The 2024 NBA Draft lacked a consensus top prospect and whenever that happens, there’s the potential for a lot of movement up and down the board by prospects, as well as possible trades.
While we usually have to wait until teams are on the clock for trades to start happening, we got our first move of Draft night with an hour still to go before the Hawks got on the clock, as the Blazers and Wizards agreed to a rather fascinating deal. Washington will send forward Deni Avdija to Portland for the No. 14 pick on the night as well as a 2029 pick.
The Washington Wizards are trading F Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon and the 14th pick tonight and 2029 pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/inF8ezNZtL
The Blazers are sending the second most favorable of their 2029 first-round picks and two second-round picks in the deal for Avdija, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/e6BTwjYkT4
The note on the 2029 pick is important because Portland owns three (their own, Milwaukee’s, and Boston’s) in that year, so Washington will get whichever of those three falls in the middle. Wherever that ends up, the Wizards land some more draft assets in this deal while the Blazers bring in a big wing coming off the best season of his career. Avdija was one of the bright spots for the Wizards last season, averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game on 50.6/37.4/74.0 shooting splits, making a big leap in terms of his shooting efficiency. Portland will be banking on that becoming the new norm as they are rather desperate for floor spacing around their young guards.
The Blazers will still hold the No. 7 pick on the night, but get a more sure thing out of their other lottery selection, while the Wizards pick up a future pick and move off Avdija as he gets set to start his 4-year, $55 million extension he signed a year ago.
In March, Kid Cudi announced his Insano World Tour. The tour poster clearly featured Pusha T, Jaden, and Earthgang as Cudi’s openers, but Chelsea Pastel was listed as the opener for Cudi’s Cleveland, Ohio and Cincinnati, Ohio dates. A brutal foot injury forced Cudi to postpone the tour, but in May, he assured fans, “We have rescheduled about 80 percent of the tour.”
While you await an update on Cudi’s new Insano World Tour dates, learn more about Chelsea Pastel below.
Who Is Chelsea Pastel? Get To Know The Rising Cleveland Rapper Who Caught The Attention Of Kid Cudi
Cudi shouted out Pastel as an artist to watch in a couple of X (formerly Twitter) posts. Last June, he wrote, “Chelsea Pastel and Siena Bella are 2 really f*ckin’ dope Cleveland artists I’m f*ckin’ w[ith] right now and I know you will too.” Come December, he singled Pastel as a local talent up next — “watch my girl.”
According to Pastel’s official website, she is a rapper, producer, and singer from Cleveland. She attended the Cleveland School Of Arts and is “a self-taught instrumentalist and handles her own music production, writing, and engineering.” Her sound is described as “a fusion of rap, pop, and a touch of rock.”
“Greener,” which she released last November, showcases Pastel’s confident flow and genre-melding sonic palette. Her honesty about difficult circumstances (“Thе babies ain’t got no food / The kids ain’t safe at school / Thе rent too high can’t move”) and unshakable optimism (“All I can do is try / Live my life like I made it already”) are reminiscent of the lyricism fans have long turned to Cudi for. Earlier this month, Pastel returned with “2 Much,” a confident, no-nonsense banger.
(WARNING: Spoilers for The Chi season 6 will be found below.)
This is it! In just a couple of days, The Chi will wrap up its sixth season with a sixteenth and final episode in what was an expanded season for the series. Throughout these episodes, we’ve said goodbye to characters like Pastor Jackson and Kevin while watching a war brew between Douda and Alicia. Emmett has struggled to break free from Douda, and to make matters more complicated for him, he’s also learned some shocking truths about his family. What all these events amount to remains to be seen, but we know when it will all go down.
Here’s what to expect on the next episode in The Chi season six:
When Will The Chi Season 6, Episode 16 Come Out?
The sixteenth episode of The Chi season six, titled “Thanksgiving,” will arrive on June 28. The episode will be available on Friday, 6/28 on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME app starting at midnight EST/PST. The episode will later air on the SHOWTIME TV channel on June 30 at 9 pm ET/PT.
‘The Chi’ season 6, part 2 is now streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. Seasons 1-5 as well as season 6, part 1 are available now to stream on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
There was some question what the Bridges addition would mean for the non-Nova Knicks, but it didn’t take long to learn the Knicks meant it when reports came out that they were still planning on re-signing OG Anunoby. On Wednesday night, a couple hours before the start of the 2024 NBA Draft, word broke from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Anunoby was in agreement on a 5-year, $212.5 million contract to stay in New York long-term.
Free agent F OG Anunoby intends to sign a five-year, $212.5 million contract to return to the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. Deal will include a player option and a trade kicker. pic.twitter.com/q5VcjOeryW
That is obviously a lot of money, but the Knicks were unbelievably good when Anunoby was on the floor and healthy last year after acquiring him at the trade deadline. Anunoby’s raw stats don’t necessarily scream “near-max player,” but his impact on the team was unquestionable and his versatility on the wing allows the Knicks to do so much on both ends of the floor. Now attention shifts to the frontcourt of the Knicks roster, where Isaiah Hartenstein is a free agent and now figures to get his best offer outside of New York, and the Knicks will have to decide if Julius Randle is part of their long-term vision.
The Phoenix Suns got pulled into the madness around the Mikal Bridges trade to the New York Knicks on Tuesday night. After the initial shock of the deal that saw the Knicks send Bojan Bogdanovic and a ton of draft capital to the Brooklyn Nets, another trade between the Nets and the Houston Rockets led to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that the Rockets had their eyes on acquiring Kevin Durant from the Suns.
That talk cooled off not long after, but the following morning, Stephen A. Smith went onto First Take and reported that the Suns want to get out of the Durant business entirely, going as far as to say that the team wants to do a deal “right now.” It was a pretty wild report, but a little later in the day on Wednesday, Suns owner Mat Ishbia took to Twitter and responded to Smith’s report by saying that Phoenix wants to keep Durant around, while Durant wants to stay in Phoenix.
NBA Draft night is the best. Everyone talking about the drama and storylines, some are right and some are just wrong. My turn. Phoenix loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, and we are competing for a championship this year because we have the team to do it. Gotta…
Obviously, no one closely connected to the Suns or Durant are going to go onto Twitter and go “hey everyone, we hope the Suns trade Kevin Durant ASAP, thanks!” Having said that, it sure would be something if Ishbia and Kleiman went this public and Durant got moved soon after, so we assume off of this that he’s going to stick around.
People have been complaining about the increase in basic necessities for a while now. It seems that things are simply costing astronomically more now than they were jus a few short years ago Some people have been wondering if they’re nostalgically imagining things costing less or if there was a time where you didn’t need to take out a personal loan to buy groceries.
One TikTok creator that goes by the name Sewerlidd found himself in need of more groceries so he opened up his Walmart account to order some food. While in the account he saw the “reorder all” option (which is handy in a pinch) and decided to check out how much his groceries were a couple of years ago. Turns out, his groceries were a pretty reasonable price for 45 items.
It was when he clicked the “reorder all” button that the price of those exact same items seems to have sent him into a cold sweat.
“I feel like I’m going to be sick. I just looked through my Walmart history and I found my order from two years ago for the whole month worth of groceries. 45 items costs $126,” the man says before revealing the price jump. “Now, this order of 45 items for one month would’ve cost $414. That is four times more.”
The price difference is outrageous and commenters agree with the man, including a few of the sentence enhancers he uses to express his frustration.
“And this is why I went from buying healthy food back to only buying sandwich materials,” someone writes.
“I used to spend $180 for 2 weeks for my family of four and the dog. I am now spending upwards of $430 and trying to figure out what else I can cut. sorry kids you don’t get barbecue sauce,” a mom shares.
“I knew it was going to be bad. I didn’t know it was gonna be this bad,” another says.
“Yep. Have had to adjust what I wanted to buy at the grocery store based on how expensive everything is. Definitely stretching meals with rice and beans already,” someone else writes.
Other commenters don’t believe that his groceries increased that much, believing he’s exaggerating for shock value. Pricing does vary depending on what state you live in and what items you order, so it may be difficult to recreate the same exact situation. Companies like Walmart have also recently lowered the prices of several items which may be causing the discrepancy for others as well. Either way, people are feeling the effects of inflation while grocery shopping so here’s to hoping the price cuts stick.
Paper bags with groceries including fruits and vegetables and bread
Five-year-oldXavier Rivas thought he would be missing the milestone of his one and only kindergartengraduation. But thanks to the kindness of strangers, he got an extra special memory sure to last him a lifetime.
Aboard a Frontier Airlines flight from Florida to Puerto Rico, an attendant announced over the loudspeaker that the young boy would be given his own mid-flight graduation ceremony, and asked the other passengers to help cheer him on.
In a clip posted to TikTok, we see not only Xavier beam in his cap and gown as he walks down the aisle while “Pomp and Circumstance” plays, but also the fellow passengers as they applaud and give him high fives.
Other viewers noted how folks instantly lit up at the chance to make one kid’s day.
“It’s so cute when she said ‘kindergarten graduation everyone perked up. Like yes, let’s hype this little kid up lol.”
“I love how everyone went from 😠 to 🤩with the announcement.”
“I love how instantly happy everyone was. If only things were as simple today as they were when we were in kindergarten.”
“I cried so fast. This is what being human is all about.”
“It is simple human to human kindness that keeps us sane.”
With all the stories of bad plane behavior out there, this one feels extra refreshing for the soul. It’s just a little reminder that, at least in some ways, humans are hardwired to care for one another…even while thousands of feets in the air.
Shaboozey’s new album has been heating up the summer. With his lead single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” reaching the number 3 position on the Billboard Hot 100 last week and his album Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going debuting in the top 5 of Billboard’s album charts as well as topping the Independent Album charts this week, now is the best time to get into the Virginia hit maker’s unique blend of country, hip-hop, and heartbreak. While those are the three primary ingredients in Shaboozey’s chart-topping album, it’s impossible to ignore how ever-present booze is on the project’s 12-song journey.
Shaboozey’s star has been on the rise since releasing “Start a Riot” with Duckwrth on the Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse soundtrack back in 2018, and it reached a fever pitch when he collaborated with Beyoncé on her smash-hit Cowboy Carter album earlier this year. With all of that hype following Shaboozey and the niche he’s carving in the alt-Country music movement, it’s clear that he’s garnered a lot of attention outside of traditional Country music circles…including in the whiskey world.
So, to help you get into the genre-redefining album, we thought it would be a great idea to give you the perfect whiskey list to pair with every song on Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going to help enhance your listening experience. After all, with Shaboozey reaching for a drink throughout the album, why shouldn’t you join along? It’s a boozy, alcohol-infused ride over the album’s dozen songs, and if you want to fully appreciate it all, then this is the perfect list for you.
Grab a glass, sit back, and prepare to get tipsy with the surprise hit album of the summer!
1. “Horses & Hellcats” with George Dickel Tennessee Bottled in Bond Whisky
The album’s intro opens with guitar strumming and horses braying, setting the stage perfectly for Shaboozey’s unique soundscape. Embracing his love for the open country and the horsepower of Hellcats, he notes that if you’re looking for him, he’ll be “out in Tennessee,” which is exactly where we’ll go for our first whiskey recommendation.
The Whiskey:
George Dickel is one of the best-selling American whiskey brands on the planet, so it makes perfect sense to reach for one of their best (and one of their most widely available) bottles to pair with “Horses & Hellcats.” George Dickel Bottled in Bond is released annually, and this year’s version, made with a mashbill that’s 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley, is matured for 13 years.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Look for warm brown sugar, sticky maple syrup, and fruity notes like stewed red apple and ripe bananas when you catch a whiff of this intoxicating whiskey. Adding to the cowboy vibes, a smoky undertone goes well with the mellow oak aromas here. Lastly, there’s a touch of milk chocolate sweetness, which gives this whiskey the impression of being artfully aged.
Palate: On the palate, expect to taste toasted pecans with some subdued brown sugar as the maple syrup aroma notes become more distinct in the mouth. The flavor of bruised bananas and a faint bit of wet tobacco, nutmeg, and cornbread also stand out. The mouthfeel is surprisingly rich and robust despite being only 100 proof, which will make you feel like you’re “pushing (those) horses to the limit” while Shaboozey croons about hitting high speeds in his Hellcat.
Finish: On the finish, there’s a rising impression of leather, and more fruit comes into play as a bit of waxy fig comes to the fore, along with a few shakes of allspice.
Bottom Line:
If you’re out in Tennessee, this is one of the quintessential whiskeys that you simply have to try. This is George Dickel Tennessee Whisky at its best, with a perfect proof point for enjoying a high-octane ride (from the passenger seat) as well as turning up at home while you get into this infectious intro.
2. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Shaboozey’s breakout single is the perfect encapsulation of his style. Equal parts boozy and Country, with an interpolation of J’Kwon’s “Tipsy” thrown in for good measure, signaling his hip-hop appreciation, this is simply a song that everyone can, and is, enjoying right now.
The Whiskey:
Look, if Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 needs an introduction, then you probably shouldn’t even be here. I mean, it’s only the most recognizable bottle of whiskey in the world! Sure, ubiquity in itself isn’t a signifier of quality, but with Shaboozey mentioning it by name and an ABV (and price point) that makes it suitable for taking shots at the bar, there’s no better whiskey to pair with the album’s lead single.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Maple candy, buttered popcorn, and banana pudding come tumbling out of the glass to greet the nose, along with a touch of red pepper. That maple candy note is due to the Lincoln County Process, a maple charcoal filtration process that all Tennessee whisky undergoes by law.
Palate: Banana pudding is again present on the nose, with some faint vinegar-based BBQ sauce notes and some gentle oak tones. A bit of maple candy provides the last oomph of flavor on this easy-sipping pour.
Finish: The finish is where you’ll find a slight flourish of black pepper baking spice, but overall, it’s full of those maple syrup notes that reverberate throughout the nosing notes and the palate profile.
Bottom Line:
For a lot of people, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 was probably their introduction to whiskey, just like “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is probably a lot of folks’ introduction to Shaboozey. Because of that, it’s hard to imagine a better pairing throughout the entire album — this one just makes perfect sense.
3. “Last of My Kind” feat. Paul Cauthen with Still Austin Ruby Red Port Barrel Finished Straight Rye Whiskey
“Last of My Kind” is a swaggering, self-confident song featuring Paul Cauthen, where Shaboozey thumbs his nose at the law and fully embraces the cowboy ethos of self-reliance. For his part, Paul Cauthen notes that sometimes in this world, you’ve “got (to) get it if you want it, keep the fire burnin’ inside,” and if he isn’t talking about allocated whiskey, then I don’t know what that line could better describe.
The Whiskey:
The limited edition whiskey we’re going with for this song comes from Texas, just like Paul Cauthen, and it sold out quickly online because, true to the song’s title, it’s the last of its kind. A 100% rye whiskey, aged for 4 years, then finished for 8 months in Ruby Red Port barrels, this allocated whiskey is a one-and-done expression from the highly acclaimed Still Austin Distillery.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Mulled wine, dried dates, sweet pastry, and spiced cranberry jam make up the nosing notes on this whiskey. Clearly, the Ruby Red Port has a strong influence here.
Palate: The full-bodied palate on this rye whiskey is accented by flavor notes like chocolate-covered raisins, fresh clove, pumpernickel toast, and fresh figs.
Finish: The finish on this whiskey is marked by cinnamon, cocoa powder, & stewed wild berries.
Bottom Line:
In a whiskey world where so many brands harp on their allocated expressions being “limited,” the truth is that few of them actually deliver on that premise. For this Ruby Red Port expression, Still Austin has truly released a whiskey that is the last of its kind, with no future plans to re-release the distillery-exclusive bottling. That’s exactly what makes it the perfect pairing here.
In this song of heartbreak, Shaboozey recounts a dark cloud of a lover who took the affection that he gave her and poured it into another man. If that doesn’t make you want to pour a glass of whiskey, I don’t know what it’ll take. Despite the fact that those circumstances left Shaboozey salty, penning some spicy lyrics to hide his heartbreak, we think you’ll need something complex and ultimately sweet to counterbalance all those emotions.
The Whiskey:
Four Roses Small Batch Select is a special blend that utilizes 6 of Four Roses’ ten recipes. Officially launched back in 2019, this ongoing expression is part of Four Roses’ core lineup and is perhaps the best widely available example of the brand’s blending prowess.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is full of baking spices, ranging from nutmeg and black pepper to clove and thyme, but those baking spice vibes are quickly followed by a slightly floral aspect (yes, think roses) as well as some rich red berry tones like dried strawberries and ripe cranberries.
Palate: The palate is an intriguing ride as it again follows the same path of transitioning from ample baking spices to sweet, fruit-forward flavors. The baking spices are most prominently led by black pepper and thyme here, while the red berries come in at full force as this pour transitions to the finish, riding a robust mouthfeel to the back of the palate.
Finish: The finish finds a fresh punch of black pepper coupled with a touch of honey and mulled wine, offering a nice climax of balance that is both lengthy and mellow.
Bottom Line:
The complex interplay of flavors on this whiskey makes it the perfect pairing for “Anabelle,” which features Shaboozey contending with conflicting feelings about his jilted lover. As he hopes she’s happy with the one she chose, you’ll be happy that you chose Four Roses Small Batch Select instead of looking for revenge.
5. “East of the Massanutten” with Westward Barrel Strength Single Malt Whiskey
“I know that out there’s a land full of dreams, with milk, gold and honey, just waitin’ for me. So I’ll pack mе a little duffle, skip the goodbyеs and leave, ’cause East of the Massanutten, there’s nothin’ for me.” The chorus on “East of the Massanutten” expresses the yearning for a place that may or may not actually exist, but the yearning is part of the point. As is the realization that remaining stagnant and staying in place won’t get you what it is you’re pining for. Thus, Shaboozey turns westward, which is why our next whiskey is the perfect match for this song.
The Whiskey:
Westward’s Cask Strength offering is the pinnacle of their core lineup in that it offers their flagship whiskey as unfettered as you can hope for, short of theiving it from a barrel yourself. Made with 100% malted barley using only Pacific Northwest grains, this whiskey is perhaps the truest representation of the region you’ll find.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Plums and cherries dance on the nose along with an undercurrent of malted chocolate, honey, and thyme. It’s a bold, fruit-forward bouquet that’s further buoyed by slightly burnt wheat toast and black pepper.
Palate: The silky mouthfeel of this whiskey leads to the introduction of black cherry, redcurrant, plum flesh, and black pepper on the palate. At midpalate is where honey sweetness simply bursts and fans out over the tongue with malted chocolate and oak, highlighting the transition to the finish.
Finish: The finish is full of fresh hazelnuts, more malted chocolate, and well-aged oak. Black pepper spice kicks in at the end as this lengthy finish slowly undulates away, making it a pour you’ll enjoy long after the last sip.
Bottom Line:
Sure, east of the Massanutten might not have anything left to offer Shaboozey, but heading Westward has plenty to offer you. Westward’s Cask Strength expression is bursting at the seams with flavor, and with the American Single Malt category sitting on the precipice of being a legally recognized category, it’s also full of promise for the future.
6. “Highway” with Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye Finished in Sauternes & Toasted Oak
Another story about love lost, but rather than reacting with spite, this one is full of regret, with Shaboozey acknowledging that he should’ve been a better man. It’s a song about acceptance, searching for a long time for something that you may never find, and having to make peace with that. The second verse goes, “Since you stopped ridin’ shotgun, I ain’t been myself, goin’ out, lookin’ for a good time, but I’m goin’ through hell, got Jesus on the hotline sayin’, “You need help” put the liquor on the shelf, tell the devil, “Farewell.” That sets the stage perfectly for our next pairing…
The Whiskey:
Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye takes all of the best parts of their flagship rye offering but ratchets the flavor up several notches. While the brand’s standard rye is finished in rum casks, for this new Cask Strength offering, this Indiana-sourced rye is finished in Sauternes and Toasted Oak casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The influence of the Sauternes casks leaps off the nose of this whiskey, with golden raisins, honey, and sweet mint leading the way before rye spice flares up on subsequent whiffs.
Palate: The syrupy mouthfeel is the first thing you’ll notice about this pour as golden raisins, white chocolate, rye spice, and black pepper begin to prickle your tongue as the viscosity fades away. There’s also a bit of marshmallow and gentle oak tones brought forth by the toasted casks.
Finish: The finish is slightly drying, but the flavor of golden raisins, black pepper, and toasted oak makes it through the end as it leaves a sweet impression, and it grips your palate for minutes after your last sip.
Bottom Line:
Change is life’s only constant, and accepting those changes can be one of life’s biggest challenges. However, it’s quite easy to make your peace with Angel’s Envy’s new Cask Strength Rye, which changes the formula of their flagship in a way that benefits the bump in proof and provides even richer nuance to appreciate. As you accept the mistakes you’ve made in life, you’ll need something with a sweet finish to remind you that it all gets greater later.
7. “Let It Burn” with George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
“Let It Burn” contends again with doubt, lost love, and acceptance as Shaboozey urges the listener to “throw the memories in the flames” and “see the gold in the red, new horizons.” It’s a hopeful song but one that also acknowledges the pain that can come with having to turn over a new leaf.
The Whiskey:
George T. Stagg is the perfect pairing for this song because it’s perhaps the most quintessential “fiery” pour of bourbon on the market. For 2023’s George T. Stagg, its 135 proof will surely burn a bit, but boy, does that high heat feel so good…
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Black cherry, rich oak, and Aleppo red pepper flakes make an immediate impression on the nose of this whiskey out of the glass. Throw in notes of molasses, brown sugar, and faintly mesquite aromas which all add challenging layers to the complexity of this high-octane pour.
Palate: Each sip opens with the syrupy sweetness of cocktail cherries but is then bolstered by the addition of leather, cinnamon, and charred red peppers. The mouthfeel of 2023’s George T. Stagg is exceptionally viscous and packs a proofy punch which, once it settles down, serves to introduce a broad range of robust flavors.
Finish: The finish contains a faint bit of smokiness and barrel char to go with a bold flourish of black pepper and toffee. Each taste lingers long after the last sip. That said, this is a bourbon that truly rewards extended savoring.
Bottom Line:
“Let It Burn” is a song that hopefully deals with the need to embrace change, using fire as a metaphor for fresh starts and espousing a belief in a “golden lining” following the flames. If there’s a single bourbon that will cause you to feel the burn in the best way possible, it’s George T. Stagg.
8. “My Fault” feat. Noah Cyrus with Starlight Double Oaked Bourbon
In “My Fault” with Noah Cyrus, Shaboozey can be found commiserating with a friend on the verge of giving up. He takes turns blaming himself and the universe for the pain while Noah Cyrus chimes in that it might be easier to begin forgetting the memories. It’s a song where, again, bourbon is mentioned, but the sobering subject matter is heartfelt and takes center stage here.
The Whiskey:
This double-oaked variation on Starlight’s flagship bourbon is bottled at a higher proof (103) and undergoes a secondary cask maturation, which adds depth to their standard distillate.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Toffee and toasted oak emerge out of the glass at first as the impression of the secondary cask works its magic. There are also hints of stone fruit, like peaches and apples, along with a touch of custard on the nose.
Palate: The palate features bold splashes of the stone fruits from the nosing notes, which are accented by toasted oak, butterscotch, and French vanilla. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, which is ideal as it doesn’t distract from the light, sweet, tasting notes present in the liquid.
Finish: The finish is medium-length and leaves you with the gentle sweetness of toasted oak. A bit of marshmallow and earthy woodsiness persist through the end of every sip.
Bottom Line:
The secondary maturation and the bump in proof in this whiskey help it to stand up to your palate in the same way Shaboozey and Noah Cyrus hope to see their friend/partner stand up to the pains that haunt them. While blaming things on the stars skirts the accountability of those looking to numb their pain in a bottle, following the stars can also be a metaphor for holding your head high and looking upward. Starlight whiskey is a perfect match for such a metaphor.
9. “Vegas” with Smoke Wagon Uncut/Unfiltered Bourbon Whiskey
We’ve got a two-for-one in this pairing, as Shaboozey mentions both “whiskey” and “smoke” while laying out his regrets about his Devil-may-care attitude toward his life of late. Following a “pretty lady” out of town and finding himself among the “low vibrations” and reminiscing on some of his hardships, he expresses the need for an escape from his escape. It’s an eminently relatable song about picking up the pieces when the risks you take don’t pan out quite as you planned them.
The Whiskey:
Smoke Wagon’s Uncut/Unfiltered expression is the bottle that put them on the map. Released in small batch blends, this particular bottle is batch 184A and features bourbon sourced from Indiana and aged between their distillery of origin and Las Vegas.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Plum skin, cinnamon bark, and young oak hit the nose for a blend that really works well here. There’s also a certain dusty aspect to this whiskey that is as surprising as it is welcome. Further notes of green grape and sunscreen continue the surprises — both in that they’re atypical nosing notes and that they actually work well to elevate the sum of the parts.
Palate: Caramel, barrel char, and green grapes inform the palate, along with a healthy dose of black pepper. The flavor of charred red pepper comes across, as well as the robust mouthfeel finds every corner of the palate and seeps into your tongue.
Finish: The finish has chocolate pretzels and sage in spades, and it closes with barrel char for a medium-length finish that puts a lovely bow on the unusual assortment of flavors.
Bottom Line:
If you’re going to “live your life like it was one big Vegas,” then you’re going to need Sin City’s best bourbon by your side to drown out any doubts that arise. Luckily, Smoke Wagon’s Uncut/Unfiltered expression hits the spot whether you’re acting the part or simply nodding your head along to this song and living vicariously through Shaboozey.
10. “Drink Don’t Need No Mix” feat. BigXthaPlug with Mary Dowling Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Tequila Barrels
The song with the most hip-hop vibes on the entire album features emerging rapper BigXthePlug. It sees the two exchanging verses about getting faded on an alcohol-infused adventure through downtown Nashville. BigX calls out their respective preferences, saying he “stays lit off tequila, Shaboozey wants whiskey, we tipsy and want every girl if she’s pretty.”
The Whiskey:
Aged for over 3 years and then finished in Reposado tequila barrels, this unique whiskey comes from Mary Dowling and is distilled by Rabbit Hole in Kentucky. The brand itself was created to honor one of the most interesting figures in the whiskey world, Mary Dowling, who is famous for moving her distilling operation south of the border during Prohibition. To honor that legacy, the brand decided to finish bourbon whiskey in barrels from Mexico’s most famous alcohol export.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Lavender, roasted marshmallows, and toasted corn with butter and salt can be found on this particularly expressive nose. It also has a slightly youthful aspect, though that’s not a knock against it, as that plays well with the tequila barrel finish and allows some of the agave syrup to come through. Given some time in the glass, a bit of golden raisin and candied ginger also creeps into the nosing notes.
Palate: Star anise, toasted corn, and black tea come barreling across the palate with this whiskey. Black pepper soon blossoms and takes root at the roof of the mouth. It is notably drying at midpalate, causing you to salivate courtesy of the vegetal undertones and healthy helping of baking spice at midpalate. It also has an austere mouthfeel, coming across as clean and lean.
Finish: The finish is full of golden delicious apple skin and black pepper, and it’s pretty brief, which thins out the mouthfeel.
Bottom Line:
BigX is on tequila, Boozey is on whiskey, and neither of them needs a mix, so why not combine the best of both worlds in a single sip? Not only is this unique whiskey worth exploring on its own but there isn’t a single bottle of alcohol on shelves that pairs more perfectly with “Drink Don’t Need No Mix.”
11. “Steal Her From Me” with Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B524
Acknowledging the ephemeral nature of modern romance, Shaboozey weaves a tale in this song about another man’s lover falling for him and the inevitability of her soon falling for someone else. Crooning that “karma she’ll hunt you down, this town here is full of thieves…” it’s a song that espouses the age-old wisdom that “what comes around, goes around.”
The Whiskey:
Aged for 6-8 years, Heaven Hill’s Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon is their premier wheated bourbon offering. With a backstory that honors John E. Fitzgerald, a treasury agent with a reputation for stealing some of his favorite barrels of whiskey out of bonded warehouses, this whiskey is the perfect match for this song. The B524 batch is new for spring 2024, with “B” representing the second batch of the year, “5” representing that it came out in the month of May, and “24” standing for the year it was released.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Immediately nutty, with the aroma of fudge, brown sugar, and walnuts wafting out of the glass, this is a nose that reminds you of Snickers ice cream bars. That’s as opposed to the candy bar because there’s also a bit of oak and vanilla ice cream hanging in the air along with a streak of oak.
Palate: The palate sees the oak influence ratcheted up as dark chocolate and nougat notes rest on a bed of peanuts. The ABV can certainly be felt as a heavy punch of alcohol hits at midpalate and persists through the finish of this flavorful and well-refined whiskey.
Finish: The finish of this chewy whiskey is marked by black pepper and candied peanuts, along with a surprising bit of lavender and lemon zest, which helps to brighten each sip and add a bit of nuance.
Bottom Line:
Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B524 fits the bill for “Steal Her From Me” thanks to the fact they both share an overarching theme of thievery, but it really helps that the high ABV will dull the blow of having your partner stolen. Thankfully, an elevated proof point won’t be the only thing keeping you company, as the sweet Snickers tasting notes in this bourbon will also sweeten the deal and help you forget about the (stolen) love that you lost.
On the closing track of Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going Shaboozey wrestles with the pressures of his newfound fame, fearful of returning to obscurity and “staring down the whiskey” wondering whether he’ll have to sell his soul to maintain the popularity he fought so hard to achieve. Ultimately, he’s made peace not only with the journey that led him here but also with whatever fate may await him, ending the album with the line, “I’m glad it’s finally over.” For Shaboozey, this is certainly the end of the beginning.
The Whiskey:
Wild Turkey 101 is the brand’s flagship expression, and it is ubiquitous on back bars across the country. The bottle’s new packaging was released in early 2021, but Master Distiller Jimmy Russell prides himself on this expression above all others because its flavor profile has remained consistent for decades.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Caramel, almond extract, and orange rind are featured heavily on the nose of this whiskey. Given some time to rest, you’ll also pick up notes of buttercream with an orange zest, nutmeg, and a bit of dried cranberries.
Palate: On the palate, that interplay of citrus zest, baking spice, and dried cranberries comes fully into view. A bit of cinnamon and caramel add elements of sweetness to each sip, and though the mouthfeel is fairly lean, it features a nice punchiness at 101 proof that keeps you cognizant of the fact that this is fine bourbon whiskey.
Finish: The finish is where the sizzle of alcohol ratchets up a notch, giving an indication of how Wild Turkey 101 got its reputation as a raucous pour for rowdy imbibers. That said, the finish isn’t remarkable, but as it ends off with caramel and baking spice, it encourages you to line up another pour and go in for a second glass.
Bottom Line:
Wild Turkey 101 is perhaps the quintessential American whiskey. Pouring bourbon in your glass comes with a set of expectations that Wild Turkey 101 is perfectly suited to live up to — caramel, oak, baking spice — sure, but also a proofy bite and a solid finish that warms your chest and fills you up with liquid courage. As you listen to Shaboozey, reckon with his journey toward stardom and contemplate the choices that led you to your current position in life — acceptance is key, and courage is probably necessary. That’s why Wild Turkey 101 is the perfect whiskey to pour while you take stock of the fact that where you’ve been isn’t where you’re going.
Hate him or love him, MGK (also known as Machine Gun Kelly) is one of the more fascinating and fearless artists in the modern music landscape. After building his career with rap and trying his hand at rock music, he’s once again branching into a new genre, country, with an intimate cover of a contemporary country hit, Zach Bryan‘s “Sun To Me.” In addition to strumming his acoustic guitar, he plays a drum machine for the synth fills, accompanied by another guitar player.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. In the past two years, we’ve seen not just one but two of MGK’s white rapper brethren make the transition to country, so it’s understandable if you’re already preemptively rolling your eyes at Colton soft-launching his own country career after Jelly Roll and Post Malone both did the same. But, hear me out. This is something that artists have always done and should have always been allowed to do: experiment outside their established genre and grow musically instead of being pigeonholed to just one style and sound.
Of course, it’s frustrating that the only artists that the recording industry establishment allows to do this are, to put it bluntly, mostly white people — doubly so that so many of them start their careers in rap, a Black genre, before pivoting to more mainstream genres, and seeing greater commercial success in the process. Add in the fact that Black artists are rarely allowed such leeway — see: the ongoing debate about singers like SZA and Tinashe being pigeonholed into R&B, Lil Uzi Vert being categorized as a rapper despite his experimentation, and hell, you can go back to Prince and his long struggle against being boxed in — and it can be downright maddening to see artists like MGK spreading their wings like this. That’s to say nothing of the legacy of Black country artists being overlooked or outright blocked from the limelight.
But, you have to give credit where it’s due: Colton doesn’t sound half bad here, and it’s not like he’s ever turned his back on rap. In fact, his last two releases were a Cleveland-Columbus collab with Trippie Redd (who has bent a genre or two himself) and the extremely boom bap-ish “BMXXXing.” The only thing I ask is this: If MGK is allowed to switch genres and be taken seriously without being defaulted to “just a rapper,” so should all the Black artists who definitely don’t just stick to rap.
Watch MGK’s cover of Zach Bryan’s “Sun To Me” above.
There are a number of sibling duos (and trios) in the NBA, and on Wednesday night, another pair of brothers will join the club when Colorado’s Cody Williams gets selected. His older brother, Jalen Williams, is already in the league.
Jalen’s rise in Oklahoma City to being one of the Thunder’s best players alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren has been impressive, and it’s also made teams wonder how high the ceiling is for his younger brother. Cody enjoyed a terrific start to the season at Colorado, but dealt with injuries that derailed his year, most notably an ankle injury that limited him considerably in the Buffaloes’ NCAA Tournament run. He is healthy now and back to climbing draft boards as an expected lottery pick, and will find out Wednesday night where he’ll be continuing his basketball career.
For now, he’s in New York taking in the whole Draft experience alongside his brother. The two sat down with DIME on Tuesday afternoon on behalf of a new ad campaign they’re doing with Starry and Buffalo Wild Wings, and talked about how they push each other to get better, what they learn from the other to put into their games, Cody getting back healthy, Jalen’s biggest takeaway from his first real playoff experience, and much more.
To start with you Cody, how’s this week going for you and how are you managing nerves, managing the excitement as you get set for draft night here?
Cody: I think the big thing is just having my family here, that’s a big part of it. I’m not nervous at all, not really anxious — I did a great job throughout the whole entire process — but just for me, being able to enjoy my family, having a great group people around me, to help support me throughout this. I don’t really have to think about a lot outside of this process because they help me take care of a lot of stuff.
Jalen, what’s been the best advice you feel like you’ve been able to give him going through this process as he gets ready to make the leap into the NBA?
Jalen: I would probably just say try and enjoy the moments of it. You know, the Draft only happens one time for everybody. So just try to enjoy a lot of the little stuff and just take it in. Take in the experience of being in New York, doing the suit fittings, even the stuff that makes it inconvenient. I think that was a lot of stuff I remembered about doing the draft, so just kind of enjoy that.
Obviously part of that is getting to do this campaign was with Starry and Buffalo Wild Wings, what was it like putting this together and having some fun together on this campaign?
Jalen: It was dope. It was kind of a shock. I think I tweeted something out about going there — and they actually, like, built one by my house, so that’s kind of where I was going for a while — but I think I tweeted something about going there, like they used to have deals. I don’t remember the exact deal but I think it was like every Thursday, me and my teammates would go, especially towards the tail end of COVID. And you know, we’re college students so we didn’t have any money, so we’re kind of waiting on deals where they would do the buy one get one free for boneless wings. So, I mean, it was a full circle moment for me to be able to be in this campaign, and then also to do it with my brother and do that whole thing. So, it’s pretty cool to do that and be like a full circle moment.
Yeah, and Cody, I mean, this is your first time doing an ad campaign — what’s it been like for you?
Cody: I think the biggest thing for me is I kind of grew up eating Buffalo Wild Wings. So for me is, like, that childhood experience of going to Buffalo Wild Wings, watching the game, eating their food. And that really just kind of stuck with me. So being able to have my first ad campaign being a place where I used to always grow up eating and watching sports, which has always been a part of my life. Like that’s probably the best part of this whole thing. So now I get to have fun with it and really enjoy one of my favorite places to eat.
What’s the go-to wing sauce for each of y’all?
Cody: I think mine might be Asian Zing.
Jalen: Yeah, mine’s Asian Zing, by the way.
It’s almost like y’all are brothers.
Jalen: Yeah. Mine is actually Asian Zing. Then BBQ. Actually, I’m a liar and garlic parmesan. Yeah, I’m a garlic parm person.
There you go. Cody, what has it been like for you this last few months getting back healthy and getting a chance to get back on the court and feel like yourself again out there, and show teams really who you are as a player?
Cody: I think teams had a pretty good sense of who I am as a player already, which is why I feel like I’m in this position. And I know it was rough to deal with injuries, but I still was able to showcase my skillset and who I am as person on and off the court. But I think, yeah, the biggest thing for me is just getting back feeling 100 percent and getting my ankle back to 100 percent, and actually being able to move and play, being healthy. So for me, it was really nice to, after the season ended, go to Santa Barbara and work on my ankle, work on getting stronger, work on my game, then kind of get away. And then be able to go throughout the process of getting healthy.
Jalen, coming off your first extended run in the playoffs. What are the things for you that you’re coming into this summer and looking at your own game and saying like, this is where I continue to want to grow as you continue your own journey here?
Jalen: I think, to not get too in depth on a lot of stuff, I’ve been able to get to a place where I can watch the playoffs again and watch it without bias or any emotion attached to it. So, I think first off, just constantly improving my body to be in shape to make these long runs in the playoffs. I think Ant was talking about it, just how physical and tiring it is to keep playing those extra games, especially my first year we don’t go that far at all. I would definitely say, yeah, just trying to learn different ways to take care of my body and kind of maintain through a long season. I play a lot of minutes every single game, even in the regular season, so just trying to maintain my body that way. And then kind of understand how teams were guarding me in the playoffs, which I think is the hardest stretch of basketball. So, understanding my game more that way, I think I’ll be able to improve this summer and hopefully make another jump.
Cody, obviously you’ve got a great relationship with Jalen, but just watching him go through these things, what are the things that you kind of pull from him and try to internalize and learn from his experience, as well as your own experiences, as you kind of get ready to start your NBA career?
Cody: For me, the biggest thing is his mentality. Obviously on the court you see how he plays, I think off the court is approach to everything, not even just basketball — it’s deals like this, interviews, going out and doing making charity work, or anything he does 100 percent. Especially the way he takes care of his body, the way he trains, the way he’s constantly improving, that’s something that I kind of pick apart and add to my game. Just because, I know he hit on it earlier, but getting ready to play 82 games, and everyone wants play in the postseason, so you add more games to that in the playoffs. I think the way, obviously he’s so meticulous with everything, but the way he also keeps improving his body and just keeps staying healthy. I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve tried to pull apart, just because I feel like for me, the biggest adjustment going to the NBA is gonna be playing those 82 games where it’s more physical, longer games, more fast-paced. So, I think those are the biggest things I tried to pull from this game and incorporate into mine.
How much do y’all compare your games to each other, and is there any sibling competition, sibling rivalry in terms of like being like, well, you know, I’m maybe a better shooter, or I’m better at this. Is there any of that between each other, or is it mostly just being supportive and pulling for each other?
Cody: I mean, we have a pretty great feeling for each other’s games. I don’t think compare’s the right word. It’s definitely like, I just know he’s a better shooter than me. I mean, that’s something I know. So just constantly getting shots up, getting reps up, and just asking him how he got better shooting, cause it’s something I work on. And then we kind of just pick apart each other’s games and I take stuff for him that I see, that I like, and I’ll watch film with Packie [Turner] on it, and I’ll incorporate into my workouts. Or he’ll send me film on my game and kind of show me stuff that he feels like I need to work on, and sometimes I’ll watch his games and I’m like, ‘Hey, you have this shot,’ and he’ll be like ‘Yeah, I know. I should’ve took it, and I should’ve done this move to get to that spot.’ So I feel like there’s no animosity or anything like that towards each other’s games, just because you have a good feel for each other, so we just try to pick each other apart and maybe help each other out.
Jalen, is there anything you pick up from him?
Jalen: I think watching his game more, when I’m already in that position where he’s at, I think when I’m able to watch him, he does stuff — I wouldn’t say that I would pick stuff and take it away from his game, but I think I pick up on how fast he’s able to get stuff that maybe took me longer to understand, if that makes sense. Like, certain reads or certain moves that he does, I pick up on like, okay, yeah. Or he’ll do something that I haven’t done in a while that was really effective that I’ve kind of gone away from, and that’ll be a piece of the puzzle trying to figure out my game, because we work out with each other. So I think that would probably be it. Like, a lot of times, he reminds me of a lot of stuff that I used to do, or that I thought was effective, and stuff that I strayed away from that I think were effective and that’s something that I’ve seen with both of us. I think in the NBA, I’ll probably like more stuff that he does as he grows into a player and we’ll be able to steal from each other more.
What do you tell him about the difference in going from college and fitting into the NBA game and how the NBA game is different? I think we talk a lot about what challenges that presents, but does it also present opportunity for a guy who has that two way skillset that maybe doesn’t get to shine as much in the college game in certain areas?
Jalen: Yeah, I think my biggest thing that I see — and I’ve only been in the league two years, so I’m not an expert — but just the stuff that I see since I’ve been in the NBA, and just the draft and how they talk about guys coming in, a lot of it is, I don’t want to say negative, but it’s almost like pessimistic, in a way. You look at a lot of the recruits and their profiles and usually the longer part of their thing is what they can’t do, or what they’ll have to adjust to.
But I think for me, it’s making the NBA adjust to him and kind of understand that you’re getting picked up and you’re going to the NBA for a reason. So it’s kind of more looking at opportunities to get better. You know, there’s more space, the game’s faster. Guys are more skilled, so the guys you’re going up against the practice will make you better, even on walkthrough days. You’re playing with smart players all the time. There’s a talent drop-off obviously in college, high school and stuff like that. So there’s a lot of things I think that go to his advantage more than I would say what he needs to look out for, you know what I mean? I think he’s talented enough as a player to where he’ll figure out what he needs to work on and what’s different in the NBA, but I think the biggest thing is just trying to use that to your advantage. Your first year, you’re trying to figure out where you fit in the NBA, so I think when you can find your advantages earlier, I think that leads you along way.
Yeah, and last thing Cody, what are the things that you’re telling teams they’re going to be getting in you when you walk into that building, wherever you end up on Wednesday night?
Cody: I think one of the biggest things off the bat is defensively, my versatility. Coming in as a rookie, that’s the one thing you can always do to be on the floor. So for me, knowing that I can guard multiple positions effectively and I’m only getting better with the stronger I get, and the more time I spend NBA. That’s something I always, right off the bat, point out. Shooting, most definitely, the league has more spacing, more opportunities for threes to get up, and now the NBA is kind of geared towards hitting threes. So I feel like for me, with just my length and the way I create space, and space the floor I’ll be able to be an effective shooter.
And then I just have a natural feel for the game is I feel like my other biggest one. You don’t really have to come in and teach me how to play basketball or how to play in the set, or how to get out in transition and space the floor or a play five out, just play basketball. So I feel like me coming in just knowing how to play right away, having a good natural feel for the game, and being able to defend multiple positions, that’s the biggest things where, like he was saying, finding an advantage early. I feel like that’s something I know I can be effective on right off the bat. And then as you go off to your career, you pick a few things each year you want to get better at, and it just build off that. But those are definitely things I feel like, off the bat, I have the advantage on.
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