CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER
Issue #119 | March 23, 2023
Today, as Congress and President Joe Biden are considering a potential ban on TikTok, TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew testified in favor of the app’s safety and security, proposing a plan called “Project Texas” designed to protect U.S. data.
The congressional hearing focused on politicians’ concerns regarding TikTok’s data privacy, whether it is connected to the Chinese Communist Party, and risks for children using the platform. You can see our live tweets about the hearing here, and we will have more stories to come about the hearing upcoming this week.
For now, we’re wrapping up our coverage of SXSW this week, and today’s newsletter is music-themed. We have three profiles to share of musicians who all have very different approaches to social media.
First, hear from viral rapper bbno$ about how he is a “product of the internet” and a “gamer at heart.” Then, explore the story of Hailey Blais, a veteran of YouTube’s vlogging era who chose to step away from the platform. Then hear from Japanese artist Haru Nemuri, an anarcha-feminist with a penchant for detailed storytelling online.
– Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor
THE HIGHLIGHT
Bbno$ is a product of the internet
The 27-year-old rapper is a viral content creator and a “gamer at heart.”
By Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor
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ONE GREAT TIP
“Every shoot you do you learn from. Even if something’s a complete failure, you learn from it, and the next time you try to tackle the same thing, you have a better understanding of how it works.”
—The Phillipou twins, the creators behind the RackaRacka YouTube channel, on the importance of trial and error.
SEEKING A TREND
Lessons in internet authenticity with Haley Blais
Indie-pop auteur Haley Blais could be considered a veteran of the vlog generation.
By Laiken Neumann, Passionfruit Contributor
NOW LOADING…
Haru Nemuri’s social media presence is part diary entry, part passionate manifesto
The poetry rapper meticulously details the intent behind her music for her global audience.
By Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor
IN THE BIZ
- Epic Games introduced a game building tool that will make Fortnite like Roblox. (via Tubefilter)
- Instagram is bringing ads to its search results. (via TechCrunch)
- Design tool Canva announced an update with new AI tools. (via the Verge)
- Creators are discussing why YouTube subscriber counts might be a ‘vanity metric’ in the era of short-form video. (via Insider)
- FaZe Clan’s stock price crashed, sparking debate with creators. (via Tubefilter)
- Spotify is accused of spending less than 10% of its proposed diversity fund. (via Bloomberg)
TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT
Fingers crossed TikTok survives to provide us with more Pedro Pascal memes and CapCut trends.
