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Netflix Employees Protest ‘Transphobic’ Dave Chappelle Comedy Show

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Blossom C. Brown speaks and Stand Up in Solidarity rally organizer Ashlee Marie Preston looks on as Trans employees and allies at Netflix walkout in protest of Dave Chappelle special on October 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California
Stars including Blossom C. Brown took part in Wednesday’s protest

About 100 people have protested outside Netflix’s headquarters over the airing of a comedy special by Dave Chappelle, which they say was transphobic.

Netflix staff and transgender activists staged the walkout outside the streaming giant’s Los Angeles offices.

Demonstrators called on Netflix to fund more trans and non-binary talent, and other measures to avoid “transphobia and hate speech”.

Ahead of the rally, Netflix issued a statement in support of the activists.

A video was also released featuring several Netflix stars, including Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness and The Good Place actress Jameela Jamil, thanking people for taking part in the demonstration.

Other LGBT celebrities, including Elliot Page and Lilly Wachowski, voiced their support on social media.

Netflix has been mired in controversy over The Closer, in which stand-up comedy star Chappelle says “gender is a fact” and that LGBT people are “too sensitive”.

Chappelle has laughed off the backlash, recently saying: “If this is what being cancelled is about, I love it.”

Netflix staff called for the rally, though it is unclear how many of those employees were among the protesters outside the offices.

Ashlee Marie PrestonProtest oganiser Ashlee Marie Preston said she was concerned trans-related jokes “are taking lives”

“We are here today not because we don’t know how to take a joke. We’re here because we’re concerned that the jokes are taking lives,” said rally organiser Ashlee Marie Preston in an interview with AFP news agency.

She accused companies like Netflix of “[capitalising] off of tension” and using “algorithmic science to manipulate and distort our perceptions of ourselves and one another”.

Forty-four transgender people were killed in the US last year, according to Human Rights Watch, a non-governmental organisation.

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos previously defended the firm’s decision to air the programme.

Dave ChappelleDave Chappelle has laughed off the controversy

In a leaked staff memo, he insisted that “content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm”, and emphasised the importance of defending “artistic freedom”.

But in a later interview with Hollywood trade publication Deadline, Mr Sarandos said he “screwed up the internal communication”.

“I should’ve made sure to recognise that a group of our employees was hurting very badly from the decision made,” he added.

“I respect them deeply, and I love the contribution they have at Netflix. They were hurting, and I should’ve recognised that first.”

The protest comes a day after Netflix reported record subscriber numbers of 213.5 million globally.

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What Big Tech is really worried about

ANALYSIS

Some Silicon Valley companies have an annual revenue equivalent to the GDP of a mid-sized country.

They have incredible influence across the world.

And yet, broadly, there’s little accountability for the actions they take.

And they would argue why should there be? They’re companies not governments.

That’s why these kinds of walkouts are so interesting. Employees do have the ability to focus minds in Silicon Valley.

There have been many walkouts over the years, including at Google and Microsoft.

The key issue here is that Big Tech execs are deeply worried about collective action.

Forget fuzzy words about making the world a better place, they are companies that have shareholders who want to make money.

If workers are dissatisfied, walk out, (or worse) organise – that could be bad for the company’s bottom line. That’s when they take note.

Netflix has faced much criticism for airing Chappelle’s routine. However, it’s criticism from their own workers – and the bad press it has generated – that the company will listen to most closely.

Entertainment Gists

Josh2Funny’s Album Has Fans Talking — But Should He Stick To Music Or Skits?

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Josh2Funny’s Album Has Fans Talking — But Should He Stick To Music Or Skits? 😂🎶

 

 

Nigerian comedian and content creator Josh2Funny has taken his comedy game into music, and Nigerians are definitely having something to say about it.

The comedian released his 15-track album, “On Behalf of Josh,” on July 10, 2026, but instead of fading away after release, the project has continued to generate conversations on X.

And the big question now is:

Should Josh2Funny continue with music or go back to skits? 😂

Fans have been divided. While some listeners openly criticized the album and told him to return to comedy, others found songs they genuinely enjoyed.

One X user joked:

“Josh2Funny stopped doing skits and started music, Everybody wan chop this music money 😂”

Another simply said:

“This Josh2Funny Album no enter make he just go back skit abeg 😂”

But then came “Lembe.” 🔥

The track caught fire on X and eventually became a trending topic in Nigeria. The #LembeChallenge also gained momentum as creators began jumping on the song.

Josh2Funny later announced ₦1 million for winners of the challenge, giving the song another major push.

And it didn’t stop there.

‘INTERNATIONAL’ FT. ICE PRINCE ALSO TRENDED

On another day, “International” featuring Ice Prince generated its own buzz on X.

One fan even called it their favourite song from the album, while praising the collaboration. The post itself pulled thousands of views, showing that people weren’t only talking about Lembe.

From album criticism to trending songs and challenges, “On Behalf of Josh” has kept Josh2Funny’s name in the conversation.

Whether you love the album or think he should return to skits, one thing is clear:

Josh2Funny has succeeded in getting Nigerians talking. 😂🔥

So, let’s settle this once and for all:

Should Josh2Funny continue with MUSIC 🎶 or return to SKITS 😂?

Music or Skits? Drop your answer! 👇

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Entertainment Gists

RUAN-Badkid.96: The Unfiltered Voice Recommitting African Sound to Truth

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RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.

Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.

Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.

For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.

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Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype

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If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.

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