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Stephen A. Smith uses First Take as a platform to argue with people about sports. But there’s much more to Smith that that, and usually, he explores topics that interest him outside of the world of sports on his podcast, “The Stephen A. Smith Show.”

Here’s an example: Smith apparently ran into a problem recently, as his two daughters promised their friends that he would buy all of them tickets to see Taylor Swift‘s currently tour, The Eras Tour. Now, as someone who went to this and can confirm that tickets to this thing cost an arm and a leg, I empathize with Smith, even though he makes a lot more money than I do. Smith had to buy 10 tickets, which came out to $20,000, but as an added bonus, he was able to get his hands on a pair of free tickets, which gave him the chance to attend. And as he explained, he was a fan.

“That’s the best concert I’ve ever been to in my life,” Smith said. “Excuse my language, but that sh*t was off the chain. Taylor Swift brought the damn house down. I was jamming to Taylor Swift. She was sensational. I’d pay to see her again. Seriously, I’m not joking. She was a superstar that night. That girl is special.”

Stephen A. Smith, if you would ever like to discuss The Eras Tour in depth, please reach out to us and we’ll happily talk about it with you.

Those darn Zoomers love hijacking millennial hits. The latest to give the prior generation’s musical faves a spin is Flo Milli, who samples Kelis’ 2003 hit “Milkshake” in her boastful, flirty new single, “Hot Box.” Going a step further, she also pays homage to the early-aughts classic with the accompanying music video, which sees Flo Milli as the driver/proprietor of an ice cream truck selling — what else? — delicious milkshakes with the help of a pair of seductive servers. Flo herself jumps out to show off her ‘fit, a super-short jean skirt and ultra low-cut camisole top, looking like she stepped out of a time machine from the 2000s.

“Milkshake” isn’t the only past hit she’s remixed lately. In July, she dropped a “FloMix” of Lil Wayne’s “A Milli,” joining a long list of rappers who’ve contributed their own vocal takes to Wayne’s smash. Earlier that month, she tackled Bay Area legend Too Short’s “Blow The Whistle.” (Incidentally, she’s the second artist to sample “Milkshake” in as many years — hopefully, Kelis won’t be as upset with her as she was with Beyoncé.)

More recently, she dropped a new single, “Fruit Loop,” ahead of announcing her third studio album, Fine Ho, Stay, which will presumably complete the trilogy of Ho, Why Is You Here? and You Still Here, Ho? Give that lady points for consistency. While “Hot Box” might not appear on Fine Ho, Stay, it’ll certainly help keep her on rap fans’ radars as she rolls out the completion of the hat trick.

Watch Flo Milli’s “Hot Box” video above.

Summer Walker and hundreds of social media users asked for a love prayer as intense as Ciara’s. All in the hopes of finding a healing love after heartbreak. But, as the singer points out in her new single, “Forever” with Lil Baby, prayer is just one of the many steps.

The track — co-produced by Jaydot, Precision Productions, and Theron Thomas — is a glimpse into the musician’s nearly decade-long marriage to NFL quarterback Russell Wilson. No matter how hard her famous ex’s fan base trolls their union, they somehow rise above it all while expanding their family (the pair or now on their third child together).

That perseverance is seemingly the inspiration behind the song’s opening verse, as Ciara sings, “Everyone’s hatin’, goin’ half on a baby / They think that I’m crazy / ‘Cause one night only can be enough / Some say I’m hatin’ because I be sayin’, ‘Love is amazin’/ I know I’m not the only one / Hold on, I want a real world together / If I’m trippin’, let me know / One plus another is better, babe / You spendin’ all your time alone.”

Lil Baby’s romantic history has been rocky, but that didn’t stop him from leaning into the record’s theme, rapping, “You ain’t gotta rush, it’s fine, baby / I’m the one you take your time with / Keep it for me, you gotta try sh*t / Made a bond, we gotta die with it / Head first, I done dived in / You the one, well, really you a ten / I know my mind like here she go again / We ain’t gotta standout, we could blend in / And I’ll make sure to give you my attention.”

Directors Taj and Dre expand upon the idea of happily ever after as the musician attend a glamorous wedding where they encourage their friends to leap into love.

Watch the video for “Forever” above.

CiCi is out now via Beauty Marked Entertainer, Inc. Find more information here.

Ahsoka has a lot riding on its shoulders. The latest Star Wars series arrives on the heels of The Mandalorian Season 3, which received a lackluster reception from fans. Factor in the tepid response to Secret Invasion, and it’s been a rough couple of months for Disney+. Ahsoka might just be the antidote.

Starring Rosario Dawson as the title character, the series focuses on Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice as she navigates the Star Wars universe following the collapse of the Empire and the death of her former master in Return of the Jedi. Ahsoka has already made cameo appearances in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, but this time around, she’s on her own adventure that is getting a warm reception on social media.

Even better, Disney+ has bumped up the Ahsoka release date. The series will now premiere its first two episodes on Tuesday August 23 at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST giving Star Wars fans a neat little treat for the evening.

Here’s what the critics are saying:

“Saw the first two episodes of #Ahsoka and I just sent to day I ****ing love you Dave Filoni,” Mark Pacis tweeted. “He created another series that is an eclectic mix of the best storytelling and character aspects of the Lucas era Star Wars and the visceral style of modern day Star Wars.”

“#Ahsoka is solid,” Darren Mooney wrote. “It’s refreshingly well-made, particularly following a run of Disney-brand streaming shows including ‘Secret Invasion’ and the third season of ‘The Mandalorian.’ It’s less interested in being great television than ‘Andor’, but content to be good ‘Star Wars.’”

“Somehow, #Ahsoka’s first two episodes effortlessly translate Dave Filoni’s animated continuity into live-action and then some,” Ben Wasserman tweeted. “@rosariodawson is killing it once again as Ahsoka and live-action Sabine/Hera retain all of their best Rebels traits.”

“Weirdly refreshing to be back to a Jedi story that doesn’t involve a Skywalker,” Matt Rorabeck wrote. “Feloni clearly gets *it*. Has that classic STAR WARS feel. Should be a thrill for both REBELS fans and those who have never watched. Lightsabers are cool.”

You can see more Ahsoka reactions below:

Ahsoka makes it two-episode premiere on August 22 at 9 ET/6 PT on Disney+.

One way — perhaps even the best way — to wring out the remaining magic of summer is by imbibing as many seasonal brews as possible between now and the end of September. It’s important to finish summer on your own terms, is the point here. It’s going to end and there’s no reason to whine and limp your way into autumn by giving up and drinking watery, generic-tasting, fizzy, yellow beers or by opting to skip right over the end of summer and jump into darker, maltier beers too early.

“During the end of summer, it is still hot here even though the nights may be cooling off some,” says Fal Allen, brewmaster at Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Boonville, California. “For beers during that season, I look for light and bright beers that are thirst-quenching and quaffable.”

Allen has the right idea and other experts agree with him. That’s why we asked some of our favorite craft brewing professionals and brewers to tell us about their picks for the best beers to drink as summer winds down. Keep scrolling to see the beers you should be stocking up on for the month ahead.

Ayinger Bräuweisse

Joe Straitiff, brewing manager at Half Acre Brewing in Chicago

ABV: 5.1%

Average Price: $5 for a 500ml bottle

The Beer:

I gravitate towards Hefeweizens as summer comes to a close. Ayinger’s Bräuweisse is my personal favorite. The low alcohol and high carbonation make it very refreshing and perfect for patio sipping.

Tasting Notes:

The soft mouthfeel and banana esters cling to summer, while the subtle phenolic clove is a reminder that fall is just around the corner.

Firestone Walker Pivo Pils

Nico Freccia, co-founder at COO at 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco

ABV: 5.3%

Average Price: $12 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Pivo Pils from Firestone Walker. It’s a new world twist on a classic old-world style. It’s amazingly good and amazingly refreshing. It’s tough to beat as an end of summer beer.

Tasting Notes:

It has the base of a classic German Pilsner with its crisp, dry, and refreshing malt character, with old-world bittering hops and then dry hopped with Saphir for a new-world aroma.

Ommegang Rare Vos

Brian Wendt, brewer at Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Waitsfield, Vermont

ABV: 6.5%

Average Price: $14 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Ommegang’s Rare Vos. It’s a beautiful Belgian-style amber with nice spiciness and complexity. It’s very smooth for those chilly nights at the end of summer.

Tasting Notes:

Brewed with orange peel, grains of paradise, and coriander, this amber ale is spicy, fruity, and filled with citrus flavor.

Stiegl Grapefruit Radler

Jared Williamson, lead brewer at Schlafly Brewing in St. Louis

ABV: 2.5%

Average Price: $12 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Stiegl Grapefruit Radler is light and refreshing and oh so easy to drink. Its low alcohol content means you can enjoy a few on a hot day and not feel bad about it.

Tasting Notes:

That bright citrus pop of grapefruit plays so well with the lager beer finish. As the summer days wane, this beer just highlights all the fun of the warmer months.

Jenlain Ambrée

George Hummel, grain master of My Local Brew Works in Philadelphia

ABV: 7.5%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

As summer winds down I like to transition from the spicy Saison I’ve enjoyed all summer to a more malty profile expressed by a good Biere De Garde. In a style so underrepresented in the selection available, sometimes you just have to go classic and pop open a Jenlain. To me, the style seems to be a mashup of a farmhouse ale and an Oktoberfest bier.

Tasting Notes:

The brew is malty with some notes of dry fruit, Earth, and mild spiciness. Just a great beer for the seasonal change.

Crux Fermentation Project Pilz

Bryan Donaldson, brewing innovation manager at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California

ABV: 5.2%

Average Price: $11 for a six-pack

The Beer:

If we think of the waning days of summer as August and September, here on the west coast we are just getting into the thick of some of the hottest days of the year, so I think of great end-of-summer beers as those that are light and refreshing, yet still full of flavor. That leads me to Crux Fermentation Project Pilz.

Tasting Notes:

Lovely pilsner malts, layered with Saaz and Sterling, lead to a slightly spicy/herbal note, while also bringing some biscuit flavor. A bit of citrus on the finish and there you have it.

Victory Prima Pils

Fal Allen, brew master at Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Boonville, California

ABV: 5.3%

Average Price: $11 for a six-pack

The Beer:

I want my end-of-summer beers to have some character, so I don’t want an American lite lager, but I would certainly love a fresh American version of a German-style pilsner – or something in that vein. A great choice is Victory Prima Pils, brewed with Tettnang, Hallertau, Spalt, and Saaz hops.

Tasting Notes:

This crisp, refreshing pilsner is floral, gently spicy, and layered with complex noble hops.

River North Festbier

Ryan Pachmayer, head brewer at Yak and Yeti Restaurant and Brewpub in Arvada, Colorado

ABV: 5.3%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

River North Festbier. They were one of the earlier breweries to make pale festbier in Denver and they do it so well. Especially as a garden-type beer in those evenings when it starts to cool.

Tasting Notes:

On cool nights, you can handle a little extra alcohol, but it’s still a smooth, malt-forward beer with a balancing hop presence.

Phase Three Czech-style Pilsner

Garth Beyer, certified Cicerone and owner of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin

ABV: 5.2%

Average Price: $11 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Phase Three Czech-style Pilsner is brewed with Bohemian malt, which gives it an exceptional cracker-y base, slightly doughy flavor, and electric yeast character. The Saaz hops shine through with mixed earthy spice flavors.

Tasting Notes:

This is one of my favorite pilsners because it’s not clean and thin, but not heavy and hazy; it’s the perfect transition pilsner from summer’s crispy boys and autumn’s Oktoberfest beers.

Deschutes Fresh Squeezed

Andrew Hueston, USBG bartender at El Vez in Philadelphia

ABV: 6.4%

Average Price: $11 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Picking a beer for summer’s last gasp is difficult. If I had to pick just one, Deschutes Fresh Squeezed WIPA I think helps maximize the last moments of summer.

Tasting Notes:

Brewed with Citra and Mosaic hops, it’s juicy and filled with tropical fruit flavors and bright pine. It’s a great beer to sip as you await the return of autumn.

Tyler The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival is returning this year after taking a few years off and, of course, in typical Tyler The Creator fashion, the rollout for the festival is going big. After making the announcement of its return to Dodger Stadium on November 11-12 in Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar’s “The Hillbillies” video, the festival is revealing its lineup via a Twitch livestream on the Camp Flog Gnaw website. Painters are putting a mural of the flyer on the side of Tyler’s Golf store on Fairfax in Los Angeles.

It was speculated that Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar would be the headliners, but it looks like it’ll be a while before we find out for sure. So far, AG Club, Fana Hues, Paris Texas, Balming Tiger, Teezo Touchdown, Ravyn Lenae, Daisy World, Spinall, Maxo, Mike G, Left Brain, Maxo Kream, Khamari, and Liv.e as performers for this year’s festival.

Announcing the headliners via a livestream could be Tyler’s way to make up for the misstep of 2019, when he tried to surprise fans with a Drake appearance, but they wound up booing him instead as they hoped for a set from the notoriously mysterious Frank Ocean (who has ties to Tyler through their early work as members of Odd Future).

Further down the lineup, more names are being revealed as a large mural is being painted live; we’ll continue to update as we learn who else is going to be included in this year’s festival. In the past, the carnival has included such big names as ASAP Rocky, HER, Jaden, Juice WRLD, Kid Cudi, Lana Del Rey, Lauryn Hill, Mac Miller, Migos, Post Malone, Solange, SZA, Vince Staples, and more — many before their superstardom — so expect to see at least a few stars of the future.

Madison Beer is gearing up for the release of her sophomore album Silence Between Songs, arriving next month. “Home To Another One” was a sprawling, dreamlike meditation on an ex. Her new single “Spinnin’” is another intriguing taste of the record.

“This song is a reflection of a time when everything seemed to stand still,” Beer said in a statement. “I felt like every day was a cycle and I was stuck in such an anxious place, yet I could finally explore the thoughts and emotions in my head. I dreamed of a video that was cinematic and visually striking that brought those emotions to life, and I’m so proud of what we created.”

The existential ballad captures the singer’s disorientation as she ponders: “Did the world stop spinnin’? / Am I frozen in time? / ‘Cause the birds stopped singin’ / Are we flawed by design?” against a capricious sonic backdrop. It builds into a grand anthem, becoming a poignant pop whirlwind. The video reflects this, as Beer runs through a stagnant world — unmoving traffic and an empty field — not unlike the 2021 film The Worst Person In The World.

Watch the video for “Spinnin’” above.

Silence Between Songs is out 9/15 via Epic Records. Find more information here.

The endlessly opinionated musician Nick Cave will be performing double duty while on the road this fall. As Cave returns to the national music stage with a full North American tour, he will simultaneously embark on a literary tour. With the paperback edition of the “Carnage” musician’s 2022 book — Faith, Hope, And Carnage, co-written with journalist Seán O’Hagan — slated to hit stands next month, the entertainer will be dropping into several local spots for a book tour and signings.

On select dates, Cave will be joined by O’Hagan to discuss the work much more candidly, including on October 5 in New York City at 92nd Street Y. Cave has spoken at lengths about his disdain for interviews, but as the delicate focus of the book (inspired by the untimely death of his son Jethro Lazenby), he’s used open dialog, especially with fans to help him navigate his grief.

During an interview with the New Yorker‘s Amanda Petrusich, Cave echoed this, saying, “It’s ironic because, for Faith, Hope, And Carnage, I ended up speaking to Seán O’Hagan for fifty hours, or something like that. But it was well understood that I didn’t want to talk about music in particular and that I didn’t want to talk about my life in a conventional way. We were able to talk about other things. Since doing this, I have come to see the interview as almost an art form in itself. I found out, to my bewilderment and amazement, that interviews, or conversations, could actually be a way of communicating! I’d never really considered an interview to be that before.”

View the full Faith, Hope, And Carnage book tour dates below.

09/23 — Washington, D.C. @ Politics and Prose
09/30 — Chicago, IL @ Seminary Co-op Bookstores
10/05 — New York, NY @ Strand Bookstore*
10/05 — New York, NY @ 92nd Street Y*
10/11 — Boston, MA @ Harvard Book Store
10/18 — Nashville, TN @ Parnassus Books
10/24 — Austin, TX @ BookPeople
10/30 — Los Angeles, CA @ Book Soup

* with Seán O’Hagan

The Faith, Hope, And Carnage book tour tickets are available now. Find more information here.

If Carmy has a new love interest in season three of The Bear, maybe she can be played by Alexa Demie?

That would be star Jeremy Allen White‘s preference, at least, based on a comment he made on the Euphoria actress’ Instagram page. “Wow,” he wrote in response to a seductive Calvin Klein ad where she’s trying on lingerie sets. (As far as stories about celebrities oversharing on Instagram go, this one is harmless.) According to E! Online, Demie, who despite playing a high school student on the HBO series is 32 years old, “did not respond to his remark, though she did leave four heart emojis in the comments section of the post.”

Jeremy’s comment comes three months after his wife, Californication alum Addison Timlin, filed paperwork at a Los Angeles court to end their three-year marriage. In divorce documents obtained by E! News, Addison, who shares daughters Ezer, 4, and Dolores, 2, with Jeremy, listed Sept. 9, 2022 as their date of separation and cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for split.

Despite the separation, Allen White and Timlin are “getting along,” a source told People. “They love their children and all spend time together. When she filed for divorce, she was upset. Things have settled a bit.”

You can see the post that had Allen White all riled up below.

(Via E! Online)

aespa just kicked off their SYNK: Hyper Line World Tour following their release of their mini album MY WORLD in May. Along with all this, member WINTER threw the first pitch at a New York Yankees game in June. They’re back now with the new song “Better Things.”

The sassy anthem has the group proclaiming that they have better things to do after a failed relationship: “I wasn’t ever sure that I loved you / But I was always sure you would let me down / I wasn’t ever sure if I’d trust you / But I’m so g*ddamn sure my energy is just too precious to waste.” It’s a triumphant track that properly follows up MY WORLD, proving they’re not slowing down any time soon.

About being a group, aespa told Uproxx in our March cover story, “To be completely honest, we weren’t exactly sure how the concept would pan out in the long run,” said WINTER. “Especially how long and how big it would pan out in the future. But at the same time, we appreciated the refreshing and unfamiliar concept.”

Listen to “Better Things” above.

aespa is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.