Once upon a time (specifically the early 2000s), rapper Afroman became a weed icon thanks to his album Because I Got High and the timeless title track. These days, he’s still out here fighting the good fight when it comes to the legalization of cannabis. Now, he’s gearing up to take things to the next level.
Over the weekend, at a concert in Poplar Bluff, Missouri (as TMZ reports), Afroman told his audience, “Can I make the biggest announcement I ever made in my life? I’m running for president for ‘twenty-twenty-‘fro.’ We’re gonna get legal weed everywhere, man.” In a follow-up video shared on Instagram, the rapper repeated his intention to run for POTUS in 2024 and declared his goal is to get “recreational cannabis legal in all states.”
Of the concert clip, TMZ noted, “When you see the video, it might seem like a joke, but we’re told he’s dead serious.” They also report Afroman will run as an independent candidate. The rapper has yet to file the proper paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission, but that is apparently in the works.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Afroman’s Ohio home was raided by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Brian Newland later said the raid was part of an “ongoing investigation.” Afroman wrote on Instagram, “Now here they are kicc-ing in my door looking for weapons of mass destruction and 100,000,000 pounds of weed.”
Janelle Monáe stars in one of the biggest movies of the year. In Glass Onion, they’re one of the key players in the newest Knives Out mystery. While music might be their first love, Monáe is pretty damn skilled in the art of acting, especially with critically acclaimed films like Moonlight and Hidden Figures under their belt.
But even though they’re keeping fans fed through the big screen, Monáe’s fans are eager to hear new music. In a recent interview with NME, Monáe revealed they are working on a new album in tandem with shooting and promoting their movies.
Next year will mark five years since the release of their most recent studio album, Dirty Computer, and during the interview, Monáe was asked if fans can expect to hear new music soon.
“Actually, you will! You will get new music because I now have a clone,” Monáe replied, jokingly. “That clone does all of my music, and I have another clone for acting. I’m not going to tell you if it’s me or not. They’re in the studio right now!”
In the meantime, you can catch Monáe in Glass Onion on Friday, December 23, when it drops on Netflix.
Janelle Monáe is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Most of Elon Musk’s loudest fans on Twitter have about 47 followers (half of which are bots) and a Paris Hilton-approved bored ape NFT as their profile photo. But here comes notorious buzzkill Neil deGrasse Tyson, with his 14.7 million followers, to defend the world’s richest person… scratch that… the world’s second richest person.
“While casting shade on @elonmusk for what he’s done, is doing, or will do, try to pause & remember that he made electric cars a normal thing in society and he commercialized space — for cargo, satellites, & people,” deGrasse Tyson tweeted, days after Twitter blocked journalists for doing their job. “Count him among those who are inventing civilization’s future.” Leaving aside the fact that Musk has made Twitter five times worse since acquiring the social media platform (and it was already plenty terrible), what might humanity’s future on Mars look like if the SpaceX founder has his way?
For starters, workers’ rights would likely be nonexistent. Musk has already blissfully violated earthly labour laws, threatened workers wishing to pursue unionization, spied on employees, and been bombarded with allegations that his behavior encourages sexual harassment and racism in the workplace… Taxes would also likely be nonexistent – at least for multi-gazillionaires like him who have traditionally been loath to contribute even the tiniest fraction of their wealth to US government taxes ostensibly collected on behalf of the public good.
But hey, maybe we could put a Cinnabon up there.
deGrasse Tyson’s defense of Musk is going over about as well as the time he made a “Blues Live Matter” joke about Avatar. “So you’re okay with racism, sexual assault, apartheid, anti semitism, and thievery… For someone whose space aspirations have been over financed and under delivering while systemically trying to lessen the very diversity you supposedly represent?” @Blackamazon tweeted, while @swarmferal2 replied, “Paving the way for commodifying the cosmos… Sagan is rolling in his grave.”
Here’s more.
we should pause and remember that he’s actually done fuck all, made people hate electric cars for being dangerous, and he’s never been to mars despite building his brand on it https://t.co/gRjG79cEgV
Making (poorly made) electric cars a class indicator is not making electric cars normal, but i know you’re used to talking down to people about every single thing on Earth so you’ll never admit that you have no idea what you’re talking about https://t.co/iwnLzIFGqr
“While casting shade on Elon Musk for exposing how the US government abused their power to commit rights violations against American citizens, pause to remember all he’s done for climate change.” https://t.co/LzJcDJ1f8f
One of the saddest things about Elon Musk dickriders is that they believe he is an inventor — he’s not. He just buys majority shares in large companies, then puts his name on other people’s inventions. https://t.co/aG0MU1uyYu
The american brain poison of conflating a ceo or investor as being the inventor of something rather than it being the work of engineers is the death of the human soul https://t.co/E03tLPs0Dx
When McCall Mirabella was a freshman in high school, she began vaping nicotine. It seemed like everyone she knew was doing it— she felt like she saw more kids her age using e-cigarettes than drinking alcohol, and rationalized that it couldn’t be that bad for her.
Eventually, she decided to quit and shared her entire journey with the world, hoping to warn others about the dangers—and realities—of vaping. Mirabella often wished she had access to a program for people her age when she was struggling on her own quit effort. That’s why she is partnered with truth® to spread the word about This is Quitting, a free and anonymous text message quit vaping program that is helping more than 500,000 young people.
The truth campaign, which helped reduce youth smoking to historic lows, took on the topic of vaping when it was declared an epidemic among young people in 2018. At that time, Truth Initiative, the organization behind truth, saw how many young people wanted to quit and developed This is Quitting in response to that need. A first-of-its-kind quit vaping text program, This is Quitting is now part of truth.
The most recent truth campaign, Breath of Stress Air connects the dots between vaping and mental health, revealing that while it might seem like vaping helps you tolerate the stress of life (and the holidays!), the reality is that vaping nicotine can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression and may increase stress levels. But the good news? Among young people who quit, 90% of said that they felt less stressed, anxious, or depressed.
Basically: vaping may not be chilling you out and it may be best to trade stress air for fresh air.
Like many young people who vape, Mirabella took a hit of nicotine first thing in the morning, before she even got out of bed. Vaping felt like it made her life better—her brain, which was seriously hooked on the nicotine she was inhaling, told her what she was doing improved her mood, alleviated her stress, and curbed her appetite. Why would she ever quit?
However, 4 years into her nicotine addiction, a friend bet her $3,000 that she would not be able to quit vaping for an entire year. While quitting felt intimidating, she took the bet (planning to donate the money to charity), and opted to document her entire experience via her YouTube channel.
“When I uploaded my quitting nicotine documentary on my YouTube, I hoped that by telling my story, I’d have the opportunity to also help others. That’s why I was so happy to learn about This is Quitting and have the opportunity to partner with truth to help others quit too,” said Mirabella.
Mirabella continues to pay it forward. In an effort this past November to help others quit she joined truth for a ‘Quit With McCall Challenge,’ which helped nearly 2,500 young people join This is Quitting. Additionally, nearly 800 of those who enrolled in the challenge joined Mirabella’s Discord channel, leaning on each other for additional support. One user commented, “Yes I was looking for someone to talk to about quitting and I [saw] McCall’s new YouTube video and she blessed me with this [gift, because] I felt veryyyy alone and not so much anymore.”
Overcoming addiction of any kind is an enormous undertaking, which is why support from friends and peers is so crucial. With that in mind, This is Quitting incorporates text messages from other quitters on their journey. truthalso uplifts the voices of real young people through its ongoing “Quitters” series. One such story comes from Jordon, a young person who committed to escaping his nicotine addiction. Using This is Quitting, he has successfully been able to commit to a healthy, vape-free lifestyle.
How a 15 Year Smoker Turned Vaper Quit to Help Support His Family | Quitters Episode 3
Mirabella knows better than anyone how important peer-to-peer relationships are when it feels like you’re at war with your body.
“I am so inspired by everyone who is participating and the community we’ve built. A lot of Gen-Z wants to quit once they know the risks, they just don’t know how. That’s why I stand behind truth and their amazing work to provide free 24/7 guidance,” said Mirabella. “I hope other aspiring quitters know there is a big supportive community out there that wants to see you succeed in quitting.”
By enrolling today, you’re joining a half-a-million other young people who are taking control of their future and rejecting vaping. Even if you’re just thinking about quitting, but aren’t sure you’re ready, you can still text the number anytime. Support is truly 24/7—you can text DITCHVAPE to 88709 to receive it instantly. What better way to begin a new year?
When John Mayer was announced as this week’s guest on the former-Barstool-Sports-turned-female-empowerment podcast, Call Her Daddy, fans — both of the show and a certain A-list pop star — were outraged. The host, Alex Cooper, had previously been campaigning to have the star on a future episode… considering Mayer’s appearance was just as cringey as some suspected, it seems any chance of Taylor Swift coming on has been squashed.
During the episode, Mayer, who felt compelled to bring his guitar on a podcast, played “Dancing In A Burning Room” and “Why Georgia.” As listeners likely wanted more chaotic musings than music, Cooper delivered by asking the 45-year-old, “Do you do this before you have sex with someone?”
His answer might not come as a surprise to many, but he went on to double down, making it even weirder of a response than we ever suspected.
“No, I do it after sometimes,” Mayer replied. “No, you should never play guitar to have sex with someone, but a little naked guitar playing after is very memorable. With a little gut hanging over, sitting Indian-style on the edge of the bed. It’s nice! I like seeing the way people fold up all weird when they sit up. No matter who you are, you look weird when you sit up. And it’s cute.”
Mayer claimed he “doesn’t really date” anymore and hasn’t since 2016. This has partially shut down rumors after the musician was linked to 23-year-old Kiernan Shipka last month.
“It’s unbelievable, I would say almost everybody he meets who works on The Late Late Show gets one of these cakes,” the late-night host (who probably thinks he can bake the cake better than the professionals) said on the Heart Breakfast radio show. “It’s like our head writers, Ian and Lauren, you know different people that he’s met, he’s just so gracious and generous. But here’s the most amazing thing. He’s never tried it!”
The Mission: Impossible actor, 60, is known for sending his pals a £38 ($50) White Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake from Doan’s Bakery in Woodland Hills every year… Corden said he once gave Tom his review of the cake, explaining: “I said to him once, this cake is the most extraordinary cake I’ve ever eaten in my life.”
Cruise previously told Corden that although he loves sugar, he doesn’t eat the cake because “I’m doing all these movies. So I send it to everyone.” So, how did the sweet treat get on his radar? Diane Keaton introduced him to it while she was filming 2008’s otherwise-forgotten Mad Money with Cruise’s then-wife Katie Holmes. That’s putting a lot of faith in Diane Keaton. Honestly? Not the worst idea.
These days, Britney Spears’ creative output mostly consists of Instagram posts, and a notable number of those feature provocative pictures and videos of Spears showing off her skin. Now, based on what Spears is saying in her latest nude posts, it appears she’s noticing Instagram trying to limit her racy online activity.
Spears shared a slew of new posts yesterday (December 20), and while she’s naked in them, the photos and videos are framed more conservatively than usual. In one post, she wrote, “Instagram doesn’t like posts of people revealing their bodies anymore so here’s a selfie of me in Mexico !!! Mom and Dad … I crossed the border and I made it !!! After no coffee for 15 years … Mom we can go have coffee together now !!! I’m treated as an equal … let’s have coffee and talk about it !!!” She added in another, “I’m posting these from Mexico !!!! Honestly I have no idea why but I can see better !!!! I was in the shower for 2 hours but we can’t reveal our bodies now !!! There’s something about shooting in water !!! I wanted to see my eyes !!!”
This comes shortly after husband Sam Asghari defended Spears’ racy posts while also admitting something, writing, “The only person in the world that gets bullied for posting things like this. I personally preferred she never posted these but who am I to control someone that’s been under a microscope and been controlled for most of her life.”
Recently, Balenciaga found itself in some hot water after a controversial ad campaign, which CBS News describes, “The ads, which were said to be to promote Balenciaga’s plush bear bags, were part of the brand’s holiday campaign. The bears, however, are wearing BDSM gear and are being held by children that appear to be no more than 5 years old. In one of the pictures, a child is also surrounded by what appear to be wine and cocktail glasses.”
Now, Gucci’s promotion of their “HA HA HA” line is coming under similar fire thanks to a recent campaign featuring Harry Styles posing with a toddler-sized mattress. It was first shared back in November but has received increased attention recently.
Gucci called the campaign a “performance piece” and said (as NME notes), “Play is at the very heart of the collection, which uses menswear as a tool of the avant garde. Harry Styles showcase[s] the ‘dream wardrobe’ defined by the eccentric use of romantic accents, whimsical prints, vintage details, and the expressive emotionality of the individual. […] Harry Styles enacts a theatrical piece where classicism meets play, transforming the wardrobe into a liberated platform where the masculine can embrace vanity.”
Among those not pleased with the campaign is Alexandra Gucci Zarini, the great-granddaughter of Gucci founder Guccio Gucci. She tweeted, “Gucci was created to be the most elegant brand with the highest quality product. The direction it seems to be taking now is concerning. The protection of children should always come first and not be laughed at.”
Gucci was created to be the most elegant brand with the highest quality product. The direction it seems to be taking now is concerning. The protection of children should always come first and not be laughed at. #GUCCIHAHAHA#Gucci#Kering#Balenciaga https://t.co/iLfHo6tgDC
Why does #gucci have Harry Styles, a grown man posing with a child’s mattress and a pink teddy bear t shirt? Im not loving this. pic.twitter.com/1Fc2kIDcjN
Does #Gucci and #Balenciaga share the same parent company? Not sure why a child’s mattress or a teddy bear even need to make an appearance. Why can’t these campaigns just stay away from associating with kids? pic.twitter.com/nze4AwzT7l
Let’s see if we can connect some dots. Gucci and Balenciaga are part of the same French corporation, Kering. Harry Styles features in this new Gucci ad campaign wearing a teddy bear t-shirt and carrying a child’s mattress. What might this mean?pic.twitter.com/agXOfZbzj2
Harry Styles poses in a teddy bear t-shirt while standing next to a small mattress and folks are losing their minds. It really it says more about their thoughts then it does about Styles and Gucci’s creative director.
At the age of 21, Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The disease progresses quickly, and Hawking was given only a short time to live, but he survived for decades and stayed mobile with use of a wheelchair.
Hawking never stopped working, writing about the nature of the universe and traveling from country to country to lecture enthralled audiences.
“Although there was a cloud hanging over my future,” Hawking said of his diagnosis,”I found, to my surprise, that I was enjoying life in the present more than before. I began to make progress with my research.”
In 1988, Hawking published “A Brief History of Time,” which accomplished, as The Independent notes, the “impossible” tasks of not only taking the entire history of time and space and relating it all in just one volume but also making it easy to read and understand for everyone — not just fellow scientists.
“However, if we discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable by everyone, not just by a few scientists,” Hawking wrote at the end of the book. “Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists and just ordinary people, be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we should know the mind of God.”
Hawking’s influence exceeded the field of science. He was a pop culture phenomenon and an arbiter of great advice — not just on the nature of the universe, but on life itself.
“My goal is simple,” Hawking once said of his work. “It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.”
Hawking was an inspiration for us all.
He will be deeply missed. And as the celebration of his life flows on social media — who could forget the time he threw a party for time travelers and no one showed up — we’re celebrating Hawking’s contributions to this world with some of his most inspirational quotes, the ones that remind us to look forward, look upward, and never forget the common humanity we all share.
“We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.”
“For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals. Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination. We learned to talk and we learned to listen. Speech has allowed the communication of ideas, enabling human beings to work together to build the impossible. Mankind’s greatest achievements have come about by talking, and its greatest failures by not talking. It doesn’t have to be like this. Our greatest hopes could become reality in the future. With the technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.”
“Time travel used to be thought of as just science fiction, but Einstein’s general theory of relativity allows for the possibility that we could warp space-time so much that you could go off in a rocket and return before you set out.”
“Here are the most important pieces of advice that I’ve passed on to my children. One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don’t throw it away.”
Social media spats usually end in ugly words or blocking people—unless you’re Patton Oswalt.
Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt has made a name for himself off screen as a blunt yet caring, compassionate human. His raw openness after his wife’s unexpected passing and his willingness to engage in conversations about depression and dadhood after her death has touched people’s hearts and opened people’s minds.
And once again on Twitter, Oswalt has proven that he is unquestionably one of the most kind-hearted dudes in Hollywood.
Oswalt shared that a man who attacked him on Twitter needed help, then encouraged people to help him.
Twitter user Michael Beatty had replied to Oswalt’s response to one of Trump’s tweet with “I just realized why I was so happy you died in Blade Trinity!” and “And you shoot basketball ike [sic] the sawed off little man you are.”
Rather than let endless insults fly back and forth until someone finally gave up, as is Twitter tradition, Oswalt dug a bit deeper and came up with this gem:
Aw, man. This dude just attacked me on Twitter and I joked back but then I looked at his timeline and he’s in a LOT… https://t.co/FzyA6732eD
“Aw, man,” he wrote. “This dude just attacked me on Twitter and I joked back but then I looked at his timeline and he’s in a LOT of trouble health-wise. I’d be pissed off too. He’s been dealt some shitty cards — let’s deal him some good ones. Click and donate — just like I’m about to.”
Beatty, a Vietnam veteran, had shared a GoFundMe describing a recent, harrowing two-week hospitalization battling sepsis, a potentially fatal blood infection, and struggles in managing his diabetes throughout. When Oswalt saw the link, he shared it with his followers and encouraged people to donate to this man who’d had nothing but nasty things to say to him.
Oswalt donated $2000 himself toward the man’s $5000 goal. A mere few hours later, his followers pushed it over $12,000.
As of the writing of this article, the GoFundMe has raised almost $13,000. Beatty responded with a humble, sincere message for Oswalt:
@pattonoswalt Patton. You have humbled me to the point where I can barely compose my words. You have caused me to t… https://t.co/r0BxQrTnUY
“Patton,” he wrote. “You have humbled me to the point where I can barely compose my words. You have caused me to take pause and reflect on how harmful words from my mouth could result in such an outpouring. Thank you for this and I will pass this on to my cousin who needs help. A cascade.”
Beatty followed that up with another tweet thanking everyone who donated:
I want to thank everyone who came to my aid with generous outpourings- and also to @pattonoswalt without whom I wou… https://t.co/rtdeDyLmLj
Keep up the awesome humaning, Patton Oswalt. We need more of you in the world.
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