning anchor Kaitlan Collins will moderate the sh*t show.
As expected, the dumb decision was met with criticism, with CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discorvey’s CEO David Zaslav, defending the town hall saying on CNBC’s Squawk Box last week, “He’s the Republican frontrunner. He has to be on.”
Critics & Twitter Are Dunking On CNN
Critics of the decision are deeply concerned that the upcoming town hall will only give Trump a platform to spit his wild lies and bullsh*t and is just repeating mistakes of the past that helped him get in the White House in the first place.
Trump even took a swipe at the network that has been struggling in the ratings department since new CEO Chris Licht has programming pivot trying to lure more of a “centrist” audience and, most recently, gave Don Lemon the boot.
In a social media post, Trump claims they are bringing him on “because they are rightfully desperate to get these fantastic (TRUMP!) ratings once again.”
“Could be the beginning of a New & Vibrant CNN, with no more Fake News, or it could turn into a disaster for all, including me. Let’s see what happens?” Trump continued.
On Twitter, #LookingAtYouCNN is trending as we get closer to the town hall, with many users letting the network have it.
Where is the lie?
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: Brian Lawless – PA Images / Getty
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Source: Prince Williams / Getty / Blueface
The world’s most toxic relationship retakes the center stage. Struggle rapper Blueface claims he no longer wants the seed Chrisean Rock is carrying.
Offbeat expert, Blueface, is accusing Chrisean Rock of “trapping” him with her pregnancy and says she can still get an abortion.
The “Thotiana” crafter said as much in a series of tweets he should not have hit send on Tuesday, May 90, adding another unnecessary chapter in the toxic mess that is his relationship with the former collegiate athlete turned reality star and aspiring rapper.
“Who ever the judge is on my child support case I told this hoe I don’t want the baby she still got time for an abortion an she forcing it on me so you better make the price right on cryp she tryna trap me judge look out for a cryp on sY,” he wrote in a tweet.
Blueface is also ready for a battle for child support, claiming Rock will “manipulate” the judge into siding with her.
“I pay all my taxes judge ima good n-gga I got 2 kids no child support ever filed cuz I take care of a my kids but this victim playing hoe gone manipulate you judge she got me bro don’t let her get you she still got time to end all of this on cryp.”
In response, Chrisean Rock revealed she is 20 weeks pregnant, plans on still being a mommy despite this pregnancy not going smoothly, and will move on with or without Blueface.
“Sheesh I’m 20 weeks already but When I seen the face of what was growing inside of me I had to pray the fear away of being a mommy,” Rock said.
Twitter Reacts By Flaming Blueface & More
As expected, Twitter is flaming Blueface for his ridiculous tweets, where he is also accusing Rock of trying to burn the house down.
“Blueface sitting up on this internet countlessly telling chrisean to kill her baby, idc how any of you birds see it? it’s disgusting. talking bout “who’s watching the baby, MEEEE?” but you can fuck and nut in her. stop. fucking gross bro,” one person said in a tweet.
What a mess.
We hope these two split and give each other time to heal and also come together to raise their child.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: Prince Williams / Getty
2. Apparently not.
3. Weirdo behavior
4. Interesting
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Source: Prince Williams / Getty / Kevin Gates
After posting a video of a live birth on his social media, Kevin Gates caught a ton of backlash from people online, including those on Twitter.
On Sunday (May 7th), the rapper shared a video of a pregnant woman giving birth with the assistance of a midwife through his Instagram Stories.
The graphic video shows a baby being born with the woman standing up, dropping the newborn into the father’s hands. “The Most Beautiful thing on earth is the gift of Life,” he wrote in the caption, along with emojis depicting praying hands and hearts.
The video was sourced back to another account on Instagram, indiebirths which regularly shows the work of midwives and the natural childbirths performed at home.
Kevin Gates Has A History of Sharing Too Much Information
The “Do It Again” rapper isn’t one to shy away from sharing about certain topics or finding himself in the middle of questionable situations.
He spoke freely in an interview earlier this year about drinking a woman’s urine because she was “super clean” and even enjoying “golden showers” during the act of intercourse. “I love it,” said Gates at the time. “I love for a woman to piss in my mouth. That’s beautiful.”
In an episode of Yung Miami’s Caresha Please podcast last year, he even ran down his top twelve moments where he was the most freaky and lewd. That episode reportedly broke viewership numbers for the podcast at that point.
This latest video garnered reactions ranging from shock and dismay to others cracking jokes over Gates’ unconventional behavior.
But some were on Gates’ side, somewhat, pointing out that childbirth is natural and stating that, on its face, there was nothing wrong with the Baton Rouge, Louisiana native’s post. Check out some of the reactions below.
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Photo: Prince Williams / Getty
1. ReddCinema
2. Whe_World
3. Oscar Robertson’s Burner
4. CamCWFL
5. Jayrlytromp
6. htxqueen
7. stfushantelle
8. CaySlimey
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Source: Kyle Rivas / Getty / Machine Gun Kelly
Last week Jack Harlow crowned himself the best white rapper ever next to Eminem after dropping his latest album, Jackman, but Machine Gun Kelly apparently doesn’t agree and let his feelings be known on a new scathing freestyle.Taking to the front lawn of his crib and borrowing Jay-Z’s “Renegade” beat (which was produced and featured Eminem), Kelly clapped right at the Kentucky rapper and did what he could to deep fry his brown curls and serve him with a side of shade.
With chipped painted nails gripping the mic, MGK went straight for the jugular with lines like, “I see why they call you Jackman, you jacked man’s whole swag. Give Drake his flow back / Man. I eat rappers like Pac-Man. Must I regurgitate and show you who’s in my stomach from the last dance?”
Whoa! Was he referring to Eminem in that last line, as many felt he “ate” the iconic rapper in their battle from yesteryear? We don’t know, but truth be told, Machine Gun Kelly does have bars, and we don’t think Jack Harlow can go toe-to-toe with the rapper/pop artist who sometimes raps.
Twitter Reacts To The White Rapper Beef
While we await a response from the white rapper who hails from the home of the Colonel, the Twitterverse is already sharing their thoughts on this latest unforeseen white rap beef and are pretty much enjoying the festivities as we pretty much know it won’t lead to gun violence (just sayin’).
Check out Machine Gun Kelly’s two-minute freestyle below, and let us know your thoughts on the possible beef brewing out in the sticks.
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Photo: Kyle Rivas / Getty
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Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhtoosByBeanz / @BeanzGotGamez / Nick Cannon
You can add Nick Cannon’s name to the list of people who are happy Red Table Talk was canceled.
N’Credible seed spreader Nick Cannon recently celebrated Jada Pinkett Smith’s Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk getting axed after Meta announced it was scrapping all its original programs.
The Wild’ n Out creator and host claimed “that toxic table” ruined the Smith’s “royalty” status. “If there was no ‘Red Table Talk,’ then he wouldn’t have slapped the shit out of Chris Rock,” Cannon said on his radio show The Daily Cannon last week.
“That was royalty, Will and Jada. Then they brought it to the table,” he continued. “I don’t want to know all this shit about y’all.”
Cannon’s statements echo social media chatter that the Pinkett-Smith clan overshare regarding their marriage. “I just want to mind my Black-owned business,” Cannon said. “I don’t want to be up in everybody else’s kitchen. Keep that sh*t to y’all selves.”
For those who have forgotten, the infamous Red Table Talk episode was where Pinkett admitted to her entanglement with R&B singer August Alsina. Will Smith became a popular meme because of his “distressed look”.
That would eventually lead to the infamous Oscars slap, where Will Smith slapped the taste out of Rock’s mouth for his distasteful joke about Pinkett Smith’s lack of hair, who suffers from alopecia.
“Too much honesty can get your ass slapped in the face,” Cannon said. “They made all them memes about my brother Will. They didn’t need to do that.”
Social Media Is Side-eyeing Nick Cannon
Cannon’s comments on Red Table Talk and about knowing too much about the Smith’s business have social media calling this a classic “pot calling the kettle black” situation.
The mogul has constantly been the talk of the news because of his baby-making ways with multiple women, the count currently at 12.
“This dude has how many babies by multiple women, but Will and Jada’s open marriage had him feeling a ways? So unserious,” one Twitter user wrote.
Points were made.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: Bernard Smalls / @PhtoosByBeanz / @BeanzGotGamez
1. Exactly
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Source: The Washington Post / Getty / Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte significantly impacted the world during his time here, so it should come as no surprise that many fondly remember him following his passing.
On Tuesday, April 25, the world collectively grieved at the news that Harry Belafonte died at 96 from congestive heart failure.
Immediately following the news, his friends, peers, and admirers paid tribute to the “Calypso King,” who has sold millions of albums and used his earnings to fight for civil rights, South Africa’s anti-apartheid campaign, and other social justice matters around the world.
“Another “GREAT TREE” has fallen: Harry Belafonte, a Trailblazer and Hero to us all. Thank you for your music, your artistry, your activism, your fight for civil rights and justice—especially risking your life back in the day to get money to the movement. Your being here on Earth has Blessed us all,” Oprah Winfrey wrote in the caption of an Instagram post remembering Belafonte.
“Thank you for your music, your artistry, your activism, your fight for civil rights and justice — especially risking your life back in the day to get money to the movement,” Winfrey said in a statement to ET.
Barack Obama Remembers Harry Belafonte As A “Barrier-Breaking Legend”
“Harry Belafonte was a barrier-breaking legend who used his platform to lift others up. He lived a good life – transforming the arts while also standing up for civil rights. And he did it all with his signature smile and style. Michelle and I send our love to his wife, kids, and fans,” Our forever president, Barack Obama, said in a tweet.
Bernie Sanders Called Belafonte A “Courageous Leader”
“Harry Belafonte was not only a great entertainer, but he was a courageous leader in the fight against racism and worker oppression,” US Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted. “Jane and I were privileged to consider him a friend and will miss him very much.” Belafonte endorsed Sanders to be president in 2016.
Belafonte’s physical presence is gone, but he will live on forever because his spirit to fight is embued in souls worldwide. You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
“Harry Belafonte is one of the greatest social activists and freedom fighters ever to have lived,” said Cathy Hughes, Chairwoman & Founder of Urban One Inc. “Humanity has just suffered a significant wound to its consciousness.”
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Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
1. Colin Kaepernick
3. Bernice King fondly remembers Belafonte being there for her family.
4. Touching story from Spike Lee
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Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty / Stephen Curry
Unlike his teammate Draymond Green, Stephen Curry rarely makes a mistake on the court, until yesterday.
The best shooter in basketball, Stephen Curry, almost cost his Golden State Warriors the game, and they could have been down 3-1 heading back to Sacramento after making an egregious blunder.
With just 40 seconds left in the game, the Kings trapped Curry leaving him nowhere to go or pass the ball. So generally, in that situation, you will call a timeout, and that’s what he did.
But there was one issue, the Warriors didn’t have any timeouts left after head coach Steve Kerr lost the team’s final timeout in an unsuccessful challenge that even Draymond Green told him not to do.
“I didn’t realize when we lost the challenge that we didn’t have any timeouts left,” Curry said. Like a true leader, Steve Kerr took the blame for the moment, protecting his all-star player.
Curry still owned up to his mistake, adding, “[Coach] took the blame for it, but I ain’t going to lie: I thought it was the smartest play in the world. I looked at the bench, and everybody was shaking their head. It was an unfortunate situation.”
The Kings took advantage of what many call Steph’s “Chris Webber moment,” referencing retired hooper calling a timeout his team did not have during the 1993 National Championship game costing the Michigan Wolverines the chip.
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With a technical free throw and a three-pointer from the NBA’s most clutch player, De’Aron Fox, the Kings were only down one in a game that at one point looked like a sure win for the Warriors.
The Warriors did survive after Harrison Barnes missed a go-ahead three-pointer.
NBA Twitter Came With The Jokes
As you can imagine, NBA Twitter had plenty of reactions to Curry’s brain lapse and Harrison Barnes’s potential game-winning brick.
You can see those in the gallery below.
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Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty
1. Accurate
2. Very true
7. Y’all aint right