GRUNGECAKE

Category: Pop Culture

  • Cardi B ignites the Global Citizen Festival, whilst expecting

    [media-credit name=”CBS Mornings” width=1050 align=”center”]Cardi B[/media-credit]

    On September 27, 2025, Cardi B took to the stage at the Global Citizen Festival, and she did so with both bold energy and her baby bump. The multi-platinum rapper, several months pregnant with her fourth child, delivered a performance that reminded fans why she commands attention—even when her roles triple.

    With DJ SpinKing of Power 105.1 spinning the tracks, Cardi opened the set with selections from her latest album ‘Am I The Drama?’, including standout tracks like ‘Outside’ and ‘ErrTime’. She also reached back to fan favourites—’I Like It’ and ‘Bodak Yellow’—mixing hits old and new to both satisfy long-time listeners and showcase her current creative pulse. Her stage presence was magnetic; she moved with dancers, energised the crowd, and carried a performance that felt fearless, despite being several months into pregnancy.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0kg-VQjnBg&h=315]

    Cardi’s appearance came on short notice, too. She stepped in for The Weeknd announces 2026 tour dates, who had to withdraw from the festival due to “personal reasons”. The substitution may have been unexpected, but Cardi didn’t simply fill a slot—she owned it.

    Looking ahead, this set gives a strong preview of what fans can expect from her upcoming Little Miss Drama Tour, launching February 11 in Palm Desert, California. The tour’s itinerary will include many major US and Canadian cities, ending its US leg in Atlanta in mid-April.

    Cardi’s performance at Global Citizen reflected more than just showmanship: It was a celebration of resilience, artistry, and life in motion.

  • Bad Bunny set to headline Super Bowl LX Halftime show in Santa Clara

    Bad Bunny
    [/media-credit] Bad Bunny

    Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny has officially been tapped to headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show, which will take place in Santa Clara in February 2026. The announcement was made during a Sunday Night Football game, and it comes as no surprise to many, given his status and the NFL’s interest in further expanding its cultural reach.

    The choice seems strategic. Bad Bunny is not only one of the most popular global artists right now, but he also has a massive following in Latin America and among Spanish‐speaking audiences in the United States—demographics the NFL has long been courting. Also, because he is currently on tour, he’s performance‐ready for a massive, high‐pressure show like this.

    To put this in context: Last year’s halftime headliner was Kendrick Lamar, and before that, the NFL had brought in icons across genres—Usher, Rihanna, Dr Dre & co—to try to deliver both spectacle and broad appeal.

    What to watch/What it might mean

  • Cultural signal: Bad Bunny’s presence reinforces the NFL’s ongoing pivot toward more diverse, global audiences
  • Performance expectations: The production will need to match his style—he’s known for energy and strong visuals
  • Commercial impact: Expect spikes in streaming, merch, ticket demand (even for those not going, just for the spectacle)

  • Ariana Grande fires back at Trump supporters in fiery Instagram post

    Ariana Grande
    [/media-credit] Ariana Grande

    Pop superstar Ariana Grande recently ignited controversy with a pointed message aimed at supporters of President Donald Trump. In a post shared on her Instagram Story, Grande used strong language to challenge what she sees as hypocrisy and misconduct among the President’s backers.

    Ariana Grande
    [/media-credit] Ariana Grande

    Whilst the full text of the post was later removed or made private, screenshots and media coverage indicate she used the word “f**kery” to describe behaviours she attributed to Trump supporters. The message appeared to criticise their actions, aligning with Grande’s ongoing pattern of outspoken political commentary.

    Though Grande has made political statements in the past, this latest post drew particular attention for its blunt tone and direct targeting of a vocal political base. Over recent years, she has shared her views on issues like transgender rights, immigration, and war powers. In June 2025, for instance, she reposted a call from Rep Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez to impeach Trump following his decision to bomb Iran without congressional approval.

    Grande’s activism has also made her a frequent target of criticism. Conservative commentators have challenged her public positions, sometimes shifting their focus to her appearance or credentials rather than her message.

    But despite the backlash, she continues to use her platform to voice her beliefs—and to spark conversation.

    Whether the Instagram post was a spontaneous eruption of frustration or a calculated move, it reinforces a clear truth: Ariana Grande is far from a neutral observer when it comes to politics, and she isn’t shying away from conflict. Her boldness underscores both her willingness to speak out and the cultural tensions that arise when celebrity and activism intersect.

  • TV station owners reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s show after ban

    [/media-credit] Jimmy Kimmel

    In a dramatic reversal, two of the country’s largest television station owners—Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group—have reinstated Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their ABC-affiliated stations after earlier banning the show. The dispute traces back to provocative remarks Kimmel made in a recent monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The comments drew sharp backlash from political figures and prompted ABC and its parent company Disney to suspend the show.

    Although ABC lifted the suspension and restored the show network‑wide, Sinclair and Nexstar initially held out, citing concerns over content and community expectations. But mounting pressure from viewers, advertisers, community leaders—and perhaps the specter of regulatory and financial implications—appeared to shift the calculus. On September 26, both broadcasting groups announced they would end their boycott and return the show to air.

    Sinclair, which had previously demanded an apology from Kimmel or a donation to the Kirk family, emphasised that its decision was made independently, asserting that “free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations.”

    Even so, the episode raises broader tensions between editorial autonomy, broadcast accountability, political pressure, and the public interest. With station groups capable of pulling major network programming, the balance of power in US media is once again under scrutiny. It remains to be seen whether this reinstatement is the end of the road—or merely a truce in a larger cultural standoff.

  • Ben & Jerry’s founder Jerry Greenfield quits, says company’s activism has been silenced under Unilever

    [media-credit name=”Ben & Jerry’s” link=”https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/why-ben-picked-jerry/240012″ width=2000 align=”center”]Ben & Jerry's founders Ben Cohen (left) and Jerry Greenfield (right)[/media-credit]

    Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has announced his resignation, citing a fundamental breakdown of the brand’s independence and its ability to speak out on social issues. The decision comes after nearly five decades of co-founding and growing a company famously rooted in activism and social justice.

    Greenfield, in a letter posted by his longtime partner Ben Cohen, asserted that Unilever, which acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000, has undermined the merger agreement that was supposed to protect Ben & Jerry’s unique social mission. Under that deal, Ben & Jerry’s retained certain rights: A board meant to safeguard its values, and latitude to speak out on human rights, environmental justice, and equity issues. Greenfield contends that over recent years, freedom has been eroded.

    Tensions escalated in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s declared it would stop selling ice cream in Israeli-occupied territory, a move met with backlash from Unilever. In subsequent years, the brand has also made public statements about the Gaza conflict, even using strong language such as “genocide”, which further strained its relationship with its parent company. Ben & Jerry’s has even filed a lawsuit against Unilever, alleging that Unilever attempted to prevent it from publicly supporting certain causes.

    Greenfield said he could no longer remain “in good conscience” with the company he founded if it no longer stood by its core mission. He called his departure “one of the most painful decisions” of his life.

    Unilever (now reorganising its ice-cream brands into a unit known as The Magnum Ice Cream Company or TMICC) has disputed Greenfield’s characterisation, saying it disagrees with his view and is engaging in dialogue with the co-founders.

    The conflict raises complex questions about what happens when socially driven brand values enter tension with corporate ownership. Greenfield’s exit underscores the challenge of preserving activist identity within a large corporate structure—especially when decisions by higher-ups seem to limit or alter what was promised. It also highlights how merger agreements intended to protect values can be challenged when economic, legal, or reputational risks emerge. The outcome of the ongoing legal actions and investor interest in possibly buying or freeing Ben & Jerry’s remains to be seen.

  • Watch Lady Gaga’s theatrical performances of ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘The Dead Dance’ at the 2025 MTV VMAs

    À la Disco!

    [media-credit name=”Instagram” width=1440 align=”center”][/media-credit]

    There’s a reason why the Queen of Pop was the most-nominated artist, receiving twelve times in 2025! Last night at the 2025 MTV VMAs, the network aired a pre-taped performance from Lady Gaga’s sold-out show at the renowned Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 6. In the clip, she sang two songs—one from her new album ‘Mayhem’ (‘Abracabra’) and another (’The Dead Dance’) from Netflix’s soundtrack for its series ‘Wednesday’.

    It’s been a while since we’ve all had the pleasure of watching Lady Gaga’s showmanship, her warm cheer, the camaraderie she shows to other artists by rising to her feet to clap for them—like she did with Ariana Grande for Lola Young—just ahead of collecting the Artist of the Year award, and how she eloquently addresses the public when she speaks. We celebrate Lady Gaga endlessly, as her concern and support for the general public always seems to come first. Check out the playback of the incredible performance.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHs1LCir63Q&h=315]

  • Watch Doja Cat’s sultry performance of ‘Jealous Type’ with Kenny G at the 2025 MTV VMAs

    “Oh, I’m jealous”

    Giving the world an outstanding performance isn’t new for American superstar Doja Cat! Last night to open the 2025 MTV VMAs, the ‘Jealous Type’ singer-rapper teamed up with the legendary Smooth Jazz saxophonist and musician Kenny G to deliver an electric eighties-inspired performance—laced with sultry and exquisite and choreographed moves fitting to the era—for the lead single from her exciting forthcoming album, ‘Vie’. It was the first time she performed it live. Check out the four-minute-plus video below to relive the moment, or watch it for the first time!

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXDCs3D5iDU&h=315]

    It was her third time performing at the VMAs. In 2021, she made her debut singing ‘Been Like This’ and ‘You Right’. Two years later, she performed shortened versions of singles (’Attention’, ‘Paint the Town Red’, and ‘Demons’) from her album ‘Scarlet’. Doja Cat’s album ‘Vie’ comes out on September 26.

    [/media-credit] Vie album cover

  • Afrobeats royalty Kizz Daniel makes his case in ‘To Be a Man’: Watch the lyric video

    “She won’t stop pushing until she see my cadaver”

    [media-credit name=”Notjustok” link=”https://notjustok.com/songs/kizz-daniel-to-be-a-man” width=1125 align=”center”][/media-credit]

    Last week, Nigerian musical legend Kizz Daniel released a new single called ‘To Be a Man’, along with a simple yet striking official lyric video. In the picture, the Afrobeats pioneer, hailing from Ogun State, sings and poses an important question to his partner: Quality time or a Gucci bag?, as a direct response to him being overworked as a provider (”I work hard, 16 hours in a day/No time off, no holiday”). And if you thought that lyric was thought-provoking, he doubled down on the next couple of lines: “Omo, if e easy to be a man/Take my shoes and go crazy”.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRr-5bhkUlM&h=315]

    If you’re an entrepreneur or a man with great responsibilities and the weight of mountains sitting on your skull, you may have an appreciation for this song more than I could. Check it the well-made track above and learn the lyrics so we all can sing together at his concerts.

  • Ye’s Instagram hacked amid launch of new meme coin

    On August 26, 2025, Ye—formerly known as Kanye West—alerted his 33.1 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) that his Instagram account had been compromised. The artist warned that hackers had manipulated his account to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency, whilst he shared the genuine details of his new Solana-based meme coin, “YZY MONEY”.

    Ye clarified to fans: “My Instagram has been hacked and it’s following a fake coin. The official project is @YZY_MNY.” He emphasised the authenticity of the project by furnishing the correct Solana contract address.

    This marks Ye’s first legitimate venture into cryptocurrency using his own name and likeness—a notable shift from past involvement. Back in 2014, he famously sued the creators of “Coinye West”, an unauthorised meme coin that had co-opted his likeness. Earlier this year, he shared that he had declined a two million offer to endorse a faux cryptocurrency scheme that would involve claiming a hacked account shortly after promotion.

    Despite an impressive debut of nearly three billion in fully diluted value, YZY MONEY experienced a steep 81% decline in market value, resulting in substantial losses for some investors.

    Fortunately, Ye appears to have regained control of his Instagram. The suspicious account promoting the fake token no longer appears among his followers, and the illicit posts have been removed.

  • Rihanna teases special release ahead of ‘Music of the Sun’ 20-year milestone

    [media-credit name=”Instagram” link=”https://www.instagram.com/p/C_EyREht1BS/?img_index=5″ width=1440 align=”center”][/media-credit]

    On August 27, 2025, Rihanna sparked a wave of excitement by updating her social media profiles across X and Instagram. Her longtime profile picture was replaced, and the banner now showcases the titles of all her studio albums, signalling something big is on the horizon.

    Roc Nation, her label, further fuelled speculation with a shareable video plastered with the names of her albums and a link teasing new merchandise. The merch is set to drop this Friday, in honour of the 20th anniversary of her debut album, ‘Music of the Sun’.

    It’s been nearly a decade since Rihanna released her critically-acclaimed eighth album, ‘ANTI’. Whilst she’s made sporadic musical appearances—most recently contributing songs to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and a Smurfs movie soundtrack—fans have eagerly awaited new studio material. Rihanna has also been balancing her artistic pursuits with flourishing entrepreneurial ventures. Her Fenty brand—including fashion, beauty, and hair products—has elevated her to billionaire status. On the personal front, she and partner A$AP Rocky are expecting their third child.

    Amid all this, Rihanna has been quietly working on her ninth studio album. She recently shared during a red carpet interview at the Fenty Hair launch that she’s returning to the studio with renewed energy. Reflecting on her creative process, she said:

    “I’ve been working on the album for so long… now I’m prepared. So I’m gonna start over… see what I’m still in love with.”

    Whilst the merch drop is a confirmed celebration, fans are hoping this moment might also mark the beginning of a new musical chapter. Rihanna’s twenty-year milestone could well be the perfect launching point for her next era.