Bad Bunny

CBS Is Reportedly Reviewing Its Closed Captioning Practices For Live Events Following Bad Bunny’s Grammy Performance

by
bad bunny 2023 grammys
Getty Image

Bad Bunny‘s performance of his hit singles “Tití Me Preguntó” and “Despues De La Playa” was one of the most talked about of Grammy night last Sunday (February 5). However, despite the positive reception the performance received, many fans were frustrated by what appeared to be a technical era.

During the broadcast, the closed captions that appeared onscreen as Bad Bunny was performing read “[SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH]” and “[SINGING IN NON-ENGLISH].” The captions also read “[SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH]” later in the night, when Bad Bunny accepted the award for Best Música Urbana Album.

Following the show, U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) wrote a letter to CBS’ President and CEO and George Cheeks, according to Variety. In the letter, Garcia wrote that the error. “displays a lack of sensitivity and foresight. For too many Spanish-speaking Americans, it felt disrespectful of our place in our shared society, and of our contributions to our shared culture. For the hearing impaired community, this failure was hurtful.”

Cheeks has since responded to the letter, noting that CBS is taking measures to make sure no similar incidents take place in the future. According to a report from Variety, CBS is set to review its practices for close captioning live events.

“Regrettably, errors were made with respect to the closed captioning of his performance and subsequent acceptance speech,” Cheeks said. “We worked with a closed captioning vendor that did not execute at a standard to which we should rightfully be held. Regardless, we should have monitored the situation more closely. A bilingual (English and Spanish-language) real-time live captioner should have been utilized and the words used on the screen were insensitive to many.”

He continued, saying, “our teams are now re-examining the closed captioning process for all live entertainment events on the network to ensure we properly caption Spanish-language content. We will keep you updated regarding our efforts on this matter.”

Bad Bunny Is Facing Another Copyright Infringement Accusation Over His Song ‘Enséñame a Bailar’

by
bad bunny grammys 2023
Getty Image

Bad Bunny has been accused of another possible copyright infringement. The founder of the emPawa Africa record label, Mr. Eazi, claims that Bad Bunny failed to properly credit the Nigerian artist Joeboy and his producer Dëra on his 2022 song, “Enséñame a Bailar.”

According to Rolling Stone, the accusation is against both Bad Bunny and his record label, Rimas Music. He notes that the song interpolates and samples Joeboy’s “Empty My Pocket,” with zero credit.

“The team at emPawa Africa have attempted to sort this issue amicably since May of last year with our mutual legal teams,” Mr. Eazi said in a statement. “But the intent of Rimas Music is clearly to blatantly appropriate young African creators’ work for their gain without attribution.”

“We will not accept Bad Bunny and Rimas denying Joeboy and Dëra credits and a share in the ownership of a song they wrote, composed and, in Joeboy’s case, even performed on,” he added.

The publication notes that Bad Bunny has also worked with Mr. Eazi in the past on his 2019 collab track with J Balvin, “Como Un Bebé.”

Bad Bunny’s label rebutted the accusations in a statement to Rolling Stone and claimed that they purchased the track from the record producer Lakizo Entertainment.

“We are deeply concerned by the copyright infringement accusations made by Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade (Mr. Eazi), the founder of emPawa Africa, on the track ‘Enséñame a Bailar,’” the statement said. “We want to make it clear that at all times, Rimas Entertainment has acted properly and has followed standard industry protocols.”

Only time will tell if this copyright infringement claim goes any further.

50 Cent Puts Grammys On Blast For Failed Closed Caption During Bad Bunny’s Performance

by

Bad Bunny’s impact is undeniable but the Grammys didn’t necessarily accommodate his performance the way they should’ve — an issue that 50 Cent, among many others, pointed out recently. The Puerto Rican rapper became a groundbreaking figure in the American music industry for the Spanish-speaking community around the globe. This was as evident in his appearance at the Grammys, where he was nominated in three categories, including Album Of The Year and Best Música Urbana Album, while also hitting the stage.

Bunny performed “El Apagón” and “Después de la Playa,” along with a live band and traditional dancers. Unfortunately, his fans weren’t happy with CBS’s effort to provide Spanish closed captions during his appearance. Bunny delivered a bilingual speech but when he spoke Spanish, the closed captions read, “[SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH].” Then, during his performance, it similarly read, “[SINGING IN NON-ENGLISH].” This caused an uproar on social media among fans who labeled it racist. 

50 Cent Chimes In 

50 Cent also felt a type way about CBS’s broadcast of Bad Bunny’s appearance at the Grammys. Describing the “Yonaguni” artist as one of the biggest artists right now, he went in on the Recording Academy. “The Grammys need to be check about this, Fvcking @badbunnypr bigger than everybody right now and you can’t pay for closed caption. Wtf is this speaking Non-English,” he wrote. “FIX IT.” Though Fif isn’t the first person to bring up this issue, he might be the most prominent.

The Bad Bunny mishap hardly scratches the surface when it comes to 50 Cent’s issues with the Grammys. As “In Da Club” reached 1.5B views on YouTube alone, he recalled the Grammys snubbing him in the Best New Artist category in 2004. At the time, Evanescence took home the awards and Fif suggested that he was “cheated” out of a Grammy that year. “Still no best new artist. I don’t know why people always want to cheat me man,” he wrote on IG. “They are counting from 2009, that song came out in 2003 Damn it Man !” It seems as though Fif has a list of grievances with the Grammys that continues to build up every year. Check his post above.

GLAAD Media Awards To Honor Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera, And Jeremy Pope

by

Christina Aguilera, Bad Bunny, and Jeremy Pope will be receiving honors at the 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards. The award show sets to highlight performers, filmmakers, and projects that have had a monumental impact on the LGBTQIA+ Community. Billy Porter, George Takei, Rosie O’Donnell, Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin, Tom Ford, RuPaul, Samira Wiley, Cynthia Nixon, and more are all previous honorees. This year’s GLAAD Media Awards includes 295 nominees across 33 categories. New categories include Outstanding Podcast and Outstanding Live TV Journalism. The award show will be on March 30 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

Aguilera will accept GLAAD’s Advocate for Change award to honor her activism surrounding HIV and LGBTQIA+ related issues. In the past, Aguilera dedicated her song “Beautiful” to the LGBTQIA+ community. She received recognition for this dedication at the 2003 GLAAD Media awards. Aguilera then continued her advocacy, helping to raise over $500 million for HIV Research with MAC cosmetics. She also launched her own Pride merchandise collections in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, she performs incredible sets at pride events for LGBTQIA+ fans.

The GLAAD Media Awards

Christina Aguilera attends The 23rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards at Michelob ULTRA Arena on November 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Manny Hernandez/Wireimage)

Bad Bunny will receive GLAAD’s Vanguard Award for his allyship to the LGBTQIA+ community. He has a long history of using his large-scale platform to uplift marginalized voices. Particularly, he has a history of using his voice to advocate for transgender issues and transgender women of color. According to Variety, Bad Bunny will join many other elite honorees, such as Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Brittany Spears, Cher, Janet Jackson, and Jennifer Lopez.

“By consistently advocating for our community, elevating our stories and demanding action from anti-LGBTQ leaders, Bad Bunny redefines the positive influence Latin music artists can have within the LGBTQ community, and has set an example for all artists.”

Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD president and CEO

Pope will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak award from GLAAD. The award is given to a media professional in the LGBTQIA+ community who has increased LGBTQIA+ visibility and acceptance through their work. Furthermore, Pope’s extensive on-screen performances include groundbreaking queer roles, such as Ellis French in The Inspection and Christopher in the FX series, Pose. Stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the entertainment world.

[Via]

Bad Bunny And Christina Aguilera Are Among The Honorees At The 2023 GLAAD Awards For Their LGBTQ+ Support

by
bad bunny grammys 2023
Getty Image

Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera, and actor Jeremy Pope are the celebs being honored at this year’s GLAAD Awards.

Bad Bunny is earning GLAAD’s Vanguard award, intended for those who constantly present LGBTQ+ allyship. Previous Vanguard recipients include Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Cher, and Janet Jackson.

“Bad Bunny uses his role as one of the world’s most popular music artists to boldly shine a light on LGBTQ people and issues, including transgender equality and ending violence against trans women of color,” GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis shared via Variety. “By consistently advocating for our community, elevating our stories and demanding action from anti-LGBTQ leaders, Bad Bunny redefines the positive influence Latin music artists can have within the LGBTQ community, and has set an example for all artists.”

Aguilera is set to receive GLAAD’s Advocate for Change award, as she has raised over $500 million for HIV research through Mac Cosmetics. She has also been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Meanwhile, Pope, who starred in FX’s show, Pose, is getting the Stephen F. Kolzak award for being a “LGBTQ media professional who has increased queer visibility and acceptance through their work,” according to the publication.

In addition, there are over 250+ nominees that are up for possible awards in the 33 categories. The 2023 GLAAD Awards will be held on March 30 at Los Angeles’ Beverly Hilton.

LeBron James Fans Drake, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, And Others Congratulated Him On The NBA Scoring Record With Videos

by

On April 5, 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored his 31,420th point in the NBA, which broke the league’s all-time scoring record previously held by Wilt Chamberlain. For decades, that record felt unbreakable, but in recent years, it became clear that LeBron James would likely eclipse the mark one day. Well, that day was yesterday (February 7): In the Los Angeles Lakers’ losing effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder, James made the record-breaking shot near the end of the third quarter and put himself atop the all-time list.

Now, the NBA icon has received congratulatory message from music stars like Drake, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar.

Various celebrities recorded videos congratulating James on his historic achievement, with Snoop saying in his, “In the words of the great Snoop Dogg: ‘La-da-da-da-da!’ It’s the one and only LBJ: LeBron James! Great work, baby. Appreciate the love. Love what you do, keep doing what you’re doing, more buckets, more points, more love.”

Drake said in his clip, seemingly filmed at James’ high school gym, “LeBron: what a legendary night in NBA history. You’re breaking the all-time scoring record, and to honor that, I had to come back to the place that it all started: Akron, Ohio. Every journey has its beginning and tonight…” As he spoke, though, the illusion was broken thanks to a green screen malfunction, revealing a club environment behind him. He continued, “I lied, I lied to you. I’m actually still at the club in Miami, but definitely all the girls say congrats, though, right girls? Congrats, right?”

In a more straightforward video, Lamar said, “To see you with this type of accomplishment, it always give a confirmation of, you can be great no matter where you come from.”

In her tribute, Rihanna said, “It is important to recognize greatness and great accomplishments. […] If course, you’re no stranger to breaking records, but this record, this is one to be more than just acknowledged: this is one to be celebrated.”

Bad Bunny didn’t record a video, but he was there in person to give LeBron a hug after the record was broken.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, John Legend wrote, “Congratulations @KingJames !!!! This man has been in the spotlight and burdened with the highest expectations since he was a teenager. And he’s done nothing but exceed those expectations and build a historic legacy. What an incredible accomplishment!”

Check out the videos above and find some other tweets about James’ accomplishment below.

Bad Bunny Fans Are Furious With The Grammys Over Their Closed-Captioning During His Speech And Performance

by
Bad Bunny Grammys 2023
Getty Image

Bad Bunny set the bar high for the 2023 Grammys by kickstarting the broadcast with performances of “Titi Me Pregunto” and “Despues De La Playa,” which had everyone at Crypto.com Arena attempting to merengue dance. But CBS’ closed-captioning dampened the otherwise awesome moment.

As Bad Bunny was reminding everyone why he’s the biggest artist on the planet right now, closed-captioning read, “[SINGING IN NON-ENGLISH].” The same thing happened when Bunny spoke in his native Spanish while accepting the award for Best Música Urbana Album (Un Verano Sin Ti).

The lack of inclusivity did not go over well.

“Seeing [SPEAKING IN NON-ENGLISH] in closed captions in 2023 is a great reminder that a lot of us can’t separate our accessibility from our culture, which is why those conversations need to be inclusive as all hell,” Adweek’s Shannon Miller tweeted.

Miller was joined by countless others in pointing out the disappointing misstep:

Bunny was also nominated for Album Of The Year, which controversially went to Harry Styles, and Best Pop Solo Performance (“Moscow Mule”). Despite losing out on those awards, it didn’t seem to dampen his mood at all based on how he posed for photos with Taylor Swift.

Watch Bad Bunny’s Best Música Urbana Album acceptance speech below.