Did Stormzy Sell Out? Meta Layoffs, Cowboy Carter, And DEI Backlash

Techish is back! This week, Abadesi and Michael kick off the episode with the backlash over Stormzy’s McDonald’s collaboration. They also break down Meta’s latest layoffs and how performance reviews play into the mix.  Then, they take a look at the rising cost of concert tickets—why are prices for artists like Beyoncé skyrocketing? Finally, they discuss the future of DEI in corporate America and what these shifts mean for the people driving the work forward. 

Chapters 

00:25 Stormzy's McDonald's Collaboration Sparks Backlash
09:49 Meta Lays Off "Low Performers"
16:03 Cowboy Carter Tour: Concert Ticket Economics
21:11 The DEI Backlash: Are We Centering the Wrong Narrative?

Extra reading & resources 

• Stormzy denies he ‘compromised beliefs’ with McDonald’s partnership [The Guardian]
• McDonald's to buy back Israeli restaurants after boycotts [BBC]
• Meta’s laid-off ‘low performers’ defend themselves on LinkedIn and Reddit [Fast Company]
• Early Meta employee sues for sexual harassment, gender discrimination [TechCrunch] 
• Donate now to The First Woke War play by Abadesi at tinyurl.com/abadesikickstarter