Category: News

Since the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, earlier this year, protesters have taken to the streets across the country to demand equal justice and police reform, as the Black Lives Matter Movement has captured the national attention in a way it never has before.

The hiatus from professional sports amid the COVID-19 pandemic has offered many athletes an opportunity to engage in the movement in a way they never have before, as stars from the NBA, WNBA, NFL, and other leagues have joined protesters in their home cities and used their influence and their celebrity status to help spread awareness.

Some athletes have been entrenched in the battle for equal rights long before this year’s nationwide mobilization. WNBA star Maya Moore, for instance, sat out last season and the upcoming season in order to focus on the fight for criminal justice reform, and in March, she was able to help a man get his 50-year prison sentence overturned.

Jonathan Irons, who is now 40, has maintained his innocence on a burglary conviction that has imprisoned him since he was 18, and when he was finally released on Wednesday, Moore was there to greet him. Via Kurt Streeter of The New York Times:

Irons, 40, an African-American man convicted at age 18, was met by Moore and her family outside the Jefferson City Correctional Center, a maximum-security prison off a countryside thruway called No More Victims Road. Then Irons took his first steps into liberty as an adult.

It was the culmination of a yearslong effort by his supporters to win his freedom, a campaign that factored in a decision by Moore last year to forego playing in the W.N.B.A. at the peak of her success.

WNBA star Maya Moore sat out the entire season last year and helped overturn the conviction of Jonathan Irons, who was serving a 50-year prison sentence.

He was finally released today.

(via @MooreMaya) pic.twitter.com/fUWEEFP1nz

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 2, 2020

Irons was convicted by an all-white jury, with testimony from only a single eyewitness — the victim — who didn’t initially identify him from a lineup, and no DNA, fingerprint, or blood analysis evidence. Irons’ conviction was overturned back in March, but he wasn’t freed from jail until Wednesday due to the lengthy appeals process to his sentence being overturned.

Moore, who met Irons prior to beginning her UConn career, first began to concentrate her efforts on the criminal justice reform in 2016, following the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. She’s now missed two straight WNBA seasons, while still arguably in the prime of her career, and says she has no immediate plans to return to basketball.

(The New York Times)

Helena Bonham Carter has had a very all-over-the-place career. The English actress made her name with period pieces, with costume dramas like Room with a View and Howards End. Then again, she’s also done phantasmagoric Tim Burton movies, Woody Allen comedies, and, of course, Fight Club, in which the Merchant-Ivory regular was able to transform into the epically self-destructive Marla Singer (a role that was reportedly once supposed to go to Janeane Garofalo). That film has remained popular over the last 21 years, but some of its bigger fans are not who you’d think.

Carter was doing a Zoom chat with Deadline for their retrospective series The Actor’s Side, and she spoke about the roles that continue to get the most attention from fans. She then related the time she spoke with an older lady, upper class and British. “You just see her and go, ‘She’s going to be a Merchant-Ivory [fan],” Carter said. But she was taken aback when she learned the real answer: She loved Fight Club. “How great is that?” Carter gushed.

Then there’s the other side of the age spectrum. She spoke about hip 20-something men — long the target audience of David Fincher’s classic. They, too, have a surprising answer: the Harry Potter films, in which she played evil Bellatrix Lestrange. These young adults, of course, grew up watching her play what she describes as a “psychotic person,” and “they still have that inner child that goes, ‘What the f*ck!’”

The lesson her? Never assume what will stick with people. “You just don’t know what people want to talk about,” Carter says. “It’s not my doing. I don’t make these films. I’m so lucky to feature in the imaginations of these people — but very different imaginations.” She then explained her career’s wild diversity. “There’s absolutely no consistency to my career whatsoever. But that’s just me, because I like changing things up and I’m curious.”

You can watch the full interview over at Deadline.

The Houston Rockets will enter the NBA’s restart in Orlando with hopes of competing for a championship, led by their star duo of James Harden and Russell Westbrook and their frantic, small-ball attack.

The Rockets rely heavily on their core contributors and have a relatively short rotation, but going into the bubble and coming out of such a long hiatus, having depth is going to be maybe more important than usual for playoff teams, as those first round series will very likely still see players trying to round into game shape. On Wednesday, the Rockets lost a bit of versatility and depth in their rotation as forward Thabo Sefolosha has reportedly decided to opt out of the restart, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Rockets will have a chance to seek out a replacement for Sefolosha, and like every other player that has opted out, it is more than understandable that he would choose to do so. While Sefolosha played a relatively small role on the Rockets this season in his 41 appearances off the bench, he is a versatile wing defender on a team that relies heavily on switchability and versatility to stay afloat on that end. One would expect Houston would look to the free agent pool for someone that can fit that role, at least in part.

Well, it sounded like a good idea at the time. That’s basically Chris O’Dowd’s excuse for taking part in one of the first, and one of the most poorly received, pieces of content to emerge during the pandemic: the Gal Gadot-led “Imagine” video, in which an army of celebrities weakly sang their way through the John Lennon classic. The Bridesmaids actor finally broke his silence about taking part in the video, and his excuse essentially boils down to semi-blaming another of its participants.

“I’ll do anything Kristen [Wiig] asks me to do, so of course we just did it,” he said in an interview with the BBC’s “Grounded” podcast, as picked up by ET Canada. “It took five minutes, didn’t think about it. I presumed it was for kids. I know that Gal works for UNICEF, so I presumed it was a charity thing.”

Much like most people, O’Dowd didn’t seem to think very highly of the end results, saying it emerged during “that first wave of creative diarrhea” at the beginning of the nationwide quarantine, when the world was basically “just a bunch of people running around thinking that they had to do something when we really didn’t. We just needed to chill out and take everything in.”

The video had an impressive who’s-who of celebrities wanly singing Lennon’s song, from Mark Ruffalo to Will Ferrell to Natalie Portman to Maya Rudolph to the original screen Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter. Despite their good intentions, O’Dowd conceded that “any backlash was justified,” and said that it was “bizarre to be part of that maelstrom, I’m glad it’s over.” But is it over? After all, he oral history of Gadot’s “Imagine” video that will be done when humanity finally licks this virus should be lots of fun.

(Via BBC & ET Canada)

We’re officially in the summer season. Sure, it might not feel that way, but… ta-da! It’s here. And if the last couple of weeks are any indication, our favorite streetwear brands aren’t letting a global pandemic get them down. The fire looks keep coming.

This week brings several notable drops out of Nike, including a sustainable collection of sneakers made from trash, and a few brand crossover exclusives that’ll have sneakerheads everywhere hyped. On the apparel end, Supreme and Palace keep things fresh with a collection of summer-ready graphic t-shirts, and Anti Social Social Club links up with the Boys and Girls Club for a charity capsule.

Let’s dive into the week’s best sneaker and apparel drops!

Nike Space Hippie Collection

*Insert obligatory intro sentence about how these shoes are “literally” trash*

Yes, the Space Hippie collection is made from trash, but don’t let a gimmick get in the way of what is a pretty dope sneaker in its own right. This four-pack collection drops in familiar shapes and future uppers composed entirely of knit, with repurposed rubber midsoles, and are made of at least 45% recycled materials.

The fashion industry is littered with waste, so we applaud Nike anytime they try to cut down on that waste and provide a more sustainable product. That and the Space Hippie collection looks pretty fly.

The Space Hippie Collection is set to drop on July 3rd with a retail range of $130-$180, depending on which silhouette catches your eye. Pick up a pair through the Nike SNKRS app or select Nike retailers.

KITH Nike Air Force 1 Tokyo

It’s hard to believe that this is only KITH’s first crack at the Air Force 1 silhouette, but we’re happy it’s finally here. Featuring an elegant mix of white, sail, and red colors, this Ronnie Fieg designed iteration of the AF-1 features dual KITH and Nike branding, with a white on white swoosh, and a striking red collar — a great take on one of Nike’s best silhouettes.

The KITH Nike Air Force 1 Tokyo will be dropping as an in-store only release at the grand opening of the KITH store in Tokyo, so if you want to get your hands on a pair you’ll have to reach for the aftermarket on drop date.

Nike Dunk SP University Red

The Nike Dunk reached back to its court-bound roots this week with the release of the Nike Dunk SP in an iconic University Red colorway. The simple colors recall the original Dunk’s 1985 college-color-coordinated colorways and the design features a neutral white leather upper that pairs perfectly with the rich red. After making its mark on the world of skateboarding over the past 18 years, maybe the Dunk is eyeing defining court style for the next decade. We’ll see!

The Nike Dunk SP in University Red is out now and sold out almost immediately on the Nike webstore. Pick up a pair at select Nike retailers or on aftermarket sites like StockX.

Nice Kicks Reebok Question Mid Bubba Chuck

This take on the Question Mid Bubba Chuck is apparently inspired by Allen Iverson’s childhood nickname and a conversation that occurred between Iverson and Reebok sneaker designer Scott Hewett during a fishing trip. We’re going to guess they talked fishing lures because the Bubba Chuck sports some fishing lure-inspired glow in the dark detailing around the midsole and exudes a type of earthy vibe that feels less fitting for court antics and more geared towards those looking to take a fashionable hike.

The Reebok Question Mid Bubba Chuck is set to drop exclusively at Nice Kicks this on July 3rd for a retail price of $160.

Parley Adidas UltraBOOST DNA Pack

Parley has been crafting sustainable sneakers with Adidas on a seasonal basis now and this week the UltraBOOST gets the Parley treatment with a black and white colorway that combines Parley’s seaside aesthetic and ocean plastic fabric, with the UltraBOOSTs beloved silhouette.

The Parley Adidas UltraBOOST DNA Pack is set to drop on June 29th for a retail price of $220. Pick up a pair at the Adidas online store.

Anti Social Social Club x Boys & Girls Club Capsule

This capsule holds heavy after-school vibes, but that never stopped people from rocking DARE shirts as a fashion statement, and we doubt it’s going to stop anyone from rocking pieces from this collaborative drop between the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles and Anti Social Social Club.

Proceeds for the capsule will go toward the mental health and wellness of the youth members involved in the Los Angeles chapter of the Boys & Girls Club and consists of a hooded sweatshirt that sports the Boys & Girl Club and ASSC logos, a t-shirt, hat, and some school supplies.

The Anti Social Social Club Boys & Girls Club capsule collection is set to drop on July 4th and will be stoppable at the ASSC webstore.

Supreme Summer 2020 T-Shirt Drop

Supreme is unloading a new set of t-shirts this week and the collection consists mostly of new and playful takes on the Supreme logo, with a couple of shirts that pay homage to Takashi Miike’s Ichi The Killer. Highlights from the collection include the Miike stills and the Supreme blur logo, which drop in several alternating colors.

The Supreme Summer 2020 t-shirt drop will arrive online on July 2nd, as well as at physical locations in countries that are no longer under lockdown. Which isn’t us.

Palace Summer Drop 8

If we covered every Palace drop we might as well change the name of this series to “PALACE DLX.” We don’t want to do that, so sometimes we pass up on Palace but this week we have to show some love to this summer t-shirt collection which is just perfect for a season that’ll be spent mostly indoors. The collection features some simple Palace logo designs and graphics and each shirt drops in about five different colors per shirt, ensuring a fit that speaks to your personal tastes.

The Palace Summer T-shirt drop will arrive on July 4th and is shoppable at the Palace webstore.

The removal of various pieces of entertainment containing blackface has become a topic of considerable conversation over the last week as various streaming sites deal with either editing or altogether removing episodes where characters have delved into the racist trope. An episode of The Office was reworked, while even The Golden Girls saw an episode taken down on Hulu because of mud masks and an off-color joke.

Those involved with shows like Scrubs have dealt with the discussion by talking about it on a podcast and possibly re-editing old episodes to take out the content altogether, but period piece Mad Men will reportedly keep its blackface scene intact when it debuts on its new streaming platforms. Vulture has details about the show’s deal with AMC Networks and IMDB.tv — which is where you’ll be able to stream the show once it all kicks in — and how it will address the season three episode “My Old Kentucky Home.”

In the episode, Roger Sterling hosts a Kentucky Derby party with his new wife, Jane. There’s a lot of tweed and mint juleps and many of the employees of Sterling Cooper at the party, which is highlighted by a moment where Roger dons blackface and sings My Old Kentucky Home to Jane using the song’s original lyrics. While many of the guests were delighted and played along in the episode, a few were very uncomfortable with Sterling’s performance, most notably Don Draper, who got up from his seat in search of a drink in a moment that actually set up a major arc of the season. This layer of story could be why the show will keep the scene when it debuts at its new home.

According to Vulture, the episode will now have the following disclaimer before it begins.

“This episode contains disturbing images related to race in America. One of the characters is shown in blackface as part of an episode that shows how commonplace racism was in America in 1963. In its reliance on historical authenticity, the series producers are committed to exposing the injustices and inequities within our society that continue to this day so we can examine even the most painful parts of our history in order to reflect on who we are today and who we want to become. We are therefore presenting the original episode in its entirety.”

Mad Men was a show that routinely explored the casual racism that existed in the 1960s. Keen viewers were meant to not internalize this racism as normal but show it as a contrast to what’s socially acceptable in the present. No character on Mad Men was a hero, really, and Sterling’s racism was an aspect of who he was as a character. Rather than erase the unsettling moment from the show altogether, AMC has made an effort to further highlight the inappropriate nature of the scene and remind viewers of the often painful and needlessly cruel past for what it was.

[via Vulture]

If you don’t follow Michael Harriot in some capacity, you’re seriously missing out. Not only is the writer from The Root a critically acclaimed poet, journalist, novelist, and broadcaster, but he also has a smart, culturally sharp, and sometimes unexpected sense of humor.

Case in point: He’s made a compelling case on Twitter that The Golden Girls—yes, the four old ladies from the 1980s TV show—were actually part of an organized crime syndicate. It’s an admittedly wild and silly ride that has you laughing at first. But by the end of the thread, you’re like, “Hahaha, whoa. He could totally be right.”

Harriot wrote:

“This might be the most controversial thing I ever tweeted but it’s time America faces the truth about a group of beloved historical figures, so here goes:

Blanche, Dorothy, Rose & Sophia—The Golden Girls—were actually members of an organized crime syndicate.

A thread:

Y’all probably think they were innocent widowers because that’s what they WANT you to think. Nah, these women were gangsters.

The Golden Girls debuted in 1985, right at the beginning of the crack cocaine epidemic.

They moved there to “push that weight.” The muscle of the organization was provided by Rose, (or as we called her, “Ruthless” Rose Nyland. Rose acted innocent & sweet but she wasn’t as dumb as she pretended.

She claimed her husband died but anyone with 2 eyes can see she killed her husband for the insurance money. First of all, who moves from St. Olaf Minn. to Miami to save money?

No one, unless you have a plug for that Colombian nose candy.

So she moves down there and meets Blanche “The Butcher” Devereaux, whose family made their money in the sex trade and dope game. Wait…Y’all knew Blanche’s daddy was a pimp, right? I mean, he wore a white pimp suit, hat and even talked like a pimp.

They said he owned a “plantation” outside of ATL where Blanche grew up but it sounds like they were selling & growing more than that.

Blanche’s father “Big Daddy” comes in for a visit

youtu.be

He had an unnatural relationship with Blanche that always bothered me & his name was literally “Big Daddy!”

Bruh, that’s a pimp. But in the mid-80s Atlanta was getting blacker and blacker, so he sent Blanche down to Miami to move his “crops.”

Where would Blanche meet people rich enough to spend that kind of $$? How could she move that kind of weight in & out of the country?

Do you remember Blanche’s job? She was an ART DEALER.

That’s the perfect cover. First of all, Ppl in Fla. ain’t buying art like that unless it’s velvet. Secondly, it’s a known fact that 72% of art dealers belong to a cartel.

But they needed someone smart & tough enough to handle the day-to-day business.”Dangerous” Dorothy Zoomak.

She was smart, tough, down on her luck, nothing to lose and built like an outside linebacker who sometimes played safety in the nickel defense.

Dorothy didn’t take no shit. She taught in inner city NYC schools during the 70s so she spoke Spanish. Plus, her voice was so deep, the Columbian probably thought Luther Vandross or James Earl Jones was on the phone when she called them. Now, if course, you need respect, a distribution network and connections to let people know not to fuck with you.

Sophia “She’ll Kill Ya” Petrillo.

Come on fam. Don’t tell me y’all can’t see this. First of all, she was Sicilian. And she talked mad shit. Plus, have y’all ever wondered why her nursing home burned down right when everyone moved in?

To keep the cops off their trail. It was a cover.

Don’t forget, Golden Girls debuted 1 year after Miami Vice. So while Crockett & Tubbs we’re locking people up, the Golden Girls were quietly running an international drug ring.

It’s all right there if you open your 3rd eye.

Here’s the final clue. Do you know how much money a person must have to assure ppl that if they threw a party and invited EVERYONE THEY KNEW, they’d STILL BE SURE that the biggest gift would be from the…

They even know what the card attached would say.

But, notice they never say what’s inside the gift.

Cocaine, bruh.

Pure cocaine.

Thank you for being a friend.”

Right?? But what’s even better are the GIF and meme responses to the thread that back up everything Harriott just laid out.

We all need a little breather from the heaviness of the world from time to time. We can bake bread, we can look at kitten memes, or we can conjecture about the covert criminal activities of beloved 1980s sitcom characters.

Whatever gets you through the madness, man.

Last month, Jackson Stell released “Touch,” the latest single under the monicker Big Wild. Balancing the twang of an old spaghetti western with modern production, the track is a perfect summer soundtrack with buoyant vocal melodies and warm guitars.

To celebrate the new single, Stell sat down to talk Mac DeMarco, The Rock, and Forrest Gump in the latest Indie Mixtape 20 Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

My music is me.

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

I would want my music to be remembered for being honest and authentic, as something that represents me and the energy I put out into the world. Sharing my music with people, and understanding their interpretation of it, is the most intimidating but rewarding part of making music.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

Morrison, CO, because of Red Rocks. It’s such a beautiful venue and we always work to bring a one of a kind show.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

I can’t really pin any one singular person who inspired me, but I first got inspired to make music from hip-hop production that was coming out of the early-mid 2000s. Artists like Dr. Dre, Pharrell, and Timbaland inspired me to get Fruity Loops studio and start making beats. They each had their own unique sound and I was really drawn towards that specific aspect.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

I played a show in New Zealand last summer and ate at a little, nondescript spot in Auckland while I was walking around the city and exploring. It was a really simple meal but the flavor and freshness of it was amazing. It was the power of minimalism in a meal: use few elements and make them count. I try (and struggle) to accomplish that in my music.

What album do you know every word to?

Mac Demarco’s 2. Something about his songwriting is really memorable and powerful to me.

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Anderson .Paak at Forecastle Festival. He’s my favorite performing artist. Not only is he immensely talented, but the energy and vibe he channels to the crowd just feels really good.

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

Something that breathes and has a bit of give. I move around a lot and if something is too restrictive I end up feeling less free on stage. Clothing on stage can be very psychological.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

The Rock. If he runs for president, he’s got my vote.

What’s your most frequently played song on the bus on tour?

We all are pretty musically sporadic and play random things. If it’s a show where we have a gig the next night, we are probably playing something more relaxing. If it’s the last show of a run, we’re trying to have a good time and listen to something fun.

What’s the last thing you Googled?

My email… I’m boring lol.

What album makes for the perfect gift?

That really depends on the person’s music tastes, right? A go-to of mine though would be Tame Impala’s Currents.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

Wal-Mart parking lot I think tops this list.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

Ooo, that one’s personal, sorry.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

I’m a sucker for a good classic rock anthem. Almost anything from that era grabs my attention. Except Journey, it’s just too damn played out.

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

My partner supports me and puts up with my BS lol. That’s the nicest thing and continues to be the nicest thing anyone does for me.

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

Go to more live shows. I only had gone to a couple shows before I started playing them myself and it’s been a learning process along the way. More exposure to shows early on in my life would probably have saved me some time haha.

What’s the last show you went to?

If it counts, Room Service fest online. The day I can enjoy a physical show again will be glorious.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

Forest Gump, every damn time.

What would you cook if Kanye were coming to your house for dinner?

Aloo gobi, but he probably wouldn’t like it.

“Touch” is out now on Counter Records.

If nothing below suits your sensibilities, check out our guide to What You Should Watch On Streaming Right Now.

The 100 (CW, 8:00 p.m.) — Hope, Echo, Octavia, and Diyoza are held prisoner in Bardo as Gabriel makes a surprising deal with Anders while back at Sanctum, Emori’s plan to unite the people backfires in a big way, and she finds herself in the line of fire.

Unsolved Mysteries (Netflix) — Netflix is giving this true-crime series a reboot which is good news for all the murder mystery junkies out there. UFOs, missing husbands, and a murderous French count still on the run are the highlights of the show’s first six episodes. Get your sleuth hats ready.

Bulletproof (CW, 9:00 p.m.) — Bishop and Pike are in over their head when they are put in charge of a gun-trafficking operation.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC, 10:00 p.m.) — On the team’s to-do list tonight: Save Mack’s family, fight off a chronicom infestation and fix their ship, all before the next time-jump. Oh yeah, and Daisy and Sousa find themselves outgunned when they face off against Nathaniel Malick and his goons.

Search Party (HBO Max) — On the off-chance, you didn’t catch the season three drop of this hipster murder mystery series, we’re signal-boosting the show’s latest installment. There’s less mystery, more courtroom drama this time around as Dory and Drew go on trial for murder, and Portia and Elliot are forced to choose sides.

A new project aims to celebrate and shine and spotlight on the creative scene of Detroit with the help of DJ Jeff Mills, poet Jessica Care Moore, and techno music pioneer Eddie Fowlkes. “The Beneficiaries” marks the first time Mills and Fowlkes have worked together despite a longstanding history together, while Moore was brought in to include a voice from outside the city’s celebrated music scene.

The group will kick off their partnership with an EP titled The Crystal City Is Alive. It will be released via Mills’ label Axis Records. According to press info from the group’s profile on Decks.de, the project’s goal is “to demonstrate the commonality people possess from various art forms,” stemming from the belief “that by mixing ideas, visions, and perspectives together, [it] might produce unexpected and often provocative results.”

The sound of the project blends the signature sounds of two of the Motor City’s most influential electronic music pioneers with Moore’s poetic words offering commentary on the growth, progression, and unity of the people of Detroit. It’s spacey and Afrofuturistic and psychedelic stuff, pushing the boundaries of the artform and challenging listeners along the way.

The Crystal City Is Alive is due 7/24 via Axis Records. You can find more information here.