Category: News

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“I once dated a woman who compared me, not entirely unfavorably, to McNulty, and you know what? It was kind of a wake up call.” -Ben Fowlkes

Making his debut on Pod Yourself The Wire is writer and podcaster from the Co-Main Event podcast, Ben Fowlkes, who joins Vince and Brent (still filling in for Matt even though his kid is like four-weeks-old which is old enough to get a job damn cut the cord already, Matt) to talk about The Wire season one episode 12, “Cleaning Up.”

Featuring one of The Wire’s most memorable scenes, what you might not remember about this episode, if you’ve already watched the series, is that Lester really walks a fine line between smooth older man and total creep taking advantage of a terrified young confidential informant. If learning how a beautiful woman likes her coffee and then reminding her of your military service were a crime, Lester would still not be in jail because cops look out for each other.

What you probably remember is the end of young Michael B. Jordan’s character, Wallace. He wasn’t cut out for the game. His heart did pump Kool-aid after all. RIP Wallace and RIP the uneaten hot dogs Poot, Bodie, and Wallace leave on the table just before the murder. Neither Wallace nor the dogs got to reach their full potential, but the game is the game.

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-Description by Brent Flyberg

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“Over the last 20 years, the goalposts for what is copaganda have moved.” –Ben Flores

As many of you know, our beloved piggy wrangling, bum lumming host is a father now, and the recording of this episode of the pod took place in the days immediately following the birth of Matt’s first child. Filling in as co-host is Pod Yourself The Wire producer, comedian, and writer of these descriptions, Brent Flyberg. Joining Matt and Brent is writer and humorist from the Please Save Me podcast, Ben Flores to talk about The Wire season one episode 11, “The Hunt.”

In the aftermath of the buy-bust gone wrong that left Kima leaking from some bullet holes, The Barksdales look to clean up their mess while the Baltimore Police Department looks sort of competent for once. Considering the episode revolves around the uncertain future of one of the series’s more likable characters, it’s a surprisingly funny episode. Even Wee Bey is so charming you have to remind yourself that he’s a bad man even by the standards of The Wire. He makes the meme face we all love!

Leave instructions for how to take care of your fish in a five-star review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to Pod Yourself A Gun on Apple Podcasts

Email us at [email protected]; leave us a voicemail at 415-275-0030

Support the Pod: become a patron at patreon.com/Frotcast to get more bonus content than you could ever want. Sign up for the Pod Yourself a Shoutout tier to hear Vince give you a corner nickname on the podcast like this week’s newest members: Special K, Squirts, Draymond, and Horse.

-Description by Brent Flyberg

It’s rare to have individual icons in the world of video games. Making a game is a team effort that involves many talented people, so it’s unfair to give all the credit to individuals. But there are a few notable names out there who are instantly recognizable whenever they work on a title. Yuji Naka, one of the co-creators of Sonic the Hedgehog, is one of those names. His time at SEGA as a programmer and director earned him a status of fame in the video game community for his work on not only Sonic, but Phantasy Star, and ChuChu Rocket!

Naka eventually left SEGA and joined SquareEnix, where he would go on to produce Balan Wonderworld. It didn’t do particularly well critically or financially, and eventually, Naka sued SquareEnix over creative differences and what he believed was SquareEnix pushing him out of the game’s development. While the reason Balan Wonderworld failed is up to debate, it certainly damaged Naka’s reputation in the video game community.

Earlier in the week, Naka’s reputation took an even bigger hit when he, alongside two Square Enix employees, was arrested for alleged insider trading while with the company. Naka, according to reports by IGN Japan, allegedly invested stock into Square Enix before the mobile game Dragon Quest Tact was announced with knowledge of the game’s pending announcement. Via IGN:

He allegedly bought 10,000 shares in developer Aiming, at a value of around $20,000, ahead of it announcing the Dragon Quest Tact mobile game in partnership with Square Enix. The other employees arrested, Taisuke Sazaki and Fumiaki Suzuki, allegedly purchased a combined total of 162,000 shares at a value of around $337,250. Sazaki is also alleged to have informed Naki and Suzuki about the potential rise in value.

If the allegations prove to be true, then it’s unlikely we are going to be seeing him involved in the video game industry again.

Sometimes the best new R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm-and-blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B songs that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

Since the last update of this weekly R&B and Afrobeats column, we’ve received plenty of music and news from the genre’s artists. SZA confirmed her sophomore album’s title of S.O.S. and said it would drop next month while Lucky Daye shared a video for “F*ckin’ Sound” and announced a deluxe release of his Grammy-nominated Candydrip album. Speaking of the Grammys, Beyonce was the most-nominated artist for next year’s award show. Ari Lennox and Wizkid announced North American tours for their respective albums, Age/Sex Location and More Love, Less Ego. Elsewhere, Kelela announced her Raven album with “On The Run.”

Here are some more releases on the new music front that you should check out:

Eric Bellinger — “Obsession (Remix)” Feat. Muni Long

Late last month, Eric Bellinger announced that he and Hitmaka would team up again for a project, 1-800-Hit-Eazy: Line 2. They kicked things off by releasing “Obsession,” and now, Bellinger returns with Muni Long for a new remix. Muni checks in for a sultry verse that reciprocates passionate feelings.

Kaash Paige — S2ML

Prior to the start of this year, Kaash Paige had been particularly quiet since the release of her debut album Teenage Fever in 2020. At long last, she’s back with her sophomore effort S2ML (Soundtrack 2 My Life). The new project features 12 songs and appearances from 6lack and Lil Tjay.

Phony Ppl — Euphonyus

It took four years, but Phony Ppl is finally back with a new album. Euphonyus arrives with 12 songs and features from JoJo, Leon Thomas, The Soul Rebels, and Megan Thee Stallion. “Euphonyus is a harmonic celebration of sound and color through rhythm and melody,” Phony Ppl said in a press release. “It’s enticement. It’s about comfort, familiarity, and the safety and security that comes with that.”

Fana Hues — Flora + Fana

At the top of the year, Fana Hues opened her 2022 campaign with the release of her second project, Flora + Fana. Before the year comes to a close, the LA singer returns with a deluxe edition with three new tracks. They are “Float,” “Yours,” and a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer.”

Rileyy Lanez — “Not Mine”

With plans to release her Bittersweet EP early next month, Bronx singer Rileyy Lanez returns with “Not Mine.” The track is about facing the truth about holding on to a relationship long after it ends. “Things that are sweet can turn bitter,” Rileyy said about her upcoming EP. “This EP shines a light on all parts of a relationship – the good and the bad.”

Hylan Starr — “If Pretty Was A Person” Feat. Wale

Hylan Starr is on a hot streak as of late. Earlier this year he connected with Lil Baby for “Don’t Make Me Beg” and now he’s back alongside Wale for “If Pretty Was A Person.” Starr uses the record to shower a woman with praises about her beauty, and it only makes sense that he calls on Wale, the poetic genius himself, to get his message across.

Minz — “Wo Wo”

Minz has grown into one of my favorite bubbling afrobeats artists. With records like “BDMN” and “234” under his belt, the future looks very promising for him. Minz continues to brighten that future with his latest single “Wo Wo.” It’s a timid record that is quite pleasing to the ear thanks to jazzy trumpets that ring in the production along with Minz’s cool, calm, and collected vocals.

Ruger — “Red Flags”

You should be excited for the 2023 year that Ruger has in store for the afrobeats world. His latest single, “Red Flags,” is great evidence of why that excitement should be in place. The record captures the frustration between two who lovers who can’t get on the same page. From his point of view, Ruger believes the blame for the relationship’s issues should go on his partner as they expect him to be something he’s never been.

Teni, Mayorkun & Costa Titch — “Maitama” Feat. Ch’cco

Nigerian singer Teni returned earlier this week with her latest effort “Maitama.” It features help from Mayorkun, Costa Titch, and Ch’cco for what amounts to an absolute amapiano banger. The song itself is named after a leafy town in Nigeria and it follows Teni as she departs from home for a journey of growth toward an unknown destination. “This track is about me having fun in both good and bad times and expressing myself,” she said in a press release. “I may not know where I’m going but I’m going somewhere.”

King Isis — “4Leaf Clover”

Oakland-born and Los Angeles-bred singer King Isis places their brushes in an array of colors to create music. Whether it’s rock, R&B, jazz, or blues, their music covers pain, growth, and transformation something that’s evident in their latest single “4Leaf Clover.” The new record also comes ahead of their upcoming EP set to arrive next year.

Aqyila — “Oh”

Toronto singer Aqyila recently signed with Sony Music and dropped off her latest single, “Oh.” With the song, Aqyila reclaims her broken heart with the help of the powerful R&B tune, which in the end, amounts to a powerful message about self-love.

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

There are millions of great things to be said about Judy Greer but the best is that she is always consistently laughing at herself, which makes sense because she is just that funny. Greer stars in Reboot, the new Hulu series about rebooting a popular 90s sitcom with all of the same actors who are now old and jaded by Hollywood. This seems to happen a lot.

What also seems to happen a lot is Greer consistently taking roles where she has dramatic topless moments and they are always a little out of place and sometimes extremely over the top (literally!). But she’s great at it, so it works.

Greer was recently speaking to The Hollywood Reporter when the topic of her shirtless scenes came up and she explained how boobs and comedy just go well together. In a scene in Reboot, Greer said that the topless part was unplanned but ended up in the final cut because… it was just funny:

Being topless was not in the script. What was written was her trying to get her top off and everything. When you’re shooting scenes like that, you can wear a bandeau or pasties, but, when it comes down to it, it’s a pain in the ass shooting around all kinds of undergarments. So I said, “Let’s just do the scene and then you guys can just deal with my boobs in the editing room.” When the scene was edited together, they were like, “Well, we have two versions, and there is a version where we can see your breasts — and it’s very funny. We’re never putting this in the show if you don’t want to, but why don’t you come and see what you think?” So, I saw it, and I thought it was funny.

When asked if being topless makes her uncomfortable, she explained that this is never an issue for male actors. In fact, people seem to want more of that stuff! “There are so many different kinds of nudity, and that was nothing as far as my comfort level,” Greer said. “If I was doing some crazy sex scene, I weirdly think it would be less interesting to me to show anything. This is comedy, and they’re just boobs. We never freak out when dudes have their shirts off.” The actress added that if she were a man, the topic would have never come up at all, which is probably true.

Speaking of reboots, maybe it’s time for Arrested Development to come back (again) so that Greer can return as Kitty. That’s just what the world needs right now.

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

Lizzo is probably one of the most nonproblematic celebrities in the world today. She spreads positivity and kindness and encourages others with her openness about her mental health struggles. It’s pretty safe to be a Lizzo super fan and for Aurielle Marie, an Atlanta author, being a huge fan of Lizzo’s paid off in the most unexpected way.

Marie posted a video to TikTok pleading with Lizzo to wear her dress from the 2022 Emmys. But it turned out the dress was destroyed, according to Lizzo’s response, but her dress from the 2019 American Music Awards was intact. The dress was a beautiful muted fuchsia color with a fitted bodice and full tulle skirt complete with a thigh-high slit. Lizzo looked amazing in the dress so obviously fans would love to get their hands on it.

One of the most exciting things about social media is that you get the chance to interact with your favorite celebrities and, as luck would have it, Lizzo saw Marie’s video. The flute-playing megastar responded like an absolute queen.

---

Oh, you thought Queen Lizzo just sent this stranger a cute little video shout-out? Nope. Lizzo responded in the most down-to-earth way possible to help this author out. She sent her the dress. Yup. Just shipped her this gorgeous red-carpet-ready gown because Marie asked super nicely. Well, it probably had something to do with the fact that Marie was selected as one of Out Magazine’s Out 100. The author explains in her video, “It’s basically like the Time 100 but for LGBTQIA queerness. Like me!”

@lizzo

Replying to @badie_aukievah Love you @Aurielle Marie have an amazing time! 💋 @yitty

The event is taking place in New York and Marie has been struggling to find something to wear that fits her body shape and is appropriate for a red carpet event. There wasn’t a video explaining how Lizzo got the dress to Marie outside of an unsuspecting FedEx driver, but one would assume that someone as famous as Lizzo has people that find people.

Either way, the dress arrived just in the nick of time according to Marie. Much to her screaming and crying delight, the delivery person dropped the dress off only a few hours before the author’s flight was due to leave for the event. The joy that exuded from Marie as she opened the box was contagious. After she finished running around crying tears of joy, she tried on the dress. Perfect fit.

The exchange crossed platforms when Lizzo posted the video of Marie trying on the dress to Twitter and captioned it with, “It’s easy to be kind, and my absolute pleasure.” She closed out the post by telling Marie, “You look beautiful.”

I mean, obviously she was beautiful. How could she not be the epitome of beauty wearing that dress?

@auriellebewritin

Replying to @noirediamonds i might’ve gotten a few tears on your dress @lizzo, my bad babe! Words dont suffice, and thank you isnt enough. But THANK YOU! I’m speechless. Y’all! A bitch is certified LIZZO SIZED!!!!!! And LOOK AT THIS GOWN! @Out Magazine here i come! #fyp #foryou #lizzo

Who would’ve thought a random shot in the dark on TikTok would land you in contact with Lizzo and end in you borrowing her dress? The amount of screaming and pinch-me moments that must’ve happened between when the pop star responded and the night of the awards ceremony had to feel infinite.

It looks like Marie had a blast getting her award and thanks to Lizzo, she looked fabulous doing it. Here’s a reminder that a little kindness can go a long way.

Austin, Texas has a long history as an epicenter of live music — even earning the title “Live Music Capital Of The World.” From old german waltzes to pioneering jazz to swing to rock… Austin has always been a place to enjoy great music in warm weather with even warmer energy. It only makes sense that modern electronic music has also been welcomed into the city. And that was definitely the case last weekend when The Concourse Project hosted what’s become the South’s most eagerly anticipated boutique house and techno music festival, Seismic Dance Event.

At Seismic, each of the venue’s three stages, “Volcano, Tsunami, and Frequency” showcased a unique theme, production, and sound element– giving festival-goers a wide variety of options to choose from. Altogether, the immersive weekend was packed with nonstop music, art installations, food trucks, and dancing.

Like the stage names indicate, Seismic provided an eruption of world-moving musicians flooding the lineup. Some marquee performers included: Deutsche duo Ame, Jamie xx, LA star Shiba San, Italian tech vet Sam Paganini, Nala, Avision, Fatboy Slim, and many more. Also, shoutout to performers like LP Giobbi, a music queen whose local connection to Austin demonstrates the diversity of backgrounds that were on full display under the Texas high moon.

Check out the photos of the de facto Lollapalooza/Coachella of the South and mark it in the calendars for next year!

While you’re over there still blasting “Break My Soul” and “Energy” like it’s going out of style, all up in your feels and leaving the haters in the dust, don’t forget that Renaissance is merely the first installment of a Beyoncé trilogy of albums. Facts only. Ok…stop screaming for a moment. And look, Renaissance is already a monumental release for Queen Bey. It notched her another nine Grammy nominations (the most of anyone at the 2023 Grammy Awards, natch) bringing her into a tie for the most Grammy noms of all-time at 88 with her husband Jay-Z. Speaking of Jay-Z, this is about as good of a segue as any to lay out what else, besides Renaissance, is in Beyonce’s trilogy.

What Else Is In Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance’ Trilogy?

“This three-act project was recorded over three years during the pandemic,” Beyoncé said in the Renaissance liner notes. “A time to be still, but also a time I found to be the most creative.” Now in the midst of an impending Twitter exodus, New York Times reporter Kyle Buchanan has apparently spilled the beans on what he has gathered to be the next two volumes of the Beyoncé Trilogy. “Before Twitter goes down, instead of making you follow me somewhere else, I’ll just tell you what I’ve heard about the other 2 acts of Beyonce’s 3-part “Renaissance” project,” Buchanan tweeted. Adding that, “(2nd act is an acoustic album, 3rd act is a collaboration with Jay-Z).”

A Beyoncé acoustic album is the antithesis of the anthemic dance floor grooves from Renaissance but seems likewise destined to light the world on fire. Meanwhile, a new Bey and Jay-Z collab album would be the follow-up to 2018’s Everything Is Love which might’ve seemed like a one-off at the time. But when you’re hip-hop’s greatest power couple, why not give it another spin?

Now about that Renaissance tour and those music videos, we still haven’t seen…

Pink announced today that her ninth studio album, Trustfall, is coming out on February 17, 2023. The pop-rock star has also wasted no time in announcing the Summer Carnival Tour of North American stadiums for the summer of 2023. The “So What” singer will be bringing an eclectic wave of opening acts on tour with her that speaks to both artists she admires, as well as contemporaries. Some of the artists are along for the whole tour, while others present very special additions to select concerts.

Who Are The Openers For Pink’s ‘Summer Carnival Tour’

LA alt-rock band Grouplove will be supporting Pink on every stop of the tour. The same goes for DJ and producer KidCutUp. Well-respected Americana/alt-country singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile is along for the ride on most of the shows on the Summer Carnival Tour. But it really gets interesting when 80’s pop legend Pat Benatar and her creative partner and husband Neil Giraldo join Pink for a number of these shows as well.

Check out the full list of Pink’s Summer Carnival Tour stops below. Tickets go on sale to the public on Monday, November 21st here.

07/24/2023 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre^
07/26/2023 – Cincinnati, OH @ Great American Ball Park^
07/31/2023 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Park!
08/03/2023 – New York, NY @ Citi Field^
08/05/2023 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PNC Park^
08/07/2023 – Washington DC @ Nationals Park!
08/10/2023 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Field!
08/12/2023 – Chicago, IL @ Wrigley Field!
08/14/2023 – Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Field!
08/16/2023 – Detroit, MI @ Comerica Park^
08/19/2023 – Fargo, ND @ FARGODOME^
08/21/2023 – Omaha, NE @ Charles Schwab Field^
09/18/2023 – Philadelphia, PA @ Citizens Bank Park^
09/22/2023 – Nashville, TN @ GEODIS Park^
09/25/2023 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome^
09/27/2023 – Houston, TX @ Minute Maid Park^
09/29/2023 – Arlington, TX @ Globe Life Field^
10/03/2023 – San Diego, CA @ Snapdragon Stadium^
10/05/2023 – Los Angeles, CA @ SoFi Stadium!
10/07/2023 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium^
10/09/2023 – Phoenix, AZ @ Chase Field^

^ with Brandi Carlile
! with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
GROUPLOVE + KidCutUp are on all dates

As Trevor Noah prepares to wrap up his seven year run as the host of The Daily Show, he scored an interview what would be a huge get for any major network: Barack Obama. The former president’s appearance reportedly caused a massive line outside the studio as people battled the unseasonably cold weather to score seats for the free taping. With the crowd already pumped for Obama, Noah did a little pre-tape warm-up where he tried to explain what it’s like interviewing the politician who’s notably more chill than his “stiff” contemporaries.

“The funny thing is, President Obama, he’s loose and funny and he’s got swag and everything,” Noah told the crowd. “And then when he’ll talk to you he’ll make jokes and everything, and you’ll be all stiff.”

After doing a solid impression of Obama, Noah explained how it’s easy to get a little too comfortable while interviewing him. Via Vanity Fair:

“But if you’re not careful, you’ll get carried away and be like, ‘You’re damn straight I’m doing well,’” he said, in perhaps too casual a tone. Noah then compared their relationship to one of a nephew and a “cool uncle” who talks trash with his nephews, but the trash talk only goes one way. “You’ll be like, ‘Look at your haircut,’ and they’ll say, ‘Don’t speak to your elders like that. Don’t forget.’”

When Obama finally arrived on set, the audience got to see the uncle/nephew dynamic play out in real-time as Obama burnt Noah almost right out of the gate.

“Do you miss your name, by the way?” Noah asked the former president at the top of the show. “Because everyone calls you Mr. President. If people called me Mr. Daily, I would miss Trevor.”

“My best friends call me Barack,” Obama replied before adding with perfect comedic timing. “You should call me Mr. President.”

(Via Vanity Fair)