TikTok

Biden Administration to TikTok: Remove Chinese Ownership or Face U.S. Ban

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black content creators

TikTok is on the clock. The Biden administration has warned the tech giant that it is facing a ban in the United States if its Chinese owners do not sell their stakes in the social media platforms.

The order was given by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), highlighting China and the social media app having nearly 100 million users in the United States.

CNN notes TikTok confirmed receiving the request but denied the possibility of providing details.

“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem,” TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said in a statement. “A change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access. The best way to address concerns about national security is with the transparent, US-based protection of US user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification, which we are already implementing.”

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated America has “failed to produce evidence that TikTok threatens US national security.”

In 2022, Congress and Joe Biden passed legislation blocking TikTok from US Government devices, which the European Union and Canada followed.

The post Biden Administration to TikTok: Remove Chinese Ownership or Face U.S. Ban appeared first on The Source.

Logic Shocks Humble Fan With A Generous Offer

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Logic the rapper is gaining a lot of attention on social media after offering to pay a fan’s rent. The viral moment happened on TikTok, where a fan messaged the rapper to ask for free tickets to his show. In the message, the fan explains that they are struggling to pay rent and could definitely not afford to buy tickets. But Logic’s response was not what the fan expected. Instead, the musician chooses to extend a helping hand. On March 13th, Logic uploaded a video of him wearing a headband and earbuds.

The rapper is more than happy to send the fan free tickets. However, he also appears to be more concerned for the fan’s well-being. In his video response to the fan, Logic assures him that he and his team will take good care of the individual. Although it may seem silly for the fan to ask for tickets in a dire situation, Logic is kind and gentle with him. “F*** the tickets, can I help you with your rent? My people are going to hit you up, let me help you out a little bit.” The musician even seems excited to help out his fan.

Logic Shows Genuine Concern Over Dedicated Fan

@logic

Replying to @workoutwithdelly can have em in the streets!!!

♬ original sound – logic

Logic is known for returning the loyalty of his fan base. He frequently gives them opportunities to reach out to him. The rapper also likes to give fans the chance to showcase their own talents. But although people are aware of his generosity, no one could have predicted how far he would be willing to extend his kindness. Shortly after his video response, fans flooded his comments praising the young artist on his concern over the fan. As famous as he is, Logic remains humble and loyal to those who were able to support his journey to stardom.

Currently, the fan whom Logic is helping has not made any public comments regarding the situation. He is likely in shock over the fact that his favorite artist is even responding to him, let alone paying for his rent. In Logic’s response video, several fans are expressing their own dire situations. While he can’t respond to every single one, he has been actively helping others at a similar level. Make sure to follow up for any updates about how the rapper is casually changing lives.

[Via]

Logic Addresses Backlash To Ice Cube Cover: “Who Gives A F*ck”

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Logic has addressed the recent backlash to his viral cover of Ice Cube’s 1992 hit single “It Was A Good Day.” The rapper spoke about the negative reaction in response to a fan on TikTok, who asked him to make an entire album featuring covers of songs from the 1990s. In the TikTok, Logic revealed that he got support from Ice Cube himself afterward.

“You know it’s funny you should say that,” Logic said in the post. “Um, it’s funny you should say that because I thought about doing that. Wouldn’t that be cool? Everybody’s all pissed off at me because I did a fucking Ice Cube cover. Meanwhile I texted Ice Cube and he’s like, ‘Man, keep on doing you brotha,’ like what the… who gives a fuck. Who gives a fuck.”

Logic On Tour In 2022

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 12: Rapper Logic performs onstage during “Vinyl Verse Summer” tour at Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood on August 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

He added: “But you know what would be great? Is if, you’re right. I should do a whole fucking album, and just do a whole album of fucking hard ass 90s records and call it Logic Greatest Hits, and get all them paid, and publishing, and take care of all the legends and the goat’s and the great’s from the 90s. And fucking do a covers album, who gives a fuck.. whaaat.”

As for the hate Logic received, many were unhappy with the heavy use of guitars in his version. One of the most prominent voices to complain about the cover was Joe Budden. Speaking on his podcast, Budden called on Logic to retire from music after hearing the song. “Logic, I beg of you, I’m pleading with you: please join me in retirement,” he said. “Never step near a recording device again! Throw your phone in the ocean! Be allergic to microphones! Promise your fans nothing! Don’t go to the studio ever again! You are the worst, yo! You are really, really bad!” Check out Logic’s comments about the situation on TikTok below.

Logic’s TikTok

@logic

Replying to @evil.morty.420 logic greatest hits coming soon!

♬ It Was A Good Day – Ice Cube

[Via]

Usher Claims He’s Going To “Wake Up R&B”

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Usher fans, get ready, because the star singer just posted a TikTok video saying he’s going to “wake up R&B.” Of course, many would argue that the genre’s never slept, but the Southern born and bred artist wants to reach a new level. Moreover, he went through a pretty heavy pop phase at the end of the 2000s and along the 2010s. However, in that time, he eventually took a backseat to big releases. With the extension of his Las Vegas residency and more big moves, it looks like Usher’s set on dominating the industry with new music.

What’s more is that he already has something locked and loaded in store. For example, on Valentine’s Day he released a sultry and tantalizing visual tease for an upcoming “GLU” single and music video. Also, the tease stars Lori Harvey, which also caught fans’ attention. Even though it’s unclear when this will drop, and what exactly it consists of, it was enough to get fans ready. In this latest tease, in which he walks around a mansion in a comfy bathrobe, he’s probably banking on the grandiosity and opulent image that his powerful music evokes.

Usher Plans to “Wake Up” R&B

Furthermore, fans can’t wait to see the 44-year-old star return to some of his artistic roots. In fact, he recently proclaimed that his classic 2004 album Confessions was “the birth of toxic R&B.” While elaborating on his point, he said that back in the day, to be toxic meant to be honest. Even though he sung about relationships and overcoming their pitfalls, he said that being toxic now is more akin to acknowledging your personal pitfalls with no remorse. However you’d define it, one thing’s clear: few artists can do that style as vividly, passionately, and with as much class as the “Burn” hitmaker.

Last year, Usher celebrated the 25th anniversary of his acclaimed project My Way with an expanded edition. Considering his Vegas shows as well, he’s at a career peak where he can look back at the greatness he accomplished and bask in his status. Fortunately for his fans, that vantage point hasn’t dissuaded him from continuing to push himself and show why that status is so earned. Whatever he brings, we’re sure it’ll make a big splash. Regardless of the final product, come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates on Usher.

Miguel’s “Sure Thing” Is Popular Again, Skyrocketing Up UK Charts Due to TikTok

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miguel

Words by: Brandon Simmons

In 2011, R&B crooner Miguel released his hit song “Sure Thing.”  12 years later, it remains a hit-thanks largely to TikTok.  Amid finishing up his new album, Miguel just recently found out about the song’s performance on TikTok.  It is performing so well that “Sure Thing” has landed in the Top 10 on the UK charts!  Also, New Zealand and other European countries have seen the song climb their charts too.

TikTok creators have been using the sped-up version of “Sure Thing” to dance to, calling it the “Sure Thing” challenge.  Miguel feels it is “fascinating” how a song so old is still relevant today.

“Getting the information that something of mine from so long ago is picking up, and exponentially picking up, week by week, is just fascinating.”

The Los Angeles singer is no stranger to seeing success on the Billboard charts, as when “Sure Thing” first debuted in 2011, it was highly ranked.  It was number one on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, number seven on their Adult R&B Songs chart, and came in at number 14 on Billboard’s Rhythmic chart.

Now, in 2023, the hit song has reached #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, surpassing the previous position.  In 2011, “Sure Thing” debuted at number 36.

@nolydimate

dc: @yeslydimate 👎🏼 #surethingtrend #thisisnotatrend #imembarrassed #thisismyonlyachievement

♬ Sure Thing (sped up) – Miguel

The post Miguel’s “Sure Thing” Is Popular Again, Skyrocketing Up UK Charts Due to TikTok appeared first on The Source.

TikTok’s “Series” Feature Allows Users To Paywall “Premium” Videos Up To 20 Mins

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Instagram and Snapchat previously held the title of most-used and highly regarded social media apps, but as of late, it’s been TikTok that’s taking over. The Chinese-owned platform has evolved rapidly since rising in popularity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Today (March 7), they have another exciting update to share with creators, which will allow them to bring in more money than ever before.

As per Variety, TikTok announced “Series” on Tuesday, noting that at this time, the feature is available only for select accounts. Those who have access will be able to post Collections of premium content that lives behind a paywall. Similarly to websites like OnlyFans, users who want to see the videos in question will have to pay a fee. At this time, each series can include 80 posts, each one with a maximum of 20 minutes. This gives the community “a new, longer format to watch their favourite creators and content,” rather than being restricted by the current 10-minute limit.

Introducing Series on TikTok

@tiktoknewsroom

Introducing TikTok Series 🥁 Our new premium feature enables creators to post Collections of up to 80 videos, each up to 20 minutes long 🙌

♬ original sound – TikTok Newsroom – TikTok Newsroom

It’s worth noting that TikTok will allow each creator to select the price for their Series, something not every pay-per-view site offers. The content will be available for purchase through direct in-video links, or on the user’s own profile. Of course, this doesn’t mean we’ll start seeing OF-esque content on the platform. As with all other uploads, “Series videos must adhere to community guideline standards.”

In the coming months, TikTokers will have the opportunity to submit applications to enroll in the new program. For a limited time, the app will be paying creators 100% of their Series earnings (after platform and processing fees). It remains unclear how the payment structure will change in the future. “Right now we’re focused on building the product and hearing feedback from our creators to improve the product,” a spokesperson for the app told Variety.

Other ways users have been making money on the popular social media site include the Creator Fund, which specifically pays those making “innovative content.” Additionally, the recent announcement of the Creativity Program Beta is raising plenty of eyebrows. It’s an invitation-only program that pays those making “high-quality, original content” more than one minute a share of ad revenue. What do you think of TikToks newest rollout? Sound off in the comments, and check back later for more pop culture news.

[Via]

North West’s Ice Spice Costume Explained By Masika: “It’s Really Not That Deep Y’all”

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Usually, Kim Kardashian is the one markedly being criticized for her online content. Now, however, her 9-year-old daughter North West is feeling the heat after channelling her apparent new idol, Ice Spice. This past weekend, the duo’s TikTok page lit up with videos of the young girl meeting the New York rapper, and shortly after, donning a curly ginger wig, oversized cartoon chain, and white sweatsuit in an attempt to look more like Isis Gaston.

As the clips of North and her friends dancing along to tracks like “In Ha Mood” and “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2,” were uploaded the online conversation surprisingly took a turn toward her father, Kanye West. In the past, the “Runaway” artist chiefly spoke about not wanting his little girl to use TikTok, causing serious contention between him and Kardashian. They seem to have come to an agreement in the time since in which the young content creator isn’t allowed to aimlessly scroll through the app, and their comment section remains blocked from public commentary.

North’s New Look

@kimandnorth

#duet with @icespicee

♬ Ac r7sheed – rhy 🎸🍃 🕸

“Kanye finna set the world on fire,” one Twitter user joked. Elsewhere, others suggested that the disgraced rapper got what was coming to him. “Everything that’s happening with North is Kanye’s fault. He had children with a woman who got famous from a sex tape,” someone else wrote. “It’s disgusting. If you don’t want a rachet child don’t have children with a rachet woman. Marry the type of woman you want your daughter to turn into.”

As social media discourse continues to come in, many of North’s previous uploads have been accordingly taken down from TikTok. One of her in costume still remains, stitching the original upload of her and Spice hanging out together. Because so little context was provided in the video’s captions, many viewers were confused about Kimye’s eldest’s new look, and if it would become a permanent thing. Thankfully, reality TV star Masika was finally able to offer an explanation on Monday (March 6).

Masika Offers an Explanation

“Today is ‘heroes and heritage day’ at their school,” she wrote in @theneighborhood talk’s comment section. “‘Students are invited to participate in a spirit-wear day inspired by February’s Black History Month, March’s Women’s History Month, and World Languages Week… Students are encouraged to dress in clothing celebrating their heroes or heritage.’”

Masika’s explanation went on, “‘From a lab coat representing a prominent scientist to culturally authentic attire to a jersey of an admired athlete…’ She chose Ice Spice, it’s really not that deep y’all. SMH.” What do you think of North West picking the Bronx Baddie as her hero? Sound off in the comments, and check back later for more pop culture news.

[Via]

Kanye West Trends After North West Dresses Up Like Ice Spice For TikTok

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Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s firstborn daughter, North West, might be the biggest Ice Spice fan in the world. In the past few months, North’s appreciation for the “Munch” rapper has been on full display across her social media. She revealed that she inherited Ye’s artistic penchant when she drew a picture of Ice Spice. In addition to paying homage to the Bronx Baddie, they recently linked up at Kim’s home where they filmed a few TikToks together.

The apparent result of their link-up was a newly shared video of North West dressed up as Ice Spice. Ye’s daughter donned an orange wig similar to Spice’s hair, along with a white tracksuit, as she and her friends rapped along to her verse on PinkPantheress’ “Boy’s A Liar Pt 2.” The clip caught the internet off-guard with feelings that ranged from disappointment to adoration. However, there were many that brought up comments from Kanye West last year. During his divorce, Ye stated that he didn’t want his daughter on the social media platform.

Ye’s Comments Resurface

As North’s TikTok went viral, Twitter began to debate whether or not it was appropriate for a 9-year-old to be singing along to Ice Spice. With sexualized lyrics like, “Bet he blowin’ her back / Thinkin’ ’bout me ’cause he know that it’s fat,” many felt as though Ye might have had a point when he blasted the social media platform last year. In a since-deleted video, Ye explained he didn’t want his daughter exposed to the platform. “I just got off the phone with Kim. I told her to stop antagonizing me with this TikTok thing… I’m not allowing my daughter to be used by TikTok, to be used by Disney. I have a say so,” he said. 

The video of North divided the internet. Many felt like Ice Spice is unlike the average 9-year-old exposed to pop culture. At the same time, many believed that the public treated Kanye West unfairly during the time he criticized Kim for allowing their daughter to have a TikTok page. “Kanye is clearly a good father who is only trying to protect his children from the social media world. For that, he’ll be shamed on Twitter with no ability to defend himself,” one user said. Another user mocked those defending Ye, writing, “‘Kanye was right’ N***a you never played dress up in your life as a kid?”

Twitter’s Reactions 

A Group Of Senior Citizens’ Perfect Rihanna Super Bowl Halftime Show Remake TikTok Caught Rihanna And Jay-Z’s Attention

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Jay Z Rihanna 2017
Getty Image

2023 has already been huge for Rihanna thanks to her kicking the year off by performing the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Some folks thought the performance was obscene enough to file complaints with the FCC, with at least one viewer likening it to pornography. Residents at Arcadia Senior Living Bowling Green in Kentucky were apparently cool with it, though, so much so that they re-created the performance themselves (and earned the attention of Jay-Z in the process).

A TikTok video shared back in February starts with two rows of white-clad seniors lined up, parting to reveal the Rihanna of the video, wearing all red and enthusiastically mouthing along to Rihanna’s “Rude Boy.” The clip was a viral hit and has since been viewed over 30 million times.

@arcadiasrlivingbg

Our halftime show > Rihanna’s halftime show 💃🪩🏈🤍🎶🎤 #seniorlivingcommunity #halftimeshow #SuperBowl #rihanna #fyp

♬ original sound – Brian Esperon

Jay-Z was apparently tickled by the video, as he sent a bouquet of roses to the Arcadia Senior Living memers. Arcadia resident Sue Evans told Bowling Green’s WNKY, “There’s 100 of them. And they’re from Jay-Z. My granddaughter was worried and she told her mother, ‘I hope she knows who Jay-Z is!’”

Fellow Arcadia resident Dora Martin also said, “My grandchildren and I watched and there were flips and flops and I was standing there thinking, ‘Wow, I wish I could do that,’ and then I did do that.” She added, “I went to the doctor the other day and the nurses, as soon as I walked in there, knew who I was.”

Martin also said of Jay-Z’s gesture, “I thought that was wonderful, very nice of him!”

Rihanna sent flowers as well, according to a post on Arcadia’s Facebook page.

North West’s TikTok Cosplay Video As Ice Spice Has People Debating (Something) And Resurfacing An Old Kanye Clip

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Kanye West US American Flag Los Angeles 2022
Getty Image

North West has emerged as a major Ice Spice fan, as Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s 9-year-old daughter made a pretty great drawing of the rapper and even linked up with Ice Spice herself and made some TikTok videos. Now, though, North’s newest batch of TikTok posts is stirring up some conversations.

In a series of posts shared today (March 6), North dons a curly orange wig and an Ice Spice-like outfit as she and friends dance and mouth along to Ice Spice TikTok sounds. Here’s one of those videos, which is set to Ice Spice and PinkPantheress’ “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2”:

@kimandnorth

♬ Boy’s a liar Pt. 2 – PinkPantheress & Ice Spice

This clip and the others have spawned multiple varieties of discourse. Some Twitter users took exception to 9-year-old North listening to a song with sexual lyrics like, “Sayin’ he home, but I know where he at, like / Bet he blowin’ her back / Thinkin’ ’bout me ’cause he know that it’s fat.” In response to that, others pointed out that kids have been hearing suggestive popular tunes for decades now.

Some people resurfaced an older video of Kanye talking about TikTok (with some re-sharers inaccurately billing it as Kanye’s response specifically to North’s Ice Spice fascination). In the video, Kanye vents his frustrations about North’s TikTok activity and how he doesn’t want her to be “used” by the platform.

Some people stood in solidarity with Kanye, like one user who wrote, “Kanye was right and y’all just ignorant. no way you see a actual child dressing up like a Sexualized rapper who makes music about sexualized things cute and funny. It’s disgusting.”

North herself is hopefully avoiding the discourse altogether, as the ability to comment on her TikTok posts is turned off.