NOVEMBER 13 2025
VOLUME 64 / ISSUE 3
www.protemgl.com
LE JOURNAL ÉTUDIANT DE GLENDON / GLENDON’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
@protemglendon
Breaking Free from the RapCaviar Bubble
By Connell Simkin-Watt, English Journalist
photo: Spotify
At the 2024 Grammys, Killer Mike won multiple awards, including Best Rap Song and Best Rap Album. The reaction on social media? A flood of comments such as: “Who tf is Killer Mike?”. For me, that moment was eye-opening. These fans were not dismissing rap, they were simply unaware of one of rap’s most respected figures. That realization made me think about what I call the RapCaviar Bubble. Named after the world’s most influential rap playlist, it is a cultural echo chamber. Once you’re in it, it’s easy to stay there; the algorithms, editorial choices, and social dynamics all reinforce what you hear, like, and share. Stepping outside requires intentional curiosity.
• Social signaling: Liking what everyone else likes can reinforce group identity, especially online. • Content overload: With so much rap out there, it’s tempting to rely on curated hits rather than navigate the vast landscape yourself. The result? Many fans miss entire subgenres, regional styles, and influential artists, often without even realizing it.
How the RapCaviar Bubble Forms The RapCaviar Bubble isn’t accidental—it is built by convenience, algorithms, and attention economics. Playlists like RapCaviar act as gatekeepers, giving exposure to certain songs while leaving others virtually invisible. Fans stick with it because it’s easy: one playlist provides a curated, “safe” selection of trending music. Over time, this creates a loop. The playlist tells you what’s popular. You trust it, follow it, and share it. The more you rely on it, the less you feel the need to look beyond it. CAMPUS LIFE Comeback of GAN....................3 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RapCaviar Bubble....................1
Suddenly, your understanding of rap is shaped by the hits that make the cut, while entire subgenres, regional styles, and underground movements remain invisible. How I Escaped the RapCaviar Bubble I found myself within the RapCaviar Bubble myself. Until 2020, I mostly listened to mainstream rap and rarely explored anything older than a few years. Then, during the pandemic, I started following rap-related Instagram accounts. People were talking about Alfredo by Freddie Gibbs, which had recently dropped at the time. Curious, I listened, and instantly fell in love. From there, my exploration snowballed. I dove into Freddie Gibbs’ earlier work, then discovered Griselda, and eventually unlocked an entire universe of underground rap. That one album acted as a gateway into a world I didn’t know existed, showing me the diversity, depth, and artistry that mainstream playlists often overlook. Why the RapCaviar Bubble Happens The Bubble exists for several reasons: • Algorithmic reinforcement: Streaming services reward popularity, meaning mainstream hits get pushed while underground gems remain hidden. • Convenience and trust: Playlists like RapCaviar act as a shortcut, letting listeners feel “up to date” without actively exploring.
METROPOLIS Day Trip to Niagara Falls........11
EXPRESSIONS Strings of Shades of Skin.....................4 Rats Green Country..........4 The Teacher.......4 Gold Star.......4 Bent Over........4 Confessions of a Faucophone......4
How to Escape the RapCaviar Bubble Breaking free does not have to be intimidating. Here is a roadmap: 1. Follow independent rap accounts and blogs on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or TikTok—they often spotlight albums and artists outside the mainstream. 2. Explore subgenres intentionally: coke rap, pluggnb, experimental rap, regional underground scenes, etc. 3. Dive into older albums. Influential artists from the 2000s and 2010s often get skipped by modern playlists. 4. Listen actively, not passively. Play full albums, read lyrics, and pay attention to context. 5. Let curiosity lead: Start with one artist or album that intrigues you, then follow connections naturally. (continued on page ...)
SANTÉ ET BIEN ÊTRE Respirez un bon coup...................5
ACTUALITÉ ET OPINION Réflexion sur la décolonisation..............7
HEALTH & WELLNESS Movember..........6
ISSUES & IDEAS Goodbye Glendon..........8 To Be Human..............9-10
GAMES & FUN Sudoku...............12 Riddles..............12