Given some of the laws being passed in the southern half of the country, it’s easy to assume events like drag brunch would be met with disapproval. But Autherius Lawson has been bringing drag to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for years, even in the midst of other southern cities attempting to outright ban drag performances.
Lawson performs as Lexis Redd D’Ville and has a thriving company, Lexis & Friends Entertainment. The queens are always booked and busy in a region of the country people wouldn’t expect, that is, unless you’re local. Lawson has been selling out his signature Drag Brunch since 2019 at White Pillars, an upscale restaurant in Biloxi, Mississippi.
When D’Ville saunters to the middle of the dinning room there is no shortage of excited cheers. But the thing that likely keeps patrons coming back outside of the fabulous song choices and amazing costumes–is the laughter. If you have nothing else while at one of D’Ville’s events, you’ll have a good time.
Since his first drag brunch across the street from the Biloxi beach, Lawson has expanded his operations to New Orleans, Louisiana, also hosting events in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, which is about an hour north of where he got his start. More drag queens have been added to his roster of entertainers, seemingly leaving Lawson with little time to sleep. The entrepreneur not only hosts drag brunches in two different states, but he also puts on traditional drag events at bars and other entertainment venues.
On top of hosting his own events, Lawson is the show director for Sipps Bar in Gulfport, Mississippi and the New Orleans House of Blues.
Lawson tells the Associated Press, “I will say that I have prided myself on taking the chances and kicking open the doors people would not have expected.”
But the Mississippi Gulf Coast is not only a tourist area but home to Keesler Air Force Base and a Naval Construction Battalion Center, creating a unique eclectic culture of its own. White Pillars is able to rake in profits from the partnership they have with Lawson, and Ms. D’Ville gets to show the Bible belt what drag is really about.
“The clientele seemed to really enjoy it, something they’re not used to, which was also one of my goals: to put drag in front of people who have never seen it before, because I have a firm belief that ignorance breeds fear and fear breeds hate, which leads to a society we can’t live in,” Lawson explains to the AP.
The brunches bring in crowds ranging from bridal parties to elderly couples, all well prepared with a stack of one dollar bills to tip the queens. D’Ville’s “friends” come from all over the Deep South, from Shreveport, Louisiana to Mobile, Alabama.
They pride themselves on making sure everybody has a good time, mixing up their themes, music and costumes. Some of the costume changes happen before your eyes leaving customers wondering if the drag queens might be a little magic. There’s no telling what kind of crowd the queens might encounter: a granny with better knees than a 25 year old dancing with her bottomless mimosa above her head or a group of guy friends laughing after being personally serenaded.
As Lawson’s drag queen empire expands taking him to new cities, he still makes time to sell out shows at the White Pillars every third Sunday.
Peso Pluma just dropped his new double album, Éxodo. The past couple of years have cemented the Mexican rapper and singer as a global superstar, and with 24 fire new tracks, Pluma isn’t slowing down soon. Éxodo features a coveted set of collaborations, including the track “Put Em In The Fridge” with Cardi B.
Both Pluma and Cardi have reached prolific, household name status, but make no mistake, they’re not the ones to play with.
“Forty shooters, if I send them in, they comin’ in / Fifty kilos, if you need them, then they comin’ in / Hundred thousand real close and they’re Mexicans / I said the word, and they’ll put you in the f*cking fridge,” raps Pluma on the song’s chorus.
Cardi, as she is known to soon, adds some glam power to the song, reminding everyone that she’s the boss.
“Encima de los beats los asesino / Tengo el presidente de vecino /El mundo es mío / Como Al Pacino,” she raps, which translates to “Over beats by a killer, I’ve got the president as my neighbor, the world is mine like Al Pacino.
Now this is some real mob boss sh*t.
You can listen to “Put Em In The Fridge” above.
Éxodo is out now via Double P Records. Find more information here.
The St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants played at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Thursday night as part of Major League Baseball honoring the history of the Negro leagues in celebration of Juneteenth. The stadium was home to the Birmingham Black Barons from 1920-1960, as well as the Birmingham Barons and Birmingham A’s of the minor leagues, and each team wore uniforms honoring the heritage of the Negro leagues.
MLB also brought out many of the greatest Black players the league has seen to help pay tribute to the path paved by Negro league ball players, with recent stars like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., and Derek Jeter (who was also covering the game for FOX) among those on hand. Reggie Jackson was also back in Birmingham, where he played for the Birmingham A’s in 1967 prior to getting called up to Oakland, and the FOX pregame show had Jackson come on to talk about his history at Rickwood Field and Alex Rodriguez asked what the emotions were like for him being back.
What transpired was one of the most raw and powerful three minutes you’ll ever see on sports television. Jackson didn’t offer platitudes about how nice it was to be back at one of the places his Hall of Fame career started. Instead, he gave viewers a lesson on the painful, violent history of racism in Birmingham and the other towns they played in in the Southern League, noting on a few occasions how he “wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
“Alex, when people ask me a question like that it’s like, coming back here is not easy. The racism when I played here, the difficulty of going through different places where we traveled — fortunately I had a manager and I had players on the team that helped me get through it. But I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. People said to me today, I spoke and they said, ‘Do you think you’re a better person? Do you think you won when you played here and conquered?’ I said I would never want to do it again. I walked into restaurants and they’d point at me and say the n***** can’t eat here. I would go to a hotel and they’d say the n***** can’t stay here. We went to Charlie Finley’s country club for a welcome home dinner, and they pointed me out with the n-word. ‘He can’t come in here.’ Finley marched the whole team out, and they finally let me in there. He said, ‘We’re gonna go to the diner and eat hamburgers. We’ll go where we’re wanted.’
“Fortunately, I had a manager in Johnny McNamara that, if I couldn’t eat in the place, nobody would eat, we’d get food to travel. If I couldn’t stay in a hotel, they’d drive to the next hotel and find a place where I could stay. Had it not been for Rollie Fingers, Johnny McNamara, Dave Duncan, Joe and Sharon Rudi — I slept on their couch three, four nights a week for about a month and a half. Finally they were threatened that they’d burn the apartment complex down unless I got out. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
“The year I came here, Bo Conner was the sheriff the year before. They took Minor League Baseball out of here, cause in 1963 the Klan murdered four Black girls, children, 11, 12, and 14 years old, at a church here, and never got indicted. They were from the Klan, Life Magazine did a story on them like they were being honored. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. At the same time, had it not been for my white friends. Had it not been for a white manager, and Rudy, Fingers, and Duncan and Lee Meyers, I would’ve never made it. I was too physically violent. I was ready to physically fight someone, and I would’ve gotten killed here cause I’d have beat someone’s ass and you would’ve saw me in an oak tree somewhere.”
It was certainly not what FOX was likely expecting, but it was one of the most powerful segments we will likely see on sports television this year (or really ever) and one we likely wouldn’t have gotten from Jackson with a different panel on that desk. So often we are given a sterilized history of sports, where racism, if discussed, is spoken about in very broad, general strokes. What Jackson provides here is pointed and personal, a raw account of the horrific, dehumanizing things he endured in his time, while noting his appreciation for those who stood by his side as allies and helped get him through it. But this was not simply some tale of overcoming racism as a temporary obstacle. It’s a reminder that these are scars that Jackson will never fully heal from, as is the case for millions of Black Americans who endured the same thing. It’s also a message to the rest of us on the vital importance of genuine allyship, confronting racism while supporting those facing and enduring it.
The Chicago Bulls figured to be one of the most fascinating teams in the NBA this offseason, as they entered the summer with a pair of big free agents (DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams) and some intriguing trade targets for contenders (Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso).
The expectation has been they will try to re-sign DeRozan and continue pushing for playoff contention. It was reported the main reason they didn’t trade Caruso before the deadline last year was a mandate from ownership to make a playoff push, turning down offers including multiple first round picks (with one including a top-10 pick from this year). And then, on Thursday, word broke that the Bulls swapped Caruso straight up for Thunder guard Josh Giddey in a head-scratcher of a trade from Chicago’s perspective (and a home run from OKC’s).
Adrian Wojnarowski painted the Bulls perspective on the trade as seeking out a playmaking guard to fill the void left by Lonzo Ball, who has missed more than two seasons with continued knee problems, very generously calling Giddey a player with “All-Star potential.” The former No. 6 overall pick is, unquestionably, a tremendous passer and playmaker for others. From that perspective, it’s understandable why they’d have interest. However, beyond that individual skillset being a need in Chicago, there’s not much about this trade that makes a lot of sense for the Bulls.
Giddey’s struggles in the playoffs certainly laid bare the areas in which he needs to improve. His defense was a liability, and his offensive skillset was too limited as a scorer to be on the ball as much as he needs to be to impact the game positively as a facilitator — and off the ball, he was too easy to help off of. That’s not to say he’s a terrible player, he was a starter on the West’s top seed all season, but keen observers were pointing to the potential issues with Giddey in the starting lineup long before the postseason arrived. Perhaps he can take the steps needed to fill those holes in his game and fulfill his max potential, but the issues with this trade go far beyond questions of Giddey’s ability to grow into a high-caliber point guard in the NBA.
The process of how this deal got done and what the Bulls got back makes little to no sense. For starters, doing a non-salary dump trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder and not getting a single draft pick in return — even a second rounder — should be impossible. That’s especially true when trading a guy who was garnering offers with multiple firsts four months ago, still holds tremendous value around the league, and is a near-perfect fit for what the Thunder are desperately searching for after a second round exit. While the Bulls have almost no leverage in LaVine trade talks, they should’ve been holding plenty when it came to Caruso given how many contenders need a player of his profile. No matter how highly the Bulls view Giddey, to not get a single pick in return for him seems hard to do, particularly when dealing with a team that has been hoarding draft picks specifically for this moment when they need to cash in on a veteran to raise their playoff ceiling.
On top of the general impossibility of trading a good player to OKC and not getting a pick in return, they didn’t even get a guy the Thunder would consider a strong asset right now. Giddey was played off the floor in the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks, who targeted him over and over on defense and abandoned him beyond the arc where he was unable to be a shooting threat. His playmaking ability was effectively neutralized with the emergence of Jalen Williams as a secondary creator on the wing, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blossomed into an MVP candidate. With just one year left on his rookie deal, Giddey, like Caruso, will be looking to get paid next year, meaning there wasn’t even a real financial component to this trade, which would be the only real bargaining chip I can think of for the Thunder to push back on sending a pick. And yet, here we are with the Bulls giving up a coveted player for a guy everyone pegged as a likely trade candidate this summer, and not even getting some draft assets in return.
It is another example of questionable asset management from Arturas Karnisovas, who certainly is operating under a difficult ownership situation but also hasn’t shown a great deal of tact in terms of recognizing leverage and timing. Caruso figured to be their best chance to get a positive asset this summer, as they’ve waited so long to pull the trigger on a LaVine trade that his value has dipped to the point they’re having to put the hard sell on teams to even move the former All-Star. Instead, they traded Caruso for a young player that has some possible upside but isn’t exactly someone the rest of the league values highly and is going to need a new contract next summer as a restricted free agent.
That brings us to the final head-scratching point of this deal, which is the most charitable read of this trade doesn’t match up with everything we’ve heard about how the Bulls plan to operate next season. Normally, flipping a 30-year-old veteran who was vital to winning for a guy who turns 22 in training camp coming off some playoff struggles is an indicator of a team looking to take some time and rebuild. Giddey might be able to develop into something better than he is currently, but you’ll need to invest time and resources into that, while understanding that the timeline for the team has changed. Perhaps the Bulls have realized it’s time to change course, but if they re-sign DeMar DeRozan to a big money, long-term deal as most anticipate, that wouldn’t line up with a rebuild at all. It’s not often that a team is able to pull off a build through the middle, remaining fairly competitive in the present while resetting their timeline for the future, but I’d bet that’s the prevailing thought with this move for Chicago, which won 39 games last year and didn’t make it out of the Play-In Tournament.
Josh Giddey and Coby White make for an interesting, fairly young backcourt tandem, with White’s shooting covering for Giddey’s deficiencies in that area, while Giddey’s ability to facilitate should help White get even better looks at the basket. That makes sense. What doesn’t make sense, at least to me, is pairing those two with DeRozan on a new deal, Nikola Vucevic (who somehow still has another two years left on his deal), and whatever comes back in return for LaVine (assuming he does, indeed, get moved). The Bulls ranked 29th in the league in 3-point attempt rate last season, and are now adding Giddey to a team that looks like it’ll one again have major issues with spacing.
Perhaps I’ll be surprised, and the Bulls will show signs of a real plan to hit the reset button. Maybe they have a LaVine trade lined up that gets them some positive future assets back that no one around the league is expecting or predicting. Maybe they can sign DeRozan to a shorter term deal to line up with when Vucevic comes off the books, freeing them up financially in the summer of ’26. However, color me skeptical that will happen given, well, everything about the way this team has been run for the past decade-plus. If they stay true to how they’ve operated, they’ll look to build another team to chase a Play-In berth again, and it’s hard to see this deal as anything other than another example of mismanagement by the Bulls, setting them off even further adrift on an aimless voyage to mediocrity.
Mackenzie Ziegler (whose artist name is stylized simply ‘kenzie’) is prepping for her first album rollout and, as someone who has spent most of her life in the limelight, she’s calmly poised for music stardom. Unlike many famous-in-pop-culture children who transition into pop music celebrity, kenzie, at only 19, can really sing and write. With her debut album biting my tongue, ready to drop this summer, you can sense her relief that today she’ll mainly be discussing her food and snack habits with us.
In our conversation, kenzie has confessed to her love of the PB&J in the past, but we also learned she also has a weakness for the American classic, chicken tenders and fries, as well as Starbucks’ famous pink drinks. Kenzie also shared with us the joy that comes from baking from scratch, as well as buying pastries from Trader Joe’s (which also ties in nicely with the single art for her latest release “word vomit“).
Later in the interview, we found out about some of her more unusual preferences like ketchup on mac and cheese and her desire to get in on the cottage cheese and mustard craze. In addition to her snack habits, kenzie shared with us some of her favorite spots in LA and her hometown Pittsburgh, and new discoveries she made while touring abroad in London. Lastly and most importantly, we learned where she stands in the eternal Pennsylvania debate between the best convenience stores in the United States; Sheetz versus Wawa.
What is on your rider when it comes to food and drinks when you’re on tour?
That’s actually a really funny question because every time I tell someone what’s on my rider, they laugh. I grew up eating peanut butter and jelly religiously, and it’s my comfort snack. And my mom is usually on set with me and she makes the best peanut butter and jellies. So, peanut butter and jelly. And then, I have fruit, always. And I usually have Sprite, which is interesting. But that’s really it. I usually do Jif Peanut Butter, which might be a little controversial. It’s usually strawberry jelly and just sourdough bread.
On the fruit side of things, are there any fruits that need to be in your green room?
It’s usually strawberries or watermelon. Those are my favorites.
On the drink side, just water?
Water. And then, sometimes Sprite. And then, usually we get Starbucks before I shoot, and I usually get a Pink Drink.
When you’re in the studio are there any foods or snacks that you need to get the energy flowing?
I always need a coffee, but the studio where I usually work, they make homemade cookies every day. That’s kind of become a staple. We get a cookie before we go in, and that’s basically it. If I’m trying to think of another snack that I would want to eat, it would just be a good chip. I love Doritos. I like Cool Ranch Doritos. But recently… I don’t know what they’re called, but it’s the Purple Doritos.
Sweet Chili.
Yes. I had those recently for the first time ever, and they’re so good – they’re worth the hype. You need to try them.
When you went on tour did you have the same type of food on the road?
Yes, absolutely. When I was younger I would eat any snack. I also have a really big sweet tooth, so I love Hershey bars. Snickers are really good. I think that’s what I was eating religiously on tour. And the Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Cups.
You said you favor sweet snacks over savory, is that right? Or it’s like 50-50?
I think it just depends on my mood, honestly. I feel like I do sometimes get a sweet tooth, but most of the time I feel like I like a good chip.
And when you get your sweet cravings, you’re going more for chocolate and cookies than gummy candy and ice cream?
Yeah, it’s actually really interesting. I hate fruit snacks. I hate anything really gummy, unless it’s like the gummy worms… What is it? They’re the sugary gummy worms, like the Trolli’s. I can eat those, but I don’t like anything gummy. I think it is a texture thing.
When you’re traveling for work and you get to a hotel or a destination, is there any food or snacks that you have to have in your room or are you hitting up the mini-bar?
I don’t know if I have a certain regimen, but at the airport I always get Chex Mix. But I never would get it at any other place. At the airport, it’s a staple because I know it’s always going to be good.
A lot of artists that we’ve spoken to don’t necessarily want to eat before they perform because they don’t want their stomach to feel funny. So, after your shows, are you typically going out to eat, or getting room service, or do you just go to bed and pass out?
I am the same. I don’t usually like to eat a bunch of food before I go on stage. I do drink tea before I go on stage, but afterward I feel like I just want a big meal. I feel like my comfort meal is always chicken tenders and fries. That’s the best to get after a show, or a good burger.
What’s your go-to tea before a show? Are you drinking Throat Coat and all that?
I do use Throat Coat. I put some ginger in there, lots of honey. Sometimes I even just do a spoonful of honey before I go on stage. Manuka honey, that’s my favorite.
Where’s your go-to for chicken tenders and fries? Obviously it changes around the country, but where are some of your favorites?
Ooh, that’s so hard. I feel like just at any diner. I always get them at a diner. When I go to Mel’s Drive-In in California, I always get the chicken tenders and fries.
What about burgers? Do you have a go-to Burger spot in LA or when you’re traveling?
I will say I am obsessed with In-N-Out. I would die for In-N-Out. So, when it’s not at other places… Which I’m from Pittsburgh originally, and they don’t have it there. So, when I moved out here, it was like, “Wow, this is a whole new thing for me.”
Are you ordering on or off the menu at In-N-Out? What’s your go-to there?
I am a very simple person when it comes to In-N-Out. I just get a cheeseburger with ketchup only, and then I get animal-style fries. But recently, I have discovered the Flying Dutchman, which is on their secret menu.
Instead of the bun, it’s an onion. Not a raw onion. That would be awful. No. It’s like a cooked onion and then, if you ask for it animal-style, they put the really good sauce with caramelized onions on. It’s so good.
In your most recent music release there is a cake in the artwork. You said you’re big on sweets. Are you big on cakes and pastries? Obviously that’s not why the cake is on your cover, but is that something that you’re into?
Yeah, so for a few months now, I’ve been throwing dinner parties for me and my friends, so that’s kind of why we did the dinner party setting, and I always get a cake for it. I just think especially how the cake was in the photo, that’s the cake that I always order. It has a little heart with some bows on it, very aesthetically pleasing. But I am a big cake person. I love cake.
Do you have a favorite bakery that you can share?
Totally. Well, I really love SusieCakes, they have great cakes and pastries. I mean, honestly, this might be crazy, but Trader Joe’s has the best bakery. They have really good pastries. I always get my cookies and my pastries from Trader Joe’s.
And what cake is your go-to? Is it vanilla or chocolate? What are we doing?
I love funfetti. That’s my fave all the way.
I also heard that you love to bake yourself and baked a lot during the pandemic. Are you still baking on a consistent basis or is that just something that you do randomly when you have time?
I guess it is randomly or whenever my friends are over and we want to bake something together. My friends are also really big into baking. But I was baking a lot of banana bread in quarantine. I think I’ve mastered my banana bread.
My mom is really into making everything from scratch, so I’ve been interested and been wanting to do that more. I think the only thing that’s complicated for me is banana bread, but it is pretty easy.
What’s something that some people may find gross that you really love either as a snack or to eat?
When I was in quarantine, I have a few friends from Canada, and they would eat mac and cheese with ketchup. And I’m a big ketchup person and I tried it, and it’s great. And so, I ate that a lot in quarantine, and I got a lot of hate for that. Which is understandable.
Do you have a go-to mac and cheese? Are you doing Kraft Mac & Cheese?
What’s something that a lot of people like that you find kind of gross or weird?
Oof. My taste buds have changed a lot, especially these past few years. So, I’ve been starting to like a lot more things, but I hate olives and I hate cucumbers.
Are there any snack trends or things that you’ve seen going on that are just like, “Hmm, this is interesting or weird,” or, “Yes, I would love to try this”?
I will say recently I’ve been seeing a lot on TikTok that there’s this girl that eats everything with cottage cheese and mustard. She puts cottage cheese and mustard together and she’ll dip a sausage in it or fruit or vegetables, basically a dip. And I’ve been wanting to try it, it sounds kind of gross. But it seems kind of interesting because a lot of people like it.
Let’s talk about Pittsburgh a little bit, are there any restaurants or places in Pittsburgh that people have to go to when they’re in town?
I will say I have a favorite restaurant there and it’s in a really interesting location. I grew up in Murrysville, which is outside of the city, obviously, and it’s in the Monroeville Mall. It’s not in it, but it’s connected to it and it’s called Sawa and it’s hibachi. And it’s like a tradition. Every time I go home, my parents take me there because it’s my favorite place ever. And they just have such good fried rice and noodles. And if you’re really into hibachi, I think this will be a favorite for sure.
What’s your order besides the rice and noodles that probably come with every dish?
I get a steak as well. Medium-well. No pink. And I also drench my food in yum yum sauce while I’m there. And we always get a soup and salad that comes with it. I also get the Japanese soda (Ramune) because it’s the best.
As far as Pittsburgh food is concerned, is there a signature dish or a local dish that everybody has to try? Besides the fries on the sandwich, which everybody knows about at this point.
I don’t think there’s really a staple Pittsburgh food, but I will say from Philly, everyone loves Philly cheesesteaks there, so that’s a big deal.
I’m from the Philadelphia area, so definitely know a thing or two about those. What about snacks from Pittsburgh? Are there any unique regional things that you can’t get in California that you miss from Pittsburgh?
I don’t know if there’s necessarily a snack, but there is Sheetz. We have Sheetz.
Yeah, I know about Sheetz.
Of course you do. And is there a Wawa in Philly or is it Sheetz?
There’s Wawa in Philly, but if you go start going west, eventually you start seeing Sheetz, and then that’s when the Pennsylvania convenience store civil war begins. What do you get at Sheetz? What’s your go-to?
I always get the mac and cheese bites and the mozzarella sticks. Every time I bring someone home, I’m like, “You need to try Sheetz. It’s so good.”
Are you putting ketchup on the mac and cheese bites now?
Are there any amazing places that you’ve tried on the road that you could recall?
It’s been so long. I will say when I went to London, I went to Chiltern Firehouse. It’s kind of like a scene restaurant. We have a lot of those out in LA obviously, but the food is delicious and it’s a really cool vibe, and you’ll probably see someone that you want to see while you’re there.
If you head out that way, can you recommend anything to get off the menu or is it hard to remember?
I mean, they have great pasta, I will say. Also, Dishoom is really good in London. It’s an Indian place. It’s the best Indian food I’ve ever had.
How do you feel about the food in LA? Are there any places that you’d say people have to go in LA or is it mostly just that the scene is more the appeal than the food?
I mean, there are a lot of places that are about the scene for sure, which I don’t usually go to. But there is one restaurant in LA that I love very much, and it’s called Craig’s. They have this chicken, it comes on a waffle. It’s like hot honey chicken. It’s so good. And I can’t drink, but apparently they have great drinks there. And their dessert is so good. They have a lot of vegan stuff, vegan dessert, which is awesome. I think Craig’s is my favorite restaurant.
You just said you don’t drink, so when you’re going out with friends and stuff like that, what’s your mocktail or soda/juice?
I love Coke. I always drink Coke.
Last question, if you’re going the fast food route, who’s got the best chicken fingers or chicken nuggets in the game right now? Are we going to Chick-fil-A? Are we going to Raising Cane’s, or somewhere more regional?
I’m torn between Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s, because I will say, the sauce at Raising Cane’s is really good. So, I think I’m going to go with Cane’s.
And who’s got the better fries? Crinkle fries or waffle fries, what are we doing?
A new era of Coldplay begins now. Earlier this week, the band announced their upcoming 10th studio album, Moon Music, which is set to arrive this fall. Tonight (June 20), Coldplay has given us the first taste of Moon Music with the album’s lead single, “Feelslikeimfallinginlove.”
Produced by Max Martin, “Feelslikeimfallinginlove” is a percussion-driven rock track, emulating the cinematic feeling of opening oneself up to love. Having sung about love throughout much of Coldplay’s musical presence, the feeling of love doesn’t get old to lead vocalist Chris Martin.
“It feels like I’m falling in love / Maybe for the first time / Baby, it’s my mind you blow / It feels like I’m falling in love / You’re throwing me a lifeline / This is for a lifetime, I know,” sings Martin on the song’s chorus.
With nearly 30 years of delivering hits and dominating charts, Coldplay has become a household name, and upon the release of Moon Music, the rock stars aim to make this album their most environmentally conscious yet. Physical editions of the album will be made with 100% recycled plastic bottles.
Next Saturday (June 29), Coldplay will headline Glastonbury for the fifth time.
In the meantime, you can listen to “Feelslikeimfallinginlove” above.
Moon Music is out 10/4 via Atlantic. Find more information here.
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. This is quite a week for sneakerheads into collaborations. Jordan has teamed up with artist Nina Chanel Abney for a new take on the Jordan 3, ALD has linked up with New Balance for a new iteration of the 1000 silhouette, NFT and blockchain company RTFKT is dropping a collaboration with Nike (don’t worry, it’s real, not virtual), and Bad Bunny and Adidas have teamed up for their best collaboration yet.
That’s a lot of collaborations! And that doesn’t even cover all of the sneakers dropping this week. While we’re pretty psyched about the above, you can’t discount the women’s Jordan 11 Legend Pink or the high-top Jordan 1 Metallic Burgundy. It’s a great week for almost every type of sneakerhead.
Let’s dive into the best drops of the week.
Air Jordan 3 Retro x Nina Chanel Abney Bicoastal and Malachite
Nina Chanel Abney is proving to be a vital collaborator for Nike and her latest is by far my favorite. Built on a Jordan 3 base, Abney transforms this classic silhouette with a waxed canvas and shaggy suede upper with a leather-lined collar.
The sneaker is dipped in green tones with a fossil-colored midsole and hints of orange with a checkered insole design and thick rope laces. It’s amazing that a handful of small changes have completely transformed this sneaker into something completely new.
The Air Jordan 3 Retro x Nina Chanel Abney Bicoastal and Malachite is out now for a retail price of $225. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
Teddy Santis’ Aimé Leon Dore is New Balance’s best collaborator (it helps that Santis is also NB’s creative director) so it’s no surprise that there is a lot of hype surrounding the pair’s latest release.
Built on a 1000 silhouette, this sneaker features a perforated leather upper with mesh underlays, a split midfoot shank, and ABZROB cushioning. There is something extra clean and futuristic about this release, which is interesting because as much as I love Teddy Santis’ work with New Balance, I wouldn’t call his dominating aesthetic “futuristic,” by any means.
This shoe is proof Santis has some tricks up his sleeve.
The ALD x New Balance 1000 Sea Salt with Concrete is out now for a retail price of $164.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
The Nike Dunk Genesis is very much a sneaker for gamers, it even looks like something you’d wear in a futuristic MMO or battle royale-style game. The sneaker sports a canvas and synthetic nubuck upper with silicon-printed lines, molded elements, and a purple and black colorway.
Each pair comes equipped with an NFC tag which enables you to acquire a virtual counterpart of the sneaker. Which is cool if you’re into that sort of thing. I’m not, but I think the sneaker design is interesting, especially if you’re going for a specific type of fashion aesthetic.
The RTFKT x Nike Dunk Genesis Void Edition is set to drop on June 21st at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $222. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Simply beautiful, what’s not to love here? The sneaker features a textile leather upper with a smooth patent leather mudguard in a soft pink hue with a matching outsole. I love it, partly because I’m a sucker for pink and white but also because I’ve never seen an Air Jordan 11 look this pretty.
In fact, that’s not a word I ever thought I’d use when talking about a double-digit Jordan silhouette.
The Women’s Air Jordan 11 Legend Pink is set to drop on June 22nd at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $190. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
Fans of vintage Jordan 1s will love this Metallic Burgundy colorway of the sneaker. Made to the original ’85 era specs, this AJ-1 sports a full leather upper with metallic accents. It’s designed with purists in mind but it’s a reminder on just how much Peter Moore knocked it out of the park with this initial design.
The Air Jordan 1 High ’85 Metallic Burgundy is set to drop on June 22nd at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from the streetwear brand HUF, but this week they are teaming up with Nike for a new take on the Air Max 1 that celebrates the two brands’ 20th anniversary as partners.
The sneaker features a classic Air Max build with design details that callback to HUF and Nike’s first partnership in 2004. The more understated colorway stands in stark contrast with everything else dropping this week and harkens back to a very different era in sneaker tastes. For that, we love it.
The Air Max 1 x HUG Anthracite and Medium Grey is set to drop on June 22nd at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $160. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
I’ve long hoped that Bad Bunny would move on from the Adidas Forum silhouette and bring his unique sense of style and aesthetics to other silhouettes so I’m happy to see Benito take a stab at the Adidas Gazelle Indoor.
Dubbed the “San Juan,” the sneaker takes inspiration from the gleaming waters that surround Puerto Rico, combining gradients of bright blue with grey and white accents, all riding on a translucent gum sole.
Thick rope laces and gold foil branding round out the design. This sneaker is lacking Bad Bunny’s usual psychedelic style and its better for it. This is easily the best sneaker Bad Bunny has ever dropped
The Bad Bunny x Adidas Gazelle Indoor San Juan is set to drop on June 23rd for a retail price of $140. Pick up a pair at retailers like Sneaker Politics, and more or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.
AdidasAdidas
Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.
Flipping through my history book in elementary school, I’d stop on the page with photos of Machu Picchu thinking, “I HAVE to see this with my own eyes one day,” without even knowing exactly where “this” was. Peru’s Machu Picchu stands as one of the most renowned New Wonders of the World—an architectural marvel and cultural enigma. A true bucket-list destination (though I cringe at that term… it’s also pretty darn fitting).
Embodying my preferred travel style, I opted to get to Machu Picchu sans tour group. It’s not that I can’t appreciate the guidance of a tour operator — like I did on this homestay in Peru — I just love the accomplished feeling of DIY travel experiences. And I mean… the Incas literally sought refuge from Spanish invaders at Machu Picchu because they knew they wouldn’t be found. Meaning it’s not an easy destination to get to. But for solo travelers like myself, empowering ourselves through self-planning is half the joy of travel.
Below is your guide for organizing an independent expedition to Machu Picchu — from securing your park, train, and bus tickets (trust me, it’s not as simple as it seems) to our top accommodation suggestion, all tailored with Uproxx flair. My advice? Ditch the rushed day trip from Cusco and spend a night in charming Machu Picchu Pueblo — it’s totally worth it!
Machu Picchu Admission Ticket
Melanie Gordon
I snagged my Machu Picchu ticket online just 48 hours before my visit – risky business during peak season (June, July, and August), but this was in January, so tickets were plentiful both online and in person. Even on the day before!
Since earlier this year, tensions over Machu Picchu ticketing prompted the government to cancel their outsourcing agreement (a win for the people), you can still purchase tickets online through the official website or trusted resale websites. You can also purchase Machu Picchu tickets in person at the Ministry of Culture office in Cusco or Aguas Calientes. There, tickets are $41 – about $25 cheaper than online.
Train to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)
PeruRail
Once you have your entrance ticket, you’ll need to get your train ticket. (The only other way to reach the site is by trekking, which is not covered in this guide.) If you buy your train ticket online, get yourself to the in-person ticket office 30 minutes before train departure time. Validating your digital ticket in person is a mandatory step to board the train!
Have your passport and receipt in hand and get ready to weave through some major crowds of people. I encountered some unexpected delays after leaving a rural homestay three hours away and managed to make with just minutes to spare. It was sort of a miracle I arrived on time to validate my ticket… Picture me sprinting down a dirt hill with a giant tote bag to catch a tuk-tuk to the main road.
My train ride to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) from Ollantaytambo was about $52 on the PeruRail Expedition line, but prices vary depending on train type, time, and date. If you want a luxury train, check out Inca Rail and A Belmont Train.
Remember that while trains depart from Cusco directly to Aguas Calientes in the high season, you’ll need to purchase a “bimodal” ticket the rest of the year. The bimodal ticket includes both train and bus transportation to and from Cusco. Interestingly, this ticket results in less time on the train and more on a bus.
Machu Picchu Bus
Melanie Gordon
The final step to reach Machu Picchu is the bus from Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes), to the citadel. You can grab your bus ticket online or at the Consettur ticketing office in Cusco or Aguas Calientes. The ride takes just 15-20 minutes and costs $24 round trip.
Aside from its charm and history, I loved staying the night in Aguas Calientes because it allowed me ample time to get my ducks in a row. As a destination that sees over one million tourists a year, the bus can get booked up with rides for the following day pretty quickly!
Extra Machu Picchu Tips
Consider visiting Machu Picchu during the shoulder or off-season for a more relaxed experience. Not only does it help support local economies, but you’ll be able to score last-minute tickets, encounter fewer crowds, and feel good about easing over-tourism at this UNESCO site. Just don’t forget to brush up on some history before you go! If you want a guided tour, certified guides are readily available at the gates just before you enter the Machu Picchu citadel.
Optimal route advice from the ticket booth staff led me to “Walking Circuit 2.” I suggest buying tickets for all circuits and following the numbered signage for route two. As for the best time of day to visit Machu Picchu — the morning clouds usually clear up around 10-11 am.
Lastly, I discovered that there’s definitely a preferred side of the train with better views. Fortunately, I lucked out with that side both times! While specific seats can’t be requested online, you can inquire in person for seats on the river side, identified by the second set of four numbers (e.g., seats 5-8, 13-16). I didn’t try this, but it’s worth a shot!
Where to Stay: Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)
Melanie Gordon
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Melanie Gordon
Machu Picchu isn’t a spot we stumble upon every day. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime destinations. Given the effort and epicness of getting there, why not immerse yourself in style? That’s what went through my head during my stay at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel’s Suites Inkaterra. Relaxing in my secluded jacuzzi below the misty peaks of the Andes, I couldn’t help but melt into the grandeur of this solo adventure.
Farm to table meals at Inkaterra are served in the elegant dining room overlooking the Vilcanota River – with a hearty breakfast buffet and served dinner included in your stay. If you have time, take one of the included excursions like the nighttime Incan constellation walk. And don’t miss a deep tissue massage at Onno Spa after a day of hiking around Machu Picchu.
On June 19, 2024, Louisiana governor Jeff Landry signed a new law requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed, in “large, easily readable font,” in every public school classroom from kindergarten to state-funded universities. The move prompted an outcry from Americans citing the first amendment clause that the government “shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Author and attorney Andrew Seidel took to X to argue why the law is not only unconstitutional, but un-American.
Seidel begins by sharing that the first commandment in the specified text that the law requires be posted in classrooms states, “I AM the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
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“The point of this bill is to give the false impression that America is a Christian nation,” Seidel wrote in his thread. “That’s Christian Nationalism.”
Seidel says that the first commandment directly conflicts with the founding principles of the United States.
“No law—and this would be a law—can tell an American to worship a god, let alone which god. Americans are free to be godless (as a growing number are), or, if they wish, to worship every god from every holy book.”
He pointed to the law’s sponsor, Rep. Dodie Horton, stating in her explanation of why she proposed the bill: “I’m not concerned with an atheist. I’m not concerned with a Muslim. I’m concerned with our children looking and seeing what God’s law is.”
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In addition to the establishment of religion as a constitutional problem, Seidel shared that the Louisiana law uses an edited version of the Ten Commandments in the text that the state specifies.
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Seidel explained that there are various translations and interpretations of the Ten Commandments, and that such differences have been the basis of different schisms within Christianity itself, not to mention “as James Madison put it, the ‘torrents of blood’ that have been spilled, trying to impose a state-sanctioned version of religious truth.”
“That’s what Louisiana is doing here,” Seidel wrote. “Imposing it’s version of religious truth on kids in public schools. It’s gross.”
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Seidel then explained the issue with Louisiana’s editing of the King James Version of the Ten Commandments, paring it down and removing certain phrases.
“If the state can rewrite one religion’s holy book, it can rewrite yours. Louisiana does not have this power. Nor does it have the power to impose that religious edict on a captive audience of your children.”
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“This is the worst kind of big government conservatives claim to oppose,” Seidel added. “More to the point, this is one reason we have the separation of church and state, and it’s precisely how that separation protects everyone and helps ensure the foundational value of religious freedom. It not only prevents the state from weighing in on religious disagreements, scriptural discrepancies, and theological debates, but also refuses to empower the state to force its preferred scripture or religious doctrine onto we the people.”
Imagine if a state legislature with Muslim or Hindu or Buddhist-majority decided that an excerpt from one of those faith’s holy books prohibiting the worship of any other deities was required to be posted in every public school classroom. The same people who are pushing for and praising this law probably wouldn’t stand for it.
Opponents of the Louisiana law argue the idea that the U.S. was founded on the principles found in the Ten Commandments is negated as soon as you put the first commandment up against the first amendment. The U.S. was largely founded on the principle of religious freedom. The first amendment prohibits the government from telling the people what to believe or whom or how to worship. The first commandment specifically states whom the people must worship, and the second, third and fourth commandment specify how they should worship and there therefore incompatible as government-sanctioned messages.
Virtually no one is arguing that all of the Ten Commandments are bad. Not killing, lying or stealing are standard moral codes for the vast majority of humanity, regardless of religious background. But the others are very much asserting Judeo-Christian religious beliefs, and Seidel says for the government to require that assertion in classrooms is blatantly unconstitutional and un-American as well.
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(WARNING: Spoilers for The Chi season 6 will be found below.)
The penultimate episode in season six of The Chi leaves plenty at stock for the future of the series’ characters, especially after last week’s episode “Smoke & Mirrors.” Emmett is still working to break free from Douda’s grasp, but the new discovery of Nuk being Ronnie’s biological father has made his life more stressful that it needs to be. Now that Victor is free from jail for good, he must regain some sense of normalcy in his life and that includes working to win back his girlfriend Fatima. Elsewhere, Papa continues his new job as assistant to Pastor Zeke and Nina rekindles an old flame with a past lover.
Here’s what to expect on the next episode in The Chi season six:
When Will The Chi Season 6, Episode 15 Come Out?
The fifteenth episode of The Chi season six, titled “Tower Of Terror,” will arrive on June 21. The episode will be available on Friday, 6/21 on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME app starting at midnight EST/PST. The episode will later air on the SHOWTIME TV channel on June 23 at 9 pm ET/PT. A synopsis for “Tower Of Terror” can be found below:
Emmett struggles with his new normal; Roselyn stresses over her own safety; Victor weighs his political career and life with Fatima; the city is on edge for what lies ahead.
‘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
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