Category: Trending

A Utah man was killed this week after pulling a gun on federal agents who confronted him at his home for making a series of violent threats against Joe Biden and other government officials. The FBI had a warrant for Craig Deleeuw Robertson of Provo who allegedly threatened to kill Biden with a sniper rifle ahead of his visit to Utah. Roberston also openly plotted to assassinate Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for prosecuting Donald Trump.

In an ironic twist, Trump’s MAGA-based social media platform Truth Social tipped off the FBI about Robertson’s online activity.

Via NBC News:

The senior law enforcement official said the Secret Service initially referred Robertson and his threats to the FBI.

Truth Social, the social media site Trump founded and uses regularly, also alerted the FBI in March about Robertson’s threats against Bragg on the site, a second senior law enforcement official said.

According to NBC News, Robertson was shot after he “pointed his weapon at agents and did not respond to their commands” while being served a warrant on Wednesday morning. Biden was due in the state later in that day.

Little else is known about the confrontation, which has sparked a hotbed of conspiracy theories. Some right-wing social media users have started equating Robertson with Ashli Babbit, the January 6 rioter who was shot while attempting to breach the U.S. Capitol. Others have accused the Biden administration of having Robertson “killed for his views,” according to NBC.

(Via NBC News)

Noname is back and even more radical than ever. Her five-year hiatus between projects left her with a slew of topics to address on her new album, Sundial. The first item up for discussion is several musicians’ alignment with the NFL. On her fiery Slimwave-produced track “Namesake,” Noname directly aims at Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kendrick Lamar for lending their talents to the National Football League.

Noname doesn’t mince words in her diss when the track opens, rapping, “Read in between the line at the crime scene / I ain’t f*cking with the NFL or Jay-Z / Propaganda for the military complex, the same gun that shot lil’ Terry / Out West, the same gun that shot Senair in the West Bank / We all think the Super Bowl is the best thing.” In this line, Noname calls out Jay-Z for entering into a partnership with the sports league despite the criticism it has faced over the treatment of its majority Black players, including former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Following in the line of attack, Noname turns her pen towards Rihanna and Kendrick Lamar, who at one point spoke out in support of Kaepernick’s sideline activism. Somehow, later they both performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. For Kendrick Lamar, that was in 2022. Rihanna was this year’s headliner. Beyoncé seemingly used her 2016 performance to advocate for police reform, but in the eyes of Noname, it is simply performative.

“Go, Rihanna, go! Watch the fighter jet fly high / War machine gets glamorized, we play the game to pass the time / Go, Beyoncé, go! Watch the fighter jet fly high / War machine gets glamorized, we play the game to pass the time / Go, Kendrick, go! Watch the fighter jet fly high / War machine gets glamorized, we play the game to pass the time,” raps Noname.

To be fair, those aren’t the only entertainers to feel Noname’s vicious sting. She also delivers a gut punch to herself in the line, “Go, Noname, go! Coachella stage got sanitized / I said I wouldn’t perform for them, and somehow I still fell in line f*ck!” No one is beyond reproach on the track, not even Noname.

Listen to the “Namesake” above.

Sundial is out now via Noname. Find more information here.

Last month, it was reported that Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro, who got engaged in March, broke up. Alejandro is now back with a song called “Hayami Hana,” which seems to very obviously be about Rosalía.

“And I don’t blame you, the life we lead is not for everyone / The press, social media, group pressures,” he raps (as translated by Genius). “Long distance is tougher, it’s easier if we’re close / We work non-stop, but to what extent?”

He also confronts the rumors of infidelity head-on: “I am a lot of things, but not a cheater / She always had my phone’s password.” He previously addressed it in an Instagram Story, writing (in Spanish), “There are thousands of problems that can cause a breakup, but in our case, it was not because of third parties or infidelity.”

It was also reported last month that Alejandro is dating Camila Cabello, just days after the breakup was revealed.

Rosalía acknowledged the breakup by writing on an Instagram Story (translated via ChatGPT), “I love, respect, and admire Raul very much. I don’t pay attention to the gossip; we know what we’ve lived through. This moment is not easy, so thanks to everyone for understanding and respecting it.”

Listen to “Hayami Hana” above.

Every summer, the music press tries to figure out the song of the summer. For Steven, this can be a tedious exercise that feels like one of those fake holidays made up by greeting card companies to sell product. Nevertheless, the discourse is welcome during an otherwise dead time of the year. So Steven and Ian are getting down to the task this week of determining the defining track of the season.

Before that, the guys discuss the latest dust-up between musicians and music critics to unfold online. What is at the heart of this conflict, and can it ever be resolved? Also, there’s a conversation about memorable review-related feuds that Steven and Ian have had over the years, including the time that Donald Glover threatened to beat Ian up. (Steven never tires of hearing this story.)

Along with talking about the song of the summer, Steven and Ian also talk about patio music, a concept that has particularly interested Steven during the summer months. What makes a good patio music album? And is it possible to appreciate this concept if (like Ian) you don’t have a patio and live in a place where it’s always warm?

In Recommendation Corner, Ian talks about the new release from Spirit Night while Steven recommends an overlooked album from 2022 by Greg Freeman.

New episodes of Indiecast drop every Friday. Listen to Episode 150 here and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can submit questions for Steve and Ian at [email protected], and make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news. We also recently launched a visualizer for our favorite Indiecast moments. Check those out here.

Olivia Rodrigo has become a major hitmaker quickly, with three No. 1 singles since 2021: “Drivers License,” “Good 4 U,” and “Vampire.” The latter song is the lead single from Rodrigo’s upcoming album Guts, and now Rodrigo has offered another taste of it with another new one, “Bad Idea Right?.”

The song arrived alongside a video, and fans couldn’t help but notice that the clip, directed by Petra Collins, seems to include direct references to a couple of hit shows: Euphoria and Glee.

Press materials also note of the visual, “With its aesthetic partly inspired by early-’90s B-movie horror-comedy, the video for ‘bad idea right?’ follows Rodrigo on a journey to an ex’s house, equal parts surreal and harrowing and fantastically absurd.”

Rodrigo said of the song in a statement, “‘Bad Idea Right?’ started with us making a joke song about me hooking up with an ex-boyfriend, but then we realized we were actually onto something. We were throwing the weirdest things at the wall — in one of choruses there’s a part that sounds like an instrument in the background, but it’s me gradually screaming louder and louder.”

Watch the “Bad Idea Right?” video above.

Guts is out 9/8 via Geffen. Find more information here.

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg‘s fight is going to be [2011 voice] epic.

On Friday, while Zuckerberg was eating his third McGriddle of the day, Musk shared details about their alleged cage match. “The fight will be managed by my and Zuck’s foundations (not UFC). Livestream will be on this platform and Meta. Everything in camera frame will be ancient Rome, so nothing modern at all. I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture. They have agreed on an epic location,” he tweeted. There is a good chance that Musk spoke with a Wario accent during the call. I’m putting it around 70 percent.

Musk also shared that “everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy,” so the fight will definitely not be sponsored by Olive Garden.

Zuckerberg hasn’t said anything on social media about the cage match; he’s been busy going to Taylor Swift concerts, getting a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and annoying his wife with a “backyard octagon.” Musk’s training for the billionaire brawl involves “lifting weights throughout the day” because he’s too busy destroying Twitter to work out and complaining about the word “patriarchy.”

If he gets his ass handed to him (he will), it will somehow be Barbie‘s fault.

Greece’s hopes of making a run in the 2023 FIBA World Cup took a gigantic hit on Friday morning. The country’s superstar forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, announced on his Twitter account that he won’t be able to participate in the tournament after consulting with Greece’s medical staff.

As Antetokounmpo explained, he’s been pushing himself since the end of the NBA postseason to get his body right with an eye on representing his country in the tournament — the two-time NBA MVP got a procedure on his knee in June. His status for the tournament was up in the air, and in his post, Antetokounmpo explained that he just was not ready to get healthy in time.

“But after months of work and multiple meetings with medical staff it is clear that i am not ready to compete in the level that I need to be to participate in the World Cup,” he wrote. “This was not a choice but my only option in ensuring I get back to the level of basketball I have worked so hard to achieve so far in my career. I am extremely disappointed in this outcome but this was a decision made with the medical staff.”

Antetokounmpo expressed his hope that Greece is able to qualify for the Olympics next summer. Now, Antetokounmpo will watch as Greece attempts to navigate a tricky group at the World Cup, as the team was drawn into Group C against Jordan, New Zealand, and the United States.

As the devastating Maui wildfires continue, the death count is up to “at least 55” people as of this morning (August 11), per the Associated Press. Aside from human lives, there has also been significant damage to a number of buildings. That includes Fleetwood’s On Front St., a Hawaii restaurant owned by Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood. On August 9, he revealed that the restaurant, which opened in 2012, has been lost to the fire.

Fleetwood wrote in an Instagram post, “MAUI and The Lahaina community have been my home for several decades. This is a devastating moment for MAUI and many are suffering unimaginable loss. Fleetwoods on front Street has been lost and while we are heartbroken our main priority is the safety of our dear staff and team members. On behalf of myself and my family I share my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the people of MAUI. We are committed to supporting the community and those affected by this disaster in the days month and years to come.”

The restaurant is located in the town of Lahaina, of which Brian Schatz, the senior United States senator from Hawaii, noted on August 9 is “almost totally burnt to the ground.” The restaurant’s website currently displays the following message: “To our valued guests: Fleetwoods On Front St will be closed until further notice.”

DJ Khaled can’t stop working. Yesterday (August 10), the prolific DJ and producer announced his 14th album, Til Next Time, which will arrive as part of a new partnership between Khaled’s We The Best Music and Def Jam Recordings. Tonight, Khaled has shared the first single from the album, “Supposed To Be Loved.”

On “Supposed To Be Loved,” Khaled is joined by melodic rappers Lil Baby, Future, and Lil Uzi Vert, who lean into their vocal stylings as they seek to spoil their ladies.

“I’m tryna love you like you ‘posed to be loved / She know I’m a thug, she don’t treat me like no rapper / See you comin’ up, I can make that shit faster,” sing Future and Lil Baby on the song’s catchy earworm of a chorus.

Over the years, Khaled has proven that he’s pretty much guaranteed to drop a contender for the song of summer. Though “Supposed To Be Loved” arrives rather late in the summer, Khaled holds up his track record.

You can listen to “Supposed To Be Loved” above.

Til Next Time is due later this year via We The Best Music and Def Jam Recordings.

Lil Uzi Vert is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

(WARNING: Spoilers for this week’s The Chi episode will be found below.)

On this week’s episode of The Chi season six, many of the show’s main and recurring characters have to take big steps forward in their lives. Kevin weighs a new romance with Maisha, who has a lot on her plate with her first performance since the shooting at her last show in season five. Emmett owes Keisha an apology, as well as a house which she requested after he bought a car for Tiffany. Speaking of Tiffany, she and Rob are looking to advance their marijauan business and they’ve met the man who can help them do that. Lynae’s older brother comes home from jail, and thanks to Victor, there’s a chance they could reconnect and repair their relationship, depending on her brother’s

The aforementioned events in the second episode of Showtime’s The Chi season two, titled “Mo’ Douda, Mo’ Problems,” are soundtracked by songs that help to accentuate the emotions behind each scene. You can find a list of them below as well as details about the scenes that the records played behind.

Will Jordan — “Back To Me”

We hear this record around the 7:00 mark as Tiffany visits Dante, whom she supplies marijuana to, and finds out that he enjoying a new batch of weed from someone else. The individual is Kyro, a man focused on growing marijuana that is pure and not harsh on those who smoke it. He expresses his desire to make sure the Black community knows what they’re are smoking and seeking the best in their weed, rather than just accepting what’s available.

Helena — “Buss It”

Around the 13:30 mark, Maisha is shopping for clothes for herself with Jemma when we this song plays. A well-known rapper by the name of She Goes Hard walks in and introduces herself to Maisha, noting that she’s heard her recent viral song. She then asks Maisha if she would like to be an opening performer at her upcoming show which Maisha excitedly accepts.

Anita Baker — “Body And Soul”

Anita Baker’s “Body And Soul” plays around the 32:13 mark as Papa and his older coworker, Kenya drive home together. Papa, who is 17, has taken a liking to Kenya, who is 19, and she likes him back. However, Kenya won’t allow him to take her out on a date until he turns 18 which won’t happen for a few months.

Michaela — “Truth Tastes Good”

This song plays around the 47:15 mark as Maisha walks off the stage following her performance as an opener for She Goes Hard. Kevin is in her dressing room waiting to congratulate her on the performance. It’s there that they also define their relationship — well, they kinda do — after nearly sharing another kiss. Jemma then walks into the room to end this moment of soft romance.

Alonda Rich — “Supply & Demand”

Around the 49:54 mark, this record by Alonda Rich can be heard as we meet up with Papa and Kenya at Smokey’s once again. Kenya makes it clear that she will not go on an official date with Papa before he turns 18, but admits that she will consider hanging out with him as friends before his birthday. Kenya also agrees to give Papa rides home on the shifts the work together.

Lil Durk — “No Interviews”

This week’s episode ends with Lil Durk’s “No Interviews” playing as the end credits run on the screen. It comes after Rob visited his mother to ask for a $100,000 loan in order for him and Tiffany to start their marijuana business. She agrees to give him the money, rather than loan it, in exchange for him finding out who killed her brother Quentin. She also implies that Rob should kill the person that killed Quentin, or get someone else to do it.

New episodes of ‘The Chi’ are available through the Paramount Plus With Showtime plan on Fridays at 3am EST/ 12 pm PST. Weekly episodes also air Sundays on Showtime at 9pm EST/PST.