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Expertly curated with an eye on memorable, currently-viable adventures in this very unique year — the Uproxx Fall Experience Guide is here

While Nicki Minaj exercises her right to free speech (which, again, is not a blanket protection against being ridiculed over said speech), her fans are exercising their right to assembly, as Atlanta’s Tori Cooper of CBS46 reports. Cooper has posted a video on Twitter from outside the Center For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta depicting a crowd holding signs, marching, and chanting in an apparent protest of the agency’s vaccination recommendations. Among other slogans, they can be heard shouting, “Nicki Minaj told the truth to me, Fauci lied to me.”

I made this joke before, but it bears repeating: Yikes, indeed.

Nicki Minaj has become an unlikely avatar of the anti-vax movement supported by right-wing pundits and internet forum conspiracy theorists since tweeting on Monday, “If I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now.” That tweet was accompanied by one in which she referenced a cousin in Trinidad who told her about a friend who suffered an adverse reaction from the vaccine: Swollen testes and impotence. Since then, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (which is a completely separate organization from the CDC, by the way) and Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the United States, debunked the story, reminding the public that there’s no mechanistic reason for the vaccine to have such an effect.

Trinidad’s Health Minister Dr. Terrence Deyalsingh went one step further, holding a press conference to denounce the story as a tall tale after taking stock of hospital admissions and finding no one suffering from such symptoms. Meanwhile, television hosts like Stephen Colbert lampooned the anecdote for its middle-school-dating-rumor-style sourcing and the apparent hilarity of blaming obvious STD symptoms on COVID-19 vaccine side effects rather than owning up to infidelity. However, despite the obvious funny factor of the backlash against Nicki Minaj, the protest at the CDC, though anemic it may be, highlights just how unfunny Nicki’s misuse of her platform really is.

While discussing Tucker Carlson‘s obsession with Nicki Minaj‘s cousin’s friend’s allegedly swollen testicles, The View guest host Ana Navarro dropped probably one of the greatest lines in the daytime talk show’s 25 years on the air. It was so good that it left Whoopi Goldberg nodding in approval while slapping the table.

The hilarious moment came during Navarro’s turn to respond to Carlson offering an invitation to Minaj’s cousin’s friends to appear on the show even though the entire Trinidadian government couldn’t find him or his significantly engorged nutsack. After laughing at the ridiculousness of the international incident that Minaj’s vaccine disinformation has caused, Navarro zeroed in the surprising silver lining.

“Well, at least it got Tucker Carlson to defend a black woman,” Navarro quipped. “Didn’t see that one coming!”

This left of the ladies of The View laughing while Whoopi nodded proudly. People on social media were also big fans of Navarro’s zinger, and they also made it a point to note how much better the show is when she’s on the panel:

Ever since the testicle tweet heard ’round the world, the Minaj incident has been a roller coaster ride that’s included everything from alleged invites to the White House (it was just an offer to get Minaj on the phone with medical experts) to accusations of being placed in Twitter jail (also dubious). But one thing Minaj has quickly learned: Spreading vaccine misinformation is the quickest way to become a darling of the right as top conservative pundits like Carlson have rushed to her side.

Niger band Mdou Moctar have made a name for themselves among US and global fans for their unique style of African-influenced rock music. Their recent album Afrique Victime was released in March of 2021, but was written during a time when Niger dealing with the pandemic and under the control of guerrilla organization Boko Haram. Their new Afrique Victime documentary details the hardships of playing music in Niger under the organization’s command.

Mdou Moctar’s 10-minute Afrique Victime documentary was filmed by American bassist Mikey Coltun, who flew to the Niger capital to meet up with the rest of band. The film’s opening gives some background to the situation in Niger, explaining that travel within the country had been restricted for white travelers:

The global pandemic trapped Mdou Moctar and his band in their home country of Niger. They could not leave to promote their upcoming album, Afrique Victime. Instead, American bassist Mikey Coltun flew to Niger, carrying cameras and recording equipment. Shortly after Mikey arrived, it became clear that it was too dangerous to travel within Niger due to the presence of guerrilla groups such as Boko Haram, which have come to prominence in the country’s power vacuum. So Mdou, Mikey, Ahmoudou and Souleymane met in Niamey, the capital. It was their first time together as a band since they played over 200 concerts worldwide in 2019.

Throughout the film, Coltun interviews members of the band about their experience making music in Niger. Guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane explained that it was dangerous to play shows in the country at the time, because there was a chance it would be met with violence by Boko Haram.

Watch Mdou Moctar’s Afrique Victime documentary above.

Afrique Victime is out now via Matador. Get it here.

Despite having a slew of inescapably catchy singles under her belt and an album on the way, Saweetie has become just as well-known for her brand partnerships and cast-iron gut over the past few years. So, it should come as no surprise that her latest endeavor combines both for an unlikely, yet fitting collaboration. The Bay Area rapper has teamed up with Crocs, which has increased its visibility thanks to collaborations with Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, and Post Malone, and Hidden Valley Ranch, which she’s been known to slather on her spaghetti, to promote a new pair of the slipper brand’s signature rubber clogs adorned in food-related Jibbitz charms.

The Hidden Valley Ranch x Crocs Clogs are off-white-colored and accented with green speckles, drawing a resemblance to the dressing. Each of the Jibbitz charms are based on the items that folks love to dip in their ranch like fries, chicken nuggets, and vegetables. There are nine charms in all, and all are included with the clogs, which will only be available for purchase online through a drawing system. Entry is open from today to Monday, September 20 at 12pm ET. You can also check out Saweetie’s Instagram Story for a link to enter the big-city exclusive sweepstakes to win the shoes and a free pizza (in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York).

Check out some shots of the shoes (and some choice fan reactions) below.

As you probably know by now, a remake of the 1992 hit film The Bodyguard starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner is officially in the works. When the news dropped this week, social media lit up with suggestions as to who should reprise the lead roles. (Variety also reports that duos like Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson as well as Channing Tatum and Cardi B have been suggested.) Anyway, now Lizzo has made her opinion known, posting a TikTok implying that she should star in the movie opposite her crush Chris Evans.

In her TikTok, Lizzo did the “What are we talking about??” meme while pointing to a headline announcing The Bodyguard reimagining. Then, she pointed to a tweet in support of her starring opposite Evans and mouthed slyly, “What are we talkin’ about?”

Lizzo’s well-documented crush on the Avengers star has been a running joke for months. Earlier this year, Lizzo confessed that she drunkenly slid into Evans’ Instagram DMs. The result was a small back-and-forth, as well as a joke from the singer that she was pregnant with Evans’ baby. Back in August, Lizzo added a new layer to the story by explaining what motivated her to try her luck with the Avengers actor in the first place: “There’s just something about that face,” Lizzo said about Evans. “When you come up to a Black woman, you gotta come correct. And when you do come correct, there’s nothing more attractive. So I said, ‘He got game a little bit. I’m single.’”

The latest UPROXX Sessions performers are BlueBucksClan, who bring their freewheeling single “Horace Grant” to the studio fresh off their participation in React Like You Know. The LA-based party-rap duo’s breakout hit exemplifies their penchant for peppering their songs with slick sports references. DJ and Jeeezy’s laid-back delivery belies the quick wits that have made them a fast favorite of the West Coast underground scene, while Ten11’s thumping beat ensures that the upbeat “Horace Grant” will remain a fixture of party playlists for the foreseeable future.

Starting out in 2019 after foregoing college scholarships to play football, BlueBucksClan’s fanbase has been steadily growing ever since the release of the duo’s debut mixtape Clan Way in October of that year. The duo’s most recent release is Clan Virus 2, which they dropped in March of this year after partnering with Universal. The tape saw an expansion of the duo’s fun-loving remit, adding appearances from big names like Hit-Boy, Lil Yachty, and Quavo to a guest list that also featured their South LA compatriot and fellow rising star Bino Rideaux (who is also their Out Of The Blue labelmate). While the goal may have been to broaden their appeal, they also stuck closely to their guns, riding their off-kilter flows and gut-busting punchlines to a level of buzz most rap rookies can only dream about.

Watch BlueBucksClan’s UPROXX Sessions performance of “Horace Grant” above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

Julius Randle was one of the breakout stars of the 2020-21 season, as the Knicks forward emerged as an All-Star, leading the Knicks to the 4-seed in the East in the process. The playoffs didn’t go as planned for New York, as they were bounced by the Hawks in five games in the first round, but listen to Randle tell it, that was the perfect end to the season.

Given his career trajectory, from once part of a hopeful young Lakers core to a player somewhat adrift, with his ideal role unclear, Randle has an appreciation for the opportunity he’s had in New York to establish himself in a place he’s comfortable and show what he can truly bring to a team. As he prepares for a followup campaign to his Year 7 breakout, Randle spoke with Uproxx over Zoom on behalf of Mobil 1 and their new Behind The Drive campaign about last season, how it fuels his drive for next year, the importance of fit for a player’s success, and how being embraced by New York has been so fulfilling.

Now that you’ve had a couple months, how do you look back on last season and the season you had and the Knicks had as a team?

It was two things. One, just to see hard work pays off, but it was also very motivating and it ended perfectly, in a sense, because it motivated me to want more, to push myself even more, and that’s what I did. So, ultimately, I want to come back a better player, I want our team to come back better, and I feel like that’s what we’re going to do. So, like I said it was two things, it was rewarding but it was also very motivating and I’m excited about that.

You mentioned working this offseason to get better, where has your focus been with your game this offseason as you as you get ready for camp?

For me, I don’t think I have to improve him on like 10 things like every year. I try to improve on a couple things and that’s what I did this offseason. You always have things that you expect in the offseason to yourself. Regardless, and that’s to be in amazing shape coming into camp. So I’m going to do that for sure — I have done that — so I’ll be ready for that. But also, you know there’s other things I feel like I can improve on. Obviously I’m not gonna tell you the secrets, [laughs], I’ll just let you see it. But ultimately, I think I’ll be a much better player and our team will be much better for sure.

Last year I think the thing that was obvious was the work you put in on your shooting from the outside. What was the work that went in to that? And then seeing that result in the year that you had shooting from three and from the mid range, what did that mean to you to see that work result in an All-Star appearance and so much success on the floor?

It was just day in and day out improvement on shooting. A lot of reps, a lot of mental focus on it as well and doing things the right way, every day. And that’s a challenge in itself. So, I wasn’t just shooting the ball a lot, I was trying to do things the right way in the same way every day. And I feel like I improved on that and I feel like I’m an even better shooter now, so, I’m excited about that. I think that in the NBA, period, shooting is a premium, but especially at my position and being able to space that floor. So like I said there’s things, shooting was one of the things that I improved on last year. Shooting is a premium. I feel like I was a better shooter, improving my shooting last year, and I felt like I improved on it now. So, excited to continue to do that.

What has being in New York and playing for Thibs this last year shown you about the importance of fit and comfort with a team and a coach? Because you’ve played on a few different teams for a number of different coaches and something seemed to click with this team in particular. What have you learned about the importance of that to your own personal success and having that fit with a group of guys and the coaching staff?

Super important. From top to bottom, honestly, starting with Leon and Wes. Like those guys for me are family. This whole thing is bigger than basketball. And then I established, obviously I had that relationship with Kenny Payne before and him being on the coaching staff. So being comfortable is great and now I’ve established that relationship with Thibs. So, all this stuff is bigger than basketball when the — I guess it is business, but it’s family business and when the person, your boss or whatever it is, cares about you as a person that means something, because you don’t want to let them down. And that’s what it is for me. I’m comfortable here. I enjoy coming to work every day. I enjoy pushing myself with these guys and myself every day, and it’s just a different type of experience that you know you just can’t really explain it, you just got to be in it to experience it and then you will know what I’m talking about for sure.

Yeah. And you have a couple the big additions this year with Kemba [Walker] and Evan Fournier coming in. What are you excited about the most about getting those guys in. welcoming them into that Knicks family, and getting the chance to play with two guys that bring some more dynamic ability to that backcourt?

Yeah, I think those guys fit in perfectly with what we’re trying to do, what we’re building. The biggest thing is, you know those two guys in addition to the rookies and stuff, nobody has an ego. Everybody just wants to give themselves up for the team, help the team improve, and win as many games as possible. And that’s the culture and type of atmosphere that we’re building every day. So those guys fit in perfectly.

You’ve got this partnership with with Mobil 1. How did that come about and how can fans get in on this to win a pair of some custom sneakers?

For me, when I do certain things like this and partnerships like this, it’s very important for it to be authentic to me and who I am and what I’m doing. And that’s exactly what this is with Mobil 1. The big thing is, the name of the campaign is Behind The Drive, and that’s really what it is. Like, what’s behind the drive of Julius Randle. What motivates me as a person, what motivates me as a player. You know what I do on a basketball court, you guys have seen that. I’m going into my eighth year so it’s easy to see who I am as a basketball player, and be able to critique that or praise that or whatever you want to do. But this shows you more who I am off the court. What makes me who I am as a player, as a person, and what motivates me.

One of the big things that we’ve done that was really cool, and it just speaks to the authenticity of the of the campaign and the brand is my man Mache made me these custom one-of-one sneakers, obviously can see the checkered flag for Mobile 1 and stuff like that. But the really cool thing about these shoes is it’s infused with Mobil 1 oil. So it’s just showing you the authenticity of the brand and authenticity of the shoe and just how it relates to me as a player. So you know it’s a one-of-one and it’s really cool because you’re seeing who I am as a player, but fans are able to also you know go on BehindTheDrive.com and they’re able to sign up and have a chance to win some of these shoes as well. So I’m able to interact with fans, and I love doing that. So it’s been a really fun, cool, authentic partnership and I’m just excited to be a part of it and keep it going,

Last thing, you mentioned getting the chance to interact with fans and, Knicks fans have been starved for a long time, and it seems they’ve really embraced you and embraced this team. What has it meant to you to feel that love from New York fans and kind of get to share this ride that you’re on with them?

Yeah, it’s been amazing. Being able to feel that love, you know this fanbase is not just, I would say, the biggest in basketball, but it’s one of the biggest fan bases in sports, period. There’s a lot of New York fans in New York and the country and the world. So being able to put on the blue and orange and experience that love, experience the passion of the fans is truly amazing. These guys, they live and die by the Knicks and they really have a certain level of expectation, win or lose, how you’re supposed to play the game of basketball, how you approach it, what you’re supposed to do. And I feel like when our team, us being unselfish, us coming in playing hard and giving our best and playing full of energy every night. That’s just a brand of basketball that the city can relate to. So, it’s really fun to be able to experience that love. It’s really fun to be able just to be a part of that and there’s no better jersey to put on every night than the Knicks.

While Patrick Dempsey might have charmed countless fans with his portrayal of heartthrob neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd during his eleven season run on the popular medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, apparently his behavior off-screen was anything but “McDreamy.” According to Entertainment Weekly editor-at-large Lynette Rice’s How to Save a Life — an upcoming unauthorized book recounting the history of Grey’s Anatomy through a series of interviews with the show’s cast and crew — the final months of Dempsey’s career on the show were tumultuous, to say the least.

In an exclusive story for The Hollywood Reporter, Rice shared excerpts from the interviews she conducted for How to Save a Life, including several regarding the actor’s behavior on set. While quite a few cast members had things to say about Dempsey — including the actor himself — executive producer James D. Parriott’s comments were perhaps the most shocking, and shed some light on why McDreamy was ultimately kicked off the show.

“Shonda needed an OG to come in as sort of a showrunner for fourteen episodes. There were HR issues. It wasn’t sexual in any way. He sort of was terrorizing the set. Some cast members had all sorts of PTSD with him. He had this hold on the set where he knew he could stop production and scare people. The network and studio came down and we had sessions with them. I think he was just done with the show. He didn’t like the inconvenience of coming in every day and working. He and Shonda were at each other’s throats.”

While Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes didn’t offer any quote on the matter herself — though she did speak about Dempsey’s departure somewhat evasively in 2015 (“It wasn’t easy or fun. It’s never easy or fun. We’ve been working really hard for a long time together. We’re family. Those choices and those decisions are never easy for any of us”) — writer Jeannine Renshaw agreed with Parriott’s comments regarding Dempsey on-set antics, adding his complaining often time upset co-star Ellen Pompeo and his behavior was “like a kid.”

“He’s so high energy and would go, ‘What’s happening next?’ He literally goes out of his skin, sitting and waiting. He wants to be out driving his race car or doing something fun. He’s the kid in class who wants to go to recess.”

When Dempsey was asked about his final days on Grey’s Anatomy, the actor told Rice that appearing on the show for eleven years and maintaining its rigorous schedule — especially as a father — was “challenging.” Dempsey then added he didn’t want to leave the show or turn it down because “it’s remarkable to be a working actor, and then on top of that to be on a show that’s visible. And then on top of that to be on a phenomenal show that’s known around the world, and play a character who is beloved around the world.” However, he ultimately lost the choice when — according to Renshaw — Rhimes told the studio they had to choose between either Dempsey or her to stay on the project.

If you’re interested in hearing more about Dempsey’s time on the show, additional interview excerpts have been shared over on The Hollywood Reporter. How to Save a Life, the unauthorized oral history of Grey’s Anatomy, hit shelves on September 21.

Lil Nas X is just hours away from the release of his anticipated debut album, Montero, which is slated to feature some vulnerable lyrics about his upbringing. Ahead of the album’s release, the musician sat down with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe to discuss the LP and just how far he’s come from his “Old Town Road” days.

Lil Nas X and Lowe’s conversation turned to his early college days, when he first found that music gave him an outlet to discover his purpose. At the time, Lil Nas X was coping with feelings of extreme anxiety, which he tried to ignore. But there was also a time where he was coping by smoking excessive amounts of weed. In fact, he would smoke so much that he even had pneumonia for an entire month without knowing it.

Replying to Lowe’s inquiry about substances, Lil Nas X said he used to smoke weed several times a day:

“I’d smoke like seven times a day. I was smoking so much that I had pneumonia and I didn’t realize it for like an entire month. They were like, ‘Oh, you really have to stop smoking right now.’ There was literally liquid in my lungs. It was crazy.”

Watch Lil Nas X’s full interview with Lowe above.

Montero is out 9/17 via Columbia. Pre-order it here.