Entertainment

Keith Lee Tried To Review Some Atlanta Restaurants On TikTok. All Hell Broke Loose

Published

10 months ago

2023-11-03

Most eateries are usually ecstatic when Keith Lee reviews their meal.

Lee delivers exposure that has helped turn around certain businesses, with lines out the door and accolades from happy owners, with over 14.5 million followers on TikTok alone.

Then Lee arrived in Atlanta.

His visit sparked viral videos, death threats, replies from Grammy-winning performers, and, according to some, a long-overdue reckoning for Atlanta’s culinary industry.

Lee, a 27-year-old former MMA fighter, has become so famous for evaluating restaurants that it is now his full-time job.

Unlike some food influencers compensated for their reviews and thoughts, Lee claims in his videos that he pays for his meals and even sends family members to pick up his orders so he isn’t recognized and treated differently.

The Las Vegas-based everyman reviewer has a distinct style: he consumes the meal in his vehicle and records his emotions while always pushing his followers not to rely solely on his experience and to try out the venues for themselves.

Lee also attempts to discourage his followers from becoming critical of businesses whose food he hasn’t rated favorably on social media, frequently pointing out that every firm can have a bad day and that people rely on their business for a living.

His focus on small companies and food trucks, frequently owned by Black people, has endeared him to restaurant owners who have received positive feedback. Having him taste your meal is known online as “Keith Lee-d.”

Most eateries are usually ecstatic when Keith Lee reviews their meal.

So there was initial enthusiasm among Lee’s supporters when they learned he was visiting Atlanta as part of a cuisine tour he and his family were on throughout the country.

Atlanta has recently been a culinary destination, with many “Top Chef” finalists and celebrity-owned restaurants. Even more recently, the city received its first Michelin-starred eateries.

Mike Jordan, who has covered the Atlanta culinary scene since 2009, told CNN that the city is a natural place for the industry to develop because, in Georgia, “we eat everywhere we go.”

“I mean, petrol station food is big in the South, and Atlanta strip clubs have not just food, but very good food,” Jordan said. “I remember people saying, ‘Oh my gosh, why would you ever eat at a strip club?'” And we’ve gotten to the point where it’s well acknowledged that Magic City (a legendary Atlanta strip club) has very, very, very good wings.”

Things could have improved when Lee tried to obtain dinner from other Atlanta-area restaurants.

Lee consented to be interviewed by CNN at first but later changed his mind, requesting that some of the businesses he visited be allowed to speak instead. However, on his social media platforms — he has over 1 million Instagram followers — he shared a story about being unable to receive service at The Real Milk and Honey in College Park, a suburb south of Atlanta.

When Lee’s family went to order dinner, the staff told them the restaurant was shutting early for a deep cleaning despite the doors being open and other customers picking up meals, according to his review.

Most eateries are usually ecstatic when Keith Lee reviews their meal.

Lee stated that he chose to go in on his own and that when the personnel recognized him, they offered him service, which he declined.

“I pay for my food just like everyone else.” “I walk up in the same spots as everyone else,” Lee explained, explaining why he was doing a food-free review. “We’re all regular people.” Respectfully, don’t do it now if you won’t do it then.”

Lee feels he was treated differently when he tried to eat at Old Lady Gang, an Atlanta restaurant owned by Grammy-winning songwriter, musician, and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss.

Lee stated he took his family into the restaurant and was told there was no carryout on weekends and that there would be a wait of more than an hour. However, Lee stated that he went inside again, was recognized, and was informed they could be seated immediately away.

When the TikTok inventor queried how his group was suddenly seated so swiftly, he was told that the persons on the list before his family had not reacted when their name was announced, leaving a space. He declined service once more.

The two firms responded differently to the intended reviews.

The Real Milk and Honey first shared a video on social media in which an unnamed man inquires, “Who is this Keith Lee?” The video received a nearly immediate reaction and was removed.

After that, the restaurant started on Instagram to “address a recent incident that highlighted a review from a high-profile food blogger.”

“In no way were we trying to discredit anyone, if the comments came across as such, kindly accept our apologies,” the message says. “It’s crucial to always take feedback and make improvements, for the success of our business and our community.”

Burruss, for her part, shared a video on Instagram with the caption, “I just really want to say, I do appreciate Keith Lee stopping by our restaurant and trying to show us love.”

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t serve him and his family,” the woman stated. “On weekends, we get a lot of community support, both from people in our city and from people from out of town.” So, with that said, we don’t want to overburden our kitchen by having to, you know, have such long wait times for customers who are actually at the restaurant, as well as do to-go orders.”

CNN has contacted The Real Milk and Honey and Kandi Burruss for further comment.

Lee’s experiences prompted several on social media to air their grievances, including that Atlanta’s restaurant sector is filled with establishments that care more about their social media presence than their cuisine and service.

According to several complaints, such establishments offer uneven hours, cuisine, and customer service, as well as policies that are not necessarily client-friendly, such as not permitting takeaway.

The conversation became so popular that rapper Cardi B, who lives in Atlanta, went live on social media and shared her own experiences, saying, “I feel like Atlanta restaurants, they don’t like to make money,” and noting that she has had members of her team drop her name to get better service.

“I feel bad for Atlanta residents,” she remarked. “Thank you, Jesus, I’m famous, but even me being famous, it’s like a hassle!”

But Jordan, now a senior editor for the Black culture team at Atlanta’s official newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, sees a silver lining.

“Sometimes it takes an outsider to express what many people think.” And when he did this, there was such a widespread reaction from customers, influencers, the media, and restaurant owners — that shows you that this has been simmering under the surface for a long time,” Jordan added.

“And he (Lee) was just the conduit to open up this conversation,” he said. “I think his outsider status made this a place where everyone could finally let loose because I think we’re also a very nice city, a Southern city.” So I believe everyone felt this way… (but) they needed someone else to say it first.”

Miguel Hernandez, an Atlanta restaurant, hoped Lee would visit him.

He appreciates food influencers and mentioned that during a recent trip to Dallas, he used TikTok to discover a decent location to eat. He is a co-owner of Rreal Tacos, a local chain of fast-casual eateries.

“I believe that these influencers are aware of their power. They’re not doing it to bring down restaurants,” Hernandez explained, adding that he has collaborated with social media influencers to spread the word about his business.

And, while he realizes that people are enthusiastic about their city and its eateries, he sees no reason to go overboard with Lee’s reviews.

“It does allow restaurant owners and people in the food scene in Atlanta to maybe get better,” Hernandez told me. “Atlanta is well-known for its music.” Atlanta is well-known for establishing trends. And I believe Atlanta’s cuisine culture will have to improve as well.”

SOURCE – CNN

Entertainment

Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ a Box Office Success Gets 4.5 Stars

Published

8 hours ago

2024-09-07

Geoff Thomas

Beetlejuice is 41% ahead of the norm for the action comedy sci-fi genre - Netflix Image

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice preview reportedly made $13 million for Warner Bros. Fans gave it 4.5 stars on Comscore/Screen Engine’s PostTrak, while both parents and children under the age of 12 gave it 5 stars.

The sequel has a current budget of $90 million, with room to grow.

The sequel starring Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega, and Winona Ryder had 59% female attendees, with 73% of those attendees being 25 and older. In terms of gender, 62% of the children were girls and 38% were boys. Last night, the Latino and Hispanic community had an impressive showing at 36% of the total audience.

According to Yahoo Entertainment, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice social media reach With 508.6 million followers across TikTok, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram combined, Beetlejuice is 41% ahead of the norm for the action comedy sci-fi genre.

“Jenna Ortega has stunned her 38.2 million Instagram followers with 103.1 million views, while Michael Keaton has 1.58 million and Willem Dafoe has 155 thousand,” the social media analytics company adds.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice a Remarkable Sequel

Additionally, they mention, “Convo for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice A remarkable feat for a sequel, Beetlejuice has received mostly good reviews from audiences who have praised the film for its originality and sense of purpose. ‘At first, I thought this was another Scream movie, then I thought it was the Wednesday Season 2!’ A number of fans, including new viewers, are ecstatic to see Jenna Ortega in a horror film.

According to fans of the 1988 original, “My inner child from the 80’s is screaming!” when asked about the style of Jenna Ortega’s flicks. I’m more pumped up for this movie than any other! “I admire the practical effects and the attempts to make it look like the old movie!!” is one commenter’s praise for the show’s expert production values and impressive use of special effects.

You can count on seeing a plethora of costumed fans at the movies this weekend.

A large number of collectible concessions are also available. Beetlejuice jack-in-the-box popcorn buckets are available at Cinemark, competing with Sandworm and Wolverine

For Nicolas Cage, Making A Serial Killer Horror Movie Was A Healing Experience

For Nicolas Cage, Making A Serial Killer Horror Movie Was A Healing Experience

Entertainment

Trump film ‘The Apprentice’ finds distributor and will open before the election

Published

7 days ago

2024-08-31

Kiara Grace

NEW YORK — Trump Film | After failing to generate interest following its Cannes Film Festival screening, “The Apprentice,” starring Sebastian Stan as a teenage Donald Trump, has found a distributor who intends to release the film right before the election in November.

Briarcliff Entertainment will release “The Apprentice” in theatres across the United States and Canada on October 11, just weeks before the November 5 election.

Director Ali Abbasi, a Danish-Iranian filmmaker, had prioritized releasing “The Apprentice” in theatres before electors voted. After major studios and film distributors declined to bid on the project, Abbasi complained on X in early June that “for some reason certain power people in your country don’t want you to see it!!!”

Trump film ‘The Apprentice’ finds distributor and will open before the election

In a statement issued Friday, Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign’s communications director, described the film’s release as “election interference by Hollywood elites right before November.”

“This ‘film’ is pure malicious defamation, should never see the light of day, and doesn’t even deserve a place in the straight-to-DVD section of a bargain bin at a soon-to-be-closed discount movie store, it belongs in a skip fire,” Cheung tweeted.

The prospect of legal action was one factor that decreased interest in “The Apprentice”. After the film’s Cannes premiere in May, Cheung labeled it “pure fiction” and stated that the Trump team would pursue a lawsuit “to address the blatantly false assertions from these pretend filmmakers.”

“The Apprentice” follows Trump’s rise to dominance in New York real estate, guided by defense attorney Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong). Late in the film, Trump is seen raping his wife, Ivana Trump (portrayed by Maria Bakalova). In her 1990 divorce deposition, Ivana Trump alleged Donald Trump raped her. Trump rejected the claim, and Ivana Trump later clarified that she did not mean it literally but rather that she felt violated.

Abbasi has stated that Trump might not despise the film.

Trump film ‘The Apprentice’ finds distributor and will open before the election

“I would offer to go and meet him wherever he wants and talk about the context of the movie, have a screening and have a chat afterwards, if that’s interesting to anyone at the Trump campaign,” Abbasi stated during the May election.

Briarcliff Entertainment has published several films, including the 2022 documentary “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” and the Liam Neeson thriller “Memory.” The indie distributor is led by Tom Ortenberg, who helped Lionsgate distribute Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” and, as CEO of Open Road, supported the best picture Oscar winner “Spotlight.”

SOURCE | AP

Entertainment

Hanumankind: The Indian Rapper Who Overtook Kendrick Lamar on Global Music Charts

Published

1 week ago

2024-08-31

Salman Ahmad

In a remarkably short span, Indian rapper Hanumankind has made a significant mark on the country’s emerging hip-hop scene.

His track “Big Dawgs” has not only topped global charts but also briefly overshadowed Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” The BBC delves into the extraordinary ascent of Hanumankind, whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat.

At 31, Cherukat, also known as Hanumankind, radiates an electrifying presence in the “Big Dawgs” music video.

Filmed in a maut ka kuan—a dramatic performance space where drivers execute gravity-defying stunts inside a colossal wooden barrel—Cherukat commands the scene with an intense energy, surrounded by daring drivers zipping past him.

The track, a collaboration with producer Kalmi Reddy and director Bijoy Shetty, has amassed over 132 million streams on Spotify and 83 million views on YouTube since its release in July, propelling Cherukat to international fame.

On the surface, Cherukat’s music follows the hip-hop tradition of portraying gritty street narratives through raw, explicit lyrics. However, a deeper look reveals a rapper navigating his multifaceted identity through his art.

The Roots of Hanumankind’s Sound

Born in Kerala, Cherukat’s childhood was a global journey due to his father’s work with a major oil company, leading him to live in France, Nigeria, Egypt, and Dubai. His formative years in Houston, Texas, were crucial in shaping his musical career.

Houston’s hip-hop scene is unique, known for its distinctive “screwed-up” remix style influenced by the local use of cough syrup. Cherukat has often cited Texas hip-hop legends like DJ Screw, UGK, Big Bunny, and Project Pat as major influences.

Although his style reflects this heritage, it has evolved since his return to India in 2021 after dropping out of college.

Having earned a business degree and worked with firms like Goldman Sachs, Cherukat left the corporate world to pursue rap full-time, a passion he had previously juggled alongside other commitments.

Cherukat’s music reflects his attempt to reconcile his cosmopolitan experiences with his Indian roots. His tracks often highlight the struggles of southern Indian street life, combining intense vocal delivery with engaging rhythms.

His song “Genghis,” filmed in Bengaluru, critiques national issues through a gritty lens.

Challenging Rap Norms and Navigating Criticism: Hanumankind’s Unique Path

In “Big Dawgs,” Cherukat diverges from the typical rap glorification of wealth, focusing instead on small-town stunt performers from impoverished backgrounds. “These are the people that are the real risk-takers…Those are the big dogs, for real,” he told Complex.

Despite his innovative approach, Cherukat faces criticism. Some argue that his English lyrics may limit his appeal to non-English-speaking Indian audiences and that his style too closely mirrors Western artists.

Abid Haque, a PhD student, believes that while Cherukat’s inclusion of South Asians in the Western rap scene is notable, his music sometimes feels disconnected from Indian reality.

Cherukat himself navigates this duality. He views his return to India as a way to explore his sense of belonging. “I think it really moulded me as someone who never really had a place to call home… and that kind of shaped the way I perceive music, people, and culture,” he explained.

Yet, he also embraces a broader perspective: “I’m not an Indian rapper, but I’m a rapper from India,” indicating his position outside the traditional Indian hip-hop scene.

Hanumankind’s unique style has attracted both admiration and criticism, often encountering resistance from listeners who struggle to categorize him. His distinct approach and refusal to conform to expectations have, however, resonated with many fans.

“He isn’t trying to cater to an Indian audience, which shows in his music, and he is unapologetic about it,” said Arnab Ghosh, a Delhi-based psychiatrist.

Cherukat’s journey, marked by his adaptability and dedication to authenticity, represents both a triumph and a challenge. As he continues to break boundaries and redefine expectations, Hanumankind remains a compelling figure in the global hip-hop landscape.

“You keep certain things as your roots, but it’s up to you to adapt to the environment and go with the flow, as long as you don’t compromise on integrity,” he once said, capturing the essence of his remarkable career.

Source: BBC