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WARNING: Spoilers for Squid Game: The Challenge below.

Squid Game: The Challenge dropped its final episode this week, which saw the 55-year-old Mai Whelan emerge the winner of the Netflix reality series. However, there’s one pricy problem: Whelan has yet to receive her $4.56 million dollar prize, the second highest amount in game show history.

Just like the Squid Game show, which became massive international hit during the pandemic, contestants are tasked with competing in children’s game with deadly consequences for losing. On The Challenge, obviously, people weren’t being killed. Although, set reports of injuries and freezing conditions would suggest it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Whelan, an immigration adjudicator from Virginia who left Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon when she was only eight years old, defeated 27-year-old scuba instructor Phil Cain in a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors that The Times called “protracted and anticlimactic.” For her efforts, Whelan still hasn’t been paid:

Despite winning the show in February, Whelan hasn’t received a cent yet, she says over a video call from New York. “I feel like Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire. Show me the money!” When Netflix does pay up she plans on giving some of the money to charities for the underprivileged, wildlife and climate change. All she has bought herself so far is a swanky short haircut — her buddies from the show didn’t recognise her — plus a black velvet Ralph Lauren dress and Jimmy Choo shoes for the Squid Game gala she has just attended.

While Whelan conceded she may considering a new retirement home, the Virginia resident seemed content with her current living situation.

“We live on the water. It’s very peaceful,” she said.

Squid Game: The Challenge is available for streaming on Netflix.

(Via The Times)

Sometimes, bullying does work. At the very least, fans of John Wick 4 star and singer Rina Sawayama proved they can be hard to ignore. After months of begging the musician to drop new music, the parties reached a healthy compromise. Today (December 8), Rina unloaded her vault to share several bonus tracks for her latest album, Hold The Girl.

Of the two new/refurbished tracks, “Flavour Of The Month” stands out. The record, produced by Rich Cooper, is a silky smooth serving of pop that will have you instantly addicted. Throughout the track, Rina stresses that she won’t be used as a pawn on someone’s board game of love.

“Gave you a taste of what you want / Mint chocolate, scoops of bubblegum / Taste so sweet, you couldn’t get enough / I was your flavor of the month / Thought that I was your favorite / But it’s clear that you like something different / So don’t waste my time / Won’t you tell me what you like? / This good taste, it don’t last forever,” sings Rina.

In addition to “Flavour Of The Month,” Rina’s Hold The Girl (Bonus Edition) features a reworking of the record “Imagining.” She tapped Amaarae as a special guest feature on this go-around to spunk up the track. Check that out below and listen to “Flavour Of The Month” above.

Nicki Minaj has helped save December, which often ends up being the most boring month of the year in terms of music releases, with her new album, Pink Friday 2. Since the project was released at midnight, fans have been appreciating the music and exploring Minaj’s latest lyrics. Some believe that at one point on the record, Minaj takes a stab at Latto.

Does Nicki Minaj diss Latto on “Fallin 4 U” from Pink Friday 2?

According to Genius, towards the end of the third verse of “Fallin 4 U,” Minaj raps, “Picture you endin’ up under the seat, where the dread at? / Picture not listenin’ when I said that you would dread that / I mean locs, ho, you-you’s a chop ho.” Some, though, have heard the final line as, “I mean locked, ho, you’s a chop ho,” or, “I mean Latto, you’s a chop ho,” as XXL notes.

The lyric as it appears on Genius seems to make the most sense logically, given that the reference to “locs” connects with the “dread” (as in the type of hair) lyric from the previous lines. Still, some listeners took to social media to comment about the supposed Latto diss.

Of course, there is some history here, as last year, there was some Twitter (back when it was still called that) beef between the two rappers.

Listen to “Fallin 4 U” above.

Pink Friday 2 is out now via Young Money/Republic Records. Find more information here.

Following a contentious divorce that generated more drama than an entire season of Yellowstone, Kevin Costner has entered a new romance: the actor is reportedly dating Jewel. That’s not a ’90s couple anyone saw coming.

According to TMZ, the Yellowstone star and the “You Were Meant for Me” singer were “spotted together on Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands where the two of them were part of a tennis fundraiser for the Inspiring Children Foundation. Jewel is the founder of the org, and Kevin was a guest.”

An insider told TMZ, “There was definitely something going on. They were flirty, and when they were together, it was like they both just lit up.” They added, “You could tell they were trying to be discreet, but anybody who saw them could tell something was going on.”

Costner and his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, who have three children together (he has four more from previous relationships), reached a settlement agreement for their divorce in September. “Kevin and Christine Costner have come to an amicable and mutually agreed upon resolution of all issues pertaining to their divorce proceedings,” they wrote in a joint statement.

Jewel’s most recent album, Freewheelin’ Woman, came out last year. There are, as far as I can tell, no songs about cowboy hats.

(Via TMZ)

Historically, pop music has been a bit of a punching bag by “discerning” music aficionados whose carefully cultivated tastes and MP3 folders fostered in them a sense that what the masses are enjoying can’t possibly be among the most creative and entertaining music that’s available. People who enjoy having fun in their lives, though, know that this just isn’t the case.

Pop music is awesome! What’s wrong with a catchy, well-written song? Pop has also been used as a place for exploration beyond the established rules of what’s been algorithmically proven to hit commercial benchmarks. 2023 yielded tons of pop music that excelled in all its forms, whether you’re talking about the continued North American emergence of international-originating genres like K-pop and Latin music, innovators bending the genre’s conventions to their wills, or more conventional busting out straightforward, undeniably catchy hits.

Let’s reflect on the year in pop (and perhaps catch up on what you missed) by checking out our list of the best pop albums of 2023 below.

Ashnikko – Weedkiller

What happens when you cross a dystopian cyborg wasteland with industrial hyperpop? The answer is Uproxx cover star Ashnikko’s worldbuilding debut LP, Weedkiller. Throughout 13 biting tracks, Ashnikko redefines what it means to be a modern-day popstar by leaning into the absurd, creepy, and downright disturbing. With tracks like the bouncy anthem “Worms” and the fervent kiss-off tune “You Make Me Sick!” Ashnikko invites listeners into a fantasy world of her own creation, while leaving space to drop her swaggering on-stage persona in favor of getting up close and personal with songs like the queer awakening anthem “Miss Nectarine” and the veiled Roe v. Wade response “Possession Of A Weapon.” – Carolyn Droke

Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want To Turn Into You

Caroline Polachek is by no means new to the music world. Despite this, her solo sophomore release, Desire, I Want To Turn Into You, finds her experimenting with a range of influences and elevating herself beyond the initial sound that first drew listeners in. Here, she plays with flamenco on “Sunset,” while also not alienating anyone by adding the catchy, electronic early preview of “Bunny Is A Rider.” In her present chameleon fashion, she then flips the script once more for the quiet tension on “Crude Drawing Of An Angel.” Just as the title suggests, Polachek reaches a new peak by being able to play with the concept of transformation and versatility on this album. – Lexi Lane

Chappell Roan – The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess

Chappell Roan has had a wild few years. During the pandemic, she moved back home to Missouri, where she saved up money to resume her music career. The result is her debut album, The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess. Produced by pop music’s new favorite collaborator, Dan Nigro (Olvia Rodrigo, Conan Gray), Roan found herself free and comfortable to express her identity fully. Across the 14 brilliant pop tracks, it has the energy of a merry-go-round at a club or a dancefloor at the county fair. Either way, getting off the ride is hard once you press play. – L.L.

Ed Sheeran – Autumn Variations

Ed Sheeran’s intimate September album Autumn Variations should hypnotize Merriam-Webster into updating the definition of “autumn” to simply read “Ed Sheeran.” His entire perennially chart-topping career has been defined by albums titled after mathematical symbols, ending with May’s – (Subtract). But there’s nothing calculated about Autumn Variations. Sheeran described the album, co-produced and co-written with Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner, to Gayle King as “14 songs about my friends” made simply because he wanted something cozy to play while cooking with his wife. Incidentally, Sheeran crafted 14 new musical companions for the rest of us. – Megan Armstrong

Gracie Abrams – Good Riddance

“You fell hard / I thought, good riddance,” Abrams twists the knife on the album opener “Best,” while maintaining themes of self-criticism throughout. The new album finds her exploring new horizons by working with Aaron Dessner and putting her biggest fears, worst behaviors, and an expanded level of emotional vulnerability on full display — all while backed by some gentle production. She also provides pauses to lift the energy, like the sweet caught-by-surprise moment on “The Blue.” Yet, staying true to the themes of struggling with the rollercoaster of entering adulthood, the album ends with the darkly contemplative “Right Now,” where Abrams wonders if her “little brother thinks my leaving was wrong,” as she continues growing up, getting out, and saying good riddance. – L.L.

Holly Humberstone – Paint My Bedroom Black

Holly Humberstone’s Paint My Bedroom Black chronicles the ups and downs of being a woman in your early twenties in a way that connects listeners of all backgrounds. “Here’s to new horizons,” she greets listeners in the album’s opening line, almost like a fitting hint of what’s to come. Her electronic production takes larger leaps, notably at the ending of “Into Your Room” and the chilling vocal adjustment on “Baby Blues.” Others, like “Elvis Impersonators” and “Cocoon” serve as powerful lyrical displays. In its entirety, the album is a thrilling next step that has us excited to see where she goes next. – L.L.

Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good!

Jessie Ware snuck “Free Yourself” under the wire last July. She’s ahead of the game this year with a disco-pop indulgence inspired by divas like Donna Summer. “Lightning” is ready-made for dog days, oozing romance. “Freak Me Now” is brash lust. “Begin Again” is pure refreshment. Pick one, and you will feel good. – M.A.

Jonas Brothers – The Album

The Jonas Brothers are a trifecta, but the Jon Bellion-produced The Album underscores their dynamism. “Waffle House,” TikTok’s favorite single, reframes their formative fights with loving eyes. “Little Bird” delicately illustrates their newer roles as girl dads. They haven’t lost their edge in marriage — just listen to “Summer In The Hamptons.” Life keeps changing, and Joe, Kevin, and Nick keep writing. The ‘70s-inspired LP propels them into a boundless future. – M.A.

Jung Kook – Golden

BTS’ Jung Kook has shown himself to be a pop sensation both within the group and as a solo act. His debut solo album, Golden, served as a gift to fans, as it arrived weeks before Jung Kook began the process of enlisting in the Korean military. He’ll be away until 2025, but songs like the romantic “Standing Next To You,” the sexy, rhythmic “3D,” and the gut-wrenching ballad “Hate You” will certainly hold as timeless classics. But they also set the stage for him to continue his world takeover upon his return. – Alex Gonzalez

Kali Uchis – Red Moon In Venus

Kali Uchis’ third album Red Moon In Venus is without question her best album to date. Maybe it’s because she’s more in touch with herself than ever or maybe it’s because she’s more at peace than ever. The result of either, or maybe both of those observations, is a 15-track body of work that captures Uchis majestically and graceful float through elements of R&B and pop, while also tapping into her Spanish roots, to make what sounds like Uchis’ idea of paradise. Whether it’s “Fantasy” with Don Toliver, “Deserve Me” with Summer Walker, or solo efforts like “All Mine” and “Moonlight,” Kali Uchis’ Red Moon In Venus has plenty of music to get lost in and find your own paradise. – Wongo Okon

Karol G – Mañana Será Bonito

After a very public breakup, Karol G chose to heal the way she knows best — through music. The Colombian superstar’s fourth album Mañana Será Bonito proves to be a therapeutic experience, for both Karol and the fans. Over the course of 17 flawless tracks, Karol engages in self-care, debates returning to an ex, falls in love on her travels, and has several good cries. All while repeating the very phrase that got her through it all — “Mañana será bonito.” – A.G.

Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd

Lana Del Rey’s career has been defined by a hot and cold reaction from the press, and equally hot and cold moments of self-sabotage and self-mythologizing. But if anything, it speaks volumes that any online spat that might accompany a rollout is generally forgotten by the next album cycle. That’s how continually surprising and sharp Lana is as a songwriter, that mild controversy slides off her. And that talent is underscored on Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. “A&W” is another high point in sonic adventurousness and lyrical insight, while “The Grants” and the title track are so instantly familiar, they might as well be pulled directly from the singer-songwriter canon. We just can’t quit you, Lana. – Philip Cosores

Laufey – Bewitched

Jazz’s resurgence into the mainstream has made for interesting online music discourse. The 2023 Grammy Award Best New Artist, being a classically trained jazz vocalist, brewed the ideal environment for Laufey to burst onto the scene. The singer’s sophomore album, Bewitched, featuring singles “From The Start” and “Letter To My 13-Year-Old Self,” is an enchanting spell of classical jazz elements with a bubbling elixir of infectious light-hearted bedroom pop sonics. Bewitched is a time-capsuled work perfectly scored for a vintage romance flick. Its light-hearted, airy, and delicately simplistic layerings transport listeners to a world graciously ruled by Laufey. – Flisadam Pointer

Maisie Peters – The Good Witch

Sometimes, something is so objectively true that it’s worth how cliché it sounds. This is one of those times. The Good Witch is spellbinding — packed with aching anecdotal vulnerability (“There It Goes”) and sharp wit (“Lost The Breakup”) — and in the words of Maisie Peters in the criminally clever “BSC,” you’d be “actually bloody motherf*cking batsh*t crazy” to think otherwise. Not convinced? Peters, Uproxx’s July 2023 cover star, became the youngest British woman to hit No. 1 on the UK’s Official Albums Chart since 2014. – M.A.

Myke Towers – La Vida Es Una

Puerto Rican artist Myke Towers couldn’t be held in a box while making his third album, La Vida Es Una. On the album, Towers showcases his versatility by way of lightly revisiting his rap roots, but mostly experimenting with a multitude of genres. While 23 tracks may seem saturated for an album in 2023, Towers delivers through reggaeton, dancehall, and ‘80s-synthpop sounds, defying the pigeonholing of the industry. Needless to say, he’s keeping fans fed. – A.G.

Olivia Rodrigo – Guts

Even Olivia Rodrigo herself had worried about facing the sophomore slump, given the massive success she found with her 2021 debut, Sour. Her fears were simply just that. Rodrigo’s record Guts does a masterful job of blending her musical influences, tapping into the power and angst on stadium-ready tracks like “Ballad Of A Homeschooled Girl.” Her growth as a songwriter in just two years is already evident, reeling with the idea of being a famous “tourist attraction” on the vulnerable “Making The Bed,” or digging even deeper into personal hurts on “The Grudge” and “Logical.” – L.L.

Peso Pluma – Génesis

Mexican hitmaker Peso Pluma’s Génesis certainly isn’t just the beginning. On his third album, Pluma takes inspiration from Mexican corridos music, bringing these regional sounds toward global territory. At only 24, Pluma and his album Génesis delivered the Mexican-influenced musical stylings that had been missing from the global music landscape for years. For Pluma, Génesis serves as both a breakthrough, and a time-capsule of historic and impactful sounds, that will still maintain their freshness in the years to come. – A.G.

Raye – My 21st Century Blues

After years of having her debut album delayed, UK singer/songwriter RAYE took matters into her own hands. Two years ago, RAYE outed her previous label, Polydor, for holding her music hostage. In February, she finally released My 21st Century Blues independently. And in turn, she flipped the industry on its head, with tales of heartache, insecurity, and gaslighting. Having finally earned number one song and album on the UK charts, it’s safe to say RAYE’s big risk paid off. – A.G.

Reneé Rapp – Snow Angel

After already conquering Broadway and television, Reneé Rapp entered her pop girl era in full force this year with her debut album, Snow Angel. Her incredible vocal talent gives her a boost forward to belt on ballads, with many new fans being recruited this year after hearing her show it off. Rapp doesn’t shy away from putting her whole heart on the line, whether she’s dealing with the painful realization of falling too hard that drives “I Hate Boston” or not holding back from the karma she wants on “Tummy Hurts” — which she recently remixed to include the equally-talented Coco Jones. – L.L.

Skrillex – Quest For Fire, Don’t Get Too Close

Skrillex is most readily associated with the early 2010s, but he’s been killing it lately, too. Aside from his beloved Coachella performance alongside Fred Again.. and Four Tet, he dropped a pair of albums in February, his first since 2014: Quest For Fire came first and Don’t Get Too Close followed the next day. The list of artists featured across the projects (including Justin Bieber, Missy Elliott, Kid Cudi, and PinkPantheress) evidence how much esteem Skrillex has in the industry, while the top-rate albums illustrate why he remains an icon. – Derrick Rossignol

Twice – Ready To Be

One of my close friends is a gigantic Twice fan, which by association, has led to me getting into their Ready To Be mini-album from earlier this year. While I’m not as familiar with their past records to compare, the early singles, “Moonlight Sunrise” and “Set Me Free,” showcase the group’s romantic side over the bubbly production that truly just pulls you in. (Plus, their live performances are so impeccable and synchronized.) On other tracks from the record, Twice shift into fiery, flirty territory with the rock-influenced “Blame It On Me,” which shows off the band’s wide-spanning inspirations that push the boundaries of the general K-Pop conceptions — and prove that they really are the ones to watch. – L.L.

Various Artists – Barbie: The Album

It’s hard to call anything but Barbie the movie event of 2023 (except for perhaps Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour concert film). One thing those two have in common, though, is music was a major component. So many contemporary greats from across the genre spectrum united to craft an exemplary collection of original, pink-tinted songs: Dua Lipa with “Dance The Night,” Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice with “Barbie World,” and Billie Eilish with “What Was I Made For?,” to name a few. Big-name soundtrack albums are often less than the sum of their parts, but this one comes together in true Barbie Dreamhouse fashion. – D.R.

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

It’s that time of the year again when critics try to think of every record they heard in the previous eleven months and determine their favorites. Steven and Ian are up to the challenge in this week’s Indiecast episode. But first they talk about the stock albums that seem to populate these lists — the “arty” and “obscure” hip-hop record with an unpronounceable name, the near-unlistenable “acclaimed” death-metal record, the “accessible” jazz album with indie cred. etc.

From there they do a quick Sportscast about Steven’s recent love of college football. They also discuss Taylor Swift being named Person Of The Year by Time magazine and how the media was weirdly in the tank for her all throughout this past year. Finally, Steven and Ian each pick their five favorite albums of the year, and hash out the trends they think defined 2023.

New episodes of Indiecast drop every Friday. Listen to Episode 167 here and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can submit questions for Steve and Ian at [email protected], and make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news. We also recently launched a visualizer for our favorite Indiecast moments. Check those out here.

Cameo: the home of retired athletes, standup comedians, and disgraced politics. George Santos joined the video-sharing service after he was kicked out of Congress for, among other misdeeds, using campaign funds on Botox and OnlyFans. He’s already making way more than he ever did as a politician, including a few hundred bucks from Jimmy Kimmel.

“Santos has a new gig making videos for Cameo for $400 a pop, which is a dilemma because on one hand, you hate to give money to a guy like George Santos. But on the other, eh, pretty good chance he has your credit card information already,” Kimmel joked during Thursday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. He sent Santos a “number of different ridiculous requests” on Cameo using a fake name, leading to the new segment: Will Santos Say It?

The short answer: yes.

One request had Kimmel asking Santos to congratulate his mom Brenda for cloning their pet dog schnauzer. “Hey Brenda, I wanted to congratulate you on successfully cloning your beloved schnauzer, Adolf. I know it was a lot of trials and tribulations, but you finally did it,” the former New York representative said in a video that looked it was filmed in a car that was going through a dark tunnel. “Now you get to enjoy Adolf and be happy, so give him a belly rub for me. Mwah.”

You can watch the Kimmel clip above.

December is usually pretty quiet when it comes to new music releases, but Nicki Minaj just came through with one of the year’s final major albums in Pink Friday 2. Minaj got a little help from her friends on the project, too, as there are a number of featured artists involved.

Who is featured on Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2?

Featured on Pink Friday 2 are J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Tate Kobang, Drake, Lourdiz, Lil Uzi Vert, Skillibeng, Skeng, Future, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Additionally, SZA makes a surprise cameo on “Needle” video a sampled voicemail, while Billie Eilish’s “When The Party’s Over” is sampled on “Are You Gone Already.”

What is Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 tracklist?

To see all the features in context of the album, check out the tracklist:

1. “Are You Gone Already”
2. “Barbie Dangerous”
3. “FTCU”
4. “Beep Beep”
5. “Fallin 4 U”
6. “Let Me Calm Down” Feat. J. Cole
7. “RNB” Feat. Lil Wayne & Tate Kobang
8. “Pink Birthday”
9. “Needle” Feat. Drake
10. “Cowgirl” Feat. Lourdiz
11. “Everybody” Feat. Lil Uzi Vert
12. “Big Difference”
13. “Red Ruby Da Sleeze”
14. “Forward From Trini” Feat. Skillibeng & Skeng
15. “Pink Friday Girls”
16. “Super Freaky Girl”
17. “Bahm Bahm”
18. “My Life”
19. “Nicki Hendrix” Feat. Future
20. “Blessings” Feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard
21. “Last Time I Saw You”
22. “Just The Memories”

Pink Friday 2 is out now via Young Money/Republic Records. Find more information here.

Nicki Minaj’s highly anticipated new album Pink Friday 2 has arrived as one of the final major releases of 2023. Given Minaj’s star power, she was able to pull some big-time collaborators into the fold for the project. That includes longtime associate Drake, who features on “Needle.”

The track also features a surprise cameo from SZA via a sampled voicemail that introduces the track. She says, “I mean, I don’t know if I like girls, I saw Sheila at Seraphin. Maybe we had too much tequila. Actually, yeah, we definitely had too much tequila ’cause I don’t know why I’m even playin’ on your phone right now. I’ma just block you, bye.”

Drake offers the song’s first verse and a catchy chorus, on which he sing-raps, “Pull up the Maybach and bend your leg back / Let’s engage that, don’t delay that / You’re like a needle, life’s a haystack / Friends they can leave us, you could stay back.”

This collaboration resolves the For All The Dogs situation: A link-up between the two was previously teased, but when Drake’s latest album dropped, Minaj was nowhere to be found on it. Now, though, they finally managed to make something happen before the year ended.

Listen to “Needle” above.

Pink Friday 2 is out now via Young Money/Republic Records. Find more information here.

Nicki Minaj is back. Tonight, the illustrious hip-hop artist released her long-awaited fifth studio album Pink Friday 2. Over the course of the album, Minaj grapples with a whirlwind of emotions, from love, loss, grief, and newfound motherhood. On a standout track, “Let Me Calm Down,” she teams up with J. Cole as she finds herself conflicted as someone attempts to reconnect with her.

“I knew if that if it was meant to be, that one day I would let him / Twenty years later them decisions, I don’t regret them / Just wish you would give me space when I really need it / To be alone in my zone when I’m really heated,” raps Minaj on one of the song’s verses, showcasing her confusion about the place this person once had in her life.

Cole then pops in with a verse of his own, offering a special message to the song’s subject. He better get right if he wants Minaj in his life.

“They talkin’ slick and make you wanna pull a Rated-R / You like her, love her like a brother, like a manager, an A&R / Plus a therapist when it start rainin’ hard / Her life was trauma filled, it left her with a tainted heart,” he raps.

You can listen to “Let Me Calm Down” above.

Pink Friday 2 is out now via Republic. Find more information here.