Culture

The Mandalorian and Grogu Opens Star Wars' First Theatrical Run Since 2019

Lucasfilm's first theatrical Star Wars release since The Rise of Skywalker opens this Memorial Day weekend. Tracking has The Mandalorian and Grogu at $74-100M domestic over four days, with a $165M budget that lets even a modest opening qualify as a reset for the franchise.

Daily Roundup

The Daily Roundup: Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 'Brick After Brick', Knicks Take 2-0 on Cavs, Mandalorian & Grogu Opens, and Google I/O Aftershocks — May 22, 2026

Nigel Sylvester's Air Jordan 4 Brick After Brick ($230) drops today. Knicks lead Cavs 2-0 in the ECF, The Mandalorian & Grogu opens nationwide, and Google I/O aftershocks continue to ripple through tech.

Culture

Stephen Colbert Ends Late Show With Paul McCartney Singing "Hello, Goodbye"

Colbert's finale ran 17 minutes long, closed with Paul McCartney performing "Hello, Goodbye," and pulled in Barack Obama, David Letterman, and the full Strike Force Five for one last broadcast. The 33-year CBS franchise is now off the air, with the slot returning to local affiliates.

Culture

Vince Staples Releases 'White Flag' Single and Video Ahead of June 5 Album 'Cry Baby'

Vince Staples released "White Flag," the second single and music video from his upcoming seventh studio album Cry Baby, dropping June 5 via Loma Vista. The video closes with Staples shooting an American flag he has painted white.

Technology

Spotify and Universal Music Sign Licensing Deal for AI-Generated Covers and Remixes

Spotify and UMG announced a landmark licensing agreement letting Premium subscribers create AI covers and remixes of opted-in UMG artists' songs — the first major-label AI framework inside a mainstream streaming service.

Technology

Spotify Launches Reserved, Holding Two Pre-Sale Concert Tickets for Premium Superfans

Spotify's new Reserved program holds two concert tickets per artist superfan in a roughly 24-hour pre-sale window. Launching summer 2026 in the U.S. with Live Nation, gated to Premium subscribers 18+.

Culture

Sushi Club Debuts Kids Line With Location-Coded Tees at $95

Sushi Club, the Chris Stamp and Nobu Matsuhisa streetwear brand, has launched its debut kids' collection — unisex relaxed tees in BHSC, ASC, and NYSC marques, $95, sizes 2T-6T, gated behind Members Only.

Sports

Mamdani Secures 1,000 $50 World Cup Tickets for NYC Residents in FIFA Deal

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced 1,000 World Cup tickets at $50 each for city residents — a roughly 91% discount, with free bus rides to MetLife and a five-day lottery starting May 25.

Culture

Harvard Faculty Vote 458-201 to Cap A Grades at 20% of Class Starting Fall 2027

Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences voted 458-201 to cap A grades at 20% of any undergraduate course's enrollment starting Fall 2027 — the most structural response to grade inflation at an elite U.S. university in decades.

Daily Roundup

The Daily Roundup: Nigel Sylvester's Jordan 4 "Brick After Brick," Knicks-Cavs Game 2 at MSG, Michael vs. Devil Wears Prada 2, and Google's Gemini Spark — May 21, 2026

Nigel Sylvester's Air Jordan 4 'Brick After Brick' ($230) hits SNKRS Friday. The Knicks host Cleveland for Game 2 at MSG, Montreal and Carolina open the NHL Eastern Conference Final on the same night, and Google's Gemini Spark agent starts rolling out.

Culture

Jeff Bezos Says Bottom Half of U.S. Earners Should Pay Zero Federal Income Tax

On CNBC's Squawk Box Wednesday, Jeff Bezos argued the bottom 50% of U.S. taxpayers — who pay roughly 3% of all federal income tax — should pay nothing. He invoked the Queens nurse making $75,000 paying over $1,000 a month.

Culture

Kith Women Opens First Pop-Up in Bridgehampton With Vivrelle on May 22

Kith Women's first standalone retail moment opens Memorial Day weekend on Montauk Highway, presented by luxury bag-membership platform Vivrelle. Both brands are betting the Hamptons summer is the right room.