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Before she was a brand magnet, hitmaking rapper, Saweetie was a multi-sport athlete, competing in track, volleyball, and flag football and earning the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section’s Female Athlete Of The Year honor in 2011. Now that she has hits like “Tap In,” “Back To The Streets,” “Best Friend,” and “Closer” under her belt, it makes sense that she’d add an athletic brand to her growing list of high-profile partnerships, which already includes impressive names like Amazon, Crocs, MAC Cosmetics, McDonald’s, Netflix, and Quay.

While the world of athleisure is expansive and growing by the day, Saweetie prefers the classics. She’s locked in a role with Champion as the brand’s new Global Corporate Consultant and contributes one of her many catchy, fan-favorite singles, “Get It Girl,” to Champion’s ad campaign of the same name. As part of the campaign, Champion will also support its 12 featured female athletes with mentorship in areas such as marketing and media to ensure they have career opportunities beyond the court and field.

Saweetie was gracious enough to grant an interview with Uproxx via Zoom to discuss the Champion deal, her favorite pieces from Champion’s related sportswear line, and her upcoming album, Pretty Bitch Music.

What drew you to Champion as the partnership for this women’s athletics partnership?

I honestly think that it’s just in alignment with my life. I grew up playing sports. I played track, volleyball, basketball, powderpuff. I played a plethora of sports, and I’ve always worn Champion during my workouts, pre-games, et cetera, et cetera. The fact that I am the new partner and global consultant, it’s just really, really a dream come true. The fact that I’m endorsing these female college athletes, who were once in the position I was in, it’s just amazing.

What’s your favorite piece from the collection?

My favorite piece is the tights. It feels I’m not wearing anything. It’s so soft. It just feels like skin. There are leggings where they feel good, but these ones feel so good, you could probably fall asleep in them.

As far as women’s athletics go, are you paying any attention at all to the NCAA Basketball tournament’s women’s side? Do you have any picks? Have you filled out your bracket?

Please fill me in, because while they playing on the court, I’m playing in the studio. I’ve been focused on Pretty Bitch Music, but please enlighten me. Who’s your pick?

You caught me. I’ve been pretty busy writing about new music too.

I guess we both got to do our research.

Absolutely, because now I’m embarrassed. You turned it around on me. Speaking of Pretty Bitch Music, I know a lot of people have been waiting for a very long time for it. You’ve been tweaking things. What would you say has been the biggest challenge in getting it out the door, and the most fun part about holding on to it and making sure that it’s been tweaked to perfection?

I think the best thing about this music is as I begin to learn myself, as a woman, there are more things that I’d like to discuss and talk about. I’m happy that it didn’t come out when it was supposed to come out, two years ago, because I’ve definitely grown spiritually, mentally in a lot of areas in my life. I actually discovered meditation last year, and through being silent, I realize what my purpose was. I need to make sure that I get this message across in my music.

Are there any surprises that would really blow anybody’s mind that you can share or let us know about ahead of time, because it’s Uproxx, and you love us?

If I tell you, it’s not going to be a surprise anymore.

Is the Tagalog song still on there?

It’s not a Tagalog song. I am speaking Tagalog, but it’s definitely on the “keep” list — hopefully, it stays there.

Maybe you brought back one of the old car verses for us? Because I love those car verses. They were so good.

Thank you. Honestly. I think that people will definitely see the elevation. I can’t say specifically what it is yet. It’s not “new” Saweetie, it’s just “elevated” Saweetie. I mean, you might have touched on a couple of things, but we’re just going to have to see.

I know you get a lot of interviews. You get a lot of the same questions. I have to ask a lot of the same questions. Do you ever have anything that you want to talk about, that you really care about, that you never get a chance to talk about, because nobody ever asks you? For instance, I once got someone who wanted to talk about anime because I was wearing an anime shirt like I am now [It was a Sailor Moon shirt].

Well, I do love anime. My favorite is Chibi, Sailor Rini from Sailor Moon. I actually have a Chibi chain.

Honestly, I was a stationery collector, I don’t know if you’re familiar with stationery books, but I love Lovely White. I would go to Koreatown and collect a whole bunch of stationery. It’s definitely one of the more low-key animes, but her name’s Lovely White.

If there’s one major thesis or statement, or message of the album, what would you want people to take away from it?

That’s a really great question. When women listen to this album, I really want them to tap into their divine femininity. After they’re done consuming, seeing their self in some of these songs, I would really love to hear how women feel in 12 months, because the purpose of this album is for women.

Auburn found itself in a little trouble early in its first round tilt against Jacksonville State thanks to some hot shooting by the Gamecocks. But eventually, things settled down considerably and the Tigers were able to avoid the same fate that the Kentucky Wildcats suffered the night before, winning their 2/15 tilt by a decisive final score of 80-61.

As is usually the case when things go well for the Tigers this season, Jabari Smith had quite the afternoon. The presumed top-5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft led the team with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists while showing off the sweet shooting stroke that makes him such a compelling prospect — the 6’10 Smith knocked down four of his seven attempts from behind the three-point line.

It was one of those three misses, however, that gave Smith his best moment of the game. Smith missed a triple late in the game when things were already decided, but managed to get the rebound. He decided to instead put the ball on the deck and drive towards the rim, which led to him throwing down on Jacksonville State big man Brandon Huffman.

Smith got fouled and hit the foul shot, so he did score three points on this possession after all.

Following the strange decision to award several important Oscars before the telecast, many Hollywood stars are threatening to skip doing press and the red carpet altogether in order to support their coworkers.

The Academy announced last month that certain categories — documentary short, film editing, makeup/hairstyling, original score, production design, animated short, live-action short, and sound — would be presented before the televised ceremony, sparking outrage among some stars. Chastain, who starred in The Eyes Of Tammy Faye, wishes to be present when those awards are announced. “I will absolutely be present when the makeup category is being called, and if that means I’m not doing press on the red carpet for ABC or whatever it is, then so be it,” the actress said. “The most important thing for me is to honor the incredible artisans who work in our industry.”

The Best Actress nominee continued, saying that every aspect of a performance should be recognized, not just the actor. “So much attention is on the actor. We’re like the face in some way because you go to a movie and see us,” she added. “But a lot of people don’t understand how beyond an actor a performance is.”

Chastain isn’t alone in her thinking, as many other Hollywood personnel have expressed frustration with the Academy after this decision. Director Guillermo del Toro also spoke out against the Academy earlier this month, saying “if any year was the year to think about it, this was not the year to not hear their names live at the Oscars. This is the year to say it and say it loud.” The director’s film Nightmare Alley is nominated for four awards, including Best Picture.

The Academy clarified that the recipients would still receive their awards in front of the Dolby Theater crowd, but it would be added into the live telecast later on. Regardless, the show is likely just trying to make more room during the ceremony for the three hosts to have some witty banter, or for the mess that will be the fan-voted award. We will see how this plays out.

The Oscars will air Sunday, March 27th on ABC.

Rosalía kept herself busy this week: She dropped a video for “Hentai” just a couple days ago, she released her Motomami album today, and also today, she shared a video for “Candy.” The new clip sees Rosalía giving it her all as she sings the song at a Japanese karaoke venue.

She previously told Rolling Stone en Español of the new album (translated via Google), “I really like it when you said that it’s a declaration of principles, because I think that musically it is, and conceptually the lyrics, too. I think it’s the most personal or confessional record I’ve ever made, because I’ve always considered myself a storyteller. Motomami is the most personal story I’ve told so far, actually. And in the end, for me, Motomami in my head, makes sense as a concept, as a self-made female figure. So, it has to look around, almost like a self-portrait, when an artist makes a self-portrait in the context of the contemporary world.”

Beyond “Candy,” Rosalía has some experience with literal candy, as the cover of her El Mal Querer album was depicted as part of an “Album Art” packs series from M&M’s.

Watch the “Candy” video above.

Motomami is out now via Columbia. Get it here.

Since Lizzo released Cuz I Love You in 2019, she became one of the most popular artists of this generation and took home three Grammys. She called for a new era last year with the unveiling of “Rumors,” a song that was met with a flood of hate that Lizzo wasn’t putting up with. Just last month, she teased a new song with a naked Instagram post and made an Instagram story of producers Max Martin and Benny Blanco in the studio.

Last night, she took to Instagram, as usual, to announce that her album is finally done with a photo of her in the studio. She wrote in the enthused caption: “Oh yeah b*tch… I just mastered my album and turns out its 100% DONE ! YOU THINK U KNOW BUT U HAVE NO IDEA. BABY HOW YOU HEALING? HEALING GOOD AS HELL”

Lizzo has also been working on a reality TV competition called Watch Out For The Big Grrrls that’s arriving to Amazon Prime Video on March 25. “Girls that look like me don’t get representation,” she said about the project. “It’s time to pull up my sleeves and find them myself.”

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

In an HBO two-part documentary, Phoenix Rising, Evan Rachel Wood has alleged that she was “essentially raped on camera” by Marilyn Manson during the filming of the “Heart-Shaped Glasses” video. In the film, she revisits that period of time in her life, and it’s worth noting that, back when video surfaced in 2007, there was a lot of controversy over what was held out as a presumably simulated sex scene. Wood now explains that she agreed to the simulation and alleges that Manson proceeded to actually have sex with her in front of cameras. The Westworld actress describes this as being “coerced into a commercial sex act under false pretenses.”

Wood now wants YouTube to remove the video from its platform, which she’s made clear in an Instagram story while sharing a petition (excerpted below) to that effect:

“Survivors and allies need to come together to remove things like this. This should not still be allowed on YouTube, or circulating anywhere for that matter. Evan has re-victimized herself over and over again to create change and a statute of limitations in the state of California, and doesn’t deserve a constant reminder of her sexual assault on the internet.”

The petition puts forth the claim that the 2007 video violates YouTube’s Guidelines and Policies, and Pitchfork now relays a statement from spokesperson Jack Malon, who declared, “We’re monitoring the situation closely and will take appropriate action if we determine there is a breach of our creator responsibility guidelines.”

In Phoenix Rising, Wood described how Manson allegedly coached her to say that the video shoot was a “great, romantic time and none of that was the truth.” She also claimed that that, following the video shoot, the “violence” continued to “escalate” within their relationship. In February 2021, she came forward to name Manson as the alleged abuser that she’s spoken about for years as an activist (including while pushing the Phoenix Act to increase the statute of limitations for sexual assault cases).

Manson has since sued Wood while alleging “malicious falsehood” over her grooming and abuse claims against the singer.

(Via Change.org & Pitchfork)

Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, TV show me.

A day after Nancy Pelosi said that Bono “has been a very Irish part of our lives,” Variety reports that a series about U2 is in “early development” at Netflix. J.J. Abrams is attached an executive producer through his Bad Robot production company, while Bohemian Rhapsody writer Anthony McCarten is working on the screenplay.

It is unclear at this time exactly how involved U2 would be in the project. Exact plot details for the show are currently under wraps, but given McCarten’s involvement it seems logical to assume that the show would delve into the history of the band.

There’s a lot of history to tell, from the band’s post-punk beginnings in Ireland to releasing one of the biggest albums ever in The Joshua Tree to the Super Bowl performance to Bono’s humanitarian efforts to the day that Edge found his hat. Say what you will about the music (“All I Want Is You” slaps), but it’s impressive that a group as popular as U2 has stayed together for this long with all the original members still in the band.

Of course, this assumes that Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. will, as expected, allow the show to use their music and likenesses. Otherwise, we’ll have another extremely funny Jackie Jormp-Jomp situation on our hands.

What’s your favorite YouToo song? Mine’s “Tuesday Gory Tuesday.”

(Via Variety)

Bon Iver might be the best live band in the world, as Uproxx’s Philip Cosores recently declared. Well, this spring and summer, fans across the US will be able to judge that for themselves, as the group announced new tour dates today. The shows will bring the band across the country starting later this month until the end of June.

Opening the March and April shows will be Dijon, while Bonny Light Horseman will take over for the June concerts.

Check out the full list of dates below, including the band’s European dates for later this year.

03/30 — Mesa, AZ @ Mesa Amphitheatre *
04/01 — Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park *
04/02 — Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park *
04/03 — Irving, TX @ The Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory *
04/05 — Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall *
04/08 — New Orleans, LA @ Champions Square *
04/09 — Atlanta, GA @ Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park *
04/12 — Wilmington, NC @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park *
04/14 — St. Augustine, FL @ The St. Augustine Amphitheatre *
04/15 — Miami, FL @ FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park *
06/03 — Queens, NY @ Forest Hills Stadium **
06/04 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE **
06/07 — Lewiston, NY @ Artpark Mainstage Theater **
06/08 — Essex Junction, VT @ Midway Lawn at Champlain Valley Expo **
06/10 — Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point **
06/11 — East Providence, RI @ Bold Point Park **
06/12 — Richmond, VA @ Virginia Credit Union LIVE! **
06/15 — Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre **
06/17 — Maryland Heights, MO @ Saint Louis Music Park **
06/18 — Lincoln, NE @ Pinewood Bowl Theater **
06/21 — Newport, KY @ PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation **
06/24 — Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater **
06/25 — Asheville, NC @ Rabbit Rabbit **
06/26 — Asheville, NC @ Rabbit Rabbit **
10/16 — Dublin, IE @ 3Arena
10/19 — Leeds, GB @ First Direct Arena
10/20 — Glasgow, GB @ The OVO Hydro
10/24 — Manchester, GB @ AO Arena
10/25 — London, GB @ SSE Arena Wembley
10/26 — London, GB @ SSE Arena Wembley
10/31 — Berlin, DE @ Mercedes-Benz Arena
11/02 — Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggo Dome
11/03 — Antwerp, BE @ Sportpaleis
11/05 — Milan, IT @ Mediolanum Forum
11/07 — Barcelona, ES @ Palau Sant Jordi
11/09 — Madrid, ES @ WiZink Center
11/11 — Lisbon, PT @ Altice Arena

* with Dijon
** with Bonny Light Horseman

March is a month packed with pop culture happenings so you know we had to break down the biggest events, shows, and holidays dominating the timeline right now.

In the latest episode of Culture Quick Bites, hosts Drew Dorsey and Tom Plumley hype up the Grammys, the video game adaptations, and the return of live concerts in 2022. After postponing their ceremony, the Recording Academy is prepping for music’s biggest night and we can’t help but wonder, “What is everyone going to wear?” (No, seriously, we’ve been working from home in our pajamas for so long, we forgot what red carpet fashion actually looks like.) Music is also on our minds thanks to some of our favorite artists announcing plans to hit the road and reconnect with their fans. Come for the merch and custom face masks, stick around to hear everyone from Billie Eilish to Haim and Dua Lipa rocking out on stage.

Our Culture Quick Bites crew is also celebrating Women’s History Month this episode — although, do we really need to limit praising powerful women to just one month a year? — and breaking down all of the big video game series making their way to the big (and small) screen this year.

To catch up on all of that and more, check out the latest episode above.

After receiving the TDE co-sign on Isiah Rashad’s The House Is Burning standout “Wat U Sed” and months of speculation, TikTok-favorite Tampa rapper Doechii finally announced her official signing to the LA-based label and shared her first song under the imprint, the house-inspired “Persuasive.”

The new song, which follows Doechii’s breakout hit “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake,” sees the versatile rapper putting some slick raps over a lounge-y, Kal Banx-produced beat that wouldn’t be out of place at a party at The Standard Hotel’s rooftop pool parties (think Azealia Banks, Bree Runway, or Leikeli47). Lyrically, the song celebrates nights out under the influence and the reckless decisions that come from them.

In a statement to Complex, Doechii celebrated her newfound label home, saying, “I’m excited to run with Top Dawg – to work, to have a home for my overflowing ideas. I want to create a new vision, a new lane, and so much music. Everyone is invited to the Doechii dominance.”

Her output so far suggests that she isn’t far off from those goals. Songs like “Fruitcake,” “What’s Your Name?” “Spookie Coochie,” and “Persuasive” certainly showcase a lot of versatility and eclectic musical influences. Doechii is certainly an accomplished, polished rapper, but her musical sensibilities reach beyond the confines of the genre to encompass dance, jazz, R&B, and more. With TDE, one of the more supportive labels around, behind her, everything she wants is within reach and it’ll be exciting to see what she comes up with next.

Watch Doechii’s “Persuasive” video above.