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Lupe Fiasco announced in May that he was “going to teach rap at MIT.” More specifically, the multiplatinum-certified rapper is teaching at the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT) for the 2022-23 academic year as the recipient of an MLK Visiting Professorship, as explained in the YouTube description of his “Rap Theory & Practice: An Introduction” lecture.

“Let your conscience be free. You’re now rolling with the thugs from the MIT,” Lupe said at the beginning of the session, playing off of Jay-Z’s “Get Your Mind Right Mami” verse. “Not thugs, but you know, rappers.”

He showed the class photos of him performing during his high school talent show and performing at MIT’s 2015 SpringFest to illustrate that “rap has always been a scholastic pursuit for me.” Over 90 minutes, Lupe dove into the educational root of rap and dissected the structures of Eminem’s “Stan,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Sing About Me,” and his own “Jonylah Forever.”

According to Lupe, “Stan” is “hands-down probably Eminem’s greatest record.” He laid out how Eminem brilliantly coined the term in fan culture, which was effective because he managed to pour universal, relatable macros into the song instead of trying to force “a bunch of details.” Lupe explained why he felt compelled to write “Jonylah Forever,” inspired by the tragic true story of a six-month-old girl named Jonylah Watkins who was shot dead in Chicago in 2013. Her father was the intended target.

“Destroyed the city. I was like, I need to make that a song right now,” Lupe told the class. “And the song was about Jonylah growing up, going to school, being really smart, going to med school, becoming a doctor. … She goes to open up a free clinic in the neighborhood in which she grew up in, and then one day, she’s in the office. She hears some gunshots outside, and then she runs outside to this van and gets this little girl. Triages her, stabilizes her till the paramedics can come, and eventually, she’s saved. She doesn’t realize that she just saved herself. Repetition, repetition, repetition, power. The twist, the power of that. The surprise.”

Lupe used Lamar’s “Sing About Me” as an example of when the surprise doesn’t fix everything — contrasting how he and Eminem blatantly said their plot twists where Lamar leaned more on evocative symbolism. Lupe promised to teach his students how to use “this particular frame” to learn about “a very specific type of surprise and how to utilize it and execute it” by studying stories from the simplicity of “The Three Little Pigs” all the way to Lamar’s intricate discography.

“You can talk about whatever you want,” Lupe said. “Just has to rhyme. That’s the only thing I ask. And it has to be to a beat.”

The course, per Lupe’s slideshow, will cover “fundamental rap primes” such as surprise, rhyme, metaphor, tone, and more. The full name of the class is “CMS.S60 Special Subject: Rap Theory & Practice.” Registration has begun for the 2023 spring semester.

Watch the full 90-minute introductory video above and learn more from Lupe’s tweets below.

For many, STARZ’s BMF is their favorite of all the series that 50 Cent has led and put out in the post-Power world. The show is loosely based on the rise and fall of the Black Mafia Family, the Detroit-based drug organization that was founded by brothers Demetrius “Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory in 1985. BMF’s success would go nationwide thanks to hubs set up in Los Angeles and Atlanta along with connections to drug organizations outside the country. Unfortunately for the Flenory brothers, the empire would come crashing down in 2005 with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicting them and over 100 members of BMF on drug charges. Meech and T would eventually be sentenced to 30 years behind bars.

Season one of BMF, which launched in the fall of 2021, displayed the early days of Meech and T. Viewers saw their wins and losses as hustlers trying to make a name for themselves as leaders of The 50 Boyz. We saw Meech and T’s life in the drug game interfere with and destroy the relationships between their parents and themselves. Loyalties were tested, and while some passed (B-Mickie), others failed (Kato) and they were left to pay the ultimate price for it. In the end, Meech and T were seemingly able to conquer their enemies (Lamar) and set out to reach the next level. The only issue is Meech and T were not on the same page at the conclusion of season one. Meech sought to expand his name and riches in the drug game while T desired an honest and civil life. With that in mind, here are a few things to keep in mind as we head into season two of BMF.

— When does the BMF era begin? We know that Meech and T launched BMF in 1985, so it makes sense that there’s no mention of that group — only The 50 Boyz — in season one as those events take place in the 1970s. Seeing that the timeline will certainly move forward as Meech at least has his eyes on expanding, we should expect BMF’s introduction to happen at some point this season.

— What will be the result of Lamar and Kato’s deaths? Two central characters — Lamar and Kato — were murdered at the end of season one. Lamar coerced Kato into working with him to trap Meech and kill him. Lamar’s 12th Street gang and Meech’s 50 Boyz were engaged in a street war over some Detroit territory, so the former’s death means some changes are on the horizon in Detroit. What kind of retaliation will Meech and The 50 Boyz receive? Will they take over the Detroit territory with ease? We hope season two will answer those questions.

— Will Meech and Tee reunite this season? With BMF being loosely based on real events, we already know that Meech and T don’t reunite fully after their initial split. Meech sets up shop in Atlanta for distribution, while T resorts to Los Angeles to handle incoming shipments from Mexico. Whether or not that’s how things play out in BMF remains to be seen, but at least for season two, we hope that the Flenory brothers can reconnect because two is certainly better than one.

— What lengths will the Flenory boys go to in season two to escape the law? In order to expand their empire, Meech and T (whenever he rejoins the crew) will absolutely have to go to extreme measures to escape and stay one move ahead of the law. However, Detective Bryant remains on their heels watching their every move in hopes of trapping them and finally taking them down. With his former partner Detective Lopez getting killed at the end of season one, Bryant has all the more reason to take down Meech and T. This means that the Flenorys will have to go to great lengths to stay out of prison. A life constantly on the run isn’t the best one, but for the circumstances at hand, it’s what’s required for Meech and T.

Season 2 of ‘BMF’ debuts on STARZ on January 6.

The year may be over but the pirate agenda still lives on forever.

Sailing seas across the globe, performing in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East for concerts and event appearances in the last year, the grind doesn’t stop for KQ Entertainment’s boy group ATEEZ. Closing the year off with a new EP titled SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS, the eight-member ensemble released the music video to their lead single “HALAZIA” earlier today (December 30). The single’s lyrics “delivers the message of finding hope in the darkness,” according to a press release by Sony Music Korea.

SPIN OFF is a whole spin-off project from ATEEZ’s series “THE WORLD” that elevates the group’s music and concept storytelling. The EP consists of five tracks including “HALAZIA.” The press release from Sony Music Korea further states the “spin off that recounts their tales through a third-person witness account.” The EP is an “extended universe, a new perspective is explored, with more questions than answers given through the cinematic trailers and powerful delivery of their new tracks.”

Composed of eight members, Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho, ATEEZ made their debut under KQ Entertainment in 2018. The octet recently finished the US and Japan legs of their THE FELLOWSHIP: BREAK THE WALL tour, and will embark in the European leg in the first quarter of 2023.

Move over, Gwen Stefani: You’re not the only blond-haired, early-2000s pop culture icon looking to make a musical comeback. Although Amazon Music Live wrapped up its concert series for the year with 21 Savage, their streaming platform had one more treat to give subscribers. Reality TV star, DJ, and NFT investor Paris Hilton surprised supporters with a re-release of her chart-topping single, “Stars Are Blind.”

Initially released in 2006, the song produced by Garibay served as the launching pad for the socialite’s music career with her self-titled album. The newly recorded version of the song has a bit more refinement while showing Hilton has made some strides in her unique vocal abilities. The track recently covered by Kim Petras quickly became a cult classic at the turn of the millennium.

On Instagram, Hilton shared the announcement with a heartfelt message: “This song has always meant so much to me, it felt right to close out 2022 with a refreshed version. And seeing my face lighting up Times Square is so special. Thank you to everyone who has always supported my music career. I literally have the best fans on the planet and have loved seeing all of your posts about the new song,” adding “P.S. More new music to come in the new year.”

To listen to the song, click here. You must have an Amazon Prime or Amazon Music subscription to access the song.

With his long-sought after tax returns now out in the open, Donald Trump is attempting to get ahead of the presumably bad headlines that are heading his way. After the Supreme Court surprisingly ruled against Trump, who personally picked nearly half of the sitting justices, the returns were made available by the House Ways and Means Committee on Friday, January 30.

Within hours Trump released a statement, but not on Truth Social. The former president had his spokesperson Liz Harrington deliver the news on Twitter where people might actually read it. There was also an ominous tone to the whole thing as Trump vowed that “horrible things” will now happen. Considering this is a guy who spurred a literal assault on the U.S. Capitol, that’s probably not great.

“The Democrats should have never done it, the Supreme Court should have never approved it, and it’s going to lead to horrible things for so many people,” Trump said. “The great USA divide will now grow far worse. The radical, left Democrats have weaponized everything, but remember, that is a dangerous two-way street!”

Trump continued to blast the Democrats for taking America down a “dangerous two-way street,” which definitely isn’t a threat. Haha, why would you think that? The former president also made sure to note that he’s very successful even though his tax returns will probably suggest otherwise. He’s great at business, you guys.

The radical, left Democrats have weaponized everything, but remember, that is a dangerous two-way street! The “Trump” tax returns once again show how proudly successful I have been and how I have been able to use depreciation and various other tax deductions as an incentive for creating thousands of jobs andmagnificent structures and enterprises.

You can see Trump’s full statement below:

(Via Liz Harrington on Twitter)

Ja Morant told the world last week that he wasn’t worried about any team in the Western Conference, signaling his belief that his Memphis Grizzlies are ready to chase a title. His performance this season mostly backs that up: 27.1 points per game and career highs in rebounds and assists. As of this writing, Memphis is 21-13, third in the West standings and second in net rating among West teams.

There is, however, a question that needs to be answered: Are the Grizzlies on track to rise above the squads on the other side of the Mississippi and make good on Morant’s fighting words?

Since Morant’s viral quote, the Grizzlies have losses to Golden State and Phoenix despite being at full health. That’s not to mention a double-digit L in Denver on national TV just before Morant gave his interview. The only game during that stretch in which he didn’t put up at least 34 points came on Thursday, when he had a career-high 17 assists to go along with 19 points against Toronto.

These aren’t outlier performances: Morant’s usage and assist rates this year would be, by far, career highs. We don’t know yet what type of player Morant will be at his peak, but considering the ways in which he can control games when he’s feeling his jumper and manipulating passing angles, his destiny seems more evolutionary Jason Kidd than Russell Westbrook. That means he needs to find the right supporting cast, like Kidd did in Phoenix and New Jersey. This season, despite a slight dip in efficiency (especially at the rim), he is backing up his bravado with incredible production.

As for the supporting cast, Memphis’ front office has chosen to be patient in the early part of Morant’s career, surrounding him with versatile, raw prospects to play Morant’s preferred physical, up-tempo style. They’ve gotten great value on those mid-to-late first round picks, from Brandon Clarke at No. 21, to Desmond Bane at No. 30, to Ziaire Williams at No. 11, to this year’s intriguing tandem of Jake LaRavia and David Roddy. The downside to this kind of slow build is it leaves them in a position in which nobody in their rotation is older than 30 — the exception is Danny Green, who is hurt — and most of the bench is made up of players on their first NBA contract.

Of course, this team-building strategy also gives the Grizzlies a higher ceiling. Before missing a month with a toe injury, Bane was playing out of his mind, averaging 24.6 points per game on 46 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent from deep to go along with 4.8 assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. has reached an even higher ceiling as a defender in 2022, ranking first overall in Defensive Effective Plus-Minus and gobbling up nearly six (!) combined steals and blocks per 36 minutes. The Grizzlies’ defense is 9.2 points better per 100 possessions when Jackson is on the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass, and lineups with both Jackson and center Steven Adams allow just 100.7 points per 100 possessions, nearly 10 points better than the top defensive rating in the NBA. If Bane and Jackson can stay healthy (and in Jackson’s case, avoid foul trouble), they are the perfect co-stars — on both ends of the floor — to help lead the Grizzlies where Morant wants to go.

But even in a world where he is healthy for a full postseason run again, Jackson is still developing on the offensive end. The tools are all there, he’s just 23, and he’s having one of the most efficient offensive seasons of his young career. Having said that, Jackson’s high-level scoring touch and ball skills (for a 7-footer) aren’t a huge difference-maker for Memphis yet. Most of the time, his scoring chances come via spot-up threes, attacking closeouts, or quick post-ups against mismatches. More than half — 57.4 percent — of his field goal attempts come without dibbling first, per NBA.com. He’s a solid offensive player who is still dependent on other players to help him score.

More likely this season is that Bane, who will be 25 come playoff time, rises to meet Morant as a championship-level second option. There are few players in the NBA whose development means more than the dead-eye shooter. Bane is getting to the rim more this season and has more than doubled his free-throw rate from last season. He’s also taking 3.9 pull-up threes per game compared to just three last season. These are signals that he is ready to be more of a shot creator for Memphis as opposed to someone who feeds off the gravity Morant creates.

Add in Bane’s very good defensive chops and he is the perfect backcourt mate for Morant, particularly when the postseason runs around and the ability to win games on both ends of the floor becomes all the more important. Lineups featuring both Morant and Bane are outscoring opponents by 17.9 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass. If Bane is ready to go toe-to-toe with other elite second bananas like Jamal Murray, Paul George, and Brandon Ingram, the Grizzlies can win multiple playoff rounds without much change.

If there’s one thing Morant’s comments illustrated, it’s that the West truly is wide open. There’s nobody he needed to make an exception for because there’s no obvious favorite. That makes it all the more intriguing to imagine what could be if the Memphis front office shifts into attack mode.

Assuming the Grizzlies get the best out of Morant, Bane, Jackson, and Adams come playoff time, it’s tough to find a fifth player to complete their closing lineup. Dillon Brooks is a dogged defender and never lacks confidence, which is why he’s earned the starting spot as of today. While he is foul-prone and streaky on his worst days, Brooks has come in with better shot selection this season playing the most minutes of his career.

But Memphis can improve upon that spot in the lineup in the short-term, and in the long-term, Brooks will be a free agent in 2023. If Memphis could rely on Williams, who turned 21 in September, to be the player he was after last season’s All-Star break, he’d be a logical option, but he’s 3-for-26 from deep this year and has a sky-high turnover rate. Green is a cagey veteran, but he’s recovering from a torn ACL, so it would be hard to project him being a crunch time player in four months. LaRavia and Roddy are probably too young. John Konchar is solid too, but elite opposing scorers can beat him off the bounce.

Could Memphis, which is flush with young players, draft capital, and contracts they can use to make these sorts of deals feasible, become a logical buyer as the trade deadline nears? They were a fashionable choice to pursue Kevin Durant, even if that seemed to be more of a plausible landing spot based on what Durant wanted than a thing that ever had legs. Local Grizzlies host Chris Vernon has been vocal about wanting OG Anunoby on the team, but Toronto rarely trades its homegrown talent away and Anunoby’s apparent desire to have a bigger role might not mesh with being on the same roster as Morant and Bane. And for all the things they possess in their war chest of players and picks, other teams could outbid them for Durant, Anunoby, and other big-name trade targets, unless they put a player like Bane or Jackson on the table, which runs the risk of upending what is being built.

Still, Memphis is in a position to do something if they so choose. Could they stack the salaries of Green or Brooks plus someone like Clarke, along with some combination of picks, for Kyle Kuzma? Maybe they deal Brooks/Green, a less-heralded youngster like Xavier Tillman, and a pick for Detroit’s Bojan Bogdanovic? Neither is a perfect fit, but it would at least give Memphis a more reliable rotation option for the biggest moments of the season.

In a bad recent home loss to Phoenix (without Devin Booker), the Grizzlies scored just 83.5 points per 100 possessions in the halfcourt, a mark far worse than Houston’s league-worst scoring rate. Memphis is 25th in halfcourt offense overall. At the very least, Kuzma or Bogdanovic would perk up the offense when it struggles in slower-paced moments. That might be all they need to match the Nuggets, Warriors, and other top West teams who’ve bested them lately.

Morant is ready for those moments. He’s out here telling us as much. The Grizzlies are getting there, too. Core players can use the rest of the season to build on strong starts, and if healthy, the team can finally gel after years of injuries. But perhaps most importantly, Memphis’ front office could absorb Morant’s signal and act aggressively, catapulting them from up-and-comers with a shot to the favorites to make it out of the West.

Last week, Tory Lanez was convicted of assault, negligently discharging a firearm, and illegal possession of that firearm after being accused of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet in 2020. During the week-long trial, the jury heard from witnesses including Megan Thee Stallion herself and a local resident of the neighborhood in which the shooting occurred, as well as the recorded statement from Meg’s friend Kelsey Harris and a jail phone call from Lanez to Harris in which Tory appears to apologize for the shooting.

Now, after the trial concluded, some of that evidence has become public record after the audio from Tory’s jail call surfaced online. Although Tory’s defense tried to portray the call as the rapper apologizing for allegedly pitting the two friends against each other, the jury saw it as a damning admission of guilt. Along with Harris’ testimony, it was enough to convince them that he had pulled the trigger. While some observers had remained skeptical of the reporting of the trial by reputable outlets such as Rolling Stone and the Los Angeles Times, preferring to be informed by unlicensed gossip blogs, it appears that with this information becoming widely available, perceptions are beginning to shift on social media, where Megan Thee Stallion was dragged through the mud in attempts to discredit her on behalf of the accused.

The veracity of the audio recording has been confirmed by reporters who were present for the trial, including Law Crime News’ Meghann Cuniff, who has acquired the cheeky nickname “Meghann Thee Reporter” on Twitter for her work during the trial. Meanwhile, Tory Lanez awaits sentencing after being convicted; he faces up to 22 years in prison and deportation back to Canada.

In June, Logic spoke with Zane Lowe about the challenges of being a target for internet trolls. “I wanted to step away from the negativity,” he said, in part. “Not like I’m trying to hide from it and this and that, but just like, ‘Dude, I need a break.’” Logic’s online behavior is generally positive, such as his “Like A Playwright” freestyle posted to Instagram this week. Another antidote for internet negativity is spreading holiday cheer IRL, which Logic also did.

On Thursday, December 28, the multiplatinum rapper and best-selling author wandered the streets and offered strangers $100 if they won impromptu rock, paper, scissors matchups. One woman wished Logic a merry Christmas after winning her $100, to which Logic replied, “Happy Kwanzaa!” Another guy couldn’t believe Logic was serious. “Is it for real?” he asked.

Logic responded, “Yeah, yeah. You got it, man. Get out of here. Don’t spend it all on blow. That’s a joke. Could you imagine?”

Hours before that video, Logic also posted an Instagram clip of him bumping into someone named Archie and offering to buy him a Revolvr sweater for Christmas. After that purchase was completed, Logic took him to Lark to shop for crystal candles. Despite Logic’s generosity, Archie still named Future as his favorite rapper. “I love this kid,” Logic said, laughing.

Watch both feel-good videos below.

While nothing seems to beat the appeal of a piney, dank, slightly bitter IPA when it comes to craft beer drinkers, in recent years you’ve probably seen a lot more lagers at your favorite craft breweries. Even though drinkers still enjoy hazy, Juicy New England-style IPAs and even barrel-aged stouts, there seems to be an increase in the popularity of classic pilsners, Czech-style lagers, and other easy-drinking, refreshing beers.

Of course, this isn’t exactly new. It’s a boom, for sure, but beer fans have always enjoyed the clean, crisp taste of a well-made lager. Don’t believe us? Just as the brewers themselves. They can get in on the hype wagon when it comes to new beer styles just like anyone. But many always go back to lagers.

That’s why we decided to reach out to them and get the real scoop on lagers. We asked a handful of well-known craft beer experts and brewers to tell us the one lagers they’ll always crack open, any time of the year. Keep scrolling to see their crispy, refreshing picks.

Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils

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

ABV: 4.7%

Average Price: $11.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Oskar Blues Mama’s Yella Pils is essentially a de facto regular beer in my friend group. Whether it’s an opening beer at dinner or beers between volleyball games, a beer post-ride at the trailhead, Mama’s is a common sight. The 15-packs are about as affordable as many macros, and it tastes a hell of a lot better.

Tasting Notes:

The nose starts with gentle Noble hop aroma. This leads to a crisp, refreshing palate of biscuit-like malts, cereal grains, and floral, herbal hops at the finish.

Mumford Bier Beer

Dave Ziolkowski, head brewer at Arts District Brewing Company in Los Angeles

ABV: 4.2%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

Bier Beer. Peter Mumford’s house beer from Mumford Brewing. With a name like that, you should have a pretty good idea about what you’re going to get. It’s just a classic, easy-drinking lager.

Tasting Notes:

Light, clean, doughy but crisp, modern hopping but appropriate on the IBU. Refreshing from every angle.

Hamm’s

Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, Arizona

ABV: 4.7%

Average Price: $4.50 for a six-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Don’t laugh: Hamm’s. Tell me it was brewed by a small, lager-focused craft brewery and I’d believe you. Until I saw the receipt, anyway.

Tasting Notes:

Of the mass-market, always-available lagers, it’s easily the most flavorful, with gentle corn flavors balanced by crackers and a whiff of Noble hops.

Road Map Alright, Alright, Alright Pilsner

Wes Burbank, head brewer at Flix Brewhouse in San Antonio

ABV: 4.6%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

Alright, Alright, Alright Pilsner from Roadmap Brewing in San Antonio. It’s my go-to after work beer most days and the brewery is fairly close to my house.

Tasting Notes:

It’s just a perfectly balanced Pils and hits a great balance of flavor, hoppiness, and crushability. It also picked up a Gold at GABF this year, so I guess at least a few other people agree.

Pfriem Pilsner

Kaylen Gibbens, assistant brewmaster at Widmer Brothers Brewing in Portland, Oregon

ABV: 4.9%

Average Price: $12.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

I usually have some Pfriem Pilsner in the fridge. It’s clean and crisp, and a great go-to. This 4.9% ABV pilsner is brewed with Gambrinus, Weyermann German Pilsner malts as well as Cara Foam and Acidulated malts. It gets its bright, hoppy flavor from the addition of Perle, Saphir, Tettnang, and Spalt Select.

Tasting Notes:

It’s crisp, light, and easy drinking with notes of cereal grains, honey, freshly cut grass, caramel malts, and Noble hops.

Bierstadt Helles

Ryan Joy, lead brewer at Green Flash Brewery in San Diego

ABV: 5.5%

Average Price: $12 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

You will find Helles from Bierstadt Lagerhaus in my fridge a lot. While its counterpart, Slow Pour Pils, gets most of the attention, I tend to enjoy Helles more.

Tasting Notes:

It’s easy drinking and light but has slightly less hop character and slightly more malt character than a pilsner which makes them just a bit easier to drink more than one.

3 Sheeps Pils

Garth E. Beyer, certified Cicerone® and owner and founder of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin

ABV: 5.3%

Average Price: $11.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

3 Sheeps Brewing says their 3 Sheeps Pils’s flavor profile is “crushable” and I couldn’t agree more. This pilsner is like a liquid corn stalk – cob, stalk, and all. There’s a beautiful slickness to the beer that makes taking care of a six-pack a one-person job.

Tasting Notes:

It balances graininess with corn sweetness. The cascade hops are so simple and dialed back that you get to experience the real flavors of malt in a light lager format.

T.F. Granary Kellerbier

Max Shafer, brewmaster at Roadhouse Brewing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

ABV: 5%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

Salt Lake City, Utah is just a stone’s throw away from us in Jackson – and it is home to some really great breweries. My favorite of the bunch is T.F. Brewing, and my go-to from them is their 3-time GABF medal-winning ‘Granary Kellerbier.’ T.F. doesn’t do much distribution, so when I find myself in Salt Lake, I stock up on this classic, highly drinkable Kellerbier.

Tasting Notes:

It isn’t every day that you find a lager as smooth and as crisp as this one. Utilizing German malt and hops, this beer is bound to transport you to your favorite biergarten in Munich.

Honest Weight Prescott

Kyle Warren, lead brewer at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company in Framingham, Massachusetts

ABV: 4.7%

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

The Beer:

Honest Weight Prescott. Named after one of the Western Massachusetts towns that was flooded nearly a century ago to create the Quabbin Reservoir, Boston’s primary water source, Prescott is a German-style Pilsner that never disappoints.

Tasting Notes:

A subtle Bavarian water profile, German malt, and noble hops set the stage for an effervescent and crispy crusher that leaves you wanting little else …other than to know when the next release will be.

Hacker Pschorr Kellerbier

Judy Neff, founder and brewer at Checkerspot Brewing Company in Baltimore

ABV: 5.5%

Average Price: $13 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest is my go-to in the Fall. It’s a solid and traditional Oktoberfest that I look forward to every year. If we’re talking all year long, I stick with the iconic German brewery and drink their classic Hallertau hop-filled kellerbier.

Tasting Notes:

This unfiltered beer is known for its crisp, easy-drinking flavor profile featuring honey, freshly baked bread, caramel, and floral, earthy hops.

Colombian producer Ovy On The Drums is stepping into the spotlight. The hit-maker behind Karol G‘s songs teamed up with Puerto Rican superstar Ozuna for his animated “Chao Bebe” music video that was released today (December 30).

Ovy On The Drums is best known as Karol G’s longtime producer. This past year, he produced her global hits like “Provenza,” “Mamiii” with Becky G, and “Cairo,” on which he also features. For his own single “Chao Bebe,” Ovy On The Drums joined forces with Ozuna. He blends reggaeton music beats with an EDM edge. In the kiss-off club banger, Ozuna sings about moving on from a toxic relationship with a dismissive “chao.”

“‘Chao Bebe’ has all the makings of a global hit,” Ovy On The Drums said in a statement. “When I was in the studio working on the track, I immediately had the idea of calling Ozuna to jump on this song. I’m very excited about the final results and I hope you can enjoy it to the fullest as we close this year and welcome 2023.”

In the “Chao Bebe” video, computer-animated versions of Ovy On The Drums and Ozuna are shown inside a scientist’s lab creating the song. Ovy On The Drums launched his music career as an artist in 2020 with the release of “Sigo Buscandote” featuring Mau y Ricky. Karol G and Danny Ocean joined him later that year for his other hit “Miedito o Qué?”

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