Recording artist Ray J has publicly criticized several celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, for their participation in streamer Kai Cenat's recent livestream events. Ray J claims these public figures do not reciprocate support for Cenat, particularly by not creating Twitch accounts or gifting subscriptions on the platform.
His comments follow Kim Kardashian's appearance on Cenat's 'Mafiathon 3' subathon earlier this month. Cenat, a prominent Twitch streamer, aims to reach one million subscribers.
Key Takeaways
- Ray J accused celebrities of using Kai Cenat's platform for self-promotion.
- He specifically mentioned Kim Kardashian, Mariah Carey, and John Legend.
- Ray J highlighted their lack of Twitch accounts and failure to gift subscriptions to Cenat.
- Fans have shown mixed reactions to Ray J's statements on social media.
Ray J's Accusations Against Celebrities
Ray J conveyed his frustration through a video message shared on social media. He stated that established figures appear on Cenat's streams to promote their own projects but do not support Cen Cenat in return.
In his video, Ray J questioned the genuine intent of these collaborations. He emphasized that many celebrities, despite benefiting from Cenat's large audience, do not engage with the Twitch platform itself.
"Old ass icons coming on Kai stream to promote themselves but don't show love back! No Twitch account to even try to gift him or the chat! SMH," Ray J wrote in the video's caption.
Quick Fact
A "subathon" is a special livestream event where a streamer extends their broadcast duration as viewers subscribe or donate, often aiming to reach specific subscriber milestones.
Call for Financial Support
Ray J specifically named Kim Kardashian, Mariah Carey, and John Legend. He pointed out that these individuals have not contributed financially to Cenat's goal of one million subscribers. He contrasted this with his own actions, stating he gifted approximately 15,000 subscriptions during one stream.
"Homie out here working hard doing 30-day subs, having people like Kim and Mariah coming on. These n****s didn't gift this n***a nothing. He tryna get to a million subs, Kim, Mariah, John Legend, all y'all n****s... I gifted like 15,000 that night. We're on the platform with him and we're supporting him," Ray J explained in his video.
He urged these celebrities to consider gifting a substantial number of subscriptions, suggesting 50,000. Ray J expressed a feeling that Cenat was being exploited by these collaborations.
"He's trying to get to a million. All y'all should gift 50,000... I'm starting to feel like y'all using n****s... It's working for y'all. What y'all do for the homie?" he added.
Kim Kardashian's Appearance on Kai Cenat's Stream
Earlier this month, Kim Kardashian joined Kai Cenat's "Mafiathon 3" event. This stream was part of Cenat's ongoing subathon, designed to boost his subscriber count.
During her appearance, Kardashian participated in a noodle game alongside her nine-year-old son, Saint. The game involved contestants hitting each other with pool noodles while wearing protective helmets, according to reports from People magazine.
Background on Kai Cenat
Kai Cenat is a highly popular American Twitch streamer and YouTuber. He is known for his gaming content, reaction videos, and interactive livestreams. Cenat holds significant influence in the streaming community, attracting millions of viewers to his broadcasts.
Other Celebrity Collaborations
Kim Kardashian is not the only high-profile guest to appear on Cenat's 'Mafiathon 3' stream. The event has featured a diverse range of celebrities, drawing considerable attention.
Notable guests have included musical groups like the Jonas Brothers, and prominent figures from the music and entertainment industry such as Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Teyana Taylor, Latto, and Ice Spice. These appearances highlight the broad appeal and reach of Kai Cenat's platform.
- Jonas Brothers: Popular music group
- Snoop Dogg: Iconic rapper and entertainer
- Ice Cube: Rapper and actor
- Teyana Taylor: Singer, dancer, and actress
- Latto: Award-winning rapper
- Ice Spice: Rising rapper
Public Reaction to Ray J's Comments
Ray J's video quickly circulated on social media, prompting a variety of responses from the public. Many users expressed agreement with his perspective, particularly regarding the perceived one-sided nature of celebrity collaborations with streamers.
When Live Bitez shared the clip on Instagram, numerous fans supported Ray J's stance. "He’s not lying. They are using Kai," one user commented, echoing Ray J's sentiment about exploitation.
Another user added, "He’s right tho! They all 'suddenly' using Kai for his impactful platform but very seldom do you see them supporting the streamers in return." This comment highlights a common concern among streaming community members about the fairness of such partnerships.
Conversely, some individuals criticized Ray J for his public remarks. These critics suggested his comments were unnecessary or driven by personal motives. One user wrote, "this why is sister don’t mess with him he’s petty," implying that Ray J's actions were small-minded.
The debate underscores ongoing discussions about the dynamics between traditional celebrities and digital content creators. It also brings attention to the economic aspects of streaming and the expectations of reciprocity in collaborations.
Twitch Statistics
Twitch, a live video streaming service, had an average of 2.44 million concurrent viewers in the first quarter of 2024. The platform hosts millions of streamers, with gaming and 'Just Chatting' being among the most popular categories.
The Business of Streaming Collaborations
The interaction between traditional celebrities and online streamers like Kai Cenat represents a growing trend in entertainment. Celebrities use these platforms to connect with younger, digitally native audiences, while streamers gain exposure to mainstream viewers.
These collaborations can be mutually beneficial. Streamers often see a spike in viewership and subscriptions, while celebrities can promote new projects or enhance their public image.
However, Ray J's comments raise questions about the equitable nature of these partnerships. He suggests that some celebrities may view these appearances primarily as promotional opportunities without investing back into the streaming ecosystem.
The act of 'gifting' subscriptions on Twitch is a direct way for viewers and collaborators to support streamers financially. Each gifted subscription contributes to the streamer's income and helps them achieve platform milestones.
Ray J's argument centers on the idea that if celebrities benefit from Cenat's platform, they should also contribute to his success on that platform. This perspective highlights the evolving landscape of digital content creation and the financial models that sustain it.