Month: January 2025

J. Cole famously stepped away from the Drake/Kendrick Lamar feud, and it seems that’s not the only negative situation from which he removed himself: Muni Long says Cole once left a studio session with her in response to her attitude.

In a recent interview (here’s a clip), Long explained:

“I remember one time, I had a moment in the studio where J. Cole was there, and I was just having a bad day that day, and I started just talking trash. I was talking to my other friend […] and Cole came in the room. And within two minutes, he sat down, he heard what we was talking about, and he got up and left.

And I just remember being like, ‘Damn, why did he do that?’ But then I realized, like, we weren’t on the same frequency. He’s not on that, complaining and, ‘Man, why these n****s always trying to play us? Who they think they is?’ That kind of conversation does not circulate in higher-level rooms.

He didn’t judge me, he didn’t say nothing bad. He sat there, he listened for like a minute, and then he got up and left. […] Because what happens is, when you’re high-vibrational like that, most likely, those people are going to bring you down. You’re not going to be able to bring them up, you know what I’m saying?”

In October 2024, Cole addressed his decision to leave the Lamar beef on “Port Antonio,” saying on the track, “I pulled the plug because I’ve seen where that was ’bout to go / They wanted blood, they wanted clicks to make they pockets grow / They see this fire in my pen and think I’m dodgin’ smoke / I wouldn’t have lost a battle, dawg, I woulda lost a bro / I woulda gained a foe, and all for what? Just to attain some mo’ / Props from strangers that don’t got a clue what I been aimin’ for?”

Eminem and Machine Gun Kelly have been locked in a feud since 2012, when MGK referred to the “Fuel” rapper’s daughter Hailie as “hot as f*ck” on Twitter. Since then, they’ve traded diss tracks and addressed the beef in interviews. “I could give a f*ck about your career,” Eminem said about Machine Gun Kelly in 2018. “You think I actually f*ckin’ think about you? Do you know how many f*ckin’ rappers that are better than you? You’re not even in the conversation.”

A reconciliation seems unlikely, but Jelly Roll is going to try.

“My heart is always to bring them together one day,” he said on a recent episode of the Flagrant podcast. “Because I see so much more of them in each other than they know. I hadn’t really brought it up to Marshall yet ’cause I’m just glad that I’m still in that circumference to be able to have conversations. But I do see that there’s so much more in them than not.

Jelly Roll continued, “But I also gave [MGK] some perspective, too. We all grew up watching Eminem take over the game early. If you got mentioned in an Eminem song it was like getting mentioned in a comedy special. You were on fire! You couldn’t be hotter if you got mentioned in an Eminem song or an HBO special. It’s what you wanted, your name to be brought up.”

You can listen to the podcast here.

There was a line in ESPN’s latest report about a Jimmy Butler trade that did not get enough attention. Butler, the star wing for the Miami Heat, has escalated things in his attempt to get out of Miami, which the Heat responded to by suspending him for seven games.

In the latest development on Butler trying to leave, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst reported that he’s casting a much wider net than he originally planned.

Butler does not plan to furnish the Heat with a list of favored destinations, sources told ESPN. He is open to playing anywhere other than Miami and feels he can make any team a contender — no matter where he is moved, sources said.

This is a big development because previously, Butler had a list of preferred destinations, which presumably would have limited Miami’s ability to work out a deal. Now, they can go to any team in the league, which got us wondering: Who should trade for this guy? To do that, we looked at the remaining 29 teams and tried to figure out if they should try to work out a deal for Butler if it’s feasible. This is a bit different than whether or not they will, but instead, this looks at the teams, where they are, and whether it makes sense for a potential short-term fix that could turn into giving him a ton of money this summer.

Atlanta Hawks: No

Teams trading for Jimmy Butler have to believe they are either one Jimmy Butler away from winning a championship, or a place Jimmy Butler will re-sign this summer that can then make another move to get them to that contender realm. For the Hawks, the answer to both of those questions is a solid no.

Boston Celtics: No

I don’t feel like I need to explain this one, but perhaps controversially, I don’t think the defending champion Celtics need to shake up their foundation to add Jimmy Butler.

Brooklyn Nets: No (but also in a way, Yes)

The Nets are trying to be as bad as possible this season and already got off to a semi-hot start that they have to dig their way out of. Even if Miami was willing to do a Ben Simmons for Jimmy Butler swap, that’d work counter to the Nets plans this year. That said, while they should not trade for Butler, they should try to get involved as a third team to help facilitate a Butler trade somewhere else. Plus it’s worth mentioning: As the one team projected to have a ton of cap space this summer, they will have a chance to get Butler in a few months if they want.

Charlotte Hornets: No

The Hornets aren’t going to be a contender this year with Jimmy and aren’t going to get him to re-sign, so this is a no.

Chicago Bulls: No (but also maybe, Yes)

The Bulls should be looking to hit the reset button as they try to trade Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. However, the Bulls also love to be a feisty Play-In team, and bringing Jimmy Butler home for half a season would be one of the most Jerry Reinsdorf moves possible.

Cleveland Cavaliers: No

The Cavs still have to prove some things in the playoffs and Jimmy is a proven playoff performer, but you cannot break up a 31-4 roster to make that move.

Dallas Mavericks: No

The Mavs would have to unload four rotation guys to make the money work to get Jimmy Butler, and for as enticing as it may be to add Jimmy next to Luka and Kyrie, they’d have a bare-bones rotation around them.

Denver Nuggets: Yes

I’ve been on the “Denver should trade MPJ” train for a little bit, and if there’s any team that can take a swing on a guy who might just be a high-end rental, it’s the Nuggets. This is a team that, as long as Nikola Jokic exists, has a championship ceiling, but they do need to provide some more support. Butler would give them a dynamic they don’t currently have (a true wing creator) and while it might take some time for him to figure out exactly how to play off of Jokic, I’m pretty confident those two could figure it out. On top of that, the Nuggets could certainly use an upgrade defensively and Butler would provide that.

Detroit Pistons: No (but also in a way, Yes)

Like the Nets, Detroit shouldn’t be in the mix for actually trading for Jimmy, but they should be very active in trying to be the third team in a Butler trade. They’re the only team with actual cap space right now and should be in prime position to add some draft capital as the third team in a big trade around the deadline.

Golden State Warriors: Yes

Please, for the love of god, get Stephen Curry a star-caliber running mate. The Warriors should not be concerned with a few years from now, they should figure out how to try and make one more push with Curry. Butler would do that and they have the young players and assets to make as good an offer on him as any team – and he’d almost assuredly be willing to stay beyond this season given they were on his initial preferred destinations list.

Houston Rockets: Yes

I’ve gone back-and-forth on this because I think the Rockets, ideally, should be in the market for a star closer to their prime given how early in their window they appear to be. At the same time, they’re second in the West right now and it’s possible this is actually their window to be contenders, so even if they don’t re-sign him (which, I don’t know if they should give him the kind of contract he wants), it may be worth going for a rental year. I do think they’ll need to have a hard line drawn on what they’re willing to give up for Jimmy because of that, but I don’t think Butler’s market is going to be incredible because of what he’ll be asking for next summer and Houston could use his presence on a team trying to make their first postseason run.

Indiana Pacers: No

There’s not really a way to get Butler without trading a quarter of the roster or moving Siakam or Haliburton. Add in that it’s hard to imagine Jimmy re-signing in Indiana and I think it’s safe to say the Pacers will not be in the mix.

Los Angeles Clippers: No

My initial thought was we were maybe overlooking Steve Ballmer’s desire to bring stars to the Intuit Dome, but trying to create a viable trade is a nightmare with this Clippers roster. They’re not going to move James Harden or Kawhi Leonard in a deal, which would require them to put at least four players in to bring Butler back. It’s hard to see how they put together something that doesn’t feel like an overpay (i.e., giving up a bunch of starters and rotation guys) and is something the Heat would be interested in.

Los Angeles Lakers: Yes

The Lakers added Dorian Finney-Smith in a smart move earlier this month, but I don’t think that was quite enough to really make them feel like a huge threat in the West. If they were willing to part with a pick, they have the contracts to make this happen with Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Heat legend Gabe Vincent, and someone else as filler. It’s not the best potential package for Miami, but if teams get stingy with the picks in Butler talks, L.A. could dangle a first that the Heat might view as one of the best future assets they can get. I’m still skeptical the Lakers are willing to part with one of those picks unprotected, but Butler should be the caliber of player they’d do it for to go all-in on one more run with LeBron.

Memphis Grizzlies: Yes

I kind of love the idea of Jimmy Butler on this Grizzlies team. A Smart/Clarke/Kennard package gets close financially, and Butler would give them a much needed secondary creator on the wing for the playoffs without sacrificing defense. While this wouldn’t address their need for more outside shooting, Butler’s shot creation would be a welcome sight and he also would provide some positive playoff experience that is lacking a bit on this roster.

Milwaukee Bucks: No

I think you can make the case that, with how all-in the Bucks are on winning another title with Giannis Antetokounmpo, they should be interested if the opportunity to turn Khris Middleton and stuff into Jimmy Butler pops up. Unfortunately, being a second apron team makes that nearly impossible, so they get a no here.

Minnesota Timberwolves: No

Almost the exact same thing as the Bucks, only you replace the timeline they are on to win with Giannis and Damian Lillard with something else: The, uh, let’s call it complicated history Butler has with the Wolves. Still, with how Anthony Edwards is publicly crying out for some help, getting him someone who can take some of the pressure off of him offensively would be huge. I love Butler as a guy who can do that, but for now, they’re just not a feasible option.

New Orleans Pelicans: Yes

They’re a yes because, truly, can anyone name a single thing the Pelicans have going for them right now? I have no idea what a trade even looks like — they’d basically have to give up one of Brandon Ingram (which they’d do happily) or Zion Williamson (which, it’s complicated) and Herbert Jones (nope!) — but the possibility of adding Butler, having his bird rights this summer, and giving him a young running mate via a likely top-5 pick is worth considering.

New York Knicks: No

The Knicks have made all of their various all-in moves. Plus Butler doesn’t fit at all between their collection of wings, the fact he’d take the ball out of Jalen Brunson’s hands, and perhaps most importantly, Karl-Anthony Towns is here.

Oklahoma City Thunder: No

I do think the Thunder could use one more guy who can create for himself, I just do not think Jimmy Butler is the guy they should target for that.

Orlando Magic: Yes

As we laid out back when the Butler trade rumors started, this is such an incredibly un-Magic thing for them to do. But with how open the East is this year, bringing in Butler would be an all-in, statement of intent deal for a guy who does fit in nicely as a battle-tested veteran next to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner once they return from their injuries. The fact they can make a deal happen without those two or Jalen Suggs going to Miami makes it more intriguing.

Philadelphia 76ers: Yes

Remember: The Sixers were apparently interested in getting Butler via a trade this past offseason, but ended up signing Paul George, instead. I highly doubt Miami would have any interest in this because they’d need to take back George, who has been playing better as the year has gone on but has a really concerning long-term contract. But Philly had interest in Butler, Joel Embiid loves him, and they’d be able to get out of the deal they gave to George. Miami says no, Philadelphia wouldn’t, and for the purposes of this list, that second thing is far more important.

Phoenix Suns: Yes

Basically everything I just said about the Sixers applies here. Making this deal happen means that the Heat take Bradley Beal back, and that alone is worth it for Phoenix. However, that’s not happening, both because of Beal’s contract and the no-trade clause he’d have to waive. Still, Phoenix gets a yes because they should trade for Jimmy Butler, they just probably cannot.

Portland Trail Blazers: No

Portland, like a few more teams on this list, should not screw up their attempt at a rebuild by making an all-in move at a time when all-in for them would not lead to any actual success. There are moves they can and should make with guys like Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams, this is just not the move.

Sacramento Kings: No

I fully believe the Heat should try to get De’Aaron Fox back via a three-way deal once the Butler trade happens if he decides he wants out of Sacramento. As for whether the Kings should try to trade for Butler, I just don’t know how you can build a team with Butler and at least two of Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan unless your plan is to compete immediately, and Sacramento’s problem over the last two years hasn’t been at the very top of their roster. They could, in theory, package Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter, and Keegan Murray and get Butler back, but they’d have to win a title this year to justify that, and I do not think they would between the hole they’ve dug for themselves and how loaded the Western Conference is.

San Antonio Spurs: Yes

It’s not a perfect comparison, but I view Butler here in a similar light to when Chris Paul joined the Suns. Obviously it’s a little tricky because they’d have to pay Butler after this season, but I love the idea of him being the battle-tested veteran who compliments Victor Wembanyama early on in his career (alongside Paul, funny enough). Plus they have such a crazy stash of future draft picks that they have to cash them in some time as Wembanyama is showing he is already one of the best players in the world, right?

Toronto Raptors: No

The next three teams and the Blazers all have the same reasoning: They are going through major rebuilds right now, and giving stuff up for Butler just doesn’t make sense. Besides, Toronto has bigger needs than a guy with Butler’s skillset.

Utah Jazz: No

Probably the team of this bottom trio that makes the most sense if you think that Butler and Lauri Markkanen can be a duo that gets you to the top of the West. Even then, a trade like that makes more sense in the summer when they can sign-and-trade for Butler on a longer deal without jeopardizing the likelihood they get a top-5 pick this year.

Washington Wizards: No

No team in the NBA needs Jimmy Butler less than the Washington Wizards do. They are just beginning to rebuild, and if anything, their priority needs to be offloading big contracts (Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma), not bringing in an even bigger one.

It’s been a minute since a new Harlan Coben series graced streaming. More than a minute, actually. It’s been more like a few months (although that’s practically a drought for Coben’s readers) since Shelter landed on Prime Video/Amazon to reel in viewers with twists galore. Most recently, Netflix is still firmly in the Coben game (following The Stranger, Stay Close, and Fool Me Once) with Missing You, which began streaming on Jan. 1 to further cement the mystery author as steaming royalty.

Billed as a limited series, Missing You follows Coben’s same-named novel and revolves around a detective who, like a hefty chunk of civilians out there, decided to give dating apps a chance. This led her down an unpredictable path after discovering the profile of “the one who got away,” but not everything is as it seems with her former suitor. A series of secrets unfolded that puzzled even this seasoned Missing Persons unit sleuth, and the season finale did not disappoint those who are accustomed to Coben’s compounding twists.

Will There Be A Missing You Season 2 On Netflix?

The answer appears to be no. Netflix hasn’t issued any statements on a possible continuation, and the show is still listed as a limited series on Missing You‘s Netflix launch page. However, Coben fans need not fret. Numerous series based upon his writings are on the way, and that includes Amazon’s Lazarus (which has no release date revealed yet) with scripts written by Coben and Danny Brocklehurst. And Netflix could never quit Harlan Coben either, so there will be much more to come, even without more Missing You.

Back in 2021, the power pair of rapper Cordae and tennis star Naomi Osaka gave fans some truly adorable couples content, culminating in the birth of their child, Shai, in 2023. However, since then, that sort of content dried up, leaving fans wondering whether the couple had called it quits for more than a year.

After all that speculation, TMZ has confirmed that the celebrity couple is kaput — but for those wondering just why the two split up, there is unfortunately, very little information in the report. The tennis star merely informed her followers on Instagram, writing on her Instagram Story, “Hi everyone, just wanted to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship. No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad. Honestly really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is the biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together.”

Over the past year, both Cordae and Naomi returned to their respective fields with a vengeance, with Cordae releasing a new album, The Crossroads, and Osaka getting back to business on the courts. She just made it to the final of the ASB Classic over the weekend, but withdrew from the Australian Open with an abdominal injury. Still, she seemed optimistic in a post about the final appearance, writing, “… this is about to be a great year.”

Will Smith famously passed on playing Neo in The Matrix. Is he getting a redo?

On Monday, the Oscar-winning (remember that?!?) actor posted the following on his Instagram: “In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix. Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time But the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo?” It then reads, “Wake up, Will..”

It was announced last year that Drew Goddard is writing and directing a new Matrix movie at Warner Bros. “Drew came to Warner Bros with a new idea that we all believe would be an incredible way to continue the Matrix world, by both honoring what Lana and Lilly began over 25 years ago and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters,” said Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros Motion Pictures president of production, in a statement. “The entire team at Warner Bros Discovery is thrilled for Drew to be making this new Matrix film, adding his vision to the cinematic canon the Wachowskis spent a quarter of a century building here at the studio.”

Could this be what Smith is referring to? It’s enough of a possibility to make you go “whoa,” although let’s face it, it’s probably a Super Bowl commercial.

50 Cent recently wrapped up his 50 Cent: In Da Club residency in Las Vegas, which had dates on December 27, 28, 30, and 31 (all 2024), as well as January 3 and 4. 50 Cent is a concert veteran, but there were apparently some who weren’t impressed with 50’s residency showings.

As HotNewHipHop notes, a viral TikTok video said the performance “might be the worst show that’s ever come to Vegas.”

50 has apparently heard the criticism, but he doesn’t seem too bothered by it.

At one of the shows, 50 addressed the audience, saying:

“[They] supposed to say some sh*t like, ’50 be doing this sh*t’ [raises arm up and down]. That’s what I’ma do. You won’t say the music was bad. Man, f*ck all that, man. What, you thought I was going to be out here rollerblading like Usher and sh*t? I seen some sh*t, Chris Brown was flying in Africa. I don’t have records that require me to fly in Africa.”

Meanwhile, 50 could have an album with Eminem on the way: Em commented on the possibility recently, saying, “That would be great. I think we just gotta stop bullsh*tting and just do it. […] I would never say it’s not possible.” 50 responded, “Looks like I’ll be back in the booth after all ! Just gotta do this residency in Vegas first.”

10 years ago today, Rae Sremmurd‘s debut album SremmLife was released by Mike Will Made-It’s label EarDrummers Entertainment and Interscope, capitalizing on the massive buzz the brother duo had built with their 2014 singles “No Flex Zone,” “No Type,” and “Throw Sum Mo.” In honor of its anniversary, the Mississippi duo’s game-changing album has been reissued as a special limited-edition double vinyl collection by Universal‘s Urban Legends imprint.

The double LP will mark the first time SremmLife has been made available on the format, with translucent red records in a gatefold cover.

SremmLife, released on January 6, 2015, debuted at No. 5 on the US Billboard 200, selling 49,000 album-equivalent units before Billboard revised its streaming counting metrics. It held onto the chart for 19 weeks, and has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA. Likewise, all of its singles have reached Platinum status, with “No Type” selling over 7 million album-equivalent units, “Come Get Her” selling 5 million, “This Could Be Us” selling 4 million, and “No Flex Zone” and “Throw Sum Mo” with Nicki Minaj and Young Thug selling 3 million each.

The group’s most recent album, Sremm4Life, was released in 2023, peaking at No. 28 despite positive critical reviews.

SremmLife 10th anniversary vinyl is out now via UMe’s Urban Legends. You can get it here.

Netflix will bring The Night Agent back less than two years after Peter Sutherland earned the loyalty of President Travers, who promoted him to Night Action. Since that time, several other espionage-filled series (with Netflix’s Black Doves and The Diplomat being standout entries) landed, and The Recruit will return later this month as well. As stellar as at least two of these shows are, none have reached the popularity of the Gabriel Basso-starring show that remains on Netflix’s All-Time Top 10 English speaking series.

The Night Agent is so successful that Netflix immediately renewed it for two more seasons, and creator Shawn Ryan signed an overall deal with whispers of spin offs, too. Before we get ahead of that game, let’s piece together clues on the second season, in which Peter’s phone calls are going international.

Plot

If Peter thought that being a Night Action agent would make him feel more empowered (or in the loop) than being the guy who answered the phone, well, he appears to have been wrong. Netflix previously disclosed that much of the second season would take place in Thailand, and a new trailer (with the caption, “The fate of the nation relies on one man”) has revealed the off-the-books agency has a leak, which has sent Peter tearing down Bangkok streets while being pursued. Series newcomer Catherine Weaver (Amanda Warren) is seen declaring Peter’s status as AWOL, and President Travers (Keri Matchett) recognizes that Peter would “probably have a good reason” for going missing. She didn’t soon forget about his season-finale feats.

The trailer also suggests that Peter has called the Night Action hotline, and somehow, he will reunite with Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), who he previously left behind to head off into his new secret life. Can Peter still trust Rose? The trailer poses that question, but c’mon, you know how they are together. How much of Rose will we see in this season? At least enough for Netflix to give Rose her own promotional still:

On the plot side, this season is moving beyond Matthew Quirk’s same-named book that formed the first season’s story. Along with locations in Thailand, the second season will spend time in Manhattan, and Peter will have received training from a seasoned Night Action agent, Catherine (Brittany Show). Netflix has also provided a no-spoilers description:

The Night Agent is a sophisticated, character-based, action-thriller centering on a low level FBI Agent, Peter Sutherland, whose efforts to save The President in Season 1 earn him an opportunity to become a Night Agent in Season 2. But working in the secretive organization of Night Action will propel Peter into a world where danger is everywhere and trust is in short supply.

Gabriel Basso has been keeping the show’s fans updated on social media with glimpses of scenery as filming progressed last year. He has, however, grown goofier of late. Recently, an Instagram post declared, “On January 23rd 2025 Peter Sutherland (The National Treasure) is returning to rid the world of criminals and traitors.” Oh, he wasn’t finished:

“After centuries of ancient warrior aristocrats adhering to their strict selective breeding practices, Peters elite Hurrian genetics have activated. Despite the plague of modernity that drives all men into a state of spiritual death, Peter has not lost his vigor. His bred, intrinsic drive to remove the world of evil leaves him unable to tolerate the demonic Golems and their spiritual emptiness. Onwards. To victory. To honor.”

As if that wasn’t enough of a head scratcher, another post reads, “Enjoy the Night Agent Season 2 (wifi is a demonic frequency).” FWIW, that caption arrived alongside a photoshopped Twilight still of Edward and Bella being photobombed by Blade. Perhaps at some point, Peter will also decide that phone calls are also evil, but regardless, his guns remain as impressive as they were for a guy who had been languishing in a basement by a phone:

Cast

Gabriel Basso is still getting his “action” in the Night Action program. Never fear that Luciane Buchanan ^^^ will return as Rose with Keri Matchett back as President Travers. Amanda Warren has boarded the series as Night Action boss Catherine Weaver who is hopefully more trustworthy (from a Peter standpoint) than Hong Chau’s White House Chief of Staff, Diane Farr.

Peter’s Night Action mentor, Catherine, will be portrayed by Brittany Snow. Louis Herthum will be on hand as a global-strings puller and boss of an ex-Marine fixer, and the cast will further include Teddy Sears and Arienne Mandi.

Release Date

The Night Agent will return on January 23, 2025 with ten new episodes.

Trailer

As mentioned above, Peter Sutherland has “gone AWOL” in the below trailer:

Earlier, a teaser focused mainly on action shots, of which there will obviously be plenty when The Night Agent returns:

One of the surprises of the start of 2025 is LiAngelo Ball becoming a viral sensation for his music, as his new song “Tweaker” pops up constantly on social videos. The song sounds like it came straight out of mid-2000s St. Louis, which is fascinating given Ball is an Southern California native, but what began as people poking fun at his throwback Nelly-esque sound has turned into a lot of people genuinely enjoying it.

It has, unsurprisingly, made its way into NBA arenas and locker rooms where his two brothers play, and on Sunday night the Cavaliers played it in the arena at the final buzzer to celebrate their win over LaMelo Ball and the Hornets.

That’s just some good, clean fun, and I doubt they will be the last team to play the song with the Hornets in the building. The other Ball brother, Lonzo, also saw his team get a win over the weekend, as the Bulls beat the Knicks on Saturday night, and in the locker room after the game they were blasting LiAngelo’s music while dancing around in celebration (video here). Even the Detroit Lions were dancing to it in their locker room after beating the Vikings for the NFC’s 1-seed (video here).

As someone who loved this particular era of hip-hop, I hope LiAngelo’s viral success leads to a comeback of this style, and if nothing else it’s fun to watch as it becomes the go-to celebration song for locker rooms all over.