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Loving grandson helped his ‘Nana’ record an album. Now the 95-yr-old is a Grammy nominee.

Clearly, music runs in the Alvarez family. Angela Alvarez, now 95, began writing songs at the age of 14 while growing up in 1930s Cuba. She might have not continued with professional ambitions, but the passion was kept well alive.

Her grandson, Carlos José Alvarez, then went on to become a composer in Los Angeles, combining his inherited talent with a love for cinema. Carlos José knew the huge impact his grandmother’s (aka Nana’s) music made on his life, and as Alavarez grew older, he wanted to encapsulate her legacy by creating an album of her songs.

Little did he or his gifted Nana know just how far the loving gesture would go.


Carlos José told the The Washington Post that inspiration led him to bring a microphone over to his Nana’s house—now in Baton Rouge, Louisiana—to capture her “angelic and soulful” voice. Though he was no stranger to her singing, in the process of recording, Carlos José learned more about his Nana’s life than he had ever known before.

Alvarez had written more than 50 songs during her lifetime. With every piece, she coped with major milestones and obstacles in her life, like the grief of losing both her husband and daughter to cancer, and helping her young children flee alone into the U.S. as Fidel Castro took over their home country.

“I didn’t realize that these songs were like a diary of her life. It all made sense,” Carlos José told The Washington Post. “You can hear the life she has lived in her singing.”

This was as far as her love for music could ever go, as she was forbidden by her father to become a professional musician. Loving him dearly, she complied to sing only for her “family, and not the world.”

That would soon change, as Carlos José decided to not only record his Nana’s songs, but produce and release a full 15-track album, simply titled “Angela Alvarez.” The passion project became a labor of love for many of Carlos José’s creative friends, including not only fellow musicians, but Cuban American actor Andy Garcia, who was so moved by Carlos José’s act of kindness that he helped create “Miss Angela,” a documentary chronicling Alvarez’s life and the songs inspired by it.

Alvarez’s long-lost dream had finally come to fruition. She even celebrated her 91st birthday by captivating audiences during her first live public concert at the historic Avalon in L.A, where Garcia gave her a glowing introduction. “She represents a generation, perhaps our greatest generation of Cubans,” he told viewers.

Then things got even better. Now Alvarez is nominated for a Latin Grammy award for Best New Artist. The lesson: It’s never too late for a dream to flourish. Magic can happen by continuing to do the things that make you come alive.

Perhaps the even greater lesson comes from Carlos José. As he shared with Billboard, “I hope this entire project inspires young people to sit down and talk to their elders. Ask them questions. Ask them about the dreams they had once upon a time. They will be surprised at what they will find. If we don’t ask them, they won’t tell us, and their wisdom and dreams will leave with them.”

Kudos to the grandma finally getting her long-awaited moment in the sun, and to the grandson whose love helped make it happen.

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These global change-makers represent the very best of humanity

Some people say that while change is inevitable, progress is a choice. In other words, it’s a purposeful act—like when American media mogul and philanthropist Ted Turner established the United Nations Foundation 25 years ago.


Turner recognized that the United Nations is indispensable to tackling humanity’s greatest challenges and driving global progress, and he also knew that solving complex, worldwide problems require a blend of diverse solutions and partners. He’s a pretty smart guy.

As a strategic partner of the United Nations, the UN Foundation seeks to solve the world’s biggest challenges by bringing together different perspectives, fresh thinking, and innovative ideas. Think of it as a massive table, where the best and the brightest from all over the world are invited to bring new and creative ideas to solve complex problems affecting humanity. That’s the UN Foundation, and it’s awesome.

Honorees, speakers and guests on stage at We the PeoplesPhoto: Jason DeCrow for United Nations Foundation

Every year, the organization recognizes extraordinary individuals and institutions whose work stands out as an embodiment of their guiding principles: to create a safer, healthier, and fairer world for all. This year’s annual Global Leadership Awards were presented at We the Peoples in New York City’s Gotham Hall, where five recipients were honored for their tireless work to push progress forward.

Here are the change-makers who accepted the awards, which celebrate the very best of humanity.

Mia Amor Mottley, 2022 Champion for Global Change award. Not only is she the first female to hold the position of Prime Minister of Barbados, she exhibits top-notch leadership in her fight for global change. She is known for fearlessly urging the leaders of larger, richer, and more powerful countries to recognize their contributions to climate change and their responsibility to help combat its disastrous effects—especially in smaller island nations. (She also encourages leaders to have “mature conversations” with their constituents, something we can all agree is woefully lacking across the board!)

Hon. Mia Mottley, SC, MP, Prime Minister of BarbadosPhoto: Stuart Ramson for United Nations Foundation

Prime Minister Mottley takes stewardship of the environment very seriously. The island of Barbados is on the frontline of climate change impacts, which manifest in everything from more devastating hurricanes, to coastal erosion, and are getting worse from year to year. Not only that, she’s tackling social justice reform, lack of education access, and political corruption, one step at a time. “There are so many who are voiceless and so many who are incapable of action, but if those of us who have the capacity can make that difference in their lives, then the world would be a better place,” said Prime Minister Mottley. Seriously.

Forest Whitaker, SDG Vanguard Award: While Whitaker is best known for his acting roles, he is also Founder & CEO of Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, a project aiming to promote the values of peace within communities all over the world that are impacted by conflict and violence. His work has touched the lives of approximately 1.3 million children—including former child soldiers—helping them cope with trauma and learn to thrive in their communities. The goal is to move people from chaos to hope and engagement by educating, training, and restoring peace.

Hans Vestberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Verizon and UN Foundation Board member, presents the SDG Vanguard Award to Khadija Mayman, Youth PeacemakerPhoto: Jason DeCrow for United Nations Foundation

Whitaker staunchly values the potential of youth, insisting they deserve a seat at the table. He believes that in order to attain peace and prosperity, communities and nations must heed the voices of their young people; keeping them engaged is what preserves our future. “We must realize that whatever challenge we are faced with, young people can and should be part of the solution – both for today and tomorrow,” he said.

Whitaker walks the walk— and it showed when the spotlight was put on Khadija Mayman, Youth Peacemaker for the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, who accepted the award on his behalf. What better way to change the world, than to start by healing our children and letting them lead?

Mia Kami, SDG Vanguard Award: Kami is a Tongan singer/songwriter. She is passionate about gender equality, indigenous rights, and climate action, reminding us that storytelling has the power to fuel political and environmental change. She channels her passions into songwriting and uses her music to inspire hope and healing.

In 2022, a devastating volcanic eruption created a massive humanitarian crisis in her home country of Tonga. The volcano generated a plume of ash that rose more than 12 miles above sea level; the next day, there was a larger, more violent eruption that created an ash plume 375 miles in diameter. This second explosive eruption produced a tsunami that affected the entire Pacific Ocean, and atmospheric pressure waves that circled Earth several times. After the eruption, satellite images show that 90% of the island is no longer visible. Kami drew attention to the crisis through song. In one of her most popular works, Rooted, she sings:

There is hope

There is strength

There is power

There is change

In you and I

Singer-songwriter Mia Kami performs at We The Peoples 2022Photo: Stuart Ramson for United Nations Foundation

Kami’s ability to bridge art and action to protect the world’s oceans draws attention to issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, marking her as an extraordinary, creative change-maker.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), presented with the 2022 UN Heroes Award: Dr. Natalia Kanem, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNFPA, accepted the Award on behalf of the organization.

Dr. Natalia Kanem, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNFPA, accepts the 2022 UN Heroes Award, presented by Mark Malloch-Brown, President of Open Society Foundations and UN Foundation Board member at We the PeoplesPhoto: Jason DeCrow for United Nations Foundation

Founded in 1969 by concerned American citizens, this institution is the lead United Nations sexual and reproductive health and rights agency. They are there for mothers, pregnant women, and girls around the world, no matter what, and their work encompasses everything from educating women on family planning to working to end child marriage and gender-based violence—especially in times of war.

UNFPA delivers lifesaving care in places in crises so that girls and women can manage their periods, have healthy pregnancies, and deliver their babies safely. They recognize that when individuals are deprived of the right to make crucial choices about their own bodies and futures, it has a cascading impact on their families’ welfare and future generations.

Unsurprisingly, courage is one of their four core values; they pride themselves on saying and doing what’s right, not what’s easy, all the time. That is a purposeful act of progress for certain.

Peace on Purpose/lululemon. This year, the inaugural Goal 17 Innovation in Partnership Award was presented to recognize creative, cross-sector partnerships that are driving progress forward. Most of us associate the brand name lululemon with leggings, but it turns out that they do much more than sell athletic wear. Peace on Purpose is a collaborative effort between lululemon and the UN Foundation to provide tools, such as mindfulness training, for humanitarian workers to care for their mental and physical well-being so they can effectively care for others. Support people need support people, after all!

From left to right: Baroness Valerie Amos, Master, University College Oxford and Vice Chair, UN Foundation Board of Directors; Esther Speck, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Business & Impact at lululemon; Nikki Neuburger, Chief Brand Officer, lululemon.Photo: Jason DeCrow for United Nations Foundation

The award was accepted by two of lululemon’s leaders: Esther Speck, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Business & Impact, and Nikki Neuburger, Chief Brand Officer. Speck is widely respected among her colleagues as one of the most result-oriented professionals in sustainability. She managed to bridge lululemon and the UN Foundation seamlessly by recognizing that lululemon focuses on offering their customers a path to wellbeing, which entails supporting humanitarian and sustainable causes.

Photo courtesy of the UN Foundation

Esther Speck, Senior Vice President Sustainable Business & Impact at lululemon and Nikki Neuburger, Chief Brand Officer, lululemon.Photo: Jason DeCrow for United Nations Foundation

Neuburger is responsible for lululemon’s ability to share compelling stories from their team of 2,000 global ambassadors. “We really lean into highlighting those ambassadors,” said Neuburger in an interview with Ad Age, “lifting them up not only in terms of what they are doing with us, but also what they’ve got going on in their own communities.”

The results are undeniable: over 8,000 UN workers from 137 countries have been reached through in-person and digital mental health and well-being programs! Research shows that the Peace on Purpose initiative has so far led to a 40% reduction of important psychological risk factors such as anxiety and depression, and an increase in overall well-being and resilience.

It’s a dynamic table of visionaries, that’s for sure—and the world is better because of them. As Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the UN Foundation stated at the ceremony, “A few years ago, Ted [Turner] said: ‘The world is facing some tough obstacles, but I’ve never found much use in giving up. It’s much more effective to get to work.’ Well, at the UN Foundation, we believe in getting to work. We believe that allies and partners make us stronger. We believe that progress is worth fighting for, and we know you do too.”

If pushing progress forward is a choice, then these change-makers make the right one, every single day. Learn more about these change-makers and the work they are doing here.

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The Best Will.I.Am Songs, Ranked

Fresh Pair’s first season wrapped up this week with one of hip-hop’s biggest hitmakers, Will.I.Am, who stopped by share tidbits of his long and storied career with Just Blaze and Katty Customs. A producer and rapper who has been a fixture of the rap business since the early ’90s, he’s seen it all — from a rough and rugged start in LA’s indie underground scene to the majestic heights of international superstardom.

And while his hits can be, well, a bit divisive among hardcore hip-hop heads, there’s simply no denying that the man knows how to create an absolute smash. The truly crazy part, though, is that he might even be underrated once you consider how much work he’s done outside of the stuff with Black Eyed Peas and the super popular European hits. There are plenty of gems to be mined from Will’s discography — if you know where to look.

These are the best Will. I.Am songs, ranked.

10. “This Is Love” feat. Eva Simons

So much of Will’s latter-day output receives a lot of criticism from rap purists who can’t reconcile his electronic and dance leanings with his early status as a backpack rap pioneer. But here’s the thing — his embrace of styles like electro, house, and techno is just as foundational to rap as breakbeats and jazz samples. He’s going for wide appeal now, but that shouldn’t mean overlooking gems like the single “This Is Love” from his 2013 solo album #willpower.

9. “Feelin’ Myself” feat. French Montana, Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa

One of the more “rappy” singles from #willpower, “Feelin’ Myself” lines up some of rap’s most pop-leaning presences (along with Miley Cyrus at the height of her Bangerz flirtation with hip-hop) for a hypnotic club anthem that blends the electro stuff he’d been working on at the time with the “ratchet” chant that was flourishing elsewhere in rap. It works.

8. Black Eyed Peas — “Back 2 HipHop” feat. Nas

On 2018’s Masters Of The Sun, Vol. 1, Black Eyed Peas returned to the creative wellspring that birthed them. What better way to celebrate going “back to hip-hop” than recruiting one of the genre’s most revered stalwarts to remind fans of what they’re capable of? The best part is that they make no apologies for their divergence into pop — instead they boast their ability to make such a departure so successfully without losing touch with what made them cool in the first place.

7. A.T.B.A.N Klann – “No Sequel”

Long before he was the frontman of Black Eyed Peas, Will (along with bandmate Apl.De.Ap) was a member of a different hip-hop unit, the Pharcyde/Freestyle Fellowship-esque A.T.B.A.N Klann. Still teenagers at the time, they were signed to Ruthless Records by Eazy-E, who dug their alt-rap style for his ostensibly gangsta rap-oriented imprint. They never released their album, Grass Roots, but it has since leaked, giving a glimpse into what could have been. It was later given an official vinyl release 25 years later in 2020.

6. Black Eyed Peas — “Constant” feat. Slick Rick

Another Masters Of The Sun cut featuring a rap legend, the beat on “Constant” harkens back to Will.I.Am’s earliest production work and the jazzy sounds from his 2001 solo debut Lost Change, while updating it with the orchestral sensibilities of Elephunk and embracing their dance music leanings. Honestly, the whole album was criminally slept on.

5. “Ev Rebahdee” feat. Planet Asia

This is where I smack the haters in the head for doubting that Will.I.Am is actually ill on the mic. The intro to Lost Change found Will holding his own alongside one of the most respected underground spitters of the early 2000s backpack rap scene.

4. Black Eyed Peas — “Request + Line” feat. Macy Gray

In 2000, Black Eyed Peas released Bridging The Gap, their second album and the one that put them on many rap fans’ radars. This hidden track from the album was their first entry on the Hot 100 chart, as well as giving them their first top forty hit in multiple territories outside the US. If not for this minor hit, they might have stayed another turn-of-the-millennium underground rap footnote. Instead, it became the first step toward their world domination.

3. Black Eyed Peas — “Joints & Jam”

The third single released from BEP’s debut LP Behind The Front, which culled the A.T.B.A.N. Klann’s Grass Roots sessions with the addition of Taboo, “Joints & Jams” is fondly remembered in LA’s B-boy community as one of the few local singles that seemed expressly made for them. An upbeat, unrelentingly positive bop, it laid the groundwork for what would become their signature sound, with roots in dance and old-school hip-hop, with a family-friendly eye toward good vibes for everybody. They’ve never really lost that perspective since.

2. Black Eyed Peas — “Weekend” feat. Esthero

My personal favorite song from Bridging The Gap, it was the first time I heard modern hip-hop (at the time of its release) with disco and funk influences, made specifically for dance floors at the sort of low-key cafes and poetry jams I frequented (yes, I was a NERD). But it had a relatable message, it was different than anything that was out at the time, and it really had an undeniable groove that got me out of my mean-mugging, super serious rap head stance. Hip-hop could be fun again. You can’t put a price on that.

1. Black Eyed Peas — “RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)” feat. J Balvin

Blame it on recency bias or being sucked into the reggaeton vortex, but 1 billion views on YouTube isn’t a fluke. It’s something totally different from what BEP’s done before (and was likely the impetus behind the group’s full-fledged leap into reggaeton on Translation in 2020) but it somehow bridged the gap between the entirety of their discography. It proved that there was style just as much road ahead of them as behind, as long as they can keep transforming and pushing the boundaries of what was to define what can be.

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When Does ‘Wednesday’ Come Out On Netflix?

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Wednesday is coming to Netflix. The series following Wednesday Addams, the goth icon from the beloved and spooky Addams Family stars Scream’s Jenna Ortega as Wednesday. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Morticia Addams, and Luis Guzmán is Gomez. Other series stars include Christina Ricci (who played Wednesday in the 90s films), Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Fred Armisen, and Jamie McShane.

Here’s Netflix’s official description of the series:

“While attending Nevermore Academy, Wednesday Addams attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a killing spree and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago.”

The show comes from co-creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar who co-wrote a little movie you may have heard of called Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2. They also created Smallville. But enough chatter about all that: you came here to find out when it comes out, and that information is below.

When does Wednesday come out?

If you need an excuse to avoid any relatives over the Thanksgiving holiday, you’re in luck. All eight episodes of Wednesday drop on Netflix on Wednesday, November 23. So, binging this series might also be a good excuse to get out of helping in the kitchen, too (just don’t blame me if you get caught).

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SNX DLX: Featuring A Ma Maniére’s Latest Jordan IV And The Return Of The Air Jordan 1 Chicago

Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.

Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. This week is a big one, whether you’re looking for winter-equipped kicks or ultra-hyped colorways, we’ve got you covered. The biggest release of the week is without a doubt the return of the Jordan 1 Chicago, quite possibly the silhouette’s most popular and iconic colorway. Shockingly, that’s not even the best drop of the week, for that honor we’d have to point you in the direction of A Ma Manière’s autumnal Jordan IV.

The Atlanta brand continues to kill it, we haven’t seen a brand on a run this consistent… well, ever. Apart from the big Jordan drops, this week also brings new kicks from Adidas, New Balance, and Converse. There is truly a little bit of something for everyone as the 2022 year in sneakers winds down with a bang.

Let’s dive into the best sneaker drops of the week.

Women’s Nike Air Force 1 High New England

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

The AF-1 High is getting a fresh new colorway this week with the women’s exclusive New England. Featuring a Wolf Grey leather upper, the New England sports a College Navy swoosh, outsole, and foot strap with University Red branding on the midsole, heel, and tongue. Rounding out the design is a fully padded collar for added comfort.

Although this is a women’s exclusive, the New England sports an extended size run that goes up to women’s 15.5 (men’s 14).

The Women’s Nike Air Force 1 High New England is set to drop on November 16th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $125. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike
SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

Nike ACG Lowcate Wolf Grey and Hyper Pink

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

If your sneaker game is covered be sure to gear up so you aren’t ruining your kicks if you decide to take a spontaneous hike. Coming out of Nike’s All Conditions Gear sub-label, the Lowcate features a mixed material upper, a heavy-duty fat-lugged outsole, and a TrailFrame mid-foot plate for added support and stability. The new Lowcate sports a striking Wolf Grey and Hyper Pink colorway adding some flair to your trail look.

The Lowcate is available in a full men’s and women’s size run.

The Nike ACG Lowcate Wolf Grey and Hyper Pink is set to drop on November 16th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $120. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike
SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

Nike Air Max Penny Rattan

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

Lately, the Air Max Penny 2 has been receiving a lot of love via some dope collaborations from Social Status and while we’re happy to see that forgotten silhouette find a new audience, let’s not forget about the OG. This sneaker, named for basketball legend Penny Hardaway, sports a canvas upper with a large jeweled swoosh, winged piping, and a large Air cushion underfoot.

It’s not as wavy and psychedelic as the Penny 2, but its ’90s-indebted design is more understated and functional, and that’s never a bad thing.

The Nike Air Max Penny Rattan is set to drop on November 16th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $170. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike
SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

Adidas Campus 80 Darryl Brown

SNX Week of Nov 15
Adidas

Adidas Campus 80 is getting a slight reimagining courtesy of the designer Darryl Brown. The revamp features a utilitarian workwear aesthetic with a suede and canvas upper, leather lining, and a colorway that combines Active Green, Off White, and Dark Brown Gum.

The colorway is apparently inspired by mechanic jumpsuits, I don’t really see it, but maybe Darryl Brown’s mechanic is just more stylish than mine.

The Adidas Campus 80 Darryl Brown is set to drop on November 16th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $100. Pick up a pair via the Adidas CONFIRMED app.

SNX Week of Nov 15
Adidas
SNX Week of Nov 15
Adidas

A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 4

SNX Week of Nov 15
A Ma Maniere

The Atlanta-based brand A Ma Maniére is back with another banger of a Jordan collab. So far the brand has taken on the Jordan 1, 2, 3, the Nike Air Ship, and the Jordan 12, but this week the brand is hitting the 4, and we couldn’t be more psyched. This Jordan 4 features a premium leather and mesh upper in a monochromatic colorway over an off-white midsole.

The sneaker has black accents on the mudguard and heel, but the primary color on this sneaker is a sort of purple-hued brown with a matching outsole and laces. It’s hard not to fall in love with this design and we’re willing to call A Ma Maniére the ultimate Jordan collaborator of the ’20s. We can’t see what they have in store next.

The A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 4 is set to drop on November 17th at 11:00 AM PST for a retail price of $225. Enter the raffle to win a pair at A Ma Maniére or pick up a pair at GOAT.

SNX Week of Nov 15
A Ma Maniere
SNX Week of Nov 15
A Ma Maniere

Converse x CLOT Chuck 70

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

If you’ve ever looked at a pair of Chuck 70s and thought, ‘but I want to look more like a panda bear’ well, you’re in luck because Converse and CLOT have teamed up for a new winter-themed rendition of the Chuck 70 that is inspired by, you guessed it, a giant panda.

Featuring a faux-fur upper in white, this Chuck 70 combines hair-on-hide leather, Terry cloth, and microsuede, for a soft touch fuzzy design with a black tongue, laces, and star logo branding. It’s probably the cutest a Chuck has ever looked.

The Converse x CLOT Chuck 70 is set to drop on November 18th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $130. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike
SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

Nike Air Jordan 1 Chicago

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

For many a Jordan fan, this drop will not only be the release of the week but quite possibly the release of the whole year. The Chicago is the Jordan 1’s quintessential colorway, that iconic combination of University Red, white and black is what most sneakerheads imagine when they hear the words “Jordan 1.” While we’re psyched for its re-release, we say out with the old, in with the new!

Purists will be upset to learn that this rerelease isn’t just a simple revamping of the sneaker’s debut colorway, Nike is leaning hard on heritage with this drop by adding cracked leather accents and an aged sail midsole to give a sort of worn and weathered look to the design. It still looks great regardless, even if you aren’t a fan of the vintage look.

The Nike Air Jordan 1 Chicago is set to drop on November 19th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $180. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.

SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike
SNX Week of Nov 15
Nike

New Balance x Tokyo Design Studio 574

SNX Week of Nov 15
New Balance

Made in collaboration with the European/Japanese design house, Tokyo Design Studio, New Balance’s latest is a revamped take on the 574 silhouette with a mixed material upper with pig suede overlays, mesh underlays, and reflective accents over a Toast, Cream and Bone colorway.

The 574 sports a thick tread Vibram outsole for added grip with a TPU heel clip and an embossed suede swing tab and cotton laces.

The New Balance x Tokyo Design Studio 574 is set to drop on November 19th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $199.99. Pick up a pair via the New Balance webstore.

SNX Week of Nov 15
New Balance
SNX Week of Nov 15
New Balance
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Rich Brian Plays A Moody Round Of Golf In His ‘Vivid’ Video Featuring Snot

Rich Brian kickstarted 2022 with his Brightside EP, his first release since 2020, in January. Uproxx’s April cover star proceeded to become the first Indonesian artist to play a solo set at Coachella, where he debuted his single “Vivid” on the main stage during 88rising’s “Head In The Clouds Forever” set. Brian amplified the “Vivid” hype by playing it at August’s Head In The Clouds Festival at Pasadena, California’s icon Rose Bowl.

Today (November 17), Brian officially released “Vivid” featuring $NOT alongside a cinematic video.

“This song was the result of this one week I started listening to Musiq Soulchild and thought to myself, ‘What if there’s hard-ass 808s on this?’ And turns out, it sounds pretty good,” Brian said of the hypnotic track.

In the video, Brian is alone on a golf course at night. Frowning golf balls are taunting him, matching melancholic guitar and Brian’s lulling flow. Every ball hit off the tee is met by an introspective bar about romantic complications. “Better live your life, lil b*tch, you got no reruns,” he advises in the first verse, which also includes an Instagram-worthy hook, “I don’t do much in a day, that’s why I got these vivid dreams.”

$NOT matches Brian’s energy, never coming into full focus during his frenetic verse. Sandwiched between a dreamlike refrain and another run through the chorus, Brian coolly boasts about being a “regular at the Rose Bowl, Brookside but I ain’t playing golf.”

Brian will take the stage again for Head In The Clouds Jakarta on December 3 and 4.

Watch the “Vivid” video above.

Rich Brian is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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Ivanka And Jared Don’t Plan On Returning To Washington D.C. If Trump Wins Because Of… ‘Game Of Thrones’?

Now that Donald Trump is officially running for president again in the least surprising announcement since House of the Dragon was renewed for season two, the world stops and wonders: will two bad neighbors Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner move from one mansion in Florida to another mansion in Washington D.C. if he wins?!? Uh, no.

“This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family,” Ivanka wrote in a statement following Trump’s campaign kickoff event. “I do not plan to be involved in politics. While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena.” What she left out was that their decision to stay away from the nation’s capital was due, in part, to Game of Thrones.

From a Vanity Fair profile about Ivanka and Jared’s domesticated life:

They’d just gotten to the episode when King Robert pays a visit to Ned Stark, his good, honorable, loyal, surrogate brother and close counselor. It had been Stark who served as general in the key battles that made Robert king. Stark, too, by this point in the season, had settled into life with his wife and five children. He was content. He needed nothing. He had his family and his fiefdom. King Robert, less so. He wanted Stark back in the fold, as his protector in King’s Landing. The king made pleas and promises. Stark thought about turning him down. Why would he give up a good thing? Stark relents; the pull and the power are too strong. “Yes” is the only answer.

“Don’t f*cking do it, Ned!” Kushner yelled at the screen, knowing what happens to Ned by the end of the season. “Don’t f*cking do it!” That’s the story Kushner has “taken to telling friends who ask whether or not he and Ivanka Trump would go back to Washington should their king win in 2024,” according to Vanity Fair. It’s some real “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” reasoning, except in this case, the fooling involves a mob storming the capitol, attempting to overturn a legal election, and some seriously shady business interactions. Thanks, Ned Stark!

(Via Vanity Fair)

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Margot Robbie Completists, Rejoice: ‘Neighbors’ Is Already Being Revived On Streaming

Earlier this year, Margot Robbie made an unexpected cameo in Neighbors, the Australian soap opera that helped the actress get her start all those years ago. The legendary soap opera was ending its nearly 40-year reign on television, and Robbie, now a full-fledged star, stopped by for a beautiful full-circle moment. That is until the show actually got picked up again. So all of that was kind of for nothing!

Amazon announced that they would revive the legendary soap for Amazon Freevee, the free ad-supported service that you’ve probably never heard of. Series stars Stefan Dennis, Alan Fletcher, Ryan Moloney, and Jackie Woodburne are confirmed to return to the revival which is slated to begin production early next year.

Amazon Studios on-demand programming head Lauren Anderson said:

Neighbours has captivated its audience for nearly 40 years, building a dedicated and loyal following for the lives and stories of the characters on Ramsay Street. With the power of streaming, we’re able to offer a catalogue of thousands of Neighbours episodes for new audiences to discover this legendary series and current fans to relive their favorite moments. We look forward to immersing the audience in new Ramsay Street experiences when we relaunch the show next year for Amazon Freevee and Prime Video customers

The show also helped launch the career of other famous industry titans like Russell Crow and Kyle Minogue. Of course, Robbie likely won’t return as she is busy doing other things like playing Barbie or going on (fictional) coke-binges.

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Saweetie Premiered ‘Don’t Say Nothin” From ‘The Single Life,’ Which Drops Tonight

Earlier this month, Saweetie revealed that she has two projects arriving before the end of 2022. “She’s coming,” she told Rolling Stone about Pretty B*tch Music. “She’s still in the womb, I haven’t popped her out. I want to thank my fans for patiently waiting. It’s been a year. It’s been a while. I’ve been recording officially for a year, non-stop.”

She’s finally here with new material. Today, she debuted “Don’t Say Nothin’” on Apple Music’s New Music Daily Premiere. It comes from her forthcoming project The Single Life, which is six songs long and arriving tomorrow, November 18. The track was teased earlier this year at Rolling Loud Miami.

In that same Rolling Stone interview, she also shared, “I’m excited to share what I went through. I think as I was making it, I was more proud to be single. Because I realized that I was growing, I realized that I was elevating. And I realized that I was becoming a better woman.”

Listen to “Don’t Say Nothin’” below, and find The Single Life tracklist underneath it.

1. “Don’t Say Nothin’”
2. “Boss Chick”
3. “P.U.S.S.Y. (Powerful, Utopia, Supreme, Sacred, Yummy)”
4. “Handle My Truth”
5. “Memorable”
6. “No Reception”

The Single Life is out 11/18 via ICY/Warner Records.

Saweetie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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Matthew McConaughey Released An Absurd Hype Video For Texas Basketball That Includes Him Rapping (Kind Of?)

Matthew McConaughey is, above all else, a Texas Longhorns fan. Ok, that’s not true — he wears a lot of different hats — but the man’s wardrobe includes a lot of burnt orange to celebrate his alma mater. He’s spent some time in Austin as a professor and is a fixture on the sidelines of Longhorn sporting events.

All if this is important context for why the video on the top of this post exists. As Chris Deville of Stereogum noted, McConaughey has done a lot of stuff recently around the phrase “bless the mood,” a reference to the university’s recently-opened basketball arena, the Moody Center. (Do you get it?)

The newest example of this is a video he released to his YouTube account on Wednesday called “Bless the Mood,” which appears to double as a hype video for the 2022-23 Longhorns basketball season. There’s some rapping or singing or some blend of the two by the Oscar winner, and there are a lot of highlights of Texas basketball players doing the stuff you normally expect in one of these things.

Anyway, for how silly this all is, perhaps its release provided the Longhorns a spark on Wednesday night when they played host to the Gonzaga Bulldogs. While the Zags entered the game ranked No. 2 in the country, 11th-ranked Texas ran them out of the building in a 93-74 win.