The January 6 insurrection attempt in Washington D.C. at Donald Trump’s behest has certainly spawned some continuing drama in the United States, including hundreds of legal cases stemming from charges of trespassing and other crimes at the deadly event. But one of the lawyers representing a number of those accused has had a drama following him that’s taken on a life of its own.
John Pierce, a Trump-supporting lawyer who was helping a number of defendants with Capitol insurrection-related cases, made headlines this week with a report that he was struggling to do his job due to contracting coronavirus. Which was, of course, a thing he didn’t believe existed. Reports said that the lawyer was on a ventilator after contracting COVID-19, but a new report casts significant doubt on that. In fact,
But now there’s speculation that he was not actually sick and merely trying to hide for some reason. Because as The Daily Beast detailed, the lawyer now appears to have gone missing altogether. The report noted three different rioters who had Pierce as their lawyer have opted not to work with him anymore, mostly because they can’t find him.
Marshall told the judge that Pierce was in the hospital with COVID-19, on a ventilator and unresponsive. A few hours later, a colleague of Pierce’s—or a friend, depending on who you ask—said in a statement that Pierce, 49, was in the hospital with what he thought might have been COVID, but was actually “dehydration and exhaustion.” But Marshall had previously also claimed that Pierce had been in some sort of accident, and another person close to Pierce said that he had in fact been hospitalized but was not on a ventilator.
Since then, Marshall, who is under criminal indictment in Pennsylvania on 15 felony charges stemming from an alleged scheme that bilked an elderly widow out of $86,000, has repeatedly feigned ignorance about the specifics of Pierce’s condition. Pierce “is sick,” Marshall insisted to The Daily Beast, but said he hadn’t seen him and only knew “what I was told.”
Whether Pierce is actually sick, exhausted, or simply trying to fall off the face of the Earth for whatever reason, it’s weird to say the least. And according to the report, his clients are rightfully furious and unwilling to work with him anymore.
A bowl of fried rice is one of my death row meals. I pretty much lived on the stuff back when I spent a year in Jakarta. The spicy fried rice wrapped in green-brown paper and made to order from pushcarts is a dish I still dream about to this day. And since I’m a world away from Indonesia, I end up making it on my stovetop far more often than I probably should — this isn’t exactly health food.
There’s really only one rule when making fried rice at home — use leftovers. That makes this a great late-night meal. Especially if you’ve had a drink or two.
First, you need day-old white rice that’s cooled in a fridge. This is an unavoidable truth of great fried rice. From there, it’s all about building umami, funk, spice, and texture. My ethos for what kind of fried rice I’m making comes down to what’s leftover and how rich I want it to be.
In this case, I had some skirt steak and steamed broccoli — so I’m making steak and broccoli fried rice. Do you have some leftover rotisserie chicken? Use that. A little ham left after a Sunday roast? That’s perfect with eggs. Are there leftover steamed clams and mussels in the fridge from last night’s take-out? Throw it in there! It’s really that simple.
Beyond the main protein and veg in your fried rice, I like to keep the base pretty simple, work fast, and build a funky and umami base. Let’s get into it.
First, I’m putting measurements for the sauces above but I’ve never measured them out. I use a few dashes of fish sauce, a glug of soy, a dollop of sambal olek, etc. You need to dial in these measurements for your palate. The overall point is to build umami while adding in a little funk.
I had leftover jasmine rice, so that’s what I’ll. I cooked my rice in a pot on the stove in veg stock so that it has a little more savory depth. Cook your rice how you want but make sure it’s well-seasoned before it’s put into the fridge overnight.
The rest is pretty straightforward. I’m using a light onion for the base with fresh ginger. You can 100 percent add garlic if you want. Do you have some galangal lying around? Put it in. The point of fried rice is that it’s your recipe. I like mine more on the nasi goreng side of the fried rice spectrum and that’s why I’m using sambal olek and chili oil to keep things spicy.
This is simply a roadmap of sorts to a good bowl of fried rice. The exact specs are yours alone (my editor insists on Thai basil).
Zach Johnston
What You’ll Need:
Nonstick pan
Kitchen knife
Cutting board
Wooden spoon
Bowl
Fine grater
Zach Johnston
Method:
Prep your ingredients: Thinly chop the whites of the green onion, grate the ginger, cube the beef, and roughly chop the broccoli.
Chop the greens of the green onion and set aside for later.
Heat a small glug of neutral oil (I used sunflower) in the pan.
Crack the egg into the hot pan and immediately use the wooden spoon to scramble the egg. As soon as it sets, remove it to a waiting bowl.
Add another glug of oil to the pan. Turn up the heat to high and drop in the green onion whites, ginger, beef, and broccoli.
Add the fish sauce and use the wooden spoon to move everything around so it heats through evenly.
As soon as the onions turn translucent (about a minute or so), add the rice, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sambal olek, a few shakes of white pepper, and a pinch of MSG. Use the wooden spoon to integrate everything.
After cooking for about another minute, lower the heat to medium-low or low and add in the butter and scrambled eggs. Stir until the butter is completely melted into the rice.
Use the wooden spoon to pat the rice down gently.
Let the rice cook, untouched, for a few minutes to create a lightly browned bottom to the rice.
Kill the heat and stir the crunchy bottom into the rest of the rice.
Scoop the rice into two waiting bowls, drizzle with chili oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and garnish with the green onion tops.
Serve.
Zach Johnston
Bottom Line:
Zach Johnston
Let’s start with the texture, using butter (which is Roy Choi approved) to help the bottom of the rice brown really adds the x-factor. You get the softness of the fried rice juxtaposed with crunchy and buttery kernels of rice here and there. It’s a nice touch.
The steak was medium rare when it went into the pan. Since the cooking time is pretty short, it’s still tender and juicy but just above medium now. It’s beefy, soft, and provides another nice textural element.
The broccoli, onion, and ginger add color, sweetness, and heat in that order. The eggs are soft with an edge of butteriness.
The dish really shines in that it’s mildly spicy with soft warmth at the top that slowly builds to a mild buzz by the end of the bowl. This marries really well with the layers of savory soy, almost-sweet oyster sauce, and the funk of that fish sauce at the base.
I’m not gonna lie, I ate both servings of this without any hesitation. It’s freakin’ delicious, took under ten minutes to make from fridge to plate, and left me wanting more.
The life of a housecat is generally pretty cozy, but some cities make it easier to spoil our kitties than others.
According to a new ranking of cat-friendly cities from OneVet, felines in Florida are particularly fortunate. The state boasts the honor of having three cities in the top 10, and is the only state to have multiples cities on the list. (Florida. Who knew?)
The “Best U.S. Cities to Be a Cat” rankings are based on five equally-weighted factors: the number of pet-friendly rentals, number of veterinarians, number of cat cafes, number of pet stores, and number of cat adoptions in 2020 (all per 100K population). A pretty solid set of criteria, at least from a human perspective.
(If cats themselves were making these rankings, we’d be looking at number of mice per square block, number of birds visible through windows, number of sucker humans that can be convinced to put food out for us, etc.)
Anyhoo, pouncing in as the number one cat-friendly city in America is Miami, Florida, with a score of 43.47 out of a maximum score of 50. In a close second was Orlando, followed by Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati.
Offering a nice geographical spread, the cities of Atlanta, Denver, Minneapolis, Tampa, and Riverside, CA rounded out the top ten.
Well, you can take your pick of cities from coast to coast, with New York City being the worst, with a shockingly low score of 5.23, and two California metros—San Francisco and Los Angeles—making the bottom 10.
Others on the cat-unfriendly list include Memphis, New Orleans, Jacksonville (so Florida isn’t all feline-friendly), Phoenix, Detroit, Houston, and Virginia Beach.
Of course, the care and feeding of a cat is mainly a product of how wrapped around their owner’s finger they are, but it is interesting to see how much varies from city to city as far as cat-friendly amenities goes. Apparently the Northwest is remarkably average, with no cities in the top or bottom 10. (Either that, or the region just entirely forgotten about, which happens a lot.)
But really, cats themselves don’t care all the much. As long as they get rubs and snuggles when they want them (and only when they want them) and as long as everything is exactly as they feel it should be, they’re happy wherever they live.
And hey, at least Florida has something to brag about other than off-the-wall people and off-the-rails politicians. “Most cat-friendly state in the U.S.” may not be much, but it’s something.
Drake has come a long way from rolling down the aisles of Degrassi Community School. He left Wheelchair Jimmy far behind and transformed into one of music’s colossal forces, reframing the ideals of success while simultaneously breaking and creating new records. Following 2009’s breakthrough EP So Far Gone, the artist has soared closer to icon territory by unleashing an impressive string of albums, mixtapes and loosies that became woven in social media commentary and led to historic chart runs. His impact is pretty unshakeable at this point, as even his guest features could be a list all on its own. Call him what you want — Champagne Papi, Heartbreak Drake, Drizzy, The Boy, 6 God, Young Angel, October’s Very Own, OVO Records’ CEO — but there’s no denying he’s on his way to G.O.A.T. status.
In anticipation of his pending sixth album Certified Lover Boy, due out tomorrow, we present a ranking of our favorite songs so far.
60. “Passionfruit” (More Life, 2017)
Sure, “Passionfruit” sounds like the nondescript playlist songs we’ve all heard in H&M and Zara dressing rooms. But that’s part of its magic. Drake does accessibility well, drawing in listeners from all backgrounds and ages to simply…vibe. This More Life cut does just that, with its blend of tropical house and R&B (courtesy of British producer and songwriter Nana Rogues) that makes post-long distance heartache somehow sound oh-so-irresistible.
59. “Unforgettable” Feat. Jeezy (Thank Me Later, 2010)
Drake is a huge Aaliyah fan (he even has the late icon tattooed on his back), and he celebrated her legacy early on in his career with “Unforgettable.” Built around a sample of Aaliyah’s cover of Isley Brothers’ ‘70s classic “(At Your Best) You Are Love,” the singer’s signature coos provide a lush backdrop for both Drizzy and Jeezy’s flirty lines.
58. “Over” (Thank Me Later, 2010)
After years of building his name with mixtapes and being part of the Young Money crew, Drake showed he had something to prove with “Over.” The Grammy-nominated lead single of his debut album Thank Me Later showed it was evident the road to superstardom would become crowded as hell: “I know way too many people here right now that I didn’t know last year / Who the f**k are y’all?” Atop a boisterous beat via and Boi-1da and Al Khaaliq, Drake affirms that he has his eyes set on taking over the game. The one thing holding this back is the overt “hashtag rap” that will keep it stuck in the ‘10s era.
57. “Ransom” Feat. Lil Wayne (non-album single, 2008)
Lil Wayne often brings out the best in Drake, and the potential that he initially saw in the post-Degrassi star is highlighted all throughout “Ransom.” Forget a catchy hook, this song is about straight bars. Weezy ultimately takes the lead here, but he gives his mentee the spotlight to show off his talents. This is Drake at his hungriest and we haven’t heard him like this since.
56. “Wu-Tang Forever” (Nothing Was the Same, 2013)
Based on the title alone, you’d think “Wu-Tang Forever” was actually a tribute to the Staten Island rap legends. But the sample of Wu-Tang Clan’s 1997 “It’s Yourz” cut is where the homage starts and ends. This Nothing Was the Same highlight is all about two things that Drake loves to discuss: paranoia and women. The combination of the ghostly sample and the nightmarish piano gives a dark edge to Drake’s sweet croons. The confusion rightfully ended up rubbing the Wu-Tang Clan the wrong way, but one can’t deny the song’s appealing nature. After all, what’s Drake without controversy?
55. “Money To Blow” with Birdman and Lil Wayne (Priceless, 2009)
Drake’s swagger was on a hundred, thousand, trillion on this Young Money mini-posse single, where he intros with a 24-hour champagne diet declaration that showed off just how rich he was becoming. His flow is so smooth that you can almost forgive his bold-faced flexing. And Weezy couldn’t have prophesied it any better: “And we gon’ be alright if we put Drake on every hook.” Since declaring such on “Money To Blow,” the rapper has collected chart-topping features like an Olympian.
54. “One Dance” (Views, 2016)
When Drake wasn’t looking for revenge all summer ‘16, he was taking over the clubs that year with a trio of dancehall-inspired tunes: “Controlla,” his “Work” team-up with Rihanna and “One Dance.” The latter is the weakest of the three, but it still kept waistlines moving thanks to its fusion of dancehall, afrobeats, and the house subgenre of UK funky. Featuring Nigerian superstar WizKid (who collaborated with Drake the year prior on the “Ojuelegba Remix” and later reteamed for 2017’s “Come Closer”) and British singer Kyla, it was both charming and monotonous. “One Dance” topped the charts in the UK, the US, and Canada, once again showcasing the unshakeable appeal of the African diaspora’s genres.
53. “God’s Plan” (Scary Hours & Scorpion, 2018)
What makes Drake a standout rap artist is his ability to create moments within songs whose impact extends beyond the genre. At face value, “God’s Plan” is a typical track for him, stuffed with endless Instagram captions (“Don’t pull up at 6 AM to cuddle with me”) and catchphrases for festival goers to shout back at him (“I only love my bed and my momma, I’m sorry”). But the beauty is in its simplicity, and the formula worked tenfold: “God’s Plan” secured a Grammy for Best Rap Song and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eleven weeks.
52. “Legend” (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, 2015)
2015 found Drake at his peak cocky stage, which is best and brashly displayed on IYRTITL’s “Legend” opener. He calls upon OVO signee PartyNextDoor to strip and flip Ginuwine’s ‘90s classic “So Anxious” into an ambient soundboard for Drake to showcase zero signs of humility. For him to croon “Oh my God, oh my God, if I die, I’m a legend” as passionately as Ginuwine would croon to his lady fans is completely audacious. But when you’ve racked up a near-untouchable stack of accolades before age 30, can you really blame him?
51. “What’s Next” (Scary Hours 2, 2021)
With every passing year, more people want a piece of Drake, whether it’s his personal life or new music. By the time 2021 hit, fans grew tired of Certified Lover Boy’s disappearing act after first teasing it last summer. Ever the troll, he continued to drop one-off singles with no release date in sight. His latest, “What’s Next,” is a heavy dose of sarcasm that’s not so far off from the eye-rolls targeted at the media on 2018’s “Look Alive” (“I’ve been gone since, like, July, n****s actin’ like I died”) and 2011’s “HYFR” (“Do you love this sh*t? Are you high right now?”). Album or not, he’s highly aware of his relevance and will remind you any chance he gets: “I’m on the hot one hundo, numero uno / This one ain’t come with a bundle.”
50. “November 18th” (So Far Gone, 2009)
“November 18th” is an essential Drake track for two reasons: it signifies the date that Lil Wayne officially signed him to Young Money and changed his life forever, as well as showcasing very early on that the rapper was a sonic shapeshifter. The So Far Gone fan favorite combines Drake’s Toronto-derived somber R&B finesse and the gritty chopped-and-screwed sounds that put Houston on the map. Here, over a sample of DJ Screw’s legendary version of Kris Kross’ “Da Streets Ain’t Right” (which in turn samples Biggie Smalls’ “Warning”) from 1996’s June 27 tape, Drake teases what he would soon become known for: a seamless blend of various cultures.
49. “Made Men” with Rick Ross (non-album single, 2011)
Drake and Rick Ross are one of rap’s ultimate pairings, mainly because they love to brag about their wealth and women. Here, they channel their inner mafiosos while casually one-upping each other’s rhymes. Technically this is Ross’ tune, but Drake steals the show when he tops his homie’s “S65, I call it Rihanna / It got a red top, but it’s white like Madonna” bar by gloating: “One of my baddest women ever, I call her Rihanna / But that’s ’cause her name is Rihanna”.
48. “Believe Me” with Lil Wayne (non-album single, 2014)
“He left Rikers in a Phantom, that’s my n****.” Drake never shies away from his admiration for mentor Lil Wayne, but it truly shines on “Believe Me.” One of their many classic collaborations, the pair reflect on their rapid ascension to become rap’s global superstars, with Boi-1da and Vinylz’s bouncy beat growing tenser within the second half as the YMCMB buddies show off some slick wordplay.
47. “Headlines” (Take Care, 2011)
By the time his second album Take Care rolled around, Drake pushed the uncertainty about his position in the rap game aside and asserted himself as The Boy who has his eyes set on taking on the throne. And “Headlines” encapsulates this smug notion. While a majority of Take Care is rooted in somberness, this single is one of its rare upbeat moments that’s a toast to Drake’s accomplishments. But he also slips in a fair warning to his peers that the real is on the rise: “Soap opera rappers, all these n***s sound like All My Children.”
46. “HYFR (Hell Ya F**king Right)” Feat. Lil Wayne (Take Care, 2011)
On “HYFR,” Drake only focuses on his ex-girlfriends just for a moment before finally giving himself the freedom to have fun. Executing a rare double-time flow, both he and Lil Wayne drop catchy bars (“I learned Hennessy and enemies is one hell of a mixture”) before leaning into a sarcasm-dripping chorus over a synthwave guitar. The video makes this even more of a banger, with Drake throwing the dopest bar mitzvah ever.
45. “Jumpman” with Future (What A Time to Be Alive, 2015)
There’s plenty of standouts on Drake and Future’s What A Time To Be Alive joint mixtape, from the former’s shameless outro on “Diamonds Dancing” to Future facing his demons on “Scholarships.” But “Jumpman” was a special one, as Future helped ignite his friend’s inner trap king. What A Time to Be Alive is mainly in Future’s wheelhouse — recorded in Atlanta, executively produced by right-hand Metro Boomin, and is mostly about the city’s grungy hustle — but Drake holds his own as the two join forces like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to create a club-ready banger.
44. “Summer Sixteen” (non-album single, 2016)
Drake had a chokehold on the year 2016, and the takeover began with “Summer Sixteen.” Released that January, Drake (a decorated diss artist at that point) aimed his shots at the heads of Meek Mill and Tory Lanez. The song really revs up in the second half, with a sinister beat anchoring his brags of — what else? — having the biggest pool of any rapper. If his point wasn’t made clear enough, DJ Khaled swoops in on the outro: “They don’t want us to have a bigger pool than Kanye!”
43. “Up All Night” Feat. Nicki Minaj (Thank Me Later, 2010)
Drake may have been putting on for his team on Thank Me Later’s “Up All Night,” but his Young Money labelmate snatched the mic with her monumental guest verse. Drake holds his own on the thumping track, but it ultimately belongs to Nicki Minaj. “If Drizzy say get her, imma get her,” Minaj begins — and that she does, going fully rabid as she pierces haters with taunts and cocky one-liners: “I look like ‘yes’ and you look like ‘NO’!”
42. “Club Paradise” (Care Package, 2019)
Fame often comes with a price, and usually it’s the ones you love who get struck the most. “Club Paradise,” part of the handful of teaser tracks Drake shared prior to Take Care’s release, summates his feelings of leaving his hometown in order to make his dreams come true. Titled after his favorite Toronto strip club, it’s a tale of melancholy, nostalgia, and that signature paranoia as Drake comes to terms with the fact that his old life with nameless strippers, old girlfriends, childhood friends like Chubbs and his beloved mother Sandy has drastically changed. When he raps, “Just lie to my ears / Tell me it feel the same, that’s all I’ve been dying to hear,” you really feel it.
41. “Nonstop” (Scorpion, 2018)
After first teaming with Tay Keith on BlocBoy JB’s 2018 single “Look Alive,” the Memphis producer dug deep into his crates and returned to craft one of Drake’s gnarliest hits. Yet another ode to the Southern city, “Nonstop” utilizes local rap stars Mack Daddy Ju and D.J. Squeeky’s 1995 tune “My Head Is Spinnin’.” The minimalist production is the perfect sounding board for Drake, who opts to flex in a playful and lowkey manner than his usual assertive style. It works to his advantage, flipping the switch to a newfound whispered flow dotted with adlibs that’s so nonchalant you almost forget he’s talking smack.
40. “Cameras / Good Ones Go” (Take Care, 2011)
Man does 40 know how to finesse a sample. On this Take Care duo, the producer flips Jon B.’s 2001 ballad “Calling On You” for a late-night, R&B-inspired melody. You can almost picture Drake sipping on whiskey neat (long before he’d launch his own Virginia Black variety) as he dissects how the media perception can play a role in a celebrity relationship, often inciting disillusions that lead to trust issues. Once “Good Ones Go” kicks in, Drake comes to terms with the fact that he has to let his girl go. The Weeknd’s comforting coos make the task a bit easier.
39. “4pm in Calabasas” (Care Package, 2019)
Drake is just rude on this 2016 loosie, where he emerged from his post-Views Toronto retreat to flex on his enemies while soaking up the California sun. The origins of the Diddy-Drake beef is still cloudy (it might’ve sparked over a bitch slap), but Drake makes it known that he wants the Bad Boy legend to feel the same sting he implemented. The song is just bar after bar of not-so-covert disses, from “Can’t nobody hold me down” to “Make them dance to this.” And he does it all with a wicked laugh, a-ha-ha-ha.
38. “When To Say When” (Dark Lane Demo Tapes, 2020)
Dark Lane Demo Tapes was meant to be a sampler to hold fans over until the release of Certified Lover Boy, quenching their thirst with a mix of new songs, leaked favorites, and SoundCloud staples. “When To Say When” was an immediate standout on the otherwise bland taste test, with Drake heading to Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects as he rhymes over Jay-Z’s The Blueprint classic “Song Cry.” Continuing its vulnerable theme, the rapper unpacks his conscience: “Thirty-three years, I gave that to the game / Thirty-three mil’, I’ll save that for the rain / Five hundred weeks, I’ll fill the charts with my pain.” It’s a therapy session without the insurer’s invoice.
37. “Say What’s Real” (So Far Gone, 2009)
It only made sense that Drake decided to pour his heart out over the instrumental to Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak highlight “Say You Will.” But rather than trying to heal a broken heart, “Say What’s Real” is an insight into the mind of a rapper who’s fully aware of his come-up. “Why do I feel so alone?” he begins, before revealing his uncle’s urge to protect his privacy, getting smug about his growing number of ladies, bargaining with major labels and ultimately finding the confidence to dominate.
36. “Ignant Shit” Feat. Lil Wayne (So Far Gone, 2009)
When Drake kicks off a song by introducing himself and Lil Wayne as “Young Angel and Young Lion,” you know it’s going to be a moment. “Ignant Shit” finds the pair skating ever so fluidly over Jay-Z’s American Gangster highlight, where Just Blaze flips Isley Brothers’ 1983 classic “Between The Sheets.” The sample has become an integral staple in hip-hop, and its use can come across as try-hard. But Drake and Lil Wayne make it all their own, shifting away from Jay-Z’s pop culture-referencing aim at rap critics and having fun trading catchy bars.
35. “Feel No Ways” (Views, 2016)
We’ve all been there before: making excuses to stay in a dying relationship that feels more like a tedious cycle than a blissful union. Drake hits on these emotions on this deep cut, whose electro-pop-R&B fusion sounds like it could be plucked right from the ‘80s. Majid Jordan’s Jordan Ullman flips former Sex Pistols’ manager Malcolm McLaren’s “World Famous (Radio I.D.)” into a sparkling gem that gives Drake some sense of clarity. “There’s more to life than sleeping in and getting high with you / I had to let go of us to show myself what I could do.” The song was later given new life, with the rapper performing it at Camp Flog Gnaw in 2019, the biggest highlight of an otherwise shaky set. Even Tyler, the Creator (who founded the festival) couldn’t contain his excitement, later showing admiration for the “beautiful” track on Twitter.
34. “The Motion” (Care Package, 2019)
Sometimes you avoid coming to terms with the fact that a relationship (either romantic or platonic) is no good for you, which is what Drake struggles with on 2013’s aqueous Nothing Was The Same precursor. He can’t rely on friends or his woman, as they both take advantage of his kindness. “The girl that I wanna save is like a danger to my health,” he painfully shares. “Try being with somebody that wanna be somebody else.” Toss in Sampha’s grieving vocals at the end and it just makes the tears well even faster.
33. “Know Yourself” (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, 2015)
Drake has utilized the “Know Yourself” phrase before (“Jodeci Freestyle,” “From Time,” “0 To 100”), but on this immediate fan favorite, it soared to hometown anthem status. It begins unsuspectingly, with a brooding flow that matches Boi-1da’s tense production. But as soon as that choral chant begins — “I was. running. through the 6. With my WOES!” — blood rushes to your head as the urge to take over the streets kicks in.
32. “Jungle” (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, 2015)
40 has produced a lot of showstopping tracks for Drake, but “Jungle” stands out as one of his most gorgeous melodies. Wrapped around a sample of alt-R&B singer Gabriel Garzón-Montano’s “6 8,” this IYRTITL deep cut is driven by heartfelt nostalgia. Drake has always been a hopeless romantic at heart, and he longs for a past love that he foolishly left behind in Toronto’s rugged Lawrence Heights neighborhood. When he sings, “Hate that I treat it like it’s a ‘whatever’ thing / Trust me girl, this sh*t is everything to me,” it’s clear that he severely messed up.
31. “The Motto” Feat. Lil Wayne (Take Care, 2011)
You couldn’t go anywhere without hearing someone shout “YOLO!” back in 2011. It was all Drake’s doing, as he popularized the phrase with his catchy “The Motto” single. He’s too-cool here, spitting ever so casually on a hyphy-inspired beat (“Rest in peace, Mac Dre, I’ma do it for the Bay”). While he didn’t invent it, the rapper was the reason why “YOLO” skyrocketed into the cultural stratosphere. Once he got hold of it, “YOLO” — or “You Only Live Once” — became way more than just an acronym. It was a complete lifestyle, with people using the literal motto to define their carefree and sometimes reckless “f*ck it” attitude with a shrug.
30. “Hotline Bling” (Views, 2016)
As soon as Drake began hitting those dorky Dad dance moves in his now-iconic red bubble coat in the “Hotline Bling” video, it was evident the song was heading into ubiquity. The Grammy-winning tune is filled with condescending lyrics that men (who have lost the love of their lives due to their silly mistakes) have turned into their personal mantras. From the opening line “You used to call me on my cell phone, late night when you need my love” to the remorseful pain behind “Started wearing less and going out more” and even the song title itself, “Hotline Bling” became a meme-worthy anthem for those who couldn’t get over their old flame.
29. “Duppy Freestyle” (non-album single, 2018)
Drake has been defending himself through diss tracks since the beginning of his career, and on “Duppy Freestyle” he was audibly over it. The sigh that precedes “the nerve, the audacity” intro is near comical Drake-ism, but also gives heavy “please stop playing with me” energy. It was released as a response to Pusha T’s “Infrared” that brought up the same ghostwriting allegations that Meek Mill harped on years prior. You can hear Drake’s exasperation as he tries to lets both Push and Kanye West down easy, from “Father had to stretch his hands out and get it from me / I pop style for 30 hours then let him repeat” to “Don’t be ashamed, it’s plenty n****s that do what you do / There’s no malice in your heart, you’re an approachable dude.” Pusha T later fired back with the mighty vicious “The Story of Adidon,” but let’s be real: Drake’s “Duppy Freestyle” is the one that most still have on repeat to this day.
28. “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” Feat. Rick Ross (Scary Hours 2, 2021)
Drake and Rick Ross bring out the best in each other, and “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” continued that winning streak. Here, over a delicate sample of indie-pop duo Quadron’s 2010 tune “Pressure,” the two do what they do best: balancing their lavish lifestyles with a heavy dose of introspection about their personal lives outside of the awards shows and yachts. Drake, growing more comfortable with rapping about his son Adonis, even throws in a bar about thirsty housewives at the PTA meetings. His lyrics are just as satisfying as the lemon pepper wings the song is named after.
27. “Fear” (So Far Gone, 2009)
One of Drake’s most underrated moments, “Fear” often gets lost in the sea of the rapper’s many introspective tracks. You can almost hear the hesitation in his tone as he grapples with the fact that his life is about to change forever. The girls he once talked to may look at him differently, his beloved uncle will stop messaging him and naysayers will criticize his talents. “Things are just surreal at home / People think I’ve changed just ’cause my appeal has grown and now security follow me everywhere,” he says somberly, revealing his anxieties. “So I never actually am alone, I just always feel alone / I think I’m scared of what the future holds.” Luckily he didn’t have much to worry about.
26. “Jodeci Freestyle” Feat. J. Cole (Care Package, 2019)
Leave it to Drake to spit cocky lyrics on a song that simultaneously pays homage to Jodeci. Initially released as a 2013 loosie, the collaboration marks the second after Drake hopped on J. Cole’s 2010 Friday Night Lights cut “In The Morning.” He and J. Cole compare themselves to the iconic ‘90s R&B group as they reminisce on all the girls they’ve stolen from their enemies. To add a dose of realism, Drake’s father Dennis Graham recalls their road trips from Toronto to Memphis, with Jodeci naturally being Drake’s go-to on the CD player. It’s a wonder how the two rappers haven’t worked together more, as they bring out clever dexterity in each other.
25. “Look What You’ve Done” (Take Care, 2011)
Drake’s at his best when he lets down his walls. On this Take Care deep cut, he brings us into his world, reminiscing on his family struggles like a spoken word performer at a cigarette smoke-filled lounge. Atop a warm piano melody, Drake details his mother’s health problems and his uncle’s support. As soon as his grandmother’s voicemail plays in the outro, you’re already wiping tears away.
24. “From Time” Feat. Jhené Aiko (Nothing Was The Same, 2013)
Aside from his usual go-tos Nicki Minaj and Rihanna, Drake doesn’t collaborate with women often. So it was a welcomed surprise when Jhené Aiko’s delicate vocals provided the backdrop for this languid deep cut. Aiko plays the old flame, calling him out on his flighty ways (“I love me enough for the both of us”) as Drake comes to terms with the fact that he can’t properly handle a relationship. Unfortunately for him, he realized this too late.
23. “Successful” Feat. Trey Songz (So Far Gone, 2009)
Rapping about highs and lows of success is one of Drake’s go-to themes, but “Successful” finds the star at his most aspirational. With early co-signer Trey Songz on the hook, it’s a somber three-part story anchored by Noah “40” Shebib’s heavy bassline. Drake is his usual cocky self on the first verse: “The young spitter that everybody in rap fear.” But things get real on the second, as he recalls crying with his mother in the driveway as they dealt with family and post-Degrassi money issues. A voicemail from his father anchors the third, and Lil Wayne soon emerges just when you think the song is over. Looking back over a decade after its release, a 2009 Drake probably couldn’t fathom just how much his future self would be able to accomplish.
22. “Controlla” (Views, 2016)
Views was marred by messy last-minute changes, from removing Kanye West and Jay-Z from “Pop Style” to replacing Popcaan with Beenie Man on “Controlla.” Luckily for the latter, both the original and final version became the main highlight of Drake’s lukewarm album era. The rapper is a sonic chameleon with a strong passion for dancehall. He excels here, with the Jamaican stars leading the way into a night of slow wines and rum punch.
21. “Best I Ever Had” (So Far Gone, 2009)
Drake immediately established a diehard fandom upon the release of his first big hit, with many first hearing the rap/R&B hybrid in high school or college and trying to figure out if Drake was the one singing or rapping. He was in fact doing both, sharing sweet nothings (“Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin’ with no make-up on”) in two different flows that’ll soon become his signature. Its blend of cheesiness and charm led to “Best I Ever Had” hitting No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, his highest peak until “One Dance” topped the chart seven years later. To further prove his star status, he even got Kanye West to direct the video. Drake didn’t necessarily introduce a new formula. But he sure did perfect it, making him a case study for success in the decade to come.
20. “Hold On, We’re Going Home” Feat. Majid Jordan (Nothing Was The Same, 2013)
Back in 2013, it was a rare occasion for Drake to go full-on pop star on us. He executed it well on this groovy ‘80s-inspired single, as he attempts his best Michael Jackson while working his charm on a love interest. The synth-pop melody has a melancholic edge to it, saving it from being too cheesy. The passion was inescapable, with everyone from Blood Orange to Arctic Monkeys covering the tune. It also introduced the world to OVO Sound signees Majid Jordan, who went on to become alt-R&B favorites in their own right.
19. “Take Care” Feat. Rihanna (Take Care, 2011)
Rihanna brings out Drake’s sensitive side, and while most of their collaborations highlight their flirty chemistry, “Take Care” is all about the emotions. Rihanna’s tender vocals anchor the chorus as Drake opts to sing for most of the track, giving an added dose of honesty. Its sample of Jamie xx’s remix of Gil Scott-Heron’s version of “I’ll Take Care Of You” amplifies the relationship’s rollercoaster, with the pounding drums and sparse piano telling the story of pain, hurt, and trust. The end result shows there’s beauty in vulnerability.
18. “Stay Schemin” with Rick Ross and French Montana (Rich Forever, 2012)
Technically this is Rick Ross’ single, but Drake notoriously took the lead here. Their chemistry is unsurprisingly elite here, with Rozay’s gruff verses and French Montana’s slurred presence give Drizzy the perfect alley-oop to execute what many consider to be his all-time best guest verse. Drake goes at Common’s neck, squashing any competition while also providing one of the most iconic one-liners (“Bitch, you wasn’t with me shootin’ in the gym!”) aimed at Vanessa Bryant that he later apologized for.
17. “Trophies” (Young Money: Rise of an Empire, 2014)
“Man, this sh*t is not a love song” Drake shouts on “Trophies,” making it clear that he’s not always about romance. No, this is the ultimate “Get with the winning team!” anthem, with the rapper’s voice going up a few octaves as he unleashes boastful declarations. As soon as those horns (borrowed from 1994’s Western film Oblivion) start blaring, you’ll get the confidence boost you need to either “f*ck a stripper on the mink rug” or “pop some f*cking champagne in the tub.” But when you’re winning this big, you can choose both.
16. “I’m On One” with DJ Khaled, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne (We The Best Forever, 2011)
“I’m just feeling like the throne is for the taking — watch me take it,” Drake declares on this masterful posse cut. Whether or not he was taunting Jay-Z and Kanye West (he claims that wasn’t the case), he made it known that he wanted to overthrow anyone in his path. Drake lends his voice on the hook and the opening verse, laying the groundwork for Rozay and Weezy to bulldoze. But the song could’ve done with at least one more verse from The Boy. And Drake couldn’t let go of the feeling: a month later, he used the hook to record a softer R&B version that’s best suited for the bedroom after leaving the club.
15. “6PM In New York” (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, 2015)
“28 at midnight, wonder what’s next for me,” Drake ponders on the third installment of his AM/PM series, which finds him throwing subliminals nearly as slick as his predecessor Jay-Z. He actually references Jigga man here, confidently expressing that The Throne (a.k.a. Jay-Z and Kanye West) needed to make room for a third legend-in-the-making. Drake states that “‘Best I Ever Had’ seems like a decade ago,” and it really does: following his breakthrough single, he’d become even more confident in his lyricism. The sneak disses are the best part, with Tyga getting caught in the crossfire: “You need to act your age and not your girl’s age”). “It gets worse by the annual / My career’s like a how-to manual, so I guess it’s understandable,” Drake assesses on “6PM In New York,” making it the perfect way to end an album that shared a grim tale of paranoia, cockiness, and post-coitus hopelessness.
14. “Crew Love” Feat. The Weeknd (Take Care, 2011)
The Weeknd’s gloomy, drug-fueled take on Toronto sent shock waves in R&B thanks to his breakout mixtape, 2011’s House Of Balloons. So it only made sense that Drake, who was growing wearier of his surroundings, would gravitate towards his sound. The pair officially joined forces on “Crew Love”, a celebration of the industry rise of their respective OVO and XO collectives. “House Of Balloons was actually supposed to have more songs than it does,” The Weeknd later revealed in 2013. “I had so many records left, and then Take Care came through. ‘Crew Love,’ ‘Shot for Me,’ and ‘The Ride’ were supposed to be on House Of Balloons.” Shoutout to The Weeknd for being so gracious.
13. “Lord Knows” Feat. Rick Ross (Take Care, 2011)
There’s only one way to describe “Lord Knows”: triumphant. Drake calls upon the legendary Just Blaze to craft one of his most spine-tingling melodies that is a stark, refreshing contrast to 40’s minimal beats. The track feels even more heavenly once the gospel choir’s wails kick in, giving Drake and Rick Ross an incentive to flaunt as the former explores his growing status in the rap game. You could almost hear the smirk behind the microphone as they stepped away, knowing they just made a classic. “I changed rap forever,” Drake boasts. He definitely knew.
12. “Started From The Bottom” (Nothing Was The Same, 2013)
“Started From The Bottom” was Drake’s version of the classic rags-to-hip-hop-riches story, reflecting on his career trajectory while calling out critics who question his so-called struggles. While he arguably didn’t actually start from the bottom (this is a former Degrassi star, let’s be real), the song resonated with those who came from humble beginnings. “Started” grew into an anthem about success that fans chanted at parties and wrote in their Twitter bios. It was a reminder to follow your dreams while keeping your day one’s close.
11. “Energy” (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, 2015)
Drake became jaded by 2015, and he was fully aware of his rap dominance and how many wanted to throw him off the throne. He throws daggers at his adversaries throughout “Energy,” from family members to groupies to rap peers. “I got rap n****s that I gotta act like I like / But my acting days are over, f*ck them n****s for life.” Needless to say, Drake was fed up. The only thing unclear at the time was Drake’s main target, but he notoriously made that well known in the coming months. Sorry, Meek.
10. “Too Much” Feat. Sampha (Nothing Was The Same, 2013)
Drake has never shied away from detailing his personal life, but “Too Much” took it to a deeper level. He ripped off the curtain that previously hid the growing tension within his family, with Sampha’s soulful hook used as a salve to somehow ease the pain. But Drake can’t hold it back any longer, his voice tightening up as he goes in on the second verse: “Money got my whole family going backwards / No dinners, no holidays, no nothing” and “I hate the fact my mom cooped up in her apartment / Telling herself that she’s too sick to get dressed up and go do shit.” When he says he didn’t sign up for this, you almost question if he’s willing to throw it all away for the sake of maintaining his sanity.
9. “Do Not Disturb” (More Life, 2017)
Also referred to as “7 AM In Germany”, this More Life cut is an unofficial entry in Drake’s “AM/PM” series. It has all the elements we love: sneak disses (the Tory Lanez-directed “You overnight celebrity, you one day star”), introspective and free-flowing rhymes (his mindset while recording Views is telling), and a distorted R&B sample (Snoh Aalegra’s 2017 “Time”). Similar to “6PM In New York” closing IYRTITL in a confident manner, “Do Not Disturb” closes the party track-heavy More Life with pensive thoughts. “Taking summer off, ’cause they tell me I need recovery / Maybe gettin’ back to my regular life will humble me / I’ll be back 2018 to give you the summary,” he revealed in the closing lines. We all need a break sometimes.
8. “Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2” Feat. Jay-Z (Nothing Was The Same, 2013)
Drake and Jay-Z’s third collaboration, following 2009’s “Off That” and 2010’s “Light Up,” is their most luxurious. It’s the perfect champagne toast to close Nothing Was The Same, serving as a congratulatory moment for Drake not only securing yet another team-up with his idol, but also matching his lyrical finesse while reveling in the fact that he’s the new leader of rap’s new generation. “Nothing was the same, dawg,” he assures on the song’s final moments. And nearly a decade later, it’s foolish to argue otherwise.
7. “Tuscan Leather” (Nothing Was The Same, 2013)
“How much time is this n**** spendin’ on the intro?” Six minutes and six seconds, to be exact. 40 and Boi-1da try their hand at chipmunk soul, evoking the energy of the Roc-A-Fella glory days with a high-pitched sample of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.” Drake uses every crevice of the mutating production to his advantage, rapping with a newfound confidence following the glowing release of Take Care. In the same breath, he has nothing else and so much left to prove to the world. He knew it too: “This is nothing for the radio, but they’ll still play it though / ‘Cause it’s that new Drizzy Drake, that’s just the way it go.”
6. “5 AM In Toronto” (Care Package, 2019)
Drake began his “AM/PM” song series with 2010’s “9 AM in Dallas,” thus kicking off a selection of introspective longform raps attributed to wherever his mindset happened to be during a specific timezone. “5 AM In Toronto,” released ahead of 2013’s Nothing Was The Same, is a warning shot as he fully settles into his arrogance while calling out the entire rap game. “Give these n****s the look, the verse, and even the hook / That’s why every song sound like Drake featuring Drake,” he spits, fully settling into the villain role that peers placed him in. He even smokes a blunt in the video just for the hell of it (something he rarely did in public at the time), proving that he was on another level.
5. “Nice For What” (Scorpion, 2018)
As the superstar entered his 30s, he began writing his previous wrongs of lyrical gaslighting by crafting an empowering anthem specifically for women. Released at the height of the #MeToo movement, “Nice For What” captured women’s frustrations with a society that didn’t support us: “You gotta be nice for WHAT to these n***as?” Laid atop a New Orleans bounce-inspired beat, with Big Freedia’s in-your-face adlibs and Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor” sample coursing throughout, “Nice For What” reminded us to hold our chin up, shake our ass if we felt like it and raise a glass to post-relationship liberation. The female-directed video further cemented this notion with appearances from Olivia Wilde, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tiffany Haddish, and more. We were now unapologetically free. And Drake genuinely admired us from the sidelines.
4. “0 to 100 / The Catch Up” (non-album single, 2014)
Drake wasted zero time setting the tone for this one: “F*ck being on some chill sh*t.” From there, he goes in, unleashing bar after bar discussing everything from his deadbeat father, 40’s health issues, his bevy of groupies, and that signature cockiness (“I been Steph Curry with the shot / Been cooking with the sauce, Chef Curry with the pot, boy / 360 with the wrist, boy”). After leaving you in a headspin, he catches his breath in the second half and calmly details how he and his crew will continue to rule the upcoming year. He stuck to his word, surprise-dropping the If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late chart-topper.
3. “Marvins Room” (Take Care, 2011)
“Are you drunk right now?” says the woman on the other end of the phone. And he is absolutely buzzed. Gone off endless cups of rosé and XO, Drake feeds into his simp mode as he tries and fails to win a former flame back. This is quintessential Aubrey at the core, drowning himself in self-imposed sorrows while still managing to be annoyingly pretentious: “I’m just saying you can do better.” “Marvins Room” reflects every dude who knows they did wrong, but still drunkenly scrolls through their ex-girl’s Instagram stories and sends her half-assed, heart emoji-filled DMs filled with empty apologies. Something about that fragile relatability is the reason why the artist continues to stand out among his peers. He isn’t called “Heartbreak Drake” for nothing.
2. “Back To Back” (non-album single, 2015)
“Diss me and you’ll never hear a reply for it,” Drake maintained on So Far Gone’s “Successful.” Well, he obviously hasn’t been a man of his word, and we’re oh-so grateful for it. Leave it to Drake to pull off scoring a Top 40, Grammy-nominated diss song, which is the better half of “Charged Up.” Aiming for Meek Mill’s head, he got oh-so flagrant with literal back to back insults, from “Is that a world tour or your girl’s tour?” to “Trigger fingers turn to Twitter fingers / You getting bodied by a singing n****.” “Back To Back” is one of the millennial era’s best diss tracks, not just because of the lyrical shots, but what it meant for hip-hop’s social media generation. Similar to how Jay-Z put Mobb Deep’s Prodigy on the Summer Jam screen while performing “Takeover” in 2001, Drake opted to share viral memes during 2015’s OVO Fest headlining set. It was equally scathing and hilarious, a formula that’s still being replicated to this day.
1. “Worst Behavior” (Nothing Was The Same, 2013)
“SH*T!” Not the song you expected, right? Well, you have to travel back a few years to fully get the picture. It’s 2013 and Drake was completely fed up with everyone underestimating his skills as a rapper, with most branding him as too soft, sensitive, or corny. He brilliantly transformed that vitriol into furious gold. The tune purposefully skips, distorts, and bends its back so far that it’s almost tormenting to listen to — but that’s the genius of it. Drake gets absolutely manic in a way that we’ve never heard him before, yelling into the microphone as he channels Eminem’s signature anger: “They used to never want to hear us, remember?/ Motherf*cker never loved us, REMEMBER? MOTHERF*CKER!” He really hasn’t let up since “Worst Behavior,” doing everything from breaking chart records, earning more Grammy wins, getting into multiple kinds of beef and winning (depending on who you ask), becoming a dad and successful businessman. But he did predict that all of this was coming. Remember?
Finding the best value-for-dollar Scotch whisky is no easy task. The juice from Scotland is just flat-out more expensive on the U.S. side of the pond than it is over in Europe. That makes value pretty damn important, but that also makes it pretty freakin’ subjective.
There are so many pre-conceived conceptions about the preciousness of Scotch whisky that it’s hard to really know what’s what sometimes. For instance, there are plenty of single malts Scotch whiskies that are mediocre at best. At the same time, there are plenty of blended Scotch whiskies that blow some single malts out of the water. That means something labeled “single malt” isn’t always going to be worth your time or money. Likewise, just because something is labeled “blended” doesn’t mean it’s bad.
To that end, we’re calling out ten (plus one) Scotch whiskies — both blended and single malts, peated and unpeated– that we think are worth more than the sum on their price tags. What we’re looking for is a balance of uniqueness, availability, and delicious flavor notes. It’s an interesting balancing act but not an impossible one.
As always, if you want to try any of these yourself, click on the prices!
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of 2021
This might be one of the most “classic” Islay smoky whiskies on the shelf. The craft behind this whisky is a blend of the unique Islay peat (used to smoke the malts) and the influence of the sea, which laps at the distillery’s outer walls.
Tasting Notes:
The smoke is what greets you with a hint of fruity wood, creating an almost sweet smoke next to a hint of anise and maybe some Band-Aid scent (not in a bad way!). The palate holds onto the smoke while adding a wet seaweed brininess next to hints of vanilla cream, peppery spice, and soft oak. The end really amps up the smokiness while holding onto the iodine of the sea with a final note of salted toffee.
Value For Dollar:
When it comes to Islay peated malts, the sky is the limit in price and variation of flavors. Laphroaig 10 remains the damn-near perfect entry point to the island’s vibe while being inexpensive enough to just try. A $50 bottle of booze isn’t special enough to be precious about (ever).
Moreover, if you’re curious about iodine-heavy peat monsters, this is the right way to plunge into that category.
This is an entry whisky not only to Speyside but to single malts in general. The juice is aged in a combination of used American and European oak before it’s married, rested, proofed with Speyside’s iconic water, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
This dram is creamy like a vanilla pudding with a bright pear orchard and some mild toffee. That leads towards a very easy and soft woodiness with a touch of candied pear and more vanilla cream. It’s also very light and approachable while still feeling like a solid whisky.
Value For Dollar:
On the flip side of the above, a powerfully sweet and fruity single malt is also a necessary stepping stone to understanding all that Scotland’s whisky scene has to offer. This expression from Speyside over-delivers on the palate, with a refinement that’s not seen in bottles twice this price. Again, don’t be precious about a $50 bottle of scotch. Experiment with this. Try it neat, with water, on the rocks, in a highball, in your favorite cocktail, in your coffee, drink it however you like to drink whisky.
This Speyside blend is crafted as a workhorse whisky. The juice is drawn from the William Grant & Sons distilleries, focusing on Kininvie, Glenfiddich, and The Balvenie. The juice is then rested for up to six months after blending to let it mellow even more before proofing and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a nice welcoming note of creamy vanilla that almost becomes cream soda, next to hints of zesty orange marmalade, malts, and dark spices. The taste delivers on those notes by amping the spices up to Christmas cake territory with a slight tart berry edge next to that cream soda sweetness. The end is short and sweet with a nice lightness that really makes this very drinkable.
Value For Dollar:
This feels like a great way to get a vibe for more expensive single malts from Glenfiddich and the iconic and much-sought-after The Balvenie (more on that later). And that’s the beauty of these blends, you’re getting an introduction to other scotches by drinking the blends made from those more expensive and iconic brands.
Look at it this way, The Balvenie generally starts at $50 to $60 per bottle (depending on your state’s taxes). You’re getting a taste of that for almost half the price here.
This whisky from the very popular Famous Grouse is a dialed-in expression. The juice in the bottle is a blend of sherry-cask-finished whiskies from The Macallan and Highland Park. The whisky is then cut down to a very accessible 80 proof and then bottled in a nicely understated bottle.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a sweet malt buried under a buttery scone dripping with raspberry jam with a touch of light spice lurking in the background. The sherry really kicks in on the palate with big notes of dates soaked in black tea next to creamy caramel, vanilla cake, and a touch of dry raisins. The end doesn’t overstay its welcome and leaves you with a lovley note of chocolate-covered cherries with a sweet/dry vibe.
Value For Dollar:
The Macallan is one of the most sought-after and perhaps over-hyped scotches in the game. An entry point 12-year bottle is going to start around $70 (at least) per bottle. Then there’s the Highland Park juice in this blend (which has a similar entry price point). It’s another excellent single malt. You could get a bottle of each for around $140 and blend them yourself. Or you could buy this bottle for around $35 and enjoy the hell out of it in your next highball.
Of course, the juice in this blend isn’t exactly The Macallan and Highland Park 12, but… you get the point.
This is a quintessential Islay peaty whisky. The juice is aged in a combo of Pedro Ximénez, charred virgin oak, and ex-bourbon casks before being married and rested again in Ardbeg’s bespoke oak “Gathering Vat,” allowing the whiskies to really meld into a cohesive dram.
Tasting Notes:
Imagine slow-smoked peaches, soft cherrywood on fire, and singed sage. That nose leads towards buttery but almost burnt toffee with hints of egg nog spices, savory leafy green veg with a bit of dirt, walnut shells, black tea, and a little bit of pancake syrup (the high fructose corn syrup kind). The finish is long, has hits of black licorice, and really brings the soft yet sweet smoke with an almost meat smoker edge.
Value For Dollar:
This is where things get interesting on Isaly for peat lovers. Ardbeg is a tiny, bespoke distillery that has limited release bottles that stretch to astronomical price points. But they also have incredibly solid peated malts that stay at a price point and anyone can enjoy. Their An Oa is a special malt that non-peat whisky drinkers even enjoy every now and then.
Moreover, there are Islay bottles that are younger and harsher than this that cost ten times as much (at least). Not going to name names but just sayin’.
This dram from Glenmorangie is a much-loved Highland malt. The juice is matured in ex-bourbon barrels for an undisclosed number of years. The whisky is then transferred to French Sauternes barrels which held sweet dessert wines where it spends two more years finishing.
Tasting Notes:
This has that classic “shortbread cut with lemon and vanilla” vibe that makes some single malts so approachable. The sip has a buttery toffee nature that’s layered with subtle oak, mild brown spices, and more fruits tied into a creamy pudding body. The spice then leans a little towards ginger with that buttery shortbread as it slowly fades out.
Value For Dollar:
Back to the sweet side of Scotland’s tipple, this is where special finishing casking comes into play. While the entry point Glenmorangie is always a delight, especially in highballs, this dessert cask finished whisky has that extra layer of depth and flavor that helps it stand above so many other bottles with the same finish. Yes, it’s a little pricier than some of the other bottles, but it’s really hard to find another finish like this that’s this damn good.
The Balvenie is renowned for doing everything in-house from grain to glass and for being the distillery that spearheaded the whole “finishing whisky in a different cask” movement. In this case, the juice spends 14 years maturing in ex-bourbon barrels. The whisky is then batched and transferred to barrels that The Balvenie aged their own blend of West Indies rum in.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a welcoming rush of buttery toffee up top with hints at brown spices, bright red berries, and a touch of sweet malts. The palate brings around creamy vanilla dotted with those sweet and slightly tart red berries next to a very soft and sweet oakiness. The finish is medium-length and full of soft wood, vanilla cream, and a touch of that spice.
Value For Dollar:
The Balvenie is one of those brands that’s both legendary and delivers every time, helping to keep them legendary. That also means that you can get priced out pretty darn fast with this brand. When it comes to this expression, it has two things going for it. One, it’s probably the best rum-finished scotch, period. Two, it costs under $100. Those are wins, people.
This bottle could easily cost $150 and no one would bat an eye.
Chivas is renowned for its iconic blended whisky. This expression — originally created for the Japanese market and released in the U.S. in 2019 — adds a unique dimension to the classic blend. A portion of the whisky is finished in Japanese Mizunara casks, adding a layer of nuanced flavors to the standard Chivas.
Tasting Notes:
There’s serious fruit up top with hints of ripe pear next to almost spicy orange zest, leather, and soft wood. That spice becomes the backbone of the sip as subtle notes of fatty nuts mingle with more fruit and a moment of honey-soaked oak. The end holds onto the spiciness with a velvet texture and sweet pear on a medium-length finish.
Value For Dollar:
Mizunara casks are some of the most sought-after barrels in the whole whisk(e)y game. Let’s keep this simple, the fact that you can get a whisky that’s touched by these super rare casks for $50 is phenomenal (though not unheard of). The kicker with this bottle is that you’re still getting the ultra-refined Chivas blend at the base of this bottle.
The 2020 Distillers Edition is a classic Talisker, aged by the sea, that’s finished for six months in Amoroso sherry casks. The whisky was distilled in 2007 and bottled at ten years old. It was then held in the bottle for three years, resting, before its 2020 release.
Tasting Notes:
The nose runs deep on this whisky with mild hints of beachside campfire smoke whispering in the background as hints of red fruit, wet driftwood, and green peppercorns draw you in. The palate embraces the red berries with a slight tartness next to the sweetness as the peat remains dry and distant and tied to the brine of the sea with an almost oyster liquor softness. The finish lingers for just the right amount of time as sweet berries and dry peat lead towards soft dark cacao powder with a tiny note of vanilla and one last spray from the sea.
Value For Dollar:
Talisker is a tiny distillery, nestled on the sea — seriously, their barrel warehouse is smaller than some whiskey visitors centers in Kentucky. It’s so refined and unique that’s it wild that any bottle of Talisker is under $100 in the U.S. (and, yes, this bottle sometimes reaches above that price point). Still, this is a limited released from a tiny distillery with a special cask finishing for less than most limited edition American whiskeys from huge conglomerate distilleries.
You’re getting something truly bespoke and delicious from over the hills and far away for $90. Come on!
The blend is a “pure malt” blended whisky, meaning that it’s made only with single malts (usually blended scotch is made with both grain and malt whisky). In this case, the juice is pulled from all over Scotland with a focus on Speyside, Highland, Lowland, and Island malts, including a minimum of 15-year-old Talisker, Caol Ila, Cragganmore, and Linkwood.
Tasting Notes:
This sip draws you in with the smells of an old, soft cedar box that’s held black pepper, sweet fruits, and oily vanilla pods next to a hint of green grass. The taste really holds onto the cedar as the fruits lean tropical with a hint of dried roses pinging in the background. The end builds on that by adding a note of spicy tobacco, a splash of sea spray, and a distant billow of campfire smoke.
Value For Dollar:
The fact that whiskies at least 15 years old from Talisker, Caol Ila, Cragganmore, and Linkwood are all present in this bottle and it doesn’t at least cost $100 is kind of mind-boggling. For comparison’s sake, a Talisker 18 will set you back close to $200. Hell, a Caol Ila 15-year costs around $160. The point is, there are phenomenal whiskies in this blend and it only costs $65 (or less depending on where you are).
The lion’s share of this blend — 45 percent — comes from a single grain whisky aged in ex-bourbon from Cameronbridge Distillery. 22 percent is a single malt aged in ex-bourbon that comes from Linkwood Distillery. The rest is a mix of French oak and ex-bourbon single malts and blended malts from the Highlands, Clyneilish, Linkwood, and Balmenach. Those whiskies are vatted and then proofed down before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
This opens with a very clear and concise note of apple candy with a hint of salted caramel ice cream cut with a touch of eggnog spices. There’s a nice maltiness that leans into a creamy vanilla, soft holiday spice mix, butter toffee, and a hint of milk chocolate near the end. The finish is warming with a whisper of tobacco next to a woody apple, spice candies (maybe ginger), and a final hint of cocoa and caramel.
Value For Dollar:
While all of the above blends are built from distilleries within the parent company’s portfolio, Compass Box gets to have the best of all worlds. They source their barrels from every distillery they can in Scotland, regardless of who owns them. That means you’re getting a true blend of Scottish whiskies that very few other blenderies are doing. That alone almost makes these blends invaluable when looking at the big picture of blended whisky in Scotland.
Plus, this juice is just delicious.
As a Drizly affiliate, Uproxx may receive a commission pursuant to certain items on this list.
Of the roughly 600 people who’ve been arrested in connection with the Capitol storming on Jan. 6, one has stuck out above all: Jacob Chansley, aka Jake Angeli, aka the QAnon Shaman. He was shirtless, adorned in tattoos, his face painted like the American flag, and had a horned helmet atop his head. He spent most of his tenure inside the building howling. He also quickly turned on Trump, in between begging for vegan prison meals. Now, almost nine months after the incident, he’s found some closure.
As per HuffPost, Chansley has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Details have not yet been revealed, but his hearing is scheduled for Friday, with a virtual press conference to be held after. But there’s more: He’s also turned on his nickname-sake, wishing to no longer be associated with the movement that has destroyed so many minds.
“Mr. Chansley, a long avowed and practicing Shaman, has repudiated the ‘Q’ previously assigned to him and requests future references to him be devoid of use of the letter ‘Q’,” his lawyer, Albert Watkins, said in a statement.
Watkins is famous in his own right, having described his client and other Jan. 6 rioters in comically blunt fashion. He said they “drank the Kool-Aid” and called them “f*cking short bus people.” But with Chansley and other non-violent Capitol stormers, he’s asking for “patience and compassion,” saying that they had “genuine mental health issues which rendered them more vulnerable to the propaganda of the day but who, at the end of day, seek to be accountable for their actions.”
Chansley has been charged with “knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.” It’s not clear how much time he could face, especially considering, unlike most who took part in the siege, he’s spent most of the last nine months behind bars.
Eminem has debuted a new capsule collection of streetwear in collaboration with Gen-Z designer Millinsky.
Teasing the collection, which celebrates the rapper’s career highlights, Em shared a video on his socials set to the Music To Be Murdered By: Side B song “Discombobulated.” “Let’s take ’em back / In time,” he captioned. Millinsky shared his own promotional video on Instagram, posting the message, “Music through design. Can’t wait to share with you my latest collaboration with @eminem. Pieces available on Eminem’s official website on September 2nd.”
The collection itself consists of short-sleeve and long-sleeve T-shirts, hoodies, and baseball caps that say career-spanning phrases from Eminem like, “Hi, My Name is Slim Shady,” “Guess Who’s Back,” “I’m Infinite,” and “Slim Shady,” Ranging in price from $25 to $50, the pieces are available for purchase here.
“I’ve always loved music, but I don’t think it had a specific impact on the creation of the pieces themselves in the beginning,” Millinsky recently explained to Thred. “I think in the music industry right now — and this has been the case for a decade or so — musicians tend to care more about how they dress than athletes and actors so it’s easier to get musicians on board to wear cool stuff. Rihanna specifically is always style-forward. For us to have her buy the product and actually wear it was monumental. It had a snowball effect.”
Nelly is fresh off of the release of his Heartland EP but he’s already working on its follow-up — this time, with a twist. While the hook for Heartland was its collection of collaborations with standout country acts including Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, Jimmie Allen, and Kane Brown, the next installment in the Heartland series will see him collaborate exclusively with women.
“This album here, we’re looking at the first part of a two-part series,” Nelly explained in an interview with Country Now. “If you look at this one, there is no female representation on this album. So, part one was me with the guys, and part two will be with the ladies of country music.”
While he doesn’t mention specific artists, he does point out the impact and growth women have seen within the genre recently. “The women of country, they are fierce,” he said. “When I am with the guys, we are kegging, beering, trucking, smoking, and hanging out. I’m going to have to bring my A-game pretty much when it comes to dealing with the ladies because they are not going to play around with Nelly. They are going to bring it, and I am definitely looking forward to it.”
To ensure an authentic vibe, Nelly said he’s looking to collaborate in person at a property in Nashville. “I am real estate hunting in Nashville,” he admitted. “I think I’m more of a downtown Nashville kind of guy. I wouldn’t mind taking up a whole floor of one of the buildings somewhere.” He expects the project to take a while to finish due to safety protocols but is eager to get started. “I know we’re still trying to get around the [health] issue, and everybody’s still trying to make sure that we are all respecting one another and it’s safety first,” he noted. “If it weren’t for that, I would be in Nashville right now trying to cram it out.”
You can read the full profile on Nelly in Country Nowhere.
During Thursday afternoon’s press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki quickly dismantled a male reporter who attempted to question Joe Biden’s Catholic faith after the president voiced his displeasure with the recent abortion ban in Texas. While taking questions from the press corp, Psaki called on Owen Jensen from The Eternal Word Television Network, an all-Catholic broadcast channel, who wanted to know why Biden didn’t support the ban, which resulted in Jensen being on the receiving end of a “Psaki bomb” following a brisk exchange.
Psaki: I know you’ve never faced those choices nor have you ever been pregnant but for women out there who have faced those choices, this is an incredibly difficult thing pic.twitter.com/uelIXzjFvT
Here’s what Psaki said after first explaining that it was a simple matter of Biden believing in a woman’s right to choose, which Jensen didn’t like and asked why the president wouldn’t “look out for the unborn child.” Via Mediaite:
“He believes that it’s up to a woman to make those decisions,” Psaki matter-of-factly explained, “and up to a woman to make those decisions with her doctor.”
She then added, “I know you’ve never faced those choices, nor have you ever been pregnant, but for women out there who have faced those choices? This is an incredibly difficult thing. The president believes that right should be respected.”
Despite Psaki’s thorough answer, Jensen tried to keep the line of question going, but the seasoned press secretary wasn’t having it. Like a nun’s ruler across the fingers, Psaki shut him down by noting that Jensen had “plenty of time today.”
Logic, who recently returned to rap after retiring to become a professional gamer, is set to release his second book next week, a memoir titled The Bright Future. Today, GQ published an excerpt from the upcoming tome, a chapter in which Logic addresses the impact of — and the backlash against — his suicide awareness mega-hit “1-800-273-8255.” The track, which earned him a Grammy nomination in 2017 but also resulted in what he called the “lowest point” of his life in a recent interview, was the smash hit he thought he’d been looking for his whole career. Instead, it brought him to the brink with hateful comments from both fans and peers after his record-breaking performance of the song on the 2018 MTV VMAs.
The song and I were both trending on Twitter the entire night and the entire next day. Within hours the video was getting millions of views on YouTube. Everyone was talking about it on every entertainment show, every celebrity gossip blog, everywhere. It was a life-changing moment. Ellen even invited me on Ellen, and I’d wanted to go on fucking Ellen for years. I got all the press I’d ever dreamed of. I got a hit song bigger than any hit song I’d ever even imagined I would have.
… It felt good to feel good enough. It lasted at least a good twenty- four hours or so, and that’s when I got hit with a wave of hate unlike anything I’d ever experienced in my life.
The blowback and abuse I’d experienced in the wake of the VMAs was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Everything I’d seen up to that point was mild in comparison. It was a tsunami of hate, and I couldn’t turn it off.
Or, more accurately, I couldn’t not turn it on. Nobody was making me check my phone except me, but I couldn’t put it down. It was like the fucking thing was glued in my hand. I’d wake up and check it first thing. I’d eat my morning cereal looking at it. I’d take my morning shit looking at it. Lenny would drive me to the studio and I’d be looking at it. I’d go in to record, come out for a smoke break, and look at it. It was every day, because this thing in my hand was like my home. It was where I lived, in this world of the RattPack and all my friends online. I didn’t know how not to be there. Only my home had gone from the place where I was loved to the place where I was hated. The love was all still there, of course, but I was so accustomed to it that for the most part it faded into the background. All I could see was the hate.
Logic explains that even his longtime supporters turned on him because of the sense that he was “too mainstream,” and how the resulting depression sapped his enjoyment of the tour for Everybody, the album from which the song hailed. Even among those who felt that the song helped them, the impact led to a deluge of painful revelations that Logic absorbed for the better part of a year. He notes that he even contemplated a fatal solution for himself but that prospect of becoming “a meme about how the Suicide Guy killed himself” took that option off the table.
It’s a stark look into the negative aspects of fame, how fans’ habit of dehumanizing stars for the sake of jokes and gossip has real-world impacts on the people at the center of pop culture. It’s a reminder to be kind, because you never know what someone is going through on the other side of that screen.
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