If you’ve been wondering what Solange has been up to since dropping her last album (2019’s When I Get Homeem>) and you’ll happen to be in the Los Angeles area between February 16 and May 4, you can check out her new film project, Shakersss, which she announced will be screening at Los Angeles’ Museum Of Contemporary Art. You can check out a preview of the film, which appears to be half documentary, half home movie, here.
If Solange’s latest effort feels like a sudden left turn, you haven’t been paying attention. The iconoclastic star has made a living of juking the musical establishment’s expectations, even when she’s writing new music. For instance, last February she revealed that she has been learning and composing for a new instrument: Tuba. “I can only imagine the eye rolls from people being like, ‘This b*tch hasn’t made an album,’” she joked in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar.
She also scored the New York City Ballet’s Fall Fashion Gala and premiered a four-act live performance at Volume Fest at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. In other words, she’s still doing her thing, just unconstrained by the boundaries of the recording industry and “dropping an album.” She and Rihanna would probably have a lot to talk about.
Solange’s latest short film is part of a MOCA program called culture:LAB: Womxn in Windows / American Gurl: home—land and will also feature works from five other artists. You can get tickets and find more info here.
Earlier this week Lady Gaga announced her forthcoming studio album, Mayhem. Although the project won’t be released until March 7, the “Disease” singer found a way to sneak out a potential track from the body of work.
Yesterday (January 30), during the FireAid LA Benefit Concert, Gaga ended her headlining set with a song premiere. With her time on stage dwindling down, Gaga announced her new song, which has been referred to as “All I Need Is Time.” The record is precious to her not only because it is a fresh addition to her catalog, but it was also co-written with her finance Michael Polansky.
“Me and my friend Michael — my fiancé, my love — we wrote this song for you,” she said. “It’s just for tonight. It’s just for you. I think we all need a lot of things right now, but I think something we may also need is time. Time is a healer.”
While Polansky is known for his philanthropic work and business dealings, based on users online’s response to the track, he could have a successful career as a songwriter.
Watch the full stream of the FireAid LA Benefit Concert courtesy of Netflix above.
Mayhem is out 3/7 via Streamline/Interscope. Find more information here.
Nigerian singer Qing Madi emerges with her debut album I Am The Blueprint. The 13-track release marks her formal entrance into the music, and one that was long overdue. I Am The Blueprint arrives a little over a year after the singer shared her debut project Qing Madi. It’s there that fans heard “Ole” with fellow Nigerian Bnxn which remains her most streamed song with over 30 million streams on Spotify. “Ole” opened the door for Qing Madi to have an even bigger moment in her career, one that arrives with her debut album.
Unlike her self-titled debut project, I Am The Blueprint is a completely solo effort, a decision seemingly made to allow Madi to showcase all the sides of her artistry without distraction. I Am The Blueprint is effervescent, heartfelt, captivating, and radiant as Madi’s soothing voice glides over production inspired by afrobeats, alt-R&B, afropop, soul, and more. “With this album I found love with myself,” Madi said about the album. “I am telling my stories in a place of love and peace.” The solitude she now carries as a result of crafting this album is hard to ignore. In fact, it only adds to the beauty of the album.
Together with the release of I Am The Blueprint, we’re taking a moment to spotlight Qing Madi and learn more about her influences, aspirations, and inspirations. Scroll down to see what Qing Madi is all about and to hear standouts from I Am The Blueprint.
My earliest memory of music dates back to when I was just five years old. I remember vividly being at my local church in Benin City, surrounded by the powerful voices of the choir and the soulful sounds of worship. It was such an inspiring environment that I couldn’t help but fall in love with music. By the time I was seven, I had already joined the adult choir. It was an incredible experience for someone so young, and it cemented my connection to music.
Who or what inspired you to take music seriously?
My mom is my biggest inspiration when it comes to taking music seriously. She always believed in me, encouraged me to pursue my passion, and reminded me that my talent was a gift from God. Her support gave me the courage to embrace music as a significant part of my life.
Do you know how to play an instrument? If so, which one? If not, which instrument do you want to learn how to play?
I know how to play the keyboard, although I’d say I’m still learning and improving. Alongside that, I’m also learning to play the guitar. It’s such a rewarding process.
What was your first job?
At 13 years old, my first job was teaching children ballet. It was such a special experience to share my love for dance with young kids, and it taught me responsibility and how to inspire others at such a young age.
What is your most prized possession?
My Bible is my most prized possession. It’s more than a book to me—it’s my guide, my comfort, and my connection to God. It keeps me grounded in my faith, no matter where life takes me.
What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear is losing sight of my faith. Everything I do and everything I am is rooted in my faith, and I never want to stray from that foundation.
Who is on your music Mt. Rushmore?
My top four favorite and most influential artists are Kendrick Lamar, Brandy, Post Malone, and Burna Boy. Each of them has a unique artistry that inspires me, from their storytelling to their vocal abilities and authenticity.
You get 24 hours to yourself to do anything you want, with unlimited resources: What are you doing? And spare no details!
If I had 24 hours to myself with unlimited resources, I would spend it praying, reading my Bible, and creating music. Music is my therapy and my form of expression, so creating something meaningful with no limitations would be the ultimate dream.
What are your three most used emojis?
, , and .
What’s a feature you need to secure before you die?
I have to secure a feature with Kendrick Lamar before I die. He’s one of the greatest artists of our time, and collaborating with him would be a dream come true.
If you could appear in a future season of a current TV show, which one would it be and why?
I’d love to appear in a future season of Empire. The show celebrates music, talent, and the challenges of the industry, and I feel like it would be an incredible opportunity to showcase my music in a dramatic and inspiring way.
Which celebrity do you admire or respect for their personality and why?
Kendrick Lamar, without a doubt. Despite his fame, he remains private, humble, and connected to God. It’s rare to see someone balance those qualities so well in the entertainment industry.
Share your opinion on something no one could ever change your mind about.
One thing no one could ever change my mind about is my faith. My faith is unshakable, and I owe everything I have to it.
What is the best song you’ve ever heard in your life and what do you love about it?
The best song I’ve ever heard is “Swimming Pools” by Kendrick Lamar. His writing skills are out of this world, and the way he tells stories through his music resonates with me deeply. I love everything about his artistry.
What’s your favorite city in the world to perform, and what’s a city you’re excited to perform in for the first time?
My favorite city to perform in so far has been Kampala. The reception there was overwhelming, and my first sold-out concert was such a memorable experience. Looking ahead, I’m excited to perform in Paris. There are so many beautiful stories about the city, and I can’t wait to add mine to that narrative.
You are throwing a music festival. Give us the dream lineup of 5 artists that will perform with you and the location where it would be held.
My dream music festival would feature Kendrick Lamar, Brandy, BNXN, Fave, and Wande Coal. The location? Nigeria, of course—the country where I was born. It would be amazing to host something so monumental at home.
What would you be doing now if it weren’t for music?
If music weren’t part of my life, I’d probably be a lawyer. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of standing up for what’s right and fighting for justice.
If you could see five years into the future or go five years into the past, which one would you pick and why?
I would choose to see five years into the future. The past, while meaningful and filled with lessons, is a chapter that has shaped me into who I am today. Revisiting it wouldn’t change my growth or the strength I’ve built through those experiences. The future, however, holds endless possibilities—challenges, triumphs, and the realization of dreams I’m working hard to achieve. I want to see the fruits of my labor: sold-out tours, making a lasting impact with my music, and creating a legacy that inspires others. More importantly, I’d want to see how I’ve grown spiritually and emotionally, how I’ve stayed true to my faith, and how I’ve used my platform to uplift others. It’s not just about material success but about becoming the person I aspire to be — someone who lives purposefully and leaves a positive mark on the world.
What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?
Well, I am 18 right now, so it’s a bit surreal to think about giving advice to myself! But if I could look back even just a couple of years, I’d tell my younger self, “Don’t worry so much—everything you’re dreaming of is possible, and it’s all going to come together in time.” At this age, it’s easy to feel like you’re racing against the clock, but I’ve learned that growth and success happen step by step. I’d remind myself to trust the process, lean into my faith, and enjoy the journey because every moment is shaping me into who I’m meant to be.
It’s 2050. The world hasn’t ended, and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?
I want my music to be remembered as the work of a Grammy award-winning global superstar and a pride of Nigeria. I want people to see me as someone who stayed true to her roots, her faith, and her artistry while inspiring millions around the world.
I Am The Blueprint is out now via JTON Music/Bu Vision LLC. Find out more information here.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each January brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of January below.
Michael Jackson — Off The Wall (Reissue)
MoFi
There aren’t a ton of albums that could be considered more iconic than Off The Wall, so this reissue is a real treat for enthusiasts and casuals alike. The album has been given a high-fidelity rerelease by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, via an exclusive “UltraDisc One-Step 180g 45RPM SuperVinyl 2LP Box Set” that’s limited to just 6,000 numbered compies.
Mac Miller built quite the legacy despite his young age at the time of his untimely death, a legacy that continued this month with the release of his latest posthumous album, Balloonerism. The vinyl release is simple but nice, coming with two black LPs and printed inner sleeves.
Rae Sremmurd were on top of the world in the mid-2010s and it all began with their self-titled debut album. Somehow, that was ten years ago now, and the duo is celebrating with a new reissue, a limited run, pressed on lovely transparent red vinyl.
The Trials Of Van Occupanther was a pivotal sophomore album for Texas folk-rockers Midlake, and now the band is celebrating the project with a limited reissue, and it’s definitely limited: Only 750 copies are being pressed on “Opaque Marigold,” 180-gram vinyl, along with 250 black vinyl copies.
The War On Drugs released Live Drugs Again last year, and now the live album has been given a vinyl release. Here’s an endorsement of the album from Uproxx cultural critic Steven Hyden’s review: “This is epic rock ‘n’ roll that manages to top even the titanic Live Drugs, if only because The War On Drugs are that much better as a live band.’
In case you missed it, Vinyl Me, Please, who regularly land releases in this space, are switching up their format. TLDR: No more records of the month, but still plenty of new releases each month. One of the latest is Pop Negro, a reissue of the third album from El Guincho, who has since gone on to become a producer for Latin music’s biggest stars.
Katy Lied is a key piece of Steely Dan’s terrific 1970s run and now it’s gotten an Ultra High Quality Record (UHQR) reissue. It’s a real nice package, limited to 20,000 copies and featuring “tip-on, old-style, gold-foil, individually-numbered, double-pocket gatefold jackets with film lamination by Stoughton Printing, all housed in an elegant slipcase with a wooden dowel spine.”
Rhino, as part of its Rhino High Fidelity series of audiophile-ready reissues, just dropped a pair of classic releases from Television and Faces. Both high-end remasters (sourced from analog tape and pressed on high-quality vinyl) are limited to just 5,000 individually numbered copies.
Eddie Hazel — Game, Dames And Guitar Thangs (Reissue)
Rhino
Speaking of Rhino, this month marked the launch of Rhino Reserves, a new audiophile vinyl series. They’re starting with a bang, too, reissuing Allen Toussaint’s Southern Nights and Eddie Hazel’s Game, Dames And Guitar Thangs pressed on 180-gram premium-quality black vinyl and housed in heavyweight board jackets.
Motown graced 2024 with a series of monthly reissues from their storied catalog, and they’re doing the same again in 2025. To kick things off, January features new pressings from Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, and Smokey Robinson, all of which are great ways to dive into the incomparable Motown legacy.
Last week, Larry June, 2 Chainz, and The Alchemist shared the video for “Bad Choices,” suggesting that a larger body of work could be on the way. Fans of the newly formed trio didn’t have to wait long to find out; along with the release of their new video, “I Been,” they’ve announced the title and release date for their upcoming joint album, Life Is Beautiful, out on February 7.
A soulful loop by Alchemist backs Good Job Larry and Tity Boi’s luxury raps as the two rappers enjoy gorgeous penthouse views and bottles of champagne in the video. Each details the money-making activities they’ve been engaged in lately, trading verses full of flexes and skipping hooks entirely. As 2 Chainz says in his second verse: “You ain’t even gotta tell me, I know I’m blessed.”
So what have the two rappers been up to lately? Well, Larry released his album Doing It For Me last summer and also hooked up with P-Lo and a group of Bay Area all-stars for “Players Holiday ’25” from the NBA 2K25 soundtrack curated by EMPIRE. Meanwhile, 2 Chainz traded bars with Eminem and Latto on their 2024 albums before taking in some wrestling in his hometown earlier this week.
NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concerts are a way for recording artists to promoted their latest project. For Faye Webster, she has quite the discography to pick through, so during her Tiny Desk Concert performance today (January 31), the “Feeling Good Today” singer delivered a balanced mix of her goodies.
To kick things off, Webster played “In A Good Way” from her 2021 album I Know I’m Funny Haha. The whimsical opening laid the groundwork for Webster to usher in songs from her latest body of work, Underdressed At The Symphony.
Despite the limited performance space (hence the title Tiny Desk), Webster and her impressive backing band — composed of Matthew Stoessel on guitar and pedal steel, Nick Rosen on piano, Charles Garner on drums and percussion, Ellen Riccio, Danielle Wiebe Burk, and Annie Leeth on violin, and Stephanie Barrett on cello — delicately glided through tracks “But Not Kiss,” “Underdressed At The Symphony,” “Jonny,” and “Jonny (Reprise).”
There wasn’t much room for dialogue, but Webster’s piecing lyrics were more than enough to fill up the room. With Webster’s 2025 Underdressed At The Symphony Tour set to start soon, concertgoers are in for a real treat.
Watch Webster’s full Tiny Desk Concert above.
Underdressed At The Symphony is out now via Secretly Canadian. Find more information here.
The NBA is constantly tinkering with its format for the All-Star Game. This year, that means three teams that are drafted by the Inside the NBA guys, with the winners of the Rising Stars Challenge (which will be led by Candace Parker) earning a spot on Sunday. There will be a pair of games between two of those teams, with the winners of each game moving on to the final, where an All-Star winner will be crowned.
This came after the leage experimented with the Elam Ending. It’s experimented with a lot of stuff over the years — East vs. West, captains drafting teams, different jerseys — in an effort to make the All-Star Game a premium television product that they can use to get more money from a television network fun for the fans. It also has a bit of a problem in that there’s more talent than ever in the league, and just naming 12 All-Stars for each conference is very difficult.
So, today, in a fun little exercise, we decided to expand the rosters to 15 (which the league should do, anyway) and take a page out of Major League Baseball’s book, where each team gets at least one All-Star, by answering a question: If every NBA team only got one All-Star this year, what would that look like? Some of these were very easy, some of these were very hard because of who got left off, and some of these were very hard because a few teams don’t really have an All-Star caliber player. And it’s worth noting that there are some incredibly obvious limitations for this format — for example, the East has one guy who can play center in Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the West has a ton of centers. But regardless, here’s how we think that would look.
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum
A lot of the narrative surrounding the Celtics right now has to do with their mid-season slump, which isn’t exactly an uncommon thing for a champion to go through. Regardless, Tatum has been great all year, and earned a starting nod for this year’s game. No reason to change that, even if it comes at the expense of Jaylen Brown.
Brooklyn Nets: Cam Johnson
There’s a little part of me that wants to put Cam Thomas, because Cam Thomas was put on this earth to light it up in a game where defense is optional in the eyes of everyone except for Adam Silver, but Johnson has been legitimately good this year, to the point that a contender might (and should) part ways with a lot in order to acquire him before the trade deadline. We’ll put him here.
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson
Like Tatum, Brunson has been great this year, and has already earned a starting nod. You can make a very strong case that Karl-Anthony Towns — who has been unreal in New York — deserves the spot over him, but the Knicks are built around Brunson, so we’ll go with him.
Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrese Maxey
As much as I would love to jokingly give it to Guerschon Yabusele and hope Sixers fans don’t get mad at me (which, they probably wouldn’t, as they love Yabu), this has to be Maxey. He’s kept them afloat while Joel Embiid continues to struggle to stay on the floor and Paul George does an admirable impression of Tobias Harris from his time on the Sixers, and would just be a fun All-Star player in general.
Toronto Raptors: RJ Barrett
Not much has gone right in Toronto this year, but we’ll show some love to Barrett. While Scottie Barnes continues to leave his fingerprints all over games and Jakob Poeltl is quietly one of the best two-way centers in the NBA, Barrett has continued to thrive since going home in the trade that sent OG Anunoby to the Knicks.
Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine
Long viewed as an untradeable contract and a player who struggles to stay healthy, LaVine has been great in Chicago this year, as he’s been an efficient and dynamic scorer who sure looks like he can help a contender. Plus it’s Zach LaVine, and he’s the exact kind of explosive offensive player who tends to be a ton of fun in an All-Star Game.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell
One of the easiest selections on this list, as he’s already been named a starter and is the best player on the best team in the East. The Cavs are hurt by this exercise because they have four dudes who deserve All-Star nods — three of them (Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley) ended up getting selected — but Mitchell is an obvious pick here.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham
The Pistons have been a pleasant surprise this year, while Cunningham has gone from a young dude struggling to find his way to a rock solid guard and a building block that Detroit should lean on. He deserved his All-Star reserve selection this year, and deserves this.
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton
It’s awfully close for me between Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, but we’ll narrowly give the nod to the former, even though the latter was the one who got selected to be a reserve. The main reason: Indiana’s been really good over the last month and a half or so, and that coincides with Haliburton getting out of his early season slump and looking like an All-Star. I wouldn’t blame anyone for going with Siakam — he’s been more consistent, and again, the coaches picked him — but Hali’s play lately and how that has elevated the team as a whole seals it.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
It’s Giannis. Well, I think we’re done here, let’s move on.
Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young
It almost feels like Young has gotten to be underrated — he didn’t even get selected as a reserve this year, even though he’s been great! His efficiency is down this season, but he’s done an awesome job setting up his teammates and still has a flair for the dramatic. He’s clearly Atlanta’s best player.
Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball
A little part of me wants to put Brandon Miller here for no reason other than Ball would get in as his injury replacement, but even then, Ball’s been the best player for the Hornets and is a terrific All-Star Game player. It’s been a rough season in Charlotte, but they’re building around Ball and Miller, and one of those guys is healthy, so he’s going.
Miami Heat: Tyler Herro
This is by no means a knock on Herro, but I cannot believe on a team with Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler that he is the no-doubt choice here, and was the no-doubt choice for the coaches that picked All-Star reserves. He’s provided some much-needed stability and consistency while Adebayo struggles to snap out of a season-long slump and Butler, uh, yeah.
Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner
The Magic are a tough team for this exercise, as their two stars (Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner) missed extended periods of time with oblique injuries. Ultimately, we’ll give the nod to Wagner, as he’s played more and has generally been the better player.
Washington Wizards: Jordan Poole
I’ll be honest: The Wizards were a tough one here. I went with Poole because he’s their top scorer and watching him in an All-Star Game could be fun, but picking someone from an all-time terrible NBA team was not easy.
Western Conference
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic
There’s this TikTok I once saw of Liverpool and Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister getting asked who is the best player he’s ever played with and why. His answer, simply, was “Messi … do I need to explain why? I don’t think so.” That is how I am approaching putting Jokic here. Next.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards is, by some distance, the best player on the Minnesota Timberwolves. No one else has an argument here.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is, by some distance, the best player on the Oklahoma City Thunder. No one else has an argument here. And to answer your question: Yes, I just copy and pasted the previous section and plugged in a different player/team.
Portland Trail Blazers: Deni Avdija
If you want to say Anfernee Simons or even Shaedon Sharpe, I won’t argue. But Avdija has done a really nice job — whether he’s coming off the bench or starting — ever since the Blazers acquired him this offseason. A lot of the advanced metrics like Advija a lot, too. Maybe Sharpe, Scoot Henderson (who has thrived when he starts games), or Donovan Clingan becomes Portland’s best player long-term, but for now, let’s reward Avdija for a strong year.
Utah Jazz: Lauri Markkanen
Unlike most of the other extremely bad teams, Utah’s an easy one for this exercise. Markkanen is a legitimately good NBA player who has continued to be productive, even as the Jazz are doing everything they can to make sure Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper starts their career in Utah. He’s not putting up numbers like he did during his first (and only) All-Star appearance, but he’s still had a nice year. Walker Kessler quietly has a shout here, too, and if he took on a larger offensive role, I’d have plugged him in.
Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry
Even as Curry has shown that he can’t reach the heights on a nightly basis that he did earlier in his career, he’s still been great this year, one of the bright spots in an up-and-down year for Golden State. There’s no chance an All-Star Game in San Francisco can happen without him, but still, he’s the no-doubt pick.
Los Angeles Clippers: Norman Powell
I’ll be honest: I had James Harden here, as he’s kept the Clippers afloat without Kawhi Leonard to an extent I did not know he had in him at this point and the coaches picked him as a reserve. But you know what? Norman Powell has been incredible this season, scoring at a career-best clip in what seems like pure spite towards Paul George for leaving. Harden is also deserving, but let’s have some fun here and go with Powell.
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis
Not going with LeBron James hurts my heart — he’s starting the game, while Davis is not — but Davis has just been flat-out better this season. He’s been his usual, menacing self on defense, while he’s putting up some of the best numbers he has during his time in L.A. The Lakers have said for years that they want it to be AD’s team, and now, it’s happening.
Phoenix Suns: Kevin Durant
You can go with either Durant or Devin Booker, and I’ll give Durant a slight nod as he’s the team’s leading scorer on some absolutely ridiculous efficiency numbers — he’s at 27.3 points per game on 52.7 percent shooting from the field and 40.2 percent shooting from three. Durant also leads the team in blocks per game, is tied for third in rebounds per game, and is third in assists per game. He’s aging like a fine wine, let’s send him to All-Star in this exercise.
Sacramento Kings: Domantas Sabonis
Part of this is because it’s unclear if De’Aaron Fox will be on the Kings at the All-Star break. But also, Sabonis has been terrific this year, as he’s the NBA’s top rebounder while leading Sacramento in assists. Fox scores more, but Sabonis scores more efficiently. We’ll go with him, but if you wanna say Fox, it wouldn’t be outrageous.
Dallas Mavericks: Kyrie Irving
Luka Doncic is the better player and has been awesome when he’s played this year, but he’s missed so much time due to injury that we’ll go with Irving, who has been no slouch in his own right. He continues to be one of the most magnetic guards in basketball, and his ability to win when he plays 1-on-1 fits right into an All-Star Game.
Houston Rockets: Alperen Sengun
The Rockets are the best story in basketball, and frankly, you can go in a few different directions here. I’ll say Sengun, who the coaches picked as a reserve and has played very well this year. Howeber, the thought of Amen Thompson playing in an All-Star Game and being the most athletic guy on the floor who catches lobs from Jokic is very exciting, while Jalen Green getting scorching hot in this environment would be fun.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr.
The highs that Ja Morant can reach are higher than anyone else on the Grizzlies, but between the amount of time he’s missed and how incredibly consistent Jackson has been this season, we’ll go with him, just like the coaches did. This is the best year of Jackson’s career, too, and it’s good to reward guys like that.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Murphy III
We here at Dime have long been fans of Murphy, and amid a really, really, really bad year for the Pelicans, he’s been a major bright spot. He’s shown that he is more than just a three-and-D wing, and while New Orleans tries to figure out what’s going to happen after this year, they can take solace in knowing he’s sticking around.
San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama
Feel free to reuse this section from now until the moment he’s retiring or leaves the Spurs: Wemby is a monster, one of the faces of the league, and will have his name written in ink on All-Star rosters going forward. He’s the pick here, and he will continue to be the pick here.
A year after pleading guilty to racketeering, Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci has been released from prison, according to WSB-TV. Although he would have been sentenced to 20 years on the charges at hand, his plea deal halved his sentence to 10; with credit for time served, he was eligible for parole in May 2024. However, the gears of the justice system grind fairly slowly along — just look at the racketeering case against Lucci’s onetime rival Young Thug, the longest in Georgia history — so it’s no surprise he’s only just now getting out. Lucci will serve the duration of his sentence on probation.
Prior to his arrest, YFN Lucci was a rising star in the Atlanta trap rap scene, earning recognition for songs like “Key To The Streets” and “Rolled On.” His last official release was the 2020 mixtape Wish Me Well 3, which featured the single “Wet” with Latto, so expect to hear new music from him sooner or later.
Back in September 2024, Nardo Wick promised fans his officially follow-up to debut album, Who Is Nardo Wick. Sadly for supporters of the “Back To Back” rapper, the previously teased Wick project was ultimately stalled without explanation. Today (January 31), that body of work’s rollout has seemingly been revived.
To support his latest single “I Wonder,” Nardo Wick circled back to give the track an official music video. In the visual Nardo shows off his gentler side echoed in the song’s lyrics. With fellow rapper Lakeyah serving as the video’s leading lady, the record’s Bonnie and Clyde theme is fully realized.
“I wonder what I did to make her like me so much / She feelin’ me a lot now, but it started as a crush / I wonder if it’s love, or I wonder if it’s lust / It might be my swagger, it might be the way I hunch,” raps Nardo in the chorus.
The first verse’s opening line (“I be tryna play it hard, can’t lie, got feelings for her too”) solidifies Nardo’s reluctant yet tender vulnerability. Although Nardo Wick did not share any updates about Wick‘s expected release date, at least he gave his audience something to hold them over.
Watch Nardo Wick’s official video for “I Wonder” above.
It’s music’s biggest night! Or it will be this Sunday when the 67th Annual Grammy Awards are held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
You can check out the full lists of nominees and performers, but ahead of the ceremony, we’ve also offered predictions for The Big Four — Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year, and Best New Artist — as well as a few other major categories. Will Beyoncé finally win Album Of The Year? Could Chappell Roan make some history? Is Drake about to have two bad weekends in a row? Let’s find out!
Best Rap Album
Common & Pete Rock — The Auditorium Vol. 1
Doechii — Alligator Bites Never Heal
Eminem — The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
Future & Metro Boomin — We Don’t Trust You
J. Cole — Might Delete Later
Will Win: Alligator Bites Never Heal Should Win: Alligator Bites Never Heal
The eligibility period for the 2025 Grammys was from September 16, 2023, to August 30, 2024. If the timeline had extended to November 22, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX would have been an easy pick here. Instead, this is a tricky one: the hyper-talented and charismatic Doechii had a standout year, and it’s been too long since this category went to a female rapper (Cardi B’s Invasion Of Privacy back in 2019). But you can’t rule out The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) since Eminem has won Best Rap Album a staggering six times, or The Auditorium, Vol. 1. Remember, last year’s Best Rap Album went to Killer Mike, an industry-favorite veteran just like Common and Pete Rock. Still, Alligator Bites Never Heal deserves the win (even if it’s not technically an album).
Best Alternative Music Album
Brittany Howard — What Now
Clairo — Charm
Kim Gordon — The Collective
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds — Wild God
St. Vincent — All Born Screaming
Will Win: All Born Screaming Should Win: Wild God
Best Alternative Music Album has been around since 1991 (the first trophy went to Sinéad O’Connor’s Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got). In the following decades, Beck, Radiohead, and The White Stripes are the only three-time champs in the category. St. Vincent would tie them with a win for All Born Screaming, a very good, very evocative album (especially compared to the emotionally distant Daddy’s Home). But the grief-struck Wild God is mesmerizing. The aged creak in Nick Cave’s voice makes his lyrics hit even harder. Or Cave himself put it, “There’s no f*cking around with this record.”
Best Rock Album
The Black Crowes — Happiness Bastards
Fontaines DC — Romance
Green Day — Saviors
Idles — Tangk
Jack White — No Name
Pearl Jam — Dark Matter
The Rolling Stones — Hackney Diamonds
Will Win: No Name Should Win: No Name
Of the five nominated bands for Best Rock Album, only two (Idles and Fontaines DC) have formed since 1990. This category could use an infusion of youth — but a blistering album from Jack White (the only solo artist) will do, too. No Name is his most White Stripes-sounding album since he and Meg went their separate ways. It’s heavy; full of raw, ripping guitar solos; and sounds like it was bashed out during a single recording session (complimentary). Fontaines DC will get their Grammy some day, but not yet.
Best Pop Vocal Album
Ariana Grande — Eternal Sunshine
Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard And Soft
Chappell Roan — The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess
Sabrina Carpenter — Short N’ Sweet
Taylor Swift — The Tortured Poets Department
Will Win: Short N’ Sweet Should Win: The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess
In the National Football League, the Offensive Player Of The Year Award rarely goes to the NFL MVP, even though the NFL MVP is almost always an offensive player. Make sense? Great. I bring this up to point out that Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album occasionally overlap, like the past two years with Taylor Swift’s Midnights and Harry Styles’ Harry’s House, but not always.
For instance, Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia won Pop Vocal Album in 2021, but it lost Album Of The Year to Swift’s Folklore… which was also nominated in the pop category.
With such a stacked category of heavy hitters, Short N’ Sweet seems like the Offensive Player Of The Year since I fear too many voters only know “Espresso” (and are therefore depriving themselves of the irresistible “Juno”) — could The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess be the MVP?
Let’s get this out of the way now: yes, it’s very funny that Sabrina Carpenter and Khruangbin, who both released their debut albums in 2015, are considered “new” artists. Let’s also acknowledge that winning Best New Artist isn’t the curse many people consider it to be (see: Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, etc.). So, Chappell Roan, one of this year’s newest “new artists” following her remarkable rise, has nothing to worry about.
Song Of The Year
Beyoncé — “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Billie Eilish — “Birds Of A Feather”
Chappell Roan — “Good Luck, Babe!”
Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars — “Die With A Smile”
Sabrina Carpenter — “Please Please Please”
Shaboozey — “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone — “Fortnight”
Will Win: “Birds Of A Feather” Should Win: “Good Luck, Babe!”
Only once in the past 20 years has Song Of The Year gone to a song with more than four songwriters (Bruno Mars’ “That’s What I Like” in 2018). That scratches out “Die With A Smile” and “Texas Hold ‘Em” from the jump. Taylor Swift (with help from Post Malone and Jack Antonoff) is probably out, too. She’s never won in this category despite eight nominations and her Album Of The Year domination, and it would be curious if “Fortnight” was the one to break through. “Please Please Please” is sneaky good, but it’s not “Espresso.” “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” would have a stronger chance in Record Of The Year.
That leaves Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Kendrick Lamar. “Birds Of A Feather” is tempting since Billie and Finneas are two-time winners, including last year, but only one songwriter in the long history of the Grammys has taken Song Of The Year twice in a row (D’Mile for “I Can’t Breathe” in 2021 and “Leave the Door Open” in 2022). Instead, this is where I think Roan should take it with the only song she officially released during her breakout year.
Record Of The Year
The Beatles — “Now And Then”
Beyoncé — “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Billie Eilish — “Birds Of A Feather”
Chappell Roan — “Good Luck, Babe!”
Charli XCX — “360”
Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
Sabrina Carpenter — “Espresso”
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone — “Fortnight”
Will Win: “Espresso” Should Win: “Not Like Us”
“Not Like Us” wasn’t technically the biggest song of 2024 (by Spotify streaming numbers, it was “Birds Of A Feather”), but it felt like it. Kendrick Lamar’s diss track unified generations against a Degrassi: The Next Generation star; if he played it five times in a row during his Super Bowl halftime show, would anyone complain? (Well, one person might.)
All that being said, “Not Like Us” might be too incendiary — too daring — for the Grammys, especially with all the lawsuits swirling around the song. The correct “safe” pick is Sabrina Carpenter’s exquisitely crafted “Espresso.” In recent years, this category has frequently gone to songs (er, records) that have a retro quality to them — think: Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” Silk Sonic’s “Leave The Door Open,” Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic,” Adele’s “Hello,” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.” 2024’s retro-pop Song Of The Summer certainly applies here.
But there’s one thing to remember: Record Of The Year is given to the overall recording, including the work of the producers, recording engineers, etc. Would anyone be surprised if the award went to the stitched-together “final” Beatles song?
Album Of The Year
André 3000 — New Blue Sun
Beyoncé — Cowboy Carter
Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard And Soft
Chappell Roan — The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess
Charli XCX — Brat
Jacob Collier — Djesse Vol. 4
Sabrina Carpenter — Short N’ Sweet
Taylor Swift — The Tortured Poets Department
Will Win: Cowboy Carter Should Win: Brat
They can’t keep getting away with it, “they” meaning Grammy voters and “it” being not giving Album Of The Year to Beyoncé. It should have already happened in 2017 for Lemonade, which lost to Adele’s enormously popular 25 — is this the year for Cowboy Carter?
Don’t overlook Brat. The album finished No. 1 in our critics poll, and it made Charli XCX “even my boomer mom has heard of her” famous. There’s also Grammy favorites Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish (Swift has won this category a record four times), but this doesn’t feel like their year. Jacob Collier and André 3000 are the surprise “it’s nice to just be nominated” selections, while pop titans Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan risk canceling each other’s votes.
If it comes down to Cowboy Carter or Brat, Beyoncé will get her “AOTY.”
The 2025 Grammys air on CBS and Paramount Plus on February 2 at 8 p.m. ET.
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