Say “buh-bye” to 2020 and “hello” to plastic-free living.

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Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/daniellehealy/products-to-help-cut-down-on-waste-in-2021

“I knew I wasn’t supposed to go into the dark.”

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Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/stephenlaconte/pronounced-dead-then-resuscitated-stories

Chris Rock and Netflix are breaking new ground by delivering the first-ever remix of a comedy special. In a special video for the streaming service, Rock announced that his 2018 special, Chris Rock: Tamboline, will be released later this month as Chris Rock: Total Blackout, The Tamborine Extended Cut. Calling it a “hot remix,” Rock says the new 90 minute version full of “searing observations on race, fatherhood, and politics,” is the “first time in history” that a comedy special dropped a remix. Total Blackout will also include new moments and interviews with Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Fallon, and more.

Here’s how Uproxx described the original version of Chris: Rock Tamborine after it made its Netflix debut in 2018:

Sadly absurd topics like racism, gun violence, politics, and modern romance necessitate an equally ludicrous format when presented as stand-up comedy. Simply warning the audience that what comes next might sound mean, but actually isn’t “because it’s funny,” isn’t good enough. Legwork is required to discuss an otherwise volatile and delicate subject with the addition of jokes, and thanks to Tamborine‘s occasionally infuriating attempts to delay the inevitable, Rock accomplishes this beautifully.

Tamborine was the first installment from Rock after signing a two-special deal with Netflix for $40 million. Before Tamborine, Rock hadn’t recorded a special since 2008’s Kill the Messenger, so his stand-up return was a decade in the making and a huge get for Netflix. As for when his next special will arrive, there’s no word yet, so fans will have to make do with the new, remixed material when Total Blackout arrives.

Chris Rock: Total Blackout, The Tamborine Extended Cut arrives on Netflix on January 12, 2021.

(Via Netflix)

Source: https://uproxx.com/tv/chris-rock-tamborine-remix-extended-version-total-blackout/

The new year is already off to an optimistic start thanks to the efforts of Inglewood’s breakout artist, D Smoke. The Grammy-nominated rapper returned with a brand-new song over the weekend, “It’s OK,” delivering a positive message and showcasing some talented youths in the song’s accompanying music video. D Smoke released the video today after debuting the song a few weeks ago.

The cleverly shot video sees D Smoke recruiting the kids as hype men, backup dancers, and musicians, as the video breaks down with a marching band and becoming an exuberant display of joy in a backlot. Throughout, D Smoke’s rapid-fire verses express his uplifting outlook — even when he flexes a pump-action shotgun and warns that he believes in using it for self-defense.

D Smoke, the winner of the inaugural season of Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow, is nominated for a Best Rap Album Grammy for his debut album, Black Habits. He most recently released the “Closer To God” video from the album with his brother SiR. He also appeared in Houston rapper Tobe Nwigwe’s “Headshots” video and collaborated with Berkley’s Rexx Life Raj on the song “Optimistic” for Empire’s Voices For Change compilation.

Watch D Smoke’s “It’s OK” video above.

Source: https://uproxx.com/music/d-smoke-its-ok-video/

There are tons of celebrity success stories that have a “rags to riches” element to them, and while it’s difficult to imagine a time when The Rock was struggling, he didn’t really have much money to his name prior to joining the WWE and becoming a worldwide phenomenon.

Becoming the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, launching his own production company, a successful tequila brand and tons of other deals seemed like a dream that was far away from “the people’s champ” when he was a teen.

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The Rock’s passion as a young man was actually pro football, and he played Defensive Tackle for the University of Miami. However, the success that he attained in the world of entertainment, both in-ring and on-screen, wasn’t mimicked on the football field. After playing on a deep roster of talent, including Warren Sapp who is considered one of the greatest defensive tacklers of all time.

His inability to outshine the competition on the field, coupled with some injuries, cut The Rock’s NFL dreams short. He did, however, use his lifelong connections to the world of pro-wrestling to his advantage and when he was welcomed into the WWE (then WWF) in 1996, he was the first third-generation wrestler to enter the organization.

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His grandfather, Peter Maivia, and his dad, Rocky Johnson made names for themselves, but in-ring sports entertainers back in the day weren’t exactly making the big bucks, and Dwayne wasn’t imparted with a ton of familial monetary wealth for their efforts, either.

This is where Bruno comes in, or as the owner of Seven Bucks Productions calls him, “Downtown Bruno.”

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The Rock’s been a lifelong friend of the man who took him in when he was a homeless teenager. When the Rock and his mother were evicted off the Island of Hawaii, it was arranged that he would go and live with his dad in Nashville, Tennessee. But, as the Rock writes, “When I landed in Nashville, I quickly found out I wasn’t gonna live with my dad. S**t happens, plans change and that’s the way it goes. Instead, I told I was gonna live with a guy named Bruno. Who at the time lived in a tiny room at a spot called the Alamo Plaza motel.”

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The Rock continued, “Bruno could’ve (and should’ve) said hell no, I’m not takin’ in some kid who I don’t know. But he didn’t. He took this punk kid in and we became lifelong friends.”

This was when The Rock was 15 years old before Dwayne headed to college and had his dreams dashed of becoming a pro baller. Some 9 years later when he committed to recovering from his injuries and make it in the WWE, Bruno was there yet again.

“Then ironically – about 9 years later when I had the infamous ‘$7 Bucks’ in my pocket – I started my wrestling career in Memphis, Tennessee and AGAIN – had no place to live and Bruno took me and let me shakeup in his trailer, til I could get on my feet.”

In order to repay his lifetime friend for all his kindness, The Rock decided to get him a car, but as it turns out, the significance of purchasing an automobile extends beyond The Rock just being grateful for Bruno’s hospitality and friendship.

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It had something to do with a “crackhead hustle” as well: “And hell, when I was 15yrs old, Bruno even gave me his last $40 bucks so I could hustle a crackhead out of his car one night at a honky tonk in Nashville. But the hustle was on me, because when I took off down the road there was a SECOND CRACKHEAD passed out on the floor in the back! Wild times at 15yrs old.”

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The Rock continued, “Merry Christmas, Bruno and since you helped me “buy” my first car – I figured I could return the favor and buy you one that 100% does NOT have a crackhead in the back seat.  I love you, brother. Your kindness and heart – helped change my life’s trajectory. And when you’re ready to retire from “the business” you just say the word. I got you covered. We’ll go ‘downtown’. Enjoy your new ride and give Walls, Mississippi my love and gratitude.” 

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The Rock posted a video clip of him gifting a grateful Bruno the whip on Instagram while on set for his upcoming production of the TV series Young Rock. Bruno worked as a wrestling manager, referee, and sometimes wrestler whose title was “Harvey Wippleman”. He’d sometimes also go by “Downtown Bruno.” Anyone who knows anything about the business will recognize Bruno/Harvey’s name, and he’s been deeply entrenched in the business for decades.

Source : https://www.distractify.com/p/the-rock-lifelong-friend-gift

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

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Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/elliewoodward/sophie-turner-joe-jonas-new-photos-pregnancy

Source: https://news.knowyourmeme.com/news/the-south-park-guy-jarod-nandin-dies-of-covid-19

The third season of <em>Cobra Kai</em> kicked off on January 1st, which was a perfect way to begin 2021. The series, which moved over from the now-defunct YouTube Red, found a huge audience on Netflix, and the third season is getting mostly rave reviews. I loved it, too, although I thought it had a bit of a &#8220;Negan&#8221; problem, which is to say that the season may have spent a little too much time on John Kreese and the bullying tactics of the new Cobra Kai. Still, in the end, it was as rousing as ever and closed out the season in a way that was both satisfying and successfully set up the fourth season. 

If there is one glaring, weak link in Cobra Kai, however, it’s Anthony LaRusso. Viewers may remember him from season one as the lazy, entitled, tech-obsessed brat who cared more about whip cream than he did karate.

To be clear, however, Anthony LaRusso was a Season One problem and not a Season Three problem, and that’s because Anthony LaRusso had only one scene in the entire third season, lingering on screen only long enough for viewers to wonder, “Is that the same kid?” It is, in fact, the same kid, Griffin Santopietro, who clearly hit his grown spurt between the second and third season (he’s 13 years old).

As it stands, however, Anthony was all but written out to the show. There were a couple of passing references to him this season (mostly about being at sleepovers). He obviously couldn’t be killed off the series, because Cobra Kai is not that kind of show. The original problem, unfortunately, is that in an effort to draw a stark contrast between Anthony and his father, Daniel LaRusso, in the first season, the writers overshot and annihilated the character so badly that they could only bring him back for a few scenes in three episodes in Season Two, and just the one in Season Three, where he eats a popsicle and expresses mock disappointing in his sister. At least his brand is still strong.

I understand why the writers tried what they tried in the opening season, and the idea was a good one. They wanted to show that Anthony had become basically the opposite of who Daniel was in the original Karate Kid — wealthy, entitled, lazy — and to illustrate that, for all his great qualities, Daniel still had some flaws, mostly in the parenting department. He is raising essentially his own Johnny Lawrence without any athletic skill. The character, however, did not resonate.

The audience rejected it; in fact, the scenes with Anthony in the opening season were more uncomfortable than funny. It was smart to bury him. It might also, however, be fun to introduce him as something akin to The Next Karate Kid in Season Four, taking on the role of Hilary Swank’s character in a spiritual sense. It would be fitting, especially as the fourth installment of the series was the worst received of all the movies. If they choose to go that route, however, hopefully Griffin Santopietro can be remembered as fondly as Hilary Swank.

‘Cobra Kai’ Season Three is now streaming on Netflix.

Source: https://uproxx.com/tv/anthony-larusso-cobra-kai-worst-character-griffin-santopietro/

A judge in the United Kingdom has denied a request from the U.S. government to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, citing mental health concerns.

Andrew Wyrich

Andrew Wyrich is the deputy tech editor at the Daily Dot. Andrew has written for USA Today, NorthJersey.com, and other newspapers and websites. His work has been recognized by the Society of the Silurians, Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE), and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

Source : https://www.dailydot.com/debug/julian-assange-extradition-request-uk/

Alexi Laiho

Alexi Laiho

Source : https://www.distractify.com/p/are-lilly-and-james-still-together-unexpected

Whenever somebody discusses any sort of ranking of the greatest rapper ever, it tends to generate a lot of discussion, as pretty much everybody has a different opinion on who is truly the best. It seems like every day, some famous music figure makes a declaration about who the elite rappers are, and now it’s DaBaby’s turn.

In an Instagram post from over the weekend, he declared that he and Lil Wayne are the “best rappers alive.” Sharing photos of himself and Wayne in the studio, he captioned his post, “Best rappers alive,” then tagged Wayne and added a goat emoji. He later shared the post on his Instagram Story and added, “Wayne music was our Bible!”

This is certainly not the first time DaBaby has publicly discussed his admiration for Lil Wayne. In late 2019, for example, DaBaby was asked about the one rapper he would like to collaborate with, and he responded, “I got a song with Lil Wayne. That was amazing so I’m good. That’s the GOAT in my era, that’s the GOAT. That’s probably who I was most influenced by music-wise growing up.”

Meanwhile, Eminem recently gave his pick for the best rapper ever, and his selection is… nobody.

Source: https://uproxx.com/music/dababy-best-rappers-alive-lil-wayne/