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Serpentwithfeet first made a name for himself with his atmospheric debut album Soil, which landed on The 2018 Uproxx Music Critics Poll. Now, the LA-based musician returns for more music this year following his Virgil Abloh collaboration “Delicate Limbs.” Sharing the touching “Fellowship” video, Serpentwithfeet announces his sophomore album Deacon.

Directed by Kordae Jatafa Henry and shot on grainy film, Serpentwithfeet’s “Fellowship” visual is a journey through a sun-soaked day with the singer’s loved one. The two frolic on the beach, share some intimate moments, and enjoy the time spent in each other’s company. Co-produced by Sampha, the song “Fellowship” itself is about love. But rather than being exclusive to romantic love, Serpentwithfeet opens his heart to express gratitude to his friends, family, and supporters.

About Deacon, Serpentwithfeet said that he wanted to created a “softer” album than his debut and purposefully chose to avoid writing about heartbreak.

“I originally approached this project wanting to make something that felt very sensuous. Something a lot softer, a lot more gentle than my previous work,” he said. “I wanted to create something that felt calm and restrained. This was my way of tapping into the energy many deacons possess.”

Watch the “Fellowship” video above and find Serpentwithfeet’s Deacon cover art and tracklist below.

1. “Hyacinth”
2. “Same Size Shoe”
3. “Malik”
4. “Amir”
5. “Dawn”
6. “Sailors’ Superstition”
7. “Heart Storm” Feat. Nao
8. “Wood Boy”
9. “Derrick’s Beard”
10. “Old & Fine”
11. “Fellowship”

Deacon is out 3/26 via Secretly Canadian. Pre-order it here.

For four long years, Trump and his press secretary treated the press like their enemies. They were rude, they were condescending, they were snippy, they were accusatory, and they were, simply put, mean. It was hard to remember a time when White House pressers were pleasant, even boring. That all changed mere hours after Joe Biden was sworn in, and it continues with one on Monday, in which Biden himself made sure to tell a Fox News journalist that he “liked him.”

The reporter was Peter Doocy, son of Fox & Friends mainstay Steve, and Biden actually called him himself, as the last reporter to get in a question. He also made sure to let Doocy know he knows who he is. “I know he always asks me tough questions, and [they] always have an edge to them,” Biden told the crowd. It almost sounded like a lead-in to one of Trump’s insults. It wasn’t. Instead, Biden joked, “but I like him anyway.”

People were floored by his decency, to say nothing of his patience.

But some felt Doocy didn’t return the kindness.

Doocy’s first question, admittedly, wasn’t that “tough.” He asked about his administration’s plans for speeding up the vaccination roll-out, which has been fumbled thus far. Biden replied that he was aiming for a million doses daily within three weeks. Doocy the Younger’s other question had a bit more “edge” to it: “What happened to two months ago when you were talking about, declaratively, that [you were] going to shut down the virus?”

Biden replied:

“I am going to shut down the virus … I never said I’d do it in two months. I said it took a long time to get here and a long time to beat it. We have millions of people out there who have the virus. We’re just, for the first day, I think, correct me if I’m wrong, I’ve been doing other things this morning, speaking with foreign leaders, but one of the first days that the numbers actually come down, the number of deaths, and the number on a daily basis and the number of hospitalizations. … It’s going to take time, it’s going to take a heck of a lot of time.”

That reply was a bit more punchy, but it’s far from the tetchy, furious responses journalists regularly received from Trump and press secretaries like Kayleigh McEnany. And it signals that future White House pressers will only likely make the news when they’re informative, not when someone working for the president, say, distributed doctored videos falsely accusing reporters of assault. Bet you won’t miss those times!

(Via Mediaite)

Disney is making some changes to its Jungle Cruise rides (in California and Florida) that happen to coincide with some added interest in the attractions in 2021. The long-running attraction has seen considerable calls to change the ride’s content, as the ride that’s set in the 1930s has some dated references and dialogue to say the least.

As IGN pointed out last year, Splash Mountain getting a similar refresh that eliminates racially-charged language and stereotypes made others point to Jungle Cruise as an attraction Disney fixes up next.

And according to USA Today on Monday, the ride is getting a refresh that will address some harmful stereotypes about indigenous peoples that have seen complaints from Disneygoers in recent years:

“In this particular case, Imagineers created a storyline that builds upon what people love the most while addressing negative depictions simultaneously,” Disney said in a statement provided by spokesperson Michele Himmelberg. “Imagineers are addressing negative depictions of native people while adding a humorous storyline that follows the adventure of a Jungle Cruise skipper, his passengers and what has become of their boat and its contents. Guests will also find this group of adventurers to be diverse – in background and fields of interest.”

The update is coming at a convenient time for Disney, as it’s hoping Dwyane The Rock Johnson can launch a movie franchise based off the ride.

That film is expected to hit theaters on July 24 of this year, though basically any movie release date is tenuous at this point given the still-ongoing pandemic.

(Via USA Today)

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Wylde may not be a household name (yet), but much of the young artist’s latest EP, Castles, is already working itself into our favorite chill-out playlists. At its best, Castles manages to capture the weirdness and alienation of the current moment we’re all collectively inhabiting — you know, that nearly year-long isolation we’ve been subjected to — without ever getting heavy-handed about the current state of the world. Instead, the parallels are aural, and we’re treated to music that is at once intimate and spare yet full of untapped energy bubbling beneath the surface, ready to burst.

Sort of like each and every one of us after a year stuck in pajamas.

This five-song EP marries Wylde’s syrupy vocals with beds of lush synths and steadily evolving grooves, making for a great listen whether you’re marveling at the sunset after smoking a joint in your backyard or hitting the road for a nighttime drive (because the car is the only place left you can still listen to loud music).

To celebrate the release of Castles, we linked up with Wylde, who is Los Angeles based — and therefore subject to some of the strictest quarantine measures in the country — to chat about themes behind her EP and how she manages to stay sane and creative during these precarious times.

How long did it take you to put together Castles, and what is the driving concept/theme?

This EP was created over the course of the last few years. All of the songs were inspired by the realizations and discoveries that made me grow as a person. The lyrics are very introspective and the theme behind most of these songs is self-transformation. My intention for creating these songs was for the listener to feel a sense of hope and be inspired to go a little deeper within themselves.

How have you stayed creative during the lockdown?

My main inspiration is people. I’m so inspired by people, their stories, and just the human experience in general. So it’s been difficult to have less human interaction but it’s made me feel really grateful for the people in my life and excited for the day we get to all come together again. I think that this year is going to give everyone such a deeper sense of gratitude for human connection.

I know I’ll never take for granted being able to embrace another person again.

What activity has been keeping you sane during the stay-at-home orders?

I’m super lucky to live in a beautiful area in Los Angeles where I can still explore the outdoors. Nature is so grounding and I feel fortunate to live in an area where I can still go on hikes and adventure outside. I think that even as adults it’s so important to still prioritize “play.” Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stopped playing. When we think of “playing” we always think of children and as we grow older we seem to lose our sense of wonder and the desire to play. Playing can be any playful activity that forces you into the present moment and causes you to lose track of time.

I love finding ways to spark my inner child and get lost in an activity.

How, specifically?

There’s a book that completely changed my life called The Artist Way by Julia Cameron. She talks a lot about nurturing your “artist child” by setting up artist dates for yourself. This can include painting, drawing, etc. Anything where you can creatively connect to your inner artist child. When we were younger we would just create freely without the voice of our inner critic. Practicing getting in touch with your inner child can help you return to that place. Another way I connect to my inner child is by going on adventures by myself. Whether that’s thrifting, having a little picnic at a park, exploring nature — just finding ways to nurture that childlike sense of wonder.

Where are some of your favorite hiking spots around LA?

There’s an incredible trail in Malibu at Point Dume that I’ve been visiting a lot lately. Runyon Canyon is also amazing for Sunset Hikes. I love exploring Mulholland and finding the best views of LA at night. Something about getting to see the city at night is incredibly inspiring to me. I’m originally from Boston and was always so in awe of LA and I love being able to take a step back to take and be reminded how lucky I am to get to live here now.

Boredom can be a real inspiration killer. How do you stay inspired while in lockdown?

Learning to stay present has changed my mindset on boredom. I think that it’s impossible to feel bored and present at the same time. When I’m fully in the present moment there is always so much to be observed and so many things to be grateful for. If I were to find myself becoming bored, I’d use that as an indicator that I may have drifted from the present moment.

What did you discover during this last year in quarantine that you might not have had it been a regular year (new music, new movies, books, etc)?

Mental health is something I’m super passionate about so I’m always looking to expand my knowledge on brain science. Quarantine served as such a positive for me, because it gave me more time to dive in and learn more on these topics. I got tons of books on neuroscience and studied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy so that I could better articulate myself if there is someone that might need help.

There’s a book called Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf that I read that was life-changing.

What local LA businesses did you find yourself relying on must during lockdown?

I really wanted to support small businesses as much as I could during this time. There’s a brand called “Remember Why You’re Here” that is really incredible. Their mission is to “remind people to live purposely, be consistent, and never settle. They make bracelets and have different merch items that read “Remember Why You’re Here”.

Has isolation driven you to create, or did you find that a hindrance to the process?

Recording sessions look a lot different right now for artists. It was hard not being able to have in-person sessions with my producer. I know a lot of artists are doing Zoom and Skype sessions but nothing beats being able to create together in the same room. Isolation inspired me to start building my own makeshift studio in my closet and start learning how to record my own vocals. Lately, I’ve been getting lost in there for hours.

What is one thing you wouldn’t have been able to live without during this quarantine era?

Mindfulness and spirituality are really important to me and I don’t think I would’ve had the same quarantine experience without these things. Meditation and journaling are a part of my everyday routine and it’s changed the way that I view life. I think we start to truly live when we can learn to quiet the mind and actually be present. It’s been a crazy year and having the tools to nurture my own inner world has helped me keep my peace through everything.

Where is the first place you’re planning on going when it’s safe to travel again and what can we expect from Wylde in 2021?

My mom is from Greece and I’ve been dying to go back there. I went once as a child, but haven’t been back since. I’m really proud of my Greek roots and think that the culture is so special. I’m counting down the days for when it will be safe to travel and explore again.

I’m really looking forward to this coming year and I have so much more music coming. I’ve already started recording the next project and I’m so excited to continue sharing my music with the world.

Wylde may not be a household name (yet), but much of the young artist’s latest EP, Castles, is already working itself into our favorite chill-out playlists. At its best, Castles manages to capture the weirdness and alienation of the current moment we’re all collectively inhabiting — you know, that nearly year-long isolation we’ve been subjected to — without ever getting heavy-handed about the current state of the world. Instead, the parallels are aural, and we’re treated to music that is at once intimate and spare yet full of untapped energy bubbling beneath the surface, ready to burst.

Sort of like each and every one of us after a year stuck in pajamas.

This five-song EP marries Wylde’s syrupy vocals with beds of lush synths and steadily evolving grooves, making for a great listen whether you’re marveling at the sunset after smoking a joint in your backyard or hitting the road for a nighttime drive (because the car is the only place left you can still listen to loud music).

To celebrate the release of Castles, we linked up with Wylde, who is Los Angeles based — and therefore subject to some of the strictest quarantine measures in the country — to chat about themes behind her EP and how she manages to stay sane and creative during these precarious times.

How long did it take you to put together Castles, and what is the driving concept/theme?

This EP was created over the course of the last few years. All of the songs were inspired by the realizations and discoveries that made me grow as a person. The lyrics are very introspective and the theme behind most of these songs is self-transformation. My intention for creating these songs was for the listener to feel a sense of hope and be inspired to go a little deeper within themselves.

How have you stayed creative during the lockdown?

My main inspiration is people. I’m so inspired by people, their stories, and just the human experience in general. So it’s been difficult to have less human interaction but it’s made me feel really grateful for the people in my life and excited for the day we get to all come together again. I think that this year is going to give everyone such a deeper sense of gratitude for human connection.

I know I’ll never take for granted being able to embrace another person again.

What activity has been keeping you sane during the stay-at-home orders?

I’m super lucky to live in a beautiful area in Los Angeles where I can still explore the outdoors. Nature is so grounding and I feel fortunate to live in an area where I can still go on hikes and adventure outside. I think that even as adults it’s so important to still prioritize “play.” Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stopped playing. When we think of “playing” we always think of children and as we grow older we seem to lose our sense of wonder and the desire to play. Playing can be any playful activity that forces you into the present moment and causes you to lose track of time.

I love finding ways to spark my inner child and get lost in an activity.

How, specifically?

There’s a book that completely changed my life called The Artist Way by Julia Cameron. She talks a lot about nurturing your “artist child” by setting up artist dates for yourself. This can include painting, drawing, etc. Anything where you can creatively connect to your inner artist child. When we were younger we would just create freely without the voice of our inner critic. Practicing getting in touch with your inner child can help you return to that place. Another way I connect to my inner child is by going on adventures by myself. Whether that’s thrifting, having a little picnic at a park, exploring nature — just finding ways to nurture that childlike sense of wonder.

Where are some of your favorite hiking spots around LA?

There’s an incredible trail in Malibu at Point Dume that I’ve been visiting a lot lately. Runyon Canyon is also amazing for Sunset Hikes. I love exploring Mulholland and finding the best views of LA at night. Something about getting to see the city at night is incredibly inspiring to me. I’m originally from Boston and was always so in awe of LA and I love being able to take a step back to take and be reminded how lucky I am to get to live here now.

Boredom can be a real inspiration killer. How do you stay inspired while in lockdown?

Learning to stay present has changed my mindset on boredom. I think that it’s impossible to feel bored and present at the same time. When I’m fully in the present moment there is always so much to be observed and so many things to be grateful for. If I were to find myself becoming bored, I’d use that as an indicator that I may have drifted from the present moment.

What did you discover during this last year in quarantine that you might not have had it been a regular year (new music, new movies, books, etc)?

Mental health is something I’m super passionate about so I’m always looking to expand my knowledge on brain science. Quarantine served as such a positive for me, because it gave me more time to dive in and learn more on these topics. I got tons of books on neuroscience and studied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy so that I could better articulate myself if there is someone that might need help.

There’s a book called Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf that I read that was life-changing.

What local LA businesses did you find yourself relying on must during lockdown?

I really wanted to support small businesses as much as I could during this time. There’s a brand called “Remember Why You’re Here” that is really incredible. Their mission is to “remind people to live purposely, be consistent, and never settle. They make bracelets and have different merch items that read “Remember Why You’re Here”.

Has isolation driven you to create, or did you find that a hindrance to the process?

Recording sessions look a lot different right now for artists. It was hard not being able to have in-person sessions with my producer. I know a lot of artists are doing Zoom and Skype sessions but nothing beats being able to create together in the same room. Isolation inspired me to start building my own makeshift studio in my closet and start learning how to record my own vocals. Lately, I’ve been getting lost in there for hours.

What is one thing you wouldn’t have been able to live without during this quarantine era?

Mindfulness and spirituality are really important to me and I don’t think I would’ve had the same quarantine experience without these things. Meditation and journaling are a part of my everyday routine and it’s changed the way that I view life. I think we start to truly live when we can learn to quiet the mind and actually be present. It’s been a crazy year and having the tools to nurture my own inner world has helped me keep my peace through everything.

Where is the first place you’re planning on going when it’s safe to travel again and what can we expect from Wylde in 2021?

My mom is from Greece and I’ve been dying to go back there. I went once as a child, but haven’t been back since. I’m really proud of my Greek roots and think that the culture is so special. I’m counting down the days for when it will be safe to travel and explore again.

I’m really looking forward to this coming year and I have so much more music coming. I’ve already started recording the next project and I’m so excited to continue sharing my music with the world.

Although anything Tory Lanez posts must be taken with a grain of salt in recent months, it looks like Lil Wayne celebrated his official pardon by getting straight back to work, joining Lanez on the set of his new music video for “Big Tipper.” In a clip that Tory posted to his Instagram, Wayne apparently takes on the role of a plastic surgeon, dancing, rapping, and smoking behind a nude woman stretched out on her stomach and receiving a butt lift. In the caption, Tory thanks Wayne for coming to shoot the video just a day after being pardoned and promotes the video as “coming soon.”

Of course, Tory has been accused of fudging the details of his video shoots in posts designed to make it appear his famous friends still support him in the fallout of his assault case. Tory was accused of shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the back of both feet during a dispute after a Hollywood party, and Megan has accused Tory of using a number of underhanded means to undermine her credibility. Most recently, Tory posted a photo from what seems to be another shoot with DaBaby, prompting fans to criticize the North Carolina rapper before Megan revealed Tory posted a still from an old video that was never cleared for release.

With that in mind, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that he’s doing the same thing with Wayne. However, since there are still some Tory collaborators, like Jack Harlow, who aren’t willing to write him off just yet, anything is possible.

Watch the clip from Tory’s Instagram above.

The Clippers have, unsurprisingly, been among the NBA’s best teams to start the 2020-21 season, going 13-4 out of the gate to put them in a tie with the Lakers atop the Western Conference standings. Paul George’s play, in particular, has been noteworthy, as the star forward is playing All-NBA caliber basketball and has seemingly shaken off his disappointing postseason — as has the entire Clippers team. They’re aided by newcomers in Serge Ibaka, Luke Kennard, and Nic Batum, the latter of whom has looked like the best value signing in the league this offseason.

However, this is still a team driven by its two stars in George and Kawhi Leonard, who combine to average just under 40 points per game and over 10 rebounds and 10 assists per night, and both have posted 50/40/90 seasons to this point. The Clippers will begin a six-game East coast road trip on Tuesday in Atlanta to face the Hawks, but will have to do so without the services of either George or Leonard, who are both now in the league’s health and safety protocols.

As ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk notes, depending on what they’re in the protocols for — contact tracing or a positive test — one or both could rejoin the team closer to the end of their road trip. Should it be a contact tracing situation, a 7-day absence for both, pending negative tests, would allow them to return for next Tuesday’s showdown with the Brooklyn Nets. A positive test, however, requires a 10-day quarantine, which would keep them out for the entirety of the 6-game trip.

It is an unfortunate situation for the Clippers, who will turn to a short rotation to make up for the absences of their two stars, in particular Batum, Kennard, and Marcus Morris to pick up the scoring load on the wing — and Lou Williams likely being tasked with more offensively with the bench unit. It also underscores the continuing issues the league is having with postponements and players missing time, just as reports emerged that they are considering putting on an All-Star Game in March.

The NBA decided back in November that it would not host a traditional All-Star Weekend this season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a decision that appears to have been a wise one given the slow rollout of the vaccine and continuing spikes in cases around the country.

As such, Indianapolis’ turn hosting the game was pushed to 2024 and the league said it would revisit a plan for a “revised NBA All-Star 2021” would be announced at a later date. On Monday, we got our first word about discussions for what that revised plan might look like, with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reporting the NBA and NBPA have been talking about hosting an All-Star Game in Atlanta.

Marc Stein of the New York Times confirmed those discussions, while also noting that voting will happen regardless of whether they can agree on playing an actual game.

It isn’t a huge surprise that the NBA would push for an All-Star Game to be played, as it is a revenue driver not unlike the Christmas Day games that they pushed the start of the season up to be able to have. It would appear the plan would just be to play the game itself based on this initial report, but it’s possible they also could try and host Saturday night festivities as well — and, in the interest of bringing the fewest amount of people possible, it would honestly draw more attention and be smarter if they did those events with just All-Stars. NBPA president Chris Paul is reportedly among the top proponents of putting on the game and using it to benefit HBCUs, including potentially playing in an HBCU gym, per Woj.

There is of course the major issue of having 30 players from across the league, even if you are bringing just All-Stars, coming into one location to play a game when the league has already been struggling with postponements and keeping the season going as positive tests and contact tracing put numerous players in the COVID-19 protocol — this report came out mere minutes before the Clippers announced their two presumptive All-Stars, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, are both out for Tuesday due to health and safety protocols. On top of that, Atlanta is a city with ample temptations and ensuring everyone follows whatever protocols they put in place, which one would assume to be quite restrictive, would be a task of heightened difficulty.

Foo Fighters have been steadily dropping singles ahead of their impending LP Medicine At Midnight, but that’s not the only exciting project they have in the works. To drum up anticipation around the album, the band is launching the SiriusXM station Foo Fighters Radio.

After launching February 3rd, Foo Fighters Radio will be available for a limited time only. The new station will feature fan-favorite music, commentary by the entire band, and a broadcasting of the entirety of Medicine At Midnight at the moment of its release. Foo Fighters are also teaming up with SiriusXM for an exclusive livestream hours after their album officially drops on February 5.

Alongside the station’s announcement, SiriusXM’s chief content officer Scott Greenstein praised Foo Fighters’ decades-long career. “From their inception in mid-’90s to their recent performance at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration celebration, Foo Fighters remain one of America’s biggest rock bands,” Greenstein said. “They have achieved critical acclaim for their music and onstage energy, all while building a large and loyal audience. […] They are a rock band that grabs you and won’t let go, and we love to bring their music and passion to our listeners.”

While the band’s vocalist Dave Grohl is gearing up for the Foo Fighters’ next release, the musician recently revealed he still has dreams about playing music in Nirvana. “I still have dreams that we’re in Nirvana, that we’re still a band. I still dream there’s an empty arena waiting for us to play,” he told Classic Rock. Grohl continued: “I wouldn’t feel comfortable singing a song that Kurt sang. I feel perfectly at home playing those songs on the drums. And I love playing them with Krist and Pat and another vocalist. But I don’t sit down at home and run through ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by myself. It’s just a reminder that the person who is responsible for those beautiful songs is no longer with us. It’s bittersweet.”

Medicine At Midnight is out 2/5 via Roswell/RCA. Pre-order it here.

An exasperated Cardi B gave her fans a history lesson and a breakdown of her family tree after being pulled into the recent controversy over DaniLeigh’s new song “Yellow Bone.” When DaniLeigh was called out for promoting colorism by fans insisting she isn’t Black because of her Dominican roots, it wasn’t long before some were making the comparison between Dani and Cardi, who is also Dominican.

Cardi wasn’t happy about being dragged into the controversy after explaining her history multiple times since becoming a celebrity as a cast member of Love & Hip-Hop, but it has been over 18 months since the last time and that’s usually about how long it takes for everyone on the internet to forget something happened and bring it back up again. “Every 6 months I gotta explain myself cause people can’t research,” she tweeted. She then followed up with a series of photos and quick responses hashing out her appearance and how she slowly learned to use correct terminology over time.

Explaining that she always embraced her Afro-Latina roots, Cardi cleared up that she hasn’t “always been super woke” and didn’t always use the correct terminology when one commenter said she didn’t know the difference between “race,” “nationality,” and “ethnicity.” She also shared old photos of her family members to support her explanations and told her detractors, “It’s time for ya to pick up a book. Your ignorance at this point is a choice.”

Finally, proving that she’s mastered navigating social media controversies — as she should, considering she’s been at the center of so many — she pivoted the topic to skincare, asking fans for product suggestions for her recent breakouts. Meanwhile, DaniLeigh’s halfhearted apologies for “Yellow Bone” went full Lana Del Rey, bringing up her “chocolate man” and “dark-skinned friends.” Maybe she could take notes from Cardi and Chika, who explained why any Black woman would understand the harmful dynamics involved in “Yellow Bone” reinforcing the tenets of colorism.