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In the world of entertainment — from TV to movies to video games — nothing sells quite like nostalgia. We are constantly seeing reboots, as studios and networks try to capture the magic of the past, but while it’s easy to drum up initial excitement for the return of a beloved franchise, nailing the execution can be difficult.

The double-edged sword of nostalgia plays is that it’s an easy way to get folks excited, but when people have fond memories of something from their childhood, their expectations for the final product are going to be extremely high. For sports fans of a certain age, the Backyard Sports franchise (headlined by Backyard Baseball) brings back cherished memories of sitting down at the ol’ family computer and letting Pablo Sanchez rip baseballs after school. On Tuesday, Backyard Sports released a teaser trailer for the return of Backyard Baseball, with Pablo and all of your other favorites returning to play ball.

There’s no firm release date, just a website that takes you back to the tree house with the trailer and the ability to sign up for email alerts when there are updates on a release. I’ll be fascinated to see how well a Backyard Sports reboot does, because it was about as simple a game as you could play (but addicting as hell when you’re 12). Will that translate for kids in 2024? Will the adults that remember it fondly want to play it now? We’ll find out, but I will say something I appreciate is they didn’t try to reinvent the wheel and make a huge update on presentation, keeping the same animation and graphics — just looking smoother and faster than they were 20 years ago.

Just two weeks ago, on August 9, Polo G released his long-awaited fourth studio album, HOOD POET, after it was pushed back due to his recent legal troubles. The album, which features 42 Dugg, Fridayy, Future, G Herbo, GloRilla, Hunxho, Lil Durk, Offset, and The Kid Laroi, was supported by the singles “BBarely Holdin’ On,” “Angels In The Sky,” and “We Uh Shoot” with Lil Durk, and now, Polo has announced the dates for its accompanying tour.

Tickets for the HOOD POET Tour will go on sale on Friday, August 23 at 10 AM local time, with presales Wednesday, August 21. You can find more info at polocapalot.com. See below for the dates.

Polo G HOOD POET Tour Dates

10/24 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium ^
10/27 – Minneapolis, MN @ Uptown Theater Minneapolis ^
10/29 – Kansas City, MO @ The Midland Theatre^
10/30 – St. Louis, MO @ Pageant^
11/01 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Eagles Ballroom^
110/2 – Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom^
11/03 – Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe^
110/4 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit^
11/05 – Toronto, ON @ REBEL^
11/07 – New York, NY @ Palladium Times Square !
11/08 – Hartford, CT @ The Webster !
11/09 – Providence, RI @ The Strand Ballroom !
11/10 – Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont Theater !
11/11 – Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues Boston !
11/13 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia !
11/14 – Washington, DC@– Echostage !
11/15 – Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz !
11/16 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern !
11/18 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte !
11/20 – New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore New Orleans @
11/21 – Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center @
11/22 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater @
11/23 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom @
11/26 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues San Diego ^
11/27 – San Francisco, CA @– The Midway ^
11/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern ^

^ With Support From VonOff1700, Skylar Blatt, Scorey, and TwoTime
! With Support From VonOff1700, Diany Dior, Scorey and TwoTime
@ With Support From VonOff1700, Scorey and TwoTime

In 2024, some observers have noticed that Ice Spice is looking thinner than she did in 2023. Inevitably and unfortunately, the rapper has been subject to speculation about the cause of the change. Given that diabetes drug Ozempic has become popular as a weight-loss tool, some believe that’s where Ice turned, but now she’s saying that’s not the case.

As XXL notes, during an X Spaces session yesterday (August 19), Ice said (find the audio here), “I wish y’all never learned the word ‘Ozempic.’ That’s one thing I wish. Oh my god, like, what even is Ozempic? What the f*ck is that? Like, genuinely, what is that, bro? Like, you lazy [expletive] never heard of a gym? It’s called the gym, it’s called eating healthy, it’s called being on tour. Like, what the hell? Maybe if I was sitting home all day, it would be easier to stay big.”

As Ice noted in that quote, she has a lot going on at the moment. She recently launched her Y2K! World Tour and released her Y2K! album. She’s already looking forward, too, saying in a recent interview, “I am definitely so ready to start another album. So that’s great. I know my label is gonna be really excited to hear that. I don’t wanna start teasing the next album, we in Y2K!.”

The NFL is returning to the United Kingdom and Frankfurt for the 2024 season, but the league’s continued international expansion now includes a game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil. Both teams are expected to compete for the playoffs, so the stakes are high. But to raise the excitement, the NFL booked Brazilian superstar Anitta for the halftime show.

“I am incredibly excited to perform in São Paulo at the NFL’s first game in my home country of Brazil,” she told Billboard Español. “Growing up here has completely shaped me as an artist and, of course, as a person. So it means everything to be able to bring fans around the world the excitement and joy of our amazing music and culture. It’s really a dream come true to be a part of this moment.”

When asked what to expect from her halftime show, the “Casi Casi” singer said, “While I want to keep a lot of elements of the show a surprise, I can tell you I will perform Brazilian funk! I can’t wait to do this in front of so many Brazilians at home, as well as the global audience who will be able to see the show as well. It’s going to be big, and I’m excited for everyone to see what we have in store.”

The week 1 game kicks off on September 6 at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Beyoncé is currently approaching billionaire status, and her new business move might help push her closer to that milestone: She’s launching SirDavis, a new whisky brand.

The information was shared on Beyoncé’s press website yesterday (August 19), with a description that reads:

“Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has joined forces with Moët Hennessy, a subsidiary of LVMH, to create SirDavis, a groundbreaking new whisky. The first-of-its-kind joint venture reflects a shared vision between Knowles-Carter and Moët Hennessy, two vanguards of culture and craft, around the future of American whisky.

This unique product was years in the making after Knowles-Carter, a Japanese whisky enthusiast, sought out Moët Hennessy to help craft a one-of-a-kind flavor profile that reflected her whisky ideal. Meanwhile, Moët Hennessy had been exploring ways to deepen its presence in the American whisky market, making the timing kismet for a partnership between the world-leading luxury group and Knowles-Carter.”

It also notes that the whisky sells for $89 and can be pre-ordered via SirDavis.com. It’s set to become available at retail in the US — as well as select airports and stores in London, Paris, and Tokyo, in September.

The SirDavis website offers specific details about the whisky, including tasting notes that describe color, aroma, taste, and finish. The site also explains the origin of the brand’s name, saying:

“[Beyoncé] came to uncover that her paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, had been a successful moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition and would stash his bottles in the empty knots of cedar trees on his farm for friends and kin to find and enjoy. She quickly understood why her own love for whisky ran so deep. Her affinity for whisky was fated and SirDavis was born. Four generations from when Davis Hogue made whisky on his land, his legacy is honored.”

Beyoncé herself also says, “I’ve always been drawn to the power and confidence I feel when drinking quality whisky and wanted to invite more people to experience that feeling.”

A global crisis was avoided when the calendar flipped from December 31, 1999, to January 1, 2000, thanks to the hard work of countless programmers. But what if the “year 2000 problem” had resulted in major computer malfunctions or, even worse, a robot uprising? That’s essentially the premise of Y2K, the new comedy from former SNL cast member Kyle Mooney.

A24‘s Y2K takes place on the last night of 1999, when two high school juniors, played by Jaeden Martell and Julian Dennison, crash a New Years Eve party only to find themselves fighting for their lives against various robots and household appliances. The nostalgia-heavy film also stars Rachel Zegler, who talked to Screen Rant about how she joined the cast.

“I came across it really late in the game. There ended up being an opening in the cast. I was in the middle of Death Valley, Nevada on a commercial shoot, and I had no service, and my agent was breaking up on the phone,” the West Side Story actress said. “I was wandering around the desert, this is a true story, trying to get the script to load on my phone. And I read it in-between takes of this commercial I was doing.”

She continued, “I just loved that it was so self-aware of what it was both portraying and making fun of, in a way. And I love Kyle so much. I’m such a big fan of Kyle’s. Anything that he does, I immediately can subscribe to, so I just really enjoyed it. It was so different than anything I had done before.”

Y2K, which also stars Alicia Silverstone, The Kid Laroi, and Fred Durst, opens in theaters on December 6, 2024.

Chappell Roan has become a major star pretty quickly this year (just look at the size of her Lollapalooza crowd). There are definitely some aspects of her newfound fame she’s not loving, though, and she’s been open about that.

Now she has again addressed the topic, in a pair of TikTok videos shared yesterday (here and here). The videos address Roan’s take on fan interactions and mindsets. She says in the first one:

“I need you to answer questions. Just answer my questions for a second. If you saw a random woman on the street, would you yell at her from the car window? Would you harass her in public? Would you go up to a random lady and say, “Can I get a photo with you?” And she’s like, “No, what the f*ck?” And then you get mad at this random lady? Would you be offended if she says no to your time because she has her own time? Would you stalk her family? Would you follow her around? Would you try to dissect her life and bully her online? This is a lady you don’t know. And she doesn’t know you at all. Would you assume that she’s a good person, assume she’s a bad person? Would you assume everything you read about her online is true? I’m a random b*tch. You’re a random b*tch. Just think about that for a second, OK?”

In the second video, she continues:

“I don’t care that abuse and harassment, stalking, whatever is a normal thing to do to people who are famous or a little famous, whatever. I don’t care that it’s normal. I don’t care that this crazy type of behavior comes along with the job, the career field I’ve chosen. That does not make it OK. That doesn’t make it normal. It doesn’t mean I want it. It doesn’t mean that I like it. I don’t want whatever the f*ck you think you’re supposed to be entitled to whenever you see a celebrity. I don’t give a f*ck if you think it’s selfish of me to say no for a photo or for your time or for a hug. That’s not normal. That’s weird. It’s weird how people think that you know a person just ’cause you see them online or you listen to the art they make. That’s f*cking weird. I’m allowed to say no to creepy behavior, OK?”

In the caption of the second video, she notes, “Do not assume this is directed at someone or a specific encounter. This is just my side of the story and my feelings.”

Now that the hip-hop mystery about Laila!‘s father has been solved (yes, Yasiin Bey, previously known as Mos Def, is her dad), the public can go back to focusing on the music. This is perfect timing considering the “That’s Not My Problem” rapper’s debut album is slated to drop soon.

Over on her official X (formerly Twitter) page, Laila! announced her very first project with two adorable and appropriately thematic graphics (viewable here).

“Gap Year! MY VERY FIRST ALBUM IS YOURS SEPTEMBER 6TH ! 17 songs !! u can pre save now :)),” she wrote.

Supporters can expect to hear her viral breakouts “Like That!” and “Not My Problem” alongside a host of new tracks supposedly entirely produced by Laila! It is unclear if the forthcoming project will feature any guest features, but after Cash Cobain’s massive mega remix of her standout, fans are surely hoping there are a few.

Continue below to view Laila!’s artwork for Gap Year! along with its official tracklist.

Artwork

Tracklist

1. “Talent Show”
2. “Sink 2 Rise”
3. “R U Down?”
4. “If U Don’t Know By Now”
5. “Want 2”
6. “Sani (Homework Freestyle)”
7. “Like That!”
8. “Grand Opening”
9. “Blackberry (Date 4 Prom)”
10. “Mami Nelly”
11. “Could Be”
12. “If You’re Listening. (Interlude)”
13. “We’re So Over!”
14. “I Don’t Need U Anymore”
15. “Not My Problem”
16. “Flyer Than U”
17. “Coupe Deville””

Gap Year! is out 9/6 via IIIXL Studio. Find more information here.

With sexually explicit music seemingly at an all-time high, listeners are growing more appreciative of lyrical subtleties. From breakout tracks such as Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” to Sexyy Red’s “Pound Town,” many rap acts aren’t leaving anything up to the imagination.

But over on the R&B front, Beyoncé has made a rather extensive collection of track’s riddled with innuendo. So much so that the leader of the Beyhive, Tina Knowles (more affectionately referred to as Momma Tina) just discovered the true meaning behind her daughter’s 2009 single, “Ego.”

Over on Instagram, Knowles reposted a clip from the Can I Vibe With Y’all podcast (view here), where hosts Cazo Wilborn and Chris Mathis sing along to NSWF lyrics, which many believe to be about…penis (more specifically’s her husband Jay-Z’s package).

“Wow, I just realized that she wasn’t talking about that ego,” she wrote. “Ohhhhhh Myyyyy!!!!!!! I’m serious, I really didn’t Know til now!!!!! That’s crazy! Nooo! Really? Maybe not ! I don’t know! What y’all think?”

When Bey sings, “It’s too big / It’s too wide / It’s too strong / It won’t fit / It’s too much / It’s too tough / He talk like this ’cause he can back it up,” let’s just say the double entendre has aided in the expansion of the Carter family.

If Miss Tina is just learning about “Ego,” wait until she truly listens Beyoncé’s records “Levii’s Jeans,” “Blow,” “II Hands II Heaven,” and “Rocket.” Momma dearest might just clutch her pearls.

As Yo Gotti’s 2015 hit goes, sometimes it does go down in the DMs. Of course, “it” in this scenarios means potential love connections. Apparently, that’s how Doja Cat and Joseph Quinn’s rumored romance began.

However, Yung Gravy is denying that this was ever the case for him and Haliey Welch (better known as Hawk Tuah Girl). During an interview with TMZ, Welch claimed that the “Betty (Get Money)” rapper slid into her private messages to ask her out on a date. Today (August 19), Yung Gravy has not only laughed off the declaration but posted receipts to the contrary.

Over on X (formerly Twitter), Yung Gravy jokingly wrote: “Can’t be nice anymore, LOL.”

Attached to Yung Gravy’s post was a screenshot of the pair’s private communication on what appears to be Instagram, dating back to July 31. Based on the earliest message in the image, Welch reached out to Yung Gravy first, writing: “Hello sir.”

As the conversation progresses, Yung Gravy then invites Welch to attend one of his upcoming shows. “Oh, and this ain’t just me trying to finesse cause I don’t know your man situation,” he wrote. “But I wanted to have you at a show next month to hear my country sh*t.”

Now, Yung Gravy isn’t above finding love online, just see when he flirted with Lizzo. But, in this case, he’s actually innocent. Go figure.