Category: News

Whenever there is a beloved celebrity who has a steady stream of well-loved projects, it’s only a matter of time before “fans” get really weird, and it normally happens pretty quickly. Thanks to the power of social media, anyone can fire off the most absurd comments and get little flack from it because, hey, that’s the internet for you, and it’s easy to be anonymous in a sea of other anonymous users.

As we get further into the 2020s, it became pretty standard for people to ask actors to read weird tweets about them. This isn’t new, but it has gotten increasingly unhinged as the years go on and people become a little too comfortable spewing “compliments” at people who they don’t really know.

While Pedro Pascal has no problems with being the internet’s daddy, he wants to keep it pretty tame, which is not exactly what his fans are doing. While promoting season three of The Mandalorian, Pascal was approached by Access Hollywood to read some NSFW tweets about him, which he politely declined, saying they were “dirty.”

Pascal, being the gracious actor he is, didn’t make much of a scene, but many of his fans are jumping to his defense online.

The actor has expressed his frustration with fan requests lately, calling certain situations inappropriate. “People come up to me and ask me to do the voice for their kids. But I think it sounds inappropriate,” Pascal explained. “Because it is a breathy, low-register bedroom voice. It is so creepy and doesn’t work in real life.”

Already, the Pascal has been referred to as the Internet’s paternal figure, but we don’t need it to get weird!

Bourbon whiskey just over $100 but under $125 is an eccentric, fascinating in-between space. We’re past the best small batch bourbons and entry-point bottles. Yet, we’re not anywhere near the elite bourbons that draw the attention of the bourbon nerd crowd. We’re still squarely in the realm of special oak barrel finishes and 100-proof bottled-in-bonds with some older age statements and a few funky/crafty flavor profiles that go beyond the classic American whiskey sweetness bourbon is known for.

So how do you navigate a liquor store shelf loaded with bourbons that feel very scattershot while also being unarguably expensive? You bring in an expert like me to lead the way.

Below, I’m calling out 15 bottles of bourbon — all between $100 and $125 — that are worth adding to your bar cart. But since this is a kooky sort of middle-ground price point, huge brands like Wild Turkey, Knob Creek, and even Buffalo Trace tend to be absent (we’ll get back to them at higher price points). Instead, I’ve compiled a list of bourbons from bespoke blenders/bottlers, craft masters, and independent operators from all over America. But don’t worry, there are still some huge name bourbons peppered throughout — all ranked by how special and tasty they are.

Lastly, these prices are based on delivery in Kentucky or bottle shops at distilleries. Prices and availability will vary depending on your region. Let’s dive in!

• The 100 Best Bourbon Whiskeys Of 2022, Ranked
• Our Head Drinks Critic Reveals The Expensive Bourbons He *Won’t* Pay Above Retail For
• The Absolute Best Bourbons Between $50-$60, Ranked
• Every Single Buffalo Trace Whiskey & Spirits Brand, Ranked
• The Absolute Best Bourbons Between $20-$30, Ranked

15. Cathead Distillery Old Soul Straight Bourbon Whiskey TinType Series #1 Aged 7 Years

ABV: 59.6%

Average Price: $109

The Whiskey:

This whiskey was distilled in Indiana with a high-rye mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Those barrels were then sent to Jackson, Mississippi, where they spent a few years aging. Finally, the team at Cathead batched the barrels and bottled them as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a subtle boot leather on the nose with a hint of caraway on rye crust next to salted caramel sauce, and old oak staves with a hint of musty earthiness.

Palate: The palate leans into the salted caramel with a buttery underbelly next to warm winter spices — cinnamon, cardamom, star anise — next to burnt orange and a whisper of marzipan.

Finish: The end is fruity, vanilla-filled, and just kissed with woody tobacco spice.

Bottom Line:

This is a masterclass in blending MGP whiskey. The depth is real and takes you on a journey. This makes a killer old fashioned but also works well on the rocks. Overall, get this if you’re looking for something that steps outside classic bourbon sweetness and really leans into dry rye vibes.

14. Olde Raleigh Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in a Honey Barrel

ABV: 50.09%

Average Price: $100

The Whiskey:

The whiskey in this bottle is a four-grain of corn, malted barley, rye, and wheat from barrels of whiskey sourced from Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wyoming. Those barrels were five, nine, and 17 years old when they went into this blend and were finished in an old honey barrel.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a tannic nature to the nose with dark and woody spices (cloves, allspice, anise) next to a mild sense of Honey Nut Cheerios.

Palate: The palate has a honey candy feel next to Hot Tamale candies, singed toffee, and dark red berries with a dry edge.

Finish: The end has a sense of honey vanilla wafers next to more of that bold cinnamon and woody allspice, a hint of cherry/vanilla, and a twinge of charred oak with honey tobacco backing.

Bottom Line:

This feels like a big bourbon and delivers deep and bold flavor notes that are succinct. If you’re looking for a honey barrel finished bourbon that still tastes like brazen bourbon, this is the bottle for you. The honey is a wonderful accent, not an overpowering sweetness.

13. Backbone Bourbon Anniversary Edition “Decade Down” Uncut Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 55%

Average Price: $104

The Whiskey:

Backbone is made with classic MGP whiskey. That juice is hewn from a mash of 74% corn, 21% rye, and 5% malted barley that’s five to seven years old. The barrels are shipped down to Bardstown, Kentucky, where they are batched and bottled as-is with proofing or filtering.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose is classic bourbon with a balance of caramel, vanilla, cherry, and sweet wood that’s cut with plenty of dark winter spice.

Palate: The palate is largely the same with a sense of stewed plums and marmalade next to an almost malty note tied to the vanilla and spice.

Finish: The end has a nice sweet oakiness that leads back to dark caramel and cherry tied to tobacco leaves and humidors.

Bottom Line:

This is another prime example of why and how dominant MGP’s classic 74/21/5 high-rye bourbon is right now. Think of it like a fine wine that’s peaking. This blend is the perfect balance of some of the best barrels available today with a deeply classic bourbon vibe. This is the bottle you get when you want a comfort pour of something straightforward.

12. WhistlePig FarmStock Bourbon Beyond Bonded Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Bottled in Bond

ABV: 50.05%

Average Price: $109

The Whiskey:

This is WhistlePig’s first bourbon that’s made 100% on their Vermont farm (most of their whiskey is sourced otherwise). The juice is made from corn and rye — 51% Dent corn and 49% Remington and Rifle rye — grown on the farm. The mash is made with their own well water and yeast and then distilled. Finally, the hot spirit rests for just over four years before single bottle bottling with a touch of proofing water.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Heavy lemon notes lead the nose with a sweet grain porridge vibe next to sweet cinnamon, almost burnt toast, and a touch of vanilla woodiness.

Palate: The heavy sweet porridge is cut with fresh orange zest and lemon oils with a spoon of white sugar and tiny pinches of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.

Finish: The end leans into the woodiness of those spices with a soft Cream Of Wheat finish next to more of that lemon and orange zest.

Bottom Line:

This is heavily crafty — all that sweet porridge and lemon — but it kind of works. There’s a balance here that draws you in and keeps your attention. That said, this is really a bottle for WhistlePig fans more than anything else. If you’re a big fan of huge crafty bourbon notes (all that sweet graininess), then you’re going to like this too.

11. Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 47%

Average Price: $110

The Whiskey:

This single barrel expression is all about highlighting the craft distillery’s grain-to-glass process. The juice is made from a mash of 74% local white corn, 15% estate-grown soft red winter wheat, and 11% Canadian malted barley. That spirit is then rested for three to five years, or until the barrel is just right to be proofed and bottled with no other fussing whatsoever.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There are going to be clear notes of cedar, cherry, old leather, vanilla, caramel corn, and sour apples on the nose with a light sense of sweet white grits.

Palate: The palate should edge towards that sweet cherry with a counterpoint of dry cedar next to Red Hots, angel food cake, more apple, and a touch of spicy tobacco leaf.

Finish: The end is long and warming with spicy cinnamon, white sugar cubes, and a cedar box full of tobacco with a fleeting sense of white grits cut with creamy butter and fresh and floral honey.

Bottom Line:

This is perfectly balanced between a deeply aged bourbon and a crafty grain-forward whiskey. The spice accents the sweet corn mush well and brings about equilibrium to the pour. Plus, if you’re already in Texas, this is a no-brainer addition to your bar cart. If you’re not, it’s worth seeking out to see how far Texas whiskey has come in the past decade.

10. Southern Star Paragon Single Barrel Cask Strength Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 58%

Average Price: $103

The Whiskey:

This North Carolina bourbon is starting to make some serious waves. This very limited batch of single-barrel bourbon is made from wheated bourbon mash bill with 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley. The hot juice was left for around four years before the barrel was hand-pocked and bottled as-is at cask strength.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with a sense of orange blossoms and an apple orchard with a hint of pear and plum next to walnut shells, old honey bottles, and rich vanilla sauce with a hint of poppy seed.

Palate: The palate has a touch of dark chocolate powder sweetness that melds with walnuts and honey to make a cluster before the brown spice kicks in with sharp cinnamon and a touch of root beer.

Finish: The end leaves the spice and warmth behind for smooth vanilla walnut cake with a hint of apple-honey tobacco wrapped up with old cedar bark.

Bottom Line:

This is just good. It also tends to rack up awards because of that. It will be hard to find outside of the main bourbon markets (and North Carolina), but I’d argue it’s worth the effort to find. This is quality bourbon with a deep richness.

9. Peerless Double Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 53.55%

Average Price: $114

The Whiskey:

This whiskey from Kentucky Peerless is around five to six years old and comes from one barrel that lets the grains shine through before it goes into another new oak barrel for a final maturation to let the oak shine through. That final barrel is bottled at cask strength, as-is, allowing all that beautiful bourbon and oak aging to shine brightly.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This opens with a nose full of salted butter next to hints of very soft leather, light notes of vanilla bean, a touch of toffee sweetness, and freshly cracked walnuts with a dry edge.

Palate: The taste leans into that oak barrel with dashes of woody spices (think allspice berries, star anise, and cinnamon sticks), dry cherry tobacco leaves, salted caramel, and more of that super soft leather.

Finish: That leads towards a mid-palate of dark red fruits stewed in mulled wine spices and cut with a dollop of fresh honey before the (long) finish dries out towards an old wicker chair, a very distinct hint of a cellar funk, and a touch of dried mint.

Bottom Line:

This has a great balance of fresh and classic. If you’re looking for a great craft whiskey that still feels nostalgic, this is the bottle to get right now.

8. Calumet Farm Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 14 Years Old

ABV: 48.1%

Average Price: $114

The Whiskey:

This bourbon is kind of like Kentucky in a bottle — it’s all about Derby horses and the state’s own spirit. The whiskey is sourced from a set of 19 barrels from the center of an unnamed warehouse. Those barrels are small batched after 14 long years of resting and the whiskey is proofed with soft Kentucky limestone water.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This sip draws you in with a silken balance of cherry and vanilla cream that’s shockingly light.

Palate: The taste builds on that foundation by adding soft notes of cedar and cinnamon sticks next to a hint of dark chocolate with a whisper of pancake syrup sweetness.

Finish: The end marries the cherry and vanilla into cherry-bespeckled ice cream with hints of those woody cinnamon sticks and dark chocolate peeking in on the velvet finish.

Bottom Line:

This is a quintessential “behind-the-glass” bourbon buy from Kentucky. It’s very bespoke and always delivers. Having this on your bar cart really amps up that whiskey nerd status.

7. 291 Bad Guy Colorado Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 57.8%

Average Price: $109

The Whiskey:

This Colorado whiskey is made from a mix of local corn, malted wheat, malted rye, and beech-smoked malted barley. As per 291’s classic aging methods, the whiskey is aged for about two years with aspen wood staves in the barrel to accelerate the aging process. Finally, this is batched and bottled as-is.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a whole fruit basket of fruitiness with stone fruit really shining through — think apricots and peaches — next to old tart apples, cinnamon sticks, toffees dusted with crushed almonds, and a murmur of chamomile tea.

Palate: The palate has a crafty graininess that’s akin to oatmeal cookie dough with a hint of nuttiness, brown sugar, cinnamon, and something slightly floral but woody.

Finish: The end brings the apricot back as a spicy jam with a little vanilla creaminess and tannic florals.

Bottom Line:

This is another crafty bourbon that really balances the new graininess with the iconic bourbon notes well. There’s also a great stone fruit vibe that takes this bourbon beyond the ordinary to something truly special. Moreover, if you’re a fan of Billie Eilish, this is a must-have.

6. Widow Jane Lucky Thirteen Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 46.5%

Average Price: $114

The Whiskey:

This started out as a limited release and caught on like wildfire, making it a standard release since 2021. The whiskey is a very small selection of hand-picked 13-year-old barrels (likely MGP) that are proofed with limestone water from the Rosendale Mines in New York, marrying the Ohio Valley to New York.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This is pure apple crumble on the nose with plenty of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, brown sugar, brown butter, and almost tart stewed apples next to old leather belts and a touch of salted caramel drizzled vanilla ice cream.

Palate: The palate takes the apple a step back towards dry Granny Smith apple peels and cores as dry wicker furniture mixes with the cream from the top of an espresso pull.

Finish: Toffee sweetness arrives on the mid-palate as the bitterness from the coffee turns toward dark chocolate with the wicker and leather making a return while the stewed apple filling layers into a chewy tobacco leaf on the very end.

Bottom Line:

This is a great fruity bourbon that has a nice buttery sweet depth. All the classic bourbon notes are present but go deeper than your average bourbon flavor profile, making this a great addition to any collection. It’s also a great sipper.

5. I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 15 Years

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $109

The Whiskey:

I.W. Harper has a long history with a new feel. The booze is made at Heaven Hill’s New Bernheim Distillery but aged at Diageo’s Stitzel-Weller Distillery — a classic contract distilling partnership. The juice spends 15 years mellowing before it’s married and proofed down to a very approachable 86 proof.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There’s a clear sense of almost fresh off-the-stalk sweet corn and bright berries on the nose with hints of orange zest, oily vanilla, and cedar.

Palate: The palate leads with the cedar towards tobacco spiciness, more of that concentrated vanilla, and a very mild whisper of minty dark chocolate nibs.

Finish: The finish takes its time and starts with the dry cedar, passes through that spicy tobacco buzz, and ends up with a sweet vanilla/caramel softness.

Bottom Line:

This is the most straightforward whiskey on the list. There are no bells or whistles. This is just good bourbon with a clear and concise profile. Sometimes that’s all you need.

4. Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 59.2%

Average Price: $124

The Whiskey:

This year’s new Batch Proof from Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection leans into high ABVs straight from the barrel. The whiskey is hewn from a few barrels that worked wonders at their barrel proof. Those barrels were batched and then bottled at the ABVs they evened out to meet.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: A whisper of old grains and chocolate powder mingle on the nose with creamy vanilla ice cream cut with winter spices (especially allspice and cola berries) as a touch of dry orchard fruit sneaks in late.

Palate: The palate marries the dried fruit with the spices as an apple tobacco vibe arrives and counters a very creamy vanilla feel with a dash more of those chocolate malts.

Finish: The end leans into the chocolate malts as sour spiced red wine with a sweet edge leads to soft and worn leather.

Bottom Line:

This is a great Master’s Collection release from Woodford. There’s a serious depth that goes beyond just classic Woodford throughout the flavor profile. If you’re a fan of Woodford and want something that takes that whiskey up to 11, then this should be your next buy.

3. Heaven’s Door Redbreast Master Blender’s Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Irish Whiskey Casks

ABV: 50%

Average Price: $108

The Whiskey:

This whiskey is a collaboration between Heaven’s Door Master Blender Ryan Perry and Redbreast’s legendary Master Blender Billy Leighton. The whiskey in the bottle is Heaven Door’s low-rye 10-year-old Tennessee bourbon. They take that whiskey and fill it into Redbreast whiskey casks that had previously aged Irish whiskey for 12 years. After 15 months of final maturation, those barrels are vatted and slightly proofed down with soft Tennessee spring water.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: This opens with this medley of marzipan, soft leather, prunes and dates, Gala apples, a hint of cedar, and a whisper of ripe red cherry. There’s this body of nutmeg that leads towards a light vanilla pound cake full of candied and dried fruits with a soft Niederegger marzipan center.

Palate: That then draws towards subtle pops of orange oils, floral honey, walnuts in buttery brown sugar syrup, and this mild touch of spiced apple tobacco leaf.

Finish: The end lasts for just the right amount of time and leaves you with a walnut shell dryness, soft warmth, and slight tobacco chew buzz that all circles back towards a raisin sherry sweetness and a final morsel of that vanilla pound cake.

Bottom Line:

This is delicious whiskey with a great finish that truly helps the bourbon sing. The Irish whiskey finish aside, this is vivid bourbon that takes you on a journey and just keeps going. Plus, any Bob Dylan fan should have this bottle on their bar cart.

2. Nashville Barrel Company Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel 6 Years Old UPROXX January 2023 Barrel

ABV: 59.08%

Buy Here: $119

The Whiskey:

The barrel was chosen and bottled at the tail end of 2022 on a visit to Nashville Barrel Company. The whiskey in the bottle is a 6-year-and-two-month-old bourbon from MGP of Indiana. The high rye mash bourbon (75/21/4 corn/rye/malted barley) aged for five years in Indiana before moving to Nashville for an additional 14 months of resting. The bourbon went in the bottle at cask strength straight from the barrel.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose opens with toffee, mild leather, orchard barks, blood orange, soft sweet grains, cinnamon sticks, cherry tobacco, plum, and a whisper of old pine accented by a touch of thyme.

Palate: The taste meanders through salted caramel, dates, cinnamon bark, cardamon pods, clove buds, and soft vanilla cake before leaning slowly into a spiced warmth.

Finish: The end arrives with sweet and chewy pipe tobacco, orange bitters, rock candy, and very light yet creamy cacao lushness next to hazelnut Manner Neapolitan Wafers and dry oak.

Bottom Line:

I picked this barrel so I can assure you that you’re getting a great bourbon in this bottle. That aside, if you’re looking for a deeply classic and comforting bourbon experience with a little pep, then this is the bottle for you.

1. Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2022 Edition

ABV: 54%

Average Price: $119

The Whiskey:

This whiskey heralds back to Michter’s historical roots in the 19th century before the brand was even called “Michter’s.” The whiskey in the bottle is rendered from a very small batch of bourbons that were aged in Chinquapin oak which was air-dried for three years before charring and filling. The Kentucky bourbon was then bottled in an extremely small batch that only yielded 2005 bottles this year.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Sweet mashed grains — thinks a bowl of Cream of Wheat — mix with sticky toffee pudding, old leather, old cellar beams, and sweet cinnamon with a hint of burnt orange and dark chocolate next to eggnog with a flake of salt.

Palate: The palate is super creamy with a crème brûlée feel that leads to soft winter spices, dry cedar, and orange chocolates with a hint of marzipan in the background.

Finish: The end has a creamed honey vibe next to figs and prunes with fresh chewing tobacco and salted dark chocolate.

Bottom Line:

This is often called “secret Michter’s” and that’s apt. Semantics aside, this is a killer bottle of whiskey. It’s going to be harder to find, but it’s worth it just to add to your whiskey journey. Once you try it, this might end up being your new go-to.

Ice Spice is everywhere. The Bronx-bred star enjoyed her first-ever entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Gangsta Boo” featuring Lil Tjay, and she promptly outdid herself. Her “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” remix with PinkPantheress topped the Apple Music charts and cracked the top 10 of the Hot 100 by the end of February, currently sitting at No. 3.

North West might be Ice Spice’s No. 1 fan, but Ice Spice won over loads more fans during her Rolling Loud California set on Sunday, March 5. She kicked things off with “Princess Diana,” flowing into “Gangsta Boo” and “Actin A Smoochie” before performing “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” live for the first time.

“Make some noise for PinkPantheress!” Ice Spice said before starting the surging track, which was unintentionally kind of a cruel tease because PinkPantheress was not actually there to perform with her. “Y’all got us to Billboard. Make some noise for y’all self!”

Ice Spice rounded out her 13-minute set with “Bikini Bottom,” “Munch (Feelin’ U),” and “In Ha Mood” — all from her debut EP, Like…?, from January.

According to TMZ, Ice Spice succeeded so much in winning over her Rolling Loud California crowd that “one of ’em even attempted to rush the stage, until Ice’s bodyguards treated the guy like a true munch!!!”

Watch Ice Spice’s full Rolling Loud California set above.

To the surprise of no one, the situation at Twitter has not improved under the leadership of Elon Musk. According to a damning new report, the Tesla CEO’s management of the social media platform has continued to result in mass employee terminations and resignations, which has left several significant features unmanned and/or broken as Musk desperately tries to cut costs.

“For someone on the inside, it’s like a building where all the pieces are on fire,” an anonymous engineer told the BBC. “When you look at it from the outside the facade looks fine, but I can see that nothing is working. All the plumbing is broken, all the faucets, everything.”

Compounding matters is the fact that Musk reportedly doesn’t trust Twitter employees and has been bringing in Tesla engineers to randomly man systems that they have zero experience working with. On top of that, Musk refuses to go anywhere in the building without bodyguards. Via BBC (by way of a Twitter engineer), this includes while using the bathroom:

“Wherever he goes in the office, there are at least two bodyguards – very bulky, tall, Hollywood movie-[style] bodyguards. Even when [he goes] to the restroom,” he tells me.

He thinks for Mr Musk it’s about money. He says cleaning and catering staff were all sacked – and that Mr Musk even tried to sell the office plants to employees.

The BBC report also revealed that Twitter employees’ claims that “the company is no longer able to protect users from trolling, state-co-ordinated disinformation and child sexual exploitation,” and Musk fired back at the article as a whole.

“Sorry for turning Twitter from nurturing paradise into place that has … trolls,” Musk wrote along with a troll emoji and a screenshot of the BBC article. He later added that “trolls are kind of fun.”

(Via BBC)

Elon Musk’s continued efforts to tear Twitter down brick-by-brick rolled on unimpeded on Monday, as an attempted change the company made had the “unintended consequences” of crashing their image system, meaning no posts with pictures or GIFs could load — and, apparently, tweets won’t show up in blog posts so we have to have screenshots in here.

That led to yet another mild panic that Twitter may be on its way to dying as a site, but mostly it led to jokes about Twitter once again finding a way to ruin one of the things people like about the site. Sharing memes, photos, videos, and GIFs is one of the main functions of Twitter, and yet they managed to screw that part up on accident.

Once people started to realize that photos wouldn’t load, many in the sports world immediately called back to an all-time Twitter goof, when Stephen A. Smith posted a link to a photo, not the actual photo, with the legendary line “TAke a look, y’all.” Even Smith himself took the opportunity to poke fun at Twitter (and himself) by bringing that back with a perfectly timed callback.

It’s one thing to get clowned on by terminally online people (like myself) but when Stephen A. even finds the opportunity to dunk on you online it’s really time to reevaluate things over at Twitter HQ. Kudos to Smith though for recognizing the moment and taking the opportunity to deliver a near-perfect tweet.

As a kid, did you wish you could eat as much pizza and ice cream as you wanted, whenever you wanted? Because that’s what Hugh Jackman is doing to prepare to play Wolverine again in Deadpool 3 — except instead of pizza and ice cream, it’s salmon. I’d rather have the pizza and ice cream.

“Bulking. A day in the life. Thank you Chef Mario for helping me stay healthy and properly fed whilst .. Becoming. Wolverine. Again,” Jackman tweeted, along with a photo of his 6,000 calories-a-day diet. You can see it here. It’s a lot of food (more like Huge Jacked-Man), and he couldn’t do it without Chef Mario in the crossover event of the century. But where’s Chef Toad?

Jackman was recently asked whether he’s taken steroids as part of his Wolverine preparation. “No,” the Oscar-nominated actor said on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace. “I love my job, and I love Wolverine. I got to be careful what I say here, but I had been told anecdotally what the side effects are of that. And I was like, ‘I don’t love it that much.’ So no, I just did it the old school way.”

The old school way = eating all the fish in the sea.

Deadpool 3 is scheduled to come out in November 2024.

Chris Rock’s in-the-moment handling of “The Slap” during the 2022 Oscars was as professional as anyone could have possibly managed. He had just been smacked in front of the whole world in what appeared to be the release (as Rock now reads things) of a lot of frustration from Will Smith towards other parties. Rock stayed fairly quiet on the issue, biding his time, but those rumors were correct: Rock had been saving up his reaction for the very first live stand-up comedy special from Netflix. And oh boy, he delivered those juicy goods.

With Selective Outrage, that set title landed squarely atop Smith’s shoulders. Not only did he come for Will (wisely, towards the set’s conclusion), but he also had a question for Meghan Markle. Prince Harry’s wife previously, infamously told Oprah about her unpleasant experience with “racism” from British Royals, and Rock is over there wondering why Meghan is surprised:

“What are you talking about? It’s the Royal Family! … You didn’t google these motherf*ckers? What the f*ck is she talking about she didn’t know? It’s the royal family. They’re the original racists. They invented colonialism. They are the OG’s of racism. They’re the Sugarhill Gang of racism.”

The video with the full quotes can be (eventually) viewed below (Twitter videos are currently having some issues, it seems).

Chris Rock unloads on Meghan Markle and the Royal Family at his live Netflix show:

• Meghan Markle playing the victim
• Royal family are the original racists
• The colour of her and Harry’s baby#ChrisRockLive pic.twitter.com/7rBqzpIZY7

— Jamie Johnson (@JamieoJohnson) March 5, 2023

As noted way above, Rock further took issue with Meghan complaining about what he called “in-law sh*t,” including her claim that a family member discussed the color of Archie’s skin while he was in utero. Rock had no sympathy there: “That’s not racist, because even Black people wanna know how Brown the baby is gonna be.”

This followed Rock’s condemnation of general society as being “addicted to attention” as they Instagrammed every mundane moment of their lives. And he leveled with the outcome of this situation: “If everybody claims to be a victim, when the real victims need help, ain’t nobody gonna be there to help them.”

First South Park called out the privacy hypocrisy of Meghan and Harry, and now this. Piers Morgan is probably having the best day of his life, but Rock and South Park are simply doing what they do, and they’re calling things out as they see them within a broader cultural context.

Compared to the same time last year, it may not feel like hip-hop has been quite as productive. It’s been a great year for indie releases; Greedo came home with a new mixtape, underground faves Skyzoo and Oddisee both released excellent projects in January, and rising stars like Maxo and Nappy Nina crafted standout projects.

Likewise, plenty of buzzy faves released stuff; ZelooperZ, Ice Spice, Boldy James, Reuben Vincent, Big Scarr, Gloss Up, and Kash Doll all came back strong ahead of a flurry of end-of-month releases in February that seemed to signal a shift. Just check out Key Glock and Don Toliver‘s new projects. But looking forward, it looks like hip-hop’s penchant for surprise releases is gearing to strike, because although very few projects have been announced, such a wide-open field has to be inviting for anyone looking to make a name for themselves.

So, although things are looking pretty bare bones for the time being, here are the most anticipated hip-hop albums of spring 2023.

March 3

De La Soul — 3 Feet High And Rising, De La Soul Is Dead, Buhloone Mindstate, Stakes Is High, etc.

Okay, this one is a little bit of a cheat, I admit. None of these are new, so much as folks have been anticipating the coming of De La Soul’s long-lost catalog to streaming since… well… streaming started. Between a prolonged label dispute over publishing rights and a labyrinth of sample clearance issues, it seemed for some time that De La’s discography would be a curio consigned to the memories of Gen Xers and millennials, like the 100-point Wilt Chamberlain game. But here they all are, in high definition, 100 percent intact. The only downside is that Trugoy the Dove isn’t here to see it.

Masego — Masego

The Virginia-based polymath — he sings, raps, and plays the sax — is just about five years removed from his debut album Lady Lady. Since then, he has polished his self-devised TrapHouseJazz style and grown his fan base with a handful of strategically based viral favorite singles and a charming, charismatic social media presence that has rap fans very much looking forward to seeing what he does next.

Slowthai — Ugly

Fresh off the success of 2021’s breakout hit Tyron, the UK punk grime star is picking up right where he left off. Slow is known for the emotional push-pull of his music, which cycles through aggression and processing the trauma behind it. Ugly continues his tradition of fusing rap, rock, and electronic music with surprising vulnerability.

March 6

Talib Kweli & Madlib — Liberation 2

One of rap’s earliest experiments in the “free online release” mechanic gets a follow-up a decade and a half later as the Brooklyn MC reunites with one of rap’s most coveted producers. They’ve proven to be a match made in heaven in the past, and longtime fans are excited to hear the evolution of their chemistry.

March 10

6lack — Since I Have A Lover

It always feels iffy to include 6lack in hip-hop lists considering he’s as much of an R&B traditionalist as he is a bars-first rhyme spitter, and with every project, he can easily split the difference or go all-in on just one side of things. I feel prettty confident in saying this will be one of the better projects to come out this year, though.

March 11

Yeat — Afterlyfe

I’ll be honest and say I don’t quite have the best handle on what exactly makes Yeat so damn popular. There’s a unique blend of Gen-Z nihilism and deep-web-bred meme humor I suspect I’m missing (have I finally found myself on the other side of the Lil B equation?), but anyone with eyes can see that he’s having quite the effect on online discourse. Fans are looking forward to his next album, so I’m looking forward to his next album — even if only in hopes of finally “getting it.”

April

Lil Uzi Vert — The Pink Tape

There’s no hard date attached to this one as far as I can tell — and it would be largely useless, considering the release drama around this album so far, as well as Uzi’s last one, Eternal Atake — but Genius has a tentative April release date. Given Uzi has already blown through the original October date and another February one. All that has only served to increase the anticipation surrounding this release — especially since Uzi promised the delays were to ensure the tape wouldn’t “suck.”

Destroy Lonely — If Looks Could Kill

Similarly to Lil Uzi Vert’s Pink Tape, this one is just posited by Genius for an April date, and simliarly to Yeat, there’s a buzzy, grown-up-confusing element to Destroy Lonely’s music that makes him heavily anticipated, but only by those “in the know.” A clear descendant of the SoundCloud Rap era he’s also a rap nepo baby (his dad I-20 was one of Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace artists in the 2000s), but his vibe is very inspired by Trippie Redd and Playboi Carti — whose label he’s signed to.

May

Your guess is as good as mine. None of the usual forums or resources have any information about what might be coming out, but no one on our Most Anticipated Albums Of 2023 list has dropped yet, and just before summer would be an opportune time for anyone looking to dominate the latter half of the year.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

GloRilla completed her Anyways, Life’s Great Tour on February 25. The breakout Memphis rapper’s first-ever headlining trek included a Cardi B cameo to perform “Tomorrow 2” at the New York City stop, but her most recent concert at Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York took a devastating turn on Sunday night, March 5.

The Associated Press reported this morning, March 6, that “false fears of a shooting … sent a crowd surging toward the exits, killing one person and injuring nine others.” According to the outlet, a 33-year-old woman died at a hospital.

The Rochester Police Department provided a lengthy update expounding on those details.

Update from last night's tragedy at the Main Street Armory. pic.twitter.com/DWYOX7FRB7

— Rochester NY Police (@RochesterNYPD) March 6, 2023

The press release reads, in part:

“Just after 11 p.m., as the show ended, concertgoers began heading to the exits to leave. As people began to exit, the crowd began to surge and rushed towards the exit. There are some reports that shots were heard, causing the crowd to panic, but that has not been confirmed. Officers that were detailed outside of the venue were eventually able to make their way inside, where they located three females with significant injuries.

Officers, Security, and EMS provided life-saving measures on the three females before they were transported to Strong Hospital. Sadly, one of the victims passed away and the other two are currently in critical condition, fighting for their lives.

As the night went on, an additional seven people arrived at local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries from the event. Preliminary reports from people at the scene indicate that these injuries were caused by being trampled. We do not have any evidence of gunshots being fired or anyone being shot or stabbed.”

An investigation is ongoing, and Rochester Police urged “anyone with video, pictures, or anything else that can help us piece together what happened last night” to call 911 or email them.

GloRilla tweeted Sunday night, “I’m just now hearing about what happened wtf [three crying emojis] praying everybody is ok [four praying-hands emojis].”

I’m just now hearing about what happened wtf 😢😢😢praying everybody is ok 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

— GloRilla 🦍 (@GloTheofficial) March 6, 2023

When someone says “get a life,” it’s usually a pejorative comment telling someone that they need to become more successful or build something for themselves. But in some circumstances, it’s a totally warranted reminder that someone needs to get their nose out of other people’s business and focus on themselves for a change.

A viral thread on Reddit that received over 14,000 responses asked the online community, “What Screams ‘I Have No Life’?” and it was a rebuke of the people whose pettiness makes our lives unbearable.

Hopefully, a few people read the thread and decided to make some changes in their lives.

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One of the major targets in the thread are the annoying coworkers who love to gossip and talk smack about fellow office mates behind their backs. There are few things worse than going out to lunch with coworkers and the only conversation they have is about the people who aren’t there.

As the old saying goes, small minds talk about people, medium minds talk about events and big minds talk about ideas.

The thread also calls out those who feel the need to air all of their dirty laundry on social media to get attention. It also mentions those who waste their time picking fights with total strangers, or worse, people they know on Facebook.

Finally, another group that got a lot of attention is those who are super judgmental, whether that means having a problem with other people’s hobbies or being overly invested in how they live their lives. If they’re not hurting anyone, why is it your concern?

The thread was an excellent reminder for us to be aware of the people in our lives who cause drama by acting like mean girls long after their high school expiration date.

Here are 21 of the best responses to “What Screams ‘I Have No Life’?”

1.

“Only ever talking badly about other people. Had some coworkers like this once and being around them 8 hours a day was f**king DRAINING.” — SomeOtherThirdThing

Ruralist added:

“My coworkers are like this. The gossip begins even before they’ve clocked in. I’ve stopped talking to them about anything except what’s necessary for work.”

2.

“The guy in my office who monitors how long everyone has been away from their computer.” — No-Review-2307

3.

“Calling cops on kids with a lemonade stand.” — SuvenPan

4.

“Posting everything about your personal business and drama on social media.” — UseYona

Sohcgt96 added:

“You know what is just the f**king worst? Vague, dramatic posts that clearly exist to bait people to ask what’s wrong or what you’re talking about.”

​5.

“As a parent with kids in school, definitely the Facebook Moms group.” — Mean_Manufacturer_61

R0ttenbeauty added:

“Those Facebook mom groups are the worst! Nothing but drama and bashing on one another. Well, at least the one I used to be in.”

6.

“Being a ‘mean girl’ ever but especially past high school.” — bxbykayxxx

7.

“People who spend their days arguing with strangers on Facebook.” — This-Wafer-841

8.

“Spending almost every day bugging and harassing others for choices they made that’s not hurting them or anyone else, like damn, do they not have places to be elsewhere?” — ThanosWifeAkima-4848

9.

“Being way too invested into the life of reality TV stars.” — oaracanthurusdory

Kwebber added:

“I’d also throw in Youtuber/streamer influencer in general to this as well.”

10.

“Tracking someone on their phone, real story, my husband was sick one day and both his sister and mom started tracking his phone, started texting early Monday morning wondering why he was still at home.” — LivntheDream430

ExCoCThrowaway added:

“My husband’s family added me to their Apple family when we got married. Until about a month ago I had no idea they were using it to track me. I turned it off when I realized it and got a call from my sister-in-law asking me why I turned it off. Turns out they were calling my husband and telling him my every move. He didn’t care and told them it was my business but no one ever told me. Had to figure it out on my own. Sometimes I hate technology.”

11.

“Making fun of other people’s hobbies.” — CLbandit38

12.

“Y’know I want to talk about the exact opposite of this: What screams ‘I’m living life the way it’s intended to’?

Well, I have a buddy who I think is a pretty great person. He never gets into any drama, always does what he has to do on time, and plays the games he enjoys in his spare time. Life throws shit at him sometimes, but he just deals with it and continues to just do whatever he does like nothing happened.

He just lives life, and as a result, he is able to extract a good amount of happiness from it. He says he is just happy. He has defined himself as a simple man, and I think that’s how life should be lived. Like, just live your life, dude. For him, is just that simple.” — GLnoG

13.

“All you talk about is your job.” — Antique_Sense_7383

14.

“Working tons of hours and bragging about it. People at my job do this and it’s pathetic.” — spectreenjoyer

15.

“Your whole identity is your beard.” — ReasonTraditional882

16.

“Being involved with a homeowners association.” — chhrispybobispy

17.

“Talking and thinking about the gym 24/7.” — AshamedRadish153

18.

“Having a loud vehicle. No one is impressed.” — The-Plot-Twist13

19.

“You have literally nothing to talk about outside of your children or being a parent.” — Oneofyrfencegrls

Notforthisworld0101 responded:

“It’s possible to have a personality outside of being a parent.”