Month: November 2020

Two things are already clear a few days into the college basketball season: The 2021 NBA Draft class is bound to be better than the last one, and Gonzaga is about to put on an incredible show. The one player who connects those two threads is Jalen Suggs, the breakout star of opening weekend and a player who already looks bound to outperform his initial Draft projections.

Through two games, both blowout wins over Power 5 schools, Suggs is averaging 18 points, seven assists, and four rebounds per game on 63 percent shooting. Suggs, an incredible overall athlete who came into the season believed to be a combo guard scorer, has had no trouble initiating offense for Gonzaga and has shown skill that indicates he could be a lead ball-handler in the NBA.

Let’s establish expectations first. Before he exploded onto the scene while we were all enjoying turkey, Suggs came in as a mid-first round prospect on most big-time analysts’ draft boards. Rather than break down his potential as a primary play-maker, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie wrote that Suggs had “some” combo guard potential to his game in addition to go-to scoring prowess.

The early returns indicate Suggs has taken a step forward already. The big question for anyone who’s more of a shooter and athlete than a passing technician is whether they can create good offense for themselves and teammates in the half court. Suggs looked up to the task in wins over Kansas and Auburn.

The last clip in the video above is the most important one. There we see Suggs leverage the threat of his pull-up shooting and passing to get to the basket and finish. While being able to shoot deep pull-up threes and scatter passes across the floor leaves plenty for the defense to handle, elite offensive players have to be able to get to and finish at the rim as well.

At the same time, the task is not as large for an elite athlete like Suggs as it would be for someone like, say, Ricky Rubio in the NBA. And yes, should he head to the NBA in 2021 as expected, Suggs will immediately be an upper-tier athlete even among pros. Suggs is closer so far to Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, and Derrick Rose than De’Aaron Fox or John Wall in terms of pure explosive athleticism.

There is plenty of reason to temper expectation still. In AAU and FIBA competition in 2019, Suggs took less than 100 threes and made about 30 percent. Even if it looks better already, he’ll need to do this all season to really vault himself into top-five discussion in the 2021 NBA Draft.

That jumper will also trickle down into how teams defend him in the halfcourt and would be the difference between him being able to get to the rim consistently or his handle, which is only slightly above average as opposed to elite, getting in his way when the defense tightens. Suggs was 0-for-2 from deep against Auburn after nailing two of his three attempts against Kansas, illustrating his inconsistency on a small sample. As a prep player, he also was not a good free-throw shooter and doesn’t really shoot mid-range shots, which could bode poorly for his progression as a shooter.

However, Suggs also provides value as a team defender and has good size for an NBA guard. Let’s say the jumper is better than it was when he was in high school, but not quite elite. Adding in everything else he does and the fact that he’s only 19, and that still looks a lot like a top-10 or even top-five player in the NBA Draft.

For a player who came into the weekend with questions as to if he’d be a lottery player, Suggs already showed enough to dispel some of the concern about his game and help his draft stock immensely. On a loaded Gonzaga team that is already fine giving him the ball, Suggs will have the chance to keep getting better and put on an awesome show this season on his way to the NBA.

The latest episode of The Mandalorian revealed lots of secrets, some of which were expected and others coming as a complete surprise to fans. Rosario Dawson’s highly-anticipated debut as Ahsoka Tano on The Mandalorian, for example, has finally happened. It’s a slight spoiler, of course, but Tano appears seconds into the latest episode of the Disney+ episode and features heavily in the plot.

And quite frankly, it’s not much of a surprise to anyone paying attention that both Dawson was cast in the role and that Tano appeared in Season 2. The latter became a plot point of interest earlier in the season, and casting rumors had Dawson very publicly not denying it earlier in 2020. Unfortunately for her, the news was truly never made official until she appeared on screen in Chapter 13, which hit the streaming service on Friday.

Which is perhaps why she celebrated her live-action debut as Ahsoka Tano with a very subtle message on Twitter. The actress who was heavily rumored to bring the Clone Wars animated star to life got to finally share the good news on Twitter, though Dawson opted for a much more subtle celebration than you might expect given all the excitement around it.

The message she retweeted the video with was simple, but it was fitting: it’s a Jedi classic and also (spoilers) was the last line she said to Mando (real name Din Djarin) and The Child (real name Grogu) before the two parties departed at the end of the episode.

Given the importance of Tano is the Star Wars universe and the unanswered questions left by another big revelation from the episode, it’s likely this isn’t the last thing we ever hear Dawson say in character. But it was an electric debut of a role many, including herself, hoped she would one day bring to life. And judging by the reaction from hundreds of fans celebrating the episode in reply to that tweet, it’s something that’s made a lot of people happy this holiday season.

Despite being a pioneer for Atlanta hip-hop to the mainstream in the ’90s and 2000s, Andre 3000 doesn’t quite get the same level of love from his hometown successors. Although his work as a member of Outkast is often referenced in comparing the stylistic innovations of newer ATLien rappers to their predecessors, some of those predecessors aren’t exactly checking for Andre themselves. During his appearance on T.I.’s podcast ExpediTIously, Young Thug — is arguably the current epicenter of Atlanta rap — explains why he never much paid attention to Andre 3000.

“I can’t rap you two Andre 3000 songs,” he said. “I ain’t never paid attention to him. Never in my life.” When T.I. tells him that he’s “missing out” and says they need to work together, referring to his recent collaboration with Elton John. Thugger disagrees though. “But the difference between Elton John and Andre is, to simplify it, Elton John likes to kiss ass, and Dre likes his ass kissed. Elton John like “Hey! I like you, I remember your first song, I remember Gucci first song. When Guwop getting out?’ He a fan type of n****, to the point where I’m like, ‘Let’s do music,’ and he’s like, ‘N**** bet!’ Andre more like, ‘This is his secretary. Tell the n**** it’s Thug, n****.’”

T.I. also compares Andre’s fashion pioneering to Thug’s, prompting the younger rapper to explain why he wore a dress on his Jeffery cover. “That sh*t was just that simple,” he said. “That motherf*cker matched! It was not for attention. That’s on the Holy Bible, that’s on my kids.”

Watch Young Thug’s discussion with T.I. above.

As the winter months are upon us, the spread of COVID has led many cities across the globe to move into a second lockdown. While the new rules are put in place to save lives, veteran musician Van Morrison has expressed his outrage over the safety measures and now, Eric Clapton is joining him.

The pair announced the lockdown protest song “Stand And Deliver,” which is expected to be released in early December. The single marks Morrison’s fourth anti-lockdown song following “Born To Be Free,” “As I Walked Out” and “No More Lockdown.” On the bright side, the single seems to at least be for a good cause. Proceeds from “Stand And Deliver” will benefit Morrison’s Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund, which aims to provide funds for musicians who have lost work as a result of the pandemic and shutdown of the live music industry.

Of course, people instantly took to Twitter to share their thoughts about Morrison and Clapton’s antics following the single’s announcement.

Some even brought up Phoebe Bridgers’ previous statements about Clapton being a “famous racist” and making “extremely mediocre” music.

In a statement alongside the single, Clapton vaguely co-signed the lockdown protest movement: “There are many of us who support Van and his endeavors to save live music; he is an inspiration. We must stand up and be counted because we need to find a way out of this mess. The alternative is not worth thinking about. Live music might never recover.”

Previously speaking about his lockdown protesting in a statement, Morrison said: “I’m not telling people what to do or think, the government is doing a great job of that already. It’s about freedom of choice. I believe people should have the right to think for themselves.”

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

Everybody has an opinion about Kyle Kuzma. That tends to happen for players that are on the Los Angeles Lakers while that team is in championship contention, but it’s particularly true for Kuzma, who has a flare for the high life and isn’t afraid to share his thoughts online. Kuzma also seems to invite criticism because he was the one young player the Lakers held onto in the Anthony Davis trade last summer.

All that means it can probably get pretty stressful to be Kuzma. In a new Puma ad, Kuzma explained how the trolling and hating online act as fuel for him. The ad even features tweets from random users online ragging on Kuzma, set atop footage of him in a gym getting a sweat on.

There’s something to be said for Kuzma being able to stay on the floor in the Finals and contribute in the Lakers’ title run. Nobody would mistake Kuzma for an All-Star yet, but if he can continue to improve as a player, he has a long career ahead of him.

Many players like to say they are driven by criticism, but it’s hard to know. They would not be faulted by taking it harshly. However, Kuzma has handled the intensity of playing for the Lakers well and taken criticism on the chin as he’s gotten better over the year. That’s what he seems to want to channel in his public image, through Puma and otherwise.

If you have listened to any song produced by Juicy J over the last five years, you’ve heard Logic‘s voice at the beginning of the track wondering, “What does Juicy say? He be like, ‘Shutdaf*kup!’” Now, you can hear a full Logic verse at the beginning of a Juicy J song, courtesy of “1995” from Juicy’s newly released album The Hustle Continues.

The new track arrived with a music video directed by Mike Holland & Justin Fleischer, following the two as they live the good life, taking over a cabin in the woods to shoot pool, off-road on ATVs, and hang out with gorgeous women. Juicy’s infamous, allover print skulls hoodie even returns as he hangs out with Logic in the driveway wearing a bonnet to protect his baby ‘locs.

Meanwhile, the album from which the song hails is a similarly star-studded affair, featuring guest appearances from 2 Chainz, ASAP Rocky, Conway The Machine, Jay Rock, Key Glock, Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion, NLE Choppa, Project Pat, Ty Dolla Sign, Wiz Khalifa, and Young Dolph, as well as production from 6ix, Lex Luger, Taz Taylor, and TrapMoneyBenny — basically, pretty much anyone Juicy has influenced or worked with as a rapper and producer since the blog era.

Watch Juicy J’s ‘1995’ video above.

The Hustle Continues is out now on Entertainment One Music. Get it here.

What started out as a warm Thanksgiving message quickly turned into a bizarre reenactment of a classic Friends scene thanks to Courteney Cox having it up to here with seeing herself as a GIF. In the expletive-laden Instagram video, Cox switches gears from her holiday message to shoving the camera in her face and growling, “If I get one more goddamn GIF with that turkey on my head, dancing like a f*cking fool, I’m gonna snap.”

Cox is referring to the scene from Friends where Monica dances for Chandler while wearing a Thanksgiving turkey over her head, which shows up in GIF form every Thanksgiving. You can see the GIF below as long as you promise not to send it to Cox. She’s clearly not a fan.

However, despite her irritation with being the “face of Thanksgiving,” Cox slapped a turkey over her head and recreated the classic dance to the theme song of Friends, essentially creating a brand new GIF for future generations.

You can see Cox’s full video below:

As for the rest of the cast of Friends, they’ll all be reuniting soon. The gang was all set to get together for a reunion special on HBO Max, which unfortunately was delayed just as soon as it was announced thanks to the pandemic. While there hasn’t been any concrete info on when the reunion special will eventually happen, Matthew Perry offered an optimistic update in November.

With any luck, HBO Max will take a page from it’s Fresh Prince reunion, and drop that puppy early.

(Via Courteney Cox on Instagram)

The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow, and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.

Savannah Re stands among the growing list of artists from Toronto’s latest R&B class. She joins names like Raahiim, Shantel May, Shay Lia, Safe, and more who lead the new wave of singers from up north, with each looking to join the established names from Toronto’s first class that includes PartyNextDoor, dvsn, Majid Jordan, Roy Woods, Jessie Reyez, and others. Returning to the spotlight she created thanks to songs like ”Where You Are” and “Homies,” Savannah Re steps forward with a collection of self-aware ballads on her debut EP, Opia.

The Toronto singer presents nine tracks to the world that delve into her love life of today and yesterday. Opia preaches self-awareness as clear as the mirror that holds her reflection. The singer documents various segments of her journey through relationships and accounts for each footstep she takes and for every mile ahead of her. However, that’s only half of the puzzle that makes up the EP. Elsewhere, Savannah shows that manifesting the best can lead to just that when it comes to her attempts at love.

While standing in front of her all-telling mirror, Savannah makes it clear on Opia that she’s among the legion of lovers who consider reassurance as one of their biggest needs. “Solid” beautifully encapsulates her desire to feel comfortable with her love interest. “Honestly, I just, I need you here with me / As long as we can breathe,” she sings. “I need you to be solid.” Whether it exists between them or not, she needs to hear her partner say it and do so without a cast of doubt in their voice. This message is furthered on the project’s title track, but this time it’s her doubts that overshadow all else. “There ain’t much more that you can do to show that you care,” she confesses. “You’re more than qualified, but I’m so unprepared.” All of her self-perceived beauty and ugliness come alive in the mirror and the Toronto native learns that our reflection doesn’t always show us things we want to see.

The realities that present themselves in our reflection can be a bit jarring, but Savannah doesn’t let it stifle her. She takes ownership of it and manifests for the best in her love life. Her most popular release, “Where You Are,” does just that. A married woman in the real world, she details the frustration of not being beside her husband as a result of her musical obligations. Instead of focusing on this grueling distance, she gives herself and her partner something to look forward to with an enticing promise of a steamy night in the bedroom. Even when things are falling apart like they do on “Homies,” Savannah maintains the spirit and confidence to still seek out the best. “You can keep the stress, I want more of you,” she proclaims. “I want more of us / I want less of this.”

A moment must be taken to recognize when Savannah shines the brightest on Opia. The first instance is on “Nothing Into Something” where she speaks openly about the restless butterflies her stomach now holds after she strikes gold with love. “It’s the way that you listen / Baby, you like my best friend,” she says adding, “Wish I could bottle your essence.” The Toronto singer gleams with happiness as she unearths a new love that makes her as cheerful as the animated piano keys that carry the song. Another highlight comes on “Love Me Back” which boasts a phenomenal sample of Romeo Santos’ “Imitadora” which appears at the forefront of the song at its start, all to be drowned out by the song’s thumping bass and the singer’s feisty lyrics. She begs for the reciprocation of her energy on the song, but the song’s composition makes it feel like anything but a plea for love. She’s well aware of what she brings to the table within a relationship, however, she realizes that it’s all pointless when said table doesn’t seat two people.

The results of self-reflection allow us to do one of two things: accept or dismiss what we see. Savannah, who seeks the best for herself, chooses to do the former. On Opia she chases the elusive qualities that she believes bring a dose of euphoria to her life, and she’s beyond honest in pursuing and wanting these things. “This Henny gon’ say what I won’t dare,” she says on “Opia.” One way or another, the truths that she discovers about herself will be voiced out to her world and the people in it, but in accepting them, she allows herself the opportunity to receive the things she manifests for. In addition to creating one of the better R&B releases of the year, Savannah beautifully details the importance of knowing and understanding yourself before beginning a journey towards attaining the things we feel are necessary for our lives.

Opia is out now via 1Music/UMG Canada. Get it here.

2020 XXL Freshman Mulatto adds another accomplishment to her growing list, delivering a regal performance for her first appearance on NPR Tiny Desk Concerts. Nixing the “desk” part, she employs both a violinist (Joy Black) and keyboardist (SK) and occupies a throne-like chair as she raps her way through “Youngest N Richest” and “Blame Me” while lounging around. She pops up for the closer, “He Say She Say,” leaving her crown on a side table so she can really get loose while SK embellishes the backing track.

Performing from home has allowed a greater variety of artists to appear on NPR Tiny Desk lately but it’s also something many fans with Mulatto would have adopted as personal policy as well. She recently came under scrutiny on social media for performing a raucous live show in a packed venue at the height of the increase in COVID-19 cases. Of course, her hometown of Atlanta is part of a state that has refused to shut down in response to the spread of the coronavirus, drawing similar scrutiny to 2 Chainz’s restaurant and other concerts held by DaBaby and more.

However, Mulatto herself continues to land prestigious placements, including on 2 Chainz’s new album on the single “Quarantine Thick” and on Kash Doll’s new song “Bad Azz” which debuted during the Gucci Mane vs. Jeezy Verzuz at Magic City in — where else? — Atlanta.

Watch Mulatto’s Tiny Desk Concert above.

NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series have been a staple over the last few years. They’ve invited big-name musicians and undiscovered artists alike to join them in their studio (or from home in recent months) to perform stripped-down versions of their music. So when a photo of Trump sitting at an abnormally small desk circulated Friday, people knew the right joke to make.

Trump gave a Thanksgiving day press conference on Thursday and for some reason, he was seated behind a very tiny desk. After the photo went viral, people flocked to Twitter to make the same NPR Tiny Desk concert jab. “Does he even play an instrument?” one user quipped.

NPR eventually caught wind of the jokes. Posting the same photo to their Instagram page, they wrote: “Made me laugh to see #tinydesk trending on twitter because of this photograph. So what tune might be be singing ?”

Of course, that wasn’t the only joke being made after Trump’s press conference. Trump finally agreed that he’d leave the White House peacefully if the electoral college confirms Biden, but not before complaining about Twitter censoring his tweets. His statements, coupled with the fact he was sitting at a child-size piece of furniture, led many to begin using the hashtags #DiaperDon and #TrumpTantrum to describe the event.

Check out people’s reactions to Trump’s photo above.