Entertainment

RMR Wants To Be The Blueprint For Genre-Bending In The Future

It’s fair to say that 2020 has been full of unexpected events, such as the death of Kobe Bryant, COVID-19, and the world finally recognizing that Black Lives Matter is more than a hashtag, it’s a human rights movement. And yet another unexpected event happened at the end of February when a soft-voiced crooner wearing a ski mask and a Yves Saint Laurent bulletproof vest went viral for covering “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts.

To this day, there is not much known about RMR (pronounced “Rumor”), including what he looks like underneath the balaclava. He considers himself to be a citizen of the world, meaning he doesn’t necessarily adhere to one certain ideology or culture but chooses to be a student of humanity who’s constantly learning and exposing himself to new things.

Having gone viral right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, RMR was instantaneously referred to as an “artist of the pandemic”. But, over a video call from Toronto to L.A., RMR makes one thing clear: he’s a vision of what the future could look like.

“I only know Zoom calls, I’ve never done a performance [and] I haven’t had a proper setting to go and meet fans. It’s just been different,” he says. Except for flying down to Minneapolis with his team to partake in recent protests where some fans recognize him (and his ski mask), RMR’s career thus far has been frozen to a virtual reality.

rmr interview

Image provided by Warner Records

“I try to stay safe because I understand that other people [have] immune deficiencies, so I don’t go out as much. If I’m asymptomatic, I won’t know I have it and I don’t wanna spread it,” he thoughtfully states. “I try to stay safe because I understand what other people are going through, and that’s what my music is too. It’s parallel with that because it’s all about change and about something different.”

RMR doesn’t define himself as a country singer, a country rapper, or a trap singer either, but rather an artist whose music centers itself around “opening up that third eye and heightening your consciousness.”

“Not to sound arrogant, but I see myself as what a lot of people are going towards and be the blueprint of what the future could look like. Rest in peace XXXTENTACION, he did it and he did it at a really good level. I just want my complete sound to help people grow,” RMR says. “It’s not just about genre-bending [music], it’s about educating people and helping them not to be ignorant in a subconscious way. [If] you subconsciously listen to one of my records like “Welfare” and like it, you’ll start digging in and will go and find more artists like that, then you find a friend like that and he or she comes from a whole different world than you, and then you’re growing. It’s just little steps in growing and putting yourself in somebody else’s shoes and understanding them.”

RMR mentions that the idea of genre-bending music has been around since Aerosmith and Run-DMC in the 80s, as well as artists like Nelly in the late 90s and early 00s. Looking at his own music, he notes that you’re either going to like it, gravitate towards it or “aren’t really messing with it”, but you will always grow from it. And at its core, RMR’s debut label EP Drug Dealing Is a Lost Art embodies that train of thought.

Before even pressing play on the EP’s first single, RMR points out that its title and cover art are already communicating a message. Fixed with a 1979 photo of the late Felix Mitchell and friends, someone RMR describes as a former Bay Area “entrepreneur” (and state-described ‘drug lord’ whose criminal record was overturned after his death in 1986), a million stories unfold.

“A lot of things aren’t taboo no more — drug dealing isn’t as taboo as it used to be,” he says. “We’re getting so immune and conditioned to so many different things these days. Like, look at Generation X, they were in their parents’ basements smoking [while] millennials are like ‘Okay, weed is legal, we don’t care’. What’s Generation Z gonna do?”

RMR admires the differences between age generations while insisting that our future rests on individual growth both old and new. Enter famed Virginia producer Timbaland who alongside Swizz Beatz has kept the world entertained via their Verzuz battles all quarantine long. RMR mentions his favorite battles thus far have been “Nelly vs. Ludacris and Lil Jon vs. T-Pain” before humbling speaking about his interactions with the famed veteran.

“He reached out on Instagram and we flew down there and as soon as we flew down there, on the first day, he was like “Oh you wearing a mask?” and I was like “Big dog Timbo, yeah!”. We chopped it up a little bit [and] he gave me some game, and then we went into the studio. He put on “I’m Not Over You” and I just started going in,” he says.

“I don’t really like surface-level records when it’s the time for it, like a party, but I like depth and putting substance in my records. When I was writing it, originally I was like ‘it’s about a girl’ and then thought ‘Nah, that makes no sense, let me try to dig deep and have people relate to my stuff’. Like, who can relate to this? Who’s vulnerable right now who can relate to this record? A lot of the people who are vulnerable, they get it without me having to say it. And then that same night, I cooked up another record with him real quick, like 30 minutes. I promised him 16 records and told him to hold me to that,” RMR concludes.

Throughout Drug Dealing Is a Lost Art, RMR carefully crafts a story of starting at rock bottom, reaching goals and also falling victim to some of those outcomes. He also makes it known that most of the songs, while personal, also come from a space of manifestation.

“It’s like, what is your vice?”, he asks. “You try to keep walking away from it but it keeps bringing you back in and you’re not over it. It’s like, “Welfare” you came up, “Nouveau Riche” you’re almost plateauing, and then it brings you back down with “I’m Not Over You” because now you’re having withdrawals and all that. You’re still trying to keep your success, but you know you gotta drop some habits.”

Virtues, values, and vices tend to be a delicate balancing act: sometimes they define who you are, sometimes they pull you under, and sometimes they urge you to educate others who have walked a different life than you. Living in a world where Black music, specifically rap music, is consumed more and more by white fans, RMR recognizes his role in educating the newest generation of listeners that beyond the stage, he is a Black man.

“I’m not just an entertainer. Maybe we can break through by saying they’re not just a sports person, they’re just not an artist, they’re not just an actor, he’s actually somebody – but that also goes to the artist. As an artist, it’s [our] responsibility to set that bar. Maybe some artists are like ‘I’m just rapping to get out the hood’, and I don’t blame that because everybody got their own reasons for doing stuff. But, when they’re doing that and get to that certain point, it’s about education and putting something out there for the fans so they can relate to you on a certain level. [They can] know your background and put themselves in your shoes,” he says.

“If you’re coming from a very urban neighborhood, instead of glorifying that, they should be like ‘Okay we came from here, my school wasn’t funded because of so and so, so I had to drop out’“ [or] ‘The teachers weren’t teaching me shit because they weren’t getting funded, they didn’t get paid well and they just came to school to yell at some kids’”. If you just put that stuff in there, maybe one out of 100 kids or one out of 1000 kids who were at their show may actually look into it and do the research to relate to you. If you change one mind, one person, that’s enough.”

Although RMR considers humanity to be “one straw away from breaking the camel’s back”, he still carries the hope that change is coming. Referring to his off-stage reality, he says he uses his time to vote and do research so that he doesn’t fall victim to “false prophets”, but also encourages everyone to converse without bias.

“Everybody has good in them and you just gotta find a way to tap into them or relate to find out what caused that hurt or caused that evil. Get everybody to talk to somebody,” he says passionately.

Though usually there’s no truth to a rumor, when it comes to RMR, it becomes clear that truth is all there is.

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Drew Carey, 66, Enjoys Lunch Date with 37-Year-Old OnlyFans Star Niki Skyler in L.A.

Having survived one of the darkest chapters of his life, Drew Carey appears to be finding a little light again and perhaps even a second chance at love.

The 66-year-old Price Is Right presenter, comic, and TV legend has been seen dining with 37-year-old content creator and OnlyFans model Niki Skyler at the hot retro diner Swingers Diner in Los Angeles. The sighting, which happened on a leisurely Thursday afternoon, has fans and entertainment observers alike abuzz: Is Carey finally unsealing his heart, five years after the heartbreaking death of his ex-fiancée, Amie Harwick?

Casual and smiling, Carey appeared at ease in a simple gray tee and jeans. Skyler, who’s developed a steady online following over the past couple of years, caught eyes in a soft-pink crop top, matching skirt, and oversized sunglasses. They talked closely while digging into burgers and milkshakes, laughing at one point as they exchanged fries and stories. While representatives for both Carey and Skyler haven’t confirmed any romance, it’s evident that there’s at least some chemistry.

In February 2020, Carey’s life was upended by a tragedy he couldn’t have imagined: the murder of his ex-fiancée, Dr. Amie Harwick, a therapist and high-profile advocate for victims of domestic violence in her Los Angeles home. The suspect was an ex-boyfriend of Harwick’s, and her death sent ripples not just through Carey’s personal life but through the entertainment world and mental health communities as well. Carey and Harwick had amicably separated the previous year, but the couple remained good friends. In the days after her death, Carey spoke openly about the heartbreak on his SiriusXM show, calling Harwick a “beautiful, positive force,” and saying her death is “something I’ll never truly get over.”

Friends said Carey withdrew from public life in the period that followed. Though he went on to host The Price Is Right with grace and professionalism, he mostly avoided the Hollywood social circuit and kept his private life tightly sealed. This is why this recent public outing with Skyler, relaxed, candid, and intimate, feels like such a big deal.

For those who are not in the know, Niki Skyler is new to the internet scene. She is an online content creator currently on OnlyFans and linking subscribers through social media. A mash-up of influencer, entrepreneur, and artist, Skyler has honed a following that appreciates her headstrong, body-positive, no-holds-barred approach to life. A Midwestern native, Skyler relocated to Los Angeles in her late twenties to work in modeling and independent media. She has starred in music videos and lifestyle campaigns and has turned to podcasting, too. Although her OnlyFans work has generated headlines, Skyler says her mission is empowerment: “I want to control my narrative,” she told a fan in a recent Q&A on Instagram.

Skyler’s relationship to Carey isn’t quite clear, whether the two crossed paths through mutual friends, a shared project, or just by chance. But those who witnessed their lunch date saw an ease between them that implied something more than a casual get-together. “They were kind of into each other’s company,” one onlooker said. “It didn’t seem like a publicity stunt or anything. They were simply two people enjoying a very good time.” It’s not unusual for Hollywood notables to fall in love in surprising locations and combinations. But this new chapter feels particularly poignant for Carey, whose career has included decades of stand-up, successful sitcoms, and dominance on daytime TV.

Carey is famous for his self-deprecating wit and down-to-earth disposition and has never been known for his high-flying romances. His relationships were mostly kept out of the news before Harwick. And that’s why fans are cheering for him now, hoping this moment of connection, even if just friendship, means something healing. “Drew deserves happiness,” a longtime fan said on Reddit after lunch photos circulated. “Given everything he’s been through, seeing him smile with someone again is nice.” And smile he did throughout lunch, Carey appeared genuinely happy, leaning in as Skyler spoke excitedly, shooting the occasional gesture, and pushing her hair behind her ear. The men lingered for almost two hours before stepping out of the diner together, toward the front door, and Carey was polite as ever, waiting for his partner to walk through first.

However, any relationship or even friendly outing between a mainstream TV personality in his 60s and a 30-something digital personality will surely raise eyebrows. But the reception to Carey and Skyler’s outing has mainly been positive, even refreshingly open-minded. The age difference? “It’s Hollywood,” one fan shrugged. “They’re both adults, and quite frankly, who cares, if they’re happy?” Others mentioned the difference between Carey’s traditional showbiz background and Skyler’s new-media presence. Their partnership is in many ways a clash of eras — one formed by network TV and old-school comedy, the other forged in the digital world of subscriptions, self-branding, and immediate fan connection. “Maybe that’s what makes them work,” as another observer hypothesized. “They’ve both created their own path and achieved success outside the things you would assume. That’s pretty cool.”

So far, neither Carey nor Skyler has commented publicly on their lunch date, and there has been no indication whether this is the start of a romance, a potential new friendship, or even a collaboration in the pipeline. However their connection is, one thing is for sure, the moment is landing. In an era of celebrity couples whose relationships are so heavily marketed and repackaged that they increasingly resemble an exercise in brand management, this one feels deliciously unpretentious, a low-key lunch between two people, no frills, no rush, no glitz, sprinkled with just enough intrigue to make everyone’s ears perk up. And for Carey, in particular, the timing could not be more significant. “He has always seemed to be a genuine, kind person,” said a fan. “Seeing him smiling once more, even for an afternoon serves as a reminder that healing is possible.”

So, are Drew Carey and Niki Skyler falling for each other or just enjoying a pal? Number three: Underneath the lights and the cameras, the grief and the healing, the fame and the reinvention, there’s always room for joy, laughter, and perhaps even love. And who knows? For a man used to spending years judging whether others’ guesses were the correct price, maybe he’s finally found something rivals have no formula for calculating: the cost is priceless.

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Entertainment

Is Rihanna Secretly Shooting a Music Video in Paris?

Shocking news has done the rounds as speculative reports of Rihanna filming for a music video in Paris. There hasn’t been an official announcement, but given the new reports, it sounds like the City of Light will likely be the setting for her next artistic project.

Rihanna has dropped hint after hint of her comeback to music. Fans report that she is also nearing the finish line with her ninth fully realized studio effort, an album that will signal a departure with its continuity and freshness. Rihanna, over the years, through interviews, has additionally mentioned that she does not wish to write something that does not reflect her growth and evolution as an Artist, and the new album will not be “commercial or radio digestible” and it’s where her Artistry needs to be.

Check out this article: Why Rihanna’s Return to Music in 2025 Is the Comeback of the Decade

Paris has long inspired artists, and Rihanna is no exception. The city has become a central hub for her fashion projects, and there are rumors she might have her next Fenty Puma fashion show at Paris Fashion Week. Considering her deep connections to the city and its vibrant artistic milieu, it would be understandable if she selected Paris as the location for a new music video.

There are no official confirmations, but for several reasons, it seems like they might be shooting a music video in Paris. Rihanna’s creative team has been said to have been working in secret in Los Angeles to prepare for the return. Reviewed only by you, the best of the best 😉 She has seen a parallel increase in her new dancing persona as a singer, cementing these worlds together, which could lead to a crazy visual music video in Paris.

Adding fuel to that speculation is the potential of a world tour in 2025, rumored to be for Rihanna. A new music video shot in Paris would be a strong advertisement for her, reigniting fans’ eagerness and priming her return to the stage. And at a time when she is expected to make a big splash including a £32million deal with Live Nation and headlining prime festival slots for Glastonbury, the release of a new music video is perfectly timmed alongside this anticipated resurrection.

While fans are still waiting for confirmation, the prospect of a Rihanna music video filming in Paris could join the growing plot twists in her return story. Whether or not this is a strategic way to intertwine her music and fashion pursuits or an extension of her artistic vision, we are excited by the notion of Rihanna taking over the streets of Paris for a new video.

What do you think? Rihanna is filming a secret music video worldwide? If you found this article interesting, comment and let us know your thoughts!

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