Category: News

Billie Eilish‘s momentous rise to fame was chronicled through her recently released intimate documentary The World’s A Little Blurry, where the pop star reveals a lot of personal details about her life. It includes some insight into her love life, about which the singer is notoriously tight-lipped.

The reason why Eilish rarely discusses her relationships became clear following the release of the film. It features a few cameos from her ex-boyfriend, the rapper Brandon Quention Adams (who makes music under his moniker Q), and also discussed their break-up. Apparently, Eilish’s fans weren’t too happy with how things ended because Adams claimed fans “bashed” him in a recent post on social media explaining his side of the story:

“People fail to realize I’ve been dealing with my brothers death. Especially round that time when it was fresh. Sometime you have to be alone to cope. Sometimes people don’t disagree and don’t want the same things as one another. It’s on you to understand there’s several point of views to a situation. Anyone who knows me knows where my heart is. […] But I refuse to be bashed.”

Eilish ended up needing to step in to get her fans off his back. “remember to be nice to people no matter what,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories. “i love you guys thank you for protecting me but be nice.”

Eilish had addressed the difficult breakup throughout the documentary. “I just wasn’t happy,” she said at one point. “I didn’t want the same things he wanted and I don’t think that’s fair for him. I don’t think you should be in a relationship super excited about things that the other person couldn’t care less about.” Elsewhere in the film Eilish labeled Adams as “self-destructive” after he broke his hand by punching a wall.

Read Adams’ full statement about his breakup with Eilish above.

The Atlanta Hawks became the second team to part ways with its head coach this season on Monday, opting to fire Lloyd Pierce amid a 14-20 start to the year. Injuries had played a major role in that record, but Atlanta came into this year with postseason aspirations, and unfortunately for Pierce, those aspirations came with expectations that the squad just was not meeting.

Beyond that, there had been rumblings about friction between star guard Trae Young and Pierce for some time, and a coach bumping heads with their star player has been a pretty common way for that coach to lose their job. Thanks to a report on the circumstances that led to Pierce’s dismissal by Chris Kirschner, Sam Amick, and David Aldridge of The Athletic, we learned of one of the areas of disagreement between the two, which popped up in a rather unusual place.

Pierce, during a call with the NBA’s Competition Committee earlier this season, openly griped about Young’s ability to grift, saying that he greatly disliked how he was able to get officials to call fouls.

During a league office Competition Committee call on Dec. 30, Pierce was among a couple of members who spoke out about the way certain players are able to draw fouls and, at times, bait officials into making foul calls. Multiple sources said he spoke about how he “hates” the shots Young takes at times and the fouls he’s able to draw on them. It was perceived as an interesting comment for several people on the call because Pierce’s star player has seemingly taken advantage of drawing fouls and getting to the foul line. But it was made in the broader picture of how players are drawing fouls by manipulating their bodies.

As we’ve said in the past, Young is among the best players in the league at getting the referees to blow the whistle and send him to the free throw line, which isn’t always the most aesthetically pleasing approach — James Harden, for example, got hammered for this during his tenure in Houston, as he was outstanding at getting himself into a rhythm by shooting a billion free throws and seeing the ball go in. But of course, there is a big difference between the seemingly franchise-wide agreement that Harden should do that in Houston and the fact that Young’s now-former coach wasn’t on board with this style, even if it appeared to be part of a much-larger gripe about the prominence of this particular tactic.

Gay sex and relationships therapist Dr. Joe Kort is causing a stir on TikTok where he explains why straight men who have sex with men can still be considered straight. If a man has sex with a man doesn’t it ultimately make him gay or bisexual?

According to Kort, there can be a big chasm between our sexual and romantic orientations.

“Straight men can be attracted to the sex act, but not to the man. Straight men having sex with men doesn’t cancel somebody’s heterosexuality any more than a straight woman having sex with a woman cancels her [heterosexuality],” he says in the video.

---

Kort says he isn’t erasing bisexuality, but that it’s an entirely different phenomenon from straight men who have sex with men. Bisexual men are attracted to both men and women romantically, but straight men who have sex with other men, are only into the sex, not the person.

“When straight men have sex with men, it’s not a gay thing. It’s a guy thing,” he explains in a later video.

For the man who has sex with other men and considers himself straight, it’s more about getting off than getting close.

The video has had a lot of negative comments, most saying that men who have sex with men are gay or bisexual, case-closed. “Can I eat steak and still be vegan?” one commenter asks.

Many also accused Kort of being mildly homophobic for giving straight men the option to have gay sex without having to confront the notion they may be gay or bisexual.

Kort’s videos point out the seldom-discussed idea that sexual and romantic attraction are not the same thing. Then, by adding the twist that someone can be into sex with a certain gender without feeling any romantic pull, makes things even more confusing.

The type of men that Kort describes could be aroused by another man sexually, but wouldn’t feel comfortable or have any interest in being emotionally intimate with them. In fact, the emotional intimacy with another man may make them uncomfortable. It’s just sex for sex’s sake and what’s wrong with that?

This same type of man may enjoy fantasizing about gay sex or watching gay pornography while having little interest in actually performing the act in real life.

Kort further explained his thoughts in a subsequent video.

“When I’m talking about straight men who sleep with men, I’m talking about a difference between who you’re attracted to and what fantasies you have in your head. You have a sexual orientation and an erotic orientation,” he says.

“And the things that are embedded in your erotic orientation that turn you on, that bring you to the finish line, can include other genders. You can imagine yourself being another gender,” he continues.

Kort does a great job at explaining the difference between romantic and sexual attraction and that, for some, it spans gender. It may also help some men who are only into guys sexually and are unsure why they have zero romantic interest in someone, feel a little less confused.

This week on React Like You Know, we’re switching things up. We’ve touched on all the party classics like Lil Kim’s “Crush On You,” Busta Rhymes’ “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” Trick Daddy and Trina’s “Nann,” and Mark Morrison’s “Return Of The Mack,” but this week, we’re slowing things down and pulling out a body-rolling R&B classic.

Mid-’90s staple singer Adina Howard — who is finally releasing her shelved 1997 album Welcome To Fantasy Island to streaming this week — debuted in 1995 with “Freak Like Me,” well before some members of our panel were even born.

So, it’s a blast to watch BRS Kash, DaniLeigh, DDG, and Toosii’s minds get blown by the laid-back G-funk stylings of the singer’s sexy debut single, which sounds little like the trap-heavy production of today. Wait for the moment BRS Kash finally realizes what the song is; he lights up like a Christmas tree. Meanwhile, Bobby Sessions makes this astute observation: “If your mom her hair like this, you was for sure getting your ass whipped.” Almighty Suspect also mishears a lyric, leading to one of the best facial reactions we’ve seen.

Watch the latest episode of React Like You Know above.

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

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) made himself a household name (and not in a good way) by helping to incite the failed (and deadly) MAGA coup. In doing so, he prompted Hallmark to take a stand against his insurrection-cheerleader ways, and several of Hawley’s hometown publications have taken him to the woodshed for his seditionist lies. Well, Hawley was photographed delivering fist-pumping encouragement on January 6 outside the U.S. Capitol complex, and he took a central role in questioning FBI Director Christopher Wray as part of a Senate Judiciary hearing on the MAGA riot.

As the Kansas City Star noted, Hawley quizzed Wray about how the FBI would use cell phone data (including geolocation data) against the insurrectionists by tracking their whereabouts on January 6. Hawley undoubtedly sought to couch his inquiries within a personal-liberty blanket, and here’s what he asked about cell-phone data pertaining to a riot that he, you know, helped to fuel:

“Are you saying… you don’t know whether the bureau has scooped up geolocation data, metadata cell phone records from cell phone towers? Do you not know, or are you saying maybe it has or maybe it hasn’t? Tell me what you know about this.”

Wray responded that it “would not surprise me” if cell phone records might be used in this way by the FBI during this investigation because “we do use geolocation data under specific authorities and specific instances,” but he couldn’t claim that he definitively knew that geolocation data would be used against the insurrectionists. Wray did stress that any actions by the FBI would be well within its jurisdiction and authority, and it remains to be seen how that collected cell phone data might shake out. In any event, social media noticed that Hawley seemed super interested in the subject. In fact, people wondered if he was “asking for a friend” while noting that “[s]omeone seems nervous.”

Well, we should find out more about this geolocation data soon? What a fine mess.

This week in the best new pop music saw some energetic releases. Nick Jonas returned to announce a solo album, Chloe x Halle dropped two new Ungodly Hour songs, and pop up-and-comer Madison Beer shared her anticipated debut album.

Each week, Uproxx rounds up the best new pop music. Listen up.

Nick Jonas — “Spaceman”

Following the Jonas Brothers’ 2019 comeback, Nick Jonas has returned to expand his solo career. Announcing the LP Spaceman with its slow-burning title track, Jonas said: “‘Spaceman’ kind of came into my mind as I was thinking, ‘What’s the one thing that all of us have felt during this time? Completely disconnected from the world.’ We’ve gotten so accustomed to looking at a screen instead of human interaction and I think the thing that keeps us all encouraged and hopeful is the idea of knowing that there will be a tomorrow when this is our reality.”

Chloe x Halle — “80/20”

After breaking out into the mainstream with their sizzling sophomore album Ungodly Hour, sister duo Chloe x Halle served up two new tracks on its deluxe release. Like the remainder of their album, “80/20” displays the singers’ sensual side, shedding their innocence while showcasing their impressive vocal ranges.

Madison Beer — “Sour Times”

Nine years to the day since she posted her first singing video to YouTube, Madison Beer released her debut album Life Support on Epic Records. Showcasing her cutting edge sound, the album melts together Billie Eilish’s apathetic attitude with Ariana Grande’s saccharine harmonies. “Writing songs is like therapy for me.” says Beer said about the project. “That’s why this album is called Life Support. It helped me get rid of the darkness and see the light.”

India Shawn — “Too Sweet” Feat. Unknown Mortal Orchestra

After making a name for herself with her first two albums, India Shawn is back with her fluttering voice for the Unknown Mortal Orchestra collaboration “Too Sweet.” About her musical inspirations, Shawn sites Aaliyah: “I remember watching an interview of Aaliyah talking about her love for alternative music. I think that’s where my deep dive into alt & indie rock began. It’s been a goal of mine for years now to create the kind of music that I listen to.”

Two Feet — “Never Enough”

With his simmering track “Never Enough,” NYC-based producer Two Feet heralds his voyeuristic LP Max Maco Is Dead Right?. About the upbeat, euphoric single, Two Feet said, ”I wanted to make a dance record for the album that serves as a manifestation of Max Maco’s extroversion, social life and absurd antics. I think I did that with ‘Never Enough’.”

Slayyyter — “Clouds”

Singer Slayyyter is working her way into the mainstream with her upcoming debut album Troubled Paradise. This week, Slayyyter offered another preview of the impending effort with the opulent single “Clouds,” which features her euphoric lyrical delivery over a club-ready beat.

Danny L Harle — “Take My Heart Away”

Hyperpop producer Danny L Harle has worked extensively behind-the-scenes with artists like Charli XCX, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Caroline Polachek. But with his newly-released album Harlecore, the artist is stepping onto center stage. With songs like “Take My Heart Away,” Harle proves he knows how to set the tone for a night on the dance floor.

Pussy Riot — “Toxic” Feat. Dorian Electra

After Pussy Riot featured on Dorian Electra’s 2020 sophomore album, the two team up once again for a new, glitchy single. “‘Toxic’ is political, because personal is political,” Pussy Riot vocalist Nadya Tolokonnikova said. “The single reflects on the importance of self-care, cherishing your mental health and staying away from relationships that poison you.”

Kero Kero Bonito — “The Princess And The Clock”

Following their acclaimed 2019 album Time ‘N’ Place, Kero Kero Bonito announced their upcoming EP Civilisation II alongside “The Princess And The Clock.” About the single, the band says they crafted their own fable to serve as inspiration: “‘The Princess And The Clock’ is the tale of a young explorer who is kidnapped while sailing the world, imprisoned at the top of a tower and worshiped as royalty by an isolated society. Trapped in her chamber, she spends years dreaming of escaping, until one day she disappears.”

Lana Condor and Anthony De La Torre — “Anyone Else But You”

After starring in the hit Netflix film To All The Boys: Always And Forever, Lana Condor once again teams up with songwriter Anthony De La Torre for a snappy love tune. “Anyone Else But You” describes the exact moment of falling in love, and all the warmth that comes with it.

Cautious Clay — “Roots”

Offering another taste of his anticipated debut album, Cautious Clay serves-up the shared tune “Roots.” About the single, Clay says: “Roots’ is about having an established history with someone and coming to the often-difficult realization that things ultimately will not last because of elements in the relationship that are toxic.”

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

The pandemic has been tough for everyone, but it’s been especially difficult on teachers. To help ease one teacher’s burden, Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, the hosts of Showtime’s Desus & Mero, stepped in to sub for Mr. David Robles and his fifth grade class at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Harlem, New York.

Desus and Mero covered all the important topics: the Revolutionary War (“Not the Nas song, but the actual Revolutionary War”), where Megan Thee Stallion is from, and if there’s time, Tory Lanez’s hair. They also fielded questions from the students, including which one of them is more likely to be a ninja (the correct answer seems to be “neither”) and the story behind their Zoom backgrounds. The kids, who all got a free pair of sneakers, also had nice things to say about Mr. Robles, who described what it’s like to teach during the pandemic.

“It’s insane. My nephew calls it ‘Zoom Doom.’ You know how like the yellow in your battery, like no matter how much you charge your battery, it still stays yellow? That’s what it feels like,” he said. “But you draw energy from the other students in your class, so we’re all looking out for each other and charging each other’s battery.”

Watch the clip above. Desus & Mero airs on Sundays and Thursdays on Showtime.

A new series of Tom Cruise videos have been racking up the views since appearing on TikTok last week. They feature the Mission: Impossible star swinging a golf club, performing a magic trick, and tripping over his own two feet in an unusual move for the normally agile actor. There’s just one small catch: It’s not really Cruise.

In what’s being described by experts as “the most alarmingly lifelike examples” of Deepfake technology, according to the New York Post, the Cruise videos have been captivating social media users due to how closely they pass for the real thing. Of course, the terrifying implications of Deepfake tech is that it can be used for nefarious reasons by creating extremely realistic videos of anyone from world leaders to celebrities doing things that they’re not actually doing.

“Deepfakes will impact public trust, provide cover & plausible deniability for criminals/abusers caught on video or audio, and will be (and are) used to manipulate, humiliate, & hurt people. If you’re building manipulated/synthetic media detection technology, get it moving,” online security expert Rachel Tobac tweeted shortly after the Cruise videos went viral. “Also important to mention that just because you feel you can personally tell the difference between synthetic & authentic media, it doesn’t mean we’re good to go. It matters what the general public believes. Altered media has real world safety, political, etc. impact for everyone.”

While the persons responsible for the “deeptomcruise” TikTok channel are not known, you can see below why the videos are freaking people out, and why experts for the UK Times are placing them in “the top 5 percent of deepfakes out there in terms of quality.”

(Via New York Post)

Over the last decade, Rostam went from being a member in Vampire Weekend to launching his solo project and producing albums by Clairo and Haim. His debut album under his own name, Half-Light, eventually arrived in 2017 and showcased his cutting-edge pop production. Now, after much anticipation, Rostam has officially unveiled details surrounding his sophomore album.

Rostam debuted the shuffling single “4Runner” Tuesday, offering another preview of his upcoming project titled Changephobia. Rostam has teased the LP with his previous singles “These Kids We Knew,” “Unfold You,” and “Under Control,” but the album has been in the works for some time now. The musician began drafting music for the record three years ago, continuing to write for it while simultaneously producing Clairo’s Immunity and Haim’s Grammy-nominated Women In Music Pt. III.

About the upcoming project, Rostam said described how the theme of change is incorporated into his music:

“A few years ago I met a stranger on a park bench, somehow I found myself opening up to him; revealing recent changes in my life that had altered its course, and he said, ‘Change is good. Go with it.’ I realized that I had never heard that sentiment expressed before. Transphobia, biphobia, homophobia— these words hold a weight of threat, and it occurred to me that the threats they bare— the fears they describe— are rooted in a fear of change: a fear of the unknown, of a future that is not yet familiar, one in which there is a change of traditions, definitions, and distributions of power. So gender, too, was on my mind while creating this album, as I came to find myself writing about love and connection but not wanting to place relationships in a gendered context. This collection of songs is not celebrating a fear of change. Rather, it’s the opposite. It’s about who we are capable of becoming if we recognize these fears in ourselves and rise above them.”

Listen to “4Runner” above and see Rostam’s Changephobia album art and tracklist below.

1. “These Kids We Knew”
2. “From The Back Of A Cab”
3. “Unfold You”
4. “4Runner”
5. “Changephobia”
6. “Kinney”
7. “Bio18”
8. “[Interlude]”
9. “To Communicate”
10. “Next Thing”
11. “Starlight”

Changephobia is out 6/4 via Matsor Projects. Pre-order it here.

UK songwriter Arlo Parks is on the heels of releasing her debut album Collapsed In Sunbeams, an LP that has already garnered much praise. She made her US TV debut back in January with a performance of her hopeful track “Hurt” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Now, Parks once again brings her tender ballads to late-night TV, this time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Performing her breakout single “Black Dog,” Parks decorates herself and the surrounding stage with a sea of sunflowers. The brightly-colored petals offer a captivating juxtaposition to Parks’ earnest musings, as she sings about serious topics.

At just 20 years old, Parks wrote Collapsed In Sunbeams as a masterclass in dealing with the difficulties of mental health and identity. “Black Dog” in particular showcases her unique ability to delicately cut to the core of her subject matter over dreamy chords, poetically addressing the weight of helping a friend break out of a depressive episode. “I’d lick the grief right off your lips / You do your eyes like Robert Smith / Sometimes it seems like you won’t survive this / And honestly it’s terrifying,” she sings.

Watch Parks perform “Black Dog” on The Tonight Show above.

Collapsed In Sunbeams is out now via Transgressive. Get it here.