{"id":1801800,"date":"2026-03-02T11:57:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T08:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1801800"},"modified":"2026-03-02T11:57:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T08:57:51","slug":"pokemon-pigeons-and-a-car-crash-tracing-fakeminks-digital-footprint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1801800","title":{"rendered":"Pok\u00e9mon, pigeons and a car crash: Tracing fakemink\u2019s digital footprint"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/1080\/0-0-1080-720\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439187.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"main-article standard \">\n<div class=\"article-main-content article-wrapper has-media-but-its-an-image\" data-status=\"loaded\" data-primary-article=\"true\" data-url=\"\/music\/article\/69764\/1\/pigeons-car-crash-pokemon-5-toes-of-fakeminks-digital-footprint\" data-article-id=\"69764\">\n<header class=\"article-header has-landscape-image no-media\">\n<div class=\"wrapper dg-max-width\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<figure class=\"main-img has-figcaption\" data-img-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\" data-img-aspect-ratio=\"1.78\" data-template=\"Standard Article\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"maxresdefault (13)\" class=\"img\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/1280\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439187.jpg\" width=\"1280\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"img-caption\"><span class=\"inner\"><span class=\"credit\">YouTube still<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"meta\">\n<div class=\"inner\"><time datetime=\"2026-03-02T11:57:51+00:00\" class=\"timestamp\" title=\"02 March 2026\"><span class=\"month\">March<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"2\">2,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"titles\">\n<div class=\"tags\">\n<div class=\"sections\"><a class=\"category vertical - music\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\">Music<\/a><br \/>\n\/<br \/>\n<a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/lists\">Lists<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"standard-tag-container\"><a class=\"standard-category\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\">Music<\/a> \/<br \/>\n<a class=\"standard-series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/lists\">Lists<\/a><\/div>\n<h1 class=\"title\"><span>Pok\u00e9mon, pigeons and a car crash: Tracing fakemink\u2019s <span class=\"nowrap\">digital footprint<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<div class=\"standfirst\">\n<h2>UK Ug pioneer, Gucci model&#8230; and teenage vlogger? In honour of our Spring 2026 cover story, we revisit five of our favourite moments from mink\u2019s <span class=\"nowrap\">online archive<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-03-02T11:57:51+00:00\" class=\"timestamp\" title=\"02 March 2026\"><span class=\"month\">March<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"2\">2,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-03-02T11:57:51+00:00\" class=\"timestamp\" title=\"02 March 2026\"><span class=\"month\">March<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"day\" data-day=\"2\">2,<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span class=\"year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"providers\">\n<div class=\"contributors\"><span class=\"contributor\" data-contributor-role=\"Text\"><span class=\"contributor-role\">Text<\/span><a class=\"contributor-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/user\/solomonpacemccarrick\">Solomon Pace-McCarrick<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article-body-container\">\n<div class=\"article-body wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>In many ways, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69279\/1\/uk-ug-gen-z-brits-reinvented-rap-2025-fakemink-esdeekid-jim-legxacy\">UK Ug<\/a> scene is the first true Gen Z musical movement. With most of its members barely old enough to drink in the States, the British scene is united less by a shared sound than it is by shared online spaces \u2013 and with this comes a gargantuan digital footprint to unpack.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Perhaps the biggest example of this is UK Ug paragon and Dazed cover star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/fakemink\">fakemink<\/a>, whose astronomical rise over the last two years has been partially defined by his mastery of social media. \u201c<\/span><span>Social media is really just a lie; everyone\u2019s just sharing their best highlights<\/span><span>,\u201d fakemink <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69785\/1\/fakemink-londons-saviour-terrified-interview-uk-ug-underground-spring-2026-issue\">told Dazed<\/a>. \u201c<\/span><span>But, if that\u2019s the case, then I\u2019ll use it to my advantage. I\u2019m going to design how I\u2019m portrayed on social media to the point that I\u2019m a superstar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Still, this doesn\u2019t mean that his social media presence is polished to perfection. In his countless livestreams over the last few years, fakemink has (both intentionally and otherwise) created countless memorable moments that have since been immortalised in fan re-uploads. While his musical persona might seem unapproachable and sometimes vulgar, these videos paint a strikingly relatable picture of fakemink: a young man who is friend to wild animals and disgruntled neighbours alike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Below, we unpack five of our favourite moments from fakemink\u2019s online archive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><em>POK\u00c9MON X AND Y<\/em><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"inline-img expandable dev-view-hide\" data-img=\"3007a357-e05e-4cd1-b663-b3fd00ebbbff\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/576\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439186.jpg\" data-img-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\" data-img-aspect-ratio=\"1.77\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok&#233;mon X and Y\" class=\"img\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/576\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439186.jpg\" width=\"576\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"img-caption\"><span class=\"credit\">Pok\u00e9mon X and Y <span class=\"nowrap\">promotional image<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>We\u2019ve chosen not to include a link to fakemink\u2019s old Pok\u00e9mon Instagram fanpage, to honour his rule that access is only allowed to \u201cdiehard fans\u201d. Still, our spring 2026 issue, mink speaks at length about his love for the Japanese animated franchise, and, in particular, the generation six games <\/span><em><span>Pok\u00e9mon X and Y<\/span><\/em><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In an unpublished section of the interview, fakemink also spoke about his obsession with \u2018shiny hunting\u2019 in the video games (for the uninitiated, shiny hunting is an advanced Pok\u00e9mon technique which involves exploiting the game\u2019s code to increase the chances of encountering a rare, alternative colour variation of a Pok\u00e9mon, dubbed a \u2018shiny\u2019). While this might seem a surprising hobby for an international rap star, such are the times that we\u2019re living in. All of the UK Ug scene have spent their entire lives around technology and, if anything, mink\u2019s mastery of shiny hunting provides important context on how he came to be a Fruity Loops savant at such a young age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span>BOSS BABY<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"src-youtube video-container embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"media-youtube\" data-id=\"MtyrOYie9h0 \"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen frameborder height=\"422\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MtyrOYie9h0%20\" webkitallowfullscreen width=\"750\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>If you thought fakemink\u2019s music had an issue with audio clipping, we dare you to watch this video at full volume. In a video which resurfaced late last year, a pre-pubescent fakemink appears in his YouTuber bag, instructing his fans to \u201clike and subscribe\u201d before prank calling \u2018the Boss Baby\u2019, the titular character from Alec Baldwin\u2018s 2017 children\u2019s movie of the same name<\/span><span>. This video also highlights just how young fakemink actually is: in 2017, he would only have been around 12 or 13 years old.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span>\u201cI\u2019M JUST WALKING, MAN!\u201d<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"src-youtube video-container embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"media-youtube\" data-id=\"_3it5kueMRU\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen frameborder height=\"422\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_3it5kueMRU\" webkitallowfullscreen width=\"750\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>This one regularly does the rounds on the fanpage circuit. Livestreaming himself while walking through Essex in early 2025, fakemink accidentally captures himself being hit by a reckless driver. While it\u2019s hard to discern exactly what he was talking about \u2013 fakemink only manages to say \u201cI don\u2019t mean to be rude, I understand but\u2026\u201d before the fateful incident occurred \u2013 he gets extra points for handling the situation with neither an expletive nor aggression. He simply exclaims \u201cYo!\u201d, points out to the driver that he was \u201cjust walking\u201d, and then returns to his online audience to explain what had happened: \u201cI just got hit by a car.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span>THE PIGEON INCIDENT \ud83d\udc26<\/span><span><br \/><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"media-tiktok\" data-id=\"7520698434492337439\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>We\u2019ve watched this countless times in the office and still can\u2019t work out quite what\u2019s going on. In another livestream early last year, fakemink discusses something to do with British rapper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/slowthai\">Slowthai<\/a> when a pigeon lands on his head. Mink, who is sitting indoors, seems strangely unfazed, simply repeating his previous question: \u201cWhat does this have to do with Slowthai?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>How did the pigeon get inside? Why is fakemink so calm about it? WHY DOESN\u2019T THE PIGEON FLY AWAY? Still, we can\u2019t help but think that this reflects well on fakemink \u2013 he\u2019s such a chill and pure soul that even animals feel comfortable around him. \ud83d\ude4f<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span>\u201cYES. I UNDERSTAND \ud83d\ude11\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"src-youtube video-container embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"media-youtube\" data-id=\"bDIz8bbyZkw \"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen frameborder height=\"422\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bDIz8bbyZkw%20\" webkitallowfullscreen width=\"750\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>fakemink struck livestream gold yet again in January of this year when, while celebrating the release of his latest EP,\u00a0<\/span><em><span>The Boy Who Cried Terrified<\/span><\/em>,\u00a0<span>on Instagram live, a neighbour knocked on his door to ask him to turn the music down. \u201cI\u2019ve got work in the morning, and I\u2019ve got three kids at home!\u201d the neighbour shouts while mink simply nods with a deadpan energy that can only be described as \ud83d\ude11. The moment was particularly significant given that the first track of the new EP is literally called \u201cBlow the Speaker\u201d. Still, to his credit, mink did eventually turn the music down. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-inline-last\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-small\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<h1 class=\"newsletter-title\">Escape the algorithm! Get The Drop<\/h1>\n<div class=\"meta-row\">\n<p class=\"meta\">Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"confirmation\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p class=\"confirmation-title\">Thank you. You have been subscribed<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"article-footer\">\n<div class=\"wrapper\">\n<div class=\"article-series\">\n<h4 class=\"heading\">More on these topics<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-series\"><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\">Music<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/lists\">Lists<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/the-spring-2026-issue\">The Spring 2026 Issue<\/a><a class=\"series\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/fakemink\">Fakemink<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<div class=\"grid\">\n<div class=\"lava-lamp\">\n<div class=\"lava-lamp-text-container\">\n<h3 class=\"lava-lamp-subheading\">Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid section-header\">\n<div class=\"section-header__link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69764\/1\/music\"><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"section-header__title\">READ MORE<\/h2>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid tag-article-list\">\n<div class=\"swiper swiper-latest\">\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide list-element\">\n<div class=\"scard-latest__section\">\n<div class=\"card-latest__wrapper\"><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69778\/1\/esdeekid-fakemink-and-more-shut-down-gucci-s-aw26-afterparty\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\">\n<p class=\"optional-paragraph\"> Gucci<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Gucci_Dazed_270226-36-SzymonStepniak\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/0-738-1366-908\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439453.jpg\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">EsDeeKid, Fakemink and more shut down Gucci\u2019s AW26 afterparty<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69772\/1\/5-acts-manchester-music-underground-rat-heart-brit-awards-renzniro\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"maxresdefault (14)\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/150-28-978-651\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439336.jpg\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">5 acts to know from Manchester\u2019s musical underground<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/fashion\/article\/69562\/1\/reeboks-classics-garment-leather-new-karol-g\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\">\n<p class=\"optional-paragraph\"> Reebok <\/p>\n<p><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SS26_T2-Classics_NYC_Photo-Library-024\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/0-2-2822-1877\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/6\/1436935.jpg\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Your favourite Reeboks are getting a makeover<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide list-element\">\n<div class=\"scard-latest__section\">\n<div class=\"card-latest__wrapper\"><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69719\/1\/7-saddest-mitski-tracks-ranked-nothings-about-to-happen-to-me\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"stay soft mitski\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/55-43-801-533\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439339.jpeg\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">The 7 most bleak, hopeless and depressing Mitski songs \u2013 ranked!<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69769\/1\/the-only-tracks-february-2026-danny-l-harle-frost-children-charli-xcx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dazed Playlist 16x9\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/133-0-1624-1080\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439307.png\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">February 2026 playlist: All the music we loved from the last month<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69684\/1\/magdalena-bay-da-zed-quiz-interview-romance-memes-advice-european-tour\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Magdalena Bay - 2025 Second Sleep\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/0-2-3000-1995\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/8\/1438041.jpg\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Magdalena Bay on romance, fate and the best advice they ever received<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide list-element\">\n<div class=\"scard-latest__section\">\n<div class=\"card-latest__wrapper\"><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69754\/1\/every-gorillaz-album-ranked-demon-days-the-mountain-plastic-beach\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"71af405247a90f7a96b0957670a6deaef785cfdb_1888\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/0-196-1887-1255\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439275.jpg\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Every Gorillaz album, ranked<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69762\/1\/do-cats-like-mitski-new-album-find-out-in-this-new-video\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Screenshot 2026-02-26 at 16.32.19\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/0-0-1180-785\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439191.png\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">What do cats think of Mitski\u2019s new album? Find out in this new video<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69751\/1\/thug-metal-band-empty-shell-casing-texan-diy-scene\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Empty Shell Casing\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/0-1-2048-1362\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439026.jpg\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">\u2018Thug metal\u2019 band Empty Shell Casing are the nu kids on the block<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide list-element\">\n<div class=\"scard-latest__section\">\n<div class=\"card-latest__wrapper\"><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69748\/1\/rio-carnival-photography-yushy\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"YUSHY - BRAZIL CARINVAL -39\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/0-1051-1996-1327\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/8\/1438817.jpeg\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">These evocative photos depict the in-between moments at Rio Carnival <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69724\/1\/deviation-benji-b-judah-afriyie-these-are-the-levels-photography\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"251022_BENJ_Deviation_Interior_353-400_4-4_Colour_\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/0-432-1652-1099\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/8\/1438462.png\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">These photos straddle \u2018pre and post-iPhone\u2019 London nightlife<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><a class=\"card-latest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69738\/1\/dazed-mix-evissimax-milan-blade-black-vampy-sexy-dj\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card-latest__img-wrapper\"><span class=\"image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lead Image 16x9 \u2013 10\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/480\/0-0-1624-1080\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/8\/1438661.png\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"card-latest__content\">\n<h3 class=\"card-latest__title\">Listen to Evissimax\u2019s \u2018Black, vampy and sexy\u2019 Dazed mix<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-inline\" data-newsletter hidden>\n<div class=\"newsletter-small\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<h1 class=\"newsletter-title\">Escape the algorithm! Get The Drop<\/h1>\n<div class=\"meta-row\">\n<p class=\"meta\">Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"confirmation\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p class=\"confirmation-title\">Thank you. You have been subscribed<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"article-body wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>In many ways, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69279\/1\/uk-ug-gen-z-brits-reinvented-rap-2025-fakemink-esdeekid-jim-legxacy\">UK Ug<\/a> scene is the first true Gen Z musical movement. With most of its members barely old enough to drink in the States, the British scene is united less by a shared sound than it is by shared online spaces \u2013 and with this comes a gargantuan digital footprint to unpack.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Perhaps the biggest example of this is UK Ug paragon and Dazed cover star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/fakemink\">fakemink<\/a>, whose astronomical rise over the last two years has been partially defined by his mastery of social media. \u201c<\/span><span>Social media is really just a lie; everyone\u2019s just sharing their best highlights<\/span><span>,\u201d fakemink <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69785\/1\/fakemink-londons-saviour-terrified-interview-uk-ug-underground-spring-2026-issue\">told Dazed<\/a>. \u201c<\/span><span>But, if that\u2019s the case, then I\u2019ll use it to my advantage. I\u2019m going to design how I\u2019m portrayed on social media to the point that I\u2019m a superstar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Still, this doesn\u2019t mean that his social media presence is polished to perfection. In his countless livestreams over the last few years, fakemink has (both intentionally and otherwise) created countless memorable moments that have since been immortalised in fan re-uploads. While his musical persona might seem unapproachable and sometimes vulgar, these videos paint a strikingly relatable picture of fakemink: a young man who is friend to wild animals and disgruntled neighbours alike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Below, we unpack five of our favourite moments from fakemink\u2019s online archive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><em>POK\u00c9MON X AND Y<\/em><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"inline-img expandable dev-view-hide\" data-img=\"3007a357-e05e-4cd1-b663-b3fd00ebbbff\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/576\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439186.jpg\" data-img-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\" data-img-aspect-ratio=\"1.77\"><span class=\"has-css-custom-props image-container\" data-aspect-ratio-type=\"landscape\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pok&#233;mon X and Y\" class=\"img\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/576\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439186.jpg\" width=\"576\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"img-caption\"><span class=\"credit\">Pok\u00e9mon X and Y <span class=\"nowrap\">promotional image<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>We\u2019ve chosen not to include a link to fakemink\u2019s old Pok\u00e9mon Instagram fanpage, to honour his rule that access is only allowed to \u201cdiehard fans\u201d. Still, our spring 2026 issue, mink speaks at length about his love for the Japanese animated franchise, and, in particular, the generation six games <\/span><em><span>Pok\u00e9mon X and Y<\/span><\/em><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In an unpublished section of the interview, fakemink also spoke about his obsession with \u2018shiny hunting\u2019 in the video games (for the uninitiated, shiny hunting is an advanced Pok\u00e9mon technique which involves exploiting the game\u2019s code to increase the chances of encountering a rare, alternative colour variation of a Pok\u00e9mon, dubbed a \u2018shiny\u2019). While this might seem a surprising hobby for an international rap star, such are the times that we\u2019re living in. All of the UK Ug scene have spent their entire lives around technology and, if anything, mink\u2019s mastery of shiny hunting provides important context on how he came to be a Fruity Loops savant at such a young age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span>BOSS BABY<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"src-youtube video-container embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"media-youtube\" data-id=\"MtyrOYie9h0 \"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen frameborder height=\"422\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MtyrOYie9h0%20\" webkitallowfullscreen width=\"750\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>If you thought fakemink\u2019s music had an issue with audio clipping, we dare you to watch this video at full volume. In a video which resurfaced late last year, a pre-pubescent fakemink appears in his YouTuber bag, instructing his fans to \u201clike and subscribe\u201d before prank calling \u2018the Boss Baby\u2019, the titular character from Alec Baldwin\u2018s 2017 children\u2019s movie of the same name<\/span><span>. This video also highlights just how young fakemink actually is: in 2017, he would only have been around 12 or 13 years old.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span>\u201cI\u2019M JUST WALKING, MAN!\u201d<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"src-youtube video-container embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"media-youtube\" data-id=\"_3it5kueMRU\"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen frameborder height=\"422\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_3it5kueMRU\" webkitallowfullscreen width=\"750\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>This one regularly does the rounds on the fanpage circuit. Livestreaming himself while walking through Essex in early 2025, fakemink accidentally captures himself being hit by a reckless driver. While it\u2019s hard to discern exactly what he was talking about \u2013 fakemink only manages to say \u201cI don\u2019t mean to be rude, I understand but\u2026\u201d before the fateful incident occurred \u2013 he gets extra points for handling the situation with neither an expletive nor aggression. He simply exclaims \u201cYo!\u201d, points out to the driver that he was \u201cjust walking\u201d, and then returns to his online audience to explain what had happened: \u201cI just got hit by a car.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span>THE PIGEON INCIDENT \ud83d\udc26<\/span><span><br \/><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"media-tiktok\" data-id=\"7520698434492337439\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>We\u2019ve watched this countless times in the office and still can\u2019t work out quite what\u2019s going on. In another livestream early last year, fakemink discusses something to do with British rapper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/tag\/slowthai\">Slowthai<\/a> when a pigeon lands on his head. Mink, who is sitting indoors, seems strangely unfazed, simply repeating his previous question: \u201cWhat does this have to do with Slowthai?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>How did the pigeon get inside? Why is fakemink so calm about it? WHY DOESN\u2019T THE PIGEON FLY AWAY? Still, we can\u2019t help but think that this reflects well on fakemink \u2013 he\u2019s such a chill and pure soul that even animals feel comfortable around him. \ud83d\ude4f<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span>\u201cYES. I UNDERSTAND \ud83d\ude11\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"src-youtube video-container embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"media-youtube\" data-id=\"bDIz8bbyZkw \"><span class=\"preserve-aspect-ratio\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen frameborder height=\"422\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bDIz8bbyZkw%20\" webkitallowfullscreen width=\"750\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"embed-content\" data-embed-type=\"raw-html\">\n<p><span>fakemink struck livestream gold yet again in January of this year when, while celebrating the release of his latest EP,\u00a0<\/span><em><span>The Boy Who Cried Terrified<\/span><\/em>,\u00a0<span>on Instagram live, a neighbour knocked on his door to ask him to turn the music down. \u201cI\u2019ve got work in the morning, and I\u2019ve got three kids at home!\u201d the neighbour shouts while mink simply nods with a deadpan energy that can only be described as \ud83d\ude11. The moment was particularly significant given that the first track of the new EP is literally called \u201cBlow the Speaker\u201d. Still, to his credit, mink did eventually turn the music down. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-inline-last\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-small\">\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<h1 class=\"newsletter-title\">Escape the algorithm! Get The Drop<\/h1>\n<div class=\"meta-row\">\n<p class=\"meta\">Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"confirmation\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<p class=\"confirmation-title\">Thank you. You have been subscribed<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/privacy-policy\" class=\"meta-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\nPrivacy policy<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dazeddigital.com\/music\/article\/69764\/1\/pigeons-car-crash-pokemon-5-toes-of-fakeminks-digital-footprint&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images-prod.dazeddigital.com\/1080\/0-0-1080-720\/azure\/dazed-prod\/1430\/9\/1439187.jpg&#8221;] YouTube still March\u00a0 2,\u00a0 2026 Music \/ Lists Music \/ Lists Pok\u00e9mon, pigeons and a car crash: Tracing fakemink\u2019s digital footprint UK Ug pioneer, Gucci model&#8230; and teenage vlogger? In honour of our Spring 2026 cover story, we revisit five of our favourite moments from mink\u2019s online archive March\u00a0 2,\u00a0 2026 March\u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,76],"class_list":["post-1801800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dazeddigital-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1801800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1801800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1801800\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1801800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1801800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1801800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}