As much as I love Drake the highlight of the video is undoubtedly Tyra Banks (who has not aged a single day since my America’s Next Top Model obsession in middle school) playing Drake’s girlfriend. The pair are on a date at Cheesecake Factory when Tyra gets a bit upset to say the least, but for a very valid reason. The encounter culminates in Bank’s clapping for emphasis, smashing cheesecake into his face, and topping it all off with a glass of red wine, ruining his OVO white with black accented polo. Drake then proceeds to start Child’s Play, all while rocking his cheesecake facial.
The next scene takes place behind the scenes in a strip club, with an interesting combination of all black dancers and their ginger bearded “Texan Hammer Jr” boss who is just as raunchy as you would imagine. He gives a quick critic of the girl’s stage names, and how he will financially exploit them and a strangely sexual “prayer” before they start the night.
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The remainder of the video is underwhelming basic in the traditional formula of rap videos, in a strip club, money, “fresh” clothes, sexualized girls, alcohol, cars, and Drake backed up by his crew.
Granted the plot of this entire video seems to be Drake rebounding after a break up (that is entirely his fault, to be clear) it is fairly mediocre in content once Tyra exits. I can appreciate the logistics of filming a well made music video, but I have seen much more impressive things from Aubrey over the years. I can only assume that Drake is attempting his own version of a “visual album” with this video, but I am not completely on board yet, I am hopeful that there are more Views music videos to come.

​Read more here.
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This is the first experience I have had with Rich the Kid, and Jaden Smith as an artist. At first glance I commend Rich for a solid choice in a feature, seeing that I was automatically intrigued to see the rap potential of the Fresh Prince 2.0 (possibly). Some of the rhymes were solid, but I really wish that there was more of a chorus or a more significant repetition.

​Visually, Rich checks off all of the required elements of a traditional rap video with extravagant jewelry, expensive cars (a soccer mom style SVU Maserati with gull-wing doors was an interesting choice though). Although it has more of a natural setting, in fields, woodland areas, and a housing development. The scarves were clearly an extremely conscious artistic choice, but they took me back to studying abroad in Florence when I was equipped with scarves and kimonos to cover up in churches. I am not completely sold on Rich the Kid yet, but there could be potential in songs to come. 

​American Football has released two songs off their upcoming self titled album, their first project in 17 years. The track list via Pitchfork is below. The album is out October 21, and there a fair amount of accompanying tour dates, below. (Well, a fair amount for a band that’s been AWOL for (oh, I don’t know, so long???) 17 years.)
 
The first song is ‘I’ve Been Lost For So Long’ and honestly though it’s a great song, I can’t resist the jokes. Yeah. You have been lost for so long. 17 years long. But laughs aside, it’s catchy and beautiful and holds a lot of promise for the new album. Cliff notes? They’ve still got it.
 
The second song released is ‘Give Me the Gun’ and it’s quite good as well, soft and haunting, with the elements that you’d expect from them, after their older work.
 
Listen below via Soundcloud
 
Track list and tour dates via Pitchfork:
01 Where Are We Now? 
02 My Instincts Are the Enemy 
03 Home Is Where the Haunt Is 
04 Born to Lose 
05 I've Been So Lost for So Long 
06 Give Me the Gun 
07 I Need a Drink (or Two or Three) 
08 Desire Gets in the Way 
09 Everyone Is Dressed Up
 
10-29 Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
01-28 New York, NY - Terminal 5
02-11 London, England - Shepherd's Bush Empire
02-25 Los Angeles, CA - The Ace Hotel Theatre

Weather Permitting opened and the folk duo performed multiple original songs and covers. Their harmonies and nature themes flowed together perfectly. Their style was very light and whimsical which made for a seamless start to the show.

It was my first experience with Arc Iris and it is one that I definitely will not forget. The band emerged in costume in a glittering button down, all white ensemble (for the black lights of course) and a gold spandex suit with a small frilly white tutu. Their use of colorful “eclectic” projected art made for some awesome silhouettes of the trio. They had great stage presence and energy that they effectively transferred to the audience through their inclusion in the show both on stage and off. Regardless of your music taste, Arc Iris are truly talented entertainers and musicians.