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How Cities Are Celebrating Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ Coming To Town

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Taylor Swift has played 59 shows during her record-breaking The Eras Tour. She has three more this weekend in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the country’s most famous landmark, the Christ the Redeemer statue, will reportedly be projected with a shirt from one of Swift’s music videos.

Rio isn’t the first city to hand the proverbial (or sometimes literal) key to to Swift, and it won’t be the last, not with how much money is pumped into the local economy wherever she goes. Here are 10 of the more memorable city-wide takeovers so far.

Glendale, Arizona Becomes Swift City

The Eras Tour kicked off at the same stadium in Arizona as the Super Bowl. But was the city renamed for Super Bowl MVP (and teammate of future Swift boyfriend, Travis Kelce)? Nope. But it was for Swift. “And now therefore, I, Jerry P. Weiers, mayor of the city of Glendale, on behalf of our city council, do hereby proclaim that on March 17 and 18, 2023, the city of Glendale will be renamed Swift City,” Mayor Jerry Weiers proclaimed.

Las Vegas, Nevada Lights The Gateway Arches

Sin City? More like Swift City. The Gateway Arches were lit to reflect the colors of Swift’s albums.

Arlington, Texas Renames A Road To Taylor Swift Way

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the love for Taylor Swift. Arlington’s Randol Mill Road was ceremoniously renamed to Taylor Swift Way, while city hall was lit red, a reference to her 2012 album.

Houston, Texas Gets A New Stadium Name

NRG Stadium became NRG Stadium (Taylor’s Version) when The Eras Tour came to Space City. “We know all too well that other areas have done huge things,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a message on then-Twitter. “They’ve lit up the town; they’ve renamed streets, they’ve even made you mayor for a day. But we’re going to something even better. I know if I did any of that, folks would say that I am the man.”

Tampa, Florida Gives The Key To The City To Swift

By the time Swift came to the Sunshine State, it was a competition to see which city would throw themselves at her the most. “We are so excited to welcome you to Tampa. We know Glendale changed its name, Arlington made a street sign, and Vegas illuminated their Gateway Arches, but here in Tampa, we’ve got a reputation to uphold. We want to go bigger. So I want to present you with a key to the city,” Mayor Jane Castor announced. She was also invited to be the city’s honorary mayor for a day.

Nashville, Tennessee Dedicates A Bench

Nashville was a hometown show of sorts for Swift. To celebrate, a bench in Centennial Park (which was name-checked in the folklore track “invisible string”) was dedicated to her. “A bench for you to read on at Centennial Park. Welcome home, Nashville,” the plague reads.

East Rutherford, New Jersey Gets A New State Sandwich

Swift wrote a song about New York, but New Jersey named a sandwich after her. Check and mate. “In New Jersey, we have a reputation for a great war between Taylor ham and pork roll. Usually we let you call it what you want, but since we have a superstar coming to town, we know all too well that we should commemorate the occasion,” governor Phil Murphy said in a video on X. “So today we are declaring the official state sandwich of New Jersey a Taylor Swift Ham Egg and Cheese.” There is no higher distinction in New Jersey.

Minneapolis, Minnesota Is Now Swiftie-apolis

Minneapolis wasn’t the first city to change its name to something Swift-y, but it did have the best rebranding. From Mayor Jacob Frey: “We are renaming Minneapolis to ‘Swiftie-apolis’ – as a singer, songwriter, performer and producer, Taylor is one of the most popular artists, and we’re expecting hundreds of thousands to visit our downtown and experience our city as a result.”

Seattle, Washington Has A New Honorary Geologist

Before her show at Lumen Field literally caused seismic activity, Swift was named an Honorary Geologist by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22 reasons Ms. Swift has been just as influential in shaping our world as the tectonic plates beneath us,” geologist Casey Hanell said. “Her arrival has ushered in one of the most significant eras in Earth’s history, ranking right up there with the breakup of the Pangea supercontinent, which is never ever ever… getting back together.” She even got a cute certification.

Santa Clara, California Transforms Into Swiftie Clara

Swift’s sold-out run at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium was immortalized in the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film, but she played another California city the week prior. Santa Clara, the home of Levi’s Stadium, became Swiftie Clara.

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Give The Gift Of ‘Guts’ This Holiday Season With Olivia Rodrigo’s Festive New Merch Line

The Drop- Olivia Rodrigo at The GRAMMY Museum 2023
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Olivia Rodrigo received the ultimate stocking-stuffer last week when The Recording Academy nominated her six times for the 2024 Grammys. And Guts, her sophomore album, really is the gift that keeps on giving because Rodrigo just dropped holiday-themed merch on Thursday, November 16. Breaking your bank account on the 16 new items on Rodrigo’s official website is a bad idea, right? Wrong!

Actually, it won’t break your holiday budget — unless you plan to buy it all, which, fair — as you can see by the product listing below:

  • $12: Guts sticker pack
  • $15: Guts ornament
  • $20: “Spill Ur Guts” mug
  • $20: Purple lacy bow set
  • $20: Black lacy bow set
  • $25: Guts stocking
  • $25: Guts stationary set
  • $30: Guts over-the-knee socks
  • $35: “Gutsy” necklace
  • $40: Purple glittering Guts T-shirt
  • $40: Red glittering Guts T-shirt
  • $45: GUTS pajama top
  • $45: GUTS pajama shorts
  • $50: “Spill Your Guts” long-sleeve T-shirt
  • $75: Guts blanket
  • $85: Guts pajama set

After the holiday season, Rodrigo will embark on her Guts World Tour, beginning on February 23, 2024 at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.

“I’m getting it all together right now, brainstorming everything,” Rodrigo told The Hollywood Reporter of her tour preparation while attending the premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes this week. “I’m running on the treadmill right now singing my songs, because I want to be able to jump up and down and sing the songs. I think it’s going to be really fun. I want the show to feel like a great place for people to scream and jump around and let loose.”

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‘I Don’t Care Where I Bite’: The GOP Senator And Ex-MMA Fighter Who Threatened To Fight The Teamsters Chief Is Making It Very Weird

Markwayne Mullin
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This week has been a little stranger (than usual) for Congress. Specifically, that refers to Tuesday, when multiple displays of faux-machismo included Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin attempting to flex against Teamsters President Sean O’Brien. Mullin, whose Senate Senate bio brags that he is a “former undefeated Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter with a professional record of 5-0,” seemed to be particularly upset that O’Brien had previously tweeted a photo of Mullin standing on a lift during a debate and allegedly having “#LittleManSyndrome.”

There’s a history there, as well, with Mullin also shouting for O’Brien to “shut your mouth!” during a spring Senate hearing. Mullin claimed that the Teamsters had once loitered outside his Oklahoma plumbing company, but this week’s altercation got uglier with Mullin standing up and actually readying to fight, which prompted Bernie Sanders to step in and calm down the nonsense.

This all makes Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s frenemies adventure seem more civilized, but everything is relative. And if you thought Mullin would be content with this outcome, nope. He’s now enjoying this spotlight and visited with right-wing podcaster Kyle Thompson, where he revealed his willingness to “bite,” and it doesn’t matter where, so get ready.

“I will bite. I’ll bite 100%. In a fight, I’m gonna bite,” Mullin insisted. “I’m not above it, and I don’t care where I bite, by the way, it’s just…gonna be a bite.”

That wasn’t all. The very same day that Mullin tried to throw down on C-SPAN, he hopped onto Fox News and told Hannity that this was an example of “Oklahoma values.” Oh boy. And to think, this whole outpouring began over a height joke. The GOP’s 2023 is not going out quietly, y’all.

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When Does Baby Keem’s ‘The Melodic Blue’ Movie Come Out?

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The Hillbillies, more or less an alter-ego duo of cousins Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar, headlined Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival last weekend. Before their set, a mysterious trailer played on the stage’s screen for what we now know to be Baby Keem’s forthcoming The Melodic Blue visual. This morning, November 16, a press release confirmed that The Melodic Blue will be available to globally stream on Amazon Prime Video on December 5.

“Keem’s internal battle leads us through fragments of memory and temptation as he navigates the depths of The Melodic Blue,” the press release teased.

The Melodic Blue first arrived as Baby Keem’s major-label debut album in September 2021, which Uproxx’s Wongo Okon reviewed as “Baby Keem’s attempt to balance his individuality with a reduced dose of his trademarked chaotic energy.” Keem dropped a deluxe version in October 2022.

According to the press release, The Melodic Blue visual was directed by Savannah Setten. It stars acclaimed actress Amandla Stenberg opposite Keem, Shakira Ja’nai Paye, Francis Lovehall, and Séréna Sy. The visual presented by Eerie Times, pgLang, and Amazon Music was co-executive produced Keem, Kendrick Lamar, and Dave Free. Jamie Rabineau and Cornell Brown are also credited producers.

See the official poster below.

Baby Keem The Melodic Blue poster
Copyyright to pgLang/Amazon Music
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When Does Baby Keem’s ‘The Melodic Blue’ Movie Come Out?

baby-keem.jpeg
Getty Image

The Hillbillies, more or less an alter-ego duo of cousins Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar, headlined Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival last weekend. Before their set, a mysterious trailer played on the stage’s screen for what we now know to be Baby Keem’s forthcoming The Melodic Blue visual. This morning, November 16, a press release confirmed that The Melodic Blue will be available to globally stream on Amazon Prime Video on December 5.

“Keem’s internal battle leads us through fragments of memory and temptation as he navigates the depths of The Melodic Blue,” the press release teased.

The Melodic Blue first arrived as Baby Keem’s major-label debut album in September 2021, which Uproxx’s Wongo Okon reviewed as “Baby Keem’s attempt to balance his individuality with a reduced dose of his trademarked chaotic energy.” Keem dropped a deluxe version in October 2022.

According to the press release, The Melodic Blue visual was directed by Savannah Setten. It stars acclaimed actress Amandla Stenberg opposite Keem, Shakira Ja’nai Paye, Francis Lovehall, and Séréna Sy. The visual presented by Eerie Times, pgLang, and Amazon Music was co-executive produced Keem, Kendrick Lamar, and Dave Free. Jamie Rabineau and Cornell Brown are also credited producers.

See the official poster below.

Baby Keem The Melodic Blue poster
Copyyright to pgLang/Amazon Music
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André 3000 Actually Tries To Write Raps ‘All The Time’ But Explained Why ‘It Feels Inauthentic’ Sometimes

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André 3000 is keenly aware that fans have been desperate for an album from him since Outkast’s 2006 disbanding. The iconic rapper has addressed it several times, including in December 2019, when he told Rick Rubin that an album was “just not coming” because ” my focus is not there; my confidence is not there.” Really, André 3000 has appeared perhaps his most publicly confident when playing his flute to strangers, so it should come as no surprise that his long-awaited, newly announced solo album, New Blue Sun, is purely instrumental.

In a newly published GQ cover profile, André 3000 explained why New Blue Sun is not a rap album.

“I’ve worked with some of the newest, freshest, youngest, and old-school producers,” he told writer Zach Baron. “I get beats all the time. I try to write all the time. […] Even now people think, Oh, man, he’s just sitting on raps, or he’s just holding these raps hostage. I ain’t got no raps like that.”

He continued, “It actually feels…sometimes it feels inauthentic for me to rap because I don’t have anything to talk about in that way. I’m 48 years old. And not to say that age is a thing that dictates what you rap about, but in a way it does. And things that happen in my life, like, what are you talking about? ‘I got to go get a colonoscopy.’ What are you rapping about? ‘My eyesight is going bad.’ You can find cool ways to say it, but….”

Not-so-coincidentally, the opening track on New Blue Sun is titled “I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time.”

See the cover artwork and full tracklist below.

Andre 3000 New Blue Sun
Epic Records

1. “I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time”
2. “The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off The Tongue With Far Better Ease Than The Proper Word Vagina. Do You Agree?”
3. “That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control … Sh¥t Was Wild”
4. “BuyPoloDisorder’s Daughter Wears A 3000™ Button Down Embroidered”
5. “Ninety Three ‘Til Infinity And Beyoncé”
6. “Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, And John Wayne Gacy”
7. “Ants To You, Gods To Who?”
8. “Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens”

New Blue Sun is out 11/17 via Epic Records. Find more information here.

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André 3000 Actually Tries To Write Raps ‘All The Time’ But Explained Why ‘It Feels Inauthentic’ Sometimes

andre-3000-getty-top.jpg
Getty Image

André 3000 is keenly aware that fans have been desperate for an album from him since Outkast’s 2006 disbanding. The iconic rapper has addressed it several times, including in December 2019, when he told Rick Rubin that an album was “just not coming” because ” my focus is not there; my confidence is not there.” Really, André 3000 has appeared perhaps his most publicly confident when playing his flute to strangers, so it should come as no surprise that his long-awaited, newly announced solo album, New Blue Sun, is purely instrumental.

In a newly published GQ cover profile, André 3000 explained why New Blue Sun is not a rap album.

“I’ve worked with some of the newest, freshest, youngest, and old-school producers,” he told writer Zach Baron. “I get beats all the time. I try to write all the time. […] Even now people think, Oh, man, he’s just sitting on raps, or he’s just holding these raps hostage. I ain’t got no raps like that.”

He continued, “It actually feels…sometimes it feels inauthentic for me to rap because I don’t have anything to talk about in that way. I’m 48 years old. And not to say that age is a thing that dictates what you rap about, but in a way it does. And things that happen in my life, like, what are you talking about? ‘I got to go get a colonoscopy.’ What are you rapping about? ‘My eyesight is going bad.’ You can find cool ways to say it, but….”

Not-so-coincidentally, the opening track on New Blue Sun is titled “I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time.”

See the cover artwork and full tracklist below.

Andre 3000 New Blue Sun
Epic Records

1. “I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time”
2. “The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off The Tongue With Far Better Ease Than The Proper Word Vagina. Do You Agree?”
3. “That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control … Sh¥t Was Wild”
4. “BuyPoloDisorder’s Daughter Wears A 3000™ Button Down Embroidered”
5. “Ninety Three ‘Til Infinity And Beyoncé”
6. “Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, And John Wayne Gacy”
7. “Ants To You, Gods To Who?”
8. “Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens”

New Blue Sun is out 11/17 via Epic Records. Find more information here.

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Why Is Snoop Dogg Quitting Smoking Weed?

Why Is Snoop Dogg Quitting Smoking Weed?
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Earlier today Snoop Dogg shocked the world by announcing that he’s “giving up smoke” after conversations with his family. And while he requested that his privacy be respected, one can’t help but wonder… WHY is Snoop Dogg giving up smoking, after basically building his brand on it for the past 30 years?

It’s not the first time Snoop said he was going cold turkey on his favorite vegetable. In January this year, Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired a 20-year retrospective in which Snoop declared he was quitting weed back in 2003. After asking Snoop what he remembered from their first episode (“organized confusion”), Kimmel recalled Snoop telling him he quite smoking marijuana and asked him how that was going. “Well, I guess I’ve relapsed,” Snoop joked before experiencing a bit of word flight. “See? That’s what happens,” Jimmy quipped.

Snoop, who’s smoked with everyone from Ed Sheeran to (allegedly) Barack Obama, is so notorious for his love of the chronic that he’s had to shoot down smoke stories on rare occasions. Last year, his pre-game activities from the Super Bowl drew scrutiny from the New York Post (which then drew ridicule for the rag from the users of Twitter) and in November, he called out his supposed blunt roller for exaggerating the amount of weed he smokes in a day.

Until Snoop explains himself, though, all fans can do is speculate — and make jokes about their disbelief. Check out a few below.

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Why Is Snoop Dogg Quitting Smoking Weed?

Why Is Snoop Dogg Quitting Smoking Weed?
Getty Image

Earlier today Snoop Dogg shocked the world by announcing that he’s “giving up smoke” after conversations with his family. And while he requested that his privacy be respected, one can’t help but wonder… WHY is Snoop Dogg giving up smoking, after basically building his brand on it for the past 30 years?

It’s not the first time Snoop said he was going cold turkey on his favorite vegetable. In January this year, Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired a 20-year retrospective in which Snoop declared he was quitting weed back in 2003. After asking Snoop what he remembered from their first episode (“organized confusion”), Kimmel recalled Snoop telling him he quite smoking marijuana and asked him how that was going. “Well, I guess I’ve relapsed,” Snoop joked before experiencing a bit of word flight. “See? That’s what happens,” Jimmy quipped.

Snoop, who’s smoked with everyone from Ed Sheeran to (allegedly) Barack Obama, is so notorious for his love of the chronic that he’s had to shoot down smoke stories on rare occasions. Last year, his pre-game activities from the Super Bowl drew scrutiny from the New York Post (which then drew ridicule for the rag from the users of Twitter) and in November, he called out his supposed blunt roller for exaggerating the amount of weed he smokes in a day.

Until Snoop explains himself, though, all fans can do is speculate — and make jokes about their disbelief. Check out a few below.

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Channel Tres, Drama, And Ty Segall Lead The First Wave Of The 2024 Treefort Music Fest Lineup

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The Treefort Music Fest — an annual event held in downtown Boise, Idaho — unveiled the first wave of their 2024 lineup. Right now, Channel Tres, Drama, and Ty Segall are leading as the top-billed performers.

The festival will be held on March 20 to 24 next year and is set to take place in Julia Davis Park.

Others that have been announced so far include Devendra Banhart, Neko Case, Franc Moody, Dehd, Celisse, DakhaBrakha, K.Flay, Briston Maroney, Armand Hammer, Daði Freyr, Dry Cleaning, Shamir, Patrick Watson, A Place To Bury Strangers, and many more.

Along with musicians, there will be a Comedyfort — with Janeane Garofalo headlining for one night on Saturday, March 23.

Five-day passes to Treefort Music Fest are on sale now. There are a few different tiers, including standard General Admission, Zipline (which includes front-of-line access), and Under 21 options. Right now, these range from $170 to $420, depending on the pass chosen — but prices will be rising after the new year.

For those interested in single-day tickets, those will be available starting next month. Finally, festival attendees have the option to bundle their tickets with a hotel, which will also include a discount on Treefort merchandise.

More information about the lineup and tickets for Treefort Music Festival 2024 can be found through their official website.

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