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Kim Kardashian West is naked, ass-out and oiled-up, on the cover of Paper magazine's winter issue. On an alternate cover for the mag, she appears to be stroking a champagne bottle to climax, causing a frothy explosion of liquid to rain down onto her insanely-large derrière.
Kim K has been on the cover of both Playboy magazine and her own sex tape in the past, and neither cover was as sexually-explicit as these ones are.
Oh Kim, it's so nice to see just how much you've evolved over the years.
The Weeknd
Every year, Spotify listeners win out over devotees to other streaming platforms when they unveil their Spotify Wrapped playlists — a data driven analysis of what the year sounded like.
And while this year's personal Spotify Wrapped summaries are still loading, Spotify just released their data for their most streamed global music and podcasts of the year.
Announced the week following the Grammy nominations, Spotify Wrapped feels like vindication for artists who were snubbed by the awards committee, like The Weeknd and Halsey.
The summary also analyzed trends of when and how people were listening to content, noting increased popularity in nostalgia-themed playlists and work-from-home-themed playlists. Spotify users were understandably playing music from home more, which even caused an uptick in streaming music from gaming consoles. Listeners also tuned obsessively into wellness podcasts like never before.
<p>While Spotify's full wrapped summary can be found on their website, here are the highlights:</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzQ1Ny9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MjIwMzQzOH0.6NguyFelZ2_Bu_VvDFyXBKYt6DpnKijQdoJbwV0_eHM/img.png?width=980" id="48d9d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c9629d93b196753fafbf68bbd48ad1e0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Top 5 Artists Globally</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">via Spotify</small></p><p><strong><br></strong></p><p><!-- Ezoic - under_second_paragraph - under_second_paragraph -->
</p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-813"><center><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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<!-- End Ezoic - under_second_paragraph - under_second_paragraph --><p></p><p><strong>MOST STREAMED OF THE YEAR</strong><br></p><p><strong>Most Streamed Songs Globally</strong></p><p>1. "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd</p><p>2. "Dance Monkey" by Tones And I</p><p>3. "The Box" by Roddy Ricch </p><p>4. "Roses – Imanbek Remix" by Imanbek and SAINt JHN</p><p>5. "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa </p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-632"></div>
<!-- End Ezoic - undersecond12 - under_second_paragraph --></p><p><strong>Most Streamed Artists Globally</strong></p><p>1. Bad Bunny</p><p>2. Drake</p><p>3. J Balvin</p><p>4. Juice WRLD</p><p>5. The Weeknd</p><p>Bad Bunny took the crown as most streamed artist of the year with over 8.3 billion streams. His album, <em>YHLQMDLG</em>, released in February and, stacked with collaborations with Daddy Yankee and other big names, topped in global album streams. He reaches the top spot after appearing at 5th most streamed artist in 2019. </p><p>Another Latin star in the top three is J Balvin, the 5th most streamed male artist last year, making the top 5 for the second year in a row.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-633"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent1 - mid_content --></p><p>Drake takes the second spot, after a series of successful singles and an album this year. Though he didn't make the 2019 top 10, he was the most streamed artist of the 2010s in last year's Spotify Wrapped of the decade. The Weeknd appears at number 5 globally and his song "Blinding Lights" was the most streamed of the year. </p><p>His summer album <em>After Hours</em> was second only to Bad Bunny. The album showcased The Weeknd's <a href="https://www.popdust.com/the-weeknd-new-music-review-2641495969.html" target="_self">signature performance character at his most glamorized and exaggerated</a>. Yes, it was toxic. Yes, the people loved it. This is some much needed validation for The Weeknd and his fans after receiving no nominations from the Grammys.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-634"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent11 - mid_content --></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzQ3MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NDg1NDI5MX0.vhIq3PaHFFaZl7qz0IoTH8eYQvq2BA4iBXTqu08m-JQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="8f5e8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="26b760ed6b177654ff0c212aa7e44ef9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Bad Bunny</small></p><p><strong>Meanwhile in the U.S, the Most-Streamed Artists were:</strong><br></p><p>1. Juice WRLD</p><p>2. Drake</p><p>3. Lil Uzi Vert</p><p>4. Post Malone</p><p>5. Taylor Swift</p><p>The US charts were quite distinct, with the late Juice WRLD racking up big numbers. The only other name consistent between the two lists is Drake, who keeps his number 2 spot. </p><p>New additions include Lil Uzi Vert, Post Malone, who topped the global list in 2019, and Taylor Swift. With the latter two up for a large number of Grammys for their albums,<em> Hollywood's Bleeding</em> and <em>Folklore</em>, this is no surprise.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-635"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent2 - long_content --></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzQ3Ni9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMjE0NDc3OH0.dB4I_OCFBjnhsxrSyMhvsdhG8kLiQZKlSL1INu0e-Nc/img.png?width=980" id="e7754" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="581645bf1c622bce79e96cc903d920d3" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Top 5 Female Artists</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">via Spotify</small></p><p><strong><br></strong></p><p><script async="" src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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</script></p><p><strong>FEMALE ARTISTS</strong><br></p><p>Taylor is the only female artist that made the top list in the US, as opposed to 2019 when both Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish made the top 5. However "Dance Monkey" by Tones And I and "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa were both songs by female artists which were in the top 5 streamed songs globally.</p><p>The Most Streamed Female Artists Globally were:</p><p>1. Billie Eilish</p><p>2. Taylor Swift</p><p>3. Ariana Grande</p><p>4. Dua Lipa</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-636"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent22 - long_content --></p><p>5. Halsey</p><p>And in the U.S, the Most-Streamed Female Artists were:</p><p>1. Taylor Swift</p><p>2. Billie Eilish</p><p>3. Ariana Grande</p><p>4. Halsey</p><p>5. Megan Thee Stallion</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzQ5MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NjAzNDg5Mn0.UfM3PmLO8jg5ilvtlwmnFfWvnTYQpxfZP_jvNBlGA_o/img.jpg?width=980" id="9f4f0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="20ef63c6b44aa7a040ef55f106fe6f83" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Megan Thee Stallion</small></p><p>Again, Ariana and Billie Eilish were in the top 3. Both have released high-streaming singles this year, most recently Billie's "I Think Therefore I Am" and Ariana's "Positions" and subsequent surprise album. Taylor's <em>Folklore</em> brought her to 2nd in comparison to last year's 3rd.<br></p><p>Dua Lipa replaced Camila Cabello this year, and her <em>Future Nostalgia</em> scored her some Grammy nominations, after having won Best New Artist in 2016. Halsey stays in the top 5, though like the Weeknd she has commented on her lack of recognition by the Grammys as unfair, blaming bribes for the results.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-637"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent3 - longer_content --></p><p>Megan Thee Stallion unsurprisingly makes the US list. She's up this year for a number of Grammys, including Record of the Year and Best New Artist. Her songs "Savage," including the Remix featuring Beyonce, and "WAP" have all been viral hits — a recipe for instant charting success.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzQ4My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NDkzMzgwN30.zEWJQdrBVpQ9Asp-fimK_Zbys4ARTTqnyeZVVOFi0E0/img.png?width=980" id="93030" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="749e85a83dc09398a1189f042cf72201" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Top 5 Albums</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">via Spotify</small></p><p><strong>MOST STREAMED ALBUMS</strong><br></p><p>Most Streamed Albums Globally:</p><p>1. YHLQMDLG, Bad Bunny</p><p>2. After Hours, The Weeknd</p><p>3. Hollywood's Bleeding, Post Malone</p><p>4. Fine Line, Harry Styles</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-638"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent33 - longer_content --></p><p>5. Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa</p><p>Harry Styles's<em> Fine Line</em> makes it to the top 4, which for some is further proof that he was robbed of one of the big three nominations at the Grammys – Album of the Year, Record of the Year, or Song of the Year. </p><p>U.S. Most Streamed Albums:</p><p>1. Legends Never Die, Juice WRLD</p><p>2. Eternal Atake (Deluxe) – LUV vs. The World 2, Lil Uzi Vert</p><p>3. Hollywood's Bleeding, Post Malone</p><p>4. After Hours, The Weeknd</p><p>5. Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, Roddy Ricch</p><p>The US was more rap heavy, paying tribute to the late Juice WRLD and bumping Uzi. <em>After Hours</em> and <em>Legends Never Die</em> epitomize the trend of lovably toxic rappers — which also makes us surprised that "Dior" by the late Pop Smoke didn't make the list. And though Drake was streamed heavily, his recent album didn't make the cut either.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-639"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent4 - longest_content --></p><p>Roddy Rich makes it to the US list, after his massive single "The Box" from earlier this year, which was the third most played of the year and earned him Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. </p><p>But until the Grammys in February, we'll be waiting for our own personal Spotify wrap-ups.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzQ5NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0OTY0ODU2M30.95zSe30KWhuLF1RWF_KWHSZWVGcVfDEOOQSwUeztyQU/img.jpg?width=980" id="a8f63" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="11e8e6aa656363190e698e3615a6abc4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Juice WRLD</small></p>
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Rihanna and A$AP Rocky for Fenty Skin
After months of on and off again speculation, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky seem to be dating.
Obviously, this is good news if it's true. Can you imagine? For the coordinating outfits alone, I need it.
<p>The two have been friends for years, dodging dating rumors between partners. Since collaborating on Rihanna's <em>Talk That Talk</em> album in 2013, the pop stars have frequently featured on each other's music and been mainstays at each other's events. </p><p></p><center><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- Popdust Mobile Banner 320x100 --><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:320px;height:100px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4301469008561137" data-ad-slot="6952751205"></ins><script>
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</script></center><p></p><p>Known for their style, cultural relevance, and music in equal measure (A$AP Rocky, AKA Pretty Flacko, has even received the unofficial moniker "The Male Rihanna" for his innovative dress sense), the two often attend the same fashion shows and parties.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-630"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - underfirst11 - under_first_paragraph --></p><p>Recently, they were spotted together at the Beatrice Inn in New York City. Though reportedly they were with a group of friends, this is not the first time they have been spotted together at an upscale hotel in NYC.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzU3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2ODYxMDQ1OX0.fk3xEYQBYyUtQXH7wvafjuoF0y2MQVeg7M6S1YhZs6s/img.jpg?width=980" id="80c6b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="00126ee2fce1684425d2417afd7290a7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Rihanna and Rocky at the Diamond Ball, 2020">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Rihanna and Rocky at the Diamond Ball, 2020</small></p><p>Rihanna's last longtime boyfriend was Hassan Jameel, heir to Toyota, whom she dated for three years. They split in January of this year, around the time the first rumors of Rihanna and Rocky began to circulate after a close trip to New York together. However, so soon after her split with Hassan, these rumors were quick to fade.<br></p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-632"></div>
<!-- End Ezoic - undersecond12 - under_second_paragraph --></p><p>The two were linked again this summer during the promotion for Fenty Beauty's unisex skincare launch, Fenty Skin. A$AP acted as a spokesperson for the brand, doing virtual press conferences with Rihanna and appearing beside her in the promotional shots. For fans, this was more than enough to send the rumors flying again, but this latest instance seems like an official confirmation.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzU4MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzYzMzg1NX0.SunSQz1A3scKDrYDTdmJD3jshYgvu7y4cViKVaEHqg4/img.jpg?width=980" id="68c1b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8af92925b275d75c4d8ecd78509e07d0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Rihanna and Rocky doing virtual press for Fenty Skin</small></p><p>However, it's also possible that the two are just friends...still.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-633"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent1 - mid_content --></p><p>In the time of Covid, the best we can hope for at this point are pictures of the supposed couple in equally incredible outfits roaming around New York. But if the relationship lasts, I'm hoping for matching red carpet fits and, dare I say … Met Gala photos?</p><h2></h2><p>If the rumors are false, we'll be disappointed, but not for long. After all, single Rihanna is the best Rihanna.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="dcb525aa3c6688bd0bb8174084b3928a"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TEdNKKIu1Q4?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Rihanna - "I'm not looking for a man, let's start there"</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEdNKKIu1Q4&ab_channel=_S" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
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Music Lists
On This Day: Vanilla Ice and Other Problematic White Rappers
There have been a ton of icky white rappers over the years, but these take the cake.
12.01.2020
On this day in 1990, Vanilla Ice's "Under Pressure" reboot "Ice, Ice Baby" debuted at No. 1 in the UK, kickstarting a Billboard run that would soon carry over to the states and invigorate a fleeting love for Vanilla Ice and his whole...vibe.
Of course, we all know how it ends. Vanilla Ice's credibility and career unraveled as quickly as it began. "Ice Ice Baby" took on a satirical identity larger than its creator, all while Robert Van Wrinkle refused to pay royalties (or even give a shout-out) to Freddie Mercury and David Bowie despite liberally sampling the track's true creators. Ice instead tried to cultivate a hollow rap identity, one where he was a hardened former-gang member from Miami and not a middle-class teen from a Texas suburb. The chorus of the song then came under fire by a black fraternity, who accused Vanilla Ice of ripping off their fraternal chant ("ice ice baby/ too cold, too cold.")
<p>Needless to say, Vanilla Ice became more known for being <a href="https://www.distractify.com/p/suge-knight-vanilla-ice-balcony" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dangled over a balcony by Suge Knight</a> than for his music. His lyrics remained corny, and his whole existence–especially his unbearable whisper-raps on 1990's "I Love You"– instead morphed into a parody of late 90s culture. Reflecting back on the inappropriate actions of Van Wrinkle call into question a decades-old conversation regarding <a href="https://www.theringer.com/music/2020/10/6/21502594/history-of-white-rappers-eminem-vanilla-ice-mac-miller" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">white people's place in hip-hop</a>. Lord Jamar recently told Eminem that he believed white people "were a guest" in the house of Hip-Hop, a statement that polarized fans of the "Lose Yourself" emcee and reaffirmed the dire need for authenticity when attempting to take part in black culture. </p><p>Mimicry would never be welcomed, but authenticity and grace would be (sometimes) applauded. Some white rappers (The Beastie Boyz, Lil Dicky, Mac Miller, Eminem) would no doubt bring about inventive styles to the genre, while others (Macklemore, Logic, Miley Cyrus, Iggy Azalea) would instead make <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-calls-macklemores-grammy-apology-text-wack-as-f-k-81580/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> problematic gestures</a>, and quickly wash away with the cultural tide–Cyrus is still famous obviously, but it seems she makes <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/miley-cyrus-plastic-hearts-album-review-1096369/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">80s rock now</a>.</p><p>White rappers' mere existence will always be political and polarizing, but here are the true culture vultures, the ones that just never got it, the ones like Vanilla Ice who should be remembered as parodies more than legitimate acts.</p>
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<div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-630"></div>
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Bhad Bhabie
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b713478c8d0b2ded9dc38ad30d984dd1"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZW4YGJRUgc4?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>Born from a meme, 15-year-old Danielle Bregoli has somehow maintained a relatively steady rap career these last few years, despite remaining ignorant to the culture she borrows from. Her outlandish behavior has seen no bounds. She <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1138116/bhad-bhabie-claps-back-after-she-s-accused-of-darkening-her-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">darkened her skin</a>, <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/04/bhad-bhabie-defends-box-braids-hairstyle-accused-cultural-appropriation-11267702/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">spawned dreads</a>, and quelled critics with a shrug. "I act urban," she said. "You can't tell me I'm acting black because I braid my hair. That makes no sense whatsoever." </p><p>Regardless of Bhad Bhabie's inflammatory antics, she has maintained a profitable career, and to everyone's dismay, was even nominated "Top Rap Female Artist" at the 2018 <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/nielaorr/bhad-bhabie-iggy-azalea-eminem-danielle-bregoli" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Billboard Music Awards</em></a><em>. </em>Luckily, Cardi B won instead. Nevertheless, it is hard to picture where Bhad Bhabie fits into a culture she's so clearly milking for an image. </p>Woah Vicky
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9dd8d75a460357677027f74ca240d73a"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TAN9ahGEaI0?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>People may remember Woah Vicky, Bhad Bhabie's equally as problematic foe, from a few years ago after a series of back and forth disses between her and Bhabie resulted in a few crude brawls. But Vicky's polarizing career actually came to fruition in 2017 after <a href="https://www.bet.com/news/national/2017/09/07/white-woman--whoavicky--says-she-can-use-the-n-word-because-of-a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">she claimed to be black and allowed to use the N-word</a> despite being white. "Ancestry.com did tell me I was black," she says in the video. "So I have the right to say that I'm black." </p><p>The test told her she was 25% black, and she has since been regularly accused of "acting black" and "putting on a voice" that is not her own. She has since used her millions of followers to help kickstart a budding rap career, and the Bhad Bhabie beef helped establish a tough and even more problematic image. Many are hopeful it doesn't go much farther than it already has.</p>G-Eazy
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d90a905da844696eeb2f681c25ca9c40"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HCQ6uf0HTGw?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>Bay Area rapper G-Eazy has continued to churn out lackluster pop-rap for years. His pop-laden sound has gotten cleaner and cleaner over the years, and as a result, he is often accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/31/g-eazy-rapper-gentrify-hip-hop-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">"gentrifying rap." </a>His moniker is no doubt a playoff of rapper Jeezy and Eazy-E, and while he has long dismissed allegations of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/31/g-eazy-rapper-gentrify-hip-hop-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cultural appropriation</a> and acknowledged his guest status in Hip-Hop, it's still hard to respect him. </p><p>Maybe it's because he's a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/31/g-eazy-rapper-gentrify-hip-hop-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">coked-out woman abuser</a>, or maybe it's because he has seen an astronomical level of fame, mostly because of his skin color. Or maybe it is because of the time he <a href="https://www.barclayscenter.com/events/detail/g-eazy-logic-the-endless-summer-tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">darkened his skin on a promotional poster for a 2016 tour</a>. One thing is for sure: his music has never warranted the praise it's gotten, and his whole James Dean meets Drake image is just confusing.</p>Denny Blaze
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6df2bd26d05fc815f89503a32b6a97a5"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uj5urT2VBxo?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>It still remains to be seen whether Denny Blaze, aka Average Homeboy, was ever in on his own joke. His viral YouTube debut "Average Homeboy" polarized everybody when it mysteriously appeared online in 1989. Many applauded the video's entertainment value that comes with watching a sincere teen attempt to playfully rap–Blaze's goofy suburban teen vibe would later be mastered by Lil Dicky, but in a way less problematic way–but Denny's seemingly well-intentioned rhymes played into some dangerous stereotypes. Aside from equating Blackness to crack use in "Average Homeboy," cringe tracks like "Black Men Can't Swim" would all but assure the demise of Denny Hazen's rap alter-ego.</p>Kreayshawn
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a136eb6f81d66dd41bd19a58790f7f43"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6WJFjXtHcy4?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>Natassia Zolot, aka Kreayshawn, and the now-defunct White Girl Mob gained public attention after the release of Kreayshawn's "Gucci Gucci." The video accumulated millions of views and resulted in a lucrative record deal for Kreayshawn, but the single's coinciding video was accused of appropriating black culture, with Kreayshawn's doorknocker earrings <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/nielaorr/bhad-bhabie-iggy-azalea-eminem-danielle-bregoli" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">coming under particular scrutiny.</a> She soon ended up retiring from rap.</p>Mike Stud
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b51971360f1e52de266e58cc4ab0846e"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KpDmPtz7noM?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>One of the sole-surviving frat-rappers of the mid-2000s, Mike Stud has maintained steady fame despite his awkward relationship with hip-hop. An all-American baseball player at Duke University, Stud took to rapping after an injury derailed his sports career. In 2016, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/21/arts/music/white-rappers-geazy-mike-stud.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The New York Times</em></a> called him a "Drake clone," citing the fact that his recent traversal into sing-rapping with songs like "Say No More" are melodically similar to Drizzy in more ways than one. </p><p>"His signature catchphrase, a sort of elongated "yup," is essentially lifted from the R&B singer Trey Songz," <em>The Times</em> adds. He's now the star of his own reality series on The Esquire Network, a show that has come under fire for its "ode to binge drinking" and "Girls Gone Wild approach to gender relations." </p><p>Race is never mentioned by Stud or any of his constituents throughout the show, but the closest they come is when they showcase a very uncomfortable performance by Stud in Orlando, Fl, where he's standing among a crowd of Black people rather than drunk sorority girls. "It's a different lineup than we are used to," his tour manager tells the camera. "It's a weird vibe, but it's a show that we have to do." </p><p>Stud can be seen on stage rapping cautiously, trying to showcase respect by not leaning too hard into the fratty antics that normally make up a Mike Stud concert. "Mike Stud's understanding of the difference between his usual show and the Orlando outlier suggests at least a whiff of self-awareness about his unusual relationship to the rest of hip-hop," writes <em>The Times</em>.</p>
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Paul Mescal, Phoebe Bridgers, Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Many media worlds have collided at once in the new music video for Phoebe Bridgers' "Savior Complex."
The black-and-white music video stars Paul Mescal, the gorgeous Normal People co-lead who shot to fame earlier this year thanks to his brilliant performance and now-infamous neck chain.
Mescal went from being a relative unknown to achieving a rare kind of superstardom this year; his boyish good looks and complexity made him the subject of many a profile.
As if that weren't enough of a high-profile collaboration, the video was directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creator and star of Fleabag and the subject of many a Phoebe Bridge-related joke.
phoebe waller-bridge is the best phoebe bridge— traitor joe (@traitor joe)1559255143.0
<p>This has been a huge month for Bridgers, whose album, <em>Punisher, </em>was met with critical acclaim and garnered her several Grammy noms. Her orchestral EP <em>Copycat Killer </em>just came out, and a <a href="https://www.popdust.com/phoebe-bridgers-and-maggie-rogers-cover-the-goo-goo-dolls-iris-for-joe-biden-2648892369.html" target="_blank">cover of the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" with Maggie Rogers raised $173,703.59</a> for Stacey Abrams' <a href="https://fairfight.com" target="_blank">Fair Fight</a> organization, which is mobilizing voters in Georgia.<br></p><p>Bridgers and Mescal met earlier this year in Ireland, which sparked many dating rumors. No one knows for sure what they actually talked about, but perhaps Bridgers asked him to star in her music video.</p><p>Bridgers has also long been a fan of Waller-Bridge, and apparently, according to the press release, "the feeling was mutual." "After connecting over email during Covid quarantine, the two hatched a plan to collaborate together on a music video for 'Savior Complex,'" the press release reads.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-632"></div>
<!-- End Ezoic - undersecond12 - under_second_paragraph --></p><p>"The result, starring Emmy-nominated Irish actor Paul Mescal and introducing an exceptional new talent known only as Charlotte is released today exclusively on <em>Facebook," </em>the statement continues. Charlotte is a small fluffy dog, who is obviously the true star here.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzExMi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0OTUyMDcwMH0.y6kn_jaDQTlLsmojEIY4RQn0y5Tg_h60yRZQPV8Pa7Y/img.jpg?width=980" id="3dc96" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="53bce994a1f8011202cbcb157d418b54" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Rock Cellar Magazine">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Rock Cellar</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Paul Mescal</small></p><p><strong>Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Phoebe Bridgers, and Paul Mescal all seem to love projects that involve sad, horny white people making mistakes, crying, having sex, and being very wry, so it makes sense that they all collaborated</strong>—though the video is surprisingly not all that horny given its subjects' typical interests.<br></p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-633"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent1 - mid_content --></p><p>The video is, true to form, a bit sad, a bit funny, and a bit surreal. It follows a beat-up Paul Mescal and his relationship with a small, fluffy dog, and takes place in what appears to be Ireland. In the beginning, Mescal, beat-up and looking destitute, steals a car and drives to a hotel, only to discover the little dog he met on the beach has come with him. </p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-634"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent11 - mid_content --></p><p>Eventually, we realize Mescal faked all his injuries for some reason, perhaps as part of a heist. He eventually befriends the dog and becomes fond of her, but then the dog steals all Mescal's belongings and brings them back to Bridgers as part of another heist. The video ends with Bridgers and the pup sitting by the seaside, both wearing capes. </p><p><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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</script></p><p>What does it all mean? Perhaps it's about the way that we, as people, betray and fool each other. Maybe it's about the way that everyone is playing a role, performing weaknesses and vying for sympathy in efforts to scam each other. People with "savior complexes" only feel good about themselves when they're saving others, even if that help ends up being harmful.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-635"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent2 - long_content --></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDg1MzEyMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMzk1ODQwMn0.jIKSurAjlflnpSfvJO_u2U9BWXH8hBEtyk4iBBBDL4E/img.jpg?width=980" id="a2ae3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="91e9f49d83a337a3177efafddcbbc2e0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p>In the song, Bridgers says she's a "bad liar with a savior complex," and then says, "All the skeletons that you hide, Show me yours, I'll show you mine." The song seems to follow a destructive relationship wherein both partners are tormented by their own demons. </p><p>According to Bridgers, the song is about "dating someone who hates themselves," and it does encapsulate the strange loops that define those kinds of relationships. Dating someone who hates themselves is also something that Phoebe Waller-Bridge's main character in <em>Fleabag</em> and Paul Mescal's Connell in <em>Normal People</em> can relate to, so it all coheres in the end. </p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-636"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent22 - long_content --></p><p>All in all, it's a fine collaboration by some of this year's most beloved breakout stars, all of whom — somewhat ironically — have found great success by expressing extreme self-loathing in their songs and characters. Perhaps Mescal's fake wounds in the video represent the fact that artists often perform and exploit their and their characters' emotional wounds for audiences to gawk over.<br></p><p>Regardless, the Phoebe Bridgers Extended Universe is growing at a simply unstoppable pace; all we can do is watch in awe. </p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-637"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent3 - longer_content --></p><p><strong>Watch the video <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=387568852315403" target="_blank">here</a>.</strong></p>
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Music Features
Good News for BTS ARMY — BTS Doesn't Have to Join the Army (Yet)
The newly passed "BTS Law" allows K-pop stars to defer mandatory military service.
12.01.2020
This week South Korea's National Assembly passed a law that is sure to have BTS ARMY cheering them on.
Generally speaking, all South Korean men are required to spend at least 18 months enlisted in the military, with the final cut-off for entry at age 28. But the new legislation — informally referred to as "The BTS Law" — will allow K-pop stars who meet certain requirements to defer until the age of 30.
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<!-- End Ezoic - under_second_paragraph - under_second_paragraph --><p></p><p>The nation's tense geopolitics — with the threat of renewed conflict with North Korea constantly looming — have made universal conscription a priority since the 1950s, with <a href="https://www.pri.org/stories/2019-12-09/south-korea-wants-draft-more-men-its-shrinking-military-and-punish-those-who" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">around 600,000 citizens in active duty</a>. The U.S., by comparison, has a population more than six times the size of South Korea, but only around twice the number of active military personnel.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-630"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - underfirst11 - under_first_paragraph --></p><p>There have long been exemptions for elite athletes, prominent actors and directors, and professional musicians deemed to be culturally significant. But K-pop has not previously been considered grounds for any special treatment.</p><p>For <a href="http://en.koreaportal.com/articles/44122/20180308/bigbang-hiatus-group-to-take-a-break-from-limelight-as-seungri-and-daesung-start-military-service-after-g-dragons-farewell.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bands like Big Bang</a>, that has meant taking a hiatus while members complete their military service. In addition to the grueling physical and mental toll of military service, that kind of time commitment has the potential to derail careers.</p><p>Other <a href="https://www.soompi.com/article/362938wpp/mc-mong-opens-up-about-military-dodging-allegations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">performers have gone to great lengths to avoid enlisting</a> — and have been punished for it. But for BTS that won't be an issue — not yet, anyway.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-632"></div>
<!-- End Ezoic - undersecond12 - under_second_paragraph --></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
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<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Boyband BTS recognized for developing Korea's national culture</small>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0kIWxaw83E" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
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</p><p>Only idols whose work has been officially recognized for enhancing global recognition of Korean culture will qualify for deferment under the new rule. But for BTS — whose single <a href="https://pitchfork.com/news/bts-are-the-first-k-pop-group-to-hit-no-1-on-the-billboard-hot-100/" target="_blank">"Dynamite" recently became the first K-pop song to reach number 1</a> on the Billboard Hot 100 — that's no problem.</p><p>Recognizing the fact that BTS is uniquely responsible for introducing much of the world to K-pop, the South Korean government awarded them with the requisite medals back in 2018. The <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2018/10/24/bts-accept-their-medals-to-become-youngest-ever-recipients-of-koreas-order-of-cultural-merit-8070195/" target="_blank">Hwagwan Orders of Cultural Merit acknowledged their contribution</a> to spreading Korean culture and language worldwide.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-633"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent1 - mid_content --></p><p>The new law comes just in time for the band's oldest member, Kim Seok-Jin — or "Worldwide Handsome Jin" as he prefers to be known— to defer. Now, instead of serving in the army, BTS can spend the next two years serving hits to ARMY — as their fans are known.<br></p><p>The idea is that they can serve their country more effectively as performers than as soldiers. With sold-out performances around the world and numerous <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/bts-nicki-minaj-idol-collaboration" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">collaborations with some of America's biggest pop stars</a>, they are unofficial ambassadors for Korea. As one lawmaker put it, "It's a sacred duty to defend our country, but that doesn't mean that everyone has to carry a weapon."</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-634"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent11 - mid_content --></p><p>Considering the fast pace of the K-pop world — with <a href="https://www.popdust.com/bts-dynamite-record-2647076996.html" target="_self">Blackpink and BTS constantly battling for streaming records</a>, and new idols debuting every month — this is good news. As loyal as K-pop stans tend to be, there is a limit on how much they can recycle old footage into <a href="https://www.popdust.com/k-pop-stans-beat-racists-2646150888.html" target="_self">anti-racist fancams</a>.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4475a7b056696d49e850ca82d3e7106a"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0z1slUdz2no?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">[방탄소년단/진] BTS Jin calling himself WOLRDWIDE HANDSOME (2017-2018.10)</small>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z1slUdz2no" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
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</p><p>K-pop fans will stand by their favorites through scandals and feuds, but 18 months of military service is a long time to keep fans waiting. Some of ARMY would no doubt find other idols to obsess over. The K-pop hype industry would look for somewhere else to point the spotlight, and BTS members' fame would likely fade.<br></p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-635"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent2 - long_content --></p><p>For the time being, that's not an issue, but two years goes by quickly. If BTS are still topping international charts in 2022 — and introducing millions to the world of K-pop in the process — will the Korean government pass another law allowing them to defer once more?</p><p></p><center><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- Popdust Mobile Banner 320x100 --><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:320px;height:100px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4301469008561137" data-ad-slot="6952751205"></ins><script>
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</script></center><p></p><p>Will they continue to get special treatment as a driving force in K-pop? Or, in an industry that worships youth — <a href="https://www.koreaboo.com/lists/15-youngest-male-kpop-idols-in-industry-right-now/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">some idols debut at just 15 years old</a> — will performers approaching their 30s be seen as yesterday's news?</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-636"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent22 - long_content --></p><h2></h2><p>In either case, the new law means that Kim Seok-Jin and the rest of BTS are in the clear for now, and fans who were looking forward to their <a href="https://www.nme.com/news/music/bts-postpone-entire-map-of-the-soul-2020-tour-due-to-coronavirus-2655318" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">postponed "Map of the Soul" tour</a> may soon get to see them live.</p>
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