He set up a fictional scenario of a teacher asking a young Lil Nas X what he wants to be when he grows up. Chappelle said, “What do you want to be when you grow up, Lil Nas X?’ That n**** stood up in front of the whole class: ‘I want to be the gayest n**** that ever lived. I want to do a music video, slide down a stripper pole, all the way to the depths of Hell, and suck the devil’s dick at ten o’clock on BET while all the kids are awake and can see me.’ Shockingly, that was the only dream that worked out.”
Lil Nas X caught wind of this clip on X (formerly Twitter), sharing it and writing, “yall gotta let call me by your name go, me and the devil broke up 3 years ago. yall acting like children of divorce.”
yall gotta let call me by your name go, me and the devil broke up 3 years ago. yall acting like children of divorce https://t.co/HVOfhTVaky
He later continued to call out his naysayers, tweeting, “I love this constant cycle the world has with me. when i started making music yall told me i was just another twitter rapper. then i made the biggest song of all time. yall called me a one hit wonder. then i dropped one the most streamed albums of the year with 3 top 5 hits. now yall saying my new sh*t not finna do nothing. At some point yall gotta realize I am gods favorite. 1/12/24.”
I love this constant cycle the world has with me.
when i started making music yall told me i was just another twitter rapper. then i made the biggest song of all time.
yall called me a one hit wonder. then i dropped one the most streamed albums of the year with 3 top 5 hits.…
The Weeknd‘s new movie — starring Jenna Ortega, Barry Keoghan, and himself — will be released later this year, according to a report from HotNewHipHop. An update on the movie’s IMDB page shows that The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, will also be a co-writer, along with director Trey Edward Shults and Reza Fahim.
Not a whole lot is known about the upcoming movie, like a plot or even a title, but the film marks Shults’ first since 2019’s Waves.
The movie was first announced last year via Deadline, with Shults and Ortega tapped as executive producers.
This will mark The Weeknd’s first starring role as a character, after briefly playing a fictional version of himself in 2019’s Uncut Gems. Last year, he also starred as a club owner and cult leader named Tedros in HBO’s controversial series, The Idol.
While The Weeknd’s acting has left fans divided, viewers can likely look forward to seeing him in more projects. In an interview with W Magazine, he shared that his upcoming album will likely be his last under the stage name.
“I’m going through a cathartic path right now,” he said. “It’s getting to a place and a time where I’m getting ready to close the Weeknd chapter. I’ll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weeknd. But I still want to kill the Weeknd. And I will. Eventually. I’m definitely trying to shed that skin and be reborn.”
One of the most popular shows within the hip-hop community is Power. That is the longstanding show run by New York rap legend, 50 Cent. Recently, the spin-off Power Book III: Raising Kanan, has been getting new episodes. Unfortunately, fans of the program will surely be let down after seeing that a fan-favorite character did not make it. That would be Kadeem “Unique” Mathis, played by another New York great, Joey Bada$$.
His acting was a bright spot while he was on screen from seasons one, two, and three. But, that run has come to an end for Joey. According to HipHopDX, Joey had a chat with PEOPLE about the way things played out for his character. “I think a lot of people are going to be a little letdown. It’s like, ‘What the f***? He’s dead?’ It is not even the end of the season! It’s the f*****g middle of the season!”
Nonetheless, Joey Bada$$ was very thankful for his time on set for nearly three seasons. He hopped on Instagram to say goodbye to the staff. “ Unique Forever Much love to my @raisingkananstarz family. It was an honor and pleasure. ” Fans were devastated and some high-profile rappers gave him his flowers. Project Pat said, “Killed that role.” J. Stone also weighed in, “Damn Nique.. it was a good run !”
What are your initial thoughts on Joey Bada$$’s comments about his character dying in Power Book III: Raising Kanan? Was his acting job one of the best in the series, why or why not? Do you think he will get more acting roles after this showing? Now that all of this is over, is music going to be at the center of his attention? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news around Joey Bada$$. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the music world.
Just before 2023 ended, on December 31, Dave Chappelle wrapped up his year with a new stand-up comedy special, The Dreamer, for Netflix. It’s definitely one for Lil Nas X fans to watch, as Chappelle devoted some time in his set to recounting his first meeting with the rapper.
Chappelle explained:
“I know a dreamer when I see one, and I’ve met many powerful dreamers in my life, none more powerful than the man who calls himself Lil Nas X.
I met this n**** at a party, I had no idea who he was. But the minute he walked in that party, I knew I was in his dream. Everybody in the party was another dreamer. Everyone was famous, but when that n**** walked in, he was dressed like C-3PO. He was shining! And everyone was like, ‘Oh my God, there he is! That’s Lil Nas X!’
I didn’t know who he was. For some reason, out of all them dreamers, he walked right up to me. And he said, ‘I tried to get you in my video.’ I didn’t know what the f*ck he was talking about. I said, ‘What? What video?’ And he was just looking at me like, ‘You know what video,’ and walked away. And I watched him walk away. I said, ‘Man, this n****’s having a very powerful dream.’”
Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter, Cardi B, LL Cool J, Green Day, Ludacris, Janelle Monáe, Ellie Goulding, Doechii, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Paul Russell, Loud Luxury, Two Friends and Bebe Rexha, Reneé Rapp and Coco Jones, Aqua, Post Malone, NewJeans, and Ivy Queen are the acts currently set to join the celebration.
Here’s what to know about how to watch it.
How To Watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2024
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest is set to air on ABC starting at 8 p.m. ET. The event is set to last until 2 a.m. ET. For those without cable, there are a few live TV streams out there. DirecTV is offering a five-day free trial through Rolling Stone, for those who want to watch on a laptop or different device. (Just be sure to cancel after, if you so choose.)
If you do want a permanent membership, that is also an option. Hulu offers a live TV package for about $77 a month, along with a few other streaming sites out there.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The year is 2009: Obama is president, James Cameron is gearing up to release his little passion project Avatar, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is the number one show amongst nursing homes and doctor’s offices everywhere. It also happened to be Taylor Swift‘s favorite show. She was 19 at the time.
“For about three years I’ve been saying to everyone that my favorite show is CSI,” Swift told Rolling Stone back then. It was her “dream” to die on the show, and it ended up coming true all those years ago, before she singlehandedly changed the friendship bracelet industry.
Rolling Stone journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis revisited an interview with Swift for the Infamous podcast (caught by People). In the resurfaced interview, Swift described how her on-screen persona was different from her 2009 self, who had just released her second album Fearless. “I’m black-haired, have a nose ring, earrings, spikes, combat boots…” Swift told Grigoriadis. This is the opposite of what Swift’s 2009 persona was.
She continued, “And you end up figuring out that there’s this whole back story, and that my parents had a child that ended up dying and I was the second replacement child. And my mom never really loved me… and there are so many different intricate storylines that come into play,” she added. Swift knows a thing or two about intricate storylines so she was right at home.
The interview also revealed that Swift’s mother Andrea was not a fan of her (spoiler alert) corpse scene after she ended up dying in the episode. “My [own] mom was a little freaked out. I was open-eye dead, literally had to stare off into nothing and not breathe during the close-ups… not flinch or anything,” she said. That would have been a whole other show if she had flinched.
Nowadays, Swift is really good at acting. She acts like she cares about her boyfriend’s little ball game every week.
Podcasts hit their Peak TV era in 2023, and with that glut of good listening came some unwanted consequences. Cutbacks, cancellations, celebrity deals gone wrong — the “too much of a good thing” crowd warned us long ago what happens when a content bubble bursts, and podcasts proved to be no exception. But despite the growing pains, some truly terrific shows were made this year (including the Uproxx produced Indiecast with Steven Hyden and Ian Cohen and People’s Party with Talib Kweli.
This list, with picks from staffers and contributors, includes a few steady favorites, fresh true crime takes, comedy audio hangs, and shows with a focus on debunking medical mysteries. All fascinating, entertaining, and illuminating in their own right. We listened to them during our daily commutes, miles-long runs, work breaks, and more, learning, laughing, and now we’re suggesting them to you (in no particular order) as we wrap up 2023.
iHeartMedia
Who Killed JFK? (with Rob Reiner and Soledad O’Brien)
Something I did not have on my 2023 bingo card was to become utterly enthralled by a podcast exploring the JFK assassination hosted by Meathead from All in the Family (Rob Reiner) and former CNN host Soledad O’Brien, but here we are, life is strange and full of surprises. With all of that said, Who Killed JFK? somewhat shockingly offers some new perspective and insight into one of the 20th century’s (and world history’s) greatest mysteries. Hint: it may have actually been an inside job all along. – Brett Michael Dykes
The best interviews don’t feel like interviews. It’s just a conversation, loose yet interesting because people are comfortable enough to let their guard down and be a little silly as they tell stories about their lives and careers. Conan O’Brien, freed from the limits of a late-night talk show (though he was pretty great as an interviewer in that format too) has become a master of this kind of interview with Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend. Whether the guests are fans, returning favorites like John Mulaney, actual real-life Conan friends like Timothy Olyphant, legends like Harrison Ford, or the sitting President of the United States, the vibe is the same: a breezy hang with the guest, Conan, and co-hosts Sona Movsesian and Matt Gourley. — Jason Tabrys
You’ve absolutely seen The Basement Yard on TikTok. This is how I got my introduction to them: These clips of two dudes going back and forth talking about god knows what pop up on my FYP all the time. At some point, I made the decision to actually listen to them, which made me realize these are two of the funniest guys on the planet. The chemistry between Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez is something that can only come from childhood friends, while their ability to take mundane topics and make them hilarious is something few (if any) can match. — Bill Difilippo
Six Trophies with Jason Concepcion and Shea Serrano
Okay, sure, I’m biased with this podcast pick. But set aside my admiration for both hosts and look at the pedigrees involved; both men are clearly in their wheelhouse and their friendship and working chemistry makes this hangout sports show even more of a gem. This is how hoops talk should be done: by people with unadulterated love for the game and all the awe, curiosity, and humor the insane feats and quirks the modern NBA and its culture-dominating figures deserve. – Aaron Williams
My favorite kind of projects are ones that balance the very serious with the very silly. Think about a show like Succession, where the drama and comedy co-exist to make each hit harder. It’s a tough trick to pull off, sure, because the wrong formula or the wrong process of mixing them can bungle everything, but when it works, hoo boy. That’s probably my favorite thing about Pablo Torre’s new podcast, Pablo Torre Finds Out. Where else are you going to find silly extended chats with Action Bronson next to legitimate and humanizing pieces of journalism like the episode where he looked into a state law banning trans athletes from high school sports in the name of competitive fairness and then interviewed the one (1) trans athlete in the entire state it impacted, who wasn’t even all that good at the sport in question? Nowhere, I suspect. It’s a nice reminder that anything can be more than one thing and still do all of them well. And it’s also a really good time. – Brian Grubb
Ding dong, the best pop culture podcast of 2023 is calling. Saturday Night Live breakout Bowen Yang and comedian Matt Rogers have been serving the tea on all things pop culture since 2016 and, despite the podcast market being flooded with imitators, their brand of savvy, sharp-tongued, hysterical commentary is still the best of its kind. That’s mostly thanks to their easy banter – an inimitable byproduct of their years-long IRL friendship – and their in-depth knowledge of all things Real Housewives, but their roster of celebrity guests, unique industry insight, and comedic instincts also elevate the show beyond its format. — Jessica Toomer
There are surely countless film podcasts currently running (I’m not going to verify this, but it just feels true) and even more comedy podcasts (same), but there is only one comedy-film hybrid podcast hosted by two friends that go through the filmography of auteurs (probably?). This podcast is Blank Check With Griffin & David, hosted by actor Griffin Newman and The Atlantic film critic David Sims. The episodes often run long as all hell (sometimes going beyond three hours) but somehow the duo, their beloved scum-bum producer Ben Hosley, and generally fantastic guests (Tatiana Maslany, Zach Cherry, Nia DaCosta) never wear out their welcome while breaking down the work of recently featured directors David Fincher, Park Chan-wook, and Danny Boyle. Weekly episodes focus on a single film and are typically hilarious, empathetic, and deeply insightful. But what always strikes me is how after years of doing this, the podcast still comes from a place of love that increases both the cinematic knowledge and appreciation of the listeners. — Philip Cosores
There are few podcasts that can mix history lessons, humor, and the occasional public health service all in one, but Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine does just that. While the podcast began as a way for Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin (of My Brother My Brother and Me fame) to discuss interesting stories from medical history, in recent years they have also debunked dangerous myths, helped promote proper vaccinations, and more, making them a must-listen. Sydnee is knowledgeable and self-assured, bringing her experience as a physician to help explain everything from leprosy to burping, while Justin jokes and helps represent the audience, who are likely not doctors themselves. The podcast has been going strong for a decade, but it’s never dipped in quality and is still hilarious and educational. — Danielle Ryan
I listen to a lot of film podcasts, too many to recommend just one. So let’s zig over to film-adjacent territory because this is the year I finally listened to a friend’s advice and started listening to Podcast: The Ride. Tied, sometimes loosely, to amusement park rides and attractions (or any sort of themed entity really, it finds Mike Carlson, Jason Sheridan, and Scott Gairdner exploring the obsessions that have stayed with them well into adulthood, be it old TV specials filmed in EPCOT or long-forgotten celebrity-branded restaurants. I’m probably at the low end of theme park appreciation in my house, but their enthusiasm is infectious, their knowledge of this world impressive, and their digressions often as fun as their discussion of the topic at hand. — Keith Phipps
Werner Herzog said, “We have to articulate ourselves, otherwise we would be cows in the field.” Cows in the Field puts that quote to the test, packaging the headiest of concepts into language that any curious filmgoers can understand. Each week, MIT philosopher Justin Khoo and his wife Laura Khoo invite a film critic, friend, or colleague in academia to bring one of their favorite movies for discussion. While the conversation can go in many directions — Justin and Laura are as informed about film as they are about philosophy — the common denominator is their rare blend of intelligence, curiosity, and accessibility. If you ever wanted a film podcast that considered Joe vs. the Volcano in the context of Immanuel Kant’s notion of the sublime, or compared Yoda to Christian philosopher St. Augustine, Cows in the Field is the film podcast you’ve been waiting for. — Noah Gittell
Pink Friday 2 debuted at No. 1 on this week’s Billboard 200, so Nicki Minaj has an excuse to rest, but that is not the Nicki Minaj that Barbz have come to know and love.
“Honestly, y’all, I only had two seconds to make this up, so it’s only two lines,” Minaj told the in-studio audience. “But there’s a song on my called ‘F The Club Up’ [‘FTCU‘], and instead, I changed it to ‘F The Colbert Up,’ right? And so, the first the two lines, I changed it for him in Gag City, when he arrives. It goes, ‘High heels on for Stevie / If I marry Stevie, he ain’t ever gon’ leave me.”
Minaj repeated the bar, but this time, she challenged him to tack his own bars to “end the rap” with “the first thing that pops into your mind that rhymes.” Colbert jumped in with, “High heels or not, Nicki / You better hope you never meet my wife, Evie.”
Minaj’s mouth dropped in shock at Colbert’s mic drop, and I agree: The round goes to Colbert.
PBS has been a valuable source for learning for generations, and now, thanks to the network’s genealogy series Finding Your Roots, two entertainers learned they are much more connected than they ever knew. Comedian Tracy Morgan recently appeared on the podcast Connect The Dots, where he talked about discovering his relation to another New York-based entertainer after years of friendship on an upcoming episode of Finding Your Roots.
As he recounts flipping through a family tree, he says, “I turn the last page, and guess who’s sitting there? Nas. Me and Nas is third cousins on my mom’s side. Me and Esco was always tight before that. I did a show years ago on Comedy Central called One Mic that was for Nas’ mom that just passed away, so me and Esco always been tight.”
Upon learning that they were actually related, he says they shared some tears. “I called him up and I say, ‘Yo Esco. Guess what? I just did Finding Your Roots,’” he recalled. “‘Me and you related.’ He started crying, I started crying. And I said to him, ‘If you ever need me, I’m there, cuz.’ He said, ‘Cuz, if you ever need me I’m there.’”
They aren’t the only rap relatives. In 2021, rappers Denzel Curry and Smino also learned they were cousins.
You can watch the full episode of Connect The Dots above and Morgan’s episode of Finding Your Roots when it airs in February.
How do you measure a year? If you’re pop culture fans like we are, it’s by looking back on the wildest, most inspiring, and totally unforgettable stories that happened in the world of TV, film, music, and beyond.
That’s what the latest episode of Culture Quickbites is ready to do, recruiting host Drew Dorsey to run through the list of moments that crowded our timelines and took up too much space in our group chats. We’re talking about the live music takeover with pop icons like Beyonce and Taylor Swift dominating on stage and helped to save the box office. Speaking of saving, some of TV’s most beloved shows just couldn’t be this year, and while finales are always sad, prestige dramas like Barry and Succession went out on a high. What’s next for the streaming small screen? We’re dying to find out.
And while most of the episode’s highlights center around all the ways we entertained ourselves during this strange year, Culture Quickbites couldn’t reflect on 2023’s biggest moments without reminding everyone that this was the year we finally learned we’re not alone. (E.T., we’ve got your number.)
Check out the full episode above for our full 2023 pop culture celebration.
Unique Forever 
” Fans were devastated and some high-profile rappers gave him his flowers. 
