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Vice Media Disowns Co-Founder Gavin McInnes That Also Started Proud Boys

The Proud Boys have been in the news quite a bit this past week.

The far-right group was named during the first round of debates for the 2020 presidential election, in which Donald Trump hesitated to condemn similar groups and asked the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.”

The group was founded by one of the three founders for Vice magazine, Gavin McInnes. His ties to the company were cut in 2008 following an interview with The New York Times in which he was quoted as saying, “I love being white and I think it’s something to be very proud of. I don’t want our culture diluted. We need to close the borders now and let everyone assimilate to a Western, white, English-speaking way of life.”

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“I’m sure we’re all still trying to make some sense of what was said in last night’s U.S. Presidential debate, but I wanted to write to you to make one thing clear: Gavin McInnes has no affiliation with VICE,” Vice Media CEO Nancy Dubuc said in a leaked email to staff following Trump’s invocation of the Proud Boys. “While the legacy of his role in founding the company swirls up from time to time – I want you all to be assured that any association he had with the company ended more than a decade ago in 2008. What he did after that – including founding the Proud Boys in 2016 – had nothing to do with VICE, our values or our people.”

CNN reports that McInnes “quit [the Proud Boys] in 2018, but [filed a 2019 lawsuit against] the Southern Poverty Law Center for designating the organization a hate group”. In a statement given to CNN by McInnes, he categorically denied that the group is a racist or white supremacist group.

In any case, McInnes seems unbothered by Dubuc’s comments.

“I created that brand and defined the content from its inception to when I left in 2008,” he told CNN. “My pithy irreverence still haunts it like Banquo’s ghost.”

[via]

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Kieran James Honors Memory with “Part of the Grind”

Singer-songwriter Kieran James delivers a devastating new single with “Part of the Grind,” a track to tackle the tangled emotions behind loss and memory. A love letter penned to a close friend who faced severe cognitive decline, the song’s emotional heft feels universal yet heartbreakingly personal.

Set to delicate instrumentation and achingly sung vocals, “Part of the Grind” is both a lament and an honoring, a means of remembering while addressing the unavoidable cost of time and illness. His voice floats, leaving room for silence and the long pauses that so often come with grief. But in that silence, there is warmth as well, a refusal to let memory be totally extinguished.

Resilience is also implied in the song’s title, a reminder that even in heartbreak, life goes on and holding the memory of someone stays with the rhythm of everyday living. it’s an anthem for anyone who has ever looked on witnessing decline, mixed sorrow with love.

In Kieran James’s “Part of the Grind,” we hear music as well as go behind it. He gives us room feel, to mourn, and to honor. In the process, he turns private pain into something achingly universal, a song for everyone who has either loved or lost.

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Esthy glows up with joy on new anthem “light it up”

In her latest song, “light it up,” singer-songwriter and producer Esthy from LA brings a vibrant and uplifting vibe that feels like sunshine in musical form. By mixing elements of playful country with polished pop sounds, she creates a track that’s all about having fun and enjoying life.

Esthy’s singing truly shines, showcasing a lively and confident style. There’s a playful tone in her voice that makes the lyrics feel friendly and inviting, encouraging you to set aside your worries and immerse yourself in the moment.

“light it up” radiates energy and is lively and bright, featuring catchy guitar riffs and upbeat rhythms that draw you in right away. If you enjoy artists like Anne-Marie or OneRepublic, you’ll love this song, and Esthy adds her unique flair, making it special and memorable.

Esthy has a talent for creating catchy melodies, and with this one, you’ll find yourself humming throughout your day. Esthy is here to spread joy, inspire energy, and make music that connects with you instantly. This track is designed to remind you of your true unstoppable nature, and Esthy lights it up.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Esthy’s “lights it up” on Spotify.
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