• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 2, 2026

Georgia Man Arrested, Charged With Allegedly Killing 10-Year-Old Boy In Hit-And-Run

David Blanchard is in custody and was charged with homicide by vehicle and hit-and-run after striking the boy and leaving the scene

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After allegedly mowing down a 10-year-old boy and then not stopping in a hit-and-run, a Georgia man, David Blanchard, has been arrested and charged with the death of the boy on Dec. 28 in Clayton County.

According to Law & Crime, 52-year-old David Blanchard is in custody and was charged with homicide by vehicle and hit-and-run after he allegedly killed Khaleb Jackson.

Jackson was crossing the street with his 14-year-old brother and two cousins when the incident occurred. Blanchard allegedly “kept going” after he struck the young boy, leaving his relatives to try to save him.

Southern Regional Hospital was reportedly steps away from where Jackson was struck.

Jackson was rushed to the hospital, but medical personnel were unable to save him. This tragedy adds to the family’s loss of Jackson’s younger sister earlier in the year from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Fox 5 Atlanta reported that the Clayton County Police Department said a witness followed the vehicle, recorded its license plate number, and provided the information to investigators. Police officers arrested Blanchard several hours later.

Blanchard is being held without bail.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help the family with costs associated with the funeral and to help the family in support of the four children left behind by Jackson.

“On 12/28/2025, our sweet boy Khaleb was crossing the street with his older brother and cousins, trying to get to the bus stop, when a car came out of nowhere and struck and killed him and kept going. This is 9 months after his baby sister died of SIDS. His mother is devastated and heartbroken.

“It’s been a tough year, and she really needs our help for funeral arrangements and day-to-day life to help support her surviving four kids. Anything would be a blessing at this difficult time in her life.”

Jackson’s aunt, Belinda Pittmon, commented on the loss of her nephew.

“You see this kind of stuff on TV, but then when it hits your family, you be like, how can somebody hit a child, any person, but especially a child, and leave that child just laying there not knowing whether or not the child is alive or, you know, gone,” she said.

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• News

by Kandiss Edwards

January 2, 2026

The $4K Fumble: ‘Mr. Tendernism’ Missed A Blessing From Keith Lee

Lee explained that he is fascinated by Mr. Tenderism Johnson and was curious about the smoked selections.

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Viral sensation Walter “Mr. Tendernism” Johnson missed a generous $4,000 tip from TikTok food critic Keith Lee.

Lee, known for his generosity and city-to-city food tours, pulled up to the Destination Smokehouse, where “Mr. Tenderism” works. In a TikTok video, Lee detailed his visit and attempt to meet the BBQ aficionado known for his fall-off-the-bone meat, but was abruptly stopped by venue security.

“We could not get to Unc. Security said he was done for the day; he was filming something. I believe he was filming a podcast. We had $4,000 in cash they didn’t take,” he said. 

Lee explained that he is fascinated by Mr. Tendernism Johnson and was curious about the smoked selections.

“My whole mission today is to see, in my opinion, is the food actually Tendernism or do I just love watching Unc. Let’s find out together.”

The created sample rated the food as moderate, with Oxtail rated the highest at 9.5 on Lee’s scale of 1-10. Lee said security intervened and prevented the planned gesture from taking place, despite his offer of the money and request for a meet-and-greet. 

“For me, the standout is absolutely the oxtail, but past the oxtail, the standout is Unc.”

Lee praised Johnson’s passion for the restaurant’s food and his ability to embrace the swift, overwhelming love shown on social media.

“Not only in my opinion is it extremely hard to get people engaged like that, to show your true personality, to be yourself, no matter how fast things take off in this space. I don’t think he intended for it to go the way it’s going. I think he just wanted to show his love for food and his love of what it is that he is doing.”

Unable to bless Johnson, Lee handed out $4K to customers entering the establishment. Lee is not the first creator to visit Johnson to evaluate the tenderness of the assorted meats at Destination Smokehouse.

Beloved creator Jordan The Stallion also visited the restaurant to collaborate with the internet’s Uncle. Like Lee, Jordan found each selection so delicious that he flung his eyeglasses across the room.

RELATED CONTENT: The Rise Of Keith Lee: From Food Reviews To Cultural Impact

• Politics

by Mitti Hicks

January 2, 2026

Federal Employees File Complaint Against Trump Administration’s Anti-Transgender Policies

The Trump administration's a new policy eliminates gender-affirming care for enrollees in federal health insurance programs.

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A group of federal government employees has filed a class-action complaint against President Donald Trump and his administration over a new policy that eliminates coverage for gender-affirming care for enrollees in federal health insurance programs.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the United States, filed the complaint on behalf of federal employees on Jan. 1. The new policy officially took effect at the start of the year.  

“The Human Rights Campaign Foundation initiated litigation against the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on behalf of federal employees and their families,” the organization said in a news release. “The matter has been filed on a class basis in response to an OPM Carrier Letter directing insurance providers to deny coverage for gender affirming care under the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) plans.”

Trump Administration Revokes Gender Affirming Care From Health Insurance

In August, the OPM issued a letter stating new changes for those who receive gender-affirming care. As of 2026, “chemical and surgical medication of an individual’s sex traits through medical interventions” will no longer be covered under health insurance programs for federal employees and United States Postal workers.

The complaint argues that the new policy is discriminatory based on sex.

“As a result, federal employees and their dependents will lose their insurance coverage for vital healthcare […] potentially placing care out of reach for many people solely because of who they are,” HRC writes.

The group adds, “Transgender people continue to face numerous barriers to access best-practice, potentially life-saving medical care. This move represents just the latest attack from a Trump administration obsessed with undermining the rights and freedoms of transgender people.”

This isn’t the first lawsuit against the Trump administration over its anti-transgender policies. A group of 17 transgender members of the Air Force filed a lawsuit against the federal government over early retirement benefits. The U.S. Air Force announced that it would deny all transgender service members retirement benefits. This move included those who had served enough years to retire early.

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• News

by Keka Araújo

January 2, 2026

DAMN! Florida State Supreme Court Upholds $165K Code Fines For Parking On Grass, Cracked Driveway

"Cities shouldn't be allowed to wreck lives over trivial violations," Sandy Martinez said.

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The Florida Supreme Court has ended a years-long legal battle, declining to review a homeowner’s case involving more than $165,000 in municipal fines for minor property infractions.

The decision, finalized in late December 2025, leaves in place lower court rulings that supported the City of Lantana’s ability to levy six-figure penalties for non-safety-related code violations.

Sandy Martinez, a longtime Lantana resident and single mother, challenged the fines as unconstitutionally excessive. The fines stem primarily from a city ordinance that prohibits parking on one’s own lawn. Because Martinez shares her home with three working adults—all of whom require vehicles for employment—cars were frequently parked in the driveway with tires resting slightly on the grass, she said.

In the city of Lantana, this resulted in a $250 daily fine, which quickly compounded into a staggering $101,750 for the parking violation alone.

According to legal filings, the penalties accrued over 407 days of continuous violations. The filing clarified that Martinez was physically unable to park on the street because the neighborhood lacks curbs and the “roadways in front of and beside the house are only wide enough to handle two-way neighborhood traffic.”

The legal history of the dispute dates back to May 6, 2019, when Martinez was cited for parking on an “unapproved surface/grass/walkway.”

Because of minor infractions in the past, the city treated her as a repeat offender. Following a hearing on June 20, 2019, she was deemed in violation, triggering the $250 daily penalty until she could prove total compliance with the city’s rules.

Martinez reportedly attempted to resolve the issue early on. According to her legal team at the Institute for Justice (IJ), she sought a compliance inspection to prove the vehicles had been moved. However, the filing states that “getting code enforcement officials on the phone… was fruitless,” leading her to assume the matter was eventually settled.

The gravity of the situation surfaced during a routine attempt to refinance her home. Upon inquiry, an administrative assistant for the city discovered the fines had never stopped. “I noticed the fines were still accruing and I asked a code officer to go out and re-inspect the property,” the assistant reportedly noted in correspondence dated June 16, 2020.

“He noted the property was in compliance and stopped the fines as of today.”

By then, the “meter” had run for over a year on a problem that had already been fixed.

While Florida’s homestead exemption prevents the city from foreclosing on her primary residence, the massive lien effectively strips Martinez of all home equity. This financial encumbrance makes it practically impossible to sell the property or relocate, as any proceeds would be seized to satisfy the city’s demand.

“Six-figure fines for parking on your own property are shocking,” said Ari Bargil, Senior Attorney at the Institute for Justice. “The Florida Constitution’s Excessive Fines Clause was designed to stop precisely this sort of abuse—to prevent people from being fined into poverty for trivial violations.”

The Institute for Justice argued the case was a vital opportunity for the state’s highest court to clarify the “Excessive Fines Clause,” which has not seen a major interpretive ruling in Florida for over a century. By declining jurisdiction, the court allows the Fourth District Court of Appeal’s prior ruling to stand. That court held the fines were not “grossly disproportionate” because the total was determined by the length of time the violation persisted rather than by the nature of the infraction itself.

“It’s outrageous that the Florida Supreme Court won’t consider whether the constitution protects Floridians from ruinous fines,” Martinez said. “Cities shouldn’t be allowed to wreck lives over trivial violations.”

This video provides early coverage of the lawsuit and the Institute for Justice’s initial arguments that these fines were unconstitutional.

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• Entertainment

by Keka Araújo

January 2, 2026

Jhené Aiko, Ludacris, Nelly And Ashanti Anchor Historic 2026 Jazz In The Gardens Lineup

The 2026 lineup is a carefully curated blend of chart-toppers and virtuosic talent:

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The cultural landscape of South Florida is set to transform this spring as the 19th annual Jazz in the Gardens (JITG) Music Festival returns to Hard Rock Stadium on March 7 and 8, 2026. Coming off a milestone year where it was lauded by Newsweek and crowned “Best Music Festival for 2025” by Miami New Times, the event has unveiled a roster that seamlessly bridges the golden era of R&B with the heavyweights of modern hip-hop.

Produced by the Black Promoters Collective (BPC) in collaboration with the City of Miami Gardens, the festival continues its tenure as a premier destination for Black music and excellence.

Headlining the Weekend

Saturday, March 7, will be anchored by the ethereal soul of Jhené Aiko. Fresh from a highly publicized autumn tour alongside Chris Brown and Bryson Tiller, Aiko brings her transcendent vocals to a stage known for celebrating sonic depth.

The energy pivots on Sunday, March 8, as Grammy-winning icon Ludacris delivers a special 25th-anniversary set. Commemorating a quarter-century since his debut, the performance follows a streak of viral appearances that have reaffirmed his status as one of the genre’s most electric live performers. Joining the Sunday marquee are Nelly and Ashanti, whose legendary chemistry and collective vault of Y2K-era anthems promise a high-octane celebration of R&B longevity.

A Multigenerational Roster

The 2026 lineup is a carefully curated blend of chart-toppers and virtuosic talent:

• R&B & Hip-Hop Vanguard: Featuring GloRilla, Ella Mai, Mýa, and Joe.
• The “Club Quarantine” Experience: A signature set from D-Nice & Friends, featuring SWV, Robin Thicke, Case, Sunshine Anderson, and Kenny Burns.
• Global Jazz & Gospel: Performances by legendary saxophonist Boney James, violinist Damien Escobar, and Stellar Award-winner Pastor Mike Jr., alongside Tonio Armani and King George.

In keeping with tradition, organizers have confirmed one final “major surprise guest” remains under wraps, set to be revealed as the festival approaches.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hard Rock Stadium (@hardrockstadium)

“Jazz in the Gardens is more than a concert; it is a powerful, joyful celebration of our community’s art and culture,” said Mayor Rodney Harris. As Florida’s largest predominantly Black municipality, Miami Gardens continues to evolve as a global entertainment hub, with the festival serving as its signature springtime event.

Troy Brown, partner and CMO of the Black Promoters Collective, echoed the sentiment: “The 2026 lineup reflects the profound impact of Black music on a global scale. We are committed to pushing creative boundaries and ensuring this year is truly exceptional.”

Attendance & Tickets

The weekend begins Friday, March 6, with the annual Women’s Impact Luncheon, an event dedicated to honoring female leadership and entrepreneurship.

Tickets are available now via www.JazzintheGardens.com. Two-day passes range from $199.00 for General Admission to $1,275.00 for the premium Titanium experience, which offers elevated viewing and all-inclusive amenities.

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• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 2, 2026

Violinist Brian King Joseph Files Lawsuit Against Will Smith For Sexual Harassment

Violinist Brian King Joseph, alleges this took place during 2025's "Based on a True Story" Tour

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Philadelphia-bred actor and recording artist Will Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, have been sued for wrongful termination by a musician who claims he was fired after reporting a sexual assault while on tour with “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star.

According to USA Today, Brian King Joseph, who was hired as a violinist for 2025’s “Based on a True Story,” has filed a lawsuit accusing the GRAMMY-winning artist of retaliation, wrongful termination, intimidation, and sexual harassment.

The paperwork was filed in Los Angeles on Dec. 31, stating that he was terminated following an incident in Las Vegas in March 2025. While in Vegas, Joseph claimed that when he returned to his hotel, which Treyball booked, he found a sexually suggestive message in his room. On the note, he said that he saw this written on it. “Brian, I’ll be back no later [than] 5:30, just us [drawn heart].” He claimed it was signed “Stone F.”

Along with the message, someone left some wipes, a beer bottle, HIV medication with someone else’s name on it, as well as a hospital discharge paper with another name on it.

After reporting this to hotel security and tour management, Joseph stated that management accused him of lying and blamed him. He was terminated days later, and management explained that the tour was “moving in a different direction.”

When he learned that another violinist had been brought in to replace him, he claims this proved he was not dismissed for “pretextual” reasons.

Joseph also accused Smith of “grooming and priming him for further sexual exploitation” since they met in November 2024. He alleges that he and Smith “began spending additional time alone” for months before the tour started.

He stated at one point, Smith said, “You and I have such a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else.” Joseph also accuses management of suspiciously losing his bag, which had his hotel keys in it, and based on “the sequence of events” and “circumstances of the hotel intrusion all point to a pattern of predatory behavior rather than an isolated incident, Joseph cites in the lawsuit.

The violinist says he suffers from major physiological damage and PTSD due to the incident.

The lawsuit is seeking compensation for personal and financial damages.

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• Politics

by Mitti Hicks

January 2, 2026

Trump Defends Health Amid Concerns and Speculation Over Hand Bruising, Leg Swelling

Trump is the oldest U.S. president to be inaugurated.

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President Donald Trump is defending his health following increased speculation and concern about his health during his second term. Since taking office, there has been noticeable swelling in his ankles and consistent bruising on his hands, which he has covered with makeup. He was even caught falling asleep during a recent cabinet meeting.

Yet, during an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump defended his health and said that he regrets undergoing advanced imaging on his heart and abdomen at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

“In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition,” Trump said. “I would have been a lot better off if they didn’t, because the fact that I took it said, ‘Oh gee, is something wrong?’ Well, nothing’s wrong.”

Growing Speculation Over Trump’s Health

The president’s doctor, Navy. Capt. Sean Barbabella, said in a memo that the White House released in December that he had “advanced imaging as a preventive screening for men his age.”

As the Associated Press reported, Trump initially said he had an MRI but was unsure of what part of his body was scanned. Turns out, the president had a CT scan to rule out any cardiovascular issues, according to The Journal. Barabella said he took the exam in October because people “in his age group benefit from a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health,” even though he had already undergone an annual physical in April.

 “The purpose of this imaging was preventive: to identify issues early, confirm overall health, and ensure he maintains long-term vitality and function,” Barbabella said, according to MedPage Today.

At 79, Trump, who became the oldest president to take the oath of office in 2025, has been sensitive to questions about his health, despite having questioned and criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, over his health and fitness in office. Trump repeatedly referred to Biden as “Sleepy Joe.”

The White House has said the president had been diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). According to the Cleveland Clinic, CVI occurs when leg veins become damaged, preventing them from properly carrying blood back to the heart. This causes blood to pool in your legs, increasing pressure in the leg veins and leading to common symptoms like swelling and ulcers.

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• Politics

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 2, 2026

A New York State Of Mind: Mayor Mamdani Invokes Jadakiss During Inauguration

'In the words of Jason Terrance Phillips, better known as Jadakiss or J to the Muah, be outside'

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A new era has emerged in New York City with the swearing in of its new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who may be the first New York City mayor in recent history to reference a popular New York hip-hop artist, Jadakiss of the trio The Lox, in his inauguration speech.

During the Jan. 1 speech at the new mayor’s inauguration, Mamdami, who labels himself a “Democratic Socialist,” has revitalized city dwellers’ hopes with his plans for the city. The surprise candidate, who took the city by storm and sparked interest among New Yorkers and people around the country who are accustomed to the tired rhetoric of politicians on both sides of the aisle, is already making strides as the city’s first Muslim mayor.  

His reference to a rapper known for his lyrical abilities, who spits lyrics that capture the essence of a gritty New York, has brought even more attention to the 112th mayor of the “Big Apple.”

In his speech, much to the surprise of those listening, the mention of one of hip-hop’s “Top 5, dead or alive” brought cheers from the crowd. Out of everything the mayor had mentioned in his speech, this was, by far, the one that stood out the most, especially among hip-hop fans and native New Yorkers. The man even called Jadakiss by his given name.

As his speech was winding down, Mamdani said:

“We will strive each day to ensure that no New Yorker is priced out of any one of those basic necessities. And throughout it all, we will, in the words of Jason Terrance Phillips, better known as Jadakiss or J to the Muah, “be outside” — because this is a government of New York, by New York, and for New York.

“Before I end, I want to ask all of you, if you are able, whether you are here today or anywhere watching, to stand with me.”

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• Entertainment

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 2, 2026

Drake Named In Civil RICO Lawsuit For Alleged Promotion Of Illegal Gambling To Boost Music Streams

Drake and streamer Adin Ross are named in a federal RICO lawsuit alleging they promoted the Stake gambling platform to artificially boost Drake’s music streams.

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Drake is finding himself back in the legal hot seat after being named in a federal class-action RICO lawsuit that accuses him, streamer Adin Ross, and the online gambling platform Stake, of using the site’s tipping feature to artificially inflate streams of his music.

According to a series of tweets from Breakfast Club host Loren LoRosa, the lawsuit claims the defendants used Stake’s “tipping” feature to send each other money, then allegedly funneled those funds to artificially boost Drake’s streams across major music platforms and digital streaming services.

“In addition, through Stake’s Tipping function, Defendants have financed their combined artificial streaming (“botting”) to create fraudulent streams of Drake’s music; fabricate popularity; disparage competitors and music label executives; distort recommendation algorithms; and distribute financing for all of the foregoing, while concealing the flow of funds,” the lawsuit states.

The class-action lawsuit, filed in federal court in Virginia by LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines, alleges that Drake, Adin Ross, and Australian national George Nguyen worked with Stake to “prey on consumers,” exposing them to the serious risks of gambling addiction and threatening their financial stability. The plaintiffs claim they were persuaded to participate in Stake’s “predatory gambling environment” after watching Drake’s paid promotions for the platform, including livestreamed gambling sessions and giveaways.

The lawsuit claims the defendants used Stake’s user-to-user “tipping” feature to transfer money directly among themselves, describing the system as an “unlimited and completely unregulated money transmitter” operating outside financial oversight. It further alleges that those funds were then used to bankroll fraudulent music streams for Drake and launch “amplification campaigns” that at times pushed disparaging content about competitors.

The plaintiffs also accuse Drake of using the same botting tactics he recently alleged in his own lawsuit against Spotify over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” claiming that “At the heart of the scheme, Drake — acting directly and through willing and knowledgeable co-conspirators — has deployed automated bots and streaming farms to artificially inflate play counts of his music across major platforms, such as Spotify.”

“This manipulation has suppressed authentic artists and narrowed consumers’ access to legitimate content by undermining the integrity of curated experiences,” the suit states.

The lawsuit claims the scheme began in 2022 and “remains an ongoing and imminent threat of racketeering activity.” It accuses Drake of knowingly allowing his alleged co-conspirators to disguise encrypted transfers as giveaways that weren’t actually available to the public. The filing cites a $100,000 tip exchanged between Ross and Drake in 2023, along with Drake’s 2024 “Drizzmas” giveaway stream with Adin Ross, as examples of the defendants allegedly cycling tips among themselves to fuel botting and paid-engagement tactics.

The lawsuit aims to represent Virginia residents who lost money gambling with Stake Cash over the past three years, alleging violations of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and a racketeering scheme under federal RICO law.

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• Technology

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 1, 2026

TikTok Creator Sparks Interest In Dr. Pepper With Her Viral Jingle

After watching the clip, you'll be hooked.

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A young content creator’s TikTok video has gone viral after she recorded an ode to Dr. Pepper, simply singing, “Dr. Pepper, baby, is good and nice.”

The creator, @romeosshow, begins the clip by announcing, “I have a theme song for Dr. Pepper, and it goes like this,” then sings a short verse while looking into the camera. Short and sweet, it caught viewers’ attention, with nearly two million likes and the Daily Dot reporting over 12 million views.

The clip was posted Dec. 23 and has caused many reactions. The TikToker, who has over 206,000 followers, tagged the soft drink company in the clip, asking Dr. Pepper to get back to her “with a proposition” so they can collaborate and make money together.

@romeosshow @Dr Pepper please get back to me with a proposition we can make thousands together. #drpepper #soda #beverage ♬ original sound – Romeo

The comments lit up with many appreciative posters letting Romeo know their thoughts and reactions.

One user joined her by backing her vocals with five clips of five different instruments, spliced into the video with her video standing out in the middle. The person using the screen name, thereiscoredit, replied to her video by writing, “Replying to @Dr Pepper what do we think, doc? #drpepper #soda #beverage #themesong #foryoupage @Romeo”

@thereiscoredit Replying to @Dr Pepper what do we think, doc? #drpepper #soda #beverage #themesong #foryoupage @Romeo ♬ Dr. Pepper Theme Song – there, i scored it

The amazing thing is that many people did follow-up clips themselves using Romeo’s vocals and thereiscoredit’s instrumental to join in the fun.

TikToker lowrider.mama0 added an animation featuring a dachshund to provide input on the trending clip.

@lowrider.mama0 This has been stuck in my head #drpepper #dachshunds #weineedog #weinerdog ♬ Dr. Pepper Theme Song – there, i scored it

TikToker monicajeffery4 encourages Dr. Pepper to sign the young lady to its label, forecasting that their sales would go up if they do so.

@monicajeffery4 Yassss, that even feels right🤭#fyp #fy #foryourpage #trend @Romeo I like the vibe young lady🤗@Dr Pepper ♬ Dr. Pepper Theme Song – there, i scored it

Soon after, Romeo dropped a theme song for Hyundai. That video has garnered over 2.5 million views. Seems this young creator might be on to something.