Category: News

Not only have 2025 blockbusters found significant success at the box office, but they also garnered acknowledgement at the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

With nominations announced earlier this month, repeat titles in popular and soundtrack categories were also among some of the most notable movies this year. Making its way into Song of the Year, a category known as part of the ‘Big Four,’ Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters was nominated for its motivational electropop anthem “Golden.” The song, sung by fictional animated group Huntr/x (or Korean artists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), will be up against mainstream powerhouses, live–acts like Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Doechii, Lady Gaga, Rosé featuring Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA. A majority of these nominees have multiple golden gramophones in their possession, making the category one to beat for the KPop sensation.

And Demon Hunters returns as a nominee for Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media, where it will face off against Sinners, F1 the Album, A Complete Unknown, and Wicked. Arguably the statement song from the latter film, power ballad “Defying Gravity,” competes against “Golden” for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. While F1 songs like Tate McRae’s “Just Keep Watching” and Chris Stapleton’s “Bad As I Used To Be” land as nominees for Best Dance Pop Recording and Best Country Solo Performance, respectively, it’s music from Sinners that takes the lead across three categories and five nominations overall.

What does this achievement mean for the reemergence of movie musicals, or flicks that otherwise have a heavy soundtrack presence? Cinephiles have shown a collective push towards embracing long form videos as having musical merit, since acclaimed visual albums by Beyoncé (Homecoming, Black Is King), Janelle Monáe (Dirty Computer), Prince (Purple Rain) Michael Jackson (Moonwalker) have earned either Grammy wins or nominations in the past. With the exclusion of Wicked, most of this year’s nominations arise from original films that have created fandoms and legacies that fans have built community through, and the Recording Academy is finally taking notice.

Recognizing period horror drama Sinners was a must for the Recording Academy, not just for its soundtrack, which masterfully blended oldies, blues, and folk with contemporary R&B, but because director Ryan Coogler and his longtime composer, Ludwig Göransson, dared to elevate the theatrical paradigm. The movie, which has become a cultural phenomenon since its April release, centers on a pair of gangster-slash-entrepreneurial twins, the determined Smoke and hellion Stack, who return from Chicago to the Mississippi Delta to open a juke joint. A bloodthirsty Irish vampire, Remmick, aims to sink his teeth into the venue and possess the euphonious talent of the twins’ cousin, Sammie (or “Preacherboy”), turning the juke joint into a battle between humans and the living dead. Göransson’s haunting and soulful score adds texture to the film, even further brought to life on the OTS, where renditions are sung by movie characters and known artists. Statement track “I Lied to You,” performed by Sinners star Miles Caton, is up for Best Song Written for Visual Media, as is Brittany Howard’s rendition of “Pale Pale Moon,” originally sung by actress Jayme Lawson. The film also nabbed rapper-singer Rod Wave his first-ever Grammy nomination in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category.

As the horror epic continues its awards season campaign headed into the Oscars, it helps that Coogler landed a historic deal to receive full ownership of Sinners in the next 25 years. This means we probably haven’t heard the last of the movie; it can become a franchise or Broadway musical and expand the Sinners sound.

Commercial juggernauts among children and mostly female audiences, both Demon Hunters and Wicked are similar in their candied and ambitious musical approach. The first theatrical installment of Wicked, released last November after spending over twenty years as a Broadway classic, brought together powerhouse vocalists Cynthia Erivo as the misunderstood Elphaba and Ariana Grande as her pompous but well-meaning university roommate Galinda (and later, Glinda). Along with soundtrack, score, and instrumental score Grammy categories, Erivo and Grande’s harmonious “Defying Gravity” is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance against “Golden” from Demon Hunters. If either song wins in the category, it’ll be the first movie composition to take home the award since the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper duet “Shallow” from A Star Is Born in 2021.

Both Wicked and Demon Hunters have a magical composition bravura, but their respective statement songs, the aforementioned “Defying Gravity” and “Golden,” balance vulnerability and strength, meeting the criteria for the category. On its own, “Golden” was a moon shot, and young Americans are gradually showing more interest in international pop genres than those stateside.

Merging U.S. and global acts is F1 The Album, the companion soundtrack to the Brad Pitt-led sports drama F1. Fitting the movie’s exhilarating synopsis, the OTS is replete with songs that combine high energy and swagger, which its Grammy nominations reflect. With F1 in the visual media soundtrack category with Demon Hunters, Sinners, and Wicked, the Chris Stapleton-performed “Bad” could earn the country star his twelfth Grammy, but Tate McRae has gotten her first career nomination for “Just Keep Watching.” In the running for Best Dance Pop Recording, the song has a heart-pounding ambience and unforgettable hook that could take on fellow nominees like PinkPantheress (“Illegal”) and Zara Larsson (“Midnight Sun”).

If Demon Hunters, F1, Sinners, and Wicked are any proof, it’s that music-oriented films moved the needle across genres. Even movies that were snubbed, like Netflix documentary Songs from the Hole and concert flick Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour, were some of the most progressive watches over the last year. More than just being placed in soundtrack fields at the 2026 Grammys, films will be contenders against today’s biggest artists, showing that music has staying power in theaters and on airwaves.

North Carolina rapper Mavi has been garnering some strong grassroots buzz over the past couple of years, thanks to well-received projects such as Let the Sun Talk, Laughing So Hard, it Hurts, and last year’s Shadowbox.

Today, he extended this run with a new mixtape, titled The Pilot. In its press release, he reveals the title is inspired by television, not aviation — the pilot of the title refers to the first episode of a TV series, which is usually produced as a standalone proof of concept before the show is actually picked up for air. You could think of it as a test episode; many pilots are never actually aired, or sometimes are aired out-of-order, and you can often spot big differences in cast, setting, and tone.

In this case, Mavi is piloting a new sound after a year of sobriety, putting more focus on legibility in his flow, and highlighting his “duality as both an interior philosopher and exterior showman.” You’ve likely heard his laconic flow on tracks from the likes of Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE, and yes, they both appear on this set, as do Kenny Mason and Smino. You can check out the video for focus track “G-annis Freestyle” above, and listen to the album in full below. Find out more info here.

You can catch Mavi on tour now with Earl Sweatshirt.

HBO’s Industry had quite the third-season finale in 2024: The episode prompted Uproxx’s Jason Tabrys to proclaim the drama “just became TV’s best show.” He’s not the only one who feels that way, as the season earned the show a Best Drama series nomination at the Critics’ Choice Television Awards earlier this year.

Now that fans have had time to digest what happened, it’s time to start looking forward to the fourth season. Fortunately, it’s not far away now, so check out everything you need to know about the upcoming episodes.

Plot

The financial thriller follows the exploits of employees of Pierpoint & Co, a prestigious London investment bank. The logline for the fourth season reads, “At the top of their game and living the lives they set out to have as Pierpoint grads, Harper (Myha’la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela) are drawn into a high stakes, globetrotting cat-and-mouse game when a splashy fintech darling bursts onto the London scene. As Yasmin navigates her relationship with tech founder Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington) and Harper is pulled into the orbit of enigmatic executive Whitney Halberstram (Max Minghella), their twisted friendship begins to warp and ignite under the pressure of money, power, and the desire to be on top.”

Co-creator Mickey Down told GQ when asked if he wants the show “to have a foot in the US moving forward”:

Who knows? Who knows? It’s very hard to answer that. I mean, without giving it too much away. It’s an American-effected show because we grew up watching those shows and obviously it follows several American characters. There is something about London and, especially in the last season, our exploration of London, and in particular London high society, which I think is unique to this show and I would hate to lose. And I think there are other shows that have done similar things in the US, but there is nothing in the UK which feels real and authentic and is actually giving you a sort of a firsthand, I would say, insight into that world. And I think that’s probably what you do for season four.

In a recent i-d interview, Myha’la said of the new season, “You can just expect what you would expect from Industry, but every year [showrunners] Mickey and Konrad [Kay] somehow manage to elevate their writing. I’m really proud of this season, it’s really strong.”

Cast

Returning cast members include Myha’la, Marisa Abela, Ken Leung, Sagar Radia, Kit Harington, and Miriam Petche. Joining for the new season are Kal Penn, Charlie Heaton, Claire Forlani, Max Minghella, Kiernan Shipka, Jack Farthing, Toheeb Jimoh, and Amy James-Kelly.

Myha’la told i-d of what it was like filming without departing cast member Harry Lawtey:

“It was just different. Obviously the three of us [Hyha’la, Lawtey, and Marisa Abela] are so close, and we spent so much time together, and so much of our experience and perception of how this whole show has gone has been by the three of us. But I think it’s different every time as well, because I spent more time with Marisa than I did last season — but we didn’t spend a lot of time together. If [Lawtey] was there, I don’t think it would have changed how often we see each other. And everyone has lives. They go back to London and I stay in Florida, but I’m literally seeing both of them in, like, a day.”

Release Date

The new season premieres January 11, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and streams on HBO Max. New episodes of the eight-episode season will debut weekly.

Trailer

Check out the season 4 teaser below.

SubwayTakes has become one of the coolest new internet talk shows of the past couple years, with the premise being that guests share one specific opinion they have and explain their position. Rosalía was a guest on a recent installment, and in the extended interview (above), she discusses having ADHD.

While chatting with host Kareem Rahma, Rosalía looked away mid-conversation before explaining, “I get so distracted with sounds. I have ADHD.” Rahma asked if she treats the condition and Rosalía responded, “I let it be.” After Rahma shared his own experience of not treating his own ADHD, Rosalía said she has never tried to treat it. She also enthusiastically agreed with Rahma’s perspective that “you have to harness the ADHD and ride it.”

Meanwhile, in a recent Billboard interview, she said of her new album Lux, “In general, just to be in this world is a lot; sometimes it’s overwhelming. In the best-case scenario, the idea would be that whoever hears it feels light and feels hope. Because that was how it was made and where it was made from.”

Watch the SubwayTakes video above.

Rosalía’s Lux Album Cover Artwork

Rosalía’s Lux Tracklist

MOV I
1. “Sexo, Violencia y Llantas”
2. “Reliquia”
3. “Divinize”
4. “Porcelana”
5. “Mio Cristo”

MOV II
6. “Berghain”
7. “La Perla”
8. “Mundo Nuevo”
9. “De Madrugá”

MOV III
10. “Dios Es Un Stalker”
11. “La Yugular”
12. “Focu ‘ranni” *
13. “Sauvignon Blanc”
14. “Jeanne” *

MOV IV
15. “Novia Robot” *
16. “La Rumba Del Perdón”
17. “Memória”
18. “Magnolias

* exclusive to the CD and vinyl editions

Lux is out now via Columbia. Find more information here.

Oasis has been one of the most-discussed bands of 2025 thanks to their incredibly anticipated Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour. Now that the gang has been back together for a handful of months, fans are naturally hopeful that this could lead to a new Oasis album, which would be the band’s first since 2008’s Dig Out Your Soul.

Unfortunately for fans, though, Liam Gallagher does not seem at all interested in making fresh Oasis music.

Today (November 25), one fan tweeted at Gallagher, “beg your brother for a new album PLEASE I really need it I feel so lost right now,” and he replied, “New music is for WANKERS.” Another user wrote, “i feel like a new album is coming and you’re just hiding it really well,” and Gallagher responded:

“It’s not I honestly do t see the point it won’t be as good as the old stuff im quite happy singing the old stuff I’m not 1 of those WANKERS that need to keep pushing it forward or sideways or backwards in some cases NOSTALGIA forever.”

Meanwhile, he also continued to hype up potential additional tour dates, tweeting, “There’s loads more classics we need to play for you when we go out again I mean happy Christmas.” In response to a user asking Gallagher what he wants for Christmas, he responded, “A European tour.”

Lil Uzi Vert is back. The Philly artist has had a relatively quiet year after completing the terms of their record deal with Atlantic in 2024 via Eternal Atake 2. Aside from making headlines for being hospitalized earlier this year, Uzi’s kept off below the radar, but it looks like he/they is/are ready to return to the spotlight.

Uzi’s new song, “Chanel Boy” arrived today with a frenetic video and almost no warning. According to a press release, Uzi is now independent, with distribution and management through Roc Nation. That makes Uzi one of three artists to be exclusively managed and distributed by the imprint: Uzi, Jay-Z, and Rihanna. Roc Nation publishing will handle Uzi’s royalty checks, as well.

Uzi’s association with Roc Nation began back in 2019, when they were one of a handful of artists chafing under the terms of their record deal that Roc Nation helped renegotiate in their favor. Shortly after the signing, Uzi was able to release the original long-awaited album Eternal Atake, which had been held up by multiple issues, including seemingly unrelenting leaks of unfinished material. Since then, Uzi was able to put out Pink Tape and EA2, in addition to Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World 2, a deluxe edition/companion to EA.

With their contractual obligations behind them and the future wide open, it’s an exciting time to be a Lil Uzi Vert fan. You can watch the video for “Chanel Boy” above.

For nearly three decades now, Truck Festival has been one that UK indie music fans look forward to annually, since 1998. Now they can start planning for next year, as today (November 24), organizers announced the 2026.

Headlining from July 23 to 26 at Hill Farm in Oxfordshire are The Maccabees, CMAT, Two Door Cinema Club (celebrating 15 years of their debut album Tourist History), The Wombats, and The Libertines. Further down the poster are Kaiser Chiefs, The Vaccines (celebrating 15 years of their debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, Primal Scream, English Teacher, Rizzle Kicks, The K’s, Lottery Winners, Keo, Florence Road, The Cribs, Everything Everything, Friendly Fires, The Royston Club, Getdown Services, Willie J Healey, Westside Cowboy, Black Honey, Radio Free Alice, Vanessa Carlton (“because why not?,” per a press release), and more.

For tickets, the pre-sale kicks off November 27 at 6 p.m. GMT. That’ll be followed by the Tier 4 general-on sale on November 28 at 10 a.m. GMT.

The Wombats’ Dan Haggis says of the fest, “We’ve played Truck a few times now and it never disappoints, it’s always a highlight of our summer and we’re so excited to be back headlining it again in 2026! See you there.”

John Dell, Head Of Marketing, also noted, “We’re absolutely buzzing to announce the first wave of names for Truck 2026 after such an incredible demand already for tickets, bringing together some legends who’ve been responsible for Truck memories over the years as well as standout names we’ve been wanting to have at our warped party for years. To welcome a reformed The Maccabees to Truck is a real bucket list moment for us and to have CMAT back to claim her rightful spot as a UK festival headliner after 2025’s unforgettable set is going to be a really special occasion that shows the journey Truck has been on with countless artists.”

Zach Bryan recently got vulnerable and wrote about his recent journey with sobriety. Now, he has another big moment ahead of him: Today (November 24, he announced 2026 dates for the With Heaven On Tour.

It’s not just him, as he’s assembled a powerful roster of support acts, including MJ Lenderman, Alabama Shakes, Dijon, Kings Of Leon, and more.

For tickets, registration for the artist pre-sale is open now and the pre-sale starts December 3, here. The public on-sale follows December 5, here.

Find the full list of dates below.

Zach Bryan’s 2026 Tour Dates: With Heaven On Tour

03/07/2026 — St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center * ~
03/14/2026 — Tampa, FL – Raymond James Stadium * ~
03/21/2026 — San Antonio, TX – The Alamodome * ~
03/28/2026 — Baton Rouge, LA – Tiger Stadium * ~
04/11/2026 — Louisville, KY – L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium # ~
04/18/2026 — Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium * ~
04/25/2026 — Lincoln, NE – Memorial Stadium # ~
05/02/2026 — Starkville, MS – Davis Wade Stadium $ ~
05/09/2026 — Cleveland, OH – Huntington Bank Field $ ~
05/27/2026 — San Sebastián, Spain – Donostia Arena ^ &
05/31/2026 — Berlin, Germany – Waldbühne ^ &
06/03/2026 — Oslo, Norway – Unity Arena ^ &
06/06/2026 — Copenhagen, Denmark – Parken ^ &
06/09/2026 — Eindhoven, Netherlands – Philips Stadion ^ &
06/12/2026 — Liverpool, UK – Anfield Stadium $ }
06/14/2026 — Edinburgh, UK – Scottish Gas Murrayfield $ }
06/16/2026 — London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium $ }
06/17/2026 — London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium $ }
06/20/2026 — Cork, Ireland – Páirc Uí Chaoimh $ }
06/21/2026 — Cork, Ireland – Páirc Uí Chaoimh $ }
06/23/2026 — Belfast, Northern Ireland – Boucher Playing Fields $ }
06/24/2026 — Belfast, Northern Ireland – Boucher Playing Fields $ }
07/31/2026 — San Diego, CA – Snapdragon Stadium ` }
08/01/2026 — San Diego, CA – Snapdragon Stadium ` }
08/07/2026 — Salt Lake City, UT – Rice-Eccles Stadium ` }
08/13/2026 — Denver, CO – Empower Field at Mile High ` }
08/14/2026 — Denver, CO – Empower Field at Mile High ` }
08/22/2026 — Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium ` }
09/05/2026 — Glendale, AZ – State Farm Stadium ` }
09/18/2026 — Dover, DE – The Woodlands # @ }
09/19/2026 — Dover, DE – The Woodlands ! } @
10/02/2026 — Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium { @
10/03/2026 — Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium { @
10/10/2026 — Auburn, AL – Jordan-Hare Stadium { @

* with Caamp
~ with J.R. Carroll
# with Kings Of Leon
$ with Dijon
^ with Ben Howard
& with Keenan O’Meara
} with Fey Fili
` with MJ Lenderman
@ with Gabriella Rose
{ with Gregory Alan Isakov
! with Alabama Shakes

Trugoy The Dove — Dave — was the soul of De La Soul. The group’s first album in nine years, Cabin In The Sky, feels like a loving celebration of one of hip-hop’s most singular voices. Though only a handful of songs feature Dave’s captivating vocals, his spirit runs through the entire, powerful project. Still, selfishly, I wanted more. I wanted more Dave.

This career-spanning retrospective highlights the moments — past and present — where Trugoy truly shined. These are the tracks where Dave’s presence didn’t just complement De La’s brilliance, it elevated it. Revisiting them is more than nostalgia — it’s honoring a craftsman whose voice shaped generations. A tribute to the quiet genius whose art still echoes — forever fresh, forever De La.

20. De La Soul — “Foolin’” (2000)

Bars: “While you fools claim corners, we gon’ claim theories / Y’all some stickball n****s, we the World Series.”

This Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump track standout showcases Dave’s charismatic chemistry with rhyme partner, Posdnous—a pass-the-mic masterwork.

19. De La Soul feat. 2 Chainz— “Whoodeeni” (2016)

Bars: “Life’s a bitch, but she’s seeing a therapist.”

2 Chainz got all the acclaim at the time, but it’s Dave who quietly steals the show with a sharp closing verse.

18. De La Soul — “Dog Eat Dog” (1996)

Bars: It’s a dog-eat-dog competition (No doubt) / I’ll be gone like you’re wishin’ (And I’m out) / ’Cause I ain’t got time for hangin’ around / When you’re f*ckin’ my love in all the wrong places.”

All hail Dave’s infectious hook. It ain’t gonna hurt nobody.

17. De La Soul — “Don’t Push Me” (2025)

Bars: “You won’t see Obama on the five dollar bill / I’m still pissed off about Emmett Till.”

Tears in our eyes as Cabin In The Sky ends with Dave honoring Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five’s classic “The Message.”

16. De La Soul feat. Yummy Bingham— “Much More” (2004)

Bars: “Banner had ‘em on the hawk since Atlanta extravaganza / Gamma ray rap, I make The Hulk snap.”

With hype man encouragement from DJ Premier, Dave pops his collar and spanks his peers.

15. De La Soul — “Dinninit” (1996)

Bars: “Heard I’m sexin’ Sade and I bought her a fur / Battin’ eyes at Toni Braxton and I bought her a fur / Now I’m hittin’ Whitney Houston, oh, she bought me a fur?”

Didn’t Dave blow your mind this time?

14. De La Soul — “A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays” (1991)

Bars: “Oh, Mr. Sprinkler, Mr. Sprinkler / Wet me for one, Mr. Sprinkler.”

The festive fun takes a sharp turn as Dave perfectly navigates the song’s beat switch.

13. De La Soul — “Tread Water” (1989)

Bars: “Always look to the positive and never drop your head / For the water will engulf us if we do not dare to thread.”

Dave getting his Dr. Dolittle on is just delightful.

12. De La Soul — “Supa Emcees” (1996)

Bars: “Hey, whatever happened to the (emcee) / Times done changed for the (emcee) / Every woman and man wanna (emcee)/ But for what? I tell you, (emcee)-ing ain’t for you!”

Dave set the record straight: too many mics, very few capes.

11. De La Soul — “Keepin The Faith” (1991)

Bars: “Jody got a cat, but she won’t let it out / Oh, tough luck, ‘cause it makes Jack pout / Waiting on the wins, he moves to the next / Searching for the cheese, looking for the text.”

Trugoy tends to relationship counseling with tender love and care.

10. De La Soul — “The Package” (2025)

Bars: “Stay on the ticktock, but this ain’t the kiddy app.”

Please excuse Dave for being antisocial.

9. De La Soul — “Trying People” (2001)

Bars: “I figure excess will only bring an excessive amount of fuss / So when I’m gone, make sure the headstone reads, ‘He did it for us.’”

Patience is a privilege. Wise words from a decent man.

8. De La Soul feat. Common— “The Bizness” (1996)

Bars: “I speak divine of God theories, no need to be high / Always exhale the facts ‘cause I don’t inhale lie.”

The D-to-the-O, the-V-to-the-E, and can’t no other brother cook these delicacies. Chef up.

7. De La Soul — “Jenifa (Taught Me) (12’ Version)” (1989)

Bars: “Access to her code / Lovestruck Dove is Dove’s mode / Took a look, drooped my books / Jenifa, oh Jenny.”

This young lady got Dave goin’ crazy. My cherie amour.

6. De La Soul — “Oodles of O’s” (1991)

Bars: “I was John Doe, now I’m Mr. Jolicoeur.”

Nobody beats Dave’s clever wordplay.

5. De La Soul — “Ego Trippin’ (Part Two)” (1993)

Bars: “Skirts play wit’ it, ‘cause I’m slick like that / I’m the greatest MC in the world! / You gots to gimme, gimme mine, ‘cause I’m heavy when I weigh it / Watch the way I say it (ego trip).”

Here’s a toast to Dave’s best brags and boasts.

4. De La Soul — “Me, Myself and I” (1989)

Bars: “Mirror, mirror on the wall / Tell me, mirror, what is wrong? / Can it be my De La clothes? / Or is it just my De La song?”

Dave sets off the track that puts Long Island’s finest on the map.

3. De La Soul — “Itzsoweezee (HOT)” (1996)

Bars: “Why you acting all spicy and shiesty? / The only Italians you knew was icees.”

A rare Dave solo—and it shines like the summertime sun.

2. De La Soul — “Potholes In My Lawn” (1989)

Bars: “Everybody’s sayin’ what to do when sucker lunatics start diggin’ and chewin’ / They don’t know that the Soul don’t go for that / Potholes in my lawn / And that goes for my rhyme sheet / Which I concentrated so hard on, see.”

There’s still zero tolerance for rhyme biters and their copycat raps.

1. De La Soul — ”Stakes Is High” (1996)

Bars: “I’m sick of bitches shakin’ asses / I’m sick of talkin’ ‘bout blunts, sick of Versace glasses / Sick of slang, sick of half-ass awards shows / Sick of name-brand clothes / Sick of R&B bitches over bullshit tracks /Cocaine and crack, which brings sickness to Blacks.”

Somebody had to say it. Thank you, Dave.

Playlist:

TIDAL

Spotify

Apple

Considering the venue for Tyler, The Creator’s long-running festival, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, a rain delay was borderline inevitable at some point. Despite Southern California’s reputation, the area surrounding Dodger Stadium does, in fact, experience precipitation every so often, and 2025 — a year that has seen Los Angeles battered by both fire and ICE — just happened to be the year that decided to rain out the festival, as well.

But one of Tyler’s most endearing — and frustrating — traits is that he refuses to be deterred by setbacks. The same ornery impulse that drove him to terrorize 2DopeBoyz for years for not posting his early records now serves better angels, spurring him to move heaven and earth to ensure that Camp continued as usual. The one-week postponement meant borrowing, begging, and cutting deals to keep artists, vendors, and venue partners onboard, he revealed during his set.

Camp Flog Gnaw has been, and remains, a labor of love — the kind of love that sparks sleepless nights, that demands whirlwinds of activity as colleagues and contemporaries begin to wind down operations for the year, that prompts the creative mind to defy man and nature, the markets and the skies to make something shake. It’s why Tyler, The Creator simply can’t be canceled, and why not even a rain delay can keep Camp Flog Gnaw from being a home run.

That resilience was something of a running theme for the reshuffled roster — especially on Saturday’s Camp Stage lineup. From Samara Cyn, who played her first-ever show in 2019, only to have her career nearly derailed by COVID the next year but persevered to reach XXL‘s Freshman cover and receive co-signs from the likes of Lauryn Hill, Nas, and Smino, to PartyOf2, who started their band as Grouptherapy, a collective catharsis from the traumas and travails of life as child actors and survived the scarring departure of a core group member, it seemed like every artist to take the stage on Saturday had some kind of survival story.

Even Saturday’s closer, Childish Gambino, back for the first time since canceling his tour last year, had some surprising news for the crowd as he insisted there wasn’t enough time for him to play all his hits before curfew. With the help of a dazzling drone show, Glover revealed that he’d suffered a stroke — a setback that turned out to be a blessing in disguise, when it revealed a hole in his heart that he was able to have surgically closed.

It’s a scary thing to learn (I have some secondhand experience via a close friend), and the sense of relief and release he undoubtedly felt permeated his set, which ran the gamut from Camp classic “Bonfire” and Kauai game-changer “Sober” to Grammy-winner “Redbone” and a pointedly truncated “This Is America,” which he clearly has a few conflicted feelings about. “We gotta move,” he protested every time he cut a song a little short. Move we did, dancing out the accumulated stress of a truly toxic stretch of months that has felt like a personal attack on the city of angels.

I know I keep saying Flog Gnaw keeps improving on perfection, but what can I say? It’s true. Where so many other instances of founders and entrepreneurs tweaking their products and services can get annoying — we’re talking Google breaking search, Instagram’s pivot to video, and Elon turning Twitter into an everlasting dumpster fire of foreign bots pushing nasty ideologies of all sorts — Tyler keeps fine-tuning Camp Flog Gnaw in ways that actually improve the experience in ways you might not have even noticed needed fixing.

For example: Flipping the Gnaw stage opened up movement festival-wide, making performances from artists like BBTrickz and Alemeda feel more intimate while also making it easier to straight line from Gnaw to Flog (on opposite sides of the main Camp stage). Congestion never felt like the biggest problem at this fest, but that slight traffic relief was noticeable for me.

Even more noticeable was the decision to rotate the Flog stage from its east-west position to a parallel spacing with Camp facing south. OH MY GOODNESS. The last couple of years, watching acts like Kevin Abstract in the afternoon or even Denzel Curry after sunset, it had occurred to me that maybe facing the sun or trying to cram in fans from the right side of the stage weren’t the ideal eyelines. Apparently, Tyler’s team agreed, and the difference was — forgive me — night and day.

Seeing how every iteration of Camp Flog Gnaw actually adds something or makes little fixes with big impacts is even more encouraging in light of the last-minute postponement. It shows that the organizers not only know how to roll with the punches, but find ways to adjust for them before they even hit. If future fests face similar challenges from inclement weather, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tyler and co. find a way to make sunshine from scratch.