It’s that time of year again. When people gather around the Christmas tree to exchange gifts and then gather around the big-screen television to watch the NBA’s annual slate of games. This year, as in the past, hoops heads are treated to a handful of excellent matchups. So, here below, we wanted to dive into those contests to offer some perspective and some predictions.
Read MoreWhen video games first rose to popularity in the 1980s, arcades were all the rage. Millions would visit the digital fun houses and pop quarters into big cabinet-sized machines to play titles like Pac-Man and Space Invaders, trying to outdo bad guys and get to the next stage.
Eventually technology advanced, allowing players to enjoy gaming at home, mostly with the groundbreaking and extremely popular Nintendo® Entertainment System (NES®). But when smaller handheld consoles made their appearance, a whole new market opened up.
Here’s the history of those gems.
Read MoreSongwriter and performer Regina Spektor is one of the most dazzling artists on the planet. This makes sense considering she cares for each work as if it is its own little thriving universe. Soul-stirring on the piano, Spektor’s voice bounces and her words alight.
Sadly, as you can read below, she has been feeling deep distress due to the dire conflict overseas. Still, she has hope for peace, inspiration, health, and laughter. And her music will assuredly give that to others along the way.
Read MoreKrist Novoselic, the former bassist for the iconic grunge band Nirvana, is up to a lot of things today, musically and creatively. From those having to do with his famous band to new projects like his supergroup 3rd Secret, Novoselic is investigating his myriad interests.
The artist, who is based in Wahkiakum County, Washington, recently landed in Seattle (literally flying his own plane) a few days before Christmas and that’s when he connected with American Songwriter for a conversation about new work, Nirvana memories and a brief exploration into the reality of artificial intelligence.
Read MoreIt’s no secret that the pop star Kesha has been in the news of late and for some pretty dark subject matter, unfortunately. But from darkness can come light, from sadness can come redemption and new surging power. And take note world: Kesha is in her redemptive era. (It’s a beautiful thing to see.)
With the release in May of her latest LP, Gag Order, the sublime pop offering she created with the help of music icon Rick Rubin, Kesha is reclaiming herself in a way that is both blissful and honest. As you can read below, the songwriter and performer feels like she’s herself again for the first time in maybe decades.
Read MoreThe 34-year-old Atlanta, Georgia-born songwriter and performer Victoria Monét made giant waves in the music industry this year with the release of her debut LP, Jaguar II. Previously, Monét had written for big names like Ariana Grande, Nas, Travis Scott, T.I., Lupe Fiasco, and Chloe x Halle.
Now, on her own as a solo artist, Monét has recently garnered seven Grammy nominations for her debut LP, including those for Best New Artist and Record of the Year. Below, we caught up with the burgeoning star to ask her about her 2023, her songwriting, and what goes into collaborations.
Read MoreThe NBA may boast the most talent it’s ever had. There are all-time greats still dominating (LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant) and one-of-a-kind rookies (Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama). The league has 30 teams and only a few (Detroit, Washington, Portland) are devoid of an All-Star or a surefire future one.
In short, the NBA is robust. That also makes it the perfect time for expansion, something NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league intends to explore when its current media rights deals ends in 2025. But where would the league look, and what are its best options? The first stage of expansion would probably be for two more teams but a couple more in the years after that is not out of the question.
With global basketball leagues flourishing and the 2024 Paris Olympics coming up, there is a lot to consider. So, let’s look at a selection (and please note that the list is not exhaustive – this is a mix of moonshots, possibles and probables) going from least to most likely.
Read MoreWith the onset of fall, change is in the air. School has started again, the leaves are falling, and of course, it’s the beginning of another season for the National Basketball Association.
But the popular sports league, which is known for stars, scoring and athleticism, is also on display in many favorite video games, from the rudimentary offerings of the 1980s to those pixel-perfect ones today. Yes, basketball gaming is nearly as illustrious as the sport itself!
Here are eight of the best basketball video games ever made.
Read MoreIn the NBA, there is a skill paramount to winning that isn’t often taught in camps or clinics. Some are born with it and while they can hone the attribute over time, it is not always evident from afar like speed or springy legs. It’s the timeless art of trash talking and in basketball, a sport likened to one played in underwear, where there are no helmets and open space comes at a premium, verbal sparring is frequent.
But who is the best? Who has the most potent style? Who could jaw with such prowess that it helped gain their teams an advantage even before the sneakers are laced? Indeed, whose tongues provide the best weapons? Let’s dig in.
First, though, the honorable mentions: Darryl Dawkins, Sam Cassell (see: marbles dance), Luka Dončić, Patrick Beverley, Trae Young (see: Ice Trae), Rasheed Wallace, John Starks and George Gervin.
Read MoreIt’s the little things. And Dolly Parton, known for big hair and country music’s most iconic silhouette, is a master of detail, right down to the opening of her new album, Rockstar, which begins with the essence of rock and roll: rebellion. Specifically, that of a child from her parents.
Read MoreVictor Wembanyama’s rookie campaign has been the story of the NBA season so far, which is little surprise given that he’s 7ft 4in and plays with the agility of a much smaller man. Now that we have a decent body of work – 10 NBA games – to learn from, what do those who have been around basketball their whole lives think of the young Frenchman.
Read MoreThe question of how Bruce Springsteen became a cultural icon is multifaceted. Whether it’s his persona, look, songs, or records, there are many reasons why people have followed his career for the past 50 years.
To try and hone in on how the Boss became a cultural icon, we reached out to best-selling author and noted Springsteen historian Charles Cross for his help and take on the matter. Thankfully, Cross graciously supplied us with a lot to look into.
Read MoreOn Friday (November 10), when the recent Grammy nominees were announced, Americana star Allison Russell was out for a jog. And that was a good thing, she says, because if she had been hyper-aware of the nominations, she may have driven herself mad with anticipation.
Of course, Russell, whose debut solo album, Outside Child, was also nominated for multiple Grammy awards two years ago, and who has garnered other nominations since then, is no stranger to accolades these days. Even if there was a time earlier in her life when she never thought she’d see it.
Read MoreWhen Greg Popovich is enthused, you know you’re onto something. The often-reserved coach of the San Antonio Spurs is known for keeping his composure and not using hyperbole. It’s what’s helped his team win five NBA championships during his ongoing tenure. Now, though, as the league is set to embark on its latest endeavor – the in-season tournament, beginning on Friday night – the 74-year-old coach says that the event is “exciting for everybody”. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the Spurs coach reminded those listening just how driven NBA players are. So, with a chance at winning the new NBA Cup, Pop says teams will rise to the challenge.
Read MoreWhat do you think your life would be like if a song clip you released on one particular afternoon exploded and went viral? What would you do next if millions and millions of people were seeing your video, hearing your voice, and reaching out to you through the internet?
Well, longtime independent vocalist and songwriter Maiah Manser had to answer each and every one of those questions recently when her life got flipped upside down thanks to the great amount of attention on her newest single, “With A Smile.”
We caught up with Manser, who has a big, beautiful singing voice and an even bigger, brighter future after signing with Arista Records. She answered our burning questions—like what’s it like to garner millions of views on TikTok alone?
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