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Wednesday Notes: Buy Now, Pay Later, Music x AI, NBA Playoffs, Afro-pop and more

Wednesday Notes: Buy Now, Pay Later, Music x AI, NBA Playoffs, Afro-pop and more

Finance

Americans Go Deeper Into Debt as They Use Buy Now, Pay Later Apps for Groceries

With inflation squeezing budgets, more consumers are turning to instant credit apps to make ends meet.

Americans Go Deeper Into Debt as They Use Buy Now, Pay Later Apps for Groceries
With inflation squeezing budgets, more consumers are turning to instant credit apps to make ends meet.

Tech

Social media is doomed to die

The Verge
Ellis Hamburger was a reporter for The Verge between 2012 and 2014 before leaving to work at Snapchat. After leaving Snap last year, he went to work at The Browser Company. We asked Ellis to write about what he learned during his time working for one of the hottest social media startups of the 2010s…

Netflix will crack down on password sharing this summer

Netflix will crack down on password sharing this summer
Netflix says it’ll start rolling out “paid sharing” in the U.S. a little later than planned, by June 30, 2023.

Digital identities might be the best way to prove who you are online

Digital identities might be the best way to prove who you are online
There’s a lot of hype around owning your own digital identity, but there’s a lot of growth needed to expand the sector and protect people.

The Influencer Economy Is Warping the American Dream

The Influencer Economy Is Warping the American Dream
Social-media influencing is both an alternative to traditional American capitalism and an embodiment of it.

Music

Stop Using AI to Fake Drake, Universal Music Group Begs

A song generated by artificial intelligence that reproduced the voices of Drake and The Weeknd was yanked from streaming services on Tuesday after going viral this week, NBC News reports.

Stop Using AI to Fake Drake, Universal Music Group Begs
After a song that reproduced Drake and The Weeknd’s voices went viral, UMG warned that the industry needs to decide “which side of history” they want to be on.

Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ Surges On Billboard Charts

Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ Surges On Billboard Charts
Rema’s international smash hit is continuing to flourish on the charts.

Asake’s Reign in Afropop: One Year After “Sungba (Remix)”

Asake’s Reign in Afropop: One Year After “Sungba (Remix)” | The NATIVE
Asake is blazing a trail in Afropop


Film

10 Romantic African Movies to Watch

10 Romantic African Movies to Watch
Whether dramas or comedies, African romantic movies can offer something different to the usual fare on offer in this genre. We take a look at 10 of the most memorable titles to stream.

Food

The Nine Best Soul Food Restaurants in Brooklyn

The Nine Best Soul Food Restaurants in Brooklyn
Brooklyn has a hold on soul food restaurants when it comes to soul food in NYC. From Cheryl’s Global Soul to Peaches, these are nine of the best restaurants the borough has to offer.

A Fresh History of Lactose Intolerance

A Fresh History of Lactose Intolerance
In “Spoiled,” the culinary historian Anne Mendelson takes aim at the American fallacy of fresh milk as a wonder food.


New York

Hochul’s Suburbs Plan Is Dead but Adams Pushes Housing Fixes for NYC

Hochul’s Suburban Development Plan Is Dead, but Adams Keeps Pushing Housing Expansion for NYC
The governor indicated she would back a voucher program and make more money available for NYCHA to cover unpaid rent.

1st Black chief judge for New York state confirmed

1st Black chief judge for New York state confirmed - New York Amsterdam News
New York’s Senate confirmed Rowan Wilson as the state’s first Black chief judge Tuesday, two months after lawmakers dealt Gov. Kathy Hochul a political defeat by rejecting her initial nominee for the top court post.

NBA

Sports leagues unite to set limits on betting ads

Sports leagues unite to set limits on betting ads
A coalition of the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, WNBA, NASCAR and MLS aims to implement a set of principles around advertising for sports betting.

Booker leads charge as Suns heat up, even series

Booker leads charge as Suns heat up, even series
Having been challenged to “draw a line in the sand,” the Suns engaged their defense and saw their offense explode, driven by Devin Booker, in Tuesday night’s win over the Clippers.
LA Clippers vs Phoenix Suns Apr 18, 2023 Game Summary
LA Clippers vs Phoenix Suns Apr 18, 2023 game result including recap, highlights and game information

Derrick White Does It All In Celtics' Game 2 Victory

Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Apr 18, 2023 Game Summary
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Apr 18, 2023 game result including recap, highlights and game information
Derrick White does it all in Celtics’ Game 2 victory | NBA.com
Derrick White does it all in Celtics’ Game 2 victory


'Aggressive' Garland leads Cavs to Game 2 win

‘Aggressive’ Garland leads Cavs to Game 2 win
After struggling to make an impact in Game 1, Darius Garland got rolling early in Game 2, and the Cavaliers beat the Knicks to even their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Apr 18, 2023 Game Summary
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Apr 18, 2023 game result including recap, highlights and game information

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland has a valuable resource in his NBA father Winston Garland, a 7-year league veteran, fed the drive and ambition his All-Star son showed at a young age

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland has a valuable resource in his NBA father
Before becoming a lottery pick, an All-Star and a first-time participant in this year’s NBA playoffs, little Darius Garland routinely waited patient…

How Mikal Bridges Went From Supporting Player To Star

How Mikal Bridges Went From Supporting Player To Star
The Brooklyn Nets dropped both Games 1 and 2 of their series with the Philadelphia 76ers on the road, and they face a tough climb to come back and make this a c…

Related

The Anomaly of Durability: Mikal Bridges’ Commitment to Playing Every Game
In a league where load management has become commonplace, Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges is an anomaly. Bridges played in all 82 regular-season games for the Suns last season and is on pace for 83 games this season following a Midseason trade to the Brooklyn Nets. Nick Friedell of ESPN

NFL

Brian Davis talks about his bid for the Commanders

Brian Davis talks about his bid for the Commanders - ProFootballTalk
The process of selling the Commanders to Josh Harris for $6.05 billion continues. Brian Davis continues to try to get Daniel Snyder to sell it to him instead.On Tuesday, Davis spoke to Darren Haynes of WUSA about the $7 billion package that reportedly could be backed by money from the Middle East, i…

Brian Davis interview on 106.7 The Fan does little to legitimize his bid for the Commanders

Brian Davis interview on 106.7 The Fan does little to legitimize his bid for the Commanders - ProFootballTalk
Most of the stranger aspects of the Commanders sale have come from current owner Daniel Snyder. Recently, much of it has come from Brian Davis, a former Duke and NBA basketball player who has swooped in seemingly out of nowhere with a supposed $7 billion bid for the team.In recent days, Davis has ta…