Top Rank Magazine

The social media influencer is one of today’s most talked about and divisive figures. They represent the convergence of technology and the surveillance state with a consumer culture that encourages us to conceptualize our identities through market logic—each of us entrepreneurs within our own lifestyle brands. On our latest episode, we spoke with Anuli Akanegbu (@anuliwashere), anthropologist & NYU doctoral student, about the rise of the influencer marketing and its impact on contemporary culture. Anuli’s research examines how race and desirability factor into the success of Black-identifying social media content creators and influencers in the particular creative economy of Atlanta, GA. We talked with Anuli about how racism structures the industry, and about how the power of influencer culture may effect the future of labor itself. Check out Anuli’s podcast @BLKIRL where she digs into these topics even further. https://www.blkirl.com