Reginae Carter Defends Her Pops, Lil Wayne From Carter VI Critics
The album had been highly anticipated, but many fans online didn't like it. People complained about the songs, the production, and how the album was put together. But Reginae thinks a lot of this hate isn't really about the music itself.
Reginae went on social media to respond to the critics. 'Tha Carter VI is trash? That's fine, that's what you want to say,' she said, before calling out people for judging music based on whether it goes viral. She said just because you can't make a TikTok dance to a song doesn't mean it's bad. 'My dad was talking real stuff,' she explained, adding that the songs are the kind you might hear in video games, malls, and other public places. In her eyes, that makes the album more meaningful and wide-reaching.
Reginae went on to say that people need to get off the internet and stop letting trends decide what's good. She reminded everyone that her pops is a real lyricist who puts thought into his words. 'If you can't understand it, please move in silence like the 'G' in lasagna,' she said, quoting one of Lil Wayne's famous lines. At the end of the day, Reginae made it clear she's standing by her dad. To her, *Tha Carter VI* is more than just an album. It's part of a legacy that doesn't need to go viral to be respected.
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Reginae Carter Defends Her Pops, Lil Wayne From Carter VI Critics was originally published on hiphopwired.com
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Buzz Feed
17 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Feel Free: Viral TikToks Show Potential Risks Of Tonic
Warning: Discussion of drug abuse. 'No joking. This video is a warning, specifically for parents, but I guess really for anybody. Something truly disturbing just happened to me,' he begins in the TikTok, which has since been viewed over 19 million times and details how, earlier that day, he was approached by a 'child' who was 'maybe 14 years old' at a gas station. 'He comes up to me and he says, 'Hey, can you buy me some Feel Free?'' Misha had no idea what Feel Free was, and after he declined the person's request, he says the aftermath was swift: 'This young kid lunged at me and tried to take my wallet out of my hand.' He also says he told the gas station attendant about the incident, who replied that some customers would purchase Feel Free 'five [or] six times a day.' 'I think that is very telling of how scary this substance is, especially when it's marketed as safe,' Misha says to BuzzFeed about the response his TikTok received. 'One positive that has come from my video is the amount of parents I've seen who said they, like me, had never heard of this product and will be talking to their children about avoiding it.' Feel Free's most well-known variant — the 'Classic' tonic made by the company Botanic Tonics, which also makes a 'Kava Maté' and capsules — is advertised as a 'feel-good tonic that features kava root and other plant ingredients known to help with relaxation, productivity and focus.' A bottle contains two servings, and the website does tell buyers to 'consume responsibly' and not take more than a bottle every 24 hours. Their ingredients label lists kava root extract, a depressant, and ground leaf kratom, a drug that can provide both stimulant and sedative effects depending on the quantity. In the FAQ section of the site, it tells consumers that 'most commonly, you'll feel more social and a calm, focused boost of energy.' If you look at the front of the bottle, you'll notice the words 'consume responsibly near the bottom'; according to the company, that advisory was added to the packaging last year along with a warning that reads, 'This product contains leaf kratom which, like caffeine and alcohol, can become habit-forming and harmful to your health if consumed irresponsibly. Consider avoiding any potentially habit-forming substances if you have a history of substance abuse. If consumed in recommended quantities, feel free CLASSIC has not been shown to cause any serious physical or social harm. Caution: This product is not for consumption by or sale to persons under the age of 21.' Misha isn't the only person who's gone viral for their anecdotes about Feel Free. Jasmine Adeoye, a 30-year-old based in Austin, has had numerous TikToks about her experiences with the tonic pass the million-view mark. She first bought Feel Free in 2022, after hearing it advertised on numerous major podcasts as a safe alternative to alcohol. She told BuzzFeed that she initially used the product occasionally for around a year, until she found herself in an incredibly stressful job. 'At the most, it was 12 [bottles] a day. That was like just taking them to feel normal in any way, shape, or form,' she said. 'It was like, 'Oh, I can't physically get out of bed unless I take this.' At the height of what she says was her addiction, Jasmine claimed that she had 'super, super dry and flaky skin,' adding, 'It was like alligator skin, I would take my clothes off, and flakes of skin would fall off of my body.' She further said that 'chunks of [her] teeth were falling out' as a result of throwing up so often. After telling her mother and now-husband the extent of her use in 2024, Jasmine was able to find sobriety. She began making TikToks shortly afterwards. 'When I got sober, I knew that I wanted to talk about it publicly. I was, like, 'I cannot be the only person going through this,'' she said. 'I expected some people to resonate with it, but not on the level that it actually did, which makes me sad.' So, what does Feel Free have to say about the users' claimed experiences? When asked for comment on these users' alleged experience, Botanic Tonics directed BuzzFeed to a statement that said, 'Botanic Tonics is leading the industry in our commitment to providing consumer education and transparency and we will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our customers above all else." 'Our website features a comprehensive 'Learn' section with detailed resources about our ingredients, including dedicated information about kratom. We believe informed consumers make better choices, and we're committed to providing clear, accurate information. All Botanic Tonics products are manufactured in our FDA-registered, cGMP-certified Oklahoma facility, ensuring uncompromising quality and potency,' they continued. It's not just TikTok where users are claiming negative experiences. There are 5k members in the subreddit R/Quittingfeelfree, where users about their sobriety experiences. Amongst those who spoke to BuzzFeed, some were previous opioid users who found themselves caught up in what they claim was the cycle of addiction again. Justin, a 43-year-old who was previously sober for six years, said he saw a Feel Free ad offering 'energy and calm' in a gas station before work. He quickly bought two, despite having read about kratom addiction previously. 'It did what it said it would do,' he claimed. 'Meth wasn't this hard to quit. This stuff is a special kind of bad.' But some say they had no problems with substance abuse whatsoever. Lisa, a 63-year-old mother of three from South Jersey, said that a friend suggested Feel Free just over three years ago as an alternative to a cocktail. 'I don't have an alcohol problem. I just thought it would be fun to have something else that was natural,' she said, opting to order the drink online after watching a podcast interview with the company's creator. 'It was marketed as being safe and healthy, and that you would get a natural euphoric feeling from it. I was using it sporadically, and I was using it safely.' Things changed when two things happened in quick succession: Lisa broke her shoulder and one of her daughters became estranged from her. Amid the stress and pain, her Feel Free intake rose to five a day, purchased from her local 7/11. Realizing she had a problem around a year ago, she's now consulting with drug addiction professionals to find the best way forward.'Your skin gets so dry and itchy. If you don't take it and you are trying to sleep, you get restless legs. It wakes you up,' she claimed. 'But when you try to take it, sometimes you vomit. It's horrific, and for somebody like me, who was a professional and a mom, I can't believe this has happened to me.' Similarly, 30-year-old Detroit resident Anthony said he previously used kratom and kava 'in moderation.' He tried Feel Free after seeing it advertised in a gas station. 'It tasted horrible, but within a matter of minutes, I felt a rush that I've never felt before using regular kratom,' he said. After a few months, he said his use escalated to 10-12 bottles a day. 'Roughly $120 a day addiction. Before I knew it, I was spending my entire paycheck on these blue devils.' But it wasn't just Feel Free that was available to him. 7-hydroxymitragynine, 'a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant' also known as 7-OH, can bind itself to opioid receptors in the brain. It's been found to be more potent than morphine in treating pain. It was during his time on Feel Free that Anthony said he started using 7-OH tablets as well, using cash advance apps and a $2,000 loan to fund his addiction. 'I'm currently in the process of tapering both the 7-OHs and the Feel Free. I'm in a better place mentally and financially, but have a mountain to climb,' he said. 'The withdrawals are unfathomable.' When asked for comment, HHS pointed BuzzFeed to recent news that the FDA is now taking steps to limit the availability of 7-OH. But a product like Feel Free, which claims not to artificially inflate its 7-OH levels, doesn't fall under these proposed regulations. "Our products contain trace amounts of 7-OH that occur naturally during the traditional drying process — levels that are dramatically different from the concentrated synthetic products now under FDA scrutiny,' Botanic Tonics said in a statement after the FDA announced its new plans on 7-OH. "Leaf kratom is different than concentrated 7-OH, a kratom synthetic that the FDA announced that they are moving to ban. Botanic Tonics should not be included when referring to 7-OH products," they further said in a statement to BuzzFeed. Recovery from kratom products can be a challenging road. Mike, a 37-year-old based near Sacramento, found himself in a financial 'disaster' after at times using over 12 bottles a day. 'I've maxed out four credit cards and taken out loans totaling over $50,000. I had to enroll in a debt relief program last year because I couldn't make my minimum payments,' he said. In recent days, he says that he's been trying to quit Feel Free, but relapsed before a big work day after only getting a handful of hours of sleep the previous few nights. He's found that some people in 12-step programs don't take kratom addiction seriously and has had difficulties abusing Suboxone and Feel Free simultaneously. He's considered rehab, but he works for a 'cutthroat' major company that he says can look down on taking leave. As he put it, 'I'm not sure if I'm at the point yet where I'm willing to lose my job because I don't want to screw things up for my kid.'
Eater
an hour ago
- Eater
The Tire Shop Food Stand Serving Unique-to-Seattle Venezuelan Hot Dogs
is a freelance journalist living in Seattle. A contributor to Eater since 2023, his work has also appeared in Outside Magazine, The Stranger, and Seattle Met. In Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, where Mexican food and people are the most visible representatives of Latin American culture, Latin American cuisine often gets oversimplified to Mexican food, which in turn gets over-over simplified to tacos, burritos, and $5 margaritas. But if you look beyond Mexico's southern border, there's a literal world of food in Central and South America that deserves appreciation and recognition. Fortunately for North Seattleites, taking the first step toward something new is easy. Just walk across the street from the Wallingford Chipotle into the parking lot of Omar's Tires, and you'll find Fido Hot Dogs, a new Venezuelan hot dog stand that has emerged as the neighborhood's most wonderful surprise. 'I heard about it through TikTok,' said Jonathan, a customer making his first visit on a busy Saturday night. 'This guy I always see on my feed lives in Venezuela, but somehow was doing promotion for a place in Seattle! My friend went before me, and now here I am.' (Eater Seattle conducted the interviews for this story in Spanish.) For just over two months, Fido Hot Dogs has been bringing a street food vibe to North 45th Street, a slightly dingy strip of Fremont dotted with ice cream shops and Thai restaurants. Fido has no website, no Instagram — just a TikTok mixed with guest creators promoting Fido Hot Dog's locations in Seattle and Tacoma — and only accepts cash and Zelle. The owner Fido (pronounced fee-dough), declined to provide his last name, but says that he is friends with the Omar's Tires owner. A hot dog at Fido Hot Dog. Charlie Lahud-Zahner But what even is a Venezuelan hot dog? Basically, it's a regular steamed dog in a split-top brioche bun like those typically used for lobster rolls that is then heaped with toppings that might impress even the most ardent Seattle dog supporter. The menu options range from a regular hot dog to one with sliced hard-boiled egg to mechipan, a dog with egg and a rich shredded stewed beef (carne mechada), distinct to South America. A full toppings package includes egg, diced onion, shredded cabbage with carrots, crunchy small fried potato strands (papas al hilo), carne mechada, shredded cheese, mustard, ketchup, and mayo. It's humongous and even if you think you're an adult, use two hands and take small steps. Despite the presence of dairy, egg, and two different types of meat, the varying textures get along well and are relatively light on the stomach. The fried potato bits and onions add crunch, the egg yolk and the cheese blend well with the carne mechada, and the cabbage makes the whole thing a meal. The only downside is the slightly undercooked dog — the meat is often barely larger than how it came out of the package and would definitely benefit from grilling. However, without a doubt it's the carne mechada that sets Fido Hot Dog apart. The beef is super savory, juicy, and easily worth the extra two dollars. For drinks there's Frescolito, a Venezuelan soft drink with an almost bubble gum-esque flavor, Coke, or Maltín, a soda best described as a malted cola. A scene one recent night at Fido Hot Dog. Charlie Lahud-Zahner 'This is the food I ate growing up in Venezuela, the same way you'd have tacos in Mexico or McDonalds here,' says one patron named Uriel. 'The food is different, but the feeling is similar.' With that being said, most customers are of Venezuelan descent and/or Spanish-speaking. Non-Spanish-speaking Wallingfordians seem simultaneously intrigued and intimidated by the bilingual scene. Jokes, jeers, and jibes in a distinctive fast-paced Venezuelan Spanish fill the air and the cling cling of Doordash notifications is a constant background refrain. According to Michel, the second half of the two-man stand, the majority of the patrons are delivery drivers, and it's not uncommon to see hot dogs eaten at Joey Chestnut speeds as they maintain quick turnaround times. English speakers do their best to ask clarifying questions while Fido and Michel do their best to give clarifying answers, but small miscommunications regularly occur. Fido and Michel hope that the new printed English menu will help attract even more locals. With this in mind, any curious diners should make their best Spanish effort if they have the ability to do so. If not, an order of uno con todo will give you the most bang for your buck. Fido Hot Dog's is located at 2221 N 45th Street in the parking lot of Omar's Tires in Wallingford; open from 7:30 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Sunday; the Tacoma stand is located at 11111 Pacific Avenue South, in the parking lot of another Omar's Tires. Eater Seattle All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Fast Company
an hour ago
- Fast Company
This mom went viral for co-parenting with ChatGPT. Thousands are following her lead
Ask any parent and they'll tell you that the laundry list of daily tasks is relentless. Now, some are turning to a new kind of support system: artificial intelligence. One mom has recently gone viral on TikTok for 'co-parenting' her child with the help of ChatGPT. Lilian Schmidt, a corporate brand strategist based in Zurich, Switzerland, began sharing her AI prompts earlier this year. Since then, she's built a community of over 21,000 followers who swear by her tips for navigating the highs and lows of parenthood. Schmidt has a partner, but with both working full-time, she found herself increasingly burnt out by the mental load of parenting their three-year-old. So she turned to ChatGPT. Whether it's generating imaginative bedtime stories, creating cleaning schedules, offering advice on sleep regressions, or planning meals based on what's in the fridge, the AI helped her offload the logistics of parenting—freeing her up to simply be present with her daughter. 'I feel like I'm cheating at mom life,' she wrote in one post. @heylilianschmidt If this is your vibe, I wanna be friends! 🫶 And if you want this kind of life, but don't know how or where to start – 💬 COMMENT 'life' and I'll give you 7 of my best ChatGPT prompts to get you started! 🫶 #livingourbestlife #motheranddaughter #momlifevibes #sahmtok #toddlermoms #chatgpt #chatgptformoms ♬ As It Was – Harry Styles Parental stress, the U.S. Surgeon General warned earlier this year, is a public health crisis. Parents are consistently more likely than other adults to report high levels of stress, so it's no surprise that many are seeking creative solutions to manage the load. 'ChatGPT literally helped me with breastfeeding, and how to decorate my daughter birthday cake,' one commenter wrote under Schmidt's video. 'Chat gpt is carrying the weight of my family at this point,' another added. @heylilianschmidt HERE'S EXACTLY HOW I GOT HERE👇 This is the version of mom life I used to think was impossible. I took me 3 years to get here, because nothing worked: 🚫 Waking up before the kids 🚫 Ruthless declutterring 🚫 Having a new routine Whatever I tried, the mental load was still there – stressing me out and preventing me from being fully present with my kids and enjoying our little life 😢 Until I thought: what if someone (or something) could carry the mental load FOR me? I started playing around with ChatGPT – and it didn't just become a tool. It became my mom assistant, my co-parent, my second brain when mine's filled with cotton candy and empty batteries 🪫 Wanna try and see for yourself? 🎁 COMMENT 'prompts' to get my free AI Mom Magic Starter Kit with 7 ChatGPT prompts I use every single week to save time, stay sane, and make everyday life feel more ✨magical✨ (or grab it straight from my bio!) Your motherhood gets to feel like this, too 🫶 #wokeuplikethis #morningroutine #toddlermom #mentalload #chatgpt #chatgptformoms #momhacks ♬ inside out theme – Santiago Melo With 2.5 billion prompts made every day in ChatGPT, according to a recent Axios scoop, each day users are coming up with new ways AI can slot into their daily lives, from therapist, to stylist, to co-parent. But not everyone is on board with AI-assisted parenting. 'Is it just me, or is it a problem that women feel relief turning to AI instead of their partners?' one commenter asked. Others raised concerns about the environmental cost of AI, and what that might mean for the next generation.
