Yesterday (October 18), Shawn Mendes joined in on the public memorials. On the Brooklyn Paramount Theater stage, the “Why Why Why” singer delivered a touching tribute to the fallen star with a performance of an unreleased Shawn song “Heart Of Gold” (viewable here).
“I just want to take a second to send so much love to him wherever he is up there,” he said. “Liam, we love you. The world is crying for you, brother, and we’re all praying for your son and your family. I miss you.”
Prior to singing the ballad, Shawn revealed the true meaning behind the track. After one of Shawn’s childhood friend died from a drug overdose, it was a pain he couldn’t overcome. So, he channelled those heavy emotions into a song. “It me like a truck,” he said in a video captured by a concertgoer (viewable here). “We wrote this it felt like all the things I never got to say to him.
Shawn is out 11/15 via Island Records. Find more information here.
In the interest of transparency, it hasn’t been fun to navigate the NFL waters this season, which is evident by the full-season record below. However, we were granted a mini-reprieve this week in that, well, I actually liked the Saints on Thursday but couldn’t get the column done in time. Maybe that should-be-loss will open some doors for us.
We press on, and here are five selections for Week 7. But first, a bigger look.
Week 6: 2-3
2024 Season: 10-19-1
Come get these winners.
New England Patriots (+6) over Jacksonville Jaguars – Widely Available
I’ve been on the Jags too often this season. I’ve probably been on the Patriots too often this season. I just can’t get to this number. Why, on earth, is Jacksonville laying six on a neutral field? I do understand the Jaguars have the edge having been in London for more than a week now. I do understand that history buff Drake Maye is a risky proposition. But this is a total in the low-40’s and we have to take the candy on principle.
Cleveland Browns (+6) over Cincinnati Bengals – DraftKings
We are leaning heavy on the principles this week, even when I don’t want to. I have no interest in backing Deshaun Watson whatsoever, but this is an auto-play. Hold your nose.
Green Bay Packers (-2.5) over Houston Texans – FanDuel
Grabbing the best number here is paramount, and it has been pinging around in recent hours. Lambeau Field isn’t worth a full three points anymore, but I think this is a friendly spot for Green Bay. I’m also selling high on Houston, as the Texans haven’t played as well as their record indicates.
Carolina Panthers (+9.5) over Washington Commanders – DraftKings, BetMGM
Another “hold your nose” selection. Washington has impressed me but, in short, this is a big number for the Commanders to be laying against any team. Carolina isn’t good, but we stand with Andy Dalton.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+2) over New York Jets – ESPNBet
Mike Tomlin as a home underdog. Mike Tomlin as a home underdog. Mike Tomlin as a home underdog.
(And a bit of a fade of positive Jets momentum for good measure.)
For stars and starters, the preseason offers a chance to get some juices flowing, get a few game reps with their team, and then just try to stay healthy before the start of the regular season. For those deeper down the bench — and especially those without guaranteed NBA deals — it’s a chance to show you belong, and on Friday night, Quincy Olivari did just that with a 22-point performance for the Lakers against the Warriors in their preseason finale.
Olivari was signed to an Exhibit 10 deal as an undrafted rookie by the Lakers after playing for them in Summer League, and that camp deal allowed him a chance to get some run and show that his three-point shooting (40.9 percent in college) could translate to the league. That was on display on Friday against the Warriors, and the rookie’s performance caught the eye of Stephen Curry from the Warriors bench.
Curry made it a point to go talk to Olivari on the court after the game, and later gave him a signed pair of shoes in the back. It was a nice gesture from the future Hall of Famer, and one that Olivari will never forget. As the rookie explained after the game, fighting back tears, Curry was his favorite player growing up and that he used to sleep in a Curry jersey, so meeting his idol and having Steph say he was a fan of his game meant the world to him.
It’s a really cool moment and reminder that all of these young players that enter the league, whether they come in as stars (see: Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant) or are grinding for roster spots, grew up fans of a lot of the guys still at the top of the league. When they earn the respect of those guys, you can see what it means to them, and it’s clear that guys like Steph, KD, and LeBron understand their place in the game and the importance of paying it forward to that next generation. For Curry, this was a nice gesture and a way to let a young guy know he was seen and appreciated. For Olivari, a mid-October preseason game became a moment he remembers forever.
A winner-take-all Game 5 will decide the WNBA champion. The Minnesota Lynx were able to defend their homecourt on Friday night in Game 4 of the 2024 WNBA Finals and, by extension, extend their season by one more game. In a tight affair where no team ever led by more than six points, the Lynx were able to pick up a thrilling, 82-80 victory over the New York Liberty to tie the series up at two games each and send the series back to the Barclays Center.
The first quarter was remarkably tense, with neither team able to create any separation over the game’s opening 10 minutes. The largest lead by either team was four points, with the Liberty and the Lynx trading the lead with one another seven times. There were five ties, as well, and the two teams entered the second all level at 23 each.
Things were not all that much different in the second, as both offenses, in particular, did an excellent job executing and not letting things get out of hand. By the time the two teams went to the locker room at halftime, Minnesota held on tight to a 46-45 lead, which was powered primarily three of their stars: Kayla McBride, who led all scorers with 14 points; Courtney Williams, who went for 13; and Napheesa Collier, who did her usual stuffing of the stat sheet with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
As for the Liberty, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s 10 points led the way, while both Leonie Fiebich and Jonquel Jones had nine. Their high-powered of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggled, though, as they combined for 10 points on 5-for-20 shooting, while Stewart got into a little foul trouble by picking up her three with just under a minute left in the half.
The inability to open up a big lead bit both teams in the third. With just over six minutes remaining, the Lynx were able to open up a 55-50 lead, one which gave them the tiniest bit of space. But the Liberty wouldn’t be deterred, as Jones powered the team to 11 unanswered points that gave them a 6-point lead, the largest for either team to that point.
This turned out, once again, to be fleeting. Minnesota came right back and scored six in a row — five of which came by way of Alanna Smith — to tie things up at 61. In all, the Lynx were able to roll into the final quarter on a 9-2 run, one which gave them a 64-63 lead and the wind in their sails as they desperately tried to force a Game 5 in New York.
Minnesota got its lead up to as many as five points at the start of the fourth, but once again, the opportunity to pull away came and went. And once the Liberty steadied themselves, they were able to rip off a 9-2 run that let them pull back into the lead for a moment, although the two teams entered the final five minutes all tied up thanks to McBride.
While the Lynx were able to get their lead up to as many as five points, the Liberty were not deterred. In particular, a three by McBride with just over two and a half minutes left ignited the crowd at the Target Center, but a layup by Ionescu was followed by a cold spell for both teams and, eventually, a layup and a foul for Jones, which tied things up at 80 as the game entered its final minute.
Both defenses were able to get stops, and things set up for Minnesota to get the game’s final shot. Williams took it, and while her efforts to shake Laney-Hamilton and get off a clean look were unsuccessful, Bridget Carleton was able to haul in the rebound and got fouled while attempting a shot. Both of her free throws were pure, and on the ensuing Liberty possession, Ionescu was unable to hit a miraculous three to decide things for a second game in a row.
Everyone Lynx starter registered double-figure scoring, with McBride’s 19 leading the way. Williams was brilliant, going for 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Collier had 14 and both Smith and Carleton went for 12. The Liberty, likewise, had every starter in double-digits, with Jones going for a game-high 21 points and eight rebounds. While Fiebich had 19 and Laney-Hamilton had 10, the story of the game may have been the inability for either Stewart or Ionescu to get going from the field — the former had 11 points on 5-for-20 shooting, while the latter had 10 on 5-for-16 shooting. The duo combined to shoot nine threes and missed all of them.
Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals will take place on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending October 18, 2024.
Albums/EPs/Mixtapes
Benny The Butcher & 38 Spesh — Stabbed & Shot 2
Benny The Butcher
Benny and Spesh have been incredibly productive separately this year, with two releases from the former and four from the latter, so it only makes sense the prolific upstate New Yorkers would team up to increase their ever-expanding catalogs. They’ve got incredible chemistry, owing to their muscular flows and similar subjects — crime rap has rarely sounded so soulful. Busta Rhymes, Dave East, and Harry Fraud contribute some compelling features.
Big Boogie — Ether
Big Boogie
If timing is everything, then Big Boogie just won the lotto with his latest release. Dropping just days after he made his BET Hip-Hop Awards debut alongside GloRilla — on whose debut album he also appeared just a week ago — Ether capitalizes on the attention Boogie has undoubtedly garnered over the past few days. GloRilla pays him back in kind on “Bop,” while their fellow CMG signees 42 Dugg, Moneybagg Yo, and YTB Fatt also show their support with guest spots.
Chris Crack — Online Shoplifting
Chris Crack
Chicago indie star Chris Crack has been a machine over the past decade, dropping no fewer than 20 projects in that span under both the Chris Crack appellation and as Chris Spencer. An agile rapper whose lithe rhymes glide gracefully over jazz and R&B loops, Crack spits in the stream of consciousness style that will appeal to fans of rappers like the late MF DOOM and Ka.
Lexa Gates — Elite Vessel
Lexa Gates
Switching smoothly from rapping to singing and back again across her latest, the New York-bred Gates signed with Capitol Records earlier this year to level up her DIY sound. ZelooperZ also appears on the album. Gates’ laconic flow belies personal songwriting and relatable insights.
Lin-Manuel Miranda — Warriors
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Okay, okay, yes, I know. Believe me, I know. But, hey, you know what? I wrote this four years ago, and I stick by it. For as many jokes as Lin-Manuel gets for the cheesiness of his concepts, there’s no doubt that he pulls it off (and let’s face it, most of the backlash against Hamilton had more to do with who all kept gushing over it rather than any of its actual substance). I can’t say whether or not lightning will strike twice with his high-concept musical adaptation of the 1979 cult film, but you gotta appreciate someone trying to treat hip-hop like an art form and not just a get-rich-quick scheme. And judging by the guestlist (Busta Rhymes, Cam’ron, Ghostface, Lauryn Hill, Nas, and RZA are among the rap luminaries who appear here), I’m not the only one to believe in that noble ambition.
Singles/Videos
Cochise — “Google Me”
Florida native Cochise has been slowly but surely building his buzz through a near-constant stream of off-kilter projects that put his sing-rapping and video game inspired sensibilities on display. “Google Me” is a boastful but loose example, showing off the Palm Beacher’s wit and charisma.
Foggieraw — “Love Don’t Cost A Thing”
The poetic Marylander possesses one of rap’s most singular voices, and as always, he puts it to effective use here, recounting a young romance that falls victim as much to its participants’ inexperience as any of the usual obstacles to love and happiness.
Jaden — “The Coolest Pt. 2”
Jaden is back to rapping with the sort of desperate passion that shot through his earliest projects, but don’t let the pulsing beat and the video’s boisterous fashions fool you; he’s rapping like his life depends on it because he’s been through some stuff.
Owen Han may be considered a “Sandwich King” in the digital sphere, but he is not trying to steal fellow Sandwich champion Jeff Mauro’s throne. Owen has carved his own lane in the culinary content creator space as a consistently positive personality that blends a passion for food with an interesting mix of Chinese and Italian influences, much like his personal background. He’s not just all sandwiches, all the time.
We caught up with Owen during the rollout for his first cookbook, Stacked — which, as the title suggests, is stacked with sandwich recipes from a diverse array of cultures and cuisines — to talk food. More specifically, a personal staple in Owen’s daily repertoire, a universal favorite for people that want to pack their morning with a hearty protein punch and big flavor, the breakfast burrito! Owen’s version features all the key ingredients for a potential flavor bomb to start your day or cure whatever you did the night before.
Make it this weekend and tag @UproxxLife on IG to share your results!
Why did you want to talk breakfast burritos? What makes it such a great dish?
Because I eat one probably every single day. It’s a great way for me to use up all my leftovers. You put it in a wrap and then you get to eat it with your hands. So there’s a huge convenience aspect to it. I think that also ties into why everyone likes it. It’s portable, it’s on the go. Anything you can eat with your hands, I’m all for. But it also just has everything I look for when it comes to breakfast: eggs, protein, carb source in forms of potato, and then you pretty much can customize it however you want.
Is there anything unique about your breakfast burrito recipe or how you typically approach a breakfast burrito?
Yeah, so I’ve eaten numerous breakfast burritos, not just ones I’ve made, but all throughout LA. I feel like it’s kind of a California thing, breakfast burritos. So in trying all of them, I’ve tried to essentially create my all time favorite variation of it and really what it comes down to is just the total balance of texture and flavor. So for me what makes it perfect is crispy potatoes, there’s also soft scrambled eggs, so major contrasting there. And then you’re getting creaminess from the avocado and melty cheese – the flavor profile to me is just unmatched.
Your version mentions a couple different protein options. When it comes to the protein, what is your favorite type of pork to use or do you switch it up frequently?
I definitely switch it up. If I had the same one, I probably would not be eating it every day and I would get sick of it. I tend to go towards bacon, turkey bacon as well. But my all time favorite has to be just classic breakfast sausage and really that just comes down to what I grew up eating. So my family is huge into Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage. I think it’s the most flavorful out there, so it’s super nostalgic. I’m using that giant roll, the log of meat.
You basically get to control the size you want. So if you like bigger chunks of sausage, then you can break it up however you want. If you want small crumbles, you can crumble it up too. So it’s pretty cool and really adds onto the whole customization aspect.
Do you switch it up how you do it or do you prefer the crumble to the chunks to other variations?
I definitely switch it up. So for me it also depends on how my hash browns are turning out. So if there’s relatively large chunks of hash brown, I tend to go for more of a crumble with the breakfast sausage, so it’s more uniform and not just a chunky burrito. You want it uniform in there. And vice versa, my hash browns, I make them a little bit closer to crispy shreds and if they aren’t holding up as much, then I’ll do bigger chunks of sausage. So it’s all about getting the right textures mixed in together.
Your recipe lists Russet potatoes as the best option for hash browns. Is there any reason behind Russets versus other type of potatoes?
I go for Russet because I find that they have a higher starch content. And that’s pretty key when making hash browns because you’ll be able to still get a crispy texture on the outside, but a light fluffy potato inside as well.
My fallback plan, this is mainly if I’m feeling a little lazy, I got a bag of frozen tots in my freezer, you can air fry those and get the job done.
Can you run us through you hashbrown cooking technique? You start with a low-heat right?
It’s literally so they don’t burn. Starting off slow, you ensure the potatoes are being cooked and then you crank up the heat to get that really crisp texture. So if you were to do the opposite and start with a high heat, you’ll achieve that nice golden crisp really quick. But then your potatoes themselves will be a little bit raw and obviously you don’t want to eat raw potato.
In your recipe you mentioned using potentially Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese. Is there any reason that you didn’t pick a Mexican cheese or something that’s maybe more traditionally from Latin culture?
Yeah, a few reasons. One, I think the flavor profile is a little bit more mild and I think that helps with letting the other ingredients shine as well and not overpower the burrito and it melts really well. That’s also a great benefit obviously when eating a burrito. And then it’s more universal, you can go to any grocery store you’ll be able to find either of those cheeses, but once again, I keep falling back to customizable. This is my personal preference for those reasons, but if you like Gouda or Cotija, go for whatever you want.
Do you have any tips on picking out avocados at the grocery store?
Yeah, definitely. One, you’ve got to feel it. If it’s rock hard and you know want to use it right away, that’s definitely not the one you want to use. You want it to be brown, not too soft. I am trying to find something to compare it to. Almost, it should feel like an orange. Say you’re going to squeeze an orange, how it has a little bit of bounce back but still kind of soft. That’s kind of what you’re looking for.
Your recipe mentions flour tortillas. Would you recommend to somebody that’s making this dish for the first time to try making their own tortillas or is that something that’s a little bit more of an advanced item to make at home?
It’s actually a lot easier than people think. It’s literally flour, water and then a fat component, whether it’s lard or vegetable oil. And it takes a little bit more time and you have to practice a little bit to get it perfect. So if I were doing it the first time, I would probably go with store bought. I mean, as someone who eats these pretty much every day, I very rarely will make the tortillas from scratch because when I wake up in the morning I’m trying to do something relatively quick and delicious.
What would you say are some of the challenges of the dish people who are making it for the first time might run into?
One of the biggest issues I could see happening has to do with the tortilla. I could see the tortilla ripping, and a big way to prevent that is control the amount of filling you’re putting in. If you overstuff it, obviously it’ll be very hard to roll up and maintain. And then a second tip with that is, I talk about heating up the tortilla beforehand and toasting it. So if you were to take it straight from the package, add your filling, most likely it would rip. Heating it up makes it incredibly more pliable and will ensure that it does not break.
Once you get the hang of the basics of making the dish and what you like from a customization standpoint, what are some other toppings that aren’t in your recipe that could be really tasty to add to the basic foundation?
Two things come to mind. One, if you want to get spicy, in the book, I also have a homemade hot sauce recipe, Tomatillo salsa. So I’m usually always adding hot sauce or salsa to my burrito. So that’s definitely a must. And then a little less traditional, I’ll add some pickled element. So there’s a whole chapter as well on pickling. So pickled daikon and carrots, pickled onions, super great addition to any burrito. That will add an acid element and as well as crunch.
My big tip though is that is if you are to go with the pickling element, make sure it’s not super wet. Obviously wet fillings going in the burrito doesn’t mix well and once again, could lead to the tortilla ripping. So definitely add it for crunch and acid, but watch out for the amount of excess liquid.
How To Make The Best Breakfast Burrito, According To Owen Han
1½ pounds/680 g baking potatoes, such as russets, peeled or unpeeled, shredded
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 cup/100 g shredded Monterey Jack or mild Cheddar cheese
4 slices bacon, cooked and coarsely chopped
2 burrito-sized flour tortillas, warmed
1 ripe Hass avocado, pitted and sliced
1 scallion, white and green parts, sliced
Mexican-style hot sauce, such as Cholula, for serving
Method
Put the potatoes in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover. Swish the potatoes in the water to release their starch. Drain. Repeat rinsing the potatoes a few more times until the water is mostly clear. Drain well. In batches, wrap the potatoes in a kitchen towel and wring to remove excess moisture. Transfer the shredded potatoes to a medium bowl and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Preheat the oven to 200ºF/95ºC.
Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the oil is shimmering. Spread the potatoes in the skillet into a thin layer. Cover and cook until the underside is crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Uncover and flip the potatoes over in two or three sections. Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, uncovered, until the other side is browned and the potatoes are tender, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer to a heatproof plate and keep warm in the oven. Wipe out the skillet.
Melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Whisk the eggs, milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Pour into the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. When the butter subsides, add the eggs. Cook, stirring constantly, until the eggs are scrambled into moist curds, about 1½ minutes. (Do not overcook, as they will cook more from the residual heat.) Remove from the heat. Sprinkle with the cheese and bacon and cover with a lid to melt the cheese, about 1 minute.
For each burrito, spoon half of the potatoes in a row in the center of the tortilla. Cover with half of the scrambled eggs, half of the avocado slices, and half of the scallion. Fold the tortilla up from the bottom to cover the filling. Fold the right and left sides 1 to 2 inches/2.5 to 5 cm over the filling. Roll up from the bottom to close the burrito, tucking in the corners as needed. The filling should be entirely enclosed. Transfer to a plate or baking sheet, seam side down.
Wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and heat over medium heat. Add the burritos, seam side down, and cook until the undersides are toasted, about 1 minute. Turn and toast the other side, about 1 minute more. Transfer to a chopping board. Cut each in half, transfer to plates, and serve immediately with the hot sauce on the side.
Netflix’s rap competition show Rhythm + Flow has been teasing its second season for a while (it was originally scheduled for 2021), and while its release date had been a mystery for most of the year, today, the streamer finally announced when fans can catch the rise of the next potential rap superstar: November 20.
The show will return with a new slate of judges — DJ Khaled, Latto, and Ludacris — as well as a new location: Atlanta. Along with the new panel, the newly released trailer for the second season also teases its guest judges, which will include Big Sean, Busta Rhymes, GloRilla, and Remy Ma, as well as a return of the season one winner, D Smoke, who has since carved out a successful indie rap career that included a Grammy nomination and roles on the Paramount+ series Mayor Of Kingstown and the Peacock series Bel Air.
For those unfamiliar with the premise of the show, it’s very similar to other music competition series like American Idol and The X Factor, albeit focused on rappers rather than singers. The winner is awarded a cash prize rather than a record deal; in season one, the prize was $250,000. That’s enough to kickstart a career and promote at least a couple of solid singles.
You can check out the trailer for season two of Rhythm+Flow above.
This year’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival lineup was rolled out in a fun way: Via a crossword puzzle with clues to each artist’s identity on the festival’s website. Now that the puzzle has been solved, we know who all is performing at this year’s Camp. In addition to regulars like festival organizer Tyler The Creator and frequent collaborators Vince Staples, Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Genesis, and Denzel Curry, this year’s fest includes Doechii, Kaytranada, DJ Mustard, Raye, Laila!, The Alchemist, Action Bronson, Concrete Boys, Blood Orange, Tommy Richman, Sampha, Faye Webster, and a special tribute to the late, great MF DOOM. You can check out the completed crossword below.
Camp Flog Gnaw
While Tyler told fans at the last Camp Flog Gnaw that he wouldn’t be releasing any new music soon, this year, he’ll have a whole new album to perform. Tyler announced his new album, Chromakopia after teasing new music with the eerie video for “St. Chroma.” It’s a good thing he’s got a new project coming, too, as last year’s headlining festival set will be hard to top; Tyler caroused across the stage firing a flamethrower, so you can bet he’ll be going even further over the top with this year’s set.
You can see the full list of performers below and get ticket information here.
Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2024 lineup
Action Bronson
André 3000
The Alchemist & Friends
Amelia Moore
Blood Orange
Concrete Boys
Daniel Caesar
Denzel Curry
Doechii
Domo Genesis
Earl Sweatshirt
Erykah Badu
Faye Webster
FM MOOD: A TRIBUTE TO MF DOOM
Hana Vu
Jean Dawson
Jordan Ward
KAYTRANADA
Kenny Mason
Laila!
Latin Mafia
Left Brain
Lithe
Ma$e
The Mainliners
The Marías
Matt Champion
Mike G
Mustard & Friends
Na-Kel Smith
Omar Apollo
Orion Sun
Playboi Carti
Raye
Rio Amor
Sampha
ScHoolboy Q
Sexyy Red
Syd
Tommy Richman
Tyler, The Creator
Vince Staples
Wisp
Yves Tumor
Shakira can (famously) make a man wanna speak Spanish. She can also sell a lot of tickets, too many for the venues she was scheduled to play in during the North American dates of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. So, the “Soltera” singer is “elevating” from arenas to stadiums in 2025.
“To my dear fans, your incredible support since my tour announcement has truly been extraordinary, and it’s already making this the biggest tour of my career,” Shakira wrote in an Instagram Story. “As Live Nation communicated earlier, the demand for tickets and more shows has reached the point that our tour now requires stadiums in the USA and more dates so I can see as many of you as possible. “The production of my show is also now so much larger and unlike anything I’ve done before. As a result, we’re elevating my North America run from arenas to stadiums and the dates will be shifted to May 2025, right after my Latin American tour.”
She continued, “I know many of you made big efforts to be a part of these shows. Thank you so much for supporting me through this. Your understanding and love means the world to me and helps me to continue breaking barriers. I’ll be waiting for all of you with great anticipation. I promise to make it worth the wait and deliver the best show of my life!
The new dates and cities will be announced on Monday, October 21.
Rising New York rapper Fergie Baby wears Harlem on his sleeve, as his recently released EP Harlem River Drive: North reveals. Additionally, also wears the New York borough’s music history on that same sleeve. It’s an undeniable element that comes alive through the project’s six songs. Whether it’s the introspection and storytelling of “Friday Night” or the smooth romancing of “What You Need” boastful raps of “Harlem Rievr Drive,” it’s hard to miss the pride Fergie Baby holds for his hometown.
Harlem River Drive: North is another big moment for Fergie Baby in what’s been a growing collection of them over the last year. The rapper went viral for his On The Radar freestyle “Trueys, BBs, and Canes” while other records like “Suburbans” only boosted his prominence. “The only word to describe my emotions is blessed,” Fergie Baby said in response to the praise he received for “Trueys, BBs, and Canes.” “I’m blessed by my team and everyone who was involved to make this possible.” These are just the arly days for Fergie Baby, and the sky is the limit for the Harlem rapper.
A few weeks removed from the release of Harlem River Drive: North, Fergie Baby gets the spotlight as this week’s Uproxx Music 20 artist. Scroll down to read our interview with the Harlem rapper and to learn more about his inspiration, aspirations, and influences.
My earliest memory of music was being at home with family. Music was always around. From the age of 4, I was a mega Michael Jackson fan. I used to have made-up concerts where my mom and grandma used to be the audience and I’ll come to perform for them as if I were Michael Jackson. I would change clothes every time the song changed. My mother made me a custom glove with rhinestones and a hat. I was raised in 3 households, one with my mother and grandmother, one with my father, and one with my grandfather. My mother used to play music like Dru Hill, New Edition, Big Daddy Kane, & Donell Jones. My Grandma used to be in the living room playing Al Green, The Temptations, Whitney Houston, and Teddy Pendergrass. When I went to my father’s house, he played Nas, Scarface, 50 Cent, and Jay-Z. At my grandfather’s house, he played just James Brown.
Who or what inspired you to take music seriously?
The people around me inspired me to take music seriously. I used to see music as a hobby because my friends did it as a passion. If not for them pushing me to do my first studio session, I wouldn’t be an artist today. They saw the talent in me before I did.
Do you know how to play an instrument? If so, which one? If not, which instrument do you want to learn how to play?
I do not play any instrument. I would love to learn the piano and violin.
What was your first job?
My first job was at McDonald’s. The worst job in America haha.
What is your most prized possession?
My most prized possession is God, my mother, my family, and my friends. As cliché as it sounds, it’s true. Without them, I wouldn’t be here at all!
What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear is doing all this for no reason and not getting anywhere.
You get 24 hours to yourself to do anything you want, with unlimited resources: What are you doing? And spare no details!
If I had 24 hours to do whatever with unlimited resources, I would take my mom wherever she wanted to go and pay her and my bills first and foremost.
What are your three most used emojis?
, , and .
What’s a feature you need to secure before you die?
Kendrick Lamar & Busta Rhymes.
If you could appear in a future season of a current TV show, which one would it be and why?
If I could appear in a future season of a current TV show, it would be Power or Top Boy.
Which celebrity do you admire or respect for their personality and why?
Teyana Taylor. She’s from Harlem, and she is a goddess in her own right. So many people slept on her and disregarded her craft because she is a woman. She overcame all the hate and it’s similar to what I went through so far in my music career. She does literally everything down to being a songwriter, a musician, a choreographer, a director, a scriptwriter, an actress, a stylist, a designer, etc. She is just a free human being, who has great energy, and determination, and most of all she is unapologetically herself. I see a lot of myself in here.
Share your opinion on something no one could ever change your mind about.
An opinion I have that someone can never change my mind about is being me. No one can ever convince, manipulate, or try to change me from being me. I got myself here by staying true to myself. I also encourage others to follow their true selves. This music industry has a way of changing people for an image and clout.
What is the best song you’ve ever heard in your life and what do you love about it?
The best song I ever heard in my life is Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You.” As soon as the beat comes on, you feel it. Before he even sings, the beat attracts you. Down to the song composition, the aura, and its Michael at that, I can say confidently that’s the best song ever.
What’s your favorite city in the world to perform, and what’s a city you’re excited to perform in for the first time?
My favorite city in the world to perform right now is obviously my town (Harlem). As a runner-up, I’ll say LA. When I performed for the first time in LA, the audience and vibe were at an all-time high for me. One place I’m excited to perform in is Japan.
You are throwing a music festival. Give us the dream lineup of 5 artists that will perform with you and the location where it would be held.
My dream lineup for a music festival would be Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Michael Jackson, DMX & Busta Rhymes. I would have it in Paris or Egypt.
What would you be doing now if it weren’t for music?
I honestly don’t know what I would be doing if it wasn’t for music to be honest. If I wasn’t an artist, I would be an A&R or a manager. I just love music so much.
If you could see five years into the future or go five years into the past, which one would you pick and why?
Five years into the future. Just to know how all this turned out.
What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?
One piece of advice I would go back in time to tell my 18-year-old self is to not give up and remain yourself at all times.
It’s 2050. The world hasn’t ended, and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as an icon and mogul. Not only for this music but known in the fashion world and for giving back to the community.
Harlem River Drive: North is out now via Groove Gods Unite The Label. Find out more information here.
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