Youtube Culture - A Global Phenomenon
The booming world of Youtube is becoming a cultural phenomenon. Over the past 10 years, the vast platform has grown significantly since it was first established in 2005 by founders Chad Hurley, Steven Chen, and Jawed Karimin. Its content covers a wide range of topics and advice on those topics, offering tips in addition to the personal experiences of the individuals who create these videos. From sex education and relationship advice with youtuber Lacey Green, to clean eating and vegan knowledge from creators like Laura Miller and Niomi Smart; even mini science lessons with Hank Green that will help you survive whatever science class you may be struggling through. But youtube videos can also be shown through a different filter as an art form. For example, Casey Neistat or the Michalaks whose camera shots or, “silky montages” as Stef Michalak phrases it, can leave the watcher in awe of what they just experienced through their computer screens.
The different styles of videos and content are accessible to hundreds of millions of viewers. Another popular example of increasingly produced video content on Youtube are video blogs, also known as vlogs. These videos give a visual account of the behind the scenes architect and their every day life. Although it is compacted into a short 15-20 minute clip, it appears as if its almost a mini reality show, except it cuts all the overly dramatic crap. The viewer experiences real examples of another person’s life and point of view through a digital platform, and there is nothing quite like that out there.
However, some of the content created may be questionable in terms of its authenticity. For example, some creators may title their video with a catchy slogan to get views, also known as “click bate.” Between the capitalized, in your face titles and the regurgitated challenge videos, it is difficult to determine if some creators are just making their content for views.
Youtube has expanded drastically over the last 7 years, meaning the audience has changed and expanded over the course of that time as well. The concern of authenticity comes into play when individuals who have seen certain youtubers climb their way to the top of the stratosphere, so to speak, in terms of the income and fame that comes with having a popular channel. For example, youtuber PewDiePie has whopping 44 million subscibers, and further down in the youtube ranking is Zoella, who has a following of over 10 million subscribers. Popular content creators now rake in a generous revenue from their views and the opportunities youtube has allowed them.
However, back in the early days of the site, many youtubers speak about how they had a different sense of morality when it came to Youtube. The platform was just starting out, and many channel creators used it to express their creativity, and to share their unbiased opinions of topics and products with others, before ad sponsorship exploded in the youtube world. In the last year alone, advertisers displaying their ads on youtube has increased by 1,000%. So, how are viewers supposed to determine the honesty of the new generation of youtubers and their intentions towards their viewers? Other than taking their word for it, the proof is in the pudding, and the pudding is the quality of the types of videos that are being made.
One of the biggest corners of youtube is dedicated to its own section of creators called beauty bloggers or beauty gurus. To some, these youtubers that collaborate with makeup and clothing company’s may seem materialistic and it is in a sense. But there is also a lot of unbiased content produced by these so called beauty gurus who simply want to teach via tutorial style. As a woman, the pressure to look a certain way and to conform to social norms of what “perfect” is is impossible. Does youtube content unintentionally glorify this image of perfection and needing to be perfect? Maybe. Maybe such tutorials or recommendations on certain products involuntarily gives into that. Or maybe these are women who grew up wishing they had examples to learn from on certain concepts like makeup, and skin care. Beauty vloggers aren't simply limited to the outer appearance of beauty. They are creators of discussions and forums that implement videos on critical topics like body confidence and introverted personalities, with youtubers like Grace Victory, Estee Lalonde and Samantha Maria. Even delving into the "not so perfect" side of life and sharing their stories on depression or domestic violence. These are women who encourage and support others to be confident and that that confidence should be celebrated.
However, no matter how someone may view a situation, the creator included, your point of view will always be challenged by someone else. In this world of over 7 billion people, Youtube has at least 1 billion active users every month. “If YouTube were a country, we’d be the third largest in the world after China and India,” Youtube claimed. However, with high numbers comes an increase in the number of critiques. The comment section below these videos contain some of the most hateful, ugly, one-dimensional opinions and accusations that tear down Youtubers. Many content creators have shown their vulnerability by putting themselves out there, in a world full of scrutiny and judgement or “hate” as it is popularly phrased. Handling such criticality can be very overwhelming and eveyone handles it differently; from Zoella’s “Sometimes It All Gets A Bit Too Much” video to Jenna Mourney, aka Jenna Marbles, in her video “Reading Mean Comments.”
Youtube’s boundaries are limitless. However, the pros and cons of that freedom will always exist. It's simply part of the infrastructure that makes up this other-worldly Youtube culture.
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Amber Rose's legal battle over her name
Amber Rose has done a lot over the past two years, transitioning from a famous hip-hop girlfriend and wife to an independent superstar mogul. But despite all of the work she has done, her name may be in jeopardy as reports have revealed that she’s facing a legal battle over the right to trademark the name "Amber Rose".
According to media reports, Rose filed a series legal documents in an attempt to trademark her name, so that she can be the sole person profiting from it. However, up-and-coming country singer Amber Rose Kelly has reportedly also filed trademark documents for the name and wants sole rights to it as well. Now, the two women are in a legal war over the rights.
The report claims that Kelly is intent on proving to the Trademark Office that she was famous years before Amber because she was already an award-nominated former child actor, singer, songwriter, recording artist, model and photographer.
Kelly is claiming that Rose only recently became popular and that her success boils down to nothing more than being a former stripper who enjoys being half-naked in public.
Kelly also claims that she was easily searchable on Google long before 2009, when Amber first rose to fame as the then-girlfriend of Kanye West.
However, Rose disagrees, claiming that she’s the only famous Amber Rose and that most people know nothing of a country singer named Amber Rose Kelly. She also argues that Amber Rose is her real name and that Kelly is merely attempting to piggyback on her fame to a financial windfall.
We have to be honest and admit that we hadn’t heard of Kelly until these reports came out, so we’d be shocked to see Amber Rose's legal battle over her name result in her losing. As always, we’ll just have to wait and see how this plays out.
Article Originally Published by Rolling Out.
Hip Hop Caucus targets young voters with Respect My Vote!
The Hip Hop Caucus is a national non-profit organization that aims to empower the hip hop community to participate in the civic process. This year, they have launched its non-partisan voter registration and education campaign dubbed Respect My Vote! to get young people to participate in the 2016 general election. The program targets voters in urban communities and on college campuses around the ages of 18-40 to register and get out and vote.
Acting as the spokesperson for the event is radio personality on Power 105 and on MtV2's Uncommon Sense, Charlamagne Tha God. "“I’m honored to be a spokesperson for the 2016 Respect My Vote! campaign, and to be a part of a movement where the community of Hip Hop can come together to promote empowerment through political participation," said Charlamagne Tha God. "Furthermore, I am an ex-offender and without initiatives such as Respect My Vote! I and many other people would be unaware of our ability to vote and the steps we need to take.”
The campaign hopes to reach those disenchanted with the voting process or those who feel their vote won't make an impact. It also educates people on voter laws, such as how ex-offenders have the ability to vote in most states in the country. Starting next month, Respect My Vote! will begin on-the-ground voter registration drives in cities and campuses across the country. Those who want to join the campaign and submit their pledge to vote can register at www.respectmyvote.com.
The campaign has been successful in the past. It previously mobilized hundreds of thousands of voters in 2008 and 2012 with T.I. and 2 Chainz as spokesmen. More celebrities for this year's campaign will be announced soon.
"Respect My Vote! is about how voting is personal and the decisions that elected officials make are personal to us. Justice and opportunity are too often denied to our communities,” stated Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. “That’s why it’s important to get celebrities and influencers such as Charlamagne Tha God involved in the campaign to convey the seriousness and importance of voting as a tool for change. We want to make lifetime voters out of this generation and encourage them to be active in advocacy on the issues that matter to them and their futures.”
[C2E2 2016] brought droves of Comic fans to Chicago
Chicago’s answer to San Diego’s Comic-Con and New York’s NYCC gets bigger each year. Chicago’s C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo), held over three days at McCormick Place, drew droves of fans eager to attend the star-studded panels and participate in cosplay showcasing.
Guests arrived donning their best costumes, many of them homemade, embodying their favorite pop culture icons. It’s easy to lose yourself in a crowd of passionate fans as you see costumed heroes like ‘Batman’ and ‘Deadpool’ walking around you.
Chicago’s own actor John Cusack took to the stage the first day to talk with fans about his influential films, Better off Dead, High Fidelity, and Say Anything. Fans were also able to pose for photo ops with Cusack and other guests.
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Photo: Jesus J. Montero
The second day was highlighted by the Crown Championships of Cosplay, with participants competing for over ten thousand dollars in cash prizes. The second day also featured panels from Supergirl’s Melissa Benoist and Chyler Leigh. They took to the stage answering fans' questions as the new faces of women in the comic universe. Check out our photos below of Benoist and Leigh.
The final day ended with a bang as Golden Globe winner, Oscar winner, and Chicago Native Rhymefest performed from his Man in the Mirror 2.0 album, a tribute to Michael Jackson. Rhymefest also debuted his exclusive cover of the International Iron Man #1 comic issue based on his cover for the album, designed by Marco D'Alfonso has a part of Marvel's hip-hop variant cover series.
C2E2 is set to return to McCormick Place April 21-23, 2017.
[SXSW 2016] Culturally Diverse Lineup at the Remezcla Perreo Showcase
It's been a few days since SXSW wrapped up, and while many people are still recuperating or cleaning up the streets of Austin, I still can't get over Remezcla's body moving Perreo Showcase. What started as a monthly party series in NYC, Remezcla brought their scene to Austin this past Friday, kicking off a music filled weekend as an official SXSW Music showcase, bringing together "the next generation of global urban sounds" to the Swan Dive Patio.
The event featured a lineup full of bicultural, up-and-coming artists that each kept the crowd moving from start to finish. I walked in to the bass thumping sounds of Lil Debbie, and it didn't stop from there. At Swan Dive's outdoor patio, John Grvy was wooing the crowd with his electro-R&B groove, bringing warmth to a slightly chilly Texas night. From there, Corpus Christi based DJ/producer, El Dusty, kept the crowd dancing with his mash of Cumbia/Trap/Dub mixes, and introduced fellow Texan, and bilingual rapper MLKMN. Between going back and forth to the venue's indoor and outdoor stages, the slew of artists also included Puerto Rico’s Audri Nix who just dropped her debut EP, El Nuevo Orden Vol. 1. Another dope Boricua MC that hit the stage was Mike Towers, and the list went on to include Miami's Kat Dahlia, Dj Happy Colors, El Freaky, Colombia’s renowned global bass collective. And completing the night was NAAFI, the Mexican underground label/crew continually gaining international fans across the globe.
In case you missed it check out some photos below, and definitely check out the links above to add some new music to your daily shuffle.
[SXSW 2016] Tumblr to Host Feminism-Themed Night
Tumblr is returning to SXSW 2016 Music with an entirely new Feminism-themed event this year that's certainly catching a lot of buzz. In effort to highlight gender inequality in the US Wage Gap, their event, 79 Cents, will headline Jhené Aiko, Tacocat, Little Simz, and Empress Of, a full lineup of almost entirely female musicians, "feminist art installations", and even a guest appearance from former Texas state senator Wendy Davis. (Davis shot to national renown in 2013 when she staged an 11-hour filibuster to block a bill heavily restricting abortion in the state.) A SXSW event filled with nothing but strong female voices, for sure.
At the 2015 festival, Tumblr occupied four full days of performances and collaborative visuals at the Ironwood Hall, not only bringing together an array of great musicians but creating an overall art filled experience. When asked about such a change in focus in this year's event, Tumblr’s head of music, Nate Auerbach, stated "We’re celebrating the female voice in many contexts.", leaving much to anticipate.
The event is being held on March 16th, at 9pm, at the Historic Scoot Inn, and you can RSVP here.
[SXSW 2016] Celebrating 30 Years of Music
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In the height of America's booming music festival business, it's time for SXSW to celebrate 30 years of music goodness with tons of exciting lineups in store. According to Twitter Analytics, one in ten Americans attended a music festival in the past year, and social media conversations around music festivals spiked 34%. There's no question Millennial's love a good music fest and this year SXSW isn't looking to disappoint.
SXSW is truly a unique convergence of music, film, and emerging technologies, and continues to grow every year, gaining international recognition. Having originally stemmed from music, Austin’s music festival is rapidly approaching (March 15 through March 20), providing a long list of music lineups, with tons of surprise guest appearances.
Beyond the music, simply walking around to different venues and bars, you're met with excited locals and fest-goers from around the globe, many of which are eager to share their art. This is alongside the occasional pop artist sighting, casually strolling amongst the crowd. Last year, walking from Austin's infamous 6th St. to Rainey St. I literally bumped into Wiz Khalifa, while shooting a random group of dancers from Brooklyn. Later that night, I ended up backstage at the Fader Fort, meeting Chicago's very own Chance the Rapper and Comedian Hannibal Burress, after shooting Timbaland's surprise performance with Tink, after Travis Scott. Austin certainly doesn't stray from it's rock roots, providing endless indie lineups and special appearances as well.
Take a look back at 30 Years of SXSW here. Also check out a few upcoming events that I'm personally excited about below:
Santigold & Crystal Castles at Stubbs
Deftones, CHVRCHES, Vince Staples & More with SPIN
Nas, DJ Khaled, Yo Gotti & Just Blaze
Anderson .Paak & BJ the Chicago Kid at the Spotify House
Guac-N-Roll with Culture Collide
Miike Snow, Baio, The Kills, Bloc Party, Ghostland Observatory, X Ambassadors, Polica & more
[SXSW 2016] John Legend to Share Stage with Five Handpicked Musicians at AXE Collective
Days away from SXSW Music, AXE and SPIN announce their return with yet another exciting SXSW lineup that headlines Grammy & Oscar-winning musician John Legend. In addition, there will be live performances by Rae Sremmurd, electronic pop duo AlunaGeorge, LA-based singer Gallant, and former “Glee” vocalist Alex Newell. And if this isn't enough, in a nationwide search for the best and brightest talent, John Legend handpicked five musicians to join the AXE Collective to accompany him on one of music’s biggest stages with debut performances.
The AXE Collective is a yearlong music and film mentorship program that included sessions with John Legend himself. With support of SPIN and the opportunity to perform at SXSW, the AXE Collective giving a very opportune platform for each artist to share their voice and story with the world.
The event will be held on Thursday, March 17 at The Belmont Austin (305 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701), from 12pm to 5pm, and I'm thrilled to cover it all.