Latest news with #MoistCr1TiKaL
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'This is not a real gun, pu**y,': HasanAbi trolls critics after facing backlash over toy gun controversy
(Image via @hasanthehun & @dancantstream/X) Popular Twitch streamer and political commentator HasanAbi is back in the headlines, but not for the first time, and definitely not for the last. He is at the center of a heated controversy after flashing a toy gun on stream in response to a death threat. While some called it reckless, Hasan's clapback? 'Soy right is f**king crying about it.' Let's break down what really happened. The Stream That Sparked It All On July 3, 2025, HasanAbi was live when a viewer allegedly sent a threat saying they wanted to 'hang' him. In response, Hasan sarcastically raised a toy gun, threw out a 'good luck,' and moved on. But Hasan quickly clarified: it wasn't real. It wasn't serious. And it definitely wasn't a threat. 'This Is Not a Real Gun, Pu**y' In his very next stream, Hasan was blunt. 'This is not a real gun… pu**y,' he said, holding up the plastic weapon again to prove his point. He explained it was sarcasm and a dark, ironic response to constant death threats. His exact words? 'I say 'good luck' and now the soy right is f**king crying about it… I can't even have a little bit of fun with it?' H by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software Esseps Learn More Undo e didn't backpedal. He doubled down. Hasan insisted that waving a toy gun in jest is miles apart from real threats or doxxing, especially when you're on the receiving end of hate daily. The MoistCr1TiKaL Comparison To highlight the double standard, Hasan brought up MoistCr1TiKaL's 2023 viral video during his feud with Sneako. Back then, Moist casually held two real guns on camera while dismantling Sneako's arguments. But during his time, the internet cheered and he was praised as an epic takedown. So when Hasan brandishes a toy, and the same crowd calls for a ban? Here's what Hassan said: 'Every single person that masturb**ed when MoistCr1TiKaL did the exact same thing, is now going, 'this guy needs to be banned immediately....'' The hypocrisy, according to Hasan, is crystal clear and political. Not His First Rodeo HasanAbi is no stranger to controversy. From calling out 'psychotic MAGA lawyers' to clashing with conservative creators, he's built a platform that thrives on debate and dissent. But this time, the backlash hit differently, with accusations ranging from doxxing to promoting gun culture. HasanAbi's latest controversy is less about props and more about double standards. While the 'soy right' fumes online, Hasan? He's already moved on and is laughing about it. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
From Plush Toys To Tariffs: How Creators Are Reinventing Merch In 2025
Smiling attractive man unpacked his parcel, happy about getting a long expected order. Caucasian ... More modern guy shopping in internet stores, buying new clothes online, online shopping concept It's no longer enough for creators to sell a hoodie with a catchphrase and call it merch. Today's top creators are building full-fledged consumer brands with storytelling, strategy and scalability at the core. At the forefront of this evolution is Warren James, the creative engine behind physical product lines for Good Mythical Morning, Brittany Broski, MoistCr1TiKaL and more. CEO Saurabh Shah recently explained to me how they've helped creators turn content into commerce. If you're building a consumer product as a creator or for one, these are the seven product strategies Warren James uses to break out of the bland merch mold and into real brand-building territory. 1. Your Audience Is Your Focus Group Warren James emphasizes starting with the fans. Before designing anything, they engage audiences through Discord, Reddit, YouTube polls and direct surveys to test product ideas and aesthetics. This early engagement creates buy-in and reduces risk. As Shah puts it, 'We survey audiences before even sketching a design. Their feedback becomes a data point in every collection we build.' By listening first, they ensure every product feels co-created. 2. Expand the IP, Don't Just Sell Merch Successful creator brands are anchored in narrative, not novelty. Warren James helps creators build product lines that reflect their broader world. They've created everything from plush toys and comics to food and beverage brands like Mishmash cereal. 'Ask yourself what product would exist if your content was a universe,' Shah advises. These are physical manifestations of a creator's digital identity. 3. Lead with Storytelling, Not Logos Warren James collections are deeply tied to the stories creators tell. Rather than relying on logos, they prioritize products that embody personal lore or community jokes. Brittany Broski's 'moo moos' for example, were inspired by her grandmother's vintage nightgown, an intimate story that resonated with fans. This kind of emotional resonance turns apparel into artifacts. 4. Scarcity Drives Value Instead of flooding the market, Warren James helps creators focus on two to four collections a year. Each drop is tightly curated, thematically cohesive and produced in limited quantities. 'We don't want fans to feel spammed. We want them to feel lucky they got in on something,' says Shah. The result is a sense of exclusivity and anticipation that keeps fans engaged. 5. Launches Should Be Orchestrated Events Every product launch at Warren James is treated as a full-scale campaign. They coordinate with creators on pre-launch teasers, launch-day activations, email and SMS outreach and post-launch reviews. Shah says, 'We lay out a full go-to-market calendar with creators: when to tease, when to drop and how to follow up.' This strategic approach ensures each collection lands with impact. 6. Innovation Wins Attention Warren James is known for pushing creative boundaries. Their product line includes items like MoistCr1TiKaL's basketball hoop and a PaymoneyWubby-themed blow-up doll, ideas that might seem risky but pay off because they feel true to the creator's voice. 'Even if it's weird, if it's on-brand, it works,' Shah says. These moments create virality and deepen fan connection. 7. Think Beyond DTC While direct-to-consumer remains foundational, Warren James is increasingly moving into retail. With placements at Spencer's and plans for mass retail expansion, they're reaching new audiences offline. 'Even in 2025, 70–80% of commerce still happens in stores,' Shah notes. For creators, retail is a brand amplifier. Treat your products like world-building, your fans like collaborators and your launches like campaigns and you'll be well on your way to building a brand that lasts. Navigating a New Challenge: Tariffs and the Cost of Creation As creator brands continue to grow, they're now facing a new and potentially costly challenge: the return of aggressive import tariffs under U.S. trade policy. Beginning May 2, 2025, low-value imports from China and Hong Kong will lose their longstanding duty-free status under the de minimis exemption. This means many products commonly used in creator merch lines eg apparel, toys, collectibles, will be hit with new costs. The policy changes include flat fees starting at $100 per package, which will double to $200 by June 1, along with tariff rates that could exceed 100 percent, depending on the item and category. These costs will affect any creator brand relying on overseas fulfillment and could eat into already tight margins for direct-to-consumer businesses. Oliver Gilpin, CEO for Telos Media, warns that the changes are significant: 'This isn't something you can ignore. We're talking about over $50,000 in new costs for some brands overnight.' He continues, 'There's no silver bullet, but there are workarounds. Consolidated shipping is a no-brainer. The creators who adapt quickly will have the advantage.' In short, strategic logistics planning, like transitioning to consolidated shipments and exploring domestic fulfillment, will become as important as great design or strong storytelling in the months ahead. This article is based on an interview from my podcast, The Business of Creators.
