GoneTrending

This article originally appeared on 08.30.14

This is Skylar.

Even though he was born “Katherine Elizabeth,” Skylar lived like a regular little boy for most of his childhood. He was happy.

---

But when puberty hit, he started feeling intense pressure to be “normal” and fit in. So he tried to present as more traditionally “feminine.”

But he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was denying a huge part of himself. Late in high school, he started taking testosterone.

Skylar started feeling more comfortable immediately. And before he knew it, he was at his “dream school,” having the time of his life. And taking lots and lots of pictures of himself.

Access to medical care played a big part in Skylar becoming the person he is today, but that wasn’t all. Check out his story and walk five years in his shoes. It’s definitely a perspective we don’t see often enough.

The Chicago Bulls have been through a whole heck of a lot this summer. The team has made it a point to revamp its roster, with the guard trio of Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and DeMar DeRozan coming to the Windy City in an attempt to help propel the team to the postseason for the first time since 2017.

One player who will fight for minutes alongside these guys is Coby White, the third-year guard who the team selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. White is coming off of a promising second season in Chicago — he averaged 15.1 points and 4.8 assists in 31.2 minutes per game as a sophomore in the league — but between shoulder surgery and the sudden influx of talent at the guard spots on the roster, the former North Carolina standout has a fight for playing time ahead of him.

The good news for White is that he feels he’s in a good place after surgery, and as he told Dime, there’s “great vibes” around the entire team right now. We caught up with White on behalf of the McDonald’s All-American game to talk this summer, watching a pair of people with whom he’s close in the NBA Finals, UNC guys in the NBA, and more.

I know you’re here with the McDonald’s All-American Game. And as an alum of the game, what is it about the McDonald’s All-American Game that makes it so special?

For me, it’s unreal watching the game. You dreamed of doing those things, going to the McDonald’s All-American Game. Most guys who make it to that game make it to the NBA, which is where you want to be, or to have prolific college careers. For me, my main focus was going out and getting to college and getting a free education, and then the NBA came along a lot later. But for me, growing up and watching those games, the high school challenge, guys that you look up to — especially when you’re younger, guys you watch their mixtapes — it was a it was a blessing to be a part of the game be a part of the history.

The game is back in Chicago now. As someone who isn’t from the city but has gotten to know it over your NBA career, what is it that makes Chicago such a great basketball city?

Yeah, honestly, I think it’s a basketball city, but it’s really a sports tow. They’re just like, super competitive and super into sports. And, you know, that’s the main thing. When I first got drafted here, I noticed that up front. They’re super competitive in any sport, they just want to win. Michael Jordan played here. So, to have it in Chicago, such a great city, it’s just dope, man, it’s gonna be a fun experience. I played in 2018. It was in Atlanta, it was cool, but after being in Chicago for, going into my third year, I think being here would be fun.

How’s the shoulder feeling? And just generally, how’s this offseason been for you?

I’ve been productive, man. My surgery, getting better better each and every day. I’m just focusing on the rehab. It’s getting better each and every day. I’m just trying to stay in the moment and just focus on the now, and just focus on getting better today.

I imagine the shoulder might impact this a bit, but where are the areas of your game that you’ve been putting in the most work this offseason?

For sure. I think the big thing is working on my body. I was in the weight room a lot this summer, because I couldn’t do much on the court. Working on my body, I finally get a chance to get strong in areas that I knew I needed to be stronger in — mobility, hip mobility, ankle mobility, balance. I’ve been working on a ton of stuff in the weight room. I think just being off the court and not being able to play is a challenge itself. You appreciate the game that much more. So, this was a humbling experience for me.

It’s been a really busy offseason for the Bulls, especially with adding a bunch of dudes to that backcourt. What have the conversations been like with the coaches about how they view you as fitting into this entire reshaped backcourt?

Right now, man, we’re just trying to figure everything out, everything happened so quickly. We a lot of new players in a short amount of time. So right now, I feel like we just want to figure everybody out. A lot of guys haven’t even stepped on the court together yet. There’s a lot of stuff to be doing as a team just trying to figure it out. I’m excited for this year, man. A lot of good guys, a lot of older, good guys that come from winning. So you know, it’ll be a fun year and exciting year for sure.

Yeah, and what has the general vibe been among you guys? Because you made a bunch of big moves, there’s a real buzz about Chicago playoff basketball, Zach just wins a gold medal. There’s so much positive stuff around the team, and it seems like an exciting time in Chicago.

We’re excited coming into this year, we got some expectations. But like I said, as a unit, as a team, we’re just taking it one day at a time, we’re just trying to be great at each and every day individually and as a team. It’s great vibes going into the facility. Like I said, we made a lot of big moves. It’ll be exciting for me, especially, running with older guys. We got a full year with Vuc, I get a year with DeMar, I get a year with Alex Caruso. Guys that’s already been in the league and came from winning. I’m excited.

Moving the attention away from the Bulls for a second, I want to ask you about a couple of guys who were just in the Finals. First one, Cam Johnson, everyone remembers your reaction when you saw him get drafted, I’m guessing you weren’t surprised by what we saw from him during that playoff run.

Yeah. I was actually talking about Cam the other day, and I was just saying how in college, and even now, I was always in the gym, and every time I was in the gym, Cam was in the gym. I’ve seen all the hard work he put in, and then you know, older guys in college basketball sometimes kind of get a bad rap, the potential part and issues maximizing potential, all of that. I got a year of playing with Cam, and for him, he was a great leader for our team on and off the court. He kind of is a personable guy, he helped me out with a lot of stuff on and off the court when I got to school. So, for me, to see Cam go as high as he did, it wasn’t a surprise to me, just because I knew how much work he put in and how good of a player he really was. I think he’s proven that, that Phoenix did the right thing.

What is it about Cam and how he’s wired that made him so ready to, you know, the Suns make it to the playoffs, Suns make it to the Finals, and he didn’t seem shaken by that at any point.

I mean, honestly, Cam, I think adversity has shaped him. He started off at Pitt, didn’t go as planned, went to Carolina, I think he had some surgeries in between there with his hip, and he had a lot of little nagging injury that he had to deal with. You go through all that in college, I think he went to school five or six years, and it’s like, people start to count you out. So I think Cam does an unbelievable job believing in himself and not let anyone else define who he is. And he’s always prepared for the moment. He treats every game like it’s his last, he’s prepared for every game from the jump. He’s always super focused. And like I said, man, you mix the talent with the hard work, only good can come from that.

The other dude I wanted to ask about was Chris. I know you were in his AAU program and you guys have been close for years. What was it like seeing him finally get to that stage? Because while the Suns didn’t win, Chris played fantastic basketball.

Just knowing CP, I know he’s excited to get there, but I know, he took it as, like, he has to get there again. He wants to finish the job. He’s not too high off that playoff run, or too low. I know he’s like, man, I gotta win, I got to focus on winning. And that’s the biggest thing in his career, he has always been a winner. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when you mention Chris Paul, I just think a winner. He scores a lot, assists, plays hard. He’s one of the most intelligent players in the league. But I just think winning. So, it was dope to see him in that environment, man, and not let injuries, anything — he had a little moment with COVID. And I was just like, man, he can’t catch a break, there’s just always something in the playoffs, but he got past it. And you see how Phoenix, those guys talk so highly of him, his leadership and his qualities as a player, and as a person. I’ve been having that in my corner since I was 16.

I’ve asked Kentucky guys about this. I’ve asked Duke guys about this. I want to ask you, what’s the bond like with UNC guys who are in the league?

Yeah, those guys are cool, but I just feel like Carolina has the biggest family. Kentucky’s cool, Duke is cool, but you don’t see all the different types of players that come back, man. When I was in school, I was playing pickup with Rasheed Wallace. Like, those guys. Raymond Felton, guys that don’t even play in the NBA no more, they come back and give back to us. You play with all those guys and they come back and give. Tyler Hansbrough, dudes like that. Ed Davis spends his summers out there a lot. Danny Green loves going back, everybody goes back and it’s just like, I feel like you don’t see that.

Are there any older UNC due who have been especially good mentors for you over your two years in the league so far?

Vince, especially. VC. Every time I talk to him, every time I played against him, especially with Atlanta, every time I talk to him, we chopped it up. He told me keep your head up and asked how I was doing. Antawn Jamison, I remember we was playing and he was there. And he just came and sat down during my pregame and we talked for, like, 30 minutes about a lot of different stuff. Danny Green, he’s a winner, but he always checks on me every time I play him. It’s like, my first time ever meeting Danny Green was on the court.

My background has become the star of my Zoom calls, pushing me to the margins as people ogle the action figures, statues, and full-size muppet that I’ve collected over the years. And I’m a little jealous. But short of reorganizing my office, my only move is to try and go with a fake background. Which I did with my call with Billy Crudup to discuss season two of The Morning Show, which launches its second season on September 17 on Apple TV+. But damned if that muppet didn’t decide to evade the tech magic and poke through, eerily hovering over me like a specter. Something that did not go unnoticed. Speaking of things going unnoticed, as I effortlessly glide back to the topic at hand, Billy Crudup in The Morning Show.

As Cory Ellison, Crudup has found a home, playing a quirky disruptor, sneak, and scamp running through the halls of power with scissors in his hand. In a way, Cory has served as an avatar for a segment of the audience that loves chaos and has an aversion for rules and entrenched power, particularly at a time when those things were trying to shelter toxicity while claiming a recommitment to purity following revelations of sexual misconduct around one of its star anchors. But in season 2, there’s an element to Cory that shifts as he gains even more power and works to keep everything together. We spoke about that, what it feels like to keep people off balance, the evolution (and psyche) of Cory, and why the character had to be someone that had never lost before.

Hey Billy, how are you doing?

Good. Is that Gonzo in the back?

Yeah, he’s apparently poking through and hovering over my head. Sorry about that, I was trying to pull off a tropical aesthetic.

[Laughs] Well you’re in the tropics. You’re just being haunted by a Muppet.

You know what? Let’s start there. In the first episode, you’re kind of the Kermit of the group getting the band back together and everything. What was that like because it feels like a little bit of a change?

There’s no question that Cory has been emboldened by his success. Even if it came at a price that he’s not quite ready to admit. And the enthusiasm that he has for the success of any of his endeavors is impossible for him to keep to himself. So I think he really revels in the first episode at the potential… or the first couple of episodes of fulfilling the promises that he made and ensuring that the people who work under him gain the privileges that come with the power that they have worked so steadfastly for and deserve.

Just like Kermit.

Just like Kermit! But unlike Kermit, Cory isn’t humble about it.

That’s true. That’s very true. Is he an idealist at this point?

That’s a really interesting question. And I’ve never considered him from the vantage point of cynicism or idealism or realism, I guess in no small part because he seems a bit scientific in his analysis of human behavior. So there’s something about somebody who’s an empiricist that removes them from the spectrum of a prognosticator. “So I’m going to be hopeful about this because I know the way the world works, everything always goes to shit” or “I’m going to be idealist because everything may go to shit, but what’s wrong with being hopeful?” Both of those are points of view about trying to be predictive about the future. And I think what Cory is really highly specialized in is understanding the algorithm of the present, what it takes to get through today in a way that will lead him to a better tomorrow. And he can do sort of long division math on that. Or he can do a short addition. All of which he knows how to plug into any given circumstance.

I guess if you were to give him a point of view, that’s an idealistic point of view because it means that you can tolerate and navigate the world as it comes to you. And that’s not the way that everybody responds to the world. Certainly not the way that I respond to the world. I’m intimidated by everything! But there is a kind of boyish quality and curiosity that I think could be mistaken for idealism, when in fact, I think it’s probably arrogance.

You say in life you’re intimidated. Is his analytical nature a trait that you admire and wish you could apply to your own life?

Well, I certainly have an analytical nature. It’s just that he does it by an order of magnitude. My focus is very narrow and very shortsighted, whereas his is extremely broad, present, long-sided, and capable of managing the past, present, and future all at once. So yeah, I do! I am analytical about things and I do appreciate evidence and I do have a strain of trusting empirical data. That being said, I’m an actor, what the hell do I know? My degrees are in acting and stuff like that. So I can’t attest to any great data-crunching talents.

There’s a quality to him where he’s sort of in the audience with every interaction, where it kind of happens in front of him and his reactions — inappropriate laughter at times, or just kind of cutting to the quick with people… I have a sliver of that myself. So I really appreciate it. Is that awkward to play in a scene, though? When you’ve got to really just disarm someone or take them off rhythm?

It’s totally thrilling because I know based upon the script that I’ve read, that I don’t have to deal with the awkward part of it because Cory doesn’t deal with it. So I’m only attending to the script by writing off my natural predilection, which would be to feel the pangs of social awkwardness any time calling somebody on something. But Cory doesn’t have to worry about that. So I take my time as a person to revel in having that experience of living, because I’ll tell you, it’s fucking fun! To have that level of social acumen. Ultimately, I think the thing that is a saving grace for me about Cory is he believes in people actually, and he doesn’t believe that he has to take care of people. He believes it’s within everybody’s power to manage their own situations. So if something deeply uncomfortable happens and he gets an opportunity to observe it in a way that brings maybe some satisfaction or entertainment to the community at large, he’s just not the type of person who’s going to take time and linger upon his responsibility for somebody else’s feelings.

In terms of when the show started, when you first looked at the script to where it is now, I’m curious how much influence you’ve had on any changes from the character. And just in general, how has the character changed from then to where you are now, like the end of season two?

Yeah, well, the first season was a complete exploration and creative collaboration and trying to understand who the hell he was. Who talks like that? Who can act like that? Who can manage these high octane situations with the kind of dexterity and ruthlessness and occasional charm and clumsiness? That was the first seven months of work. And having felt confident that we did the best job we could at describing that in the first season, what the writers cleverly did was put him in a completely new environment, which is when you’re somebody who is poking at the pillars of authority because you believe that they were built in such a way as to keep people out, you better know what to do when those pillars come crashing down and you’re all of a sudden in charge of that plot of land. And I don’t think Cory is totally prepared for that.

So what we see is a level of disorganization in his thinking that wasn’t really present before. I think he would be disinclined in the second season to revel that “chaos is the new cocaine.” I think he would really appreciate some moments of predictability. And furthermore, they introduce the potential that he actually cares about the show and the people who are involved in the show, which will always screw up your capitalist ambitions. So I think they’ve introduced some features to the circumstances that he navigates that has completely changed the way in which Cory manifests itself in me.

I read that the character initially was conceived as someone in their early thirties. I’m curious what you think the draw is for playing him as someone who is a little bit more experienced, a little bit more formidable to stand toe to toe with these titans.

Well, that was actually my argument to them at the beginning when I tried to pitch myself for it. You make Jen (Alex) and Reese (Bradley) and Tom (Fred) and everybody in that dynamic more powerful if you make Cory more powerful and then you can make him more powerful if you imagine that he already had success in another field. That in fact, the trajectory of his career is such that he can say, open up an advertising agency in a middle-market community, explode the entire thing, sell the rights to their management operations or whatever to a global empire, make millions of dollars, and then try and recreate themselves as a competitive person in what perhaps could be the thickest den of vipers: the entertainment industry, or much less, the news entertainment industry. I think he becomes incredibly formidable if he’s chosen to be in this field and manage these kinds of personalities. And that could only have come to a guy like me, if I had had experience winning. And what I told Kerry [Ehrin, the show’s producer and showrunner] was this is a guy who has never had a bad day at the office. Every single day has led to step-by-step success. So you can’t tell anybody who hasn’t experienced failure that they’re going to lose. They won’t understand what you’re talking about. So put them in a place where they have to go up against unmovable obstacles and it becomes entertaining.

How has your relationship with media and watching the news changed since you took the show on? Just curious if you’re paying more attention to it or if you’re staying more away from it.

Well, I think the show and the way the news has evolved is happening concurrently. So I’m not sure I could tell you if it was because of the show or because of the way that we’re all trying to understand the difference between news and journalism that has slowly but surely over the last 40 years altered our perception of the truth and how we get at the truth. But I think the show itself and me as a citizen are becoming hypervigilant about understanding all of those mechanisms.

Season 2 of ‘The Morning Show’ premieres September 17 on Apple TV+

Earl Sweatshirt hasn’t dropped a new album since 2018’s Some Rap Songs but that may soon change according to his frequent collaborator The Alchemist. The producer told Anthony Fantano’s The Needle Drop that an album he and Earl have been working on was recently completed and sounds “incredible.”

“He has an album that is done and it’s incredible,” Alc reveals. “I’m excited about that and I do have some work on that… It’s insane. I think everybody will be happy. He’s in his bag.” When asked whether he had any additional details about the project, he said, “I couldn’t even describe it… that would be a disservice to it.”

Fans have no shortage of collaborative work between the producer and the rapper to judge by. Going back to last year, the duo has worked together extensively on tracks including “Whole World” with Maxo, “Nobles” with Navy Blue, and even an entire secret album hidden on YouTube under a fake name.

Whether or not this new album is the one Vince Staples recently hinted at working on with the duo remains to be seen, although The Alchemist did say, as he does in the interview above, that he’s waiting on Earl.

Watch The Alchemist’s full interview with Anthony Fantano above.

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

Ted Lasso is in the home stretch of its second season, as we’re just a few episodes away from the Apple TV+ series’ season finale in October. Ahead of that, though, the score/soundtrack for the season has been shared. It’s mostly compositions from the show’s composers, Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons) and Tom Howe, but kicking off the album is a new version of the theme song, as performed by Jeff Tweedy.

Unsurprisingly given the tone of his recent output, the Wilco leader takes a more reserved approach on his rendition, utilizing hushed vocals and finger-picked guitar for an intimate version of the track.

The soundtrack is only available on Apple Music at the moment. The first season’s soundtrack album found its way to other streaming platforms, though, so perhaps there’s a window of Apple Music exclusivity before the album is made more widely available.

The past few months have been great for fans of the ultra-specific niche of TV-related Jeff Tweedy songs: The Awesome Album, an album released by the fictitious (although not really anymore, I suppose) Parks And Recreation band Mouse Rat, features a couple songs from Tweedy, who made cameos in the show as local Pawnee music hero Scott Tanner.

Stream Tweedy’s cover and the rest of the new Ted Lasso soundtrack above.

While stopping by Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast (perpetual guest Mike Lindell must’ve been busy), Marjorie Taylor Greene advocated for a full government shutdown to stop the Democrats $3.5 billion reconciliation bill that’s fast approaching. Notably, this is not the current position of Republican leadership in the House, but Greene has never been one to shy away from bucking her own party. Mostly because she has very little idea how anything works as evidenced by her nonsensical rant on Bannon’s War Room podcast.

“I’ll tell you what I have to say, Steve: Shut it down! Shut the government down — who cares?” Greene said before boldly claiming that the American people don’t need the government to fix the nation’s infrastructure. They’ll build their own roads — at home? Via Raw Story:

She then said that Americans shouldn’t trust the government to rebuild the nation’s roads and bridges and implied that this could somehow be done instead by private citizens.

“Guess what — the American people can get it done at home without the government!” she said. “I say, put up a fight, shut it down! We shouldn’t be spending this!”

The rant was yet another of Greene’s bright ideas like her recent gun raffle for unvaccinated Americans. That’s right, if you don’t get a life-saving shot to stop the spread of a deadly disease, you can enter into a drawing for a free assault rifle courtesy of Marjorie Taylor Greene. And you’re going to need it in her bold, new future where everyday Americans whip up new roads in their kitchens, or something.

(Via Raw Story)

Logan Roy is ready to go “f*cking beast” mode.

HBO has released the full-length trailer for Succession season 3, which premieres on October 17. There’s a lot to process, beginning with Tom suggesting that Greg eat a cyanide pill, only to call him a “doofus” for not realizing it’s a mint. Succession has some of the most creative insults in the game (“You look like a dildo dipped in beard trimmings”), but a simple “doofus” works best sometimes. Other trailer highlights include our first look at new cast members Alexander Skarsgård and Adrien Brody, who accurately calls the Roys “next level” f*cked up”; Shiv hitting Roman in the neck; and Logan slamming his phone on the ground. Also, everything’s coming up Logan! The Pope followed him on Twitter. Unless… yeah, no, never mind. Not the actual pope.

Here’s the official plot synopsis:

Ambushed by his rebellious son Kendall at the end of season two, Logan Roy begins season three in a perilous position, scrambling to secure familial, political, and financial alliances. Tensions rise as a bitter corporate battle threatens to turn into a family civil war.

You can watch the trailer above. Succession isn’t up for any Emmys this Sunday (damn you, COVID), but it won Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor In a Drama Series for Jeremy Strong, and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for creator Jesse Armstrong, among other well-deserved awards, at the 2020 ceremony.

Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season was pretty wild, capped by an insane, back-and-forth contest on Monday Night Football. In the handicapping space, underdogs were gold with a 12-4 record against the spread and, given the overall ethos of this particular column, that paved the way to overall success. It is always nice to get off to a nice start at 4-1 but, as is the beauty of the NFL, the schedule keeps rolling and Week 2 is here in earnest.

Before we get to this week’s five-pack of picks, let’s take stock.

• Last Week: 4-1
• 2021 Season: 4-1

Come get these winners.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+6) over Denver Broncos

Apparently we’re just going to be gross right out of the gate this week. By no means do I believe in the Jags. In fact, I might’ve been higher on the Broncos than the consensus coming into the season. This is a class perception spot, though, as the Broncos rolled in Week 1 and the Jags looked ghastly. As such, the lookahead line of three is now up to six. Six is too many for the Jags at home here. Hold your nose.

Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) over Los Angeles Rams

This is another ugly spot where we’re looking to buy low and sell high. The Colts didn’t exactly light the world on fire a week ago, and the Rams breezed in a primetime, standalone game. That gives us a line that moved through the key number of three, and I’m buying the extra bit of value on the home underdog.

Philadelphia Eagles (+3) over San Francisco 49ers

I’m kicking myself on the timing here, as this number was 3.5 or even 4 just a few hours/days ago. Alas, the current number will have to do, and I still think it’s the value side. There is sharp money all over Philadelphia, and there was a lot to like in the modern approach the Eagles deployed under a new staff last week. Combine that with some volatility in San Francisco’s skill position groups and an early kick on the East Coast… sign me up.

Carolina Panthers (+3.5) over New Orleans Saints

New Orleans should still be pretty good, but I’m betting that Week 1 won’t be representative of their true performance level. This is also a division game and Carolina is catching a bit of extra value at home after the way the Saints drubbed the Packers. It’s not my favorite play of the week, but it’s the only side.

Atlanta Falcons (+13) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Our first double-digit dog of the season! Nobody wants to play the Falcons this week. They were horrible in Week 1 while the Bucs haven’t lost a football game in almost a calendar year. The thing is that this line was eight a week ago. Yes, it moved five points. Atlanta might actually be this bad, but they’re going to have to prove it to me.

Can Sarah Palin change her mind, and can she do so for attention on an inexplicably popular Fox News “comedy” show? You betcha.

The last notable Palin pandemic update arrived back in March, when the former VP candidate declared herself to be pro-mask and pro-vax while warning people that “anyone can catch this.” Well, Palin decided to sing a different tune as a Gutfeld! guest with Dr. Drew Pinsky nodding alongside her.

The subject came up with Palin described herself as a “white, common sense conservative.” She added, “I believe in the science and I have not taken the shot,” and she somehow decided to cite Anthony Fauci to support her train of thought. “The Fauci-ism of the day, back then, was if you’ve had Covid (I’ve had Covid) well then mother nature was creating an immunity.” Palin added, “And even today they say you’re 27 percent more immune…” At that point, Dr. Drew backed her up: “27 times.” Palin felt even better about her stance, declaring, “So I want to ask the questions.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Fauci recently declared, “[I]t still is the policy that if you’ve been infected and recovered, that you should get vaccinated.”

No one will probably be able to convince Palin (who is likely pandering to an intended audience at this point) that the doing-my-research claim isn’t working out so well among the unvaccinated. So the dark humor began, including a resurrection of the the (misattributed-yet-believable) “I can see Russia from my house” joke from years back.

Others were convinced that Palin is lying, given that Fox News is reported to have a mandate about vaccination, although it’s unclear if those requirements apply to guests.

And cue the horse-medicine jokes as well. What a time we are living in.

After a months-long gestation and a slew of mild controversies, Lil Nas X’s debut album Montero has finally arrived. The album turned out to be a star-studded affair, with appearances from major names like Doja Cat, Elton John, Megan Thee Stallion, and Miley Cyrus. However, one pair of prominent names were missing from the final tracklist, although according to Nas, it wasn’t from lack of effort on his part. During the triumphant young artist’s recent interview with New York’s The Breakfast Club, he revealed which stars were missing and explained their absences.

He explained that despite reaching out to both Drake and Nicki Minaj, he was unable to secure their features. “No reply from Nicki, Drake was still working on [Certified Lover Boy].” Nas accounted for Drake’s rejection by pointing out how busy he was on his own album. “Drake replied, ’cause you know Gee Roberson’s my manager,” he said. “Drake and Gee are cool. And he was still working on Certified Lover Boy and whatnot and he was 100 percent focused on that. This was like a few weeks ago and I understood completely, and he said he’s down to do something but [it was] just not the right time. He was trying to get his own sh*t together.”

When asked which song he wanted Drake on, Nas’ answer, “Dolla Sign Slime,” prompted some light roasting from Charlamagne, who wondered, “‘Slime’ is gang slang. Is Nas in a gang? Is Nas banging?” Ever the diplomat, Nas replied simply, “Next question,” with a shy grin. The hosts took a minute to educate him on the slang’s origins after he explained how it’s meaning has expanded for Gen Z — it’s a pretty funny moment.

Watch Lil Nas X’s interview with The Breakfast Club above.

Montero is out now via Columbia Records. Get it here.