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social media

Kanye West To Acquire Right-Wing Social Media Platform Parler

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Kanye West is acquiring the conservative social media platform Parler. The purchase comes on the heels of West being locked out of his Twitter account earlier this month after a series of anti-Semitic tweets.

The acquisition was announced on Monday and is slated to finalize in the fourth quarter of 2022. The platform will continue to get cloud support and technical services from Parlement Technologies, the parent business of the company, which was formed to give new internet infrastructure services to businesses that “are in danger” of being forced off the internet.

Parler’s CEO, George Farmer, praised West for making the offer to buy the social media platform.

“This deal will change the world and change the way the world thinks about free speech. Ye is making a groundbreaking move into the free speech media space and will never have to fear being removed from social media again. Once again, Ye proves that he is one step ahead of the legacy media narrative. Parlement will be honored to help him achieve his goals.”

West, who legally changed his name to Ye, is the most recent celebrity to take over a social media network. Former President Donald Trump launched his Truth Social app, which is aimed to primarily serve conservative users, in February this year. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, stated earlier this month that he would proceed with his contentious takeover of Twitter. All three men are renowned for using incendiary language online and credit the motivations of their acquisitions as maintaining an arena for “free speech.” Ye issued a statement that echoed these views.

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“In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial, we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves.”

As of Monday, Ye’s newly created account on the Parler platform had approximately 526 followers.

Ye recently made headlines for wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt during his Paris pop-up fashion show. Several models in the runway show also wore shirts with the same slogan. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the statement is often used by white nationalists. The ADL’s CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, told CNN that Parler is a “haven” for hate.

After the show, Adidas, who has a partnership with Ye, said it was reviewing its relationship with the rapper.

Parler was founded in 2018 and quickly grew in popularity in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election. According to market research firm Apptopia, the app had an average of 2.9 million daily users at the time thanks to being marketed as a “loosely controlled free-speech refuge.” Since then, the app’s popularity has waned, with Apptopia reporting that the platform’s daily users have dropped to roughly 40,000.

Sarah Mojarad, a professor at the University of Southern California’s engineering school and a misinformation and disinformation research fellow, spoke about why this deal may be attractive to both parties.

“Kanye sees that Elon Musk and Trump are both involved and getting their names out, and he’s looking for some of that attention as well. Parler is also looking for attention and free advertising, and that’s something the platform can gain from this whether or not the deal actually goes through.”

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Following the Jan. 6 insurgency, Parler was removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play for failing to effectively filter violent rhetoric on its platform. Documents obtained by the House committee investigating the riots revealed that the Secret Service was aware of posts on Parler urging for violence that day. Parler wrote to Congress in response, stating that the committee’s interest in the app’s role in the insurgency was an attempt to demonize the app.

Parler has been reinstated in both app stores following changes to its moderation policies. As of September, the platform had received $56 million in funding from investors.

Dan Wang, a strategy professor at Columbia Business School, said it is important to note that Parler is an “incredibly niche” player in the social media space.

“Kanye West is a wealthy person and has a lot of resources, but not on the scale of being able to buy actually influential social media platforms.”

fashion

Kanye West Wears ‘White Lives Matter’ Shirt at Yeezy Fashion Show

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Kanye West donned a shirt bearing “White Lives Matter” on its back at his popup fashion show during Paris Fashion Week. He sent several models, some of whom are Black, with t-shirts sharing the same slogan down the runway at his YZYSZN9 show.

The Anti-Defamation League recognizes the slogan as one that is commonly used by white supremacist groups, including the KKK. The Southern Poverty Law Center also acknowledges the “movement” as an extremist group.

“White Lives Matter, a racist response to the civil rights movement Black Lives Matter, is a neo-Nazi group that is growing into a movement as more and more white supremacist groups take up its slogans and tactics.”

Kanye West, who has legally changed his name to Ye, is no stranger to controversy. He made headlines in 2018 after implying slavery was a choice during his interview with radio host Charlamagne Tha God.

Selah Marley, Lauryn Hill’s daughter and Bob Marley’s granddaughter, was among the models who modeled the garment. Candace Owens, a conservative political commentator, sat in the audience wearing a shirt with the same slogan.

The rumors of the popup fashion show began a few days before the Balenciaga mud show, where Ye made his runway debut. On Monday, the Avenue de la Grande Armée was packed with fans.

According to the NYTimes, “Anna Wintour came. So did John Galliano. Demna, the Balenciaga designer, and Cédric Charbit, its chief executive. Alexandre Arnault, the chief marketing officer of Tiffany & Company and a son of the LVMH chieftain Bernard Arnault.”

The show featured a live choir with a host of children from Ye’s Donda Academy in California, including  Ye’s daughter North.

Jaden Smith, who was also in the audience, walked out after the shirts came down the runway, later tweeting his support of the BLM movement, stating “I had to dip” and “we demand a more progressive future.”

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Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, the vogue editor, called it “indefensible behavior” on Instagram. In a series of stories, she shared screenshots of her thoughts on what happened.

“I know what he was trying to do. He was trying to illustrate a dystopian world in the future when whiteness might become extinct or at least would be in enough danger to demand defense…it didn’t land, and it was deeply offensive, violent and dangerous. The danger is that this very premise, the idea that white supremacy is in danger of extinction, is what justifies mass incarceration, murder en masse, indeed even the advent of slavery. The idea that blackness must be snuffed out for it will surely supersede whiteness in power and influence if given the chance, and it’s so hugely irresponsible to furnish the most dangerous extremists with this kind of fiction narrative.”

Kanye responded to the criticism by taking to Instagram and posting screenshots of the writer online.

“This is not a fashion person You speak on Ye Ima speak on you Ask Trevor Noah.”

Model Gigi Hadid came to the writer’s defense, commenting on Ye’s post.

 “You wish u had a percentage of her intellect. You have no idea, haha…. If there’s actually a point to any of your s–t. She might be the only person that could save u. As if the ‘honor’ of being invited to your show should keep someone from giving their opinion? Lol. You’re a bully and a joke.”

She also reposted a statement from José Criales-Unzueta, a Vogue employee, on her Instagram story.

“I was trying very hard not to give that man air time, but publicly bullying someone who criticizes your work on your massive platform is another level of ridiculousness to me. If you can’t take it, don’t dish it. If you can’t take criticism, especially the smart, nuanced, and kind criticism that GKJ provided yesterday’s show, then don’t put work out for public consecution.”

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Ye doubled down on his comments.

“Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam. Now it’s over. You’re welcome.”

Ye also accused LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault of killing fashion designer Virgil Abloh.

“SPANK MY HAND WITH THE RULER(S) I’LL GO SIT IN THE ‘PRINCIPAL(S)’ OFFICE. CAN’T WE TALK ABOUT MORE IMPORTANT THINGS? LIKE HOW LATE THE SHOW WAS, OR HOW BERNARD ARNAULT KILLED MY BEST FRIEND.”

Tremaine Emory, the creative director of Supreme, responded, “I gotta draw the line at you using Virgil’s death in your ‘ye’ is the victim campaign in front your sycophant peanut algorithm gallery.”

“This time last year you said Virgil’s designs are a disgrace to the black community in front of all your employees at Yeezy -ASK LUCETTE HOLLAND…I GOT ALL THE ‘RECEIPTS’ ( don’t let me get into the things you said about v after his death)

Ye tell the ppl why you didn’t get invited to Virgil’s actual funeral the one before the public one at the museum( and why you weren’t allowed to speak at the public funeral). You knew Virgil had terminal cancer and you rode on him in group chats, at Yeezy, interviews…YOU ARE SO BROKEN. KEEP VIRGIL NAME OUT YOUR MOUTH…KEEP @gabriellak_j NAME OUT YOUR MOUTH…Your not a victim your just an insecure narcissist that’s dying for validation from the fashion world…take care…at least we’ll always have ‘UGANDA’.”

Clothes Store

Gap Announces Second Collaboration With Kanye West

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The Gap has released their second item from its collaboration with Kanye West’s Yeezy label. The new black puffer called a “go round jacket,” looks similar to the blue puffer jacket the two brands recently released together as well. 

Insiders with Gap are hoping that these collaborations will help reverse all that was lost during the past year of the pandemic. Gap specifically lost about $62 million in the third quarter of last year, and they’re still trying to recover. The retail giant also announced plans to close 81 of its physical stores. 

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Once the initial collaboration with Kanye West was announced, however, the share price for Gap surged by 40%, adding $700 million to the brand. Wells Fargo recently released a report that showed Gap could become a billion dollar company if they continue their collaborative efforts with the Yeezy brand. 

“The good thing for Gap is that Kanye still has enough fans for hoodies to drive sales. Yeezy, a label known for its elevated hoodies, will reap the benefits of the pandemic-led boom in comfort wear such as velour tracksuits and sweatpants. Before the pandemic,” says author and associate editor of Rap Pages, Ronda Racha Penrice.

Jeff Carvalho is the executive editor of Highsnobiety, a popular streetwear website, who recently claimed that this collaboration could send both brands to the next level. 

“Kanye has always wanted a big mainstream platform to work on. Gap is about as mainstream as it gets in hitting the malls, and accessibility to the product has long been a mantra of his. Being mainstream is the new cool when it comes to lifestyle brands.”

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“When his footwear line first launched he stated that everyone who wanted to get a pair would eventually be able to do so and that statement became true, which is very interesting in a culture that’s fixated on limited releases,”said Arby Li, editor in chief of men’s fashion website Hypebeast.

Racha Penrice discussed how regardless of West’s controversial past, this collaboration will benefit Gap as much as it will Yeezy.

“There’s already a payoff for Gap from a PR perspective. Despite his pro-Trump allegiances and his controversial slavery comments, both of which alienated fans, I don’t believe Yeezy X Gap sales will be effected,” she explained.

“He’s still a star and now Gap is benefiting from that. We are talking about Gap here and it’s been mentioned quite a bit on social media, not to mention by influential publications, so this looks like a promising partnership.”

“I spoke to Yeezy and he’s very, very focused on this incredible opportunity. [It will] provide balance for us both. With Yeezy becoming slightly more approachable while also giving Gap an edge it has been missing for some time now,”  Sonia Syngal, Gap’s chief executive, told the Business of Fashion.

Popcorn and Netflix

Netflix Buys Kanye West Documentary That’s Been In The Works For 21 Years 

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Netflix has acquired the rights to a documentary series covering the life and career of Kanye West. The series has been in the works for the past 21 years, and is set to cover the death of his mother, Donda, back in 2007, as well as his failed 2020 presidential bid.

The film/series is currently untitled, and will include unseen home videos of West that were taken by Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah over the past two decades. Ozah is known for directing West’s music videos Jesus Walks and Through the Wire. 

Billboard reported that the series is likely to be released later this year, and Netflix acquired the rights to it for $30 million. It’s currently unknown if the documentary will discuss West’s pending divorce/ past relationship tribulations with reality star Kim Kardashian West. 

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Kris Jenner, West’s mother-in-law, did recently claim how the couple’s divorce will be featured in the final season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, which is currently airing on E!

Within the past two decades Kanye West has had one of the most rollercoaster careers in the industry. He first became known as a producer, mainly for his work on Jay-Z’s The Blueprint, before launching his own successful music career with albums The College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation. 

In 2008 he released 808s and Heartbreak, and in 2010 with the release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, West’s legacy as a musician was truly solidified. Those three albums were thought to really shoot West into the mainstream. 

In 2013 he went full on experimental with his Yeezus album, which was also widely regarded as one of his best albums by fans. Then, as the decade progressed West’s Christian faith became more central to the art he was creating, in fact, his most recent album, Jesus Is King, was a gospel-inspired body of work that won best contemporary Christian music album at the Grammys last month. 

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West is also no stranger to controversy. In the beginning of his career he made headlines by calling out George W Bush for his lack of care for Black people after Hurricane Katrina, and interrupting teenage Taylor Swift during her first ever major win in the music industry. 

In 2016, West also made it public that he supported Donald Trump until 2020 when he announced he was “taking the red hat off” to run for president himself. His support over Trump, claims that slavery was “a choice,” and anti-abortion rants led to him becoming one of the most controversial individuals in the music industry.

In 2014, he married Kardashian and the two would go on to have four children together before filing for divorce in 2021. Kardashian recently took to social media to ask the public to have more compassion for West, after implying a lot of his erratic behavior was triggered by his bipolar disorder. 

While the documentary has no set release date, it’s expected that we will likely see it around Summer.

Crown

Kanye West Still Hasn’t Dropped ‘Jesus Is King’ But Fans Aren’t Surprised…

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Kanye West is no stranger to controversy. The rapper is known for always speaking his mind even when it will turn the whole world against him. This week, he’s making headlines again for giving fans a “deja vu” moment in terms of when he says he’s going to release an album, and then subsequently not releasing it and going quiet online. 

During the last week of August, Kanye West took to Twitter through his wife’s, Kim Kardashian, account announcing the release of his next album Jesus Is King, which at the time he announced would be dropping in “one month on September 27th.” West even reiterated during one of his Sunday Service performances on September 22nd that the album was going to be dropping on September 27th at midnight…can you guess what happened at midnight on the 27th? Nothing. 

Fans were disappointed, but not surprised, and instead expected West to drop the album the next day at his Sunday Service in Detroit, which was the first service to be held on a Friday, which made fans eager to see if that switch up meant a special announcement was coming; and they weren’t wrong. After the Sunday Service concluded, the Detroit Fox Arena, where the service was held, took to Twitter to announce “Jesus Is King: A Kanye West Experience” an event in which tickets would be completely free. 

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 Choir members perform at Sunday Service during the 2019 Coachella

According to Forbes Magazine’s covering of Detroit’s Sunday Service, “‘Jesus is King: A Kanye West Experience’ had three parts. First, a screening of a mini-doc that detailed West’s foray into architecture. Second, a longer, documentary of Kanye and his Sunday Service choir, The Samples, performing in James Turrell’s Roden Crater (a film that’s received comparisons to Stanley Kubrick). And third: the album.”

Following the Detroit event, fans who attended could only tweet about the music they experienced, as no phones were allowed in the venue during to avoid any leaks. The general consensus from fans was that the album sounded good, but definitely unfinished. A conclusion that had the millions of fans who didn’t attend confused, but again not shocked, since the album was supposed to be released already. As fans grew more and more impatient, Kim Kardashian took to her Instagram story to offer some comfort. 

Kim posted to her Instagram story: “Kanye’s doing a listening session in Chicago tomorrow, then NYC Sunday. He’s dropping the album Sunday. Just a few final tweaks to the mixes.”

During the weekend West performed two other Sunday Services in Chicago and New York City and both events were carbon copies of the Detroit event. A listening party followed by the announcement of the Kanye West Experience. After all the events and announcements, there still wasn’t an album, and it was Monday. Ever since there has been no word on the album from Kanye, Kim, or anyone on Kanye’s team. 

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Kanye West speaks during Sunday Service in New York on September 29

The only new information given was from TMZ, that quoted an unnamed source: “…the album is complete, but Ye keeps tweaking it. Every time he listens, there’s something he wants to change. We’re now told there’s no release date anymore … it’s truly TBD.”

Jesus Is King is set to be a gospel album, which isn’t a shock to fans since the Sunday Services that West has been involved with has been widely popular throughout the country. West has even already dropped merchandise for the album, between that and already hosting multiple listening parties, fans are just overall confused as to why it hasn’t dropped yet. They aren’t shocked though, as West pulled the same type of stunt a year ago with his album Yandhi. In September 2018, West tweeted the announcement of the Yandhi project which was set to be released September 29th, sound familiar? When that day came around West performed on Saturday Night Live, and afterwards, complete silence. 

Yet again, Kim took to Twitter announcing the album would be released on Black Friday, but a few days before that new deadline West told fans, “After performing again [at the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival], I realize the new album I’ve been working on isn’t ready yet” and it was never discussed again. To this day fans still don’t know what happened to that project and if the tracks on that album had anything to do with the Jesus Is King record. Overall though, fans are left at the bottom of the barrel, scraping and waiting for any new music, but at this rate they wouldn’t be surprised if West just went ahead and announced another new project that would never see the light of day.

Red Carpet

Lana Del Rey Mourns Her Loss of Patriotism on New Record

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Del Rey’s newest album is her most mature—and perhaps her most pessimistic—to date.

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