Category: News

Many of our favorite artists have already gifted us with great albums this year. Lizzo, Giveon, DVSN, and Stormzy are among those who have supplied us with incredible records over the course of the past year, and their gifts don’t stop there. They are among the musicians who have partnered with Amazon Music to cover holiday classics exclusively for the streaming service.

Lizzo will cover “Someday At Christmas” by Stevie Wonder, the message of which, she says, aligns with how she envisions the holidays.

“I chose to cover ‘Someday At Christmas’ not just because it’s a classic, but because it’s a reminder to us that almost 60 years later, we are still fighting for peace, compassion, and equality,” Lizzo said in a statement. “A friendly reminder to spread love and kindness this holiday season.”

Also releasing holiday music is country superstar Kane Brown, who will cover Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas.”

“We have Christmas music playing at our house all throughout the season, and this year I’m excited that my daughters will get to hear my voice on one of the most timeless classics made famous by the legendary Elvis Presley,” added Brown. “I hope my version puts everyone in the holiday spirit.”

Some of the covers have already been released, and the others will drop as the holiday season continues.

Check out the roster below.

“Someday at Christmas” by Lizzo
“Blue Christmas” by Kane Brown
“The First Noel” by Giveon
“Last Christmas” by Lauren Spencer Smith
“Firebabe” (Orchestral Version) by Stormzy
“Amazing Grace” by DVSN
“All I Want (For Christmas)” by Zoe Wees
“In the Bleak Midwinter” by Alexis Ffrench
“Together This Christmas” by Maisie Peters
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Manuel Turizo
“Christmas Lights” by Amy Shark
“En lo Alto Gloria” by Majo y Dan and Alex Zurdo
“Mon Beau Sapin” by Kendji Girac
“Jingle Bells” by Sam Ryder
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Priya Ragu
“Pastello Bianco” by Pinguini Tattici Nucleari
“Gozo y Paz” by Blanca and Alex Campos
“La Marimorena” by Demarco Flamenco
“Who Would Imagine a King” by Budjerah
“Dime Navidad” by Edurne
“El Hijo Ausente” by Rafa Pérez

Some of the artists mentioned are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Sabrina Carpenter dropped the new music video for her Emails I Can’t Send single, “Nonsense,” this morning. Directed by Danica Kleinknecht, Carpenter appears alongside her friends Paloma Sandoval and Whitney Peak (Gossip Girl), as they attend a party. There, Carpenter meets… herself… sort of. Except she’s playing a character of a “dipsh*t” guy, as the hat she wears for the costume reads.

Before releasing the music video, “Nonsense” had become a fan-favorite from her recent album, which led to the video’s creation. It also is one of the sassier, romantic songs on the record, compared to others that heartbreakingly reflect on past relationships, like “How Many Things” and “Skinny Dipping.” Carpenter even made it clear during one of her tour dates, when she sang “This song is not about Joshua Bassett” to the melody.

“The ‘Nonsense’ video really happened because of the fans persistently asking, and that’s the coolest feeling,” Carpenter told Rolling Stone about the video. “I knew immediately I wanted my best friends to be in the video, and I wanted us to play our own boyfriends because the song is just too fun for the video not to be a riot.”

“Track no. 9 has a video all bc of you guys!! nonsense video is out now and it is sooo unserious + def one of my favorite videos may b ever,” she also shared on Instagram.

Watch Sabrina Carpenter’s “Nonsense” music video above.

Rapper Takeoff of Migos was laid to rest in Atlanta today (November 11). During his celebration of life, which took place at State Farm Arena in downtown, his bandmates Quavo and Offset spoke in remembrance of Takeoff, as well as longtime Migos collaborator, Drake, according to a press statement from Takeoff’s team.

Additionally, Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens presented Takeoff’s family with The Phoenix Award, the City of Atlanta’s highest honor, which recognizes outstanding services.

Last week, following Takeoff’s tragic death, Dickens shared a video statement to Instagram, remembering Takeoff fondly, and decrying gun violence.

“I’m asking us to focus on stopping the violence, I’m asking us (to honor) the essence of a young man like TakeOff – only 28 years old, a humble, good, family dude, somebody who like I said was introspective, versatile, gives good lyrics but also thoughtful,” Dickens said. “We need to live in that peace, go forward living in that light.”

Dickens also slammed those who recorded and shared videos and photos of the crime scene following the shooting, and ended the video with a benediction to Quavo, who was present during Takeoff’s final moments.

“You and your entirely family, you can count on us and the city of Atlanta,” Dickens said.

A celebration of life event was held this afternoon for the late rapper Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. The eulogy was performed by Pastor Jesse Curney III of New Mercies Christian Church, where Ball was an avid member.

A press release from Takeoff’s team confirmed that a number of musicians made appearances to pay tribute to their friend and talented artist. Quavious “Quavo” Marshall and Kiari “Offset” Cephus, relatives who made up the rap trio Migos with Takeoff, spoke at the funeral. Other speakers included Pierre “P” Thomas and Kevin “Coach K” Lee.

In addition, musical performances were held by Justin Bieber, Chloe Bailey, Yolanda Adams, and Byron Cage. The New Mercies Church provided the choir.

Other notable guests, who didn’t speak or perform, included Drake, Cardi B, Gucci Mane, City Girls, YG, Russell Simmons, Lil Yachty, and many more.

“We formed a brotherhood. I always talk about the fact that this was one family. My friends in the music industry are not friends, they’re family,” Drake said during a recent Sirius XM show. “So, our deepest condolences. Tragic loss for all of us and, you know, a dark cloud over this business that we love so much.”

The Canadian rapper also paid tribute to Takeoff in a previous Instagram post. “I got the best memories of all of us seeing the world together and bringing light to every city we touch. That’s what I’ll focus on for now,” he wrote. While Drake had been scheduled to play a show in NYC today, he moved the dates to attend Takeoff’s funeral.

Though GloRilla is still fresh off dropping her major label debut EP, her track record of hits, including “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” and the Cardi B-assisted “Tomorrow 2” is setting her up for a promising career in rap.

Her new EP, Anyways, Life’s Great…, has been met with much praise from fans, all of who are happy to see her star rise.

“I’m happy we all seem to be in alignment with loving glorilla and happy for her,” said one Twitter user, “she has the best energy and i never been more happy to see someone I don’t even know make it.”

Many of the EP’s songs feature GloRilla taking charge, letting men know she’s not the one to play with. So much so, many are wanting to take a page from the book of Glo.

“I gotta start being like thinking like and moving like Glorilla,” said another Twitter user. “this album is [fire emoji].”

Judging from fan reactions, nearly every song on the EP has the potential to be a hit, proving that GloRilla isn’t a flash in the pan.

“listening to Glorilla’s new album, first song in… i’ve heard enough. everybody scoot over and make some room. she’s won. she’s taking it,” said another Twitter user.”

Anyways, Life’s Great… is out now via CMG and Interscope. Stream it here.

Back in 2020, while Lizzo played a Super Bowl pre-show concert, she revealed just how much her life and career has brought her full circle. Specifically, the pop star shared that when she was in high school, she actually had the honor of participating in the yearly football game’s festivities once before: through the school marching band. Apparently, they also appeared in the tv show, Friday Night Lights, as well.

“Our high school got selected to be in the crowd on the field during Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson,” Lizzo said at the time. “Now here I am performing for the Super Bowl. I got a song with Justin Timberlake. And Janet Jackson likes my music. A lot can happen in a lifetime.”

The show in question was the halftime one in 2004, where Jackson and Timberlake performed together.

Famously, Lizzo also appears in a marching band during the music video of her major hit, “Good As Hell.” It seems that might’ve been a nod to her high school days as well.

Two years later, she is once again revisiting her music roots in an upcoming documentary for HBO Max titled Love, Lizzo. The early trailer for the film finds Lizzo playing her most popular songs like “Truth Hurts” to a super sweet fanbase, attending high-scale photoshoots, and showing off some archival footage of herself as a child — when she was making pop songs growing up.

If there’s one thing to take away, whether it’s Lizzo’s marching band days or her documentary, it’s that she’s truly a hardworking inspiration to us all.

Lizzo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The harp is the oldest known stringed instrument, dating back at least to the 1200s, and variations of the harp can be found all around the world.

It’s simultaneously one of the easiest and hardest instruments to play. Like the piano, a harp’s strings are each individual notes that are already in tune, so unlike a violin or cello, you can’t hit any slightly off-key notes. To play the harp, you simply pluck the strings, so learning to perform a simple tune doesn’t require a great amount of skill.

However, to play the harp at a high level is difficult. A full-sized harp’s 47 strings are placed very close together, so the margins of error are tiny. The precision needed to play a complex piece without hitting any wrong strings is intense, and it takes a lot of time and practice to create the muscle memory necessary to play the harp well.

It is a beautiful, ethereal-sounding instrument when it is played well, though, and it’s always a treat to see someone excel at it.

Kristan Toczko is a renowned Canadian harpist whose expressive playing and infectious love of music have gained her a significant following on social media. She often takes requests for songs to play or mashups to create on the harp, but one mashup she arranged is particularly impressive.

A follower requested she blend “Carol of the Bells” with the theme from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and she did. It may sound like an odd combo, but it totally works. Watch:

@harpistkt

Reply to @jilly.mara i had WAY TOO MUCH FUN with this!!!! #harptok #carolofthebells #piratesofthecaribbean #musicmashup #song #cover #disney #hesapirate #christmas #carol

Toczko explained in comments on Facebook that the blisters she gave herself were due to taking a break from playing before recording the video. Like all string players, harpists develop calluses from playing, which serve to protect the skin of their fingers. However, it doesn’t take long for those calluses to wear away, and playing a piece that requires intense plucking can be quite tough on the old fingers.

For more fun with the harp, follow Kristan Toczko on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

Oh, and by the way, she has a great sense of humor, too. Check out her response below to a question about songs that play the highest and lowest strings on the harp.

See on Instagram

Anyone who has parented a spirited “threenager” knows how hard handling toddler tantrums can be. Parents often joke about our wee ones throwing down, because laughter is sometimes the only way to cope. But in reality, it can be extremely disturbing and distressing for the entire household when a family member carries on in a way that feels—or truly is—out of control.

Major tantrums can be especially hard for parents who didn’t have good parenting examples themselves. It takes superhuman patience to be the parents we want to be some days, and none of us does it perfectly all the time. When a child is screaming and crying over something irrational and nothing seems to be working to get them to stop, exhausted parents can lose their cool and respond in ways they normally wouldn’t.

That’s one reason a TikTok video of a father and son captured in the aftermath of an epic toddler tantrum has caught people’s attention. Many of us have been in the dad’s shoes before, frazzled and shaken by the relentlessness and intensity of a 3-year-old’s meltdown. And many of us have been in the son’s shoes as well, witnessing a younger sibling’s insanity and our parents’ struggle to manage the situation.

But the way this father and son support one another is bringing people to tears with its beautiful example of emotional regulation, empathy and connection.

TikTok user @mollymikos shared the video, explaining that their 3-year-old had just thrown a 2 1/2-hour tantrum (which she clarified was actually two tantrums with a 10-minute break in between). “We did not have Unicorn Chopsticks and would not go to the store (where they don’t sell unicorn chopsticks….),” she explained when someone asked what the fit was over. Sounds about right. The tyrannical threes are no joke.

So much to love in this video. First, the 6-year-old, whom the mom describes as “empathetic” and “a deeply feeling kid,” demonstrated impressive self-regulation skills. The way he started taking deep breaths and suggested that he and Dad do some deep breathing together was inspiring. Second, the dad apologized for losing it and explained that they were trying to set a better example as parents, which many parents are far too proud to do. Finally, the kiddo displayed such deep understanding and compassion, it was clear these parents have worked hard to create healthy emotional connections and open communication in their family.

@mollymikos

#selfregulation #meltdowns #threenagers #precociouschildren

“This just goes to show how much of a great job your doing!!!” wrote one commenter. “Toddlers are hard and the fact your 6yo was able to empathize and communicate shows it.”

“This is why you’re good parents,” shared another. “Your older child can regulate his emotions and in empathetic. That’s amazing at any age and you did that.”

“Not me sobbing at 2 am bc this is the healthiest parent-child relationship ever,” wrote another. “Keep it up 😭😭💕 yall are doing awesome.”

The fact that the dad apologized for losing his patience was particularly moving for a lot of commenters, especially those who had parents who never did that. When we apologize to kids when we’re in the wrong or when we behave in a way we’re not proud of, we’re demonstrating respect and teaching accountability by example. The fact that this dad is comfortable apologizing is likely a big reason why his son has the emotional tools that he does.

Gentle, compassionate parenting may not instantaneously end a tantrum, but it does pay off with big emotional and relational wins in the long run.

It seems Lady Gaga’s Little Monsters have a lot to look forward to next year… or perhaps, even sooner. Gaga’s 2013 experimental album, Artpop, has been teased over the years of having a follow-up version — both by the pop star herself and the record’s collaborators. It seems the long-awaited Artpop: Part II is finally on the horizon.

During the fall of that year, Gaga said that she had “lots of songs for Act 2” and noted that “it’ll be nice to play both acts on the tour” according to her official fandom wiki. However, 2013 soon passed and nothing official ever materialized of Artpop: Act II. That didn’t stop its existence from still being commented on.

DJ White Shadow, one of Gaga’s Artpop producers, has sent fans into a spiral once again with a new social media post about it.

“YOU HAVE MY PROMISE THAT I WILL HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU ON THIS DAY NEXT YEAR,” he posted on Instagram.

The producer/DJ has also done interviews about Gaga’s Artpop: Act II, including one in Entertainment Weekly just last year.

“She has feelings (like any other normal person) and this ‘era’ was a hard time for her too,” he said. “I am sure she will be okay with revisiting it one day and building on it when the time is right. I will continue to push for those songs you want so badly, that LG and I did, and I hope you will get to hear them. Don’t let them die. Continue to get your message to the people in charge. You have the power, don’t give up.”

Continue scrolling for some additional fan reactions on Lady Gaga’s Artpop: Part II.

Though he only released his debut album, Nobody’s Home, it seems Bakar is gearing up for a new era. Hot off a newly signed deal with Epic, Bakar has shared a new song called “Pit Stop.”

Driven by an acoustic guitar, “Pit Stop” features melancholy vocals from Bakar, as he laments a love gone sour.

“I wish you told me / You had got cold feet / Wish you had told me / This how it would be / Think I got too cozy / Why did you pick me? / Tried to be 100 / You wanted to be 50,” he sings, as light percussion begins to build up

“Pit Stop” is one of Bakar’s more vulnerable tracks. In an interview with Dazed last year, he expressed why he feels it’s important to put his heart into his lyrics, no matter how raw he gets.

“I think truth is the most important thing,” Bakar said. “Is it ever too personal to write about? I don’t know. I personally think not, but I understand why people would say it (can be). I always feel like the more personal it gets, the more someone out there is gonna connect to it. The more honest I am, the more (some people) gravitate towards the music. The more human it is, the more likely someone’s going to feel it.”

At the time of writing, “Pit Stop” is currently only available to stream on YouTube.

Check out “Pit Stop” above.