Month: November 2022

Smino’s “90 Proof” featuring J. Cole is housed on his new Luv 4 Rent album, but the “90 Proof” video shifted the spotlight from Smino to Cole once fans started speculating that the Dreamville boss slyly included his son in one of the scenes.

Cole shares two sons with his wife, Melissa Heholt. “She gave me the gift of my son, and plus we got one on the way,” he revealed in 2019’s “Sacrifices,” a track on Dreamville’s Revenge Of The Dreamers III compilation album that also featured Smino. Cole confirmed the boy’s arrival in a July 2020 essay written for The Players’ Tribune. The boy in the “90 Proof” video looks older than two or three years old, so if it were either of Cole’s sons at all, it would have to be his oldest. But it’s a moot point.

DJ Paradime posted the backstory to Instagram. “My homie who was the casting director hit me two days before the video shoot and asked if I wanted to be an extra in Smino new video featuring @realcoleworld,” the caption reads, in part. “He told me I had to be there at 8am and it would probably last all day. I told him I can’t make it, I gotta drop off / pick up kids from school and it’s no way I can make it. He said maybe you can bring the kids and if I got anyone else I know who got small kids to maybe ask them too. First kids that came to mind were Biscuit’s bestest friends! So I hit up @nervreck and told him the the concept for the video. So Nerv and I both had a lot of errands to run so we could make this happen and we both took them kids outta school early! I felt like we made them skip class for this.”

DJ continued, “I’m so proud of all of them! First because they were patient after doing so many takes. Second because they were brave when presented with new ideas on the spot that were asked of them. Last because they didn’t cry and fight for almost 8 hours.”

Cole might have been toying with fans’ curiosity about his intensely private personal life. The boy’s cameo coincides with Cole rapping, “I bought a condo and it’s cozy, my neighbors’ nosy as f*ck / They see a young n***a walked in with his kids / They don’t know who he is, they just know that he up.” Coincidence?

Watch the “90 Proof” video above.

Phoebe Bridgers is gearing up to open for Taylor Swift on her 2023 The Eras Tour. Paul Mescal is generating praise for his leading-man turn in A24’s Aftersun. Will the power couple ever collaborate on music? Mescal said no, but it looks like they’ll have their whole lives to change their minds.

This morning (November 6), The Guardian published an interview with Mescal and casually slid in the news that Bridgers and Mescal are engaged to punctuate a passage about his breakthrough in Hulu’s Normal People in 2020:

“Although Mescal had anticipated the show’s success — ‘It was like the perfect storm for a young actor to get a shot at reaching a global audience’ — he wasn’t prepared for the level of scrutiny that came with it. Last year, he made the decision to quit social media. ‘I just don’t think it’s particularly useful for people to see, like, literally you,’ he says, making a box shape of his hands and framing his face. ‘I thought it’s either get off the bus now or stay on it, and I wanted to get off. In 10 years I might rue the day I threw out my social media, but look, it just is what it is.’ (Mescal did, however, stay on long enough to exchange charged messages on Twitter and Instagram with the musician Phoebe Bridgers; the pair are now engaged).”

Rumors flew in April that the couple had gotten engaged after Jezebel relayed reports Bridgers was referring to Mescal as her fiancé at a Coachella party, which predictably set off an internet meltdown. In June, Bridgers was asked about it by The Guardian and responded, “F*ck the f*cking tabloids to hell, that’s what I’ll say about that!”

Bridgers and Mescal were first linked in May 2020, when Bridgers sent a tweet about watching Normal People.

Mescal starred in Bridgers’ “Savior Complex” video in December 2020 but didn’t go Instagram official until December 2021.

Rob Gronkowski once again retired from football this offseason, a move not everyone anticipated would stick, assuming at some point he’d get the call from Tom Brady to come back. However, midway through the season and Gronk’s only responsibilities on Sunday continue to be his duties as an analyst on Fox, as he seems to have made the right decision on when to jump ship from the sinking Bucs.

On Sunday, Gronk joined the Fox NFL Kickoff crew for a game of “glass half-full or half-empty” to talk about some of the teams in the middle of the pack in the NFL. When it came time to talk about the Jets, Gronk got that little twinkle in his eye realizing he had a perfect opportunity for a one-liner, and decided to be an optimist with the Jets with the condition that “they can get [Zach Wilson]’s head in the playbook instead of outside at parent-teacher conferences.”

That was a not-so-subtle quip about Zach Wilson’s ex-girlfriend alleging this summer that Wilson slept with his mom’s best friend, which garnered plenty of attention while also being something most major NFL broadcasts have tried to avoid — just not Gronk. The best part is the reaction from the rest of the crew in the studio, as Charles Woodson has no idea what he’s talking about, Sean Payton can’t help but laugh, Michael Vick just wants to move on, and Charissa Thompson makes a quip of her own.

It’s possible that Drake and 21 Savage‘s press rollout for their collaborative album Her Loss, which dropped Friday (November 4), is more entertaining than the actual music: a spoof Howard Stern interview, a fake Vogue cover, a faux NPR Tiny Desk, and now a parody SNL performance.

Introducing the duo is the one and only Michael B. Jordan, who calls Her Loss “one of the most relatable albums of our time.” The setup looks pretty convincing while they break into the “On BS” flow. In the comments, many artists praise the skit. Machine Gun Kelly typed, “Y’all are smart as f*ck.”

Her Loss has been at the center of the conversation not only because of the fake promotion but because of a Megan Thee Stallion diss, which she responded to. “I know I’m very popular,” she wrote on Twitter, “but y’all gotta stop attaching weak ass conspiracy theories in bars to my name lol N****s nor hoes EVER address me or @ me WITH a fact or receipts. I AM CLOUT B*TCH keep sucking my p*ssy.” The line, on “Circo Loco,” goes, “This b*tch lie ’bout getting shots, but she still a stallion / She don’t even get the joke, but she still smiling.”

Watch Drake and Savage’s “On BS” performance below.

The sudden loss of Takeoff (real name Kirshnik Khari Ball) is occupying hearts across the music industry — from Drake and Offset to Lil Baby and Metro Boomin. His death is also being felt in sports. The star Migos member, 28, was fatally shot early Tuesday morning (November 1) at 810 Billiards & Bowling in Houston. Takeoff was attending a private event with Quavo, whose assistant reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries. A suspect has yet to be identified.

This morning (November 6), Minnesota Vikings starting cornerbacks Cam Dantzler and Patrick Peterson honored Takeoff through a Dreamathon-designed graphic tee. Dantzler wore his during pregame warmups, while Peterson was spotted in an Instagram post shared by Dreamathon, which was founded by Bruce Thompson and has generated numerous statement pieces for players across the league.

This summer, Dantzler dedicated this season to Jeff Gladney, his former Vikings teammate who died in a May car crash aged 25. Both players were drafted by Minnesota in 2020.

Several other athletes reacted to Takeoff’s tragic passing earlier this week, including New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay. “Our legends are being taken away too soon,” former All-Pro defensive back Darrelle Revis tweeted. “A big supporter of Migos. It’s just not good to wake up to news like this.”

See more reactions from around sports below.

The midterms are just a few dozen hours away, and both Democrats and Republicans are sweating as the hours tick away. While the upcoming election — which could see a quack TV doctor and/or an anti-abortion advocate who’s apparently paid for multiple abortions become official American lawmakers — was definitely at the forefront of the hearts and minds of Saturday Night Live’s cast and crew last night (as seen in their cold open), Colin Jost was a little preoccupied with Donald Trump Jr.’s nasty drawers, and with good reason.

Jost explained that Joe Biden had issued a warning about the midterms, and noted that the number of Republicans who have already stated that they will not accept the results of races where the GOP doesn’t triumph could put us on a “path to chaos.” But the Weekend Update co-host spoke for many of us when he asked:

“So wait, this is just the path to chaos? I thought we’d been living in chaos for at least six years. I mean, Nancy Pelosi’s husband was attacked in their home by a guy with a hammer and instead of even basic sympathy, Republicans were like, ‘We heard he gay!’”

What was perhaps even more disturbing to Jost wasn’t that Donald Trump Jr. mocked the attempted murder of an 82-year old man, but the props with which he did it—“an image of a hammer and a pair of underpants with the message ‘Got my Paul Pelosi Halloween costume ready,’” Jost explained.

Since the visibly dingy tighty-whities didn’t look like something Spirit Halloween was hawking, Jost was really dying to know more about the knickers in question. Specifically: “Don Jr., is that your underwear, man? Why is it so dirty and stretched out? Like, you were trying to burn Paul Pelosi, but now I’m just wondering if you wear your dad’s old underwear.” Which probably wouldn’t be the most pathetic thing Don Jr. has ever done to get his father’s attention.

You can watch the full clip above.

Low’s Mimi Parker has been battling ovarian cancer since 2020. This morning (November 6), the band shared that she passed away last night “surrounded by family and love.” The drummer and vocalist was also the wife of her bandmate Alan Sparhawk.

“Friends, it’s hard to put the universe into language and into a short message, but…” the band wrote on Twitter. “She passed away last night, surrounded by family and love, including yours. Keep her name close and sacred. Share this moment with someone who needs you. Love is indeed the most important thing.”

About their 2021 instant classic album Hey What, Uproxx wrote, “The voices of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker have been a constant presence in my life for the past 25 years, one I often seek out as sanctuary when the newness of new music becomes too overbearing.”

Low are from Duluth, Minnesota and have 13 studio albums, beginning with their 1994 debut I Could Live In Hope. The undeniable and special chemistry between Sparhawk and Parker — who met when they were nine years old — played a large role in what made their music resonant. Low’s message on Twitter has been met with an endless outpouring of love, which is the most important thing.

Pink had the time of her life at the last night’s (November 5) Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2022 induction ceremony in Los Angeles. The chart-topping pop-rocker inducted Dolly Parton into the Rock Hall, sealing the memorable night by singing a duet of “Coat Of Many Colors” with Brandi Carlile and joining in on a star-studded rendition of “Jolene.” Pink couldn’t contain her excitement, but she didn’t forget to bring home a souvenir for her 11-year-old daughter, Willow.

“ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME!!!! I want to be sorry for all the dress shots but I’m not really cause this motherf’ing BALMAIN DRESS and this booty I been squattin’ for….. and just casually inducting DOLLY PARTON into the Hall of Fame, singing with my buddy Brandi CARLILE and Sheryl CROW and DOLLY!!!!!” Pink captioned one of her Instagram posts. “Oh and Annie LENNOXXXXXXXXXXX and just hanging out in the hallway with my new bestie Olivia RODRIGO who is by the way SO SWEET! What a fun night. Tune in November 19th cause Pat Benatar is gonna blow your mind apart.”

Another post caught Rodrigo, who performed “You’re So Vain” in honor of inductee Carly Simon, in the middle of making a video for Willow. “Thank you bestie @oliviarodrigo for making that video for my daughter,” Pink captioned the photo. “Willow is going to possibly throw up.” (Pink shares Willow and son Jameson, 5, with Carey Hart.)

Parton and Simon are joined by Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie, and Pat Benatar as the Rock Hall’s 2022 inductees in the performers category. An edited version of the ceremony will hit HBO on November 19.

In the meantime, check out Pink’s Instagram highlights below.

The midterm elections are just days away, and in many key races it’s the Republican candidates like Herschel Walker, Kari Lake, and Dr. Oz who are nabbing the bulk of the headlines — though typically for all the wrong reasons. Still, given what’s at stake for the future of American democracy should (m)any of the election deniers currently running for office on the Republican ticket actually win their races, there’s nothing wrong with wishing the Dems had found a few more solid-but-memorable candidates to run in 2022 — which was the topic of last night’s SNL cold open.

James Austin Johnson’s Joe Biden lamented the fact that “the Democrats’ message just isn’t getting through,” though he promised that he’s “trying like hell… I’m on the Peloton every morning, tempting fate.” The SNL president also wanted to remind everyone that he “passed that big-ass infrastructure bill, remember that? $65 billion dollars! A lot of you Red State types finally got broadband internet so you can share your Paul Pelosi gay erotic fiction at light speed. Which, by the way: You right-wingers sure do love thinking about these gay little scenarios. Kind of sus.”

Biden seemed to be more upset by all the attention his former boss Barack Obama has been getting since hitting the campaign trail, with people commenting on how “hot” the former president looks. “How do you think that makes me feel?,” Johnson’s Biden asked, before suggesting that people should “go ahead and Google ‘young Joe Biden,’ and start a bubble bath.” (He’s not wrong.)

While it may be too little too late, he then brought out a parade of could’ve-been contenders for various positions within the Democratic party who certainly would have stirred up more excitement, and been the answer to the Dem’s probably of “too many Raphael Warnocks and not enough Herschel Walkers.”

For Californians who are tired of Adam Schiff, Chloe Fineman gave Marianne Williamson, “who loves a good crystal,” the comeback no one was expecting. “As a prominent author and Level 4 Enchantress, I am ready to fight for the American Dream,” she explained.

In Pennsylvania, “unlike Dr. Oz,” Johnson’s Biden proposed a candidate who actually has some political experience: celebrity chef Guy Fieri, played by Molly Kearney, who has served as “the mayor of Flavortown for over 20 years.” Kearney, decked out in Fieri’s signature dyed tips and flame-embossed shirt, asked whether “you all want Dr. Oz’s crudité or a full plate of family leave dripping in Donkey Sauce?”

In Michigan, Cecily Strong’s Stormy Daniels is ready to unseat Gretchen Whitmer and may have made the most compelling argument for her candidacy: “I may be a former adult star, currently on season 7 of The Surreal Life, but I’m willing to debase myself and enter U.S. politics.”

Daniels helpfully noted that she “can work with anyone and I’m willing to reach around the aisle to get things done.” When Biden corrected her that the term is to “reach across the aisle,” Daniels replied, “Sure, you do you.”

You can watch the full bit above.

Pascal Siakam was enjoying a tremendous start to the 2022-23 NBA regular season, as the Raptors forward was averaging 24.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 7,7 assists per game through nine games of the season, all of which would be career-highs.

His strong play was a big reason the Raptors entered Friday night’s loss to the Mavs with a 5-3 record, but after 31 minutes of play, Siakam was forced to leave the game in the fourth quarter after having his right leg slip out from under him as he made a move at the top of the key.

Siakam would not return in the 1-point loss to Dallas with what was initially diagnosed as a groin strain, and further testing this weekend revealed a right adductor strain that will cost him at least the next two weeks of the season.

If he were to return in two weeks, Siakam would miss the next eight games for the Raptors, with a home-road back-to-back against the Bulls starting tonight, followed by a stretch against the Rockets, Thunder, Pacers, Pistons, Heat, and Hawks before the two-week timetable offered for re-evaluation would be reached.

It’s a considerable blow for the Raptors as Siakam has been their offensive engine, leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists to start the year — on top of providing his typical strong, versatile defensive presence. Without him, Nick Nurse will have to dip deeper into his bench than he usually does, with the likes of Otto Porter Jr. and Thaddeus Young seeming like the most likely to get a bump in minutes. The creative burden offensively will also shift even more to Fred VanVleet, with the Raptors also needing more aggressive play on that end from the likes of Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby to fill the void left by Siakam.