When Mr. T burst onto the pop culture landscape in the early ‘80s, he was a curious character, to say the least. People had a lot of questions about his name, copious amounts of gold jewelry and West African warrior hairstyle.
His personality was also intriguing. He was a tough guy but also a very thoughtful man of faith.
In 1983, when TV news reporter Bobbie Wygant asked him a rather rude question, Mr. T gave a very thoughtful response that showed that behind his larger-than-life persona, he understood the importance of humility.
“I’m looking at you with $10 million worth of diamonds and gold and everything and then I’m looking at your shoes that are just a disaster,” Wygant said with a smirk. “Now, will you explain to me what’s with these shoes? All taped up, looking tacky.”
“Some people might see this as tacky, but there’s a message in these shoes. You see, these shoes keep me humble, and if you recall, the last time that we met, I had these shoes and they were in better shape,” Mr. T said.
Mr. T eloquently responds to a reporter who makes fun of his shoes.
— (@)
“But these shoes were handed down through my family,” Mr. T continued. “My father wore them, my brothers wore them and things like that. So they keep me humble. Let me remember that I have brothers and sisters back in Chicago. I got a mother and father that I must take care of. So I see, out in Hollywood, and especially all the money I’m making now, it’s so easy for me to be caught up in all this material stuff and forget where I come from.”
Today, Justin Timberlake officially dropped the lead single, “Selfish,” from his forthcoming album, Everything I Thought It Was — which he has been heavily promoting, given it is his first record in years. However, not everyone was having it, especially Britney Spears fans.
Because of this, Britney’s fans decided to stream and buy her 2011 song, which was also titled “Selfish.” They hilariously managed to get enough on board that it jumped to No. 1 on the iTunes Song Chart.
Timberlake’s “Selfish” release sat below it, according to Variety. “The more I think about it, the funnier it is,” one user reacted to the news.
As for what else Timberlake has planned, he recently announced his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which goes on sale next week. More information on that, along with his new album, can be found here. He is also set to perform as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live tomorrow night.
Today, Justin Timberlake officially dropped the lead single, “Selfish,” from his forthcoming album, Everything I Thought It Was — which he has been heavily promoting, given it is his first record in years. However, not everyone was having it, especially Britney Spears fans.
Because of this, Britney’s fans decided to stream and buy her 2011 song, which was also titled “Selfish.” They hilariously managed to get enough on board that it jumped to No. 1 on the iTunes Song Chart.
Timberlake’s “Selfish” release sat below it, according to Variety. “The more I think about it, the funnier it is,” one user reacted to the news.
As for what else Timberlake has planned, he recently announced his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which goes on sale next week. More information on that, along with his new album, can be found here. He is also set to perform as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live tomorrow night.
Shortly after Taylor Swift would reportedly be taking legal action against pornographic AI images of herself that have made the rounds online, SAG-AFTRA has spoken out in the pop star’s defense. The acting union called the generated pictures “upsetting, harmful, and deeply concerning,” according to Variety.
“The development and dissemination of fake images — especially those of a lewd nature — without someone’s consent must be made illegal,” they shared. “As a society, we have it in our power to control these technologies, but we must act now before it is too late.”
“We support Taylor, and women everywhere who are the victims of this kind of theft of their privacy and right to autonomy,” the union added in the statement.
The outlet notes that during the SAG-AFTRA strike that took place a few months ago, the performers fought to receive “contract provisions that require both consent and payment for use of AI to digitally replicate an actor’s performance.” They have also fought for laws that would ban being able to replicate someone’s image without consent for deepfake pornographic images — or even other harmful aspects.
Even during a recent White House press briefing, one of the questions was if President Biden supported the AI ban. “It is alarming,” Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, shared. “We are alarmed by the reports of the circulation of images that you just laid out… There should be legislation, obviously, to deal with this issue.”
Swift has not said anything about the situation yet.
It’s common knowledge that as we age, our bodies change, and at some point, we aren’t able to do the things we used to do.
But somebody forgot to tell Betty Brussel that.
In January of 2024, the 99-year-old Dutch-Canadian swimmer shattered the world record for the 400-meter freestyle swim at a swim meet in Saanich, British Columbia, completing the event in 12 minutes and 50.3 seconds—nearly four minutes faster than the previous record in the 100 to 104-year-old age group. (Though Brussel is currently 99, swimming competitions go by year of birth to determine age categories.)
Swimming may be low-impact, but it’s not easy. The fact that there is a 100 to 104-year-old age group for swimming is a testament to some of our elders’ fitness and stamina. Even just climbing onto the platform at an entire century old is a feat worthy of acknowledgment. Breaking not only the 400-meter freestyle record but also the 50-meter breaststroke and 50-meter backstroke records as well is a whole other level.
And get this: Brussel didn’t start competing until she was in her late 60s, which makes her record-breaking swims all the more impressive.
“When I’m racing, I don’t think about anything,” she told Guardian Sport. “Nothing. I just count the laps, so that I know how many I have left. I always try to find a pace that I can sustain – you’re asking a lot from your body in these races. And on the last lap, well, I give it everything I have.”
Brussel learned to swim in the canals of the Netherlands, where she grew up. But according to the Washington Post, as the second eldest of 12 children, Brussel was tasked with looking after her younger siblings, so she wasn’t able to pursue the sports she was interested in such as swimming, skating and gymnastics. In fact, she didn’t even take up swimming as a serious hobby until after she retired in 1982. She entered her first competition nine years later, at 68 years old.
For the past 30 years, Brussel has competed in swim meets all around the world. She still drives herself to swim practices twice a week and walks for 45 minutes on the days she doesn’t swim. The only physical help she needs at this point is a hearing aid and a hand to give her some stability while climbing up onto the swim platform.
According to her swim coach, Brussel doesn’t really care much about the world records she’s broken, which are plentiful,. She just really enjoys swimming.
“I love being in a pool and gliding through the water,” she told the Globe and Mail. “I feel better when I get out than when I go in. Swimming is my love. It makes me forget all of my worries and I feel great.”
Brussel is a widow of 11 years and lives with her rescue cat, Mika. She has three children, ages 69, 72 and 74. She competed in five events at the Saanich swim meet and was recovered and feeling energized within an hour. She will turn 100 in July.
A documentary about Brussel and her extraordinary swimming accomplishments is in the works, tentatively due to come out in the fall of 2024.
Playboi Carti fans have been seriously waiting to hear what he has in store, given the rapper has been teasing a Music album. This would follow his last record, Whole Lotta Red, which dropped back in 2020 — nearly four years ago now.
Here’s what fans should know, including any new updates, about Carti’s new album.
Release Date
Playboi Carti’s Music does not have a confirmed release date. The closest confirmation came from DJ Akademiks last month, where he said it would drop in January — giving only a few more days if Carti has a surprise drop in store.
Tracklist
The tracklist for the album has yet to be announced.
Singles
Playboi Carti previously dropped a few songs, including “2024,” “Different Day,” “H00dByAir,” and his Travis Scott collaboration, “Backr00ms.” However, these were released exclusively on YouTube, and it’s still unclear if they will make the tracklist for Music.
Features
Outside of the previously-mentioned Travis Scott feature on “Backr00ms,” which may or may not be on the album, no other actual features for Music have been confirmed.
Megan Thee Stallion made headlines today, as the rapper dropped her new single, “Hiss,” and had a lot to say — which, of course, has led the internet to talk. During the track, she appears to diss everyone from Drake to DaBaby, but one in particular has arguably caused the most buzz.
Megan’s “Hiss” included the lines, “These hoes don’t be mad at Megan, these hoes mad at Megan’s Law. I don’t really know what the problem is, but I guarantee y’all don’t want me to start,” which has ignited a feud between her and Nicki Minaj.
Yet, some listeners might not understand the diss on the first try. Here’s what to know about Megan discussing Megan’s Law.
What Is Megan’s Law From Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Hiss?’
Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hiss” used the Megan’s Law lyric to reportedly shade Minaj. The legal term was created to provide the public with information when it comes to registered sex offenders. This seemed pretty directed at Minaj, whose husband, Kenneth Petty, was previously arrested for failing to register as a sex offender.
Minaj later fired back against Megan’s diss in “Hiss” by sharing a snippet of her own. In it, Minaj appears to use Megan’s shooting incident, as she discusses the fact that she was shot in the foot.
Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from Ice Spice, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, and more.
What. A. Week. And while the girlies are certainly fighting — more on that in a minute — we can’t overlook just how many high-level releases came out in the past 24 hours. They include:
Ice Spice kicking off her album rollout with “Think U The Sh*t (Fart).” Goofy title aside, it’s a perfect illustration of how fun Ice Spice has been since “Munch” blew up.
Other notable new releases include Flyana Boss, Russ, and Tierra Whack all returning to kick off their 2024 campaigns.
Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending January 26, 2024.
Albums/EPs/Mixtapes
Benny The Butcher — Everybody Can’t Go
Benny The Butcher
The Butcher is here! Benny’s first full-length since 2020’s Burden Of Proof touches on a familiar theme in hip-hop: That of the believer faced with skeptics. Fortunately, he makes some pretty convincing arguments for potential investors with the help of Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and more of hip-hop’s top stars.
Che Noir — The Color Chocolate Vol. 1
Che Noir
At only four tracks, Che Noir’s latest keeps ’em wanting more, but aptly demonstrates her prowess both on the mic and behind the boards.
Kevin Gates — The Ceremony
Kevin Gates
Remember when I called Fredo Bang one of the top practitioners of pain rap of the past decade? Well, the guy who wrote the book is back with 17 solid songs touching on trauma and the resilience to overcome it. The only two features are B.G. and Sexyy Red, making it one hell of a showcase for Gates.
Lyrical Lemonade — All Is Yellow
Lyrical Lemonade
I can just hear all you old heads groaning right now. That’s fine, don’t give Lyrical Lemonade’s latest compilation a chance. You’ll only miss out on a showcase of some of hip-hop’s best and brightest rising stars (BabyTron, Latto, Snot, Teezo Touchdown), the ones your kids and their friends will be blasting for the next several years. You may as well get a jump on it, and learn to love it in the mean time. Plus Jack Harlow and Dave’s “Stop Giving Me Advice” is on there too.
Masta Ace & Marco Polo — Richmond Polo
Masta Ace & Marco Polo
The rap pioneer reunites with the MPC master for another set of tough lyrics over neck-breaking beats.
Ocean X KungFu — WGFU
Ocean X KungFu
I’m going to admit to having never heard of these two until today. An Atlanta rap duo in the vein of a grittier City Girls, their latest appeared in the suggested new albums section of Tidal today, and I’m glad I pressed play. It’s familiar stuff, but it’s entertaining as hell.
Singles/Videos
Big Jade — “Sanchi P’s Maybach Freestyle”
The Texas upstart continues to show off her lyrical dexterity with a hard-nosed take on Benny The Butcher’s J. Cole collaboration.
Chief Keef & Lil Yachty — “Say Ya Grace”
And just like that, Lil Yachty (sorta) redeems himself for that disaster of a collab last week. He should stick to this class of collaborators for the foreseeable future.
Courtney Bell — “Westside” Feat. Royce Da 5’9
Detroit isn’t just off-kilter beats and unhinged punchlines. Courtney Bell (who I previously profiled) came back this week with another display of hard-eyed, cold-hearted battle rap.
Erick The Architect — “Instincts” Feat. Westside Boogie
The Flatbush Zombie gets personal on his latest single and picks the perfect partner in the equally emotive Westside Boogie.
Heems — “Accent”
This ain’t “Combination Pizza Hut & Taco Bell.” The Queens rapper makes a triumphant return to the frontiers of underground, rhyme-forward rap with a newfound focus and gritty determination to challenge the status quo, the mainstream, and your preconceptions.
21 Lil Harold — “Sundown” Feat. JID
While 21 Savage has (rightly) earned plenty of attention and adulation recently, his young protege proves to be just as deserving early on… and in a true case of rap parallelism, attaches J. Cole’s mentee JID to a track in the same vein as “A Lot.”
Skepta — “Gas Me Up”
The grime stalwart returns for his first new solo single in a few years, and in true signature Skepta fashion, he brings a whole new sound. If we can expect more of this kind of innovation on Knife And Fork, the anticipation for the album is sure to go up.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Nothing can ruin a relaxing weekend or holiday like an email from the office. Even if there’s no need to take action until Monday, the unwanted intrusion of professional life can really suck the joy out of a Sunday afternoon barbecue.
In France, if you’re a company of 50 employees or more, you cannot email an employee after typical work hours. The labor law amendment has come about because studies show that in the digital age, it’s increasingly difficult for people to distance themselves from the workplace during their off hours.
This new provision allows people to get the full advantage of their time off.
“All the studies show there is far more work-related stress today than there used to be, and that the stress is constant,” Benoit Hamon of the French National Assembly told the BBC. “Employees physically leave the office, but they do not leave their work. They remain attached by a kind of electronic leash — like a dog. The texts, the messages, the emails — they colonize the life of the individual to the point where he or she eventually breaks down.”
The rule stipulates that companies must negotiate policies that limit the spillover of work into their employees’ private lives. Although there are no penalties for violations, companies are to establish “charters of good conduct” that specify the times which employees are free from being digitally connected to their workplaces.
This right to disconnect amendment was passed as part of a controversial French labor law that some say will weaken unions and enhance employee job insecurity. The digital disconnect amendment was the one part of the law that’s been viewed favorably by the French public.
Before I get into it, let me set the stage by explaining the terrible problem it’s solving.
10 years.
That’s how long it’ll be until the last wild elephants and rhinoceroses are gone.
100 of them are killed every day by poachers.
Even though elephants and rhinos are legally protected, the amount of money that can be made from the ivory in their tusks is just too much for some people to resist.
So poachers go after elephants and rhinos in secret. They kill them in out-of-the-way places that are hard to patrol, and they do it at night under the cover of darkness.
Every hour, another elephant or rhino family is broken forever.
Now the Lindbergh Foundation has come up with an idea about how to stop poachers.
They’ve been testing their idea for two years now, and it really works.
Air Shepherd uses drones and computers to watch over elephants and rhinos the same way a shepherd protects his sheep.
It’s an amazing international, hi-tech system.
The drones in Africa are decked out with normal and infrared cameras that see where the animals — and the poachers — are. Even in the dark of night.
That imagery is sent to computers in the U.S. Using special software, they send back flight plans to the drones that predict where the animals are headed, which keeps the drones on top of the poachers.
Local rangers are notified, and they sweep in on the poachers.
During the 600 tests they’ve run so far, precisely zero poaching has occurred.
It’s a fantastic system.
Seven African countries have already requested help.
The Foundation has provided the seed money. They need contributions, though, so head over to the Air Shepherd site to see how you can get involved in this amazing project.
Please let your animal-loving friends know about this breakthrough program that could keep elephants and rhinos from going extinct. It’s so exciting.
(Unfortunately, the Lindbergh Foundation’s video has been removed from YouTube. But here’s an NBC News report about the project.)
This article originally appeared on 03.12.15
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