The Big Five - Issue 5

Shutdown, Global Sumud Flotilla, Bad Bunny, Nicki Minaj, and DJ Miss Milan

Editor’s Note

Welcome to another issue of The Big Five! Every Friday I round up five things I can’t stop thinking about—whether that’s an obsession, a recommendation, a pop culture moment, politics, or just something worth sharing. Consider it your weekly roundup of my current favourites (and maybe soon-to-be yours too).

This week’s lineup is a little chaotic. The U.S. Government shutdowns after Trump and Congress fail to reach a deal. Israeli forces intercept Global Sumud Flotilla vessels heading to Gaza. Bad Bunny will be performing the half time show for 2026 Super Bowl LX. Nicki and Cardi are at it again. And I’ve been obsessing over DJ Miss Milan all week.

News from the U.S of A: The U.S. Government Shutdowns

Can I be honest? The constant stream of U.S. news is starting to wear me out a little. I’m pretty sure this is my third week in a row that I’m having to report some mediocrity from the U.S.A. And I’m not even AMERICAN. Henceforth, I’ll literally be taking five on spotlighting stories from the U.S. unless, of course, something truly important comes along…

Anyways, the U.S. government has officially shut down after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement. Historically, government workers bear the brunt of these shutdowns: around 750,000 face daily furloughs, while others risk permanent layoffs. Citizens will also feel the impact as federal services across the country become limited. Meanwhile, members of Congress will continue collecting their paycheques despite doing little actual work during this period.

Sometimes I wonder how the U.S. has managed to last this long as a country. The fact that a government can shut down simply because politicians would rather posture than compromise never ceases to baffle me. The longest shutdown dragged on for 35 days. Let’s just pray this circus doesn’t try to break its own record.

International News: Israel Intercepts Global Sumud Flotilla Vessels

While American news never fails to infuriate me, news from Gaza just breaks my heart.

For those unfamiliar, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is a civil-society-led maritime initiative launched in mid-2025. Its mission is to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza (as it should). Unsurprisingly, the Israeli government has already vowed to block any Gaza-bound vessels from reaching their destination.

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail in late August from Spain. By Wednesday, thirteen boats had already been intercepted including the Alma, which carried Greta Thunberg among its passengers.¹ Activists, aid workers, and journalists on board were detained and their cargo was confiscated before they could reach Gaza.

At the time of writing (October 1), this story is still unfolding. I urge you to keep up with new developments on this life-saving humanitarian mission because it matters. For those wanting to stay informed, The Guardian and Al Jazeera are providing live updates. There’s also a Global Sumud Flotilla tracker that monitors each vessel heading to Gaza and shares real-time updates.

Entertainment + Sports: Bad Bunny to Headline the Super Bowl Half Time Show

Okay, onto the fun stuff!! Earlier this week, the NFL announced that Bad Bunny will be headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show. I personally think this is fantastic news even though I’m not a hardcore Bad Bunny fan myself. Nevertheless, the man has incredible stage presence, his music is undeniably fun, and (unless I’m mistaken) he might be the first Latino performer to headline the show. Naturally, though, some people are losing their minds over it. Conservatives, specifically.

The main complaint is that Bad Bunny primarily performs in Spanish. But honestly, that’s not a valid reason to be upset since Shakira and Jennifer Lopez included Spanish tracks in their set, and nobody so much as batted an eye. So cry me a river, babe.

The real issue seems to be that Bad Bunny doesn’t exactly hide his criticism of Trump and his administration and that seems to be the thing some people can’t handle. Earlier this year, he refused to tour in the U.S. in response to ICE raids in major sanctuary cities, choosing instead to prioritize the safety of his predominantly Latin fanbase. Instead, he took his shows to Puerto Rico and Europe.

But while I’m excited to see the kind of energy Bad Bunny will bring to the halftime show, I can’t help but feel like his decision to perform comes off as a bit hypocritical especially if his earlier refusal to tour in the States was out of fear that ICE might raid his venues. ICE is notorious for showing up at large events, and I worry his performance could actually encourage their presence. In fact, reports suggest the administration has already confirmed ICE will be on patrol during the Super Bowl.

So I’m genuinely curious: does Bad Bunny have a responsibility to take a stand here or is it a little unfair to expect that kind of political consistency from artists?

Of course, it’s also possible that this decision wasn’t entirely his to make…I’m not even sure how much say artists really have in these things. Something to look into, I guess!

Anti-Entertainment: Nicki Minaj and Cardi B are Back At It Again (and it’s ugly, y’all)

Unless you’re Patrick living under a rock, you’ve probably seen (or at least heard) that Nicki Minaj and Cardi B are once again trading jabs on X. I won’t bother rehashing the timeline since it feels like this feud has been dragging on forever (we’re pushing eight years now). But I will say this: it’s the perfect excuse to air my disdain for Nicki Minaj and everything she claims to stand for (or, more accurately, doesn’t).

I’ll hold off on making any claims about Nicki’s mental health, but it’s becoming harder to ignore that she has a problem and that she might just be the drama. What’s frustrating is that no one in her inner circle seems willing, or able, to rein her in. Then again, she’s a 42-year-old woman…not a teenager in need of parental guidance.

Nicki has a long history of targeting female artists she perceives as threats, not just to her “Queen of Rap” crown (a title I feel she should be stripped from entirely), but to any woman who dares to thrive or earn recognition in the industry. From newcomers gaining momentum in the industry (Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto) to established stars (Lil Kim, Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey) enjoying a resurgence, if the spotlight isn’t solely on Nicki, she tends to make it a problem for everyone. The only time Nicki is willing to share the spotlight is with anyone who is eager to worship the ground she walks on (and even then, those relationships rarely last…just ask JT).

In addition to being a raging misogynist, Nicki also surrounds herself with deeply unsavoury people. Her “soulmate” (aka husband) is a registered sex offender, and her brother is also convicted of sexual abuse. It’s really hard to overlook the pattern at this point.

Overall, Nicki is problematic, and the fact that she continues to attack her peers while still being handed a platform is deeply disturbing. Her most recent exchange with Cardi B feels like it’s crossed a line, one I’m hoping even the Barbz might finally recognize. To insult (lowkey degrade) defenceless children by calling them monkeys and roaches is undeniably sick and low. That’s as much as I’m willing to say on the matter…

My Current Obsession: DJ Miss Milan’s Set at Elevator Music

As always, I like to wrap up these roundups with something light. This week, my current obsession is DJ Miss Milan! If you don’t already know her, she’s Doechii’s official DJ and trust me, you need to (she’s super talented, I’ve had the pleasure of hearing her LIVE). Elevator Music just uploaded her latest set, and it’s packed with hits. Do yourself a favour and give it a listen! It’s a whoooooole vibe, I promise!

1. As of Friday, it’s been reported that all vessels have been intercepted by the Israelis. The Mikono vessel was the closest to shore, having entered Palestinian waters before it got intercepted.