Month: January 2023

With M3GAN racking up rave reviews and sitting at an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, naturally, talk of a sequel is already in the air. In fact, there were already reports that Universal wanted a follow-up film before the creepy dancing murder robot started bowling over critics.

Well, here’s the good news: A sequel is definitely in the cards. While promoting the film, prolific horror producer James Wan, who has a Story By credit on the film, recently revealed that he’s always looking at a bigger picture when writing movies, and M3GAN was no exception.

Here’s what Wan told The Hollywood Reporter when asked about the rumor that Universal is already gunning for a sequel:

Well, my answer to that is I am very superstitious, and I don’t like to talk about sequels before the first film is even out. But like any of the movies I make, I always think of a bigger world. I don’t just think of that one story; I think of the bigger world. So if we’re fortunate enough to tell any other stories, we can pull from the bigger world.

Of course, Wan is no stranger to franchises. He’s currently hard at work on the Aquaman sequel, and before that, he unleashed The Conjuring films on horror fans, so the guy knows his way around building a cinematic world. As for where he might take the M3GAN story after the first film, who knows? But we’re sure there’ll be lots of weird dancing that lets you know something ain’t right.

M3GAN opens in theater on January 6.

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

It’s January, but Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want For Christmas” is making the holidays last forever. The timeless hit is currently at No. 1 for its 12th week on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it the first No. 1 song of 2023. And though Carey is used to the popularity, she’s celebrating big — with help from Lady Gaga.

Quote-tweeting Billboard’s tweet about her achievement, Carey shared a screenshot of Gaga’s 2011 tweet: “I can’t stop crying. We did it kids.” Carey added. “Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!! Happy New Year!!!!!”

Last month, the legendary singer experienced drama with a co-writer of the song. “She doesn’t play anything, she doesn’t play keyboard or piano,” Walter Afanasieff said. “She doesn’t understand music, she doesn’t know chord changes and music theory or anything like that. She doesn’t know a diminished chord from a minor seventh chord to a major seventh chord. So to claim that she wrote a very complicated chord-structured song with her finger on a Casio keyboard when she was a little girl, it’s kind of a tall tale.”

Carey’s rep responded: “Mariah has never claimed to write ‘All I Want For Christmas’ by herself or as a child. She has always credited Walter, as he is cited as a writer on the song, so that would be ridiculous,” the rep shared. “Not sure where that rumor came from, but Mariah is very respectful of writers and the craft, as she is a songwriter herself.”

Draymond Green’s 2022-23 campaign didn’t start off on the best foot. The veteran forward for the Golden State Warriors infamously punched a teammate, Jordan Poole, during a practice, which led to him leaving the team for a bit. While it seems like that is in the rearview mirror for the most part, Green brought the subject up on the most recent episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” which marked the first time he sat down at the mic to record his podcast this season.

After mentioning that he had “contractual obligations” that kept him from doing the podcast until now, Green dove into what he called “what we all know the incident to be at the beginning of the season with myself and a teammate, Jordan.”

“If I’m being 100 percent honest, Jackson and I, we recorded an episode right after,” Green said at the 1:37 mark of the above video. “And I know everyone was looking for it, everyone wanted to hear it, and quite frankly, I wanted to allow you to hear the chance to hear what I had to say, I wanted to allow you the chance to take a trip in my mind and just, maybe, understand more.”

Green said that he “hated” how he sounded on that podcast, which led to the decision to scrap the entire thing.

“I didn’t like my tone, I didn’t like the things I said, I didn’t like the way it came out,” Green explained. “I didn’t like … if you’re not careful, it almost comes off as unremorseful and distasteful, 100 percent distasteful, but also, fast.”

As he defines it, Green thinks being “fast” means doing things and then using his podcast to explain them in an effort to bring in better ratings or more attention. And while Green made clear he did not didn’t want to shy away from speaking, he had to consider the number of other individuals who were impacted by the whole thing.

“For me, I’m like, ‘Ok, Jordan has to deal with this, other people have to deal with this, the last thing I need to be doing is sitting here talking about it like it’s all fine and dandy,’” Green said, before mentioning that he’s fine with losing subscribers and listeners for not dropping a pod right away, in part because he’s confident he could get them back and more if he does it “the right way.”

Green addressed the situation when he met with the media to announce he was stepping away from the team and when he released a video about the whole thing through TNT.

A new year is upon us. Who cares? The more significant news is that a new Miley Cyrus era is finally unfolding. Cyrus has become, more or less, the New Year’s Eve poster girl with her Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party NBC special, where she confirmed her single “Flowers” will arrive on January 13. And this morning, January 5, we learned that “Flowers” is the lead single off of Endless Summer Vacation, her album due out on March 10.

“2023 finds Miley the strongest and most confident she’s ever been, with the music and imagery of Endless Summer Vacation serving as a reflection of the strength she’s found in focusing on both her physical and mental well-being,” an accompanying press release stated. “Recorded in Los Angeles and produced with Kid Harpoon, Greg Kurstin, Mike WiLL Made-It and Tyler Johnson, Miley describes the album as her love letter to LA.”

Last January, Cyrus posted photos of a studio session with Mike Will Made-It, who produced on her 2019 six-track EP She Is Coming and her albums Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz (2015) and Bangerz (2013). Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson produced Harry Styles’ behemoth album Harry’s House, including its perennial No. 1 single “As It Was.” (Johnson and Kid Harpoon have produced on each of Styles’ three solo LPs.)

Greg Kurstin also worked with Styles on 2019’s Fine Line. Kurstin’s list of A-list collaborators is exhaustive, but the 2018 Grammy winner for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical is nominated at the 2023 Grammys for his work with Adele on 30 and “Easy On Me.” He won at last year’s Grammys for producing on Foo Fighters’ Medicine At Midnight (Best Rock Album). Most recently, he and Dave Grohl pulled off their third annual “Hanukkah Sessions.”

Expect more collaborators to be revealed as the Endless Summer Vacation rollout rolls on, but for now, you can pre-save “Flowers” here.

Endless Summer Vacation is out 3/10 via Columbia. Pre-order it here.

Science fiction is becoming reality with the physical and digital worlds rapidly intermeshing, especially in the art space. This is opening new mediums and creative outlets for artists. Always looking to branch out, Puerto Rican multidisciplinary creator COVL is one of these forward-thinking creators. An artist with a thousand brushes, COVL teamed up with Meta last month to help put on a groundbreaking mixed reality art installation at Miami Art Week, dubbed Meta House. Her exhibit “Nuevo Norte” stood out as part of Meta’s larger project to explore intersectional identity and build an equitable Metaverse.

COVL’s cultural roots and flashy psychedelic style were on full display with an interactive AR mural that could be accessed in real time via Facebook and Instagram cameras. This paired perfectly with her theme of inclusion, as her audience was virtually interacting with the piece.

While delving into mixed reality, Meta House also featured live performances from global phenomenon Doja Cat, first-time Grammy nominee GloRilla, and more. Despite a combination of newer mediums that sent viewers into augmented reality, one of the core pillars of art, a shared experience, was still ever present.

Check out photos from the event as well as COVL’s recap below!

“It was truly awe-inspiring not just to create art in a brand new medium of VR for the first time, but also seeing my ‘world’ come to life physically in such a profound and interactive way.”

“Most of my work is seen through a screen while I sit on the other side of it—yet this experience has taught me the possibilities of reconnecting with people and how art in immersive tech can help bridge those gaps.”

“Meeting the artists that I have followed for so long and being able to celebrate them in the same space reassured me that everyone can have a seat at the table. Being at the cusp of new technology as artists/early adopters gives us access to really push the envelope for years to come in this space.”

“I loved being able to sing at the top of my lungs to all of Doja’s greatest hits as the mural stood feet away from the stage.”

The tributes to late Memphis rap icon Gangsta Boo continue to pour in after she was found dead at home this past Sunday (January 1) at the age of 43. The other surviving members of her group, Three 6 Mafia, posted tributes in the immediate wake of the announcement, while her “sister” within the group, La Chat, posted a tearful tribute earlier this week.

Today, a pair of her most recent collaborators shared their thoughts via Twitter. Run The Jewels, with whom Gangsta Boo collaborated on the 2015 track “Love Again (Akinyele Back)” and on their 2020 RTJ4 standout “Walking In The Snow,” wrote: “You were a force of nature, one of the illest ever, and we’re so grateful for the time we spent together.” Alongside a video of Boo performing alongside El-P and Killer Mike at various shows and festivals, they expressed gratitude, writing, “We love and miss you Lola! Thank you for everything. Rest Easy.”

In addition to her work with Run The Jewels, Gangsta Boo appeared to be at the outset of a career resurgence in recent years. In 2020, she dropped a new single, “I’m Fresh,” which she performed late last year for UPROXX Sessions, and she passed the rap torch to breakout star GloRilla and Atlanta mainstay Latto on their Three 6-sampling club anthem “FTCU.”

After months of teasing, Diddy and Yung Miami seemingly went Instagram official with their relationship, sharing photos of their New Year’s Eve yacht trip to start the year. Miami joined a group that included Diddy’s mother, eight kids, and his latest baby mama, Dana Tran, seemingly putting rumors that the two were on the outs to rest.

Diddy and Miami’s relationship has long been the subject of speculation online, ever since Miami — fondly referred to by her real first name, Caresha, by fans — first posted photos of herself holding the 53-year-old mogul’s hand at P Thomas’ birthday party in Atlanta in the summer of 2021. Since then, they’ve been at the center of an absolute whirlwind of rumors, mystery, and drama as they shared further videos getting cozy, popped up with shows of support for each other’s endeavors, and rallied through accusations that Yung Miami was simply a “side chick” when Diddy announced the birth of his daughter, Love. Let’s take a look at the timeline of their relationship so far.

June 2021 — The Soft Launch

The first inkling that the two had gotten romantic came at the birthday party for Quality Control Music CEO Pierre Thomas. Miami is signed to the label as a member of Miami rap duo City Girls, but her date to the event caught fans’ attention. The post caused a flurry of activity on Twitter that saw fans wondering what was going on, but it was a few more months until they confirmed anything.

August 2021 — Miami Continues To Tease Fans

As Diddy hinted at a new label venture, Caresha dropped a collection of videos on her Instagram Stories in which she and the older Diddy got cozy at what appeared to be a nightclub. Speculation intensified, but the couple remained coy about their status in interviews.

June 2022 — Caresha Please

Not only did Diddy’s media outlet, Revolt, host Yung Miami’s series when it debuted last summer, but Diddy himself appeared as the first guest, more or less confirming they were dating. “We go to exotic locations,” he said. “We have great times.”

June 2022 — Go Papi!

When Diddy received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 BET Awards, he got one conspicuous supporter in the crowd. Fans were amused by the sight of Miami holding a sign reading “Go, Papi” Unfortunately, Diddy forgot to thank Miami in his acceptance speech, leading to a belated Instagram post calling the gesture “one of the sweetest things anyone’s ever done” for him.

September 2022 — Miami Clears Things Up

In an interview with XXL, Miami clarified that while the two were dating, they weren’t exclusive. “We are dating,” she said. “We single, but we’re dating. People don’t know what dating means. He’s single, I’m single, but we’re dating. That’s what I mean when I say we go together. When we’re together, we’re together. We’re having the time of our lives, but we’re still single.”

October 2022 — Diddy’s New Music Shows Miami Off

In October, Diddy shared a pair of new songs, the “Gotta Move On” remix and “Diddy Freestyle,” which showcased his “shawty wop” in different ways. While Miami contributes a verse to the former, she appears in the video for the latter, strolling the streets of New York City side-by-side.

December 2022 — Trouble In Paradise?

When Diddy announced the birth of his daughter Love, many fans were quick to indict Miami for sticking with him for so long while he obviously had other romances going. However, both Miami and Diddy himself shot down the “side chick” label with which she was being tagged and Miami said that the announcement came as no surprise to her. However, she did face some accusations of racism after getting into it with another rumored P. Diddy paramour, Gina Huynh, on Twitter, using language derogating Huynh’s ethnic background.

January 2023 — Smooth Sailing

Despite the furor of the past month, it doesn’t appear that there are any hard feelings between Miami, Diddy, and new mom Dana Tran. The photos from the yacht trip appear to suggest that they’re one, big happy family. Time will tell.

The world can be a grim place full of dangers that are uncontrollable by nature. Sometimes, the best way and the only way to cope with scary happenings is through dark humor. So when one of those bomb cyclone storms, named for rapid air-pressure drops, came for California, that was one thing, but when the forecasted weather pattern turned into a double whammy, that was quite another. A so-called “Pineapple Express” storm joined the dubious party, and this meant that all bets were off for an easy ride through the week. Thursday night could get uglier, and fingers are crossed for relief.

If you’ve never heard of that second type of potentially catastrophic storm (which will bring 100+ mph winds and heavy flooding) and why this is such a terrible combo, the Washington Post has you covered:

The powerful storm type gets its name from its origin in the tropical Pacific around Hawaii and the island state’s affinity for the sweet treat. Pineapple Express storms carry moisture northward from the tropics and dump it in high concentrations on the West Coast and Canada.

Given the location, this combo of storms could bring landslides, and this could happen fast. Via the National Weather Service in Seattle, here’s what that looks like from space:

All that West Coasters can do at this point (after the usual storm prep, including evacuation) is cross their fingers and grab their nearest stash of morbid jokes. Perhaps this is also a good time to rewatch Seth Rogen’s greatest film, Pineapple Express? It couldn’t hurt matters, and the weed references are flying, man.

Stay safe out there, everyone.

(Via Washington Post, CNN & National Weather Service)

Today is a great day for Miley Cyrus fans because the star just announced her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation. Following up the 2020 LP Plastic Hearts, the album has been teased for a while through a countdown clock and mysterious posters with messages like, “I can take myself dancing,” and, “I can love me better than you can.”

She shared an artistic trailer for the album, full of red lipstick, spoken-word poetry, and big California vibes. A press release says the album was recorded in Los Angeles with producers Kid Harpoon, Greg Kurstin, Mike WiLL Made-It, and Tyler Johnson. It serves as the singer’s love letter to LA, and it very much appears to be so.

The first single, “Flowers,” is set to drop on January 13, which is, coincidentally or not, her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth’s birthday. The line “I can love me better than you can,” which appeared on the posters, will likely be the song’s hook. So maybe the date is not a coincidence.

Around a year ago, the “Wrecking Ball” singer posted photos on Instagram with her Bangerz collaborator, Mike Will Made It, and Rae Sremmurd, Tobias Jesso Jr., and Bibi Bourelly, which stirred up conversation about a new record.

Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy surprised comedy fans by announcing the two were teaming up for a new Netflix movie, You People, and the first awkwardly hilarious trailer has arrived. In the film directed and co-written by Kenya Barris, Hill’s character meets the girl of his dream (Lauren London). However, things turn south when he has to contend with her father (Murphy) and introduce him to his own equally awkward parents, which leads to a comedic clashing of several hot button topics.

Like its Netflix sibling, Glass Onion, the comedy is stacked with one hell of a cast. Just look at this list: Jonah Hill, Lauren London, David Duchovny, Nia Long, Sam Jay, Elliott Gould, Travis Bennett, Molly Gordon, Rhea Perlman, Deon Cole, Andrea Savage, Mike Epps, Emily Arlook, Alani La La Anthony, Bryan Greenberg with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Eddie Murphy.

Here’s the official synopsis:

When a rideshare mix-up in LA brings Ezra Cohen (Jonah Hill) and Amira Mohammed (Lauren London) together, the two find themselves connecting over a shared love of streetwear and music. As they fall in love, their relationship is tested by their respective families: Ezra’s progressive and semi-woke parents (Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Duchovny) and Amira’s unyielding yet concerned parents (Eddie Murphy and Nia Long) who inject themselves into their lives mercilessly. Kenya Barris’ feature film directorial debut is a modern love story set amidst clashing cultures and interfaith relationships.

You People starts streaming January 27 on Netflix.