GRUNGECAKE

Category: Pop Culture

  • Fyre Festival to transition into music streaming service, set to launch Thanksgiving 2025

    Can Thanksgiving come any sooner?

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    Today, the last thing we thought we would read popped up in our feed. Shockingly, the co-founder of TruBlue, Shawn Rech, acquired the infamous yet memorable Fyre Festival and has plans to debut it as a streaming service instead. According to a report on Deadline, Rech now owns two trademarks that would allow him to launch Fyre outside of its event. Is that a good thing because of the fraudulent history tied to the name? The new kid on the block thinks so, as he wants to focus on “putting the power of music discovery back in the hands of the fans.”

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    We can only imagine how the leading competitors in that space (Spotify, Apple Music and TIDAL) would see that move. We think it is an ultra-bold move and are anxious to see how it plays out on Thanksgiving this year (November 27, 2025) when it launches. If you’re wondering, yes, Billy McFarland is expected to be involved in the streaming platform and still owns the festival. To no avail, McFarland tried to revive his festival after its second cancellation.

    Some context: Fyre Festival was a fraudulent luxury music festival organised by American businessman Billy McFarland and American rapper Ja Rule. It was created to promote the company’s Fyre app for booking music talent. The festival was scheduled for April 28–30 and May 5–7, 2017, on the island of Great Exuma.

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    Before we head out of here, we want to know: Would you stream your favourite artist’s music on the upcoming Fyre Festival platform? If you are an artist, would you add your music to the platform, given its reputation in the past because of the festival? We’re looking forward to learning more about the pricing models.

  • Madame Tussauds Hollywood honours Viola Davis with regal wax figure

    In the ever-glittering world of Hollywood, where wax figures often feel like fleeting facsimiles of fame, one just got it right. Madame Tussauds Hollywood unveiled a new wax figure of the indomitable Viola Davis this week, and it’s nothing short of breathtaking. Standing with poise and power in a vibrant yellow cape gown by Greta Constantine—echoing the same strength she radiated at the 2021 Golden Globes—the figure captures everything that makes Viola Davis unforgettable. And let’s be real: How many people can say their very essence is preserved in wax on Hollywood Boulevard whilst they’re still here to witness it?

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    What makes this moment feel so right, so earned, is the journey. From Juilliard-trained theatre queen to becoming the first Black actor to clinch the triple crown of acting (Oscar, Emmy, and Tony), Viola Davis’ name is etched in the fabric of our cultural story. It’s poetic that Madame Tussauds—a global symbol of timelessness—has now etched her likeness too.

    “This is a big, big honor for me”, Davis said during the unveiling. And when Viola speaks, we listen. Her humility and grace, even in moments of monumental recognition, remind us why we root for her—not just as an artist but as a human being.

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    If you’ve followed GRUNGECAKE for a while, you already know we champion excellence—especially when it comes from Black women who redefine what it means to be iconic. Viola Davis isn’t just one of the greats—she is the moment, the movement, and the legacy.

    For young Black girls walking past her wax figure in Hollywood, wide-eyed and dream-filled, let this be a reminder: Greatness is attainable. History is yours to shape. Viola Davis has long made her mark on stages and screens. Now, she’s cemented it in wax—forever.

  • Meet Starter’s Beasts of the Big East collection star players today at Macy’s Herald Square

    Today at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City from 4-7 PM EST, Starter fans will get to celebrate Starter’s Beasts of the Big East collection! During the event, fans would enjoy a special live broadcast of the Big East Rewind Podcast starring Chuck Everson and Sonny Spera with special guest Carl Banks and surprise player appearances.

    The Starter Beasts of the Big East campaign was shot at teams home courts, bringing the collection to life with star players like St John’s RJ Lewis, Kadary Richmond, Seton Hall’s Jahseem Felton, Providence’s Bryce Hopkins and many more repping their school’s capsule in a celebration of team pride and tradition. Shot against the backdrop of game-day energy, it captures the unstoppable spirit of this fan-favorite conference. Carl can share what the players’ energy is like going into the tournament.

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    The Beasts of the East collect spotlights legendary teams like St John’s, UCONN, Providence, Villanova, Georgetown, Marquette, Creighton, DePaul, Butler, Seton Hall, and Xavier with bold, retro-inspired designs that honour their iconic legacies and electrify fan culture. Exclusively available at Macy’s Herald Square and Lid’s on 42nd Street, whilst supplies last.

    Starter is one of the most innovative and authentic sports apparel companies in the world.

  • Senegal prepares to host Africa’s first Olympic event: the Youth Olympic Games 2026

    Thirty-five International Federations (IFs) will be involved in these Games, with 25 sports featuring on the competition programme and 10 to be part of the engagement programme

    Senegal will welcome the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026, the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil. Dakar 2026 will take place over two weeks from October 31, 2026, bringing together 2,700 of the best young athletes from around the world.

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    The YOG will be held in three host sites (Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly), and are envisioned to serve as a catalyst to transform Senegal through sport, whilst also aiming to inspire new hope, opportunities and confidence among young people across Africa and become a blueprint for future YOG hosts. This approach is embodied in the Games’ motto, “Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates”, which underscores the uniqueness of this YOG edition: Senegal is the first African country to host an Olympic sports event. The Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (YOGOC) emphasises that the YOG will be an event for the entire African continent.

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    In creating the motto, Dakar 2026 showed its desire to develop a brand that highlights its unique vision for the YOG, seeking to create an event that combines the Senegalese Teranga — the host nation’s generosity of spirit and hospitality – with sport, youth, hope and celebration.

    Thirty-five International Federations (IFs) will be involved in these Games, with twenty-five sports featuring on the competition programme and ten to be part of the engagement programme. Dakar 2026 will showcase one discipline from each of the twenty-five sports on the competition programme. These are athletics (track and field), aquatics (swimming), archery, badminton, baseball (Baseball5), basketball (3×3), boxing, breaking, cycling (road cycling), equestrian (jumping), fencing, football (futsal), gymnastics (artistic), handball (beach handball), judo, rowing (coastal rowing), rugby (rugby sevens), sailing, skateboarding (street), table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball (beach volleyball), wrestling (beach wrestling) and wushu.

    Additionally, Dakar 2026 will feature an engagement programme showcasing ten sports: canoe-kayak, golf, hockey, karate, modern pentathlon, shooting, sport climbing, surfing, tennis and weightlifting. These will not feature in the competition programme but will be promoted through interactive activities on site and via digital platforms, emphasising their role as integral components and an official part of the YOG.

    In total, the Games will feature one hundred fifty one events – split equally between men and women, with seventy-two events for each, alongside seven mixed-gender events. For the first time in the history of the Summer YOG, full gender equality will be achieved – not only in the overall athlete quota but also across every sport, discipline and event.

  • South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, 24, has passed away at home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul

    Because of the negative public sentiment around the actress’s name linked to a DUI, Kim Sae-ron couldn’t land new roles, and this seems to be the reason why some news outlets are pointing towards a possible suicide.

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    Kim Sae-ron, an award-winning South Korean actress (24), has died in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, at home. The police say they found no signs of forced entry or criminal activity in a statement to AFP. The authorities have launched an investigation into the unfortunate death. Kim Sae-ron was known for her roles in ‘A Brand New Life’ in 2019 (marking her debut), ‘The Man from Nowhere’, ‘The Neighbor’ and her most recent role in the Netflix original series ‘Bloodhounds’ (2023). According to a report on AllKPop, she planned to return to acting through a theatrical play called ‘Dongchimi’ in 2024 after facing the consequences of a DUI (a 20 million fine won for causing an accident, which converts to $13,800), but she dropped out. At the time, Kim Sae-ron cited health concerns for her departure. Based on a statement from a reported close source, the actress shared that she filmed for a music film called ‘Guitar Man’ in November 2024.

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  • XG, South Korea-based Japanese popstars, announces exclusive partnership with McDonald’s

    Global pop sensation XG has announced an exclusive partnership with McDonald’s Japan, marking their debut in television advertising. The collaboration features a space-themed commercial that premiered on Japanese television on February 10, 2025. In the ad, the seven-member group—Jurin, Chisa, Hinata, Harvey, Juria, Maya, and Cocona—step into a futuristic “McDonald’s Galaxy”, donning unique, alien-inspired outfits as they join fans, known as Alphaz, for a vibrant #FandomFeast.

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    The campaign extends beyond traditional media with the release of the web movie ‘Fandom Feast (McDonald’s Live Party)’ and a series of three new television spots. These initiatives invite fans to participate in a live McDonald’s party, sharing the excitement alongside their favourite artists. On February 19, XG will host the “#FandomFeast: McFries Feast” live event on McDonald’s official TikTok and YouTube channels, where they will share McDonald’s French Fries with viewers.

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    To celebrate the collaboration, a special ‘McDonald’s Galaxy Exhibition’ will be held at Hakkakukan in Harajuku from February 19 to 23. Fans will have the opportunity to view the outfits worn by XG in the commercial and access behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot. The commercial also features a remixed version of XG’s track ‘In the Rain (McDonald’s Remixx)’, a fresh take on the song from their second mini-album ‘Awe’ that originally made waves on the Billboard 200.

    This partnership comes as XG continues their XG 1st World Tour (The First Howl), with upcoming performances in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Osaka. In February, they will head to Australia, followed by China in March, and plans to expand into South America later this year. Notably, XG is set to become the only Japanese artist to perform at Coachella 2025, further cementing their global appeal.

    Fans have expressed excitement over the collaboration, noting that it embodies the energetic vibes of XG’s previous hits like ‘Shooting Star’ and ‘Left Right’. This exclusive partnership between XG and McDonald’s Japan not only showcases the group’s innovative approach to connecting with their audience but also highlights their rising prominence in the global music scene.

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  • Kanye West and Bianca Censori reportedly split, heading for divorce

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    According to TMZ, Kanye West and Bianca Censori are reportedly calling it quits after two years of marriage. It comes after the controversial couple’s red-carpet appearance at the 2025 GRAMMYs and several anti-Semitic rants on X (formerly known as Twitter). Fans are speculating reasons for their split. However, according to reports, Censori could get up to five million dollars in a settlement.

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    Editor’s Note (February 13, 2025, 7:58 PM EST):

    Now, on X, these claims were quickly followed by statements from their representatives denying the divorce rumours, indicating that the couple remains together. We’ll have to see what the future holds.

  • Rihanna makes first court appearance at A$AP Rocky trial, accuser testifies

    On January 29, 2025, Rihanna made her first appearance at the Los Angeles trial of her partner, A$AP Rocky (legal name Rakim Mayers), who faces two felony assault charges for allegedly firing a handgun at former friend Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli. If convicted, Mayers could face up to 24 years in prison. During the proceedings, Ephron testified about the 2021 incident in Hollywood. He recounted confronting Mayers, who, after an initial scuffle, allegedly drew a firearm from his waistband. Ephron described the moment, stating, “He turned around and then it was like BOOM!” He added that he felt his hand become hot and realized he had been grased by a bullet.

    Mayers’ defense attorney contends that the shots were not from a real gun but from a prop starter pistol, asserting that Ephron was aware of this and is attempting to extort Mayers. The trial, which began on January 21, has delved into the strained relationship between the two, who were once close friends and collaborators within the A$AP collective. Rihanna, who shares two young sons with Mayers, attended the trial discreetly, sitting between Mayers’ mother and sister. Her presence underscores the high-profile nature of the case. The trial is ongoing, with the defense scheduled to cross-examine Ephron in the coming days.

  • Kendrick Lamar to hire 500 crew members for Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show

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    Kendrick Lamar, set to headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, is seeking to hire 500 paid crew members for his performance. The recruitment drive offers a unique opportunity for individuals to participate in one of the most-watched live events globally. Whilst specific roles have not been detailed, positions are expected to encompass various aspects of the production, including stage setup, choreography assistance, and technical support. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply through the official channels provided by Lamar’s team.

    This initiative not only underscores Lamar’s commitment to delivering a memorable performance but also provides significant employment opportunities within the local community. As anticipation builds for the halftime show, fans and participants alike look forward to a dynamic and engaging spectacle.

  • Wendy Williams vehemently denies being cognitively impaired

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    In a recent interview on “The Breakfast Club”, former talk show host Wendy Williams, 60, vehemently denied being cognitively impaired, despite her 2023 diagnoses of frontotemporal dementia and aphasia. She described her court-ordered guardianship as feeling like imprisonment, stating, “I am not cognitively impaired, but I feel like I am in prison.” Williams detailed her isolation in a New York care facility, surrounded by elderly patients, with restricted access to communication devices and limited contact with family. Her niece, Alex Finnie, supported her claims, highlighting the emotional toll of her confinement. Williams’ son, Kevin Hunter Jr, also emphasised her desire to return home, suggesting that isolation is more detrimental than her actual ailments.

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