As gossip circulates about Kacey Musgraves’ reaction to Beyoncé winning Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys, the country singer’s rep has responded to the claims.

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In a viral video, Musgraves seemingly reacted unenthusiastically when Beyoncé was announced as the award winner for her album Cowboy Carter. Musgraves’ Deeper Well was also nominated for the award.

Many speculated that the “Golden Hour” songstress felt ill-will towards the “Texas Hold ‘Em” hitmaker.

However, Musgraces’ rep stated that wasn’t the case. “It’s a sensationalistic false narrative meant to pit two talented female artists against each other,” the rep told E! News in a Monday, Feb. 3, statement. “There was simply no scowl or expression made.”

Along with Kacey Musgraves and Beyoncé, others nominated for the award were Chris Stapleton’s Higher, Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion, and Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind. 

According to Grammy organizers, Beyoncé made history by becoming the first black woman to win Best Country Album.

“Wow, I really was not expecting this,” Beyoncé declared on stage during her acceptance speech. She then thanked both God and the many country artists she collaborated with on the album.

“I think sometimes ‘genre’ is a code word to keep us in our place as artists,” she shared. “And I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about and to stay persistent.”

Before accepting the Best Country Album award, Beyoncé scored the Best Country Duo/Group Performance for her and Miley Cyrus’ collab single, ” II Most Wanted.” Cowboy Carter also won Album of the Year. Beyoncé entered the night with the most nominations, 11.

Kacey Musgraves Previously Praised Beyoncé For Entering Country Music Genre

In a March 2024 interview with The Cut, Kacey Musgraves discussed Beyoncé’s entry into country music.

“The more the f–king merrier,” Kacey declared. “I don’t really care. It doesn’t affect what I’m doing. It doesn’t affect me. I’ve always been just doing my own thing.”

She further pointed out, “It’s just fun to watch.”

Beyonce also spoke out about her move into the country space during her Grammys speech. “’I think sometimes ‘genre’ is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” she said. “And I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about. And to stay persistent,’ she noted amid the controversy around her genre-bending collection of songs.”

Milwaukee Bucks superstar and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo has already shared his thoughts on the incredibly shocking trade that sent Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend.

Nov 12, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) sits with guard Damian Lillard on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Following the Bucks’ 132-119 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last Sunday, Antetokounmpo reflected on the said trade and said that “nobody’s safe.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo comments on Luka Doncic’s farewell message to Dallas

Apr 8, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) guards Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

On the same day, Doncic sent a heartfelt farewell letter to Dallas, posting his message on Instagram. Antetokounmpo commented on that post with the following two-emoji reaction: “💯🔥”

Via Luka Doncic’s Instagram

Doncic’s post has garnered a ton of attention, with fans expressing all sorts of reactions to the reality that the Slovenian superstar is no longer a Dallas Maverick.

Although they play on different teams, Doncic and Antetokounmpo have something in common: they both came over to the NBA from Europe – and dominated in the league. Doncic has yet to win an MVP award but he came close in 2024 when he finished third in the voting, behind eventual winner Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Bucks @ Hornets – NBA Game Preview for February 05, 2025 07:00 PM EST

Antetokokounmpo and the Bucks have yet to face the Lakers this season but they will be sharing the floor with the new-look and Doncic-infused LA squad on Mar. 13 when Milwaukee hosts Los Angeles at Fiserv Forum. Milwaukee will also visit Tinseltown to play the Purple & Golf franchise on Mar. 20 at Crypto.com Arena.

Apr 8, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA;  Doncic (77) and Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Bucks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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Whoopi Goldberg Defends Beyoncé’s Grammy Win Amid Criticism

When Beyoncé’s album Cowboy Carter was named the winner of the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Country Album, it stunned many, including the artist herself. The win was particularly unexpected, given that Beyoncé had publicly stated that her album was not a country album. It faced fierce competition from well-known country artists like Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Post Malone, and Lainey Wilson, all of whom had put out highly praised works in the genre. Despite the controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s victory, the pop star took home the award, and the backlash quickly followed.

Following Beyoncé’s win, the camera focused on Kacey Musgraves, one of the nominees in the category. Musgraves, who has long been a prominent figure in the country music scene, seemed less than thrilled by the announcement. The footage captured her in a somewhat disapproving posture, which sparked speculation that she might be upset about losing. However, Musgraves swiftly denied these rumors, stating that she was not disappointed by the result and was merely reacting to the moment.

While Musgraves’ reaction was relatively mild, others expressed more overt discontent. Country music singer John Rich, for instance, took to social media to voice his concerns. In a tweet, Rich suggested that the outcome of music award shows, including the Grammys, often had little to do with the quality of the music itself. He argued that labels and publishers strike deals to secure votes for their respective nominees, creating a system where the best music doesn’t always win. Rich’s comments were particularly pointed in light of Beyoncé’s unexpected win. He wrote, “Beyoncé with country album of the Year. Nice right?” and later joked about George Strait’s chances of winning “hip hop artist of the year” in 2025.

Rich’s remarks were emblematic of the broader controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s win. Many critics questioned whether the album was truly deserving of a Best Country Album Grammy or if her status as a global icon played a role in the voting process. With country music often seen as a genre deeply tied to its traditional roots, the idea of a pop artist winning such a prestigious award left some fans and musicians scratching their heads.

This debate was taken up on The View, where host Whoopi Goldberg fiercely defended Beyoncé’s win and addressed the backlash. Goldberg did not hold back when responding to a Fox News host who suggested that country music artists were unhappy with Beyoncé’s victory. The host had humorously remarked that Beyoncé had won because “Lady Gaga’s cat sitter” voted for her. Goldberg, clearly irritated by the dismissive nature of the comment, quickly fired back.

“Sir, are you aware that you have to be in the music industry to be a Grammy voter?” Goldberg asked pointedly. “The cat sitter cannot just vote.” She then elaborated, noting that Grammy voters are industry professionals with expertise in music. “When the Grammys began in 1959, there were only 28 categories; now there are 94,” she said, emphasizing the growth and diversification of the awards over time. “The year Frank Sinatra got six nominations despite having two number-one albums, he only won one Grammy that night for his album cover—not even for his singing, for the album cover!” Goldberg continued, illustrating that the Grammys are far from a popularity contest and that wins are not guaranteed, regardless of fame.

Goldberg’s defense went beyond the specific win for Cowboy Carter, addressing the larger issue of the voting process in the music industry. “You can’t do that. She earned it,” Goldberg said, speaking directly to critics who questioned Beyoncé’s legitimacy as a country artist. She insisted that Beyoncé’s Grammy win was a result of a fair voting process and reminded her audience that “sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t,” adding that the same principle applies to the Oscars. “Sit down,” she concluded, urging those upset by Beyoncé’s win to accept the outcome and recognize the validity of the voters’ choices.

The drama surrounding Beyoncé’s Grammy win has sparked a broader conversation about the changing landscape of country music and the role of genre in defining what is “authentically” country. Cowboy Carter includes elements of country, but it also incorporates a wide range of musical influences, blending pop, R&B, and even gospel. Beyoncé has long been known for her genre-bending approach to music, and Cowboy Carter was no exception. Many fans and critics have pointed out that her album pushes the boundaries of country music, but it remains undeniably influenced by traditional country sounds, even if it doesn’t fit neatly into the genre’s typical mold.

This debate is part of a larger discussion about the inclusivity and evolution of country music. As the genre grows and becomes more diverse, some traditionalists are resistant to what they perceive as the dilution of its roots. Others, however, argue that music should not be limited by rigid definitions of genre and that artists should be free to explore and experiment with different sounds, as Beyoncé has done throughout her career.

In the end, Beyoncé’s win at the 2025 Grammys highlighted both the shifting nature of the music industry and the ongoing tension between tradition and innovation. While some continue to question whether she truly deserved the Best Country Album award, others, including Whoopi Goldberg, have made it clear that the result was a product of a fair and legitimate voting process. As the dust settles, one thing is certain: Beyoncé’s groundbreaking win has ignited an important conversation about the future of music and the ways in which artists are defining themselves across genres.

Whether or not Beyoncé’s victory is a reflection of her country music credentials, it is undeniable that she has earned her place as one of the most influential and celebrated artists of our time. And as Goldberg so passionately pointed out, sometimes, you just have to accept that a win is earned—and move on.

BREAKING NEWS: NBA star LeBron James has sparked controversy with his bold comments about college basketball phenom Caitlin Clark. In a recent interview, James claimed that his son, Bronny James, would easily defeat Clark in a 1v1 match, citing his son’s skills and athleticism.

However, it was his follow-up statement that caught more attention—LeBron suggested that Caitlin Clark’s success on the court was “largely due to luck” rather than skill. These comments have ignited a fierce debate across the basketball community, with fans and analysts questioning LeBron’s remarks and the implications they have on the future of women’s sports.

LeBron’s assertion that Bronny could dominate Clark in a one-on-one matchup has drawn criticism, especially given Clark’s incredible achievements in women’s basketball. As one of the most decorated players in NCAA history, Clark’s talent and performance have earned her widespread recognition and respect, making LeBron’s dismissal of her skills seem out of touch with the current landscape of women’s basketball. His statement has been seen by many as undermining Clark’s hard work and accomplishments, which have taken years of dedication to achieve.

The comment about Clark’s success being “due to luck” has only added fuel to the fire, with many taking offense to the idea that a player of her caliber could be considered lucky. Fans, coaches, and players alike have rallied behind Clark, defending her as one of the best players in college basketball and a true example of skill and determination.

Many argue that such comments from a figure like LeBron James—who is often celebrated for his support of women’s sports—are damaging and perpetuate the ongoing inequality in sports coverage and recognition for female athletes.

LeBron has yet to apologize for his remarks, and the situation continues to develop. His comment may serve as a reminder of the challenges women athletes still face in gaining equal recognition and respect.

Whether or not LeBron intends to clarify his statements, the controversy has already sparked significant conversations about how we view and value female athletes in comparison to their male counterparts. As the debate intensifies, Caitlin Clark’s supporters are standing firm, advocating for greater recognition of her immense skill and the importance of respecting all athletes, regardless of gender.

“This Is AI, Right?”: Fans Were Shocked By The Group Picture Caitlin Clark Took While At The Chiefs Game

Caitlin Clark had a unique viewing experience for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Divisional Round matchup against the Houston Texans. She enjoyed the game alongside one of her favorite artists.

The Indiana Fever guard was seen in singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s suite for the matchup at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans, 23-14, to advance to its seventh straight AFC Championship Game.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who is dating Taylor Swift, played a huge role in Kansas City’s win over Houston, as he hauled in seven passes for 117 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown from quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the fourth quarter.

Caitlin Clark just happens to be a Chiefs fan, so it was the perfect day for her.

At one point, while she was in Travis Kelce’s private suite, Caitlin and her boyfriend were seen taking a group picture.

Fans went crazy over the picture:

“Looks like Caitlin Clark brought the whole squad to turn up – guess they’re all trying to steal some of her basketball magic! 🪄🏀😂,” one fan said.

“This is AI, right?” another fan asked.

“Without the context, this is crazy 💀,” a third fan stated.

“Caitlin always good in the hood,” another X user said about Caitlin Clark’s hood status.

“I’ve never seen her smile that wide,” one final fan added.

Caitlin Clark Opts Out of Playing Winter Basketball

Caitlin Clark had a chance to play professional basketball but chose not to.

Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, and Sabrina Ionescu are among 36 athletes competing in the player-founded Univaled.

Clark, however, turned down a reported US$1 million offer to play in the first edition of the eight-week competition, later revealing in an interview with Time that “this year is just not the best for me” to join the league.

Clark’s successful rookie season saw her average 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while leading the Fever to their first postseason appearance since 2016.

After weeks of speculation the Milwaukee Bucks have finally traded Khris Middleton, and while Kyle Kuzma improves the team, Giannis Antetokounmpo is understandably grieving the loss of his oldest teammate.

Jul 20, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) hugs Khris Middleton as they celebrate after defeating the Phoenix Suns during game six of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an interview with Giannis in which he shared his emotions post-trade.

“For me, for a lot of people, it can be business because they’ve been around him,” he said. “For me, it’s a little bit bigger than business. It’s family.” While he recognizes the transactional nature of the NBA, Antetokounmpo said his 12-year teammate remains his “brother.”

“I’m going to have a relationship with him after basketball. It kind of hurts, but at the end of the day, I understand the business side of things and I’m still going to show up to work and do my job until it’s my time to dip.”

Certainly Giannis, Khris and Bucks fans hold memories of their time together dating back to well before the 2021 Finals run. Although the team made the trade in the interests of claiming another ring, and even with all the rumors and time to prepare for the move, it is hard to put behind an era in Milwaukee that spans the duration of Antetokounmpo’s career.

Mar 13, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) puts his arm around small forward Khris Middleton (22) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton Brought Milwaukee Bucks Fans Iconic Memories

Yanking Milwaukee from the Eastern Conference basement, the Giannis-Middleton era produced 9 playoff appearances, including a pair of conference finals and the 2021 NBA title. While Khash has never been the same since his injury in the first round of the 2021-22 playoffs, he remains an icon of the championship core. Giannis says their relationship goes much deeper than that:

It’s not only that I’ve won, I’ve lost a lot of times with him. I’ve been in a dark place a lot of times with him. I’ve been in the bus going to a lot of pressure situations with him. It’s almost like I’ve been to war with him. That’s what I remember. Not only the good times we had, the one good time we had, I remember all the other times everyone was depending on us. The organization was depending on us. The city was depending on us. Our teammates were depending on us. I remember all those moments.

On the biggest stage in recent Bucks history, Middleton shone against Phoenix in the finals, averaging 24.0 PPG in six games including a 40-piece in Game 4 to even the series 2-2. Through changes at head coach, from Mike Budenholzer to Adrian Griffin to Doc Rivers, Middleton has been there, a stabilizing figure even in decline. He was there through the switch at point guard in the 2022-23 offseason, from Jrue Holiday to Damian Lillard.

MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 20: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after winning Game Six of the 2021 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns on July 20, 2021 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Along with Giannis, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton (sorry Thanasis), until this morning Middleton was one of the few surviving members from that ring-winning roster. With the trade deadline looming, any of Connaughton, Portis and Lopez could also find themselves elsewhere come 3:00 PM Thursday.

An Organization in Grieving

Of course, the Greek Freak isn’t the only member of the organization mourning the move. “Everybody’s going to miss Khris, his leadership,” Giannis lamented.

He continued:

For me, my brotherhood with Khris is the most important thing I’ve had within this team for a lot of years. We’re the oldest guys. Not the oldest guys, but we’ve been here together for 12 years. There’s been so many moments together. I’ve been around Khris more than I’ve been around my brothers and my family. I’ve had incredible moments on the court with him. Everybody’s gonna miss him.

Jul 20, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) defended by Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) and guard Devin Booker (1) during game six of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Having spent all but his rookie season in Milwaukee, Middleton ends his Bucks tenure with 735 regular season games played averaging 17.1 PTS, 4.9 REB and 4.1 AST while shooting 46.1% from the field, 38.9% on threes, and 87.9% at the line.

In 80 playoff appearances, in 37.6 minutes per contest, those numbers spike to 20.6, 6.5 and 4.8 on 44.1/39.0/86.6 shooting splits.

Under contract through 2025-26, Middleton will be approaching 35 years of age upon its expiration. How much he has left in the tank is uncertain, but Bucks fans will be forever grateful for his heroics.

In recent weeks, a new chapter of the women’s basketball landscape has unfolded, revealing stark contrasts in popularity and viewership between some of the sport’s biggest stars. With the release of week 2 ratings for the new Unrivaled League, it’s become increasingly clear that the league is struggling to hold viewers’ attention, especially without the spotlight of Caitlin Clark. While Caitlin Clark continues to shine on the basketball court, making moves that leave a lasting impact on the game, Angel Reese and her Unrivaled League are facing significant challenges in proving their value in the world of women’s basketball.

Unrivaled League’s Struggling Viewership

The Unrivaled League, a new and ambitious project aimed at revolutionizing women’s basketball, promised to be a game-changer. With high expectations, big-name investors, and flashy promotions, it looked like this league could be the future of the sport. However, just two weeks in, the league’s viewership numbers have proven that reality is much harsher than anticipated.

The ratings from week 2 of the Unrivaled League are nothing short of disappointing. Monday night’s average viewership was 166,000, and Saturday’s dropped significantly to 98,000. Some games barely cracked 75,000 viewers—a far cry from the millions the league had hoped to attract. In fact, when Angel Reese faced off against D. Carrington in a much-hyped matchup, the viewership barely broke 75,000. These numbers highlight a glaring issue: fans simply aren’t tuning in, and without Caitlin Clark, the league seems unable to hold anyone’s attention.

The Caitlin Clark Effect

While the Unrivaled League flounders, Caitlin Clark continues to dominate the conversation in women’s basketball. Clark has become one of the most recognizable figures in the sport, transcending gender and positioning herself as a star in her own right. The viewership numbers in her games speak for themselves—Clark’s WNBA games routinely shatter records, pulling in millions of viewers each time she steps onto the court. Even ESPN, a network not traditionally focused on basketball, saw over a million viewers when Clark played.

In contrast, without Clark, even top players like Angel Reese are struggling to draw an audience. It’s become painfully clear that, despite Reese’s high-profile social media presence and self-promotion, her ability to captivate the masses is limited. Fans are tuning in for Caitlin Clark—not Reese—and that’s a hard truth that’s been exposed by the numbers. The latest viewership stats of the Unrivaled League underscore just how reliant the sport is on Clark’s star power.

The Growing Divide: Caitlin Clark’s NBA All-Star Snub

Adding to the growing narrative of Clark’s dominance in the women’s basketball scene is her recent decision to turn down an invitation to participate in the NBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Contest. The speculated matchup between Clark and NBA stars like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson seemed like a dream scenario for many, with a potential historic crossover event that could boost the profile of women’s basketball even further. Yet, Clark made the decision to decline the invitation.

While many initially saw this as a missed opportunity, upon closer inspection, this was a genius move by Clark. Her reasoning for rejecting the contest was simple: the format of the NBA’s Three-Point Contest didn’t fit her style of play. Clark’s training regimen focuses on catch-and-shoot threes and off-the-dribble shots, which are not the focus of the NBA’s contest. For someone with Clark’s level of competitiveness, entering an event without being fully prepared to win was never an option. This decision proves Clark’s commitment to her craft and her desire to dominate on her own terms.

Rather than participating in a gimmicky event for the NBA’s benefit, Clark is keeping her eyes on the prize: dominating the WNBA and building her legacy there. The alternative? Clark’s first Three-Point Contest appearance could now take place at the WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, where the focus will remain on elevating women’s basketball rather than stealing attention from it.

Angel Reese: The Unrivaled League’s Struggling Star

While Caitlin Clark is setting records and making headlines, Angel Reese, the star of the Unrivaled League, is finding it increasingly difficult to live up to her self-proclaimed role as the face of women’s basketball. Reese has marketed herself as a major draw for the sport, even claiming that fans are tuning in specifically to watch her. Yet the numbers tell a different story. With some Unrivaled games barely cracking 75,000 viewers, it’s clear that Reese’s influence is not as strong as she—or the league—had hoped.

Beyond the lackluster ratings, Reese’s on-court performances have also drawn criticism. Viral clips from recent Unrivaled League games show her missing easy layups, airballing open three-pointers, and failing to live up to the expectations set for her. With her social media presence dominating her public image, Reese has failed to deliver on the court in a way that translates into viewership or credibility in the basketball world. Fans are calling her out, and some have even suggested that Reese is more of an Instagram model than a legitimate basketball player.

Caitlin Clark: The Future of Women’s Basketball

Caitlin Clark’s decision to decline the NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest not only solidifies her status as a top competitor but also highlights a larger trend: Clark is focusing on building her legacy in the WNBA, the league that actually needs her presence to grow. While Reese and the Unrivaled League struggle to capture viewers’ attention, Clark continues to dominate in her own lane, focusing on her game and the growth of the sport for women.

Clark’s strategic decisions show that she’s more than just a player—she’s an agent of change in women’s basketball. By rejecting the NBA contest, Clark is ensuring that all eyes stay on the WNBA, not just on her in an NBA setting. Her legacy is being built on her terms, and her influence is undeniable. As for Reese, her time to shine may be over before it even started, as the world comes to realize that Clark is the true face of women’s basketball.

The future is clear: Caitlin Clark is the star of women’s basketball, and no matter how hard Angel Reese tries to make her presence felt, she can never truly fill Clark’s shoes.

Steph Curry tried to do something nice for Oakland, a city destroyed by rampant crime, but the idea went to s***.

Ayesha Curry, wife of Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, decided to permanently shutter her Oakland-based coffee shop and home goods store, citing concerns for staff safety as the reason behind her decision.

PARK CITY, UTAH – Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry attend the 2023 Sundance Film Festival “Stephen Curry: Underrated” Premiere at Eccles Center Theatre on January 23, 2023. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Oakland is known for its rough streets and issues with burglary, which Curry’s shop, “Sweet July,” certainly struggled with for the past five years despite being a “love letter” to the city (as SFGATE notes).

“I heard someone in the store the other day tell her friend that this is exactly what Oakland needed,” Curry previously told the outlet. “It was an emotional moment, and a reminder of exactly why I started this journey way back in the beginning.”

Since businesses in California are beholden to the state’s poor governance (thanks, Newsom), Ayesha Curry cut her losses.

“We have loved being a part of Oakland and are grateful for the community that has opened their arms and embraced us,” a social media post announcing the decision read. “It has been an honor to serve you.”

An encampment in Oakland, California, US, on Monday, April 22, 2024. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

OAKLAND – A view of homeless encampment on a street on February 28, 2023. (Photo by Tayfun CoÅkun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

As SFGate detailed, Curry’s concept for Sweet July was to create a hub for black-owned businesses.

Oakland’s thieves didn’t give much of a rip for the well-intended cause. Curry’s shop suffered several break-ins since opening in 2021.

From top to bottom, Oakland’s downfall has been representative of the misgivings people, including business owners, have had when starting brick-and-mortar stores in California.

Steph Curry and wife Ayesha tried to do something nice for Oakland, but it went to s***. (Photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images)

As Fox News Digital reported, violent crime in Oakland was up 21 percent in 2023 from the previous year, with 120 homicides, 3,531 aggravated assaults and 3,690 robberies (per Oakland Police Department’s annual citywide end-of-year crime report).

Just last year, Oakland’s corrupt mayor, Sheng Thao, was recalled due to federal bribery charges.

The people of NorCal are so lost for leadership that some have considered voting for Marshawn Lynch, the former NFL player, as a possible candidate for Oakland’s mayoral seat. This is about the only way that the city’s conditions could worsen, considering Lynch is nothing more than a “useful idiot” who goes on trips to Communist Cuba to have “fun.” It’s true.

Oakland has gone to s**t. Perhaps it’s time for Republican leadership.

– Signed,

A Desperate Californian.

Send us your thoughts: alejandro

Ella Langley has seemingly taken over country music with her catchy tune, “You Look Like You Love Me,” which features Riley Green.

Langley was a recent guest on the God’s Country podcast, where she got to talking about her song and all of the random pickup lines she has heard from men over the years.

Langley says there’s one man in country music who spouts the best pickup lines ever.

“The best pickup lines I’ve ever heard is from Riley’s dad. He gives the best pickup lines I’ve ever heard in my life,” she reveals.

The podcast hosts, Dan and Reid Isbell, agreed and also asked Langley, “He, like, makes them up, right?”

Langley confirmed, saying, “Oh yeah, he makes them up, he’s like off the cuff and it’s incredible. It is a work of art, honestly.”

Green has posted about his pops before, sharing a lot of shirtless pictures of him. Apparently, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree on that one, as Green is now an underwear model and often appears shirtless.

People have already run through every rumor in the rumor mill about Langley possibly dating Green. The two have said multiple times that they are just friends who made some music together.

However, it turns out that Riley is not the only Green out there making the ladies giggle.

Here Are the Lyrics to Ella Langley and Riley Green, ‘You Look Like You Love Me’

Ella Langley and Riley Green’s “You Look Like You Love Me” sounds like a country throwback, but the lyrics recall a different era of songwriting, as well.

The boozy, piano-led, love (for a night) song showcases the warmth of Langley’s vocals at the chorus and relies heavy on their supernatural chemistry. What will make this song a hit, however, is the hook.

Listen once and try not to walk around the house singing “Excuuuse me” all day long.

We dare you.

Once in awhile a spoken-word ballad will surface on country radio, but they’re almost always led by men. Langley takes charge in more ways than one throughout “You Look Like You Love Me.” Her message is to go after what you want, consequences be damned.

Fifty years ago, it wasn’t unheard of for a second verse to replicate the first. Freddy Fender does it during “Before the Next Tear Drop Falls.” Merle Haggard’s “That’s the Way Love Goes” (written by Lefty Frizzell) doesn’t even bother with informing us further.

Green’s second verse corroborates Langley’s telling of the story, essentially echoing her yearning impulses. It’s a twist-free country song, which in 2024 is a twist in its own kind of way.

Ella Langley, Riley Green “You Look Like You Love Me” Lyrics:

Ella Langley:

I was all but 22 / I think at the time / I’d been out on the road / Lonely at night / And it’d been a while / So it was on my mind.

Well, I saw him walk in / With his cowboy hat / And I thought to myself / I could use some of that / His boots like glass on a sawdust floor / Had moves like nothin’ I’d ever seen before.

So I walked right up / And I pulled him to the side / I handed him a beer and looked him right in the eye / And I said Baby, I think you’re gonna wanna hear this / Then I told him …

Chorus:

Excuse me / You look like you love me / You look like you want me / To want you to come on home / And baby, I don’t blame you / For lookin’ me up and down across this room / I’m drunk and I’m ready to leave / And you look like you love me.

Riley Green:

Well, I was down at the local beer joint with a few of the guys / When this cute little country girl caught my eye / And boy, let me tell you / She was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen in a pair of boots / Well, she walked right up to me, handed me a beer / Gave me a look like, let’s get outta here / And that’s when I realized that she was every cowboy’s dream come true / She told me this right here, she said …

Repeat Chorus

Alright, now.

So if you ever see a man in a cowboy hat / And you think to yourself / I could use some of that / Don’t waste your time / Just give ’em this here line / Goes a little like this.

Repeat Chorus

*Written by Aaron Raitiere, Ella Langley, Riley Green

Billy Dukes is a Senior Editor and Executive Producer of Video Content at Taste of Country. He specializes in country music interviews, trend analysis and the Secret History of Country Music. Additionally, Billy covers Yellowstone, 1923 and related television shows through the Dutton Rules podcast. To date, he’s written more than 13,000 articles for Taste of Country and produced over 3,000 videos for the Taste of Country YouTube channel.

Country music star Ella Langley continues to prove she’s not slowing down.

Langley moving the needle online has become her new norm. Whether it’s dropping great country music, showing off her archery skills or just about anything else you can imagine, she simply doesn’t miss.

The “Nicotine” and “you look like you love me” singer is outrageously talented, and that’s led to her having a significant following.

In fact, I’d argue there’s no woman in country music at the moment who is bigger.

Ella Langley closes out 2024 with viral Instagram post.

Well, it’s the end of December, Christmas is behind us and we’ll soon be welcoming a new year. It was a great year for a lot of people, and it was huge for Langley’s career.

How did she celebrate? By dropping some viral pictures and videos, including shots from Christmas and of her dog.

Who doesn’t love dog content to wrap up the year? Check it out below, and let me know what you think at [email protected].

Now, I don’t want to get into a contest with Langley about who has better dog content, but check out this beast below:

Doc is the next great hunting dog.

Now that we’ve got Doc on the record for OutKick readers, let’s pivot back to Langley knowing how to, once again, go viral on Instagram.

The young woman is a rising country star, and nothing can stop her at this point. The photo dump above is closing in on 70,000 likes as of publication.

Those are some big time numbers from the “hungover” singer.

Ella Langley went viral with a bunch of photos on Instagram to close out 2024. (Photo by Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images)

Props to Langley for continuing to cook online. That’s the kind of content we’ll never get tired of here at OutKick. Let me know what you think of her at [email protected].

The Davis Cup tie between Belgium and Chile descended into chaos after a Belgian player won his match despite shoulder-charging his opponent, who pleaded for the match to be stopped.

Belgium edged Chile 3-1 in the first round of Davis Cup qualifiers on Monday in front of a home crowd in Hasselt, Belgium.

Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen put the hosts ahead when they beat Tomas Barrios Vera and Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the doubles.

But controversy erupted as Zizou Bergs clinched the tie for Chile with a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 win over Cristian Garin.

After holding serve in a marathon 10th game in the third set, Bergs galloped round the court in celebration, racing round the net where he collided with Garin, sending the Chilean flying.

Belgian tennis player Zizou Bergs collided with Chile’s Cristian Garin during a Davis Cup match in Hasselt, Belgium on Feb. 2, 2025.REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Bergs’ shoulder collected Garin in the face and left him in serious pain, lying on the court clutching his right eye.

Garin received medical attention and Team Chile wanted to stop the match, but instead received three consecutive time violations as play was scheduled to resume.

This resulted in a game penalty which awarded Bergs the deciding set 7-5.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Garin said he wasn’t fit to finish the match.

“They only wanted to finish that match at any cost,” he said.

Bergs’ shoulder hit Garin in the face.REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Chile’s Davis Cup captain Nicholas Massu said: “One hour and a half later we still didn’t receive any apology from anyone. Not a single person asked if Cristian is OK.”

A furious Garin shared a screenshot of the moment Zizou’s shoulder hit him in the face on Instagram with the caption: “So the player is injured and can’t continue to play but we do like nothing happened.

“Wow what a beautiful world and what a great mentality.”

He also posted a photo of his face where the area around his right eye is visibly red.

Team Chile wanted to stop the match after the collision.REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

Garin later posted on Instagram: “I still cannot believe we got disqualified. They weren’t disqualified, btw. But we got his point.

“Years of loving this sport and I’ve never thought I would live something like what happened”.

Team Chile released an official statement with the country’s Olympic Committee appealing the decision against Garin.

Belgium’s captain Steve Darcis said: “This is not how we wanted to end it, but the decision was made by the referee and we have to follow that. Zizou didn’t do this on purpose, it was an accident.”

Garin said after the match that he wasn’t fit enough to continue.REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

Tennis fans were astonished by the scenes and surprised Bergs wasn’t automatically defaulted for injuring his opponent.

Tennis commentator Jose Morgado wrote on X: “UNBELIEVABLE scenes in this BEL-CHI tie. Bergs breaks at 5-5 in the 3rd but hits Garin while celebrating.

“Chileans wanted a default, umpires disagreed, Garin (eye swollen) refuses to keep playing and gets a game penalty to lose the match (and tie).”

The Tennis Letter posted: “Crazy scenes at Davis Cup. Wow.”

Tennis blogger Pavvy G wrote: “Shocking decision. I feel very sorry for Cristian Garin and Chile.

“How can a tennis player injured by his opponent, have to retire from the match and the opponent inflicting the injury goes through?”

Commentator Val Febbo added: “What on EARTH!? Zizou Bergs crashes into Garin as he breaks to serve for the match. Clearly an accident but why did he keep running at the net??”