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Teen Rapper Nettspend Rages Out In His Flashy ‘Tommy’ Video

The video for “Tommy,” from 17-year-old Richmond artist Nettspend, is all lights and nerves, a blaring, buzzing distillation of the rebellious, chaotic vibe Gen Alpha has synthesized from years of “unprecedented times” and unmonitored internet access (Skibidi Toilet, anyone?).

“Tommy” appears on Nettspend’s debut mixtape, Bad Ass F*cking Kid, which dropped just ahead of Christmas last year and has secured the Virginian rabble-rouser a fair amount of buzz from the publications that cover this sort of thing. He’s also got co-signs from the likes of Kenny Beats and Cole Bennett.

Nettspend is currently on his Invert Tour, criss-crossing the US. You can check out the tour dates below.

03/14 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
03/16 – Los Angeles, CA @ Rolling Loud (SoCal)
03/19 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory Santa Ana
03/20 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
03/21 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
03/24 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
03/25 – Dallas, TX @ Studio at the Factory
03/27 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre – Minneapolis
03/30 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
03/31 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall
04/02 – Boston, MA @ Big Night Live
04/03 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
04/05 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
04/06 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
04/08 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
04/09 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground Charlotte
04/11 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham
04/12 – Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor
04/16 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVA

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We Tried Taco Bell’s New Steak & Queso Crunchwrap Sliders — A Fun-Sized Take On A Classic With A Cheesy Twist

Taco Bell's New Crunchwrap Sliders(1024x450)
Uproxx

Have you ever had an insatiable craving for a Taco Bell Crunchwrap but don’t want to actually deal with eating the whole thing? It wouldn’t come as a surprise, as Crunchwraps are pretty huge, though we’re sure many people have tried to have just “a bite or two,” and ended up eating the whole thing. Still, the desire for a small Crunchwrap is definitely there, which is why we’re pretty psyched that Taco Bell is now offering us just that.

The Steak & Queso Crunchwrap Slider — which is now available at all Taco Bell locations nationwide for a limited time — is a smaller, palm-sized take on the classic dish. But Taco Bell didn’t just shrink down the dish and call it a day, it’s being paired alongside the brand new Green Chili Queso.

Generally, fast food restaurants don’t have the best track record when it comes to queso (see Chipotle), so while we’re excited about the Crunchwrap slider, consider us cautiously optimistic about the queso. Still, we’re glad Taco Bell put in a little effort to make this dish seem truly new. So is it any good? We found out so that you don’t have to waste your money.

Here are our thoughts on the Steak & Queso Crunchwrap Slider.

Steak & Queso Crunchwrap Sliders

Dane Rivera

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

If you’re looking at this palm-sized Crunchwrap thinking “that looks too small,” we’re with you on that. These Crunchwrap sliders are tiny, maybe as small as 1/8 the size of a normal Crunchwrap. They’re so small that it’s almost comical.

Luckily, each order will get you two sliders, which sort of remedies the size issue, but just barely. You might leave this dish feeling hungry still, and that’s a problem.

We opened one up and found what was essentially a Mission Tortilla Round topped with a few pieces of steak, hot and tangy chipotle sauce, pico de gallo, and cheddar chese, all wrapped up in likely the same tortilla Taco Bell uses for its soft tacos. All the ingredients are pretty standard Taco Bell staples. The beef has a nice flavor, but is a bit chewy, but there is so little actual meat contained in this thing, that I never found it distracting or off-putting, like I do with a full serving (ground beef for the win).

Since nothing about the build of this Crunchwrap is new, aside from the small size, you might be asking yourself, what the hell is the point of this dish? It’s the queso.

Dane Rivera

Having a Crunchwrap in this form factor allows us to do something we haven’t been able to do with a Crunchwrap before — dip it. The queso is very cheesy and salty, with a sharp white cheddar and creamy Monterey Jack — possibly mozzarella — flavor. We don’t know that those are the cheeses Taco Bell uses, but it certainly tastes like it.

I was a bit surprised just how runny the cheese was. It has a sort of watery texture to it, rather than the thick, luxurious, and fatty consistency you want from a good queso. Still, the infusion of mild green chiles blended in this queso gives it a nice mild heat and a slightly vegetal vibe. It works quite well to elevate and accentuate the stock flavors of the Crunchwrap, so much so that I have a hard time imagining going back to a regular-sized Crunchwrap without the dip.

Overall, while I wish this dish were a bit bigger, I can’t say it wasn’t thoroughly enjoyable, and due to its small size, you can now pair this dish with another one of your Taco Bell favorites. You’ll never have to choose between a Crunchwrap or a few tacos, or a burrito again!

The Bottom Line:

The Steak & Queso Crunchwrap takes classic Taco Bell flavors, and elevates them by way of a new form factor that makes it easily dippable. It’s not as indulgent as a Classic Crunchwrap, but the queso helps this small snack comes across like a real treat.

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Uproxx Music 20: Aqyila’s ‘Wolf’ Is A Triumphant Breakthrough Ahead Of Her ‘Falling Into Place’ Debut

Aqyila 'Uproxx Music 20' image
Karolina Pran Photography/Merle Cooper

Canadian singer Aqyila didn’t have to wait until her debut album to earn the recognition she deserved. In 2022, she was nominated for Contemporary R&B/Soul Recording Of The Year at that year’s Juno Awards. In 2024, she was nominated again in the same category thanks to her For The Better EP. Her first win would come that year at the same award show, but in a different category, as she won the award for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording Of The Year with “Hello.” This impressive start for Aqyila is set to continue with the impending release of her debut album Falling Into Place.

Out on March 28, Falling Into Place marks a huge milestone for Aqyila. “This debut album is the culmination of years of hard work, growth, and learning,” she said in a press release. “All the pieces finally feel like they’re coming together, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.” The album’s official announcement arrives with her new single, “Wolf.” The record deviates from her R&B sound and opts for a brighter pop sound that soundtracks the triumphant breakthrough she describes on the track. Aqyila takes a swipe at an old parter who “cried wolf” one too many times, singing that “you and truth are incompatible,” as she walks out the door.

“Wolf” joins the vibrant “Focus” and “Bloom” as singles from Falling Into Place with both being impressive records that showcase Aqyila’s undeniable strengths as a songwriter as well as her crisp vision as an advocate for the purest romance life can offer.

With “Wolf” out now and Falling Into Place on the way, we placed Aqyila under the Uproxx Music 20 spotlight to learn more about her influences, inspirations, and aspirations. Scroll down to discover the best of Aqyila.

See Previous UPROXX MUSIC 20 Interviews:

What is your earliest memory of music?

My earliest memory has to be my fifth-grade talent show. I wrote and performed my first song — dedicated to my mom — which she loved of course.

Who or what inspired you to take music seriously?

Myself! I’ve always loved music & during the pandemic I decided to take a leap of faith & full throttle into this world of music with the label. I’m so glad I decided to bet on myself.

Do you know how to play an instrument? If so, which one? If not, which instrument do you want to learn how to play?

In high school, I used to take part in band class. I was assigned the trumpet & ended up being good at it. Some days I think about buying one and learning it again.

What was your first job?

My first job was at a vacuum store. I keep in touch with my first boss ’till this day. It was such a random first job, but I loved it.

What is your most prized possession?

I don’t have a prized possession, but I would just say my peace overall is most important to me. And I love curating my home space.

What is your biggest fear?

It used to be being swallowed by my old couch or that plants randomly attack me haha.

Who is on your music Mt. Rushmore?

Whitney Houston, Jhené Aiko, Fantasia, and Tamia.

You get 24 hours to yourself to do anything you want, with unlimited resources: What are you doing? And spare no details!

Ouu… I would do another group trip to Tulum, go RV’ing, zip-lining, and eat good food. I stayed there for a week for vacation and it was so much fun.

What are your three most used emojis?

🤍,💗, and 🫂.

What’s a feature you need to secure before you die?

I don’t think I have one.

If you could appear in a future season of a current TV show, which one would it be and why?

Ouu, I can’t think of a TV show, but for movies, it’s on my bucket list to appear in a Transformers movie. I’m a huge action/adventure fan.

Which celebrity do you admire or respect for their personality and why?

I love Rihanna’s energy, she most definitely commands a room and she’s also a Caribbean girl too, which we have in common.

Share your opinion on something no one could ever change your mind about.

Brown Sugar Boba is the best bubble tea drink haha.

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 from top to bottom has to be “W.A.Y.S” by Jhené Aiko.

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 has to be my hometown, Toronto. Haha, biased I know. I did my first headlining show that sold out here and the turnout was amazing. Live band, people singing back my music and buying my posters. I’m currently on tour with Pink Sweats & I’m looking forward to going to all the dates. I have only been to Los Angeles & Atlanta and I’m excited for the food on the road.

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 lineup would include: Masego, FLO, Jazmine Sullivan, Mahalia, and Jhene Aiko.

What would you be doing now if it weren’t for music?

If I wasn’t doing music, I feel I would’ve pursued the idea of being a makeup artist or car technician.

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 love to see five years into the future. Want to know if I’ve made it by then to do a headline show at Coachella haha.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

I would just tell her to always keep going! It really is my passion for music as to why I sing and create it. The path to this was never linear but it was the best surprise I’ve received in this life.

It’s 2050. The world hasn’t ended, and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

As someone that made music that connected with people. Hopefully, my music helped them through their hard times and their good times.

Falling Into Place is out 3/28 via Sony Music Entertainment Canada. Find out more information here.

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The Best New Hip-Hop This Week

IDK, tiacorine, and reason(1024x450)
Getty Image/Merle Cooper

The Best New Hip-Hop This Week includes albums, videos, and songs from IDK, Reason, and TiaCorine.

The avalanche of new releases in hip-hop continued this week, albeit at a slightly slower rate than in the week past. That “slightly” is doing a lot of lifting here.

This week, we got new releases from the likes of Little Simz, who kicked off the rollout of her upcoming album Lotus with “Flood.”

Luh Tyler started his 2025 campaign with the patriotic “Florida Boy.”

BigXthaPlug’s “2AM” showed his storytelling ability.

And Big Sean closed out Black History Month with “Head To The Sky.”

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending February 28, 2025.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

Big Hit — Free Big Hit

Big Hit

Father of veteran hip-hop producer Hit-Boy, Big Hit’s one of those rap rarities: a rapper whose career took off well into middle age. A big part of that stems from his (most recent) bid in federal prison, which ended in 2023. Since then, he’s hit the ground running, releasing at a fairly steady pace through his son’s independent label. Maybe it’s owing to his time inside, but his work is a throwback to an earlier era in LA rap, with a focus on hard-bitten, street saturated gangsta rap.

Boldy James & Chuck Strangers — Token Of Appreciation

Boldy James

While Brooklyn beatmaker Chuck Strangers provides soulful, sample-driven production, Boldy James does what Boldy James does best — rapping deftly about the Motor City hustle with an even, unrushed pace, and laconic cool that very few artists can match.

IDK — Bravado Intimo (Continued)

IDK

The DMV rapper’s fifth studio album gets a big update, adding seven new tracks and a whole heap of wieldy, wily raps like the ones on “Mario Coins.” The new tracks also bring in a few of IDK’s fellow slick spitters, including Denzel Curry and Joey Badass.

Jim Jones — At The Church Steps

Jim Jones

If you’d told me in 2005 that the sole remaining member of The Diplomats to still be releasing music on a regular basis would be Jim Jones — and that it’d be at least equal in quality, if not impact, to Dip Set’s peak output — I’d have bet I could sell you the Apollo Theater. But hey, life is a wondrous thing.

Reason — I Love You Again

Reason

A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed my buddy Reason about his first independent release since leaving Top Dawg Entertainment. “I was so serious about it where I was like, ‘I just won’t make music anymore,’” he admitted. I Love You Again offers plenty of reason to be grateful he didn’t.

Singles/Videos

Babyfxce E — “PTP (Remix)” Feat. Monaleo

I haven’t been terribly impressed with Babyfxce E’s output yet (I’m sure he’s great, his stuff just isn’t for me), but his decision to link up with Monaleo for this remix turns out to be a wise one. She’s the highlight of any and everything she touches and if there’s any sense in the world, she’ll be on the way to a big hit by the end of this year.

Amanda Reifer — “RUDUMB?”

Remember when Pharrell teamed up with Rihanna to produce “Lemon,” the Bajan singer’s grand entrée to a serious rap persona? Well, he’s at it again (with another Bajan, no less), Amanda Reifer. The second time is equally effective as the first, and hopefully gives Reifer some much-deserved attention.

Haviah Mighty — “Pursuit Remix” Feat. Poiison

While from the outside looking in, it might appear that the Toronto hip-hop scene is in shambles, fortunately for The 6, Haviah Mighty is here to hold it down. She’s a sharp rapper and singer, and while her guest Poiison could benefit from some polish, Haviah anchors the track well.

Ray Vaughn — “Cemetery Lanterns”

TDE’s Long Beach rapper continues to drop vivid narrative and uncomfortably familiar explanations of South LA gangland politics. Questioning the honor code supposedly inherent to affiliation, Vaughn paints a layered examination of an all-too-common circumstance.

TiaCorine — “Ate”

The North Carolina native tries something new on her latest, and something about it really works. There’s a bit of a Jersey club flair, but not in a way that suggests that she’s chasing a sound that, frankly, is reaching the end of its shelf life. If it is, this isn’t the worst way for it to go.