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The complete list of All-Star reserves for the 2024 edition of the game has been revealed. On Thursday night, the Inside the NBA crew revealed which players will round out the rosters in Indianapolis later this month, with each conference getting two guards, three frontcourt players, and a pair of wild cards in addition to the already announced starting lineups.

Unsurprisingly, there are a number of big names who just missed out on starting nods coming off the bench, like Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard in the Western Conference and Donovan Mitchell and Jaylen Brown in the Eastern Conference. Here are the complete rosters for each conference now that reserves have been announced:

Eastern Conference

Reserves

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Julius Randle, New York Knicks
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Starters

Tyrese Haliburton
Damian Lillard
Giannis Antetokounmpo (captain)
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum

Western Conference

Reserves

Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers

Starters

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Luka Doncic
LeBron James (captain)
Kevin Durant
Nikola Jokic

With just 12 roster spots for each conference, there are a handful of players that missed out in the East and West that have legitimate gripes as snubs, but it’s hard to argue the players selected by the coaches didn’t also have All-Star worthy campaigns through the first half of the season. There is the potential for the rosters to change, as Joel Embiid’s status going forward is unclear after suffering a knee injury earlier this week.

Joel Embiid never looked fully healthy during a loss to the Warriors on Tuesday night, coming off of back-to-back missed games with knee soreness, and things got considerably worse when the star had to leave the game in serious pain after Jonathan Kuminga landed on his outstretched knee going for a loose ball.

The way Embiid’s knee bent back looked bad in the moment and the reigning MVP was in considerable pain on the floor, but was able to limp off to the locker room. After testing the last two days, the Sixers and Embiid have been working with doctors to determine the next steps, and on Thursday night the team announced he had suffered a left lateral meniscus injury and would be out through the weekend, at least, while working out a treatment plan.

There was a bit of confusion about what exactly Embiid was dealing with, as Shams Charania had initially posted that Embiid suffered a torn meniscus, but the team’s statement said nothing about a tear and the timetable given certainly doesn’t line up with a full tear. It’s possible there’s a partial tear that may not require surgery, but at this point we do not know the entire diagnosis nor do we know a full timetable for his return. All we know is the Sixers will have to navigate at least a few more games without their star center before we get a complete picture after this weekend.

Joel Embiid never looked fully healthy during a loss to the Warriors on Tuesday night, coming off of back-to-back missed games with knee soreness, and things got considerably worse when the star had to leave the game in serious pain after Jonathan Kuminga landed on his outstretched knee going for a loose ball.

The way Embiid’s knee bent back looked bad in the moment and the reigning MVP was in considerable pain on the floor, but was able to limp off to the locker room. After testing the last two days, the Sixers and Embiid have been working with doctors to determine the next steps, and on Thursday night the team announced he had suffered a left lateral meniscus injury and would be out through the weekend, at least, while working out a treatment plan.

There was a bit of confusion about what exactly Embiid was dealing with, as Shams Charania had initially posted that Embiid suffered a torn meniscus, but the team’s statement said nothing about a tear and the timetable given certainly doesn’t line up with a full tear. It’s possible there’s a partial tear that may not require surgery, but at this point we do not know the entire diagnosis nor do we know a full timetable for his return. All we know is the Sixers will have to navigate at least a few more games without their star center before we get a complete picture after this weekend.

Peanut butter and jelly, gin and tonic, Scottsdale and a winter wellness vacay – some things belong together, ya know? While I’ve enjoyed traveling in The Grand Canyon State during all seasons, there is nothing like leaving my home in Colorado bundled up only to land in sunny Arizona, peel off my outer layers, and pop on my sun hat for some rest and rejuvenation during the winter months.

This past December, I escaped winter’s icy grasp early, spending some time enjoying the warm weather, great food, outdoor recreation, spa treatments, and luxurious Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows for a few days. The resort offered the perfect balance of upscale and sleek while still feeling down-to-earth and relaxing – just what a weekend snowbird wants in a resort.

Drawing inspiration from iconic designers and mid-century artists, Andaz is ideal for focusing on wellness and spurring creativity as the new year begins with inspiring surroundings, luxurious amenities, and several pools to enjoy a cocktail beside (because, hey, sometimes that’s the self-care we need). Here is what I loved about it, and why you will too:

WHY IT’S AWESOME:

The thing you’ll notice first when driving onto the Andaz Scottsdale property is the aesthetic. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t have an Instagram “spot” — rather, the entire property is the spot. But it’s not cheesy; the lines are sleek and modern but timeless. The landscaping around the property is southwestern but minimal, with cacti dotting the well-manicured meandering paths.

The interiors are mid-century and artistic, with inspired details and large, light-filled bathrooms. For lack of a more exciting word, it feels truly like a retreat – but it’s conveniently just minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Old Town Scottsdale.

IN-HOUSE FOOD AND DRINK:

Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen at Andaz Scottsdale is a restaurant I’d highly recommend regardless of whether you are staying on property – the highest praise for a hotel or resort dining option, if you ask me. The evening vibe is dark and sleek, often with live music, a lively bar, a chefs’ exhibition kitchen, and a gorgeous patio with views over Camelback Mountain.

The Meditteranean menu at Weft & Warp is just eclectic enough and incredibly well curated, with inventive cocktails made using fresh local ingredients. On my last visit, I enjoyed the Half Roasted Chicken with endive kale salad and lemon thyme vinaigrette, with a side of Potato Purée – made with Yukon gold, mascarpone, gruyere, chives and topped with truffle butter that I’m still dreaming about.

I’d stay on the property for brunch and head back to Weft & Warp to sit on the patio, enjoy a Froot Loops Cappucino (with Froot Loop infused milk that is much more nuanced and elevated than you might imagine), egg white omelet, or a Chilaquiles Verdes.

Food and drinks are also available at the stunning Turquoise Pool. The poolside service was truly exceptional and a great way to spend some downtime as the year begins. I’d go for a frozen Rise of the Phoenix – mango-habanero-infused vodka, mango, with a prickly pear swirl – and the chicken shawarma wrap on a lazy pool day.

AMENITIES:

• Private entrances
• Private patios
• Outdoor showers in select rooms
• Fully stocked bars in the room
• Pet-friendly
• Access to Cattle Track Art Compound and individual artists’ studios
• Yoga, meditation, and fitness classes
• Seasonal welcome beverage
• House car service within a three-mile radius
• Filtered water bottle refill stations
• Electric vehicle charging stations
• 24-Hour Fitness Center
• Access to resort bicycles, recreational center activities and lawn games
• Evening turndown and daily housekeeping
• Three pools

Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary

While wellness isn’t all spa days, massages, and hot tubs – they definitely contribute to my overall wellness plan. So, of course, I was excited to visit the award-winning Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary at Andaz Scottsdale. I spent an entire afternoon lounging at the spa pool with some sparkling wine and a magazine after one of the best massages of my life. The staff was incredibly helpful and courteous, and the vibes were clean, sleek, and artistic, with luxurious amenities and beautiful views.

I can’t wait to go back for another treatment.

ROOM TYPES:

There are several room types – and 185 bungalows and suites for guests to enjoy. While the property feels expansive, at the same time, it doesn’t feel crowded, with ample parking, green space, and amenities dotted throughout it.

Bungalows

One of the main accommodation types on the 23-acre property is the bungalows with mid-century modern decor, ample space, high ceilings, and natural light. Inspired by design icons Charles and Ray Eames and Florence Knoll, bungalows offer outdoor patios and local art.

Suites

I loved spending time on the private patio of my Saarinen Studio King Suite at sunrise and sunset with a drink, watching the light reflect on Camelback Mountain in the distance. The suite was inspired by legendary architect and industrial designer Eero Saarinen, who famously designed the Gateway Arch in St. Louis (now a major US National Park) and the iconic Womb Chair (that’s in each Saarinen Studio King Suite). The bathroom is a stand-out, with a large skylight, a huge shower with multiple shower heads, and a spacious countertop with luxury amenities. Other suites offer private Turquoise Pool cabanas, outdoor showers, multiple bathrooms, in-room Tonal smart-gym systems, and cruiser bikes.

The Retreat

For a more private “resort within a resort” experience, 20 bungalows and a villa are situated around a private pool in The Retreat section of Andaz. The bungalows in The Retreat mirror those in the other portions of the resort but in a more exclusive area ideal for large gatherings, or wedding parties. Also in this exclusive enclave is Albers House, a sizeable residential-style villa inspired by artist Josef Albers that boasts two main suites, living and dining areas, an in-room gym, retractable walls, cruiser bikes, two bathrooms, soaking tub, outdoor shower, and outdoor firepit and grill.

BEST THINGS TO DO/EAT/DRINK WITHIN THE ANDAZ HOUSE CAR SERVICE AREA:

A unique perk at Andaz Scottsdale is its house car service that will drop visitors anywhere within a 3-mile radius of the resort free of charge. Luckily, that radius has many attractions, restaurants, bars, museums, and shops. Here is what I recommend.

Shop, Sip & Dine In Old Town Scottsdale:

Old Town, Scottsdale’s historical and cultural district, is jam-packed with restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and attractions. The perfect place to meander and shop local at The Merchantile of Scottsdale, an indoor marketplace where local businesses, artists, designers, and makers come together to showcase and sell their merchandise, before stopping at Native Art Market, a Native-owned and operated storefront that sells only Native handmade items, and directly support the makers.

Grab a bite to eat or a drink at Farm & Craft, a healthy and sustainable restaurant that features a specific Wellness Menu, before stopping for a flight at local Arizonan Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room – owned by Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer of Tool – or The Rusty Spur Saloon, Scottsdale’s oldest bar.

Visit Scottsdale Museum Of Contemporary Art:

Browse the rotating exhibits at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in a building that was once a movie theater and reconceptualized as a minimal architectural gem. I especially loved the interactive exhibit by Roelof Knol: The Space in Between, and Christina Fernandez: Multiple Exposures, a survey of some of the artists’ work over the last three decades.

BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 20 MIN CAB RIDE:

Hike At McDowell Sonoran Preserve:

Wellness means a lot of different things to different people, but getting out into nature is undoubtedly a part of most people’s wellness plans. A great perk of visiting Scottsdale is that despite having all the luxuries of a city, you are never far from outdoor adventure. I headed out to McDowell Sonoran Preserve for a guided sunrise hike with REI Co-op Experiences at the Gateway Loop Trail one morning and was blown away by the remote beauty so close to the resort. While the loop is easily doable for nearly anyone, the guided hike was a great choice for me to learn more about the desert’s unique history, wildlife, and desert plants.

The permanently protected nature preserve offers more than 225 miles of trails over 30,500 contiguous acres of Sonoran Desert. There is no charge for parking or access, and it is incredibly well-kept – I highly recommend spending some time here.

Explore The Desert Botanical Gardens:

While technically in Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden is close enough — and stunning enough – for the slight detour. The spectacular garden offers the world’s finest collection of arid-land plants from deserts worldwide. With five thematic trails to meander, special events – I loved the Las Noches de las Luminarias exhibit at sunset – and 50,000 desert plants to explore, the perfect balance of outdoorsy and laid-back makes for a very serene outing.

While there, be sure to stop at Gertrude’s for a meal – on the patio if you can – for local and fresh dining with an incredible atmosphere. I fell in love with the Elote Fritters, followed up with Chickpea Curry on Forbidden Rice. The extensive beer and wine list offers many Arizona local sips and inventive cocktails.

BED GAME: 9/10

I judge a hotel bed primarily by how much time I spend in it outside of sleeping — despite all my other options. Do I stay in bed in the morning with my coffee or go to a new coffee shop? Work from bed in the afternoon or find a wine bar? The more I choose the bed, the better it is, of course. And when I tell you I chose this bed over almost anything during this trip, you might be surprised I wasn’t the least bit sick or even tired; it was just that comfy.

The linens were perfectly cozy, and the mattress was huge and just firm enough, with a large TV ahead and all the outlets and reading lights you’d ever need at arm’s length.

SEXINESS RATING: 9/10

The sleek design of this hotel is evident in everything, with great art, clean lines, luxury linens, and a whole lot of beautiful people throughout the grounds. Andaz feels very adult, although it is not strictly adults only. Bonus points for the Let’s Stay In (The Shower) Package — which includes a dual shower in your suite.

VIEWS/PIC SPOTS: 9/10

Andaz Scottsdale was literally created with art in mind, and that’s clear when looking for views and photo ops. The map of the resort lists popular Instagram locations directly – but I’d argue it’d be hard to find a bad view here. The bungalows and suites are sleek, the rooms are thoughtfully designed, and the landscaping perfectly brings in the desert vibes.

BEST SEASON TO VISIT:

Like many warm desert locales, January – March is high season, fall and spring are still pleasant, and summer is hot, but you’ll find much more affordable rates (and if your plan is to sit at the pool with some drinks, why not?)

IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING:

I spend a lot of time camping in tents and my car in fairly remote locales, so you might be surprised that when it comes to hotels, I can be sort of a… bougie bitch?

But, alas, I am who I am.

With that in mind, there is nothing more luxurious to me than a room service breakfast, and unfortunately, the resort didn’t offer it, at least during my visit. On the plus side, the mini bar is stocked, priced reasonably, and offers several complimentary drinks and snacks. I also love (and yes, I know this is the complaint section, but this property is just too good) that stylish Pantone mugs and a to-go option accompany the normal coffee and tea service in the room. The aesthetic is everywhere here, and details make the place.

BOOK HERE:

Book your 2024 wellness getaway here. Rooms start at $710/ night.

INSTAGRAM IMAGES TAKEN AT ANDAZ SCOTTSDALE RESORT & BUNGALOWS

We’re one week away from the NBA trade deadline, and presumably, talks will heat up among teams in the coming days. Before that can happen, however, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets decided to make the first trade of the month involving a pair of players who have spent the season sidelined.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Houston Rockets will acquire veteran center Steven Adams from the Memphis Grizzlies. In exchange, Memphis gets Victor Oladipo, along with a trio of second-round picks in the NBA Draft.

The trade is certainly an unusual one, as Oladipo has spent this year working to rehabilitate a torn patellar tendon that he suffered as a member of the Miami Heat last postseason. As Wojnarowski noted, he’s on an expiring contract and injury woes have plagued Memphis this season, meaning that they’re on course to enter this offseason with plenty of cap space and a lottery pick.

Adams, meanwhile, suffered a knee injury in January of 2023 and tried to avoid surgery, which led to him missing the Grizzlies’ run in the postseason. But unfortunately for Adams, he had to go under the knife in October and got ruled out for the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign. He’s under contract for one more season, and if he’s able to get healthy and stick around next year, he’s a proven big man who could serve as a reliable backup for Alperen Sengun.

Afrobeats is one of the fastest-growing genres in the country. There are big names who have seen global success, but there are even more talented up-and-coming artists looking to achieve the same type of success. Finding those artists can be tough, but we’ve got you covered. Every week, we’ll share an update on the best new afrobeats songs you need to hear and hopefully, you can find someone new to add to your rotation.

It’s been a little while since the last update of this weekly afrobeats column, and since then we’ve received plenty of music and news from the genre’s artists.

Here are some releases on the new music front that you should check out:

Kizz Daniel & Davido — “Twe Twe”

More than five years after their last collaboration (2018’s “One Ticket”), Kizz Daniel and Davido reunite for a remix of the former’s “Twe Twe.” The lively track was originally released by Daniel in December in dedication to a woman’s assets. Now with the addition of Davido, “Twe Twe” gets a well-deserved boost as the record will surely be in rotation throughout the year.

CKay — Is It You?/Mysterious Love

Ckay closed 2023 with a deluxe reissue of Sad Romance and he isn’t wasting any time getting new music to his fans in 2024. He dropped off his double-sided single “Is It You?”/”Mysterious Love” to start his 2024 campaign. Both are love-themed records that will surely play well with the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday for afrobeats lovers.

Fave — “Belong To You”

Though she didn’t release a project in 2023, last year was a big year for Fave. Her year was highlighted by an appearance on Davido’s “Kante” and singles like “Silence” and “Pop Cover.” She brings her momentum into 2024 with “Belong To You” which strikes as an enthralling ballad that expresses her commitment to a partner through the good and bad.

KJ Spio — “Undress You” Feat. Oxlade & Sarkodie

KJ Spio kicks off 2024 by uniting Oxlade and Sarkodie for his new single “Undress You.” The latter two artists jump on the record to express their desires for intimacy with the special woman in their lives. The track follows Oxlade’s “Katigori” and “Paino” singles and Sarkodie’s “Otan.”

Del B & Majeeed — “Luv You”

Later this year, Del B will drop off his Del Beast EP which features just four songs to its name. He begins the rollout for that project with “Luv You” with rising afrobeats singer Majeeed. Love is in the air for the two singers and all they want to do is show it on their passionate and sweet-natured single.

Wondah & Kemuel — “Stay”

Producer Wondah delivers his first single as a lead artist beside Nigerian singer Kemuel. Together, the two artists for “Stay” which is a vibrant amapiano record. As for Kemuel, he hops on the track to sing about his wish to be freed from a situation that no longer serves him.

Candy Bleakz — “Wale (Remix)” Feat Simi

After releasing “Wale” last spring, Candy Bleakz is giving it new life with a remix alongside Simi. The new take of the record breathes new life into the song as Simi takes over the first verse with her unique vocals and a soulful string of lyrics. The remix follows Candy Bleakz’s “Free For All” and “Not Holy” records with Bad Boy Timz and Blaqbonez, respectively. As for Simi, she released a remix of Spyro’s “Only Fine Girl” to end 2023.

Tiphe — “Keep Tapping”

At just 18 years old, rising afrobeats singer Tiphe is taking the genre by storm. A viral TikTok video helped catapult the singer toward a mass following that is excited about what the future holds for him. In his latest step, Tiphe released “Keep Tapping” as his first record of 2024. It’s a record that serves as motivation for the hustlers of the world as Tiphe tells them to “keep pushing.”

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

“Chicago is a town, a city that doesn’t ever have to measure itself against any other city. Other places have to measure themselves against it. It’s big, it’s outgoing, it’s tough, it’s opinionated, and everybody’s got a story.” — Anthony Bourdain

The Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance has required a certain malleability to sustain itself, mutating in form as the years have passed, much like commercial rap music itself. The statuette was first handed out in 2002 as Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and just look at some of the nominees from its first two years: Eve and Gwen Stefani, Nelly and Kelly, various songs that feature one or both of Ja Rule and Ashanti. These were glorious duets that paired an emcee and singer together in the hope of achieving significant MTV traction; tentpole hits in what looks more and more like a classic era for pop music with each passing year. But the category needed to shed the prerequisite that nominated songs required two distinct performers when more artists began blurring the lines between both disciplines. From 2018 to 2020, it was called Best Rap/Sung Performance, before changing once more to its current iteration.

What Grammy voters envision a “rap/sung performance” or “melodic rap” to be has meant the award has been a happy hunting ground for more pop-oriented rap artists. I’ve witnessed intense forum debates on whether Drake’s “Hotline Bling” is a rap song. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. What is for certain is that Drizzy’s mammoth hit single is the kind of tune that perfectly fits what the Grammys are looking for here — “Hotline Bling” triumphed in the category in 2017.

This year, voters have a chance to give the award to a rapper who has long used melody not in the pursuit of mainstream acceptance, but to create music that sounds doomed and desperate. I’m talking, of course, about the man who wears Chicago rap’s crown of thorns, Lil Durk, nominated for his single “All My Life,” featuring J. Cole.

Durk’s first outright Grammy nomination (he previously guest appeared on Drake’s double-nominated “Laugh Now Cry Later”), “All My Life” is three minutes and 43 seconds of gospel-tinged upliftment, making it pretty atypical of his vast archives. The rapper is closely associated with the Chicago drill scene and has arguably overcome Chief Keef’s head start to become its most popular ambassador. But while Keef once represented the Mephistophelian chaos of the adamantine-hard genre, Durk’s music boasts a richness, both in detail and emotional resonance, that has made him a man apart.

Durk rose out of his city’s South Side when the area — much like South Central, Los Angeles in the 1990s — was becoming associated internationally with street violence, and the term “Chi-Raq” was entering the popular lexicon. In this backdrop, Durk has been Chicago’s Didion, his words offering a lens into what he calls “the trenches” and a deeply American brand of urban chaos. He covers poverty, violence, and loss with a sage-on-the-block wisdom of this socio-economic nightmare.

Any number of Durk’s songs can feel like the coldest story ever told. A minimalist, he generally rejects overarching commentary and instead focuses on single incidents, small details, and those little moments. This is augmented by his ability to create chilly harmonies, utilizing Auto-Tune-doused vocals that bleed like they’ve been cut into by a kitchen knife. Durk is a solid rapper, with a voice that’s clean and youthful. What’s special is his ability to convey the weight on his soul through the dual weaponry of vocal cords and computer software. There are analogues to Durk in the form of Future, Young Thug, and 03 Greedo, but none sound quite as deathly cursed.

Forged in Englewood, Durk Banks is a South Side native, and child of chaos and disorder. He was probably too young to fully grasp the situation when his father, Dontay Banks, was sentenced to life in prison for cocaine distribution after refusing to snitch on infamous kingpin (and one of Rick Ross’s cocaína heroes) Larry Hoover.

Rapping became the son’s vocation. Still a kid, Durk harnessed the power of the internet to build a fan base, but his visibility really intensified as the excitement — and moral panic — around the drill music took off. While Keef was receiving the attention of an intrigued New York Times, Durk dropped Life Ain’t No Joke, a Datpiff classic, in October 2012. Hardship was burned into the title, yet Durk saw melodies in the mayhem. Jordan Sargent observed in his Pitchfork review, “he leans heavily on one under-discussed aspect of drill music: Auto-Tune, and drowning music in it.” This was three years after Jay-Z declared the pitch-correcting apparatus dead, yet Durk made it sound like such a vital tool. Songs like “Right Here” had drill’s crushing concrete beats, with the rapping adding a harsh sense of beauty.

Durk parlayed the hype around drill into a deal with Def Jam. It proved an unsatisfactory union. After splitting with the label, Durk used an interview with Billboard to curse the bureaucracy that stopped him releasing music at his own furious pace: “I never really got a chance to enjoy anything because I’ve been with them for five years.” A half-decade is a long time to be dissatisfied, but the period did yield the singles “Like Me” and “My Beyonce,” certified gold and platinum respectively. Def Jam might not have liked everything about its young star, but it must have loved his ability to use that sense of melody to sing softer R&B jams for mass consumption.

Liberated from Def Jam, Durk opened the floodgates. In 2017, he moved to Atlanta, where he maintained a hectic release schedule, dropping solid tape after solid tape, outliving the public’s curiosity with drill music.

Not just a crooner, Durk can unplug from Auto-Tune and spit raw couplets. One of his most popular tracks, “3 Headed Goat,” from 2020, saw him team up with Polo G and Lil Baby to form a trap King Ghidorah, while on “Chiraq Demons,” he recruited G Herbo for a double dose of classic drill — all horror movie piano keys, crushing drums, and unbelievable menace. It was a reminder that the then-red-hot sounds of Brooklyn drill were a murky thing compared to their crushing Chi origins.

Meanwhile, the sad dispatches from the streets continued. Though his mail might have been delivered to Atlanta, Durk’s narratives were impossible to envision set anywhere but the Chi. Take a song like “Different Meaning”: Snapping awake with a drug hangover, Durk feels frustration that the message of his music has failed to bring necessary change (“I put real life inside this music, they not hearing us”) as he thinks back to texts informing him that friends had been killed, his vocal cords cracking under the strain. Frequently, he’s leaned on his music to both communicate and release him from his own struggles.

In May, 2019, Durk handed himself over to cops after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with a February 2019 shooting outside of a restaurant in Atlanta. The rap sheet made grim reading: Durk and his protégé King Von were charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault, participation in criminal street gang activity, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The day after his arrest, Durk released the song “Turn Myself In” to address his legal situation: “False accusations why they name droppin’,” Durk declares. “They wanna know if I’m rapping or robbing/ Taking these drugs for family problems.” The tethering of the news cycle to his music seemed to clarify what we already knew: Durk’s writing was not based in fabrication.

Eighteen months later, with the case still open, King Von was one of two men shot dead outside the Monaco Hookah Lounge in Atlanta when, according to police, an argument between two groups of men “escalated to gunfire.” And in June 2021, Durk’s brother Dontay Banks, who performed as DThang, was killed in a chaotic scene at Club O.

Two loved ones dead, the oblivion of prison hanging over him, Durk continued to work. But this period of darkness was finally laid bare with last year’s release of Almost Healed, the album that houses his now Grammy-nominated single, “All My Life.”

Durk’s never been considered a maker of classic albums, partly because he’s not great at ironing out flaws in his projects for those who might be looking for them, but also because they don’t tend to be distinct from one another. Almost Healed, though, feels like a stand-alone monument and that starts with a title that welcomingly reveals catharsis, plus a cover that invokes the title of Miles Marshall Lewis’s classic hip-hop memoir, Scars Of The Soul Are Why Kids Wear Bandages When They Don’t Have Bruises.

Crucially, Almost Healed was released in the wake of the news that the charges against Durk were dropped. Understanding he’s free from that legal strain furthers the sense that this album represents his attempt to leave his worst days behind.

Almost Healed opens with words from Durk’s therapist — played by, of all people, Alicia Keys. “Can you tell me where was your mind when you heard the news of your friend Von passing away on November 6th, 2020?” she asks. “And then, the loss of your brother on June 6th, 2021. Wow, that must’ve been incredibly devastating. I can only imagine how painful that must’ve been.” There can be no obscuring the album’s intent. The therapist finishes up by demanding, “I wanna hear from Durk Banks,” real name, no obfuscation.

On “Pelle Coat,” Durk sounds wounded as he addresses rumors that he betrayed Von (“Like how I’ma sacrifice Von? I’m the only n***a reached for his hand”). Almost Healed is occasionally spiritual, with various references to Durk’s Islamic faith. Now in his thirties, he has also aged into back-in-the-day nostalgia about his own career. “Belt2Ass” references past pop runs like “My Beyoncé”: “Your Mount Rushmore list can’t fuck with me / Tried to go popstar, had to fuck up the streets.”

Among the most open-hearted songs is the Grammy-nominated “All My Life.” Produced by Dr. Luke, it uses the kind of somber piano line that tends to elicit confessions. J. Cole is not the kind of rapper you’d associate with Durk, but here he serves as a decent adjutant. As Durk explained, “It’s just a rap that’s just showing you what I been going through… We were just trying to figure out like what’s the right person to put on it. ’Cause it’s one of those songs where if it’s not the right person to do the second verse… I feel like Cole can bring the energy that I’m looking for to it.”

Cole opens “All My Life” by setting the scene: “Durkio told me he been on some positive shit.” From there, Durk recalls past controversies, how he leveraged his fame into meeting politicians to try to elicit positive change, and sadly observes, “These days seein’ rappers be dyin’/ Way before they even getting’ they shine.”

Because there’s a cataclysm devastating rap. Among those to be murdered are BTB Savage, YGN Cheese, Yung Lo, and MoneySign Suede. 350 Heem was shot and killed at his own mixtape release party; Gangsta Boo succumbed to an accidental overdose. This is all since the last Grammys.

There is the chorus, without which “All My Life” likely wouldn’t have nabbed its nomination. A children’s choir is recruited, because sometimes that’s what you need to punctuate a refrain like, “They couldn’t break me, they couldn’t break me,” and make people understand you really mean it.

Sometimes healing isn’t a straight, unbreakable process. Forever restless, Durk quickly followed up Almost Healed with Nightmares In The Trenches, a project featuring members of his collective/label Only The Family. A half-hour of steely street raps and fresh reporting, Durk is back to his chief vocation. No statuette is likely to take that urge away from Durk’s make-up. If you’re the kind of person who believes collective achievement should be considered when handing out a gold gong, then Lil Durk’s decade-and-a-half of valuable dispatches should make this Grammy a wrap.

You know how Azealia Banks seemed to be turning a corner on her stance about former idol/rival Nicki Minaj?

Yeah, all that just went out the window as Banks entered the chat to weigh in on Minaj’s ongoing, largely one-sided beef with Megan Thee Stallion. Posting her thoughts to her Instagram Story, the clips that have made their way to Twitter make it very clear where she stands on this one.

“It’s pretty clear that Nicki’s f*cked up,” she posits. “Like, she’s f*cked up financially… I know I’ve made some crazy-looking sh*t on here but I’m also going around trying to menace other artists and call them broke. You can tell just by whatever’s happening with Nicki’s butt, that she’s f*cked up right now.”

So, to quote Mulaney, yet again: We don’t have time to unpack ALL of that, but the highlight seems to be that Banks doesn’t think much of Nicki’s current campaign against the Houston Hottie. (There’s probably another 800 words to be written about Banks absolutely trying to menace other artists, up to and including allegedly doing voodoo to bring them misfortune, but we’ve committed too much time and server space to this issue as it is.)

She also addresses what she thinks is the cause of Nicki’s anymosity: Jealousy over Megan’s favored position with Jay-Z.

The main thing here seems to be that, whatever issues Azealia has with Meg (which, you sorta have to assume she has, given her history with, like, everybody, including Nicki’s main rival Cardi B), she’s always going to come back to her usual position regarding Ms. Minaj. No matter what, Banks stands on business — especially when the girls are fighting.

Long ago, in the year 2022, a movie based on the cult comedy Community was announced, fulfilling the long-foretold prophecy that Community would have #SixSeasonsAndAMovie. And fans rejoiced! Everyone (mostly everyone) was down to return, including Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Gillian Jacobs, Jim Rash, and Ken Jeong. Everything seemed like it was going to happen. And then, with various delays and strikes in 2023…it seemed like we were never going to check in with our favorite Greendale Community College alumni.

Over the past year, fans were questioning whether Donald Glover, who starred in the first five seasons of the show, would return, or if the movie would even happen. As it turns out Glover is on board and a script is done. So we don’t have to throw in the towel just yet.

While promoting his new series Mr. & Mirs. Smith, Glover told ET, “I was told the script is done,” he said, referring to the Community movie. Glover then confirmed he would return to the show. “I haven’t read it yet. It is really just a schedule thing. I’m in. I am all in.” Check out the clip below:

Last year, McHale claimed that they were gearing up to film the movie, but it seems like that might have been delayed due to the fact that he now works for animal control. We’ll see what happens after all this!

(Via The Wrap)

Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves picked up an impressive road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in a battle between teams at the top of the Western Conference standings. Edwards led the Wolves with 27 points in 40 minutes, but his comments after the game drew increased attention. In short, Edwards was not at all happy about the officiating, and he even said he would “take the fine” for his postgame remarks.

On Wednesday, Edwards was given a whopping $40,000 fine by the NBA for his comments and, when asked about the dollar figure on Thursday, he didn’t exactly run from what he said and the end result.

Edwards seemed to know it was coming even in the moment, so it surely was not a surprise that he was fined. The $40,000 figure did raise some eye-brows compared to the typical baseline for officiating criticism but, as Edwards noted, it was “probably because (he) said they was cheating.”

It helps, of course, that Edwards will begin a five-year max contract extension next season, so it isn’t as if a $40,000 deduction will change his financial picture. Edwards is also someone who certainly seems willing and eager to say what he thinks, for better or worse, and the candor endears him to many.