Despite Donald Trump openly trashing her new book, Here’s the Deal, Kellyanne Conway is continuing to defend the former president while making the press rounds. On Tuesday, Conway stopped by CBS Mornings where she fielded questions about Trump denying that she told him that he lost the 2020 election and his insistence that he would’ve “sent her back to her crazy husband” if she did. While Conway has repeatedly spoken glowingly of Trump, she has, however, held strong on conceding that he lost fairly to Joe Biden and that Trump’s stolen election claims are the work of sycophantic advisors who refused to tell him the truth.
During her CBS Mornings interview, Conway refuted Trump’s claim that she never told him he lost. “I did, and it broke my heart,” Conway said before, once again, praising her former employer, even if she doesn’t understand the word “girlboss.” Via The Daily Beast:
Still, she defended her former-boss-turned-current-opponent as “a great girlboss” who championed women in office (even as he disparaged a plethora of women from Hillary Clinton to Kamala Harris to Meghan Markle).
“I’ve always had a great relationship with President Trump and I go on and on in the book of how protective he was of me,” she said, later adding: “I wish he was still the president.”
It’s an unusual turn of events considering Conway revealed that last week that Trump was going to release a “beautiful” statement about Here’s the Deal that she saw in advance. However, something happened behind the scenes that made Trump change his mind and, instead, attack her on Truth Social.
“Somebody worked overtime between last evening and this morning to have him put that statement out,” Conway told Mediaite. Nevertheless, she continues to praise Trump as a… great girlboss (?) because words no longer have meaning.
The greats of the West Coast are linking up this summer. Ahead of their long-anticipated Mount Westmore collaborative album, Snoop Dogg has taken to Instagram to reveal a release date for the project, with features him, E-40, Ice Cube, and Too Short.
Mount Westmore’s album is set to drop June 7. In the trailer, fans can hear a new song, which samples Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s “Angel Dust.”
The group first formed around this time last year. In an interview with HotNewHipHop, Snoop said the album would be “magic.”
“You bring the legends of the West Coast together, something great will always happen,” Snoop said. “Cube, 40, Short, and I have been running the game for years. This is the perfect time because each of us brings authentic and new ideas to the table. All four together? That’s magic.”
Also maintaining the group’s legendary status is Too Short, who spoke on the writing and recording process of the album last year in an interview with HipHopDX.
“I’m going to tell you one thing, one beautiful thing about the process is that early on we all acknowledge that in the studio, we are supreme alphas,” Short said. “We’ve always been that way, but on this project, we gave each other the authority to criticize, critique, veto, make suggestions, and just everything is like hands-down, I trust what you saying.
Doja Cat‘s mischievous ways have always been known to get Twitter all riled up, but her latest posts are living up to the lyrics of her breakout 2018 viral hit “Mooo!” Her milkshake is bringing all the boys to the yard, and they’re bringing their thirstiest comment with them.
The Planet Her rapper/singer shared a pair of racy bikini photos on Twitter, where they’re getting plenty of attention. In the first photo, Doja rocks a pink string bikini while pulling a silly face, and in the second, she offers a rear view of just how skimpy the piece actually is. Let’s just say she probably won’t be wearing that anywhere children are present — Twitter’s growing population of under-18s notwithstanding.
Unfortunately, fans won’t be able to do so live for a while. Doja recently dropped out of The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour due to having surgery on her tonsils. “I feel horrible about this,” she wrote, “but can’t wait for this to heal and get back to making music and create an experience for y’all.” Until then, it looks like she just might have more free time for viral shenanigans as she recovers.
The bonds of brotherhood may seem like the kind that will last a lifetime when you’re funneling Milwaukee’s Best on a Friday night at your college frat house, but a difference in political opinions could be all it takes to break them in later decades—as one Tulsa man just learned the hard way.
According to The Oklahoman, Levi Roy Gable was arrested just last week for the part he played in storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The paper reports that Gable was charged with four misdemeanor counts of entering the Capitol and partaking in disruptive conduct. The FBI learned about the 36-year-old’s antics when they were contacted by one of his college fraternity brothers, who shared several of the Gable’s Facebook posts, in which he reportedly bragged about being “among the first people to make our way into the US Capitol Building.” He also shared 10 videos taken that day.
Gable’s old pal, who is referred to simply as Witness 1 in reports, first alerted the FBI to his fraternity brother’s antics on January 10, 2021. In the weeks and months that followed, he continued to supply the FBI with evidence-based on Gable’s own posts.
On January 13, 2021, a second person alerted the FBI to Gable’s antics after he shared another rioter’s post with the caption: “Everyone is in for a surprise. It’s happening. There is a plan in motion.”
Unfortunately, Gable deleted his Facebook page before the FBI was able to independently verify the posts. According to The Oklahoman:
“Gable admitted last year in an interview that he walked to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, after attending a rally, the FBI reported in a court affidavit. However, he denied going inside multiple times during the interview with FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force officers.”
Gable was released on the agreement that he will be forced to pay $10,000 if he misses any upcoming court appearance.
Indie music has grown to include so much. It’s not just music that is released on independent labels, but speaks to an aesthetic that deviates from the norm and follows its own weirdo heart. It can come in the form of rock music, pop, or folk. In a sense, it says as much about the people that are drawn to it as it does about the people that make it.
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Bright Eyes — Companion EPs
Bright Eyes are not only back on tour, but they also recently undertook the ambitious project of re-issuing all nine of their studio albums. Each will be accompanied by an EP that sees the band reworking older songs while inviting contributors like Phoebe Bridgers and Waxahatchee to lend their voices. This week, the Companion EPs A Collection of Songs Written And Recorded 1995-1997: A Companion, Letting Off The Happiness: A Companion And Fevers, and Mirrors: A Companion were released, offering a way for day-one fans to connect with their music in a unique way.
Wilco — Cruel Country
Despite nearly three decades as a band, Wilco still remains wildly prolific, as seen on their recent 12th studio LP Cruel Country. The 21-track album shows Wilco at their creative best and getting back to the heart of their earlier releases. Recorded mostly live, Cruel Country is both jammy and concise Americana music that examines our country through a critical lens.
Dehd — Blue Skies
Chicago post-punk trio Dehd dropped their fourth studio album Blue Skies this week. The rollicking album is full of sunny melodies, jangly chords, and playful refrains, pointing to the band’s refined songwriting and tangible chemistry.
Haai — Baby, We’re Ascending
After honing her sound over the last five years with a handful of singles and a 2020 EP, Haai’s technical skills are on full display in her euphoric debut LP Baby, We’re Ascending. The UK-based producer jam-packed glitchy and euphoric beats into the 13-track effort, collaborating with the likes of Jon Hopkins and Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor.
Hovvdy — Billboard For My Feelings
Last year, Austin-based duo Hovvdy released the expansive album True Love. Now compiling a handful of songs written in that era that didn’t quite make it to the album, the band releases the four-track effort Billboard For My Feelings. The collection of tracks boast bright melodies paired with the group’s signature washed-out vocals.
Sky Ferreira — “Don’t Forget”
Making good on her promise to release new music this year, Sky Ferreira dropped the shimmering new single “Don’t Forget.” Her second song in nine years, “Don’t Forget” marks a pop-leaning return and points to her upcoming album Masochism. Combining slick synths and a crashing beat, “Don’t Forget” plays up an 80’s inspired sound.
Beabadoobee — “Lovesong”
Going back to her acoustic roots, Beabadoobee shares the tender lullaby “Lovesong.” Offering a contrast to her recent rock-leaning tracks, “Lovesong” displays the UK singer’s versatile songwriting. It was originally written for her second EP, but was the last track she recorded for the upcoming album Beatopia.
MUNA — “Home By Now”
Muna are just about a month out from releasing their self-titled release on Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory records. Sharing their fourth single ahead of the album, the band releases the shimmering track “Home By Now.” A pulsing beat and ’80s-inspired synths color the track as vocalist Kate Gavin sings of questioning choices following the end of a relationship. “While a lot of this album does seem to be about trusting my instincts, this song acknowledges the pain of not knowing if I left a relationship that I was meant to be in,” Gavin said about the single.
Ganser — “People Watching”
Chicago band Ganser are known for crafting dark and thrashing punk music, which they refined on their acclaimed 2020 sophomore album Just Look At That Sky. Now kicking off a new era with the upcoming EP, Nothing You Do Matters, Ganser share the propulsive track “People Watching.” A dizzying mix of moody guitars are layered underneath apathetic lyrics about the state of the world, pointing to the kind of cheerfully nihilistic music Ganser is expected to release on their new project.
Alex G — “Blessing”
After penning the soundtrack to the film We’re All Going To The World’s Fair, Alex G shows off his experimental side with the new track “Blessing.” Departing from his singer-songwriter catalog, the new song opens with a wall of discordant guitars before whispering vocals deliver lines that are surprisingly optimistic compared to the track’s haunting instrumentals.
Gordi — “Way I Go”
The last we heard from Australian songwriter Gordi, she had teamed up with pop star Troye Sivan for an electrifying single. But now, the singer is back to promote a new EP Inhuman, which is out later this summer. The project’s lead single is the wistful tune “Way I Go,” colored by the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar and Gordi’s softly resonating vocals.
JayWood — “Thank You”
Winnipeg musician JayWood is readying the release of the forthcoming album Slingshot by sharing the upbeat new track “Thank You.” Co-produced by Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Jacob Portrait, “Thank You” is both sunny and celebratory, mixing a groove-forward beat with lyrics about focusing on the positive. Dedicated to his late mother and other folks who aren’t in his life anymore, JayWood said the song “kinda wrote itself, it felt so easy to put together because I knew the core of what I was trying to get across.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers were among the NBA’s most pleasant surprises this past season, as the young Cavs came out of the gates as one of the league’s hottest teams and finished 8th in the East at 44-38, as injuries took their toll, ultimately dropping both of their play-in games to miss the playoffs.
Still, optimism abounds in Cleveland after Darius Garland made the leap to All-Star in his third season, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley became a formidable frontcourt force on both ends of the floor, and Kevin Love found himself revitalized alongside all that young talent. There’s still a ways to go for the Cavs to enter the contender realm in the top-heavy East, but they have undoubtedly taken the first big step in the right direction and it is incumbent on Koby Altman and the front office to continue building on that foundation.
This offseason will present some interesting options for the Cavs, most notably what they do with Collin Sexton (who missed most all season with a torn meniscus) as he will be a restricted free agent with a roster clearly needing more creation and scoring punch from the backcourt. There are other organizational moves to make, and on Tuesday we learned one of those would be bolstering their coaching staff with former Lakers and Kings head coach (and more successfully, Warriors assistant) Luke Walton coming on as an assistant for JB Bickerstaff.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are hiring Luke Walton as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Walton joins JB Bickerstaff’s coaching staff after spending five-plus years as head coach of the Lakers and Kings. Walton spent his final two seasons as a player with Cleveland a decade ago.
Walton has not been successful as a head coach, but was highly regarded in Golden State as an assistant under Steve Kerr, so it’s possible that he’s just a better fit in a secondary seat on the bench rather than in that first chair.
A little over a week ago, Halsey went viral for — ironically enough — claiming on TikTok that her label, Capitol Records, wouldn’t give her new single a release date unless she went viral on TikTok. “Basically, I have a song that I love that I want to release ASAP, but my record label won’t let me,” the video read in the caption. “I’ve been in this industry for eight years and I’ve sold over 165 million records and my record company is saying I can’t release [the song] unless they can fake a viral moment on TikTok.”
Well, the viral moment may not have come the way the label wanted to (… or did it?), but today, Capitol announced, “We are committing to a release of ‘So Good’ on June 9th, 2022,” on Twitter. An additional statement read:
We are an artist-first company that encourages open dialogue. We have nothing but a desire to help each one of our artists succeed, and hope that we can continue to have these critical conversations.
– @halsey, we love you and are here to support you. We are committing to a release of “So Good” on June 9th, 2022. pic.twitter.com/DKBrtRUCpk
Incidentally, Halsey wasn’t the only artist to complain about her label’s TikTok policy, and it wasn’t Halsey’s only complaint since moving from Astralwerks to Capitol proper. In a series of tweets, Halsey said that Capitol also blocked the release of her song “3am” as a single and cut the rollout for her album Manic short.
So, now, I guess we look forward to the release of “So Good” and hope the buzz hasn’t died down by 6/9.
There’s plenty to question about the U.S. Depp v. Heard trial airing on Court TV as it happened. The six-week production showcased what one expert (divisively) described as “mutual abuse” and, although this was a defamation trial, the testimony frequently dove into harrowing descriptions of said alleged abuse. However, the trial also devolved into tales of “human fecal matter” and peeing in hallways (accusations flung by both sides), along with testimony about death threats and wild money demands.
It’s safe to say that this was a chaotic yet triggering mess that, in execution, landed as something that SNL scathingly skewered as being “for fun.” And as if that wasn’t enough (and before a jury verdict even landed, given that Depp’s suing for $50 million, and Heard’s countersuing for $100 million), there will also be a documentary. This is the second such project with the first landing after Depp’s 2020 U.K.-based libel trial against The Sun, which ended with that court shutting down Depp’s claim and ruling that a tabloid’s “wife beater” claim about him was “substantially true.”
Via Variety, this project will come from Warner Bros. Discovery U.K., which produced the first documentary and has this planned for Number Two:
[T]he follow up will be focused on the recent and very high-profile legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, this time in the U.S. The two-part Discovery+ documentary will again look at the extensive evidence and testimony of both Depp and Heard. Each episode will present one side of the argument through legal teams, friends, family and key witnesses.
No word yet on whether any drama related to James Franco or Elon Musk challenging Depp to a “cage fight” will be involved. The good news, though, is that we haven’t heard news of a third trial happening. Humanity has been through enough already.
Say what you want about Kanye West’s creative output lately, but he’s shown himself to be an incredible benefactor to the new artists he supports. For instance, after Fivio Foreign appeared on Donda, Kanye returned the favor, granting him the single “City Of Gods” for his debut album, B.I.B.L.E. Likewise, Louisville rising star Vory, who has been working behind the scenes since 2016, also lent his vocal expertise to three Donda tracks and has now received his own blessing from the production icon.
Vory’s new single “Daylight” was originally intended for Donda, but after some reworking, now appears destined for the Louisville rapper/singer’s upcoming debut album, Lost Souls. Built over a sample of Dione Warwick’s 1973 single “You’re Gonna Need Me” (notable for appearing on Usher’s Confessions track “Superstar” and J Dilla’s “Stop!” from Donuts), the new song finds the two artists facing their anxieties and seeking comfort in one-night stands, accompanied by plenty of soul-searching.
“Daylight” is the second single to be released ahead of Lost Souls, which is scheduled for a June 3 release. The first single, “Do Not Disturb,” was released on May 13 and featured Bleu and Nav. Other artists due to appear on the album include Memphis singer/rapper Fresco Trey, Atlanta rap-crooner Landstrip Chip, and Jamaican genre misfit BEAM.
A few days ago, Michelle Zauner (aka Japanese Breakfast) had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at a game between the New York Mets and her hometown Philadelphia Phillies. These moments can often live on in infamy, but fortunately for Zauner, her throw was relatively uneventful: It was wide left and it two-hopped to the catcher, but it wasn’t a superlatively awful throw that will be forever included in compilations of hilariously bad first pitches.
What did stand out, though, was Zauner’s attire, as on the field, she wore a nice Mets jersey with “Jbrekkie” on the back, right above the number 69. In a new interview with Spin, Zauner speculated that she got away with the number choice due to a funny misunderstanding.
She said, “They asked me what I wanted on my jersey and what number and so I just figured I should do ‘Jbrekkie’ and the only number that came to mind was 69 [laughs]. I was surprised they let me do it, actually. But then I also found out that the Mets won the World Series in ’69, so maybe they thought it was an homage to them. It was.”
Indeed, the Mets won the first of their two World Series titles in 1969, with their second coming in 1986. They also appeared in the championship round in 1973, 2000, and 2015. So, it’s possible that whoever is in charge of coordinating first pitches really did think Zauner was showing love to the franchise’s first title. It could also just be that they saw was Zauner was doing and let her have some fun for her big moment.
She also described her throw, “I’m obviously very much an indoor kid and I knew that I was not going to do a great job — and I didn’t get to practice very much, because we found out a week-and-a-half before or something and I was supposed to practice with [drummer and producer Craig Hendrix] and then SNL came in and all of our attention went to SNL. Then we got there at 3:00 and they said I was going to be able to have practice on the field with the baseball players or whatever, but it was raining. So I didn’t get to practice at all and when I did practice, it was not as far away as the mound was to the plate. Everyone was like, ‘You can stand as close as you want,’ but then the catcher kind of gave me sh*t, like if you don’t do it from the top of the mound, it doesn’t count. I was like, ‘I’m not doing that, no way,’ and so I was kind of trying to get him to come closer but he wasn’t having it. I blame him.”
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