Month: November 2022

Over the course of his nearly 45 years on this planet, Donald Trump, Jr. has said and done a host of crappy things. There was the time he was arrested for being a drunken slob in New Orleans, the time he was almost arrested for traveling to Mongolia to kill some endangered sheep, the many times he killed more defenseless animals (and invited one unlucky Trump supporter to come along with him), his rumored affair (while he was married) with Celebrity Apprentice contestant Aubrey O’Day, his idiotic comparison of a bowl of Skittles to Syrian refugees, shooting guns with a reported wife abuser — the list truly never ends. But earlier this week, Don Jr., whose regular attempts to out-a**hole himself seem like a desperate plea to gain his father’s respect and love, did something that even he clearly had second thoughts about after making a joke about Paul Pelosi being brutally attacked in his home with a hammer. Jimmy Kimmel was not impressed.

On Monday night, Kimmel — dressed as Smokey Bear for Halloween — gave a brief rundown of all the batsh*t rich guys who are doing disgusting things, including Kanye West, Elon Musk, and, yep, Don Jr. After noting how, within 12 hours of Musk’s takeover of Twitter, “use of the N-word went up almost 500 percent,” Kimmel also mentioned how “the new troll in charge did a very sick thing… he posted a story from a garbage fake news website insinuating that Nancy Pelosi’s husband… may have been up to sexual shenanigans.”

Apparently, that was all the encouragement the abominable eldest Trump spawn needed to jump on the Let’s Trash an Innocent Octogenarian bandwagon, and shared what he thought was a funny meme of a pair of tighty whities and a hammer, and joked that he was ready to go as Paul Pelosi — who remains in the hospital after a man attempted to murder him — for Halloween:

​​https://twitter.com/duty2warn/status/1587127744923668480

He also joked that we should “ban all hammers” — ha, ha, ha?

“An 82-year-old man was assaulted by a lunatic with a hammer — he went to the hospital with a fractured skull — and these scumbags, their first instinct is to smear,” Kimmel said of the likes of trash humans like Musk and Don Jr. But Kimmel admitted that he was actually kind of surprised by the depravity of Don Jr.’s tweets, which he later deleted.

“I was even surprised at Donald Trump, Jr.,” Kimmel said, “who tweeted a photo of that says ‘got my Paul Pelosi Halloween costume ready.’ While the man’s in the hospital, he tweets [this]. What is wrong with these people?”

“And by the way,” Kimmel continued, “I have my Donald Trump Jr. costume ready: it’s hair gel, a bag of white powder, and a penis pump.”

You can watch the full clip above, beginning around the 10:30 mark.

Joe Rogan has shared his thoughts on next week’s midterm elections, and he’s predicting a blood bath for the Democrats. Rogan, who has bristled in the past about being called a secret conservative, didn’t do much to counteract that theory while opining that Democrats are out here “making Republicans” because of their position on topics like climate activism, COVID mitigation, and, yup, pronouns.

Here Rogan’s reasoning for why a “red wave” is coming that will be on par with “the elevator doors opening up in The Shining.” Via Mediaite:

When it comes to more divisive topics, Rogan suggests, “there are a lot of people that are afraid of talking about it. But they’re not afraid of voting about it. Because there’s a lot of people that are afraid of the reprisal. They’re afraid of getting attacked and they’ll silently, when they’re amongst friends going, ‘What the fuck is going on? Like, what is going on?’ And those people — that’s gonna be responsible for the red wave.”

Rogan’s guest, comedian Bridget Phetasy, agreed with his premise by citing that a family member who supports DeSantis now. Although, she never gets into why that’s happening.

“I had a family member who’s a boomer and a die hard liberal, and they told me when I was home this summer that they would vote for (Ron) DeSantis,” Phetasy said. “And I’m like, how did you lose this person? How did you lose this person? This is a go to the ballot and vote Blue no matter what, and you’ve lost even the boomers!”

People becoming more conservative as they get older? Wow, what a strange, new phenomenon that’s never happened before. It’s probably because of the vaccines. Look what you did, liberals!

(Via Mediaite)

Rising from Compton, California to become one of hip-hop’s most unique and revered talents ever, Kendrick Lamar is widely considered one of the best rappers in the world. His discography, which spans nearly fifteen years, five studio albums, five mixtapes, a groundbreaking soundtrack, and more, is nearly universally hailed and his list of accomplishments is unmatched. There are no other rappers with a Pulitzer Prize; his 14 Grammys put him in rare air among his rap peers; all of his albums have gone platinum; and his last three have all appeared at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. There has never been a rapper like him — and there may never be another.

The thing about Kendrick is, though, that everyone approaches his music from a different direction and for a different reason. It’s one of the markers of his talent and versatility that he can be so broadly appealing while being so brazen in his approach to experimentation. Some folks love his aggressive, high-energy bangers like “DNA,” “Humble,” or “MAAD City,” while others fell in love with his storytelling on tracks like “Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst,” “How Much A Dollar Cost,” or “Duckworth.” He’s a show-stealing featured artist, but he’s also compelling when he flies solo. He’s got heady tracks that make you think, forceful ones that make you move, and he’s the rare artist with a plethora of songs that can make you do both at the same time — one of the hardest tricks to pull off in the rap world.

So, listing 40 of his best — from Good Kid to DAMN. and everything in between — from just one perspective wouldn’t just be reductive and risk leaving out the breathtaking variety of songs he’s made over the years, it would result in a pretty boring and predictable list. To that end, we’ve recruited Travis “Yoh” Phillips to help us break down the songs that rank among his best. Obviously, we didn’t agree on where every song should land, or even on what songs should be included, but then again, the debate is half the fun.

40. “Michael Jordan”

The first Kendrick Lamar song that made me like Kendrick Lamar. A radical left turn from the spacey, incensed-tinged vibes of the rest of his 2010 mixtape Overly Dedicated, “Michael Jordan” proved that Kendrick wasn’t just a backpack rap adherent as some had assumed after his self-titled EP dropped the year before. It was contemporary and up-to-date, with the Lex Luger-esque sound that would come to dominate in the early part of the decade, but still uniquely his own. — Aaron Williams

39. “Love”

“Love” isn’t punchy, pensive, or produced to feel like a song made by one of the best rappers alive. Kendrick doesn’t rap or sing but flirts with both in what has to be his most saccharine songwriting. It’s sweet, almost painfully so, but the production, like Zacari’s hook, creates a polished pop song that commands a certain respect for being commercial in a time where crossing over is much more complicated when you aren’t sampling the past to remake a hit. “LOVE” feels made from scratch, cooked up to compete on the charts, and live in your heart. — Yoh Phillips

38. “untitled 02 | 06.23.2014”

Some Kendrick songs have the perfect phrases. They jump out on first listen, they are easy to remember, and fun to recite. “Untitled 02” is a masterclass in that brand of contagious charisma meeting catchy songwriting. He uses a watery, almost whining flow that slips and slides and switches shape so seamlessly that it has more forms than Frieza. Not a single line feels poorly placed, making the infectious vocals twice as effective. It’s an enchanting song, one that further cemented Cornrow Kenny as a powerhouse performer that could be both proud and playful all at once. —YP

37. “Crime” with Mayer Hawthorne

In 2013, Mayer Hawthorne released his triumphant third album, Where Does This Door Go, and linked up with Kendrick Lamar on the day party praise anthem, “Crime.” Kenny’s verse describes the raucous celebration and its uproarious aftermath, the partygoers’ antics end up with “300 drunk muthaf*ckas in the holding cell.” — AW

36. “Mother I Sober”

Kendrick Lamar, as a historian of family history, has spent his career documenting the situations that shaped him. “Mother I Sober” is one of his quietest most uncomfortable reflections. A song that doesn’t shy away from the harm of sexual abuse and how the psychological damage is passed down to become a trauma that spreads. It’s pensive rap so honest and touching that the entire six minutes does feel like invading a therapy session. For that very reason, the music showcases how a master handles a difficult subject with grace and care. — YP

35. “Goosebumps” with Travis Scott

On paper, Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott may not seem like a combination that works, but in practice, “Goosebumps” became one of Scott’s signature hits and again displayed Kendrick’s chameleonic ability to fit any of his host’s styles at will. — AW

34. “Money Trees”

As memorable as 2012’s “Money Trees” is for its infinitely singable hook and “ya bish” ad-libs, the Good Kid, MAAD City standout is also the place where Kendrick’s labelmate Jay Rock also broke out of the staid perception that had been forced on him by some fans. He was more than just TDE’s second fiddle – he was every bit as capable of holding first chair as the label’s breakout star. — AW

33. “Growing Apart (To Get Closer)” feat. Jhene Aiko

A tender reflection on life, love, and religion, Kendrick’s Overly Dedicated collaboration with Jhene Aiko forecasts the hallmarks that would come to define the Compton wiz kid’s output in the decade ahead. He reads into his relationship, interrogates his own ambitions, and questions the religious mores he’s been taught his whole life. He’d drill down on these ideas in greater and greater detail on future projects, but this early example set the stage for that future exploration. — AW

32. “LA” with Ty Dolla Sign

By 2015, when Ty Dolla Sign released his major-label debut Free TC, Kendrick’s propensity for utterly hijacking any and every song he ever guest-starred on was well-established. Here, though, it’s effectively weaponized, doing some valuable scene setting for the sweeping project ahead of it. You see, to truly understand the music of these proud LA natives, you have to know the city and how it informs their worldview – Kendrick’s verse lays it all out in a tidy 16 bars. — AW

31. “Ignorance Is Bliss”

All rappers are writers, but not every rapper is wordy. “Ignorance is Bliss” is wordy Kendrick at his finest. You can hear in the rapping a bar raiser pushing to prove himself. Lines like, “I’ll make an album that’ll put a smile on Malcolm, make Martin Luther tell God I’m the future for Heaven’s talent. No tarot card reading, I’m foreseeing you n****s vanish,” are recited with the confidence of a Sayian prince. The lionhearted lyricism supercharged the sparse Willie B-production to make a one-of-a-kind record that foreshadowed the talent and tenacity being groomed at TDE. — YP

30. “U”

“U” is intimate insecurities, unseen selfishness, and the burden of letting people down in song form. “U” is an internal scream, an emotional breakdown, what it would sound like if Kendrick put himself through judgment day. It’s somber, heavy, a weighted blanket of self-loathing on the verge of self-destruction. It’s also well-crafted, from the empty bottles clinking to the knocks from housekeeping, “U” puts you in the hotel room, right in front of the mirror with Kendrick, and tells you exactly what he sees: A failure. No other song like it. — AW

29. “Wesley Theory”

“Wesley Theory” could only be made by a village. A glance at the credits reveals all the necessary minds to put together a song that combines multiple layers of jazz, rap, and funk. It’s like a time machine back to the days of Funkadelic, to the age of Dr. Dre, when George Clinton was the source of exciting experimentation. Kendrick handles their influence like he’s writing his story in their ink, all to express the mentality of a rapper who must deal with the desires, distractions, and dilemmas that come with new success. A brilliant homage, an excellent intro, with a timeless message. — YP

28. “Institutionalized”

“Institutionalized” uses Snoop Dogg as a co-narrator to show how the Compton state of mind isn’t exclusive to a neighborhood. Hearing two generations of L.A. rap genius share in this systematic reality would sound somber if it wasn’t so poetic. The two are excellent storytellers, using fame as the vehicle that brought Kendrick out of Los Angeles, but he wasn’t free from the mad city. Not when his old life is riding passenger in this new world. Giving a rapper’s testimony on what happens when oil and fire try to coexist. Will be in the best of Kendrick conversation for years to come. — YP

27. “XXX”

“Let somebody touch my momma, touch my sister, touch my woman / Touch my daddy, touch my niece, touch my nephew, touch my brother / You should chip a n****, then throw the blower in his lap.” Hard not to agree with that sentiment, for anybody from where Kendrick Lamar is from. And while that would be a solid enough place to end this track, Dot goes expansive, capping his diatribe with this: “It’s nasty when you set us up then roll the dice, then bet us up/ You overnight the big rifles, then tell Fox to be scared of us / Gang members or terrorists, et cetera, et cetera / America’s reflections of me, that’s what a mirror does.” — AW

26. “Ronald Reagan Era”

From the opening, mournful strains, with Ab-Soul crooning “the kids just ain’t alright,” this Section.80 stalwart is a tour de force of fiery, revolutionary rhetoric and harsh criticism of America’s broken social systems. RZA growling “California dungeons” in the midst of Kenny’s police siren impression on the hook is such a WTF moment that somehow works. — AW

25. “Look Out For Detox”

Jacking beats is a part of hip-hop. The highest level of jacking is when a freestyle becomes a bigger song than the original. Part of what makes “Look Out For Detox” so exceptional is the beat comes from a Childish Gambino song. Kendrick takes the beat, places a snippet of Dr. Dre saying his name on the radio, and then blacks out, becoming a bulldozer hellbent on wrecking every second with another word until the point of suffocation. Of all his breathtaking performances, “Look Out For Detox” is one that you won’t forget. — YP

24. “Power” with Rapsody

Rapsody’s Grammy-nominated 2017 album Laila’s Wisdom is an underrated gem of the past decade. And while Rap and Kenny’s previous collaboration “Complexion” from To Pimp A Butterfly was powerful, by the time they teamed up to record “Power,” both had benefited from the two years between. The latter record has a clarity of purpose and messaging that sets it in an echelon of its own among both their catalogs. — AW

23. “Wanna Be Heard”

“Wanna be Heard” opens with, “I used to wanna rap like Jay-Z.” To open with a confession is why Kendrick’s songs tend to age well. He tells the truth. His still-developing voice commented on life as he knew it with no shame in admitting the anxieties, the tough talks, the quiet preparation, and the people lost amid his attempt to be heard. To see the transformation his career has undergone since “Wanna Be Heard” makes it a marker of manifestation and will forever be worthwhile in understanding how Kendrick Lamar started like everyone else did: with a desire. One that he brought to fruition. — YP

22. “Rich Spirit”

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers did not duplicate the hit-filled tracklist that made DAMN. a blockbuster album, but Kendrick’s fifth studio album has “Rich Spirit,” a catchy earworm that fulfills the same slick talk swagger as “Element” and the potent perspective of “Humble,” but with a calmer demeanor. His voice captivates across the minimum production with water-walking grace. It’s unserious, but also serene and sincere, a spiritual stream of consciousness from the aloof Buddha who would never live his life on the computer. — YP

21. “Dedication” with Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle’s 2018 album, Victory Lap, was the West Coast people’s champ’s official “debut,” but it was more of a coming-out party, as reflected by its title. So it’s fitting that he put one of his most successful peers on the track that best describes the project’s undergirding message. Hussle himself said of the track, “I think that record sums up the marathon and the idea of Victory Lap. I think that in three minutes, [I] hit every point that I want to represent musically and just as an artist.” So did Kendrick Lamar. — AW

20. “I”

The lead single from To Pimp A Butterfly confused fans more than anything but it probably shouldn’t have. Coming off the universally hailed Good Kid, the only thing for K. Dot to do was make a hard left turn. I also freely admit I love this song more than most, both for its deception, masking depressive thoughts with uptempo music, and for its affirmation, combatting those dark ruminations with a simple, forceful declaration that makes getting loose to the music an act of radical self-love. — AW

19. “Cartoon & Cereal”

Although it didn’t make the album, if Good Kid, MAAD City is a movie, “Cartoon and Cereal” is an Oscar-worthy deleted scene. From the channel-surfing intro to Gunplay’s otherworldly guest verse, the famous Kendrick leak has all the working elements of a masterpiece. It’s long, six minutes of combusting percussion, a clever composition, and confrontational lyricism so chaotic it could soundtrack a playground coup d’etat. No song is a better mix of mayhem, madness, and childhood memories. — YP

18. “The Heart Part 2”

A Roots sample, a Dash Snow excerpt, and four minutes of Kendrick spilling his soul made “The Heart Part 2” an omelet of high art. You can feel his determination to elevate with each passing second. The lyrics are lunged from his heart, ramping up as he grows more passionate. Once the flow becomes rapid fire, he hits a stride that sounds like he’s about to lift off the beat. This is what it sounds like when an artist is putting his 10,000 hours in, pushing their limits, and hoping if he uses the last breath in his body then someone will have to recognize the power behind these words. — YP

17. “Nosetalgia” with Pusha T

It’s rare that anyone ever raps two full circles around Pusha T and pops a wheelie, but that’s what Kendrick does on 2013’s My Name Is My Name. The ultra-dense verse recounts his experiences with Pusha’s favorite subject through his dad, while also metaphorically comparing himself to the potent product. The level of the writing here confirms Kendrick’s Pulitzer Prize-winning powers. — AW

16. “These Walls”

“These Walls” takes its time to unfold. A three-sided story that doesn’t rush but reels the listener in with images and innuendoes. The revelation doesn’t come until the fourth verse, which refers to the first verse, completing a full-circle depiction of a famous rapper abusing his influence, the power of sex in times of loneliness, and the messy domino effect that started with Kendrick’s friend being murdered on his first album. Despite the dimensions at play, “These Walls” is easy to get lost in, the hypnotic groove will melt into your skin before the message gets to your mind. Genius and deserving of the Grammy it won. — YP

15. “King Kunta”

Kendrick has a bone to pick in this single from To Pimp A Butterfly. Finally veering into the regionally typical G-funk sounds that he’d spent the early part of his career seemingly avoiding, he compares himself to one of the memorable characters from Alex Haley’s seminal novel Roots. Where that character meets a tragic fate due to his rebelliousness, Kendrick elevates his status to that of royalty, denouncing naysayers with one of the coldest disses ever. — AW

14. “The Heart Part 5”

When historians remember the return of post-pandemic Kendrick Lamar, they will start with “The Heart Part 5.” As a song that speaks of culture, the way it cracked timelines and disrupted discourse was polarizing. The Marvin Gaye sample just feels like a proper canvas for four minutes of “perspective.” It’s groovy, a good-feeling sound to accompany a heavy-hearted Kendrick, sounding like he’s been watching the world enter its last days. Closing with a verse that channels Nipsey Hussle from beyond the grave is already chilling, but to see his face in the music video, for better or worst, is unforgettable. — YP

13. “Buried Alive Interlude”

It’s telling that in Drake’s 2011 masterpiece Take Care, only one rapper doesn’t share a song with the nascent superstar. Kendrick gets his own interlude in which he again ponders how far he’s willing to go to chase his rap dreams, even as his career was hitting warp speed. The reticence he displays here has echoed throughout his actions and output ever since. — A.W.

12. “Rigamortis”

“Rigamortis,” for early Kendrick fans, was a point of reference for why he had next. First came the million-dollar horn riff. Sounding Olympic. Like you’re about to witness a gold medalist make an appearance. Kendrick takes 14 seconds to start, announcing this attempt as his third take. Once he’s rapping the entire song comes to life. How the drums rise beneath his breathless flow giving the jazzy production a springiness that feels so energized, so lively, the rapping of a rapper who refused to be slept on. Classic. — YP

11. “Element”

“Element” has the quintessential attitude of a rapper fed up. It’s a character that Kendrick played well throughout his third studio album, DAMN. He’s always been bold in asserting himself as an industry big dog, but “Element” makes it sexy. His posture is that of a risk-taking goliath, ready to lay hands and feet on any stone-throwing opposers. It’s all threats and theatrics over a body-rocking beat that, by the time he’s interloping Juvenile’s “Ha” flow, you feel “Element” is more than a banger, but a warning that the Compton rapper will step on you. — YP

10. “DNA”

“I got, I got, I got, I got” begins Kendrick’s royal bloodline declaration over the hardest-hitting Mike WiLL Made-It beat since “Move That Dope.” This is King Duckworth on his throne bragging that it’s in him, not on him. Each bar is rapped with an assertive vitality, building up to the electrifying second half that explodes like a field of detonating landmines. Although intense, the aggression has a swagger, an attitude, making “DNA” an anthem of stadium proportions. Big, boisterous, and one of his best. — YP

9. “HiiiPower”

Most fans have probably long since given up on that rumored collaborative tape between Kendrick and J. Cole. Both men have come a long way since this Section.80 standout first teased the potential of their chemistry but its fiery Kendrick bars over Cole’s pulsating production makes the prospect of future collaborations as enticing as it is unlikely. — AW

8. “How Much A Dollar Cost”

Three verses of contemplation and conversation between Kendrick and a homeless man who proclaims himself as God is a concept only he would attempt with such fine attention to detail. “How Much A Dollar Cost” packs an album’s worth of consideration in four minutes. Each second shaped the story with words wisely chosen to show the conflict that comes with passing judgment on a stranger. The song feels like an anecdote from the old testament, a tall tale of how spiritual trials appear in many forms and that God will come to the rich in rags when humility must be taught. — YP

7. “Keisha’s Song (Her Pain)”

Admittedly, my fondness for this Section.80 song comes from some of my own experiences on Long Beach Boulevard – shout-out the Metro 60 – but it should be noted that it was one of the first rap songs to truly characterize its sex worker protagonist as a real person. “Keisha” is one the earliest examples of Kendrick’s ability to fully sketch human characters in his storytelling, making its tragic ending actually earn its tragedy. He would later revisit the story in “Sing About Me.” — AW

6. “M.A.A.D City”

Where do you start to discuss a song that would shake the ground when it was played at parties, clubs, and concerts? ScHoolboy Q’s “Yawk! Yawk! Yawk! Yawk!” was a warcry for moshpits to start. Moshing to that first verse as if it wasn’t filled with 25 years of Compton trauma. Blame Kendrick for making tragedy sound triumphant. The MC Eiht-featured second half doesn’t get played at events and music festivals, but it’s a brilliant portrait of a place that sounds exactly like the song title. “M.A.A.D City,” a classic by every definition. — YP

5. “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe”

Challenging and triumphant, the fifth and final single from Good Kid, MAAD City acts as something of an interlude in the conceptual project’s overarching narrative. Kendrick contemplates his place in the rap world, and facing the prospect of compromising his artistic vision to please other voices in the room, declares his intention to please himself before all. — AW

4. “Fear.”

“Fear” is the heartbeat of DAMN. and a crown jewel of Kendrick’s storytelling prowess. There are no mistakes in execution, no faults in the connective tissue that weaves “Fear” throughout his entire catalog. Each verse illustrates his recollection of 7, 17, and 27, filled with shifts in tones, multiple perspectives, reversing vocals, and voicemails from cousin Carl. Each line articulates the torment that damned him. Making “Fear” a singular song that demonstrates how a worried child grew to be a paranoid adult deeply afraid of divine retribution. Dante’s Inferno in rap form. — YP

3. “Humble”

If you were on Twitter at the time of its release, you saw Kendrick receive the most substantial memeification of a single since “Hotline Bling.” Even without crowd participation, “Humble” would have been a hit. It has the trampoline bounce of a record bound to catch fire in close quarters and wide fields paired with infectious ad-libs, an obnoxious hook, and two verses so memorable you could recite them in your sleep. As his first solo record to reach No.1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, successfully breaking him to a wider audience, “Humble” marked the arrival of Kendrick Lamar the superstar. — YP

2. “Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst”

The great American novel in audio form, the standout, 12-minute, two-in-one track from Kendrick’s debut album is a masterclass in storytelling. That it’s such a poetic distillation of the album’s themes in the midst of the greater narrative that the album itself tells is a dizzying accomplishment. There’s nothing I can write here that will do the song justice; it just needs to be heard, experienced, lived, and it reveals itself to the listener like a scripture. — AW

1. “Duckworth”

If there is any song in Kendrick’s catalog that best sums up his incredible skill and dedication to the practice of writing raps, it’s this breathless recounting of a chance encounter between his father and his label head, decades before his rise to stardom. If you wanted to credit this song with DAMN. winning that Pulitzer Prize in 2017, you might not be too far off. — AW

Nigerian Afropop star Davido and his partner Chioma Rowland are mourning the death of their three-year-old son Ifeanyi, after a drowning accident at their home in Lagos, according to the Daily Mail, which cites “various reputable news outlets.” The couple was reportedly not at home, and the child was reportedly underwater for “a very long time” before being discovered.

A Lagos State Police Command spokesperson said, “Domestic staff at Davido’s home have been taken to the station to give their own account of what happened. I wouldn’t call that arrest yet. If after they all give their own account of what happened and after preliminary investigations, if anyone of them is found culpable, the person will now be placed under arrest.”

Davido trended on Twitter as fans expressed their dismay and shared their condolences with the “Stand Strong” singer, whose 2020 album A Better Time was one of several credited with helping to advance Afropop’s popularity stateside. Last month, Davido joined Burna Boy and Wizkid as one of the headliners of the Lost In Riddim Festival in San Jose, further cementing his status as one of the biggest Afropop representatives in the US.

Davido has two other children, both girls, from previous relationships.

Ziwe Fumudoh never lets anything slide, and her guests know this before making their appearances. Presumably, this includes Chet Haze, whose cringeworthy appearance included his unapologetic face-plant due to him declaring that his cultural appropriation was no big thing. This followed a disastrous Andrew Yang appearance and a ukulele-smashing Phoebe Bridgers, so don’t expect anything standard from this variety series.

Part 2 of the show’s Season 2 shall soon arrive, and expect more awkward-as-hell conversations from the likes of Drew Barrymore, Julia Fox, Michael Che (who’s recently been controversial on his HBO Max show), Wayne Brady, Bob The Drag Queen, and Blake Griffin. Activist DeRay Mckesson will also be onboard with his signature blue vest and should be a highlight of this season on the hard-hitting front. On a lighter note, this trailer features Drew Barrymore, who’s discussing “freedom” and giving her best twerking moves, and Julia Fox, who’s free from Kanye West and discussing how men “shouldn’t even have penises.” That should go over well.

Notably, Ziwe’s a former Desus & Mero writer who’s still kicking on Showtime despite that other show heading into the sunset. And it looks like she’s still having a blast.

Showtime’s Ziwe returns on November 18 (by way of streaming) and November 20 (old-fashioned-like on the TV schedule).

Turnstile has teamed up with Taco Bell to offer fans some seasonal spirit. The hardcore band’s song, “Holiday,” appears in a new commercial about a group of friends who love Nacho Fries. And who wouldn’t? They’re great. While the partnership might surprise new fans, Turnstile has maintained a great relationship with the fast-food chain over the years.

Back in 2015, Taco Bell named Turnstile as part of their Feed The Beat class. The yearly initiative highlights rising artists on the music scene with Bartees Strange, Coi Leray, Pinkshift, and more, on the current roster.

“Music has long been a part of the Taco Bell DNA. Highlighting bands like Turnstile is a great representation of our Feed the Beat program that helps support and amplify culture’s leading artists,” Tim Bergevin, Taco Bell’s Vice President of Influencer and Community Marketing, shared in a statement. “Not only does Turnstile kick-off the return of Nacho Fries, they represent the bright future for what we envision will be bigger platforms and even more opportunities for Feed the Beat artists and alumni in 2023.”

“Supporting artists of all genres has been of the utmost importance to Taco Bell through the Feed The Beat program since its inception,” Jon Landman, Managing Partner / CEO of Taco Bell’s Music Agency, The Syndicate, added. “We’re so excited to highlight an artist like Turnstile who is creating such a unique sonic landscape. When you hear the riff in ‘Holiday’ it immediately grabs your attention.”

Watch Turnstile’s “Holiday” soundtrack the new Taco Bell commercial above.

Fresh Pair is back with another customized set of kicks for a guest who confirms one of hip-hop’s longest-held urban myths. In this week’s episode, Just Blaze and Katty Customs ask Redman about the rumored longer version of his and Method Man‘s 1999 hit “Da Rockwilder.” Notoriously, the song ends with the “La-la-la-la” ad-lib after just two verses clocking in at two minutes and twenty seconds, but in what has long felt like the ultimate case of Mandela Effect, many hip-hop heads are convinced they’ve heard a longer version with extra verses.

Just decides to get to the bottom of this, asking Redman straight-up, “Why did y’all not release the full version ever? Because I know it exists. I heard a longer version at the office — once.” Obviously, he’s referring to the Def Jam office in New York City, where Red and Meth were signed at the time and where Just, then just starting out as a producer, would show up to drop off beats for Def Jam artists (namely, the ones on Roc-A-Fella Records like Jay-Z).

“First off, I wanna thank you for clearing up 20-25 years of history of debating, ‘Was there a longer version of ‘Rockwilder?’” Red laughs. “I told them it was. I’m a big fan of editing. It was dope, but it didn’t resonate the way it did if I hadn’t cut it.” They go on to discuss how well the song works in a live environment as a result of the edit but Just laments not ever having the longer version — and producer Rockwilder’s insistence that no longer version exists. However, when Katty asks whether Redman has the full version on his phone, his answer is definitive.

You can watch the clip of Redman and Just Blaze discussing “Da Rockwilder” above.

With all of the various reboots and revivals that have been flooding the movie market lately, there is one Disney movie that has been perpetually left out of the conversation, and that is Enchanted.

The 2007 movie acted almost as a parody of past Disney movies like Snow White and also introduced new audiences to that fun live-action/animated hybrid that we all know and love from Roger Rabbit. Plus, it helped launch the iconic career of Amy Adams into breakout status. Maybe this will give her the Oscar she deserves. Moral of the story: this movie should have its own chapter in U.S. history books. And now, finally, we are getting the long-awaited sequel.

The long-awaited sequel, Disenchanted brings back Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel, and James Marsden alongside new cast members Maya Rudolph, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jayma Mays, and Gabriella Baldacchino. Just like its predecessor, the movie will blend animation and live-action while also playing with some classic tropes, and more importantly, introduce the world to another cute new cat sidekick. We can always use more of those.

As per the synopsis:

It has been more than ten years since Giselle (Amy Adams) and Robert (Patrick Dempsey) wed, but Giselle has grown disillusioned with life in the city, so they move their growing family to the sleepy suburban community of Monroeville in search of a more fairy tale life. Unfortunately, it isn’t the quick fix she had hoped for. Suburbia has a whole new set of rules and a local queen bee, Malvina Monroe (Maya Rudolph), who makes Giselle feel more out of place than ever. Frustrated that her happily ever after hasn’t been so easy to find, she turns to the magic of Andalasia for help, accidentally transforming the entire town into a real-life fairy tale and placing her family’s future happiness in jeopardy. Now, Giselle is in a race against time to reverse the spell and determine what happily ever after truly means to her and her family.

Disenchanted will premiere on Disney+ on November 18th. Check out the trailer above.

Approximately two weeks of the 2022-23 NBA season are in the books and the Portland Trail Blazers sit atop the Western Conference standings. While the Blazers did make offseason moves aimed clearly at short-term improvement, preseason expectations were relatively modest for Portland, with most of the focus on whether Damian Lillard and company could threaten for inclusion in the 2023 playoffs. Though it is still quite early, Portland has impressed, posting a 5-1 record that includes a comfortable, 14-point win without Lillard on the floor on Friday, and optimism is bubbling around the organization.

Lillard’s status was one of the great intrigue coming into the year, simply because he appeared in only 29 games before season-ending surgery a year ago. Immediately, Lillard reminded observers of his brilliance, scoring 31 points or more in three of the first four games, and he is shooting 39.2 percent from three-point range and generating 8.4 free throw attempts per game in the early going. Unfortunately, Lillard will be sidelined for a bit with a calf strain but, provided that injury heals in accordance with the public timetable, he’ll be back soon and spearheading a dynamic offense.

At the end of October, the Blazers ranked in the top ten of the NBA in both offensive and defensive efficiency, out-scoring opponents by nearly five points per 100 possessions. Portland’s defense may be a bit weaker in time, but the offense has a 59.5% true shooting mark and plenty of firepower. That includes Anfernee Simons, who will step into the No. 1 creation role as long as Lillard is out, and the $100 million man is averaging 20.5 points per game in his follow-up to a 2021-22 breakout. Jerami Grant brings two-way appeal and, even in a small sample, lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe has shown highly intriguing flashes.

As with any early-season success story, the Blazers will need to prove it over a larger sample. Portland hasn’t faced the most difficult schedule to this point, with four games at home and two road games against scuffling opponents in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Still, the Blazers have shown enough to create some excitement, and the team’s next contest is a nationally televised showcase spot against Memphis on Wednesday, with Portland entering on three days rest.

Where do the Blazers stack up in this week’s DIME power rankings? Let’s explore the week two space.

1. Milwaukee Bucks (6-0, Last week — 1st)

One NBA team remains unbeaten, making this an easy choice. Milwaukee has the best defensive rating (103.7) in the NBA to go along with Giannis and a proven group. The Bucks could certainly use Khris Middleton on offense and the schedule has been soft, but they’ve taken care of business.

2. Phoenix Suns (5-1, Last week — 3rd)

Phoenix is on a four-game winning streak, and the Suns have quality wins this season. The Suns have toppled the Pelicans, Warriors, Clippers, and Mavericks, with the team’s only loss coming by a single possession in a road game against Portland. Deandre Ayton is banged-up, but the Suns are still operating as a high-quality regular season entity.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-1, Last week — 10th)

After a season-opening road loss in Toronto, Cleveland is on a five-game winning streak. The crown jewel is a road win over Boston, but Cleveland also beat up the Knicks over the weekend and blasted the Bulls earlier in the month. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 32.2 points per game in his new home, and Cleveland is scoring almost 1.17 points per possession as a team despite the absence of Darius Garland.

4. Boston Celtics (4-2, Last week — 4th)

Based on this season alone, the Celtics wouldn’t be this high. Boston looks fine, especially on offense, but the defense isn’t quite in high gear just yet (which isn’t a shock given the absence of Robert Williams). That led to a 132-point allowance to the Cavs (that pushed Cleveland above Boston on this list) and another loss to Chicago. No one should be worried, but that’s at least worth noting.

5. Portland Trail Blazers (5-1, Last week — 6th)

As noted above, the Blazers have a nice test on Wednesday against Memphis. After that comes road games in Phoenix (twice) and Miami, so we’ll learn a lot about Portland in the next week or so.

6. New Orleans Pelicans (4-2, Last week — 8th)

Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have appeared for three and four games respectively, and the Pelicans are 4-2. New Orleans has real depth (hello, Trey Murphy), and the Pelicans have a sparkling 117.5 offensive rating in the early going. There are steps to take to reincorporate Zion, but he looks good, and there is a ton of optimism in New Orleans.

7. Golden State Warriors (3-4, Last week — 2nd)

The Warriors are higher on this list than a typical team would be with this seven-game profile. Golden State is 3-4 after losing three games this week, Klay Thompson is struggling badly, and the Warriors are No. 23 in defense. Does this matter? We’ll see, but I lean to “no.”

8. Utah Jazz (6-2, Last week — 15th)

We covered the Jazz in depth a week ago and Utah went out and won three of the next four games. That included a mini-sweep of the Grizzlies and, against all odds, this group has a top-10 defensive rating. That is the end of the floor where the results are far less believable in the long term, but the Jazz are just playing well.

9. San Antonio Spurs (5-2, Last week — 16th)

The Josh Primo situation drew the headlines around the Spurs this week, and nothing about that is good. On the floor, the Spurs have won five of six, and they are the inverse of Golden State in that the profile might even be better than this ranking. To be fair, San Antonio has been out-scored for the season despite a 5-2 record, but it’s been an intriguing start.

10. Philadelphia 76ers (4-4, Last week — 20th)

It’s not as if the Sixers are suddenly firing on all cylinders, but they’ve won four of the last five. That was needed after an 0-3 start, and the Sixers are in the top eight of the NBA in offensive rating. Philadelphia’s defensive rating was 111.2 over the five-game uptick, and the panic has subsided at the very least.

11. Toronto Raptors (4-3, Last week — 17th)

There was a 22-point loss in the middle, but the Raptors just beat the Heat, Sixers, and Hawks over an eight-day span. That run was punctuated by an absolute blasting of Atlanta on Monday, and Toronto’s roster weirdness was on full display. In a game without Fred VanVleet, the Raptors flooded the zone with 6’8 guys and forced Trae Young into 10 turnovers while torching Atlanta’s defense for 48 minutes.

12. Memphis Grizzlies (4-3, Last week — 7th)

Memphis dips after back-to-back losses to Utah. Given where the Jazz are on this list, those defeats aren’t as ugly as you may think, but the Grizzlies currently rank dead-last (!) in the NBA in defense. That isn’t going to continue, but they are getting lit up in the paint on defense and that needs to change.

13. Dallas Mavericks (3-3, Last week — 11th)

The underlying data is positive on Dallas despite a 3-3 record. The Mavericks have alternated losses and wins in every game, but the defeats came by two points, two points, and six points (in overtime). Luka Doncic has a usage rate of approximately 40 percent, which is wild, but it’s working for the most part.

14. Denver Nuggets (4-3, Last week — 12th)

It’s not a full-fledged concern yet, but the Nuggets are giving up almost 1.16 points per possession on defense. The offense remains good, and Nikola Jokic is an alien, but Denver has two losses of 20-plus points and it’s been a roller coaster to start.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3, Last week — 18th)

You would need 1,000 words to break down the start of Minnesota. The Wolves have played the Spurs three times already this season, and Minnesota also has two games against OKC, one against Utah, and one against the Lakers. Minnesota is 4-3, which is nice, but the offense is still rough and the defense craters anytime Rudy Gobert sits. They need time.

16. Atlanta Hawks (4-3, Last week — 9th)

The Hawks ran into a Toronto buzzsaw on Monday, but that’s a one-off that shouldn’t inspire too much panic. Atlanta competed all the way to the end against Milwaukee on the road on a back-to-back and held serve against a soft early schedule. November brings more challenges for the Hawks, but the issue might be that the defense, particularly at the point of attack, hasn’t been fixed by Dejounte Murray’s arrival.

17. L.A. Clippers (3-4, Last week — 5th)

After four straight losses, the Clippers narrowly beat the lowly Rockets on Monday. Kawhi Leonard has played in four games and won’t be on a two-game trip this week. Encouragingly, the defense has been excellent, but the Clippers haven’t been able to score and, uh, they need Kawhi to play.

18. New York Knicks (3-3, Last week — 14th)

There is amusing synergy for the Knicks right now. New York is 3-0 at Madison Square Garden and 0-3 on the road. The Knicks also beat three bad teams in the Pistons, Magic, and Hornets, while losing to three good teams in the Grizzlies, Bucks, and Cavaliers. The next five games could be revealing, with New York facing Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, Minnesota, and Brooklyn in succession.

19. Chicago Bulls (3-4, Last week — 23rd)

Chicago travels to Brooklyn for a TNT battle on Tuesday that should be… interesting. The Bulls have been largely uninspiring through seven games, suffering losses to the Wizards and Spurs in addition to a throttling at home against Cleveland. DeMar DeRozan is doing his best to keep the offense afloat, but Zach LaVine has played in only four games and any hope of a Patrick Williams breakout may already be gone.

20. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3, Last week — 29th)

The Thunder played legitimately impressive defense last season, at least until they shut everyone down. That might be happening again after a three-game winning streak in which OKC allowed only 101.3 points per 100 possessions. The Thunder are No. 7 in the league in defensive rating and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is generating 31.0 points and 7.0 assists per game. That’s not the worst baseline recipe.

21. Washington Wizards (3-4, Last week — 13th)

Washington has lost four of five, and it might be time to worry. Bradley Beal had a rough season in 2021-22, and his usage rate is down. The Wizards’ bench is an adventure, especially with Delon Wright now injured, and Anthony Gill got a start at the end of the week. With Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Memphis on the schedule for the next three games, Washington might continue to slip.

22. Sacramento Kings (2-4, Last week — 21st)

After an 0-4 start, the Kings won back-to-back games over the Heat and Hornets. That explains the positioning on this list, and the duo of De’Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter has it going on offense. Sacramento is going to need more from Domantas Sabonis on both ends, but all four losses came to quality teams, and the Kings might just be fine.

23. Charlotte Hornets (3-4, Last week — 13th)

It was a weird week for Charlotte. The Hornets went 1-3 with losses to Orlando (by 20 points) and Sacramento. The Hornets also beat the Warriors, so it wasn’t void of upside, but the highs are high and the lows are low.

24. Miami Heat (2-5, Last week — 22nd)

It’s early, but should there be some worry about the Heat? Miami’s record is one thing, but the Heat are below-average in both offensive and defensive rating, all while Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have played in every game. There isn’t a single loss that is staggeringly bad, but the latest was a defeat in Sacramento, and only a good road win in Portland keeps the Heat from dropping further.

25. Brooklyn Nets (2-5, Last week — 19th)

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are each averaging more than 30 points per game. That isn’t close to enough. Even if you look past the ongoing absurdity of Irving off the floor, the Nets can’t get stops and Brooklyn has to be a top-tier offense to have the success that is possible for this team. Through Monday, the Nets are No. 16 in offensive rating.

26. Indiana Pacers (3-5, Last week — 24th)

Myles Turner went on a podcast with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and effectively made the case for the Lakers to trade for him. That is easy to make fun of, but it’s also a stark reminder of where the Pacers are right now. Turner promptly struggled in a loss to Brooklyn, and the Pacers are a bottom-five defensive team at the moment.

27. Los Angeles Lakers (1-5, Last week — 25th)

Hey, the Lakers won a game this week. Honestly, Los Angeles looked good in the win over Denver, hitting 13 three-pointers, and Russell Westbrook has been better since moving to the bench. The Lakers are probably (?) better than this, but they still maintain the worst offensive rating (100.3) in the NBA.

28. Detroit Pistons (2-6, Last week — 27th)

Detroit is talented and spunky. Detroit is also quite bad on defense, giving up almost 1.19 points per possession. All of that is fine and, particularly in the case of Jaden Ivey, the future is brighter than the present. The Pistons are getting the breakout from Cade Cunningham, though, with the second-year standout averaging 23.1 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per contest through eight games.

29. Orlando Magic (1-6, Last week — 30th)

The Magic did blast the Hornets this week but 1-6 is 1-6. One encouraging sign is that Orlando hasn’t been blown out yet this season, and Paolo Banchero is cooking with gas. The rookie forward has led the team in scoring in five of the first seven games.

30. Houston Rockets (1-7, Last week — 28th)

Houston pushed the Clippers on Monday evening but ultimately succumbed to a fourth consecutive loss. Houston has the league’s worst record and net rating, with bottom-tier marks on both ends of the floor. Jabari Smith is scuffling a bit and, with the exception of offensive rebounding and individual work from Jalen Green, the Rockets aren’t impressing on offense.

We’re still one week out from the midterm elections, meaning we’re at least one week away from hearing which candidates won and lost their races, but MAGA Republicans across the country are already expecting the worst — and laying the groundwork for if and when that happens. Taking a page directly from Donald Trump’s playbook, several unhinged candidates are already calling foul play… but if, and only if, they lose. Seth Meyers already seems exhausted.

On Monday night, the Late Night host dedicated the bulk of his “A Closer Look” segment to the “anxiety-ridden times” we are living through. Especially given the statistical chances that a number of individuals who actually believe that Trump won the 2020 election could soon be in positions that will allow them to have a say over our elections. According to Meyers:

Republicans have made it clear if they win back power they’ll do things like impeach Joe Biden, pass a national abortion ban, and threaten to detonate the economy to force cuts to social security and Medicare. But it’s not just congress where pivotal elections are being held. Pro-Trump election deniers across the country are running for key positions that would allow them to supervise elections in swing states, and some are poised to win.

The Washington Post conducted an exhaustive survey and found that a majority of GOP nominees on the ballots this fall deny or question the 2020 results. And the website FiveThirtyEight found that most of those candidates are likely to win.

Just how bad is it? It’s estimated that 60 percent of American voters are expected to have an election denier on their ballots next week. It’s a startling statistic, and a terrifying one because, as Meyers said, “We simply cannot have a functioning democracy where one party denies the legitimacy of any election they don’t win.”

Unsurprisingly, these win-at-all-costs belief that Republicans can be the only winners, have led to some suspicious and outright dangerous behaviors on the part of some MAGAts who believe they’re on the right side of history. “In Arizona, for example, self-appointed ‘poll watchers’ — some with guns and tactical gear — have been loitering near early voting drop boxes to intimidate voters,” Meyers explained.

Ultimately, Meyers admitted that “It continues to shock me how these guys continue to be both incredibly dangerous menaces and also compete dipsh*ts at the same time. We are living in an era of lethal dipsh*ts!”

You can watch the full segment above.