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Budding hip-hop talent, Coi Leray, stands by her declaration, “girls are players too,” but in her new single, “Wasted,” she shows that love isn’t always fun and games.

Co-produced by Taylor Hill and Tommy “Tbhits” Brown, the track is a sonic departure from Leray’s signature high-energy club kid aesthetic as heard on “Blick Blick” featuring Nicki Minaj and “Fly Sh!t.” Instead, Leray leans into the vulnerable nature heard in her previously released single, “Anxiety.”

This go-around, the rapper explores the gut-wrenching reality that the person you love and care for deeply isn’t the one for you — a reality the recording artist knows all too well following her breakup with Toronto rapper Pressa.

Co-written by Alexander “Big A” Prado and Leonard “Skeez” Lowman, the song Leray trades in her spunky rap delivery for a melodic vocal approach as the R&B calls for a much more delicate approach. It is clear Leray chose this as her newest single to showcase her range and she knocks it out of the park.

As she sings, “I gave you one chance, then you f*cked it up, then you f*cked it up again / A mistake ain’t a mistake when you make the same one again / You told me that I’m the one, but I ain’t one of them / Communication gettin’ frustrated, can we make it make sense? / You make more time for your homies, you hit me when you feelin’ lonely,” it is hard not to be pulled into Leray’s pain.

Leray took to Twitter to share the inspiration behind the track, writing, “This song is for my bitches who wasted time, energy, and so much more dealing with you f*ck n****s! Ladies, let this song heal you and understand you are not alone!”

In addition to the song’s release across music streaming platforms, Leray teamed up with production companies Valley Visions and Unique Visions to direct the official video. The visual stars model Justus Pickett as Leray’s love interest and viewers are guided through the ups and downs of this love affair gone awry.

Watch the full video above.

Myles Turner, whose name frequently pops up in trade rumors and has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers in a potential Russell Westbrook trade for months, may not leave the Indiana Pacers after all. According to a new report by Shams Charania of The Athletic, Turner and the Pacers have opened up talks on a potential contract extension that will keep him from hitting unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of this season.

Currently, Turner is in the final year of a 4-year, $80 million extension he signed with the team and makes $18 million a year. The Athletic notes that the Pacers can offer him an additional $19.1 million and that the two sides have until March 1 to get an extension done.

Via The Athletic:

It’s believed that extension conversations are still at an initial phase, with a March 1 deadline for the sides to reach a deal. Due to contract stipulations, no extension can be agreed upon between March 1 and June 30. Turner will have several factors to debate when deciding on a potential extension, including his personal development on this roster as well as stability given he’s played for four coaches in eight years and has fluctuating minutes and shot attempts at times. If an extension does not occur, Turner will enter unrestricted free agency in July.

The Pacers have been one of the surprise stories in the Eastern Conference this season. While they entered the year expected to be firmly in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Indiana sits at 16-16, good for eighth place in the East. Turner is a major reason why, as he’s averaging 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 29.5 minutes per game while connecting on 41.7 percent of his attempts from three.

With Rolling Loud’s return to Los Angeles right around the calendar corner, the festival recently revealed its lineup featuring headliners Future, Playboi Carti, and Travis Scott. This week, though, the fest’s organizers added someone to the list of people who can’t go to the 2023 event: Nusret Gökçe, aka viral chef Salt Bae. Jumping on the recent announcement that FIFA would be blocking his attendance from future events after his antics at the recently concluded World Cup in Qatar, the Rolling Loud Twitter account wrote, “We have also banned Salt Bae from Rolling Loud LA 2023 in March.”

Of course, it’s pretty obvious that the statement is more of a joke than anything else. The Rolling Loud social media manager has proven to have a pretty wicked sense of humor — even razzing a rapper whose stage was only attended by 13 people — so it’s probably just a reference to all the other events showing Gökçe the proverbial red card for wandering onto the pitch after Argentina’s World Cup final victory over France to kiss the trophy last Sunday. FIFA issued the salty chef with a ban from the 2023 US Open Cup final as it considers what other actions it will take against him.

138 days have passed — it’s been a little under five months since the release of Beyoncé’s seventh studio album Renaissance. Celebrating Black, queer culture in a dance-filled record, the album has easily found itself on listeners’ #SpotifyWrapped charts, across Ballroom floors, and placed on album of the year lists.

It’s unsurprising that Renaissance has held a relevant position in pop culture considering the endless memes and themed dance parties — regardless of the album’s undelivered music videos. If it wasn’t obvious after the release of her self-titled album in 2013, Beyoncé knows how to captivate an audience for an extensive period of time. As Twitter users joked about members of the BeyHive getting to leave the imaginary waiting room of artists that rarely drop music (alongside fans of SZA, Rihanna, and Frank Ocean), the unbelievable existence surrounding the album’s long-awaited release started to feel real. The longing for the album’s visuals is similar to how we’ll be yearning for the next chapter of the Houston native’s teased three-act project.

Longevity isn’t anything new for Beyoncé. If you’ve been following her superstardom since the days of Destiny’s Child or even 2016’s vulnerable project Lemonade, everything revolving around the artist stays relevant. On “Formation,” she did claim that she’s that b*tch because she frequently causes conversation. In “I’m That Girl,” she reminded her listeners exactly who the f*ck she is with the opening sample by the late Memphis rapper Princess Loko.

She’s also tapping into a wider trend. Like a variety of musical projects from the likes of PinkPantheress, Rochelle Jordan, Drake, Shygirl, Channel Tres/Tinashe, and IDK/Kaytranada, Renaissance is one of many examples of why 2022 was a popular year for dance music by Black artists. Following two years of isolation, grief, and an unforeseeable return to normalcy, Renaissance arrived at a necessary time to return to the dance floor.

As many have mentioned, the album’s effortless flow is perfect for a night out, and that’s evident with the existence of #ClubRenaissance parties at clubs across the globe. While sharing an open letter about the album, Beyoncé anticipated that her fans would find joy in the music and “release a wiggle” while listening to it. Following the June arrival of lead single “Break My Soul,” some pointed out that the album’s ode to queer culture would’ve been heavily appreciated during Pride Month, but its drop toward the end of July promised a rewarding conclusion of the summer.

In the open letter, she also dedicated the album to her late Uncle Johnny, who passed away from HIV. “He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album,” she writes. While acknowledging the impact that her Uncle Johnny had in her life — which was also mentioned during her acceptance speech at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards — the mission to pay homage to Black queer and trans icons was evident throughout the album.

Her extensive roster of Black LGBTQ+ collaborators included New Orleans bounce phenomenon Big Freedia, The Internet’s singer-songwriter and sapphic superstar Syd, multihyphenate Grace Jones, television personality Ts Madison, and DJ/producer Honey Dijon, among others. Prior to Renaissance’s arrival, Beyoncé said, “My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom.” Her intended choice of words has resonated with me for months: to be Black and queer during the release of Beyoncé’s Renaissance is to feel heard, seen, and unapologetically loved. The album’s recognizable reverence to Black queer artists, drag queens, and listeners was intentional, just as she spoke.

To minimize the longevity of this album to the unknown arrival of its visuals wouldn’t be fair. Following the surprise drop of Beyoncé in 2013, fans have always questioned the secrets that could be up the artist’s sleeve, especially if she’s carrying her notorious laptop.

Besides the visuals and forthcoming two acts, what else is Beyoncé hiding up her sleeve? Well, I personally didn’t account for the limited-edition “Cuff It” themed merchandise that would be gifted by Queen Bey for the lucky few that created a viral video for participating in the trending #CuffItChallenge. After the challenge swept its way beyond TikTok and onto every social media platform, she rewarded her fans’ choreography by reposting 27 of her “Cuff It Picks” onto her account via an Instagram Guide.

Perhaps the relevancy and compelling nature of the 16-track album has more to do with its sound, specifically the work of longtime collaborator The-Dream. After penning remarkable classics like “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” “Grown Woman,” and “Formation,” The-Dream was bound to create a sonic masterpiece on Renaissance. If the combination of the album’s funk, disco, house, soul, R&B, and gospel doesn’t explain its addictive flair, maybe the excitement for its live performances will.

Following the historic blessing that is BeyChella, not to mention her infamous dance breaks, the Renaissance tour will be a lively experience creating FOMO for those not in attendance. The approaching tour dates were inadvertently confirmed to occur during next summer after an auction for October’s Wearable Art Gala, leaving fans who are now financially preparing themselves for the tour’s announcement. Whether Ticketmaster is ready or not for the BeyHive after the debacle with Taylor Swift’s devoted Swifties, the satisfaction of attending the Renaissance tour has motivated employed people everywhere.

As fans fill Beyoncé’s comment sections asking about the status of the album’s visuals, don the disco balls (every last one of them) and dance carefree with your loved ones as the hour-long album plays from start to finish. Renaissance has gifted us a moment to release ourselves and escape within songs like “Church Girl” or “Virgo’s Groove.” Go ahead and press play to absorb the bad b*tch energy that oozes out of tracks like “Pure/Honey” and “Heated.” In an attention economy that often finds it hard to focus on anything longer than a week, this is built to last. As Beyoncé stated in the album’s opening track, Renaissance truly is That Girl, and it’s time to wholeheartedly recognize it while reviewing this year’s best albums.

As 2022 nears to a close, Instagram rolled out a year-end reflection feature on Wednesday (December 21) with Bad Bunny and DJ Khaled. IG users can create 2022 recap Reels featuring voiceovers from the music superstars.

Recently Instagram unveiled the 2022 recap Reels on the app. A “create your 2022 recap Reel” prompt has popped up on many users’ homepages. Another way to access the year-end feature is by visiting the Reels tab and selecting the 2022 recap template. Bad Bunny, DJ Khaled, Stranger Things star Priah Ferguson, and Indian rapper Badshah recorded special voiceovers to soundtrack people’s memories this past year.

“I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, we have to start worrying less, life goes by too fast, enjoy each moment,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “Just like this year, I’ll have it in my heart por siempre. I’m grateful for all the amazing moments I was able to enjoy and all the people who formed part of it. Instagram, we are ready for 2023!”

Bad Bunny also created his own 2022 recap Reel. In Spanish, his voiceover says, “Life goes by too fast. Enjoy each moment. Just like this year, I’ll have it in my heart por siempre.” The Puerto Rican star’s Reel includes scenes from when he wrestled for the WWE, clips from his El Último Tour del Mundo 2022 and World’s Hottest Tour, and videos from his album Un Verano Sin Ti.

After nearly two years in a gridlocked pandemic, this year in music was all about paying homage to nostalgic acts. Pop icon Britney Spears made her triumphant return to music, as did Backstreet Boys. While rock band Blink-182 plans to make their return next year, No Doubt plans to do the same. Musicians weren’t the only ones feeling the throwback energy in the air. According to Billboard, consumers of music felt the same opting for vinyl album purchases in mass this year.

Data and insight company, Luminate, revealed that last week (ending on December 15) was the third-largest week for vinyl sales since 1991 — well that’s when the company began tracking the metrics. Of the albums released on vinyl this year, the company reported, A Charlie Brown Christmas, sold a total of 469,000 pieces of vinyl. Overall, this year’s official vinyl album sales total $39.659 million dollars (or 1.521 million units), a 3.5% increase since last year.

This is quite normal for the 1965 animated TV special, as the document outlines, A Charlie Brown Christmas is consistently among the top-selling holiday album on vinyl annually domestically. Other albums at the top album sales chart include Taylor Swift’s Midnights which currently sits at No. 1 for the eighth consecutive week (a record previously held by Adele’s 30) and Zach Bryan’s American Heartbreak at No. 4.

But not all old music technology is being embraced. CD albums sale fell for the second consecutive year. The data should CD album sales only accounted for $33.822 million, which is down 11.3% compared to a year ago.

Yesterday, December 22, Mac DeMarco shared a glimmering cover of “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” to get into the holiday spirit. Now V from BTS is doing the same.

V’s cover is much fuller and more extravagant than DeMarco’s more minimalist take on the song. The rendition brims with charm; it’s the perfect carol for BTS fans. It’s definitely a gift for them, which they’ve been getting a lot of lately, considering fellow BTS member RM just recently released his debut solo album The Indigo, which had features from Anderson .Paak, Erykah Badu, and other notable artists.

Earlier this year, V made headlines for a weird reason. The group’s label HYBE attempted to trademark and obtain the rights to the term “Borahae,” but it was actually made by V, whose real name is Kim Taehyung. Their attempt was rejected by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). KIPO stated HYBE Corporation “applied for trademark rights even though they know that it is a trademark used by V.” Denying the trademark application was done in “the principles of good faith” knowing “HYBE is not V” and the music company has “a partnership and employer-employee relationship with Kim Tae Hyung.”

Listen to V’s rendition of “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” below.

Mike Bahía is embracing the sounds of his hometown Cali, Colombia in his new single “De Qué Manera.” In the retro music video that was released today (December 23), the Colombian singer-songwriter plays a salsa music singer.

Bahía is most known for winning Best New Artist at the 2020 Latin Grammy Awards. Since then, he has amassed global hits like “La Falta” alongside Mexican singer Carin León and “Esta Noche” with his fiancée, fellow Colombian singer Greeicy.

Cali is known as the salsa capital of the world. Many of the best salsa music dancers in the world have come from that city. For “De Qué Manera,” Bahía wanted to tap into the music that’s popular in his hometown. He worked on the sultry love song with Colombian hit-maker Keityn, who is behind hits for Shakira, J Balvin, and Maluma. Bahía also worked in a sample of the salsa music classic “Ya No Es Igual” by Colombian group Two Flow.

“I’m from Cali and I’ve wanted to put out a salsa song for a long time because it’s the music I grew up listening to and I’ve managed to incorporate it into some live songs during my recent concert tours,” Bahía said in a statement. “Many people think that I’m from some other city in Colombia, but I come from Cali, the salsa capital of the world, where salsa is lived and breathed everywhere you go.”

In the “De Qué Manera” video, Bahía dials it back to the eighties. Many happy couples are dancing to his song as he serenades them in a club. In February, Bahía will tour the US with Greeicy. The couple, who became parents to their son Kai earlier this year, will embark on the Amantes Tour: Kai in 2023.

Watch the video above and find the tour dates below.

02/23/2023 — New York, NY @ Colden Auditorium
02/24/2023 — Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
02/25/2023 — Miami, FL @ James L. Knight Center
02/26/2023 — Washington, D.C. @ Capital One Hall
03/02/2023 — Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
03/03/2023 — Houston, TX @ Arena Theatre
03/04/2023 — Chicago, IL @ Copernicus Center
03/05/2023 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo

Although whiskey and wine generally get all of the holiday attention, industry professionals and savvy booze consumers know that this holiday, it’s amaro that’s on everyone’s brains. These unique Italian herbal liqueurs are produced by infusing neutral grape spirit with a variety of herbs, spices, roots, and barks. While generally synonymous with post-dinner consumption, the enjoyment factor of these “digestivi” go far beyond the end of a long meal.

“Amaros belong to a very long tradition of beverages enjoyed during festivities,” explains Valentino Longo, brand ambassador of the Italian Trade Agency Spirits Campaign. Longo notes that amaro can vary in flavors depending on where they come from—stating that oftentimes, amaro from the north of Italy tend to be richer and deeper, whereas those from the south often err on the lighter and more fruity side of things—and the producer at hand. And while they’re relatively “new” in the US, these herbal liqueurs are definitely very common in Italy.

Izzy Tulloch, head bartender at Milady’s, notes that in addition to enjoying amaro during holiday gatherings, these unique bottles of booze make for excellent (and unique) gifts.

“Chances are, people are going to get quite a few bottles of whiskey and wine for the holidays—and while there’s no such thing as having too much of either of those, why not add a little variety?” she ponders, stating that thanks to the vast number of amaro brands out there, you can most definitely find something for everyone. Not sure where to begin? Here are five go-to picks for gifting and gathering alike.

Amaro Sibilla (Marche, Italy)

Crafted in the Marche region of Italy, Amaro Sibilla is the brainchild of Italian herbalist Girolamo Varnelli. Today, over 150 years later, the liqueur is still crafted at the Varnelli distillery in Pievebovigliana using a local concoction of herbs and barks, which are prepared over fire and sweetened with honey. On the palate, flavors of birch, crushed nuts, and dark spices jump from this complex and refreshing amaro. Fun fact: Sibilla gets its name from the nearby mountains from which the botanicals used in this amaro hail.

Longo notes that because amaro is such a unique product, that each bottle is completely different from the other, which makes it nice to try a variety of bottles from different producers. “For an Italian, amaro f is part of the culture, like bread, olive oil, or coffee – you can’t miss it,” he says, stating that the more you try, the more likely you are to find the perfect fit for your preferences. “There is truly an amaro for every palate,” he affirms.

Braulio Amaro (Lombardy, Italy)

Hailing from the Valtellina area of Lombardy, Braulio is an Alpine-influenced amaro with over 145 years of history. Today, the same processes as those used in the early days of production are still implemented – most notably, a minimum of two years of aging in oak barrels to allow all of the botanicals to breathe and mesh properly prior to bottling. This herbal amaro is packed with cooling flavors of clove, bark, and dried herbs.

For Tulloch, amaro is simply a necessity. “I’d argue that no table is complete without amaro,” she affirms. “As soon as the savory food is cleared and the coffee starts to brew, I reach for an amaro. It’s the perfect dessert pairing, it helps you digest, and it’s delicious.”

Averna Amaro (Sicily, Italy)

For a full-bodied, more citrus-forward amaro, look no further than Averna. Produced in the heart of Sicily, this authentic amaro’s island roots date back to 1868, and today still uses the same ancient recipe crafted over 150 years ago. Expect flavors of orange, sage, and juniper to mingle on the palate and lead to a gentian-and-anise-tinged finish.

Although generally enjoyed as a digestivo, Tulloch also reveals to enjoy amaro prior to the main course. “I love amaro at the beginning of a meal too, with some club soda and a lemon,” she says. However, the true power of the liqueur lies at the end of the meal. “However, nothing beats amaro after dinner,” she says. “There’s plenty of variety in the market, from less bitter and herbaceous to the really potent, so there’s something for every palate.”

Amaro Montenegro (Bologna, Italy)

Sipping Amaro Montenegro is like enjoying a taste of royalty—quite literally, in fact. First crafted in Bologna, this Italian bitter liqueur was created by Stanislao Cobianchi in 1895 and was named for the Princess Elena of Montenegro, who at the time, was destined to marry into the royal family of Italy. The original recipe calls for 40 different botanicals, including orange peels, balsamic, coriander, and vanilla. On the palate, this historic amaro is definitely the most floral of the bunch listed here—and if you have a thing for bright citrus or rose petals, this one’s definitely for you. To add a burst of life to this flavor-packed sipper, simply add a splash of sparkling water with a lemon twist and serve over ice.

Meletti Amaro (Marche, Italy)

Who says you can’t have your dessert and drink it, too? Meletti’s chocolate and caramel-inspired notes promise to satisfy those looking to pair a more approachable amaro with their end-of-meal treats. Sweeter than the other amari listed above, this easy-to-sip liqueur jumps with flavors of cinnamon, caramel, and clove, with floral-driven flavors leading to a long-lasting finish.

In true Italian fashion, Longo believes that amaro is the best way to finish a lunch or dinner, with a good cup of coffee on the side. “As part of working as a really good digestivo, they also keep the conversations alive on the table, as well as keep your guests a few more minutes before leaving,” he says. “Amaro has to be enjoyed with friends and families, and a good amount of laughter.”

Netflix was the streamer that started it all. Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Criterion Channel, Disney+, Shudder — they’d be nowhere without the company that started as a rent-by-mail DVD service. Nowadays, they’re not doing so hot. Reckless spending and fleeing subscribers have put the company in jeopardy, making them desperate. They’ve already created a cheaper ad-supported version, hoping to lure some folks back. Now they’re looking to do something they’ve long threatened.

A new report by The Wall Street Journal claims that Netflix brass are planning to put the kibosh on password sharing, in which one subscriber gives their login info to family and/or friends. It’s not an uncommon practice among their clientele. Indeed, the report says it will affect 100 million viewers, which is a lot of shared passwords. What’s more, the end of the good old days is coming awfully soon: The plan is reportedly coming into effect in early 2023.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos knows this won’t be popular. “Make no mistake, I don’t think consumers are going to love it right out of the gate,” he told investors earlier this month. And it is a gamble: Instead of throwing up their hands and signing up for their own subscription so they can keep streaming Seinfeld, many may simply bid adieu, turning to another streamer that doesn’t have such a draconian rule. Sure enough, when this plan goes into effect (if it does at all), it will make Netflix the only platform to restrict password sharing. Maybe they’ll have to give the next Knives Out sequel an actual theatrical run, just to keep the lights on.

(Via WSJ)