Month: May 2022

Diego Luna’s Cassian Jeron Andor, who made his first appearance and also died in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story stealing the plans for the very flawed Death Star might not be coming back from the dead, but his Disney+ series is officially official because there’s finally a teaser trailer. The trailer for Andor premiered at Star Wars Celebration on Thursday, May 26, and it teases a darker, meaner Andor growing up in the age of the Empire under Emperor Palpatine.

Here’s the official description for Andor:

The Andor series will explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.

Along with Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights star Diego Luna, Andor stars Stellan Skarsgård, Alan Tudyk, Adria Arjona, Genevieve O’Reilly, and Fiona Shaw. While details about Andor are being kept tight like any other Star Wars show or film, several other things about the show were revealed via The AV Club, including that the show’s score will be composed by Nicholas Brittell (the genius responsible for the Succession score) and that the series will consist of 12 episodes.

“I love what he represents for me in the world of Star Wars,” Luna. said per AV Club. “It’s about the power we have and the awakening we deserve. I’m so excited to know that I’ll be shooting more.”

The first two episodes of Andor premiere on Disney+ on August 31, 2022.

Andy “Fletch” Fletcher, the longtime keyboardist and founding member of Depeche Mode, died today at the age of 60. Fletcher co-founded the Basildon, Essex band in 1980 with Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, and Vince Clarke. From their 1981 debut Speak & Spell onward, Depeche Mode came to revolutionize the fusion of electronic music with rock and roll well into the new millennium.

A Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, Fletcher’s keys laid the foundation for every Depeche Mode song. Fire up tracks like “World In My Eyes,” “Enjoy the Silence,” or “Policy Of Truth,” and you quickly hear Fletcher painting the canvas for some of the most iconic moments in electro rock history.

“We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher,” read a statement on social media from Depeche Mode. “Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint. Our hearts are with his family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy in this difficult time.” No cause of death has been made public at this time.”

Tyga has been locked in a legal battle over his recent Wavy Baby sneaker collaboration with MSCHF since April, but it appears they may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Billboard reports The U.S Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has quickly approved an appeal submitted by the Brooklyn studio that assisted the “Taste” artist in making the shoe. On Wednesday, the court announced that the court would allow a quick challenge to a previous ruling that banned the sale of the sneakers because they look too much like Vans Old Skools.

MSCHF cited that the case was time-sensitive, as the ban infringed upon their First Amendment rights. “MSCHF is grateful that the Second Circuit granted its motion to expedite this appeal, which raises critical questions of the intersection of the First Amendment and trademark law,” stated David Bernstein, the company’s lawyer. “Given that MSCHF plans to display Wavy Baby at the Perrotin Gallery and at Art Basel this fall, it was essential that the appeal be expedited so that the Second Circuit can protect MSCHF’s First Amendment rights.”

The Second Circuit states the case will be fully briefed by mid-August and the ruling will come sometime after that. The Wavy Baby sneakers were originally set to release on April 18.

While hip-hop has seen the emergence of more and more queer-identifying artists, most of them were able to come out to fans on their own terms. Unfortunately for TDE rapper Isaiah Rashad, that choice was taken out of his hands when hackers leaked a sex tape featuring Isaiah and another man on the internet. It’s a testament to how far the culture has come that fans supported him with encouraging messages instead of vilifying him, but aside from thanking his supporters during his Coachella set, Isaiah had yet to address the leak.

That changed with the release of the latest episode of the Joe Budden podcast, in which Joe directly asks Isaiah about his sexual orientation. “I’d say I’m sexually fluid,” he replies. “I’m still learning about it myself. I’m putting my head in the books to find out the basics of it.” He elaborates that he’s attracted more to personalities and intellect, but he is in a supportive monogamous relationship (something Joe Budden has trouble wrapping his head around). Isaiah says that he only recently began to discover this about himself. However, he expresses relief that he doesn’t have to explain “this internet stuff” to his kids. “My kids are six and eight,” he says. “We do Roblox.”

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

Miami is a bustling hub for all things fine dining and nightlife. And if there’s one person who knows the ins and outs of the Magic City restaurant scene, it’s grill master and restauranteur David “Papi” Einhorn. He’s a proud partner of Papi Steak, a restaurant located in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood. Serving elevated contemporary twists on classic chophouse dishes, Papi Steak — with the help of its namesake, Einhorn himself — has established itself as a must-visit Miami restaurant (especially for meat-lovers).

“I want to provide an experience to our guests that’s loosely modeled off of European summertime nightlife,” Einhorn tells UPROXX. “I love everything lavish, over-the-top, and hedonistic. I want to see and bring more of this vibe into the U.S., so my job here is to curate the guest experience to the full extent.”

Einhorn’s over-the-top lifestyle is an excellent source of inspiration for anyone looking to book an extravagant, party-filled weekend in one of the country’s hottest cities. If you’re ready to live it up, eat well, and experience the luxury Miami has to offer, check out Einhorn’s guide below. He’s sharing where to eat, party, and stay for an epic trip to Miami.

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PART I — Where To Eat

Komodo

My good friend and business partner David Grutman has some of the best restaurants in Miami and I’m always going to his place. Komodo in Brickell has some of the best Asian food in the city and one of my favorites is the Peking Duck. There’s a famous “Duck Room” where you can check out the process of the ducks being prepped and cooked for the dining room. Komodo has three levels and a spot called the ‘Bird’s Nest’ that gives you a birds-eye view of the entire restaurant.

Swan

In the heart of the Design District, David and Pharrell Williams opened Swan which is no doubt a go-to for anyone looking for great food, great cocktails, and a real party vibe. Ken Fulk designed the massive 13,500-square-foot space which features a magical outdoor garden, created by Raymond Jungles. The Caviar Pasta here is my favorite thing to eat, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the pasta, pizzas, or entrees like the Porterhouse. Swan also has some of the best desserts around so make sure you leave room.

The Key Club

If you head down south to Coconut Grove, The Key Club just opened in the historic Cocowalk area and serves up steak, seafood, and, a personal favorite of mine, the Chips & Caviar, and Surf and Turf Roll topped with seared wagyu — what’s not to love? It’s one of Miami’s hottest new restaurants and definitely has the best bar scene in the neighborhood.

Motek

Motek is a family-run restaurant in Downtown Miami that serves some of the best kosher-style Israeli Mediterranean food. I love restaurants where you can go and order a bunch of food for the table to eat family-style and Motek is definitely that kind of place. They’ve got some great cuts of kosher meat which is always a plus for me, and I love that they have brunch all day.

Nobu

To me, Nobu is like the O.G. of Miami Beach restaurants and I always know I’m going to have a great time here. Chef Nobu is an icon among sushi chefs, the Japanese food here is incredible. The whole vibe of Nobu is cool and sophisticated.

PART II — Where To Party

LIV Nightclub

If you want to have the night of your life partying alongside some of the world’s most beautiful people and in the presence of some of the biggest celebrities, then LIV Nightclub at Miami Beach’s iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel is the place to do it. Everything about LIV is special. From the moment you descend the double staircase and make it onto their dancefloor. The insane acoustics and state-of-the-art lighting and sound are like no other, and make sure you look up and see the spider move to the beat of the music. You can catch me in the DJ Booth hanging with friends, or celebrities, depending on the night.

PART III — Where To Stay

The Setai Miami Beach

The Setai Miami Beach is where I love to staycation and relax. The rooms here offer luxurious amenities and I feel instantly at ease when I check in. I love soaking up some free time at the spa whenever I can get away from Papi Steak. The pool at the Setai is also the perfect place to spend a sunny day in this city, from swimming laps to having drinks in a lounge chair, it doesn’t get much more Miami than this.

The Goodtime Hotel

Pharrell Williams and David Grutman also opened up The Goodtime Hotel last year and it’s definitely got some of the best pool parties in the city. The entire hotel was designed by iconic designer Ken Fulk and it screams Art Deco Miami Beach with its amazing wallpapers and pastel colors. The hotel even has a library that was inspired by the famous Wes Anderson film character Margot Tennenbaum.

As great as overseas adventures and far flung vacations might be, the truth is you don’t have to go far for a memorable experience. In fact, you don’t even have to go beyond the borders of your hometown. You can find adventure anywhere if you make an effort to go out and seek it. Of course, this is often easier said than done. That’s why Austa Clausen, a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist and author (and Uproxx writer!), created a tool to help people add spontaneity and exploration to their everyday lives.

Clausen recently launched her debut book, The Live Life Now List, which is designed to kickstart your social life. It offers over 325 fun-filled activities to help you make new friends, bond with your loved ones, and make the most out of every day no matter where you are.

“I’m not a long-term traveler,” Clausen notes. “After several days away, I love returning home and exploring my own city. It doesn’t hurt that being in New York there’s always something new and exciting to see at every turn, but I think the same really can be said about anyplace, as long as you approach situations with the right perspective.”

To help you fuel more fun into your daily routines, Clausen is sharing her expert guide to touring locally and her best tips for exploring your home city.

What inspired you to create The Live Life Now List?

The idea for ‘The Live Life Now List’ was actually pitched to me by an acquisitions editor at Adam’s Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. It felt surreal to be offered the opportunity. At the time I was working as a full-time journalist for Changing America by The Hill, covering the topics of diversity, equality, social justice, and more, while also freelancing for various outlets covering travel and lifestyle. I honestly reached a burnout point doing both at the same time for so long, and I was actually looking for a sign to show me what to do next when this opportunity came my way.

As someone who is used to covering other people’s stories, it was also a unique opportunity to draw from my own experiences and the things I love to do, and it feels really special to share that with readers.

What are three simple ways someone can step out of their usual routine and be a tourist in your own city?

There are tons of simple ways for someone to step outside of their usual routine. For those who work from home, I suggest working elsewhere at least once per week. You don’t need to be a part of a co-working space—try finding cafes that offer free WiFi, or hotel lobbies that will make you feel like you’re traveling when you’re really a 15-minute drive from home.

For people who tend to stick to going to the same restaurants and bars all the time, I suggest picking one favorite dish or cocktail, and making it your mission to find the absolute best in your city. If you love penne vodka from your usual joint, write a list of all the spots in town that serve penne vodka and find a new favorite!

Another easy way to be a tourist in your own city (while still avoiding tourist traps), is to ask your friends for all their favorite places—their go-to wine bar, their favorite museum, their favorite bench in the park, anything. You might be surprised at what they recommend! Then, use all your new suggestions to build yourself a fun weekend itinerary.

What would your advice be for someone who might be afraid to step out of their comfort zone in this way?

My advice would be to take baby steps and always go at your own pace. It’s awesome to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and that’s truly where you will grow the most, but in order to make a long-lasting change in your life, it can’t really be too abrupt.

If you wanted to get in shape you normally wouldn’t just start running for an hour every single day because that isn’t sustainable, and in a similar way I would encourage people who want to be more social and invite more fun into their lives to find gentle ways to nudge themselves out the door.

What do you think is the greatest benefit of exploring local?

It’s amazing to go on a good bucket list trip once in a while (and I have a bunch of recommendations for them in the book!), but being real, you spend most of your time in your own town or city. Adventure shouldn’t only be relegated to special occasions and trips—it should be something that is integrated regularly into your life.

Exploring locally keeps you on your toes in multiple ways: it brings more excitement into your social life, but it also brings more internal joy and provides opportunities for having fun on your own as well. Your regular commute can become an adventure if you make it one, and a morning spent hitting the snooze button can take on new life as an opportunity to check out a new coffee shop or get some fresh air in at the park.

What might surprise someone most about touring their city?

There’s so much more to every town and city than meets the eye, and taking the time to learn about what it has to offer might surprise you. One easy way to surprise yourself is to learn more about the history of your town or city, and its individual buildings and squares. It’s easy to find information on nearly every building with a simple search, or kick it up a notch by taking a guided tour.

What kind of activity would you recommend for someone who wants to meet new people in their city?

There’s actually a whole chapter about meeting new friends in The Live Life Now List, but I think perhaps one of the most approachable options is to start going to events solo. This is a method that works for me all the time, as attending events with friends can sometimes serve as an unintentional signal to others that you aren’t open to meeting new people.

It’s a win-win situation if you choose an event, whether it be a club meeting or a happy hour, that you would have a good time at regardless of who shows up or who you meet. Also, I’ve noticed that energy can be really infectious, so when you enter a room with a light, open attitude, people will naturally be more drawn to introducing themselves and getting to know you.

What about someone who’s seeking a thrill and adventure?

Thrill and adventure could mean different things to different people, so I would probably ask someone to define what that means for themself first—keeping in mind both the little thrills and the big ones. Regardless of what adventure means to you, I think a key ingredient is spontaneity. Purchase tickets for that concert you’ve been wanting to see, say yes to a date with a new person, or maybe ask colleagues out for a last-minute happy hour after work. For a more physical thrill, try biking around a scenic part of your town or city at sunrise, finding a local hike with a rewarding view, or pushing yourself out of your comfort zone with a dance class.

What resources can you suggest for finding new spots to visit in one’s hometown?

The best way to find new spots in your own city is to keep tabs on other locals. In ‘The Live Life Now List,’ I suggest seeking out and subscribing to newsletters by local bloggers, influencers, and publications. You’ll receive regular suggestions for fun happenings around your area, including events, meetups, sales, and more.

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had exploring your own city?

I try to make memories every time I’m exploring my own city, but I especially love seeing it through a new lens when I’m showing it off to visiting friends. I always try to put together an itinerary for them based on their personal interests, rather than just showing them the typical tourist items, and it leads me to see my city from a different point of view!

Most recently I planned an NYC bachelorette weekend for one of my closest friends (who also lives in Brooklyn!), and it definitely made me feel like a tourist in my own city. From bopping around vintage stores in the afternoon and visiting a day spa to recuperate from a hangover to seeing a burlesque show at a venue I’d never visited before, it was as much an experience for me as it was for the girls who don’t live in the city.

Hibiki 21 is an iconic whisky. Spoiler alert: It’s also freakin’ delicious. But as with any iconic whisky in these boom times — especially those from Japan — getting to drink the stuff is often thought of as secondary to keeping it in a vault as an investment.

Today, I’m going to review a whisky that costs about $1,300 on the aftermarket. Its value is very likely to go up over the coming years, as it’s very rare. So why am I doing this? I really want to know whether it’s worth enjoying now or if you’re better off squirreling it away — a worthy question in this increasingly investment-focused era of the whiskey boom.

Okay, let’s get into what’s actually in this bottle.

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months

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Hibiki 21

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $1,380

The Whisky:

This is a combination of Suntory’s Hakushu and Yamazaki with Chita, a corn-based whisky. Those spirits then spend 21 long years resting American, European, and Japanese oak. Each barrel is carefully selected and blended with precision to create the ultimate expression of Suntory’s stable of whiskies.

Tasting Notes:

This draws you in with supple white summer flowers next to soft green grass underneath pear and peach trees with notes of sandalwood, green tea touched with mint and rock candy, and a whisper of old cellar beams with cobwebs. White chocolate leads on the palate as orange blossoms, alder bark, cherry-infused cedar planks, passionfruit, and dried-out honey chips mingle to create a round and soft mouthfeel. The mid-palate is fruity-sweet and gives way to a hint of nutmeg with a maybe a hint of plum and vanilla lurking in the background. The finish is almost salty with a touch of wax paper, white pepper, and those summery white flowers before notes of a very soft cedar plank settles across your senses.

The Bottle:

This is a great bottle. It’s like an old-school decanter. It’s round and robust with a glass stopper and cork. The whole thing comes in a dark brown box, which makes for an excellent gift presentation. It just looks cool and, well, expensive.

Bottom Line:

This is one of the good ones. I know. I know. “No, shit, Zach!?” This is so supple and appealing to the senses. You kind of want to swim in it.

The Ranking:

100/100 — Yes, that good.

Drink or Save?

Here’s the play. Fly to Japan. Pick up two bottles at MSRP ($400). Bring them home. Sell one after a few years for $2,000 while you drink the other one for free. Use your profits to fly back to Japan and do it all again. Sound good? Cool. See you at Duty Free!

In between a peek at the latest Star Wars projects coming to Disney+, Lucasfilm surprisingly rolled out a teaser for its upcoming Willow series, which sees Warwick Davis return to his title role from the 1988 classic. The revival series was confirmed back in October 2020, and it will make its big debut just a little over two years later when it starts streaming on November 30.

While little is known about the revival series, it takes place years after the events of the original Ron Howard film that saw Davis team up with Val Kilmer’s Madmartigan and Joanna Whalley’s Sorsha to protect the child empress Elora Danan. While Kilmer will not appear in the fantasy series, according to showrunner Jon Kasdan, Whalley has a prominent presence in the teaser.

Based on the voiceover, it appears Willow will once again to have to protect Elora from dark forces. “There is a balance between all things — light and shadow, good and evil,” Davis’ now older, wiser character says. “When that balance is upset, the universe corrects. … Into the unknown, that’s where we must go.”

Interestingly, the Willow teaser release answers the questions of what series will premiere after Andor, now that The Mandalorian Season 3 has slipped into 2023. Clearly, that honor falls to Willow, which will anchor the Disney+ holiday streaming schedule. Unless, of course, they slip in another Marvel show, which could happen.

(Via Variety)

The New Orleans Pelicans went through the entirety of the 2021-22 NBA season without the services of Zion Williamson. While things ended up working out pretty well for the team this year — they made the play-in tournament, got the 8-seed, and put together a really impressive group of players who gave the Phoenix Suns headaches in the first round — not having Williamson as he recovered from offseason foot surgery was a major disappointment.

Every time it sounded like progress was being made towards Williamson making his season debut, something popped up that kept him on the sidelines. And eventually, time ran out, and by the time the Pelicans’ year came to an end, the closest we came to seeing Williamson play was a few clips he tossed onto social media.

On Thursday, the team made the announcement that everyone’s been waiting to hear: Williamson has gotten the all-clear to play basketball again.

“The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that recent imaging of Zion Williamson’s right fifth metatarsal showed continued improvement,” the team said in a statement. “Williamson has been cleared in his return to play progression without any restrictions.”

The big question surrounding Williamson now is whether or not he will sign an extension with the team, something he indicated he will do during his end of season press availability.

Cardi B‘s take on the Uvalde, Texas school shooting earlier this week has drawn criticism as some fans chastise her for urging consideration for victims’ families over seeking solutions for the ongoing gun control debate. “These mass shooting events are not the time for political parties or you ‘social media politicians’ to be pushing agendas,” she admonished on Twitter. “People have died! Y’all don’t care or have any consideration for what these families are going thru or how they feel or what they want. Think b4 speak.”

And while this take is admirable for its compassion, unfortunately, many deem the situation to be too dire to allow much more time to slip by. With only 146 days in 2022, the year has seen 212 mass shooting incidents, meaning that the next one may very well be around the corner — and for some folks, that’s too long to wait to urge action from the nation’s lawmakers, who have been reticent to cross the gun lobby since 1998, when the first of these widely publicized school shootings took place at Columbine High School in Colorado.

“If we don’t talk about it now we won’t ever have the conversation,” one fan replied. Cardi responded by pointing out some of the arguments she’s seen taking place on her timeline since she tweeted her thoughts about another recent mass shooting. “I seen people have debates on white supremacist mass shooter are getting more coverage then black supremacist who plotted a car in a crowd? LIKE ARE YOU SERIOUS?! both are terrible! Imagine victimizing a mass shooter to push a agenda? While these family just lost a love one.”

It seems, though, that people seem to have missed her point, which she clarified a few tweets later. “Baby I was just repeating what they said and how stupid and irrelevant and inconsiderate they sound comparing events to push their agendas,” she explained. “Im literally tweeting WHAT THEY SAID ABD HIW STUPID IT SOUNDS.” Unfortunately, it seems like this is one of those situations where context is being confused because of the constraints of the Twitter format. Cardi hasn’t said that we shouldn’t talk about gun control, only that making these bad faith false equivalencies helps nothing. That hasn’t stopped some of the replies from focusing on an entirely different problem, though.

“It’s interesting that y’all here acting like y’all care but not the person that made the original tweet,” Cardi noted. “Then I go to yall page and I see wat y’all about !DEUM YALL DONT LEAVE YALL BULLSHIT STAN SHIT ON THE SIDE FOR ONCE!”

And it seems that once again, Cardi has a point. Arguing on Twitter isn’t going to get anything done, and lashing out in trivial stan wars while people are suffering is just the worst kind of self-involvement. However, two things remain true: 1. Whenever Cardi tweets about current events or politics, she’s almost certain to face a backlash, even when she’s right; and 2. The families in Uvalde, Texas who are grieving deserve consideration and support — and the best way to give it to them is for our elected officials to actually make an effort to prevent shootings like this one in the future.