Awkwafina Addresses Blaccent, AAVE and Cultural Appropriation Criticisms

Awkwafina returned to Twitter after a two-year absence on Saturday (Feb. 5) to address longstanding criticism over her use of a “blaccent” and appropriation of Black culture.

In a statement that also indicated she would be “retiring from Twitter,” the Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings star denies that her use of AAVE, or African American Vernacular English, as well as her “blaccent” — a voice that stereotypically imitates forms of Black American dialect — were meant to mock Black people.

Early in her message, the actress acknowledged the sociopolitical and “historical context of the African American community” in the U.S. as one that has been “disproportionately affected by institutionalized policies and law enforcement policies.”

“All the while having historically and routinely seen their culture stolen, exploited and appropriated by the *dominant* culture for monetary gain, without acknowledgment nor respect for where those roots come from, the pioneers of its beginnings and the artists that perfected and mastered the craft,” she continued.

Without outright stating that she has participated in this herself, Awkwafina says that using it in her own language “never was” meant to be derogatory.

“As a non-black POC, I stand by the fact that I will always listen and work tirelessly to understand the history and context of AAVE, what is deemed appropriate or backwards towards the progress of ANY and EVERY marginalized group,” she wrote. “But I must emphasize: to mock, belittle or to be unkind in any way possible at the expense of others is: Simply. Not. My. Nature. It never has, and it never was.”

Later in the lengthy statement, the Chinese Korean American actress pointed to the “fine line between offense and pop culture,” spurred by how AAVE has been appropriated and passed off as part of the “internet Tik-Tok slang generation” amid hip-hop’s shift into becoming a mainstream genre.

She attributes her own use of it to her immigrant background, public school environment, consumption of TV and film, as well as her “respect for hip-hop.”

“I think as a group, Asian Americans are still trying to figure out what that journey means for them, what is correct and where they don’t belong,” she said, “And though I’m still learning and doing that personal work, I know for sure that I want to spend the rest of my career doing nothing but lifting our communities. We do the first by failing, learning, acknowledging, hearing and empathizing and I will continue tirelessly to do just that.”

The actress had previously been asked about her longstanding use of AAVE and a blaccent both in her comedy and dramatic roles in an interview with Reuters Showbiz in September 2021, offering a briefer response at the time.

“Um, you know, I’m open to the conversation,” the Queens native said. “I think it, you know, it’s really something that is a little bit multi-faceted and layered.”

Awkwafina — whose given name is Nora Lum — has been challenged on her use of AAVE and her blaccent by online critics as far back as her Tawk With Awkwafina show on the mobile-orientated social entertainment platform Go90. More recently, she’s faced backlash around her performances in Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, as well as during press for Shang-Chi, when old clips of her using a blaccent — as well as her statement in a Vice interview that “I refuse to do accents” when it comes to Asian characters — resurfaced.

Another wave of criticism followed the star of Comedy Central’s Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens after she was nominated for a 2022 NAACP Image Award for character voice-over performance in television or film for her work on Raya and the Last Dragon.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

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BTS’ Jimin Discharged From Hospital After Appendicitis Surgery and Has Recovered From COVID-19

BTS‘ Jimin has been discharged from the hospital, Big Hit Music confirmed in a notice released on fan community platform Weverse on Saturday (Feb. 5).

Jimin (born Park Ji-min) had been hospitalized on Jan. 30 with abdominal pain and a mild sore throat, and on Jan. 31 he underwent surgery for acute appendicitis. At that time, it was revealed that he’d also tested positive for COVID-19. On Feb. 2, Jimin checked in with fans to tell them he was “recovering well.”

Big Hit’s latest statement released to the BTS ARMY gave another reassuring update on Jimin’s health.

“Hello. This is BIGHIT MUSIC. We would like to inform you that BTS Member Jimin’s quarantine has concluded after his surgery for acute appendicitis as of this early morning (February 5). Jimin was tested positive for COVID-19 and diagnosed with acute appendicitis on Sunday, January 30 and underwent surgery on Monday, January 31. He has since received inpatient care and tested negative on his PCR test before being discharged from the hospital,” said the company that manages BTS.

The update also offered further detail about Jimin’s COVID-19 symptoms and appendicitis surgery.

“Jimin showed no extraordinary symptoms during his hospital stay,” Big Hit wrote. “He had a mild sore throat at the time of his admission but has since completely recovered.”

“We also received word from the medical staff that his surgical site is quickly healing without any issues. Jimin is currently recuperating after being discharged from the hospital,” the notice said.

Jimin is believed to be the fourth member of BTS to contract COVID-19, following reports in December that RM, Jin and Suga tested positive and recovered.

“We would like to express our gratitude to all the fans who have shown concerns for the artist’s health as well as those in the medical field who are doing their best to overcome COVID-19,” said Big Hit. “We will continue to place the health of the artists as our top priority, and to vigilantly follow the health care guidelines.”

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Lizzo Shares New Song Clip While Posing in the Nude

Lizzo posted an empowering message on social media that was soundtracked by what seems to be a new song, along with a video clip of herself in the nude.

“If you love me, you love all of me/ Or none of me at all,” Lizzo can be heard singing in an update shared on Instagram Saturday afternoon (Feb. 5).

The accompanying sensual visual features Lizzo naked and giving the camera an intense stare, while strategically covering parts of her body with her arms to make the clip safe to upload to social media.

In a caption for the short video, Lizzo wrote, “If you love me… you love all of me. You dont get to pick and choose. We should be unconditionally loving of one another, starting with being unconditionally loving to ourselves. Take a moment today and think about the conditions we hold so tightly to that keep us from the freedom of true love. Do you really wanna be so tightly wound? Free yourself in love. You deserve it.”

Lizzo recently played a new song called “Special” for her mother, and shared a clip of that moment with fans; the song was featured in a Logitech campaign. Her last single was the Hot 100 top 10 hit “Rumors” (featuring Cardi B), which dropped in August.

Watch Lizzo’s latest video below.

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Joe Rogan Responds to Viral Clip Showing Him Use N-Word, Calls It ‘Regretful and Shameful’

Joe Rogan has responded to resurfaced clips of him repeatedly using the N-word, stating in a lengthy video posted to his Instagram account on Saturday (Feb. 5) that he hopes this can be a “teachable moment.”

“I’m making this video to talk about the most regretful and shameful thing that I’ve ever had to talk about publicly,” he began. The podcast host, who has recently been the subject of a protest led by musician Neil Young following the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on his show the Joe Rogan Experience, said his clips were taken out of context from 12 years of conversations and “all smushed together and it looks f—ing horrible, even to me.”

Rogan was referencing a video compilation that features him in various contexts using the racial slur. It also includes him comparing being in the presence of Black people with the film Planet of the Apes. The video has gone viral online and was highlighted by musician India.Arie in an Instagram Story she posted Thursday.

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter published the clips to clarify that her decision on Jan. 31 to publicly support Young and other musicians pulling their music from the streamer was about more than just “his COVID interviews” on the Spotify exclusive podcast (a licensing deal worth a $100 million), but was also about Rogan’s history of “language around race.”

In his nearly six-minute video, Rogan said he hasn’t used the racial slur “in years” and that he only used it within certain contexts. That includes quoting someone, such as Redd Foxx saying it on TV in the 1970s or its repeated use in Pulp Fiction. He also pointed to him saying it when repeating the title of Richard Pryor’s third comedy album.

“Now I know that to most people there’s no context where a white person is ever allowed to say that word, never mind publicly on a podcast. And I agree with that now,” he said. “I haven’t said it in years. But for a long time when I would bring that word up, like if it would come up in conversation, instead of saying the N-word I would just say the word. I thought as long as it was in context, people would understand what I was doing.”

Rogan went on to say that these were the only contexts in which he used the word and defended himself, stating that he’s “not racist.”

“It’s a very unusual word, but it’s not my word to use. I’m well aware of that now. But for years I used it in that manner. I never used it to be racist because I’m not racist. But whenever you’re in a situation where you have to say ‘I’m not racist,’ you’ve f—ed up. And I clearly have f—ed up.”

Addressing his Planet of the Apes statement, which he says he made 11 years ago in a since-deleted podcast, Rogan stated that the comment was around him and his friends being dropped off in a Black neighborhood and seeing the Planet of the Apes movie.

“I was trying to make the story entertaining … I did not nor would I ever say that Black people are apes, but it sure f—ing sounded like that and I immediately afterwards said that’s a racist thing to say,” Rogan said in his Instagram video. “But then I went on to talk about what a positive experience it was and how much fun it was to go to see this movie in a Black neighborhood. It wasn’t a racist story but it sounded terrible.”

Towards the end of the video, Rogan described his statement as a “f—ing idiotic thing to say” and that he wishes he could change it.

“Obviously, that’s not possible. But I do hope that this can be a teachable moment for anybody that doesn’t realize how offensive that word can be coming out of a white person’s mouth in context or out of context,” he said.

“My sincere and humble apologies,” he added. “I wish there was more that I could say but all of this is just me talking from the bottom of my heart. It makes me sick watching that video. But hopefully, at least some of you will accept this and understand where I’m coming from.”

Rogan’s apology comes on the heels of a growing boycott around his spread of COVID misinformation, with artists like Joni Mitchell, longtime E Street Band member Nils Lofgren and writer Roxane Gay also joining Young in pulling their content from the platform after a letter signed by 270 physicians and scientists criticized Spotify’s lack of policies prohibiting misinformation. The letter pointed specifically to an episode of Rogan’s podcast featuring virologist and vaccine skeptic Robert Malone.

In his initial public letter, which was posted to his website, Young expressed, “I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines — potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them.”

Rogan’s latest response also follows comments from Jon Stewart and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek defending Rogan. In a transcription obtained by The Verge, the platform’s CEO originally cited the company’s “mission to get to 50 million creators and a billion users” as part of why it’s not “dictating the discourse that these creators want to have.” Spotify has since announced it will add a content advisory and updated its platform rules around COVID-19 misinformation.

Before Rogan posted his apology, more than 70 episodes of the Joe Rogan Experience had been quietly pulled from Spotify, according to Rolling Stone. The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Spotify for comment.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

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Holy Wars Deconstruct the Draining Sensation of Success in New Video ‘Battery Life’

L.A. rock duo Holy Wars are partially charged and ready to power past the energy vampires with their new video “Battery Life,” dissecting how 24/7 social media and the pressure to keep followers impacts an artist’s own creative output and the way they see themselves. Lead singer Kat Leon has never shied away from drawing upon her own personal struggles for inspiration, and in “Battery Life,” fans see the ambitious singer as she sees both herself and her audience.

The high-energy anthem is the newest single to drop in advance of their debut album, Eat It Up, Spit It Out.  Leon leads the group with co-founder and Holy Wars lead guitarist Nick Perez and fronts several side projects and works as an accomplished sync vocalist, composer and instrumentalist for a number of film and television projects, while Perez spends part of his time touring and performing with Poppy.

Billboard recently sat down with Leon to discuss her new single and the making of the video (seen below), which was directed by Erin Naifeh, with director of photography Horacio Martinez and editor Fre Pacheco.

Everyone can relate to the feeling of having their energy sucked out of them, but “Battery Life” takes it a step further, breaking the fourth wall with audiences to critique an artist’s relationship with their fans. At the beginning of the video, you even open with this facial expression that indicates a very deep type of sadness. What’s happening here?

Well, you see me dressed as a clown, and before the curtain goes up I say to myself, “Oh god, here we go again.” I wanted to convey that feeling because as a musician and an artist and in the public eye, I’ve always felt pressure to keep proving myself. Since I’ve started Holy Wars I’ve had people ask me, are you signed yet? Are you famous yet? Who are you opening for? And it always seems like whatever I have is never enough. It’s draining, especially since most people’s understanding of success is based on old ideas and dinosaur concepts.

What does success mean to you?

It means I actually think I’m really f—ing successful. I’m holding down. I’m living full-time off of music. And granted, I do a few different projects that fulfill the success I desire. But for some people, if the Holy Wars are not opening for Imagine Dragons, then who am I? Wait, what? Like, there’s so many people that are successful in music but there’s this pressure that you have to be Lady Gaga or you’re not doing it right. I’ve even had people tell me, “I love that you’re chasing your dream.” And I’m like “What? Chasing? I’m living my f—ing dream.”

You seem like you are making music on your own terms. “Battery Life” is one of your most punk-leaning tracks yet from Holy Wars. What does it tell us about where you are musically right now?

Musically, I really love the feeling that I’m conveying in “Battery Life,” and I really want it to be a blend between what Nick’s doing and what I’m doing. We support each other. Whereas in a lot of pop songs, it’s vocal first and everything else is in support of that. This song is sung like I’m talking and having an intimate conversation with people. I really love that in music — when the audience doesn’t know what an artist is going to do next.

The vocals on the song are heavily distorted. How did you fine-tune the sound to make it perfect for you, especially when performed live?

I love distortion when done right. For this song, we ran my vocals through Nick’s guitar pedals, meaning that the distortion is coming from a more natural sound versus a computer plugin that a lot of people would use. In terms of playing it live, the song is written for a live audience and I hope it becomes a sing-along anthem. That’s why we started the chorus at the top. We wanted people to immediately feel like they’re a part of it. And the video hits you over the head with it. In “Battery Life” during the pre-chorus, I literally have people throwing pies in my face. What people watching the video don’t see is that the pies had all kinds of roasted rotten tomatoes in them. It was terrible but perfect because it made me feel like a joke, which I feel like half the time anyway.

Was writing this song and shooting the video therapeutic for you?

Yes, because it helped me realize I’m not alone. So many of us have imposter syndrome. Not just artists, but executives too. Even some super successful people feel like a clown half their life, but never show it. ‘Cause it’s the fake it ’til you make it mentality. I have Stockholm syndrome too. I’m the kidnapper and the victim. Social media has artists put a cage around ourselves. Look at TikTok – sure it has a big user base, but to grow on the platform you have to do what they tell you — the more followers an artist gets, the more pressure they have to not lose followers. It’s all so draining and toxic, like being back in high school, trying to break into a clique that I didn’t give a f— about.

Especially in the digital era with the algorithm picking winners and losers, there’s not even a wizard hiding behind the cloth. There’s nothing. Where do we go from here?

It will always go back to the human. We are the ones who have the power. We are the ones who put ourselves in this cage. And that’s really what this song is about, it’s about understanding that you can empower yourself and get yourself out of a bad situation. It’s about understanding that you don’t have to accept the algorithm or TikTok challenge or whatever other toxic s— is the trend right now. You have the power to put the phone down, turn if off and free yourself.

Catch Holy Wars on tour with Night Club, March 19-April 23. Find more information here and under the “tour” tab at holywarsmusic.com.

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Joe Rogan Returns to Spotify With New Interview as Jon Stewart Defends the Podcast Host | Billboard News

fter a weeklong hiatus, Rogan interviews a wingsuit pilot as Spotify’s CEO and Jon Stewart defend the podcaster.

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Here Are the Lyrics to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Bad Habits’

Ed Sheeran introduced his = album era in June 2021 with lead single “Bad Habits,” an infectious pop hit perfect for the summer.

The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart dated August 28, 2021. The track has spent 31 total weeks on the chart.

If you need a guide to follow along with Ed Sheeran’s 2021 find them all below:

(One, two, three, four)

Ooh
Every time you come around, you know I can’t say no
Every time the sun goes down, I let you take control
I can feel the paradise before my world implodes
And tonight had something wonderful

My bad habits lead to late nights ending alone
Conversations with a stranger I barely know
Swearing this will be the last but it probably won’t
I’ve got nothing left to lose, or use, or do
My bad habits lead to wide eyes staring at space
And I know I lose control of the things that I say
Yeah, I was looking for a way out, now I can’t escape
Nothing happens after two
It’s true, it’s true
My bad habits lead to you (ooh)

My bad habits lead to you (ooh)
My bad habits lead to you

Every pure intention ends when the good times start
Falling over everything to reach the first-time spark
It started under neon lights and then it all got dark
I only know how to go too far

My bad habits lead to late nights ending alone
Conversations with a stranger I barely know
Swearing this will be the last but it probably won’t
I’ve got nothing left to lose, or use, or do
My bad habits lead to wide eyes staring at space
And I know I lose control of the things that I say
Yeah, I was looking for a way out, now I can’t escape
Nothing happens after two
It’s true, it’s true
My bad habits lead to you (ooh)
My bad habits lead to you (ooh)

We took the long way ’round
And burned ’til the fun ran out, now

My bad habits lead to late nights ending alone
Conversations with a stranger I barely know
Swearing this will be the last but it probably won’t
I’ve got nothing left to lose, or use, or do
My bad habits lead to wide eyes staring at space
And I know I lose control of the things that I say
I was looking for a way out, now I can’t escape
Nothing happens after two
It’s true, it’s true
My bad habits lead to you (ooh)

My bad habits lead to you (ooh)
My bad habits lead to you

Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind

Lyrics © Green Records Music Publishing Group, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chapell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Written by: Edward Christopher Sheeran, Frederick John Philip Gibson, Johnny McDaid

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Want Dolly Parton to Wish Your Love Happy Valentine’s Day by Name? She’s Got Your Musical Message

Whether you have a date this Valentine’s Day or are spending it solo, Dolly Parton is showering her fans with love.

American Greetings announced on Friday (Feb. 4) a new SmashUp video ecard, featuring the country icon herself singing her legendary 1973 hit, “I Will Always Love You.”

The heartfelt card features a one-minute video montage displaying of all kinds of love from romantic to familial and even the love between a pet and its owner. “Love comes in all sizes, all types and all colors,” Parton’s voice is heard telling the recipient after singing the chorus from her beloved love song. Parton also can personally say your loved one’s name, which you can pick from a drop-down menu one of more than 1,000 names.

“I’m excited to share this SmashUp and hope this song brings as much joy to you this Valentine’s Day as it has to me for all these years,” Parton said in a press statement.

“Our birthday SmashUp featuring Dolly has been one of the most popular ecards since its launch last May. And it’s easy to see why – Dolly is so genuine and is loved by so many, and her care and positive attitude shows through in everything she does,” added Rob Matousek, executive director-direct to consumer business at American Greetings. “We help inspire people to connect and make others feel loved and special, just as Dolly and her music does for her fans, which made this collaboration so powerful. The result is a thoughtful, heartfelt video ecard that you can send to a romantic relationship or anyone you’re close to – it will truly bring joy to whomever receives it.”

Send your loved one a Dolly Parton SmashUp here through the American Greetings and Blue Mountain websites as well as through the SmashUps and Blue Mountain ecards apps for iPhone and Android.

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Here Are the Lyrics to Justin Bieber’s ‘Ghost’

Justin Bieber remembers those who are no longer in our lives with the thoughtful “Ghost,” released in October 2021.

The song, off Bieber’s sixth studio album, Justice, peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, and it has spent 18 total weeks on the chart. It is also RIAA certified gold.

If you need a guide to follow along with Justin Bieber’s emotion-filled hit, find them all below:

Youngblood thinks there’s always tomorrow
I miss your touch on nights when I’m hollow
I know you crossed a bridge that I can’t follow

Since the love that you left is all that I get
I want you to know that if I can’t be close to you
I settle for the ghost of you
I miss you more than life (more than life)

And if you can’t be next to me
Your memory is ecstasy
I miss you more than life
I miss you more than life

Youngblood thinks there’s always tomorrow (woo)
I need more time but time can’t be borrowed
I’d leave it all behind if I could follow

Since the love that you left is all that I get
I want you to know that if I can’t be close to you
I’ll settle for the ghost of you
I miss you more than life, yeah

And if you can’t be next to me
Your memory is ecstasy (oh)
I miss you more than life
I miss you more than life

Whoa
Na, na-na
More than life
Oh

So if I can’t get close to you
I’ll settle for the ghost of you
But I miss you more than life

And if you can’t be next to me
Your memory is ecstasy
I miss you more than life
I miss you more than life

Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Written by: Jonathan David Bellion, Jordan Kendall Johnson, Justin Bieber, Michael Ross Pollack, Stefan Adam Johnson

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How to Watch ‘Power Book IV: Force’ Online for Free

Tommy Egan is finally getting his own series. Power Book IV: Force, starring Joseph Sikora as the fan-favorite character, arrives Sunday (Feb. 6) on Starz.

Gabrielle Ryan, Anthony Flemming, Kris D. Lofton, Michael Oilar, Debo Balogun, Paulina Nguyen and Barton Fitzpatrick also appear in the crime drama created by Robert Munic and executive produced by 50 Cent who is featured on the show’s theme song with Jeremih and Lil Durk.

Tommy starts a new but familiar chapter in Power Book IV. After losing his best friend, Ghost, and his girlfriend Lakeisha, Tommy finally bids farewell to New York City only to find himself immersed in Chicago’s drug game and caught between two of the city’s largest crews.

“I think there’s huge amounts of trauma that he’s carrying with him,” Sikora, a Chicago native, told HollywoodLife of Tommy’s new journey in the Windy City. “Not only losing and witnessing his brother die in his arms but knowing who the killer was and being told not to kill him. And then having to return in Power Book II: Ghost where we see him actually still have love for [Ghost’s son] Tariq in some capacity, where it’s not just so much a cutting of the cord between he and Tariq, it’s seeing that Tariq has chosen this family and this path with Monet Tejada, and Tommy truly feeling like, ‘you’re never going to see me again because I’m leaving you in these hands. You’ve chosen these hands, and these are capable hands.

“Now he doesn’t have that family. He doesn’t have that safety net,” Sikora continued. “He doesn’t have that connection. The biggest connection for Tommy was he was a product of the streets of New York, so how is he going to survive in a different city?”

How to Watch Power Book IV for Free

Although Power Book IV is only available on Starz, there are a couple of ways to watch the series for free (at least the first episode). If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can stream Starz programs by adding the channel to your Prime Video subscription. You’ll receive a free 7-day trial to join, and the service will cost $8.99 a month after the promo ends.  With Starz on Prime Video you’ll get to stream Power Book IV and thousands of other shows and movies on Starz including the previous three series in the Power franchise.

Another super-affordable way to catch Power Book IV: join Starz directly through the website instead of using a third party like Prime Video. You won’t get a free trial, but you will get a deep discount. The subscription costs just $5 a month for six months which breaks down to less than $1 per month.

With the Starz app you can watch new episodes of Power Book: IV the moment they drop. The service comes with Unlimited HD streaming and downloads and you can watch from up to four devices at the same time.

Starz has a nice collection of hit movies and classic films, but original programming is where the network shines. In addition to the Power franchise, Starz is home to BMF, P-Valley, Run the World, Confronting a Serial Killer, Blindspotting, Outlander and more.

Power Book IV will premiere on Starz on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.

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