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10 Song Lyrics That Casually Flex the Best Athlete Name-Drops

Eric Alper
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10 Song Lyrics That Casually Flex the Best Athlete Name-Drops

Music and sports cross paths more than you think. Sometimes it’s clever wordplay, sometimes it’s a wild brag, and sometimes it’s just an artist showing off how deep their sports knowledge runs. Here are 10 impressive athlete name-drops hiding in famous lyrics.

  • Chance the Rapper — “Eternal”
    Claiming to outshine Stephen Curry from beyond the arc is a bold move. That confidence is half the fun.
  • Billy Joel — “We Didn’t Start the Fire”
    Joe DiMaggio gets immortalized alongside world history. Baseball legends age well in pop songs.
  • Ice Cube — “It Was a Good Day”
    Triple-doubles and Michael Jordan comparisons don’t get more iconic than this.
  • Beastie Boys — “Sure Shot”
    A deep baseball pull with Rod Carew. Nerdy, unexpected, and very Beastie Boys.
  • Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg — “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang”
    “Real deal Holyfield” made Evander Holyfield part of rap vocabulary forever.
  • John Fogerty — “Centerfield”
    Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, and DiMaggio all in one song. Baseball poetry at its peak.
  • Lil Wayne — “D.O.A.”
    Wayne stacks sports metaphors with Deion Sanders energy. Flashy references for a flashy rapper.
  • Eminem — “Fly Away”
    Brett Favre gets pulled into a lyric that’s chaotic in the most Eminem way.
  • Kendrick Lamar — “Go DJ”
    Bars referencing O.J. Simpson and Scottie Pippen land with razor-sharp precision.
  • Childish Gambino — “Two Weeks”
    Comparing himself to Tiger Woods at his peak says everything about confidence levels.

Ryan Murphy’s Love Story Revisits the Romance That Turned JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Into a National Obsession

Eric Alper
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Ryan Murphy’s Love Story Revisits the Romance That Turned JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Into a National Obsession

FX is revisiting one of America’s most scrutinized romances with Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, the first chapter in Ryan Murphy’s new anthology project. The newly released trailer offers an intimate look at the early spark between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, from their first meeting to the romance that quickly became public property. Paul Kelly steps into the role of JFK Jr., while Sarah Pidgeon portrays Bessette as poised, guarded, and increasingly overwhelmed by sudden fame.

Rather than glamorizing the couple outright, the series appears focused on the cost of living inside a modern fairy tale. As their relationship deepens, so does the pressure of constant attention, expectation, and intrusion. The trailer suggests a story less about celebrity romance and more about the quiet strain behind it, especially for Bessette, whose private life became a national fixation almost overnight. Premiering February 12 on FX and Hulu, the nine-episode series aims to reframe a familiar story through a more human lens, asking what it really means to fall in love when the world refuses to look away.

Kelly Clarkson Is Ending Her Talk Show After Nearly Seven Years — And Why It Matters

Eric Alper
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Kelly Clarkson Is Ending Her Talk Show After Nearly Seven Years — And Why It Matters

After nearly seven years on daytime television, Kelly Clarkson has confirmed that The Kelly Clarkson Show will come to an end following its seventh season.

Clarkson announced the news on February 2, calling it a deeply personal decision rooted in family, healing, and the need to step away from a demanding daily schedule. While the show will continue airing new episodes through fall 2026, this season will be her last as host.

“This was not an easy decision — but this season will be my last,” Clarkson wrote in an Instagram post. She explained that leaving the show will allow her to prioritize her children, River Rose, 11, and Remy Alexander, 9, during what she described as an important chapter in their lives.

The decision comes less than a year after the death of her former husband, Brandon Blackstock, who passed away at 48 following a three-year battle with skin cancer. The loss marked a profound turning point for Clarkson and her family.

Still, she made one thing clear: this is not a farewell to the spotlight.

“This isn’t goodbye,” she wrote. “I’ll still be making music, playing shows here and there, and you may catch me on The Voice from time to time.”

Since its debut in 2019, The Kelly Clarkson Show carved out a unique place in daytime TV. It wasn’t flashy or confrontational. Instead, it leaned into sincerity, humor, and empathy.

The show became especially beloved for its “Kellyoke” opening segments, where Clarkson reinterpreted songs across genres, reminding viewers that before she was a talk show host, she was one of the most powerful vocalists of her generation.

The series also balanced celebrity interviews with stories from everyday people, often spotlighting teachers, first responders, and unsung community heroes.

Over its run, the show earned 24 Daytime Emmy Awards, including multiple wins for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series and Outstanding Talk Show Host.

Originally produced in Los Angeles, the show relocated to New York City ahead of its fifth season. Clarkson later admitted the move was necessary for her personal well-being.

That reset seemed to breathe new life into the show, even as Clarkson privately navigated major personal struggles.

Production on Season 7 will continue as planned, with Clarkson hosting most episodes and a handful of guest hosts filling in later this year. NBCUniversal has not announced a finale date, but confirmed episodes will air through fall 2026.

As for Clarkson herself, she’s already filmed episodes of The Voice’s upcoming “Battle of Champions” season and continues to hint at future music projects.

For now, though, she’s choosing something rare in entertainment: stepping back at the height of success.

And after nearly seven years of giving audiences her voice, her energy, and her honesty every weekday, it feels like a decision she’s earned.

Remembering Chuck Negron Of Three Dog Night: 20 Things You Didn’t Know

Eric Alper
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Remembering Chuck Negron Of Three Dog Night: 20 Things You Didn’t Know

The passing of Chuck Negron marks the end of an era. As the unmistakable voice behind some of the biggest hits of the late 60s and early 70s, Negron helped make Three Dog Night one of the most successful American groups of their time. But his life went far beyond the radio staples everyone knows.

Here are 20 lesser-known facts that paint a fuller picture of the man behind the voice.

  1. He grew up in the Bronx, not California, after being born in Manhattan in 1942.
  2. His father was a Puerto Rican nightclub singer, which shaped his early exposure to music.
  3. Chuck had a twin sister, Nancy, who shared much of his early childhood.
  4. As a kid, he lived in a Bronx daycare mansion that he later described as an “orphanage,” complete with a pool and gym.
  5. Before music took over, basketball was his first serious passion.
  6. He was recruited to play college basketball in California before pursuing music full time.
  7. He sang in local doo-wop groups as a teenager.
  8. “One” was recorded in a single take and became Three Dog Night’s first million-selling record.
  9. Despite the band’s success, Three Dog Night was often criticized for not writing their own songs.
  10. Chuck sang lead on more Three Dog Night hits than any other member.
  11. His heroin addiction began at the height of the band’s fame in the early 1970s.
  12. At his lowest point, he estimated spending up to $3,000 a day on drugs.
  13. He dropped out of more than 30 rehab programs before finally getting clean in 1991.
  14. His recovery became deeply tied to faith, which he credited with saving his life.
  15. He wrote a brutally honest autobiography, Three Dog Nightmare, detailing his rise and fall.
  16. He later dedicated time to speaking at rehab centers and hepatitis conventions.
  17. Chuck released multiple solo albums, including live recordings and a Christmas record.
  18. He appeared on the A&E series Intervention in 2006, focusing on his family’s struggles.
  19. He secretly used oxygen-delivery glasses onstage to manage COPD without audiences noticing.
  20. Shortly before his death, he reconciled with bandmate Danny Hutton after decades of estrangement.

Chuck Negron’s story is one of extraordinary talent, hard-earned survival, and second chances. His voice carried joy, heartbreak, and vulnerability into millions of homes, and his honesty later helped others fighting the same battles he faced.

Long after the charts fade, those songs — and the man who sang them — will still be heard.

Blur Drummer Dave Rowntree Releases Intimate Photo Book ‘No One You Know’

Eric Alper
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Blur Drummer Dave Rowntree Releases Intimate Photo Book ‘No One You Know’

Blur drummer and founding member Dave Rowntree has released ‘No One You Know’, a photo book featuring hundreds of never-before-seen images from the band’s early years. The collection captures intimate behind-the-scenes moments with singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James, and Rowntree himself during the thrilling first stages of their rise. Published on February 3rd with a foreword by Rowntree and detailed memory quotes attached to each image, the book documents what it was really like to be in a young band when everything felt new and fresh. The photographs span Blur’s debut tours of America and Japan, studio sessions in the UK, tour bus games, backstage moments, hotel room antics, video shoots, and time spent with fans and friends.

‘No One You Know’ offers a unique visual insight into one of Britain’s most successful bands from one of the only four people who experienced it firsthand. Rowntree brought his camera to every early adventure, capturing close-up personal pictures that reveal the romantic energy of those vital first years. The book stands as a one-of-a-kind document of a band at the beginning of their journey, before fame changed everything. At $99, the collection preserves a crucial period in British rock history through the eyes of someone who lived it.

Reba McEntire Delivers Powerful Grammy Performance Of “Trailblazer (Dream Chaser Version)”

Eric Alper
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Reba McEntire Delivers Powerful Grammy Performance Of “Trailblazer (Dream Chaser Version)”

Reba McEntire took the Grammy stage on February 1st with a breathtaking performance of “Trailblazer (Dream Chaser Version)”, her first time performing at the ceremony. The special rendition – released via MCA – featured Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandy Clark, who rewrote the track and co-produced it with McEntire, and Grammy-winning artist Lukas Nelson. The multi-generational collaboration honored the legacy of recently lost members of the creative community. McEntire told Entertainment Tonight before the show, “I got a lot of friends up there on that big screen. My son, Brandon Blackstock, we let him go to heaven in August, and so we’re gonna be celebrating him tonight also. We’ll miss ’em, and we’re hopin’ to be with ’em again someday soon.”

The stripped-down acoustic performance showcased McEntire’s signature vocal power alongside Clark and Nelson, blending classic country with contemporary edge. Originally penned by Clark, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson, and produced by McEntire alongside Tony Brown, “Trailblazer” has earned McEntire her 18th career Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The moment demonstrated why McEntire remains one of country music’s most enduring voices, capable of delivering performances that connect emotionally while honoring those who shaped the creative community.

Grammy-Nominated Jamal Roberts Releases Amapiano Infused Single “Head Up”

Eric Alper
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Grammy-Nominated Jamal Roberts Releases Amapiano Infused Single “Head Up”

Grammy-nominated artist Jamal Roberts has released “Head Up”, a new single that pairs amapiano grooves with unflinching honesty about resilience. The track arrives via BMG and features production from RyKeyz, who has worked with Bebe Rexha, H.E.R., and Chris Brown. Written by Eskeerdo and Marcus Durand Lomax – whose credits include Justin Bieber, Teddy Swims, Miley Cyrus, and Zara Larrson – the song builds on what made Roberts an American Idol winner. His voice carries the emotional weight that turns a dance track into something genuinely moving. When he sings about perseverance, it lands because his delivery makes you believe every word.

The lyrics cut through without overcomplicating things. Roberts sings, “Everyone’s alive, but not everyone lives,” delivering one of the track’s sharpest moments with clarity and conviction. The chorus keeps it direct: “Keep your head up… the sun has been gone but it’s coming back around.” The release follows Roberts’ first Grammy nomination in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category for “Still (Live)”, his collaboration with Jonathan McReynolds. Recent appearances on The Kelly Clarkson Show, a performance during the National College Football Championship, and a set at the Grammy Museum prove Roberts is building real momentum with music that connects beyond the surface

Clyde The Band Releases Emotionally Charged New Single “Better”

Eric Alper
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0
Clyde The Band Releases Emotionally Charged New Single “Better”

Los Angeles alternative rock duo Clyde the Band has released “Better”, a raw and introspective single that captures the sting of emotional invalidation. The track draws from the band’s own experiences with relationships where feelings were dismissed and worth was questioned. Rooted in 90s alternative rock influences, “Better” blends gritty guitars and driving rhythms with hook-driven songwriting that balances melody and distortion. The song offers catharsis for anyone who has felt their emotions minimized by people they trusted most.

Clyde the Band continues to build their identity with a sound that feels both nostalgic and modern. The duo pairs unfiltered energy with emotional honesty, creating music that resonates with fans of Wunderhorse, Weezer, Fountains of Wayne, Pavement, and Pixies. “Better” showcases their ability to merge vulnerability with volume, proving that guitar-forward alternative rock still has plenty to say. The single stands as a relatable anthem for listeners navigating the quiet insecurity that comes when relationships leave you questioning yourself.

BTS Returns With New Album ‘Arirang’ And Global Netflix Live Stream Event

Eric Alper
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BTS Returns With New Album ‘Arirang’ And Global Netflix Live Stream Event

This is the moment millions have been waiting for. BTS is back. The K-pop phenomenon returns in March with ‘Arirang’, their first album in years following the members’ completion of mandatory military service in Korea. Netflix is making history by broadcasting the group’s first global performance live from Gwanghwamun in Seoul on March 21, just one day after the album drops on March 20. The landmark location offers stunning views of the iconic Gyeongbokgung palace, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music and culture. One week later on March 27, Netflix will premiere BTS: The Return, an intimate documentary chronicling the making of ‘Arirang’. This is how you welcome back one of the biggest acts on the planet.

The seven-member supergroup is launching one of the most ambitious tours of their career, spanning 2026 and 2027 across Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America and Australia with an anticipated 79 stops. The tour kicks off with three nights in Goyang, South Korea, followed by two nights in Tokyo before hitting Tampa. BTS returns to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood for four massive shows on September 1, 2, 5 and 6, featuring a 360-degree in-the-round stage design that will create an immersive experience for fans. After their sold-out Permission to Dance on Stage engagements in Los Angeles back in 2021, this comeback feels like a cultural earthquake. The wait is over and the world is ready.

Pulp Covers ABBA’s “The Day Before You Came” With BBC Concert Orchestra

Eric Alper
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0
Pulp Covers ABBA’s “The Day Before You Came” With BBC Concert Orchestra

Pulp has delivered a stunning rendition of ABBA’s “The Day Before You Came” in the Radio 2 Piano Room, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. The performance showcases the band’s ability to reinterpret classic material with their distinctive touch. The cover demonstrates why Pulp remains one of Britain’s most compelling acts, bringing fresh emotional depth to the Swedish pop legends’ 1982 track.

The session also features performances of “Hymn Of The North” from their chart-topping album ‘More’ and the beloved classic “Something Changed”. The full performance is available on BBC iPlayer for UK viewers and includes an interview with Vernon Kay. This appearance highlights the band’s continued relevance and their skill at bridging generations of pop music. Pulp proves once again that great songs transcend their original context when placed in capable hands.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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