Just like that, the Indiana Pacers are back in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series. It wasn’t always pretty, but Indiana was able to defend its homecourt on Friday night against the New York Knicks, as the Pacers won a 111-106 slugfest to cut the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1.
Indiana looked like a team that had an extra pep in its step playing in front of its home crowd. The team raced out to a 14-4 lead, and showed the offensive firepower and defensive peskiness that made them a difficult team to play this season.
With just under seven minutes remaining, New York saw its biggest fear come true, as Jalen Brunson had to limp off the floor with a foot injury. The team trailed by eight at the time, and the potential for the Pacers to open things up without the All-Star on the floor existed. Instead, the Knicks were able to play Indiana to a draw, both during the stint when Brunson was on the bench and nearly the remainder of the quarter, as the Pacers took a 29-20 lead into the second behind a 10-point quarter from Tyrese Haliburton.
It didn’t take long for the Knicks to erase that lead at the start of the second quarter. Thanks in large part to a hot stretch by Donte DiVincenzo, New York took a 36-35 lead less than four minutes into the frame.
Indiana was able to settle itself and go on an 11-2 run right after giving the lead up, with Haliburton drilling back-to-back triples, before New York ripped off 11 points in a row to go back ahead. And after Myles Turner evened things up at the charity stripe, Haliburton caught fire.
The Pacers went on a 7-0 run, with every point coming via their All-Star guard. Haliburton was locked in throughout the first, but in a stretch where Indiana needed someone to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, he came up huge.
Indiana ultimately took a 63-58 lead into the locker room, with Haliburton’s 23 points leading the way. Both Turner and Pascal Siakam chipped in 12 points, while the team hit eight of its 17 attempts from three. DiVincenzo’s 15 points led the Knicks, with Brunson and Burks both going for 13. Like Indiana, New York made eight threes in the half, only theirs came on 13 attempts.
The Pacers were able to extend their lead out a bit early on in the third, as the team got its lead up to as many as 11 points.
The big reason it wasn’t larger was DiVincenzo, who helped keep afloat early on in the third. And then, New York found a groove on both ends of the floor, ripping off a 24-6 run that left the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse completely stunned as DiVincenzo 17 points in the period.
An Isaiah Jackson bucket at the very end of the quarter meant New York’s lead going into the fourth was 90-85, but Indiana had an uphill task ahead of it, as the shorthanded Knicks seemed to have caught a second wind in the third that completely knocked the Pacers off of their game.
New York continued to extend its lead early on in the fourth quarter, getting it up to as many as nine points before Haliburton decided it was winning time. With the Pacers trailing, 98-89, Haliburton ripped off seven points in a row to get his team right back into it.
After a Brunson free throw, Indiana came back down the floor and got the ball to Siakam, who scored, drew a foul, and hit the ensuing free throw to tie things up at 99 with just under seven minutes to play. And after both teams traded a few empty possessions with one another, Siakam got back to the line and split a pair of free throws to put the Pacers back ahead.
Neither team was able to create all that much separation down the stretch, with both teams going ice cold from the floor at the same time and neither team being able to open up a lead of more than a point or two. Right as the Pacers looked like they got thrown a lifeline when DiVincenzo unnecessarily committed a goaltend on a Siakam layup that was never going in to put them up by three with 54 seconds left, Brunson came right back down and drilled a stepback to tie things back up.
And then, something crazy happened. The Knicks played stellar defense on the ensuing possession, and all Indiana could get was a prayer from Andrew Nembhard. The basketball gods were in a good mood, apparently, because the shot went in.
New York had no way back from there, and as a result, Indiana was able to secure the win. Haliburton had his best game of the series, going for 35 points, seven assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block. Siakam pitched in 26 points and seven rebounds, while Turner had a double-double with 21 points and 10 boards. For the Knicks, DiVincenzo scored 35 points, with Brunson going for 26. Josh Hart also had a double-double with 10 points and 18 rebounds.
Game 4 between these teams will take place on Sunday afternoon. It’s scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC.
Rap beef is serious business. The long-simmering animosity between two of rap’s biggest stars, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, has finally come to a head — resulting in scathing diss tracks, countless memes, and even some violent real-world consequences. Because the verbal conflict has taken a bit of a dark turn, it’s probably advisable that all parties involved have a drink or two.
Yes, Kendrick is known to mostly abstain from alcohol and Drake has famously dubbed himself “Champagne Papi,” but the occasion really seems to call for bourbon. And one with some edge.
Bourbon’s boldness pairs perfectly with the brashness of the barbs each emcee sent to his opponent. And spirits are really best appreciated when they match the mood you’re trying to set. While the conflict is at a temporary standstill, you’re probably looking to catch up on every twist and turn, and there’s truly no better way to absorb all the animus and keep score than with the perfect pour.
Follow along for the best bourbons to pair with every Drake and Kendrick Lamar diss track.
Prior to Kendrick Lamar’s now-infamous “Control” verse, he and Drake seemingly shared a pretty warm relationship. That all soured when this song was released back in August of 2013. Mentioning Drake by name — among several other of his contemporaries — Kendrick challenged the entire rap game by saying, “What is competition? I’m tryna raise the bar high. Who tryna jump and get it? You’re better off tryna skydive.”
The Whiskey: Booker’s Springfield Batch, 2024-01
Booker’s is infamous for being the very first barrel-proof bourbon to hit the market in 1988. At the time it was an incredibly bold move, but it set the stage for the trend toward ever-higher ABV’s in American whiskey that persist today. Booker’s Springfield Batch 2024-01 is the first release from the brand in 2024 and will be followed by three more batches this year.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Marked by a floral aspect at first before exhibiting the trademark hazelnut quality that Booker’s is known for, this is a high-heat pour that doesn’t nose like it.
Palate: Once tasted, the interplay of floral flavors and nutty notes are elevated by the emergence of oak tones, allspice, and brown sugar.
Finish: The finish finds even more allspice and a touch of sage as the floral notes begin to crest and take control of the tasting experience.
Bottom Line:
This is the perfect pairing because only Booker’s can match Kendrick’s boldness in releasing “Control” back in 2013 when that particular class of rap stars was much more friend than foe.
Kendrick Lamar “Like That” with Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
Yes, there were several thinly veiled shots exchanged between the rappers in the interim between “Control” and “Like That”, but while he didn’t actually say Drake’s name on this record — it was his most direct diss in over a decade making this the natural follow up to that first shot. In the song, Kendrick spurned the olive branch that Drake’s new bestie, J. Cole, extended on their collaboration “First Person Shooter.” In that song, J. Cole claimed that then rap game’s “Big 3” included himself, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar.
Rejecting the praise, on “Like That” Kendrick said “motherf*** the Big 3…it’s just big me.” which set the ball in motion for this recent back and forth.
The Whiskey: Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
Blanton’s is known as “the Original Single Barrel Bourbon” and as such it’s become one of the most wildly popular bourbons on the market today. Each bottle is the product of a single barrel, meaning each bottle will taste slightly different.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma of candied maple, caramel, and vanilla ice cream jumps out of the glass right away. The mellow sweetness plays well against a backdrop of well-aged oak and fresh clove.
Palate: On the palate Blanton’s has a mellow baking spice presence, with clove and cinnamon leading the way, and rich caramel rounding things out. Nuance is provided by supporting sweet flavors like vanilla ice cream, brown sugar, and flaky pastry notes.
Finish: On the finish is where the gentle oak tones become most evident and they gently recede with the help of gooey butterscotch.
Bottom Line:
“Like That” is an upbeat song that became Future, Kendrick, and Metro Boomin’s first number-one single, and likewise Blanton’s is a runaway success too. The song is a bit light on lyrical sparring and Blanton’s is a bit light in the ABV department, making it easy to enjoy how fun both of them are.
A low-quality version of Drake’s diss “Push Ups” initially leaked online on April 13th but in April 19th it was released in fully polished CDQ form. On the song, Drake took Kendrick Lamar to task but also directed some of that heat at The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, and Rick Ross for their respective slights.
The Whiskey: Elmer T. Lee
Elmer T. Lee is the man most often credited with “inventing” single-barrel bourbon. While Blanton’s was released first, due to its runaway success the Buffalo Trace Distillery decided to release Elmer T. Lee soon thereafter.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Honey, graham crackers, and wood chips are the notes most evident on the nose. It’s generally restrained, but very focused on those three well-refined notes.
Palate: On the palate there’s plenty of honey-drizzled baklava to go with a touch of toffee, white peach, and youthful oak.
Finish: The finish is short, but reiterates the sweetness found first on the nose and again on the front end of the palate.
Bottom Line:
While it wasn’t the strongest call to arms in the war-of-the-words, “Push Ups” signaled that the battle was on. Following up the commercial success of “Like That” was no easy task, and made more difficult by the still-unexplained leak of “Push Ups” but you can argue that Drake was simply emulating the lightness of Kendrick’s jabs with this one.
That’s similar to how Elmer T. Lee is a light follow-up to Blanton’s.
Drake “Taylor Made Freestyle” with Hancock’s President’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
The Diss: “Taylor Made Freestyle” April 19th, 2024
Suddenly anxious to engage in the battle that Kendrick Lamar started over a decade prior, Drake took the “Back to Back” route by releasing “Taylor Made Freestyle” shortly after the official release of “Push Ups” hit the web. He raised a few ethical concerns by utilizing AI to use Tupac and Snoop Dogg’s voices in verses for the song.
The Whiskey:
Hancock’s President’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is, to many people, a retread of Elmer T. Lee which itself is a retread of Blanton’s. All three bourbons feature the same mash bill at varying proof points and in the same single-barrel format.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Hancock’s has a touch of nuttiness and a bit more earthiness than its two contemporaries but still showcases notes of maple, honey, and vanilla extract on the nose.
Palate: On the palate this bourbon tacks a bit austere, with a lean mouthfeel. Some toasted coconut flakes can be found beneath the layer of caramel and youthful oak top notes.
Finish: On the finish there’s a bit of nuttiness that reemerges along with more youthful oak. Otherwise, it’s a rather straightforward sipper.
Bottom Line:
You could make the argument that producing Hancock’s is more trouble than it’s worth. Bourbon fans have warmly embraced both Blanton’s and Elmer T. Lee, but Hancock’s is the little brother that you pick for your team just because you’re friends with its more popular older brothers. Similarly, “Taylor Made Freestyle” was a tepid response that Drake eventually removed from the internet under the threat of legal action from Tupac Shakur’s estate.
Kendrick Lamar “euphoria.” with George T. Stagg Bourbon
The Diss: Kendrick Lamar “euphoria.” April 30th, 2024
The Whiskey: George T. Stagg Bourbon 2023
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Black cherry, rich oak, and Aleppo red pepper flakes come bursting out of the glass. Some molasses, brown sugar, and faintly mesquite notes add intriguing layers to the complexity of the aroma.
Palate: On the palate it begins with the syrupy sweetness of cocktail cherries but is then transformed by a touch of leather, cinnamon, and charred red peppers. The texture is viscous and full of high-octane which, once it settles down, serves to introduce a multitude of robust flavors.
Finish: The finish holds a faint bit of smokiness and barrel char to go with black pepper and a ton of toffee. It lingers long after the last sip which makes savoring it even more enjoyable.
Bottom Line:
George T. Stagg is often considered one of the best, if not the best, bourbons of all time. It is generally one of the boldest bourbons on the market each year and that reputation for exceptional quality and prototypical bourbon brashness has made it a classic in every way. In the same vein, Kendrick Lamar’s “euphoria.” is a scathing takedown that deserves a place among the best diss tracks in rap history — right up there with “Ether” and the West Coast classic, “Hit ‘Em Up.”
Kendrick Lamar “6:16 in LA” with Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon
The Diss: Kendrick Lamar “6:16 in LA” May 3rd, 2024
Taking a page right out of Drake’s playbook, Kendrick released two records back-to-back with “6:16 in LA” hitting his Instagram page in the early hours of May 3rd. Seen at the time as a “bait” record, intended to goad Drake into rushing a response and preempt a more pointed attack, “6:16 in LA” is a strong diss track and a quietly impressive song in its own right.
The Whiskey: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon
Rare Breed is a batched evergreen product for Wild Turkey. Clocking in at a hefty 116.8 proof, Rare Breed was Wild Turkey’s triumphant answer to the rising popularity of barrel-proof bourbon.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Honeysuckle, bright red cherries, and cinnamon rolls serve to delight the senses after a single whiff of Rare Breed. Given some time to sit, you’ll find well-aged oak, clove, nutmeg, and toasted almonds all elevate the aroma profile of this bourbon.
Palate: The flavors in this whiskey are very clear and well-developed with each of the nosing notes coming through on the palate. Those flavors are bolstered by a bit of cooked apple and pie shell for a robust yet clearly defined cavalcade of flavors.
Finish: Lengthy and lingering, the finish on Rare Breed is deceptively delicious in that it deftly balances sweetness and spice — leaving you wondering which one will last the longest. The answer is typically the spice.
Bottom Line:
For the song “6:16 in LA” Kendrick Lamar achieved several feats at once — laying a trap, producing a high-quality record, and applying real pressure on his opponent in a single swoop. For its part, Rare Breed Bourbon also proves to check a lot of boxes. Rare Breed is a display in exceptional quality — capable of beating bourbons three times the price in blind tastings — but it’s also a case study for affordability and availability with its sub-$100 price point and ubiquity on liquor store shelves making it such an underrated success.
Drake “Family Matters” with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon
Facing a growing deficit, Drake swiftly responded to Kendrick’s early-morning assault with “Family Matters.” The beginning of the song was teased on the tail end of “Push Ups” indicating that Drake was indeed prepared for what would come but the impressive diss track also incorporated plenty of new information and some direct responses to “euphoria.” and “6:16 in LA.”
The Whiskey: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A124
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon is often seen as the standard bearer for high-quality, well-aged, cask-strength bourbon. The A124 Batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof was aged for 10 years and 9 months — an all-time low for the expression — but at 119 proof it still packs plenty of heat.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A medley of walnuts, brown sugar, and clove make up the key aroma notes in this bourbon. Given a few waves of the hand, the ethanol dissipates and further aromas of cinnamon and vanilla fill the air.
Palate: On the palate is where the brown sugar and walnuts really make their presence felt. Balancing that earthiness with some warm sugary notes works well and leaves enough room for some slight herbaceousness and baking spice — think cumin and bay leaves — to punch through.
Finish: On the finish is where those baking spice notes like black pepper, cumin, and bay leaves become more evident, along with the punch of ethanol that warms your chest after each sip. There’s also a gentle kiss of cinnamon and baked apple on the finish that makes it enjoyable to revisit time and time again.
Bottom Line:
Despite the fact that it isn’t as harmonious as previous releases of Elijah Craig — with the stellar C923 batch coming to mind — Batch A124 still lives up to its reputation as an exceptional cask-strength bourbon. Likewise, Drake’s “Family Matters” is a bit unfocused — as he continued to take the “20 v. 1” sentiment that he mentioned on “Push Ups” to heart. He ceded precious ground in the beef by taking on so many opponents at once — reserving almost equal venom for his former collaborator, The Weeknd, as he does for Kendrick Lamar.
That said, “Family Matters” does an admirable job of protecting his reputation while taking fresh digs at Kendrick Lamar’s credibility.
Kendrick Lamar “Meet The Grahams” with Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon
The Diss: Kendrick Lamar “Meet The Grahams” May 3rd, 2024
The third(!) diss track of the day, “Meet The Grahams” was released less than an hour after Drake’s “Family Matters.” On the hard-hitting, low-tempo track, Kendrick takes aim at Drake’s family, hurls his ugliest accusations yet, and goes so far as to wish death on his Canadian counterpart. He also proved that his previous diss track “6:16 in LA” was indeed a well-laid trap, though aspects of the song’s veracity have since been called into question.
The Whiskey: Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Leather and cinnamon bark really lead the way on the nose of this bourbon and they’re supported by the scent of buttered croissants and date syrup.
Palate: The flavors in Frey Ranch Farm Strength Bourbon really scream “boldness.” There’s corn pudding, tropical fruit chunks, and tobacco leaf but there’s also a heavy dose of ethanol which takes some getting used to. In addition to that intriguing array of flavors, there’s a truly robust and viscous texture to the bourbon that forces you to sit up and dissect it.
Finish: On the finish there’s even more heat as charred red pepper skin fuses with honey and more grain-forward corn notes.
Bottom Line:
Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon is deceptively challenging, with corn-forward sweetness on the front end masking the heavy dose of ethanol and surprising depth of flavor found at midpalate and on the finish. Frey Ranch’s Farm Strength offering makes for such a perfect pairing with Kendrick Lamar’s “Meet The Grahams” because it is undeniably complex and deeply tied to the concept of family.
The family behind Frey Ranch Distillery has been farming since 1854 and distilling for 20 years, and all of that experience is on display in every bottle of their unique grain-forward bourbons.
Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” with Redwood Empire Cask Strength Pipe Dream Bourbon
As the latest diss in the ongoing battle, “Not Like Us” called Drake’s alliance with Atlanta rap artists into question over a booming beat that showcases the signature California rap sound. Reminiscent of an N.W.A. record from the 90’s, Kendrick’s embrace of the regional sound on the catchy track resulted in commercial success with the song breaking Spotify’s streaming record by becoming the most streamed American hip-hop song in a single day with 6.59 million streams.
The Whiskey: Redwood Empire Cask Strength Pipe Dream Bourbon
Redwood Empire’s Cask Strength Pipe Dream Bourbon is aged for a minimum of 4 years and takes the brand’s already excellent bourbon and raises the stakes courtesy of an increase in ABV.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Aromas like toffee, barrel char, and the leather from a baseball glove are immediately evident on the nose. There’s a touch of smokiness hiding in the background as well as some caramel that emerges after a few swirls in the glass.
Palate: On the palate there’s a lovely green apple note to go with honeyed pecans, aged oak notes, and accents of nutmeg.
Finish: The finish on this whiskey doubles down with more baking spice and oak before relenting with some of the toffee from the nose and a sweet albeit slightly tart green apple note to close.
Bottom Line:
As the final nail in the coffin (for the time being) “Not Like Us” proved to be a surprise hit with the thumping West Coast production from DJ Mustard resonating with many fans. The best bourbon produced in California, Redwood Empire’s Cask Strength Pipe Dream, is not only fiery and full-bodied, but through the brand’s Trees For The Future initiative, they also give back and elevate their local community.
With Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” firmly planting the flag for the classic California sound, it can be said that he’s also elevating the region that has strongly supported him throughout his career. Though there were also scattershot disses from the likes of J. Cole, Rick Ross, and Metro Boomin — whose #BBLDrizzy challenge inspired a host of inventive covers — the spirited clash is at a standstill…for now.
The Phoenix Suns will turn to former Bucks and Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer to try and turn them into contenders next season, as the two sides agreed to a new $50 million contract that runs for five years, per Shams Charania.
Mike Budenholzer has agreed to terms on a five-year, $50-plus million deal to become the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns, league sources tell @TheAthletic@Stadium. Suns land the two-time NBA Coach of the Year and Arizona native. pic.twitter.com/FknlqMY6nD
When word broke that Frank Vogel had been fired after one season with the Suns on Thursday, Budenholzer’s name was immediately mentioned as Phoenix’s top candidate. From a track record standpoint, Budenholzer makes plenty of sense for a Suns team that expects to be a contender. His Bucks and Hawks teams were regularly near the top of the East standings, and he finally got over the hump with Milwaukee in 2021, beating the Suns in the Finals. For his career, Budenholzer has a 484-317 record in the regular season and a 56-48 record in the playoffs.
That said, there are stylistic concerns that are going to be fascinating to watch play out. Budenholzer has always preached rim pressure and three-point shooting, with his teams falling in the top-8 in the NBA in three-point attempts in all but one season (2016-17 Hawks, 16th) of his head coaching career. The Suns were 25th in three-point attempts, and that was not due to a coaching mandate to fire away from the midrange. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are two of the highest volume midrange shooters in the league (and, to their credit, two of the best at making them), but how Budenholzer adapts his system to his new star trio will be very interesting to watch.
On top of that, the Suns roster likely won’t look all that different next year, with a new group of vet minimum signings around their star trio and others like Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic that are under contract. Crafting a plan to get more out of that group will be the expectation of Bud, but whether that can be done to the level Phoenix hopes remains to be seen.
TOBi’s 2019 album STILL is one of the few albums I’ve listened to that felt like a mirror was held up to my face. The Nigerian-born, Toronto-raised rapper has an incredible knack for vivid storytelling, and STILL is a perfect example. Through 13 songs, TOBi guides listeners through the highs and lows of assimilating into a new culture, the struggles are pursuing a music career under the rulership of overanxious mothers — Nigerian ones at that (IYKYK), and the pressures of finding success as a Black man in the world. Phone calls from a concerned mother who worries about her son in the late hours of the night, altering your name to “fit this lil’ game” as TOBi sings on “City Blues,” and of course, grappling with the sometimes elusive thing called “love” are all present on STILL. It’s an album I’m always grateful for.
There’s more to TOBi’s artistry than coming-of-age stories of a Nigerian teen-turned-adult figuring out his way in the world. His most recent album PANIC, released in 2023, is a soulful body of work that’s a bit more rough around the edges than his debut, with the rambunctious “Flatline” with Kenny Mason, the choppy “All Night Long” with Topaz Jones, and the funky “Time Out.” TOBi’s puts his soul on display as he paints a clear image of key moments in his life; it’s no wonder the album won Rap Album/EP of the Year at the 2024 JUNO Awards.
Now, TOBi has plenty of new music on the way, and if his recent single “Forgot We Were Seeds” with Mick Jenkins (their second collab), is a sign, what’s coming next will be just as good as what we’ve heard. Ahead of these upcoming releases, we put the spotlight on TOBi for our Uproxx Music 20 to learn more about his interests and inspirations.
My earliest memory of music is listening to the animated Tarzan soundtrack produced by Phil Collins and falling in love with those songs at like the age of 5. The score for that movie was A1!
Who inspired you to take music seriously?
Honestly, coming out of Toronto, Canada, we didn’t have a blueprint to becoming a rap artist until Drake came through the scene. It was rare for a Canadian rapper to cut through the borders. Seeing what Drake did definitely put that battery in my back and then PartyNextDoor, all people from my city.
Do you know how to play an instrument? If so, which one? If not, which instrument do you want to learn how to play?
I’m learning how to play piano. It’s my favourite instrument to play and write to.
You get 24 hours to yourself to do anything you want, with unlimited resources: What are you doing? And spare no details!
Getting a villa in Jamaica with a built-in studio. Eating good food and fruits while making music. Enjoying time on the beach as well. Running games with my friends and family!
What are your three most used emojis?
.
What’s a feature you need to secure before you die?
Kendrick Lamar.
If you could appear in a future season of a current TV show, which one would it be and why?
Atlanta! I know it’;s finished now, but the surrealist nature of the show is exactly how my brain is wired. A runner-up show would be Rap Sh!t before it got canceled. Anything Issa Rae I’m with it.
Which celebrity do you admire or respect for their personality, and why?
Keanu Reeves, because he stays out the way and does good work!
Share your opinion on something no one could ever change your mind about.
Every human being is related. We’re all distant cousins 1000 times removed.
What is the best song you’ve ever heard in your life, and what do you love about it?
“Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” is just a perfect song. From the instrumental tricks and breaks to the vocal performance. The song makes no sense, how good it is. Also, it’s an instantly positive song. Hard to be in a bad mood when the song is playing.
What’s your favorite city in the world to perform, and what’s a city you’re excited to perform in for the first time?
My favorite city to perform is Toronto! But I’m excited to perform in Lisbon!!
You are throwing a music festival. Give us the dream lineup of 5 artists that will perform with you and the location where it would be held.
Over the past week, I’ve seen a lot of discourse about how the battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar either will either ruin or save hip-hop, or cause a cultural shift, or make fans more hungry for lyrics, or burn them out on the aggressive energy that polluted the supposed competition of skills between the two combatants. And I’ve gotta say: This is all horseshit.
I’ve been doing this column in some form for a good, long while — probably around six years or so. In that time, I’ve had cause to cover a huge variety of hip-hop, including classic acts, up-and-comers, left-field favorites, and underground mainstays, from bookish, intellectual rap to hard-hitting gangsta rap to spacey, avant-garde stuff that I’m not sure even qualifies as rap.
Hip-hop doesn’t need saving, and it isn’t completely incapable of being ruined. There is so much hip-hop, for nearly every niche and taste you could possibly think of (and many you probably couldn’t), that to even categorize it all as hip-hop has been a messy, disorganized, confusing task at best, and likely futile at worst. And I’ve been documenting it all along, so I know what I’m talking about. This week:
Megan Thee Stallion continued her independent journey with the imaginative video for “Boa.”
Ice Spice evoked the spirit of 2002 Sean Paul with “Gimmie A Light.”
And Coi Leray tried synthpop on for size to sympathize with the workers an oft-overlooked industry in “Lemon Cars.”
Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending TK, 2024.
Albums/EPs/Mixtapes
BigXthaPlug, Ro$ama & Yung Hood — Meet The 6ixers
BigXthaPlug
600 Entertainment is Texas rapper BigXthaPlug’s newly formed label, and, as suggested by its title, this EP is the introduction to the two other rappers on the roster. If you are a fan of the Lone Star State’s regional sound — thumping kicks, snickering snares, lavish soul samples — give this one a stream or two.
Chief Keef — Almighty So 2
Chief Keef
Five years in the works, Almighty So 2 arrives courtesy of an older, wiser Chief Keef that would have made a millennial’s jaw drop in 2013. Of course, none of that time has worn away Keef’s gift for surprising listeners with unexpected flows and deadpan wit — if you hear a survey of modern mainstream rap sounds, it’s only because Keef is at least indirectly responsible for most of them.
Conway The Machine — Slant Face Killah
Conway The Machine
It’s a tricky balancing act to evolve your style after nearly a decade of growing a fanbase strictly by delivering a signature sound. Conway manages it deftly here, though, adding just a little more accessibility to his usual formula (courtesy of new collaborators Cool & Dre) while maintaining his core philosophy of grimy production and heavy emphasis on assonance.
Ghostface Killah — Set The Tone (Guns & Roses)
Ghostface Killah
Dennis Coles is 33 years and 12 solo albums deep into his career, sounding just as vital and keen as ever. The vast majority of his collaborators on this latest project also come from his peer group — AZ, Fat Joe, Nas, etc. — but he modernizes just enough that it never feels like an exercise in nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.
Gunna — One Of Wun
Gunna
The early returns on Gunna’s latest album are in, and it sounds like the Atlanta rapper remains untarnished by the collective disdain for his shortened stint in jail. Adding a few collaborators to the mix hints that he might not be as shunned as it seemed.
Kalan.FrFr — Make The West Great Again
Kalan.FrFr
At the risk of undermining my point here, I did not understand the hype behind that other Compton rapper’s Saturday single “Not Like Us” because rappers from Compton have been making music like this all along. Case in point: Kalan.FrFr, who drops off another EP of stripped-down post-hyphy/G-funk bops full of LA County philosophy. “Everybody” breaks it down succinctly, and without the spiteful impetus that prevents that other song from being truly enjoyable past the first two spins.
Potatohead People — Eat Your Heart Out
Potatohead People
Potatohead People is a production duo that incorporates electronic and jazz influences into their laid-back hip-hop instrumentals. Their latest compilation finds them teaming up with a range of lyricists including LA underground icons like Abstract Rude, Detroit pioneers like T3, and Golden Era titans like Redman.
Singles/Videos
A Room Full Of Mirrors — “All My Downs”
The narrative that there’s no “lyrical” focus in hip-hop anymore has driven me crazy for as long as I’ve known about Punch’s side project. The TDE president is not only an accomplished writer in his own right, but has made it a personal mission to assemble a collective of some of the most skilled rappers in the city.
21 Lil Harold — “One In The Head” Feat. G Herbo & Quavo
Tay Keith provides a high-energy beat to counterbalance Harold’s laconic flow, while his guests deliver motivated verses of their own. The title refers to staying ready so you don’t have to get ready — a sentiment I think we can all agree with.
Big Hit, Hit-Boy & The Alchemist — “Foreclosure”
Big Hit has been on a tear since coming home from prison, backed by his son Hit-Boy and some well-suited production from fellow West Coaster The Alchemist. With one foot in two different eras, Big Hit runs the risk of coming across crotchety, but instead of being an anachronism, he simply provides a gritty contrast to the glossy gangsterisms of the younger Gs.
Kash Doll — “Kash Kommandments”
The Detroit spitter offers some friendly advice — for free! — for anyone who wants to get on her level.
Larry June — “Meet Me In Napa”
Another gorgeous sonic backdrop, more player raps, what more is there? By the way, a trip to wine country is way cooler than half the stuff your favorite rapper yaps about.
Rexx Life Raj — “B&E”
“I’ve been strong / But you gotta be ten times tougher with this skin tone.” Yeah, Raj ain’t never lied. His latest single is another expression of gratitude, despite its criminal-sounding title, and it’s hard to argue with someone who sounds so content.
Sleepy Hallow — “Winners In Paris”
One of my favorite subgenres of rap music videos is the “new neighbors”/culture clash ones where the rapper moves to the ‘burbs and upsets the way of life. They never get stale (which you could view as unfortunate) and the Brooklyn rapper’s latest video is right in line with that, shooting dice on the porch as his boo’s family watches, aghast.
Tee Grizzley — “Swear To God” Feat. Future
While part of me wants to dock Future for pump-faking about a mixtape earlier this week, it’s hard to do so when the consolation prize is a vibey collaboration with one of Detroit’s current pillars of rap.
The beauty of Saturday Night Live is that it is perfectly okay to stay up until 1:30 am to watch finish the episode because it’s a Saturday! You can sleep in tomorrow! But the SNL writers famously never sleep, so maybe it was wrong to assume that they care about our sleep schedules.
Next year, the late night sketch show will get its very own 50th anniversary event on NBC with a “celebratory weekend” highlighting the best and brightest of the show’s expansive history.
At the end of the weekend, a live special is set to air live on Sunday, Feb. 16, from 8-11 pm EST. You would think that the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary special would air on a Saturday, but these comedians sure know how to crack a joke. Can’t wait to see how they loop Pete Davidson into this.
Saturday Night Live has been going strong (kinda) since 1975. It’s been long-rumored that Lorne Michaels would exit the series after 50 seasons, but he has not confirmed his exact timeline. He has, however, toyed with the idea that Tina Fey could take over.
“It could easily be Tina Fey, but you know, there are a lot of people who are there now who are also, you know [could be good],” Michaels said earlier this year. “Tina’s brilliant and great at everything. She’s a very important person in my life.” You know who is also an important person in Lorne’s life? Pete Davidson. He’s not busy at the moment.
As far as handmade Mother’s Day gifts go, this might be the sweetest idea ever.
To celebrate mom’s first Mother’s Day ever, a newborn named Olivia and her Golden Retriever Lady created a painting using blackberries for “ink.”
A video posted to their TikTok account @ladyandtheblues shows dad grinding up the blackberries in a granite mortar before dipping Olivia’s tiny hand and Lady’s paw into the bowl and pressing them onto paper.
He then embellished the image with hand painted flowers, along with artfully writing Olivia and Lady’s name.
He even dressed the two in perfectly matching purple outfits. Nice one dad.
As for the inspiration behind the blackberry ink, credit apparently belongs to Olivia, who gave dad the idea “when she stained her dress” eating them.
Still, folks in the comments section rightfully praised dad for this amazingly thoughtful and creative gift.
“This is the best and cutest Mother’s day gift,” one viewer wrote.
“The way I would cry,” wrote another.
Watch for yourself. As the caption suggests, it is “berry cute indeed.”
The overwhelmingly positive response to this video show not that simple, yet sentimental gifts can make a huge impact—particularly for new moms who might want a memento of this fresh chapter.
And this idea is so easy to customize. Instead of blackberries, you could use a fruit ink or non toxic pain in mom’s favorite color, or buy jewelry with both baby and pup’s birthstones in it. Even a nicely framed photo is a nice touch.
But please, if you can, arrange matching outfits for the day. Cause how freaking adorable is that?
There’s a distinct accent that American actors and broadcasters used in the early days of radio and in pre-World War II movies. It’s most obvious in old newsreel footage where the announcer speaks in a high-pitched tone, omits his “Rs” at the end of words, and sounds like a New Yorker who just returned from a summer holiday with the British royal family.
This speaking style is also heard in the speeches of Franklin D. Roosevelt and just about any performance by Orson Welles. But today, this accent is all but nonexistent, prompting the question: Did Americans speak differently before the advent of television?
The video below, “Why Do People in Old Movies Talk Weird?,” reveals the secret of this distinct inflection known as the Mid-Atlantic accent and why it was so prominent in early 20th-century American media.
Maybe you notice you’re less motivated than usual. Maybe you acknowledge that you’re no longer going the extra mile, and you’re not quite sure why. Maybe professionalism is a term you’ve long since forgotten.
For many of us, the struggle can be so, so real. That’s why Willie Muse wrote these all-too-relatable comics for College Humor, illustrated by Karina Farek.
These six funny comics perfectly illustrate what a typical first day at your job looks like versus the 101st day:
1. Who doesn’t look at at least one viral video a day?
2. You suddenly find the time to fit in a breakfast sandwich.
3. You go from wanting your boss’s approval to hating his or her guts.
4. All the details that were once so important become nuisances.
5. Your (lack of) motivation can take you from hero to zero — quick!
6. And you most certainly DO NOT want to end up like this.
Let’s be real: These comics are funny, but they also aren’t ideal.
In a perfect world, we’d all have jobs that still look and feel like Day 1 on Day 101. And one of the only ways to get there is to intentionally strive for a life that’s full of work-life balance. We really do have the power to not let things play out like this.
What can we do?
At a most basic level, we can make sure we’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and doing at least a little exercise. We also shouldn’t underestimate the benefits of detaching from computer screens and smartphones every once in a while. Plus, we can also minimize our stress levels by not multitasking and instead concentrating on one task at time.
The most overlooked advice for maintaining a healthy work-life balance is to actually take time off.
Disconnect from your daily work routine. Make a conscious effort to recharge.
Perhaps if we dedicate more time to enjoying life outside of work, there’s more of a chance that we’ll be on Day 1 for months, feeling grateful for our jobs rather than impatiently waiting for the clock to strike 5. Let’s get to it!
“OK Boomer” is a catchphrase that has come to perfectly encapsulate the generational divide in modern American politics. It has also led to some moments of pure comedy gold.
But it turns out that one of the great all-time standup comedic minds was literally decades ahead of the game when it came to dragging Boomers for selfish, hypocritical, and entitled behavior. In his 1996 stand up special “Back in Town” George Carlin devoted a glorious two minutes and twenty-seven seconds to putting Boomers in their place.
“A lot of these cultural crimes I’m complaining about can be blamed on the Baby Boomers,” Carlin says, beginning what would become a now legendary rant.
“I’m getting tired of hearing about Boomers,” Carlin continues. “Whiny, narcissistic, self-indulgent people with a simple philosophy: ‘GIMME IT, IT’S MINE!’ ‘GIMME THAT, IT’S MINE!’ These people were given everything. Everything was handed to them. And they took it all: sex, drugs, and rock and roll, and they stayed loaded for 20 years and had a free ride.”
“But now they’re staring down the barrel of middle-age burnout, and they don’t like it. So they’ve turned self-righteous. They want to make things harder on younger people. They tell ’em, abstain from sex, say no to drugs; as for the rock and roll, they sold that for television commercials a long time ago…so they could buy pasta machines and Stairmasters and soybean futures.”
Or, as one person on Reddit commented on Carlin’s video: “My feeling about baby-boomers is that they were one of the first generations to really adulate and idolize the idea of youth, and youth empowerment but when they themselves reach senior ages their own ideas were working against them so they changed to demonizing youth.”
But Carlin wasn’t done there. He says the Boomers have not only become hypocrites, they turned their own generational shift into cutthroat, corporate catchphrases that guilt and shame others who don’t comport to their world view.
“You know something? They are cold, bloodless people,” Carlin says.
“These people went from ‘Do Your Own Thing’ to ‘Just Say No.’ They went from ‘Love is All You Need’ to ‘Whoever Winds Up With the Most Toys, Wins.’ And they went from cocaine to Rogaine.”
Carlin’s bit concludes in epic fashion with an all-encompassing take down that applies to, well, literally everyone. But the next time you hear a Boomer ridiculing young people or defending their own legacy, just show them this clip and remind them that Boomer criticism is something that transcends age, gender or race. Heck, even if you’re from the Boomer generation, this clip is just too good to not enjoy and share.
This article originally appeared on 02.20.20
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