Month: June 2024

Ten months after a man’s wife passed away, he finally got the courage to read a letter she left him, which contained a devastating admission. The 4-year-old son they had together may not be his.

“My ‘darling’ wife passed away 10 months ago,” the man wrote on Reddit’s Off My Chest forum. “She wrote a letter for me before she died, but I couldn’t bring myself to read it until now. She told me how sorry she was that she didn’t have the guts to tell me this to my face when she was alive.”

In the letter, the wife revealed that there was a “good chance” that the son he thought was his wasn’t his biological child. A few weeks before their wedding day, the wife got drunk at her bachelorette party and had a one-night stand with another man. Soon after that night, she became pregnant but was unsure who the father was.

The man was torn whether or not to have the paternity test done. The child had only one parent in this world, and he would have to take care of him regardless. He also thought it was cowardly that his former wife would wait until she was no longer around to share the truth with him.

“So she thought she’d rather drop this bomb on my life when I could no longer confront her about it,” the man wrote. “Now that my son would only have one parent looking out for him, and she’d have no idea how I would even react. Maybe I should not have got the paternity test done. Maybe it might be better to live in ignorance. But I just had to know.”

The man took the paternity test and learned he wasn’t the child’s biological father.

“I’m devastated. This doesn’t change how I feel about my son,” he wrote. “He’s my whole world and he’s innocent. But boy, does it hurt. There’s so much going on in my head right now. I haven’t stopped crying. Thank god my son is at my parents’ place for the day. I’d hate for him to see me like this.”

Facing a pain nearly too much for him to bear, the only outlet he had at the moment was reaching out to Reddit to find some solace. “I just needed to let this all out. Don’t have it in me to tell anyone in my life about this right now,” he wrote.

The commenters send him hundreds of messages of support to get him through the shock of first learning the truth about his family.

The most popular message was straightforward and honest. “All your feelings are valid, a lot of people will react with some kind of toxic positivity to things like these. Your feelings are valid. Each and everyone,” femunndsmarka wrote.

Another commenter added that someday, his son will appreciate how he stepped up and did what was right in a very trying circumstance. “He is going to find out the truth one day. Imagine how much more he will love you knowing you didn’t leave him, even though he wasn’t yours,” ImNotGoodatThis6969.

Another commenter provided valuable insight from the son’s perspective.

“As an adopted child, I just want to thank you on behalf of your son. I deeply believe it changes nothing, family is not about blood, its about who you love, want to have by your side, and care for the most. Sending hugs, strength and gratitude,” Mariuuq wrote.

The father at the heart of this story is understandably devastated because his life was upended almost overnight. But the hope in the story is that his trials also taught him a powerful truth—his love for his son goes much deeper than blood.

This article originally appeared on 9.28.23

As the baby boomer generation reaches their “golden years,” many of them are starting to think about what to do with their earthly possessions, much to the chagrin of some of their Gen X, millennial and Gen Z descendants.

How many of us really want to take over our grandma’s collection of dolls or plates when we have no interest in collecting ourselves? How many people have homes filled with furniture we actually like, only to be offered antiques and heirlooms that we have neither the desire nor room for? What about china sets, artwork and other things our elders have loved that they want to see passed down in the family that no one in the family really wants?

It’s a delicate road to navigate, as a post on X illustrated. Jodi-Ann Quarrie shared a screenshot of a story a man shared about his wife fighting with his mother-in-law about the china sets she wanted her children to have. She had four adult children and four sets of china for them to divvy amongst themselves, but all four kids refused. An argument ensued about how none of the china had ever been used, even on special occasions, and culminated in the wife telling the mother-in-law that she was going to use the plates as frisbees after she dies.

People’s reactions to the story were mixed. Some pointed out that there’s no reason for someone to say something so cruel to a family member (or anyone, for that matter). Others felt that the mother-in-law was being unreasonable by not accepting no for an answer.

This is going to be a sad story for so many families. People are saving mahogany dining sets, breakfronts full of exquisite glasses and plates, and whole sets of silverware for their children who do not want, need, or have a place to put them.

— (@)

Extreme as the story may have been, there is a clear generational divide between the post-Depression era folks who think passing down heirlooms is generous and the generations that are accustomed to replacing things every few years because of planned obsolescence. There is also a divide between people who attach their life story to their belongings to the point that if their things aren’t valued then neither are they, and people who don’t tie memories or sentimentality to material things at all.

How do we bridge these divides? Each family dynamic and situation is different, of course, but here are four principles to keep in mind if you’re on the receiving end of an heirloom offer you don’t really want.

1) Don’t diminish the value—either monetary or sentimental—of what an elder is offering.

These things may mean nothing to you, but they obviously mean something to the person who wants you to have. There’s no need to hurt their feelings by being brazen about how their outdated furniture isn’t really worth anything anymore or to point out that you have no emotional attachment to it. That all might be true, but is it necessary to share that with someone who is nearing the end of their life and feeling sentimental? No. It doesn’t meant you have to take it, either, but a little empathy, even if it’s not how you would feel about your own belongings, goes a long way.

2) If they’re trying to give you something now and you really don’t want it or have room for it, offer alternatives.

It’s perfectly reasonable to tell a loved one that on a practical level you simply don’t have the space for something. What the person usually wants is to know that a piece of them is going to be carried on as a physical memory and proof of their existence, so offer them a way to do that in a way that works for you.

Try something like this: “I would love to have something of yours that is meaningful that we can pass down, but we already have all the furniture we are able to manage—is there something like a piece of jewelry or a photo album or something else that we could pick out together as an heirloom for our side of the family?”

@notyourleader @yooneedmorejodi I’m really sorry you’re having this problem. Do you think she could hear something like, “That’s so kind of you, but I’d rather you kept it here for now, so I can see it with you. It just means so much more, seeing you and it together.”nnIt’s a tough problem.

— (@)

3) Be kind about their wishes while they’re still here.

It’s not easy getting older, and people’s feelings about their life and death are worthy of consideration and compassion. If it brings an older person joy to see belongings they value being passed down while they’re still alive, it might be worth letting them have that joy. Again, they might just want to know that their memory is going to live on.

It’s difficult for us to imagine what it’s like to be old when we’re young, but it’s not too hard to understand the desire to be remembered. That desire manifests differently for different people. Kindness can look like taking the items with gratitude and waiting until they pass away to give them away. It can also be gently refusing them for now, telling them it makes you happy to see them enjoying their things, and reassuring them that you’ll make sure their items are taken care of when they’re no longer here. (Taking care of doesn’t mean keeping, but they don’t necessarily need to know that detail. Honesty must be balanced with tact and thoughtfulness here.)

@baker_tricia @yooneedmorejodi That was the kind and loving thing to do.

— (@)

4) You are not obligated to hold onto something someone gave you, especially after they are gone. (But also, stay open to the idea that you might want to.)

No one is obligated to hold onto anything they don’t really want. You also don’t have to tell the person that you’re not planning to keep their stuff—let them be at peace about it while they’re here. It’s perfectly okay to let go of their material things after they’re gone. It’s highly unlikely that they’re going to care at that point.

However, it’s also wise to stay open to the idea that you might actually want some of the things a loved one gives you after they pass. We never know how grief and loss are going to impact us, regardless of our relationship with someone, and sometimes people regret getting rid of all of their family members’ belongings too quickly. It might be wise to just say yes to some things for now (if you are able to) and then decide what to do with them later.

Again, every situation is different, so these principles may or may not apply perfectly to your own circumstances, but the central message is to be kind and compassionate. We all have a limited amount of time here that shouldn’t be wasted fighting over material things.

This article originally appeared on 4.6.24

Back in 2021, it was announced that Saber Interactive, the makers of the Evil Dead video game franchise, had acquired the rights to create a game based on the A Quiet Place movie franchise, with an expected release date of 2022. However, news about the game went, well, quiet for nearly three years, before a trailer suddenly dropped on Monday announcing the game, called A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, would be arriving later in 2024.

Details remain fairly scarce, but the game will release on Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5, and PC. The trailer shows you trying to quietly navigate your way through a warehouse as quietly as possible, ending with a wrong step creating too much noise and leading to one of the monsters attacking. The game’s official website offers a bit of insight into the game. It will be an untold story taking place in the A Quiet Place universe, so not following any of the soon-to-be three movies (with A Quiet Place: Day One releasing on June 28), where you play as a young survivor trying to navigate the post-apocalyptic universe, trying to remain as quiet as possible to avoid the sightless creatures that have taken over the planet.

Fans are hopeful they’ll add an open mic element to the game, to really create an immersive experience, but we’ll have to wait to find out exactly how quiet you’ll have to be when playing what looks to be a pretty terrifying game.

Pixar mostly steered clear of sequels in the first decade of its existence, aside from Toy Story 2, which is a rare instance where the sequel is on par with the original. But somewhere in the 2010’s, the animators realized that all of those teens who saw the early Pixar flicks with their parents are now adults with wallets (presumably) so they started making more and more sequels, mostly of the Cars variety.

Now, it’s time for Inside Out to have its second wave of attention, and it seems to be working. The sequel, Inside Out 2, has already scored the biggest box office debut of the year, all thanks to our friend Anxiety. That seems to imply that another installment could be in the works, as long as the fans are on board.

Director Kelsey Mann told USA Today that they have a plethora of ideas lines up if a sequel is ordered.

“There’s something about the Inside Out world where it’s met with open arms. Everybody’s like, ‘What age is she? I can’t wait to hear where she is in her life’. [We have] a whole stockpile of ideas. They’re too good, they’re too funny, they’re too interesting for them not to be tapped into,” he said. Doesn’t everyone want to see what it’s like when Riley gets her first job rejection email, or how her brain will handle the complexity of jury duty?

Mann concluded that if the fans want it, a third one isn’t off the table. “So I have no idea where the future will go, (but) it should continue because I think it’s something that the audience really wants.” All the audience really wants is a Bing Bong redemption arc. Until then, we will have to settle for a TV series.

Inside Out 2 is now playing in theaters.

(Via Deadline)

Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine made Uproxx’s “Best Albums Of 2024 So Far” list. “The Boy Is Mine” was an immediate favorite upon its March 8 release, but the callback to Brandy and Monica’s 1998 hit of the same name has even more juice after Grande dropped her “The Boy Is Mine” video co-starring Penn Badgley and featuring cameos by Brandy and Monica.

Brandy and Monica’s involvement in the video was an Easter egg, as it were, because Grande announced “The Boy Is Mine (Remix)” with Brandy and Monica will be released this Friday, June 21.

“I ……… cannot believe this is real (i don’t know if i will even long after it’s out),” Grande captioned an Instagram teaser video. “My deepest and sincerest thank you to Brandy and Monica, not only for joining me for this moment, but for your generosity, your kindness, and for the countless ways in which you have inspired me. It is near impossible to say how much this means to me. This is in celebration of you both and the impact that you have had on every vocalist, vocal producer, musician, artist that is creating today. I loooooove you both so so much. Tthank you !!!!!!! THE BOY IS MINE REMIX JUNE 21.”

Around the album’s release, Grande spoke with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe about “The Boy Is Mine” is relation to “True Story” on the Eternal Sunshine tracklist and confirmed her adoration for Brandy and Monica’s original song.

“It sets up ‘The Boy Is Mine,’ obviously,” she said. “It’s like, okay, I’ll play the bad girl; now, here’s your bad girl anthem. That’s why they’re in that order on the tracklist.”

Grande added, “I love that song. I’ve always wanted to re-imagine that song in some kind of way.”

Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” charted for 27 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1998, including 13 weeks at No. 1.

To prepare for the remix, watch Grande’s new “The Boy Is Mine” video below.

(Spoilers from Prime Video/Amazon’s The Boys will obviously appear below.)

The Boys‘ fourth season began with the show’s customary depravity cranked up to eleven. Since there shall only be five total seasons of the show, they might as well stuff that grossness onscreen while they can, and of course, no character on the show is immune to being humbled by seeing something that will leave them wanting some eyeball bleach.

Such was the case when the blood-bending head popper, Victoria Neuman, opened a text from Billy Butcher. She was anticipating some valuable information, but Butcher had another plan. He apparently decided that Neuman should stick her agenda where the sun don’t shine. So he showed her exactly where, you know, the sun will never shine.

The glare of a flashbulb, however? Yes, that went right into the image of — and there’s no graceful way to say this — a sphincter. Naturally, Neuman recoiled at this sight, and viewers immediately wanted to know whether Karl Urban had actually photographed his sphincter.

Logically, everyone must have realized that this was not a photo of Karl Urban or even Billy Butcher, but as showrunner Eric Kripke revealed, the question kept coming his way, so he had an answer. Yes, people are weird:

“Because hundreds of you asked: the butthole from #TheBoys Season 4, Ep 1 is NOT Butcher’s (or Karl’s),” Kripke found himself typing. “We hired a model (I don’t know his name). I chose the pic, based on about 20 different butthole shots. Yep, Hollywood is a glamorous dream factory.”

There you have it. You probably do not want a donut now, but join the club.

Ariana Grande has one of the most distinctive voices in popular music, and that’s true both when she’s singing and just talking. Some have noticed, though, that over the years, Grande’s natural speaking voice appears to have changed. That conversation has now been revitalized thanks to a new interview.

Grande was recently a guest on Penn Badgley’s Podcrushed podcast and one clip from the chat is making the rounds on X (formerly Twitter). In the clip, Grande laughingly makes a comment about something that was said previously, and her voice sounds lower than it typically does. When she moves on to a different topic, though, her voice returns to the higher-sounding version she usually speaks in nowadays.

Social media has been full of reactions. One X user wrote, “i lowkey hate Ariana’s new voice i miss the way she use to speak her new voice is just so forced to me.” The user who originally shared the Podcrushed clip added in another tweet, “i seen a couple people call it weird. yall acting like y’all’s voices don’t change in certain spaces and settings. her interview voice is no different, especially cause singers use to to preserve their vocals. don’t bring no dumb sh!t over here.”

Another X user backed up that vocal preservation claim by sharing an old video of Grande explaining this herself. In the clip, Grande’s voice sounds like the higher version she most frequently uses today. Grande says in the video, “I’m speaking in a slightly higher placement than I usually speak in, because I’ve been doing a lot of interviews all day and I’m trying to keep my voice healthy.”

First things first: R&B is not dead. It’s a necessary reminder that’s just as annoying to repeat as it is to hear from the occasional critic of the genre. I mean, when you look at what the genre has delivered in 2024, it’s hard to deny its life. In the first six months of the year, fans saw the return of veteran artists who went years without releasing a full body of work. Bryson Tiller re-emerged with his self-titled fourth album, his best body of work since his 2015 debut. PARTYNEXTDOOR brought back the classic feeling of his mid-2010s music with his own fourth album PARTYNEXTDOOR 4. Finally, after nearly a decade without a project, Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge’s NxWorries finally delivered a new album with Why Lawd? and lawd did they deliver.

On the flip side, there were plenty of newcomers who expanded their fan base with well-crafted debuts and sophomore albums. Normani’s long-awaited debut album Dopamine met all expectations as did Tems’ debut Born In The Wild. Sinéad Harnett, Fana Hues, and Loony were nothing short of captivating and with their outputs and then there’s DJ and producer ESTA. who constructed one of the best compilation of R&B artists we’ve seen over the last few years.

There’s so much to love from R&B so far in 2024, so let’s get into it. Here are the 15 best R&B albums of 2024 so far:

Bryson Tiller — Bryson Tiller

Bryson Tiller told Complex that his self-titled album would “probably be my last one for a minute.” Enduring another Tiller hiatus? Bummer. But Bryson Tiller‘s entrancing 19 songs eased the melancholy — reinforcing Tiller as a reliable rap/R&B reservoir. “Whatever She Wants” led the charge — peaking at No. 5 and No. 19 on Billboard‘s Hot Rap Songs and Hot 100, respectively. Save for excellent Clara La San (“Random Access Memory [RAM]”) and Victoria Monét (“Persuasion”) features, Tiller allows fans precious alone time with his perspective. “Hope you don’t get bored with me over time,” he sings on the ballad “Undertow.” We won’t. — Megan Armstrong

Charlotte Day Wilson — Cyan Blue

The realm of alternative R&B is a playground that Charlotte Day Wilson makes an alluring experience. The soft-voiced Toronto singer woos the ear with seranades sweet enough to bring peace to the mind and body. Her second album Cyan Blue is no different, but it does mark a new chapter for Wilson. The pressures to create a perfect body of work withered away before Cyan Blue and out came a 13-track captivating experience. She waxes poetic about leveling up in love “My Way” and triumphs over her detractors on “Canopy” which is as slick as we’ve heard Wilson. With Cyan Blue, Charlotte Day Wilson breaks free from her own limitations and that of others for an album that is truly free in all the best ways.

ESTA. — Francis

For years, producer ESTA. stood behind the boards to help craft some of the better offerings in contemporary R&B. Still, his true vision with the genre had to be put on display until the release of his debut album Francis. Through just ten songs, ESTA. explores the field and widens the boundaries with help from artists who established their chemistry with ESTA. years prior. A funky tunes get kicked into high gear on the DUCKWRTH and Joyce Wrice-assisted “Too Fast.” Kenyon Dixon and Mack Keane excellently capture the emotions and thoughts behind a relationship that’s falling apart on “Outta Space” while Arin Ray captures the initial moments of a magnetizing love on “Controllin.” On each song, ESTA. proves that he’s a master of the soundscape, and by selecting the most talented artist for the moment at hand, Francis strikes as one of the best crafted R&B albums of the year.

Fana Hues — MOTH

Fana Hues arrived to sir the soul and blow the mind away with her third album Moth. Through 13 songs, Hues emerges as both electric and gracious, ferocious and pristine, in what amounts to a truly otherworldly experience from the Pasadena singer. Look no further than the sassy “Rental” which explodes into a summertime bop wrapped in the confident struts of a singer ready to take on the world. “Sweetlike” opts for a sultry and playful breakdown of two lovers’ dynamic while “What Speaks” unwinds and oozes into a plea for Hues to enter the mind of her partner. Moth is unlike any other R&B project released this year, making for yet another standout moment by the incomparable by Hues.

Jordan Mackampa — Welcome Home, Kid!

Four years after his debut album, British-Congolese singer Jordan Mackampa determined that it was time to reintroduce himself to new and old fans. Welcome Home, Kid! brought an unapologetically soulful artist to centerstage with the ability to uplift the mind and boost the heart with just one verse. “Proud Of You” keeps you light on your feet with a giddy dance and “Step By Step” takes you to church with glorious trumpets, lively drums, and the energy that only a family cookout can provide. Welcome Home, Kid! celebrates the moment that things start to make a little more sense. Jordan Mackampa’s second coming as an artist is also the rediscovery of his purpose, something incredibly evident on his sophomore album.

Loony — Loony

The first thing that will probably catch your attention about Toronto singer Loony is her silky smooth vocals that always make it a joy to indulge in her music. Her self-titled debut album employs these vocals for a riveting tale of rising out of the perils of failed love and persevering onto the next thing. Loony thrives with deeply honest and self-aware moments like “Too Attached” where Loony admits her inability to exit an inadequate relationship in a timely manner. On the flip side, “A Good Night” wastes no time throwing it all away and disregard the wishes of her partner. Among that, there are still bright moments. “First Thing Smokin’” sweetly sings of an unconditional love while “Tiger Eye” prioritizes the fun of today and disregards the worries of tomorrow. Loony is as fun as it is honest, making for an enjoyable experience we can all relate to.

Normani — Dopamine

There were times where it seemed like it would never come, but Normani made 2024 the year to finally release her long-awaited debut album Dopamine. Through 13 songs, Normani makes her debut worth the wait by inducing the same euphoria in her listeners as her album title is known to produce. “Big Boy” with Starrah commands the room with impenetrable confidence as Normani brags about her accolades and Houston roots. “Insomnia,” one of Normani’s best songs, finds her suffocated and restless over heartache. “Take My Time” flashes her versatility with a high-energy dance record while “Tantrums” opts for a dark and gloomy set up. With Dopamine, Normani is free; free to showcase her artistry in its truest and best form, true to live up to and past the artistic standards before, and free to say “I told you so” with a debut that stamped the promising career that awaits her.

NxWorries — Why Lawd?

It took them nearly eight years to get it done, but Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge’s NxWorries finally released their sophomore album Why Lawd?. Where their 2016 debut Yes Lawd! was a celebratory affair dressed in the funky beats and the high spirits of .Paak, Why Lawd? is born out of turmoil and heartbreak. .Paak weathers the storm of lost love with his emotions on his sleeve, remaining brave and confident despite a tear streak down the eye. “FromHere” contemplates the next move follow love’s sudden absence and “Where I Go” acknowledges the ups and downs present in a relationship. “MoveOn” struggles to adjust to change while the brief “DistantSpace” hopes for a final chance despite romance’s departure. Why Lawd? presents that very question in the aftermath of heartbreak, and though it never receives a proper answer, the exploration of it makes for another impressive album from NxWorries.

PARTYNEXTDOOR — PARTYNEXTDOOR 4

The PartyNextDoor of old — that is, the one from the mid-2010s — re-emerged thanks to his fourth album, PartyNextDoor 4. The signs for a return to classic days were there thanks to singles like the scornful “Her Old Friends” and the praising “Real Woman.” With PartyNextDoor 4, though the feel is reminiscent of the past, we’re presented with a story of the singer who wants to grow from the man behind the mic on past projects. Genuine strides for authentic love are made on PND’s fourth album, more so than we heard on past bodies of work. Though he slips into a shell of his past on a couple of occasions, the desire and effort to be better makes PartyNextDoor 4 an excellent listen, especially when it houses one of PND’s best-composed songs to date with “No Chill.” — W.O.

Serpentwithfeet — Grip

With his third album Grip, Serpentwithfeet enters a new era in his career. The ten songs on the album find the Baltimore singer in touch with the more personal sides of his life as the album explores intimacy in romance, whether that be the touch of the hand around in the waist of your partner during a night out at the club as depicted on “Damn Gloves” or the accidental discovery of deep love following the “sixth night of a one-night stand” as Serpent sings on “Deep End.” Grip, just like Serpent did, finds its home in the flashing lights of Black queer nightlife and celebrates the communities within it that made Serpent comfortable enough to express himself. The sensitivity and the attention to detail are among the ingredients that make Grip a captivating listen.

Shaé Universe — Love’s Letter

Nigerian-British singer Shaé Universe’s second project Love’s Letter is a nostalgic trip to the past meshed with modern influences from today’s R&B world. Inspiration from the likes of India.Arie, Brandy, and Lauryn Hill are hard to ignore through the project’s ten songs, but Shaé makes them her own for a body of work that could indeed stand the test of time. Love’s Letter ponders what it would be like for love to deliver a letter for each phase of your life, and what amounts from it are moments of true love, self-love, and the absence of love. “More Than Enough” is a moving reminder that no love is better than self-love while “LOML” finds Shaé whisked off her feet thanks to the presence of a love like no other. Love’s Letter is one for old-school and new-school R&B fans from an artist certain to be here for a while.

Sinéad Harnett — Boundaries

Through a bit of therapy, healing, and reflection came the creation of Sinéad Harnett’s third album Boundaries. The 16-track affair present Harnett at her strongest and most aware as her newfound peace require the utmost protection, which brings to the Boundaries present for Harnett in her life and on this album. “Thinking Less” is both a reflection of heartbreak and a declaration to never accept the bare minimum or less when it comes to love. While “The Most” disposes of an inconsistent love, “Unfamiliar” makes use of Harnett’s newfound wisdom in romance to steer away from a potential relationship riddled with red flags. Boundaries is what the other side of heartbreak is supposed to look like and Sinéad Harnett emerges from it a new woman ready for a new story where she stands stronger than ever.

SiR — Heavy

Birthed from a time he calls the “worst year of my life,” SiR’s fourth album Heavy unpacks all the highs and lows of a journey that saw him nearly reach a point of no return in his life. The album’s title track recounts the days where addiction ruled his life. The persistent “I’m Not Perfect” admits to internal flaws while also putting forth the fight to not those flaws control their every move. While Heavy depicts the dark days of SiR’s life, it also captures the brighter days and improvement that found its way to the singer after his period of struggle. The optimistic “Life Is Good,” the self-sufficient “Poetry In Motion,” and the determined “Tryin’ My Hardest” are all evidence of this. In the end, SiR’s Heavy is an emotional, raw, and honest account of picking yourself up at your lowest and getting your life together before it’s too late.

Tems — Born In The Wild

Three years after her breakout into the mainstream world, Tems’ debut album Born In The Wild arrived as a refreshing tale of how the singer emerged from her shell to become a star. It’s more than a rags-to-riches story. At its conclusion, Born In The Wild is a delightful testimony for the fruits one could bare through faith. Born In The Wild is a balanced affair that captures Tems in as many reflective moments (“Born In The Wild” & “Burning”) as there are joyous and carefree ones (“Wickedest” & “Get It Right”). Furthermore, tales of love like “Unfortunate,” “Forever,” and “Free Fall” are thrown into the pot to make Born In The Wild a complete, excellently crafted debut.

Usher — Coming Home

For the last 18 months, Usher thrusted himself into the spotlight to remind music lovers of his legacy. From his eventful and sometimes controversy-producing Las Vegas residency to his 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Usher was nothing but a showman looking to entertain and impress the audience. Much of that is the same on Usher’s ninth album Coming Home, which, true to its title, is a return to form for the Atlanta native. Coming Home combines the best of Usher’s sonic landscapes with elements of traditional and contemporary R&B, upbeat pop, and flashy dance records. Coming Home is arguably Usher’s best output in a decade, but at the very least, it proves why he’s been able to thrive in the music industry.

Scooter Braun has been surrounded by question marks for almost a year. Last August, reports surfaced that Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato left Braun and his company, SB Projects, to seek other management. There were never definitive reports about whether Justin Bieber also parted ways with Braun, but that didn’t stop persistent rumors, so it was sort of assumed.

As of Monday morning, June 17, Braun is definitively no longer managing any artists, and he explained why.

Why Is Scooter Braun Retiring From Artist Management In Music?

Braun posted a very lengthy statement across several slides on an Instagram carousel, which laid out his 23-year journey as a music manager and confirmed, “This chapter as a music manager has come to an end.” Braun explained that he has been “heading towards this destination” of focusing on his role as a HYBE board member and CEO of HYBE America, stating that his updated priority list is “a father first, a CEO second, and a manager no more.”

Read Braun’s full statement below.

“23 years. That’s how long I have been a music manager. 23 years ago a 19-year-old kid started managing an artist named Cato in Atlanta, GA and my journey began. Along the way I have had so many experiences I could never have dreamt of. I have been blessed to have had a ‘Forrest Gump’-like life while witnessing and taking part in the journeys of some of the most extraordinarily talented people the world has ever seen. I’m constantly pinching myself and asking ‘how did I get here?’ And after 23 years this chapter as a must manager has come to an end.

It’s a strange feeling because I think I have wanted this for a while, but I was truly afraid to answer the question ‘who would I be without them?’ I was really just 19 years old when I started. So for my entire adult life I played the role of an artist manager on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And for 20 years I loved it. It’s all I had known. But as my children got older, and my personal life took some hits, I came to the realization that my kids were 3 superstars I wasn’t willing to lose. The sacrifices I was once willing to make I could no longer justify. It was time to step into a new role.

In this next chapter I have been honored to join as a board member of HYBE and serve as the CEO of HYBE America. My brilliant partner these past 3 years, Chairman Bang, has a vision I truly believe in. But even beyond that he has become a true friend who understands where I must be in my life these days. And that is a father first, a CEO second, and a manager no more.

Over the past 2 years I have been heading towards this destination, but it wasn’t until last summer that this new chapter became a reality. One of my biggest clients and friends told me that they wanted to spread their wings and go in a new direction. We had been through so much together over the last decade, but instead of being hurt I saw it as a sign. You see, life doesn’t hand you YOUR plan, it hands you GOD’s plan. And God has been pushing me in this direction for some time. I have nothing but love for those I have worked with over the years, and as we develop a different working relationship, I will always be in their corner to consult and support them whether it be directly or from afar. Every client I have had the privilege of working with has changed my life, and I know many of them are just beginning to see the success they deserve. I will cheer for every single one of them.

I have gotten to see my friend Andrew Watt win the Grammy for Producer Of The Year. I have laughed and cried as Lil Dicky truly became DAVE. I have witnessed an angel of a human Tori Kelly win Grammys and star in films. I have seen J Balvin live out his dreams of breaking boundaries, and Demi show kindness and grace that few megastars have. I have been moved as Zac Brown Band raised our flag and delivered the hits. I was excited the first time I heard Animals with Martin Garrix, and learned a new world with David Guetta and Steve Angello. I have danced to Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘Call Me Maybe’ and smiled ear to ear as PSY brought us ‘Gangnam Style.’ I have watched Quavo grow to be an entrepreneur, and served as Kanye’s ‘gateway drug to business’ as we had amazing years of success when I was once able to call him my friend. I have marched with YG and flown to Australia with [The Kid] Laroi to see the hometown kid rock an arena. I have seen Dan + Shay go from local Nashville writers to sold out headliners and award winners. The list of artists goes on and on over 23 years. So many stories it would take me forever to name. From those first years with Asher Roth to watching my partner and brother Usher dominate the Super Bowl this year, it is truly overwhelming.

But it was this past Christmas Day when Ariana and Justin became the biggest male and female in the history of the Spotify Billions club that I just smiled and thought ‘what a ride.’ Justin and Ariana were both young teenagers when I began with them. Justin a 13-year-old kid busking in Canada and Ariana a young actress on Nickelodeon. To see them both come up to be the legends they are today will forever be one of my greatest honors. As we change our working relationships now, I will continue to root for them with the same passion that I did at each of their humble beginnings. I remember the pranks and the water park shows with Justin, and the first time Ari opened an arena tour and her excitement side stage. I remember as they both stepped up for others and I got to witness them each change the world and make history. There will never be a day where I don’t take great pride and honor in what we accomplished together. The same can be said for so many I have had the pleasure of once being called ‘manager.’

There has been a lot said about what is happening in our company… and in my career. When we had success I smiled, and when we were attacked I tried to always take the high road. But for the last 3 years I have begun to feel that taking the high road has created confusion and ambiguity as to who we are. I may have left my role in management, and my business relationship with many clients will alter and change, but this does not mean we as a company are leaving. Both Allison Kaye and Jennifer McDaniels are more than capable to lead and as we combine new resources the opportunities with their leadership are endless. These two incredibly powerful women will now step into a role that I know will grow into the most impressive women-led management business our industry has even seen. While my name may have been on the door all these years, the truth is there is no one as brilliant as Allison Kaye, and few who can manage with the grace and poise of Jen McDaniels.

We at HYBE will continue to grow. With the addition of QC to HYBE America and our existing business at Big Machine, we will continue to add amazing execs and artists to the roster. Our WeVerse platform and growing gaming unit is something the whole industry can celebrate and join. Getting the opportunity to A&R and Executive Produce the solo career of Jung Kook last summer, and work with the other members of BTS as we break worldwide records, has been an absolute honor. With new acts like NewJeans, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, Seventeen, ILLIT, The Scarlet Opera, Ava Max, and many other new artists and ventures, the future is bright. I’m honored to join Chairman Bang and Jiwon Park as we grow HYBE from the multi-billion dollar publicly traded company it is today to the worldwide multifaceted entertainment platform it is destined to be.
With HYBE going strong I am also looking forward to continuing to invest in a new generation of entrepreneurs and serve as a national board member of Make A Wish and help individuals and communities through our family’s Braun Foundation. Between all of this and coaching my kids I’m not worried about being busy 🙂

So yes, it’s been 23 years. And yes, this chapter has come to an end. But the great Berry Gordy once told me, ‘Young man, it never ends the way you wanted, but it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.’ That wisdom has proven to be correct. I never saw how this chapter would end, hell, I never even saw it happening. But it did. And I will cherish every moment of it. I made my plan… but it turns out I like God’s plan better. Cheers!”

As the old saying goes, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It’s a cliché, yes, but it’s relevant, since that first step and the ones following it are so key. Where they took place is also crucial, whether its a childhood home, school, or anywhere else that seeds for the future were planted. That’s the focus of the latest episode of “The Street I Grew Up On,” presented by State Farm.

Mari Maupin, a product of Los Angeles, already has some stories to tell, including a significant opportunity that would make any artist green (or more appropriately, purple) with envy: touring with Prince. The way her eyes light up when she recounts that impactful period makes it clear how moving it was for Maupin (as does the Prince tattoo on her forearm). Who wouldn’t glow when reminiscing about brushing shoulders with a timeless icon?

Elsewhere in the episode, Maupin hits up her old school, looking back on how her teachers and experience fostered her creativity. Being back in the place where so many formative experiences happened, Maupin was understandably emotional.

Beyond that, Maupin also visits a longtime favorite restaurant and other meaningful places on her journey, so check out the new episode of “The Street I Grew Up On” above.