🎤 Nicki Minaj shouts out Ben Shapiro

It’s Saturday, February 3 — people are talking about Nicki Minaj's nod to Ben Shapiro's anti-woke track, the debate over Groundhog Day, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly. Here at Shades we believe that seeing multiple points of view is the best way to stay informed.

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🎤 Nicki Minaj shouts out Ben Shapiro

Nicki Minaj's nod to Ben Shapiro's anti-woke track divided fans: Is it a sign of her political leanings, or something else entirely?

🎤 Nicki Minaj raised eyebrows by congratulating conservative critic Ben Shapiro on his anti-woke rap track. Newsweek says her fans weren't happy.

🎤 HuffPo's take: Nicki Minaj's alignment with Ben Shapiro is a desperate move — in the wake of “Hiss”, she's making an alliance with whoever she can.

🎤 Hot Air thinks it's not that deep, though: Nicki's playful nod to Ben's rap is hilarious, and the unlikely interaction showcases a light-hearted side of the music industry.

🎤 On the other hand, a Redditor on r/PopCultureChat had a different take: This Ben-Nicki friendship is a mental health issue, not entertainment.

🦫 The debate over Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day gets called many things, from dumb to inhumane, but some still cherish its cultural richness and historical roots.

🦫 Celebrated annually on February 2nd, Groundhog Day involves a furry critter predicting the weather. For The Win thinks it's the dumbest American holiday and has no real value.

🦫 PETA is anti because it's inhumane and stresses out the groundhog. It's time for animal-free celebrations!

🦫 But The Hill says Groundhog Day has a lot more to it than meets the eye. February 2nd has a rich tapestry of history and culture, not just weather prediction.

🦫 But when it comes to predicting the weather, Live Science says the groundhog isn't all that reliable. Flipping a coin would be more accurate!

Quick hits

🐕 A dog was rescued from a shipping container in Houston after inspectors heard scratching and barking sounds. She'd been trapped for at least 8 days. (AP News)

⚫ Actor and former NFL player Carl Weathers died at age 76. He's best known for his role as Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" films. (NYT)

🏛️ In a filing, District Attorney Fani Willis admitted her romantic relationship with the lead lawyer in Trump's Georgia election interference case. (CBS News)

🗳️ Democrats in South Carolina are voting in the party's first primary election of 2024. (NPR)

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