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J. Cole is a dual-threat. The Dreamville founder has expertly balanced his hoop dreams and rap dominance over the years, but Cole was all ball and commanded the floor in one of Chris Brickley’s Black Ops Basketball sessions during New York Fashion Week earlier this month. Brickley, a sought-after basketball trainer, posted Cole’s highlight reel to Instagram.

“J a bucket,” Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield praised in the comments. “In the Kobe’s too!!” added Minnesota Timberwolves big man Eric Paschall. (Cole was crossing dudes up in the Nike Kobe 8 “What The Kobe” sneakers, for reference.)

NBA players aren’t just fans of Cole; they’re peers. The North Carolina-bred icon played professionally for the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League for three games in 2021 before suiting up for the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League for a similarly short stint earlier this year. The 37-year-old left the team in early June to go on tour.

To start September, Cole was revealed as the first-ever rapper to grace the cover of NBA 2K, starring on the cover of NBA 2K23‘s “Dreamer Edition.”

“Three and a half years ago, when he dunked during one of the breaks of the All-Star Weekend Saturday Night, J. Cole, said, ‘Ronnie, I’d love to be in MyCareer and help think about the ideation around that,’” 2K digital marking director Ronnie Singh told Complex in an interview published earlier this month, explaining the origin of Cole’s 2K23 involvement. “I worked with our team on bringing this to life, but it was very fitting to work with him. When we put out that tease [of the 2K23 cover], everybody thought it was going to be another basketball player.”

There’s a strong argument to be made that it was a basketball player.

A week after Shakira opened up about the tax evasion claims against her, new developments have emerged about her impending court case. Today (September 27), a judge in Spain ordered that the Colombian superstar will go to trial for the multi-million dollar claims.

According to The Associated Press, a Spanish judge approved a trial for Shakira to go forward based on the charges of tax fraud. The Esplugues de Llobregat court near Barcelona added that Shakira will be facing six counts of tax fraud. No date has yet been set for the trial. In 2018, Spanish prosecutors accused Shakira of not paying 14.5 million euros ($13.9 million) on income taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014.

In a cover story interview with Elle last week, Shakira talked about the tax evasion claims against her for the first time. She maintained her innocence by calling the allegations against her “false accusations.” Shakira denied any wrongdoing and said that she had paid what she owed before the charges were filed.

“First of all, I didn’t spend 183 days per year at that time at all. I was busy fulfilling my professional commitments around the world. Second, I’ve paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So as of today, I owe zero to them. And finally, I was advised by one of the four biggest tax specialist firms in the world, PricewaterhouseCoopers, so I was confident that I was doing things correctly and transparently from day one,” she said.

In July, Shakira reportedly rejected a plea deal, which put the plans for a trial into motion. If she is convicted of tax fraud, Spanish prosecutors are calling for her to spend eight years in prison and pay a fine of 24 million euros (about $24.4 million). “I’m confident that I have enough proof to support my case and that justice will prevail in my favor,” Shakira said.

The Armie Hammer situation just took a twist. According to a new report, his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers allegedly leaked damaging stories about him to the press months before their divorce. Hammer, whose alleged crimes have been the subject of a new documentary, has reportedly been selling time shares in the Cayman Islands after his career imploded following multiple allegations of abuse. According to screenshots obtained by Page Six, Chambers allegedly played a hand in exposing his infidelities.

In a new report, Chambers is accused of using a friends email address to send tips to the Daily Mail. One of those tips involved an alleged affair with Lily James, which Chambers shared with the tabloid along with a quote from a “source.”

Via Page Six:

In the original Daily Mail story, a source described Chambers as “devastated” and “heartbroken” by the alleged messages, adding, “She is an amazing woman. She doesn’t deserve this. You couldn’t ask for a more stunning devoted wife and she’s a great mom to their two little ones.”

Chambers also reportedly had contact with one of Hammer’s most damaging accusers, House of Effie. Although, Chambers wasn’t entirely sympathetic towards her ex-husbands alleged victims in the screencaps.

“Yes, she’s just dramatic,” Chambers allegedly responded to a question about how House of Effie was doing after the scandal broke. “And they’re all crazy.”

As Page Six reports, Chambers worked closely with House of Effie to help secure custody of her children after filing for divorce from Hammer. The two reportedly coordinated on exposing Hammer’s alleged crimes in the press.

(Via Page Six)

After dropping the “Yung” from her moniker and making a few profile-raising moves, Uproxx cover artist Baby Tate is ready to release a new mixtape sure to keep her star on the rise.

The project is called Mani/Pedi and it’s due on September 30. Tate, who recently signed with Warner Records after previously releasing her projects under Issa Rae’s Warner imprint, Raedio, has been subtly promoting the project since late last year, dropping the “Pedi” video last October and following up with fan-favorite singles such as “S.L.O. (Slut Him Out),” “Dancing Queen,” and “Ain’t No Love.”

In addition, her career advancing moves since releasing After The Rain include joining the cast of Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta, as well as a string of high-profile collaborations with fellow Atlantans JID (“Surround Sound” featuring 21 Savage) and Landstrip Chip (“Wrong Way“). She also shared a series of fire freestyles which included her “Extendo Verse” from “Surround Sound” and verse for the viral TikTok trend, “Period Ahh Period Uhh.”

Mani/Pedi is out on 9/30 through Warner Records. Pre-save it here.

1. “Perfect”
2. “Ain’t No Love” Feat. 2 Chainz
3. “Do Better”
4. “Karma”
5. “Slut Him Out Again” Feat. Kali
6. “Differences”
7. “Mani”
8. “4lifers”
9. “What’s Love”
10. “Dancing Queen”
11. “Pedi”
12. “Yasss Queen”
13. “Honest”
14. “I Do” Feat. Slimwav

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

Foo Fighters are at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles tonight (September 27) for the second Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert honoring the band’s late drummer after he died unexpectedly in Colombia on March 25. The first tribute show took place earlier this month at London’s Wembley Stadium and traversed 50 songs across six hours, closing with “My Hero” featuring Hawkins’ 16-year-old son, Shane, blowing everyone away on the drums.

The London show prompted Mark Ronson to call it “one of the greatest rock and roll shows ever assembled,” made Trent Reznor cry, and catapulted “Everlong” atop Billboard‘s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart. The 4.5-hour cut of the Paramount+ livestream from London is still available, leading fans to wonder if they will also be able to watch the LA Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert. Unfortunately, all signs point to no, which is to say, there have not been any signs.

Paramount+ had announced in mid-August that the London tribute concert would be livestreamed. No such announcement has been made by the platform about the LA edition. However, Foo Fighters made an announcement of their own that should be exciting for anyone planning to attend — adding more artists, such as Tommy Lee, to a lineup that already included Ronson, Miley Cyrus, Joan Jett, Gene Simmons, and many more. Both shows have benefitted MusiCares and Music Support.

Before Tuesday night’s show, Foo guitarist Chris Shiflett shed light on whether the band will make new music without Hawkins during the September 23 episode of The Plug With Justin Jay podcast as the future of Foo remains uncertain. In mid-September, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees revealed a greatest hits album, The Essential Foo Fighters, is arriving October 28 — their first release since Hawkins’ tragic passing. The official cause of the 50-year-old’s death has still not been determined.

Streetwear drop culture has infected Taco Bell! Ever since Taco Bell removed the Mexican Pizza from its menu only to see Taco Bell-heads go nuts and wage a campaign to bring it back, they must’ve realized that exclusivity is a powerful sales tool. If it works for Supreme and Nike, why can’t it work for Taco Bell? So now, as Taco Bell readies its next big drop, the brand is turning to the fans.

Starting today, Taco Bell-heads can cast an official vote through the Taco Bell app on whether the Bell should bring the Doubled Decker Taco or the Enchirito before year’s end. You can cast a vote daily until October 6th via the Taco Bell app (assuming you’re a Rewards Member), with the winner being announced on October 7th to appear at participating locations nationwide at a later date.

The Double Decker Taco was a menu staple from 2006 until 2019 when it was purged during the controversial Taco Bell menu revamp (the same revamp that killed the Mexican Pizza) and consists of a flour tortilla covered in beans and wrapped around a classic crunchy taco. The Enchirito has a long and storied history on the menu, first appearing in the ’70s and was essentially Taco Bell’s version of a wet burrito, it features a tortilla filled with beef, beans, and onions, smothered in red sauce and melted cheese. Also… there was this… um… rap?

Our vote is with the Double Decker Taco because it combines the best of a burrito and a Taco Bell taco, though you could make a pretty strong case for the Enchirito since it was discontinued back in 2013, almost an entire decade ago. Either way, Taco Bell-heads have something to look forward to before the year’s end. We’re all winners here, though neither of these discontinued classics have anything on the Mexi-Melt.

Tom Hanks — Oscar winner, America’s dad, the Wonders manager — has added another credit to his LinkedIn page: author.

The actor has written his first novel, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, about the making of a “colossal, star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film and the humble comic book that inspired it.” Hanks told People magazine that every character in the decades-spanning book is based on “something I’ve experienced while making a movie, as well as discovered a philosophy or learned an important lesson. Even the foolish moments are some kind of stunt I’ve pulled or mistake I’ve survived.” He added that “no one knows how a movie is made,” even someone who’s been in dozens of them. “I’ve made a ton of movies (and four of them are pretty good, I think) and I’m still amazed at how films come together. The whole process is a miracle.”

Hanks was just being humble when he said he’s been in only four “pretty good” movies, but if he genuinely thinks that, Cloud Atlas, A League of Their Own, and Cast Away are probably three of the quartet. As for the fourth film, it’s probably Bachelor Party or Elvis. Or maybe the four Toy Story movies into one mega-movie. Let’s go with that.

The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece hits stores on May 9, 2023.

(Via People)

About a month ago, it was reported that a video for Elton John and Britney Spears’ collaboration “Hold Me Closer” was in the works. At the time, no timeline for when the video would arrive was given, but now we know: The clip premiered today (September 27).

Spears and John themselves don’t star in the clip. Instead, it features dancers going through smooth and kinetic choreography in diverse and colorful environments. On Instagram, John noted the clip was shot in Mexico City by director Tanu Muiño and that it “beautifully [captures] an immeasurable feeling of intimacy so missing from the world through the turmoil and chaos of recent times.”

Muiño — whose filmography includes the videos for Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Lil Nas X’s “Montero,” and Cardi B’s “Up,” among others — also offered a statement in a press release, saying:

“This was an emotional one for me as I grew up with Britney. After seeing ‘Slave For You,’ I decided that I wanted to become a video director. Elton John is an icon that I and the world grew up listening to. Going into this video, I knew there would be a lot of emotional expectations the audience and fans would have. With this responsibility, I had to do something different and unexpected. The visuals had to be different. The dance had to be forward-thinking to raise eyebrows and make Elton and Britney proud. To capture this magic, we shot around all my favorite architectural locations in Mexico City and brought on choreographer Jacob Jonas who does the best contemporary choreography today. Getting the best dancers, crew, and access to some of the most private locations in the world was simple as everyone wanted to work with Elton John and be part of his legacy.”

Ahead of the song’s release, Spears offered some excited praise of John, writing on Instagram, “You can bet your bottom dollar that THIS collaboration will heighten my year by joining your brilliant hands of play. Thank you for your [generosity] and just thinking of me to join you on such a brilliant song !!! How cool is it to be a background voice ON YOUR song !!! Sir Elton I did it thanks to your genius, creative, and legendary mind !!! I am so grateful !!!”

John later said in an interview, “I’m so excited to be able to do it with her because if it is a big hit, and I think it may be, it will give her so much more confidence than she’s got already and she will realize that people actually love her and care for her and want her to be happy. That’s all anybody in their right mind would want after she went through such a traumatic time.”

Watch the “Hold Me Closer” video above.

The 2023 NBA Draft is expected to be as good of a crop of young talent as we’ve seen come into the league in some time — which is saying something considering the depth of young stars in the NBA currently. Atop current big boards are two names, French star Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson of the G League Ignite.

Both players have been on the NBA radar for some time, with Henderson finishing high school early to join the G League Ignite as a 17-year-old, while Wembanyama has been heralded as the best prospect in a decade-plus for his combination of length (7’4 with an 8′ wingspan) and skill as a ball-handler, shooter, and shot-blocker. There is plenty of excitement around those two (among others), but given the two play in different professional leagues there wasn’t much expectation we’d get to see them on the same floor to evaluate them at the same time.

However, last month the G League Ignite and Metropolitans 92, Wembanyama’s French squad, agreed to face off in a pair of preseason games in Las Vegas, which will be played on October 4 and 6. They figure to be filled with scouts, but given the profiles of the two young stars in the game, there’s plenty of fan interest as well. Thankfully, the NBA recognized that and announced on Tuesday as part of their rollout for the new NBA app that the games will be broadcast live for free on the app.

That’s excellent news for those wanting to get a good look at Henderson and Wembanyama, and the league will draw some additional eyeballs to its new app to hopefully show off the improved video quality it promises. The league’s new app will also house the (reduced priced) NBA League Pass and promises “higher video quality, lower streaming latency and a seamless user experience.” Those are all things fans who have dealt with League Pass frustrations in the past have been asking for, and hopefully the new app will deliver those, with a test-run coming in the form of the showcase games for the presumptive top two picks in next year’s draft.

Last year, when filming the final season of Better Call Saul, Bob Odenkirk collapsed on set and was rushed to the hospital. He claims he would have been dead if it weren’t for his co-stars who helped revive him. Soon enough, Odenkirk was back on the saddle delivering one of the best performances of the last year (which the Emmys will maybe recognize next year).

After the close call, Odenkirk said that he had a “new lease on life” and is ready to take on plenty of projects that are sent his way. He is set to star in AMC’s upcoming series The Straight Man, and now he will star in a new comedy movie (from his writer/actor buddies Andrew Friedman and Michael Naughton) titled The Making Of Jesus Diabetes.

Odenkirk will star and write in the film, which is based on Naughton and Friedman’s original sketch characters. The story will follow two brothers who attempt to make a movie about diabetes to honor their late mother. Odenkirk will play Leo, a “shifty man with a dark past.” The movie will be co-produced by Michael Day, who declared, “Jesus Diabetes is a refreshingly funny script from start to finish.” He added, “With this cast and this script, it’s a recipe for laugh-out-loud entertainment.”

This will be a mini-reunion for the crew: Friedman and Naughton both appeared on a season four episode of Better Call Saul as employees of Neff Copiers, who Jimmy tries to scam, in a classic Jimmy fashion. Filming is expected to begin next spring.

(Via Deadline)