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As a Gen X parent, it’s weird to try to describe my childhood to my kids. We’re the generation that didn’t grow up with the internet or cell phones, yet are raising kids who have never known a world without them. That difference alone is enough to make our 1980s childhoods feel like a completely different planet, but there are other differences too that often get overlooked.

How do you explain the transition from the brown and orange aesthetic of the ’70s to the dusty rose and forest green carpeting of the ’80s if you didn’t experience it? When I tell my kids there were smoking sections in restaurants and airplanes and ashtrays everywhere, they look horrified (and rightfully so—what were we thinking?!). The fact that we went places with our friends with no quick way to get ahold of our parents? Unbelievable.

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One day I described the process of listening to the radio, waiting for my favorite song to come on so I could record it on my tape recorder, and how mad I would get when the deejay talked through the intro of the song until the lyrics started. My Spotify-spoiled kids didn’t even understand half of the words I said.

And ’80s hair? With the feathered bangs and the terrible perms and the crunchy hair spray? What, why and how?

In some ways, that era was simpler. We weren’t bombarded with information and opinions about every issue in the world 24/7 and had the freedom to just be kids. At the same time, I personally have no desire to go back. (My straight, fine hair was not made for the ’80s.)

However, one dad is bringing full-on nostalgia to millions of Gen Xers with a viral TikTok he made about sharing his ’80s childhood with his 8-year-old son. Justin H (who goes by @shadyraro on TikTok) included photos and descriptions of things all ’80s kids will recognize and it’s like hopping into a time machine.

Like, the unwound cassette tape struggle was genuinely real. Grab a pencil, start winding and pray. “The A-Team”? Totally. Streetlight curfew? Yep.

@shadyraro

The 80’s was the best decade #80s #80skid #oldschool #genx #parents #funny #family #foryou #fyp

The video has been viewed more than 10 million times this week, with commenters neck-deep in their feelings about their childhood flashbacks.

“I miss them days, technology has taken away so much,” wrote one commenter.

“Miss the 80s era but unfortunately us kids were the remote control,” wrote another. (So true. Changing the channel was exercise.)

“The 80’s cannot be explained…it was an experience…a complete vibe all its own…and if you missed it I’m so sorry for you!” wrote another.

And if you feel like there were some things missing, no worries. There’s a Part Two:

@shadyraro

The 80’s was the best decade Part 2 #80s #80skid #oldschool #genx #parents #funny #family #foryou #fyp

The ashtray in the back of the car seat! The phone booth! The Walkman! The overhead projector. So my childhood. I can practically taste the Tang and Twinkies.

Kids today will never know the ugly beauty of growing up in the ’80s, but someday they’ll have their own tales to tell their kids that they’ll look on with fondness and nostalgia. “We used to spend hours building things with little digital blocks in Minecraft…”

There’s never been anything like the ’80s and there never will be again. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Justin H.

This article originally appeared on 05.21.22

A father-daughter snowboarding session takes the cuteness up a notch, thanks to dad’s brilliant idea to attach a mic to his 4-year-old. Sweetness ensued.

Sporting an adorable dinosaur onesie, the “powder-saurus” glides through their “secret path,” warning dad of intruders. Cause clearly, it’s THEIR secret path.

As she does, she sings her song of resilience and courage.

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“I won’t fall … maybe I will … that’s okay … cause we all fall.”

Truly powerful wisdom in such a tiny package.

@chasing.sage We mic’d up our 4 year old while snowboarding.🥰 #fatherdaughter #dadlife #snowboarding #micdup #cuteness #wholesome #familytime #raddad #fatherhood ♬ original sound – Chasing.Sage

One person astutely wrote in the comments, “this is the mantra we all need in 2022.” I mean … it’s accurate.

Another added, “this child gave a TED Talk about the power of positive self-talk.”

Indeed, “Shredder Dad” shares footage of our loveable snowboarding dinosaur making a few face plants, but she quickly bounces back. Nothing can stop her from her “weewhoos.” Nothing.

That is, until she becomes a “stuck-asaurus.” A truly relatable moment for all ages. Aren’t “indiscernible verbal struggles” part of the soundtrack of life? Still, she takes it all in hilarious stride, laughing all the way, and the positivity is heartwarming.

This video quickly put a smile on more than 6 million faces, and even got a comment from Walmart, which agreed that “we all fall sometimes.”

Turns out that there’s even more wholesome adventure content on the family’s TikTok. They even have a very thorough guide for teaching a toddler to snowboard here.

And by the way, yes, that dinosaur outfit does come in an adult size.

Next time you’re feeling down, just think of the powder-saurus song, and you’ll be back to “weewhoo” in no time.

This article originally appeared on 02.11.22

Earl Sweatshirt returns with a new video promising a new sound. “Making The Band (Danity Kane)” is a bit of a departure from the murky, sample-driven music longtime fans might associate with Earl, featuring a glitchy, uptempo beat produced by Clams Casino and Evilgiane that prompts a more contemporary approach to rap from the Los Angeles native. Never fear, though; Earl’s bars remain packed to the brim with multisyllabic metaphors and his brusque stance toward hit-making hip-hop.

“Making The Band” is Earl’s first new track of the year and continues the musical evolution from his 2022 album Sick! Considered one of the best hip-hop albums of the year, Sick! saw Earl inching toward a more mainstream-friendly sound, embracing 808s and less layered loops, and looking very much like he was having more fun rapping than he ever had before.

Online, he’s also presented a more humorous outlook, taking things in stride when he was confused for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie by a contestant on Jeopardy! and jokingly requesting sports journalists to ask Jimmy Butler about his fake locs during the NBA season.

Meanwhile, we’re going on two years now since Vince Staples revealed he, Earl, and Alchemist were working on a joint project, so the streets need that before anything else. Please and thank you.

In the meantime, check out Earl’s video for “Making The Band (Danity Kane)” above.

Ever since Janelle Monáe kicked off the rollout for their new album The Age Of Pleasure last year with a series of risqué vacation photos, the multitalented, nonbinary singer has been a hot topic of discussion online — particularly from those fans who noted the divergent approach to presentation compared to Monáe’s early career.

Monáe, though, sees these apparent recent transformations as pulling together “every version” of herself, as she told the creators of the StyleLikeU YouTube channel. Dressed for the first time in months in one of her signature black-and-white suits, Monáe shed tears as she talked about honoring those past versions of herself, as well as the struggle to reconcile her old looks with fans who critiqued her “Monopoly Man” era.

While it was clear that Monáe kept a sense of humor about the jokes at the time, the multidisciplinary artist admitted during their StyleLikeU interview that they had some self-consciousness about their “boobies” during the tuxedo era. Now, of course, Janelle says she feels “much happier when my titties are out.”

The whole interview is worth checking out for how Monáe addresses patriarchy, her sexuality, and coming to terms with her body as it grows and changes. Check it out above.

According to a report by TMZ, former UFC champion Conor McGregor is being accused of sexually assaulting a woman while he attended Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets. TMZ reports that the alleged incident occurred in the aftermath of the game, and claims that NBA and Heat security members separated the woman from her friend before forcing her into a bathroom with McGregor and his security guard.

Via TMZ:

In the letters, Mitchell says “security refused to let [the woman] exit or allow anyone else, including her friend, inside the bathroom.” The lawyer then claims McGregor emerged from inside of a handicap stall “and shoved his tongue in the victim’s mouth and aggressively kissed her.”

According to the letters, the woman was able to get McGregor off of her by telling him she had to urinate … but then McGregor allegedly forced her to have oral sex with him.

You can read TMZ’s full detailing of the incident, which representatives for McGregor denied. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass told The Athletic that the league and the team are working on acquiring more information. TMZ added an update to their story saying that Miami Police have confirmed an investigation into the incident.

In a statement posted to the team’s official Twitter account, the Heat opted to wait until the investigation ends before saying anything: “We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation. Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comment.” The UFC put out a statement of its own and echoed the sentiment from the Heat.

“The organization is aware of the recent allegations regarding Conor McGregor and will continue to gather additional details regarding the incident,” it said. “UFC will allow the legal process to play out before making any additional statements.”

McGregor participated in an in-game segment with the Heat’s mascot, Burnie, which revolved around the two getting into a fight. However, McGregor got too into the bit, and the person inside the costume needed to go to the hospital.

Babe Rainbow is here to answer the question: “What would putting on refraction sunglasses in a field of wildflowers sound like if the feeling were a song?” The psych-rock band’s dreamy sound is easy to glean by checking out the photos on their Instagram page, which includes sunny film photos, yellow-tinted sunglasses, straw sun hats, ’70s-inspired outfits, and of course, lots of rainbows. But despite their mellow aesthetic, the band is incredibly prolific.

Babe Rainbow — aptly described in press materials as “Australia’s very own good vibes factory” — has been busy the past few years. Between dropping albums on a near-year basis (their latest being 2022’s The Organic Band), collabing with Jaden, and embarking on a US tour, it’s clear the Aussie rockers have a lot on their plate. Even though it’s been less than six months since their previous full-length release, Babe Rainbow is back to drop another project, this time in the form of a four-track EP. Titled Fresh As A Head Of Lettuce, the project (which debuts June 23rd) is a collection of sun-kissed tracks to bring on summer.

Ahead of the release of Fresh As A Head Of Lettuce, Babe Rainbow sit down with Uproxx to talk Sade, sleeping in an office building, and having a crush on Stanley Tucci in our latest Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Staccato, adagio, groovy, devious

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

You’re in the kitchen, it’s 11:30 AM. The sun is shining on your percolator, you make a coffee and remember an old dear friend. Or as familiar as looking at the back of your own hands.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

Bratislava, Slovakia.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

Monty Don and the Paul Myjavec born in 1985. He started it all.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

Any meal eaten all together surpasses the last. Maybe a soup Jonny made us all, we sat on the grass, a long lunch, long table sort of thing.

What album do you know every word to?

Every single Sade record.

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

I’m about to go and watch Dev Hynes perform some symphonic works at the opera house…

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

A 3-4 piece striped suit made by Landhaus, 2 pockets on the jacket, little curved collar, pants OR shorts in the same fabric, tote bag, bucket or sailor hat. Our friend Tara made it for Miles.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

@herbie_wheeler on Instagram.

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

In the last 2 years, on aggregate, is “Too Young To Quit” by Good Morning. “Rock The Boat” by Aaliyah is pretty close too.

What’s the last thing you Googled?

Jude Bellingham

What album makes for the perfect gift?

Marina Allen’s Centrifics or Jordan Ireland’s Spirit Walking.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

This office building in Portland. On the ground. One pillow between the six of us, great coffee the next morning though.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

None of us have any tattoos.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

Seventies Tuberide or anything produced or recorded by Kyle Mullarky (Mullarkaccino).

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Birthed myself and my wonderful brothers into this mysterious world and Kool Breeze let me wear his sweet new and HUGE hat for a short period of time.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

‘Love is stronger than pride.’

What’s the last show you went to?

Don Glori’s last show in Australia. Fabulous.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

Point Break, Devil Wears Prada, or anything with Stanley Tucci — huge crush.

What’s one of your hidden talents?

Energy saving and being a reliable and high quality barista.

Fresh As A Head Of Lettuce is out 6/23 via Eureka Music. Find more information here.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson have made an awful lot of noise over the last week, and not entirely for the reasons they’d like to.

Williamson has become tabloid fodder over his off-court relationships, and the proximity of that entire situation to rumblings the Pelicans are willing to part with the former top-overall pick as they look to move up to draft Scoot Henderson seems not to be a total coincidence. Williamson’s inability to stay on the court due to various injuries, most recently a hamstring injury that saw him suffer multiple setbacks that ultimately cost him the entire second half of the season, is the main reason New Orleans could be ready to cut bait early into Williamson’s max extension, with off-court questions coming secondary.

With so much smoke around Williamson’s future, there has yet to be any pushback from the New Orleans side to the reports he could be available at the right price, which has been notable. Adding to the smoke about Williamson’s future with the Pelicans was the news on Thursday that the team was parting with assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who was particularly close with Zion, as he often talked about her impact on him throughout his rehab from a foot injury two seasons ago.

The timing of Weatherspoon’s departure amid all the rumors about Zion’s future with the team is interesting, to say the least. Whether this is indeed a signal that Williamson’s time is ending or simply a staffing change for other reasons remains to be seen, but if the league wasn’t already sniffing around New Orleans about the former No. 1 pick, one would think this news will only further the calls headed David Griffin’s way.

Back in September 2022, the FBI famously seized Mike Lindell’s phone while the MyPillow CEO and die-hard Donald Trump supporter was in the middle of a Hardee’s drive-thru. Lindell immediately sued the FBI for the return of his phone, and to the surprise of no one, the feds still have it. However, Lindell’s case has finally made it to a federal appeals court where the Department of Justice has been forced to defend why isn’t had to return the phone.

As Lindell’s attorney argued that government is trying to “intimidate” the MyPillow CEO because of his “beliefs,” the feds responded that it’s still in the middle of an investigation. Lindell has been a key figure in Trump’s inner circle, who have been the subject of several subpoenas stemming from the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. It also doesn’t help that Lindell has been on the forefront of pushing the former president’s election fraud lies.

Via Law & Crime:

The conservative three-judge panel didn’t wade into his political rhetoric, but at least two of its members appeared skeptical about the government’s retention of Lindell’s cellphone since last September. The Department of Justice’s lawyer said that such an order would be an “extraordinary” remedy, which would remove an important piece of evidence from an ongoing investigation.

“The phone can be important in a criminal case to authenticate that a particular person was holding the phone at a particular time,” the government attorney said.

When asked why the government didn’t just “mirror” the phone, the DOJ argued that “certain evidence can only be gleaned by physical possession of the phone.” The feds’ response should presumably concern Lindell, especially the part about determining when and where he was holding his phone, but accepting reality has never been Lindell’s strong suit.

The MyPillow CEO had to be sued to fork over the $5 million he promised the winner of his “Prove Mike Wrong” contest. Lindell boasted that no one could debunk his supposed trove of “election fraud data,” but a cybersecurity expert did it easily, and he’d like his money, please.

(Via Law & Crime)

It’s almost time for The Boys to once again celebrate the Fourth of July with social media fireworks. Hopefully, we’ll also soon hear about a Season 4 release date, although Homelander might not receive the respect that he (feels that he) deserves in the Gen V spinoff about college-age Supes. Antony Starr, however, continues to rack up accolades to play the baddest Supe on the Amazon Prime Video show.

Before we see Starr reprise that role, he will co-star alongside Lizzy Caplan (who is everywhere these days) in Cobweb. The Lionsgate film is produced by Seth Rogen and follows the plight of a young boy, Peter (Woody Norman), who hears bumps in the night while settling into his family’s new house. His parents don’t appear to be too terribly empathetic, and by the end of this trailer, Starr has turned on a dime from charming dad to sinister father figure and back again a few times.

Starr recently went from superhero-satire mode to appear in Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, and I suspect that he might also be a natural in the horror realm (we will soon find out whether that’s true). Hopefully, he’s having a blast, and Caplan’s gleefully been stretching her psychological thriller wings lately, too.

From the film’s synopsis.

Eight-year-old Peter is plagued by a mysterious, constant tap, tap from inside his bedroom wall — a tapping that his parents insist is all in his imagination. As Peter’s fear intensifies, he believes that his parents (Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr) could be hiding a terrible, dangerous secret and questions their trust. And for a child, what could be more frightening than that?

Cobweb will arrive in theaters on July 21.

BET has announced the performers for the 2023 BET Awards and the lineup is a doozy. It’s the 50th birthday of hip-hop, and BET is pulling out all the stops to celebrate at the BET Awards, enlisting Golden Era pioneers like Big Daddy Kane, Kid ‘N Play, MC Lyte, The Sugarhill Gang, Uncle Luke, and Warren G along with platinum-era all-stars such as E-40, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Master P, Remy Ma, Trick Daddy, Trina, and the Ying Yang Twins. Blog faves like Chief Keef, Soulja Boy, and Tyga are in there, too.

Of this year’s nominees, Coco Jones, Doechii, GloRilla, and Lil Uzi Vert have been included among the performers with more to be announced. GloRilla and Drake lead all nominees, with six for Glo and seven for Drake, including Album Of The Year nods for both, Best Collaboration for both, and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and Best New Artist nods for GloRilla. The show is scheduled to air live on Sunday, June 25 at 8pm ET, and with BET sending out announcements about the show as normal, it doesn’t look like the WGA writers’ strike will have too great an effect on that.

BET joins a long list of award shows, record companies, publications, and TV networks celebrating 50 Years Of Hip-Hop. The Grammys, for instance, staged a 10-minute tribute performance featuring Run-DMC, Missy Elliott, Nelly, The Roots, and more. We’ll see how the BET Awards’ version measures up next Sunday.

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