Month: June 2023

Geraldo Rivera is a Republican and a Fox News correspondent-at-large, but for the last few years he hasn’t towed the party line. He’s regularly spoken out against his longtime pal Donald Trump, decrying his voter fraud nonsense early and often. (He still thinks Biden should pardon him just as Gerald Ford did to Nixon.) His sometimes liberal-ish views have gotten him into on-air clashes, including with his sometime The Five colleague Greg Gutfeld. Well, it looks like those spats are a thing of the past.

As per The Daily Beast, Rivera announced on Twitter Wednesday that he was “off” the exceedingly popular late afternoon Fox News discussion show. “My last scheduled show appearances are Thursday and Friday June 29th and 30th,” he wrote. “It’s been a great run and I appreciate having had the opportunity. Being odd man out isn’t always easy.” He assured his fans that he’s “still Correspondent at Large” at Fox.

It’s not the first time Rivera has claimed his future with The Five was in jeopardy. In May he claimed he’d been “cancelled” from the show as his appearances dried up. He later announced he’d been asked back after all. Perhaps something similar will happen here.

The reason for Rivera’s alleged exit from The Five’s revolving door roster is unknown, though sources have claimed one possibility is his on-air spats with Gutfeld, who’s also the apparent king of late night TV. Wherever the truth lies, Rivera hasn’t been on the show since May 24.

Rivera joined the program earlier this year after the departure of Juan Williams, who it’s alleged also didn’t get along with Gutfeld. Williams was replaced by a rotating threesome of token “liberal” voices, namely Rivera, Jessica Tarlov, and Harold Ford Jr. Rivera, as already mentioned earlier in this article, is a Republican.

(Via The Daily Beast)

Wednesday, June 21, is officially the first day of summer. Beck and Phoenix released their single “Odyssey” right on time: It’s an empowered, shimmering anthem begging to be blared with the windows down and sure to be a fixture during their upcoming co-headlining Summer Odyssey Tour.

Summery imagery is laced throughout the song’s lyrics, with verses like, “Somewhere / We’ll fall into the ocean / I’ll be there / On an odyssey in the sun.” Beck and Phoenix’s Tommy Mars handle lead vocals, blending seamlessly to create an utterly pleasant sonic palette.

An accompanying press release accurately describes “Odyssey” as “the spontaneous and perfect theme song” for the Summer Odyssey Tour, which was announced in January and is set to begin on August 1 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will hit 19 cities, including back-to-back shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on August 15-16 and a September 9 date at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden.

The alternating openers for the Summer Odyssey Tour are Jenny Lewis, Japanese Breakfast, Weyes Blood, and Sir Chloe. Find all of the dates here.

Before “Odyssey,” Beck dropped “Thinking About You,” his first solo original track since 2019. Phoenix dropped their latest album, Alpha Zulu, last fall.

Listen to “Odyssey” above.

It would appear that all is well for Hayley Kiyoko. The pop star’s May debut novel, Girls Like Girls, recently hit No. 1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list. She also participated in Can’t Cancel Pride 2023 last week.

But Kiyoko’s newest single, “Somewhere Between The Sand And The Stardust,” has brought attention to a more difficult part of her life, much like the bravely honest and self-aware single “Greenlight” did last month.

“A dear friend of mine recently passed away after a long struggle with mental health,” Kiyoko said in a statement. “It’s been difficult to balance my grief while also knowing that he is finally at peace. I wrote ‘Somewhere Between The Sand And The Stardust’ to remind those dealing with a loved one taking their own life that they are not alone — that all the complicated emotions they’re feeling are valid.”

She continued, “For me, it was a lot of anger, confusion, and what-ifs in that process. We must continue to care for those struggling with mental health issues as well as the people they rely on for support. This song is a tribute to loving the people who choose to stay and embracing and finding peace with the memory of those who don’t.”

In the powerful song, an ethereal beat swirls around Kiyoko’s poignant lyricism and evocative vocals. “I asked you to stay, but / You couldn’t wait anymore,” she sings. “I wish I was stronger, wish I convinced you / You said that it’s over, couldn’t continue / I love you forever / And I forgive you.”

Kiyoko also shared a throwback photo earlier this week with the late fashion designer Joshua Van Leader along with the caption, “This one is for you.”

Van Leader died by suicide last fall. Kiyoko posted an Instagram tribute to him on November 9, 2022. See it below, and listen to “Somewhere Between The Sand And The Stardust” above.

Hayley Kiyoko is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Since a submersible visiting the wreckage of the RMS Titanic went missing on Sunday, people’s thoughts have inevitably drifted towards James Cameron. Not only did he make the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, but he’s also, successfully, done 33 similar trips himself, as well as one to the even-deeper Mariana trench. (He’s also warned in the past about not taking such expeditions lightly.) But there’s also a freaky connection between the possible tragedy unfolding and the sinking of the actual Titanic.

As per The New York Times, one of the missing passengers is Stockton Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate, the company that offered the tour, as well as the submersible’s pilot. As it happens, his wife, Wendy Rush, is a descendant of two of the most famous people who died aboard the doomed vessel over 110 years ago: retailing magnate Isidro Strauss and his wife, Ida.

The Strausses were among the wealthiest passengers on the Titanic. However, they refused a seat on one of the lifeboats, seeing how many women and children were still hoping to flee to safety. The two were seen standing on the deck of the ship as it sank. Isidor’s remains were found at sea roughly two weeks later. Ida has never been located.

The pair were fictionalized in Cameron’s Titanic, shown cradling each other in bed as their cabin filled up with water.

Rush is descended from one of the Strauss’ daughters. According to her LinkedIn page, she has made three OceanGate expeditions to the Titanic remains. She is also the company’s communication director and a longtime board member of its charitable foundation.

(Via NYT)

Sometimes the best new R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm-and-blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B songs that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

Since the last update of this weekly R&B and Afrobeats column, we’ve received plenty of music and news from the genre’s artists.

SZA signed on as a headliner for the 2023 Made In America festival which also features Miguel and Tems while Victoria Monet took another step closer to Jaguar II with “On My Mama,” a record for the ladies. Normani previewed her “Candy Paint” single in a new Bose commercial and Pharrell named Rihanna the first star of his campaign as Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director. Elsewhere, Uproxx caught up with Kiana Ledé to discuss her new album Grudges.

Kiana Ledé — Grudges

It took three long years, but Kiana Ledé is back with her sophomore album Grudges. It’s an incredibly honest and vulnerable account of the men and relationships that have frustrated her and how she worked through those feelings. She does it across 17 songs with help from Ella Mai, Bryson Tiller, Khalid, and more.

Phabo — Don’t Get Too Cozy

One of R&B’s best and most authentic gifts in Phabo is back with his second project Don’t Get Too Cozy. Phabo’s trademark cool, confident, and slick demeanor is splattered all over the project’s 18 songs that build a foundation on neo-soul while incorporating aspects of contemporary R&B for a body of work that makes you forget a skip button exists.

Ambré — Who’s Loving You?

Last summer, Ambré gifted us with her 3000° EP, and a year removed from that project’s release, she’s back with another EP, Who’s Loving You? With 5 songs to its name, Ambré picks up where she left off — quite literally thanks to a part two of “Drake & Drive” — with help from Mack Keane.

Alex Isley & Ernie Isley — “Brown Eyed Girl”

Alex Isley’s new record “Brown Eyed Girl” with her father Ernie Isley is one you might’ve thought would’ve happened earlier, but its release on Father’s Day weekend makes it perfect timing. The tender and lightweight song captures the beauty of a perfect love and all the feelings that swirl around it.

ASTN & Alex Vaughn — “How Soon”

Singers ASTN and Alex Vaughn join forces for what is truly beautiful record with their new release, “How Soon.” The song picks up in the aftermath of a breakup as both ASTN and Vaughn ponder when they begin to move on from the pain of a past relationship, especially when their next romance appears to be an upgrade.

Asake — Work Of Art

Just nine months removed from his stellar debut album Mr. Money With The Vibe, Asake is back with his second full-length body of work thanks to Work Of Art. With amapiano-driven production and his trademark spirituality by his side, Asake proves that he is far from a one-album wonder.

Ckay — Sad Romance

Less than a year after delivering his Sad Romance album, CKay is back with its deluxe reissue featuring 4 additional songs. Two of the songs are the previously-released singles “Nwayi” and “Hallelujah” with Blaqbonez. The remaining records are two new collaborations: “Capture My Soul” with Joeboy and “Come Close” with Ayra Starr.

Omah Lay — Boy Alone (Deluxe)

Omah Lay also joined the deluxe reissue wave by re-upping his debut album Boy Alone. Six additional songs were added to the original album which was one of the best afrobeats releases in 2022 thanks to “Bend You,” “Woman,” and “I’m A Mess.”

Raahiim — “Too Good”

It’s only a matter of time before Toronto singer Raahiim returns with his upcoming third project. The follow-up to 2020’s ii KNEW BETTER is led by “Spin The Block,” “Outside Freestyle,” and now “Too Good.” His latest record is an honest message to a lover who he believes is ruining their relationship.

Jahkoy — “Man On Fire”

Four months after his third project Healing Phase, Toronto singer Jahkoy is back with his latest single, “Man On Fire.” It’s a sultry number that shows off his vocal abilities and Jahkoy sings about the burgeoning love and passion he feels about a woman in their growing relationship.

Kali Claire & Jaz Karis — “I Want You”

After releasing “Before The World Ends” this past spring, singer Kali Claire is back with “I Want You” alongside Jaz Karis. The record is a warm and honest one as the singers lay their cards out to confess their love to a new partner.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

On Sunday word broke that a small submersible containing five people had gone missing during a trip to visit the wreckage of the RMS Titanic. As of this writing, the vessel, operated by the company OceanGate, was still AWOL. There’s a good chance this could end in tragedy. The incident has inevitably got people thinking of James Cameron, director of the 1997 blockbuster Titanic and who’s done the same dive, successfully, 33 times. Some even dug up an old interview in which he warned people not to take deep sea trips lightly.

As per Mediaite, Cameron spoke with The New York Times all the way back in 2012, after he descended into the Mariana trench — the deepest part of the planet’s oceans, nearly seven terrifying miles down. Cameron was prepared: He’d teamed with leading scientists, a retired Navy officer, and other experts. He also took up yoga so he could spend some nine hours largely immobile.

His vessel, which descended vertically, was also tricked out with all manner of life-saving backup tools. Before his mission to the deepest oceanic trench on Earth, he took numerous test runs. He was nothing if not safe — while doing something that’s potentially suicidal.

“You’re going into one of the most unforgiving places on earth,” Cameron said. “It’s not like you can call up AAA to come get you.”

Cameron’s words sting even more given that OceanGate reportedly didn’t heed safety concerns. Some pointed out that the filmmaker consulted with scientists more than the OceanGate folks apparently had.

Or maybe the tourists — who paid $250,000 a person for the possibly doomed trip — should have just gone to Cameron instead.

After all, Cameron has done this thing right.

https://twitter.com/AChillGhost/status/1671635637542240256

Some wondered what Cameron is thinking about all this.

And some shared the strange story about Cameron emerging from one deep dive trip in 2001, only to learn about the September 11 attacks.

Cameron spoke further about the safety required for deep sea trips back in 2018 to Rolling Stone Australia.

“I call it bearing witness. I get to bear witness to a miracle that’s down there all the time,” he said. “This is not just some, you know rich guy ego thing. This is about, you’ve got so much time on this planet, so much life, so much breath in your body. You have to do something. If you should be fortunate enough to make some money and have some capital, some working capital, why not put it into your dream.”

In the meantime, here’s hoping that this ends on a happy note.

(Via Mediaite)

On the June 20th episode of “America’s Got Talent,” a group called the Freedom Singers brought the house down with what Howie Mandel called “more than” just an audition and something that was actually “needed.”

The eight singers forming the group hail from “Skid Row,” a 54-block neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles known for having one of the largest communities of unhoused people in the country.

These core members, formerly unhoused themselves, came together in the Arts and Culture department at the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN), an organization dedicated to helping individuals in Skid Row and beyond.

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“Skid Row is in the heart of downtown Los Angeles where five people per day die on the streets, houseless people. So, for us, Freedom Singing brings us close together; it is that medium that we’ve always used to come together as America,” one of the male singers explained.

One of the female singers described her and her mother’s “traumatizing” experience of being unhoused on Skid Row, having all of her personal belongings being taken away by city officials and “being left with nothing.” Finding the Freedom Singers and LA CAN became the “blessing” that helped her rebuild.

The founder of the group, Micayla De Ette, then told judges that the Freedom Singers represent not only those who are unhoused, but also those who are in transitional housing and those who have lost people on the streets.

“And so when we see someone on the street, I want to encourage you not to look the other way,” she said.

The group then performed a soulful, gospel rendition of “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The hit song, originally a poem written by RHCP lead singer Anthony Kiedis, depicts a low point in his life during substance abuse recovery and even refers to an unspecified bridge in downtown Los Angeles—making the choice of song all the more poignant.

With angelic harmonies and soaring solos, the Freedom Singers truly made the song their own, not only bringing all four judges to their feet but moving host Terry Crews to tears.

“All your voices together harmonize so beautiful, and I want to thank you,” said Crews, his voice breaking with emotion. “I want to thank you so much for what you do for the community, for what you do for so many people. I am completely touched right now.”

Earning four “yes” votes, the Freedom Singers will move on to the next round as Season 18 of “America’s Got Talent” continues. But they’ve already succeeded in sharing their powerful message.

It’s been nearly five years since dream pop pioneers Beach Fossils dropped their last album, 2017’s effort Somersault, which traded in their signature hazy guitars for buoyant keys and lush arrangements. But with their latest album Bunny, the band veered back towards their shoegazey roots with dreamy guitars drenched in reverb on tracks like “Don’t Fade Away” and “Dare Me.”

Beneath the gauzy chords lie disarmingly honest lyrics. “This is the first record where I’ve consciously thought about writing a chorus,” vocalist Dustin Payseur said in a statement. Throughout the album, he reflects on family health scares, fatherhood, depression, and losing friends, resulting in Beach Fossils most poignant project to date.

To celebrate the release of their new album Bunny, Payseur sits down with Uproxx to talk Michael Jordan, Brian Eno, and thinking too much about tattoos in our latest Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Live laugh love etc.

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

As one of the bands of all time.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

St. Elmo, Colorado.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

Michael Jordan, for showing me that I could never make it as a basketball player and that I should try something else.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

Athens, Greece.

What album do you know every word to?

Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music For Airports.

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Gumby on ice.

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

Clothing optional.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

Mark Zuckerberg.

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

Ralph Tresvant’s “Sensitivity.”

What’s the last thing you Googled?

“How to do an interview.”

What album makes for the perfect gift?

An album that somebody already owns so they get to go back and exchange it for the one they really want.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

A carpet covered in old milk.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

I thought about it too much and that’s why it’s my least favorite.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

Bach.

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Bought me SpongeBob balloons for my birthday.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

It’ll be okay.

What’s the last show you went to?

Beach Fossils.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

Son Of The Mask.

What’s one of your hidden talents?

I’m really good at changing the temperature on my hot water heater.

Bunny is out now via Bayonet Records. Find more information here.

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert used to be besties. And why not? They were both elected to the House of Representatives at the same time, they’re both MAGA extremists, and they both like heckling Joe Biden. But things have not been copasetic with them since at least late last year. There was that bathroom squabble in January. Now their beef has gone next level.

As per The Daily Beast, on Wednesday Greene and Boebert got into a little spat on the House floor. The two have dueling resolutions to get Biden impeached — or at least hold a vote that will almost certainly fail miserably. Boebert won: After leveraging a procedural tool, she managed to schedule a forced vote that will be held in the next few days. Greene was not pleased that Boebert got her impeachment vote through first, and so she reportedly called her ex-pal a “little b*tch.”

The tussle was caught by C-SPAN cameras, but three sources filled the Beast in on what was said. Boebert allegedly approached Greene about “statements you made about me publicly.” Sources claim Greene claimed that Boebert “copied my articles of impeachment.” Boebert shot back that she hadn’t even read her resolution.

All three sources said things go so bad that Greene called Boebert a “b*tch.” One of them said she actually called her a “little b*tch.” One of them, a GOP lawmaker, said they “heard Marjorie call Boebert a b*tch right to her face.”

The fight ended dramatically:

“OK, Marjorie, we’re through,” Boebert then said, shrugging her shoulders.

With Boebert’s back turned, Greene responded: “We were never together.”

Earlier in the day, Boebert seemed to be on Greene’s side, retweeting her support of impeachment. “It’s our responsibility to be the check and balance for this rogue administration,” Boebert wrote on Twitter. “As a mom and as a Representative of the United States of America, I am compelled to take action. “ She then thanked Greene for “supporting these articles to impeach Joe Biden.”

Reached for comment on the exchange, Boebert told the Beast, “Marjorie is not my enemy. I came here to protect our children and their posterity. Joe Biden and the Democrats are destroying our country.”

Whatever the case, surely the only response to the ever-escalating Greene-Boebert rift is this: “Let them fight.”

(Via The Daily Beast)

This is a complicated situation.

One of the contract stipulations WGA writers are striking for is a mandatory minimum of writers hired for TV projects — an effort to stave off the potential for producers and studios to fill up the seats with AI bots. Taylor Sheridan, a former character actor turned rare TV scribe who writes entire seasons of Yellowstone and more by himself, is caught in that crossfire.

“The freedom of the artist to create must be unfettered,” Sheridan said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “If they tell me, ‘You’re going to have to write a check for $540,000 to four people to sit in a room that you never have to meet,’ then that’s between the studio and the guild. But if I have to check in creatively with others for a story I’ve wholly built in my brain, that would probably be the end of me telling TV stories.”

Obviously, there’s some strange nuance here. It’s not that Sheridan is blasting the WGA‘s proposed requirements. Sheridan said in the interview that he broadly supports the WGA strike, and it seems like he doesn’t care if the studio is willing to toss in half a mil for writers who won’t actually be writing on the show, but you can see where a studio might take issue with all that. An immovable object and an unstoppable force meeting. If the WGA gets its demands met to safeguard their careers, and studios balk at the idea of paying writers to sit around, Sheridan might find himself heading for greener pastures.

(via The Hollywood Reporter)