influencer

In these days of social media managers and mysteriously trained algorithms, it's becoming vanishingly rare to see an internet star who doesn't conform to the generic influencer mold. When someone does break through these expectations, though, it means they make an even bigger impact.

Hasbulla Magomedov, aka Mini Khabi, has shaped up to be one of the most compelling candidates for breaking these boundaries recently. At 18 years old and just over 3'3, he first rose to prominence through sharing humorous videos on his Instagram account. After a year of its existence, it has gained more than 300,000 followers and started his fledgling MMA career. His widely publicized fight with singer Abdu Rozik last month shot him even further to stardom.

After this, he has continued to maintain the kind of profile most aspiring influencers can only dream of with fan accounts on multiple platforms propagating viral videos and memes every other week. His infectious attitude has propelled his sustained popularity, and it probably also helps that he's Russian, feeding into meme culture's longstanding admiration of all things Slavic. 

Whether demonstrating his fighting prowess, making fun of cringeworthy TikTokers or standing on/in front of a series of impressive looking cars, his presence alone brings the vibe that online legend is made of. His fame doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, so it's only right to celebrate it with some of the best content he has made and inspired.

Two of the most improbably wholesome things on this earth are honey bees and niche but adorable online communities. Both are an essential part of their respective ecosystems and put a lot of work into producing something sweet. Combine the two and you get something like @texasbeeworks, the TikTok account that has been bringing beekeeping exploits to the masses.

The face of the account is Erika Thompson, who has been winning hearts and views for her seemingly unconventional methods. Many of her videos show her rescuing bees with no protective equipment, usually scooping them with her bare hands — although she assures viewers that she takes precautions when needed.

So far, so warm and fuzzy. However, this is the internet and nothing is sacred. In recent days, Thompson has been challenged by beekeeper Friday Chamberlain. Over at @lahoneybeerescue, Chamberlain's video slammed the methods of her fellow bee influencer as "setting a dangerous precedent". She criticized her lack of tools, as well as the dangers of dark clothing and long hair. Even worse, she accused her of letting her husband do most of the work behind the scenes.