Could music be contributing to a toxic work environment?
A US federal court is allowing a lawsuit brought forward by warehouse workers who say their workplace has become ‘more hostile’ as a direct result of music. Could our favourite artists be causing problems in our offices? Raunchy, explicit, or misogynistic music could be an illegal workplace practice, a...
Current in Media
The studio aiming to make Hollywood productions sustainable
Atlanta based movie studio, Electric Owl, is aiming to lower Hollywood’s hefty carbon footprint by offering green amenities to production companies. Watching movies and television is far and away the biggest pastime within the United States, with adults consuming an estimated 17% more of this content than 25 years ago. Our...
MTV News becomes latest outlet to permanently shut down
The beloved, old-school division MTV News has shut down for good. It follows Vice, Vox, Buzzfeed, CNN, and others in laying off staff and shrinking workforces, leaving a gap in legitimate news coverage that caters to younger audiences. MTV News has officially closed down. Once a hub for older millennials...
Ed Sheeran wins lawsuit against Marvin Gaye’s heirs for copyright
The world-renowned singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has faced multiple legal allegations of theft, most notably for his single ‘Thinking Out Loud.’ His win clears him of any wrongdoing, and ensures other artists are still free to use chord progressions in any manner they see fit. Ed Sheeran has won a...
Barbie’s latest attempt at inclusivity has mixed reviews
Mattel announced its latest Barbie last week, a doll with Down’s Syndrome. But customers are undecided on whether this new stab at inclusivity has been successful. Toy company Mattel has been churning out Barbie’s of all shapes and sizes recently. From a Barbie with hearing aids, to the first...
Are sustainability documentaries really that radical?
Becky Hutner’s new documentary ‘Fashion Reimagined’ follows a designers efforts to create a purely sustainable clothing line. But are these kinds of projects more self-congratulatory than profound? Fashion designer Amy Powney has made a name for herself as the creative director of Mother of Pearl, a sustainable, London-based luxury brand. Powney...
Should we criticise musicians for entering high luxury fashion?
Frank Ocean’s $27,000 USD sex toy left many fans disappointed and muddled. At what point does a popular musician’s entry into fashion and other high-end avenues become exploitative? Frank Ocean unveiled a $27,000 USD male genital sex toy last year - complete with a nude photography demonstration, obviously - leaving many fans feeling deflated. It’s been six years since the release of Ocean’s last full length LP Blonde, which has...
KSI’s racial slur shows lack of understanding of South Asian hate
KSI’s recent use of a racial slur against South Asians and many responses shows a lack of education about its history, and many have even been forgotten. In a parody of Countdown, KSI chose to say a derogatory slur aimed at South Asians from his selection of letters. Although he knew the word was a slur, KSI still chose to say it for ‘points’, citing that he does not mean...
Billy McFarland claims Fyre Festival II is ‘finally happening’
The serial fraudster is said to owe $26m for duping more than 100 investors in 2017. Five years on, he claims that a second attempt at Fyre Festival is ‘finally happening.’ Incarceration is supposed to be about rehabilitation, right? In the case of Billy McFarland - a man once compared to the kingpin of arguably America’s worst financial fraud ever, Bernie Madoff - it doesn’t appear that much repentance has taken...
Re:Sound festival highlights homeless experiences
Re:Sound is a festival that aims to use music to allow audiences to rediscover their city through the eyes of those who have been homeless. The last performance of the opera’s national tour was on Sunday. The festival Re:Sound, run by charity Streetwise Opera, involves professional composers, designers, singers, and filmmakers working with those who have experienced urban homelessness to create micro-operas. Re:Sound has run for the last year in London,...
