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A little over three months removed from the release of his joint album with The Alchemist and Larry June, Life Is Beautiful, 2 Chainz has already begun rolling out his latest project, a short film called Red Clay. Naturally, he’s also recorded a soundtrack for it, consisting so far of two tracks: last week’s “ATL Experience” featuring The Isley Brothers, and today’s new release, “Sista Wives” featuring fellow ATLlien Lil Yachty.

Over a positively frantic Buddah Bless beat, the two rappers reel off some boastful raps full of the colorful flexes we’ve come to expect from both, with no choruses. All gas, no brakes. As for why it’s called “Sista Wives,” well, blame Yachty, who mutters, “Just because your friends hit it, don’t think that y’all sister wives,” in his laconic first verse. Meanwhile, an animated 2 Chainz dispenses his own unusual boasts, bragging, “Told my lawyer, ‘I’ma call you back, this my other lawyer,’” which is just objectively funny.

Red Clay, which Chainz co-wrote alongside veteran actor Omar Epps, premiered at the Atlanta Film Festival on May 3. It was directed by Christian Nolan Jones, who won best short film at the festival two years before. The story revolves around a teenager facing a challenging upbringing named Nook.

Watch 2 Chainz’s “Sista Wives” video featuring Lil Yachty above.

Quiet as it was kept (for some reason), Latto had one of the best albums of 2024 in Sugar Honey Iced Tea, which spawned a number of fan-favorite yet somehow also underrated singles including “Big Mama,” “Brokey,” and “Blick Sum.”

Now, less than a year removed from her latest album, she kicks off her campaign for 2025 with a romantic single, “Somebody.” Borrowing a couple of lines from Aaliyah, Latto informs a romantic interest: “I really need somebody, tell me you that somebody / I don’t care about your bodies / Love the way you touch my body.” Later in the song, she admits, “You make it so hard to be P / Got me wearin’ my heart on my sleeve / I be missin’ you soon as you leave.” Yup, it sounds like she’s sprung.

The song’s a slight departure from the usual uptempo and harder hitting singles she usually comes out swinging with, but perhaps that’s the point. She’s already got the streets in her pocket; by getting the lover girls on her side, Latto will have a solid foundation for a new album to build on her prior work and finally get her the recognition (and commercial performance) she deserves.

Listen to Latto’s “Somebody” above.

Long Beach bred soul singer Giveon is back and embracing classic sounds in his new single “Rather Be.” Borrowing ’60s soul’s penchant for lush instrumentation and good, old-fashioned begging, Giveon tells his woman he’d rather be a fool with her than start over with someone else. “I’d rather be a fool than believe in someone new / I’d rather be with you,” he croons. “Any other half with someone who is not even half of you.”

“Rather Be” is the first we’ve heard from the singer since his Febrary single “Twenties,” in which he debuted his snazzy, new, buttoned-up style. The new look continues in the video for “Rather Be,” directed by Loris Russier, who’s previously worked with Tems, Future, and even Fortnite. There’s a clean-cut, cosmopolitan aesthetic, very reminiscent of the work of Solange Knowles, planting Giveon and his band in balanced compositions around an architectural marvel.

With two new singles out, it’s likely only a matter of time until Giveon releases a follow-up to his 2022 debut album, Give Or Take. On its release, Give Or Take debuted at No. 11 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 5 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, so a new album could be among the hits that have contributed to R&B’s resurgence over the past few years.

Watch Giveon’s “Rather Be” video above.

The flags are out for the F1 film soundtrack. After starting fans’ engines with Don Toliver and Doja Cat’s “Lose My Mind,” and shifting into gear with Rosé and her contribution “Messy,” the curators behind the high-octane racing film’s soundtrack rev their engines with Dom Dolla and his pulse-pounding single, “No Room For A Saint” featuring Nathan Nicholson.

If you’ve listened to Dom’s collaborations with Kid Cudi or Nelly Furtado, or caught one of his recent live sets at a festival, you already know what to expect here: A roaring beat, hypnotic melody, and an earworm hook that’ll loop in your head like the titular performance vehicles as they chase that checkered flag to the podium.

F1, which is due in theaters on June 27, will follow Brad Pitt’s aging racer as he’s recruited to mentor a hotshot new driver (Damson Idris) in his last chance to prove he can still keep up with the field. If it sounds a little like the plot to Pixar’s Cars 3, I don’t know what to tell you. It’s racing. You just wanna watch the cars go fast and if nothing else, they’ll sound cool doing it.

Listen to Dom Dolla’s “No Room For A Saint” above.

F1 is due in theaters on June 27.

Rihanna is back with “Friend Of Mine,” her first new song since 2022’s “Lift Me Up.” Like its predecessor, “Friend Of Mine” hails from an upcoming film soundtrack for Smurfs, in which she’ll also play female Smurf, Smurfette, (“Lift Me Up” appeared in the Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever). However, unlike that song, “Friend Of Mine” throws out some of the musical conventions we’ve seen Rihanna employ in the past, really leaning into her promise that her next album won’t be “commercial or radio digestible” with a pulsating EDM track and sparse vocals that find Rihanna playing more her own hype woman.

The video is a simple, understated endeavor, with Rihanna walking through a set resembling the Smurfs’ forest village. When she gets to Papa Smurf’s house, she opens the door, transitioning the video to a stream of scenes from the upcoming animated film.

Rihanna recently announced that she’s on pregnancy number three with ASAP Rocky after keeping the impending bundle of joy a secret until last week’s Met Gala. However, she said that pregnancy won’t prevent her from working on her next album, which fans have been demanding since 2016’s Anti.

Watch Rihanna’s “Friend Of Mine” video above.

Smurfs premieres in theaters on July 18.

Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez discuss the creation of their new album and debate which of them really said “I love you” first in a new short film, conveniently titled I Said I Love You First, same as the album itself.

The film includes both conversations about their joint creative process and intimate performances of songs from the album in their home, with Selena crediting Benny with having a more “diverse, interesting” musical palette than hers, and Benny complimenting his fiancée’s creativity.

They also discuss the challenges of figuring out a system for working together, with Selena admitting that “I didn’t want you in the room” while recording, because “it’s hard having producers in the room, but you make it easy.” The key, they discover, is communication, something that we get to see for the first time in their sweet short.

“Sometimes, people like to make stuff that’s so perfect and so put-together, but what makes you so special… is it’s rough around the edges and real,” Benny tells her. She replies, “The easiest thing about the process… your notes are always extremely generous and never dismissive of the qualities I do have.”

Watch the “I Said I Love You First” short film above.

About a month ago, Nas’ label, Mass Appeal, announced Legend Has It…, an upcoming slate of albums — including one from a secret artist. Today, they revealed who the artist was via Nas’ social media and a cinematic trailer; Slick Rick, whose last album, The Art Of Storytelling, was released over 25 years ago in 1999. Talk about your “epic returns.” The album is called Victory, and is due on June 13 alongside a “visual album” that the trailer says was filmed over the course of four years, helmed by executive producer Idris Elba and premiering at SXSW London and Tribeca Film Festival the same day.

The trailer features black-and-white shots of a slew of young men, ranging from elementary school aged to elderly, wearing Rick’s iconic eye patch, as Rick narrates. “Before there was motion pictures, you had be able to make people visualize through your mouth, through your poetry,” he says. “Let the mind fly.”

In addition to Victory, the Legend Has It… initiative will include new albums from a group of New York rap pioneers and staples, including the late Big L, De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, and Raekwon. Starting with Slick Rick’s return is one hell of a way to kick things off, and promises great things from the project.

You can watch the tailer for Victory above.

Victory is due on June 13 via Mass Appeal and 7Wallace. For info on the film premieres, click here (SXSW London) and here (Tribeca).

Ladies and gents, the rappers are rapping in 2025. Inspired the pugilistic vibes of the year previous, respected word slingers like Joey Badass and rising stars like Ray Vaughn are stepping into the booth with cruel (but sportsmanlike) intentions. The latest dispatch comes from the Brooklyn rapper, who responds to the Long Beach Top Dawg representative’s day-old diss “Hoe Era” with the deprecatory (and timely) “The Finals.” The NBA finals are still a couple of weeks away (at best) but hey, it’s never too early to get a jump on the search engines.

This time, Joey goes for the jugular, making sure to mention Ray’s name multiple times and predicting a short stay on the TDE roster for his opponent. “I let ’em rot while I charge ’em for top dollar / You’re the next n**** gettin’ dropped off thе Top roster,” he sneers. “And I’ma be the Rеason, okay, bet / You sick dog, lookin’ for beef with a seasoned vet.” Reason, of course, infamously agitated for a release from his contract with the label last year, releasing his first independent project this year (check out our interview with him about it here).

At the end of the track, Joey returns his attention to his true target: Kendrick Lamar, with whom he’s had a friendly competition since Kendrick’s notorious “Control” verse put the rap game on notice in 2014. “I salute you Kenny, but I know you well aware,” he warns. “You lookin’ for some competition? Then just know that I’ll be right here.”

Listen to Joey Badass’ “The Finals” above.

Dexter Morgan is alive. This isn’t news and shouldn’t be news, considering that TV’s most beloved serial killer overcame sailing into a hurricane in the Dexter series finale. He also somehow survived a supposedly fatal gunshot wound in the New Blood finale, and this is a world where the Trinity Killer is apparently also still kicking, so all good? Additionally, the Original Sin prequel series will return for an additional season, so let’s just roll with the delicious absurdity on what to expect from Showtime’s Dexter: Resurrection.

Release Date

Finally, we know that Dexter: Resurrection will throw out knives on July 11 on streaming (for subscribers of Paramount+ with Showtime) and July 13 on Showtime. From there, word on The Trinity Killer series will be forthcoming, and Resurrection is also aiming for multiple seasons. This teaser video sets the tone for Hall’s in-the-flesh return. What a stinker.

Plot

After the Original Sin pilot episode revealed that Dexter didn’t bleed out due to the cold temps in Iron Lake, New York, the sequel series will take him to the Big Apple. How he manages to do so despite law enforcement’s existence, nobody knows, and there will also be some parts of this show set in Miami, probably for Angel Batista’s POV. Michael C. Hall, however, was spotted acting relatively carefree on the New York set with co-stars Krysten Ritter and David Dastmalchian. It also looks like Dexter is a sharp-dressed man now.

Original series showrunner Clyde Phillips has returned for this sequel series, and he recently told Vanity Fair that Hall made this happen with an irresistible pitch. “Michael said, ‘Dexter is in my bones, and I know what’s in your bones, Clyde. Can you figure out a way to undo what we did at the end of New Blood? Is there a way to make him survive?’” he implored. A week later, Phillips and executive producer Scott Reynolds had a “yes” for their main dude. As such, this show will give Dexter a “new beginning” in a city where “you can be lost and found” with Dexter locating himself.

What does that mean? Again, ambiguity prevails, but ComicBook points towards franchise writer Scott Reynolds posting a photo of blood slides on Instagram. As Dexter aficionados know, he did stop keeping blood-slide souvenirs of his targets during the latter part of Dexter. So, which killer do these new slides belong to: Dexter, Harrison, or somebody else? Your guess is as good as ours, and Showtime must like it that way because secrecy has been paramount (for this show that will stream on Paramount Plus).

Speaking of Harrison, Dexter will track down his son “fairly quickly,” according to Clyde Phillips via Vanity Fair. He will then hesitate to make his presence known due to the following question: “Is it going to screw him up to have a zombie dad?” Well, Harrison is already screwed up with a Dark Passenger aboard, so buckle up, Dad. Phillips further revealed that father and son will come together with Dexter “determined to make sure that he has a solid—and more importantly honest and loving-relationship with his son,” despite the whole gunshot thing.

Then there’s the incredible, jam-packed cast (covered in the next section) with Phillips rightfully pointing out, “[N]obody gets a call sheet like this, particularly on a TV show. I guess it shows that we’re more than just a TV show. People want to work with Michael.” Damn straight.

Cast

Every Dexter season revolves around a Big Bad, and there’s absolutely no clue on who that will be for Dexter: Resurrection although plenty of candidates exist. Everybody is a suspect, but at least we know that John Lithgow’s inexplicable Trinity Killer return will be brief (and does seem geared toward setting expectations for the Trinity Killer prequel series)

An array of new faces will join the franchise, including Krysten Ritter as “Mia Lapierre, a renowned sommelier who may be hiding a serial killer secret.” She will be joined by “goth fam” member David Dastmalchian as Gareth. And Peter Dinklage is onboard as Leon Prater, a billionaire who presents himself as “a generous philanthropist, but behind his polished exterior lies dark intrigue.” Mystery roles will also be filled by Kill Bill‘s Uma Thurman, Modern Family‘s Eric Stonestreet, and Gone Girl victim Neil Patrick Harris.

There’s further room for several returning stars. They include Jack Alcott as Dexter’s son, Harrison, who will never live down that treadmill scene, and I’m still disappointed that this hasn’t become his official Dark Passenger origin story. Other familiar faces include James Remar as Dexter’s dad, Harry Morgan, and David Zayas as Miami PD’s Angel Batista. However, Jennifer Carpenter will not return as Ghost Deb, who deserves some rest.

Trailer

Alright, so Showtime hasn’t released a trailer yet, which means that we will have to make do with logistics and fun. First, here’s Dexter asking if you missed him, and you know that you did.

For the “fun” part, let’s relive how Doakes never stood a chance against Dexter.

Located in Napa Valley, the retro Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs is the ultimate homebase for a trip full of wine and wellness. Located on Calistoga’s main drag, Lincoln Ave, it’s easily identifiable by its original neon sign and mint-hued vintage 1952 Buick. As the name implies, Dr. Wilkinson’s is more than a resort — it’s a mineral hot spring oasis. The ethos of wellness helmed by John “Doc” Wilkinson and his wife Edy, remains inherent in the property over 70 years after its inception. Wellness seekers from around the world continue to flock to the rejuvenating mud baths and healing waters.

Here’s what makes this historic wellness resort the must-stay place while visiting Napa.

WHY IT’S AWESOME

Dr. Wilkinson’s re-opened in 2021 after a multi-million dollar interior renovation and stayed true to its mid-century roots while remodeling guest rooms with comfortable and modernized amenities. Think furnishing with rounded edges in bright orange and pink hues, funky floor lamps and rugs, color-blocked art, retro-looking appliances such as a small sky-blue Galanz fridge, white bicycles with picnic baskets, and more.

Throughout the year Dr. Wilkinson’s offers various events and activities for guests including backyard Pinot & Pétanque games and Wilk’s Wine Night during Visit Calistoga’s Fourth Fridays.

I got to experience the millennial-pink oasis during Wellness Week where I enjoyed activities including yoga on the front lawn, paint and sips, and a candle-making workshop. The highlight was a Cannescape dinner and breakfast self dosed with THC oil ($650 including hotel stay).

IN HOUSE FOOD + DRINK

When Dr. Wilkinson’s reopened a few years back it came with a new addition — a new on-site all-day restaurant, House of Better. Open to the public and situated on the property’s front lawn with patio-style dining tables, the counter-service restaurant and bar was created by Trevor Logan of Green Chile Kitchen in San Francisco and the Sonoma-based Chile Pies Baking Co.

House of Better serves healthy Southwestern-inspired dishes such as green chile stew, green chile cheeseburgers, and grilled fish tacos. For dessert, dig into Logan’s famous fresh-baked pies offering an array of mouth-watering flavors like the green chile apple pie with a cheddar crust, walnut streusel topping, and a spicy chile glaze.

You won’t find cocktails here but you can order local beer and wine with your meals. During your stay at the resort, detox to retox with fermented drinks, adaptogenic mushroom teas, and CBD-infused beverages. Don’t forget to fill up your reusable bottle time and time again at the “fountain of youth” in the lobby. The water dispenser has an Aqua Ovo filtration system with rock salt, carbon, copper alloy, quartz crystal, and red clay that are alleged to have health benefits and are tasteless.

AMENITIES

Dr. Wilkinson’s has three spring-fed geothermal mineral pools filled with water sourced from Calistoga’s natural hot springs including a covered shallow circular mineral pool kept at 105 degrees Fahrenheit and a cold deluge shower in the Spa Garden. The other two are outdoors and are equipped with cozy lounge chairs, padded day beds, rentable cabanas, and vibrant murals.

The mineral waters have a near-neutral pH balance and have been evaluated by the Balneology Association of North America which certified that the healing water can strengthen skin, balance the peripheral nervous system, reset stressed nervous systems, and detoxify.

The highlight of any stay at Dr. Wilkinson’s is indulging in a mud bath — it’s the same treatment that guests have enjoyed for over seven decades. The secret blend of mineral-rich mud and organic Calistoga volcanic ash was created by Doc Wilkinson. The 60-minute $239 “Mudslinger” package includes a 15-minute mud bath and a 15-minute mineral soak — both in private tubs — a mud mask, steam room, and blanket wrap.

The mud doesn’t have much of a stench but I won’t lie to you and tell you it doesn’t look like manure. It can feel quite heavy, similar to a weighted blanket, and is hotter the deeper you sink in but feels incredible once you relax and allow the mud to rejuvenate your skin. Go ahead and book a 60-minute massage, I promise you’re not going to regret it. I loved the incredibly relaxing Amethyst Biomat Swedish Massage ($219).

The resort truly lives up to its tagline of “where wellness meets happiness” with life-sized chess pieces, a swing, and cozy hammocks in the backyard. There are small boutiques in the hotel’s lobby and the spa’s reception offering a variety of local apothecary products, world-renowned skincare items, and a mineral bath packet to recreate the mineral bath experience at home. If you loved the faded pink branded robes or plush resort towels you can buy them here as well as my favorite reef-safe sunscreen, Sun Bum.

Amenities:
• Three spring-fed geothermal mineral pools
• Cold deluge shower
• Day beds & cabanas
• Mud baths
• Life-sized chess board
• Swings
• Hammocks
• Free wifi
• Onsite restaurant
• Pet friendly

ROOM TYPES

It’s no surprise that the 50 refreshed guest rooms at the motel-like hotel embody California cool with a blend of vintage and modern aesthetics. I stayed in a Deluxe King room on the ground floor near the pools. The warm color palette of the room’s decor pops against the stark bright white walls and oak floors. Adornments include one-of-a-kind handmade pottery pieces by local ceramics studio NBC Pottery.

I loved the easy access of walking out of my room in the blush robe directly to the bar counter to get a MUDWTR and then into the mineral pools first thing in the morning. The Malin + Goetz peppermint shampoo was so invigorating that I went home and bought a similar one with a peppermint scent. Props to Dr. Wilkinson’s for using reusable containers for its toiletries which are more eco-friendly. There are also recycling bins around the property and water refill stations.

There’s a mix of guest room types to choose from including a standalone one-bedroom bungalow, three Spa Cottages with clawfoot tubs, and a 1924-vintage Victorian bunkhouse with five rooms that sleeps 15 and is perfect for bachelorette spa getaway parties. Regardless of which room you book, you’ll have a Google Nest voice-activated speaker loaded with local information, a mini Galanz refrigerator, Smeg kettle with coffee and tea. Be warned that the beauty minibar on the pink shelf in the bathroom isn’t included in the price of the room — the products, including facial oils, masks, and CBD creams are available for purchase.

BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 15-MINUTE WALK

Calistoga is a darling town in Northern Napa that’s very walkable, but if you want to venture further — or faster — borrow one of the white cruiser bicycles at Dr. Wilkinson’s. Head to Calistoga Roastery for hand-roasted coffee and baked treats and then browse the paintings at Sofie Contemporary Arts Gallery. Drop into the women-owned Picayune Cellars and Mercantile for a $35 tasting of their sustainable wines — the Champagne and Albariño are both excellent. Get a scoop or two of organic ice cream at Calistoga Creamery. Want to try more local wines? August Briggs Winery and Tank Garage Winery are within walking distance.

THE BEST THING TO DO/EAT/DRINK WITHIN AN HOURS DRIVE

The best way to get around Napa is with a hired driver so you don’t have to worry about driving under the influence between wine tastings.

• The Napa Valley Wine Train — The wine train may be a bit kitschy but it’s a nostalgic way to see the Napa Valley and enjoy fantastic wines. Go for the $245Wine Train Gourmet Express Lunch and order a wine flight as you sit back and enjoy the journey.
• Old Faithful Geyser of California — Calistoga is home to its very own Old Faithful Geyser (one of three in the world) which isn’t much of a surprise considering the area’s geothermal activity. It’s only a 5-minute drive from Dr. Wilkinson’s and it’s fascinating to watch the water explode from the Earth. It’s $15 to enter unless you ride over on a bicycle which gives you a $3 discount.
• Sequoia Grove — This sustainable winery is my favorite of the dozen or so I’ve visited in Napa Valley over the last year. Make a lunchtime reservation for the $150 per person “A Taste For Cabernet” multi-coursed food and wine pairing crafted by Chef Britny Maureze. Her creations are expertly paired with Single-Vineyard and Reserve Sequoia Grove wines. You’ll leave convinced that Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t just meant to be enjoyed with a steak — it actually goes great with seafood too.
• Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve — Walking amongst giant redwoods is a must while in Northern California. The ancient coast redwood can live 1,000 years, grow to a diameter of 16 feet, and is the tallest living thing on Earth at up to 350 feet tall. The fee is $10 per car to enter the reserve.

BED GAME

It might have been all the wine and cannabis I consumed on my trip but if it weren’t for the promise of a hot mineral spring a few steps away I would’ve never been able to get myself out of bed — the mattresses and super soft bedding is just that good. I’m also a pillow hog so I loved having four plush pillows all to myself.

Rating: 8/10

SEXINESS FACTOR

The millennial pink and femme design touches make this feel like a spot for a girl’s getaway whether it be to celebrate a birthday or a bachelorette party. I’m queer so I could certainly see myself enjoying some R+R with a girlfriend here but it doesn’t scream sexy secluded enclave for couples.

Rating: 6/10

THE VIEWS & PICS SPOTS

You’ll leave with a camera roll full of Insta-worthy shots at this colorful, joyful wellness resort. No photos are allowed in the mud baths so kiss goodbye your dreams of a picture covered in the brown gooey substance. But you can snap photos to your heart’s content in the mineral pools, the egg swings, pool cabanas, hammocks, and more.

Rating: 9/10

BEST SEASON TO VISIT

Napa Valley is fantastic to visit year-round. Dr. Wilkinson’s gets most bookings in spring and summer due to sunny weather but fall is a fantastic time to visit during the wineries harvest season. And what could be better than a hot spring in the dead of winter?

IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING

I’m gluten-free and vegan due to allergies and preferences and was disappointed by the lack of variety in the plant-based wheat-free meal options at House of Good, considering it’s meant to be a health-forward eatery and Dr. Wilkinson’s is a wellness retreat. The restaurant is celebrated for its pies and I was bummed I couldn’t try one.

BOOK HERE

Room rates vary depending on the day of the week and the season. Rates can be $279 on weekdays or $700 plus on weekends. The resort fee of $30 per night includes two Pathwater bottles, hydration packets, and therapeutic essential oils to diffuse in-room. Book your stay here.