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Source: Future Publishing / Getty / Karla Sofía Gascón
Those old tweets will always come back to haunt you. That’s what Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón is finding out the hard way.
Netflix’s newest darling, musical Emilia Pérez, is garnering tremendous buzz during award season, good and some bad, specifically from those who feel the film isn’t worth all the praise it’s getting. Those people are now probably licking their chops as one of the film’s stars, trans actor Karla Sofía Gascón, is catching hell for some very problematic tweets from her past.
Gascón forgot to scrub her timeline of old tweets talking very recklessly about George Floyd, the unarmed Black man who was murdered by law enforcement, Muslims, and Oscars diversity, which hilariously is something Gascón would stand to benefit significantly from.
The tweets posted between 2020 and 2021 sparking outrage were deleted on Thursday, but not before journalist Sarah Hagi spotlighted them after Gascón criticized campaigns in an interview with a Brazilian newspaper on Jan.21, that she felt attacked her and Emilia Pérez.
Gascón Had A Lot To Say About Muslims
One of the tweets, which was translated to English from Spanish independently by Variety, read, “I’m Sorry, Is it just my impression, or are there more Muslims in Spain? Every time I go to pick up my daughter from school there are more women with their hair covered and their skirts down to their heels. Next year instead of English we’ll have to teach Arabic.”
“Islam is marvelous, without any machismo. Women are respected, and when they are so respected they are left with a little squared hole on their faces for their eyes to be visible and their mouths, but only if she behaves. Although they dress this way for their own enjoyment. How DEEPLY DISGUSTING OF HUMANITY,” another tweet attached with a photo of a Muslim family in a restaurant Gascón shared on Sept. 2, 2020.
Her Comments About George Floyd
Along with her despicable comments about Muslims, she also dropped a long thread about George Floyd just days after he was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, which led to protests across the country.
“I really think that very few people ever cared about George Floyd, a drug addict swindler, but his death has served to once again demonstrate that there are people who still consider black people to be monkeys Without rights and consider policemen to be assassins,” she tweeted. “They’re all wrong.”
She continued, “Too many things to reflect on regarding the behavior of our species every time an event occurs. Perhaps it is no longer a question of racism, but of social classes that feel threatened by each other. Maybe that’s the only real difference.”
But Wait, There’s More
Gascón, the first openly trans actor to be nominated for an Academy Award, was not a fan of what she saw during the 2021 Oscars ceremony.
“More and more the #Oscars are looking like a ceremony for independent and protest films, I didn’t know if I was watching an Afro-Korean festival, a Black Lives Matter demonstration or the 8M,” Gascón said. “Apart from that, an ugly, ugly gala.”
Gascón has since apologized via a statement through Netflix: “As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well, and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain.”
She continued, “All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.”
Her apology might be a little late because she is currently being read for filth on X, formerly Twitter.
https://x.com/RhodeToLove/status/1885060836881740221
Those reactions to her old problematic tweets are in the gallery below.
2. Lol, damn
3. Y’all play too damn much
4. Well damn
8. Gotta love screen record
is living her best fashionable life during Paris Couture Week.The Houston Hip-Hop star is getting fits off in the City of Lights, and the hotties love every minute of it. The “Savage” rapper had jaws on the floor when she appeared at Gaurav Gupta’s spring 2025 Haute Couture show Wednesday.The 29-year-old musician popped out and showed n***** by wearing a finely detailed draped chain gown from the Indian couturier Gaurav Gupta that drew everyone’s eyes.The fantastic dress featured strings of chains, complemented by beads and coins that perfectly cascaded down from the choker. Underneath the elegant but revealing piece, the rapper, born Megan Pete, wore a brown strapless corset bodysuit underneath.To complete the look, Thee Stallion wore a beautiful headpiece from Gaurav Gupta, made in collaboration with Object & Dawn, strappy square-toe sandals, and taupe upside-down nails courtesy of Tahvya Krok. The designer shared a video of Megan Thee Stallion in the piece and wrote in the caption, “Megan is a cosmic force, and working with her to craft this disruptive piece that embodies the spirit of tribal India has been exhilarating. Her willingness to explore and push boundaries made the collaboration a monumental moment.”Thee Stallion also shared a photo of her in the dress, captioning it, “Chakras aligned in @gauravguptaofficial.”That wasn’t the only fashion moment from Megan Thee Stallion during Paris Couture Week. She was getting fits from the moment she set foot in the city.Earlier in the week, she kicked things off on Monday at Giambattista Valli’s spring 2025 couture show, wearing a creamsicle-colored hooded dress accentuated with vibrant red florals at the waist.She doesn’t miss.You can see more photos in the gallery below.
1. Gaurav Gupta: Photocall – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025
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PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Megan Thee Stallion attends the Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pierre Suu/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,full length,france,one person,arts culture and entertainment,looking at camera,paris – france,dress,fashion,brown,silver colored,shoe,metallic,floor length,long dress,photo call,high heels,jewelry,silver – metal,fashion show,gold colored,spring summer collection,open toe,paris fashion week,sleeveless dress,bodysuit,headwear,haute couture,sweetheart neckline,january,silver dress,gold shoe,paris haute couture fashion week,sleeveless,megan thee stallion,chain – object,2025,gaurav gupta – designer label
2. Gaurav Gupta: Front Row – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025
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PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Megan Thee Stallion attends the Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,full length,france,one person,arts culture and entertainment,paris – france,fashion,incidental people,fashion show,spring summer collection,paris fashion week,front row,haute couture,january,paris haute couture fashion week,megan thee stallion,2025
3. Gaurav Gupta: Front Row – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025
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PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Megan Thee Stallion attends the Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,france,one person,arts culture and entertainment,looking at camera,paris – france,fashion,three quarter length,incidental people,fashion show,spring summer collection,paris fashion week,front row,haute couture,january,paris haute couture fashion week,megan thee stallion,2025
4. Gaurav Gupta: Front Row – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025
Source:Getty
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Megan Thee Stallion attends the Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,france,one person,arts culture and entertainment,looking at camera,paris – france,dress,fashion,brown,three quarter length,silver colored,jewelry,silver – metal,fashion show,spring summer collection,paris fashion week,front row,sleeveless dress,bodysuit,headwear,haute couture,sweetheart neckline,january,silver dress,paris haute couture fashion week,sleeveless,megan thee stallion,chain – object,2025,gaurav gupta – designer label
5. Street Style – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 – Day Three
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PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: Megan Thee Stallion wears a brown corset bodysuit, a silver face accessory and a see-through dress adorned with jewels outside the Gaurav Gupta show during Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,france,arts culture and entertainment,paris – france,dress,fashion,brown,day 3,jewelry,silver – metal,fashion show,spring summer collection,paris fashion week,personal accessory,bodysuit,corset,headwear,haute couture,sweetheart neckline,january,street style,paris haute couture fashion week,sleeveless,megan thee stallion,chain – object,2025,gaurav gupta – designer label
6. Gaurav Gupta: Front Row – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025
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PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Megan Thee Stallion attends the Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,full length,france,one person,arts culture and entertainment,paris – france,dress,fashion,brown,silver colored,incidental people,shoe,looking over shoulder,metallic,floor length,long dress,high heels,jewelry,silver – metal,fashion show,gold colored,spring summer collection,open toe,paris fashion week,front row,sleeveless dress,bodysuit,headwear,haute couture,sweetheart neckline,january,silver dress,gold shoe,paris haute couture fashion week,sleeveless,megan thee stallion,chain – object,2025,gaurav gupta – designer label
7. Gaurav Gupta: Photocall – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025
Source:Getty
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Megan Thee Stallion attends the Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pierre Suu/Getty Images) color image,photography,celebrities,people,france,one person,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,paris – france,fashion,three quarter length,incidental people,photo call,fashion show,spring summer collection,paris fashion week,haute couture,january,paris haute couture fashion week,megan thee stallion,2025
8. Gaurav Gupta: Photocall – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025
Source:Getty
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Megan Thee Stallion attends the Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pierre Suu/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,full length,france,one person,arts culture and entertainment,paris – france,fashion,incidental people,photo call,fashion show,spring summer collection,paris fashion week,haute couture,january,paris haute couture fashion week,megan thee stallion,2025
9. Street Style – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 – Day Three
Source:Getty
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: Megan Thee Stallion wears a brown corset bodysuit, a silver face accessory and a see-through dress adorned with jewels outside the Gaurav Gupta show during Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,france,arts culture and entertainment,topix,paris – france,dress,fashion,brown,day 3,jewelry,silver – metal,fashion show,spring summer collection,paris fashion week,personal accessory,bodysuit,corset,headwear,haute couture,sweetheart neckline,january,bestpix,street style,paris haute couture fashion week,sleeveless,megan thee stallion,chain – object,2025,gaurav gupta – designer label
10. Giambattista Valli Front Row – Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025
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PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 27: Megan Thee Stallion attends the Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 27, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Giambattista Valli) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,formalwear,france,one person,evening gown,embellishment,arts culture and entertainment,looking at camera,waist up,paris – france,portrait,dress,fashion,giambattista valli – designer label,orange color,fashion show,hood – clothing,sleeved dress,spring summer collection,draped,paris fashion week,front row,haute couture,january,orange dress,paris haute couture fashion week,megan thee stallion,2025
11. Jean Paul Gaultier – Front Row – Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025
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Megan Thee Stallion at the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show as part of Paris Couture Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images) color image,photography,france,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,topix,paris – france,panties,fashion show,long sleeved,spring summer collection,front row,haute couture,fashion week,jean paul gaultier – designer label,puffed sleeve,cream colored,trench coat,black coat,black color,megan thee stallion,coat – garment
12. Jean Paul Gaultier – Front Row – Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025
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Megan Thee Stallion at the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show as part of Paris Couture Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,france,arts culture and entertainment,topix,paris – france,train – clothing embellishment,shoe,panties,floor length,high heels,fashion show,long sleeved,spring summer collection,front row,stockings,haute couture,fashion week,jean paul gaultier – designer label,puffed sleeve,cream colored,black shoe,bestpix,trench coat,black coat,black color,megan thee stallion,coat – garment
13. Jean Paul Gaultier – Front Row – Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025
Source:Getty
Megan Thee Stallion at the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show as part of Paris Couture Fashion Week on January 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,france,arts culture and entertainment,paris – france,fashion show,spring summer collection,front row,haute couture,fashion week,megan thee stallion
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Source: Earl Gibson III / Getty / DJ Akademiks
It’s always a good day when DJ Akademiks is silenced. Word on the streaming streets is that Twitch hit the loudmouth with a ban, and deservingly so.
Spotted on The Grio, DJ Akademiks has reportedly been banned by Twitch after partaking in an inappropriate conversation with a 15-year-old who works with popular creator PlaqueBoyMax and is a regular on his live stream.
During the stream, Akademiks began asking the teen sexually explicit questions and making “jokes” about sending strippers to his house. Nour was visibly uncomfortable as Akademiks continued. Social media let the Drake stan have it on social media for being a creep.
After going on a nonsensical rant from his gaming chair in his streaming room, DJ Akademiks took accountability for his behavior during a recent stream over the weekend.
“I’ve done a lot of bulls**t up in this game. Trust me. I’ve got mine off. This issue aside – which, again. I am wrong. I will be better. This is a teachable moment. For me, obviously, I got to watch my speech. That’s clear,” The 35-year-old said. “Definitely a regrettable moment, and we’re going to use it as a teachable moment. Because I don’t think I’ve came this far, built this platform, to be that irresponsible, right?”
But his words came too late because Twitch banned that a** and disabled his channel due to violating Twitch’s policies.
Let The Celebration Begin
Social media has been celebrating Akademik’s Twitch ban. Even Meek Mill, who called Akademiks a “rapist type couch potato,” is getting in on the fun, writing on X, formerly Twitter, “He gone be drinking tonight screaming at kids from some other portal lol these guys lives be terrible “NEVER FOLLOW THE HEATHENS.”
You messed up big time when you’re getting clowned by Meek Mill.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
3. Not the McDonald’s app
5. Riiighhhhttt
7. This can’t be true, but still funny
9. For those who need a reminder
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Source: Mondadori Portfolio / Getty / Anthony Mackie
Even though he didn’t have to say it, Anthony Mackie wants the folks who were big mad to know that he is a “proud American.”
Anthony Mackie had patriotic nerds in their feelings yesterday on social media following comments he made during a Captain America: Brave New World promotional event when he was asked, “What does Captain America represent to you today as a superhero?” After receiving backlash, Mackie had time to clarify his statements.
“Let me be clear about this, I’m a proud American and taking on the shield of a hero like CAP is the honor of a lifetime,” Mackie said in an Instagram Stories post. “I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country.”
He added, “CAP has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to.”
Mackie’s comments came after he said that “America” was a term that Captain America didn’t represent.
“To me, Captain America represents a lot of different things, and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations,” Mackie said in the initial clip that sparked “controversy” on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable.”
Much Ado About Nothing
Anyone who has seen the latest Captain America movies knows that Chris Evans’ Steve Rodgers had beef with the US Government numerous times. Mackie didn’t say anything wrong.
Captain America: Brave New World is the first feature-length film featuring Mackie’s Sam Wilson as Captain America. He took over the mantle at the end of Avengers: Endgame when old man Steve handed him the shield.
He became Cap in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Mackie recently shared that Evans was the person who told him that he was becoming Captain America.
Captain America: Brave New World arrives in theaters on February 14.
Batman has been an iconic character in comic books, TV and film for 85 years. On Thursday, Sept. 26, he’ll make history as the first superhero with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star will be at 6764 Hollywood Boulevard in front of The Hollywood Guinness World Records Museum. Michael Empric, an official Guiness World Records adjudicator, will be on hand to certify Batman’s history-making achievement.
“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor our first superhero on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! The one, the only, Batman!” stated Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Fans from around the world will be thrilled to know that Batman will have his star dedicated next to the stars of television’s Batman, Adam West, and the co-creator of Batman, Bob Kane.”
Jim Lee, DC Comics’ president, publisher, and chief creative officer, and Anne DePies, SVP & general manager, will be there, as will Steve Nissen, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president & CEO, who will emcee the event.
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Created for DC Comics by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, Batman first appeared in 1939’s Detective Comics #27. The Batman TV series, starring West and Burt Ward as Robin, debuted on ABC in January 1966. Neal Hefti’s memorable theme song to the series won a Grammy for best instrumental theme and sparked a cover battle on the Billboard Hot 100. Hefti’s original version reached No. 35, but a cover version by the sur-rock instrumental band The Marketts made No. 17.
With the help of director Tim Burton and actor Michael Keaton, Batman would usher in the age of the comic book movie in 1989. Danny Elfman composed and produced the score album, which reached No. 30 on the Billboard 200. Elfman’s “The Batman Theme” won a Grammy for best instrumental composition.
Prince composed and produced an album of songs “inspired by and featured in” that 1989 film, which did even better than the score album. This ushered in the era of pop soundtracks which were distinct from (and often more successful than) score albums. Prince’s album topped the Billboard 200 for six consecutive weeks and spawned a No. 1 single on the Hot 100, “Batdance.”
The soundtrack to Batman Forever in 1995 reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and spawned a No. 1 smash, Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose,” which won Grammys for both record and song of the year. Seal didn’t write the song for the film, so it wasn’t Oscar-eligible. The soundtrack also featured U2’s “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me,” which reached No. 16 on the Hot 100, as well as genre hits by Method Man and Offspring.
The soundtrack to Batman & Robin in 1997 also reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and featured hits by such diverse acts as Smashing Pumpkins, Jewel, R. Kelly, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Eric Benet.
Hans Zimmer composed and conducted the scores to The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), both of which reached the top 20 on the Billboard 200. Zimmer also composed and conducted the score to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which reached No. 25.
The Batman film franchise has grossed more than $6.8 billion at the global box office, making it the 10th highest-grossing film franchise of all time.
The star unveiling ceremony will be streamed live at www.walkoffame.com.
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Source: Ryan Bakerink / Getty
St. Louis rapper Sexyy Red has never been one to leave much to the imagination. The 26-year-old is best known for her hit single, “Pound Town (featuring Tay Keith)” which featured lyrics describing some of her most intimate body parts.
Sexyy is bringing that same energy to her new lipgloss line with titles that are Not Safe For Work.
In an Instagram post announcing the launch, Sexxy Red posed in her usual sensual manner including one pic bent over with the box held up to her buttocks. She also posted a close-up of the glosses’ erotic names … which are “Coochie Juice,” “Bootyhole Brown,” “Nut,” “P***yhole Pink,” “Yellow Discharge,” “Gonorrhea,” “Blue Ballz,” and “Sex on the Beach” — which, according to TMZ, is fruit scented.
The comments on the post were plentiful with one user writing, simply, “Is she serious?”
Another comment referenced another social media trend noting that the names are “not very demure.”
The lipgloss will be the first product in Sexyy’s new business venture called Northside Princess.
On X (formerly Twitter) the reception to the product names wer also less than favorable.
The response wasn’t all bad. Some social media users pointed out that Sexxy has always sold lipgloss, by the same name, but that now she has a bigger platform.
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Source: @joolieanniemarie / Instagram
Social Media has the power to shift culture in just an instant. The latest example is the way that TikTok creator Jools Lebron catapulted the word “demure” into the online collective consciousness.
Lebron, who identifies as a transgender woman, created several videos where she talked about how she presents herself at work as “very demure, very mindful.” The initial video garnered more than 10 million views in the first week. Lebron went on to make more videos using the buzzword and how to achieve these qualities.
She recently told US Weekly that she was motivated to create the videos because there’s been a “lack of empathy and regard for people’s feelings” as well as how they “represent themselves” on social media.
The viral trend has done more than just make Lebron’s catchphrases a household name. According to Variety, she now has made enough money to complete her gender transition.
“One day, I was playing cashier and making videos on my break, and now I’m flying across countries to host events, and I’m gonna be able to finance the rest of my transition,” she said n a recent online post.
The trend jumped from TikTok to X (formerly Twitter) with millions making posts about being “demure.” Further, copycat videos from celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez made the trend explode even further.
“I grew up an influencer kid, like, I watched all YouTube and all kinds of stuff like that,” Lebron told US Weekly. “Seeing them do the trend, and just welcome in someone that has loved them, and follow me back and show me my flowers has been everything.”
The trend even made it to The White House.
“When I did start making TikToks, I found more girls like me. I found girls who are plus size who are trans, who are having the same experiences that come uniquely with that set of combinations,” she told CBS News.
Lebron said that she does receive some negative comments on her videos, saying, “I think that people get in survival mode and they forget how they’re also being perceived when they leave a nasty comment or when they’re being rude or whatever,” she noted. “Let’s be demure. Let’s be mindful of why we came. Let’s be mindful because we didn’t come to just be mean girls.”
She continued, “We didn’t come to be messy and this applies to everything: your appearance, your mindset. Be mindful of what you think. Be mindful of your actions, and be demure, modest and reserved. That doesn’t mean a race, a color, an ethnicity, a finance. ‘Demurity’ is being the most thoughtful, mindful version of yourself.”
Eddie Murphy recently sat down with The New York Times for an episode of its podcast The Interview. During the conversation, host David Marchese pointed out that, early in his career, Murphy was at the same level of white-hot fame as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Prince, all of whom died before their time and, in one way or another, from drug use.
“Those guys are all cautionary tales for me,” Murphy told Marchese. “I don’t drink. I smoked a joint for the first time when I was 30 years old — the extent of drugs is some weed. I remember I was 19, I went to the Blues Bar. It was me, [John] Belushi and Robin Williams. They start doing coke, and I was like, ‘No, I’m cool.’ I wasn’t taking some moral stance. I just wasn’t interested in it. To not have the desire or the curiosity, I’d say that’s providence. God was looking over me in that moment.”
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All four of these performers achieved superstardom at a young age. Jackson was just 11 in 1970 when The Jackson 5 landed their first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, “I Want You Back.” He was only 14 in 1973 when he sang his solo hit “Ben” at the Academy Awards, where it was nominated for best original song. Presley was 21 in 1956 when he landed his first roof-rattling (and Billboard chart-topping) smash, “Heartbreak Hotel.” Prince was 21 in 1980 when he received his first platinum album for Prince and his first gold single for “I Wanna Be Your Lover.”
In similar fashion, Murphy was just 19 when he debuted on Saturday Night Live in December 1980. He was the standout cast member on a show that was rebuilding following the departure of the remaining original cast members at the end of the previous season.
Murphy’s fame quickly spread beyond the show. His first comedy album, Eddie Murphy, was released in August 1982. That December saw the release of his first film, 48 Hrs., in which he co-starred with Nick Nolte. Trading Places, in which he co-starred with SNL alum Dan Aykroyd, was released in June 1983. Beverly Hills Cop, which he carried by himself, was released in December 1984.
Murphy was just 21 in early 1983 when he received his first Grammy nominations – best comedy album for Eddie Murphy and best R&B instrumental performance for “Boogie in Your Butt,” a novelty track from the album. He won a Grammy the following year for his second album, Eddie Murphy: Comedian.
Murphy had turned 22 when, later in 1983, he received his first Primetime Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy, variety or music series for SNL. He received two more Primetime Emmy nods – for both performance and writing – the following year. He finally won his first Emmy in 2020 for returning to SNL as a guest host. He received his first Oscar nomination in 2006 for best supporting actor in Dreamgirls.
Murphy, 63, has already lived longer than Presley, Jackson and Prince — Presley died at age 42 in 1977; Jackson at age 50 in 2009; and Prince at age 57 in 2016.
In the podcast, Murphy explained that getting famous at a young age, especially as a Black artist, can be like living in a minefield. “Now, at this age, I can look back and be like, ‘Wow, I came through a minefield for 35 years.’ How do you make it through a minefield for 35, 40 years? Something has to be looking over you,” he said. “This business, it’s not set up for a Black artist. It was a new thing: I’m doing this stuff that no one’s ever done, and it’s in a business that’s not set up for me. It’s set up for some white dude. So, you don’t have people watching your back, and you don’t have support groups.”
Murphy also discussed how his enormous success impacted how comedy performers, and Black performers, are seen. “The comic used to be the sidekick, the comic was the opening act, and I changed it to where the comic can be the main attraction,” he said. “They thought of comics one way, and it was like, no, a comic could sell out the arena, and a comic could be in hundred-million-dollar movies. All of that changed. And with Black actors, it was, like, the Black guy could be the star of the movie, and it doesn’t have to be a Black exploitation movie. It could be a movie that’s accessible to everyone all around the world.”
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Source: Amazon Music / Amazon Music
When Biggie Smalls asked, “What’s Beef?” he posed the question at the height of the East Coast/West Coast rap rivalry, which would ultimately result in the death of the Brooklyn MC—as well as Tupac Shakur.
But, does beef always have to end in death? Most Hip-Hop fans would hope not. The very nature of the culture is competitive, and rivalries can be thrilling and entertaining when they stay on wax.
The recent rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has been one of those quarrels that has reenergized the culture and entertained Hip-Hop fans in a way not seen in years.
SlotsUp online casino and Media Lab Insights recently prepared and shared statistics that detail the legacy of rap beef—by breaking the statistics and songs into eras which are marked by a major event.
“These timelines were used to better understand the development of conflicts, success, and the demand for performance in the hip-hop industry,” the report notes. “Their comparison is focused on three main points: the technical aspect (the average tempo of the tracks (which can be calculated by the amount of bars, and the length), the profitability (the amount of platinum albums), and the risks involved (death rate).”
Researchers at SlotsUp commented on the study. “Until our current era, the more beef was around, the more successful the artists were. Our current era is going against this pattern, with the same amount of deaths and diss tracks as the first era, but with more platinum albums. Over the years, Hip-Hop became less technically demanding, especially after 2004. This study shows that conflicts aren’t always profitable, and violence can be avoided.”
The first era was marked by what the researchers called “The Roxanne Wars” in the mid-1980s. Two of the most significant songs were “Roxanne, Roxanne” and “Roxanne’s Revenge.” However, cultural commentators say that there were up to 30 songs related to the beef. The only major death to come out of that era was Scott La Rock—whose murder has not been directly attributed to the beef. The clear winner of this battle was Roxanne Shante, who went on to a lengthy career and is credited as one of the foundational female MC’s.
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The second era was one of the most deadly. Lasting from 1992 to 1997, the beef sparked the true rise of the diss track. The research shows that diss tracks and deaths more than doubled while platinum albums skyrocketed to 35. The era saw 10 deaths, with three being the most prominent—Eazy E, 2Pac, and The Notorious B.I.G. The winner of this era could be seen as the recently disgraced Sean “Diddy” Combs as his Bad Boy imprint saw some of its biggest success following the death of B.I.G. This era also marked Hip-Hop’s biggest foray into the pop genre with an increase in record sales that would last for more than a decade—before the proliferation of streaming.
The third era, lasting from 1998-2004, featured the beef between Jay-Z and Nas. This era was also the most financially successful with more than 50 platinum albums. “Eminem was significant in this era,” as the study shows that the Detroit rapper released nine diss tracks. The winner of this era continues to be debated. However, the culture benefited from the end of the beef with Jay and Nas making several concert appearances together.
Source: Bethany Mollenkof / Getty
The fourth era: 2005-2008, is one largely of peace—kicked off by the end of the beef between Jay-Z and Nas—two New York rap titans. Also worth noting is the average length of rap songs would begin to get shorter with many getting under the 4-minute mark. The fifth era from 2009-2012, was marked by the release of Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. It would be the second era that Eminem would be involved in numerous beefs including with Benzino and Mariah Carey. It was during this era that beef would escalate in southern states with one significant death being that of Slim Dunkin.
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Era number six was from 2013 to 2019. The most significant beef was between Drake and Meek Mill. However, the two would eventually collaborate (again, since they were cool prior to Meek’s Twitter fingers) on “Going Bad.” This era is also marked by continued financial success with more than 40 platinum albums. The murder of Nipsey Hussle would mark the end of this era.
Our current era began with the coronavirus pandemic, which affected the entire world but also highlighted the significance of “beef,” with the good-natured but often tense musical battles as part of the Verzuz series. But without question, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” is thus far the most powerful diss song of the era—but whether or not it’s over is still up for debate, and Drake. Fortunately, K. Dot did his victory lap by bringing gang members together on one stage as a show of unity at the conclusion of his pop out concert on Juneteenth.
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Kendrick Lamar has finally dropped his retort to Drake, and it’s a doozy. Called “Euphoria,” K. Dot went in on The Boy for over 6 minutes and seems to address just about every issue social media has been discussing ever since he dropped that verse on “Like That” and all the reactions it inspired (particularly “Push Ups”).
At 11:24am ET, Kendrick dropped a YouTube link with the worse “euphoria,” and heads have been analyzing the ensuing verbal beatdown ever since. The track opens on a cool jazz vibe with Kendrick using an almost spoken word delivery, saying, “Them super powers gettin’ neutralized, I can only watch in silence, Tthe famous actor we once knew is lookin’ paranoid, now it’s spiralling/You movin’ just like a degenerate, heavy antic, it’s feelin’ distasteful, why calculate you, not as calculated, I can even predict your angles.”
Alright then. Soon enough, K. Dot goes to a frantic flow loaded with barbs aimed at the 6 God’s dome. And there are plenty. Like, “I got a son to raise but I can see you don’t know nothing ’bout that.” Or, “When I see you stand by Sexyy Red, I believe you see two bad bitches, I believe you don’t like women, that’s real competition, you might pop ass with ’em.”
And if you really know, you caught the homage to DMX.
Listen to “Euphoria” below, and check out the reactions in the gallery. Yeah, Xitter is going to be talking about this one for days.
This story is developing.
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