Key Glock On Channeling 2Pac With 'Glockaveli' & How The New Album Marks A "Rebranding"

After delivering a series of trunk-rattling hits and Billboard Top 20 projects, Key Glock stepped away from music in 2024 for personal and creative realignment. Upon his return this year, the Memphis rapper had inked a deal with Republic Records. While it was perhaps an uncharacteristic move for the independent star, it fulfilled an important promise.

Born Markeyvius Cathey, Key Glock followed in the footsteps of his cousin and mentor Young Dolph. And one week before the late rapper was fatally shot in their hometown in 2021, Dolph urged Glock to sign a major label deal if anything ever happened to him. In the years since, Glock has continued to praise Dolph in his music and carry on the independent label the "Major" rapper co-founded, Paper Route Empire — and with his new venture, he's able to honor Dolph's legacy and take his own career to the next level. 

The partnership deal with Republic allows the "Let's Go" rapper to maintain his long-standing relationship with PRE while granting him a wider musical audience. As he declared to Billboard upon announcing the deal, "I feel like I exceeded my goals as an independent artist… In this next chapter, I'm planning on getting platinum albums and more plaques."

Glock formally kicked off his major label era on May 2 with Glockaveli, his fourth studio album. Inspired by 2Pac's Makaveli persona, the project channels the same trap-infused sound and motivational anthems that have become parables to his artistry — from the soulful "Watch Da Throne" to the booming, DJ Paul-produced "3AM in ToKEYo."

Like Machiavellian themes laced throughout 2Pac's posthumous classic, Glockaveli hints that Glock is determined to make a bigger mainstream splash, no matter how much work is required. And with a new album, a 20-city tour and another planned project on the horizon, "South Memphis' finest" is already full speed ahead.

Below, Glock discusses the "rebranding" that led to Glockaveli, why he channeled 2Pac with his latest album, and how he plans to top himself with his new musical venture.

How was it piecing together your first mainstream album? I heard you had family and friends vote on which songs deserved to be on the final track list.

It was definitely [hard]. I grabbed like five groups of 10, and I just took votes out of all the 50 songs. It went from 50 songs to 30 songs, to 20 and 18 songs. Once I did that, by the time I was done, I had five or six different track lists. 

I didn't just go with the s— that I liked. I didn't want to be biased. I'd rather have other people's feedback. They're fans, but they're not my fans. They're my people. They're going to tell me what's right and what's wrong, music related or not. 

The album sounds like an elevated version of the sound you've already established. Did you work with any new producers or collaborators for the album?

No new producers. Everybody is from day one. [I worked with] Tay Keith, King Wonka and Mannie iL. Everybody else you heard from this album is who you probably heard from my first or second mixtape. 

I couldn't help but notice the 2Pac and Makaveli connection. What inspired the album title and sound?

It came from 2020 or early 2021. Me and Young Dolph planned after my Yellow Tape series, I was going to do the Glockaveli stuff anyway. A lot of people don't even know I already had the chain pre-made and everything. But stuff happens. After a while, I wasn't focused on it any more. I didn't care for music anymore. 

But last year, when I took the time away from music, and got my mindset right and my personal life set back the right way, I was recording. I never stopped recording. And it was all these different types of songs and music. It just sounded like a way stronger Glock than any other version of Glock.

You talked about this album symbolizing new beginnings. In what way? Is it personally, musically, or a mixture of both?

Both. It's a rebranding. That's how I look at it. 

There's no features on the album. Why such a bold move for your major label debut?

It's a self-confidence thing. I have strong faith and belief in myself, and I just like proving people wrong. I don't mind being the underdog sometimes. 

I'm glad I'm like that because it motivates me to always try to do something better than the last thing I've done. I never get content or satisfied with whatever I just did. I'm trying to top that now. 

You signed a partnership deal with Republic Records back in March. Was that a strategic move to help you take further steps in your music career?

Of course, it will help. But if I didn't have the work ethic and drive that I have — Republic could do the most, but it starts with me. I can't be 50 percent, and [the label] is 100 percent. We both have to be on the same page, and that's where we are.

With everything you have going on, do you feel like you're the face of Memphis? Or even the South?

I never look at stuff like that. I never even aimed to be looked at like that. I just be me, bro. I let people take it how they want. 

Outside of music, you've talked about starting an acting career. What's an ideal role for you?

I'm still waiting for somebody to call me or come get me. I'm slowly showing it myself in my own music videos. And eventually, I'll shoot my own s—, too. Once I get addicted to writing and shooting my own movies, it's over.  

I write most of my [music video] treatments now. Not 100 percent, but most of it is my idea. Every video you've seen, seven times out of 10 it's my idea. 

You've also teased that you'll be dropping another album for your fans this year. Can you reveal any previews of the project?

[The fans] are going to be satisfied. Well, not even satisfied. They're still going to be hungry. It's like you can't get enough of Glock, basically.  

Any surprises fans can expect on the Glockaveli Tour that kicks off May 21?

I can tell you to expect the unexpected. My shows are lit. I'm a rock star. 

– Grammy.com

The Impact Of Jay-Z's 'Reasonable Doubt': How The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Album Introduced An Icon

It's hard to believe that no one wanted to sign Jay-Z in the mid-'90s.

Before he became one of rap's most decorated and celebrated moguls, the Brooklyn-bred emcee, born Shawn Carter, faced so much rejection from record labels that he was forced to release his first album independently. Little did the naysayers know, that project marked the beginning of perhaps rap's most prosperous career.

Arriving June 25, 1996, Reasonable Doubt introduced Jay-Z as a rapper who wasn't afraid to tell a gritty tale, and who would do so with a captivating and calculated delivery. The album's 14 tracks offer stories of cut-throat street hustling, near-fatal bouts with opposition and the lavish lifestyle acquired from a life of crime — narratives that were true to his background. But that also hinted that Hova had a hunger and wisdom that would take him far.

Reasonable Doubt's now-iconic black-and-white cover further leans into the album's mafioso themes, with then-26-year-old Jay in a suit and brimmed cap, cigar in hand. The cover "was really more like establishing him as this timeless character from Brooklyn. Styled out, sharp and clean," photographer Jonathan Mannion explained to Revolt.

On May 16, the album will be honored with an induction into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame, alongside impactful works by Santana, Luther Vandross, Emmylou Harris, Fela Kuti & Afrika 70, and Cat Stevens. The inducted recordings will be celebrated at an exclusive gala in Los Angeles.

While 1998's Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life is Jay's most commercially successful album, and platinum projects like Blueprint and 4:44 are among his most personal records, Reasonable Doubt was the musical spadework that made all his ambitions possible. The project — which sold roughly 420,000 units by the end of 1996 —  laid the foundation for the legendary emcee, whose contributions inspired generations of artists.

Jay-Z has often talked about his love for Reasonable Doubt, asserting that it's his favorite album in a 2013 interview with "The Breakfast Club": "That's the joint it took my whole life to make."

But the journey to his first album didn't come easy —  yet that's exactly what made Reasonable Doubt so special.

Jay-Z's early collaborations with fellow Brooklyn emcees and mentors Jaz-O and Big Daddy Kane flashed his tongue-twisting rhymes and fast-twitch sound, but records like 1989's "Hawaiian Sophie" failed to convince execs he was anything more than a sidekick to a bigger name. In true hustler form, Hov decided to take matters into his own hands.

"I had to put [Reasonable Doubt] out myself, nobody would sign me," Jay-Z said in a 2001 interview with MTV. "I went to every single record label and they were like, 'This guy is terrible.' He's nothing."

Recorded between 1994-1995 at the former D&D Studios in Manhattan and released independently via Jay-Z's own Roc-A-Fella Records, Reasonable Doubt was elevated by contributions from DJ Clark Kent, Irv Gotti, DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody, and other contributors. Featuring dialogue from Scarface and Carlito's Way, the album leaned into stories that seemed to be torn from the pages of life in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn.

Part of Jay-Z's genius is in the diversity of offerings on Reasonable Doubt. Tracks like "Politics as Usual" offered a 360 view of the dark and unforgiving drug underworld; "Dead Presidents II" became a generation-spanning motivational anthem; "22 Two's" was a lyrical exercise executed in flawless fashion; and "Can't Knock The Hustle" was a radio-friendly serving.

"Reasonable Doubt showed a mentality of the bosses versus the runners," rapper Tone Hooker said in 2016's Reasonable Doubt documentary, RD 20. "In the '90s, everybody wanted to be the best rapper. Now, everybody wants to be the best hustler."

Similar to Nas' 1994 classic Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt reshaped the genre. Jay introduced a new generation of hip-hop fans to luxury rap. Rather than rapping about his superior flow as was common at the time, Jay talked about hustling your way to exclusivity — like taking boat rides to foreign land while sipping Moet.

Along with rhymes of caviar scoops and margarita sips on "Cashmere Thoughts," the closer "Regrets" reflects on the life-altering costs of these choices — from imprisonment to paranoia and death. Songs like "Can I Live" and "Coming Of Age" flashed his razor-sharp lyrics and street wisdom, while songs like "Ain't No N—" revealed his commercial appeal. The project was further elevated by guest appearances from Mary J. Blige, Foxy Brown, Jaz-O, and The Notorious B.I.G., the latter of which became all the more impactful following Biggie's death in 1997.

The album proved to be the introduction Jay and Roc-A-Fella Records needed. "Had I gone to a label, I don't think I would have been able to fully explore what was really happening," Jay said in a 2023 interview with Gayle King.

Frustrated by record label rejections, Jay, Damon Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke used the funds from their singles-only deal with Payday Records (which spawned Jay's "In My Lifetime" and "I Can't Get With That") to establish an imprint of their own. Roc-A-Fella was born from the trio's ability to "rock" or outmatch a fellow emcee on the mic, and their drive for riches like real-life businessman John D. Rockefeller. The label would eventually birth or accelerate the careers of Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, N.O.R.E, Cam'ron, and others.

After landing a distribution deal with Priority Records, which gave Roc-A-Fella the resources they needed to make a notable splash, Jay was the sole artist and musical backbone of the newly-formed company. And with his growing talent, and the support of top-end producers, Jay was prepared to put himself and the label on the map.

Reasonable Doubt launched Jay-Z to stardom. He went from selling CDs of his single "In My Life" from the trunk of his white Lexus at near-empty college campuses to becoming the most dominant force in hip-hop throughout the late 1990s and 2000s. While it didn't land on the top of the Billboard charts, or garner much buzz on the day of release, it established Roc-A-Fella Records as a formidable hip-hop music label and Hov as a premiere face of the genre.

After the success of Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z notched bonafide No. 1 hits like "Empire State of Mind," 14 chart-topping albums, and 25 GRAMMY wins and a staggering 89 nominations — making him the most celebrated rapper in Recording Academy history. While it's hard to imagine any other artists achieving Jay-Z's level of success, his first body of work certainly provided breadcrumbs. The path he blazed as an artist and billionaire-mogul was sparked with the release of Reasonable Doubt.

Nine BYOBs to try on the Main Line

BYOBs are as essential to Philadelphia-area food culture as cheesesteaks, hoagies, water ice, and soft pretzels.

With Pennsylvania’s notoriously strict liquor laws and expensive licensing fees, many restaurants in the Philadelphia region opt to go the BYOB route — helping fuel a vibrant dining scene where diners bring their own bottles to some of the area’s top spots.

Here are some Main Line BYOBs worth uncorking something special for.

Fraschetta BYOB

This intimate Bryn Mawr BYOB serves refined Italian fare in a cozy, elegant setting. Now owned by restaurateur Phuong Nguyen, Fraschetta continues to deliver satisfying housemade pastas and rich entrées, including creamy mushroom pappardelle and slow-braised wild boar in tomato sauce, finished with cocoa powder and Pecorino Romano.

📍816 W Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010, 📞 610-525-1007, 🌐 fraschetta.net

Dua Restaurant

In a sea of Italian spots, Bryn Mawr’s Dua Restaurant stands out for its traditional Mediterranean fare and cozy elegance. Chef Bledar Istrefi offers savory appetizers like burek and mussels pepata, and finely crafted bites like the pistachio crusted branzino and the mouthwatering pomegranate braised short rib over Israeli couscous.

📍 1000 W Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010 📞 484-380-2053, 🌐 duarest.com

Burrata Havertown

A sibling to its popular South Philly location, owners Dejvi Furxhi and Albi Furxhiu brought the charm of their Italian BYOB to the suburbs. Positioned on the bustling street of Eagle Road, Havertown’s Burrata location is adorned with Italian landscape portraits and cozy decor. The welcoming environment is complemented by delicious appetizers, pastas, and entrées, with items like truffle cream gnocchi and barramundi in garlic white wine sauce.

📍 26 E Eagle Rd., Havertown, Pa. 19083 📞 610-808-9933, 🌐 burratahavertown.com

The Choice Restaurant

Looking for a romantic night out? This 50-seat BYOB serves up Euro-fusion dishes with Ukrainian, French, and Asian touches. The restaurant, owned by Iryna Hyvel and her husband Volodymyr “Vlad” Hyvel, offers entrées like branzino with crispy potato balls, mushroom ragout, and striped bass ceviche.

📍 845 Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010 📞 484-383-3230, 🌐 thechoice-restaurant.com

Villa Artigiano Ristorante BYOB

This family-owned Ardmore restaurant boasts a menu of multiregional Italian favorites. Patrons can start with a small charcuterie board or other small plates before digging into signature dishes like gnocchi artigiano in fresh tomato basil sauce or pollo limone topped with crabmeat and a white wine sauce.

📍53 W Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, Pa. 19003, 📞 484-414-4997, 🌐 villaartigiano.com

Bam Bam Kitchen

From fried rib-eye and pork kimchi mandoo combos, to Korean fried chicken wings, and seafood pancakes, this Ardmore BYOB is booming with rich Asian flavor. Diners can enjoy Korean drink options like banana milk and the sac sac grape and orange flavors, or enjoy their own bottle while relishing over Bam Bam Kitchen’s succulent dishes.

📍 31 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, Pa. 19003, 📞 484-844-7827, 🌐order.bambamkitchen.com

Tiramisu Cucina Romana

This Chester County gem blends the BYOB model with a full cocktail bar, offering the best of both worlds. Tiramisu specializes in Roman-Jewish cuisine with refined flavors. Menu highlights include red snapper with pine nuts, raisins and balsamic vinegar, or lobster ravioli with lump crab and cognac sauce.

📍 720 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn, Pa. 19312 📞 610-906-3299, 🌐 tiramisuberwyn.com

Ryan Christopher’s

This family-friendly Narberth favorite is helmed by chef Michael Klaumenzer, who cooks and oversees a menu packed with crowd-pleasers. Crafted from locally sourced ingredients, the Narberth eatery’s dishes include an award-winning French onion soup and entrées like grilled New Zealand lamb chops, sesame-seared salmon, and a chicken and shrimp cacciatore.

📍 245 Woodbine Ave., Narberth, Pa. 19072 📞 610-664-9282, 🌐 ryanchristophersbyob.com

Veekoo

Tony and Shelly Li’s stylish BYOBs, which expanded to the Main Line after opening in Royersford in 2003, continue to deliver savory Chinese, Japanese, and Thai favorites. Offerings include sushi rolls and signature plates like the Hong Kong-style soft shell crab and General Tso’s Chilean sea bass served with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice.

📍 761 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010, and 564 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn, Pa., 📞 610-615-5118 and 484-318-7655, 🌐 veekoorestaurants.com

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

Japan’s king of carrot cake is a baker from York, Pa.

In December 1984, York, Pa., native Kyle Sexton gathered his belongings and left his life and career as a photo finisher in New York City behind.

The then-27-year-old boarded his first plane ever with little apart from $300, a small collection of books, and his love for Japanese food, language, and customs. He knew, even then, he wouldn’t look back. But he didn’t know he’d wind up becoming one of Tokyo’s most celebrated American-style bakers.

“My only goal was to live [in Tokyo]. I didn’t think about what I was going to do for work, or any of that … When I moved, I was just happy to be here,” Sexton said.

For more than three decades, Sexton, 67, has woken up at 6 a.m. to make the four baked goods that he sells at his Tokyo bakery, Kyle’s Good Finds: cheesecake, banana bread, brownies, and his famous carrot cake.

The four items — and a slew of other seasonal goods like zucchini bread, applesauce spice cake, and cherry pie — are at the heart of the Black-owned and family-operated bakery in the retro Nakano City neighborhood.

Since opening the bakery on March 8, 1992, Sexton’s pastries have been a hit with Japanese critics and international tourists alike. His carrot cake, though, has remained the star of the menu. “I only bake as much as I want to bake, and I work at my own pace. But people come here for the carrot cake, and that’s what I make the most,” he said.

When it comes to the recipe, Sexton is somewhat of a traditionalist. He uses the same core ingredients listed in dozens of recipe books: flour, sugar, eggs, freshly grated carrots, spices.

“When the Japanese press interviews me, they ask me the same question: ‘How do you make your carrot cake?’ And I always tell them, ‘It’s no different,’” Sexton said. “The only difference is I grind my own spices, and I suppose it’s a stronger taste. The cinnamon is larger than the cinnamon that you will find in a supermarket,” he said.

Once baked, the cake is topped with lemon-flavored cream cheese frosting — a simple, yet mouthwatering addition that makes the trip to Nakano that much sweeter. Thanks to a handful of culinary awards and a surge of social media buzz, Sexton’s bakery is now a must-stop for travelers who make the pilgrimage to the international food city.

The William Penn Senior High School grad has often ventured back to York over the years to attend family reunions. His fondest memories of home include spending time with his 45 first cousins, a number that has now expanded to 53. He didn’t spend much time in Philly growing up, but visited often when his daughter Safia attended UPenn.

Long before Sexton opened the doors to Kyle’s Good Finds, he worked as a photo finisher across New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. It wasn’t until he moved to New York that his interest in Japanese culture became an “obsession.”

After trying his first sushi in 1978, he was hooked. He began studying the language and Japanese customs, and soon formed a small circle of friends in New York, who later connected Sexton to friends they had back home in Japan.

Like many Americans who venture abroad, he first worked as an English teacher at a Japanese middle school. He turned to baking as a means to unwind after a workday.

A mix of cookbooks and several rounds of trial and error later, he perfected his carrot cake recipe and started bringing the spiced treat to his friends’ parties. They convinced him to make it a business.

After Sexton taught for seven years, three of his friends gifted him $10,000 each, and a fourth found the building that would later house Kyle’s Good Finds. Sexton and his wife, Shimizu Hikage, have run the bakery since.

“I never thought it was anything special,” Sexton said. “They seem to think it’s something special, but I didn’t know what all the hoopla was about. Before I was on the internet, I was always in the Japanese press.”

Sexton married Hikage in 1986 and they have four children: Kyle II, Elena, Xavier, and Safia. Xavier Sexton joined the business three years ago. The 23-year-old assists Sexton, who intends to pass the business to his youngest child.

But a retirement doesn’t seem too appealing to the longtime baker. “It’s just what I love to do,” Sexton said. “The shop is my sanctuary.”

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

A tree that bears 40 different fruits takes root in the Temple campus

Artist Sam Van Aken grew up on his family’s farm in Douglassville, Pa.

As a result, his favored medium to create art is a process called tree grafting. It involves taking a scion, or a desired piece of one plant, and combining it with the rootstock of another. The fusion creates a single plant that either sprouts the same fruit or shares elements of the both the trees.

He was introduced to tree grafting as a kid on the farm, spending years nurturing fruit trees from seed to full bloom.

He explored other mediums for his art, but kept returning to grafting. “It always stuck in my head,” Van Aken said. “I thought it was miraculous that you could take a part of one living thing, cut it, insert it, and stick it on to another living thing. It was absolutely fascinating to me.”

Only he didn’t stop at two combinations. Van Aken, an associate professor in Syracuse University’s art department created Tree of 40 Fruit, a live tree that sprouts 40 different stone fruits, thanks to grafting.

“I always felt like I worked in partnership with the tree, but it’s also very much a partnership with the people where the trees are,” Van Aken said.

The first Tree of 40 Fruit was planted in the Syracuse campus in 2011, and there are 25 more of them in locations throughout the country including in Maine, Indiana, New York, and California. The Tree’s latest installation was planted on Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture campus on March 14.

The Temple Tree will burst out in crimson and white blooms this spring. And by late summer, stone fruits such as peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, and cherries are likely to sprout from its branches. All the varieties, the artist said, will be specific to the kinds that grow best in Philadelphia weather.

“One hundred years ago we were growing fruit for taste. But now we grow it for how long it will last while it’s shipping, or if it will look good at a grocery store. Taste and nutritional value are like fourth or fifth priority,” Van Aken said.

Along with beautifying the Tyler School courtyard, the live sculpture will be a means of agricultural preservation, as it will grow stone fruit varieties that aren’t commercially produced or widely available. Students will be allowed to pick the fruits and eat them.

The agricultural artist often dives deep into the provenance, or the origins, of specific fruit varieties. Sometimes, it takes him back by 2,000 years.

One story involves the Lenape People who were native to the Philadelphia area. An English settler stumbled on an apple tree they had planted and wanted to buy it. “It didn’t register in their philosophy because you can’t own a tree anymore than you can own air,” Van Aken said.

The cost of reserach, labor, and maintenance of such trees “can be prohibitive for individuals,” Van Aken said. So he primarily aims to place them in public settings. “Placing the trees in a public context also pays tribute to the Lenapy philosophy that no one can own a tree only be gifted from its abundance.”

To ensure Temple’s fruit tree thrives in the Pennsylvania sun, Van Aken found a bulletin from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture that was released in the late 19th century. The report listed fruit varieties that were recommended for the Philadelphia area, and those are the ones he used to graft the sculpture.

Climate change, he said, “has become an overwhelming concern.” But it’s not necessarily one that hasn’t been paid heed to in the past. In Gettysburg, the site of the famous Peach Orchard battle, the Sherfy family was monitoring cold hardiness in peaches in the 1870′s “with the idea that long peach blossoms were better for colder climates than short blossomed types.”

Van Aken’s trees usually spend their first three to five years in a nursery, after which the artist carves out a plan to graft them and plant them in soil. Thereon, he visits them four or five years.

“It’s weird,” he said, “but it totally changes your perception of time. I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s a year away?’ and it feels like it’s tomorrow.”

The Tree is part of Tyler’s 8th Annual Jack Wolgin Visiting Artist program, which brings influential artists and thinkers to the campus for a free public lecture and to lead hands-on workshops with Tyler students.

“Sam’s work is absolutely ideal to bring our students together across different to see how those [different] disciplines can be synthesized in the creation of a tree that’s also a sculpture, and is also an embodiment of cultural histories,” Tyler School dean Susan Cahan said. She hoped he would bring students of differing disciplines together for a campus-wide project.

For his project, Van Aken worked with Tyler students to plant an apple tree at Tyler’s campus site in Ambler, Pa. This tree, he said, is composed entirely of apple varieties and will ultimately grow 40 different types of apples originating or historically grown in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Van Aken, who believes an intimate engagement with nature to be essential, is excited to see how the Temple community members respond to the trees in full bloom.

“Seeing a seed grow into a plant,” he said, “is all the magic you need in the world.”

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

11 romantic restaurants for a date night in the Philly suburbs

Philadelphia has no shortage of date-night destinations, but romance isn’t confined to the city limits.

Whether you’re looking to switch up your usual spots or want a standout meal closer to home, the suburbs have plenty to offer. From cozy inns to upscale seafood and steakhouses, these restaurants deliver ambience and flavor.

Here are 11 romantic spots to consider for your next night out.

Lark

In Bala Cynwyd, Lark boasts a warm, inviting atmosphere and stunning views of the Schuylkill from its rooftop terrace. The menu, from Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi, features sustainable seafood, handmade pasta, and standout entrées, like sourdough-crusted halibut. Whether you’re sipping cocktails at the bar, settling into a velvet banquette, or taking in the view from the terrace, this spot delivers an elevated dining experience.

📍611 Righters Ferry Rd., Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004, 📞 484-434-8766, 🌐 larkpa.com

Savona Restaurant

For nearly 30 years, Savona has been a Main Line destination for upscale Italian cuisine. Housed in the former headquarters of Vice President Aaron Burr, the restaurant offers a tour of Italy’s flavors with specialty pizzas, house-made pasta, and dishes like Rohan duck breast with butternut squash puree. With seating options that include a wine lounge, outdoor patio, and private dining rooms, Savona is perfect for anniversaries or a special Valentine’s Day dinner.

📍100 Old Gulph Rd., Gulph Mills, Pa. 19428, 📞 610-520-1200, 🌐 savonarestaurant.com

Andiario

Anthony Andiario’s West Chester restaurant is one of the region’s premier farm-to-table experiences. The ever-evolving prix fixe menu is a tribute to Pennsylvania’s seasonal bounty, with locally sourced ingredients — including produce from the chef’s own micro-farm. Preserved vegetables, house-dried ingredients, and meticulously prepared proteins take center stage in this dimly lit, intimate dining space. The restaurant offers a curated wine list and an open kitchen that invites guests to witness the artistry behind each dish.

📍106 W Gay St., West Chester, Pa. 19380, 📞 484-887-0919, 🌐 andiario.com

Departure

Experience a world of flavors at this premier tapas-style restaurant in Media. Departure, led by executive chef JJ Morgan, serves an ever-changing menu of international bites that includes tagine meatballs, lamb lollipops, honey hoisin stir fry, and mediterranean platters, like Philly rarebit and ceviche del dia.

📍2 S. Orange St., Media, Pa. 19063, 📞 610-502-3833, 🌐 departuredelco.com

Hook and Ladder Sky Bar

This Conshohocken restaurant from executive chef Edward Hancock is among the best spots for high-end steaks and fresh seafood the burbs have to offer. The eclectic eatery is housed in a historic firehouse, equipped with a sleek and modern interior and a lush sky bar stocked with premium spirits and wines. There’s also private dining for a more intimate occasion. And with Valentine’s Day on the horizon, it may be worth reserving for that special someone.

📍46 Fayette St. Fl 2, Conshohocken, Pa. 19428, 📞 484-351-6522, 🌐 hookandladderskybar.com

Hiramasa

Sam Li, creator of the three Osushi restaurants in Marlton, Wayne, and Ardmore, has added another Japanese destination in the suburbs. The restaurant highlights refined takes on sushi, isiyaki, and kaiseki, offering an intimate, dimly lit setting that enhances the flavors of its carefully curated dishes. The bar features a selection of premium Japanese spirits, rounding out the experience.

📍 3554 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, Pa. 19073, 📞 484-420-4023 🌐 hiramasapa.com

1906 Restaurant

Named after the year businessman Pierre du Pont purchased the grounds that would become Longwood Gardens, 1906 offers a stunning peak inside. Executive chef George Murkowicz’s menu celebrates the local landscape. Seasonal options include a sunflower seed “risotto,” a mushroom wellington, and Parisienne gnocchi. There’s also an extensive list of wines, crafted cocktails, and sultry desserts to match the elaborate view.

📍 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, Pa. 19348 📞 610-388-5290, 🌐 longwoodgardens.org

Kimberton Inn

For a cozy, colonial-era dining experience, Kimberton Inn delivers. Built in 1796 in a historic Quaker village, the inn exudes charm with its exposed wood beams and fireplace-lit dining areas. Menu highlights include hazelnut-crusted chicken breast, sautéed calf’s liver, panko-crusted eggplant, and a long list of complementary wines. There’s also live music on select nights from the restaurant’s in-house pianist.

📍 2105 Kimberton Rd., Kimberton, Pa., 19442, 📞 610-933-8148, 🌐 kimbertoninn.com

Portabello’s of Kennett Square

Portabello’s of Kennett Square has a warm interior and array of mushroom-centric bites, reflecting the area’s reputation as the Mushroom Capital. Entrées range from stroganoff with prime beef short rib and cremini mushrooms, to braised lamb shank, lump blue crab cakes, and crispy duck with french cherries and blood orange. When the weather permits, patrons can enjoy a romantic dinner out on the brick streets at East State Street.

📍108 E. State St., Kennett Square, Pa. 19348, 📞 610-925-4984, 🌐 portabellosofkennettsquare.com

At The Table

This Wayne BYOB has some of the best oysters and seafood-centric dishes outside Philadelphia. The menu includes pan-seared branzino, grilled Spanish octopus, ricotta tortellini made with wild mushroom madeira cream, and a coffee-rubbed venison. Thoughtfully prepared dishes, an intimate setting, and a curated drink menu make At The Table a top pick for a special night out.

📍 118 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, Pa. 19087 📞 610-964-9700, 🌐 atthetablewayne.com

DePaul’s Table Steakhouse

This modern Italian chophouse in Ardmore delivers top-tier steaks and seafood. DePaul’s offers everything from filet mignon and sesame-crusted ahi tuna to farfalle with wild Kennett Square mushrooms. The raw bar serves fresh oysters and clams by the half-dozen, and a well-crafted cocktail or wine list completes the experience. If you’re looking for a romantic dinner destination, this is a sure bet.

📍 7 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, Pa., 19003, 📞 610-598-0500, 🌐 depaulstable.com

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

How Future & Metro Boomin Became Trap Music's Greatest Duo

The musical bond between Future and Metro Boomin blazed new paths in Atlanta's rap scene, and transformed trap music into one of music's most expansive exports. The duo first connected on the cult "Karate Chop" back in 2013, and have been on an unrelenting hit streak ever since.

Future's auto-tune-soaked melodies and Metro's ominous trap production has formed an inseparable linkage and some of the biggest records of the past decade. From "Honest" to "Jumpman" and 2024's "Type S**t," the pair have blossomed into music's most in-demand hitmakers and influencers. 

Metro, born Leland Wayne, went from aimlessly sending beats as a teenager from his St. Louis home, to becoming one of the industry's most versatile music producers and a GRAMMY-nominated solo artist. Meanwhile Future, born Nayvadius Cash, has evolved into an international draw with a myriad of No. 1 records, multi-platinum albums, and GRAMMY wins under his belt. 

The two stars have continued to ascend in lock-step, with a new medley of booming street hits and club anthems arriving with each collaboration. But 2024 was their most expansive year to date. The duo cranked out We Don't Trust You in March, and the sequel, We Still Don't Trust You, just weeks later. 

Backed by the Kendrick Lamar-assisted hit "Like That," — and the seismic rap feud it ignited— We Don't Trust You debuted atop the Billboard 100, marking Future's second-largest opening week and Metro's biggest ever. Its follow-up, the more melodic-leaning We Still Don't Trust You, also claimed the No. 1 spot. Together, the joint projects earned the duo four nominations at the 2025 GRAMMYs, including Best Rap Album (We Don't Trust You) and Best Rap Song ("Like That"). 

Future and Metro have hit an artistic zenith unmatched by most rap duos, and it doesn't appear their streak is slowing down any time soon. As their legacy continues to grow, look back at the genesis of their artistic union over the years, and the series of hits that have formed in their wake:

2013

Before Metro became a top-end producer, he was a 17-year-old beatmaker with hopes one of his beats would fall into the hands of a mainstream artist. One faithful email to Brick Squad rapper OJ da Juiceman got him an invite to his Atlanta studio. With permission from his late mother Leslie Wayne, Metro made the eight and a half-hour voyage from St. Louis to the trap music capital. She continued to chaperone him almost weekly until Metro moved to Atlanta full-time to attend Morehouse College in 2012. 

The first-year college student split his time in the classroom and in the studio with Juiceman's mentor Gucci Mane. He eventually crossed paths with Future, who ascended from the disbanded Atlanta group Da Connect and became his own musical entity. Future started meeting up with the teenage producer daily, and the "Tony Montana" rapper hopped on one of Metro's zippy trap beats. He laid down drug-sunken lyrics to the thunderous, heavy-synth instrumental that became 2013's "Karate Chop," but Metro wasn't convinced it was a worthy single. 

"I had no clue from all the records we've done, that [that] s**t just sitting in the studio would be the one. But these days, the people and the streets produce the singles and they was fuckin' with it," Metro said in a 2013 interview with XXL.

Despite Metro's initial hesitancy, the remix featuring Lil Wayne became the lead single of Future's 2014 album, Honest, which featured three other songs from Metro, including the title track and "I Won" with Kanye West. The success of "Karate Chop" convinced Metro to drop out of college and capitalize on the rising momentum. And the musical alchemy between the rapper and producer only strengthened over time.

2015

By 2015, Metro and Future were no longer fighting for attention. The spotlight was keenly focused on the two artists, who, along with figures like Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan, were at the forefront of a booming, melody-infused trap sound. The proof of their collective powers was Future's trap masterwork DS2 and What a Time to Be Alive, an entertainingly disjointed mixtape with Canadian-born superstar Drake. 

Following the release of 2014's Honest, Future dropped a trilogy of album-quality mixtapes. The first was Monster, a darker and more brooding project that saw Future return to his previous form. Metro executive produced the mixtape, and was credited for crafting "Radical," "Mad Luv," "Wesley Pressley" and other tracks.

The duo carried the momentum of Monster into Future's DS2, widely considered the rapper's masterstroke of bleak, self-medicated drug tales and fiery trap hits. Metro, alongside fellow Atlanta trap architects Southside, Zaytoven, and Sonny Digital, handled the bulk of the project. Some of the tracks he produced included the strip club anthem "Freak Hoe," the tranquilizing "Rich Sex," and "Where Ya At" with Drake. 

After the recording session for "Where Ya At" wrapped, Drake and Future began working on the collaborative mixtape, What a Time to Be Alive.  Drake flew to Atlanta for six days with the hopes of recording a handful of songs, but Future's relentless work ethic prompted the Toronto native to match his tenacity. 

The 11-song mixtape surprisingly dropped in September 2015, and fans immediately swarmed to Metro-produced tracks like "Digital Dash," "Big Rings," and "Jumpman." The latter became a top 20 Billboard hit, and Metro's Future-assisted producer tag, "If Young Metro don't trust you I'm gon' shoot you," became the industry's most recognizable calling card.

2017

Just when it felt Future's smoldering hit streak was beginning to cool, he released back-to-back albums FUTURE and HNDRXX in February of 2017. The two projects teetered between pop-inspired tunes and heavy-handed street records, and Metro was the unsurprising maestro behind the biggest song from the two records. 

The Metro-produced "Mask Off" peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Future's highest charting single at the time of its release. A remix of the track, which samples Carlton Williams' "Prison Song" from the 1978 Selma musical, featured Kendrick Lamar. 

The massive hit encouraged generations of hip-hop fans to chant the song's drug-filled hook "Percocets (ya), molly, Percocets (Percocets)." And while Future's HNDRXX takes a more R&B and bright-eyed musical approach compared to the dreadful trap sound of his previous works, Metro was credited for the album opener "My Collection" and closer "Sorry."

2022

After five years without a collaboration, the super-duo linked back up for Metro's "Superhero (Heroes & Villains)." Future's gravelly and unpolished delivery contrasted the song's more cinematic and orchestral production. It was the first single off the producer's comic book-themed album, Heroes & Villains, which echoed an evolutionary turn for the producer-turned-solo artist. 

His transition from rugged trap sounds to grander production was first demonstrated on 2018's Not All Heroes Wear Capes, but his second album and expansion into film showcased it at a larger scale. Metro went on to produce Sony's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack, which featured A$AP Rocky, NAV, Travis Scott, Don Tolliver, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, and his other frequent collaborations.  

In the years since their last record, Future was also expanding his musical reach. He cranked out joint projects with Young Thug, Zaytoven, Juice WRLD, and Lil Uzi Vert, and released another collection of projects while taking a few momentary breaks in between. "​That's because I'm happy," Future said of his occasional hiatuses in a 2022 interview with GQ. "I'm genuinely happy with life. And there was a time where I was only happy when I was on the stage, and in the studio. Like it was my escape." After an album-less 2021, he followed up the next year with I Never Liked You, which earned the rapper his eighth chart-topping album and a GRAMMY win for the mega hit "Wait For U" with Drake and Tems. 

Metro wasn't credited on I Never Liked You, but the "Puffin On Zootiez" emcee circled back with his musical companion later that year. The two reunited on other tracks from Metro's Heroes & Villains album, including "Too Many Nights," "I Can't Save You (Interlude)," and ""Lock On Me." And while it may have seemed like Future and Metro disbanded during the five-year stretch, the producer said they never stopped working together.

 "It's crazy, public perception makes it look like we went our separate ways," Metro said in a 2023 interview with Gangsta Grills Radio. "But neither one of us really went nowhere. It's just about the right moment, and I feel like God just brought this moment together."

2024

More than a year before the release of their joint albums, Future hinted at a potential project with his long-time collaborator. In January 2023, the rapper reshared an Instagram post that read, "Future x Metro OTW with the album of the year." But the subtle endorsement failed to highlight how big the joint effort the following year would be. 

In March 2024, Future and Metro confirmed a two-part album release in a 44-second trailer. The duo is seen hopping out of luxury SUVs in the desert, with the late Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy providing the video's contentious narration.  "A lot of f**king garbage ass rappers running around. These n****s ain't supposed to be rapping, man. This game is meant for a select few." 

The first in the series was We Don't Trust You, a 17-song project that combined Metro's cinematic production with Future's street poetics. Kendrick's verse on the single "Like That" sparked a series of diss records between Lamar, Cole, and Drake, with the Comtpon rapper declaring, "Motherf**k the big three, n***a, it's just big me." 

The result was weeks of musical exchanges between the three artists, including a Drake-directed instrumental from Metro called "BBL Drizzy," which the producer encouraged fans to rap over for a chance to win a free beat. The hotly-contested battle, paired with songs like "Type S**t" and The Weeknd-assisted "We Still Don't Trust You," pushed both albums atop the sales and music charts. 

The pair capped off the year with a 27-date North American tour and a handful of nominations at the 2025 GRAMMYs.

2025

While Metro and Boomin went home from the 2025 GRAMMYs empty handed, the duo’s influence remains undeniable. Between the No. 1 records and recognition redefining modern trap music, they have influenced a new generation while staying true to their signature sound. With undeniable chemistry, their legacy is already cemented — but their reign is far from over.

– Grammy.com

Freezing temps have brought back the backyard ice rink

Philly winters have been streaky in recent years, but homeowners and hockey enthusiasts are making the most of the recent deep freeze to build backyard ice skating rinks.

While many families favor the dependable conditions of an indoor rink, Fox Chase resident David Bara prefers the slow, chilling burn of a homemade skating consortium.

Since 2016, Bara has rolled up his coat sleeves to build a 22-by-48-foot rink for his family and golden retriever Ellie to enjoy. “I’m an absolute fanatic,” Bara said. “There aren’t many people in Philly who are crazy enough to do what I do. It’s definitely something more reserved for Canadians and other people up north.”

For nine straight winters, Bara has built a miniature hockey rink using plywood and a white plastic liner (a black one draws too much sunlight), while navigating the unpredictable forces of Mother Nature. “Half of the passion I have is the challenge of being able to do one where we live,” Bara said. “It’s not easy. It’s me and Mother Nature. If Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, then there is no rink.”

After building the wooden exterior, he puts down the plastic liner and gradually fills it with water over three days. The shapeless plane slowly transforms into a sleek, 10-inch-high surface, which he wraps with beam-supported banners covered in local business ads.

Bara said his outdoor rink (ODR) wasn’t always as well-executed. His first one was made from a torn blow-up pool, with a thin surface just wide enough to fit his son and one other hockey player. But the haphazard experiment inspired him to take the art of ODR-making to the next level.

What started as a one-off project for Bara has turned into an obsession. “I’m out there building ice four or five times a night. I set my alarm for midnight, 2 o’clock, and 4 o’clock in the morning because it’s better to do it when there’s no sun.

I call it passion; some people call it insanity.”

It’s even become a part of family tradition. Bara hosts a broomball tournament every year for his daughter’s birthday, and his shed-turned-warming room is a late-night hang for Philadelphia Flyers fans. It’s equipped with a TV, a fully stocked bar, cozy insulation, and LED-lit walls covered in Flyers memorabilia.

Flourtown content creator Logan Randazzo said her DIY rink, too, has become a winter tradition. The Canada native and amateur figure skater grew up practicing two-foot turns and forward swizzles on her family’s rink. And for the past three Christmases, Randazzo and her husband have joyfully shared those “core memories” with their five children on the back patio of their historic mansion.

“It’s been fun as a parent to see that through my children’s eyes,” Randazzo said. “I used to spend all day out there with my brothers, so it’s really fun to see them [out there]. I hope it’s the kind of stories they can talk about when they grow up.”

While indoor rinks are great for skating year-round, Randazzo said nothing compares to the feeling of outdoor skating, especially when it’s accessible a few feet from a backdoor. “It’s nothing against indoor rinks, but the convenience of a mother of five to just step outside the door is absolutely priceless.”

Since posting an Instagram video of her 20-by-40-foot rink, Randazzo, who’s amassed more than 250,000 followers on the platform, said other Philly-area residents have contacted her to ask how they can make one of their own.

While ODRs are more common among Canadian and Midwestern households, Long Valley, N.J., resident John Greco said it’s become a growing trend on the East Coast since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The former hockey player runs a backyard ice rink Facebook group with Bara. He said people have been seeking new ways to explore the outdoors, and with more DIY tips and resources readily available, Greco said it’s easier than ever to get started.

The biggest challenges for new rink builders are finding backyard space without a slope, or building rink boards without a gap. Differing levels could lead to uneven ice, and cracks in the exterior can lead to “blowouts,” a balloon-like pop that ends in a flooded yard.

“I’ve heard all the horror stories. I try to collect information for people because that was my battle at the beginning. And now there are resources for people to start,” said Greco.

Barring an occasional snow blitz, or a momentary string of ice-capped days, snow in Philadelphia has been alarmingly scarce the past 10 years.

Last winter, Philly registered the lowest snow cover in a decade since the National Weather Service began tracking it in the winter of 1940-41. And the meteorological winter of 2023-24 was ranked the 10th warmest in records dating back to 1872.

Bara said it takes roughly three straight days of freezing temperatures for ODRs to hold. But despite last year’s record-low snowfall, he was able to build his ice rink in less than 24 hours. “I was making new layers every hour,” he said.

While winters have been more difficult to predict, Bara said the past 10 years have been fairly consistent. Some months (and years) are cooler than others, but the lifelong Philadelphian said the recent weather has been close to what it was when he first started making his backyard rink.

After a decade building “natural backyard rinks,” Greco said this year was his first making it with a chiller system, easing some of the pressure that comes with the weather-dependent pass-time.

YardRink CEO Brian Packard, whose company specializes in National Hockey League-licensed ODR kits, said the ease of technology is also encouraging people to build their own iced arenas.

It’s a trend he hopes will reduce children’s phone screen time and spark added interest in street hockey. Its growth, Packard said, could be similar to the popularity of flag football, which makes its Olympic debut in 2028. “It’s about sticks in hands and smiles on faces,” Packard said. “We’re excited about the resurgence of backyard ice hockey. People are going bananas with it.”

Whether it’s an NHL-licensed rink or a frozen retention basin, Maple Glen resident Kristen Warner said the best thing about ODRs are the moments shared with neighbors, friends, and family.

Warner has had rinks flood, and some have required emergency resurfacing. But no matter the conditions, one element always remains the same – the joy.

“[It doesn’t] matter if you get one weekend of solid ice, or an entire winter,” she said, “it’s worth the time and effort for the memories that are made.”

– The Philadelphia Inquirer