As Kanye West is getting ready to release his album Donda, the rapper has made his return to social media. On Instagram yesterday, he shared some photos of himself wearing chains that feature the names of his children. While hip-hop fans are excited (or at least curious) about what Kanye has coming next, that post seems to have rubbed Azealia Banks the wrong way, as she thinks West ripped her off.
Today, she took to Instagram and shared the cover art for her 2019 song “Billionaire Bully,” which is definitely visually similar to West’s new images. She then shared one of the West photos and captioned the post with an insult: “Should have exfoliated before trying to bite me. @kanyewest”
However, she seemed to contradict the insult with a follow-up photo, which features her hand sporting fake nails that read “YEEZY.”
The accusation and insult also come after a stretch of apparent fascination about West from Banks. She recently insisted that her new single “F*ck Him All Night” is about West, saying, “This is about f*ckin him all day and f*cking him all night. This is about the throbbing black billionaire c*ck. Get into it.” In April, she also said she wants to have a kid with West, writing, “The powerful black demon entity awaiting in my ovaries and kanyes testicle is finally about to be unleashed upon the world.”
Banks fans know that all of this comes after years of beef between her and West, so at this point, it’s hard to say how Banks truly feels about West.
At the 2021 ESPYs, viewers probably heard Vernon Davis’ work without even realizing it.
For the event, Davis, a former NFL tight end, was the voice viewers heard when presenters were announced or the host, actor Anthony Mackie, needed a set-up of his own. For Davis, who retired at the conclusion of the 2019 season after a productive career as a pass catcher, the gig was part of continuing journey into Hollywood, which includes acting and producing in addition to voice work.
I read the interview you did with ESPN where you were talking about bringing your football work ethic to the creative work you are doing now. But I’m curious: Was this always the path you wanted, or did you ever consider coaching or scouting or some kind of career within the game?
I’ve always been intrigued with the world of arts. Music to dancing to acting, producing — I’ve just always had a passion and just a desire to do it, so in college, I studied art. So when I arrived in the NFL, I opened up an art gallery called Gallery 85 in San Jose, California, so that really stimulated me in a way that made me want to pursue it even more. And while I was playing, I started working on some projects of my own, I showed up in a few films — Baywatch, Hell on the Border — and it’s been a great journey so far.
Did you have any teammates who you shared that passion for art with?
No, not that I can think of. I think I was probably the only one when I was playing ball. I can’t really recall anyone that was pursuing the arts, acting and painting and things of that nature. I know my teammates just gave me hard time. They used to tease my a lot. [laughs].
What appealed to you about doing work like voiceover work for the ESPYs?
It’s different, it’s different. But I have to give thanks to my manager, Henry Penzi, who really pushed and inspired me. Without him, I’m not sure I’d have been able to pursue this. He told me “Vernon, if you want to be an artist, you have to take on these different things even if you’re not familiar with them because you’ll never know. Maybe you’ll do it and fall in love with it. You just have to try it.”
So once he told me that, that really resonated with me. I said, “Ok, let me try it.” And that’s how I ended up doing this, with him going to bat for me and really pushing me to do it. It’s totally different, but like any challenge, I’m up for it.
How did you approach preparation?
Once I got the script, I really familiarized myself with the words. And that’s all it is — familiarizing yourself with the verbiage and understanding and owning those words. And once you do that, you start to feel comfortable and you just go out and have a good time.
When you were playing — and attending the ESPYs — did you ever think about the back-end production?
No. Every year that I decided to go to the ESPYs, I’d sit in the audience and never thought in a million years that I’d be behind the scenes being the voice for the ESPYs or even the host. I never imagined it.
It’s different types of work — you aren’t gearing up with lifting and training for this like you would have for an NFL season, I’d assume — but are there any similarities entertainment work and the NFL?
I think consistency is everything. As long as you’re consistent and consistent in your approach, you’ll find that the same method falls under everything else. Like when I was playing ball, I would catch 200, 300 balls before practice ended. I did that every day. And whether you’re preparing for an acting role or you’re about to be the voice for a show, you prepare and use the repetition process and it allows you to feel comfortable and familiar. And you just develop this stamina and you’ll go out and do really well.
Did you go back and watch any film or any old Oscars or ESPYs and apply some of your approach to the ESPYs?
Ya, that’s another form of preparation. You want to go look at the past and listen to how they did and then make it your own. When I found out I would be doing this, first thing I did was listen to former voices and go off of that, understand what they did and start making it my own. So what does my voice sound like?
Do you still follow the NFL — or any other sport — as much and in as much detail as you might have when you were playing?
I’m still intrigued by the sports that I always have been. Football is always going to be my No. 1 sport. It paved the way for me and it’s something I’ve been in love with since I was a kid, so I’m always going to love that. But I’m open to being a part of and supporting other sports, but football is always my No. 1.
Are there any recent NFL storylines that have grabbed your attention?
No, but I’m always looking to see what rules change. I think that’s something that’s really been at the top of my list and something that’s always at the top of my mind. Playing the game, I’ve seen so much change in these rules when it comes to football. But what’s different now? It’s always changing.
What’s the last piece of art you’ve watched or consumed that’s stuck with you?
I’ve been watching Masterclass videos lately. And the last video I watched was Natalie Portman. She talked about the difference techniques that she uses when she’s acting, so that’s one thing that really stuck with me.
For movies, are you a movie theater person or have you become more into watching movies at home now after the last year-plus?
I’m a movie theater guy. I think I can get the same experience at home though. Over the last year, I’ve been watching a lot of movies on Netflix, Hulu, you name it. But I’m a movie theater guy. So if I can go to watch a movie, I’m going to the movies. When I was in L.A. two weeks ago, I went with some friends of mine — Carmen Electra, Henry Penzi, some others — and we went to go support our buddy Paul Walter Hauser and his new movie, Cruella. So we went to go show some love to him and that was a lot of fun. It was about 12 of us and we took up a whole row and it was a lot of fun.
Paul Walter Hauser is kind of genius I think.
Ya, he’s awesome. Not only is he a great actor, but he’s also a great person.
Anything you watched at home, be it on Netflix or Hulu that clicked for you?
The TV series All-American. I’ve loved that. That’s something I keep going back to, it’s great. It’s very captivating. I’m very familiar with all of that because my life was like that.
COVID cases are on the rise in all 50 states, but the percentage of fully vaccinated Americans is still just below the 50 percent mark. And experts predict that if you’re an adult who has not yet been vaccinated, chances are good that you won’t be knocking down your doctor’s door to get a jab or two anytime soon.
Which, obviously, is a problem — especially for the White House.
So in a move that seems to be in the spirit of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer, CNN reports that the Biden administration is attempting to make nice with Fox News in order to get the network to look at the big picture and realize that their hosts constant anti-vaccine propaganda could quite literally be killing their viewership.
Biden’s team and Fox News executives have apparently been communicating for a few months now, though it’s unclear if any steps have been taken by the network to pump the brakes on their whole oppression-by-vaccination agenda. When asked about the Republican-leaning network’s role in the slowdown of COVID vaccinations, and what measures the president has taken to address the issue, White House press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that the Biden administration is fully aware of “the importance of reaching Fox News’ audience about the COVID-19 vaccines and their benefits, and like we are with all of you here today we, of course, are in regular contact.”
New Liberty/Cedar Ridge/Limestone Branch/Still Austin/istock/Uproxx
Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of time writing about well-known American whiskeys. Especially hard-to-find bottles of bourbon, like Pappy Van Winkle, EH Taylor, Weller, and the like. But those brands are all so beloved, so sought-after that — frankly — they don’t need the hype. Even without us, they’d still be allocated, difficult to find, and have ridiculous secondary market prices.
You know who does need a little signal boost? Smaller American craft whiskey brands. We’re talking about the underrated, often overlooked craft whiskeys made right here in the United States. Many are delightful, nuanced, and even award-winning, but still don’t get the press or have the followings they deserve. And we’re keen on changing that.
Below, you’ll find eight of our favorite underrated American craft whiskeys. We know it’s hard to add a new expression into your drinking rotation, but give a few of these a try — you just might find a new favorite!
This award-winning (Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition), Austin, Texas-made bourbon has a mash bill of 70% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley. Every ingredient is sourced from Texas. It’s distilled in 42-foot column stills before being matured in charred American oak barrels.
Tasting Notes:
The nose reveals hints of caramel apples, dried fruits, almond cookies, and shaved coconut. The palate is full of raisins, buttery caramel, vanilla beans, sweet corn, and baking spices. The finish is long, filled with warming heat and features notes of butterscotch paired with a slight bit of peppery rye.
Bottom Line:
This just might be the most underrated bourbon in the country. While it took home a prestigious award, it’s still not even close to as popular as any of the expressions from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, or even the smaller Kentucky brands. It ought to be.
Sagamore Spirit Double Oak Rye
Sagamore Spirits
ABV: 48.3% Average Price: $59.99
The Story:
This award-winning straight rye whiskey is first aged for four years in a charred American oak barrel before being matured a second time in a toasted American oak cask. It ends up maturing for 4-5 years in total. The result is a peppery, rich whiskey with a great sweet-to-rye spice ratio.
Tasting Notes:
Right away, you’ll be struck by the aromas of peppery rye, sweet cinnamon sugar, vanilla beans, and candied orange peels. The palate delivers notes of candied pecans, butterscotch, shaved coconut, and more vanilla. It all ends in a crescendo of sweet caramel and spicy cracked black pepper.
Bottom Line:
For the price, it’s hard to find a better craft rye whiskey. After one sip, this will become your new go-to sweet-meets-peppery summer sipper.
With the likes of Hudson, Black Button, Kings County, and Widow Jane, New York has become a leader in the non-Kentucky bourbon world in recent years. But one of the best is often even overlooked in the state. Coppersea Excelsior Bourbon is a high rye, 100% New York-produced bourbon that’s made using grain sourced from the state and even matured in charred Hudson Valley oak barrels.
Tasting Notes:
Before your first sip, take a moment to nose this whiskey — you’re sure to pick up aromas of caramel corn, brown sugar, cooking spices, and a nice wallop of peppery rye. The palate swirls with vanilla beans, maple candy, dried fruits, a gentle nutty backbone, and more spicy rye at the very end.
Bottom Line:
This is an old-school, prohibition-style bourbon. It requires multiple samplings to reveal all of the different flavors. It’s definitely young, however, and should be treated as such — try mixing it into your next old fashioned or Manhattan.
Whiskey aficionados have heard of Laws, but many drinkers haven’t yet had a chance to appreciate these well-crafted, high-quality Colorado whiskeys. The brand’s flagship expression is its Four Grain Straight Bourbon. The corn, wheat, barley, and rye in the mash bill come from local farms and the distillate is aged for three years in charred oak barrels at high altitudes.
Tasting Notes:
This is a very herbal, citrus-filled whiskey on the nose. There’s also caramel, vanilla, and just a hint of peppery rye. Sipping it reveals notes of toasted wood, vanilla beans, pipe tobacco, candied orange peels, and gentle spice. The finish is warming, dry, and beguiling enough to be memorable.
Bottom Line:
If you’ve never enjoyed whiskey from Laws, start with this expression and work your way through the whole portfolio. At the very least, try this one and then the bonded version.
Philadelphia’s New Liberty is making some high-quality, underrated whiskey. The brand’s Dutch Malt Whiskey was made to pay tribute to the “Pennsylvania Dutch” who settled in the state after emigrating from Germany in the 17th century. It’s made with two-row barley from Deer Creek Malt House in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, aromas include sweet malts, vanilla, dried fruits, and gentle spice. The palate is loaded with chocolate fudge, cereal-like malts, buttery caramel, and oaky wood. The finish is warming, long, and ends with a mixture of sweetness and spice.
Bottom Line:
This is a different whiskey than you’re used to. It’s filled with hints of malts, grains, and a nice nutty sweetness you just can’t put your finger on.
We know what you’re thinking. Bourbon and Iowa don’t really seem to make sense together. But if you know anything at all about the state, you know there are a lot of cornfields there — why wouldn’t they end up with some bourbon?
Cedar Ridge’s flagship expression is its Straight Bourbon. This award-winning whiskey has a mash bill of 74% corn, 14% rye, and 12% malted barley. It’s aged for three years in charred, American oak barrels.
Tasting Notes:
This 86 proof whiskey begins with scents of caramel corn, vanilla beans, oak, and gentle rye warmth. The palate features hints of raisins, apricots, buttery caramel, vanilla, and a nice minerality. It’s made with family-farmed corn, and it tastes like you’d expect a bold, rich bourbon from the Midwest to taste.
Bottom Line:
Cedar Ridge has gained in popularity in recent years due to its slew of awards. But it still doesn’t have the name recognition of many of its Kentucky counterparts — it deserves some shine.
If you pay attention to the American craft whiskey world, you’ve probably heard of Westward. But, in general, it’s still utterly underrated when it comes to single malt whiskey worldwide. While many drinkers don’t look to the US for single malt whiskeys at all, after one sip of this expression, they’ll have to expand their understanding of the genre.
Made with locally sourced malted barley, brewed using ale yeast, and matured in lightly charred American oak casks, this is a truly unique single malt whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
If you’re a fan of Scotch, you’ll recognize some of its notable aromas in this expression. There’s honey, dried orange peels, almonds, and caramel malts throughout. After nosing, your first sip will feature subtle ale yeast flavor, buttery caramel, toffee, gentle spices, and a nice malty backbone. It’s sweet, slightly spicy, and highly sippable.
Bottom Line:
While nobody is going to tell you to stop enjoying your favorite single malt Scotch. You should keep an open mind and try this excellent American riff on the style.
This whiskey from Lebanon, Kentucky’s Limestone Branch Distillery is made to pay tribute to America’s national park system (they even donate a portion of the proceeds to the National Parks Conservation Association). The straight bourbon whiskey is a blend of four and seven-year-old bourbons selected for their rich, sippable, mellow flavors.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is heaped with aromas of toasted marshmallows, rich oak, vanilla beans, and subtle spice. The palate drives forward dried apricots, raisins, toasted vanilla beans, sweet treacle, and butterscotch. The last sip is a nice combination of caramelized sugar and woody oak.
Bottom Line:
This is a great whiskey for two reasons. For one, drinking it helps conserve our National Parks. Second, it’s flavorful, sweet, and well-suited for slow sipping on a cool summer’s night.
As a Drizly affiliate, Uproxx may receive a commission pursuant to certain items on this list.
During a panel discussion on Idris Elba’s recent call for everyone on social media to be verified to prevent anonymous “cowards” from spouting racist rhetoric, Meghan McCain announced that she may quit Twitter the same day she leaves The View. While McCain makes some salient points about how anonymity shouldn’t be provided to people who threaten women, for example (“I think your employer should know about that”), ultimately she couldn’t help but steer the conversation towards her own online presence:
“I have a lot of followers on there,” McCain said. “It’s been an incredible platform to talk to people and read the news. Definitely, in the past year since the pandemic, it’s become a noticeably more darker, uglier place — even in the cesspool of social media that’s already been dark. I do think it’s disturbing to see the things lauded at everyone, anyone.”
You can see her remarks at the 1:25 mark below:
SHOULD SOCIAL MEDIA BE VERIFIED VIA ID? After racist online attacks on Black athletes during the #EuroCup, actor Idris Elba wants social media sites to make users prove their identities so they cannot troll people anonymously — the co-hosts discuss. https://t.co/f8u2wbJuikpic.twitter.com/Biiu1hUZ5S
McCain ended her portion of the segment by saying, “Stay tuned. When I leave the show, I may quit Twitter on the same day for this reason.” If this was supposed to be some sort of threat, Twitter users did not see it that way, and instead, celebrated McCain’s promised exit from the app.
— Sissy is Embarrassed By Shih Tzu Say (@sissyroxx) July 21, 2021
On top of the celebratory tweets, people also couldn’t help but notice that McCain is not exactly an innocent bystander when it comes to fueling Twitter’s dark underbelly:
Meghan McCain: “Twitter’s become a noticeably more darker, uglier place”
In fact, just 48 hours ago, she was blasting “assholes” who report on her almost daily The View rants:
“Some of you assholes who spend your pathetic [existence] writing and distorting what I say every SINGLE day on the view really better start thinking of an exit strategy on how you’re gonna get your clicks and hits when I’m gone in 3 weeks,” McCain tweeted on Monday.
Some of you assholes who spend your pathetic existing writing and distorting what I say every SINGLE day on the view really better start thinking of an exit strategy on how you’re gonna get your clicks and hits when I’m gone in 3 weeks…
The lake is calling it’s for you. Desert Daze pre-sale, exclusive to email subscribers, starts tomorrow at 10am PT. General onsale starts Friday, 7/23 at 10am PT. Limited Tickets + Camping Passes available. pic.twitter.com/mueNgegatY
Multi-Platinum singer Khalid has been serving up non-stop hits since his 2017 debut album American Teen. At 23-years-old, the singer boasts several chart-topping singles and a handful of Grammy nominations, so it makes sense that fans are anxiously awaiting news of his third studio album. The wait is officially over this week as Khalid has finally shared details about his third studio album, titled Everything Is Changing.
Khalid officially announced Everything Is Changing with the brooding track “New Normal,” which the singer actually debuted last week at Virgin Galactic’s “Unity 22” Spaceflight launch. Khalid hasn’t given an exact release date for Everything Is Changing, but press materials note it’s slated for a fall release.
The singer dropped “New Normal” alongside a video directed by Andy Hines, which sees him making his way through a futuristic city. About the song, Khalid said it was inspired by the difficulties of the pandemic and coping with the emotions surrounding the world reopening:
“‘New Normal’ was inspired by how I was feeling during the pandemic and the emotional toll that quarantine took on me and my friends. Everything Is Changing as an album really takes that a step further with all of the songs centering around trying to find a purpose and a sense of self in a world where everything is digitally connect but emotionally disconnected. As we all come out of quarantine and venture more into the world and try to reconnect with people we haven’t seen in over a year, I hope the messages explored within the album open up conversations and allow people to access their feelings in a new way.”
Listen to “New Normal” above.
Everything Is Changing is out this fall via Right Hand Music Group/RCA Records.
With the quote “I feel like someone handed me a ticking time bomb because they wanted to make sure a woman was holding it when it explodes,” — perfectly delivered by actress Sandra Oh, of course — the new trailer for the upcoming Netflix dramedy series The Chair has already solidified the show as a must-watch for the fall season. While the series has been in the works over at the streaming service for a bit now, thanks to the trailer we now know a bit more about just what The Chair is.
According to the synopsis accompanying the trailer, “The Chair follows Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh) as she navigates her new role as the Chair of the English department at prestigious Pembroke University. Ji-Yoon is faced with a unique set of challenges as the first woman to chair the department, and as one of the few staff members of color at the university.” In the trailer, we see Ji-Yoon face obstacle after obstacle as an Asian American, woman, single mother, and educator, all while trying to have a personal life as well.
In addition to Oh, the upcoming Netflix series also stars Jay Duplass, Holland Taylor, Bob Balaban, Nana Mensah, David Morse, and Everly Carganilla. Furthermore, The Chair also boasts some serious talent behind the camera, as it was created and written by actress Amanda Peet alongside a familiar duo: Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
While the synopsis, Booksmart vibes, and that killer cast already make the six-episode series seem cool as hell, we also can’t get enough of The Linda Linda’s newest bop “Oh!” taking front and center in the trailer. The Chair hits Netflix on August 20.
The rollout of Metallica‘s fascinating covers compilation albumThe Metallica Blacklist continues, this time with J Balvin’s Latin take on the band’s 1991 single “Wherever I May Roam.” While the original is a driving saga about a drifter who redefines anywhere he lays his head as “home,” Balvin’s cover snatches the saucy sitar loop from the beginning of the song, adds rumbling 808s, and Balvin’s own swaggering review of his impact on the music game.
“Ya son más de diez años metiéndole y todavía sueno como nuevo,” he boasts, roughly translating to, “It’s been more than ten years and I still sound like new.” The hook brings back the wailing guitars, with the buzzsaw ax-work and chorus of the original forming an aggressive bridge.
The previously released singles from the band’s cover album have included Miley Cyrus’s take on “Nothing Else Matters,” which also includes Chad Smith, Elton John, Robert Trujillo, Watt, and Yo-Yo Ma, and two wildly different covers of “Sad But True,” one from St. Vincent and one from Jason Isbell. Other artists expected to appear on the 53-track album include Cage The Elephant, Darius Rucker, Kamasi Washington, Phoebe Bridgers, Pup, Rina Sawayama, and Weezer.
Watch J Balvin’s “Wherever I May Roam” cover video above.
The Metallica Blacklist is out 9/10 via Blackened Recordings. Pre-order it here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Over the past few weeks, Ariana Grande has been sharing a handful of Vevo live performance videos, like one she did with Ty Dolla Sign earlier this month. Today brings another, and this time, she has linked up with The Weeknd for their Positions collaboration “Off The Table.” The pair is joined by a band on a verdant stage, dramatically lit by blue light from a giant oval light fixture above.
Grande previously said of making the song, “I didn’t know anyone was ever going to hear it. I just kind of was sitting in my room during quarantine, towards the very beginning and I just had set up my little home situation and a friend of Matt Bennett’s, Shintaro, had sent me a little folder of beats. He’s a really brilliant producer and he sent me a pack of beats and I pulled it up and I wrote a verse and a chorus, and I sent it over to Abel and I said, ‘Is this OK?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna write the second verse.’ It was a very intimate moment and writing process between two friends.”
Watch Grande and The Weeknd perform “Off The Table” above.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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it’s for you. Desert Daze pre-sale, exclusive to email subscribers, starts tomorrow at 10am PT. General onsale starts Friday, 7/23 at 10am PT. Limited Tickets + Camping Passes available.