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On Monday night at Ball Arena, the Denver Nuggets stunneԀ the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99 to claim a commanding 2-0 series lead after Jamal Murray struck a buzzer-beаter that helped them overcome a 20-point deficit.

Including a 20-point lead early in the third quarter, the Lakers dominated the remainder of the contest. However, the defending champions, as they inevitably do, rose from the mat and mounted a comeback to reduce the deficit to 10 points heading into the fourth quarter.

A little over a minute later, the Nuggets tied the game on the bench of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Murray was given the opportunity to complete the recovery when LeBron James failed to make a three-point attempt with 16 seconds remaining after both teams had exchanged baskets.

Anthony Davis recorded a game-high 32 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lakers. Having been informed earlier in the day that he had not been chosen as a finalist for the NBA’s annual Defensive Player of the Year Award for this season, he spent the entire night with a grudge on his shoulder. Davis began the contest with a 14-of-15 field goal percentage.

Although Davis delivered a stellar performance, he was eclipsed by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. “The Jоker” recorded a triple-double with twenty-seven points, ten assists, and twenty rebounds. Murray finished with 20 points, but his buzzer-beаter was the largest.

In contrast to Game 1, the Lakers received assistance from their secondary players in Game 2.

Saturday in Game 1, D’Angelo Russell, who set a Lakers single-season record for three-pointers this year, performed poorly from beyond the arc, going 1-for-9.

In Game 2, Russell was red-hоt from deep. He began the game 6-for-6 from long range and concluded with 23 points.

Game 2 commenced in the same manner as the opener on Saturday. The Lakers established a double-digit lead late in the game due to their rapid start. Early in the third quarter, they increased their lead to 20 points before the defending champions rallied and responded.

Midway through the third quarter, Denver reduced the lead to single digits with an 11-0 run.

LeBron James halted the hemorrhage with consecutive three-pointers with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, as they reduced the deficit to two points.

Taylor Swift appears to have reignited he long-standing feud with Kim Kardashian on her new album The Tortured Poets Department, but the reality star wishes she would have let it be.

The 34-year-old singer–songwriter’s fans speculated that she was gong after the 43-year-old reality TV icon when a second volume of her album was dropped just two hours after the first disc was released.

It featured a song titled Thank You Aimee — stylized as ‘thanK you aIMee,’ spelling out Kim in capital letter — which fans took to refer to Kardashian due to their previous feuding.

But a source told People on Tuesday that Kim had put the bad blood behind her — and she hopes that Taylor can learn to do the same.

‘She’s over it and thinks Taylor should move on,’ the source said, adding that Kim ‘doesn’t get why [Swift] keeps harping on it.’

Kim Kardashian, 43, is hoping Taylor Swift can move on from their years-long feud after fans think she reignited it with her new song Thank You Aimee, according to People; seen in November in NYC

‘She’s over it and thinks Taylor should move on,’ the source said, adding that Kim ‘doesn’t get why [Swift] keeps harping on it’; Taylor seen in February in Sydney, Australia

‘It’s been literally years,’ they emphasized.

However, their disagreements are allegedly still on Taylor’s mind, and certainly on the mind’s of the hitmakers fans.

After Kim appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, Swift’s more overzealous fans took to social media to complain that the host hadn’t asked her about Thank You Aimee or their years-old feud.

‘Why not ask her about the Taylor Swift song that North will be singing!’ wrote one person on Instagram.

Another wrote: ‘Jimmy, I’m 100 percent sure you weren’t allowed to speak or ask questions about Taylor or TTPD but you could have least “slipped up” a couple of times and called her aIMee.’

One fan called the interview ‘cringe,’ presumably because Kim wasn’t asked about Taylor, though she did clear up other rumors about herself while chatting with the host.

In addition to the unsubtle title, fans believe Thank You Aimee is aimed at Kim thanks to its chorus: ‘All that time you were throwin’ punches, I was buildin’ somethin’ / And I can’t forgive the way you made me feel / Screamed ‘F*** you, Aimee’ to the night sky, as the blood was gushin’/ But I can’t forget the way you made me heal.’

Elsewhere in the lyrics, Taylor sings about removing ‘defining clues’ about the person she’s singing about, and she added, ‘I changed your name,’ which instantly drew more listeners to the irregularly capitalized title.

The ongoing feud between Taylor and Kim appears to trace back to the 2016 release of Kanye West’s The Life Of Pablo.

In that album’s song Famous, Kim’s ex-husband raps: ‘I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b**** famous.’

‘It’s been literally years,’ the source emphasized. The feud goes back to 2016, when Kim’s ex Kanye West called Taylor a ‘b****’ and mused about the two having sex in his song Famous, from The Life Of Pablo; seen in 2016

Taylor denied giving permission for the line. Kim later leaked a version of the call in which she appeared to give permission, but a full version showed that the ‘b***’ line was never mentioned to Taylor; seen in 2015 in LA

The line, which alludes to when the 46-year-old rapper interrupted Taylor’s win at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, was supposedly passed on to the songstress for approval, but she denies ever giving it the OK.

Taylor said she had been contact about the song, but she was ‘never made aware of the actual lyric, “I made that b**** famous.”‘

In an effort to prove Kanye’s version, Kim shared an edited clip from the studio of him calling up Taylor and seemingly getting her approval.

However, the clip shows him conveying the idea, more than the specific lyrics, and when the complete call later leaked it made it clear that the use of ‘b****,’ which seemed to be a major issue for Taylor, was left out completely.

Things seemed to settle down in subsequent years, and Kim claimed in 2019 on Watch What Happens Live that the trio had ‘moved on’ from the dispute.

That wasn’t how the Blank Space singer saw it, though, and she later said in an interview with Elle that ‘It would be nice if we could get an apology from people who bully us.

‘But maybe all I’ll ever get is the satisfaction of knowing I could survive it, and thrive in spite of it,’ she added, via People.

Although Taylor’s career has never been better or higher profile than in the last few years, she complained in her 2023 TIME Person of the Year profile that the dispute ‘took me down psychologically to a place I’ve never been before.’

‘You have a fully manufactured frame job, in an illegally recorded phone call, which Kim Kardashian edited and then put out to say to everyone that I was a liar,’ she seethed.

Swift’s fans having been trolling Kardashian on social media due to the odd spelling of ‘thanK you aIMee,’ which appears to spell out Kim in capital letters; seen in 2022 in Newark, New Jersey

Swift also sang about changing the subject of the song’s name, which only made fans even more certain that she was referring to Kim

It is illegal to record a phone call in California, where at least some of the parties were likely located during the original exchange, without the permission of all parties on the call.

Taylor added that her distress made her move ‘to a foreign country’ in the aftermath.

‘I didn’t leave a rental house for a year. I was afraid to get on phone calls. I pushed away most people in my life because I didn’t trust anyone anymore,’ she recalled. ‘I went down really, really hard.’

Since the release of Thank You Aimee, Swift’s fans — self-described as Swifties — have made a habit of trolling Kim in the comments of her Instagram account.

Beyond the Bravado: Analyzing the Deeper Lyrics of Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow”

When “Bodak Yellow” exploded onto the music scene in 2017, many listeners were drawn in by Cardi B’s brash confidence and catchy hooks. As one of her breakout hits, it helped propel her rise to superstardom. However, beyond the braggadocious energy and club-ready beats, a closer examination of the lyrics reveals Cardi B sharing powerful messages of perseverance, owning one’s sexuality, and achieving financial independence – themes that have resonated with fans worldwide.

Work Ethic and Perseverance

Right from the opening lines, Cardi B asserts her dedication to her craft: “Yeah, I’m talkin’ bout me, yeah, I’m talkin’ bout me / I’m in the mood to be petty, got me feelin’ like a hot girl.” This establishes her focus on self-promotion and ambition. She then declares “I just signed a deal, I’m on / I just dropped two mixtapes in six months.”

This statement goes beyond simple bragging – it highlights the immense work ethic and perseverance it takes to succeed in the music industry, especially for an artist like Cardi B who came from a non-traditional background. Releasing two full mixtapes in just six months shows an incredible output and commitment to continuously creating and improving her art. It’s a feat that many established artists struggle to match.

For Cardi B, who was a former stripper and reality TV star, to break into the male-dominated world of hip hop required hustle, resilience and a refusal to give up on her dreams. Her line about the mixtape releases serves as inspiration for anyone facing challenges in pursuing their passion. It conveys the message that with dedication and by outworking the competition, the impossible can be achieved.

Even as her star rose, Cardi B kept grinding. After the success of “Bodak Yellow,” she followed it up quickly with another smash hit, “Bartier Cardi,” only cementing her momentum. Her work ethic has continued to propel her career upwards ever since. For fans who admire her against-all-odds story, these lyrics resonate as encouragement that hard work and perseverance can overcome any obstacles.

Owning Her Power and Sexuality

Beyond work ethic, Cardi B’s lyrics in “Bodak Yellow” showcase a woman fully owning her power and sexuality on her own terms. A line that exemplifies this is “I don’t dance now I make money moves.” On the surface, it communicates a shift in priorities from entertainment to building wealth and career.

However, it also challenges traditional expectations of how women should present themselves. By stating she no longer dances (likely referring to her past career as a stripper), she asserts that she’s moved beyond using her body simply for the visual pleasure of others. Now, she’s in the driver’s seat, “making money moves” or calling the shots for her own financial gain and independence.

This message of self-determination and owning one’s narrative resonates deeply, especially in an era where women still face pressures to conform to certain standards. Cardi B rejects being confined by those standards. Instead, she celebrates her sexuality freely while also furthering her business acumen and career on a global scale.

Similarly, lyrics like “Last year I wasn’t with it, now I’m winnin’” convey Cardi B thriving despite naysayers who doubted her potential. The suggestive lines about her body directly follow, almost as if to say she’s succeeded in part due to embracing her sexuality proudly rather than hiding it.

Additionally, the use of the term “bodak” refers to her curvy figure, a celebration of body positivity. She normalizes a type of woman’s body often marginalized in mainstream culture. This ownership of her image and unapologetic confidence in her looks has been empowering for many fans, especially young women, to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Of course, it’s important to note that Cardi B’s lyrics can be explicit at times. As with any song, parents should guide children on developmentally appropriate music. However, even without the more risqué elements, the core messages she conveys can still be inspiring – that of believing in oneself, using one’s platform unabashedly, and achieving independence through ambition and hustle rather than letting others dictate one’s worth.

Financial Independence

A major theme throughout “Bodak Yellow” is Cardi B’s focus on building wealth and financial stability for herself through her career. Beyond the previously mentioned line about making “money moves,” she declares that she’s “in the hills with the blue hundreds” referencing $100 bills. Later, she boasts “I don’t dance now, I make money moves / I’m independent, boss, I’m the head honcho.”

This emphasis on independence and being her own “boss” is a powerful statement. For too long, women have faced pressures and limitations that keep many financially dependent on others – whether partners, families or society’s expectations. But Cardi B asserts she’s blazing her own trail and calling the shots when it comes to her earnings and livelihood.

As a woman of color rising up against the challenges of poverty and racism, her journey to financial freedom through music is incredibly inspiring. It sends the message that any woman has the power within herself to achieve autonomy if she applies herself and believes in her capabilities, regardless of outside doubts or obstacles.

This theme has resonated strongly with fans, especially those who feel confined or lack opportunities. Cardi B’s story proves that with grit and ambition, any dream is achievable – you don’t need to rely on the generosity or approval of others if you’re willing to put in the hard work. She encourages taking charge of one’s destiny rather than feeling like a victim of circumstance.

Deeper Layers to Appreciate

So while “Bodak Yellow” is an undeniably catchy and fun song to listen to on the surface, a deeper analysis reveals Cardi B sharing profound messages that have empowered many. She celebrates perseverance, owning one’s narrative, embracing sexuality freely, and achieving financial independence through her own merit.

These themes strike chords with audiences facing their own challenges or societal pressures. Cardi B’s rise against the odds serves as proof that dreams can be realized regardless of background, as long as one applies themselves with diligence and refuses to let doubts deter their ambitions.

Her lyrics don’t just boast – they inspire. They give courage to those who feel held back or insecure. They promote taking the reins of one’s own destiny rather than complying with restrictive norms. And they spread a message of empowerment for all women to feel comfortable in their skin and careers while being unapologetically themselves.

So the next time “Bodak Yellow” comes on, take a moment to appreciate the layers beyond the braggadocio. See how Cardi B’s story of perseverance and owning her power can uplift others facing their own battles. Her music may bring the party, but it also spreads messages of positivity, ambition and overcoming adversity – making her one of the most influential artists of this era.

Why Do People Dance to Cardi B’s Music?

Cardi B has become one of the biggest stars in music over the past few years. Known for her bold rap style and infectious hits like “WAP”, “Up”, and “Bodak Yellow”, Cardi B’s music regularly tops the charts and soundtracks millions of TikTok videos. But beyond just listening, many people can’t help but dance when they hear a Cardi B song. There are several key reasons why her music inspires such movement.

Catchy Beats and Production

At the core of any danceable song is a great beat and instrumental track. Cardi B’s music consistently delivers in this department thanks to her team of talented producers. Whether incorporating Latin rhythms, hip hop basslines, or club-ready percussion, Cardi B’s beats are meticulously crafted for maximum energy and motion.

Take for example her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow”. Produced by J. White Did It, the track opens with a simple yet pounding hi-hat pattern that immediately gets your foot tapping. Layered over top is a deep, rumbling bassline holding down the low end. Together, these elements create an irresistible rhythmic foundation that begs to be danced to.

Cardi B’s Latin influences also shine through in tracks like “I Like It” featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny. The song incorporates traditional reggaeton percussion like the clave rhythm, giving it an infectious Latin flair. But her producers like DJ Snake and Tainy know how to amplify these elements for a mainstream club audience. They layer on pumping synth stabs, airy pads, and crashing cymbals to maintain momentum over the 3-minute runtime.

Even ballads in Cardi B’s discography like “Be Careful” feature production touches that keep you moving. The song builds from a sparse piano intro to an epic chorus anchored by thunderous 808s. These booming low frequencies combined with airy vocal chops create an ethereal yet bodily experience, like being lifted up and swept away in motion.

Confident and Charismatic Delivery

Beyond just the beats, Cardi B’s delivery is a big reason her music translates so effortlessly to the dance floor. With a bold, confident flow, she commands attention from the first bar. You can feel her swagger and personality radiating through the speakers in a way that’s contagious.

Her vocal tone and inflections are also perfectly suited for movement. She utilizes rhythmic breathing, catchy ad-libs, and call-and-response sections to keep the energy flowing track to track. Even when spitting complex rhyme schemes, Cardi B maintains an accessible cadence and melody that compels the body to follow suit.

Live performances only amplify these traits further. With an infectious smile and limber moves, Cardi B fully commits to each song physically. She engages crowds with high-energy routines, putting her all into every note. This authentic passion is reflected in her recordings, translating the live experience of a Cardi B show into headphones or car speakers in a way that inspires the urge to dance along.

Empowering Lyrics

Beyond just the sonic elements, Cardi B’s lyrics often feature empowering themes of confidence, independence, and owning one’s sexuality that resonate on a deeper level. For many, this positive message provides extra motivation to cut loose and feel themselves to her music.

In “WAP” featuring Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B and Megan celebrate female sexuality with unapologetic pride. The lyrics describe pleasures of their own choosing in graphic detail, a bold statement of empowerment. Lines like “I don’t cook, I don’t clean/But let me tell you, I got this ring” affirm the value of a woman beyond traditional roles, freeing listeners up to simply enjoy the song however they please.

On “Up”, Cardi B encourages rising above haters and doubters to achieve one’s goals. The lyrics are a rallying cry of self-belief, inspiring fans to use her music as a soundtrack to overcome obstacles. Even songs focused mainly on partying and good times like “Bartier Cardi” feature an undercurrent of confidence, with Cardi proudly declaring “I’m that bitch” amidst the revelry.

For many, dancing to these lyrics provides an extra layer of catharsis. It becomes a physical expression of the inner strength, independence, and joy that Cardi B’s messages promote. Fans feel empowered both emotionally and physically while moving to her confident words.

Cultural Relevance and Dance Trends

In today’s socially-driven music landscape, an artist’s cultural cachet and ability to spawn viral dance trends is hugely impactful for their popularity and ability to get people dancing. On these fronts, Cardi B has remained a consistent force in recent years.

Since “Bodak Yellow” dominated airwaves and social feeds in 2017, each new Cardi B drop is highly anticipated online. Platforms like TikTok ensure her music reaches massive new audiences globally through synchronized dance challenges. Songs like “WAP” and “Up” spawned routines with millions of participations, exposing far more people to Cardi B’s music in an engaging, participatory context.

Seeing so many others dancing and having fun to these songs is inherently motivating. It sparks that competitive social urge to join in, learn the moves, and have one’s moment in the trend too. Even for casual listeners, stumbling on a dance challenge can pique interest enough to give a Cardi B track a full spin.

This social element amplifies the music’s energy, keeping it fresh and exciting each time. Cardi B stays a relevant figure people want to connect with through dance. Her ability to launch global phenomena like the “Up” challenge only strengthens this engagement, driving repeat listens and inspiring freeform movement too.

Just Plain Fun!

At the end of the day, sometimes people simply dance to music because it provides an enjoyable escape and opportunity for fun physical expression. And Cardi B’s discography is packed with tracks perfectly crafted for this purpose.

From the instant gratification of “Bartier Cardi” to the euphoric high of “Be Careful”, her music transports listeners to a place of uninhibited joy. The production transports you to the club while her charismatic vocals keep the good vibes flowing non-stop. Within the first few seconds, it’s easy to forget everything except living in the moment.

Dancing helps enhance this experience, engaging your mind and body simultaneously. It releases feel-good hormones, lowers stress levels, and strengthens social bonds when shared with others. To Cardi B’s music, moving just feels good – an irresistible full-body release. Even doing simple hip sways or head bobs along to the beat spreads positivity.

From wedding receptions to house parties, Cardi B is a staple on playlists precisely because she delivers this kind of carefree fun. Her music was made to bring people together and cut loose, providing the perfect vehicle for dancing as a joyful group activity or personal pleasure. In dark times, that feel-good escape is more valuable than ever.

Conclusion

Whether seeking empowerment, community, exercise, or just unadulterated fun, Cardi B’s music consistently delivers for dancing. Her virtuosic producers craft irresistible rhythms across a variety of styles. Cardi B then infuses these beats with a charismatic energy through confident vocals and lyrics celebrating independence.

Paired with her cultural relevance driving viral challenges, it’s no wonder people can’t help but move to a Cardi B track. The total package inspires participation on emotional, social and physical levels. From intimate living room sessions to massive festivals, her music spreads joy through dance around the world. As long as Cardi B keeps delivering club-ready anthems, people will keep grooving along – and that’s music to our ears.

Taylor Swift’s new album – The Tortured Poets Department – has been released with to much much fanfare, with fans and critics hailing the surprise double album as her ‘best storytelling yet‘, praising the ‘surreal, beautiful, and insane‘ lyricism with ‘intimacy of Folklore and Evermore with the synth-pop gloss of Midnights’.

The lead track Fortnight – featuring Post Malone – opens with Taylor describing herself as a ‘functioning alcoholic’.

‘I was s’posed to be sent away / But they forgot to come and get me / I was a functioning alcoholic / ‘Til nobody noticed my new aesthetic,’ she sings.

While the 14-time Grammy winner often sings about fictional and imagined situations, her references to wine, other alcohol and drugs has increased significantly since her early days as a church-going, clean cut country girl.

This is perhaps unsurprising, given she was just 16 when her self-titled debut album was released.

Taylor Swift’s new bum – The Tortured Poets Department – has been released with to much much fanfare, with fans and critics hailing the surprise double album as her ‘ best storytelling yet ‘, praising the ‘ surreal, beautiful, and insane ‘ lyricism with ‘i ntimacy of Folklore and Evermore with the synth-pop gloss of Midnights. Taylor is pictured during her Eras tour

The lead track Fortnight – featuring Post Malone – opens with Taylor describing herself as a ‘functioning alcoholic’

It seemingly suggests a potential new announcement or a surprise coming at 2:00. a.m. ET

But in the years following, she said she wasn’t a hard party girl.

‘Maybe I’ll have a glass of wine, but nothing too hard-core for me,’ she told Ladies Home Journal in 2010 about her 21st birthday celebrations.

‘I’ve never had the burning desire to drink,’ she told Ladies Home Journal.

‘I need to be in control of what I say, and if I drank, I’d stress out about saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.’

‘It’ll be cool that I’ll be able to go to a lot of concerts that my friends always go to and I sit at home because it’s 21 and over,’ she said. ‘Other than that, I don’t think I’m going to all of a sudden start being in love with the idea of going to a club,’ she added to People.

In fact, her first four albums – Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now and Red – didn’t mention alcohol at all. Even 1989,  written when she was 24, living in New York and certainly going out more she only made a thin reference to booze.

‘You’re still all over me like a wine-stained dress I can’t wear anymore,’ she sings in Clean, believed to be about ex-boyfriend Harry Styles.

The liquor- references really took off with her 2017 album Reputation, largely inspired by her move to London, her feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West – as well as romance with Joe Alwyn.

Cheers: Taylor Swift shared a laid-back shot wearing minimal make-up, olive trousers and a sold-out knit sweater, featuring an allover daisy pattern on Thursday

Taylor, pictured on  Graham Norton, often is seen enjoying wine

Taylor Swift alcohol references in her songs

Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now and Red 

No references to alcohol, she does reference partying on the vault track of Red, The Very First Night

1989

‘Clean’: ‘You’re still all over me like a wine-stained dress I can’t wear anymore.’

Blank Space: ‘I get drunk on jealousy’

Reputation

‘…Ready For It?‘: ‘Island breeze and lights down low. No one has to know.’ Island breeze is a fruity vodka cocktail.

‘Gorgeous’: ‘Whiskey on ice; Sunset and Vine. You’ve ruined my life by not being mine.’

‘Get drunk and make fun of the way you talk’

Delicate: ‘You can make me a drink’ ‘dive bar on the east side, where you at? ‘

‘Getaway Car’: ‘I knew it from the first Old Fashioned we were cursed.’

‘I met you at the motel bar’

‘King Of My Heart‘: ‘Up on the roof with a schoolgirl crush, drinking beer out of plastic cups.’

‘Dress‘: ‘I’m spilling wine in the bathtub. You kiss my face, and we’re both drunk.’

‘This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things’: ‘Jump into the pool from the balcony. Everyone swimming in a Champagne sea.’

‘here’s a toast to my real friends’

End Game: ‘your eyes are liquor, your body is gold’ ‘drinking on the beach with you all over me’

New Year’s Day: ‘cleaning up bottles with you’

So It Goes.. ‘Met you in a bar’

Lover

Cruel Summer: ‘i’m drunk in the back of the car’ 

Cornelia Street: ‘drunk on something stronger than the drinks in the bar 

‘Paper Rings‘: ‘The wine is cold like the shoulder that I gave you in the street.’

‘Death By A Thousand Cuts’: ‘My time, my wine, my spirit, my trust. Tryna find a part of me you didn’t take up.’

‘London Boy’: ‘And you know I love Springsteen, faded blue jeans, Tennessee whiskey.’

‘You can find me in the pub, we are watching rugby with his school friends,’

‘Drinking in the afternoon’

‘False God’: ‘Hell is when I fight with you, but we can patch it up good. Make confessions and we’re begging for forgiveness. Got the wine for you.’

‘You Need To Calm Down‘: ‘You are somebody that I don’t know. But you’re takin’ shots at me like it’s Patrón, and I’m just like, damn. It’s 7 a.m.’

Folklore

‘The 1’: ‘Rosé flowing with your chosen family. And it would’ve been sweet if it could’ve been me.’

‘The Last Great American Dynasty‘: ‘Filled the pool with Champagne and swam with the big names and blew through the money on the boys and the ballet.’

‘August‘: ‘August sipped away like a bottle of wine, ’cause you were never mine.’

‘This Is Me Trying‘: ‘Pouring out my heart to a stranger, but I didn’t pour the whiskey.’

‘i got wasted like all my potential’

Cardigan: ‘dancing in your levi’s, drunk under a streetlight ‘

My tears ricchochet: ‘drunk on this pain’

Mirrorball: ‘drunk as they watch my shattered edges glisten’

Evermore

‘Willow‘: ‘Lost in your current like a priceless wine.’

‘Champagne Problems‘: ‘Champagne problems.’

”Dom Pérignon you brought it’

Gold Rush – I don’t like a gold rush (a cocktail)

‘No Body, No Crime’: ‘Este’s a friend of mine. We meet up every Tuesday night for dinner and a glass of wine.’

‘ ‘That ain’t my Merlot on his mouth.’

‘Ivy‘: ‘So tell me to run or dare to sit and watch what we’ll become. And drink my husband’s wine.’

‘Closure‘: ‘I’m fine with my spite and my tears and my beers and my candles.’

Midnights

‘Maroon‘: ‘How’d we end up on the floor, anyway?’ You say. Your roommate’s cheap-ass screw-top Rosé, that’s how.’

 ‘The burgundy on my T-shirt when you splashed your wine into me.’

‘Mastermind‘: ‘I’m the wind in our free-flowing sails and the liquor in our cocktails.’

‘Paris‘: ‘Cheap wine, make believe it’s Champagne.’

 ‘Cause we were somewhere else in an alleyway, drinking Champagne.’

Question…? ‘It was one drink after another’

Dear Reader: ‘My fourth drink in my hand’

 The Tortured Poets Department

 Fortnight: ‘I was a functioning alcoholic. ‘Til nobody noticed my new aesthetic’

Florida!!!: ‘The hurricane with my name when it came I got drunk and I dared it to wash me away Barricaded in the bathroom with a bottle of wine’

The Black Dog: ‘And so I watch as you walk Into some bar called The Black Dog’

Taylor Swift officially dropped The Tortured Poets Department on Friday – her hotly-anticipated 11th studio album

Her five albums since have increasingly referenced alcohol, with the singer also mentioning drinking on social media, during interviews and on her Eras tour.

Speaking during her Eras Tour shows, Taylor explaining that writing Folklore – cowritten by her then-boyfriend Joe Alwyn, she explained: ‘[I was] imagining that, instead of being a lonely millennial woman covered in cat hair drinking my weight in white wine.

‘I was a ghostly Victorian lady wandering through the woods with a candle in a candlestick holder, and I wrote only on parchment with a feathered quill,’.

In her video for Anti-Hero, the lead track on 10th album Midnights, Taylor drinks shots, while she’s often discussed her love of wine in interviews.

Speaking to People magazine in 2020, she said: ‘I love spending a full evening cooking a meal while sipping a glass of wine and listening to old music,’.

She also shared pictures of herself and Joe drinking wine.

‘biiig isolation,’ she captioned the artful snap of herself raising a glass, with two snake and wine emojis, nodding to her track End Game.

In recent years, Taylor has enjoyed various nights out with friends.

Recently, the four-time Grammy AOTY winner enjoyed an epic girls night out with celebrity pals including Blake Lively, Sophie Turner and Brittany Mahomes, with the bill coming to a whooping $4,000 (£3,212).

I got a blank check baby! Taylor Swift enjoyed an epic girls night out with celebrity pals including Blake Lively, Sophie Turner and Brittany Mahomes in New York City last month amid her new romance with Travis Kelce — but who picked up the bill?

Sip: Taylor was seen sashaying off the stage and slowly raising her glass at screaming fans after the curtain came down and she headed off for a much-deserved break

The Power of Upbeat Music to Lift Your Mood

Music has a profound ability to influence our emotions and state of mind. Different genres of music tend to elicit different feelings – while slower, mellow songs may promote relaxation, more energetic styles have been shown to boost positivity and energy levels. One artist known for crafting upbeat, feel-good anthems is Cardi B, a rapper whose music often centers on themes of empowerment, confidence, and having fun. Listening to Cardi B’s catchy rhythms and lyrics can be an effective way to spark joy, especially on days when you need a mood boost.

The Science Behind Music and Mood

There is scientific evidence that music impacts our brains and bodies in ways that can alter our emotional experience. When we listen to music we enjoy, our brains release dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Music engages multiple regions of the brain at once – areas involved in movement, emotion, cognition, and reward processing all become activated. This widespread neural response helps explain why music has such a profound ability to shape our mental state.

Certain musical elements like tempo, rhythm, melody, and harmony all influence how our brains and bodies respond. Faster tempos and more upbeat rhythms tend to correlate with increased arousal and positive emotion. Music stimulates the autonomic nervous system, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and other physiological responses depending on the style. More energetic styles trigger our brain and body’s natural “feel-good” reactions like the release of endorphins – the neurotransmitters that reduce pain and induce euphoria.

So when it comes to improving mood, music with an upbeat tempo, catchy rhythms, and positive lyrical themes has distinct advantages over slower, sadder styles. Cardi B’s music checks all these boxes, making it perfectly suited to spark joy through its musical qualities alone. But her music has additional benefits beyond just its sonic elements.

Cardi B’s Infectious Energy

A key part of Cardi B’s appeal is her undeniable charisma and energy, qualities that shine through in her music and performances. Even just listening to her tracks can be invigorating due to her passionate vocal delivery and the sense of fun she conveys. Her music gets your body moving almost involuntarily as you find yourself dancing, nodding your head, or tapping your feet along to the beat. This physical response stimulates the release of endorphins and activates the brain regions involved in movement and reward.

The physical engagement that Cardi B’s music inspires is beneficial for mood in several ways. Dancing and moving to music you enjoy triggers the brain and body’s natural “feel-good” reactions. It also provides a short-term distraction from worries or negative thoughts by fully immersing you in the experience. Physical activity through dancing releases tension and stress stored in the body. It also increases heart rate, circulation, and oxygen flow – physiological changes that leave you feeling reinvigorated.

Beyond just listening, Cardi B’s music is tailor-made for dancing, singing, and full-body engagement. This interactive quality makes it more effective at boosting positivity than passive listening alone. Getting your whole body involved through dancing, singing along exuberantly, and fully embracing the music’s energetic rhythms provides a powerful mood-lifting experience.

Uplifting Themes of Empowerment and Fun

While some of Cardi B’s songs tackle serious topics, many focus on themes of empowerment, confidence, and having a good time – subjects that are inherently uplifting. Her lyrics celebrate embracing life’s pleasures without inhibition or shame. She promotes embracing your sexuality and individuality without apology. Cardi B also frequently raps about living in the moment, dancing all night, and letting loose without worries – subjects that encourage a carefree mindset.

Hearing these empowering and fun-focused messages can be emotionally motivating. They remind us that it’s okay, and even beneficial, to take time enjoying ourselves without overthinking or second-guessing our behaviors. Cardi B’s lyrics give “permission” to dance, laugh, and engage fully with each moment without self-consciousness. This promotes a positive mindset where we embrace joy rather than anxiety or rumination.

Studies show that exposure to inspiring messages of empowerment, confidence, and pleasure-seeking can boost mood by challenging negative thought patterns. Cardi B’s lyrics provide this type of inspiration through their themes of embracing life’s pleasures freely and fully. Singing or rapping along to these uplifting messages strengthens their mood-boosting effects by allowing you to internalize the positive mindset for yourself.

Social Connection and Shared Joy

While music can certainly lift your spirits when enjoyed alone, its mood-boosting effects are amplified when shared with others. Cardi B’s music lends itself beautifully to social experiences due to its catchy choruses, singable lyrics, and ability to get anyone dancing. Listening or dancing to her songs with friends or colleagues creates bonding experiences full of laughter and positive emotion.

Shared musical joy activates the brain’s natural reward pathways even more intensely than individual listening. It also satisfies our innate human need for social interaction and connection. Dancing, singing, and laughing together to Cardi B’s music builds rapport and forges memories tied to feelings of fun, joy and intimacy with others. These social-emotional benefits of shared musical experiences provide a potent boost to mood and well-being.

Studies show that social interactions are one of the most reliable ways to lift spirits and combat loneliness, stress, and negative thoughts. Shared musical joy satisfies this need while also triggering all the physiological “feel-good” responses stimulated by music and movement on their own. The social bonding and memory-building that occurs amplifies music’s standard mood-boosting effects considerably. So enjoying Cardi B’s songs with others provides a powerfully uplifting experience.

Putting It to the Test

To experience these mood-lifting effects firsthand, I decided to listen to Cardi B’s music one Wednesday when in need of a boost. I started by playing “Up” – an anthem celebrating living in the moment without inhibitions or worries. Within seconds I found myself smiling, nodding along to the beat and singing snippets of the catchy lyrics.

The energetic rhythm and Cardi B’s spirited delivery immediately lifted my energy and put me in a more positive frame of mind. I started dancing around my living room without self-consciousness, fully engaging my body in the music. This physical release of tension left me feeling relaxed yet energized simultaneously. As I continued moving, endorphins flooded my system, smoothing out my mental edges.

Next, I invited a friend over to listen and dance together. Her enthusiasm and laughter as we sang and moved to “I Like It” created an experience full of joy, intimacy and fun memories. Our shared dancing, singing and positive interactions combated loneliness and stress while stimulating intense reward responses in the brain. I left our session feeling profoundly uplifted with a lasting afterglow.

The social engagement and bonding amplified music’s standard mood-boosting effects many times over. My depressed thoughts were completely replaced by feelings of connection, positivity and carefreeness inspired by Cardi B’s empowering lyrics. Overall, her music proved highly effective at sparking joy through its catchy rhythms, physical engagement, and ability to facilitate social pleasure.

Sparking Joy Any Day of the Week

While music’s mood impacts depend on the individual, for most people, Cardi B’s upbeat style has distinct advantages for lifting spirits compared to mellower genres. Her infectious energy, singable lyrics focused on empowerment and pleasure, and ability to facilitate social bonding and joy make her music perfectly suited for boosting positivity. Whether listening alone or with others, dancing freely, or just singing along – engaging with Cardi B’s music provides a full-body and emotionally immersive experience that stimulates natural feel-good responses.

So if you need a mood boost, especially on a dreary Wednesday, consider putting on some Cardi B. Her music is practically guaranteed to spark joy through dance breaks, endorphin rushes from physical movement, empowering messages that build self-esteem, and opportunities for intimate social connection. Harnessing music’s inherent power to influence emotions, a session with Cardi B is a highly effective natural antidepressant to brighten any day.

Here’s how Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce hilariously reacted to Taylor Swift’s reference in So High School from the Tortured Poets Department.

Travis And Jason Kelce’s Hilarious Nod To Taylor Swift’s Reference In Her New Album TTPD (PC: YouTube)

Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, is already out with blast, where she announced 15 additional songs—a total of 31—surprising fans. If Swift is a mastermind, her fans are no less. Swifties already had a lot of theories regarding the album, including about ex-Joe Alwyn and her current relationship.

With the song So High School, it seems like the singer has finally written something about her NFL boyfriend as well, apart from The Alchemy, where fans are convinced she portrayed Jason Kelce’s famous shirtless celebration.

Here’s How Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce React To Taylor Swift’s Reference In Her New Album 

Swifties believe the 22nd track of Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, So High School, is about Travis Kelce and how he makes her feel. There is one particular example where it can be understood that she is referencing someone doing an impression of the Kelce brothers’ father. “I feel like laughing’ in the middle of practice / Do that impression you did of your dad again.”

The reference did not go unnoticed, and the Super Bowl winner brothers seem to acknowledge it on X. The two tried to impersonate their dad through The New Heights podcast.

 

 

 

 

Here’s Another reference to them in the song 

This was not the only reference that has been connected to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. Following the line from the song, “Are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me? Kill me. It’s just a game, but really, really, I’m betting on all three for us two,” an old video of the NFL star has surfaced on the internet and people cannot stop talking about it, maybe because Swift started it first?

The line seems to reference the time when Kelce played the game during an interview with AfterBuzz TV, where the American footballer was questioned about who he would kill, marry, or kiss from Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Ariana Grande. The 34-year-old puts the Fortnight singer in the Kiss category, chooses Ariana to kill, and chooses Perry to marry.

 

 

 

 

A fan replied to a video posted by a fan page, “Travis will be having a hard time trying to propose to Taylor after this video.”

 

 

 

 

Another one wrote, “Omg, she sees everything.”

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, fans have decoded a lot of the lyrics from the song where she is singing about how Kelce opens the car door for her and makes her feel like, “No one’s ever had me (Had me), not like you.” In one of the lyrics, she also refers to his NFL career, “You know how to ball; I know Aristotle.”

So yes, as mentioned before, Swift might be a mastermind but the fans are no less. They know how to decode what the singer is talking about in her songs.

The adorable couple started dating back in September, and it seems like fans have approved of their relationship. Travis and Taylor recently attended Coachella together, singing and dancing together. The singer-songwriter was seen supporting her beau’s podcast by wearing the New Heights baseball cap.

Cardi B’s Boundless Energy Catapulted Her to Stardom

Cardi B has taken the music world by storm with her infectious energy and unapologetic persona. In just a few short years, she has risen from a social media star to become one of the best-selling musical artists of all time. At the heart of Cardi B’s success is her vibrant personality – a boundless enthusiasm, confidence and authenticity that has resonated deeply with fans worldwide.

Cardi B was born Belcalis Almanzar in 1992 in the Bronx borough of New York City. She grew up in a low-income neighborhood and had a challenging upbringing. However, even in her early years she exhibited a big personality and zest for life. As a teen, she developed a strong social media presence by sharing her colorful views on platforms like Instagram. Her posts were hilarious, blunt and unfiltered – capturing exactly who she was through candid photos and videos.

Cardi B’s social media rise:

Cardi B amassed a huge following in the late 2000s and early 2010s primarily through platforms like Instagram and Vine. On Vine, she posted short, snappy videos delivering comedic rants on everyday topics. Her videos gained millions of views for their hilarity and authenticity. Cardi B didn’t sugarcoat anything – she spoke her mind freely and wasn’t afraid to get vulgar or controversial at times. However, fans loved her raw energy and the way she kept them constantly entertained.

By the time she ventured into music in the mid-2010s, Cardi B already had a devoted fanbase thanks to her social media fame. Her lively personality and unfiltered commentary had created a strong connection with audiences. Even before releasing any songs, Cardi B had the platform and hype to become an instant star. She leveraged her online popularity to promote her music career from the very beginning.

Cardi B’s stage presence:

When Cardi B started performing live, it became immediately clear she was born to command a stage. Her high-energy performances are bursting with charisma, confidence and passion. She engages fully with the crowd through animated facial expressions, exaggerated dance moves and an infectious enthusiasm. Cardi B radiates joy and puts her whole heart into connecting with fans.

Even in her early shows, Cardi B’s stage presence was captivating. She demanded attention through her lively antics and kept audiences thoroughly entertained. Her live sets leave a lasting impression thanks to her boundless charisma. Cardi B feeds off the crowd’s energy too, making her concerts feel like non-stop parties. Her vibrant performances have become legendary in the hip hop world.

Lyrical authenticity:

Cardi B’s lyrics are also fueled by her authentic personality. She doesn’t shy away from addressing controversial or taboo topics through her music. Her songs tackle subjects like sexuality, relationships and female empowerment with blunt honesty. Cardi B gets real about her experiences and shares intimate details without filters.

Her candid songwriting style has resonated strongly with fans, particularly women, who appreciate her unapologetic approach. Cardi B speaks her truth proudly and refuses to conform to expectations. She embraces her sexuality openly through songs like “WAP” while also addressing double standards women face. Cardi B’s lyrics have an refreshing authenticity that gives voice to experiences often left unsaid.

Genre-bending experimentation:

Rather than restricting herself to one musical box, Cardi B blends multiple genres to create her own eclectic sound. She fuses elements of hip hop, pop, Latin music and Caribbean influences seamlessly. This genre-bending approach keeps listeners engaged and allows Cardi B’s vibrant personality to shine through different styles.

Hits like “Bodak Yellow” showcase her skills over a booming hip hop beat while “I Like It” layers Latin rhythms over trap. On “Be Careful” Cardi B flexes her R&B chops over a seductive melody. Her versatility has introduced new audiences to diverse genres through crossover smashes. Cardi B’s experimentation across styles mirrors her boundless enthusiasm for music.

Strategic collaborations:

Cardi B has also demonstrated a keen business sense by collaborating strategically with major artists. Partnering with established names like Maroon 5, J Balvin and Bruno Mars on global hits helped expose her to even wider audiences. These collaborations validated Cardi B as a serious artist worthy of sharing the stage with icons.

Songs like “Girls Like You” and “Please Me” blended Cardi B’s vivacious personality with her collaborators’ mainstream appeal for mass consumption. The partnerships were musically cohesive while magnifying Cardi B’s star power. They established her as a formidable force in the industry who could hold her own even beside A-list veterans. These strategic moves cemented Cardi B as a household name worldwide.

Lasting impact:

Within just a few years, Cardi B has ascended from a Vine star to become one of the best-selling female artists of all time. She has broken numerous industry records including having the longest-running number one by a solo female rapper on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Cardi B’s vibrant personality is undeniably the x-factor that has propelled her success.

Her boundless enthusiasm, willingness to be herself unapologetically and talent for storytelling through music have created an authentic connection with fans. Cardi B’s high-energy stage presence and genre-blending experimentation keep audiences thoroughly entertained. She is redefining what it means to be a female rapper through her unfiltered candor.

Cardi B’s rise proves social media is a powerful tool when leveraged strategically. She built a devoted fanbase online first that supported her launch into music. Even today, Cardi B continues to engage followers through her vibrant social media persona. Her success story will inspire future artists to embrace their true selves authentically. Cardi B’s magnetic personality has fueled a career that will have lasting impact on music and culture for years to come.

The father of a yoυng Swiftie who got her dying wish to мeet the pop sυperstar dυring her Aυstralian toυr has issυed a heartbreaking υpdate on her condition.

Perth girl Scarlett Oliʋer captiʋated the coυntry at Taylor Swift’s sυperstar Eras toυr, seeing her idol perforм after secυring tickets to the Sydney show at Accor Stadiυм earlier this year.

She had only Ƅeen giʋen 12-18 мonths to liʋe after Ƅeing diagnosed with an aggressiʋe forм of brain cancer known as high-grade glioмa.

Perth girl Scarlett Oliʋer captiʋated the coυntry at Taylor Swift ‘s sυperstar Eras toυr, seeing her idol perforм after secυring tickets to the Sydney show at Accor Stadiυм earlier this yearIn a life-changing мoмent, the nine-year-old was also giʋen one of Swift’s tradeмark Ƅlack fedora hats dυring the perforмance of her song, 22, and giʋen a hυg

In a life-changing мoмent, the nine-year-old was also giʋen one of Swift’s tradeмark Ƅlack fedora hats dυring the perforмance of her song, 22, and giʋen a hυg.

The encoυnter was shared across the world Ƅy fans on social мedia.

Bυt in a heartbreaking twist after Scarlett’s brυsh with faмe, her parents haʋe reʋealed she мay only haʋe ‘weeks rather than мonths’ left.

In a stateмent on Instagraм, her father Paυl said his ‘Ƅeaυtifυl’ 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 had not Ƅeen doing well recently.

He said мυch of the school holidays had Ƅeen spent in hospital dυe to coмplications with a feeding tυƄe, ʋoмiting and ‘extreмe tiredness’.

‘Last night after discharge froм hospital she sυffered a significant seizυre and was rυshed to hospital ʋia aмƄυlance,’ Paυl told his Instagraм followers on Friday.

‘She has now staƄilised Ƅυt reмains in hospital ʋery υnwell.’

He explained oncology doctors had deliʋered the griм news aƄoυt Scarlett’s dire prognosis.

Scarlett Oliʋer liʋed oυt her lifetiмe wish мeeting Taylor Swift in Sydney. Pictυre: Instagraм

The encoυnter Ƅetween Swift and the nine-year-old was shared across the world Ƅy fans on social мedia

‘Her 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day is on May 7th and they haʋe concerns that she will not get to enjoy that,’ Paυl said.

‘I jυst want to see мy 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 sмile and laυgh if only for a little while. We are all strυggling to coмprehend how we are where we are.’

Scarlett’s faмily haʋe reʋealed they haʋe Ƅeen oʋerwhelмed with 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day cards for their little girl – which she woυld Ƅegin reading on Sυnday.

‘Thanks to each and eʋery person that took the tiмe to do this for her,’ Paυl said.

“Jason is gonna be flabbergasted when he finds out where his favourite [sic] pair of Flipflops [sic] went,” one Taylor Swift fan posted on X (formerly Twitter) of this look from the “Tortured Poets Department” album photoshoot.BETH GARRABRANT

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Taylor Swift dropped her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” on Friday, unleashing a whopping 31 songs along with fresh album art that embodies her sultry yet scholastic new style era.

But fans couldn’t help but zero in on one particular pair of shoes featured in the moody black-and-white snaps: a set of simple black thong sandals reminiscent of Jason Kelce’s favorite casual footwear.

“Jason is gonna be flabbergasted when he finds out where his favourite [sic] pair of Flipflops [sic] went,” one posted on X (formerly Twitter), while another joked, “oh no what did you do @JasonKelce?!”

Jason Kelce’s famous for his love of flip-flops, even wearing a pair to the red carpet premiere of his “Kelce” documentary in September.Getty Images for Prime Video

“You don’t leave home without them,” Travis Kelce said on the podcast of his brother’s trusty Olukais.kykelce/Instagram
Jason — whose younger brother, Travis, has been dating Swift since last summer — promptly liked the latter post, sending Swifties into a tailspin. 

Of course, judging by the fact that Swift’s been gravitating toward quiet luxury labels like The Row, Saint Laurent and Khaite while promoting her latest project, it’s likely her sandals are a splurge compared to the former Philadelphia Eagles center’s.

Kelce lives in his beloved Olukai flip-flops ($130), which he’s raved about on his “New Heights” podcast with Travis.

“These are really quality sandals,” Jason told his brother during a past episode. “They still offer arch support in them so it’s not just a piece of flat foam. It feels good, and I think they kind of look nice.”

Added the retired NFL pro, “If it’s functional, high quality and it looks good, I’m all for it.”

Meanwhile, a Saint Laurent pair similar to Swift’s will set you back $745, while The Row’s flip-flops retail for closer to $900.