Month: June 2023
The Controversy About Ice Spice & Taylor Swift’s Collab: All The Drama Surrounding “Karma (Remix)”
Ice Spice is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after rappers right now. Ascending into the role of rap’s newly-crowned princess, she’s one of the few artists of her generation who can say they’ve landed co-signs from the biggest names in the industry – Drake, Nicki Minaj, and most recently, Taylor Swift. The latter enlisted the Bronx Baddie for the official remix of “Karma,” landing on the second deluxe edition of Midnights. As you could imagine, it’s a massive milestone for Ice Spice who didn’t even break out into mainstream consciousness less than a year ago. It affirmed her position in pop culture and the grip that she gained since “Munch” permeated online lingo.
Unfortunately, not all fans celebrated the collaboration as a win for Ice Spice. Instead, many regarded the collaboration as an attempt for much-needed good PR in Taylor Swift’s love life. Her rumored boyfriend, Matt Healy of The 1975 – a group Ice Spice once shouted out – found himself in hot water following a podcast appearance earlier this year. On The Adam Friedland Show in January, Healy, Friedland, and Nick Mullen chuckled over offensive jokes surrounding Ice Spice that many deemed both racist and misogynistic.
The song’s announcement led to an immediate backlash, particularly among the Swifties, who highlighted Matt Healy’s problematic behavior (including doing a N*zi salute at a concert). Sure, one could say that Taylor shouldn’t be held accountable for someone else’s actions but ultimately, many feel like she became complicit in her alleged boyfriend’s antics since she hasn’t condemned nor addressed Healy’s behavior. Many felt as if it were a calculated decision to include Ice Spice on the remix to help sweep Healy’s comments under the rug, hoping that people will forget.
The Adam Friedland Podcast & Matt Healy
Healy’s no stranger to controversy but his appearance on The Adam Friedland Podcast alongside Nick Mullen was eye-opening, to say the least. The episode, which Spotify and Apple Music removed from their platforms (although still available on YouTube), included bits where The 1975 frontman fessed up about masturbating to videos of Black women being “brutalized” on hardcore abuse porn websites. Another bit that gained traction included Healy encouraging Mullen and Friedland to do impersonations of Japanese men working in concentration camps. Elsewhere in the episode, he admitted to DM’ing Ice Spice, leading to a highly offensive segment that joked about Ice Spice’s ancestry while Mullen and Friedland mocked the accents of Hawaiian, Inuit, and Chinese people. The hosts referred to the Bronx rapper as “one of the Inuit Spice Girls,” a “chubby Chinese lady,” and “a f*cking Es**mo,” while Healy giggled in the background.
Read More: Ice Spice & Taylor Swift Post Up On IG After The iHeartRadio Music Awards: Photos
The Apology & Retraction
Eventually, Healy addressed the matter during a concert where he sort-of apologized to Ice Spice. “I just feel a bit bad, and I’m kind of a bit sorry if I’ve offended you,” Healy said. “Ice Spice, I’m sorry. It’s not because I’m annoyed that me joking got misconstrued. It’s because I don’t want Ice Spice to think I’m a dick. I love you, Ice Spice. I’m so sorry.”
However, the apology didn’t necessarily stick, even after the release of “Karma (Remix).” During a recent interview with The New Yorker, Healy brushed off the criticism as well as those offended. “It doesn’t actually matter. Nobody is sitting there at night slumped at their computer, and their boyfriend comes over and goes, ‘What’s wrong, darling?’ and they go, ‘It’s just this thing with Matty Healy.’ That doesn’t happen,” he said.
“If it does, you’re either deluded or you are, sorry, a liar. You’re either lying that you are hurt, or you’re a bit mental for being hurt,” he continued. “It’s just people going, ‘Oh, there’s a bad thing over there, let me get as close to it as possible so you can see how good I am.’ And I kind of want them to do that, because they’re demonstrating something so base level.” Arguably, it’s a comment like this that reinforces the skepticism surrounding Taylor Swift’s decision to work with Ice Spice.
Taylor Swift Announces “Karma (Remix)” Ft. Ice Spice
Anything Taylor Swift does becomes newsworthy in a matter of moments, and her commercial success is anything but a fluke. Taylor didn’t need to get Ice Spice on “Karma,” but in this instance, it certainly wouldn’t hurt – or so she thought. Last week, Taylor Swift shared a heartfelt message on Twitter to confirm the speculation surrounding the “Karma (Remix).” “I’m a massive fan of this brilliant artist and after getting to know her I can confirm: she is THE ONE to watch,” she tweeted, regurgitating a sentiment that rap circles have been preaching since last summer. “So delighted to say that Karma Featuring the incredible @icespicee_ will be out TOMORROW night at MIDNIGHT ET.”
Without acknowledging her supposed relationship with Healy or his behavior, despite bringing him out on stage, the outrage began flowing through Twitter, understandably. In most cases, the Swifties are a loud enough group to drown out any negative commentary surrounding their Queen. Just not this time. For an artist who remained largely apolitical until 2018 (coincidentally, the same year Ye went full MAGA), many felt as though her decision to work with Ice Spice was rather disingenuous. The Twitter account @undercoverarmy4’s response to the matter captures the feelings of many surrounding the collab. “Taylor Swift failing to address the racist comments Matt Healy made towards Ice Spice and then finding a way to profit off of her with a new collab is a textbook example of white woman feminism. It’s convenient, manipulative and continues to shield and protect white men,” the tweet reads.
Read More: Ebro Says “Ice Spice Don’t Need Taylor”
Taylor Swift’s Track Record
It was only months prior that her rumored boyfriend was involved in a widely inappropriate tirade targeting women and BIPOC groups. But a vocal minority have suggested that it’s on-brand for Taylor – an artist who has been accused of treating inclusivity as the same sort of commodity as billion-dollar corporations. Although she gained fans from Kendrick Lamar and many other Black artists, she arguably hasn’t proven to be a proponent of diversity until recent years. Meanwhile, fans quickly pointed out her own history of questionable behavior.
The Weeknd once alleged the pop singer, in a potential drunken stupor, began “kind of, like, petting my hair” – a demeaning act no matter how you try and spin it. Then in 2015, fans called her out for her purported victimhood in what seemed like an attempt to dismiss Nicki Minaj’s complaints about racism in the music industry. Rather than acknowledging and rooting for a Black woman who felt the VMAs sidelined her, Taylor responded, “Maybe one of the men took your slots” when Nicki wasn’t nominated for Best Video.
Moreover, Ice Spice appears to be one of the few (if not the only) Black women that Taylor Swift’s collaborated with in her career. So, is it a genuine appreciation for an up-and-coming rapper or an opportunistic venture? Because even when she faced backlash from pop culture pundits for her entirely white, modelesque friend group in the past, she never really addressed it. Instead, she embarked on the 1989 tour where she brought on Fetty Wap, Chris Rock, Serena Williams, Mary J. Blige, and other Black icons on stage, as the Daily Beast pointed out.
“Karma (Remix)” Is A Hit?
Shortly after the song dropped, Taylor Swift performed at New Jersey’s Met Life Stadium as part of The Eras tour. To the crowd’s surprise, Ice Spice appeared on stage to perform the single for the first time ever, while Taylor also debuted the music video for the song. Ice Spice appeared lost the whole time, and we can’t really blame her. She became accustomed to the uber-hype Rolling Loud crowds, not those of a pop singer. At least, not yet. Still, the Swifties ate it up – as they should, considering how much they spent on tickets. Regardless of Taylor’s intentions, the “Karma (Remix)” is already a success. While it wouldn’t be surprising if it tops the Billboard Hot 100 next week, it already helped Ice Spice break the record for the biggest streaming debut for a female rapper in Spotify history – a record previously held by Nicki Minaj.
Still, the “Karma (Remix)” is nothing that your average hip-hop head will be drooling over. Many feel that the bars are lackluster while calling Ice Spice’s flow sleep-inducing. It lacks the viral meme value that propelled the success of “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” and “Munch (Feelin’ U)” to the top of the charts. But generally speaking, Ice Spice sounds just as out of place on “Karma (Remix)” as she did on stage at the Met Life Stadium. It’s a crossover record that could very well open more doors for Ice Spice in the future, but in actuality, what does Taylor Swift actually benefit from it?
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Gunna To Make Comeback With New Single: Are Fans Still Listening?
Gunna is gearing up to return to the music industry. After a period of relative quiet following his involvement in the YSL RICO case in December 2022, Gunna is ready to release new music that will surely excite his fans. However, the question is if fans would still support it due to an overflow of […]
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Karlie Redd Net Worth 2023: A Spotlight On The “LHHATL” Star
Riding on the wave of fame that Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (LHHATL) offers, Karlie Redd has not just garnered a massive fanbase but also a considerable fortune. The star of the VH1 reality television series has a net worth estimated to be around $1.2 million as of 2023, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
From Humble Beginnings To Increasing Net Worth
Born as Keisha Lewis, the vivacious Karlie Redd has dabbled in multiple professions. She’s an actress, model, TV personality, and businesswoman. These varied income sources have contributed significantly to Karlie Redd’s net worth. A look at her career shows a woman who refused to be defined by a single profession. She stepped into Hollywood with the film Black Spring Break 2. More film roles followed while she simultaneously established her name in the modeling industry.
Karlie Redd Net Worth Growth: The Impact Of LHHATL
The launch of LHHATL, however, turned Karlie Redd into a household name. Her involvement in the show substantially increased her visibility, earning her a higher income and significantly contributing to her net worth. The drama, the romances, and the feuds of LHHATL have kept the audience entertained, and Karlie Redd has been a pivotal part of the show. Her animated personality and ability to deliver memorable performances have cemented her place in the cast. This consistent TV role became a primary revenue source, boosting Karlie Redd’s net worth.
Beyond LLHATL: Business Endeavors
Karlie has wisely ventured into the business world outside of her TV and film roles. She owns a clothing boutique, Merci, in Los Angeles. Her expansion into the business world reflects her determination to create multiple income streams. Moreover, Karlie released a single, “Heartbreaker,” showcasing her musical talent. While she hasn’t released a full album yet, her venture into music provides another avenue for income generation.
Conclusion/TLDR
Karlie Redd’s journey from an aspiring actress to a successful television personality and businesswoman is inspiring. She has capitalized on her LHHATL fame, and her net worth stands testament to her hard work and strategic career moves. However, Karlie Redd is not done yet. She has plans for future projects and business ventures, which will likely contribute to her wealth in the coming years. As fans, we can only watch as she continues to rise, building her brand and increasing her net worth. For now, we acknowledge and celebrate her current net worth standing at an impressive $1.2 million as of 2023.
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NBA Finals 2023: Nuggets Vs. Heat Prediction
Tonight, the NBA Finals will begin in Denver, Colorado. Overall, it is set to be a matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat. These two teams have taken many different routes to get to the NBA Finals. Firstly, you have the Denver Nuggets who were the best team in the West all season and secured the first seed. Secondly, you have the Heat, who were five minutes away from not even making it to the NBA Playoffs. As an eighth seed, they made the Finals, which is simply unfathomable.
Going into this series, there is a very obvious favorite, and for good reason. If these two teams were in the same conference, they would have played one another in the first round. Although, to completely write off the Heat would be a huge mistake. They boast the talents of Jimmy Butler, who has been phenomenal in the playoffs. According to ESPN, he has averaged 28.5 points per game in the postseason. Moreover, the team also has Bam Adebayo, Caleb Martin, and Duncan Robinson, who have all played their role extremely well.
That said, the Denver Nuggets have the man who should have won MVP this season, Nikola Jokic. As ESPN reports, Jokic is averaging a triple-double in the playoffs. Not to mention, players like Jamal Murray, Bruce Brown, and Michael Porter Jr. have all been lights out. Furthermore, you can’t forget to mention Aaron Gordon, who has kicked it up a notch this season. Overall, the Nuggets are just a complete team. They have systematically decimated all of their opponents, including the Lakers, who they beat in a sweep. One could make the argument that they are currently playing their best basketball of the entire season.
An NBA Finals To Remember
With all of this being said, the question remains: who is going to win it all? Ultimately, this is where the Miami Heat Cinderella run comes to an end. Sure, Jimmy Butler has carried the Heat, but if the Celtics series proved anything, it’s that they have glaring weaknesses that the Nuggets can exploit. Moreover, Jokic had Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert, and Deandre Ayton in hell in the first three rounds. Simply put, there is no way Adebayo has any shot of stopping him. Jokic will feast in the paint all series long, all while kicking the ball out to shooters like MPJ and Murray. It could get ugly very fast if the Heat go cold from beyond the arc.
Overall, it seems as though this series is destined to be short. The Heat will win one game in Miami, but the Nuggets should be able to handle their business with ease. That said, the Nuggets will be taking home the Larry O’Brien trophy in five games, and they will do so on their home court. For Nikola Jokic, it will be career-defining. For Jimmy Butler, it will just be more bulletin board material for next year.
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Megan Thee Stallion’s Incredible Rise: Houston Hottie To Global Superstar
Megan Thee Stallion is one of the most popular women in the rap game today. From her humble origins with her freestyles going viral to collaborating with one of the biggest artists of all time to going through multiple traumatic events, her life has indeed been a journey. Megan has pursued through it all and has found happiness in the midst of it. Her last relationship with rapper-songwriter Pardison Fontaine was quite public, but she may have moved on to a new one with soccer player Romelu Lukaku. Meg was originally quite open with things like this, in addition to being interactive on social media. However, after a hiatus, she’s since returned, but most of her social media posts have been for promotional purposes.
Meg’s Career Took Off Through the Internet
Tina Snow is an essential project from Megan The Stallion. This project included some of her early hits like “Big Ole Freak,” “Neva,” “Hot Girl,” and “Cognac Queen.” “Tina Snow” is one of several personas Meg created to differentiate between her delivery and production choices in her music. This version of her favors the Houston sound she grew up on. Her mother, Holly Thomas, was a big inspiration for this sound as she was also an artist at one point who went by the name Holly-Wood and, naturally, was Meg’s number-one supporter. This support was both sentimental and business related as she was Meg’s manager, too. Unfortunately, she passed away in March 2019. The loss was devastating for Meg; she had to deal with it just as her career was taking off and she was in the public eye.
Meg Took Some Losses, But She Bounced Back
Megan, unfortunately, had to deal with the loss of her grandmother two weeks after her mother’s passing. She posted a video on Instagram about how hard it was to lose the most important women in her life: “Although all these positive things have been happening to me, and I’ve been trying to do good, been trying to keep a smile on my face, stay strong…” she said. “I just wanted to spread some positivity and tell y’all to stay positive, stay kind through your hard times because the pain doesn’t last forever. Try not to get in a dark place…” As her career continued, she would share more vulnerable moments like this in her music.
Megan Thee Stallion’s reach grew when she dropped her highly successful project Fever in May 2019. This project introduced her listeners to the “Hot Girl Meg” persona. This persona focused on carefree confidence and upbeat danceable production. Megan promoted the project by declaring it signified the beginning of “Hot Girl Summer,” which has become part of her brand. Fever had several songs produced by legendary southern artist Juicy J and others from her go-to producer, LilJuMadeDaBeat. This project included one of her most popular songs, “Cash Sh*t,” which featured DaBaby and went triple platinum. However, her next move was even bigger as she signed a management deal with Roc Nation in September 2019.
Megan Thee Stallion Had An Eventful 2020
Megan Thee Stallion took over the rap world even more when she dropped her song “Savage” in March 2020. The four times platinum hit blew up even more when she dropped a remix that featured Beyoncé in April. The song found Beyoncé in her infrequently used rap bag and was a win for listeners not only from Houston but for listeners all over who had been supporting Meg. She had secured a feature from the most prominent artist from her state, who was also one of the biggest artists in the world. After a few other singles, she dropped her debut album Good News in November 2020. However, she went through another traumatic event in the summer of that year, which she addressed in that project. Rapper Tory Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion in the foot in July 2020.
The Tory Lanez situation is part of Megan Thee Stallion’s story that arguably harmed her career. The case followed Meg everywhere until it ended in May 2023. Tory was found guilty and will reportedly be sentenced in June 2023. Megan dealt with hardship in terms of her music, too. Her contractual situation involved her suing her label, 1501 Certified Entertainment, as well as them counter-suing her.
The definition of what counts as an “album,” which is its own topic in the music world, was a part of the disagreement. A judge would side with Megan, agreeing that her 2021 project, Something For Thee Hotties, should be treated as an album. The 1501 bosses argued it couldn’t be counted toward her contractual obligation with the label. The pair of entities are still engaged in a multimillion-dollar legal showdown.
Megan’s List Of Accomplishments Continues To Grow
Megan Thee Stallion’s bio has many positive moments. She did a Super Bowl commercial for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and appeared on the shows Good Girls, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and P-Valley. She will also reportedly star in a new film from A24 titled F*cking Identical Twins. Megan has also been open about loving anime and has done a merchandise deal with Crunchyroll that featured a character modeled directly after her. One of her biggest accomplishments is winning three Grammys in 2021 for Best New Artist, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance. Meg has won BET Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, American Music Awards, and more. While tackling it all, she also graduated from Texas Southern University in 2021.
Megan Thee Stallion’s latest album, Traumazine, dropped in August 2022. It showed Megan at her most vulnerable yet and, naturally, had her speaking on her life’s journey and controversies. Since then, she’s been much more low-key on social media. In a recent interview with InStyle, she gave an update on the next phase of her career: “Fans can expect new music when I’m in a better place…Right now, I’m focused on healing. The music and entertainment industry can be a grind, so it’s important to take time off and avoid burning out…life is all about balance.” Megan Thee Stallion’s listeners have been respectful of her time away, and considering everything she’s done so far, they know when she returns, it’ll be in full force.
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SOURCE SPORTS: Brad Stevens Says Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla Will Return Next Year
Following their Game 7 loss to the Miami HEAT, NBA fans wondered about the future of Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. Team president Brad Stevens revealed that Mazulla would return next season.
“He’s a terrific leader,” Stevens said. “He’ll only get better at anything that he can learn from this year, because he’s constantly trying to learn. And he’s accountable.”
Although many pointed toward coming up short in making the NBA Finals, Mazzulla did take over a team in turmoil from the Ime Udoka scandal while having the second-best record in the NBA.
Mazzulla will have some work to do in rounding out his coaching staff, as ESPN reports assistants Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles, and Mike Mose will join Udoka in Houston.
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