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‘FIFA 21’ Dropped Its Reveal Trailer And Announced Major News About Career Mode

It’s FIFA season, as EA Sports’ annual soccer video game has spent the last few days announcing major news regarding its latest release. On Wednesday, it was announced that Paris Saint-Germain and France star Kylian Mbappe will appear on all three covers of FIFA 21, and one day later, EA Sports dropped both a reveal trailer for the game including some of the biggest young stars in world football and some highly-anticipated news about changes that will come to this year’s version of the game.

The trailer, which is narrated by Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, includes a number of clips from the game and highlights four of the brightest youngsters in the sport: Mbappe, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.

As for what people can expect in this year’s game, EA Sports laid out some changes on FIFA‘s official website. Full explanations of what will occur are coming in August, but there are tweaks coming to gameplay, Ultimate Team, and last year’s new addition, VOLTA Football. The biggest news, however, stems from changes that are coming to the game’s Career Mode, which has long been maligned (including by Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid) as growing stale and not getting enough love by developers.

EA announced that won’t be the case in FIFA 21, as additions like a new interactive match simulator, expanded ways to buy/loan players, and a management system that lets you have more control over a squad’s training during the week. The growth system for players is getting overhauled, too, which the release says will let gamers “turn right backs into right wingers, defensive midfielders into centre backs, and more to fill gaps in your team, and monitor player attribute changes during training to see how your squad is progressing.”

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Tom Cruise May Have Found A Studio That’s Willing To Shoot Him Into Outer Space

Back in May, news broke that Tom Cruise and Elon Musk were teaming up in hopes to shoot the first action movie in space. While the idea of literally rocketing a major movie star into orbit sounds crazy, it’s actually very on-brand for Cruise, who has routinely pushed himself to find new ways to defy death for the sake of an action scene. Of course, the big question was what studio would be willing to invest millions of dollars into shooting one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood into space. It turns out there’s a taker.

According to Variety, Universal Studios is closing in as the top bidder for Cruise’s space project, which not only comes with the unpredictably of shooting in zero gravity conditions, but also a hefty price tag of $200 million. There are also major hurdles around insuring both Cruise and the production team who would be at very high risk until safely returning to Earth. However, that seems to be a gamble Universal is willing to take:

The inherent marketing value around a global event like this is obvious. Similar to the recent historic launch of SpaceX’s Dragon crew vessel, the entire world will watch as Cruise is rocketed into space, forcing natural curiosity around the results. The stakes are also high from a filmmaking standpoint. As one person familiar with the project put it, “you can’t be sure what you’re going to get up there, and you have one shot to do it.”

Of course, the fact that this project has even advanced this far is a testament to Cruise’s maniacal intensity. The idea of shooting the actor into space was floated only a few weeks ago in May. Since then, he’s secured a deal with the International Space Station, landed director Doug Liman, and is in the final stages of convincing a studio to drop millions of dollars on the chance of him surviving space travel. Cruise hasn’t even blasted off yet, and already, this might be his most impressive stunt.

(Via Variety)

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Doja Cat, Pop Smoke, Conan Gray, And More Are Nominated For The VMAs’ Best New Artist Of 2020 Award

Each year, MTV’s Video Music Awards give us countless indelible moments. From Lady Gaga wearing the iconic dress made out of raw meat, to Kanye West infamously slighting Taylor Swift on stage, the VMAs never fail to give us some of the biggest moments in pop culture. Perhaps most coveted is VMAs’ Best New Artist award, which recognizes some of the most talented emerging artists on the scene. Well, MTV has just unveiled its full list of nominations and they are including 17 artists.

Unlike most other award ceremonies, the VMAs allow fans to vote for winners. This year’s list of nominated artists sees both pop and hip-hop musicians alike. Some big-name contenders on the list include Doja Cat, Brockhampton, Conan Gray, as well as the late rapper Pop Smoke, whose posthumous record Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon was just released.

Find the full MTV VMA’s Best New Artist nominations list below.

AJ Mitchell
Arizona Zervas
Ava Max
BENEE
Brockhampton
Conan Gray
Doja Cat
Finneas
Jack Harlow
Kiana Ledé
Lewis Capaldi
Lil Tecca
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch
Summer Walker
Tate McRae
Yungblud

MTV has opened their ballots for Best New Artists and are allowing fans to submit their vote up to ten times a day. Vote for your pick here.

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

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Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Award-Winning Book ‘Between The World And Me’ Is Being Turned Into An HBO Special

Ta-Nehisi Coates‘ non-fiction book Between the World and Me won a National Book Award, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and was later adapted into a stage show at New York’s iconic Apollo Theater. And now the New York Times best-seller, which is written as a letter to the author’s son about being Black in America, is coming to HBO.

The special “will combine elements of [the Apollo] production, including powerful readings from Coates’ book, and will once again be directed by award-winning director and Apollo Theater executive producer Kamilah Forbes. Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams is producing,” according to HBO. “It will also incorporate documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage, and animation.”

Coates said he “can think of no one better to put Between the World and Me on screen and no better home for it than HBO,” while award-winning producer Forbes added, “As people across our country continue to speak out about violent, systemic racism and the urgent need for tangible change, Ta-Nehisi’s words resonate as strongly today as they did five years ago. I’m excited to collaborate again with both Ta-Nehisi and HBO on this important special event, ensuring that the powerful voices in this work and the cry for justice from the Black community continue to reach a broader audience.”

Between the World and Me premieres on HBO (which will also make a “charitable donation” to Howard University and the Apollo Theater) in the fall.

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Tasting Notes On A Line Of Whiskeys Made By A Wine Sommelier

Is there a best age for bourbon? 12 years is often cited as ideal. After that, things get pretty oaky. Fans of Eagle Rare 17 would beg to differ, of course, and super old expressions certainly have their (very rich) aficionados. Unaged whiskeys have made a comeback in recent years, too. As a baseline, bourbons must see at least two years in the cask, but four is more typical; whereas the catchall term “whiskey” has no minimum age.

Now Pinhook — a bespoke label with roots in New York and Kentucky — wants to expand the discussion of whiskey aging. And they’re doing it by bringing the wine term “vintage” into the conversation and releasing their core line on an annual basis. Pinhook’s philosophy is built on the notion that a group of barrels and grains will uniquely express themselves differently every year (much like grapes do). The company’s co-founder and master taster Sean Josephs, a certified wine sommelier, has a dream of shifting the conversation around vintages and whiskeys to make it “more similar to wine.” His process is rooted in the world of wine-making, with an emphasis on the journey from terroir to glass.

“In the wine world it’s so accepted that nature dictates the wine,” Josephs says. “Even though grapes and grains are very different things, it’s still a natural product shaped by nature.”

The overarching philosophy here is to let the spirit “be what it’s meant to be” without manipulating into something it’s not. That means that Pinhook’s expressions may be more floral one year and then more fruity or honey-laden the next. Where Pinhook differs from other whiskey brands is the approach to the blending and aging process — which carries a certain “not all who wander are lost” vibe.

“You don’t know what you’re trying to achieve,” he says. “You’re just trying to achieve the best thing.”

That’s a big shift from the approach of larger macro-brands, who start off with a flavor profile and ABV that they know they need to hit for consistency. Nothing is predetermined. This means that the same expressions from different vintages can vary greatly. To dive deeper into this approach to whiskey, we tested the Pinhook’s signature bourbons and ryes in the $38-$50 price range.

Bourbon War

The Whiskey:

Bourbon War is the first in Pinhook’s Vertical Series. In this series, the idea is to follow a group of barrels that are all the same age that all have the same mash bill and all filled within a span of months at Castle & Key Distillery in Kentucky.

“To me, it’s like the ultimate vintage opportunity because you’re able to taste this from ages four through twelve and really understand what one year of age does to the bourbon,” Josephs tells us. The expression is then proofed at what Josephs’ considers the ideal proof for each blend. For example, Pinhook’s four-year bourbon is at 98 proof. The next Bourbon War is the five-year 104 proof, which is being released this fall.

Tasting Notes:

The nose has a fruity aroma, particularly that of pineapple. With each sip, comes a palate of nutty notes and baking spices such as clove. It doesn’t have much of a lingering finish — however, that didn’t prevent us from going back for more.

Pick Bourbon War if: feefee

Bohemian Bourbon

The Whiskey:

The average age of Pinhook’s High Proof Bohemian Bourbon is just shy of three years old. Next year, Pinhook will have a mix of barrels to work with ranging from three-and-a-half to four-years-old to play with.

Tasting Notes:

Just like Bourbon War, the nose of this one is fruity, but more on the citrus side of the spectrum with tangerine and lemon standing out. The cocoa and toffee come together harmoniously on the palate. The lasting finish has just the right amount of heat.

Pick Bohemian Bourbon if: feefee

Rye’d On

The Whiskey:

Rye’d On was awarded Double Gold at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The juice was sourced from MPG and has the standard 95 percent rye and five percent malted barley mash bill. But the distillery has thrown out any idea of what rye is “supposed” to taste like.

“Even at 95 percent rye, rye doesn’t want to be just one thing,” Josephs says. “It’s almost like people are shaping it to be that because rye is ‘supposed’ to be one thing.”

Tasting Notes:

Retailing at only $38, Rye’d On is right on with its palate, quality, and pricing. The cinnamon scent draws you in, while the cherry and toffee flavors keep you engaged. We’re thinking of ditching bourbon and replacing it with this brown-hued rye beauty when we make a Mint Julep. Hello, Rye Julep.

Pick Rye’d On if: feefee

Tiz Rye Time

The Whiskey:

The inaugural Vertical Rye series was launched just last month with the release of Tiz Rye Time. The series ties itself to young thoroughbred racehorses that grace the brand’s labels. This expression was released at a very specific 97 proof and blended from a selection of 150 bourbon barrels and 50 rye barrels.

Tasting Notes:

Another cinnamon nose, but this time with a hint of tangerine. Apricot, clove, and maple flavors come together for a palate that’s as irresistible as it is unforgettable. There’s a nice, subtle heat on the finish.

Pick Tiz Rye Time if: feefee

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Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, And Stormzy Lead The Nominations For The 2020 Mercury Prize

UK’s coveted Mercury Prize shines a spotlight on the year’s best album, according to a rotating cast of judges. While album rollouts in the past few months have been less than conventional due to the pandemic, Mercury Prize judges still hold releases to a high standard. The Mercury Prize announced its 2020 shortlist Thursday, and Charli XCX and Dua Lipa lead the nominations.

Dua Lipa made the shortlist for her disco-adjacent sophomore album Future Nostalgia while Charli XCX was nominated for How I’m Feeling Now, the album she produced in the span of two short months while in quarantine. Both of the singers took to Twitter to share their reactions to receiving a spot on the list.

In a statement, the Mercury Prize judges said the 2020 shortlist reflects the diversity and ambition in today’s music: “In these difficult and uncertain times the Hyundai Mercury Prize is proud to celebrate the remarkable power of music to inspire and exhilarate. The albums on the 2020 shortlist showcase a great diversity of sounds, styles, ambitions and experience. What these albums share is an irresistible urgency, a belief that their music matters more than ever.

Find the full Mercury Prize shortlist below.

Dua Lipa — Future Nostalgia
Charli XCX — How I’m Feeling Now
Laura Marling — Song For Our Daughter
Stormzy — Heavy Is The Head
Porridge Radio — Every Bad
Sports Team — Deep Down Happy
Kano — Hoodies All Summer
Anna Meredith — FIBS
Georgia — Seeking Thrills
Lanterns On The Lake — Spook The Herd
Moses Boyd — Dark Matter
Michael Kiwanuka — Kiwanuka

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

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NLE Choppa Salutes The ‘Ruff Rydas’ On His ‘Road To Fast 9’ Mixtape Single

NLE Choppa‘s profile continues to rise as the “Shotta Flow” rapper lands another new placement sure to expose him to a humongous potential audience. Today, he released his contribution to the companion mixtape for the upcoming ninth installment in the Fast And Furious film franchise, “Ruff Rydas.” Employing a triumphant, Arthurian horn and flute loop and his usual hard-hitting Memphis trap drums, Choppa salutes the “ruff rydas” who “ride with pistols and them Glocks” while threatening the lives of anyone who challenges him. It’s stuff we’re used to hearing from him by now, but popping up on The Road To Fast 9 mixtape only hints at greater heights to come in his burgeoning career.

The Road To Fast 9 tape has already employed a number of other standout, up-and-coming stars on previous singles, such as Lil Skies (“Red & Yellow“), Kevin Gates and Tory Lanez, (“Convertible Burt“), and Youngboy Never Broke Again (“One Shot” featuring Lil Baby). The tape is intended as a bridge to the eventual release of the film itself, which has been pushed back a number of times due to coronavirus.

Press play on the lyrics video for NLE Choppa’s “Ruff Rydas” above.

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

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Xbox’s Series X Showcase Included A Trailer For The ‘Destiny 2: Beyond Light’ Expansion

Bungie’s Destiny 2 is getting a major expansion a little later this year. In a bit of previously-announced news, the hugely-popular first-person shooter game that originally came out in 2017 will receive its latest expansion on Nov. 10, one that is set to impact Destiny 2 across all platforms. One such platform is Xbox Series X, and on Thursday’s event showcase, gamers got some updates on what they can expect when Destiny 2: Beyond Light becomes available.

Microsoft and Bungie used to event to unveil a new gameplay trailer, one that called on those who play the game to pre-order and “receive instant in-game rewards.”

In a release, Xbox announced some specifics about this expansion, along with the news that Destiny 2: Beyond Light will be available for Xbox Game Pass and optimized for the new console, whenever it drops.

In addition to goodies like new weapons, gear, and activities, Destiny 2: Beyond Light will introduce a new location (Europa, an icy moon of Jupiter), a new subclass (Stasis, the first new elemental power since the original Destiny), and a new raid called Deep Stone Crypt.

The expansion was originally supposed to drop on Sept. 22, but needed to be pushed back. In addition to its release on both the current and upcoming Xbox consoles, Destiny 2: Beyond Light will be available for Microsoft Windows, PlayStations 4 and 5, and Google Stadia.

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‘Fable’ Was The Final Reveal At Microsoft’s Xbox Series X Event

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X game event showed off works from 10 of its console exclusive studios on Wednesday, with the biggest title being a first look at Halo Infinite. But we also got another look at an original Xbox game that had plenty of hype. The final thing Microsoft showed off at the end of the event was a whimsical-looking visual of a fairy bouncing around the screen before the reality set in: Playground Games is working on a new version of Fable.

The video showed that fairy frolic to a whimsical voiceover about “legendary heroes” and “stories” that’s abruptly ended by that fairy getting eaten by a bullfrog.

“Not all stories have happy endings,” the voice says. “But yours has yet to be written.

Fable was an action RPG that came out for the original Xbox in 2004. The concept was innovative, telling a story that let your decisions impact how your character’s story actually played out. The game has a devoted legion of fans and saw a sequel, but despite lofty goals for the series many were disappointed overall. Sequels have come out since the original, including 2017’s Fable Fortune, but a next-gen Fable will have plenty of people excited about the new Microsoft console.

We truly only got a brief glimpse in the presentation, and have no details about what gameplay will look like or how the game will actually look outside of cutscenes. But knowing a new Fable is on the way, for some, is already more than enough.

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Dads with leaf blowers join ‘Wall of Moms’ in Portland protests

After federal agents dressed in camouflage and with no way to identify them started whisking away Portland protesters in unmarked rental vehicles last weekend, many citizens decided enough was enough. The Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary, Chad Wolf, has indicated that the feds have no plans to back down, and Portlanders are showing up in droves to express their displeasure.

Portland has never been a place where people do anything in expected ways, so it wasn’t all that surprising when a “Wall of Moms” wearing bike helmets and bright yellow shirts showed up arm-in-arm to shield protesters from the feds.

Not sure if anyone expected that wall to be followed up by a “Dads with Leaf Blowers.” Yet here we are.


Dads with leaf blowers slung over their shoulders, holding signs with messages such as “Fathers Against Fascism,” have joined the thousands of protesters who are now showing up in Portland nightly. Protests in Portland have continued for 50-some-odd days, with numbers increasing since the federal government agents arrived. Local and state government authorities have vehemently opposed the intervention/invasion of federal troops, who have used tear gas, flash bangs, and batons against protesters.

Not sure what the feds were expecting to happen, but according to Washington Post reporter Nick Miroff, a DHS official “expressed frustration and astonishment that Portland protesters were showing up with leaf blowers to disperse tear gas and send it right back at fed agents.”

There are some solutions here. Maybe the agents could just…not use tear gas on peaceful protesters?

And perhaps the feds should realize that “frustration and astonishment” is exactly what you should expect when you attack American citizens, especially in a city that inspired its own surreal-but-almost-real television show about the city’s culture. (Portlandia is fiction that skirts very close to the truth, despite how bizarre it may seem to people who’ve never been to Portland.)

So far, they’ve been met with a diverse crowd of demonstrators protesting racial injustice in addition to a naked woman, a badass Navy vet who took a beating without flinching, a “wall of moms” and now the “dads with leaf blowers.”

A protester who goes by the alias “Doug Smith” told Truthout that the leaf blowers are not necessarily meant to be effective against tear gas individually, but are more of a symbol of what the dads are doing there.

“Honestly, I think you’d need scores of leaf blowers with a phalanx of dads holding their ground under pretty perfect conditions to use them effectively in the dispersal of chemical agents,” he said. “But they are an iconic symbol of a tool dads use to clean up messes.”

So far, the protesters don’t appear to have plans to back away from this fight or to stop exercising their first amendment rights.