Month: June 2022

Drake has been busy over the past 24 hours, most notably with the announcement and then quick release of his new album, Honestly, Nevermind, as well as a video for “Falling Back.” That’s not all, though, as last night also saw the premiere episode of Table For One, his new radio show on SiriusXM.

The episode aired at 11 p.m. ET, just before the release of Honestly, Nevermind. On the show, though, he was already talking about what’s coming next, saying, “Me and Kenzo have a book coming out this year. Yeah, we have a book coming out this year, a poetry book. So I hope you guys tune into that, too, because that’s going to be some sh*t.”

Immediately after that, he made another reveal, adding, “I got another Scary Hours pack coming, too, in a little bit. Maybe not, like [laughs]… maybe not right now; I need you to just take this [Honestly, Nevermind] in right now. But I have a Scary Hours, I’m gonna slap some head tops off with a Scary Hours pack.”

He also spoke about Honestly, Nevermind, saying, “I’m about to play you an album that means the world to me. It took us about six, seven months to make, maybe. Something that I always wanted to do. I don’t really want to over-explain it, I just want to play it because it’s just a bunch of music that I love.”

Indiecast hosts Steven Hyden and Ian Cohen oftentimes reflect on formative albums from their younger days, but what year definitively had the best music? In this week’s episode, Steven and Ian answer fan questions about the greatest year for music (spoiler alert: it’s not 2022), which albums have impeccable tracklists (Radiohead, we’re looking at you), and their picks for the dream festival lineup (several pre-2000s artists make the cut).

Along with answering fan emails, Steven and Ian talked about some of the more ludicrous indie news from this week. Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo officially came out as a furry in a recent interview, a fact that has been fairly out in the open for some time now. Ariel Pink had one of his first big interviews after being canceled for attending the January 6th D.C. riots, and it was in the Jewish magazine Tablet. They also shout-out Ian’s recent interview with Bartees Strange, whose new album Farm To Table dropped today.

New episodes of Indiecast drop every Friday. Listen to Episode 93 below, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can submit questions for Steve and Ian at [email protected], and make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news. We also recently launched a visualizer for our favorite Indiecast moments. Check those out here.

On Game of Thrones, Arya Stark kept a list of everyone she wanted to kill. Millie Bobby Brown wishes the creators of Stranger Things, arguably the biggest genre show since Thrones, would do the same thing. “The Duffer Brothers are sensitive sallies who don’t want to kill anybody off. We need to have the mindset of Game of Thrones. Kill me off! They tried killing David [Harbour] off and they brought him back!” the actress said ahead of the season four premiere. She also talked about how the show’s cast is “too big. Last night we couldn’t even take one group picture because there was like 50 of us.”

It sounds like Eleven is going to get her (death) wish.

Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, was the guest on Thursday’s episode of The Tonight Show, where he talked about his reputation as “the Tom Holland of Stranger Things, because you spoil everything,” as host Jimmy Fallon put it. “I literally just realized this today,” Schanpp said. “I posted stuff on my Instagram of, like, an explosion or something and it’s from the second volume and people were, like, ‘Are you — is this a spoiler?’ And I was, like, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to get in trouble.’ So I literally just took it down.”

Speaking of spoilers, Schnapp teased what to expect from the second volume of Stranger Things season four, which returns on July 1. “You can expect from volume two, we’ve got some deaths coming, some gore, and a big…” Fallon then cut his guest off. “Wow, that’s a big spoiler. Dude, you just said something that you can’t say!” he said, to which Schnapp replied, “No, but I didn’t say who.” Touché. As long as it’s not Dustin, Steve, or Robin, let the bloodbath begin.

You can watch The Tonight Show clip above.

Last night, the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 51st Annual Induction And Awards Gala took place in New York City at the Marquis Marriott Hotel. Lil Nas X was there to accept the Hal David Starlight Award and give a charming, quick speech.

“This award means a lot to me for the simple fact that, somehow, I keep just doing things and it keeps working out,” Lil Nas X said. “I don’t know why the universe is letting me have these moments, but thank the universe.” He added, “I don’t have any kids in the audience, or a wife — or in my case, a husband — to say thank you to, but thank you to my imaginary husband and kids.”

Past recipients of the award include Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, and Halsey.

The “Industry Baby” singer was recently snubbed for a nomination at the BET Awards, and didn’t hesitate to take the situation to social media. “This not over no BET award,” he wrote in a tweet. “This is about the bigger problem of homophobia in the black community. Y’all can sit and pretend all u want but imma risk it all for us.” He also shared a snippet of a diss track that repeats the refrain “F*ck BET.”

Drake’s new album Honestly, Nevermind came out last night, but since it was a surprise-release, the general public has only actually known about the LP for a matter of hours at this point. So, Drake has yet to offer much info about the album beyond the music itself. He has, however, shared a poetic statement about the new album. The statement appears on the Apple Music page for the album and Drake also posted it on his Instagram Story.

Drake starts by noting how his work ethic drives him, for better or worse, writing, “I let my humbleness turn to numbness at times letting time go by knowing I got the endurance to catch it another time / I work with every breath in my body cause it’s the work not air that makes me feel alive / That’s some real detrimental sh*t but that’s that sh*t my perfectionist mind doesn’t really mind because no one knows whats on my mind when I go to sleep at 9 & wake up at 5 – unless I say it in rhyme.”

From there, he goes on to write about relationships, keeping a small circle of close confidantes, and related topics.

Read the full statement below.

“I let my humbleness turn to numbness at times letting time go by knowing I got the endurance to catch it another time
I work with every breath in my body cause it’s the work not air that makes me feel alive
That’s some real detrimental sh*t but that’s that sh*t my perfectionist mind doesn’t really mind because no one knows whats on my mind when I go to sleep at 9 & wake up at 5 – unless I say it in rhyme
I can’t remember the last time someone put they phone down, looked me in the eyes and asked my current insight on the times
But I remember every single time someone shined a light in my eyes
I purposely try to forget what went on between some ppl and I because I know I’m not a forgiving guy even when I try
My urge for revenge wins the game against my good guy inside every single fckn time
I got plans I can’t talk about with more than like 4 guys because the last time I shared em with someone on the outside…well that’s another story for another night
I was tryna get thru that statement to get to saying I’m not @ a time in my life where pats on the shoulder help get me by
I’ll take loyalty over an oh my & emoji fire
I know if it was a dark night where all the odds were against my side & my skill went to whoever took my life they’d done me off with a big smile & maybe evn post it for some likes
I know everyone that tells me they love me doesn’t love me all the time especially when im doing better than alright & they have to watch it from whatever point they at in their life
I got here being realistic
I didn’t get here being blind
I know whats what and especially what and who is by my side
Honestly…Nevermind.

DEDICATED TO OUR BROTHER V
–Drake.”

Honestly, Nevermind is out now via OVO/Republic. Get it here.

Out of nowhere yesterday, Drake went ahead and launched a new era by announcing the album Honestly, Nevermind, which was released just a few hours after Drake broke the news. This means the Certified Lover Boy era is officially in the rear view, yet his new video for “Falling Back” is perhaps the most lover boy thing Drake has ever done.

The nine-minute clip starts with Drake taking big, nervous breaths as he prepares for his wedding. NBA big-man and Kardashian associate Tristan Thompson is there to fulfill his best man duties and talk Drake through his nerves. After Drake gets to the altar and says, “I do,” he’s met with a chorus of “I do’s” in return, from the 23 brides standing in front of him.

The premise makes for some funny visuals, like the gigantic ring box, the secret handshakes Drake has with each of his now-wives, and the cake crowded with bride figurines. The video proper ends at about the six-minute mark, with the last three minutes dedicated to the lengthy list of credits, showing off behind-the-scenes photos, and giving more screen time to the wedding band that pops up in the middle of the clip.

Watch the “Falling Back” video above.

Honestly, Nevermind is out now via OVO/Republic. Get it here.

The first (of many) Game of Thrones spinoffs, House of the Dragon, takes place approximately 170 years before the events of the original series. The tentatively-titled Blood Moon, which was scrapped even after HBO spent $30 million on the pilot episode, was also a prequel. So is Dunk and Egg and the Dorne-set 10,000 Ships.

But HBO is finally looking towards the future of Thrones sequel series centered around Jon Snow. Variety reports that Kit Harington, who played Westeroes’ finest brooder for eight seasons, is “attached to reprise his role as the fan-favorite hero in the live-action show, which would take place after the events of Game of Thrones — potentially opening up what many thought was an iron-clad ending to the wildly popular series.”

Since the potential Jon Snow sequel series would take place after the final season of Game of Thrones, it’s possible that familiar characters — such as his half-siblings Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) — could show their faces.

In the finale, Jon kills the second love of his life, Daenerys (shout out to Ygritte), and goes north of The Wall with Tormund, his direwolf Ghost, and the wildlings. Maybe in the sequel series, he can fulfill his destiny and become a lumberjack. It worked for that other prestige series with a famously hated finale.

The Jon Snow series does not have a premiere date.

(Via Variety)

When Drake announced his seventh album Honestly, Nevermind on Thursday, his fans were sent into a state of shock. I mean, it’s only been ninth months since he released Certified Lover Boy, so it completely makes sense. Once that shock wore off, Drake fans spent some time speculating what the album would have to offer. Many sought the typical rap and R&B collaborations while others hoped for a song with Kanye West, for what would be their first record in five years. However, as Drake revealed the project’s tracklist and producer (one being South African DJ Black Coffee), it was clear that we were in for something very different — and very different is exactly what arrived.

Honestly, Nevermind appeared on DSPs billed as a dance album. Its fourteen songs flaunt elements of dance, house, and Jersey club. This direction is one that many did not expect the rapper to take, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Back in 2017, Drake released More Life with “Get It Together,” a song that featured production Black Coffee as well as a guest verse from Jorja Smith. With that, we at least know that the interest in this genre has been there for some time. Furthermore, Drake has never been afraid to try his hand at different styles of music. Aside from his regular hip-hop and R&B records, we’ve heard Drake on afrobeats, dancehall, bounce music, reggaeton, drill, and now house music.

Nonetheless, with both shocked and comical reactions in hand, fans took to social media to share their thoughts.

You can read them below.

Honestly, Nevermind is out now via OVO Sound/Republic. You can stream it here.

Diddy’s ear for R&B goes without saying, so it makes sense he found his way onto Bryson Tiller’s popular Soundcloud loosie “She Don’t Want My Love” but added a verse to its new iteration, “Gotta Move On.” The track, performed officially at the recent Billboard Music Awards, carries a somber tone despite being upbeat in sonics.

The Trapsoul artist takes lead on the track, blending rap and melodies as per usual before Diddy offers a calm, cool, and collected set of bars. Despite acknowledging the objects of their eyes have found new men, the two sound composed. Perhaps due to experience or due to a nonchalant approach to heartbreak.

For Bryson Tiller, “Gotta Move On” follows his May collaboration “What Would You Do?” alongside Joel Corry and Tiana Major9. Otherwise, the Louisville lyricist hasn’t had a proper individual release since 2021’s A Different Christmas featuring Kiana Lede, Justin Bieber, and more. Diddy is set to have an album coming soon, which would be his first since 2015’s MMM but he has had a hand in music the entire time, namely executive production on Burna Boy’s 2020 album Twice As Tall.

Listen to Diddy and Bryson Tiller’s new track “Gotta Move On” above.

Lil Baby has seen a lot of money over the last few years as he has ascended the ranks of the current rap hierarchy. Along the way, he has provided multiple strong records with 42 Dugg but has now added Veeze into the mix for their new record “U-Digg.” The video opens with the My Turn artist having an important phone call before the flexing really ensues.

As the beat begins, Baby, Dugg, and Veeze each walk down a staircase with paper bags full of money. Baby intervenes with the song’s hook as each verse progresses, and the visual finds each rapper showing off how much money they have. While Baby’s Michigan accompanists simply hold their cash, he takes things a step further by lying on the ground and bench pressing the stacks in his possession.

For Lil Baby, “U-Digg” follows his three 2022 solo releases “Frozen,” “Right On,” and “In A Minute” in addition to the two Nicki Minaj collaborations “Bussin” and “Do We Have A Problem?” Veeze has been relatively inactive this year on an individual basis, only putting out “Let It Fly” while 42 Dugg released an entirely collaborative project Last Ones Left with EST Gee.

Check out the video for “U-Digg” above.

42 Dugg is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.