Kelsei Scott
Staff Writer
The GloRilla takeover
Gloria Halleluja Woods, better known as GloRilla Pimp, is a breakout rap star from Memphis, Tenn. GloRilla was born in Frayser, Tenn. near the Mississippi River on the northside of Memphis. This fresh rapper gained traction when her hit song “F.N.F (Let’s Go)” was released in 2022. The hit song was quickly dubbed the song of the summer and GloRilla developed a growing fanbase during this time.
This debut single hit billboard charts and earned her a BET Hip Hop Awards nomination for Song of the Year along with a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song. Glo has been working to achieve a thriving career as a rapper since 2016 and is now collaborating with other rappers like Moneybagg Yo and Yo Gotti, both also from Memphis, Tenn.
Since releasing “F.N.F.”, GloRilla has released more singles, albums, and Eps containing more bops like “Tomorrow 2” featuring Cardi B and “Blessed”. She has already started the year off strong releasing “On What U On” featuring Moneybagg Yo. Look for more great hits from this breakout rapper.
Meg victorious in court over Tory Lanez
In July of 2020, rapper Megan Pete, professionally known as Megan Thee Stallion, accused R&B singer Daystar Peterson aka Tory Lanez of shooting her in the foot. Megan Thee Stallion is a well-known rapper from Houston, Texas. The two entertainers had a close friendship leading up to the summer of 2020. During the trial, fans of both found out that the two had also been in an intimate relations inspite of the fact that Lanez was also dating a close friend of Meg’s.
Since taking to the internet with the accusations, both Meg and Lanez have been debating through their music and social media. The fans of both artists also have input in this case. It was not until December 2022 that there was a verdict of this case released.
Lanez was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion. Once the verdict was released it was a field day on social media. Many people argued that the evidence was inconclusive or that he did in fact shoot her and should be filled with regret. Needless to say, the friendship is over.
SZA finally release sophomore album
After a long wait filled with song teasers, fan made dances, and speculation about titles, SZA finally dropped her second studio album, “SOS”. Solána Rowe, aka SZA, released the sophomore album in December 2022.
She released her first album “Ctrl” in the summer of 2017. This debut was a staple album of 2017. Five years later and listeners still have “Ctrl” on repeat, that is until “SOS” was released.
During this time, SZA teased snippets of songs and unreleased tracks of hers were found. This sparked creators to make dance routines and freestyles on TikTok. These trends did not go unnoticed by SZA who responded with updates on when her second album would be dropping. A date which was pushed back many times.
Mielle Hair Oil Appropriation
If you don’t understand appropriation, you need only look at what happened to Mielle Organics, a black owned brand with products designed for African-American women with curlier and kinkier hair textures. First introduced in 2020, the products have been taking off recently on TikTok due to inclusion in the “My Top 2022 Amazon purchases” discussion. The Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil was a fan favorite.
When white TikTok content creator, Alix Earle, created a video on the products, this led her audience to purchase the product and test it out on TikTok. Although this boosted sales and brand awareness, the consumers who this product was curated for, black women and men, were having a difficult time finding the product on shelves. It was sold out.
This was a both a rise and downfall for the brand Mielle Organics as we know it. Once it gained this brief popularity, Procter & Gamble bought Mielle Organics. Many black women saw this coming. Now the products have increased in price, the formula has changed, and black women have been excluded from the brand image. Can you say culture vulture.
Pink Sauce
In the summer of 2022, an internet phenomenon arose, the “Pink Sauce.” The Pink Sauce was created and introduced by Miami, Fla. based personal chef and TikTok user, Veronica Shaw, better known as Chef Pii. Chef Pii announced the launch of her homemade condiment the Pink Sauce in June 2022 and people were instantly interested in this sauce.
The Pink Sauce is a pink colored sauce using ingredients like milk, sunflower oil, and pitaya. Chef Pii created and posted content of her eating the pink sauce with different foods like wings, burgers, etc. The health dangers of this sauce were concerning as customers began to receive the sauce in the mail. Customers were unable to describe the taste of the sauce. The color of the sauce alone built concern around the product.
One of the most asked questions was, “Is the Pink Sauce FDA approved?” Half a year later the Pink Sauce is now available in over 4,300 Wal-Mart stores across the U.S. with a few ingredient and packaging changes. Would you try the Pink Sauce?
