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The Iowa Hawkeyes are heading to the national title game. In one of the best performances in Final Four history, Caitlin Clark put on a show to lead the Hawkeyes to a 77-73 lead over the South Carolina Gamecocks, which bounced the defending champions from the NCAA Tournament and handed them their first loss in 42 games.

The story of the first half was the Clark and Monika Czinano duo torching the vaunted South Carolina defense while Zia Cooke cooked and the Gamecocks pummeled the Hawkeyes on the offensive glass. Iowa led after one quarter, 22-12, thanks to Clark and their uptempo offense oftentimes catching SC’s defense on its collective heels. And to make matters worse for Carolina, late in the first quarter, Aliyah Boston picked up her second foul, which led to her getting benched for the rest of the half.

The bench came up big in Boston’s absence, though, particularly Laeticia Amihere and Kamilla Cardoso. With Boston sitting and watching the pair combined for 14 points and, crucially, nine offensive rebounds off of the bench in the first half, with those extra possessions oftentimes leading to points.

By the time the break rolled around, the Hawkeyes found themselves holding onto a 38-37 lead behind a 19-point, 6-assist half from the National Player of the Year. South Carolina, meanwhile, got 18 points and five boards from Cooke.

Iowa came out of the locker room and caught fire right away, scoring the first 10 points of the second half. Dawn Staley took a risk early on in the frame, as Boston picked up her third foul with 7:41 remaining in the quarter but remained in the game. The defending champions managed to keep the Hawkeyes within arm’s reach, but still, the 59-55 deficit marked only the second time all year that South Carolina found themselves trailing after three.

While the Gamecocks started the fourth with four straight points to take the lead, Clark responded with a haymaker. Iowa immediately went on a 7-2 run, with Clark pulling up from distance twice and setting up Czinano for a layup to regain the lead and build a cushion.

But the Hawkeyes could never quite put Carolina away, even when their offense would hit a cold spell. After a Raven Johnson three with 4:21 left in the fourth — the exact shot that Iowa’s defense was willing to give up all night — South Carolina went nearly three minutes without a basket. To compensate for it, their defense buckled down and limited the Hawkeyes to only one made field goal in the same period of time, a layup by Clark with 3:32 remaining.

A made free throw by Boston with 1:37 broke the cold spell, giving Iowa a 71-69 lead. Clark and Cooke traded layups as the game entered its final minute, and with less than seconds left, Clark launched from behind the three-point line in search of a dagger.

The ball went in and out, but in quite the twist of fate, an offensive rebound looked like it was going to slam the door shut on the Gamecocks. McKenna Warnock reeled in the miss and got the ball to her superstar guard, who was fouled and made it a two-possession game at the free throw line. While Johnson scored on the ensuing possession, Clark, who scored or assisted on every basket Iowa scored in the fourth, took care of business at the free throw line to ice the win.

Clark went for 41 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in the win, while Czinano went for 18 points. Cooke’s 24 points and eight rebounds led the way for the Gamecocks, while Cardoso had 14 points and 14 rebounds off the bench.

Earlier in the night, LSU took down Virginia Tech to earn a spot in the national championship game. The Tigers and the Hawkeyes will go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon.

The Exploding Hearts are returning with a bang as they announced an expanded and remastered reissue of their only album, Guitar Romantic. The record, which originally dropped in 2003, will include unheard tracks and new mixes of past songs, in honor of the 20th anniversary.

Later that year of its initial release, three of the band members passed away in a tragic car accident. Still, their legacy has lived on in the hearts of the fans and surviving guitarist Terry Six, which led to this updated album drop.

Six approached Third Man Records as the only label he wanted to work with for this release. He also reunited with the original producer, Pat Kearns, to unearth some hidden taps from that era.

As the first preview, the band dropped a new mix of “I’m A Pretender,” which had been remixed last year by their now-late member, “King” Louie Bankston.

Check out “I’m A Pretender (King Louie Mix)” above. Continue scrolling for The Exploding Hearts’ Guitar Romantic reissue tracklist.

1. “Modern Kicks”
2. “I’m A Pretender”
3. “Thorns In Roses”
4. “You’re Black And Blue”
5. “Sleeping Aides And Razorblades”
6. “Rumours In Town”
7. “Throwaway Style”
8. “Boulevard Trash”
9. “Jailbird”
10. “Still Crazy”
11. “Busy Signals (2023 Mix)”
12. “I’m A Pretender (King Louie Mix)”
13. “So Bored (2023 Mix)”

Guitar Romantic (Expanded And Remastered) is out 5/26 via Third Man Records. Find more information here.

Cat Burns will support Sam Smith on the UK and European leg of their Gloria tour, beginning on April 12, and rejoin Ed Sheeran for the North American leg of his Mathematics Tour later this year. The 22-year-old UK artist will also make her debut appearances at Glastonbury and Governors Ball this June. Not to mention, Burns was nominated three times at the 2023 BRIT Awards.

In other words, she’s getting the most out of life, and she encouraging her growing fan base to do the same with her uplifting new single, “Live More & Love More.”

“It’s a very positive song about starting whatever it is you want to start and doing whatever it is you want to do in life because we only have one life, and we deserve to live it to the fullest,” Burns said in a statement.

She expanded on her mission for the track on Instagram. “My best attempt at telling you all to live your life to its absolute fullest,” Burns wrote. “Romanticize your life to this song. I wrote this with [Jordan Riley] and @gerardoconnell the absolute legends and it’s been such a quick turn around! We literally wrote this 6 weeks ago. Mental. Anyway happy listening! I hope you love it as much as I do.”

In the “Live More & Love More” lyric video, Burns contemplates life’s big questions while casually on the couch. “If there’s something you wanna do, just do it,” she belts. “Don’t let your head stop your heart from moving / If there’s someone you wanna talk to, talk to them / Who knows who we’d be if we just live more and love more.”

Watch “Live More & Love More” above.

Ed Sheeran is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Morray brought his 2022 track “Letter To Myself” to UPROXX Sessions in January before featuring on Macklemore’s recently released album, Ben. He’s continuing on his road toward his official debut LP with “High Price” featuring Lil Tjay.

The accompanying video sets the tone with women in the bathtub and Morray dripping in diamonds. “They say love don’t cost a thing, that’s lies,” he sings. “It cost time that you can’t get back, high price.” Morray contemplates the pros and cons of love with a melodically rapped verse, “I been focused on a mill dream / Chasin’ like I’m Meek / I done stood 10 toes down / Still had to face defeat / I’ve been looking for an empty soul that I can fill with love / Know I’m supposed to be a gangsta / Lately, I just need a hug.”

Lil Tjay meets up with the crew at a restaurant and adds his perspective, confessing that he’s never had a girlfriend, but “I ain’t gon’ lie to you, baby, you a bad one / Really deep inside, I hope you’ll be down to ride / If we really catch a vibe, just imagine us goin’ past ’em.”

“High Price” has all the makings of a momentum-builder. Is it setting the table for an album release? Last December, Morray told HipHopDX why it has taken so long.

“I’ve presented hella albums,” he said. “I’ve been ready for an album, don’t get me wrong. I’ve been ready. I’ve presented to [J.] Cole, he told me, ‘N****, you’re not ready.’ Do you know how hard it is to take that from somebody you look up to? I think I’m done, and you’re telling me I’m not? Back to the drawing board? But I appreciate him because this album is staying.”

Watch the “High Price” video above.

Jhené Aiko has finally returned to treat fans to some new solo material, three years after her last project, 2020’s Grammy-nominated Chilombo, dropped. Aiko’s new song, “Calm & Patient,” is a dreamy take that showcases her vocals and hopeful lyricism. The chill vibes make the song’s title feel all the more spot on.

“I’m satisfied with life / I do not just get by, I thrive / What a miracle to be up and alive / Sending love to those who are stuck in the fight / I cannot relate to the hate that they made up in their mind,” Aiko admits in the opening lines, setting forth the positive energy that’s present throughout the rest of the song.

Earlier this week, her manager, Ketrina “Taz” Askew shared that a new era was in the works — posting on an Instagram story, according to RapUp.

“Taking it back to simpler times, when we just put music out for the love of it,” Taz said. “Apologies @defjam and team, this one is for the Soulmates.”

Throughout last year, Aiko had contributed for a handful of collaborations, including “Water Sign” with August 08, Tyga and Pop Smoke’s “Sunshine,” and an appearance on Ab-Soul’s album tracklist back in December. During her break, she still kept busy, jumping on the soundtrack for Raya And The Last Dragon in 2021.

Listen to Jhené Aiko’s “Calm & Patient” above.

Tekashi 69 (real name Daniel Hernandez) was punched in the back of his head at a Miami nightclub last April but avoided serious injury. On March 21, however, Hernandez was attacked at LA Fitness in South Florida and wasn’t as lucky.

Lance Lazzaro, Hernandez’s attorney, confirmed to WPTV that Hernandez “tried fighting back and suffered cuts to his face and bruises” and was taken to the hospital for his injuries. Earlier today, March 31, the Associated Press reported that three men were arrested on assault and robbery charges in connection.

Also today, Tekashi 69 gave his side of the story on Instagram. He posted video of the attack alongside a lengthy caption:

“First time addressing the situation. For 2 years I been walking around with no security. Not saying I promote that BUT now you see I really never hid from anything. If you ever crossed my path or ever came to my house (you girls know who you are) ya can tell the world ‘Danny drives his own cars and be solo’ You know how many of you people seen me in real life by myself in gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, etc. Anyway what happen here was nothing but cowardly. I’m not mad this happened. In the street there’s no rules so I cant say they were wrong. Obviously it wasn’t fair but again the streets has no rules. Just imagine having nothing to do to with a situation and feel obligated to make it your business. (Very weird) I’m happy to be here still. And I want to say I love my fans. Thank you. P.S : I never knew we respected jumping people. When did that ever become a W???”

The alleged attackers were identified as 43-year-old Rafael Medina, Jr., 23-year-old Octavious Medina, and 25-year-old Anthony Maldonado. They have been booked at Palm Beach County Jail.

Weyes Blood’s Natalie Mering released And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow last November. Her first album since 2019’s Titanic Rising was named among Uproxx’s Best Albums Of 2022 because, in Steven Hyden’s words, it “spotlights her flair for beautiful soft-rock melodies that complement a serrated lyric edge.”

Her performance of the single “God Turn Me Into A Flower” on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Thursday, March 30, showed everyone what Hyden meant by that.

Mering only needed a microphone and a synthesizer to captivate the audience. Her pristine vocals did all of the legwork, singing such poignant lines as, “You see the reflection, and you want it more than the truth / You yearn to be that dream you could never get to / ‘Cause the person on the other side has always just been you / Oh, God, turn me into a flower.”

Mering is scheduled to deliver more evocative performances as a supporting act on Phoenix and Beck’s co-headlining Summer Odyssey Tour. The trek begins on August 1 in Seattle, and Mering will join on August 18 in Rogers, Arkansas and continue serving as an opener until the end of the tour on September 10 in Columbia, Maryland. The other openers are Jenny Lewis, Japanese Breakfast, and Sir Chloe.

Watch Weyes Blood on Colbert above.

Jisoo from Blackpink has kicked off her solo endeavor with a two-song project that needs no introduction; it’s tilted Me and contains two songs, “Flower” and “All Eyes On Me.”

“Flower” opens with a snappy instrumental and finds Jisoo’s voice taking on a gentler note on the pop song. “I fly away like a blue butterfly / It’s all on you that you didn’t hold on / Even the times that we were in full bloom / A lie, lie, lie to me,” she emotionally adds in the translated lyrics, according to Genius.

Meanwhile, “All Eyes On Me” is a pure and fun dance record that lifts the listeners’ spirits with an enticing beat — perfect for the attention Jisoo demands.

Last year, Jisoo told Rolling Stone that she had some hesitancy about still being the only Blackpink member to not embark out for some solo jams.

“I’m not sure how much I want to go solo yet,” she said. “The music I listen to, the music I can do, and the music I want to do — what should I choose? I love songs with lots of instruments. I love different bands and rock music. What do people want from me? There’s a chaos of conflicting questions. So I’m still tilting my head in confusion. I’m not sure what will happen with my solo plans this year.”

Check out Jisoo’s “Flower” and “All Eyes On Me” above.

Billie Eilish recently released her latest Air Force 1 Low colorway, and Megan Thee Stallion rocked the coveted sneakers while throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for her hometown Houston Astros on Thursday night, March 30.

“That’s my GIRRLLLLLLL,” Eilish wrote on her Instagram Story tonight, March 31, atop a photo of Meg on the mound at Minute Maid Park before the reigning World Series champions took the field against the visiting Chicago White Sox. “Also in my shoes???!!!!????? she the love of my life @theestallion.”

Meg was in high spirits at Thursday’s game:

Tonight, Meg is performing at the AT&T Block Party at Houston’s Discovery Green park to kick off Final Four weekend for the men’s NCAA Tournament. It marks her first live performance of 2023, as she slowly reemerges in the public eye after a December trial found Tory Lanez guilty of shooting her in 2020.

“There’s no place I’d rather be for my first performance of the year than my hometown of Houston,” Meg said in a statement when the AT&T Block Party was announced earlier this month. “The AT&T Block Party Concert is gonna be such a vibe, and I can’t wait to get back on stage in the city where it all began. I’m looking forward to seeing my Hotties and putting on an unforgettable show for them.”

Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

LSU’s women’s basketball team will play for its first national championship. Despite trailing Virginia Tech by as many as 12 points in the third quarter of Friday night’s Final Four tilt, the Tigers put together a dominant fourth quarter to pick up a 79-72 win and punch their ticket to the biggest game in program history on Sunday afternoon.

The Hokies looked like they were in cruise control early on in the third, as the team closed out the first half on an 11-0 run to take a 34-32 lead into the locker room. They continued to pour it on out of the break, and at the 5:40 mark of the third quarter, Cayla King knocked down a three to give the team a comfortable 51-39 lead.

Whenever LSU started to chip away at the lead, Virginia Tech seemed to have an answer. That was the case until the start of the fourth quarter, where the Tigers were nothing short of dominant. Alexis Morris and Angel Reese scored the first seven points of the frame before Georgia Amoore was able to temporarily stop the bleeding at the 7:53 mark.

And then, the Hokies stopped scoring. The team went on a nearly 6-minute long scoreless drought, all while they continued to get hammered on the other end of the floor. In all, LSU started the fourth quarter on a 22-3 run to go up by as many as 10 points.

While Virginia Tech was able to get to the free throw line down the stretch to keep the door cracked open, LSU was able to take care of business when they had the ball to slam it shut. A 27-point effort from Morris led the way for the Tigers, while Reese had 24 points and 12 rebounds. LaDazhia Williams also hit double-figures, going for 16 points and seven boards. Four members of the Hokies hit double-figures, with Elizabeth Kitley’s 18 points, 12 rebounds, and seven blocks leading the way.

The Tigers will now wait to see if they’ll take on South Carolina or Iowa with a national title on the line. While they have not faced off against Caitlin Clark and co. this year, LSU did play the defending national champions in Columbia this season, where the Tigers fell, 88-64.