The Cardi and Offset Meal
Cardi B. and Offset's McDonald's promotion is driving business for the golden arches, but it's coming with pushback from some franchise owners. Some locations, primarily in the Mid-atlantic and Southeast U.S., have refused to serve the Cardi B. and Offset Meal after saying the artists' lifestyles would taint the family-friendly image of the fast food restaurants. McDonald's itself said the meal, which launched just ahead of Valentine's Day, was meant to celebrate love and has done really well for its franchisees.
De La Soul's Return
For the true-hip hop heads and die-hard rap fans, it's Christmas in March after the iconic De La Soul's entire catalog was made available on streaming platforms. For decades, fans have been unable to access the group's music because of complicated rights issues with its former record label Tommy Boy Records. De La Soul, at its own expense, became the catalyst for sample clearances in the modern music industry. In celebration of the release, the group, sans the late David Jolicoeur, linked up at New York City's Webster Hall for a reunion show.
Mariska Is Olivia
Mariska Hargitay has played the role of detective Olivia Benson for 24 seasons on NBC's Law & Order: SVU, and now she says the iconic character is part of her. "I've been doing this for so long, and the character is me — it's part of me. I couldn't play it if it wasn't," she told The Cut. Hargitay said the role has taught her to become more self-aware, and it also pushed her to found the Joyful Heart Foundation, which aims to stop domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
