If you’re anything like us, we see an interesting headline during our daily scroll—pause to read it—but then keep scrolling without reading the actual story. So at the end of each week, we’re rounding up all the buzziest, news-worthy headlines you might have missed. Think of it like the “saved” feature on Instagram but for news instead of aesthetically pleasing photos. Dua Lipa stars in new Barbie movie, Kaytranada and Aminé announce KAYTRAMINÉ collab, and Radiohead is featured in the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie—this is what you missed.
#1
Dua Lipa Is Starring in Greta Gerwig’s New ‘Barbie’ Movie
Dua Lipa is the Barbie girl in our Barbie world. On her vacation to Jamaica last month, she lived her best life and served us enchanted siren realness in crochets and beachy knits. What we didn’t know was that she was actually hinting at her true identity as a real-life blue-haired mermaid all along. Forget about her worldwide superstar status; Dua Lipa is a freakin’ mermaid! Her secret is now out in the world, and in Greta Gerwig’s new Barbie movie, and we see her bedazzled from head to tail, from pearl earrings to jellyfish necklaces and seashell tops on the film’s promo poster on Twitter. Singer, songwriter, podcast host, fashionista, and honorary ambassador of Kosovo, it’s quite incredible all that she accomplished while keeping her Oceanian identity under wraps. Now adding to this list: actress, as the Barbie film comes out July 21. Margot Robbie plays the main Barbie in the movie, alongside Ryan Gosling, who plays the original Ken. Other co-stars include Issa Rae, Nicola Coughlan, Hari Nef, Kate McKinnon, Emma Mackey, Will Ferrell, and more as different versions of the doll and various Kens, including Simu Liu. Helen Mirren is the film’s narrator and introduced the film’s teaser in the style of 2001: A Space Odyssey. We still have yet to learn the plot of the rest of the movie, but that is no concern for Dua, as she’ll just be portraying her true mermaid self in the film. I don’t know about you, but I think I just fell in love with the groovy mermaid pop star even more.
#2
Kaytranada and Aminé Announce ‘KAYTRAMINÉ’ Collaboration
Talent met talent when Kaytranada and Aminé announced their collaboration called KAYTRAMINÉ on Tuesday. The news came when they shared a video of the duo standing against a white background. Kaytranada uses an orange MIDI control to remix a woman’s voice saying both of their names until she says the collaboration’s title over a groovy beat, and Aminé bops his head in the background. This is not the first time the two magnetic forces worked together as their joint work dates back to 2015 with “La Danse,” “YeYe,” “Not At All,” and “Egyptian Luvr” from Rejjie Snow’s 2018 album Dear Annie. Kaytranada teamed up with rapper IDK on the album Simple: last year and works with an array of artists on songs. Think Joyce Wrice (“Iced Tea”), and Anderson. Paak (“Twin Flame”), as well as remixes of The Weeknd‘s “Out of Time,” Rochelle Jordan‘s “All Along,” and, in 2023, Sam Gellaitry‘s “Assumptions.” Aminé hasn’t released a new project since his 2021 album, TWOPOINTFIVE, which came one year after his sophomore album, LIMBO. The first song on the duo’s collab project is titled “4EVA” and features Pharrell Williams. The track will be out tonight, and given this Grammy-nominated duo’s respective prolific repertoires, this project will sure be lit.
#3
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Soundtrack Features Radiohead, Florence + the Machine, and More
In the name of saving planets, galaxies, and all of humankind, Guardians of the Galaxy returns with the third part of its series and, of course, its accompanying mixtape because priorities. The movie franchise gained cult status after the previous two films featured music legends like Sam Cooke, David Bowie, The Jackson 5, and Marvin Gaye. The latest addition to this sci-fi Marvel series is no different. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Mixtape opens with an acoustic rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep” before rolling through other indie staples, including The Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??,” “This Is The Day” by The The, and “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + the Machine. Other hard-hitting rock cuts include the likes of Springsteen, David Bowie once again, 10CC, Fleetwood Mac, Glen Campbell, and Cheap Trick. On the curation of the track list, the film’s director James Gunn comments that the stripped-down version of Radiohead’s “Creep” pretty much sums up the film’s vibe. “This is the end of that story. I’m sorry. Some stories have an end. It doesn’t mean everybody dies,” Gunn explains. “For a while, I wasn’t going to do this movie,” he said. “Then I came back […] I have a special closeness to the character of Rocket, and I knew I needed to finish to tell his story.” Rocket is a genetically enhanced raccoon who is an expert in weaponry and a master tactician in the films. Voiced by Bradley Cooper, we can expect bombastic battles with aliens, space fights, and perhaps universes-traveling all over epic rock soundtracks when Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 comes out on May 5.
#4
Drake Samples Kim Kardashian on New Song “Rescue Me”
Another day another Drake sample. This time, it is not from a musician nor an artist, but the reality and business mogul, Ms. Kim Kardashian herself. Drizzy previewed the unreleased soundtrack titled “Rescue Me” on Sound 42’s The Fry Yiy Show on SiriusXM Radio, and halfway through the song, you hear the line, “I didn’t come this far, just to come this far and not be happy. Remember that.” This clip was taken from a conversation between the SKIMS owner and her mother, Kris Jenner, on the series finale of their show, Keeping Up With the Kardashian, where she discussed the decision to part ways with her ex-husband, Kanye West. The sample shines a light on the rapper’s achievements and his current state of mind. Nonetheless, fans can’t help but speculate whether this move was intended to make a jab at Yeezy. Drake has had a history of feuding with West, but they talked things out and were on good terms with each other. They even performed together at the “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert in LA in 2021, but now, with this sample, does Drake have beef with Ye again? Either way, the track has some sick beats and even sicker lines. Even though the release date for this song is unknown, we know that Drizzy is working on more music and will be embarking on his North American tour with 21 Savage this summer, so we can all stay tuned for a Drizzy summer.
#5
Paris Texas Releases Rowdy Video for New Single “PANIC!!!”
Going by the name Paris Texas, California natives Louie Pastel and Felix took to social media to tease “season 2” of their music. The duo is known for its alternative hip-hop sound that fuses filthy blue riffs with louche bars revelling self-doubt and paranoia and shares the music video for their new single “PANIC!!!” which comes after its debut EP, Boy Anonymous, in 2021. Despite still being somewhat a fresh face in hip-hop, the duo makes waves on festival stages, namely at the Governor’s Ball, All Points East, and Kenny Beats’ DOTS show in LA, where Rico Nasty, MAVI also performed. “PANIC!!!” opens with a heavy electric bass followed by a cutting snare drum. As the instruments build, ad-libs are cued, and a head-banging frenzy lets loose. The duo raps over a thick filter, and the video shows people in a mosh pit slamdancing and pogoing. As the song progresses, things get gruesome, and gunshots ring out. The visuals then jump to the duo cruising through LA in an old-school sedan, and the music turns melancholy. “I can’t even plan on a daughter/I lost the love of my life for this job,” Pastel sings as the credits roll. Coming to just under 4 minutes, the duo used the video to showcase a complete story arch and an intricate series of events that leaves people wanting more. What happened to the people in the moshpit? Where are they heading? The duality of Paris Texas is telling of their sonic and cinematic shapeshifting ability. The track arrives at the cusp of the duo’s 2023 Coachella debut, and this will likely not be the only time we’re seeing them this year.