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aespa just kicked off their SYNK: Hyper Line World Tour following their release of their mini album MY WORLD in May. Along with all this, member WINTER threw the first pitch at a New York Yankees game in June. They’re back now with the new song “Better Things.”

The sassy anthem has the group proclaiming that they have better things to do after a failed relationship: “I wasn’t ever sure that I loved you / But I was always sure you would let me down / I wasn’t ever sure if I’d trust you / But I’m so g*ddamn sure my energy is just too precious to waste.” It’s a triumphant track that properly follows up MY WORLD, proving they’re not slowing down any time soon.

About being a group, aespa told Uproxx in our March cover story, “To be completely honest, we weren’t exactly sure how the concept would pan out in the long run,” said WINTER. “Especially how long and how big it would pan out in the future. But at the same time, we appreciated the refreshing and unfamiliar concept.”

Listen to “Better Things” above.

aespa is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Donald Trump now has less than a week to surrender to authorities in Georgia after being indicted on RICO charges for his alleged attempt to overturn the state’s election results. There has been talk that the former president may turn himself in on the day of the first Republican primary debate in an effort to steal thunder away from his opponents without having to get on stage with them. However, Trump might not be in such a rush given the conditions at the “notorious” Fulton County Jail also known as “Rice Street.”

According to reports, the situation is so bad that the county sheriff has called the jail a “humanitarian crisis” after an inmate was found dead, “covered in bed bugs and lice.” Oh, and also the inmates are literally making knives out of pieces of the wall.

Via Washington Post:

The building is falling apart, a point the sheriff tried to illustrate to county leaders by collecting hundreds of weapons fashioned from chunks of the crumbling walls and loading them into four wheelbarrows his deputies rolled into a public meeting last year.

“What you’ll see in these wheelbarrows are shanks. Right now, they total over 1,100 shanks,” said Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, who oversees the jail and has pushed for funding to replace it. “These are pieces of the building that have been ripped apart, fashioned into knives, fashioned into deadly weapons.”

As of this writing, Sheriff Labat has confirmed that “all 19 defendants named in the indictment will be booked at the Rice Street Jail.” However, the Washington Post reports that “it is not expected that any of the defendants would spend time in a holding cell or among the general detained population.”

There is little to no information on whether Trump or his co-conspirators will see a wall get turned into knives, but hey, you never know.

(Via Washington Post)

Following a slight delay, Quavo’s solo sophomore album, Rocket Power, has finally dropped. Yes, the project’s formation was due to grimy circumstances. However, the body of work found a silver lining in all of his sorrows as he heals from the tragic death of Quavo’s late nephew and frequent collaborator, Takeoff.

Rocket Power features contributions from the late musician as well as fellow Atlanta rappers Future, Young Thug, and Hunxho. Stockbridge, Georgia native Baby Drill also makes a guest vocal appearance. Regarding production, DJ Durel, Wheezy, Murda Beatz, BNYX, Buddah Bless, and Pooh Beatz are among the long list of credited professionals.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the album, Quavo took to social media to write, “This album is for the Rocket, our true fans, and also, this is my therapy,” he wrote. “This album is a true reflection of how I feel right now. Sometimes I’m good, sometimes I’m down, sometimes I’m disappointed, sometimes I fall apart, but then I always find my strength again. I know everything might not be alright right now, but the Rocket showed me a way to make it right! Rocket Power keeps me going. Rocket Power gives me fuel. ‘Rocket Power’ will help us all overcome whatever we’re going through.”

View the full tracklist for Rocket Power below.

1. “Fueled Up”
2. “Patty Cake” Feat. Takeoff
3. “Mama Told Me”
4. “Who Wit Me”
5. “Narkedo Speaks”
6. “Hold Me”
7. “Where Can I Start”
8. “Wall To Wall”
9. “Turn Yo Clip Up”
10. “Back Where It Begins” Feat. Future and Takeoff
11. “11.11”
12. “Galaxy”
13. “Disciples”
14. “Focused” Feat. Young Thug
15. “Stain” Feat. Hunxho and BabyDrill
16. “Not Done Yet”
17. “Rocket Power”
18. “Greatness”

Rocket Power is out now via Quality Control/Capitol. Find more information here.

Dolly Parton‘s highly anticipated album Rockstar is packed with special guests: Miley Cyrus, Chris Stapleton, Kid Rock, Steven Tyler, Sting, Steve Perry, and more. However, one of the most exciting collaborations on the LP is a cover of “Let It Be” with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood.

The rendition is finally out now as a single. “Well, does it get any better than singing ‘Let It Be’ with Paul McCartney who wrote the song?” Parton said in a statement. “Not only that, he played piano! Well, it did get even better when Ringo Starr joined in on drums, Peter Frampton on guitar and Mick Fleetwood playing percussion. I mean, seriously, how much better does it get? Thanks guys!”

Previous singles include her fiery original track “World On Fire,” which is, according to her, about all politicians. She also shared an invigorating medley of “We Are The Champions” and “We Will Rock You.” About ever quitting music, she recently said, “‘I would never retire!” she exclaimed. “I would hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song on stage someday — and hopefully one I’ve written.”

Listen to Parton’s take on “Let It Be” above.

Rockstar is out 11/17 via Butterfly Records. Find more information here.

James Harden is a member of the Philadelphia 76ers right now, much to the chagrin of James Harden. The team’s sky-high asking price for Harden in a trade did not materialize, so even though he opted into the final year of his contract and asked to be sent elsewhere, the Sixers shut down trade talks for the former league MVP last week.

This did not sit well with Harden, to the point that he told a group of campers at a basketball camp that Daryl Morey was a “liar,” although he did not dive into what that meant. Harden also made it a point to stress that he’ll never be part of an organization that employs Morey again, and in a recent interview with Jason Bristol of KHOU, he took things a step farther, saying that he thinks his relationship with the 76ers as a whole is beyond repair.

It’s worth noting that Harden has never explicitly said what has caused things to get to this point with Philadelphia. However, there were multiple occasions in the last year where he spoke about wanting more credit for sacrificing — both in money and in his role. Harden’s apparent intention is to make life “very uncomfortable” for the Sixers in the future, so perhaps he’ll be a little more direct as this saga drags on.

Rudy Giuliani can justifiably take credit for alerting the world to Four Seasons Landscaping‘s existence, even if that was an inadvertent accomplishment. He also let the world know that it’s worth checking yo’ hair dye before melting in front of the entire world. And before he became known as “America’s Mayor” in the wake of 9/11, Rudy built his reputation upon claims that he was the one who had the idea to use RICO (as a U.S. attorney) to put mobsters behind bars for lengthy federal sentences.

Back in Rudy’s 2002 memoir, he boasted, “I dreamed up the tactic of using the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to prosecute the Mafia leadership.” The thought of that feat biting him in the butt due to being indicted as one of Donald Trump’s alleged co-conspirators to overturn democracy? Pretty absurd. The discovery that Rudy largely embellished his “pioneering” of the use of RICO in high-profile mob cases? Even funnier. The Daily Beast did the legwork and spoke to two legal scholars who told it like it really is. One of them. G. Robert Blakey, is credited as the foremost expert on RICO because he actually drafted the statute:

Blakey, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame who has also taught at Cornell University, drafted the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 on a yellow legal pad. Title IX of the act was RICO.

“Giuliani falsely says he got the idea of using RICO against the mob himself because he read a biography by the head of one of the crime families,” Blakey, 87, told The Daily Beast this week. “That was his story.”

Blakey said that he has not previously challenged Giuliani’s account because what most mattered to him was that RICO had been used with devastating effect against the Mafia.

Blakey reveals that he was motivated to come forward after seeing Rudy brag about his RICO prowess in a livestreamed rant this week. As well, Blakey reveals how and where he drafted that RICO statute, which he says was motivated while considering previous failed prosecutions of mafiosos as well as the Nuremberg trials against Nazis.

From there, Ronald Goldstock, a mentee of Blakey, was the actual “pioneer” in question. He advised Giuliani on how RICO could be used to accomplish those now-infamous mob convictions. He also told The Daily Beast that he didn’t come forward when Rudy claimed credit because “I didn’t need the accolades for it… I was happy that it was brought.” Now, however, the pair reveals that they saw Trump’s rise to the presidency as akin to the behavior of a mob boss. Years later, Trump tried to overturn democracy and ended up allegedly violating RICO, and Giuliani was right there with him. Full circle, if you will.

(Via The Daily Beast)

It doesn’t appear as though the current wave of Jersey club-sampling rap hits is going to go away anytime soon. The latest rapper to ride the wave is TDE’s Doechii, who swipes Jersey club producer Uniiqu3’s 2018 song “Bubble Gum” and transforms it into a strip club-praising anthem, “Booty Drop,” which she previewed at the BET Awards earlier this year. The high-energy song is accompanied by a ’90s-inspired music video, shot with a camcorder aesthetic and even incorporating early video-editing software graphics like A Tribe Called Quest’s video for “Scenario.”

In the video, Doechii and her girl crew take a cruise on a yacht in their skimpiest bikinis, showing off their twerking skills and doing exactly what the sample incessantly commands: Making their booties drop.

Doechii’s star has risen rapidly over the past year since signing with TDE. Her Trillville-sampling single “What It Is” became a viral sensation courtesy of a wave of TikTok videos using the sound, she was featured on the XXL Freshman cover for 2022, she dropped her debut EP, She/Her/Black B*tch to critical acclaim, debuted at Coachella, and was tapped to appear on Janelle Monáe’s new album, all before being recruited by Doja Cat for her upcoming tour. She may be making booties drop, but her stock is only going up.

Watch Doechii’s “Booty Drop” video above.

Shortly before Tory Lanez was sentenced to ten years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, it was reported that a statement from Megan was read in court. The statement was described in various reports, but now, the full letter has surfaced.

Meghann Cuniff, a legal affairs journalist who closely covered the trial and sentencing, shared the full statement yesterday (August 17). It starts with Meg noting she “struggled” with being present in the courtroom, but ultimately decided, “I simply can’t bring myself to be back in the same room with Tory once again.”

Megan also wrote about how Lanez has treated her, saying, “I want you to know that since I was viciously shot by the defendant a little over three years ago, I have not experienced a single day of peace. I have been tormented and terrorized in every degree by the defendant. He not only shot me, he made a mockery of my trauma. He tried to position himself as a victim and set out to destroy my character and my soul.”

The letter concludes, “Today I beg this court to send a message to every victim of violence and fully hold the defendant accountable for his criminal conduct. This is a statement for all survivors that their lives matter and there is zero tolerance for the torture that accompanies violence. His crime warrants the full weight of the law.”

Read the full statement below.

“Dear Honorable Judge Herriford,

I struggled with being present today. I don’t want my absence to be interpreted as anything other than the preservation of my mental well-being. after everything that occurred, I simply can’t bring myself to be back in the same room with Tory once again.

I want you to know that since I was viciously shot by the defendant a little over three years ago, I have not experienced a single day of peace.

I have been tormented and terrorized in every degree by the defendant.

He not only shot me, he made a mockery of my trauma. He tried to position himself as a victim and set out to destroy my character and my soul.

He lied to anyone that would listen and paid bloggers to disseminate false information about the case on social media.

He released music videos and songs to damage my character and continue his crusade.

He treated my trauma like a joke when I could have died that day.

Mercy can only be granted to those who accept responsibility for their actions. But not once has the defendant taken accountability.

At first, he tried to deny the shooting ever happened. Then he attempted to place the blame on my former best friend. In his tantrum of lies, he’s blamed the system. Blamed the press. And as of late, he’s using his childhood trauma to shield himself and avoid culpability.

For once, the defendant must be forced to face the full consequences of his heinous actions and face justice.

If the defendant would have spent a quarter of the past few years showing contrition for his crimes, perhaps I could have healed sooner. Instead, I spiraled into a dark and angry place where I thought my life was worthless and I felt loneliness and shame. Slowly but surely, I’m healing and coming back. But I will never be the same.

However, every day I think of the others across the world who are victims of violence and have survived. It is truly the most powerless feeling, especially when you question whether the justice system can truly protect you.

Fortunately, the District Attorney’s Office fought for me. I’m incredibly grateful to them and the jury for their attention to the evidence and siding with the truth. But if it can happen to me, imagine those who lack the resources and support system to help them.

Today I beg this court to send a message to every victim of violence and fully hold the defendant accountable for his criminal conduct.

This is a statement for all survivors that their lives matter and there is zero tolerance for the torture that accompanies violence. His crime warrants the full weight of the law.

Thank you, Your Honor.”

Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Mike Lindell touted his now-concluded “Election Summit” as a one-of-a-kind event that would unveil a bold new, bipartisan plan to secure future elections. Granted, the integrity of the 2020 election has been repeatedly proven in court, but for a brief moment, Lindell attempted to create the artifice that it was time to look turns the future and stop pushing Donald Trump’s Big Lie. Naturally, that artifice didn’t last long.

The guest list for the Lindell’s “Election Summit” already tipped his hand by including such MAGA luminaries as Rudy Giuliani, Mike Flynn, and Laura Loomer, but things really went off the rails when Steve Bannon took the stage. While sitting next to Flynn, Bannon called for another January 6, but this time in Georgia where Trump is facing his fourth indictment for allegedly pressuring state officials overturn the results of the 2020 election.

During his rant, Bannon also threatened Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Governor Brian Kemp. Via MeidasTouch:

“This is why I keep saying the J6 thing with President Trump in Georgia. We’re going to ram the stealing of Georgia down her throat, and we’re going to ram it up the ass of the governor.”

Of course the MAGA crowd cheered. Mike Lindell, Kurt Olsen, and Mike Flynn, who were sitting next to Bannon at the time, all clapped.

You can see clips of Bannon calling for a “J6” in Georgia below:

As for Lindell’s big plan to secure elections: It was drones. Specifically, drones that will fly over every polling in America to make sure voting machines aren’t connect to the internet and being manipulated, which again, is a thing that did not happen during the 2020 election.

(Via MeidasTouch)

Even if certain family members aren’t going to, superfans aren’t the only ones supporting pop star Britney Spears following the news of her divorce from Sam Asghari. On Wednesday (August 16), during the Detroit stop of her Summer Carnival Tour, Pink seemingly gave a nod to the singer by changing the lyrics to one of her songs.

While performing on the Comerica Park stage, Pink tweaked the line “Tired of being compared to damn Britney Spears,” featured in her 2001 song “Don’t Let Me Get Me.” Instead, Pink sang, “Tired of being compared to sweet Britney Spears,” continuing, “She’s so pretty / That just ain’t me.”

The track featured on Pink’s sophomore, Missundaztood, has been widely criticized by Spears’ fans. But during an interview with People, Pink told the outlet it wasn’t meant to be that way. “People think I was picking on Britney on ‘Don’t Let Me Get Me,’ but I’ve always felt like a big sister to her. I’m very protective of her, and she’s the sweetest person in the world,” said the recording artist.

Spears hasn’t released a public statement regarding the end of her marriage. However, her soon-to-be ex has. “After six years of love and commitment to each other, my wife and I have decided to end our journey together,” Asghari wrote on social media. “We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other, and I wish her the best always. Sh*t happens. Asking for privacy seems ridiculous, so I will just ask for everyone, including media, to be kind and thoughtful.”