Month: July 2020

Like every sports league, NASCAR has had to adjust due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s Cup Series had to take a months-long hiatus due to the pandemic, but in May, NASCAR was able to return. In that time, the sport had managed to avoid any high-profile cases of the novel coronavirus in its ranks, but that changed on Friday evening, when legendary driver Jimmie Johnson announced he tested positive.

The news of Johnson’s test comes before Sunday’s Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 Powered By Big Machine Records at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He won’t get to participate as a result, and in his place, Justin Allgaier will fill in.

According to Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, Johnson’s wife, Chandra, experienced “allergy-like symptoms” that resulted in a positive test. Johnson got a test as a precaution, where he learned he tested positive. Additionally, one member of the Hendrick Motorsports team came into contact with Johnson, and that person is self-quarantining as a result.

Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson, and NASCAR all put out statements in the aftermath of the test. Johnson expressed his disappointment in missing a Cup race for the first time in his decorated career, but made it clear that his top priority is making sure his loved ones are healthy and safe.

Johnson is currently ranked 12th in the NASCAR Cup Series, and while he has not registered a win this season, he has racked up six top-10 finishes and a pair of top-5 finishes.

Independence Day weekend will perhaps be spend more indoors this year for a variety of reasons, as COVID-19 cases surging across the American south has seen some locales dialing back plans to ease lockdown restrictions and travel plans severely diminished compares to past celebrations. One positive for the holiday for many theater buffs was the release of Hamilton on Disney+, and now sports fans have a new detail to look for when they stream the Broadway musical this weekend.

According to a feature on MLB.com, there’s a subtle Derek Jeter reference in the show’s choreography. As Dan Cichalski wrote Friday, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler appeared on “The Hamilcast” podcast and explained that Jeter got a quiet nod in the show’s second act during a song called “It’s Quiet Uptown.”

“There’s … a Derek Jeter Easter egg in that number,” Blankenbuehler begins at about the 51:23 mark of the episode. “Because I love the Yankees and I love to watch baseball with my son. My son would always imitate, when Derek Jeter would take the plate, he would put his arm out in front of him … like he was pointing to the outfield. He would put this long arm out in front of him, like over the pitcher’s head.

The batting stance routine actually made its way into the show, something Blankenbuehler called a tribute to an “icon” meant to show power and respect.

“So when the men are singing to Hamilton, they all stand around him and they all put their hand out, like Derek Jeter. There’s something about the power that Derek Jeter had — of being an icon, of being a superhero, of being a gentleman — that, when the men look at Hamilton, [they’re] in a way remembering when he had power. So they’re doing that move, like putting their arms across the horizon … willing him to have the power he used to have. I like that moment.”

Considering how difficult it was to get a ticket to see the show on Broadway or at its other satellite performances, there’s a good number of folks who have yet to see the show actually performed and only know it from its soundtrack. For those that dive in for the first time or get a second chance to watch the original cast perform the show, there will be plenty to watch for including this small nod to another New York legend.

[via MLB]

The controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans remarks is showing no signs of slowing down. Nearly a month later, the author is still facing intense criticism for her incendiary views on sex and gender on Twitter, and now, it’s coming from the Harry Potter fan community that once revered Rowling for creating the magical literary world.

Two of the largest Harry Potter fan sites, MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron kicked off July by posting joint statements denouncing Rowling’s views on the transgender communities. Along with scrubbing their sites of her name, they have pledged to limit their coverage of the author and only link to content concerning the Harry Potter Wizarding World. Fan art and memes featuring Rowling will also be banned.

Via Entertainment Weekly:

“Although it is difficult to speak out against someone whose work we have so long admired, it would be wrong not to use our platforms to counteract the harm she has caused. Our stance is firm: Transgender women are women. Transgender men are men. Non-binary people are non-binary. Intersex people exist and should not be forced to live in the binary. We stand with Harry Potter fans in these communities, and while we don’t condone the mistreatment JKR has received for airing her opinions about transgender people, we must reject her beliefs.”

The statements arrive just a few days after Rowling rekindled the firestorm around her anti-trans stance by causing a scene on Twitter after she mistakenly assumed fellow author Stephen King supported her views and publicly thanked him. When King later tweeted “Trans women are women” in response to a fan question, Rowling immediately deleted her tweet praising King and unfollowed him on Twitter. It was not the best moment for a situation that was already doing considerable damage to Rowling’s public image, and it seems the fallout isn’t over just yet.

(Via Entertainment Weekly)

This Independence Day weekend will be considerably more muted than those in the past, and for many will be a quiet chance to stay in and watch Hamilton. But another holiday classic is getting some buzz thanks to a Twitter account reporting the events of 1996 Will Smith classic Independence Day.

The movie isn’t really about the Fourth of July as much as it is a framework for a stirring speech by a president near a bunch of fighter jets, but the movie does take place on the days that surround the national holiday. Which is why one enterprising Twitter account is cruising through the movie’s plot and tweeting it out in real time.

ID4 in Real Time joined Twitter in 2019 with the purpose of “tweeting the sights, sounds, and news from 1996’s historic alien attack and subsequent global military response in real time.” This year, however, it’s gotten considerably more buzz this year as thousands of folks online have signed up to watch the account matter-of-factly tweet the plot of the movie like it were reporting news actually happening in real time. The account did the bit in 2019 and had occasionally tweeted things unrelated to the movie in the months in between, but on June 28 unceremoniously started with the movie’s opening movements.

The tweets have no descriptions of actors, just “factual” information from the movie and how the plot evolves as it introduces characters from the film who have important roles in saving humanity from alien invaders.

There are, however, some photos reported like images that might get shared on social media, just of alien ships hovering over New York, which if you’ve seen the movie mean disaster is coming.

As of Friday evening, the movie was just getting good.

The Twitter page’s icon when that was tweeted was of Will Smith dragging an alien through the desert on his parachute, which was a nice touch. It might serve as a good distraction from all the real bad news on your Twitter account if you’re spending more time inside this weekend. Or you could always, you know, break out the ID4 VHS and watch the whole thing for yourself.

Sometimes the best new R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B music that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

This week, Queen Naija and Wale delivered a refreshed version of “Butterflies Part 2” that is an absolute must-hear. Ty Dolla Sign also came through this week with an all-star lineup for his R&B-house crossover “Ego Death” featuring Kanye West, FKA Twigs, and Skrillex. In addtion, R&B sensation Ye Ali delivered the music video for his single “Tyra.” Check out the rest of the best new R&B below.

Queen Naija & Wale — “Butterflies Part 2” Remix

Queen Naija’s “Butterflies Part 2” just got even better (as if that was even possible), with a fresh verse from Grammy Award-winning artist Wale. Off her self-titled album, which was released in March, “Butterflies Part 2” explores all the different stages of a relationship and Queen Naija’s sweet vocals carry the story with perfection. Wale’s addition to the song is just the chef’s kiss.

Ty Dolla Sign — “Ego Death” Feat. Kanye West, FKA Twigs, and Skrillex

Ty Dolla Sign released his latest musical venture “Ego Death” this week with the help of Kanye West, FKA Twigs, and Skrillex. It’s a dreamy melodic treat mixed with a danceable futuristic buzz, paying an obvious tribute to house music using vibes from Ralphi Rosario’s club single “You Used to Hold Me” and Ultra Naté’s “Free. The fusion of all elements makes “Ego Death” a beautiful sonic trip worth taking.

Ye Ali — “Tyra”

Ye Ali unleashed Traphousejodeci 2 late last year and last month the talented singer-songwriter ramped things up with six additional tracks for the deluxe version. Among the added songs to Traphousejodeci 2 deluxe is the reassuring “Tyra,” named after the famed supermodel, which just received the visual treatment. The song is a gracious celebration of women’s beauty and the newly released music video features baddies on top of baddies.

Allyn — “Tap In” Feat. Mozzy

Earlier this year, Allyn hinted at a potential collaboration with fellow Sacramento native and Grammy Award-nominated rapper Mozzy and the song, titled “Tap In,” has finally arrived. Allyn and Mozzy pay an ode to their hometown on the melodic track, with love. “I need you to hit me first, make time for me,” she sings. “Tap In” follows her previously released single “Dirty Laundry.”

The Mxxnlight — “Saanson Ko (Rendition)”

Singing twins The Mxxnlight are bringing their Indian roots to another level with their Bollywood-R&B fused rendition of “Saanson Ko,” produced by Taylor Gang’s Sledgren. The visual, set in Brazil, stars Luv and Kush spending time with their love interests as they sing a beautiful mixture of their native tongue and English.

Lonr. — “Make The Most”

Grammy Award-winning singer Lonr. graced the virtual BET Awards 2020 stage with a live performance of “Make The Most” featuring HER, off his recently released debut EP Land Of Nothing Real. His performance of “Make The Most” was incredible and shows that he is a star in the making and one to watch.

Abisha — “One Night”

Abisha‘s “One Night” follows the release of her Scorpio EP and is a continuation of the singer’s insane talent. It’s summery pop-R&B track filled with passionate energy. “‘One Night’ was one of those songs that just needed to be written,” she said via email. “I had so much emotion inside me and I needed so badly to release it. It’s an apology…reminiscence and closure in the form of a song.”

Check out this week’s R&B picks, plus more on Uproxx’s Spotify playlist below.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The tabletop industry has exploded in recent years, and life in quarantine has made games more popular than ever. But the competition to get to market is as fierce as ever, and the Gamemaster documentary out next week shows just how much work it takes to make it big in a crowded industry.

“We’re in the middle of a tabletop renaissance,” a narrator says in the trailer. “It’s a $3 billion industry and every year it grows.

The documentary highlights designers trying to make it big in the industry and also talks to those behind some of the biggest games in the table top industry, including Settlers of Catan, a game that’s spawned a number of variations and digital versions while selling millions of copies all over the world. One of those is Exploding Kittens, a card game from The Oatmeal creator Matt Inman and designer Elan Lee. Launched on Kickstarter, the game was a huge success and has sparked expansions, spinoffs and toy components to make it an industry mainstay.

In this exclusive clip from the documentary, Lee explains one of the many ways they’ve tried to make Exploding Kittens stand out in a very crowded game industry: giant versions of cards that force players to use a bit of teamwork to play at conferences and conventions.

The tactic is effective because it draws big crowds watching people navigate the super-sized cards while serving as a huge advertisement for the game’s colorful illustrations and quick gameplay. In an industry where those conventions are essential for spreading word of mouth about games, getting that kind of attention can be the difference between a quiet launch and tabletop super stardom.

The documentary is a blend of exploring lesser-known designers and their quest to make their games as well as taking lessons from successful designers who have made many of the titles likely to be in your game collection. It’s a fascinating look at an industry often overlooked by some but one that, like its digital gaming counterpart, continues to grow

Gamemasters hits video on demand on July 7.

The Indiana Pacers will not have the services of their top star when they head to Orlando for the NBA’s upcoming bubble league. Victor Oladipo spoke to Shams Charania of The Athletic and said that while he wants to take the floor when the league resumes following its COVID-19 hiatus, he does not want to risk suffering some sort of setback with his surgically-repaired quad.

“I really want to play, and as a competitor and teammate this is tearing me apart,” Oladipo said. “I feel like I’m at a great place in my rehab and getting closer and closer to 100 percent. With all the variables, from how I have to build my 5-on-5 workload back up, to the increased risk of a soft tissue injury which could delay my rehab, and the unknown exact set up of the bubble, I just can’t get my mind to being fully comfortable in playing. I have to be smart and this decision hasn’t been easy, but I truly believe continuing on the course I’m on and getting fully healthy for the 2020-21 season is the right decision for me.”

Oladipo suffered the quad injury in early 2019 and missed a year worth of basketball as he recovered. While he came back on January 29, Indiana made it a point to take things slowly with its All-Star guard, and as a result, Oladipo never quite looked like himself as he was working off the rust. In 13 games this year, Oladipo averaged 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and three assists in 25.9 minutes per game while connecting on 39.1 percent of his attempts from the field and 30.4 percent of his threes.

Previously, Oladipo said that he wanted to test out his quad before making his decision on playing in Orlando. The Pacers currently sit at 39-26 this year, putting them in a tie for fifth place in the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Last month, there were rumblings that Gucci Mane was growing dissatisfied with his label, Atlantic Records. Those rumblings were started by Mane himself, as he referred to Atlantic as “polite racist” and asked his followers if he should “go independent.” However, that situation seems to have been resolved, as he tweeted an apology earlier this week, tweeting, “I’m not going independent but so respect those who go that route I apologize for my rude harsh language lately I’m a do better #1017/Atlantic.”

Now his relationship with Atlantic has taken on a new dimension: The rapper has his own label now, The New 1017, in partnership with Atlantic. The first artist signed was Foogiano, followed by Pooh Shiesty, Big Scarr, and So Icy Girlz (K Shiday and Enchanting).

This news arrives alongside Gucci Mane Presents: So Icy Summer, which serves as a celebration of the new label. Mane leads the first twelve tracks, and the aforementioned New 1017 artists feature throughout the project, as do Future,, Young Thug, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, Young Nudy, Key Glock, Ola Runt, Moneybagg Yo, and Big30.

Gucci Mane Presents: So Icy Summer is out now via The New 1017/Atlantic Records.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

One of Sony’s most unique console exclusives is headed for a surprise PC release in August. Guerrilla Games announced on Friday that Horizon Zero Dawn will arrive on both Steam and the Epic Games Store on August 7, removing the PS4 exclusive title just months before the console’s successor is expected to drop in late 2020.

The 2017 release will come with a few new bells and whistles when it drops in August. Most of them come on the graphical side with multiple ways to improve resolution, including an option for superwide resolutions. These graphic updates will only whet the appetite of those who wanted to play Horizon, but were unwilling to play it for the Playstation 4.

On top of the graphical updates, this PC edition will also carry The Frozen Wilds DLC as well, giving PC gamers the full Aloy experience. An experience that if you haven’t experienced yet, you absolutely should.

Rumors started flying in January about a potential PC port of Horizon Zero Dawn, but until today’s announcement nothing was substantiated. Also, Horizon isn’t the only PS4 exclusive to head to PC as Death Stranding will be out on PC later this month. With this release, it’s fair to wonder if the PS5 will see a similar re-release with updated graphics. A new title in the series, Horizon: Forbidden West, is reportedly slated for a release in 2021 and there are few better ways to stoke excitement than re-releasing this game for all to enjoy.

The NBA’s bubble league in Orlando faces a number of questions that stem from the fact that it is occurring amid a global pandemic, something that is magnified by the fact that Florida has been one of the states hit hardest in recent days and weeks. But beyond that, the United States is in the midst of frequent calls for social reform following the death of George Floyd, a Minnesota man who was killed by a police officer earlier this year.

In the aftermath, untold numbers of individuals have taken to the streets worldwide in an effort to spur widespread change in the face of systemic inequality that disproportionately targets individuals of color. A number of NBA players have reportedly raised this as a concern, with the belief being that basketball coming back would take away from the attention that is currently on this moment.

The NBA’s response to this has included promising to “drive direct action and create meaningful and generational change” through off-court initiatives that spark societal change. There have also been examples of things the league will do in Orlando to show solidarity with this movement, like a report that indicated players can have social justice-inspired messages across the backs of their uniforms where their nameplates would be. On Friday, we got the entire approved list of slogans that players can use, as approved by the NBA and the NBPA.

Via Marc Spears:

The list of the approved suggested social messages, per the source, for the back of the NBA jerseys: Black Lives Matter; Say Their Names; Vote; I Can’t Breathe; Justice; Peace; Equality; Freedom; Enough; Power to the People; Justice Now; Say Her Name; Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can); Liberation; See Us; Hear Us; Respect Us; Love Us; Listen; Listen to Us; Stand Up; Ally; Anti-Racist; I Am A Man; Speak Up; How Many More; Group Economics; Education Reform; and Mentor.

Spears had previously reported that, in an effort to be sensitive towards those who have lost a loved one, players would not be allowed to display the names of those that “died in police custody or in racially motivated incidents.”