Month: August 2020

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The NBA World Mourned The Death Of Chadwick Boseman

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It’s been a tough week around the NBA. Players were left reeling after the news of another unarmed Black man shot by police officers, such that it prompted a historic and unprecedented walkout that has resulted in NBA owners agreeing to use their considerable power, money, and influence to affect social change.

But after the emotional rollercoaster of the past few days, there was no rest for the weary, as news of Chadwick Boseman’s death from colon cancer rocked the league once again. Boseman was 43 and had been undergoing treatment since 2016, while somehow starring in several major films during that time, including his iconic role as T’Challa in Black Panther, among many others.

Boseman was friends with several stars around the league and was often a fixture at NBA games, perhaps most memorably the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest, during which he loaned his Black Panther mask to Victor Oladipo for one of his dunks — he also judged the 2020 NBA Dunk Contest.

Boseman’s death has hit the league hard, and there was an immediate outpouring of grief on social media to pay respects to one of the talented and accomplished young actors of his generation.

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Ciara Revealed Her Debut Single ‘Goodies’ Was Almost A Britney Spears Song

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Ciara’s 2004 debut single “Goodies” put the singer on the map as a break-out star, lead to an eponymous record, and many more hits. Only 18 at the time, Ciara’s single stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for several consecutive weeks. But Ciara recently revealed the song was nearly given to another pop star at the time, namely Britney Spears.

In a recent segment on her Apple Music show Level Up Radio, Ciara said she was under the impression the song was hers after she penned the track with a handful of producers, but that was not the case. Instead, she had to audition the track to her label. “I had to reaudition again, to be picked up and to be made a priority on the label. I did that, had a showcase, rocked it,” she said.

At the time of the audition, Ciara said her label was considering passing the song along to Spears. “Not knowing that behind the scenes, there was a conversation about this song being potentially taken from me and given to an artist like Britney Spears, who was on the same roster as me,” she said. “I learned about the story later, but the crazy thing for me is that if I would’ve known about it then, I would have fought tooth and nail.”

The singer continued that her experience was just one of the many “challenges” that comes with working in the music industry, but she’s happy she now has her own label. “When I had this record, I knew that it was a very, very special record,” Ciara said. “And I worked so hard on this record and this industry can sometimes bring you incredible challenges, hence why I love the power of having my own record label.”

Listen to the full episode of Level Up Radio here.

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Here’s President Obama’s Statement On His Conversation With LeBron And Others About The Wildcat Strike

The NBA Playoffs came to an abrupt halt earlier this week when the Milwaukee Bucks staged a walkout to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man from Kenosha, Wisconsin who has reportedly been left paralyzed after officers fired at him seven times at close range.

In the wake of the wildcat strike, the players, the players’ union, and the owners held several meetings, both privately and with one another to determine the best way forward and exert pressure on the Board of Governors to come up with a concrete plan that would help enact concrete social justice reform.

The league announced the specifics of that plan on Friday, which includes, among other things, the use of team-owned arenas as voting locations in the coming elections, targeted ads and commercials designed to educate the public on social justice initiatives, and the earmarking of funds to put toward programs in education and civil relief in poor, minority communities across the country.

Prior to this outcome, it emerged that LeBron James and a group of players had reached out to former President Barack Obama for advice on how to best proceed with a plan that would prompt meaningful change. Later on Friday, Obama’s office released this statement on their conversation.

On the heels of the league’s renewed emphasis on social reform, the players announced that they would resume the NBA Playoffs where they left off on Saturday with the three-game slate that was originally scheduled for Wednesday, as well as an updated schedule for Sunday. They’ve since released the new schedules for Monday and Tuesday, so after a brief hiatus and a serious gut check on its priorities, the NBA is back in full swing in Orlando.

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‘Black Panther’ Star Chadwick Boseman Has Died At 43

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Chadwick Boseman, best known for playing Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has died at age 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” a statement on the actor’s Twitter and Instagram accounts read. “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV. A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. ⁣He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side.”

Boseman, who was born in South Carolina, was to play Japan’s first African samurai in the 16th century-set Yasuke, the latest in a line of historical biographies starring the actor, including James Brown in Get On Up, Jackie Robinson in 42, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall. He was also set to reprise his role as T’Challa in Black Panther 2.

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Leonard Cohen’s Estate Is Looking To Sue the RNC Over Their Unauthorized Use Of ‘Hallelujah’

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The Republican National Convention kicked off this week, and it seems the GOP may be running out of songs to play at their events. Many musicians have barred the party from using their music and most recently, Neil Young sued Trump after years of denying him permission to play his music at rallies. Now, Leonard Cohen’s estate is doing the same after the RNC used two covers of his infamous track “Hallelujah.”

According to Consequence Of Sound, both Cohen’s label and his estate promptly denied the RNC’s request to use the song. Brian J. Monaco, president and chief marketing officer of Sony/ATV Music Publishing said that “on the eve of the finale of the convention, representatives from the Republican National Committee contacted us regarding obtaining permission for a live performance of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’. We declined their request.”

A legal representative for Cohen Estate, Michelle L. Rice echoed Monaco’s statements, saying the family was disappointed the RNC went against their wishes. Rice claimed they are “exploring legal options” after the family was “surprised and dismayed that the RNC would proceed knowing that the Cohen Estate had specifically declined the RNC’s use request, and their rather brazen attempt to politicize and exploit in such an egregious manner ‘Hallelujah’, one of the most important songs in the Cohen song catalogue.”

Rice continued to say if the RNC had requested a different song, specifically his posthumous Grammy-winning track “You Want It Darker,” they “might have considered approval of that song.”

Cohen now joins a large list of musicians who have disallowed Trump to use their music. Among Cohen and Young are artists like The Rolling Stones, Linkin Park, Tom Petty, and the Village People.

Read Cohen’s estates’ full statement above.

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Tyronn Lue Is Reportedly The ‘Prime Candidate’ To Become The Sixers’ Head Coach

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It’s been a historic week around the NBA, as teams and players staged an unprecedented walk-out to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake. For the past 72 hours, all the attention has been on the ongoing meetings and negotiations between the players’ union and the Board of Governors about how put more tangible efforts toward social reform.

After agreeing to plan, the playoffs are set to resume this weekend, starting with a three-game slate on Saturday that was originally scheduled for Thursday. The rest of the league business is back on the table as well, as the coaching carousel is in full effect with the Bulls, Pacers, Pelicans and Sixers headlining the most coveted openings around the league.

Many familiar names have emerged in rumors in recent weeks, but according to the latest report, the Sixers have their sights set firmly on Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue, who apparently has set something of a steep asking price for his services as he jockeys his way back into a heading coaching position.

Via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer:

Lue is the prime candidate for the 76ers coaching job. He’s also a candidate for the New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets, and is monitoring the Chicago Bulls’ coaching vacancy.

While he wants $7 million per season, Lue could settle for $5 million to $6 million. The Sixers still owe Brett Brown around $10 million on the final two years of his deal after firing him Monday.

But Lue isn’t the only candidate. Pompey has reported previously that both Lakers assistant Jason Kidd and Rockets development coach John Lucas have expressed interest in the job, as well, either of whom could potentially present compelling cases if Philadelphia decides Lue’s price is prohibitive.

Lue’s championship pedigree with the Cavs in 2016 has made him a top target for several teams in the market for a new head coach, including the Pelicans, who recently parted with Alvin Gentry after a lackluster showing in Orlando and who boast one of the most exciting young stars in a generation in Zion Williamson.

(The Philadelphia Inquirer)

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The NBA Released The New Playoff Schedule For Monday

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The NBA Playoffs are set to resume on Saturday, when the three Game 5s that were initially scheduled for Wednesday will be played following the players refusing to play in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

After meetings between players — and later players and owners — on Wednesday and Thursday they agreed to return to the court, pending an agreement with ownership and the league on how they can further impact change and social justice. The end result of that was a social justice coalition, the league promising to buy ad time and put out PSAs on voting during the playoffs, and turning every team-owned arena into a voting location.

The Saturday and Sunday television schedule was finalized earlier on Friday, and later in the evening the league announced its Monday schedule, pending the outcome of Saturday’s action, with TNT handling all of Monday’s potential action.

If the Blazers get a stunning win in Game 5, that Game 6 with the Lakers will be the nightcap on Monday, with OKC-Houston Game 6 before it. Miami-Milwaukee Game 1(or Milwaukee-Orlando Game 6), will be the early game, with its tip time dependent on if the Lakers and Blazers are playing or not.

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Saweetie Tells Us About Her Hard-Hitting Remix Featuring Post Malone, DaBaby, And Jack Harlow

Earlier this week Saweetie announced that a remix to “Tap In” was on the way with fresh verses from DaBaby, Jack Harlow, and another special guest who has now been unveiled as multi-platinum musician Post Malone.

While DaBaby and Jack Harlow’s bars play over Dr. Luke production and a Too Short “Blow The Whistle” sample, Posty takes the song into an entirely different direction that allows for him to comfortably add his signature melodic touch.

In an exclusive interview with Uproxx, Saweetie explained why she chose Post Malone, Jack Harlow and DaBaby to be on the remix for “Tap In.”

“‘Tap In’ is such a Bay Area anthem and I already did an all-girl anthem for the ‘My Type’ remix,” Saweetie said. “I come from a family that’s predominantly men and I wanted to put on for the boys in my family as well. It’s a woman’s anthem but I wanted something for the guys to get they bop on to or get they dance on to.”

Speaking of dance, fans can look forward to a video for the remix of “Tap In,” featuring Saweetie taking it back to her days on the Aztec Diamonds drill team at San Diego State University. Back in July, she posted a throwback clip of her dancing during a game hinting that she just might do it again.

“For the concept of the video I wanted to do something that I used to do in college,” she said of the “Tap In” remix’s forthcoming visual. “I used to be on the majorette drill team and it really opened my eyes to the dance world. I love to dance and I wanted to make a special content video for the ‘Tap In’ remix which is why I went back to my dancing roots.”

The dance took her four days to learn so make sure to tap in to the video when it comes out, too. And for fans wondering where Saweetie’s next project is, she gave us an update for that too: “The status of ‘Pretty B*tch Music’ is, working.”

Listen to Saweetie’s “Tap In” remix featuring Post Malone, DaBaby and Jack Harlow above.

Saweetie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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MTV Reaired The 1999 VMAs And People Online Are Is Losing It Over Some Eccentric Red Carpet Looks

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MTV is gearing up for this year’s VMA ceremony and the event is one of many awards shows that have been forced to find creative ways to adapt to the still-ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It was originally reported that the VMAs were to take place at Barclays Center, but after New York City’s cases continued to rise, MTV instead opted to hold the event outdoors with little to no audience members.

In order to create buzz around the essentially virtual event, MTV has been re-airing a handful of past VMA shows. The network broadcasted their 1999 ceremony this week, and people online proceeded to lose it over some of the very dated outfits on the red carpet.

The VMAs are known to be an opportunity for musicians to showcase some of their most outlandish looks. How could anyone forget Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress? The 1999 ceremony was no different, with eye-catching outfits from musicians like Lil Kim and NSYNC.

Of course, there were some unforgettable acceptance speech moments, including Eminem winning his first-ever VMA.

While much of Twitter was focused in the outfits, the 1999 VMAs also featured some iconic performances. Britney Spears wooed the crowd with a mashup of a few of her iconic songs and the Backstreet Boys turned heads with a “Larger Than Life” performance.

While this year’s event won’t see Britney Spears or NSYNC performing their hits, MTV has still curated a lineup of some of today’s hottest musicians. Artists like Ariana Grande, BTS, DaBaby, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, and The Weeknd will take the stage to showcase their recent hits. The VMAs airs on 8/30 at 8 p.m. EDT on MTV. You can watch it here.

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

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In a tearful post, a veterinarian shares just how emotionally draining the job really is.

Many animal-loving kids grow up thinking they want to be veterinarians, imagining that working with cute and cuddly critters all day long must be a dream job.

But the reality of being a vet isn’t a whole lot different than the reality of being a doctor for humans. You have to have about the same amount of schooling, but you have to know about the biology of many different species. And while helping animals can certainly be rewarding, the truth is that a lot of a vet’s job isn’t all cuddles and cuteness.

Veterinarian Tracy Lee Richardson shared a story from particularly hard day on Facebook to help people understand what vets go through.

“I always post pictures of puppies,” she wrote. “So many of you might think that my job is all rainbows and butterflies. However in reality, it can be the exact opposite.

Today I had to euthanize a very sick dog. During the process, the owner had his son on FaceTime who started to sing a song that he had written for the dog. It was absolutely beautiful. Tears immediately ran down my face, almost in sync with his guitar. I sat in the room with the other family members and just cried my heart out with them.

Unfortunately, that’s not the hard part. I had to eventually leave the room, finish crying in the bathroom and then recompose myself to head into the next exam room. I was praying for my next patient to be a new puppy to brighten my spirits, but it was another sick dog on the brink of euthanasia as well.

This is a HUGE reason the suicide rate is extremely high in my profession. So please always be kind to your veterinarian and veterinary staff. Our jobs are much harder than we give off.

I absolutely love my job. I do not regret becoming a veterinarian, but there are just some days it sucks.”

Many people may not realize that the suicide rate for veterinarians is high. In fact, female vets are about 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Some of it is the depressing nature of the euthanasia aspect of the job. But in addition to compassion fatigue, vets are also often mistreated by their patients’ owners. People don’t like having to pay for medications or services for animals, and vets report consistently being asked to have fees waived. When you’re dealing with huge medical school debt and then have customers get angry because they don’t want to pay you, it’s rough.

So be kind to your vet and their staff. They’re likely dealing with a lot more stress than we realize.