Opinion – We need to improve our response to public breakdowns
If you’ve been on Instagram the last week, you’ll have seen Kanye West’s turbulent posts airing his private grievances. He routinely displays concerning behaviour, yet our collective response remains unhelpful. Kanye West is once again causing havoc online. It seems like every year – usually around the time of an album...
Current in Media
Opinion – Brockhampton were the pivotal Gen Z hip-hop group
Formed in 2011 via a Kanye West forum, Brockhampton became a hip-hop phenomenon in the latter half of the last decade. As they head into retirement, they cement themselves as a crucial voice for Gen Z artistry, encompassing the volatile and eclectic nature of the social media era. Hip-hop group...
Opinion – Ratajkowski’s book is unapologetic and non-committal
The model entered her career believing that people generally focused more on what women look like than what women had to say. Through her book My Body, she’s finally giving people an opportunity to listen. Upon hearing about this book release, my initial reaction could be easily compared to some...
Warner music and BlackRock invest $750m in female & diverse artists
While aging arena-rock artists continue to cash in on their back catalogues, Warner Music Group, Black Rock, and Influence Media are looking to support relevant and burgeoning talent. $750m has been committed specifically to female and diverse musicians creating now. Surely, there are only so many limited-edition vinyls you can...
‘The Puppet Master’ proves mental health’s importance in the legal system
Fans of true crime everywhere are tuning into a new three-part series released on Netflix called 'The Puppet Master'. The show, while focused on a story about fraud, emphasises how important our understanding of mental health truly is. If there’s any TV genre that can band society together in collective...
Online scammers have earned billions through shoddy pandemic services
From unverified testing labs and fake vaccination appointments to the more recent forged COVID travel passes – the pandemic has presented endless opportunities for digital scammers to profit. Scamming, an illegal activity once limited to one’s immediate community, has been amplified by the wonders of the online world in recent...
Jay Z among artists calling for end to rap lyrics used as evidence
Vocalists, rappers, and musicians have backed a proposal to remove a state law in New York that allows for lyrics to be used as evidence in criminal trials. We could finally be seeing a change to current laws surrounding lyrical content within songs, namely hip-hop and trap, as a new letter urges New York to rethink its legal system. Jay Z, Meek Mill, Kelly Rowland, and Killer Mike, among many...
How Elizabeth Holmes pushed the limits of hustle culture
Once compared to Steve Jobs for her apparent breakthroughs in health technology, former entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes is now a criminal fraud. Her conviction reflects Silicon Valley’s relentless hype culture, and could have implications far beyond just her sentencing. For many tech enthusiasts and business hopefuls, Silicon Valley is the place to be. Home to the biggest brands in the world – including Google, Facebook, and Apple – this Californian hub...
KSI and Logan Paul announce new business venture ‘Prime’
YouTubers, boxers, and all-round celebrities KSI and Logan Paul have announced a new energy drink brand called ‘Prime’, further pushing the monetary boundaries of Gen Z self-made entrepreneurs. If you’d told the average YouTube fan in 2018 that KSI and Logan Paul would eventually go on to create their own joint energy drink project, you’d have likely been laughed out of the room. Fast forward to 2022, however, and that once...
How pop-punk’s revival reflects modern Gen Z angst
2021 saw the return of guitar-driven, pop-punk orientated chart music. Its resurgence and angst-ridden aesthetic make perfect sense given the precarious nature of modern, lockdown living. This year was an odd one for nearly all of us, live entertainment industry included. On-and-off lockdowns, gig cancellations, and temperamental touring rules meant that most of us were only able to see live music a handful of times at most. As the new...
