Caitlin Clark had a pretty incredible 2024, as she became a massive superstar, not just in the world of women’s hoops but as a bigger celebrity beyond just the sports world, during her senior season at Iowa and carried that over into a phenomenal Rookie of the Year campaign with the Indiana Fever that included an All-Star selection and playoff berth.

While 2024 for Clark was about as good a year as someone can have, her 2025 got off to a pretty incredible start on a personal level as she was in attendance at the Texans-Chiefs playoff game in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon as a guest of Taylor Swift.

In her Athlete of the Year profile with Time, Clark said Swift had invited her to a Chiefs game and also said she and Travis Kelce would make it to a Fever game next season. She followed through on that first part for a pretty big game as the Chiefs opened their playoff campaign as they go for a three-peat.

Clark is an unabashed Swiftie, making multiple appearances at The Eras Tour last year, joking she got so many friendship bracelets she was losing circulation in her arm. Parlaying that fandom into a budding friendship, it seems, with her favorite artist is pretty cool and is quite the way to kick off what should be an even bigger year for Clark on and off the court.

The relief efforts amid the ongoing Los Angeles County fires are revamping up. Several musicians including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé (by way of her foundation), and The Weeknd have given significant financial donation to support the cause. Other entertainers are showing their support for the cause by hitting the stage.

Earlier in the week, FireAid announced their benefit concert at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome scheduled for January 30. Today (January 18), the event’s lineup has been updated to include No Doubt.

Although the band’s frontwoman Gwen Stefani was a confirmed performer for the night, now she is set to reunite with the group in its entirety. Other musicians signed on for the one-night-only event include Uproxx cover Tate McRae, Billie Eilish, Finneas, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Green Day, Jelly Roll, Joni Mitchell, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Pink, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rod Stewart, Sting, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks, Dave Matthews and John Mayer.

The sale for the FireAid Benefit Concert For LA tickets is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, at noon pacific. However, if you are unable to attend the event, the show will be broadcast by AMC Theatres, Apple TV App, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, and YouTube. Find more information here.

The bond between a father and daughter is unbreakable. Many dads are willing to go to extreme lengths to protect their family. Although Method Man would certainly agree with this sentiment, the Wu-Tang Clan member was sure to dispel a recent viral rumor regarding his baby girl and fellow rapper Chey.

On January 16, the New York Post published a piece alleging Method Man was arrested in Staten Island after assaulting his daughter, real name Cheyenne Smith’s supposed ex-boyfriend Patrick Sokoya at a Crunch Fitness gym. However, in a statement published by AllHipHop, Method Man vehemently denied the claim.

Nicole Perna, Method Man’s representative, debunked the report saying: “Mr. Smith categorically denies the allegations as reported and has not been the subject of an arrest by any law enforcement agency.”

This was also echoed by a spokesperson for the New York Police Department. According to the official, no arrest report exists for the alleged incident. Prior to the report being debunked by both Method Man’s rep and the New York Police Department, users online expressed their willingness to rally behind the Power actor. With the matter seemingly cleared up by Method Man, fans have slammed the outlet for potentially damaging his rehabilitated image.

Yesterday (January 17), late rapper Mac Miller’s long-awaited album, Balloonerism, was released in all of its glory. The posthumous project featured guest appearances by Delusional Thomas and SZA.

Shortly after the body of work was shared to streaming platforms, SZA penned a touch note in Miller’s memory while encouraging others to listen to the album. “I love my friend,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I miss my friend. Grateful he saw something in me before most and treated me with love from day one. Wish he could see how right about everything he truly was.”

She closed: “Please go stream ‘Balloonerism’ RIGHT NOW.”

After Mac Miller’s tragic death in 2018, SZA released an emotional statement on Instagram (viewable here) reflecting on their friendship. Read the full post below.

You were the first person I met when I moved here. U let me come over everyday and be whoever I wanted. showed up for me in ways I can never express or repay. my gratitude is infinite. the first person to believe in me and make stuff w me. Record me all day n eat them nasty ass ham sandwiches. Introduced me to the coolest ppl I’ve ever met. showed me how to play gadgets I never seen before. I swam in my clothes once n u gave me pink polo pajamas to change into instead of something ugly ….u too f*cking real. Forever a genuine friend. the most kind supportive person Ever around. A jazz legend. I love you so much Malcolm! U r a LIGHT !! I dunno know what happened between our last convo and now but man I just pray your peaceful and moving light speed to wherever u r supposed to be …I’ll never let you dim in my mind or spirit !! never EVER Never stop honoring u!! !Promise to spread ur light forever !!… can’t believe this is real.. I wanna be in an alternate dimension. Bill Murray flicks on deck #longlivelarryfisherman

Balloonerism is out now via Warner Records. Find more information here.

The wildfires across Los Angeles County has caused nearly insurmountable damage. Unfortunately, musicians Jhené Aiko and Madlib are among of the thousands of residents impacted by the disaster. Many members of the music community have come out to aid with the relief efforts–Taylor Swift is the latest.

Over on the “Fortnight” singer’s official Instagram page, she shared an emotional statement (viewable here) regarding the LA Fires. In it, Swift revealed that she donated an undisclosed amount to multiple organizations.

“The fires in California have devastated so many families, and it’s been heartbreaking to see the stories unfold,” she wrote. “So much suffering, loss and destruction. As so many embark on some of the most challenging times of their lives, there are also many amazing organizations and groups banding together to help these communities rebuild.”

She closed by encouraging others to do the same: writing: “These are the organizations I’ve donated to. If you feel compelled or able to donate, please do.”

A few of the organizations Swift donated to include the California Community Foundation Fund, Greater Los Angeles Education Relief, Habitat for Humanity, and MusiCares.

Swift joins a long list of other entertainers to show their support for those impacted by the LA Fires. Beyoncé’s BeyGood Foundation, The Weeknd, and others have donated to relief efforts.

Last night, FYI and Uproxx Studios partnered with De.Nice, will.i.am’s charity i.am. Angel Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, and WalkGood LA to raise nearly $200,000 for those affected by the devastating LA Wildfires. Dubbed the “LA Check In,” the IG-hosted livestream event — a sort of spiritual successor to De.Nice’s Covid-era Club Quarantine streams — operated in a telethon model and raised funds from around the world with a special focus on individuals, first responders, and organizations directly impacted by the wildfires.

The livestream included a moving opening statement by will.i.am, a performance by DJ Hed, and appearances by the acclaimed actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, the mother of WalkGood LA co-founder and actor, Etienne Maurice, and an appearance by the comedian and actor, Affion Crockett.

The event brought together personalities, figures, and live donations from people who live and breathe LA, showing a strong commitment to the rebuilding efforts, and highlighting the vital role the arts and humanities play in bringing connection and community together while some of the wildfires continue to burn.

But the efforts aren’t over yet. The LA Check In will return tonight alongside guest DJ Meka Lolita with anticipated appearances by Charlamagne the God, Fitz and the Tantrums, Imogen Heap, MC Lyte, Sleater-Kinney and more for another night of fundraising. Tune into the livestream on Instagram Live or Youtube.

The Best New Hip-Hop This Week includes albums, videos, and songs from Busta Rhymes, Central Cee, and Mac Miller.

Here we are, folks: The first Best New Hip-Hop column of 2025. Pardon the interruption in service, but the first couple of weeks of this year were relatively dry compared to most. Never fear: This week, I’m adding a recap section to nail all the stuff that didn’t warrant a full column over the past two weeks but is still worth checking out.

The most notable release from this week is, of course, Mac Miller’s long-lost tape, Balloonerism, just part of a trove of sketches and demos he never released that could soon be making its way into the world thanks to his estate. This is a far better state of affairs than the recent Eminem demo leak, since Em never thought those songs should see the light of day.

Meanwhile, this week saw a wealth of comeback releases from the likes of artists like Mick Jenkins, who shared the belligerent “Wars & Rumors Of Wars“:

MIKE, who dropped the latest track from his upcoming tenth studio album, “Bear Trap“:

And Morray, who released his first song in over a year, “FTA (Failure To Appear)“:

Meanwhile, Central Cee continued the rollout for his debut album with the patriotic video for “GBP“:

Central Cee & 21 Savage – GBP (Official Music Video)

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending January 17, 2025.

New Year Recap

Notable releases of the past two weeks included new projects from:

Rio Da Yung OG — Rio Free

Among the rising stars who make up Michigan’s bustling hustle-rap scene, Rio’s face has been conspicuously absent despite a not-insignificant stream of new releases. This was mainly due to a 2019 conviction for federal possession of a firearm and drug trafficking. His five-year sentence is up, so don’t be surprised if you see him everywhere this year as he hits the ground running.

Wolfacejoeyy — Cupid

Included at the recommendation of Uproxx’s RYP Wongo Okon, Staten Island native Wolfacejoeyy’s music mostly operates in that vein of melodic New York rap embraced by characters like A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (who guests here on “Dallas”) and the tongue-in-cheek “sexy drill” presented by Bay Swag and his ilk (Bay appears on “Remember Me”). It’s a fun, breezy slice of East Coast rap that gets more undeniable with repeated plays. Always trust your resident young person.

Lil Baby — WHAM (Who Hard As Me)

Speaking of our RYP, Wongo also penned the first album review of the year for Lil Baby’s bounce-back album. We could have titled it “How Lil Baby Got His Groove Back,” as the Atlanta native sounds refreshed, reinvigorated, and reengaged after his commercially successful but sonically lackluster 2023 album, It’s Only Me.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

Busta Rhymes — Dragon Season… The Awakening

The Brooklyn vet drops a seven-song set to tee up … something. He’s used the “dragon” branding to great effect in the past, and if these seven songs are a prelude to a longer compilation coming down the line this year, he could do worse than fiddling around with the sounds of his 2013 mixtape, The Abstract And The Dragon, which featured and was guided by fellow Native Tongues member Q-Tip. Tip did some excellent work in executive producing LL Cool J’s The FORCE last year, so perhaps a similar electrifying effect could be on the books for Busta.

Mac Miller — Balloonerism

Constructed out of sketches emerging from the 2013-ish jam sessions that led to the release of Faces and GOOD:AM, Balloonerism is the first “new” project to surface from Miller’s archives, accompanied by a film of the same name. It’s hazy, jazzy, abstract rap at its best, the sort of stuff that blossomed from Mac’s unfortunately all-too-brief flirtation with sobriety. It’s great stuff.

OMB Peezy — Drifting Away

The Southern trap subgenre affectionately referred to as “pain music” has, at times, felt both oversaturated and undercooked — and weirdly, the guys who’ve gotten the strongest response from the public haven’t always been the best at it (this is just my opinion, don’t shoot the messenger). But OMB Peezy’s appeals to the heartstrings of listeners feel more effective to me than many of his peers’. You don’t have to have been in the trenches to get it, and while it’s gut-wrenching stuff, it’s never so maudlin that you don’t enjoy the vibe.

Singles/Videos

21 Lil Harold — “Word On The Street” Feat. Rob49

A member of 21 Savage’s Slaughter Gang crew, Lil Harold is the most obvious pick for the Atlanta menace’ heir apparent. He has a similar laconic delivery, but it’s not so similar that he doesn’t stand out in his own way. He’s got the same streak of dark humor to his trap tales, with an approach that feels maybe slightly less nihilistic than his boss’s.

Krept & Konan — “Low Vibrations”

The British duo from London is preparing to drop a new album, Young Kingz II, on February 7, and “Low Vibrations” is a strong table setter. Its insistent drill sound seems like it’d clash with the introspective lyricism, but the duo’s songwriting and chemistry demonstrates the versatility of the style.

Lelo — “Main Event”

This is my first time hearing this kid and I must admit, I’m officially rooting for him. The Sade sample helps, but it’s his laid-back flow that kept my attention after Ms. Adé’s voice captured it. The only thing holding the young’n back is that name, and for what it’s worth, it might just be something he’s stuck with at this point. Hopefully, he can get his buzz up enough to overturn the search optimization in his favor.

Nems — “My Side” Feat. Millyz

Here’s something different. It’s fascinating to see an old-school New York bruiser like Nems teaming up with Millyz, a decidedly more melodic rapper from Massachusetts. The results are a scintillating combo of sweet and salty, hitting all the right notes that such an expected combo should.

R2R Moe – “Progression”

Another RYP Wongo suggestion, R2R Moe is a New York City up-and-comer who made his debut last year with his mixtape MR. R2R. He’s already gained momentum among the city’s sexy drill fans, and with his rapid-fire flow, he certainly stands out. He’s poised to make something shake this year, so stay on the lookout.

Netflix has rescued numerous series, including You, Lucifer and Manifest, giving them life when other networks couldn’t sustain liftoff. Those pleasantly zombified series couldn’t hold a candle, however, to the mania surrounding Netflix’s Summer Of Suits, which motivated NBCUniversal to invest in a spin off, Suits: LA, that will soon arrive on NBC.

Only a few years ago, this was a development that nobody expected and has potentially opened the door to reviving more so-called “Blue Sky” series like White Collar. A formal green light hasn’t arrived for a Matt Bomer revisiting yet, and NBCUniversal is likely waiting to see how Suits: LA fares before opening the floodgates, so let’s get down to business on what is brewing for the West Coast version of an enduringly popular legal dramedy.

Cast

The spin off’s firm, Black Lane Law, specializes in entertainment and criminal cases and is led by ex-New Yorker Ted Black, portrayed by Stephen Amell (Heels). According to showrunner Aaron Korsch (speaking to Entertainment Weekly), this series will depart from Suits in favoring one leading man: “The original Suits was a dual lead show with Harvey and Mike, and this is a single lead with an ensemble.” Ted will, however, receive strong support from Stuart Lane (Josh McDermitt, The Walking Dead), a criminal law whiz with whom he founded Black Lane Law 15 years ago.

Other prominent characters include rival protégés Erica Rollins (Lex Scott Davis) and Rick Dodson (Bryan Greenberg), and you can see a photo of the core quartet together at Entertainment Weekly. Further members of the cast include Kevin Weistman, Rachelle Goulding, Alice Lee, and Victoria Justice.

Since this is a Los Angeles-based series, plenty of opportunity exists for celebrity clientele. Or does it? The original series did showcase Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) waving around Michael Jordan as a client, although His Airness never made an appearance on the show, which did manage to snag Charles Barkley and Michael Phelps in the flesh.

Similarly, we can expect famous names to be dropped by Ted Black. Those include Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Tom Hanks. Notably, Denzel Washington (according to Collider) has granted permission for his photo to be used on the series, and Amell hopes that turns into a real appearance: “Denzel, open invitation [to cameo], you heard it here first… [Washington giving permission to use his likeness] is a good sign, but I think [the jump from] photo to cameo is a stretch.”

A (sad) certainty of a celebrity cameo: late veteran actor John Amos’s final onscreen role will air in the first season.

Additionally, a special three-episode appearance will arrive from Gabriel Macht, who will reprise his Harvey Specter role. Fellow Suits veteran Wendell Pierce is also gunning hard to cameo as Robert Zane, although no confirmation there has surfaced yet. And why will Harvey be visiting? That’s part of the plot.

Plot

When Suits: LA begins, Black Lane Law will be at a “breaking point.” As Aaron Korsch revealed to EW, Black is “struggling as a leader,” and “he can get so driven and so focused on what’s in front of him or the next battle to win that he loses sight of his relationships with the people closest to him, and that’s what really manifests in the pilot.” Disagreements over the firm’s legacy will yield intense conflict between Ted Stuart, and it appears that Ted is the problem, states Korsch: “Ted doesn’t think that there’s anything wrong with their relationship at all – I think Stuart might disagree.”

That remark resembles a troubled marriage, and to work with that analogy, some counseling might be needed. Who best to perform that magic? As Deadline first reported, Macht was more than willing to slip into Harvey’s shoes, and as Macht wrote on Instagram: “When an old friend is in need… it’s time to take care of things and make those very ‘things’ right.”

Stephen Amell surfaced in Macht’s Instagram comments to complete the picture: “The Bat Signal does work!!” And NBC’s synopsis agrees:

Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor from New York, has reinvented himself representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles. His firm is at a crisis point, and in order to survive he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career. Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can’t help but mix their personal and professional lives. All of this is going on while events from years ago slowly unravel that led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.

Release Date

Suits: LA will debut on Feb. 23 on NBC. The series will also stream on Peacock. Future seasons are virtually guaranteed after production moved to LA after receiving substantial tax incentives. (Production did recently pause due to the Los Angeles fires, but the release date remains intact.)

Trailer

A full trailer should arrive soon, but this teaser trailer coasts on LA vibes.

Looking to eat healthy with all the convenience of fast food? It’s time to finally order that salad. And look, we’re fully aware that once you smother a salad in dressing, or top it with fried chicken, it ups the calories considerably, but we think obsessing about calories misses the point.

If you’re an obsessive calorie counter, then yes, you’re going to have to ration your dressing or skip out on the more indulgent ingredients, but if you’re looking for something nutritious, full of vegetables and greens, that isn’t fried — salads are the answer. Even if the calorie count is nearly the same, a salad is healthier for your body than a fried chicken sandwich or an indulgent bacon cheeseburger.

So if you want that fried chicken topping. Get it! We’d argue there is probably a better option elsewhere on the menu, but hey, we support baby steps.

To help make your salad ordering easier, we ranked our favorite fast food salads that are still available in 2025.

9. Dairy Queen — Crispy Chicken Strips Salad

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

We tried to include only the very best salads for this ranking, partly to save you some time, and partly because salads in fast food are a dying breed. There are fewer of them than ever, so it truly baffles us that one of the last remaining is this awful one by Dairy Queen. So while this isn’t a “salad worth ordering,” allow us to indulge in this rant for a second.

This is maybe the most mediocre dish we’ve ever eaten in all of fast food.

This salad gives you a bed of flavorless iceberg lettuce topped with chopped up fried chicken tenders, some oddly flavorless tomatoes, bacon, and a few shreds of bagged cheddar cheese. The main issue here is the flavors never really come together, it just tastes like a random assortment of ingredients meant for other dishes.

The Bottom Line:

Going to Dairy Queen to order a salad sounds like some truly bizarre behavior. Like going to a Steakhouse to order soup.

8. Jack in the Box — Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

There was a time when Jack in the Box’s Southwest Salad was one of the best in the game, but that was a long, long time ago. Then the salad went through a phase when it was absolutely awful, and now, it has swung back around. I wouldn’t call it one of the best in the game, but it’s certainly better than a few years back.

On a bed of mixed greens you get your choice of grilled or fried chicken strips (we prefer grilled because it melds with the flavors more), juicy grape tomatoes, salty tortilla strips, which add a nice layer of texture, shredded carrots, and a light sprinkle of cheddar cheese.

Tieing the salad together is the “Creamy Southwest Dressing,” which is a heavy cream-based sauce that has a zesty blend of seasoning, a bit of lime tang, and a savory finish.

The Bottom Line:

It’s a good, but not great salad. If Jack in the Box is all that’s available and you want something on the healthier side, this is your best bet. But if you’re looking for the type of salad to be excited by, look elsewhere.

7. Taco Bell — Cantina Chicken Bowl

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

Last year Taco Bell launched the “Cantina Chicken Menu,” and it’s probably the best thing to ever happen to the chain restaurant. Some of my favorite dishes are part of that menu, and while we wouldn’t classify the Cantina Chicken Bowl as my favorite from the menu, it’s pretty damn good, so we’re happy to suggest it.

The bowl, which we admit isn’t technically a salad, features zesty and tender chicken, black beans, a savory avocado ranch sauce, some oddly flavorless sour cream, pico de gallo, a scoop of guacamole, cheese, lettuce, rice, and purple cabbage.

The mix of lettuce and cabbage gives the salad a nice textural crunch, and while the guacamole and rice aren’t the best you’ll ever have, they get the job done and pair nicely with the real star of the show: the chicken, which has a nice blend of zesty and herbal notes, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Yes, we’re talking about Taco Bell! It needs to be tasted to be believed.

The Bottom Line:

The Cantina Chicken Bowl is way better than it should be. While we love the flavor here, there is a handful of much better options.

6. Habit Burger & Grill — Santa Barbara Cobb

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

Habit’s Santa Barbara Cobb means well, but some slight quality control issues keep this from being truly delicious. Mainly, it’s the avocado. A lot of times, it’s over-ripened, which adds a dirty flavor to an otherwise great-tasting salad. However, there have been a few times I’ve ordered this, and the avocado is fine. Just something to keep in mind — when dealing with avocado at the Habit, it’s a gamble.

The salad features a bed of romaine and iceberg lettuce topped with juicy cherry tomatoes, the aforementioned avocado, some tangy blue cheese crumbles, thin, but crispy and wonderfully smokey bacon, egg, and some fresh grilled chicken breast.

I think this salad tastes best with Habit’s House Dressing, which is a simple balsamic and olive oil blend and adds a nice tangy and slightly smokey finish to each forkful.

The Bottom Line:

Altogether this salad comes across as wonderfully savory and quite hearty. It’s a restaurant-quality salad for sure.

5. Chick-fil-A — Spicy Southwest Salad

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

I keep ping-ponging back and forth on whether or not I think the Spicy Southwest Salad or the Cob is the king at Chick-fil-A, but I’m going to go ahead and draw a line in the sand, put my foot down, and say that the Spicy Southwest Salad deserves the crown.

Over a base of mixed greens, this salad features always-ripe grape tomatoes, a mix of creamy and sharp Monterrey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, some roasted corn, black beans, sweet red bell peppers, chili and lime-dusted pumpkin seeds, salted tortilla strips, and what we consider the star of the salad, poblano chilies.

Combine that with your choice of grilled or fried chicken (we think the new spicy grilled chicken tastes the best), and you’ve got a medley of fresh, sweet, peppery, and spicy flavors in every forkful. The poblanos provide a really nice smokey and earthy flavor that somehow makes the spicy grilled chicken filet taste even spicier.

The Bottom Line:

Smokey, sweet, and peppery. This salad is packing big flavors worth getting excited over.

4. El Pollo Loco — Double Chicken Tostada Salad

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

The goal of this article is to point you in the direction of the very best-tasting salads, nutritional facts be damned, so if eating a salad out of a big giant fried tortilla seems a bit too indulgent for you, by all means, pick up the regular Double Chicken Avocado Salad. It features essentially the same build. But if you like having fun, you gotta grab the Tostada version.

Inside a giant fried flour tortilla you have a big serving of pinto beans, El Pollo Loco’s housemade salsa, sour cream, creamy Monterey Jack cheese, rice, shredded lettuce, avocado, and a double-serving of flame-grilled chicken.

The dominant tasting notes here are citrus and charred meat with some earthy, zesty seasonings, some mild spice from the pico de gallo, and a savory buttery quality courtesy of the avocado. The best part is you can break off pieces of the Tostada, and you essentially have a plate of nachos.

The Bottom Line:

It’s a bit more indulgent than a regular salad, but in the best way possible.

3. Chipotle — UPROXX Custom Bowl

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

A couple of years back, we set out to make the greatest Chipotle salad build (we also did burritos and tacos) and after several taste tests and different combinations, we think we’ve cracked it!

The Uproxx Custom, as we’re calling it, features pinto beans, white rice, barbacoa, fajitas, tomatillo red salsa, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, and a finishing dash of Tabasco Green Pepper sauce, which is strangely located near the straws and lids.

With our build, you’re guaranteed forkful after forkful of spicey, smokey, earthy, and sweet flavors, with mouth-watering aromatics that tickle the tongue as much as the tastebuds. Why barbacoa? Because it’s the juiciest and most tender meat on the entire Chipotle menu, and those notes of oregano and clove pair nicely with the cumin-heavy pinto beans.

The Bottom Line:

Part of us wants to give this salad the number one spot, but since it’s a custom job, that seemed a bit too biased. If you’re looking for a salad that is earthy, spicy, and herbaceous, this hits the spot.

2. Sweetgreen — Guacamole Greens

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

I fully expected Sweetgreen, an eatery whose whole concept is, you know, greens, would have the best salad and while it comes close, it’s not quite there yet.

The Guacamole Greens features a bed of romaine, spring mix, and purple cabbage topped with roasted chicken, avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, pickled onion, and fried tortilla bits, and is served with a lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette, and a slice of lime for an extra dose of bright citrus. If you’re wondering where the guacamole is, same.

I don’t actually think guacamole would improve this salad, I much rather have the chunks of fresh avocado, I just thought it was strange to include it in the name.

First I’ll start with what works. I love the lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette. It’s tangy, a bit sour, herbal, peppery, and has a nice mild heat to it. Hands down, its the best dressing of any fast food salad.

he rest of the salad is standard fare, the produce here is great but I did find the chicken to be a bit dry and flavorless, and could’ve done without the pickled onions.

Still that dressing more than makes up for any weak points.

The Bottom Line:

If your favorite part of a salad is the dressing, it doesn’t get better than Sweetgreen’s lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette.

1. Panera — Mediterranean Greens With Grains

Thoughts & Tasting Notes:

My original go-to at Panera was the Asian Sesame salad, but when it was taken off the menu I was forced to find something new, which is when I came across the delicious Mediterranean Greens with Grain salad. Recently, Panera brought back the Asian Sesame, but having had this, I’m not sure I could go back.

On a bed of romaine and spring mix, we’ve got a mix of rice and farro, which bring some nice nutty and toasty notes, a scoop of simple hummus, feta cheese, sweet red onions, sweet and mild peppers, cucumber, and a heavy dusting of robust seasoning that combines paprika, with cumin and cinnamon.

There is a lot of flavor here, it’s a mix of shifting earthy, toasty, and peppery flavors all tied together with a tangy, fatty, and oregano-heavy Greek dressing. There is a version of this salad with chicken, but honestly, the flavors offer so much here that I don’t think it’s needed.

The Bottom Line:

The current best fast food salad your money can buy in 2025. Each forkful is a flavor bomb.

Nigerian singer Winny delivered her debut project nearly two years ago with the release of her self-titled EP. Winny was a sharp formal introduction to the singer through tracks like the breathtaking “Pretty” which said she wrote to “communicate self-love.” She added, “There’s nobody that can love me like me. I want people to embrace themselves regardless of who they are, what they are, where they come from or what they are going through.”

Love is still the centerpiece of her music, as shown on her latest EP Commercial Break. With eight songs to its name, Winny’s new project is a sizzling blend of afrobeats, reggae, soul, and R&B. “Each song represents fleeting moments of love, like commercial breaks in life where love interrupts the everyday routine,” Winny said about Commercial Break in a press release.

She continued, “Love can come from unexpected connections and can be presented as spontaneous, catching people off guard in the middle of life’s ‘programming’ much like a commercial break offering relief, a temporary escape from pain similar to a break during a tense show.”

A few weeks removed from the release of Commercial Break, we caught up with Winny to learn more about her influences, inspirations, and aspirations. Scroll to hear her Commercial Break standouts and discover more about Winny.

• Hurricane Wisdom Is On His Way To Becoming Rap’s Next Breakout Act
• Raiche Breaks Free And Runs Wild On The Resilient ‘Making Room’
• Xenia Manasseh Accepts The Risks Of Romance With Ferocity On ‘Love/Hate Pt. 2’
• FAVE Begins Her Best Chapter Yet With The Freeing ‘Dutty Love’
• Skylar Simone’s Growth Is As Remarkable As Her Voice On ‘Shiver’

What is your earliest memory of music?

⁠My earliest memory of music that I can remember is hearing songs that my dad played on his old record player. It was smooth, soulful, and it felt like the music was alive.

Who or what inspired you to take music seriously?

I’ll say people — seeing how music brings people together inspires me. That sense of unity, that power to connect people from different walks of life, made me realize that music was something bigger than just entertainment. I knew I had to pursue it. It wasn’t just about writing songs or performing; it was about creating something that could touch hearts, heal wounds, and build bridges.

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

Yes! I can play the guitar a bit. I am still learning!

What was your first job?

My first job was working as a barista in a small local coffee shop.

What is your most prized possession?

My guitar.

What is your biggest fear?

Losing the ability to create.

Who is on your music Mt. Rushmore?

Chronixx for his rawness, Beyoncé for her power, Sade for her smooth elegance, and Kanye West for his unmatched energy.

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

First, I’d take a private jet to a tropical island. I’d spend the day feeling the breeze, and soaking up the sun. Then, I’d go for a shopping spree.

What are your three most used emojis?

, , and .

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

I’d say creating a song with Kanye West would be top of the list.

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

I’d love to be in Euphoria. The way they use music in that show is so deeply connected to the characters’ emotions. It’d be amazing to contribute a song that fits with that intense, raw energy.

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

I’d say Burna Boy. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he also knows how to diversify his career and stay true to himself. I admire that about him.

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

Music is universal. No matter where you’re from or what language you speak, a good song can always find its way to your soul.

What is the best song you’ve ever heard in your life and what do you love about it?

“Fireflies” by Owl City. It’s impossible to listen to that song and not feel something deep!

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform, and what’s a city you’re excited to perform in for the first time?

Honestly? Anywhere!

You are throwing a music festival. Give us the dream lineup of 5 artists that will perform with you and the location where it would be held.

There are so many artists that I could name! But for starters, I’d have to say Beyoncé, Kanye West, Post Malone, Rihanna, Tiwa Savage, TUFACE, Shenseea, Billie Eilish, Dexta Daps, Ruger, Tems, Davido, Popcaan, Tay Iwar, Koffee, SZA, Kranuim, Chronixx, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Omah Lay, Rema and Bob Marley (if he were still with us). It would be held at Coachella because it’s the perfect blend of history, vibe, and diverse crowds.

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

Hmmm, probably creating as a fashion designer.

If you could see five years into the future or go five years into the past, which one would you pick and why?

I would choose to go into the future to see how the global music industry will evolve.

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

I would go back and tell my 18-year-old self to stop worrying about people’s opinions and to focus on your voice, vision, and journey. It’s all yours to create, and it’s worth it.

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

I want my music to stand as a testament to authenticity, and connection. I want people to remember that I was an artist who wasn’t afraid to show her true self to the world.

Commercial Break is out now via Sygnal Music. Find out more information here.