Former President Obama has shared his latest summer playlist, and of course, he’s all-in on Brat Summer too. This year’s list includes new fan favorites from the likes of Billie Eilish, Shaboozey, and of course, Charli XCX, but it also has quite a few throwbacks, as well. “No Diggity” from Blackstreet makes an appearance, as does “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting” from jazz great Charles Mingus and “How Do U Want It” from the late, great Tupac Shakur.
But, a big part of Obama’s appeal has been that he’s an older guy who keeps up with the times, and as per usual, he certainly does seem to have his ear to the streets — or at least, the algorithms. From Billie Eilish’s new album, Hit Me Hard And Soft, he’s got “Chihiro”; from Charli XCX’s unlikely political favorite, “365.” Shaboozey’s J-Kwon-sampling “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is a no-brainer, as is Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby.”
However, there are also some surprises here. Rising British rapper Enny appears with her 2023 single “Charge It,” as does Saweetie’s newest single, “My Best.” R&B stars H.E.R. and Cleo Sol both appear (both songs are throwbacks from their catalogs, with “Process” and “Why Don’t You” representing their respective artists). But lest you think that golden ear is turning to tin, Tems’ “Love Me Jeje” also appears to keep things up to date.
You can see Mr. Obama’s full summer playlist below.
With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix. I hope you find something new to listen to! pic.twitter.com/aL400Ctpde
A few months ago, it was announced that the 2024 MTV VMAs were set to take place on September 10. Well, last week, it was revealed that Donald Trump and Kamala Harris had finally agreed to a presidential debate… on September 10. The VMAs would have presumably gotten the short end of that viewership conflict stick, so MTV took action.
Today (August 12), it was revealed that the VMAs will not air live from UBS Arena on September 11 at 8 p.m. ET. As Billboard notes, MTV said in a press release, “Our fans are encouraged to tune in for the 9/10 debate ahead of music’s most iconic night.”
Additionally, MTV also announced the first round of performers: Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Camila Cabello, GloRilla, and Rauw Alejandro.
Meanwhile, the list of nominees was unveiled last week, and leading the lineup is Taylor Swift with 10 nods. Other notable nominees include Post Malone (who has nine nominations), Carpenter, Eminem, Ariana Grande (six each), SZA, and Megan Thee Stallion (five each). Fan voting for some categories is currently open until August 30, so find more information about that here.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul previously said of this year’s show, “We are excited to welcome back the MTV Video Music Awards to New York State. From its origins at Radio City Music Hall in 1984 to this September’s event at the UBS Arena, the VMAs continue to captivate millions, showcasing the very best in music video artistry. As we prepare to host this 40th anniversary event, let’s embrace the spirit of creativity and innovation that defines our state’s cultural landscape.”
Days ahead of the 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony yesterday (August 11), there were reports of who would be performing (beyond previously announced acts), and the list included Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Well, the reports ended up being true, as the world learned last night.
The festivities kicked off at Stade de France, and among the performers there was Phoenix, who called upon a number of guests for their set, including Kavinsky, VannDa, Air, and Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig. Later, HER performed the United States National Anthem.
Then, there was a series of performances from Long Beach, California, which were pre-taped on August 10. There, Snoop busted out a setlist featuring (per setlist.fm) “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “The Next Episode” alongside Dr. Dre, “Gin And Juice,” and “What’s My Name” (check out a video here).
At another point, RHCP hit the beach for “Can’t Stop” and “Eddie” (video), while Eilish (with Finneas, of course) played “Birds Of A Feather” and “The Greatest” (video).
It was a good showing from the United States, and that was the case for the actual Olympic events themselves. By the time all the medals had been handed out, the US had secured the most with 126 in total while tying with China for the most gold medals, with 40.
Many recording artists, including Beyoncé, Eminem, and Big Sean, have crafted music inspired by their children. But it is a whole separate can of worms to create songs for kids. The minds behind Apple TV’s Yo Gabba GabbaLand! has found a happy medium.
Today (August 9), the official soundtrack for season of the children’s show, and it is surprisingly stacked. With special featured appearances from Big Daddy Kane, Anderson .Paak, Thundercat, The Linda Lindas, Kurt Vile, and Claud, there’s something for both parent and child to enjoy.
Check out the .Paak-featuring “We’re All Connected” above and continue below for the soundtrack cover art and tracklist.
Yo Gabba GabbaLand! Album Cover Artwork
Apple TV
Yo Gabba GabbaLand! Tracklist
1. “Yo Gabba GabbaLand! Theme” Feat. Kammy Kam
2. “We’re All Connected” Feat. Anderson .Paak
3. “You Gabba GabbaLand!” Feat. Muno, Brobee, Foofa, Toodee, and Kammy Kam
4. “Animals Are Sleeping” Feat. Ty Segall
5. “Let’s Get Creative” Feat. Twin Shadow
6. “Art Party” Feat. Portugal. The Man and Paul Williams
7. “We Are What We Think We Are” Feat. Dayglo
8. “I’m So Happy To Be Little” Feat. The Linda Lindas
9. “Air Is Everywhere” Feat. Local Natives
10. “I Am The Wind” Feat. Betty Who
11. “The Water Song” Feat. Romderful
12. “Let’s Drink Water” Feat. Miyavi
13. “Come And Play” Feat. Claud
14. “Many Sounds, One Band” Feat. Cory Wong and Antwaun Stanley
15. “The Beat Of The Day” Feat. Big Daddy Kane
16. “Outside” Feat. Prestyn Smith
17. “The Orange Cat’s Special Time Outdoors” Feat. Thundercat
18. “Silly In The Rain” Feat. Lucius
19. “King Silly March” Feat. Kurt Vile
20. “The Beat Of The Day” With Reggie Watts
21. “Grow With Me” Feat. MIYAVI
22. “Ch-Ch-Change” Feat. The Drums
23. “I Wonder” Feat. Muno, Brobee, Plex, Foofa, and Toodee
24. “I Wonder Why” Feat. Mxmtoon
25. “Wonderful Day In A Wonderful Place” Feat. The Interrupters
26. ” You Gabba GabbaLand! Outr”
Yo Gabba GabbaLand! is out now via Green Beans Productions/BMG Rights Management. Find more information here.
In July, the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics had some firepower, featuring performances from Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and Gojira. Now, the event is nearing its end, as the Olympics are set to wrap up this Sunday, August 11.
There’s going to be a closing ceremony, too, and now we’re starting to get word about which musicians will be involved in that spectacle.
A new report from Variety that cites “multiple sources” indicates that Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are set to perform. The performances will reportedly take place in Los Angeles (the host of the 2028 Olympics) and will be a combination of live and pre-taped performances.
Meanwhile, People also reports that HER will participate as well, by singing the United States National Anthem. Her performance will take place in Paris, live from Stade de France.
This follows reports that French bands Phoenix and Air would also perform during the closing ceremony, and there will apparently also be a large-scale stunt from Tom Cruise. Variety has since confirmed the reports of Phoenix and Air’s performances.
The 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony is set to broadcast on NBC, and stream on Peacock, on August 11 at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT).
San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is gearing up for this year’s edition of the Outside Lands festival, which goes down from August 9 to 11. The 2024 line-up has heavy hitters like Sabrina Carpenter, Post Malone, The Killers, and more.
It’ll be a great weekend, so keep scrolling for more information about which artists are playing when and where.
Outside Lands Set Times For Friday, August 9, 2024
Heading up the first day are Real Estate at 1:15 (all times are p.m. and PT) on the Lands End Stage, Confidence Man at 2:15 on the Twin Peaks Stage, Shaboozey at 3:30 on the Sutro Stage, The Japanese House at 3:55 on the Lands End Stage, Tyla at 6:05 on the Sutro Stage, Reneé Rapp at 6:55 on the Twin Peaks Stage, Kevin Abstract at 7:20 on the Sutro Stage, The Killers at 8:25 on the Lands End Stage, Gryffin at 8:35 on the Twin Peaks Stage, and Daniel Caesar at 8:40 on the Sutro Stage.
Outside Lands Set Times For Saturday, August 10, 2024
Highlights from Saturday include Amyl And The Sniffers at 4:10 on the Twin Peaks Stage, Romy at 4:10 on the Sutro Stage, Schoolboy Q at 5:25 on the Lands End Stage, Grace Jones at 6:55 on the Lands End Stage, Channel Tres at 7 on the Sutro Stage, Sabrina Carpenter at 8:40 on the Lands End Stage, and The Postal Service at 8:55 on the Twin Peaks Stage.
Outside Lands Set Times For Sunday, August 11, 2024
Closing out the fest are BadBadNotGood at 3:50 on the Twin Peaks Stage, Chappell Roan at 4 on the Lands End Stage, Teddy Swims at 5:20 on the Lands End Stage, Killer Mike at 5:25 on the Twin Peaks Stage, Post Malone at 6:40 on the Lands End Stage, Victoria Monét at 7 on the Twin Peaks Stage, Sturgill Simpson at 8:10 on the Lands End Stage, Slowdive at 8:30 on the Sutro Stage, and Kaytranada at 8:40 on the Twin Peaks Stage.
Leon Bridges has kept busy over the past few years. He dropped his latest album, Gold-Diggers Sound, in 2021, and that was sandwich between two collaborative EPs with Khruangbin: Texas Sun in 2020 and Texas Moon in 2022. Now, he’s back to doing his own thing: Today (August 8), Bridges announced a new album, Leon.
He also shared a groovy new song called “Peaceful Place.” The song’s video offers a behind-the-scenes look at recording the album near Mexico City.
Bridges says of the album in a statement:
“Leon has been a long-time coming. I started writing pieces of it as far back as Gold-Diggers Sound. They didn’t fit what I was trying to do with that album and I tried moving on. But I couldn’t shake them because they’re part of me. And, if I’m honest, also because I think this is some of my most excellent work yet.
In many ways, Leon has been in the works since my childhood. This record is about simpler days. It’s about time spent in my beloved Fort Worth and the experiences that made me the man I am today. It’s soulful music in the truest sense — it’s imbued with my soul.
I’m excited to share these stories about my home, about nostalgia, about my upbringing, about where I’m from, with all of you. I hope this music brings you back to your roots and your journey.”
Watch the “Peaceful Place” video above and find the Leon cover art and tracklist below.
Leon Bridges’ Leon Album Cover Artwork
Columbia Records
Leon Bridges’ Leon Tracklist
1. “When A Man Cries”
2. “That’s What I Love”
3. “Laredo”
4. “Panther City”
5. “Ain’t Got Nothing On You”
6. “Simplify”
7. “Teddy’s Tune”
8. “Never Satisfied”
9. “Peaceful Place”
10. “Can’t Have It All”
11. “Ivy”
12. “Ghetto Honeybee”
13. “God Loves Everyone”
Leon is out 10/4 via Columbia Records. Find more information here.
We’ve been spoiled in 2024. As we previously outlined in our list of the year’s best albums so far, we’ve been treated to new albums from folks like Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Vampire Weekend, Dua Lipa, Rapsody, and many more.
What’s wild is that there’s still so much to look forward to in the year’s closing months. Cardi B insists her long-awaited second album is dropping before 2025. Post Malone will complete his country pivot on F-1 Trillion. Sabrina Carpenter is set to continue her run as the year’s biggest breakout star with an LP of her own.
Ultimately, there’s something coming for everybody soon, so check out the most anticipated albums of the rest of 2024 below.
ASAP Rocky — Don’t Be Dumb (August 30)
Rocky has kept busy over the past few years with singles and collaborations, but as far as albums, fans have been waiting for a new one since 2018’s Testing. At long last, though, Don’t Be Dumb is set to land this summer and it’s set to include the 2023 single “Riot (Rowdy Pipe’n).”
Beabadoobee — This Is How Tomorrow Moves (August 9)
Something major happened between past Uproxx cover star Beabadoobee’s latest album (2022’s Beatopia) and her upcoming LP (This Is How Tomorrow Moves): She opened for Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour. So, Swiftie eyes will be on Bea’s next one and there’s a lot to enjoy, including “Take A Bite,” “Coming Home,” and “Ever Seen.”
Big Sean — Better Me Than You (August)
It’s been nearly four years since Detroit 2, the latest album from Big Sean. He’s on his way back, though, with Better Me Than You, and if his just-announced new management deal is any indication, he’s looking to shake things up this time around.
Cardi B
Cardi has found herself on lists of most-anticipated albums for the past few years as fans patiently (very, very patiently) await the follow-up to 2018’s Invasion Of Privacy. Cardi had a disappointing dispatch on that front a few months ago, though, when she said she’d be “relaxing this year.” Later, though, she reversed course and promised that her next album, which has yet to be officially announced, is indeed coming in 2024.
There’s speculation that Eusexua is the title of Twigs’ upcoming album, and at the very least, it seems to be the name of a new song, as Vogue relays. The publication also described the song as having a “driving bassline” and Twigs called the upcoming project “a love letter to how dance music makes me feel,” while not specifically saying the album itself is dance music.
Halsey
Halsey is back (even if she’s not necessarily feeling awesome about it at the moment), as she had an album on the way, a project that comes after/amid a tough journey: Halsey recently said of the project, “When I started writing it, I thought it might be the last album I ever got the chance to make.” So far, we’ve heard “Lucky,” a Britney Spears- and Monica-sampling that sounds a lot more uplifting than the tone of everything before this sentence.
J Balvin — Rayo (August 9)
After releasing an album every year from 2018 to 2021, J Balvin fans have found themselves in a rare position: Amid an extended wait for a new album. Their suffering is about to end, though, as Rayo drops in a few days and it features the thumping SAIKO collaboration “Gaga.”
Jamie xx — In Waves (September 20)
Where’s that new album from The xx? They’ve teased new music a handful of times (here, here, here) in recent years, but we’re still waiting for their first new LP since 2017’s I See You. The silver lining is that Jamie xx has remained active in his solo endeavors, and his upcoming album In Waves (his first since 2015’s In Colour) features collaborations with Robyn and The Avalanches.
Del Rey confirmed this one herself, saying at a pre-Grammys event in January, “If you can’t already tell by our award winners and our performers, the music business is going country. We’re going country. It’s happening. That’s why Jack [Antonoff] has followed me to Muscle Shoals, Nashville, Mississippi, over the last four years.” She also indicated the project is called Lasso and at the time, it was expected to drop in September, although an official release date has yet to be revealed.
Latto — Sugar Honey Iced Tea
In June, Latto threw a big Birthday Bash concert in Atlanta, where she announced the title of her upcoming project, Sugar Honey Iced Tea. Given the prevalence of rap beef these days, some took the title as a dig at Ice Spice. Whatever the case, there’s no tracklist yet, but perhaps some of Latto’s post-777 singles will make the cut, like her 2023 hit “Put It On Da Floor.”
MJ Lenderman — Manning Fireworks (September 6)
MJ Lenderman has a bit of a double-life situation going on right now: He’s a member of successful indie rockers Wednesday while also earning acclaim for his solo material. Some considered his 2022 album Boat Songs to be one of the year’s best releases, and now he’s prepping Manning Fireworks, which brings his two musical worlds together as Wednesday bandmate Karly Hartzman has a feature on the album.
Nilüfer Yanya — My Method Actor (September 13)
Yanya has become a quick favorite in the indie world over the past half-decade, and for her third album, she’s drawing conceptual inspiration from the world of film. She previously described method acting as “a bit like being a musician,” continuing, “When you’re performing, you’re still trying to invoke the energy and emotion of when you first wrote it, in that moment. It definitely feels like you’re having to recreate or step into that headspace.”
Post Malone — F-1 Trillion (August 16)
Posty just follows his heart. He started in hip-hop, ventured more into pop territory, and now he’s in his country era. It’s off to a cracking start, too, as he landed a No. 1 single by teaming with Morgan Wallen for “I Had Some Help.” Indeed, he had some help making his debut country album F-1 Trillion, as it also features Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, and many other country favorites.
Sabrina Carpenter — Short N’ Sweet (August 23)
It’s hard to argue against Carpenter’s “Espresso” as this year’s song of the summer (although tunes from Kendrick Lamar and some others have cases, too). Carpenter has quickly become one of music’s biggest stars thanks to her down-to-earth personality and undeniably delightful songs, and there’s sure to be plenty of both on Short N’ Sweet.
Suki Waterhouse — Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin (September 13)
Toro Y Moi has done a bit of everything in his varied music career. It remains to be seen exactly what his next album, Hole Erth, will sound like, but he goes with a blend of alternative and hip-hop on “Tuesday” and honors Broken Social Scene on the dreamy “Heaven.” So, per usual, we’ll have to wait and see what Toro Y Moi does next.
The Weeknd
For well over two years now, The Weeknd has been teasing a trilogy of albums that features After Hours and Dawn FM. It’s still unclear when this arc of The Weeknd’s career will be resolved, but it appears to be soon: He unveiled a teaser video in July that strongly hints a new album is on the horizon, seemingly one about new life or rebirth. Both of the preceding projects produced hits like “Blinding Lights” and “Take My Breath,” so look forward to more bangers.
Kanye West (Ye) and Ty Dolla Sign surprised fans with their spontaneous release of their latest album, Vultures 2. But the body of work’s arrival isn’t the only thing to shock the public.
Yesterday (August 3), Portishead’s Geoff Barrow was annoyed to learned that the duo sampled the group’s song “Machine Gun” without permission. Over on X (formerly Twitter), Barrow called out the duo for featuring its revered instrumental break on the Vultures 2 track, “Field Trip,” which features Playboi Carti, Don Toliver, and Kodak Black.
“Jeezus, that’s not even sampling, they just used the entire song for a backing track for some sh*t karaoke. Zero creativity,” penned another.
Jeezus, that’s not even sampling, they just used the entire song for a backing track for some shit karaoke. Zero creativity. I hope you eventually get compensated for it, and I hope they have to pay double tax for being so god damned boring. FFS indeed.
“Now that’s just a blatant ripoff, and you deserve to be compensated,” added another.
Now that’s just a blatant ripoff and you deserve to be compensated. It’s not like Kanye is poor or anything; he is filthy rich. This is what they call in Australia ‘a dog act’.
Side note – those autotune vocals they threw over the top of it are terrible!
“You should’ve said something after the first listening party it was previewed at bro we finally got the music and now you wanna take it away,” added another.
You should’ve said something after the first listening party it was previewed at bro we finally got the music and now you wanna take it away
Ye has reportedly already been hit with several copyright infringement lawsuits from past projects, Donda. Even Vultures 1 was surrounded with sample clearance issues (from Donna Summer’s estate to Ozzy Osbourne). But based on Barrow’s response, this is Ye’s second time ripping off his past work. Could this be his legal breaking point?
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Geoff Barrow 
(@morss_alex) 
(@innerstate01) 
,” wrote one user.