For over a year now, Usher has been teasing the release of his ninth studio, Confessions 2. The sequel to his classic 2004 album, the campaign for Confessions 2 began with his Ella Mai-featured single, “Don’t Waste My Time” from late-2019. Aside from dropping a video for the single, Usher has kept any content regarding the upcoming album under wraps for the most part. However, following pressure from Lil Jon and fans, Usher returns with his new single, “SexBeat.”

The song was first previewed following Lil Jon’s Instagram Live battle with T-Pain. Upon playing the record, fans immediately labeled it as the sequel to “Lovers And Friends” and called for Usher to release the song. After receiving enough comments and mentions, Usher took to Twitter to tease the song’s release. “Yo!! … after that response last night to my new record after the battle between LilJon & TPain … I’m thinkin bout dropin this week … retweet me if you feelin it?”

Upon playing the song, Lil Jon revealed that not only was the song was recorded over two years ago, but that he also had to beg Usher to allow him to play the song during the beat battle.

The new song arrives after Usher was engulfed in some controversy with The Weeknd this week. It began when The Weeknd said he was flattered but insulted that Usher used “his style” when creating his 2012 song, “Climax.” After an indirect response from Usher, Diplo, who produced “Climax,” admitted that The Weeknd’s House Of Balloons inspired the production on track. “The idea of R&B having dark edges was what I wanted to bring to Usher, one of my favorite voices of all time.”

Watch the video above to hear “SexBeat.”

A great deal of America is quarantining right now, hoping to avoid catching the coronavirus that has spread here more than in any other nation on the planet, and by far. We’re anxious, we’re angry, and we’re also bored. We need content, and lots of it. And some places have stepped up to provide it, sometimes for free. Disney+ made Frozen II and Pixar’s Onward free to any and all subscribers, while HBO made a number of their biggest ever shows — including The Sopranos and The Wire — free to anyone.

Now, as per Deadline, Apple TV+ is getting in on that, too. The super corporation cordoned off a section of their TV app into a “Free For Everybody” wing, where even those who haven’t signed up for the umpteenth streamer can watch shows you may have heard of but not seen.

Does it have The Morning Show, the young service’s most acclaimed program thus far, you’re asking? It does not. But it does have Dickinson, the revisionist history show that portrays a happy-go-lucky Emily Dickinson (played by Hailee Stanfield). And it has For All Mankind, the space show starring Joel Kinnaman and Michael Dorman (aka the title villain from the recent The Invisible Man). There’s M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant, plus Little America, the anthology show executive produced by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon that looks at the lives of immigrants. This isn’t going to end anytime soon, so might as well fill those acres of time with something fulfilling and hope-inducing.

(Via Deadline)

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ESPN and the NBA made news on Thursday with the official confirmation of an upcoming HORSE competition featuring betting favorite Trae Young, Chris Paul, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Tamika Catchings and others. Just hours later, though, the partnership continued with the quarterfinals of the NBA 2K “players-only” tournament, with four match-ups aired in back-to-back fashion.

In the first match-up of the night, Devin Booker, playing as the Dallas Mavericks, took on Rui Hachimura, playing as the L.A. Clippers, in a battle between the No. 5 seed (Booker) and the No. 13 seed (Hachimura). In the early going, there were upset winds blowing, with Hachimura leading and Booker seemingly bothered by the use of the “All-Star” game difficulty after Hachimura hit a three with Lou Williams.

It was all Booker from there, though, with the Phoenix Suns guard taking a 13-point lead by the end of the third quarter, largely behind the play of Luka Doncic.

Ultimately, Booker was never really challenged in the fourth quarter on the way to a 71-55 victory and the first berth in the semifinals.

For the honor to face off against Booker in the semifinals, No. 8 seed Montrezl Harrell, playing as the Portland Trail Blazers, faced No. 16 seed Derrick Jones Jr., playing as the Dallas Mavericks. Harrell took an early lead and kept it through the end of the first quarter, but Jones Jr. knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer to cut the margin.

Harrell maintained a six-point lead at the halftime break and took further control in the third quarter, eventually building a double-digit lead.

Jones Jr. did make quite a push in the latter stages of the fourth quarter, slashing the deficit to as few as three points in the final minute. Still, Harrell emerged victorious by a 71-66 final score to set up a matchup against Booker in the “final four” of the event.

In the second-to-last battle of the night, the No. 2 seed took on the No. 10 seed with Young facing Deandre Ayton. Young chose to play with the Lakers, setting up a battle of Los Angeles as Ayton selected the Clippers.

Ayton got off to a lights-out start, seizing the lead in the early going behind strong offense. In fact, Ayton led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter.

Young did push back a bit in the second quarter, keeping the deficit manageable, but Ayton still took the lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, Ayton stretched the advantage to double-figures again, but the lead didn’t last. Young made a furious push at the end of the quarter, taking the lead in the final seconds.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, to the point where it was (far) more competitive than the previous two games. Ayton claimed the edge in the final minutes, though, and he picked up a seven-point win to advance to the semifinals.

In the nightcap, No. 6 seed Andre Drummond, playing with the Milwaukee Bucks, took on No. 14 seed Patrick Beverley, playing with the Philadelphia 76ers, with a spot in the semifinals on the line. Beverley provided a bit of entertainment early when he revealed that he is “working out like a madman” during the shelter-in-place period.

When it came to the game itself, Drummond garnered an 11-point lead after the first quarter and he was in a fantastic position.

Beverley did come a live a bit in the second quarter, climbing back within a six-point halftime margin, and he had fun doing it.

The always entertaining guard wasn’t done there, taking the lead in the third quarter on the back of effective defense (and some trash talk).

Drummond converted a three-pointer as the buzzer went off to end the third, giving Drummond’s Bucks the lead as the closing period arrived.

Despite that counterpunch from Drummond, it was all Beverley in the fourth and, in on-brand fashion, he wasn’t quiet about it.

Eventually, Beverley held on to advance as the lowest seed to land in the final four.

The semifinals will take place on Saturday, with Harrell facing Booker and Ayton squaring off against Beverley. ESPN is set to broadcast the proceedings once again, with the finals also scheduled for Saturday.

And it’s oh-so accurate.

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“Absolutely not.” —Me just trying to enjoy a non-horror film for once.

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Sometimes you get more than what you paid for.

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It’s magic!

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Historically speaking, tequila hasn’t really gotten the respect it deserves as a sipping spirit. Perhaps because of too many faded memories of brutal, cheap tequila shots taken with a wedge of lime. Or maybe because there are so many great mixed tequila drinks — from margaritas to palomas — that it’s easy to forget all the great sipping tequilas out there. That changes now.

If you’ve never enjoyed a glass of tequila neat or on the rocks, you’re missing out on a complex, vegetal, flavorful experience. Just ask Kevin Moran, general manager at Seagar’s Prime in South Walton, Florida, who reps hard for Don Julio 1942.

“1942 is 100% Agave and from Jalisco,” he says. “This añejo tequila is aged a minimum of two and a half years in oak, giving it a distinctive sweet vanilla character. No need for lime and salt thank you, this is a ‘sipping’ bottle.”

If you don’t have any qualified sippers on hand, it’s time to order a few bottles for Easter weekend delivery. If you’re stumped on what to get, don’t worry — some of our favorite bartenders have your back.

Clase Azul Reposado

Joseph Palminteri, director of food and beverages at Via Sophia in Washington DC

My go-to tequila in Clase Azul Reposado. It’s an ultra-premium reposado tequila made with Tequilana Weber Blue Agave that is slow-cooked in traditional stone ovens for a minimum of 72 hours. Once the agave reaches a deep, rich flavor, it is fermented with proprietary yeast prior to distillation. Once the tequila is distilled, it is aged for 8 months in hand-selected oak barrels. This process results in a superb, smooth taste that exceeds expectations with each sip.

Tequila Fortaleza

Nate Simmons, bartender at Garden & Grain in Pensacola, Florida

Tequila Fortaleza from Tequila, Mexico. This brand is everything that is right about craft spirits. Family brand, years of experience, the best ingredients, and prepared the right way. The blanco, reposado, anejo, and the still strength are all great to enjoy neat.

Tequila Ocho Extra Anejo

Mazzarie Parker, bar manager of Maypop Restaurant in New Orleans

Tequila Ocho Extra Anejo was the first high-end tequila that truly changed the way I thought of tequila. You can taste the notes of peaches and apricots balanced with warm baking spices; a level of elegance and complexity that made me appreciate tequila in a whole new light. I’ve always been someone who will shoot tequila (with salt, lime, and dread), but this tequila is truly a treat.

Don Suenos Anejo

Bryan Long, assistant director of food & beverage at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida

The best tequila is Don Suenos Anejo. This anejo has a smooth finish with hints of citrus and vanilla, with grassy undertones and a final touch of pepper. The small family farm out of Jalisco has been producing agave for 43 years.

Don Julio Anejo

Miki Nikolic, beverage director at The Double Dealer in New Orleans

I love honey and vanilla. That’s why I have to say Don Julio Anejo. It has a rich taste that I haven’t been able to find in another tequila.

Espolon Anejo

Cody Dillon, general manager at Florblanca in Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

The best sipping tequila is Espolon. The anejo and super anejo offer a consumer-friendly price point and drinkability. I enjoy drinking the anejo on the rocks with a squeeze of fresh lime.

Herradura Reposado

Courtney Everett, bartender at O-Ku Sushi in Atlanta

I like Casamigos Blanco and Herradura Reposado. They’re both delicious and great to sip over ice. They’re both good quality, but for the price point, I usually stick to Herradura.

123 Anejo

Josh Saphier, bartender at Eighteen36 in Houston

When enjoying tequila neat I typically go with an anjeo. I enjoy the 123 Tequila Anejo. Certified organic and bottled at the estate. This tequila is rich in flavor, super smooth, no burn at all and as you let it open up, more and more flavors present themselves.

Roca Patron Silver

Josh Streetman, bartender at Motor Supply Co. in Columbia, South Carolina

Tequila for me is best enjoyed either in an unaged silver or blanco style or extra anejo at three years or older. For the former go for a single estate Patron or Roca Silver. Also, Arte Nom which is the highest elevation production available, if you can find it. On the latter side, I like Avion Reserva 44 and Tears of Llorona.

Don Julio 1942

Natalie Migliarini, the mixologist behind Beautiful Booze on Instagram

Don Julio 1942 tequila. This is my go-to celebration tequila but who needs a celebration these days to drink some liquid gold. I enjoy the roasted agave notes as well as the hints of vanilla.

Qui Extra Anejo

Piero Procida, bartender at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles

Qui Extra Anejo tequila, by far. There are many great tequilas out there, but an inexpensive price point and very high-quality product puts this tequila as one of my favorites and the best in my opinion. The quality is superb and on par with many high-level tequilas. It is smooth enough to drink by itself as a sipping tequila and being an extra anejo you certainly do not want to alter the flavor with anything else but to simply enjoy by itself.