“thank god for Florida,” Fike tweeted. “courthouse friday.”
The single’s title is actually “Dancing In The Courthouse,” as revealed at the end of the video snippet in Fike’s tweet and an Instagram caption from the photographer Daniel Prakopcyk.
The snippet features Fike staring up at the sun and shielding his eyes with his hand. “People make up your mind / Until you can’t even tell / When someone gives you sign,” he sings. “But we make the ground our grave by layin’ in it / We make our problems fade by facing ’em / We make the wind our wings by raising your arms at the top of the world.”
The song abruptly cuts out, and we see Fike sitting in the car with his friend – implying he was playing the same snippet for his friend. “I like that,” the friend says. “Thanks,” Fike says. “I think that’s how it starts. I think that’s how the album starts.”
“It’s obviously been a while since I’ve toured. It’s been a while since I’ve released music,” Fike told the crowd at his tour-opening Seattle show on November 6, as tweeted by a fan at the time. “I don’t stop working. I don’t go out or anything, so the only thing I do is make music, so I have like four albums. … I have this new album that comes out really soon. It’s really good. It’s very honest. I think the world is missing honesty.”
In recent days, Fike has shared documentary-style videos captioned “Florida, part 1” and “Florida, part 2.” Watch them below.
American single malt is taking over the whiskey conversation in the U.S. right now. Distilleries have been distilling the stuff for well over a decade and a lot of it has really come into its own as world-class sipping single malt whiskeys. The style is so wide-ranging and regional-specific that it can’t help but be exciting thanks to new ideas colliding with old-school whiskey ways. WhistlePig knows this and has released one of the most elite single malt whiskeys that money can buy. I was lucky enough to snag a bottle and am going to break it all down for you.
Before we dive in, let’s get a little context. Just to be crystal clear, this whiskey is a Canadian single malt whisky. It’s sourced (as is most of WhistlePig’s product) but was finished in Vermont on the pastoral WhistlePig farm. So there is a bit of an extra special WhistlePig vibe in play with this very old sourced whiskey.
Still, we’re talking about 20-plus-year-old single malt whisky and that’s pretty exciting. So let’s get right into what’s actually in this bottle, and whether or not you should track one down too.
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months
This new whiskey from WhistlePig is a big one. The whiskey in the bottle is a 21-year-old Canadian single malt, likely from here since it’s billed as coming from “the first Single Malt distillery in North America.” That whiskey rested in American oak for two decades before being shipped to Vermont for a finishing run in WhistlePig’s rye barrels. Only 18 barrels were selected for this very limited release.
Bottle/Presentation:
Like a lot of whiskeys as this amazingly high-level, this comes in a nice box with all the trimmings. The box has a nice heft to it. The bottle is also heavy and feels nice in your hand. Overall, it’s flashy enough while still being nicely understated.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sultanas and Graham Cracker buttery crust drive the nose toward old oak cellars, peanut brittle, and a hint of chocolate nut clusters with a hint of salinity.
Palate: There’s a deep and dark black cherry on the lush palate that builds on moist marzipan, soft malted spice cakes, and a hint of black licorice and salted toffee.
Finish: The finish leans into the old oak and cellar vibes with a hint of malted chocolate cut with winter spices and folded into old tobacco leaves with a fleeting sense of smudging sage lurking in the background.
Bottom Line:
This is a luxurious whiskey that has a deep sense of malted whiskey vibes. Still, Glen Breton Rare 21-Year-Old (the closest analog for this bottle) costs about $100 (less on a good day). Granted, that whiskey did not go through a finishing maturation in Vermont. But, yeah, I’ll just leave you with that information.
Ranking:
80/100 — This is a collectible more than a must-have sipper. The rarity of this one (and the devotion of WhistlePig acolytes) will likely mean that the price will go up over time. But the juice in the bottle just doesn’t live up to Scotch at the same age but half the price.
Rick and Morty is probably going to be around for a very long time, but if co-creator Dan Harmon and team ever take ages between seasons, like they’ve done in the past, at least there’s back-up. Last year Adult Swim ordered an anime spinoff, called, simply, Rick and Morty: The Anime. It’s from director Takashi Sano, who’s already done two Rick and Morty anime shorts, and if you wondered what the multiverse-hopping duo look like as anime characters, now you’re in luck.
First image for RICK AND MORTY: THE ANIME has been revealed.
The first image was part of the massive content tease dump that came with HBO Max’s rebranding as simply Max, which also brought news about new Harry Potter and Game of Thrones shows as well as stuff with a teaser for the Penguin spinoff with Colin Farrell. Honestly it looks…not all that different from the main show. But Sano and team will surely take the beloved series in its own funky directions.
Not much else is known about the anime spinoff. For instance, it’s unclear whether Justin Roiland, who was yanked from the main show over domestic violence charges that have since been dismissed, will have any involvement. Indeed, it’s not clear yet who will voice the main twosome. Nor do we know when the 10-episode spinoff will be released. Hang tight!
Better late than never; last Friday’s column landed on a Wednesday due to holidays and other work that took higher priority, but I refuse to let a week go by without keeping y’all updated on the latest rap releases. In addition to new records from Drake, Joey Badass, and Amine, there are a bunch of other releases worth checking out.
Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending DATE TK, 2022.
Albums/EPs/Mixtapes
Blac Youngsta — Blac Sheep
Blac Youngsta
Blac Sheep is a fitting title for Blac Youngsta’s latest release if you think about it; he’s probably been signed to CMG the longest out of anyone on the roster, but typically gets less blog love. With that said, I’d argue that he’s the most consistent and lyrically sharpest member of the crew outside of Moneybagg Yo, and his latest release once again proves it.
Curren$y & Jermaine Dupri — For Motivational Use Only
Curren$y
My favorite release of the week sees the long-running vanguard of laid-back luxury teaming up with an unlikely-seeming collaborator for what might be one of his most invigorating records yet. Curren$y is known for primarily employing breezy, jazz-centric production, but let me tell you, when this brother gets on a native bounce beat, the result is magic.
Fly Anakin & Foisey — Skinemaxxx: Side A
Fly Anakin
Picking up where he left off with last year’s Frank, Fly Ani returns to his comfortable pocket of weirdly abstract lyrical stylings and kaleidoscopic samples alongside Foisey. Frank’s latest also features a reunion with Pink Siifu, suggesting that they might have some more stuff in the stash.
Kenny Muney — Blue Muney
Kevin Muney
Memphis rap fans are flourishing this week as one of the remaining representatives from the other side of the city’s boiling-hot trap scene offers up a new release, as well. Before Dolph’s death, he really seemed to be setting up Muney for the second of PRE’s big breakouts after Key Glock. It’s nice to see him maintaining that momentum, even without his biggest benefactor.
Mozzy — Kollect Kall
Mozzy
Oh, you thought being locked up would stop Mozzy from dropping new music? Credit Drakeo The Ruler for sparking the recent trend of incarcerated rappers recording entire projects from behind bars (or Max B, if you want), but this six-song EP shows Mozzy is as hungry as ever and when he gets out, the rap world should consider itself officially on notice.
NF — Hope
NF
I’m not going to lie; there’s a strong possibility I really only included this because the homie Cordae is on it. NF is largely known as the Christian Rap(?) version of Eminem, whose main claim to fame was blocking Chance The Rapper’s debut album from the No. 1 Billboard spot in 2019. But he’s got a decent enough flow and an absolutely manic fan base, so his new project is probably worth checking out, if only to judge for yourself.
Singles/Videos
Jayson Cash — “Questions” Feat. Major Myjah
Carson’s own burgeoning star unleashes his inner romantic on his latest single, a breezy, warm-weather cruiser that finds him dropping game to a potential paramour.
Redveil & Jpegmafia — “Black Enuff”
Grungy and energetic, this collaboration between the Detroit experimentalist and Peggy, threads the gap between hardcore and woozy noise rap, challenging the stereotypes of ethnic essentialism both sonically and lyrically.
Smiley — “Nicky Nine Door”
Drake’s artist’s newest single is a thumping vibe track, perfect for late-night soirees where the atmosphere suits the blurred-vision raps and mellow instrumental underscoring them.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
With limited roster spots and the need to make an immediate impact to stick, meshing skillset and opportunity is essential for success as a young player entering the WNBA. That makes the Los Angeles Sparks drafting Shaneice Swain, a 19-year-old guard from Australia, with the second pick in the second round of the 2023 WNBA Draft all the more intriguing.
Swain, who currently plays for the University of Canberra Capitals of the Women’s National Basketball League, is a draft-and-stash player for the Sparks, someone who won’t be on the books and start her rookie contract until she officially comes to the United States and signs with the team whenever she’s ready. The Sparks have consistently said that everything is about building for a better future ever since wholesale front office and coaching changes. What that means is balancing decisions that help the team now with those that can most positively impact them long-term, something general manager Karen Bryant brought up while discussing Swain after the 2023 WNBA Draft on Monday.
“We don’t expect Shaneice to come over and play and be a part of the team in 2023,” Bryant said. “But, we’re excited about the future prospect of her coming over here. We’re obviously mindful of her age and want to be smart about how we continue to invest in her future and bring her over at the right time.”
Swain has been on the scouting radar for some time, playing internationally for Australia’s youth team and performing well for the Capitals during the most recent WNBL season. She most recently popped during the inaugural Nike Hoop Summit, showing out as one of the top prospects in Portland during the week of practice, scrimmages, and the USA vs. World game.
With a crafty handle, flashy playmaking ability, herky-jerky pacing, and a good touch inside and outside the arc, Swain has a great deal of promise as a ball screen heavy combo guard.
Draft-and-stashes aren’t uncommon in the W, but provide an extremely interesting inflection point in looking at the draft and scouting as a whole in women’s basketball. Per league rules, domestic draft entrants must have turned 22 during their draft year (whether it be before or after), while international entrants must have turned 20.
We’ve seen more players selected with draft-and-stash in mind in the top 16 of the draft over the last five years than the decade prior. Six international prospects have been drafted in the top 16 over the last three drafts, as many as there were from 2008-2018. Draft classes are certainly volatile, varying on a year by year basis, but the willingness to draft younger non-domestic talent seems to be a growing trend, as teams look beyond the college ranks to seek out some value.
Identifying talent earlier, while also acknowledging that they may not be ready to come play immediately, provides the opportunity to find a valuable prospect and watch them get better by being a professional at such a young age, while also preserving valuable roster and cap space in the present.
“Her youth and her upside are such an appeal,” says Sparks head coach Curt Miller. “Her best days are ahead of her, she won’t turn 20 until after the completion of the WNBA season.”
Part of the intrigue, says Miller, came in watching her perform in Portland against players that she would be going up against if she played college ball in the States to help gauge where she is now. Playing in a professional organization and competing against pros, a number of whom have WNBA experience, provides an environment to hone herself in a different atmosphere than many of her current draft-eligible peers.
A different developmental setting allows for potential growth you maybe wouldn’t account for in college with the opportunity to bring Swain over earlier if she hits another gear and Sparks’ brass feel she’s ready. Playing against pros daily, will her game develop quicker? Can physical and skill-based maturation occur at a different rate when a player is a professional as opposed to plying their trade at the college level?
There isn’t an outright answer to these questions, but whatever risk comes from trying to answer them are the sorts of things Los Angeles is willing to take as it enters a new era.
“We thought this was a huge advantage for us as we continue to look forward,” Bryant says.
When the Sparks executed a trade with the Connecticut Sun to acquire Jasmine Thomas, part of the deal was getting the 10th pick in the draft, which opened the doors to be willing to go outside the box and not draft someone who will immediately impact the team with the 14th pick. Now, they have a promising young player in one of the sport’s premier international leagues, whose growth will be well worth tracking as Swain and the Sparks both look to grow, even with an ocean separating the two sides.
“We feel really good about where we landed today,” Bryant says. “We spent some time the past few days taking a step back from the near term and focusing on where we’re really trying to go ultimately, and that’s to bring a championship back to L.A.”
During his fawning interview with someone who at least used to secretly hate his guts, Donald Trump told Tucker Carlson a pretty obvious whopper. According to him, during his history-making arraignment last week, employees at the Manhattan courthouse were “crying” and apologizing to him. If that one sounded especially smelled like bunk, then surprise surprise: You’re almost certainly right.
Yahoo! Newsspoke to a law enforcement force familiar with what happened that day, and they called Trump’s claims “absolute BS.” When asked how many employees were blubbery messes, the source said, “Zero,” adding, “There were zero people crying. There were zero people saying ‘I’m sorry.’”
Trump loves telling stories about people, from strangers to future enemies like Ron DeSantis, running up to him in tears, impossibly moved by his greatness. Even his second favorite son has gotten in on the act.
The big guy is due back in New York City, the hometown that mostly hates his guts, on Thursday so he can be deposed for another legal headache: New York attorney general Letitia James’ probe into the Trump Organization and its allegedly dodgy business practices. So maybe a doorman or someone will be spotted choking back tears because he’s finally being held accountable for his actions.
According to Juvenile’s latest post on social media, online bullying might have a few benefits. After a day of tweets from fans being him to make an appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, the “Back That Azz Up” rapper has finally agreed. But others are calling cap, saying that he had no intention of turning the offer down, making the rollout WWE-level great. Or more like Juvie The Great level fun.
Seemingly inspired by Trina’s recent appearance on the series, one fan tweeted the “Slow Motion” rapper asking, “Can we please get a Juvenile Tiny Desk,” tagging NPR and the entertainer in the post. The Louisiana native didn’t hold back in his response, writing, “Wtf is a tiny desk and no .”
He continued to upload an NPR original show filled stipulation, “Ok ok All Things Considered, 10k retweets, and I will reconsider doing
@NPR Tiny Desk while drinking an ice cold #JuvieJuice from@UrbanSouthBeer!!!”
A day later, the original Cash Money representer returned to the platform to share that he had indeed changed his mind. “The people have spoken! 10k! And @NPR locked it in,” adding, “I appreciate the love, and I’m gonna put on a one-of-a-kind show for y’all on #TinyDesk,” wrote the rapper.
Coachella is rapidly approaching. While you’re figuring out your artist itinerary, have you bothered to ask yourself what you’re going to eat? That might seem like less of a priority while you’re figuring out how to juggle seeing all your favorites hit the stage but you should probably know that like the musical lineup this year, the food lineup is stacked.
You’re not just going to be choosing whether to grab a slice of pizza or a cheeseburger, you’re going to have to decide if you’re down for a 16-course omakase and sake pairing, which Michelin-starred restaurant is worth your valuable time and money, which innovated chef is going to blow your mind and… well, which slice of pizza or cheeseburger you’re going to pick up.
With over 60 food vendors and hundreds of dishes, it’s a lot to take in, which is why we’re simplifying the process for you by shouting out the 10 food and drink spots and dishes we’re most hyped for. Since Los Angeles-based restaurants, bars, and food spaces are making an appearance this year, I’ve had a lot of personal experience with many of these menus, so I’m going to lean towards those since I can guarantee they’ll be mind-blowing. But, there are a few gems here from out of state that also come with a lot of hype.
I’m also going to put a special emphasis on handheld foods that you can eat on the go. As dope as a family-style dinner is, you’re at a music festival, so I’m going to assume you’re here for the music. Let’s get you back on the grounds ASAP. For a preview of the full culinary lineup, check out our exclusive look here.
Whether you’ve copped a VIP ticket or you’re just going general admission, every section of the festival gets some love on our list. We’re also telling you where on the grounds to find each vendor, and our best guess for the price (don’t expect us to be 100% on this, but expect us to be eerily close, we have our ways).
Let’s dive into the dishes and vendors you don’t want to miss at this year’s Coachella.
Bang Bang Noodles — Szechuan Garlic Noodles
Bang Bang Noodles
Expected Price: $16
Where To Find:
12 Peaks VIP
Why It’s Essential:
Started by brothers Nelson and Robert Lee, this LA street food turned brick-and-mortar food spot quickly gained notoriety and attention thanks to Robert Lee’s eye-catching mouth-watering flavor-packed take on Chinese Biang Biang noodles. Lee has extensive culinary experience and cut his teeth cooking in Michelin-star restaurants, which is why we’re excited for the Coachella crowd to get its first taste of Bang Bang’s now-famous Szechuan Garlic Noodles.
The noodle dish, which is served with your choice of beef or mushrooms, utilizes hand-pulled noodles, a gentle but flavorful Szechuan sauce, and appetizing garlic, onion, and cilantro aromatics that make the dish a treat for all of our senses.
Camphor — Le Cheeseburger
Camphor
Expected Price: $20.99
Where To Find:
12 Peaks VIP
Why It’s Essential:
One of Downtown Los Angeles’ culinary gems, Camphor is a modern bistro led by respected chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George and is all about combining casual and elevated eats (with a strong influence from Southeastern Asia) with classic French flavors and culinary techniques. It’s incredibly modern, and while the special Family-Style tasting menu the restaurant is bringing sounds appealing, we’re going to suggest you keep it simple with the Le Cheeseburger.
Hitting up a super trendy LA bistro and getting a burger might seem like a waste of Boonthanakit and George’s culinary expertise, but then sitting down for a family-style dinner in the desert also sounds like a vibe killer. The Le Cheeseburger will keep you on your feet while still treating your tastebuds to one of the best burgers you’ve ever had.
Seriously, the way the meat melts in your mouth is unlike any burger you’ve yet to experience, guaranteed, and the way it combines with the smoked gouda is absolute culinary perfection. Don’t forget the fries!
Dave’s Hot Chicken — Chicken Sliders
Dave
Expected Price: $16
Where To Find:
V7
Why It’s Essential:
Have you ever had a chicken sandwich that makes you exclaim after first bite, ‘This is the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever had’? Well, you will, once you bite into the Dave’s Hot Chicken Slider, and trust us when we tell you that, we’ve been ranking chicken sandwiches for a while now and while Dave’s has yet to appear on a list, right now in 2023, it’s our top pick, no contest.
Available in seven different heat levels (no spice, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot, and reaper), this slider is topped with earthy kale slaw, thick-cut pickles, and Dave’s sauce, and instantly ignites your tastebuds and floods your brain with serotonin. The sauce is a mix of savory mayo, a bit of citrus, and a heavy blend of pepper, cayenne, and paprika, for a creamy and complex sauce that will blow your mind.
Yes, it’s that good. Go with whatever heat level you’re comfortable with, but we strongly suggest opting for mild or medium for the best experience that doesn’t feel like a challenge.
Kogi — Loaded Korean BBQ Fries
Kogi/ Terry Smith
Expected Price: $14
Where To Find:
Indio Central Market
Why It’s Essential:
When I found out Kogi wasn’t going to be bringing its delicious Korean tacos and burritos to the Coachella grounds, I was incensed. But knowing that they’ll be bringing the Loaded Korean BBQ fries in tow… I ain’t mad. A tricked-out take on the brand’s Korean Spiced Fries, the Loaded version features the same bed of beer-battered fries tossed with chili salt topped with cheese, caramelized kimchi, salsa rosa, crushed sesame seeds, and Kogi’s short ribs.
It’s the perfect marriage of Mexican and Korean flavors offering up a taste of Los Angeles that makes clear why the city is the ultimate culinary destination. That’s right, I said it, come at my NYC and Texas.
Ronan — Margherita Pie
Ronan
Expected Price: $23
Where To Find:
12 Peaks VIP
Why It’s Essential:
Helping to make the case that LA is just as good if not better than New York as a pizza hotspot, Chef Daniel Cutler’s Ronan delivers Neapolitan-style pizza that is always prepared with local produce and the finest ingredients and is the pizza spot at Coachella we’re the most psyched about. That’s partly because of the three or four in attendance, it’s the only one we’ve tried, but we wouldn’t suggest a pizza joint to you if it wasn’t absolutely mind-blowing.
While my instinct is to suggest the Spicy Chomper, which features tomato, soppressata, and a four-cheese blend, we’ve given enough love to the meat-eaters in this list, so we’re going to take some time to highlight the equally good Margherita.
Made with San Marzano tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and pecorino Calabrese, this Margherita pizza is fresh, fragrant, sweet, savory, and light, while still satisfying the way a meat pie does with the perfect fire-charred crust.
You don’t want to miss this pizza spot, especially if you’re an East Coaster who thinks the great pizza debate is settled.
Block Party — Malamente
Block Party
Expected Price: Unknown
Where To Find:
Outdoor Theater Bar
Why It’s Essential:
No bar captures the magic of Los Angeles quite like visiting Block Party at golden hour. With a great soundtrack and communal vibe, the Highland Park staple is one of our very favorite bars in all of Los Angeles so I’m excited to see how Block Party brings its magical vibe to Indio.
Since Block Party is bringing a special menu of headliner-themed drinks to Coachella, it’s a little hard to pick just one to be excited about so I’m just going to go with Malamente (not pictured), since it’s named for Rosalía, the artist I’m most excited to see.
The Malamente includes Malfi Gin with pink grapefruit, rosemary, and some CO2 for a fizzy body.
El Chino Grande — Chashao Roast Pork ’n Rice
El Chino Grande
Expected Price: $20
Where To Find:
Craft Beer Barn
Why It’s Essential:
El Chino Grande serves up Taiwanese night market street fare by way of modern San Francisco cuisine. With a menu headed by Chef Christoper Yang, a San Francisco Magazine Rising Star Chef award winner, we couldn’t be more psyched to try El Chino Grande’s Chashao Roast Pork ’n Rice which features a bowl of short grain rice topped with roast pork belly, chashao tare, cabbage slaw, pickles and togarashi mayo.
El Chino Grande is one of the few culinary experiences at Coachella I haven’t yet experienced, but the food pop-up is part of Hén-Zhì, the team of Marcelle Gonzalez Yang and Chef Christopher Yang who are also behind the SF Mission District food spot Piglet & Co, which is excellent! Considering El Chino Grande comes from the same genius minds, we’re psyched and confident enough to make the recommendation.
Cena Vegan — Big Vegan Nachos
Cena Vegan
Expected Price: $20
Where To Find:
Indio Central Market
Why It’s Essential:
Admittedly, there aren’t a lot of vegan food spots on this list. So, we couldn’t let you go without giving at least one strong suggestion for those who only consume a plant-based diet — be sure to hit up Cena Vegan. Not only is it one of the food options we’re most hyped for at this year’s Coachella, it’s one of the best vendors selling Mexican food at the entire festival, and I’m not sure if you know this or not, but you can make some seriously delicious Mexican food using only plant-based ingredients.
With a menu inspired by authentic Mexican street food, we can’t wait to try Cena Vegan’s Big Vegan Nacho Boat, which features the plant-based meat of your choice (al pastor-style, carne asada-style, carnitas-style, birria-style, polla asado-style, barbacoa-style) over a bed of freshly made tortilla chips, pico de Gallo, salsa, and guacamole. It’s so good even hardcore meat-eaters will be won over by the fresh flavors.
Trill Burgers — Trill OG Burger (Vegan Trill OG Burger)
Becca Wright/Trill Burgers
Expected Price: $15 / $18
Where To Find:
V7
Why It’s Essential:
I know we already highlighted a burger, but all do respect to Camphor and its ‘Le Cheeseburger,’ sometimes you just want a classic, greasy, no-nonsense smash burger, which is why we’re hyped to finally get a taste of Houston staple Trill Burgers.
The smash burger concept is beloved by Travis Scott, Buster Rhymes, TI, Juvenile, and Fat Joe, and if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for all of us! The Trill OG burger features two smash patties, curly caramelized onions, American cheese, pickles, and trill sauce, offering up all the classic burger staples without any of those watery vegetables like lettuce and tomato getting in the way.
Best of all, the Trill burger is also available with a plant-based meat patty, which means this is truly a burger spot for everyone!
PDT — Sweet Tea Smash
Eric Medsker/PDT
Expected Price: Unknown
Where To Find:
Secret Speakeasy Terrace South (access by finding a phone booth in the terrace)
Why It’s Essential:
The famed NYC speakeasy from the East Village, PDT (which stands for Please Don’t Tell), is coming to Coachella and even though I’ve never been to the OG PDT I have to admit, I’m intrigued. Partly because I’ve heard nothing but good things about PDT from east coast friends, and mostly because the speakeasy is located underground. We’re not talking about the NYC location, we mean at Coachella, PDT will be underground.
What does that mean? What will it look like? What will the vibe be? We just have to find out, and we’re willing to bet you feel the same way.
This is another place we’ll be going into blind so I’m just going to suggest the best-sounding drink on the menu, the Sweet Tea Smash (not pictured), which features iced tea, Smooth Ambler Bourbon, lemon, peach, and mint.
Through 1.5 quarters, the Minnesota Timberwolves held an eight-point advantage over the Los Angeles Lakers and Karl-Anthony Towns had been the preeminent player in a battle among three All-NBA stars. But Reggie Miller sensed impending trouble might await them.
“That’s two quick fouls on Karl-Anthony Towns,” Miller said after Towns picked up a foul trying to contain his frontcourt foe, Anthony Davis.
“And we know what happened last year in the Play-In Game in Minnesota,” Kevin Harlan replied. “Now, they won, but this is a story for Towns.”
For a while, Towns and the Timberwolves delayed the impending trouble that Miller and Harlan cautioned. They entered halftime leading 60-49, shepherded by Towns’ 17 points (5-of-5 shooting), six boards, four dimes and two swats. Even deep into the third quarter, Towns sported just three fouls and Minnesota’s edge had climbed to 12 at 84-72.
Then, LeBron James rejected a screen, caught Towns out of position, barreled to the rim, and drew a fourth foul on the fellow former top overall pick. Towns exited the game. He didn’t score again, ending the night with 24 points and only attempted two more shots over the final 20 minutes of game time, including zero shot attempts during the overtime period.
As Towns took a backseat in fear of fouling out, the Timberwolves’ lead steadily shrank. By the end of the third quarter it had been trimmed to seven. Forty-five minutes later, it was spun into a six-point loss after Los Angeles sealed a 108-102, overtime victory. As such, the Lakers are the No. 7 seed, slated for a first-round date with the Memphis Grizzlies, which begins Sunday. Minnesota, meanwhile, heads to a do-or-die game Friday against either the Pelicans or Thunder, hoping to preserve a playoff berth amid a turbulent season.
Without any other context, the Timberwolves, down Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid, pushing the fully healthy Lakers to overtime on the road is an admirable performance. Towns’ efforts were integral to that. For 33.5 minutes, he was sensational. He bullied Los Angeles’ undersized perimeter stoppers on switches as a driver, rained in nonchalant, buttery long balls, and picked apart help defenders with slick, nifty playmaking when they collapsed his direction.
Most impressive were his contributions as an interior defender, influencing and rejecting numerous shots around the rim. His activity and attentiveness popped. Los Angeles scored 73 points in his 41 minutes, compared to 35 points in 12 minutes without him. He looked like a two-way superstar backpacking a tumultuous, shorthanded team to the playoffs. However, the foul count and his fear of fouling out emerged as his stingiest opponents, an all-too-familiar theme for him.
In so many of these postseason moments the last two years, regardless of how well Towns is playing, there’s often a nagging worry about something self-imposed derailing him. During last season’s Play-In Game, saddled by foul trouble, he logged 11 points in 24 minutes before fouling out, despite Minnesota ultimately defeating the Los Angeles Clippers.
Against the Grizzlies in Round 1, he averaged 4.2 fouls per game, which watered down his minutes in Game 2 (28), Game 3 (33), and Game 5 (35). Minnesota lost each time. This season, his 5.5 fouls per 100 possessions tied a career-high. Offensively, toeing the optimal line between grace and physicality continually escapes him. Defensively, he struggles with knowing when to bow out of a play to prioritize the long-term.
The foul against James on Tuesday is a perfect encapsulation of the latter trend. Towns was the lone big man in the eight-man rotation. Minnesota outscored Los Angeles by 18 points during his 41 minutes and was outscored by 24 the 12 minutes he sat; that’s a ridiculous split and emphasizes his superlative nature much of the evening. It exacerbates why he cannot make that decision against James. Live to fight another play and simply concede James the bucket. Doing so would allow him to keep dominating without hesitation creeping into his thoughts or sporadic playing time disrupting his flow.
Even if some iteration of Gobert, McDaniels, and Reid were available, he’s still best served staying put, let alone when his importance is heightened so substantially. This is his eighth season. He’s 27 years old and squarely in the heart of his career. He has to better recognize the context.
I understand how challenging it presumably is to reject instinct. With such a shallow cast of big men, another Timberwolf is not enforcing the paint like he can. His duties as a rim protector ballooned on Tuesday and reorienting the approach a second time, on the fly, is a daunting task. But it had to be done.
Following the loss, Towns told reporters that playing with five fouls affected how he approached his offensive touches and possessions. He didn’t want to pick up a cheap sixth foul on a flop in order to remain in the game and help his team.
Asked Karl-Anthony Towns about the balance mentally of maybe sacrificing some things in the fourth quarter so as to not pick that 6th foul.
“…you just don’t want to have a flop happen, don’t even have to get hit just to get a call. It changes the dynamic.” pic.twitter.com/prVuTlu8V1
It’s shrewd of Towns to be conscious of that threat, as defenders absolutely look to embellish contact once a player is in foul trouble. Yet I think his inability to straddle the fence further illuminates an underlying shortcoming of his game that I mentioned earlier: balancing grace and physicality. His passiveness over the final 19 minutes should not necessarily be the primary area to criticize, so much as the events preceding and causing it, which have manifested at key spots the past couple years for the Timberwolves.
That said, throughout the final 13.5 minutes he played, his inactivity plagued the offense, especially with Anthony Edwards struggling so much with his own shot-creation all game — even more-so after a hard fall left him with a banged up shoulder. Towns removed himself from the action entirely or failed to establish suitable position in the mid-post or around the nail. Sometimes, that passivity occurred against Davis, who, to his credit, excelled denying entry passes and extending Towns away from the hoop. If a Davis flop costs you the chance to close, so be it; the officials can call it if they wish — Davis going to the floor on a rebound attempt and drawing Towns’ fifth foul surely was lodged in KAT’s mind after. That’s a much different threat than, say, Austin Reaves or Dennis Schroder’s embellishment being the final straw.
By going from tone-setter to on-court spectator, his autonomous disappearing act perhaps impeded Minnesota’s possessions as much as had he picked up his sixth and been sitting on the bench. The Timberwolves scored 21 points over the final 19.5 minutes after he tallied a fourth foul, the precise moment his imprint on the night and the tenor of the game began shifting. The roadmap of an already tenuous offense evaporated.
Towns can be a maddening player to figure out. With three All-Star nods and two All-NBA honors on his resume, he is a marvelous player and one of the most versatile, talented offensive bigs to ever play in the league. He has delivered at vital junctures previously. The same day Gobert struck Kyle Anderson and McDaniels broke his hand punching a wall out of frustration, Towns dropped 30 points (on 69.3 percent true shooting) in Sunday’s victory over the New Orleans Pelicans to keep Minnesota in the 7-8 Play-In matchup rather than dropping to 9-10. That’s big-time onions.
In a Game 1 upset road victory over Memphis last spring, he recorded 29 points (71.8 percent true shooting), 13 rebounds, three assists, and one block. A week later, he helped even the series at 2-2 behind 33 points (67.4 percent true shooting), 14 rebounds, three assists, and one block. Those are also big-time onions.
Towns has played in 13 career postseason games. Eight of them are over the past year. The ebbs and flows are all learning experiences. Maybe, these sort of instances are extinguished as he extends his playoff history; that is not uncommon for players. The formula for the struggles of his 2023 Play-In were ominously similar to his 2022 Play-In foibles, however.
That is the vexing part. The frustrations are amplified by all the glimmering greatness he puts on display, and leaves everyone, likely himself included, yearning for more. The good news for Towns is Friday presents an opportunity to make the necessary adjustments and deliver the Wolves to back-to-back postseasons for the first time in 20 years.
Now that Weekend One of Coachella 2023 is approaching, it’s never to early to start looking ahead to possible headliners for the festival’s next few years. This year, the wildly successful music and arts festival returns for the second showing of its post-COVID-19 era. Featuring headlining sets from chart-topping K-Pop phenom BLACKPINK, Grammy-winning R&B maestro Frank Ocean, and world-conquering reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny, this year’s Coachella is certainly heavy on the star power. But, even though it feels as if Coachella tastemakers select the biggest and brightest of today’s music stars to headline the festival, there are still quite a few acts that have curiously not yet headlined. As exhilarating as record-breaking tours are, Coachella is still a dependable site for iconic cultural moments — from the still-shocking Tupac hologram in 2012 to Beyoncé’s legendary tribute to historically Black colleges and universities in 2018.
The ideal Coachella headliner should be popular enough to appeal to a wide demographic, respected as an artist that delivers quality work, have the ability to put on an arresting show in terms of physical performance and setlist sequencing, and, most importantly, have at least an hour and a half’s worth of undeniable hits and notable songs. The archetype of the Coachella headlining act has evolved dramatically over the past two decades, and with the latest edition of the festival boasting its most populist and globalist lineup yet — the possibilities are endless.
Here are 10 artists that could theoretically headline Coachella in the next few years:
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has been a cultural touchstone and musical force for the better part of two decades. With hits ranging from “Baby” and “Boyfriend” to “Sorry” and “Peaches,” The Biebs has been cranking out hits across five non-holiday studio albums — four of which have received Grammy nominations. Far removed from his bowl-cut days, Justin Bieber has grown from a teener-bopper phenomenon to a global powerhouse. He’s dipped into wide range of genres making him fit for a sprawling headlining set. He can supplement his standard Top 40 smashes like “Love Yourself” and “Ghost” with hits across reggaeton (“Despacito”), country (“10,000 Hours”), and afrobeats (“Essence”). Also consider: headlining Coachella could be a nice way to formally wrap up his Justice World Tour — which was unfortunately cut short due to health concerns. Of course, it’s not a requirement, but Bieber has a wide selection of surprise guests to pull from — Ludacris, Usher, Diplo, Wizkid, Tems, Daddy Yankee, Chance the Rapper, the list goes on. Plus, Bieber loves Coachella, and has appeared in sets from the likes of Daniel Caesar and Jack Ü.
Ed Sheeran
Having already headlined comparable festivals like Glastonbury, Ed Sheeran is an easy fit for a Coachella headlining slot. From “The A Team” and “Don’t” to “Perfect” and “Bad Habits,” the British singer-songwriter has a decade’s worth of hits to pull from — and we haven’t even mentioned smashes like “Shape Of You” or “Thinking Out Loud” yet. The timing also lines up particularly well. Ed could make a stellar 2024 headliner. He’s dropping his new album, – (Subtract), in May and the supporting tour for that record concludes in September, leaving him ample time to rest up and put together a fresh set for the following summer. On that front, Ed has been handling solo stadium shows for years now, and between his hilarious onstage banter and his riveting use of the loop pedal — he knows how to captivate a crowd. It also goes without saying that Ed’s reach extends across a wide range of audiences, and his potential surprise guests prove it. Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Burna Boy, Stormzy, Fireboy DML, and Chris Stapleton are all plausible choices for his set’s surprise element.
Taylor Swift
For an artist like Taylor Swift, headlining Coachella is undoubtedly a matter of “when,” not “if.” Currently in the midst of her record-breaking Eras Tour, Swift is the ideal Coachella headliner. With hits ranging from 2008’s “Teardrops On My Guitar” to 2022’s “Anti-Hero,” she has an overwhelming amount of songs to pull from, and her current tour — which pays tribute to each of her ten wildly successful studio albums — is refining her setlist sequencing skills each and every night. Taylor also understands how to steer the dynamism of her live shows; she’s equally capable of reigning over flashy stage production (think the moving “Look What You Made Me Do” platforms from the Eras Tour or the giant snake from her Reputation Stadium Tour) and crafting slower, more intimate moments with fan-favorite ballads like “Enchanted” or “All Too Well.” Moreover, if the timing works out, then Taylor could use a Coachella headlining set to commemorate finally releasing the remaining Taylor’s Version albums (her eponymous debut, Speak Now, 1989, and Reputation).
Rihanna
Sure, Rihanna has pretty much forsaken us to prioritize her makeup and lingerie empire (and who can really blame her?), but every now and then, Rihanna The Pop Star reemerges to placate our collective hunger. After returning with a pair of songs for the Academy Award-winning Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — including Best Original Song nominee “Lift Me Up” — Rihanna treated us to two performances that showed off different sides of her onstage capabilities. Although her headlining slot at the inaugural Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show received some lukewarm initial reviews, her set has proven to be a pop culture phenomenon, sparking trends that have reached high schools, nursing homes, and everywhere in between. Her heartfelt performance of “Lift Me Up” at the 95th Academy Awards also showed off her ability to handle a stage with just a microphone and a ballad. Between her most recent musical showings and a decade and a half’s worth of undeniable smash hits to her name, Rihanna can easily hold down a headlining set at Coachella. Whether she makes it a victory lap or the catalyst for a new album and tour, Rihchella is destined to be a career highlight. The “Love On The Brain” singer could also bring out jaw-dropping surprise gets like Jay-Z, SZA, Calvin Harris, Nicki Minaj, Buju Banton, and, of course, A$AP Rocky.
Dua Lipa
Although she only has two studio albums under her belt, Dua Lipa is more than ready to take on the Coachella mainstage. Between smash collaborations like “One Kiss” (with Calvin Harris) and her own staggering roster of solo hits — “New Rules,” “Levitating,” and “Don’t Start Now” among them — Dua’s catalog is more than capable of anchoring a headlining set. Last year, the three-time Grammy-winner embarked on her Future Nostalgia Tour which visited four different continents over the course of 82 shows. A true spectacle of fashion, vocals, choreography, and stage and lighting design, that concert tour helped further sharpen Dua’s stage presence and performance ability. With past performances at Glastonbury and We The Fest, Dua is already familiar with working festival crowds, and the historic number of streams her albums garner proves that audiences genuinely enjoy her music. The Future Nostalgia Tour featured supporting acts such as Megan Thee Stallion, Tove Lo, and Caroline Polacheck — all of whom are strong candidates for surprise guests. Nonetheless, Dua could also reunite Silk City (Diplo & Mark Ronson), bring out Calvin Harris, or treat festival goers to appearances from Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Miguel, Martin Garrix, or Miley Cyrus.
Nicki Minaj
After clinching the first solo female rap song to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in nearly 25 years — while in between album cycles, at that — Nicki Minaj is an easy pick to headline the Coachella Stage. The “Do We Have A Problem” rapper has enough hits to fill two Coachella sets with no repeats. She’s been handling legendary stages and arenas around the world for over a decade now, and her endlessly quotable bars are tailor-made for once-in-a-lifetime crowd interaction moments. Armed with hits ranging from “Itty Bitty Piggy” to “Super Freaky Girl,” a Nicki Minaj Coachella set would be a perfect storm of pop smashes, street anthems, euphoric throwbacks, and undeniable classics. Let’s be real, only Drake can compete with a setlist of so many possibilities. With past headlining performances at festivals like Wireless and Hot 97 Summer Jam, the Queens rapper is more than familiar with massive stages. There’s also the fact that Nicki Minaj has not dropped an album since 2018. Although she’s still been ever-present with hits ranging from “Yikes” and “Whole Lotta Money” (with BIA) to “Tusa” (with Karol G) and, most recently, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” a Coachella headlining set could be the perfect way to launch her fifth studio album.
Shakira
With Bad Bunny already making history as Coachella’s first Latin American solo headliner, why not continue the festival’s increasingly globalist approach by tapping one of the biggest crossover stars of the century, Shakira? While the Colombian powerhouse has long established herself as a hitmaker with seminal pop smashes like “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Waka Waka,” and “Whenever, Wherever,” she’s been having something of a re-peak in 2023 as she preps the release of her forthcoming twelfth studio album. This year, the Grammy-winner has already notched a pair of Top 10 hits, one with Bizarrap (“Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”) and another with Karol G (“TQG”) — a testament to her longevity and ability to connect with audiences across generations and languages. In 2020, the “She Wolf” singer headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show alongside Jennifer Lopez, and she’s also embarked on a whopping six headlining world tours. As a multi-instrumentalist, belly dancer, and vocalist, Shakira can entertain the Coachella Valley in a multitude of ways. There’s also the fact that the “Beautiful Liar” singer could bring out a wide range of surprise guests from Beyoncé and Rihanna to Maluma and Rauw Alejandro.
Bruno Mars
Isn’t it kind of crazy that Bruno Mars hasn’t headlined Coachella yet? Widely hailed as one of the best performers in contemporary mainstream pop music, Bruno Mars has delivered two highly memorable Super Bowl Halftime Show performances, a pair of acclaimed Las Vegas residencies (one solo and the other alongside Silk Sonic partner-in-crime Anderson .Paak), and three global headlining concert tours. Since his 2010 debut, Bruno Mars has garnered 18 top ten hits on the Hot 100, eight of which reached the summit including “Grenade,” “That’s What I Like,” and the four-time Grammy-winning “Leave the Door Open.” An entertainer in truest sense of the term, a Bruno Mars Coachella set could take several transfigurations. He could use most of the time to flaunt his skills as an instrumentalist on the drums, piano, and guitar, or he could have a dance-centric set that also displays his vocal chops. Regardless of what the set looks like, it is almost guaranteed to be one of the liveliest headlining sets to ever grace Coachella. Bruno is more than capable of headlining the festival on his own, but he could surprise the Indio Valley with special guests like Cardi B, Eminem, and, of course, Anderson .Paak.
Paramore
The recent trajectory of Coachella headliners has skewed more pop-heavy than the festival’s rock and alternative roots. With a career spanning nearly twenty years and a handful of crossover hits that sit at the zenith of mainstream pop, Paramore is the perfect act to bridge Coachella’s past and present. The Grammy-winning punk-pop band has three worldwide headlining concert tours to their name, and they are currently in the throes of their This Is Why tour in support of their chart-topping album of the same name. Known for exhilarating live shows packed with hair-raising instrumental breaks and virtuosic vocal performances, Paramore is one of the strongest contemporary live acts that have yet to headline Coachella. Last year, Billie Eilish brought out frontwoman Hayley Williams as a surprise guest at her headlining set. Whenever Paramore gets their chance to headline, Hayley could return the favor — or she could opt to bring out guests like Olivia Rodrigo, who pulled from the band’s seminal “Misery Business” for her own Grammy-nominated “good 4 u.”
Lil Wayne
Hip-hop has had a presence at Coachella headlining sets for years dating back to Beastie Boys in 2003. With a discography as prolific as his, Lil Wayne is an obvious pick to continue that legacy. Like his YMCMB mentees Drake and Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne has the perfect catalog to construct a headlining festival set out of. From just the sheer amount of music he’s released, Wayne could dominate Coachella with just his mixtape cuts, let alone his bevy of crossover pop hits and rap anthems that have ruled myriad Billboard charts. With over two decades of hits ranging from 1999’s “Back That Azz Up” to last year’s Grammy-nominated “God Did,” Lil Wayne’s catalog is one for the ages, and a stage as big as the Coachella Stage is the perfect place to remind the world why he’s one of the most successful and acclaimed rappers of all time. Wayne’s 2023 touring popularity might make it a tough sell, but something like Lil Wayne and Friends could make a lot of sense, especially with a plethora of potential surprise guests — Drake, Nicki Minaj, Juvenile, Jay-Z, Chance the Rapper, and Rick Ross among them.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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: @drunkinyourbenz pic.twitter.com/JfGGf2gecZ
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