It looks like Rihanna‘s reign won’t be coming to an end anytime soon. The Barbadian hitmaker continues to reach career highs, despite not releasing music in several years. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Rihanna has extended her record as the highest-certified female singles artist in the organization’s history.
“Rihanna extends her record as the highest certified female singles artist in RIAA history with 161.5 million units,” Pop Base reported.
Rihanna extends her record as the highest certified female singles artist in RIAA history with 161.5 million units. pic.twitter.com/82a1RgADdp
Her last project, ANTI, which was released in 2016, spawned chart-topping hits like “Work,” “Needed Me,” and more. The project even landed her several Grammy nominations the following year, including one for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
With a career spanning almost two decades, Rihanna has cemented herself as an icon. Yet, she continues to break the mold and transcend the labels placed upon her. Whether it’s managing her billion-dollar business or motherhood, Ri can handle whatever comes her way.
While fans have patiently awaited her highly anticipated ninth album, they’ll presumably be waiting a bit longer. The “Pon De Replay” songstress has been quite elusive about her forthcoming project or its possible release date. That said, she hasn’t entirely left music behind. Recently, Rihanna recorded “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever, scoring her first Oscar nomination. She’s also gearing up to perform at the Super Bowl LVII halftime show on February 12.
On Saturday, some two-and-a-half months after announcing his third presidential campaign, Donald Trump finally sprang into action. His first event was held at [checks notes] a high school auditorium. His second, at the Capitol in South Carolina, wasn’t much bigger. But during the day, as per Mediaite, he managed to do one of his favorite tactics: trash his perceived enemies.
Trump on Desantis: “Ron would’ve not been governor if it wasn’t for me. Number 1, he wouldn’t have gotten the nomination, and number 2 – he wouldn’t have beaten his Democrat opponent. So then when I hear he might run, I consider that very disloyal.” pic.twitter.com/11r2k3b6z0
One of them was Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and Trump clone, who hasn’t formally thrown his hat in the ring but is expected to. “Ron would have not been governor if it wasn’t for me, and that’s okay,” Trump told reporters on his private plane. “Number one, he wouldn’t have gotten the nomination. Number two, he wouldn’t have beaten his Democrat opponent. So when I hear that he might run, I consider that very disloyal. But it’s not about loyalty, but to me it is. It’s always about loyalty.”
It was a classic fit of Trump word salad, filled with contradictions and passive aggression that’s not so passive.
Trump was a little nicer when speaking about Nikki Haley, South Carolina’s former governor. “I talked to her for a little while,” Trump explained. “But I said ‘Look, go by your heart, if you wanna run.’ She’s publicly said, ‘I would never run against my president. He was a great president.”
As it happened the same day as Trump belatedly did campaign stops, Haley, as per Newsweek, released a video in which she effectively urged Trump to step aside.
“And when you’re looking at the future of America, I think it’s time for new generational change. I don’t think you need to be 80 years old to go be a leader in D.C.,” Haley said in the video. “I think we need a young generation to come in, step up, and really start fixing things.”
The new Beyoncé wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Berlin was recently unveiled, and the hive doesn’t look too happy about it. But this wouldn’t be the first time, the famous wax museum has had several iterations of the Houston hitmaker throughout its several locations, and many of them have fallen flat. In 2017, fans accused the wax gallery of “whitewashing” Queen Bey and pointed out that figure looked more like Lindsey Lohan than the “Break My Soul” songstress.
Fast forward six years later. While things have gotten better, it looks like Madame Tussauds still has a ways to go, at least according to members of the hive.
While there were quite a few to agree that the figure did share some similarities to Bey, some folks weren’t sure if the figure was supposed to be a Black woman, let alone Beyoncé.
“Baby, that’s Keke Palmer,” one person hilariously wrote.
While Beyoncé deserves wax figurines in honor, it would help if the ones created at least looked like her. Hopefully, we’ll see even more change in the future.
Sam Smith loves to push boundaries. But if you thought their music video for the No. 1 single, “Unholy,” was the limit, that was just the tip of the artistic iceberg. With the release of their new album, Gloria, Smith has shifted their attention to dropping supporting music videos starting with the latest single, “I’m Not Here To Make Friends,” featuring Jessie Reyez and Calvin Harris.
Originally teased but in November, the boisterous dance track is Smith’s way of asserting as well those who sing along are also sexual being and their intimacy needs will no longer be ignored as they repeatedly sing, “‘Cause I’m not here to make friends / No I’m not here to make friends / ‘Cause I’m not here to make friends / I need a lover, I need a lover.”
When discussing the inspiration behind the track, the singer told television host Graham Norton, “I went on a date with this guy, and he just — people friend-zone me a lot of dates. And I went in the studio the next day, and I was like, ‘I’m sick of it. I’ve got enough friends. I don’t need any more friends.’ And so the song is about that.”
Smith’s demand to be desired is also at the core of the track’s official music video directed by Tanu Muino. Filmed inside King Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace castle in East Molesey, United Kingdom, Smith refuses to shrink themselves to fit into the monocracy’s standards of respectability. With custom wardrobing by designer Christian Cowan, Smith is undoubtedly the belle of the ball.
From dancing on top of pianos to swinging on chandlers, Smith will no longer be ignored. Smith may not be a drag performer, but the video opens with the Queen of Drag, RuPaul reciting his famous quote and features several cameos from them sprinkled throughout epic dance numbers choreographed by (La)Horde and starring dancers Rio Allison (of The Allison Brothers), Sakeema Peng Crook, and Daniel Alwell.
Yes, Smith can belt out a breathtaking ballad, but as they sing, “I’m just being honest, baby I just need a partner when the lights come on / Thirty almost got me, and I’m so over love songs,” that’s not what this track is for they are rebelling from that early career pigeonholed. The UK media isn’t too happy about Smith’s new video, but Smith totally embraces the backlash they had received from the video, telling Graham Norton, “It was the best headline I’ve ever received.”
Pushing back to say despite what the video depicts, they ensure, “Nothing seedy went on. it wasn’t weird,” adding, “Weirder things have happened in that castle. Let’s be honest.”
If this level of rambunctiousness is plastered throughout Smith’s music videos, just imagine what type of experience their upcoming Gloria tour will present.
Watch the full video above.
Gloria is out now via Columbia Records. Stream or purchase it here.
As Ice Spice‘s meteoric rise continues, so do the opportunities. Recently, the “Munch” rapper was featured in Beyonce’s new Ivy Park collection with Adidas. Now she has plans for the big screen, she says. Ice Spice stopped by HOT 97 to chat with hosts Ebro Darden, Laura Stylez, and Peter Rosenburg about her upbringing, plans for the future, and more.
During the broadcast, the New York rapper revealed that acting was not only her first passion but that she has plans to pursue it in the forthcoming future. She admitted that while she loved writing poetry and making music, as a child, she didn’t imagine herself being the Gen Z rapping sensation she is today.
“I didn’t ever really like see myself being a rapper,” she said. “I always wanted to be an actress. That was my first passion.”
The “Gansta Boo” viral hitmaker shared a story about joining an acting class when she was younger but noted that she was timid amongst her peers. However, when Ebro asked if she would try acting again, she seemed more inclined.
While nothing has been officially announced yet, Ice Spice seems to be hiding something under her sleeve. On the heels of the release of her debut EP, Like…?, it’s going to be interesting to see where the young rapper is headed. But don’t worry, the “Munchkins” will be along for the ride.
Three weeks ago, the Georgia Bulldogs put the biggest beatdown in bowl history on the TCU Horned Frogs, winning the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship in a 65-7 romp in Los Angeles.
It was the second title in as many years for the Dawgs and quarterback Stetson Bennett, who cemented his place as an all-time Georgia football legend with an incredible performance and opened some eyes to his potential at the next level. Bennett, who famously made a Good Morning America appearance after Georgia’s first title still very clearly drunk from the night before, has been enjoying this second title just as much, and that appears to have gotten him into some trouble on Sunday morning.
Bennett was arrested for public intoxication at around 6 a.m. on Sunday in Old East Dallas after police responded to calls of a man “banging on doors in the area,” per police, via WFAA in Dallas. Bennett was found and booked on public intoxication charges, although police did not specify if he was the one banging on doors, ultimately being released shortly before 11 a.m.
On the whole, getting drunk and banging on doors is pretty low on the list of crimes that are bad, but it’s still not great decision-making from Bennett. For one, you’re in the city of the team you beat by 58, which means you’re not getting the benefit of the doubt from residents or law enforcement — if he did this in Athens or really anywhere in Georgia, he’d be driven straight to the nearest Waffle House to sober up and someone would pay for his meal. It’s also poor timing considering NFL teams are always watching and looking for things to knock a player down the board ahead of the Draft. Given Bennett’s profile is that of a game-manager without the elite arm talent or size of a top QB, he figures to be a later round pick anyway, and adding an arrest to his record isn’t ideal. At 25 years old, he’s not a young college kid either just being dumb, so Bennett will have a little explaining to do to teams when it comes to the interview round.
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Shrek and maybe more importantly Eddie Murphy’s Donkey. The last time we heard from the little guy was in 2012’s direct-to-video compilation Shrek’s Thrilling Tales. But the franchise is still kicking. The spinoff sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is still the second highest grossing movie in America, behind only the money-gobbling Avatar 2. Indeed, its success appears to have made Murphy a little jealous.
“I’d absolutely be open if they ever came with another Shrek, I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey,” Murphy said. Then he threw some shade. “You know, they did Puss in Boots movies. I was like, ‘They should have did a Donkey movie. Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots.’ I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t funny as the Donkey.”
Granted, he said he loved Antonio Banderas’ feline hero, whose incarnation originated in Shrek 2. Besides, it’s not that controversial to say Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots, who’s simply not as prone to wisecracks as his donkey colleague. So bring back Donkey. He’d fit right in with the current trend for donkeys, including The Banshees of Inisherin, Triangle of Sadness, and the Oscar-nominated, Obama-approvedEO.
Great Divide/Anchor/New Glarus/Sierra Nevada/istock/Uproxx
Honestly, there’s no wrong time of year to be a beer drinker, as there are styles that fit every season and temperature. But if you’re asking us, there might be no better beer season than winter. While you can continue to drink lighter lagers and IPAs, winter is also the perfect time of year to tuck in doppelbocks, barleywines, stouts, winter warmers, and other bolder, maltier winter beers.
This glut of beer choices during the winter months has led us on a journey to find the best options to drink from now until the eventual spring thaw. To find them, we went to the professionals for help. We asked a few well-known craft beer experts and brewers to tell us the absolute best beers to drink this winter. Keep scrolling to see all of their picks.
New Glarus Weizen Doppelbock
New Glarus
Ryan Schmiege, director of brewing operations at Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. in Redmond and Bend, Oregon
ABV: 9%
Average Price: Limited Availability
The Beer:
New Glarus Weizen Doppelbock is a fantastic beer when you find yourself in Wisconsin in the winter. This beer is all about our often-underappreciated friends malt and yeast.
Tasting Notes:
It’s filled with fruity esters and banana notes layered in cinnamon and clove. It’s a masterpiece to enjoy fireside under a star-filled canopy.
I love Hibernation Ale produced by Great Divide out of Denver, Colorado. Hibernation is an English-style Old Ale. I love this beer with a piece of sharp cheese and some rustic bread or as a nightcap by a fire on a cold night.
Tasting Notes:
It’s dry, with graham cracker, cocoa, and robust coffee-like flavors, with a touch of raisin-like sweetness. I think it comes in at 8.7% alcohol by volume, so it’s definitely a winter warmer.
Probably my favorite winter seasonal is Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale. Although it is a West Coast IPA, this beer is steeped in wintry tradition as it is brewed to celebrate the yearly Cascade and Centennial hop harvest in the Pacific Northwest – an event that feels like winter to me.
Tasting Notes:
Classic West Coast hop flavors include citrus, pine, and floral notes and the hops in this beer are at their flavor peak.
Anchor Christmas Ale
Anchor
Judy Neff, founder and brewer at Checkerspot Brewing Company (winner of Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream 2022 Experienceship) in Baltimore
Christmas might be in the rearview, but Anchor Christmas Ale is my go-to winter beer as it’s available into January. They make a different one each year with different art and I’ve been drinking it every year for the past 25 years! It’s become a tradition in our household. All of them are roughly the same style, but each has its unique style and blend of ingredients.
Tasting Notes:
The 2022 version featured notes of dried fruits, caramel, chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and gentle wintry spices.
Winter Warmer from Harpoon Brewery. First released in 1988, this winter warmer has been an annual tradition ever since. It’s a warming mix of wintry spices.
Tasting Notes:
The spice aroma and notes of nutmeg, ginger, and clove make this a delicious winter warmer. I enjoy the dry, spicy finish on this beer.
Fistmas by Revolution Brewing, as it brings back memories of bringing the beer to holiday parties. Even though the holidays are over, this holiday-spiced beer is just as warming in January as it is in December.
Tasting Notes:
With its bready caramel flavors, it makes for a great food pairing beer for heavier winter foods.
Sometimes you have to go with a classic and Anchor’s Old Foghorn is the original American Barleywine. I first had one in a small “sometimes” craft brewery in San Francisco. They served it by the pint. My wife drove the rest of the way.
Tasting Notes:
This memorable beer is just an explosion of dried fruits, citrus, and a rummy kind of booze note.
Jubelale from Deschutes fits the bill for me. Not as high in alcohol as some others, it lets the flavors lead the way. It’s spiced like a holiday cake. You get warmth by association.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a bit of toffee and chocolate rounds it out, leaving you feeling jubilated (is that a word? I say it is a word).
Many brewers think it is a good idea to throw everything but the kitchen sink into big beers but a winter beer like a barleywine needs to be balanced, even though it is a really big beer. And barleywines are not stouts – they can have some color, but they shouldn’t be black beers. Old Wooly from the Big Time brewery in Seattle has always been one of my favorite winter beers.
Tasting Notes:
It has ample body without being too sweet, and it is balanced, not an overblown hop bomb.
More Winter Fields
More
Garth E. Beyer, certified Cicerone and owner and founder of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin
ABV: 4.6%
Average Price: Limited Availability
The Beer:
In a season that feels like every brewer is trying to make the biggest, baddest, booziest beer, Winter Fields by MORE Brewing is a wonderful winter reprieve.
Tasting Notes:
It’s an English-style brown ale that provides toffee, walnut, and light earthy chocolate notes. Better yet, it clocks in at 4.6% ABV, making it an extremely sessionable winter warmer.
This weekend saw the return of Donald Trump, active presidential candidate. Some two-and-a-half months after announcing his third campaign, he finally, belatedly sprung into action, kicking things off at a high school auditorium and, later, at a smallish rally with few big GOP stars. He was also the lede in SNL’s latest Weekend Update, which reserved its first jokes for him before getting to folks like Kanye West and even the parents of Swifties.
Co-anchor Colin Jost started by addressing the former president’s account being reinstated on Facebook and Instagram, albeit with what were vaguely called “guardrails.” About those, Jost joked that sounds like “the same thing they said every time they tried to reopen Jurassic Park.” He then added, “Also, what even are guardrails on Facebook and can they apply to my uncle? Because he’s posted some very disturbing fan fiction about the green M&M.”
Jost returned to Trump a bit later, when discussing GOP Sen. Rick Scott’s vow to complete his Southern border wall, which he would name after Trump. That prompted Jost to crack, “Even though most things named after Donald Trump are complete failures,” alongside an image of his oldest failson.
At one point, co-anchor Michael Che brought up the controversial new AI chatbot, which allows people to “converse” with simulated versions of real people, including Jesus and Hitler. Che joked there’s “one guy who thinks he’s both,” alongside a picture of Kanye West.
Che had another music-related joke: He talked about the Senate hearings held this week over Live Nation’s Taylor Swift snafu, which prompted concerns over their monopoly on concert ticket sales. That coaxed Taylor Swift fans to protest outside the Capitol. “Aww, that’s sweet,” Che said. “And only two years after their dads were there,” as a picture of Jan. 6 rioters appeared. That bit inevitably got quite the response.
You can watch the latest Weekend Update in the videos above and below.
SNL rarely shies away from the political; their Cold Opens are often about something D.C.-related. But on their most recent episode, they slipped in a reference to a tragedy the nation has only begun to process: the killing of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis police officers. Footage of the murder was made public last week, prompting outrage and protests. It’s a serious subject, and SNL found a sly way to mention it without making light of it.
The episode’s cold open concerned Merrick Garland (Mikey Day), the attorney general who’s often been criticized for being too detached, too slow to take action. The sketch parodied this by making him a diminutive badass, a nerd bellowing threats.
“I may look like I was born in a library, but there’s something you should know: Merrick Garland don’t play,” Day’s Garland steamed.
The sketch found one FBI agent after another telling the press about their adventures visiting past presidents and vice presidents, searching their homes for classified documents they may have taken home, as has been the case with Donald Trump, Mike Pence, and current president but former veep Joe Biden. For instance, Bowen Yang’s agent regaled reporters with his hang with charming (and classified document-free) Barack Obama.
At the end, though, things got a little serious. One of the agents, played by Kenan Thompson, returned to ask Garland a question.
“Hey boss, when we done playing with your little papers, we gonna head down to Memphis and make sure justice is served down there too, right?” Thompson asked.
“I sincerely hope so,” Day’s Garland replied.
“Yeah, you damn right, just making sure,” Thompson said, to huge applause.
Perhaps the actual Garland will take notice and be inspired to do his job. You can watch the sketch in the video above.
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