Following the disbandment of hip-hop collective Brockhampton last year, Kevin Abstract is gearing up to release his new album, Bleach. Last week, Abstract dropped a trailer for the album in the form of a short film called Gum. Today (October 18), Abstract has shared a new song, “What Should I Do?”
On “What Should I Do?,” Abstract rap-sings over a breezy, guitar instrumental, recalling the feelings of a budding queer love.
“I’m floatin’ through space, in the darkness I see your face between / You and me, my friend, my partner, my spot in the shade / We’ll drive around this town, pretendin’ like we got it made / Then let’s stay up all night, long ’til tomorrow turns to today,” sings Abstract on one of the song’s verses, before later asking, “What should I do to get my mind off of you?”
“What Should I Do?” is accompanied by another short film called Slip N Slide. In the clip, a young boy slides down a rainbow slip-n-slide, which leads him through a city, a forest, and ultimately, to a bleak, empty room.
You can listen to “What Should I Do” and see the Slip N Slide short film above.
Blanket is out 11/3 via RCA. Find more information here.
It’s no secret that Taylor Swift is a pop-culture tsunami, washing over everything that she touches. When she recently appeared at a NFL game touting a massive entourage that notably included Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Deadpool 3 director Shawn Levy, the rumor mill kicked into high gear with hopes that Swift would cameo in the film as Dazzler. In the X-Men comics, Dazzler is a mutant pop singer with the ability to convert sound into light and energy, and Taylor Swift is a pop singer with the ability to convert fans into mass hysteria, so this should be a no-brainer.
The calls for Swift to appear in Deadpool 3 were so strong that Levy couldn’t escape the subject during a new interview with The Wrap. His answer was notably coy:
“They sure are loud,” Levy said of Swift fans clamoring for her to play the musical mutant. “I’m going across the board. ‘No comment’ because that’s a double whammy. That’s Taylor-related. And it’s MCU-related. I’m no dummy. You’re going to have to wait and see.”
If all of this sounds familiar, that’s because Swift’s history of being dream-cast as Dazzler goes back nearly a decade to X-Men: Apocalypse. Thanks to her well-documented friendship with Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner, Swift visited the set of the film, which naturally, kicked the Dazzler rumors into overdrive. While Swift doesn’t appear in the film, Turner’s Jean Grey and Tye Sheridan’s Cyclops do visit a record store where they find a Dazzler album. There was speculation that Swift posed for the cover, but a source squashed that rumor.
The Swift as Dazzler rumors briefly fired up again for the next X-Men film, Dark Phoenix, which did include Dazzler’s live-action debut. However, the role was played by The Orville star Halston Sage.
Could Deadpool 3 make the Taylor Swift as Dazzler fancast a reality? The chances are pretty high. For starters, Ryan Reynolds is some sort of powerful genie who already brought Hugh Jackman back as Wolverine. The guy is pulling all kinds of rabbits out of a hat. Deadpool 3 will also dabble in the Multiverse, which makes a Swift cameo even easier. She can simply play Dazzler from an alternate reality, freeing Marvel to cast another actress down the road.
Although, maybe Swift wants to be the official pop star of the MCU? Surely, Kevin Feige wouldn’t say no to that.
In 2006, rap was on a roll, as prominent names T.I., Lil Wayne, Nas, Rick Ross, and many more released impressive albums. However, an undeniable standout was the debut album of Lupe Fiasco, titled Food & Liquor. With his solo debut album, the Chicago native showcased an alternative style of storytelling that made him instantly memorable. While his peers focused primarily on street culture, affluence, drugs, and women, Lupe Fiasco went a different route.
Even though he initially veered away from Hip Hop growing up, his love for poetry eventually led him on the rap route. On Food & Liquor, he rapped about a plethora of topics, including Islam, skateboarding, love, and singlehood. Even though the album hit the airwaves in 2006, he had worked hard on the project for three years. After gaining favor with The Neptunes, Kanye West, and Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco was in more than capable hands. Now, 17 years later, the album remains relevant and timeless, proving why Lupe Fiasco is one of the best storytellers ever to grace the scene.
Birthing A Classic (Inspirations & Motivations)
Food & Liquor was released when Lupe Fiasco was 24 years old. However, he had been trying to get his foot in the industry for much longer. He initially signed deals with Epic and Arista, but both ultimately fell through. He later gained major attention when he appeared on Kanye West’s “Touch the Sky” in January 2006. Soon after, he caught the attention of Jay-Z, and the rest was history. Hov offered to executive produce his solo debut, which would eventually appear eight months later under Atlantic Records.
Lupe was born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco to a Muslim family. He credited his parents for awarding him a healthy childhood full of varying experiences. According to Atlantic Records, the rapper enjoyed diverse environmental exposure, influencing him as an artist. “My father was a real prolific African drummer and can play anything from the Djiembe’s to the bagpipes,” he said. “My mom is a gourmet chef that has traveled the world.”
“We were always around different cultures. It is because of these artistic experiences [that] there are no limitations to what I talk about on my record.” On the reason for the album’s title, which understandably raised eyebrows due to his religion, he pointed to his native Chicago’s corner stores. Likening “food” to positivity and “liquor” to negativity, he explained that the album features “both parts” of him. In summary, the album served to highlight the juxtaposition of his life up to that point.
A Unification of Diverse Production
Multiple names were behind the scenes with Lupe Fiasco on Food & Liquor. As mentioned, Jay-Z served as the album’s executive producer but wasn’t alone. Both Lupe and his manager, Charles Patton, also executive produced the project. Other producers included The Neptunes, Kanye West, Prolific, and B. Howard, among others. This eclectic blend of diverse artists breathed a unique life into the album.
The alternative edge on the album also led to its originality and, eventually, success. Lupe dabbled in pretty much every facet of his life, as well as his surroundings, to create a masterclass in effective and emotive storytelling. Over the years, Food & Liquor is best remembered for its lead single, “Kick, Push,” which earned two Grammy nods. The song was produced by the Grammy-nominated Soundtrakk, who, alongside Prolyfic, handled the bulk of the album’s production.
“I Gotcha,” the second single released, was produced by The Neptunes, and their signature is evident on the track. Ye handled the appreciated deep cut “The Cool,” while Craig Kallman produced the Grammy-winning single “Daydreamin’,” which featured Jill Scott. Altogether, Food & Liquor is a significant body of work that can hardly be put into one singular box. This is primarily thanks to Lupe’s lyricism and the various producers present on the project.
Lupe Fiasco Stands Out
When Lupe Fiasco released Food & Liquor in late 2006, the Hip Hop community went berserk. After much of the “same” within the genre, Lupe Fiasco was seen as a breath of fresh air. By treating the project like a grand case of poetry, he could divert from what was considered the norm at the time. His music was neither vulgar nor misogynist, and he wasn’t afraid to venture into other genres rarely tapped into. Food & Liquor featured fantasy, readings from the Qur’an, and impressive wit, garnering significant acclaim for its encyclopedic tendencies. The album has since been certified Platinum and peaked at the eighth spot on the Billboard 200.
Earlier this week, SZA’s tour made a stop in San Antonio and seemingly it went pretty well. The show was so good that she took to Twitter to explain how much she enjoyed her time. “Holy sh*t this was my first time ever playing San Antonio I DID NOT KNOW YALL GOT DOWN LIKE THISSS.. incredible energy. THANK YOU,” she posted on Twitter. While some fans shared in her excitement others felt like something wasn’t right.
One follower in particular quote tweeted her. “I saw you in San Antonio…. in 2017 babes,” a response tweet read. That got fans into a discussion about SZA, who is known to get caught in public lies every once in a while. “She really be lying for no reason that’s them scorpios for you,” one fan comments blaming her astrology. Others just laughed at the situation and questioned why she is so comfortable lying. “Lmaooo yo all jokes aside why tf do she be lying so much? That’s concerning,” the comment reads. Check out her original post below.
SZA has been having a lot of fun at recent stops on her tour. When she was in St. Louis last week, she brought out one of the biggest breakout stars of rap music in 2023. She was joined by Sexyy Red, who she collaborated with on the Drake song “Rich Baby Daddy.” She also helped Red announce her second pregnancy with a viral photo of them together.
SZA also seemed to have a pretty good time in Brooklyn where she and the crowd hyped each other up back and forth. While there she also teased another mini tour for the upcoming deluxe version of her new album. She claimed she would only return to visit “the most turnt” cities for the potential future tour. What do you think of SZA lying about playing shows in San Antonio for seemingly no reason? Let us know in the comment section below.
During a recent Instagram Live with former Bad Girls Club cast member Tiara Hodge, Kevin Gates shared his thoughts on Chrisean Rock. According to the Louisiana-born performer, they have a few things in common. During the stream, Hodge opened up about fighting on season seven of the reality series, claiming that when she gets into an argument, she’s bound to throw hands. “Like Chrisean?” Gates asked her.
Though she seemed hesitant to speak on the 23-year-old reality star, she acknowledged that there are some similarities between the way she acted on the show and the way Chrisean acts now. “I mean I was around Chrisean’s age when I went on there, yeah,” she admitted. “Early 20s.” Gates then took the opportunity to weigh in on the mother of Blueface’s third child, making it known that he “[f*cks] with her.” Tiara agreed, sharing that she too is a fan. “I like Chrisean,” she said.
“She remind me of me,” Gates explained. “She’s so loyal that she’s stupid,” he continued, “just like me.” Chrisean has become known for her antics surrounding Blueface, many of which are showcased on their own reality series Cr*zy In Love. She’s gotten into physical altercations over the rapper, taken lie detector tests to prove her devotion, and more. Famously, she even rocked a tooth implant boasting an image of his face. “I did it for you Daddy blueee,” she told Instagram followers at the time.
The duo first met when Chrisean was featured on Blue Girls Club, and have come quite a ways since then. They welcomed their first child together, Chrisean Jr., last month. During an interview with Kickin It with Kari in August, the rapper revealed what it was that attracted him to Chrisean in the first place. According to him, her loyalty played a major role in them getting together. “To me, it started being like, super appreciative. You’re willing to make a fool of yourself to show how much you appreciate me,” he explained. What do you think of Kevin Gates’ comments on Chrisean Rock? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more news.
Reggaeton has been one of the biggest genres in music globally for 20 years. In truth, there probably should have been a reggaeton-focused television series ages ago, but Netflix’s Neon fills the gap admirably. It’s a comedy-drama about the music industry in the vein of shows like Atlanta, Dave, or Rap Sh!t — or maybe even a less testosterone-fueled, more music-focused version of Entourage or How To Make It In America. Conceived by New York Times best-selling author Shea Serrano and showrunner Max Searle, Neon follows the exploits of Santi, who moves from small-town Florida to Miami with his two best friends/managers in tow, hoping to capitalize on a viral hit.
Naturally, he runs afoul of the usual pitfalls of the music industry, from disinterested power players to the travails of simply funding his independent operation. He’s got a few contacts and many of reggaeton’s established stars in his corner, though, and the determination to push through the adversity he faces in his pursuit of stardom. The show is a reliably funny, often poignant look at the journey to make it in the modern recording industry that remains grounded in reality even as Santi racks up unlikely wins. After all, every success story starts with the odds stacked against the protagonist, and Santi — played by Tyler Dean Flores of Falcon And The Winter Soldier and Miguel Wants To Fight — is exactly the kind of kid you want to see win.
What struck me most throughout my binge — all eight episodes are out this week, October 19 — was how authentic and true to the music and culture of reggaeton Neon strives to be. Much of that can be credited to the original music created for the series by executive music producers Tainy & One Six (Lex Borrero and Ivan Rodriguez), who made efforts to make songs that not only enhanced the story of the show but could also live in the real world as legitimate reggaeton hits. It helps that Daddy Yankee is also a producer on the show and makes a cameo — as do other Latin music stars like Jon Z, Jota Rosa, LYANNO, and more.
Ivan Rodriguez of One Six graciously agreed to a Zoom interview with Uproxx to reveal more of the process behind creating music for the show that could stand on its own, the global impact reggaeton has had, Flores’ commitment to getting the character just right, and faking it ’til you make it.
What was it about this project that was so attractive that it just had to live in this format?
I think the most important thing about this project was that we’ve seen culture really lend a lot of love and support to the creators, in the same way that we create from our point of view, as Latinos. We love the idea of representation and we love the idea that we’re creating music that really represents us and our storytelling. The moment that Scooter’s team brought this to us and we sat down and really got into the characters and what the story was about. It was a no-brainer, because it was really telling the story of a lot of us, whether we’re upcoming artists, producers, songwriters, people that are trying to make their dreams happen. As Latinos, we really connect to that story. We live that story in real life.
It really did feel authentic to my own personal experiences with the musical industry, especially in terms of people inflating their own importance, or trying to make it seem like they’re bigger than they are. How close is that to your real-life experience, or do you have any examples of things where you had to go in the back door or fake it until you made it?
That’s one of the beautiful things about this show. When you break down some of those “fake it ’til you make it” elements of it, they’re all so real. Driving up in the car that you’re sleeping in, you’re driving up to the meeting, and then you put on your best clothes. Everybody’s faking it until you make it, even the person on the other side of the boardroom. This show really brings to life the “fake it ’til you make it” element of artists, but in a beautiful way that they’re believing in their vision, and that they have their friends. It’s like, “My friends are the manager and the creative director, and they just believe in me and we believe in each other, and really we’re all faking it, but we really want to make it.”
One of the things that has always fascinated me about movies and television shows that try to take on music and the musical industry, is that a lot of times the music itself is not necessarily authentic to what we would be hearing in the real world. How did you go around making sure that the music itself was something that can conceivably live outside of the show, and just be like a song that you would hear on the radio?
I think we started off the right path, because sometimes these projects and these shows get done, and for whatever reason they don’t bring the right people into them. I really do this, and Tainy really does shift the music in Latin as far as the sound of reggaeton, and where that sound lives. All the little details that make the music connect with people. He really does this for all the biggest artists in the world. Bad Bunny, Jay Bobbin, Rauw Alejandro, Selena Gomez, et cetera. So him being part of this project really allowed for the music to really be super credible, and sound as good as everything else, but also with the understanding that these songs weren’t some songs that were on a hard drive somewhere or that were just created without thinking about it twice.
We were really doing character-building with these songs. So yes, when you hear them at first listen, you’re like, “This is a banger. This feels good. This is exactly what I thought it would be.” But when you get into the lyrics and you get into the small details of what he’s saying, his delivery, even being a Latin person living in the United States, we lean into the accent not being all the way from a Latin country. Being from a guy that lives in Fort Myers, how he would sound, how would his accent be in Spanish? And I think that really shows if you’re paying attention to both the show and the music at the same time. Then you’re like, “Wow, they really went out of their way to make that really vivid through the music and really connect.”
Tyler Dean Flores is an incredible performer. He really brought the character of Santi to life. What was it like working with him on stuff like performance, and how much coaching did he need to be a real reggaeton star?
I love Tyler. He’s my friend now, and that’s amazing to be able to connect with him. When he came into the studio, it was just great because he was also getting into that character mode in his mind of everything that the character brings to the table and who he is. So as we were creating the music, it wasn’t just about the performance, but also picking his brain. If we were doing a song for this particular scene or this particular feeling in this part of the season, he would really break down to me how he was feeling as the character and the emotions that he’s trying to portray. By doing that, his character really informed the music.
When it came to Tyler being Santi, the character on the mic, it was really that same thing, getting in that mode, him really listening to a lot of reggaeton music already, but doubling down on that and kind of becoming an artist for those weeks. Really honing his craft and getting into the swagger and the delivery that it would take to get inspiration. He was listening to a lot of Rauw Alejandro. I think that was the main inspiration for the musical side of the character. It really felt like we were actually crafting an artist there for those weeks.
What do you hope people take away from the story of Neon from this first season? Hopefully, there will be more seasons. What do you sort of expect people to learn about reggaeton, about Latin culture, and what do you hope for the future of the show?
The main thing that I feel people are going to really connect to both the music and the storytelling. They’re going to see how the reggaeton genre, even though it is drums and it feels good and it’s danceable, and it also has the element of the street and youth culture, is really a way to express how Latinos feel. Reggaeton is another way that Latinos express how they feel, their lives, their dreams, their aspirations, and their ambition. I think they will really see that through the show on both the character side and also on the music, that reggaeton is beyond a genre. It’s really like a form of expression for Latinos.
The Air Jordan 1 High OG, an iconic sneaker, continues to captivate sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts worldwide. This classic silhouette, known for its high-top design and bold colorways, remains a symbol of style and sports heritage. One of the highly anticipated releases is the “Reverse Panda” colorway set to make waves in the sneaker scene. Inverting the traditional black and white color scheme, it features a predominantly black upper with white accents on the Swoosh, wings logo, and midsole. This unique twist adds a fresh dimension to the timeless design, making it a must-have for collectors and fans alike.
The Air Jordan 1 High OG maintains its legendary status with premium materials, including genuine leather and a classic Nike Air tongue tag. Its unrivaled comfort and versatility make it suitable for both the court and the streets, ensuring its enduring appeal. As sneaker culture continues to thrive, the Air Jordan 1 High OG remains a pinnacle of style and innovation. The upcoming “Reverse Panda” colorway, reaffirms its status as an enduring icon in the world of sneakers, promising excitement and style for enthusiasts everywhere.
As always, thanks to @masterchefian for the photos and information on this pair. Based on the name, you can probably guess where this shoe is going. Firstly, the toe box, side panels, and even the cuff are made of black leather. Secondly, the rest of the shoe’s overlays are white. This creates a very nice look that definitely makes this stand out compared to the original “Panda” model. Sure, it is another black-and-white shoe, but it is definitely something that will excite fans who otherwise don’t care about colorful offerings.
Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Reverse Panda” is going to drop on February 24th, 2024 Also, the retail price will be $180 when they are released. Let us know what you think of this sneaker, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sneaker world. We will be sure to bring you the biggest releases from the biggest brands.
Two parts of the Black Hippy rap group are gearing up for a big-time single coming very soon. The members we are talking about are Jay Rock and Ab-Soul. Both artists are known to be fairly infrequent when it comes to pushing out new material. However, that has not been the case as of late. Just last year Ab put out his first record in six years with HERBERT. Then, just a few weeks ago, he and T.F joined up for a single, “Hidden Stages.” For Jay Rock, he is getting closer and closer to ending his album drought.
The Los Angeles, California rapper’s last effort was in 2018 with Redemption. Since then, he has been a part of a single with REASON called “At It Again – Remix.” Following that he put out two tracks that are expected to land on his upcoming LP, Eastside Johnny*. There is no word on the release date, but hopefully, the time is near. Jay teamed up with Kal Banx on “Eastside,” and then with Anderson .Paak and Latto on, “Too Fast (Pull Over).” Finally, just a few weeks back he dropped some personal bars on a YouTube exclusive freestyle.
Now, we might be getting another taster from Rock’s project this Friday, October 20. He took to Instagram to reveal the news. He posted a picture with him and Ab-Soul with a caption. It reads, “Me and my brotha @souloho3 coming with some heat this Friday Y’all better get ready for this!! #ESJ#TDE#Blowfly.” This has potential to be one of the best drops of the year so be ready to tune into HNHH for our reaction to it.
What are your initial thoughts on this upcoming brand-new song from Jay Rock and Ab-Soul? Will this track wind up on Jay’s forthcoming record, Eastside Johnny*? Will this be one of the best songs of the year? 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 thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, as well as the rest of the music world.
Prosecutors in New Mexico are considering whether to refile charges of involuntary manslaughter against Alec Baldwin. The Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office stated that they are discussing the merits of convening a grand jury to refile the charges against Baldwin, arguing that “it may be appropriate for ordinary citizens to choose if Baldwin should face charges”.
However, Baldwin’s attorneys vehemently spoke out against the notion. “It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will answer any charges in court,” Luka Nikas and Alex Spiro told TMZ. The Santa Fe DA initially dropped the charges against Baldwin earlier this year, though the office did state that new evidence could lead to a renewed investigation against Baldwin. According to the DA’s statement, new analysis of the gun disputes Baldwin’s claim that he never pulled the trigger. This remains a developing story and we’ll have any updates as they emerge.
BREAKING: Prosecutors are seeking to recharge actor Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in a 2021 fatal shooting on a movie set. https://t.co/0apuPgqxhL
Rust finished filming in May 2023, with Baldwin returning to set to finish his scenes. The film, which is working on a budget of $8 million, does not have a release date. The break in production caused several recastings, with Jensen Ackles and Brady Noon both leaving the production due to scheduling conflicts. The film follows Baldwin as a grizzled outlaw who must attempt to save his grandson from a blood-thirsty US Marshal.
However, the shooting incident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was not the only incident on set. A few weeks after Hutchins was killed, a rigger was bitten by a spider and needed numerous surgeries to avoid an arm amputation. Furthermore, multiple reports about lapses in on-site safety were reportedly raised and ignored by supervisors. The on-set armorer has been charged and is awaiting trial in the case. Meanwhile, another charged individual took a plea deal earlier this year. Baldwin, who is also a producer on the film, has maintained his innocent throughout the proceedings.
OpTic CH3F (@masterchefian)
Y’all better get ready for this!! 