After an extended period in the wilderness, there are strongly positive signs around the Orlando Magic. The Magic won 21 and 22 games in back-to-back seasons but, with the addition of No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, the development of Franz Wagner, and relative stability with the roster, Orlando took a step forward with a 34-48 mark a year ago. Now comes the difficult part for the Magic, as the rebuild starts to turn the corner toward competitiveness, even in an Eastern Conference full of intriguing, talented, and experienced teams.
Expectations are raised for Orlando and, with that, there is one major question and one X-Factor on the roster that need to be explored.
Biggest Question: What’s Next For Paolo Banchero And Franz Wagner?
This is both obvious and also the correct question to ask. For teams on the rise, there is often a point in which it becomes clear that every player is not a “core player” for the future, and that could happen with some of the guards (see below) in Orlando. There is a pretty good feeling that Banchero and Wagner are core pieces, however, and Banchero is coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign after being drafted No. 1 overall. That is usually a formula for at least a long, fruitful career at the NBA level, and Wagner’s versatile, effective game makes him the envy of many teams and general managers across the league.
With that out of the way, the big question is whether there is a real, contending-level team to be built around Banchero and Wagner as the top two, or even two of the top three, pieces on the squad. Banchero faced real efficiency issues (52.9 percent true shooting) as a rookie and isn’t a dynamic off-ball threat at this juncture. Wagner has almost no uncertainty as a secondary piece after a season in which he averaged 18.6 points on 58.9 percent true shooting, but can he scale up? Orlando’s supporting cast might be what dictates win-loss success in 2023-24, but in the big picture, it’s all about Banchero and Wagner for the Magic. This season could begin to paint a very, very intriguing picture.
X-Factor: Jalen Suggs
In some ways, the X-factor could be the entire backcourt for Orlando. The Magic have talented guards like Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and 2023 lottery pick Anthony Black, but Suggs is perhaps the biggest enigma right now. Suggs, a former top-five pick, has appeared in only 101 games through two seasons and, on the offensive end, his limitations have been evident. That includes a career 48.7 percent true shooting mark and a 17.5 percent turnover rate that is unsustainably poor. On the positive side, Suggs has shown a great deal of aptitude and effectiveness on the defensive end but, in short, that is not why guards are drafted in the range where he was selected.
Can Suggs find more efficiency? Can his shooting come around? Beyond that, what is his best role moving forward on a team that will almost certainly play heavily through its forwards? A lot of questions should be answered over the course of the next few months.
Travis Scott’s creative ventures know no limit. The chart-topping musician’s latest album, Utopia, birthed his cinematic visual project Circus Maximus. Also, due to the overwhelming crowd participation during the Rome concert, Scott’s hype nearly caused fear of an earthquake. The fate of the Blade movie, which Scott hopes to executive produce the soundtrack, remains uncertain. However, there is one thing fans can hang their hats on: Scott’s sneaker drops.
Scott’s latest Air Jordan release is hitting online vendors soon. No, it’s not the fancy “Cut The Check” footwear showcased in his official video for his single, “KPop.” The forthcoming launch is for his Air Jordan 1 Low Golf sneakers. Here’s the release date for the neutral olive sneakers.
According to Esquire, Scott’s Air Jordan 1 Low Golf sneakers in the neutral olive color scheme will be released this Friday, October 13. The sneakers will be exclusively available via Nike’s SNKRS app. However, the outlet does note that a few global stockists will offer it to their customers. The sneakers will reportedly retail for $170.
During an appearance on ESPN’s The Jump, Scott opened up about his love for sneakers. When asked by host Rachel Nichols what inspired his widely successful leap into sneaker designing, he replied, “I’ve always liked sneakers. I’ve always been a fan of Jordans and Nikes. So, just being able to curate, design, and put different aesthetics that I like into my everyday life as well as things I’ve seen growing up as a kid, it’s fire to me.”
The neutral olive Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG Golf will be available beginning October 13 within Nike’s SNKRS app. Find more information here.
It’s a pretty well known fact that public school teachers are severely underpaid in comparison to the cost of living in their individual areas. They often have to buy classroom supplies and decorations out of pocket, while also securing extra school supplies in case some of their students are in need. Their work doesn’t stop just because the last bell rang for the day.
It’s nearly impossible for them to get work done during their planning periods. That’s when they answer parent emails, attend IEP meetings or call guardians about concerns so they often have to take their work home. Grading tests, papers and homework is suddenly happening when they’re supposed to be catching up on their favorite shows or spending time with their own children.
Most other industries a person working 20 extra hours a week would equate to a hefty amount of overtime on their checks. But teachers aren’t afforded this luxury. These extra hours, though necessary, are unpaid.
The unpaid labor doesn’t stop there if the teacher offers after school tutoring. All of these demands on teachers for no extra money means they often have to take on a second job or get creative when it comes to earning extra money. High school English teacher, Brianna Coppage, 28, found herself struggling to make ends meet on her $42,000 a year salary in St. Clair, Missouri, a suburb about an hour west of St. Louis.
In order to help bring in extra income, the teacher turned to OnlyFans, an adult entertainment website that requires a paid subscription in order to view the mostly x-rated content. Coppage told the St. Louis Dispatch that her content on OnlyFans brought in an additional $8,000-$10,000. That’s no small amount of cash, but someone reported her page to St. Clair High School, where she works resulting in her being placed on leave.
At this point most people would expect that the community would be outraged or shocked by the teacher’s secret life but that wasn’t really the case. Parents supported Coppage and her right to create adult content off the clock.
“Surprisingly, a lot of parents were supporting me. A lot of community members were saying, ‘Leave her alone, this is her private business. It has nothing to do with her in the classroom,’” Coppage told The Missourian.
Tiffany Ray, a relative of a student at St. Clair High School even started a petition to help the teacher keep her job. It currently has over 2,700 signatures with community members writing messages of support int he comments.
“She became my son’s English teacher at the start of the year. He has improved so much with her help. It’s her private life, she does not press it into her coworkers or students. Let her live her life,” one woman writes.
“If the state of Missouri doesn’t want their teachers moonlighting then they should pay livable wages,” another petition signer declares.
“This is in the privacy of her own personal time. She is none[sic] of the only teachers who has actually done their job and helped my daughter when she needed it. Most teachers don’t even try and help,” one mom says.
Judging by the comments on the petition, comments under social media posts and support she’s personally received, it’s clear people are more concerned about teachers low pay. Coppage didn’t wait to see if the support helped to reverse the decision, she resigned from her position at the high school.
It’s hard to believe that it’s already been two years since BNXN (formerly known as Buju) landed the biggest moment of his career with a feature on Wizkid’s “Mood.” BNXN wasn’t new to the spotlight at that point as two years prior, Burna Boy lent him a verse for a remix of his “Lenu” record. What “Mood,” and months later, “Finesse” with Pheelz brought BNXN is a future at new heights and the chance to accomplish lifelong dreams in the music industry.
BNXN recently released his third project Sincerely, Benson which, compared to his first projects Sorry I’m Late and Bad Since ‘97, feels like a more proper release thanks to its 15 songs. During an interview with Uproxx over a video call, BNXN tells me that Sincerely, Benson feels like the transition from “small boy to teenager” and it’s the discovery that his music is “very, very expressive,” something he further expounds on with his new project.
Elsewhere in this interview, BNXN spoke about the special cast of features on Sincerely, Benson, his spirituality, and how he makes sure to live in the moment – regardless of how successful he gets.
This album Sincerely, Benson is a letter to your fans and supporters. What is the message that you’re trying to deliver to them?
I used to be in a relationship and I got out of that relationship, or rather, I messed up that relationship by cheating. That’s one part of what inspired this album, the fact that I need to make an apology, but at the same time, I need to give it my all. I need to fully accept fault, I need to be as transparent as possible. That emotion created songs like “Pidgin and English,” “Regret, “Realize,” and “Toxic.” There are songs that describe me and the things that I go through personally — or artists go through personally — that people don’t get to see, even when they’re close to you. There are [other] songs for people to feel good to [and] to groove because I know how it is for me to share my emotion with you all, share my pain with you. But it’s like, every time you meet somebody you’re always telling them about the problem. It’s not a good look. So it’s like I’m here to also show you that in this same space of many things going on, I’m still happy. I still find time to enjoy myself. I still find time to appreciate the little things that matter
On “Maximum Damage” with Headie One you say, “I’m from a place where nobody makes it out without people thinking it’s magic / Cause if they can’t have it you can’t have it / You see that mentality just tragic.” How has that mentality made things harder for you and how have you made sure not to have that mentality yourself?
Sometimes you still get that weird feeling. I’m gonna be honest men, there are times at this level that you can look to the next man, or the next man looks at you like, “What are you doing differently that’s bringing you all this?” At that point, it’s a natural feeling. Envy is a natural feeling, but it’s like, you just got to snap out of it. The sun has its time to time, the moon has its time to shine. You can look at somebody from two angles: from the angle of envy or from the angle of inspiration. Like, “This is how this guy is moving. I like it. I’m going to amplify what to a level whereby it kind of feels like that.” That is motivation, that is literally somebody inspiring us to do something. It’s different when someone is doing it and you’re like, “Huh? Why is it him that is doing it?” or “Why is it them that doing it? I can do better than that.” Personally, I have once felt like that before, but it’s something that you have to outgrow. It’s something you have to snap out of because it’s a very terrible feeling. If you’re feeling like that, it kind of hinders a lot of blessings.
The guest features on this album mark the first time that you’ve worked with these artists. How did it turn out this way rather than it be with artists you’ve worked with before?
These features were selected because of the level at which I knew they could deliver and how the story of the song kind of affects them or what it means to them. You hear the songs and it’s not hard for you to interpret them. You can tell your life story or express yourself, I’m talking about artists that featured themselves.
For “Maximum Damage,” Headie hears the song and is like, “This is the song whereby I can literally show everybody that there’s been a whole lot of things going on.” That song helped Headie express that this is what I want for my life. 2Baba hears “Regret” and he sees this is a perfect opportunity for me to be able to express something solemn and express an apology that is sufficient and precise. With Popcaan, “Final Answer” is about literally nothing and can really stop what is about to come. The trajectory is miles up high and Popcaan understood that.
With songs like “Pray” on the album, your spirituality and religious outlook are clear. How has your faith, in whatever regard it plays out, helped you as an artist over the years?
All this and everything I have that’s good comes from God and he’s always guided my decisions. I’m not the most perfect person, but it’s like I always feel like there are certain things that would not happen naturally with my own power. There are times, even as I am, I still pause to pray for help, guidance, or assistance. That’s the reason I feel like I always have God. This industry is crazy, there are certain things in this industry that just be happening. My parents are very spiritual too, so I’m a very spiritual person. I just always know that there is good and evil and I have to pick a side. My music is personal and everything that happens to me I have to be able to express. I always have to direct some songs back to God and what he’s done for me. On the last project, there was “Modupe,” and on this project, there’s “Pray” and “Final Answer.” Spirituality is just something I hold very dearly [to myself].
How did this collaboration on “Regret” come to life and what was your reaction when it finally happened?
“Who could bring the difference to the song?” My friend said 2Baba on this song and whenever I heard the song I couldn’t stop hearing 2Baba on the record, so I just had to reach out. I reached out to Larry Gaaga and I sent it to Larry and Larry sent it to 2Baba. It’s hard to imagine a song like that having 2Baba be that transparent and open. I was happy he let that happen. Some stories are very personal to people. So whenever they share it or express it, it’s very nice. Especially if you’re not really an expressive person, it’s very hard to do. It’s such a special record, it’s why I left only he could’ve done that to that level — a level whereby I can feel it.
What is your favorite memory in the process of creating this album Sincerely, Benson?
I don’t know, *laughs* it’s from even getting a name for the project. I was in the club with Burna [Boy], and he’s like, “I need you to have your name or your album. Your album has to have your name there.” It’s like wow, okay I’ll take that. It’s crazy that after having that conversation months later, he dropped Love, Damini. So many things were going on man. With this project, one minute there’s nothing going on, the next thing I’m in the studio I’m just recording something. N****s telling me to try shrooms for the first time. I didn’t try it, but after that conversation, I go in there and I record “My Life” and some many [other] beautiful records. I don’t know, there are too many memories. Traveling, the producers, the sessions — they were always so warm and very sweet. I just really had fun making this project.
With all of the success you’re having in your career, what are some things you do to make sure you live in the moment and don’t time and things altogether pass you by quickly?
I like to take time to reflect. It’s where a lot of my songs come from. I take a lot of time to analyze everything so I can know how this thing works. After this phase of the album, I intend to get into a phase where I “just play.” What I mean by play is holding back a little seriousness from the music just to see what the dynamic is. Mainly because what I do is afro-fusion and I feel like it’s a fusion of everything. I need to be able to give you Gbedu (groove), play around with it, and have fun. I feel like that’s the next stage I’m about to move to.
Sincerely, Benson is out now via TYE and EMPIRE. Find out more information here.
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, the followup to the top global DC release of all time, began with drama, and the drama apparently never stopped. Of course, the initial theatrics were arguably the good type of theatrics. Way back in August 2019, Momoa faux-threatened not to shoot the sequel because he was committed to protests upon Hawaiian’s sacred Mauna Kea mountain. Of course, Momoa was pulling everyone’s leg because shoots weren’t even scheduled at that point (this was obvious, and he knew it), but man, what followed has been even more dramatic.
Variety has dropped a juicy piece that details much of the ruckus. Not all of what happened is confirmed as fact, but claims include an account of Elon Musk threatening the production with legal action if Amber was replaced on the movie. There are also details on Heard’s therapist’s scribblings (which surfaced by Johnny Depp’s urging in his defamation trial against his ex-wife), which allege that Momoa was boozy on set and purposefully dressing like Depp. Now, a DC source and insiders are pushing back at the boozy claim and actually seem more offended at the “dressing like Johnny Depp” detail:
A rep for Momoa declined comment, but a DC spokesperson pushed back on Heard’s characterization, saying, “Jason Momoa conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’” Others echoed that sentiment. “Jason works his ass off, likes to have a beer once in a while like everyone, but doesn’t show up drunk to set,” says an insider who was on the London set in 2021, adding that the two stars got along and were seen joking together. “And he isn’t dressing like Johnny Depp. He has always dressed in that bohemian style.”
More excerpts detail alleged friction between James Wan and Heard and reasons why the director allegedly wanted to recast her role. None of this has been proven true, but she is only fleetingly shown in the sequel’s trailer. And it’s possible that the entire sequel has now been overshadowed by every reported scrap of drama on the production. Does anyone remember what this film will be about? (Hint: Black Manta is even punchier, and Arthur Curry has been changing diapers, and my goodness, Patrick Wilson got ripped.)
Everyone is paying much more attention to the behind-the-scenes stuff than the actual movie, which already faces an uphill battle after multiple WBD DC projects have failed to take the box office by storm or tidal wave. Godspeed, Arthur Curry.
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom sloshes into theaters on December 20.
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, the followup to the top global DC release of all time, began with drama, and the drama apparently never stopped. Of course, the initial theatrics were arguably the good type of theatrics. Way back in August 2019, Momoa faux-threatened not to shoot the sequel because he was committed to protests upon Hawaiian’s sacred Mauna Kea mountain. Of course, Momoa was pulling everyone’s leg because shoots weren’t even scheduled at that point (this was obvious, and he knew it), but man, what followed has been even more dramatic.
Variety has dropped a juicy piece that details much of the ruckus. Not all of what happened is confirmed as fact, but claims include an account of Elon Musk threatening the production with legal action if Amber was replaced on the movie. There are also details on Heard’s therapist’s scribblings (which surfaced by Johnny Depp’s urging after his defamation trial against Heard), which alleged that Momoa was boozy on set and purposefully dressing like Depp. Now, a DC source and insiders are pushing back at the boozy claim and actually seem more offended at the “dressing like Johnny Depp” detail:
A rep for Momoa declined comment, but a DC spokesperson pushed back on Heard’s characterization, saying, “Jason Momoa conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’” Others echoed that sentiment. “Jason works his ass off, likes to have a beer once in a while like everyone, but doesn’t show up drunk to set,” says an insider who was on the London set in 2021, adding that the two stars got along and were seen joking together. “And he isn’t dressing like Johnny Depp. He has always dressed in that bohemian style.”
More excerpts detail alleged friction between James Wan and Heard and reasons why the director allegedly wanted to recast her role. None of this has been proven true, but she is only fleetingly shown in the sequel’s trailer. And it’s possible that the entire sequel has now been overshadowed by every reported scrap of drama on the production. Does anyone remember what this film will be about? (Hint: Black Manta is even punchier, and Arthur Curry has been changing diapers, and my goodness, Patrick Wilson got ripped.)
Everyone is paying much more attention to the behind-the-scenes stuff than the actual movie, which already faces an uphill battle after multiple WBD DC projects have failed to take the box office by storm or tidal wave. Godspeed, Arthur Curry.
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom sloshes into theaters on December 20.
As it turns out, it could have been worse, as Healy recently revealed they were also “briefly imprisoned” by the Malaysian government. While he had previously hinted at the possibility of being imprisoned, saying, “Me and Ross nearly shaved our heads because we thought we were going to prison for being f**s,” during a show in Hawaii, this is the first time he has admitted that the bandmates were detained.
During a concert in Forth Worth, Texas, Healy gave one of his customary addresses, telling the crowd, “If you truly believe that artists have a responsibility to uphold their liberal virtues by using their massive platforms, then those artists should be judged by the danger and inconvenience that they face for doing so, not by the rewards they receive for parroting consensus… Those who took to Twitter to voice their outrage over the 1975’s unwillingness to cater to Malaysian customs would find it abhorrent if the 1975 were to acquiesce to, let’s say, Mississippi’s perspective on abortion or trans rights.”
He also pointed out that the 1975 was brought to Malaysia in spite of their history of snogging onstage. “The 1975 did not waltz into Malaysia unannounced,” he said. “They were invited to headline a festival by a government who had full knowledge of the band with its well-publicized political views and its routine stage show… It should be expected that if you invite dozens of Western performers into your country, they’ll bring their Western values with them. If the very same things which made you aware of them could land them in jail in your country, you’re not actually inviting them to perform. You’re indirectly commanding them to reflect your country’s policies by omission.”
As it turns out, it could have been worse, as Healy recently revealed they were also “briefly imprisoned” by the Malaysian government. While he had previously hinted at the possibility of being imprisoned, saying, “Me and Ross nearly shaved our heads because we thought we were going to prison for being f**s,” during a show in Hawaii, this is the first time he has admitted that the bandmates were detained.
During a concert in Forth Worth, Texas, Healy gave one of his customary addresses, telling the crowd, “If you truly believe that artists have a responsibility to uphold their liberal virtues by using their massive platforms, then those artists should be judged by the danger and inconvenience that they face for doing so, not by the rewards they receive for parroting consensus… Those who took to Twitter to voice their outrage over the 1975’s unwillingness to cater to Malaysian customs would find it abhorrent if the 1975 were to acquiesce to, let’s say, Mississippi’s perspective on abortion or trans rights.”
He also pointed out that the 1975 was brought to Malaysia in spite of their history of snogging onstage. “The 1975 did not waltz into Malaysia unannounced,” he said. “They were invited to headline a festival by a government who had full knowledge of the band with its well-publicized political views and its routine stage show… It should be expected that if you invite dozens of Western performers into your country, they’ll bring their Western values with them. If the very same things which made you aware of them could land them in jail in your country, you’re not actually inviting them to perform. You’re indirectly commanding them to reflect your country’s policies by omission.”
Enhypen kicked off their Fate Tour in Seoul, South Korea over the summer. Now, the K-pop band is bringing the show to North America for global fans to hear all their favorite songs. This tour leg started with a weekend performance at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Over the next few weeks, the band will play Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena, Houston’s Toyota Center, Dallas’ American Airlines Center, Chicago’s United Center, and two nights at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. View the complete list of upcoming tour dates here.
For those attending an Enhypen concert in the future and looking for what songs you can expect to hear on the setlist, we’ve got you covered.
Continue scrolling to see Enhypen’s North American opening night setlist for the Fate Tour.
1. “Drunk-Dazed”
2. “Blockbuster”
3. “Let Me In (20 Cube)”
4. “Flicker”
5. “FEVER”
6. “Future Perfect (Pass The MIC)”
7. “Blessed-Cursed”
8. “Attention, Please!”
9. “ParadoXXX Invasion”
10. “Tamed-Dashed”
11. “TFW (That Feeling When)” (Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo)
12. “Just A Little Bit” (Heeseung, Jungwon, NI-KI)
13. “10 Months”
14. “Polaroid Love”
15. “SHOUT OUT”
16. “Go Big Or Go Home”
17. “Chaconne”
18. “Bills”
19. “Criminal Love”
20. “Sacrifice (Eat Me Up)”
21. “Bite Me”
22. “One In A Billion”
23. “Karma”
24. “Go Big Or Go Home” (Teasers: One and Only & Polaroid Love)
Enhypen kicked off their Fate Tour in Seoul, South Korea over the summer. Now, the K-pop band is bringing the show to North America for global fans to hear all their favorite songs. This tour leg started with a weekend performance at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Over the next few weeks, the band will play Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena, Houston’s Toyota Center, Dallas’ American Airlines Center, Chicago’s United Center, and two nights at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. View the complete list of upcoming tour dates here.
For those attending an Enhypen concert in the future and looking for what songs you can expect to hear on the setlist, we’ve got you covered.
Continue scrolling to see Enhypen’s North American opening night setlist for the Fate Tour.
1. “Drunk-Dazed”
2. “Blockbuster”
3. “Let Me In (20 Cube)”
4. “Flicker”
5. “FEVER”
6. “Future Perfect (Pass The MIC)”
7. “Blessed-Cursed”
8. “Attention, Please!”
9. “ParadoXXX Invasion”
10. “Tamed-Dashed”
11. “TFW (That Feeling When)” (Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo)
12. “Just A Little Bit” (Heeseung, Jungwon, NI-KI)
13. “10 Months”
14. “Polaroid Love”
15. “SHOUT OUT”
16. “Go Big Or Go Home”
17. “Chaconne”
18. “Bills”
19. “Criminal Love”
20. “Sacrifice (Eat Me Up)”
21. “Bite Me”
22. “One In A Billion”
23. “Karma”
24. “Go Big Or Go Home” (Teasers: One and Only & Polaroid Love)
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