CULTURE

The Sexiest Celebrity Halloween Costumes EVER

Sure, "Trick or Treat" and all that good stuff, but let's be honest, Halloween is all about the sexy costumes.

2019 has been a calamity of a year.

Trump thinks the constitution is "phony" and doesn't apply to him because of his wealth, the amazon is still very much engulfed in flames, and global warming is set to decimate humanity in less than a decade. It all seems quite dire, which is why Halloween is welcomed warmly this year. It's time to give 'em pumpkin to talk about that isn't impending doom. It's time to lift your "spirits," realize life is "gourd" and get done up in boo-tiful costumes to help distract from the actual spooky terror going on outside. To get you amped up, here are a few of the sexiest costumes ever!

Kim Kardashian West as Cat Woman

The Kardashian Klan has dawned a lot of gorgeous costumes over the years, but frankly Kim Kardashian's Cat Woman costume of 2012 takes the cake. Kanye as Batman is also additionally something we can't unsee, but for far different, not sexy reasons.

MUSIC

Cisco Adler Premieres His New Single, Talks New Album and Owning His Truth

"I feel like it's time I have a moment where I focus on myself as an artist."

Photo by James Zwadlo on Unsplash

In the public eye, Cisco Adler is something of an enigma.

The Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer may have been on your radar back in 2008, when his self-titled debut peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the top 40 hits "Corona and Lime" and "Buzzin." Adler continued to release a handful of solo albums, but to little little mainstream recognition. Since then, Adler has been mostly behind the scenes, crafting hits alongside nearly every pop star in recent memory. G-Eazy, Mike Posner, Fergie, The Internet, Tinashe, and Vic Mensa have all worked with the studio guru at some point in their lucrative careers, and Adler attributes his extensive collaborative catalog to his authenticity with each artist.

"The first session is always like a blind date, and I try to just jump in and start making music," Adler said. "But in the process, I try to understand their goals and their insecurities. Part of being an artist is turning coal to a diamond. What do they want, what do I think they need, what does the label want? It's always a dance." Adler's vulnerability as a creative is why he feels it's, once again, time to craft his own music and tell his own story. His first single in five years, entitled "Somethin' More," premiering exclusively on Popdust, is a care-free summer jam that explores why it's okay to want the better things in life. "I'm happy right now," Adler said. "I've been on this journey obsessed with my craft, and I truly believe this is a natural place for me to be as a musician." I spoke with Adler about his latest single, his new album Hippieland, and how he feels about being back in the spotlight.

Tell me about the new single!

It's a mantra based message about where I'm at.

So what is that Somethin' More that you're looking for?

It's actually about the human element of it being okay to ask for more than you have, as long as you realize you have all that you need. We all want more sunny days and stuff which is cool, that's what drives you and helps you get out of bed in the morning and go after stuff.

It sounds like you're very aware of your accomplishments and of the crazy life you've led.

I'm a blessed man in many ways, and I'm just blessed to be here making music.

I'm curious what your transition was like from a relatively quiet upbringing in Maui to the bustling music industry.

Growing up on Maui I didn't have a lot of connections to the mainland, but in retrospect, it was a huge blessing that centered me. It gave me a hunger and a desire, and I realized I had to get out and see the world. I had songs to write and had to grab every opportunity that came to me. As a teenager, I really connected to hip-hop mainly cause it was my music and not my parent's music. I was instantly in love, and from there I kinda just realized I had to explore. Since then it's been a constant search of just appeasing that hunger and just wanting to make more awesome music.

Where do you think you are in that search right now?

I'm sitting at the table, I'm eating, and to my left are empty plates of all the awesome shit that I ate, and to my right are more exotic delights. More delicacies. And I feel I'm slowly heading down that table. It's not about the destination, there's no timeline. I just wake up and I have to create.

What's next for you?

I feel that this is definitely an "artist" moment for me. Having that catalog and all those collaborations have kinda pushed me into this clearing, and now all I see is me, and I feel like it's time to speak my truth and have a moment where I focus on myself as an artist.

You feel this is your time.

I also feel like the music is in a good place. I'm not trying to just be out there when stuff is just going through changes. I like to learn and help other artists and take what they know and learn from it. I feel like we're at a magical moment. I feel like it's the end of the overproduced pop wave and we're heading into a more trap/punk rock movement, I feel like we're just back at a more organic, instrument-based moment, and I just kinda decided "alright, it's time to pick up my guitar."

Do you feel you've learned different lessons from each artist?

I'm definitely learning every day in the studio. Every session influences the next. As a producer and a songwriter, It's almost like acting. I'm just finding different hats to put on, then at the end of the day, I leave with a new lesson. Every day you change and grow as a human, and I find that the most successful artists are the most open to critiques, they're not fighting any of the collaborations. The ego of the young artist is definitely something we wrestle with, but it's a dance.

Who is someone you particularly connected with?

Fergie. She was just an incredible talent and a ridiculous singer. She was just hugely open. I think at the end of the day I'm not gonna work with someone a second time if we didn't have a lot of fun. It has to be fun and it has to be awesome. Also, I'm working with this kid Yung Pinch and he's absolutely brilliant. We had an instant magical trust, and obviously, with Shwayze, those were just magical sessions.

What details can you give us about Hippieland?

There's some stuff brewing. We're just putting some of the magical dust on it now. It's a special collection of music from me, I'm just really proud of this music, and I think it's my truth.

Cisco Adler will be performing at The Mercury Lounge on April 27th. Get tickets here.


Mackenzie Cummings-Gradyis a creative writer who resides in the Brooklyn area. Mackenzie's work has previously appeared in The Boston Globe, Billboard, and Metropolis Magazine. Follow him on Twitter @mjcummingsgrady.


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It seems like only months ago we were talking about Season 26 of Dancing With the Stars.

Oh wait, it actually was. But when a TV show sees decent ratings, the network keeps a good thing going. So, we are into Season 27 of the show, full of another batch of "stars" shaking their stuff and twirling their torsos for the chance to win the much-coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

While the celeb-factor may not be abundant with A-listers, seeing famous faces we have not thought about in a while combined with some fresh ones on the radar now, the show is sure to be filled with fun-to-watch footwork as the contestants move to the music.

So, who is on board for the latest season of DWTS? The new crew was revealed on Good Morning America today (Sept. 12) and fans were seemingly pleased with the picks.

Bobby Bones (Country music radio personality, host of "The Bobby Bones Show") with Sharna Burgess

DeMarcus Ware with Lindsay Arnold (NFL superstar)

Joe Amabile with Jenna Johnson (The Bachelorette Season 14 and Bachelor in Paradise Season 5, best known as "Grocery Store Joe")

John Schneider with Emma Slater (The Dukes of Hazzard actor)

Juan Pablo DiPace with Cheryl Burke (Mamma Mia! and Fuller House actor)

Milo Manheim with Witney Carson (Star of Disney Channel Original Movie, Zombies)

Alexis Ren with Alan Bersten (Social media sensation and model)

Danelle Umstead with Artem Chigvintsev (Paralympic adaptive skier)

Evanna Lynch with Keo Motsepe (Harry Potter actress)

Mary Lou Retton with Sasha Farber (Former Olympic gymnast)

Nancy McKeon with Val Chmerkovskiy (Facts of Life actress)

Nikki Glaser with Gleb Savchenko (Comedian/host of "You Up with Nikki Glaser" on SiriusXM)

Tinashe with Brandon Armstrong (R&B music superstar)

And if seeing these stars doesn't feed your fix for reality TV dancing competitions, ABC is launching a similar show for the younger set come this October. Dancing With the Stars Juniors will put mini versions of the movers and shakers on the dance floor to fight it out via salsas and mambos.

As per E! News, "Dancing With the Stars premieres Monday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC." Tune in, tap your toes, and take another season out of your schedule to watch these bigshots bust a move on the ballroom floor. Good luck to the Season 27 stars…we'll be watching!


Melissa A. Kay is a New York-based writer, editor, and content strategist. Follow her work on Popdust as well as sites including TopDust, Chase Bank, P&G, Understood.org, The Richest, GearBrain, The Journiest, Bella, TrueSelf, Better Homes & Gardens, AMC Daycare, and more.


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PREMIERE | MkX Drops Red-Hot Music Video, 'One Sided Love'

Pulsing with muscular trap-pop energy, 'One Sided Love' hits the bull's eye

MkX drops a new music video today, called "One Sided Love." Coming hot on the heels of his previous singles, "The Look" and "Ghost," the track was written and produced by MkX, and remixed with DJ Mike D.

"One Sided Love," a smoldering trap-pop tune about the emotional turbulence of unrequited love, taps into MkX's up close and personal familiarity with the ache of one-sided passion.

"I wanted to write a song that reflected what I was going through and that I know everyone who listens has gone through at one point or another," says MkX. "As a longtime pop super fan myself, I know how important it is as a listener to be able to connect with what the artist is saying.Lyrically, the song is like an inner-monologue of overanalyzing and being a bit paranoid."

Performing live since the age of nine, MkX toured with Ariana Grande, Christina Perri, and the British pop/rock band Rixton. By the time he stepped into the limelight as a solo artist, the energy around him was a swirling vortex. Both "The Look" and "Ghost" clipped the 500,000 mark on Spotify, rounded out by his featured performance at Las Vegas' Fashion Show Mall's live show.

Opening with gleaming synths, flowing into a resonant trap groove, "One Sided Love" throbs with potent, dark, sensual energy. MkX's voice starts off with husky, sighing tones ascending to gorgeous, nastily tight colors, imbuing the tune with stinging atomic muscle. Smooth, radiant vocal harmonies suffuse the music with lustrous textures, lush and intense.

The lyrics speak to the heartache prompted by love that's not returned.

"I try and try / Your truth disguised / Save me the pain / And forfeit the game / Slam the brakes / So my heart don't break / This is a one-sided love / Just say no / Cuz now I know / This is a one-sided love."

The video, directed by Matt Alonzo, is a stylish work of visual art, full of phantasmagoric colors, avant-garde tessellations, and polished dance moves. MkX projects a magnetic presence.

"One Sided Love" brims with pulses of sub-bass layered oomph and infectious surges of seductive hues. MkX's voice infuses the tune with electrifying frisson and sizzling heat. "One Sided Love" is off the chain.

Follow MkX on Website | Facebook | Instagram | SoundCloud

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MUSIC

RELEASE RADAR | Premieres from Slut Magic, BIANCA, Pony League, and more!

PLUS | Mike Watson, Lovespeake, Laila Biali (see above), and Yarley G

Rockie Nolan (Press)

With seven premieres and other new videos and albums to explore, you definitely won't be bored this weekend.

RELEASE RADAR is here to give you the breakdown of your top singles, albums, and videos to check out as you head into your weekend. Get ready to jam out with some of our favorite up-and-coming artists, plus celebrate new stuff from those you already know and love.

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