The Dallas Cowboys are, once again, entering the 2023 NFL season with high expectations. The team is coming off of its second consecutive 12-5 campaign that led to a playoff berth, but for the second year in a row, Dallas lost in the postseason to the San Francisco 49ers in rather embarrassing fashion.
As such, there have been some pretty major changes, particularly on the offensive side of the ball — Ezekiel Elliott got released and the team parted ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Dak Prescott, however, is still the team’s starting signal caller, and on Tuesday, things got a little chippy between himself and starting cornerback Trevon Diggs. Following a rep, Diggs got in Prescott’s face and told him to “shut your b*tch ass up,” which led to Prescott gently tossing a ball at him after he turned to run back to the huddle.
This kind of stuff just happens during training camp, and above all else, the Cowboys are probably just happy that things didn’t boil over. They’re probably just as happy that Prescott was able to be out there, because at one point during practice, star pass rusher Micah Parsons was able to get to Prescott. While he looked like he tried to hold up, Parsons stumbled and hit Prescott low.
Travis Scott / Derrick Rossignol for Uproxx Studios
The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.
For a little under a decade now, Texas rapper Travis Scott has had his fingers firmly on the pulse of the hip-hop zeitgeist. Starting with his second mixtape Days Before Rodeo in 2014, Travis has embodied the sort of chaotic, disaffected energy anyone born after Y2K finds intrinsic to their nature. It’s sort of a combination of the shoulder-shrugging nihilism of Generation X, multiplied by the molar-grinding anxiety of the millennial generation, cut with the hyperspeed stream of always-on, instantly gratifying internet culture. The dude always seemed great at aesthetics and giving the impression of perspective without really having much to say, and that seems to be catnip for the algorithmically programmed YouTube junkies we’re all turning into.
Travis’ ascension to hip-hop supremacy seemed certified with 2018’s Astroworld, which finally alchemized all the components and influences he’d always jammed together into more than the sum of its parts. Hip-hop, for the better part of the next couple of years, sounded like Astroworld. Travis became the influence instead of just the living mood board showcasing his inspirations. His dominance appeared inevitable. Then, a pandemic happened. Then, just when it seemed things might be getting back to normal, Travis’ 2021 Astroworld Festival ended in disaster, and he was semi-forced into a year of exile, just when he was prepared to present the next phase of his stylistic evolution and pay off his potential in full.
Now, five years after Astroworld, Travis finally presents his vision of Utopia — and it seems that his aim, once so very true, is off for the first time in his career. The thing is, I’m not sure in which direction. It’s obviously forward facing, positing a view of hip-hop very different from its current trajectory. On the other hand, it seems like Travis has once again presented a project that is the sum of its influences, without being sublime enough to portend the future of the culture and the genre. Maybe it’s a dud or maybe, as with so many works of true genius, it’s just too ahead of its time.
It’s said in the fashion world — another realm in which Travis has always appeared to be intensely interested — if something goes out of style, just wait. In a decade or so, it’ll be back in style with a vengeance. In the case of Utopia, the common consensus appears to be that Travis is once again being moved by the spirit of his greatest inspiration, Kanye West. Unfortunately, it’s at a time when Kanye is not the hero to the world at large that he once was. Even worse, the album Travis chose to channel was one of Ye’s most controversial: Yeezus, the mercurial Chicago producer’s 2013 attempt at being deconstructionist and avant garde.
Like Yeezus, Mike Dean’s fingerprints are all over Utopia; distorted drum breaks blast through “Hyaena,” ghostly, stripped-down synths under-gird “My Eyes,” even a broken Nina Simone sample appears on “I Know?” It’s like Travis and Dean took the maximalist-minimalist approach from Yeezus and wrought it on a more massive canvas. Rather than the zoned-out groove of Astroworld, we’ve got the twitchy, nervous energy of Kanye right before his first breakdown, when it seemed like he stopped trying to impress us and started trying to see just what we’d let him get away with.
The thing is, Yeezus, for better or worse, was never really in style. Some critics loved it, some listeners hated it, but the thing is, there has never really been anything else that sounded like it in hip-hop since — until now. The culture, whether you believe it’s a hivemind or an algorithm or just advertising dollars being spent, went in other directions. In fact, Travis Scott’s sound was the one that seemed most in-demand, spawning a horde of imitators and collaborators from Future and Nav to Quavo and Young Thug. Everyone incorporated a little of what Travis did from 2014 to 2020, while Kanye seemingly moved on from his own experimentation by his next album, 2016’s The Life Of Pablo.
That avant-garde style sounds just as out-of-step now as it did ten years ago. Where hip-hop has decided to reincorporate its ’80s club sister sounds like house and techno (perhaps in an escapist effort to shake off the world’s looming problems through cathartic dance), Utopia perhaps more closely reflects the anxious, apocalyptic times we’re currently living through. If music is supposed to be an escape, Utopia sounds less like its namesake than a sharp-angled, iron-walled maze, a gilded cage, or a chair made of swords. It’s jagged and concussive and claustrophobic, while Travis’ raps haven’t really improved enough to feel like he’s trying to make any kind of a coherent statement about all of this.
So, I don’t see this album having the impact of an Astroworld. It’ll likely go No. 1, because in the world where listeners are fans of the person (or the persona, rather — cults of personality abound on Elon Musk’s Twitter) more than the music, there will surely be those who “Emperor’s New Clothes” their way into convincing themselves they’re enjoying the listen. But I can’t help but wonder if, should we wait another decade, we’ll finally start to see the true influence of Utopia — even if the world itself seems further away from the concept than ever.
Utopia is out now via Cactus Jack Records / Epic Records.
While the cynic might label the wedding tradition of a father walking his daughter down the aisle as some sort of nod to patriarchy, many brides dream of the moment, picturing it as a sweet send-off from the man who protected and cared for them throughout childhood to the man who will now fulfill those duties in adulthood.
But the truth is, for many, Dad wasn’t the protector…he was the opposite. So the notion of being given away by him feels inappropriate. And at the same time, there can be shame or regret for not getting to participate in such an endearing moment.
That’s why one bride’s unique idea to have not one, not two, but 15 positive male figures in her life accompany her down the aisle on her wedding day is infusing other women with hope for their own big day—even if Dad won’t be there.
Ivy Jurgensen, 28, shared with Good Morning America that a decade ago, her father was convicted of rape of a child and child molestation and was sentenced to prison.
As a teen, Jurgensen would confide in a school resource officer about the abuse she was experiencing at home. Though she was raised to distrust law enforcement, the officer’s genuine care and “big heart” dissolved her fears. She credits their friendship as being “vital” to her ability to “escape and find justice.” He even inspired her to become a cop herself.
Thanks to this officer, along with her brother and uncle, her brother-in-law, her childhood sports coaches and a handful of other close friends, Jurgenson said she was “never alone” during a traumatic childhood.
In a video posted to Instagram by the event designer, we see Jurgensen looking lovely in her wedding dress as these outstanding men collectively stand by her side, taking turns walking her down the aisle toward her new husband, Tristen. Indeed, she certainly doesn’t look lonely.
The moment quickly went viral online and deeply resonated with other survivors. One person wrote:
“This is beautiful. Have had an abusive father myself, I know what that does to our heart and soul. Raising a daughter who is now 20, she has been fatherless since 5, I see what his absence has done to her.
To all the good men out there, you don’t need to be blood to be a father or role model, the love and respect you will receive back is endless. 💞”
Being able to honor her male champions was special for Jurgensen, but she hopes that her story also helps others.
“I hope that what people take away from my story is strength. That they are able to gain courage to get and receive help that they deserve and to no longer be voiceless,” she told GMA. “You are not alone and deserve to be heard and get justice. Saving yourself could be saving other unknown victims.”
Congrats to Ivy and Tristen. And thank you to those 15 men who never stopped showing up.
“For 17 years, Scientology and David Miscavige have subjected me to what I believe to be psychological torture, defamation, surveillance, harassment, and intimidation, significantly impacting my life and career. I believe I am not the first person targeted by Scientology and its operations, but I intend to be the last,” she said in a statement posted to Substack.
Remini, who starred in and produced the Emmy-winning series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, alleged that she’s been targeted since asking a question about Miscavige’s wife Shelly at Tom Cruise’s 2006 wedding to Katie Holmes.
Remini alleges in a suit filed on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court that she has been “stalked, surveilled, harassed, threatened, intimidated, and, moreover, has been the victim of intentional malicious and fraudulent rumors” to intimidate and silence her. She points to a “series of retaliatory activities” against people and groups deemed an “enemy” of the church.
Remini wants people in the entertainment industry, like herself, to “have a right to tell jokes and stories without facing an operation from Scientology which uses its resources in Hollywood to destroy their lives and careers. With this lawsuit, I hope to protect the rights afforded to them and me by the Constitution of the United States to speak the truth and report the facts about Scientology without fear of vicious and vindictive retribution, of which most have no way to fight back.”
Trippie Redd is gearing up for his upcoming album, A Love Letter To You 5. Over the years, Trippie’s Love Letter series has become a favorite among his fan base, as he delivers poignant accounts of love and heartbreak, and the emotional and mental consequences of both.
We’ve put together a nifty little guide, featuring everything to know about A Love Letter To You 5‘s impending release.
Release date
A Love Letter To You 5 is out 8/4 via 10K Projects. Find more information here.
Tracklist
You can see the A Love Letter To You 5 tracklist below
1. “Take Me Away” Feat. Corbin
2. “Last Days”
3. “Thy Motion”
4. “How You Alive”
5. “Thinking Bout You”
6. “Praying 4 Love”
7. “Reality”
8. “A Feeling” Feat. Skye Morales
9. “Romantic Fantasy”
10. “I’m Mad At Me” Feat. Lil Wayne
11. “Closed Doors” Feat. Roddy Ricch
12. “Action”
13. “Left 4 Dead”
14. “Wind” Feat. The Kid LAROI
15. “Helicopter” Feat. Tommy Lee Sparta
16. “Took My Breath Away” Feat. Skye Morales
17. “Flowers” Feat. Bryson Tiller
18. “The Hate”
19. “Trip McKnight”
Features
According to the recently revealed tracklist, fans can look forward to collaborations with Corbin, Skye Morales, Lil Wayne, Roddy Ricch, The Kid LAROI, Tommy Lee Sparta, and Bryson Tiller.
Artwork
You can see the artwork for A Love Letter To You 5 below.
10K Projects
Singles
So far, Trippie has released “Took My Breath Away” and “Last Days” as singles from A Love Letter To You 5.
Tour
Trippie will embark on the Take Me Away Tour beginning this fall. He will be joined by by special guests LUCKI, D.Savage, Ekkstacy, Jean Dawson and K Sauve. You can see the list of dates below, and purchase tickets here.
08/31 — Somerset, WI @ Somerset Amphitheater
09/02 — Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
09/04 — St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre STL
09/05 — Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
09/07 — Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
09/08 — Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
09/09 — Hartford, CT @ The XFINITY Theatre
09/10 — Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
09/12 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
09/13 — Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
09/14 — Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
09/16 — Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
09/17 — Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
09/18 — Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
09/21 — West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
09/22 — Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
09/23 — Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
09/26 — Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavillion
09/28 — Sugar Land, TX @ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
10/01 — Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
10/02 — San Diego, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/04 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Kia Forum
10/06 — Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
10/09 — Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theater
Gunna takes inspiration from one of the foundational pop culture moments of the ’90s in his new video for “Rodeo Dr.” Directed by Spike Jordan, the video finds the rapper in the midst of a shopping spree on the titular Los Angeles retail strip, after a lunch at an Italian restaurant. As he and his driver leave — in a white Ford Bronco, naturally — they inspire a chase scene that sees fans flagging them down on the freeway, with girls flashing them and giving out their phone numbers and fans holding up signs touting their love for Gunna.
While Gunna’s return to the spotlight might not have been quite as triumphant as he depicts it here, he did appear to receive a warmer reception than might have been predicted by an observer perusing social media immediately after his release from jail earlier this year. While he fended off accusations of “snitching” on Young Thug — who, again, fans maintain hasn’t actually committed any criminal activities, so what’s there to tell? — Gunna’s album, A Gift & A Curse, was a commercial success, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
Over the past couple days, Lizzo has faced some troubling allegations. It was reported yesterday (August 1) that the singer/rapper was being sued by three of her former dancers over a number of accusations, including sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Now, two of them appears on Today this morning to share their perspective.
Arianna Davis, who first joined Lizzo’s dance team after competing on her show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, said of Lizzo allegedly taking exception to her gaining weight, “I just had this feeling they had a problem with the way I was gaining weight. […] She proceeded to say, ‘You know, dancers get fired for gaining weight. You should basically be grateful to be here.”
Crystal Williams also noted of how Lizzo would treat her and others, “She would pick and choose when she wanted to be professional and when she wanted things to be personal. […] You go from preaching about sisterhood to then turning around and saying that it’s a privilege that you know us by name.”
Watch the Today video above and learn more about the lawsuit here.
Lizzo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Just days after Sinéad O’Connor passed, Phoebe Bridgers contributed a new essay to Rolling Stone in her honor, where she opens up about the lessons that the late musician taught her.
Bridgers also acknowledges the way that she was treated by the industry, simply for standing up for injustices.
“People and the media were not nice to her,” Bridgers wrote. “She was ostracized from so many things, and so many people thought she was a grumpy person. It’s abuse to be told to shut up and sing. It’s abuse to be worshipped and then hated. It’s such a sad and heartbreaking story.”
“She made me feel like I was allowed to stand for things,” she added. “It’s still hard, but I feel so lucky to be in a landscape where I can feel validated and my beliefs are taken seriously. And that world exists because of Sinéad’s sacrifice.”
Throughout the rest of the essay, Bridgers also jokes that she shaved her head at one point with O’Connor as inspiration. “I probably first heard her thanks to my mom, who had — and still has — the coolest music tastes,” she admits.
It looks like we’re going to have to wait a little bit longer for Quavo‘s second solo album, Rocket Power. Yesterday, the Migos rapper took to Instagram to share that Rocket Power has been pushed back.
In a video on Quavo’s account, the Atlanta rapper is seen listening to mixes of the new album. “We gotta run some more tests before the rocket is ready to launch,” the post’s caption reads.
The album was originally set to drop this Friday, but has now been pushed back two weeks. The album is largely inspired by his Migos bandmate Takeoff, who was killed last November following an altercation in Houston.
In a recent interview with Jamie Crawford-Walker, Quavo shared that he has felt Takeoff’s presence everywhere as he’s been working on the project.
“I miss him a lot and I love him,” Quavo said. “He know I love him. That’s what we always know. So when you see me and you see me smiling or something like that, you don’t gotta never think I forgot about him or I’ll forget about him. I think about him all the time. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep. And that’s it. I just know he’s here. If I can’t feel him, I just know he’s around.”
Rocket Power is out 8/18 via Quality Control/Capitol.
No one can derail a panel discussion like Whoopi Goldberg. While tackling the subject of vacation sex during Wednesday morning’s episode of The View, Goldberg initially seemed annoyed with the conversation. She even went so far as to tear up her note cards before looking at producers off-camera and asking “Seriously?”
However, the topic continued unabated thanks to Joy Behar who brought up her love of the Sex on the Beach drink, and soon, Goldberg couldn’t resist joining the conversation. Although, by the time Goldberg was finished, the producers were visibly wishing she hadn’t.
“You know, sex on the beach is overrated,” Goldberg said. “Because, you know, if you tried to have sex in the pool, you know that’s not easy. Because you’re trying to go up the hill and you’re getting resistance from the water that is within. Because when you’re in the pool you’re surrounded in the water. Have you ever tried to put anything…”
At that point, Goldberg stopped talking as she noticed everyone from her co-hosts to the audience was dying with laughter. She then turned to producer Brian Teta, who was trying to hide his face at the hilarious chaos that just ensued.
Whoopi talks about stuff you don’t want to hear her talk about: “Sex on the beach is overrated.” “If you tried to have sex in the pool, you know that’s not easy…because you’re trying to go up the hill and you’re getting resistance…from the water that is within.” pic.twitter.com/f5nL3L0hAn
“Oh, you’re trying to move me on now?” Goldberg said to a laughing Teta as he attempted to cut to commercial. “You tell me, ‘Get engaged in the conversation,’ then I start to get engaged, now you want me to stop talking?”
As the segment came to a crashing end, at least one person defended Goldberg’s aquatic lesson. “I was learning things!” Sunny Hostin could be heard saying.
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