Month: March 2024

LeBron James and J.J. Redick released the first episode of their new podcast, “Mind the Game”, on Tuesday morning, and the first episode offers a glimpse at the kind of conversation the two will have on their weekly show.

The first episode dives into greatness and what each thinks are the defining characteristics of great players, with LeBron highlighting an understanding of the history of the game and those that came before you, a deep love for the game, and a high basketball IQ. The last part of that is what they dive most into, breaking down what’s a learned trait and what’s just a natural gift when it comes to processing the game. They also discuss one of Redick’s additions, “competitive stamina,” highlighting James’ recent performance leading the Lakers back from a big deficit to beat the Clippers.

As the two note, it’s something very different about today’s NBA compared to just 15 years ago, when a 15 to 20-point lead in the fourth quarter meant the benches got emptied for a long time. As Redick pointed out at the 30:00 mark of the podcast, you just can’t do that anymore, and LeBron explained exactly when that changed: when Stephen Curry entered the NBA.

“You can’t do that anymore,” LeBron said. “You know why? Because I believe in ‘08, ’09 or whenever that little lightskinned f**ker came in the league that’s in Golden State, he changed that whole narrative. He did. He singlehandedly changed the no lead is safe. It’s like Pat Mahomes right now — Love that guy by the way. Love Steph.”

That led to Redick pointing out that he’s not sure anyone has ever been more influential on the game of basketball than Steph, pointing out the game’s fundamentally changed largely due to how he plays the game. LeBron agreed, while also making sure to highlight Allen Iverson as another figure that influenced the game in a massive way, and how the two (with very different styles of play) were similar in the way they drew in fans, particularly kids.

“When it comes to influence, since I’ve been watching the game, the most influence on the game – and we all know what Mike did for the game – Steph and Allen Iverson are the two biggest influential guys on our game since I’ve been watching and covering,” LeBron said. “One, they’re 6’3, 6’4 if you wanna look on the back of the basketball card — you’re always a lot taller on the back of the basketball card. Allen Iverson and Steph, they were just so relatable and kids felt like they could be them. They were guys that was not always counted on. They were small in stature. And they just defied the odds. So you got AI who was like, unbelievable crossover, cornrows and arm sleeve – everybody wears and arm sleeve now because of Allen Iverson. And he’s going in the trenches, laying it up over bigs. And now you’ve got Steph who’s shooting it over the Empire State Building. It’s like, those two are the two most influential when you say the game and how they changed the game and the kids, those are two guys you wanted to watch every night.”

It’s very cool hearing LeBron talk about other players greatness. While I’m sure Jordan and Kobe Bryant have arguments to be on the short list as well, his point about how kids in particular gravitated towards Iverson and Curry is absolutely correct. Seeing someone smaller dominate in such a unique way on the court does feel more attainable for kids than becoming a LeBron-type who is physically dominant, and we’ve seen the explosion of guards that shoot from distance across basketball since Curry — and kids with handles like Iverson in the years after A.I.

Indie breakout star d4vd has announced a headlining tour for the summer named after his latest single “My House Is Not A Home.” The My House Is Not A Home Tour will begin Wednesday, June 5 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and run through Tuesday, July 16 in Berlin, including performances at festivals like Bonnaroo, Boston Calling, Governors Ball, and Lollapalooza. The tour follows his run as SZA’s SOS Tour opener in 2023.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 22nd at 10AM local time, with presales beginning Wednesday, March 20. You can find more information at d4vd.io/tour. See the full schedule of tour dates below.

7/25 — Boston, MA @ Boston Calling Music Festival
6/05 — Toronto, ON @ The Danforth Music Hall
6/07 — Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
6/08 — Queens, NY @ The Governors Ball Music Festival 2024
6/12 — Washington, DC @ 9 –30 Club
6/14 — Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theatre
6/15 — Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
6/18 — Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin
6/19 — Dallas, TX @ Southside Music Hall
6/21 — Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
6/22 — Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
6/25 — San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
6/27 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre
6/28 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre
7/07 — London, UK @ KOKO
7/09 — Dublin, IE @ The Academy
7/10 — Manchester, UK @ Academy 2
7/11 — Paris, FR @ Le Trabendo
7/13 — Cologne, DE @ GLORIA
7/14 — Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
7/16 — Berlin, DE @ Metropol
8/01-04 — Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza Festival

It’s been several decades since the last Golden Age of Romcoms, which helped actors like Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan become bonafide stars, so we have been long overdue for a romcom renaissance. Sydney Sweeney is hard at work trying to revive the genre, and she’s doing pretty well so far!

Despite her brief upcoming pivot to Scream Queen, Sweeney says that the success of 2023’s Anyone But You has been opening doors for her and costar Glen Powell (who are NOT dating, by the way). Sweeney starred alongside Powell in the flick, which hit theaters in December and ended up making over $170 million worldwide, which is a rare accomplishment for a rom-com.

Sweeney told Variety that the success of the film has increased the interest in romcoms. “There are so many romantic comedy scripts that are getting sent to me now! And I would love to do another one. It just has to be the right script,” she explained.

Could it be the sequel to Anyone But You, perhaps titled Anyone But 2? Maybe! Powell and Sweeney had some undeniable chemistry (though they often did try to deny it) and Sweeney confirmed that they are looking for their next project. “We’re fielding multiple scripts a week. It’s very exciting,” she confirmed.

Sweeney also explained that she aspires to work more on the production side of things in the future. “I want to be as involved in the process for any project moving forward that I possibly can. I love being in the room to be able to problem-solve, and come up with ideas,” she said, adding that the process of Madame Web was much different than Anyone But You. “On Madame Web, it was so hard not being able to be as involved as I love being. And I felt very free with Anyone But You and Immaculate being able to have that.” It shouldn’t be too surprising that she loves being hands-on, especially after she literally built her own car.

(Via Variety)

There are food critics, and then there is Keith Lee. The TikTok sensation has amassed 16 million followers across the platform and 700 million video impressions. Although Lee doesn’t claim to be a food critic, his stamp of approval can skyrocket any culinary establishment.

As Congress debates banning the app in the US, he managed to snag a collaborative video with Cardi B. Yesterday (March 18), the pair’s long-awaited joint review of good old-fashioned burgers. The “Enough (Miami)” rapper’s love for cheeseburgers is well documented. If you need the proof, look no further than her McDonald’s meal with her husband and fellow rapper Offset.

The clip opens with a disclaimer from Cardi to let viewers know her thoughts on the Los Angeles, California, culinary scene. “Y’all know how I feel about LA food,” she said. “It’s not my favorite.”

That’s where Lee’s list of recommendations comes into play. As the duo taste-tests selections from Eat Street Burgers, Cardi finds herself eating her words. After the first bite, Cardi was in carnivore heaven. Earlier, she claimed to have had the best burgers ever while visiting Colombia, but the LA restaurant’s jalapeno burger was reminiscent of her hometown classic—a chopped cheese.

Despite calling the burger “perfect,” Cardi’s official rating was a 9 out of 10. It looks like Cardi could come around to love LA food after all. Next up, a British food do-over.

Watch the full video below.

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Later this year will mark four years since Bryson Tiller released his third album Anniversary. That project at the time was released to celebrate the fifth anniversary of his breakout debut album Trapsoul. Since Anniversary, things have been moderately timid for the Louisville singer who released a Christmas project in 2021, and his three-part Slum Tiller mixtape series with a few singles sprinkled in between. Tiller is about to get a bit more active in the music world as he recently announced his self-titled album and released a new single “Calypso.” As if that wasn’t enough good news, the singer will also embark on a tour in support of Bryson Tiller.

The Bryson Tiller Tour will kick off North America on May 11 with a show in Portland, Oregon. The run of shows will continue through June 28 with a stop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and after that, the tour will wrap up with a string of festival appearances at Milwaukee Summerfest, the Calgary Stampede, and the Washington State Fair. The Bryson Tiller Tour will be Tiller’s first tour since 2023’s Back And I’m Better Tour which was his first tour in six years.

You can view the dates for the The Bryson Tiller Tour below.

05/11 — Portland, OR @ Alaska Airlines’ Theater of the Clouds
05/12 — Vancouver, BC @ UBC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
05/14 — San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
05/15 — Wheatland, CA @ Hard Rock Live Sacramento
05/16 — San Diego, CA @ Gallagher Square at Petco Park
05/17 — Inglewood, CA @ YouTube Theater
05/20 — Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
05/22 — Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
05/24 — Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
05/26 — Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
05/28 — Laval, QC @ Place Bell
05/30 — Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
06/01 — Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
06/03 — New York, NY @ The Theater at MSG
06/06 — Washington, DC @ The Anthem
06/07 — Philadelphia, PA @ Skyline Stage at the Mann
06/09 — Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater
06/11 — Charlotte, NC @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
06/12 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
06/15 — Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live
06/16 — Tampa, FL @ Yuengling Center
06/18 — Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
06/19 — Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
06/22 — Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J Brady Music Center
06/23 — Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater
06/25 — Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
06/26 — Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
06/28 — Minneapolis, MN @ Armory
07/05 — Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Summerfest
07/11 — Calgary, AB @ Calgary Stampede
09/21 — Puyallup, WA @ Washington State Fair

Bryson Tiller is out 4/5 via RCA Records. Find out more information here.

Lollapalooza officially released their 2024 lineup, with SZA, Tyler The Creator, Blink-182, The Killers, Future X Metro Boomin, Hozier, Stray Kids, and more set to headline this summer. Other key acts on the incredibly stacked list of performers include Deftones, Tate McRae, Laufey, Conan Gray, Reneé Rapp, Lizzy McAlpine, Victoria Monét, and lots more.

For those considering heading to Lollapalooza this year, here is what to know about when the festival is taking place.

When Is Lollapalooza 2024?

This year, Lollapalooza will take place from August 1 through August 4. Fans can currently register for access to the ticket presale through the festival’s website. This will open this Thursday, March 21 from 10 a.m. CT through noon CT. Then, starting at noon, passes will be open to the general public to purchase. According to a social media post from the festival, signing up for the presale will help secure the lowest price.

In terms of passes, four different ones will be offered, including GA, GA+, VIP, and Platinum, depending on the perks you would want for the four-day festival experience. There are also options for Cabana tickets and a tier called Lolla Insider for those looking for package deals.

Additional information about Lollapalooza 2024 can be found here.

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

After months of anticipation and speculation, Lollapalooza has announced the lineup of its 2024 flagship festival in Chicago. Returning to Grant Park on August 1-4, this year’s festival has a massive lineup headlined by SZA, Tyler The Creator, Blink-182, The Killers, Future & Metro Boomin, Hozier, Stray Kids, Melanie Martinez, and Skrillex. Tickets go on presale on March 21 from 10 am to noon CT, with the general sale starting at noon. You can sign up for a presale passcode now.

In addition to the big print, Lolla’s lineup looks like a who’s-who of our post-TikTok music landscape, featuring everybody from Tate McRae and Laufey to Killer Mike and Vince Staples. If they’ve had a hit in the past 18 months, they’ll probably be in Chicago in August. You can see a full rundown in the flyer below. For ticketing and more information, you can go to Lolla’s website.

Lollapalooza 2023 was headlined by Billie Eilish, Karol G, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, Odesza, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The 1975, and Tomorrow X Together. Eilish’s set saw her debut her Barbie soundtrack song “What Was I Made For?” long before it had accumulated all the accolades and cultural saturation it has today. Who knows what surprises this year’s fest will bring?

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

Amazon‘s second superhero-skewering show, Invincible, is currently in full swing with the back half of the sophomore season. The show is currently running on a weekly schedule, which appears to be the standard from here on out, even after a vocal contingent of viewers pitched a fit when The Boys put that template in motion back in 2020.

That feels like a few lifetimes ago, and these shows are doing just fine without heading into binge-friendly mode right away. However, this also means that viewers will want to keep track of when their favorite shows release weekly.

What Time Will ‘Invincible’ Season 2, Episode 6 Be On Prime Video?

Thursday, March 21 is the official release date for this next round of family drama that Omni-Man has wrought. Debbie will likely still be coming around to the idea of raising her ex-husband’s child after Mark returned to Thraxa with a surprise in tow. Presumably, Mark will not have to put his young-adult-ing plans on hold by dropping out of college, but he’s definitely distracted. You cannot possibly imagine that he will finish school because other priorities await. As well, J.K. Simmons has let it slip that Omni-Man will keep making appearances on the show in a way that will “wax and wane,” which surely means that Mark will be cleaning up more of his Dad’s messes.

Three more episodes remain in this season, and then the wait will begin for more. Fortunately, The Boys will return on June 13, so Homelander will be here to overpower any and all desire for other superhero shows. It’s a good “problem” to have!

Washington, DC’s Broccoli City Festival announced its 2024 lineup earlier this week and instantly became the hottest ticket in the festival space this year.

Part of that is due to the lineup, which includes Megan Thee Stallion, Gunna, Lil Yachty, and a huge, carefully curated selection of the buzziest stars in music. It helps that names like Issa Rae, Bryson Tiller, and Uncle Waffles all appear on the flyer, presenting an intriguing array of “experiences” like Soulection and Trap Karaoke, which have built reputations for bing quality events.

When Broccoli City moves to its new location at Audi Field this July 27-28, DMV Area locals won’t want to miss it. Here’s how much tickets will be.

There’s only a slight difference between Reserved Seated passes and Broccoli Field passes — the latter is an extra $10 — but it can make a world of difference. For those who prefer a more traditional concert experience, the Reserved Seated passes start at $225 and grant access to the main festival grounds inside and outside of the stadium. The VIP version is $440 and adds a lounge, dedicated restrooms, fast entry, and a private merch store.

If you don’t mind standing up, the field pass will give you that experience, and you’ll be much closer to the stages. Those passes start at $235. If you’re a “best of both worlds” concertgoer and want the option to either sit or join the crowd on the field, $845 will get you the All Access VIP pass so you can enjoy the perks of both. Tickets go on sale on Friday, March 21 at 10 am EDT.

For more information, visit Broccoli City’s official website.

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

This week saw the release of a ton of great new pop music. Kacey Musgraves ushered fans into her healing journey through the form of a nature-inspired new album. Justin Timberlake also returned with a record, after fans had been waiting a few years. Other artists like BTS’ V and Zayn (of One Direction) are continuing to pursue their solo careers with killer tunes.

Check out the rest of Uproxx’s Best New Pop Music roundup below.

Kacey Musgraves — “The Architect”

Kacey Musgraves dropped her new album Deeper Well, which means springtime is officially here. Musgraves has returned to the sound she succeeds the best at, radiating a calm and introspective energy, almost like guiding listeners through meditation. On “The Architect,” she starts with a hypnotic acoustic guitar line, proceeding to try to make sense of the world’s wonders around her. Musgraves’ voice also beautifully shines on this while she’s joined by a subtle backing voice that helps elevate her own.

V — “Fri(end)s”

V (of BTS) is continuing his solo career while the band is on a temporary hiatus. Last year, he dropped his debut album but has even more new music in store for fans. “Fri(end)s” is about the struggle to just be friends after a relationship ends. V eventually winds up deciding that he’d prefer nothing at all, because as he puts it, the things being said give hints of reconciliation, which isn’t the case.

Justin Timberlake — “No Angels”

As another major album release this week, Justin Timberlake returned with Everything I Thought It Was, his first full-length drop in a few years. A couple of days before, he teased the next single “No Angels” by performing it on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a thrilled crowd. The groovy track is about living life to the absolute fullest, simply by just having a ton of fun at a party.

“Like full throttle, pilot on auto / There ain’t no angels here on the dance floor / Forget tomorrow, more like you wanna play / There ain’t no angels here on the dance floor,” Timberlake sings.

Lizzy McAlpine — “I Guess”

Lizzy McAlpine is gearing up for her third studio album, with “I Guess” serving as the latest preview from it. She paints a powerful picture of her struggles with modern dating, as she sings, “I guess it’s all about timing / I guess it’s all about the things you want but never get / I guess it’s all about trying / To love someone you’ve never met.”

“To me, this album represents who I’ve become over the past three years,” McAlpine shared about her upcoming album Older in a statement. “Through the long and mostly tumultuous journey of making it, I have learned who I am as a person, who I want to be as an artist, and what kind of art I want to make. This album is a culmination of that growth, showcasing the rawest and most honest version of me.”

Becky G — “Boomerang”

Becky G’s “Boomerang” opens with a funky chant and beat that sets a mysterious tone, but encourages listeners to keep listening — as her voice eventually kicks in and lifts the pacing. The Spanish track is a sure addition to any dancefloor playlist, as the chorus feels perfect for a late-night party on the beach. Much like the title suggests, this is one you’ll certainly be coming back to.

Kenya Grace — “It’s Not Fair”

Rising star Kenya Grace is just a few days away from releasing her new record, The After Taste. To hold fans over until this Friday, Grace dropped “It’s Not Fair” — an ode to a summertime romance that she’s having a hard time forgetting about. Next month, she is set to play several shows across North America, including likely adding the hit to her set at Coachella. Thankfully, there’s still time to learn the words before then.

Zayn — “What I Am”

Zayn recently announced his first new album in a few years is on the way, with Room Under The Stairs set to arrive in May. His lead single titled “What I Am” finds him going through the motions when it comes to a complicated relationship. He describes simply wanting to be acknowledged for the good he does and how he operates as a person.

Holly Humberstone — “Down Swinging”

“Down Swinging” is featured on Humberstone’s Work In Progress EP, as she previously shared an MP3 of the track among a batch of other unreleased ones for fans on Discord earlier this month. Now, fans can hear the project in full. “In this stress dream / Every day is Halloween / I had a panic attack on the Underground / Man, I felt like a circus freak,” Humberstone declares in the vulnerable lyrics about struggling emotionally but trying to stay afloat.

Ricky Montgomery — “Unknown Phantom”

Ricky Montgomery relies on a chiller alt-rock influence for “Unknown Phantom,” opening with a voice note recording from spending time with friends before his voice enters as a calming presence. There’s also a sweetness to the words, as Montgomery points out just how lucky he feels for friendship.

“We wrote ‘Unknown Phantom’ on Halloween after my producer Tommy’s stepson walked into the studio wearing a costume with these red glowing eyes and scared me to death,” he shared as the backstory behind the track’s creation. “It got us thinking about Halloween parties we had gone to as kids and our early crushes and childhood memories in general. It all came together in just a few hours, and was instantly one of my favorite songs I’ve ever worked on.”

Kenia OS — “Tortura”

Kenia OS’ “Tortura” is a summer hit in the making, relying on a light but addictive instrumental that feels reminiscent of Y2K pop. On first listen, it proves just how talented Kenia is, and pulls people in to check out even more of her music.

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