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EST Gee released his new album I Never Felt Nun on Friday (September 16) and he has already shared the first post-release video. The Louisville rapper taps his fellow hometown lyricist and longtime collaborator Jack Harlow for “Backstage Passes,” featuring direction by Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett.

The video opens with the duo sitting in a waiting room dressed in blue denim before the room shifts into the backdrop for a fitting session, taking on the same colors they are wearing. As the two then change into to red and white outfits, the backdrops follow suit. As Gee and Harlow finally land upon the white outfits they are pleased with, they step through a curtain and perform a live show in front of a raucous crowd. In the end, they return to the waiting room as it is finally their time for whatever appointment they are present for.

“Backstage Passes” is the fourth collaboration between EST Gee and Jack Harlow, following “Rotten,” “The Department,” and “Route 66.” Gee’s new album I Never Felt Nun also features Bryson Tiller, Machine Gun Kelly, Jeezy, and Future, who appeared on one of the lead singles “Shoot It Myself.”

Earlier this year, Jack Harlow shared his sophomore album Come Home The Kids Miss You led by “Nail Tech” and “First Class” which samples Fergie’s 2000s hit “Glamorous.”

Check out “Backstage Passes” above.

I Never Felt Nun is out now via CMG/Interscope. Listen here.

EST Gee and Jack Harlow are Warner Music Artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

(For You)r Consideration is a weekly column breaking down the rappers and singers doing it RIGHT on TikTok and the viral trends and top songs taking over your FYP.

Who is To Velo?

Remember when Megan Thee Stallion tried to pronounce Tove Lo’s name on Instagram Live? Well, the audio has resurfaced on the app as TikTokers are using the sound to reenact when they’ve had pronunciation difficulties, just like Meg pronouncing Tove Lo’s name. From reading obscure ingredients to learning Spanish, there are just under 3K videos with the sound making it a trend to hop on ASAP. The trending sound even got a response from Tove Lo herself after user @anthonykeyvan showed love to the Swedish dark-pop singer. See the videos below.

TURN THAT SHI UPP

Creators are showing love to the records that deserve to be played on full volume using TikTok’s photo feature. If you aren’t already up to speed on one of the app’s newer features, photo mode allows users to create a slideshow-style video using photos in their camera roll. In this trend, users are populating their slideshows with a text from their neighbor saying “TURN THAT SHI UP” and swiping to their favorite songs and then a meme of their phone or iPod on full volume. From the Nas classic “You Owe Me,” to a Pooh Shiesty fan favorite, this trend is ripe for those who want to flex their music taste
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR5whSAU/

Waiting for October 14th

Lil Baby kicked off September taking to Instagram to let the world know his third studio album, It’s Only Me, is set to release on October 14th. And since, fans have taken to the app to praise Baby and the highly-anticipated project ahead of its release. User @natizah created a video playing one second (yep, you read that right, one second) of the album before uploading a screenshot of the project with the caption “Baby better ” to her IG story. Producers have also used the album’s momentum to flex their skills and create imaginary intros to Baby’s October 14th release. Check out some of the ways fans are preparing for It’s Only Me below.

Yves Tumor Hive

If you’re not already hip to indie favorite Yves Tumor, then get ready. Your FYP might introduce you to your next obsession as the experimental artist’s music is slowly gaining popularity as background noise to a hodgepodge of content on the app. Creators are specifically using the song “Romanticist” to show off their city strolls, OOTD, and to take some time to show love to Yves Tumor himself. The artist hasn’t released music since 2021, and we’re hoping his resurgence on TikTok will prompt them to come out of hiding.

Ice Spice Still Reigns

Ice Spice’s Drake-cosigned hit “Munch” has had TikTok in a chokehold over the past several weeks. The loosie has already become a single girl’s anthem, similar to GlorRilla and Hitkidd’s “F.N.F. (Let’s Go).” And now, a candid video from user @anisafarah_ lipsynching and laughing to the Bronx rapper’s viral hit is responsible for an influx of videos keeping Ice Spice and her record relevant on your FYP. TikTokers are using the sound to create relationship-esque content, including clowning their exes and showing off their post-break-up mood. Our favorites? A TikToker’s POV watching a girl’s story after she’s read bell hook’s All About Love and a user playing into the drama surrounding Lil Durk’s alleged breakup with India Royale.

I once had the very surreal experience of sitting across a table from Jason Momoa while he casually pulled his hair into a scrunchie. Sadly, this wasn’t one of his prized pink scrunchies, but the effect was there, and Momoa often makes waves (as an Aquaman does) while shaking up his hair game. He went blonde-ish for that much delayed DC/Warner Bros. sequel, and he recently shaved part of his head to draw awareness to our plastic-polluted oceans.

As if that wasn’t enough head-turning action, Momoa has now acquired a massive head tattoo, which was “20 years in the making,” according to his first Instagram post on the subject. Take a look, and we’ll talk more in a minute.

Jason’s PR team confirmed (to Just Jared) that this tattoo is, in fact, the real deal, and “[I]t’s a huge piece, it’s related to his Hawaiian roots and culture.” And true to his ocean-loving reputation, Momoa got in a plug for ditching plastic in the above post. Below, things grow more intense with Momoa showing off behind-the-scenes photos of his tattoo day, which he called a “powerful moment in my life.”

The intensity of this tattoo experience must have been no joke. Getting a tattoo anywhere close to bone is more painful than a fleshier part of the body, and one can only imagine the headache after the fact. Yet Momoa (who has a similarly designed tattoo, created by Mahalo Tobias, on his arm) wanted this to happen for decades, and he must be glowing. Granted, he’s now got less hair to put into scrunchies, but he’ll surely make it work.

Big Brother season 24 contestant Taylor Hale is currently going viral, after video from the house of her jamming out to Beyoncé’s new album Renaissance surfaced. Wearing a pink Head Of House robe and wired headphones, Hale is incredibly enthusiastic after hearing the record on the couch for the first time. “Already!” she exclaims in the video. “Oh my god, it’s so good!”

As Hale, who was also named Miss Michigan in 2021, is one of the final contestants on Big Brother this season, she has been isolated from outside media for 72 days and counting, so she had yet to listen to the album, which came out back on July 29.

Hale had earned her well-deserved jam session, after she received the Head Of House nomination during last night’s episode, surviving the tiebreaker between her and fellow contestant Alyssa Snider. After Monte Taylor had the final vote, he chose to save Hale, securing her spot in the final four. Throughout the season, Monte and Hale have developed an on-screen relationship, including kissing on the live feeds, so his decision made sense.

From there, Hale then competed in a game with the fellow houseguests about fashion trivia, which won her HoH. There are currently two more weeks left of the current season. In just a few days, fan voting opens up, giving the option for people to choose America’s Favorite Houseguest. The winner receives $25,000, alongside whoever wins the show’s Grand Prize of $75,000.

View a few reactions by Beyoncé fans to Hale’s Renaissance video below.

Nintendo teased The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom as far back as 2019. The sequel to the beloved and acclaimed Breath of the Wild had fans eager for its eventual release, but it wasn’t until this week that we learned the game’s name and its release date of May 12, 2023.

With how much everyone loved BOTW, there has obviously been a ton of speculation about what Nintendo may have in store for the sequel. One big debate has been whether they should use it as an opportunity to go back to tradition and create large dungeons, puzzle solving, and bags full of items, or if they should use this as an opportunity to create a new direction for the franchise.

For now, the only thing we can do is speculate about what that future may look like, but in the meantime, we wanted to take some time to mention a few things we really want to see The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Flesh Out Link’s Character

Breath of the Wild is the first game in the Zelda series where they actually named the main character of the game, Link. Before this, the player has always been able to name Link to whatever they want. This was largely because, as a silent protagonist, they wanted the player to feel that they were represented by Link going on an adventure. However, with BOTW also featuring fully-voiced cutscenes, the devs decided to go ahead and name the main character Link from the start.

As a result, Link is now his own character, and in a way, this created a fault in BOTW. He is silent throughout the game, and while he has facial expressions, he never gives his input at any given moment. The sequel feels like a great opportunity to take a character who now exists on his own, separate from the player, and give him agency. He doesn’t have to speak if they want to continue that tradition, but find ways to let us know more about this version of Link. We learned about the heroes of the past, and Zelda, through memories in the previous game, so they can absolutely find a way to flesh out Link in this one.

More Dungeon Variety

One of the best parts of BOTW is the freedom it gave the player. As soon as they finish the prologue area, they are free to go do whatever they want, whether that’s go straight to the castle to try and rescue Zelda or go on a quest to free the Divine Beasts from Ganon’s control. An unfortunate downside of this is that the player who chose to go on the latter quest noticed that the four divine beasts all felt largely the same. This was likely so no dungeon felt more difficult than the other to players, but the lack of variety was definitely a disappointment for traditionalists and those of us who are fans of the new systems.

This one’s a simple request: Whether they go back to having multiple varied and lengthy dungeons or stick to the smaller, more bite-sized Divine Beasts, we want some more variety. Different challenges, unique bosses, and some more varied themes would go a long way to making a weakness of the last game and improving on it in a huge way. That said…

Keep The Mini Shrines

The shrines in BOTW are fantastic and one of the best parts of the game. They’re bite-sized, can be tackled at any pace you choose, and each one was an opportunity for the devs to create a fun puzzle, regardless of theme. If a puzzle was too complicated for any reason, there was no reason to sit there and force solutions until one was found, because you can always just come back and try it again with a clear head. There’s no sudden stop in the adventure because you can’t complete a puzzle and you’re stuck in a required dungeon.

The shrines also acted as great guiding points on maps as you explore the world of Hyrule. Completing the map is one of the best feelings in the entire game and having those little shrines as markers on the adventure was really valuable. These need to make a return in the next game.

A Super Weapon

Broken weapons aren’t fun, but the sheer amount of options available to players in BOTW was cool. It forced players to constantly change out their arsenal, try new things, and be creative. However, one of the biggest disappointments in the entire game was finally finding the Master Sword, using it, and discovering that its energy will drain. While it won’t break, it can’t be used permanently in place of broken weapons. After going through an entire adventure and grinding through weapon durability, finding out that the Master Sword itself was not a super weapon was an extreme bummer.

The solution here is simple: Fix the problem and make the Master Sword and Hylian Shield super items. No durability or recharge time, just let gamers use these items as much as they please. This is supposed to be the most powerful sword and shield in all of Hyrule, and players who don’t want to deal with the durability system should be allowed to take advantage of that.

Keep Atmospheric Music

Some people really love the bombastic open world themes of previous Zelda games. The music that plays as you sail the seas of Windwaker, or cross the grass of Hyrule Field, is iconic. And yet, the atmospheric music of Breath of the Wild was really something special. As one of the main composers of Animal Crossing: New Leaf, it may have seemed weird to put Manaka Kataoka as a primary composer for BOTW, but she knocked her assignment out of the park.

What works so well in the BOTW soundtrack is that the subtlety lends itself perfectly to exploration. Atmospheric tones like the ones of BOTW never create an earbug feeling of the same tune playing over and over again while players are just trying to climb mountains. It’s something that, if you listen for it, you’ll hear and enjoy, but it’s not meant to overwhelm players. This is something that some people may disagree with, but it’s this writer’s opinion that the atmospheric music needs to return in Tears of the Kingdom.

BONUS: Let Me Pet The Dog

You could not pet the dog in Breath of the Wild despite it being a good dog.

Fix it.

It seems like just yesterday that ASAP Mob was tearing up the streets of Harlem New York and taking over hip-hop with their “fashion killa” aesthetic. Now, though, ASAP Relli is suing ASAP Rocky, who he accused of shooting him in an incident last November, as police investigate whether or not the Mob’s breakout artist really turned on his former business partner. Today, Rocky’s legal team, filed a response to Relli’s civil lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, denying liability for the alleged shooting.

According to Rolling Stone, the response is laid out in “generic, boilerplate language,” accusing Relli of a failure to “exercise reasonable care to avoid the consequences of harm.”

“Answering defendant generally denies each and every allegation of the complaint, and specifically denies that plaintiff has been damaged in any amount or in any way as a result of any act or omission of answering defendant,” the response reads, blaming Relli’s reported injuries on “negligent and/or intentional acts or omissions” of parties other than ASAP Rocky.

Of course, it makes sense that the defense can’t get into specifics, since there is also a criminal case. Relli claims that there was a verbal and physical altercation between the two, during which Rocky pulled a handgun and shot multiple times in his direction. Relli was allegedly hit in the hand and treated. Rocky was arrested in April after returning from a trip to Barbados with Rihanna but posted bail the next day. He’s charged with two counts of using a semiautomatic firearm to assault Relli, to which he pled not guilty.

If convicted, Rocky be sentenced to up to nine years in prison.

Last month, Carly Rae Jepsen announced her new album The Loneliest Time. She pleased fans with the endearing new single “Beach House,” and she’s back with a new track from the record called “Talking To Yourself.”

“Talking To Yourself” is a relentlessly catchy anthem that proves Jepsen hasn’t lost any of her charm or bombast. While the song’s dancey beat makes it perfect for going out and partying, its lyrics are full of longing and bittersweetness that shows it’s still a thoughtful track to listen to alone: “Are you reaching for me, making love to someone else? / Do you talk to me when you’re talking to yourself, self?”

About writing songs during the pandemic, Jepsen said in a 2020 interview, “The most awkward thing for me so far has been trying to do writing sessions over Zoom. You’re trying to spark creativity with, sometimes, a complete stranger. It’s just a really awkward beginning process. We’re staring at each other like, ‘Can I call you back when we each have some ideas?’ I’m always writing, chipping away at a couple ideas here and there.”

Listen to “Talking To Yourself” above.

The Loneliest Time is out 10/21 via Interscope and School Boy. Pre-save it here.

Confession: I’m not a huge tennis fan. I don’t actively dislike the sport, I just don’t follow it. I know the names of a handful of famous tennis players and admire the skill of those at the elite level, but I’ve never gotten into it as a spectator sport.

But even those of us who don’t follow tennis know the name Roger Federer. We may not know his exact record, but we know he’s one of the best of the best in the world of tennis. He’s also a notoriously decent guy. I recently wrote about a sweet surprise Federer orchestrated for an up-and-coming young tennis player who had asked him to keep playing until they could compete together. But like everyone else, I had no idea that the timing of that surprise match was so meaningful.

On September 15, Federer announced that the Laver Cup tournament next week will be his final competition. After a 24-year career in which he won a whopping 20 Grand Slam singles titles, the 41-year-old “Swiss Maestro” is retiring from competitive tennis.

Every athlete and every fan knows that day will come sooner or later, but it is always momentous nonetheless. And Federer, known for his grace both on and off the court, gave his fans a retirement announcement that exhibits the down-to-earth, genuinely-a-good-guy qualities Federer is known for.

Federer shared both a written and spoken version of his announcement on social media, which is thoughtful from an inclusivity standpoint. But beyond that, the way he thanks everyone in his letter—his wife and children, his parents and sister, his team and manager, his sponsors, and his fans—speaks to the man behind the famous name. It’s just lovely.

He wrote:

“To my tennis family and beyond,

“Of all the gifts that tennis has given me over the years, the greatest, without a doubt, has been the people I’ve met along the way: my friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life. Today, I want to share some news with all of you.

“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.

“The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour.”

u201cTo my tennis family and beyond,nnWith Love,nRogeru201d

— Roger Federer (@Roger Federer)
1663247919

“This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me. But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth. I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible.

“I would like to especially thank my amazing wife Mirka, who has lived through every minute with me. She has warmed me up before finals, watched countless matches even while over 8-months pregnant, and has endured my goofy side on the road with my team for over 20 years. I also want to thank my four wonderful children for supporting me, always eager to explore new places and creating wonderful memories along the way. Seeing my family cheering me on from the stands is a feeling I will cherish forever.”

u201cu2764ufe0fu201d

— Roger Federer (@Roger Federer)
1663247998

“I would also like to thank and recognize my loving parents and my dear sister, without whom nothing would be possible. A big thank you to all my former coaches who always guided me in the right direction…you have been wonderful! And to Swiss Tennis, who believed in me as a young player and gave me an ideal start.

“I really want to thank and acknowledge my amazing team, Ivan, Dani, Roland, and particularly Seve and Pierre, who have given me the best advice and have always been there for me. Also Tony, for creatively managing my business for over 17 years. You are all incredible and I have loved every minute with you.

“I want to thank my loyal sponsors, who are really like partners to me; and the hard-working teams and tournaments on the ATP Tour, who consistently welcomed all of us with kindness and hospitality.

“I would also like to thank my competitors on the court. I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget. We battled fairly, with passion and intensity, and I always tried my best to respect the history of the game. I feel extremely grateful. We pushed each other, and together we took tennis to new levels.

“Above all I must offer a special thank you to my unbelievable fans. You will never know how much strength and belief you have given me. The inspiring feeling of walking into full stadiums and arenas has been one of the huge thrills in my life. Without you, those successes would have felt lonely, rather than filled with joy and energy.

“The last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure. While it sometimes feels like it went by in 24 hours, it has also been so deep and magical that it seems as if I’ve already lived a full lifetime. I have had the immense fortune to play in front of you in over 40 different countries. I have laughed and cried, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive. Through my travels, I have met many wonderful people who will remain friends for life, who consistently took time out of their busy schedules to come watch me play and cheer me on around the globe. Thank you.

“When my love of tennis started, I was a ball kid in my hometown of Basel. I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder. They were like giants to me and I began to dream. My dreams led me to work harder and I started to believe in myself. Some success brought me confidence and I was on my way to the most amazing journey that has led to this day.

“So, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, to everyone around the world who has helped make the dreams of a young Swiss ball kid come true.

“Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.”

—Roger Federer

Nobody who gets to the top gets there alone, and Federer seems to truly understand that. His gratitude for both his fans and his rivals, as well as everyone who supported him along the way, is so lovely to see. Here’s to an amazing career, Roger Federer, and best of luck in whatever endeavors you pursue next.

There are so many ways humans experience and express joy.

Smiling is one way, of course. But joy can also cause us to giggle gently or laugh out loud. It might make us sigh with contentment or cry when our heart starts to overflow. We might jump for joy or dance when we’re delighted.

But no matter how we share it, joy is arguably the most desirable human emotion. Is it possible to experience too much joy? Naturally, we can’t expect to be in a constant, unshakable state of joy—nor would that even be healthy—but most of us want to infuse our lives with as much joy as possible.

And there are a million ways for us to do that. We might find joy in quality time with our families and friends. We might find it in nature as we soak in the wonders of our world. We might find it in the arts—painting, pottery, plays or poetry. We might find it in a baby’s giggle or a child’s curiosity or our favorite person’s smile.

We might even find it in silly memes and adorable dog videos on the internet. It’s all good. Joy comes in all shapes and sizes, and unless it’s causing someone hurt or harm, joy should not be judged.

So kick back, relax and enjoy these 10 things that made us smile this week.

The energy and enthusiasm of this Texas A&M physics professor are absolutely infectious.

Dr. Tatiana Erukhimova teaches at Texas A&M University and she clearly loves her subject. See more of Dr. Erukhimova’s educational and entertaining demonstrations here.

Watch how these two took the traditional father-daughter dance to a whole other level.

@bnrevell

Reason number 1838329194920 why I love my dad. 🫶🏼🥹 #thatdougietho #fatherdaughter #weddingtok

Oh. My. Goodness. Could not love this more. Read the full story here.

This decades-old outtake from ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ is laugh-out-loud hilarious.

u201cPart twou201d

— Danny Deraney (@Danny Deraney)
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It’s always funny when the actors themselves can’t keep it together. But what’s even funnier here is that Carol Burnett had specifically told everyone to stay in character—then she was the first one to lose it. Vicki Lawrence’s perfectly timed a-bomb knocking them flat was just icing on the cake. Read the details of how this scene came about here.

Grandpa’s candid reaction to his first FaceTime call with his grandchild was so wholesome.

Aw, gotta love a good Gramps.

Seeing little Black girls see themselves in Halle Bailey as ‘The Little Mermaid’ is everything.

“https://t.co/zR9QLNuSkG”

See on Instagram

Representation really does matter. See a whole roundup of these sweet reactions here.

Best doggo politely wipes his face after drinking water.

u201cGood boy..ud83dudc15ud83eudd63ud83dudca6ud83dude0du201d

— ud835udd50ou0334gu0334 (@ud835udd50ou0334gu0334)
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The most brilliant dog training idea ever.

Cat really, really wants to bite something, but mommy says no.

u201cMust bite something…ud83dudc08ud83dudc3eud83dude02ud83dude02nnSound On..ud83dudd08ud83dudd09ud83dudd0aud83dudd1bu201d

— ud835udd50ou0334gu0334 (@ud835udd50ou0334gu0334)
1663012801

Such a good kitty!

Patagonia founder just gave away his $3 billion company to help fight climate change.

Patagonia was already known for doing good. But now Yvon Chouinard, the 83-year-old founder of the outdoor clothing and camping gear company Patagonia, has given the $3 billion company away to a charitable trust and environmental nonprofit so that all of its profits will go toward fighting climate change. Amazing. Read more about the hows and whys of this move here.

Random New Yorkers stop to help a woman with a baby put together a new stroller.

See on Instagram

New York gets a bad rap for being unfriendly, but those who’ve lived there know that kindness trumps surface manners. Love seeing humans show up for perfect strangers.

Let’s leap into the weekend with the confidence and grace of this floofball.

u201cArguably the most beautiful jump in cat history.https://t.co/chGiB8Y1uuu201d

— translated cats (@translated cats)
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Hope that brought a grin to your chin and a yay to your day! (Wow, that’s a bit yikes, isn’t it. Sorry, friends. I’m running out of ways to say I hope this post made you happy. I really hope it did.)

Keep finding joy wherever you go, and come back next week for another roundup of delights from around the internet.

Anthony Fantano, the polarizing music critic known for his YouTube channel The Needle Drop, has been a longtime critic of Drake’s music. While there are hordes of people with bad things to say about “The Six God,” a lot of which he ignores, there have been several occasions where the rapper who stated, “Diss me, you’ll never hear a reply for it” back in 2009 on “Successful” has chosen to go against that assertion and fire back whether through bars or social media posts. After years of slander, Fantano’s time to get a reply finally came but the reason for it is a bit odd.

On Thursday evening (September 15), Anthony Fantano uploaded a video to his YouTube channel titled “Drake Slid Into My DMs.” The video shows a series of fake messages from the 35-year-old rapper sharing a vegan cookie recipe with the music critic and acknowledging most of Fantano’s negativity toward him, though he was thankful for the positive reviews of 2011’s Take Care and 2015’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.

As always when it comes to information about Drake, whether real or fake, the DMs made their rounds on the internet and seemingly led the rapper to finally speak up. Sometime after Fantano’s video was posted, Drake took to his Instagram Story to show some actual messages he sent to the critic. “Your existence is a light 1,” the rapper said. “And the 1 is cause you are alive. And cause you somehow wifed a black girl. I’m feeling a light to decent 1 on your existence.”

Fantano went on to savor the moment on social media, saying that he lived “rent-free” in Drake’s head, changing his Twitter username to “Anthony ‘Light 1’ Fantano,” re-sharing his review of Pusha T’s It’s Almost Dry and even broadcasting live on Instagram to fully break the situation down.

Check out a recording of Fantano’s Instagram Live below.