As the NBA and NBPA work towards a full agreement on a return to play plan for the 22-team, 8-game race to the playoffs in Orlando, there is a growing number of players voicing their concerns and questions about the Disney bubble.

Kyrie Irving, Avery Bradley, and others from the NBA, WNBA, and beyond have formed a coalition to present those concerns. Some of them have concerns about basketball distracting from the Black Lives Matter movement and player activism, while others are worried about the safety of the bubble and whether the restart is worth it. There are, of course, significant financial ramifications for the league and players should they scrap restart plans, and it’s something all parties understand. However, voicing concerns of those in the union is the job of a VP like Kyrie, and if nothing else he wants to provide a platform for those to be raised and to ensure they are discussed and, if possible, settled with the league before play resumes.

John Wall, like Kyrie, will not be playing in the bubble no matter what as he continues to work his way back from an Achilles injury, but the Wizards’ All-Star point guard gave public backing to Irving and other players raising concerns noting on ‘The Tuff Juice Podcast” with Caron Butler that if he were healthy he wouldn’t want to play, saying he’s not convinced the bubble is safe (transcription via NBC Sports Washington).

“For me, if I was playing, I wouldn’t want to go to it, to be honest. I just don’t feel like it’s safe. I just don’t feel like it is. I understand why they want to do it and what they’re trying to get to, but I wouldn’t want to,” Wall said.

Wall also highlighted that he believes Kyrie has “a point” about not wanting to detract from the Black Lives Matter movement, and that he is more than understanding of players that take that stance.

“Kyrie has his things where he be in his own world… ‘The Earth is flat,’” he said. “But to be honest, I think he has a point. A lot of people feel that way. I think that’s why they tried to get on that call to see how many people really want to go play and how many people don’t want to play. Because with all this ‘Black Lives Matter’ going on and protesting and trying to get justice and all that; a lot of people feel like it’s not safe to go there. That’s what he stands on.”

There will of course be those that point out that both Irving and Wall have the benefit of being able to say they don’t want to go when they wouldn’t anyway due to health, but that two of the league’s All-Star caliber players are noting these questions they have is important. It’s important in making players of smaller stature in the league feel like they can have concerns as well, while also pushing these questions into the mind of the public to encourage discussion between the union and league to try and alleviate at least some of these worries with action.

Fiona Apple has been infamously resistant to licensing her music for use in TV and film. But the singer has found a way to allow producers to use her songs while also supporting a good cause. The singer has committed to donating song royalties from two Fetch The Bolt Cutters tracks to benefit charity.

In an announcement on social media, Apple said that for two years royalties earned from her song “Shameika” will go the Harlem Children’s Zone while those from “Heavy Balloon” will benefit the non-profit Seeding Sovereignty. The singer said that if the tracks aren’t picked up by the film industry, she will still donate $50,000 to each organization independently. “I will be able to give a lot more, if I can earn some of that Hollywood cash, so here’s hoping, here’s trying, and that’s that, I guess!” she wrote.

This isn’t the first time Apple has donated song royalties to charity. Just last year, the singer announced she would be sending royalties from her 1996 track “Criminal” to the While They Wait fund, an organization that provides refugees with assistance, legal services, and immigration fees. Apple said “Criminal” is her most requested song for TV and movies and that she hopes her donations would provide “representation and guidance.”

See Apple’s charitable commitment announcement above.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters is out now via Epic. Get it here.

Rage Against The Machine leader Zack De La Rocha has cemented his place within the Run The Jewels universe, as he landed features on the duo’s second album, their third, and their recently released fourth album, RTJ4. Now, a producer named DJ Skarface has imagined what it would be like if De La Rocha had a larger presence in RTJ’s discography with a new mashup project, Rage The Jewels.

The 13-minute effort, which features De La Rocha vocals from Rage Against The Machine songs on El-P’s Run The Jewels instrumentals, caught the attention of El-P himself: Sharing the project on Twitter, he wrote, “oh sh*t.”

The project features elements from across Rage Against The Machine and Run The Jewels’ discographies, as well as snippets of things like David Letterman introducing the band and El-P discussing how he came to work with De La Rocha. In addition to the single-track version of the project as presented on SoundCloud, DJ Skarface has also made a version with separated tracks available for free on Bandcamp via name-your-price download. Proceeds from the Bandcamp downloads will go to the National Lawyers Guild.

This follows a similar project DJ Skarface made a few years ago, in which the producer mashed up vocals from the first Run The Jewels album with DJ Shadow instrumentals. That project arrived months after the duo featured on DJ Shadow’s “Nobody Speak.”

Listen to Rage The Jewels above.

As one of the pioneers of taking hip-hop from the New York underground to the American mainstream, LL Cool J is one of the handful of figures from the era still prominent enough to carry the torch for “Golden Era” of rap music. To help him do that, he has expanded his Rock The Bells brand to include a new website celebrating classic hip-hop through the voices of the artists who helped define their generation.

Linking up with other pioneers of the genre such as Big Daddy Kane, Fab 5 Freddy, Roxanne Shante, Run DMC, and Salt N Pepa, RockTheBells.com will produce content that speaks to hip-hop’s impact and influence as a driver of cultural change. Its editorial coverage will encompass artists, music, and historical moments from throughout hip-hop’s lifespan, as well as social commentary related to hip-hop’s legacy of activism. The site will also feature a store selling everything from apparel to books to sound equipment, highlighted by special collaborations with the celebrated artists of the culture’s breakout years.

In a press release, LL called Rock The Bells “the leading voice that rocks with Gen X and those with a Strictly OG mindset. Rock the Bells uplifts the people and moments at the forefront of Hip-Hop, through our best-in-class storytelling, shopping platform, and experiences. We’re putting ownership in the hands of the Black community and the pioneers that started the culture.”

Visit RockTheBells.com for more info.

The Daily Show host Trevor Noah delivered a powerful monologue in response to the police killing of Rayshard Brooks, who was fatally shot last week in Atlanta after being apprehended for sleeping in his car while drunk. After learning what happened to Brooks, Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff felt motivated to open up about the many (non-confrontational) encounters that she had with police as a young adult (and teen), none of which resulted in any lasting consequences. Mostly, she was let off the hook with verbal warnings.

Vernoff feels that her experiences point directly toward white privilege, and she’s speaking out in an effort to spur change because, as Noah stated on Monday night of Brooks, “He’s broken some law, a law not worth dying for. I think we can all agree on that.” What follows is a lengthy Twitter thread from Vernoff, who details how she shoplifted thousands of dollars of mall merchandise as a teenager and walked away with no record. She was also pulled over for drunk driving as a young adult and semi-refused to take a breathalyzer, which a cop laughed off and let her go.

She also detailed how she committed two physical attacks, one of which happened in front an officer, who acted… kind of impressed. And he laughed as well.

Ultimately, Vernoff is “asking the white people reading this to think about the crimes you’ve committed… Think of all the mistakes you’ve made that you were allowed to survive.” She hopes that people will realize that Brooks should never have been shot by police, and his fate is evidence of “a broken system that must change.”

Selma and When They See Us director Ava DuVernay reacted to Vernoff’s outpouring. “This is a white woman talking honestly about her experiences,” she tweeted. “[A]nd it’s one of the best threads on the criminalization of Black people that I’ve read lately.”

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Grammy Award-winning crooner Leon Bridges is known for his evocative vocals and swooning melodies. The singer has released a handful of collaborations this year. But his track “Sweeter” with Terrace Martin is his most poignant, as it was written from the perspective of a Black man reflecting on his life as he takes his final breath. Now, Bridges returns with a sun-drenched visual that commemorates his roots.

Directed by Rambo Elliot, the visual is a snapshot of Bridges Forth Worth, Texas hometown. “I wanted to shine a light on the Black community in Fort Worth, and specifically my childhood community from the Southside of Fort Worth,” Bridges said of the video. “I had my friends and family with me; this is a celebration of our Blackness.”

Alongside the tracks’ release, Bridges reflected on the racism he faced throughout childhood: “Growing up in Texas I have personally experienced racism, my friends have experienced racism. From adolescence we are taught how to conduct ourselves when we encounter police to avoid the consequences of being racially profiled. I have been numb for too long, calloused when it came to the issues of police brutality. The death of George Floyd was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. It was the first time I wept for a man I never met. I am George Floyd, my brothers are George Floyd, and my sisters are George Floyd. I cannot and will not be silent any longer. Just as Abel’s blood was crying out to God, George Floyd is crying out to me. So, I present to you Sweeter.”

Watch the “Sweeter” video above.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is releasing the deluxe edition of his album Artist 2.0 this Friday, so naturally, he wanted to give his fans a sneak peek of what they could expect from the new project, sharing the ominous banger “Bleed” as well as its new video. Unlike his more pop-leaning singles such as “Reply,” “Swervin’,” and “Look Back At It,” “Bleed” is a more aggressive banger, giving a glimpse into the darker side of A Boogie’s Highbridge, Bronx environment.

“I swear I don’t need love, that sh*t is so, so petty,” he asserts on the melodic hook, choosing to instead focus on his associates who are locked up, the shootouts that have left him paranoid, and the shifting loyalties of team members who switch up when facing a sentence. The imagery of the video reflects the somber content, as police officers interview a witness, shooters ambush enemies in restaurants and empty parking lots, and A Boogie himself trains for a potential fight in the gym, delivering punches and elbows to the heavy bag while still draped in jewelry.

Watch A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s “Bleed” video above.

Artist 2.0 Deluxe Edition is due 6/19 on Atlantic Records.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

This week, pop musicians issued many strong contenders for best new pop music designation. Chloe x Halle released their highly-anticipated album, Maren Morris shared two reworked tracks, and Jorja Smith offered an exuberant cover of a jazz song.

Each week, Uproxx rounds up the best new pop music. Listen up.

Chloe x Halle — “Forgive Me”

Chloe x Halle, the sister duo signed to Beyonce’s record label, released their sophomore record this week. On the lush track “Forgive Me,” their far-reaching vocals melt together over a rolling beat, forging a captivating tune and earning the sisters the top slot on Uproxx’s best new pop list.

Maren Morris — “Just For Now”

As break-out country singer Maren Morris spends the majority of her time at home like the rest of us, the singer elected to revisit some of her back catalog. The singer shared an updated version of “Just For Now,” a song recorded during the session for her 2017 album Hero. Sharing the revised version to social media, Morris wrote: “GIRL has been out over a year & has been one of the most transformative periods of my life. During this time off the road, I had the opportunity to polish up 2 older songs of mine that I couldn’t wait for you to hear.”

Alessia Cara — “I Choose”

Alessia Cara makes her acting debut as the lead voice of Jane in the recently-released animated movie The Willoughbys and the singer co-wrote “I Choose” as the lead song from the film. Staying true to her sound, Cara flaunts her soaring vocals in the empowering track about self-love and the importance of family.

Jorja Smith — “Rose Rouge”

Jorja Smith teamed up with iconic Jazz label Blue Note Records to cover a classic song as part of their compilation Blue Note Re:Imagined. Originally penned by the French jazz musician St Germain in 2000, Smiths’ “Rose Rouge” cover is a silky-smooth showcase of her smoky vocals.

Kiana Ledé — “Dear Mr. President”

This week, Kiana Ledé borrowed “Dear Mr. President,” the 2006 track from Pink and the Indigo Girls, and reworked it into a fitting anthem for today. In a statement about the cover, Ledé said: “Through all the crying and pleading, all the protesting and donating, I wanted to do something that is therapeutic for me – singing. I came across the song ‘Dear Mr. President’ by P!nk and realized so many of the lyrics are STILL relevant today. This song was originally released 14 years ago. I hope this song drives people to VOTE because Trump is a symbol of racism and we are facing the impending doom of his re-election.”

Nea — “Drunk Enough To”

While Nea has already made a name for herself as a songwriter for other musicians, the singer is ready to write songs of her own. Nea shared her debut EP this week, which boasted the irresistible track “Drunk Enough To.” In a statement, Nea said the song is about “that flirty, tipsy feeling when someone has caught your eye and you’re trying to work up the courage to make a move.”

Kierra Luv — “Worth It All”

18-year-old Kierra Luv’s breakout arrived when one of her covers earned a co-sign from Cardi B. Now, she’s gearing up for her anticipated debut mixtape Take It Or Leave It. Ahead of the EP’s debut, Kierra Luv shared the breezy number “Worth It All.” “When you listen to me, I want you to know you’re not alone,” she said about the track. “It’s all about having a winners’ mindset. I hope to give that to everyone so they know tomorrow will always get better.”

Aluna — “Warrior” Feat. SG Lewis

Aluna, one half of acclaimed electronic duo AlunaGeorge, is turning a new page as a solo artist. Following the release of her debut solo track “Body Pump,” Aluna teams up with SG Lewis for the shimmering effort “Warrior.” Immaculately layered, the thumping song stands as the start of a strong era for the singer.

UMI — “Pretty Girl Hi!”

Ahead of her EP Introspection, timed perfectly to the next full moon’s position in Cancer, UMI has shared the single “Pretty Girl Hi!” “It’s a song about freedom, following my journey of self-acceptance,” UMI said alongside the track. “This song feels like painted in golden hues. Now more than ever, music is a form of healing to the world.”

Ella Henderson — “Take Care Of You”

Ella Henderson has come a long way since her career started with a sixth-place finish on The X Factor in 2012. A No. 1 single and handful of awards later, Henderson is signaling the beginning of a new era. Her first release of the new year, Henderson’s “Take Care Of You” is an uplifting preview of what’s to come from the UK singer.

Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

New Zealand indie rockers The Beths are gearing up for their sophomore record Jump Rope Gazers. With the record, the four-piece group aims to tackle themes of anxiety and self-doubt. The newly-released single “Out Of Sight,” takes a prudent approach to those themes with serene tones and earnest lyrics.

Vocalist Elizabeth Stokes says the band allowed themselves to be more fragile on the single: “The band playing on ‘Out Of Sight’ is more fragile than we usually allow ourselves to be. We are trying to listen more deeply and be more open ended, it was confronting to do and sometimes even frustrating. But it came out great, Ben’s bass playing especially is beautifully melodic and gives the song a unique texture.”

The accompanying “Out Of Sight” video, directed by Ezra Simons, was filmed using a Super 8 film camera and depicts the band birdwatching amongst the New Zealand brush. Simons was able to track down archival footage of birds native to New Zealand and wove clips throughout the visual. “The goal was to create a nostalgic and timeless roadtrip video where the band goes off in search of native birds, but instead finds each other,” Simons said.

Watch “Out Of Sight” above.

Jump Rope Gazers is out 7/10 via Carpark. Pre-order it here.