GoneTrending

It sure must stink to know that artists whose work you love hate your guts. Ted Cruz knows it. So does Donald Trump. Over the years one musical act after another has demanded he stop playing their hits at his ever-increasingly fascist-y rallies, and that includes his favorites: The Village People. But there’s one musician who’s probably fine, maybe even ecstatic, that the former president has added one of their songs to his rally playlist: the one born Steven Patrick Morrissey.

Per Stereogum, Trump has recently been playing songs from Morrissey’s beloved band, The Smiths. Was it “Bigmouth Strikes Again”? “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me”? Maybe “Half a Person”? Actually it’s a pretty funny one: Pre-show MAGA revelers at Monday’s rally in Laconia, New Hampshire were treated to “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want.” Thing is, they’ve actually been playing it since at least last September:

Does Trump actually listen to The Smiths? Maybe! He has a deep passion for Broadway musicals and he has the world’s biggest persecution complex, so it’s not entirely far-fetched that he identifies with Morrissey’s grandiose self-pity.

Morrissey probably won’t be one of those pop stars who sends the big guy a cease and desist. His views on non-whites are, shall we say, pretty out there; he’s a supporter of the far-right extremist group For Britain, to name one of his stances. Lately, he’s been vocal about cancel culture, because of course he has.

His surviving former bandmates, however, feel differently. Shortly after news of his music being played by the magnets understander, guitarist Johnny Marr threw his foot down.

“Ahh…right…OK. I never in a million years would’ve thought this could come to pass,” Marr wrote on Twitter/X. “Consider this sh*t shut right down right now.”

Evidently, not all Smiths members feel comfortable with their music intro-ing a guy who’s threatened to go dictator. They are, however, okay with it being played by an Egg McMuffin-enthusiast who’s paid to murder people.

(Via Stereogum)

The Milwaukee Bucks made a gigantic move 43 games into the regular season by firing head coach Adrian Griffin. Despite going 30-13 to start the year and finding themselves in second place in the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee decided the time was right to move on from its first-year head coach, and from the moment that news hit the internet, ESPN broadcaster Doc Rivers’ name got thrown around as a potential veteran replacement.

It’s not unusual for a team to fire a coach and have a good idea of who they want their replacement to be, but as it turns out, there is a good bit of familiarity here. According to a piece by Sam Amick, Shams Charania, and Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Rivers has been around the team in an “informal consultant” role to Griffin, something that happened at the request of the front office.

While the Bucks had compiled a 15-6 record leading up to their trip to Las Vegas and made their way to the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament, Bucks’ leadership organized a meeting between Griffin veteran NBA head coach Doc Rivers, who was broadcasting In-Season Tournament games for ESPN. Per league sources, the organization believed Rivers, a 24-year NBA head coach and NBA champion, may be able to offer Griffin advice and guidance on how to navigate his first NBA season with high expectations and a championship-caliber team in their Las Vegas session.

Rivers has spent this season on ESPN’s top broadcast booth alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke after the Philadelphia 76ers fired him at the conclusion of last year. We’ll have to see what happens next here, but according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the two sides have not spoken about the role yet.

Milwaukee currently sits 3.5 games behind Boston for the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference.

Usher, Backstreet Boys, Janet Jackson, and Snoop Dogg have been announced as the headliners for the 2024 Lovers & Friends Festival in Las Vegas, and millennials everywhere are checking their bank accounts and stacking their coins in anticipation of the presale this week. Fortunately, if they miss the presale on Friday (January 26), they’ll have plenty of time to make arrangements ahead of the festival’s May 4 date (and cop some orthopedics). So…

How Much Are Tickets For Lovers & Friends 2024?

General Admission tickets start at $235, GA+ starts at $595, and VIP starts at $695. Friday’s pre-sale begins at 10 am PT, and if any tickets are left over, a general sale will follow. You can visit loversandfriendsfest.com for more information.

Find the full festival lineup below.

Lovers & Friends Festival 2024 Lineup

Usher (performing Confessions)
Janet Jackson
Backstreet Boys
Snoop Dogg
Lil Wayne (performing Tha Carter III)
Alicia Keys
Gwen Stefani
Nas
Mary J. Blige
Nelly Furtado
Ludacris
Ja Rule & Ashanti
Ciara
Nelly
T-Pain
TLC
Akon
Ne-Yo
M.I.A.
Timbaland
Keyshia Cole
Brandy
Monica
Eve
Kelly Rowland
Craig David
Sean Paul
6lack
Jodeci
Jason Derulo
Robin Thicke
98 Degrees
Tyrese
Majid Jordan
Method Man & Redman
Rick Ross
Jeezy
Fat Joe
T.I.
Mase
E-40
SWV
Xscape
Tank
Jeremih
The-Dream
Pretty Ricky
Ginuwine
Mario
Jojo
Mya
Kelis
Lloyd
Dru Hill
Keri Hilson
Lupe Fiasco
Too Short
Cam’ron
Twista
Juvenile
Paul Wall
Trina
Ying Yang Twins
David Banner
Lil Flip
Plies
Mims
Tweet
Next
Lumidee
Nina Sky
Total
Blaque
702
Amerie
Paula Deanda
Jon B
112
J Holiday
J-Kwon
Iyaz

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

The world of cocktails is constantly in flux. Classics make triumphant returns to rotations — sometimes centuries after their demise — while modern hits disappear into the ether. Right now, complicated and delicious is a big theme. “Mixology” is back, folks! That means drinks like the Gin Basil Smash are topping lists of most popular cocktail orders worldwide right now.

The Gin Basil Smash is a modern classic that has dominated the scene since 2008. The drink hails from Hamburg, Germany’s cocktail scene in the mid-aughts, and was originally called the “Gin Pesto.” As the drink blew up on the global stage, it became the Gin Basil Smash because, well, the drink just had fresh basil in it and not also parmesan, pine nuts, and olive oil. The “pesto” bit was unnecessarily confusing.

Today, the drink is as popular as ever. It’s so freaking refreshing that it just won’t go away. It works as a summer sipper while eating pizza al fresco as well as an après-ski sipper with a bright and almost funky spiced vibe, thanks to that basil. It’s versatile, is what we’re getting at.

Let’s dive in!

• These *Real* Strawberry Margarita Recipes Are Exactly What You Need This Weekend
• The Bourbon Smash Is Our Official Labor Day Weekend Cocktail — Here’s The Recipe
• Learn To Make These Essential Bourbon Cocktails For Bourbon Heritage Month
• The Rusty Nail Is The Only Cocktail Recipe You Need This Thanksgiving
• This Chocolate Orange Bourbon Old Fashioned Is Halloween In A Glass

Gin Basil Smash

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. London dry gin
• 0.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 0.25 oz. simple syrup
• 2 large basil sprigs
• Ice
• Extra fresh basil for garnish

This is a very straightforward shopping list. I’m using classic Bombay London Dry Gin which is available at any liquor store for about $18. The rest is easily gettable. Just make sure you’re using good fresh basil.

What You’ll Need:

• Rocks glass (prechilled)
• Cocktail shaker
• Cocktail strainer
• Fine mesh strainer
• Muddler
• Jigger
• Hand juicer
• Paring knife

Method:

• Add the basil and simple syrup to the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Use the muddler to bruise the basil leaves and break up the stems a tad. Add the gin, lemon juice, and a large handful of ice to the shaker. Affix the lid and then shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
• Add a large ice cube to the rocks glass. Double strain the cocktail into the rocks glass and then garnish with a fresh basil sprig. Serve.

Bottom Line:

This is a pretty freaking delicious cocktail. The basil gets this pop of sharp spice that’s almost like a spearmint-meets-nasturtium vibe. It’s a nice bright spice that’s light and oily enough to give the drink a silky mouthfeel.

The sweet syrup and lemon add to the brightness with a hint of lemonade that’s cut with juniper and a hint of clove thanks to the gin. It all comes together for an amazing easy sipper that delivers a punch of flavor with every sip. In the winter, it wakes your senses back up. The brightness and sharpness of the spicy basil widens your eyes and gets you ready for the coming spring and the vibrancy found therein.

Lastly, if you’re eating a freshly fired pizza topped with fresh basil, this is the perfect pairing. Just sayin’!

The 2024 McDonald’s All-American Games will be in Houston this year, where 48 of the best high school basketball players in the country will descend for a celebration of their talents as they get set to embark on the next step of their basketball journey.

On Tuesday, the 24-player rosters for both the Boy’s and Girl’s games were released on ESPN, with most of the top recruits in the country earning their way onto the rosters. For the Girl’s, that includes Sarah Strong, the top-ranked recruit in the nation who is still uncommitted at this time, along with South Carolina commit Joyce Edwards and Ohio State commit Jaloni Cambridge.

EAST GIRL’S

Mikayla Blakes, G (Rutgers Preparatory School (NJ); Vanderbilt)
Kendall Dudley, G (Sidwell Friends School (DC); UCLA)
Joyce Edwards, F (Camden High School (SC); South Carolina)
Kayleigh Heckel, G (Long Island Lutheran High School (NY); Southern California)
Zamareya Jones, G (North Pitt High School (NC); NC State)
Kateryna Koval, C (Long Island Lutheran High School (NY); Notre Dame)
Madisen McDaniel, G (Bishop McNamara High School (MD); South Carolina)
Olivia Olson, G (Benilde-St. Margaret’s (MN); Michigan)
Zania Socka-Nguemen, F (Sidwell Friends School (DC); UCLA)
Sarah Strong, F (Grace Christian School (NC); Uncommitted)
Syla Swords, W (Long Island Lutheran High School (NY); Michigan)
Berry Wallace, W (Pickerington High School Central (OH); Illinois)

WEST GIRL’S

Imari Berry, G (Clarksville High School (TN); Clemson)
Jaloni Cambridge, G (Montverde Academy (FL); Ohio State)
Justice Carlton, F (Seven Lakes High School (TX); Texas)
Morgan Cheli, G (Archbishop Mitty High School (CA); UConn)
Avery Howell, G (Boise High School (ID); Southern California)
Jordan Lee, W (Saint Mary’s High School (CA); Texas)
Alivia McGill, G (Hopkins High School (MN); Florida)
Me’Arah O’Neal, C (Episcopal High School (TX); Florida)
Mackenly Randolph, F (Sierra Canyon School (CA); Uncommitted)
Arianna Roberson, F (Clark High School (TX); Duke)
Kennedy Smith, W (Etiwanda High School (CA); Southern California)
Allie Ziebell, G (Neenah High School (WI); UConn)

On the Boy’s side, the top three players in the 247 Composite, Duke commit Cooper Flagg and Rutgers commits Airious (Ace) Bailey and Dylan Harper, headline the rosters for April 2 in Houston.

EAST BOY’S

Jalil Bethea, G (Archbishop Wood High School (PA); Miami)
John Bol, C (Overtime Elite Academy (GA); Ole Miss)
Isaiah Evans, F (North Mecklenburg High School (NC); Duke)
Cooper Flagg, F (Montverde Academy (FL); Duke)
Johnuel Fland, G (Archbishop Stepinac High School (NY); Kentucky)
Ian Jackson, F (Our Saviour Lutheran School (NY); North Carolina)
Liam McNeeley, F (Montverde Academy (FL); Indiana)
Tahaad Pettiford, G (Hudson Catholic Regional High School (NJ); Auburn)
Drake Powell, G (Northwood High School (NC); North Carolina)
Jayden Quaintance, F (Word of God Christian Academy (NC); Kentucky)
Derik Queen, C (Montverde Academy (FL); Uncommitted)
Bryson Tucker, F (Bishop O’Connell High School (VA); Uncommitted)

WEST BOY’S

Airious Bailey, F (McEachern High School (GA); Rutgers)
Flory Bidunga, C (Kokomo High School (IN); Kansas)
Carter Bryant, F (Centennial High School (CA); Arizona)
Vazoumana Diallo, G (Prolific Prep of Napa Christian (CA); Washington)
Valdez Edgecombe, Jr., G ( Long Island Lutheran High School (NY); Baylor)
Donavan Freeman, F (IMG Academy (FL); Syracuse)
Dylan Harper, G (Don Bosco Preparatory High School (NJ); Rutgers)
Richard Johnson, G (Link Academy (MO); Texas)
Karter Knox, G (Overtime Elite Academy (GA); Uncommitted)
Trent Perry, G (Harvard-Westlake School (CA); Southern California)
Derrion Reid, F (Prolific Prep of Napa Christian (CA); Alabama)
Aiden Sherrell, C (Prolific Prep of Napa Christian (CA); Alabama)

After learning that his best friend of 30 years, Harper Steele, was transitioning, Will Ferrell set out to make a documentary as the two embarked on a road trip to explore this new chapter of their friendship. The resulting film is Will & Harper, which is already racking up rave reviews at Sundance and accolades for Ferrell thanks to the comedy actor modeling how to be a true friend and ally amidst a political climate that’s still rife with anti-transgender rhetoric.

While promoting the film, Ferrell confessed to having “zero knowledge” about the trans community before Steele came out. He’s since taken considerable steps to remedy that.

“I had met trans people, but I didn’t have anyone personally in my life,” Ferrell told Variety. “So this was all new territory for me, which is why I think this film is so exciting for us to kind of put out there in the world. It’s a chance all of us in the cis community to be able to ask questions and also just to listen and be there as a friend to discuss this journey.”

Following the Sundance premiere of Will & Harper, Ferrell was greeted with a standing ovation at the Utah film festival:

Meanwhile, on social media, people are praising Ferrell and his commendable work teaching people how to listen and be more accepting of others. The comedic actor has one heck of a soapbox, and he’s using it to model behavior that could change lives.

You can see some of the reactions below:

Will & Harper is currently seeking distribution at Sundance.

Usher had to do it again. The “Good Good” singer — who was selected to play perform the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show — has brought back his festival, Lovers And Friends, to take over the Las Vegas Festival Grounds once again on May 4 with another nostalgic installment headlined by Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Backstreet Boys, and of course, Usher himself. Other millennial faves taking the stage include Lil Wayne, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado, Ludacris, Nas, and Nelly — the other one.

When Do Lovers & Friends 2024 Tickets Go On Sale?

The pre-sale starts on January 26 at 10 am PT. The general sale will take place after that, provided remaining stock. General Admission tickets start at $235, GA+ starts at $595, and VIP starts at $695. You can check out the festival’s website to find more details.

Lovers & Friends Festival 2024 Lineup

Usher (performing Confessions)
Janet Jackson
Backstreet Boys
Snoop Dogg
Lil Wayne (performing Tha Carter III)
Alicia Keys
Gwen Stefani
Nas
Mary J. Blige
Nelly Furtado
Ludacris
Ja Rule & Ashanti
Ciara
Nelly
T-Pain
TLC
Akon
Ne-Yo
M.I.A.
Timbaland
Keyshia Cole
Brandy
Monica
Eve
Kelly Rowland
Craig David
Sean Paul
6lack
Jodeci
Jason Derulo
Robin Thicke
98 Degrees
Tyrese
Majid Jordan
Method Man & Redman
Rick Ross
Jeezy
Fat Joe
T.I.
Mase
E-40
SWV
Xscape
Tank
Jeremih
The-Dream
Pretty Ricky
Ginuwine
Mario
Jojo
Mya
Kelis
Lloyd
Dru Hill
Keri Hilson
Lupe Fiasco
Too Short
Cam’ron
Twista
Juvenile
Paul Wall
Trina
Ying Yang Twins
David Banner
Lil Flip
Plies
Mims
Tweet
Next
Lumidee
Nina Sky
Total
Blaque
702
Amerie
Paula Deanda
Jon B
112
J Holiday
J-Kwon
Iyaz

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

The 2024 lineup for the Lovers & Friends festival was unveiled today (January 23) and boy is it the ultimate millennial nostalgia fest. Usher, Janet Jackson, and Backstreet Boys are headlining, and also performing are Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Nas, Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado, Ludacris, and Mary J. Blige, among many others.

The one-day event goes down on May 4 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. If you want to go, here’s what to know about getting tickets.

How To Buy Tickets For The 2024 Lovers & Friends Festival

The pre-sale starts on January 26 at 10 a.m. PT. To sign up for access to that, visit the festival website. If any tickets are left after that, a public on-sale will follow.

As for pricing, General Admission tickets start at $235, GA+ starts at $595, and VIP starts at $695. Visit the festival website for more details about what’s included at each ticket tier.

Find the full festival lineup below.

Lovers & Friends Festival 2024 Lineup

Usher (performing Confessions)
Janet Jackson
Backstreet Boys
Snoop Dogg
Lil Wayne (performing Tha Carter III)
Alicia Keys
Gwen Stefani
Nas
Mary J. Blige
Nelly Furtado
Ludacris
Ja Rule & Ashanti
Ciara
Nelly
T-Pain
TLC
Akon
Ne-Yo
M.I.A.
Timbaland
Keyshia Cole
Brandy
Monica
Eve
Kelly Rowland
Craig David
Sean Paul
6lack
Jodeci
Jason Derulo
Robin Thicke
98 Degrees
Tyrese
Majid Jordan
Method Man & Redman
Rick Ross
Jeezy
Fat Joe
T.I.
Mase
E-40
SWV
Xscape
Tank
Jeremih
The-Dream
Pretty Ricky
Ginuwine
Mario
Jojo
Mya
Kelis
Lloyd
Dru Hill
Keri Hilson
Lupe Fiasco
Too Short
Cam’ron
Twista
Juvenile
Paul Wall
Trina
Ying Yang Twins
David Banner
Lil Flip
Plies
Mims
Tweet
Next
Lumidee
Nina Sky
Total
Blaque
702
Amerie
Paula Deanda
Jon B
112
J Holiday
J-Kwon
Iyaz

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

Usher’s on a roll. Not only is he performing the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show and releasing his new album Coming Home, but the festival named after one of his biggest hits is returning this spring with another nostalgic lineup. Usher will headline the 2024 Lovers & Friends Festival alongside ’90s/2000s pop icons Janet Jackson and Backstreet Boys.

The festival is billed to return to Las Vegas on Saturday, May 4, at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. The tickets presale starts this Friday, January 26 at 10 a.m. PT. You can find more information at LoversandFriendsFest.com. See below for more details, including the full lineup.

The Full Lovers & Friends Festival 2024 Lineup

Usher (performing Confessions)
Janet Jackson
Backstreet Boys
Snoop Dogg
Lil Wayne (performing Tha Carter III)
Alicia Keys
Gwen Stefani
Nas
Mary J. Blige
Nelly Furtado
Ludacris
Ja Rule & Ashanti
Ciara
Nelly
T-Pain
TLC
Akon
Ne-Yo
M.I.A.
Timbaland
Keyshia Cole
Brandy
Monica
Eve
Kelly Rowland
Craig David
Sean Paul
6lack
Jodeci
Jason Derulo
Robin Thicke
98 Degrees
Tyrese
Majid Jordan
Method Man & Redman
Rick Ross
Jeezy
Fat Joe
T.I.
Mase
E-40
SWV
Xscape
Tank
Jeremih
The-Dream
Pretty Ricky
Ginuwine
Mario
Jojo
Mya
Kelis
Lloyd
Dru Hill
Keri Hilson
Lupe Fiasco
Too Short
Cam’ron
Twista
Juvenile
Paul Wall
Trina
Ying Yang Twins
David Banner
Lil Flip
Plies
Mims
Tweet
Next
Lumidee
Nina Sky
Total
Blaque
702
Amerie
Paula Deanda
Jon B
112
J Holiday
J-Kwon
Iyaz

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

Empress Of’s third album, I’m Your Empress Of, arrived in early 2020. That was nearly four years ago now, but at last, the drought is over: Today (January 23), Empress Of announced her fourth album, For Your Consideration. The project is set to be released on March 22.

Towards the end of 2023, Empress Of shared two songs that will appear on the new album: “Kiss Me” featuring Rina Sawayama and “Femenine.” Also featuring on the album will be Muna, on a song called “What’s Love.”

Empress Of fans haven’t been completely without new music from her for the past four years, though: In 2022, she unveiled the five-track Save Me EP. That year, she also hit the road with Carly Rae Jepsen as an opener on her The So Nice Tour.

For Your Consideration will be released via Major Arcana, the label Empress Of launched in 2020. She explained at the time, “After 7ish years of being on a record label, I finished all my deals and decided the next thing I was going to put out was through my own label.”

Find the For Your Consideration album art and tracklist below.

Empress Of’s For Your Consideration album cover artwork

Empress Of’s For Your Consideration tracklist

1. “For Your Consideration”
2. “Lorelei”
3. “Preciosa”
4. “Kiss Me” Feat. Rina Sawayama
5. “Femenine”
6. “What Type Of Girl Am I”
7. “Cura”
8. “Facil”
9. “Sucia”
10. ‘Baby Boy”
11. “What’s Love” Feat. Muna

For Your Consideration is out 3/22 via Major Arcana. Find more information here.