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The conversation about nepo babies has been incessant. Willow, Kate Hudson, Liam Gallagher, Bono’s daughter — everyone’s chiming in after Lily Allen said in December of last year that nepo babies are being “scapegoated.”

Now, Teyana Taylor is joining the discourse with her own perspective. In a chat with Jeremy O. Harris for Interview Magazine she talked about the nepo baby accusations she’s received and the crucial role her hardworking mother played in her life.

Read what she shared below.

“I’ve seen all these tweets like, ‘That’s crazy. I never knew Teyana was a nepo baby,’ and I’m like, ‘Tell me who my celebrity parents are?’ Let’s be clear. My mom was literally a workaholic, she worked her ass off to make sure I had everything that I needed. So by the time we got to my sweet 16, I had just signed my first contract with Star Trak, Pharrell Williams’s label, and me, my mom and Pharrell, and the label, we came together. That was from her hard-earned money and my hard-earned money from getting my record deal. I was just this little Harlem girl and we sat down and watched Sweet 16 and I knew I wanted to set the tone. I’m from New York. I don’t want no car. I want a bike. You feel me?

So I want to commend my mom, she works very hard and she made a lot of things happen for me, and that’s why this role means so much. Even when I first got pregnant with Junie, I remember texting her, like, ‘Yo, I just appreciate you so much.’ I used to laugh when she was like, ‘Oh girl. I was in 72 hours labor,’ all those little things that they say. Then becoming a mom is like, ‘Wow.’ And then becoming Inez is triple wow. So I commend her from the bottom of my heart. And I just wanted to get that off my chest.”

Beabadoobee is being pulled into several directions right now. She’s been serving as an opener on Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour since March 24. She will join Swift for two nights at Houston’s NRG Stadium this weekend and open for two of Swift’s three performances at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium next weekend. Beabadoobee is also included in the lineup for 88Rising’s inaugural Head In The Clouds New York scheduled for May 20 to 21.

It makes sense that she called in some backup to zhuzh up her already lovely “Glue Song,” which first arrived in February. “Glue Song” featuring Clairo is out today, April 20.

The romantic song begins the same as the original, with Beabadoobee softly singing over swoon-inducing strings. Clairo’s vocals are the perfect complement, making the sentiment somehow even sweeter.

“You’ve been hiding in plain sight / And appeared, all I know,” she sings. “Loving you once only feels wrong / I need you / I always knew I’d find you / To be here is worth the wait, too / I’m not lying / When I say I’ve been stuck / By the glue onto you.”

“I wrote a lot of this song while on tour across Australia and Asia in the back of cars and traveling,” Beabadoobee said in a statement upon the initial “Glue Song” release. “It’s a heartfelt song that means a lot to me. […] A love song and the first one I’ve written in my new relationship. I usually write these songs that are sad, in the past with my writing even when it doesn’t sound sad looking back, the lyrics usually have been.”

She continued, “For the first time, this is just me being really happy. I’m in a really positive place for the first time in a long time and feeling love. We recorded the song with my guitarist and producer Jacob in his house and added in trumpets and strings. This song feels really personal, and I went to my hometown in Ilo Ilo to film the music video. It’s where I was born, and so that also added another personal touch to the song.”

Watch the lyric video for “Glue Song” featuring Clairo above.

Today (April 20) is a big one for Killer Mike for two reasons: It’s 4/20 and it’s his birthday. In celebration, the rapper made a big announcement: Michael, his first solo album since 2012’s R.A.P. Music, is set for release on June 16. (The project was previously revealed unofficially.)

He also shared “Don’t Let The Devil,” a single featuring thankugoodsir and Run The Jewels partner El-P. The track sees Mike and El-P swapping verses over a soul loop produced by No I.D., El-P, and Little Shalimar.

Mike said of the song, “My favorite group (US) with my favorite producers! It’s our 10 year anniversary and MICHAEL is an origin story so I wanted to start w/ El.” He also said of the album, “RTJ is the X-Men, this is my Logan.”

While it’s been over a decade since his last proper solo album, Mike has of course kept busy with Run The Jewels, one of hip-hop’s most beloved duos. They’ve had four well-received albums, with the latest, RTJ4, arriving in 2020 and becoming their first release to hit the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The news of Mike’s solo album comes shortly after he and El-P announced a 10th anniversary tour for Run The Jewels.

Listen to “Don’t Let The Devil” above.

Michael is out 6/16 via VLNS/Loma Vista.

Quentin Tarantino‘s breakout moment came at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival, where Pulp Fiction won the Palme d’Or on its way to becoming a pop culture sensation. He’s returned numerous times since then, most recently in 2019 for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and he’ll do so again at the 2023 ceremony.

Tarantino will attend Cannes Directors’ Fortnight sidebar competition as a guest of honor for an event consisting of a “secret screening” and discussion of the “counter-history of cinema,” which he wrote about in his film nerd book, Cinema Speculation.

“In 1969, in Cannes, the Directors’ Fortnight was born, a counter-programming of free-spirited films from all over the world. In 1969, in California, a new generation of filmmakers rose against old Hollywood,” Cannes wrote in a statement. “Of this, Quentin Tarantino has recently published a captivating analysis in a critical essay on 1970s cinema. As an exceptional and generous cinephile, Tarantino is at home at the Fortnight. He will be our guest this year to present a secret screening and discuss his counter-history of cinema.” The film he’s presenting won’t be one of his, but it will have a “rockabilly vibe on closing day.”

Tarantino is supposedly working on his 10th (and possibly) final movie. Don’t expect any sex scenes.

(Via the Hollywood Reporter)

You’re probably not getting a good night’s sleep. I know this because according to the National Library of Medicine, it is estimated that 50-70 million US adults have a sleep disorder and according to a Gallup poll from 2022, only 32% of Americans report having “excellent sleep.” Also, you’ve clicked on this article — that’s a pretty big tell.

So what’s the solution here? Well, there is some pretty good evidence out there, both scientific and anecdotal, that THC, the main psychoactive chemical in weed, can serve as a great sleep aid.

So what makes one weed strain better than another for snoozing? Rather than indica vs. sativa vs. hybrid, it has more to do with the strain’s terpenes (the aromatic compounds that give weed its smell, taste, and effects). But the terp convo isn’t an easy one — for instance, the terpene limonene can be relaxing but also fill you with feelings of euphoria and a kick of energy. That’s not necessarily something you want to smoke if you’re trying to knock out. We have a terpene breakdown here, but in short, before you reach for your favorite herb, or god forbid, ask an uninformed bud-tender, you need to be honest with yourself about why you can’t fall asleep.

Is it an overactive mind? Chronic pain? Stress and anxiety? Knowing the cause of your tossing and turning will help you zero in on the strain that is right for you.

Below, we’re going to help you with that by listing eight strains that’ll are sure to help you get a good night’s sleep, as well as each strain’s dominant terpene profile and what that means. But before we jump in, allow us this caveat: if you suffer from chronic insomnia, sleep apnea, or some other sleep disorder, cannabis is probably not the solution for you. If you have severe mental health issues, check with your mental health professional. Cannabis is not a cure-all. Nothing is. Also, be warned that while there are many studies suggesting cannabis’ beneficial effects on sleep, there are also studies that suggest that it can suppress the amount of REM sleep you experience, which is crucial to feeling rested.

In the end, all of our body chemistries are different so results may vary. Feel free to experiment.

A Great All Around Sleep Aid — Granddaddy Purple

Strain: Indica
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Pinene, beta-Caryophyllene
Average THC: 17%

Why It’s Good For Sleep:

Granddaddy Purp is often cited as the ultimate sleep strain, and given its terpene profile, that makes sense. Dominated by myrcene, pinene, and beta-caryophyllene, Granddaddy Purple will sedate you, easing you into couch-lock mode, while the pinene and beta-caryophyllene will work at your stress, anxiety, and pain.

That makes this strain a good all-arounder for the people who have everything working against them in the sleep department.

Tasting Notes & The Bottom Line:

Berry forward and herbal, Grandaddy Purple will help weigh you down into your sheets and melt away your stress and anxiety.

Hit up Weedmaps to find Grandaddy Purple near you.

For Those Looking For A Powerful Sedative — Gorilla Glue/GG4/ Original Glue

Strain:Hybrid
Dominant Terpenes: beta-Caryophyllene, Pinene, Myrcene
THC: 20%

Why It’s Good For Sleep:

Gorilla Glue is a strain that reaches back into cannabis’ old illegal days. Once cannabis went corporate, names like this had to go which is why you’ll often see it marketed as GG4 or Original Glue.

A combination of stress-relieving (beta-caryophyllene) and sedative (myrcene) terpenes make this a great weed strain to knock you out and get you resting. It’s also pretty strong at 20% THC, meaning one simple hit is all you need if you’re not a recreational smoker.

Tasting Notes/The Bottom Line:

Highly herbal, with berry notes, an earthy bite, and a pungent scent. These sticky strain tends to stick to the fingers so be sure to use a grinder when breaking this one up. Use this strain if you’re looking for a sedative that’ll make your limbs feel heavy and your mind fuzzy.

Hit up Weedmaps to find Original Glue at a dispensary near you.

For Those Looking For A Stress Salve — Cherry Pie

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Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpene(s): Myrcene, beta-Caryophyllene, Pinene
THC: 16%

Why It’s Good For Sleep:

If pain is keeping you up, Cherry Pie is not for you. Myrcene is a great sedative, but too much of it can cause euphoria, and this strain goes heavy on the myrcene, so if you have aches and pains, this one might keep your mind a bit too active to turn off. So instead, use this strain if your stress is high and you need a mental vacation that’ll lift your spirits.

Think about it this way, Cherry Pie isn’t a strain that’ll couch-lock you into bed, instead, it’ll put you in a blissed-out mind state that makes sleep easier to achieve.

The Bottom Line/Tasting Notes:

Sweet and highly herbal. Very juicy and fruity, hence its name. This strain is best for those with high-stress levels that need to tune out their thoughts.

Hit up Weedmaps to find Cherry Pie at a dispensary near you.

For First Timers — Northern Lights

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Strain: Indica
Dominant Terpene(s): Myrcene, beta-Caryophyllene, Pinene
Average THC: 16%

Why It’s Good For Sleep:

Right now high weed strains are all the rage in the cannabis industry, and while I too love a 30% hybrid, remember that you’re trying to go to sleep, not go to the moon. If you’re spending all your money on high THC strains just to go to sleep, you’re really just wasting money. Luckily, there are strains like Northern Lights out there.

Like some of the other strains on this list, Northern Lights has a cocktail of myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and pinene terpenes which serve as great sleeping aides that will relax your body and mind.

Tasting Notes/The Bottom Line:

Pine and a hint of chili-like spice. A bit harsh on the throat. Northern Lights is a mild sedative and stress buster that is great for beginners looking to experiment with cannabis as a sleep aid.

Mildly sedative but not too powerful, Northern Lights is a great choice for inexperienced smokers looking to experiment with cannabis as a sleep aid.

Hit up Weedmaps to find Northern Lights at a dispensary near you.

For Those Looking To Drown Out All The Noise — God’s Gift

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Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Pinene
Average THC: 17%

Why It’s Good For Sleep:

God’s Gift is a hybrid strain made from a cross between OG Kush and Granddaddy Purp. It goes heavy on the myrcene and pinene, giving you that winning combination of sedative and anxiety-reducing effects that weigh the eyelids and body down.

If you’re smoking this stuff mid-day, be careful, you might end up finding yourself in a nap that will feel too good to wake up from, possibly ruining your sleep schedule.

Tasting Notes/The Bottom Line

Pepper, earthy, and spicy. If you’re looking for a strain that will help with your aches and pains and distract you from loud noises, this is a great option for you. If you live in a crowded city, above a bar, or have noisy roommates, you’re going to want this stocked at all times.

Hit up Weedmaps to find God’s Gift at a dispensary near you.

For Those Looking For Euphoria Before Bedtime — Bubba Kush

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Strain: Indica
Dominant Terpene(s): beta-Caryophyllene, Limonene
THC: 17 %

Why It’s Good For Sleep:

I know I know, I told you to avoid strains with limonene, and I stand by that, but this strain is heavily dominated by beta-caryophyllene which is an amazing anxiety and pain reliever and Bubba Kush imparts a sort of tranquilizer effect.

That limonene is there for sure, but it doesn’t perk you up so much as it puts you in a good mood, which in and of itself is a strong sleep aid.

Tasting Notes/The Bottom Line:

Citrusy and zesty with some bitter dark chocolate notes. Bubba Kush is ideal for erasing stress and anxiety. The ultimate feel-good strain.

Hit up Weedmaps to find Bubba Kush at a dispensary near you.

For Those With A High THC Tolerance — Zkittlez

Strain: Hybrid
Dominant Terpene(s): beta-Caryophyllene, Myrcene, Pinene
THC: 19%

Why It’s Good For Sleep:

Zkittelz sounds like a lot of fun, but don’t let its candy soundalike name fool you, this dominant hybrid strain is a powerful sedative that can knock you out if you’re not careful. The strain is dominated by beta-caryophyllene, myrcene and pinene, three terpenes that by now you’re pretty much an expert in!

This strain is known for its beautiful crystal-covered purple flaked buds that will leave sticky residue all over your fingers like a bag of melted Skittles.

Tasting Notes/The Bottom Line:

Sweet and berry forward. A very relaxing strain that is a powerful option for experienced smokers and people with a high THC tolerance. It’s going to get you into the sleep zone without having to burn through multiple bowls.

Hit up Weedmaps to find Bubba Kush at a dispensary near you.

For People Who Don’t Want To Get High — Harlequin

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Strain: Sativa-dominant Hybrid
Dominant Terpene(s): Myrcene, Pinene
THC: 5%-8%
CBD: 5%-8%

Why It’s Good For Sleep:

What’s this, a sativa-dominant strain in a list of strains that’ll put you to bed? That’s right. Featuring a terpene profile dominated by myrcene and pinene, Harlequin is perfect for melting away aches and anxiety and thanks to a nearly equal ratio of THC to CBD, it won’t get you too high. That makes it a great strain for those who have never smoked a day in their life and don’t want to have a near-psychedelic trip while they’re trying to go to sleep.

Tasting Notes/The Bottom Line:

Sweet and herbal, almost minty. A stain for microdosers looking for the benefits of THC without the trip.

Equal parts CBD to THC, Harlequin isn’t the most powerful strain but for those looking to kill stress and anxiety, it’s a great choice that will never induce paranoia.

Hit up Weedmaps to find Harlequin GDP at a dispensary near you.

For the past few days since last weekend, Frank Ocean’s headlining performance at Coachella 2023’s first weekend has remained on people’s minds. His set was a bit of a disaster, and later, reports surfaced that Ocean’s plan for the show had to be changed last-minute because he sustained an injury days before the performance. Then, it was confirmed yesterday (April 19) that Ocean is no longer scheduled to headline the upcoming second weekend of Coachella.

That news was confirmed via an official statement, and in that statement, Ocean reflected on his ill-fated first-weekend performance. In the statement, provided by an Ocean representative to publications including Billboard and Variety yesterday, Ocean said:

“It was chaotic. There is some beauty in chaos. It isn’t what I intended to show but I did enjoy being out there and I’ll see you soon.”

The statement also included a message not directly attributed to Ocean. It offers some context about the situation, reading, “After suffering an injury to his leg on festival grounds in the week leading up to weekend 1, Frank Ocean was unable to perform the intended show but was still intent on performing, and in 72 hours, the show was reworked out of necessity. On doctor’s advice, Frank is not able to perform weekend 2 due to two fractures and a sprain in his left leg.”

(WARNING: Spoilers for this week’s episode of Snowfall will be found below.)

Snowfall concluded not only its sixth season today, but the series as a whole as well. The show, which was created by the late John Singleton as well as Eric Amadio and Dave Andron, went on for six years and put out an equal amount of seasons that created a strong fanbase all over the world. Led by Damson Idris, who played the series’ main character Franklin Saint, Snowfall dramatized the story of the crack era in Los Angeles by showing how the Black community was involved and eventually hurt while outsiders, like the government, profitable from them.

In the season six finale of Snowfall, viewers watched Franklin hit rock bottom. The cocaine-turned-real estate empire that he built was snatched from him when Teddy, a CIA agent, stole $73 million from his account. Franklin nearly got the money back, but his mother Cissy shot and killed Teddy right when the money transfer was about to happen. This week, we watch Franklin go to the furthest lengths to get any money and keep whatever bit he has left of it. He asks for $3 million from his best friend Leon, he scolds and nearly assaults his girlfriend Veronique for attempting to sell one of the real estate properties, and he tries to convince Cissy to sign over her house to him so he can sell it. It all ends with Leon refusing to give him the money, Veronique packing up her things and cleaning their accounts to run away, and Cissy damn near disowning Franklin as her son.

From that point on, Franklin spirals to a new low. He goes to great lengths to break into a safe, thinking that there is $5 million in it. When he finally does, he only sees that $12,000 was left there. A couple more time jumps in the episode show that after that, Franklin is nothing more than an alcoholic who keeps to his mother’s house in fear that the CIA is watching him while scolding at a movie crew for shooting a film.

The series finale of Snowfall left fans absolutely gutted to see Franklin at rock bottom and they took to Twitter to share their reactions.

You can read those reactions below and read our recap of the season six finale here.

All seasons of ‘Snowfall’ are available to watch on Hulu.

After the Lakers ran away late in Game 1, Memphis found itself needing a win without Ja Morant to even the series before they head on the road to Los Angeles. On Wednesday night, they did just that, jumping out to an early lead and never giving it back in an impressive showing, led by their frontcourt of Xavier Tillman (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (18 points, nine rebounds, three blocks).

It was a night where Memphis’ defense shined, holding the Lakers to 41.9 percent shooting, doing a particularly strong job on Anthony Davis (13 points on 4-of-14 shooting) inside. LeBron James had 28 points and 12 rebounds to do his part to keep the Lakers in the game, but he needed 23 shots to get there and was not able to fully put the team on his back to carry them to a win on a down night for Davis. As has been the case all series, Dillon Brooks (12 points, 5-of-14 shooting) took on the assignment of defending James, and the two got into it in the third quarter, with James appearing to call Brooks a “motherf*cking bum” as the two teams went into a timeout.

After the game, Brooks was asked about the jawing and had plenty to say about James, first noting “he’s old” and proudly declaring he “pokes bears” and doesn’t “respect someone until they give me 40.”

This is now the second time Brooks has prodded James, saying prior to the Playoffs that he hoped L.A. would win the first Play-In game because he wanted to face LeBron and send him home in the first round. Doubling down here is bold, but unsurprising by Brooks. It’ll be fascinating to see if LeBron takes Game 3 as an opportunity to try and eclipse that 40-point number required by Brooks to earn his respect.

Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour kicked off with a boom at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on March 17, and Glendale temporarily became “Swift City” during her two-night stay.

The following weekend, her two-night stint at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was marked by a donation from Swift to Nevada’s Three Square Food Bank. (Swift has been donating to food banks in every city her tour visits.) The tour hit Arlington, Texas for three nights at AT&T Stadium, so Randol Mill Road became Taylor Swift Way on March 31, April 1, and April 2. Last weekend, Swift was named temporary mayor of Tampa, Florida and given a key to the city.

And now, ahead of Swift’s The Eras Tour performances in Houston on Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22, NRG Stadium shall be known as “NRG Stadium (Taylor’s Version).” If you know, you know.

The temporary rebrand was announced by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Wednesday, April 19, and she impressively squeezed in some Swift song titles like Swift’s signature knack for well-placed Easter eggs:

“Hi, Taylor. I’m Lina Hidalgo. I’m the county executive in Harris County, and I can’t wait to welcome you this weekend,” she says in the video. “I don’t want there to be any bad blood between us and your fans, so we’re pulling out all the stops. I know all too well that other areas have done huge things. They’ve lit up the town, they’ve renamed streets, they’ve even made you mayor for a day.”

She continued, “But we’re gonna do something even better. I know if I did any of that, folks would say that I am the man. But here’s what we’re doing: Long story short, we’re renaming NRG Stadium, where you’ll be performing, to ‘NRG Stadium (Taylor’s Version).’ With the name change, I know it’ll never go out of style. And plus, it’s not only the young that enjoy your music. I hope your stay here is beyond your wildest dreams, and for everybody in Harris County, let’s get ready for it.”

(WARNING: Spoilers for this week’s episode of Snowfall will be found below.)

There are many acceptable answers for what the theme of season six of Snowfall could be. In a Rolling Stone interview, Damson Idris himself said the theme was the “fracturing of the family,” which I can’t argue against. Some may say it’s the slow fall of the empire and its king, which again, I have no pushback against. However, to go a little bit further, we have to ask, what caused this once-impenetrable family to fracture? What caused this empire to fall? The answer is greed and not being able to say enough is enough.

A post on Twitter called for fans’ favorite scenes from the Snowfall series, and one user shared a clip of a season five conversation between Franklin and drug and weapons dealer Avi. Speaking about Franklin, he says, “This young man can do anything he wants, and that’s the biggest curse a man can have.” A befuddled Franklin questions Avi’s choice to call it a curse and Avi explains that Frankin’s unlimited skill set allows him to be and do anything he sets his mind to. He could be a teacher, a businessman, a rabbi, or a drug dealer. Avi has only been and will only be a weapons and drug dealer so that is what he set his mind on as he journeyed from war to war. As for Franklin, he predicted that the many things he can be would spark a war inside his mind.

That war is on full display in the season six finale of Snowfall. Truthfully, it’s something that dates back to season five. In a perfect world, Franklin could be the breadwinner for his family, a great father, a successful businessman, and a drug dealer who took his earnings and left the dangerous life. However, as we’ve seen in the final episodes of Snowfall the conflict within those aforementioned positions didn’t allow him to be successful at all of them. In the final episode, that theme of not knowing when enough is enough is more alive than ever. In his endless search to recoup some of the $73 million that the now-slain Teddy took from him, Franklin disrespects his best friend Leon in a way he hasn’t before, he threatens his wife and nearly assaults her, and he belittles his mother who sacrificed herself to save him. In the end, Franklin finds himself at a low point that few of the main or recurring characters on Snowfall have experienced. From being at the top of the world to beneath the bottom. It’s not the ending many of us had in mind for Snowfall, but it’s also one that we should’ve seen coming.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways that we have after season six’s final episode, “The Struggle”:

Franklin Forgot It Was Never A One-Man Show

In the series finale of Snowfall, Franklin goes to great lengths to retrieve whatever bit of money he can from people around him. It’s all in an attempt to recover from the $37 million loss that he experienced in episode nine. His attempts to get money turn into a rampage tour in which he visits friends and family members to try and force them to give him money or not make him lose anymore. He starts with Leon, by asking him for $3 million in exchange for a stake in his real estate business that he would later be bought out of for 5-10 times the price. Then it was with his girlfriend Veronique who he threatened and nearly assaulted for taking offers to the Spring Street building in order to make some money for themselves. Lastly, it ended with his mother Cissy, who he lashed out at for refusing to sign over ownership of the house he bought her so that he could sell it. In each case, Franklin reminded them that everything they received was from him which meant that he could take it away as fast as they got it. What he did forget is that he didn’t receive all these things through his own solo doing. Leon, Veronique, and Cissy helped him in different and important ways. It was never a one-man show for Franklin and it’s unfortunate that he forgot that at his lowest point.

Leon Loved Cissy Like A Mother, And She Loved Him Like A Son

One of the most beautiful parts of this finale came during conversations between Leon and Cissy. Leon seems to be the only one who has some understanding of why Cissy shot Teddy and stopped him from transferring $37 million to Franklin. It’s this understanding that’s behind Leon’s decision to not give Franklin money when he demands it from him. “She didn’t want you to have that money and I ain’t gonna disrespect what she did by giving you something she didn’t want you to have,” he says in the episode. At that moment, the respect Leon has for Cissy couldn’t be any clearer, and a few scenes later, their love for each is put on full display. Leon stops at the L.A. County Jail to visit Cissy and give her an update on the outside world and see if there’s anything she needs. She begs him to go to Ghana and reunite with Wanda and figure out what he wants to do with his life. She also calls him her “greatest surprise,” a compliment that speaks to Leon’s maturity over the six seasons of Snowfall. With tears running down their eyes, Cissy and Leon say “I love you” to each other and depart from each other with Cissy knowing she has someone that treats her like the true mother she is and with Leon knowing that someone loves him like a son.

Franklin Is A Lot More Like Teddy Than We Might’ve Thought

When Franklin looked Leon in the eye and said, “I’m the reason y’all n****s got this f*cking money in the first place,” I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, that sounds a lot like what Teddy said to Franklin as he was tied up.” When Franklin looked Veronique in the eye and said, “I built it, right? And if I want to tear it all down then that’s what the f*ck I’m gonna do,” I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, that sounds a lot like what Teddy said to Franklin as he was tied up.” When Franklin visited Cissy and second time and said, “You ended my f*cking life after everything I f*cking did for you,” I couldn’t help but think, once again, “Wow, that sounds a lot like what Teddy said to Franklin as he was tied up.” When Teddy told Franklin that he could take all his money away from him because he allowed Franklin to have it, Franklin looked at him with absolute disgust and questioned him in more ways than one about his thought process. Lo and behold Franklin has that same mindset and approach to his family. To his family and us on the outside, it’s clear that Franklin is drowning, and though there’s a small boat he can get on to save himself, Franklin is insisting on waiting for the expensive yacht. Veronique, Leon, and Cissy have all accepted their fates in the small boat, but they aren’t going to wait for Franklin to do the same so they make their exit and save themselves. Franklin thought he owned these people, just as Teddy believed he owned Franklin, however, this entitlement means nothing when you can’t stay afloat and fend for yourself. At that point, you become just as “weak” as the people you think you’re above.

No One Wanted It To End This Way, And It Didn’t Have To

I thought Snowfall would end with Franklin salvaging some aspects of his empire and escaping to a new life where he reminisced about what could’ve been. Some people thought he would be killed and really bring a true end to everything that was built in Snowfall. Louie is gone, Jerome is dead, Cissy is in jail, and Leon flees the country. Franklin’s death would’ve marked the absolute end of an era. Instead, we watch the Franklin that we once knew and fell in love with spiral into something unrecognizable at the end of 6 months, then 1 year, and finally 2 years. Franklin turns into an alcoholic with nothing left to his name except his mother’s house, a few clothes, a bottle of liquor, and his pride. The thing is, it didn’t have to end this way. Franklin could’ve escaped this life with less than $73 million $37 million to his name. Veronique wiped his accounts of $800,000 and ran off after he put his hands on her, but if not for him threatening her like that, he could’ve started all over with that $800,000 to his name. There were many exits for Franklin on this journey, but he refused to take them as he believed that the light at the end of the tunnel lay his pot of gold. In the end, there was nothing left for him. The snowball (or snowfall) effect came ran its full course by the end of Snowfall, and still, Leon came back to extend one last hand to help Franklin pick himself back up. Once again, denied the help. No one wanted it to end this way, and truthfully, it didn’t have to.

All seasons of ‘Snowfall’ are available to watch on Hulu.