Taylor Swift and the Battle of the Streaming Services

Taylor Swift is rich as hell. Yet, she still gets horribly frustrated that people access her ~*aRt*~ for free... because that's worse than pirating it, right?

I mean, it's not hard.

Taylor is known for having a big heart. She payed a fan's student debt off. She sends superfans Christmas packages every year. She also donates a tonne of money to charity. However, she has also been known to be incredibly stingy with who is allowed what, if it is linked to her in any way. Legally, she has the perfect right to do these things, but really? Suing fans on Etsy? Claiming copyright on videos on YouTube because they put you in a bad light? Withdrawing your music from Spotify because you feel your music is ITUNES OR DIE? Taylor Swift comes from a privileged background and perhaps struggles to understand that some people can't afford to buy all her music, merchandise and tour tickets that is a small fortune for the majority of her fanbase. Streaming on services such as Spotify or Apple Music is a legal service that allows fans to enjoy music without having to pay around £10 when they decide they love an album. But, according to Tay Tay, she wasn't making enough- a few million doesn't make the cut.

I'm pretty sure this Swiftie was just trying to pay her rent.

This kind of mindset was obviously prevalent during the creation of Tidal, where artists such as Madonna and Jay Z felt that they weren't making enough millions. I believe there becomes a point where these celebrities lose touch of reality and forget that yes, the music you worked hard on is highly valued, and yes, you may feel that sharing it for free isn't just, but it does make you look like a money-grabbing whore considering all the money that comes from other sources. So, Rihanna, if your pockets are bottomless, why do you feel the need to have an even bigger slice of the cake when agreeing to publicly back Tidal (which by the way, flopped epically)?

when you've realised you've invested way too much money into a streaming service that rips off Spotify

Taylor, will the fighting ever end? You recently got Apple Music to pay musicians for the music streamed during trial months. Highly commendable, but let's be real- you had yourself at heart. Is it such that your art is so valuable that criticism cannot be heard and your image only purchased through your website? Is it that you aren't actually that rich and in a huge amount of debt? I would be interested to know why Taylor is so opposed to free streaming services- other than, she feels she deserves a lot of money for it.

Black Lives Matter vs All Lives Matter

"All lives matter!" screams the white person. She is sure this is a personal attack. "All lives are equal!"
Ah, young Lauren, we know this. It just appears that the establishment does not.

In a world where equality and freedom is simply a facade, it baffles me that so many people fail to see the important of Black Lives Matter. Of course all lives matter, but it has been demonstrated- particularly in the United States- that one racial group is valued above all others, with black people at the bottom of the pile. This is not justice
and this is not the behaviour a first world country, who values freedom so close to its heart, should exhibit.

mass murderer being led out like a small child

Protestor holding image of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, shot by police when holding a toy gun

Any person who believes in equality knows that all lives matter. We want the establishment to prove it. Prove that you will treat all lives as the same, and favour none above the other. As long as white privilege exists, some lives will be valued more than others. 

So wipe away your tears, because Black Lives Matter.  Currently not more than those at the top of the hierarchy, that's clear. Attention and awareness needs to be brought towards this cause because it has been demonstrated that black lives are valued less than others, and that's what we want to stop. It is simply a matter of closing the gap between people of colour (specifically black people) and white people. Hence, if you start stating that "white lives matter too!" you are only adding to the protection and worth of white lives in Western society. Of course, Asian, Hispanic, Latinx and Oriental lives matter too, but at the moment it is apparent that black people are at the very bottom of this power pyramid, and subject to the most attack- hence why Black Lives Matter is important. Because those lives do matter. Just as much as Asian, Latinx or White.