Month: February 2022

Sydney Sweeney is everywhere these days–from her stellar performance on The White Lotus to the vibrantly messy Cassie on Euphoria, Sweeney has built herself a tiny empire of both TikTok followers and people who are into antique car repair. Turns out the two interests can co-exist!

Sweeney recently spoke to Cosmo about her relationship with social media, both good and bad. “I would love to share my normal life so that people can see that it’s not all glamour. But I can’t because one, I like my privacy, and two, social media is another platform for business. Sharing my life on it could go against the integrity of the business and brand I’m trying to create.” The brand Sweeney has been recently trying to create is an impressive car builder.

The Euphoria actress is known on TikTok for her car repair videos, which show Sweeney restoring a vintage 1969 red Bronco in overalls and hot pink gloves.

She discussed her new-found love of cars, saying she wanted to build one. “Anyone can go buy a brand-new car, but not everyone can have something rare that has history. In quarantine, my creative juices were overflowing. I was very bored and I got addicted to going to auction sites for cars. I wanted a Bronco so badly. But I wanted to build one so that when I drove it and people said ‘cool car,’ I could be like ‘yeah, thanks’ and know I made it.”

This is a rare glimpse into Sweeney’s personal life, as she tries to remain as private as possible due to excessive harassment on the internet. “I have this formula that I try to follow. I’ll post about my work, I’ll post about fashion because when the hell else would I look that good? And then I try to sprinkle in a Syd post once in a while.” She mentioned how she recently trended on Twitter, and went on an Instagram rant about how horrible that was.

“I’m reading all these comments saying so much stupid stuff about my appearance. I went on social media and cried. People were like, ‘Oh, she’s just looking for attention.’ People literally kill themselves over stuff like this. And people just don’t give a fuck. I went on for, like, maybe 12 seconds. I did not think anyone was going to record it. I just needed to let it out. Then it just went everywhere and it became its own beast.”

So, instead of being vulnerable on social media, Sweeney decides to maintain a perfect balance of hand-picked dog pics and vintage car repair videos. Sometimes that’s all the fans need.

Last week, Encanto highlight “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” made history by becoming just the second song from a Disney animated movie to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart, following “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. Now, on the new chart dated February 12, “Bruno” is once again No. 1 for a second week, making it, in terms of chart performance, the biggest-ever song of its kind: “Bruno” is now the first song from an animated Disney movie to spend multiple weeks at No. 1.

“Bruno” and the Encanto soundtrack are now the first soundtrack song and album to simultaneously top their respective charts for multiple weeks since Eminem “Lose Yourself” and the 8 Mile soundtrack in 2003. Additionally, “Colombia, Mi Encanto” debuts on the chart at No. 100, making it the eighth song from the film to appear on the chart. “Surface Pressure,” the second-biggest hit from the movie, achieved a new peak at No. 8 this week.

In late January, Lin-Manuel Miranda (who wrote the Encanto tunes) appeared on The Tonight Show and was asked if he saw the song’s success coming. He responded, “No, mainly because group numbers never get the same kind of love that the ballads get or the comedy songs get. But I did know it was catchy, because when I was first writing it, I would catch my kids singing it just from overhearing me writing it.

Millions of Green Day fans are going to have their eyes peeled for Billie Joe Armstrong’s stolen car after the singer posted a rallying cry for help on social media. The white 1962 Chevy II is in immaculate condition and was stolen from Costa Mesa, California on Saturday morning. Armstrong quickly took to social media to ask for an assist from the Green Day hive.

“My car was STOLEN 1962 Chevy II. This car is near and dear to all our hearts and has been in the GD family for over 30 years,” Armstrong begins. “Please send any sighting, tips or info to the Costa Mesa police. Incident # 22-002015, 22-002016. Please call 714-754-5280 please re-post, lets all help find this car!!”

The message was posted to Armstrong’s Instagram account, which has 2.4 million followers, as well as his Twitter page, which has another 1.1 million followers. That’s a lot of eyeballs for just one car, but this is clearly a special one for the noted classic car collector. The website HotCars.com reported on the theft and estimates that a 1962 Chevy II/Nova in “pristine” condition is worth around $77,000.

Meanwhile, Green Day have been teasing what appears to be a new album called 1972 and perhaps Billie Joe doesn’t want to risk the superstition of going through recording without this Green Day automotive relic by his side? If you can help, the info line is above.

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

In the lead-up to the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, and its complete domination of the box office until Jackass Forever stepped in almost two months later, Tom Holland referred to the highly-anticipated installment as “dark and sad,” and even went so far as to describe it as “not fun.” While Holland was simply trying to highlight that the movie pushes Peter Parker to the limit and challenges his seemingly endless optimism, which it does, Marvel was not thrilled with the young actor telling everyone that No Way Home is “brutal” going into a theatrical release with a rampant COVID variant in the mix.

Via The Hollywood Reporter:

It’s funny, I actually got in trouble on the press tour. I got a phone call from some people at the studio, saying, “Stop saying the movie is brutal! Stop saying the movie is emotional! It doesn’t sell the movie!” And I was like, “But it is! This is the most emotional superhero movie that’s ever been made.” And they were like, “We want people to understand how fun it is.” And I was like, “It is fun, but it’s also kind of heartbreaking.” So I had to sort of change track on how I was promoting the movie, but I’m glad I gave at least some people some warning.

In Holland’s defense, more than any of his prior Spider-Man performances, No Way Home is an emotional gut-punch that veers closer to Spidey’s comic origins where his life of trying to be a friendly neighborhood hero is marred by tragedy. That said, the film is still an absolute blast. So basically Marvel and Tom Holland are both right. Now, shake hands and be nice.

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

Foe the first time since late 2018, Nine Inch Nails are heading out on a headlining tour through the US. Last year, the band had to cancel their tour dates due to of COVID-19 concerns. “When originally planned, these shows were intended to be a cathartic and celebratory return to live music,” the band said back then. “However, with each passing day it’s becoming more apparent we’re not at that place yet.”

But now, the wait is over, as the Trent Reznor-led Nine Inch Nails will begin their tour on April 28th at Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, North Carolina. The tour dates include a two night run at Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre, festival dates at Shaky Knees Fest in Atlanta, Primavera Sound in Los Angeles, and a tour ending performance in Cleveland in September with support from fellow industrial rock powerhouses Ministry and Nitzer Ebb.

The pre-sale begins Tuesday, February 8th and public on-sale is this Friday, February 11th, both at NIN.com. Check out the full tour dates below.

04/28 — Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater
04/30 — Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Festival
05/01 — Franklin, TN @ First Bank Amphitheater
09/02 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
09/03 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
09/07 — Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield
09/09 — Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater
09/11 — Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley
09/15 — Las Vegas, NV @ Zappos Theater
09/16-18 — Los Angeles, CA @ Primavera Sound
09/24 — Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Music Center*

* with special guests Ministry & Nitzer Ebb

After Spotify pulled 70 episodes of Joe Rogan‘s podcast (and counting) as he apologized for repeatedly using the N-word amidst a growing controversy sparked by Rogan’s spreading of COVID misinformation, the right-wing video platform Rumble has entered the fray in an effort to Rogan away from his current home. While Spotify CEO Daniel Eks has made it clear that the platform will continue to host Rogan and that he doesn’t believe “silencing Joe Rogan is the answer,” Rumble is offering the embattled podcaster $100 million and the promise of restoring his now-deleted episodes. And, yes, that includes the ones where he says the N-word.

Here’s the message Rumble posted on Twitter from CEO Chris Pavlovski:

Dear Joe, we stand with you, your guests, and your legion of fans in desire for real conversation. So we’d like to offer you 100 million reasons to make the world a better place. How about you bring all your shows to Rumble, both old and new, with no censorship, for 100 million bucks over four years? This is our chance to save the world. And yes, this is totally legit.

Considering Rogan already has a $100 million contract with Spotify, we’re guessing that’s not just something he can easily walk away from. Not to mention, Spotify has repeatedly signaled that it’s committed to keeping Rogan on its platform despite the never-ending controversy and frustrated employees at the service. Also, Rogan’s willingness to drop two apology videos in under a week suggests that Rogan doesn’t seem eager to end the relationship either.

Plus, what the heck is Rumble? Besides the place where Don Jr. makes weirdly amped up videos.

(Via Rumble on Twitter)

Beabadoobee had a big 2020 with Fake It Flowers and struck while the iron was hot with the 2021 EP Our Extended Play. Now, Beabadoobee is working on a new LP, and it’ll be a good one for fans who have nostalgia for the mid-2000s.

In a recent Alt Press interview, she described the album:

“It’s a lot of different vibes. There’s not one song that sounds the same as the others. I’ve been really getting into a band called Stars, and I’ve always loved Stereolab as well. I’ve been working with my guitarist Jacob and using a lot of teenage engineering, drum machines, mixtures of guitars. It’s been really fun. I don’t know how to explain it, but it sounds very 2006 [laughs]. I feel like this new album is what I am meant to sound like.”

She also spoke about what it’s been like gaining an American audience recently, saying, “It was definitely a really interesting experience. I didn’t know what to expect in the US. In England, I know people will know my songs. London is my home, but I didn’t expect people to know the words to my songs in the US. My first show back was in Washington, and the kids went crazy. I remember being backstage expecting the kids here to not go as crazy as my fans in the UK, but they went crazy, and it was amazing. The kids have been so lovely, cool and so chill. It’s been a really cool experience here in America.”

Find the full interview here and revisit our recent cover story on Beabadoobee here.

The New York Knicks are in a funk right now, going 2-8 in their last 10 games to fall to 12th in the East at 24-29, a full game back of the last play-in position. Their most recent loss was a particularly dreadful one on Saturday in L.A., in which they blew a 15-point halftime lead by the end of the third quarter to the similarly scuffling Lakers, ultimately losing by seven in overtime.

On the sideline during the game, there was an incident involving Julius Randle and Knicks assistant Scott King where Randle confronted the coach who was trying to show him video on a laptop of something he needed to be doing differently. Randle slaps away the laptop and then gets in King’s face before being pushed away by a different Knicks staffer.

It seems like a microcosm of the issues New York is having this season, particularly with Randle who has struggled mightily, failing to repeat his breakout 2020-21 campaign. As the trade deadline approaches, there is an expectation that New York will look to make changes to its stagnated roster, but whether that includes moving Randle in a major shakeup remains to be seen. For now, Tom Thibodeau insists Saturday night’s incident on the bench is something that’s all been worked out, offering up an all-time quote in the process.

“Computers are part of the NBA,” is truly an incredible quote — and certainly a factual one. As for how the Knicks move on, their road trip is just getting started as they go through the West gauntlet this week with games in Utah, Denver, and San Francisco over the next four days.

Lil Durk has been hyping the release of his next album, 7220, for a while now, sharing the dates for the album’s spring tour in late January and making himself as visible as possible on tracks like 50 Cent’s “Power Powder Respect,” Cordae’s “Chronicles,” Gucci Mane’s “Rumors,” and 2 Chainz’s “Lost Kings.” And although he hasn’t yet released an official single for the album, he did just reveal its release date — and his strategy for getting fans’ attention focused on it to ensure they stream it as much as possible.

“My album drop same day as YE 2/22/22,” he tweeted, revealing both the release date and subtly challenging his fellow Chicagoan. Although plenty of artists would likely loathe releasing their albums on the same projected day as Kanye’s hotly-anticipated Donda 2, it appears that Lil Durk is so confident in his own project, he doesn’t mind risking getting overshadowed. In fact, the tactic more or less takes a page right out of Kanye’s own playbook. In 2007, Kanye bet on his own album Graduation against the sales juggernaut named 50 Cent and 50’s impending release of Massacre.

Kanye and 50 both got into the spirit of the competition, which held seismic implications for the state of hip-hop at the time. When Kanye outsold 50 after their first weeks were tallied, it signaled a shift away from 50’s dominance (and, by extension, the gangsta rap genre in general) toward Kanye’s (and so-called “alternative rap,” which opened the door for successors such as Drake and J. Cole). While Kanye isn’t likely to repeat this tactic twice, especially standing in 50’s position this time around, a big streaming week for Durk could signal a similar end to Kanye’s own charts dominance in favor of a younger generation of rappers.

We’ll see how it all pans out — or whether Kanye even releases his album on the promised date — on 2/22.

Yellowjackets actress Melanie Lynskey’s not buying what Joe Rogan is selling when it comes to his latest apology amid his Spotify fiasco. It’s been quite a winding road, so let’s back up for a quick refresher.

The Joe Rogan-Spotify controversy (which has so far resulted in a “content advisory” warning on podcast episodes and Spotify pulling down 70 episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience) shows no signs of slowing down. This is the case weeks after Neil Young and Joni Mitchell pulled their music from the platform in protest following hundreds of physicians asking Spotify to end Rogan’s fountain of Covid disinformation.

Rogan apologized after Spotify’s content advisories began, and then things heated up again over the weekend when Rogan found himself in more hot water. At issue was the Page Six-reported viral compilation of Rogan using the N-word on repeat, which led him to again apologize while describing the video as “the most regretful and shameful thing I’ve ever had to talk about publicly.” He did add that these moments were taken “out of context” over 12 years of his material, but he conceded that this “looks f*cking horrible.”

As one can expect, this generated tons of Twitter reactions, but a very well-circulated one (with 59,600 likes and counting) came from Lynskey. “I don’t think a word can slip out of your mouth unless it regularly comes out of your mouth,” the Castle Rock actress tweeted. “I’m not going around accidentally calling people Horace.”

It’s a fair point, although music producer Brad Walsh was quick to have a little fun with Lynskey. “You literally called me a dirty horace yesterday,” he tweeted.

To which Lynskey responded, “This is cancel culture!!”

Their exchange is on point, given that the complaints about “cancel culture” are flying every other week, it seems, largely from the far right, which is now defending Rogan. There’s no quick cure here, but hey, there are several cute dogs named Horace now sitting in Lynskey’s replies, so there’s that.