Niko knows...CULTURE // Issue #21
What's going on in the #Nikoverse? ✨🪐 There's a ton of hip-hop, soccer, podcasts, basketball, football, and gaming happening. To sum it up: a lot of culture.
Yoo! Welcome back to #NikoKnows…CULTURE—let’s hit the cultural highlights of the week:
The iconic duo returns! Missionary reunites Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre for the first time since Doggystyle (1993). Packed with 15 tracks featuring Eminem, 50 Cent, Jhené Aiko, and more, this album blends West Coast classics with fresh flair. It’s a must-listen! Comeback? Comeback! The Queen of Pop is back! Madonna’s reuniting with Stuart Price for a new album set to drop in 2025. Their last collab brought us Hung Up and Sorry, so get ready for another era-defining moment.
Mariah Carey will headline the NFL’s first-ever Christmas Gameday with a performance of “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Beyoncé’s halftime show and a two-game holiday special featuring the Chiefs, Steelers, Ravens, and Texans round out the festive fun.
Duolingo’s teaming up with Squid Game for a “Learn Korean or Else” challenge. With Season 2 premiering Dec 26, it’s the perfect time to boost your skills before the games begin.
Elden Ring goes co-op! Nightreign lets up to 3 players team up as unique characters in the twisted world of Limveld. With roguelike 3-day cycles and Nightlord bosses, this 2025 release promises pure chaos.
Wishing all our readers wonderful holidays and an incredible 2025! Thank you for being with us—we’ll be back in January with more of your favorite culture updates. See you next year!
Best,
Niko
#NikoKnows…HIP HOP
Snoop & Dre Are Back! Missionary Brings Classic Vibes with a Modern Twist
The iconic duo drops their first full album collab since Doggystyle
Star-studded lineup: Jhené Aiko, 50 Cent, Eminem, Method Man & more
15 tracks blending old-school G-funk with modern mogul rap vibes
Hip-hop royalty has reunited! Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre are back with Missionary, their first full album collab since Doggystyle shook the world in 1993. Released under Death Row, Aftermath, and Interscope, this 15-track powerhouse taps into classic West Coast energy while flexing new-school finesse.
Fans already got a taste with singles like “Gorgeous” featuring Jhené Aiko, “Outta da Blue” with Alus, and “Another Part of Me” with Sting. “Gorgeous” even earned Snoop and Dre a spot on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for the first time in 13 years, peaking at No. 26.
The album is loaded with heavyweight features, including 50 Cent and Eminem on “Gunz n Smoke”, BJ the Chicago Kid on “Fore Play” and “Now or Never”, and Tom Petty and Jelly Roll on “Last Dance with Mary Jane”. Plus, appearances from Method Man, K.A.A.N., and Cocoa Sarai add depth and diversity to the lineup.
Missionary marks Snoop’s first album drop since 2022’s BODR (Bacc On Death Row) and his supergroup debut with E-40, Too Short, and Ice Cube as Mount Westmore. For fans of smooth beats, slick bars, and that undeniable Snoop x Dre magic, this one’s a must-listen. It's more than an album—it’s a masterclass in longevity, evolution, and straight-up West Coast cool.
#NikoKnows…POP CULTURE
Madonna’s Back! New Music with Stuart Price Coming in 2025
Madonna hits the studio with longtime collaborator Stuart Price
New music teased for 2025—her first album since 2019’s Madame X
Calls songwriting “medicine for my soul” in a playful IG studio video
The Queen of Pop is gearing up for a major 2025 comeback! Madonna took to Instagram to announce she’s been cooking up fresh tracks with longtime collaborator Stuart Price, the mastermind behind her legendary Confessions on a Dance Floor album. Their creative chemistry is on full display as they jam together in the studio, with Madonna calling the process “medicine for my soul.”
Fans are already buzzing, especially since it’s been four long years since her last album, Madame X, which topped the Billboard 200 and gave us hits like “Medellín” with Maluma. Price, who served as musical director for several of her world tours, is no stranger to crafting bangers with Madonna. From “Hung Up” to “Sorry”, this duo knows how to create magic.
On top of new music, Madonna’s also juggling her long-anticipated biopic project. She’s faced industry pushback but promises to "think outside the box" to bring her story to life. With new music and a movie on the way, 2025 is shaping up to be a Material World takeover once again.
#NikoKnows…AMERICAN FOOTBALL
Mariah Carey + NFL = A Christmas Miracle on Netflix
Mariah kicks off NFL’s first-ever Christmas Gameday with “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
Chiefs vs. Steelers + Ravens vs. Texans = Doubleheader holiday showdown
Beyoncé joins the party with a halftime show at NRG Stadium in Houston
Christmas just got a major upgrade! Mariah Carey will headline the NFL’s first-ever Christmas Gameday on December 25, airing on Netflix, CBS, and NFL+. The Queen of Christmas will open the event with a pre-taped performance of her iconic “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, setting the festive tone for a two-game holiday showdown. First up: the Kansas City Chiefs face the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET.
But Mariah isn’t the only megastar on deck. Beyoncé will hit the halftime stage at Houston's NRG Stadium, marking her first live set since releasing her Cowboy Carter album. Her teaser, featuring a wintry Texas vibe and a cactus Christmas ornament, has already sent fans into a frenzy.
The holiday magic comes after Mariah had to cancel a Pittsburgh stop on her Christmas Time tour due to illness, but she’s more than making up for it with this blockbuster event. Christmas, football, and a double dose of divas? We’re calling it: this is the ultimate holiday crossover.
#NikoKnows…MOVIE CULTURE
Squid Game x Duolingo: ‘Learn Korean or Else’ Campaign Kicks Off
Duolingo & Netflix team up for the "Learn Korean or Else" challenge
Campaign drops ahead of Squid Game Season 2 premiere on Dec. 26
Korean language learning surged 40% after Squid Game Season 1 hit
Ready to learn Korean... or else? Duolingo and Netflix are joining forces for the "Learn Korean or Else" campaign, inspired by the cutthroat stakes of Squid Game Season 2, which premieres on December 26.
The campaign taps into Duolingo’s quirky approach to language learning, encouraging fans to brush up on their Korean before the show returns. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to understand the rules before the red light-green light nightmare begins? Following Squid Game’s debut in 2021, Duolingo reported a 40% surge in Korean learners. Netflix says non-English content now accounts for 13% of all viewing in the U.S., with Korean shows leading the pack.
This clever collab blends fear, fandom, and education—because what’s more motivating than "learn or be eliminated"? Prepare your Duolingo streaks and get ready for the ultimate test of your survival… and your vocab.
#NikoKnows…GAMING
Elden Ring: Nightreign Brings Co-Op Chaos to the Lands Between
New co-op spin-off lets up to 3 players battle through Limveld, a twisted take on Limgrave
Choose from 8 distinct characters with unique skills for strategic gameplay
Roguelike twist: 3-day gameplay cycle with boss battles against fearsome Nightlords
FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have officially announced Elden Ring: Nightreign, a bold new spin-off that reimagines the Elden Ring universe with a focus on co-op play. Unveiled during The Game Awards 2024, this fresh installment takes players to Limveld—a parallel realm to the iconic Limgrave—and invites up to three players to band together for the ultimate test of teamwork.
Unlike its predecessor, Nightreign revolves around co-op gameplay. Players can select from eight unique characters, each with distinct abilities and fighting styles, encouraging strategic play. Whether you roll solo or squad up with friends, you’ll face randomized enemies and unpredictable challenges every step of the way.
The heart of Nightreign is its roguelike-inspired 3-day cycle. Daytime is all about strategy—scavenge for weapons, set traps, and dismantle enemy camps. But as night falls, things get spooky. Nightlords, powerful bosses with unique abilities, emerge every third night for intense showdowns. Eight bosses stand between you and victory, each bringing fresh chaos to the battlefield.
Set for release in 2025, Elden Ring: Nightreign will drop on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Get ready for new legends, fresh nightmares, and that classic Elden Ring difficulty—now with friends.
And that’s a wrap for this year! I’ll be taking a short break for the holiday season, so the newsletter will be back in January with fresh insights and exciting cultural highlights. Until then, I wish you joyful holidays and a wonderful start to the new year.
Take care and see you in 2025!
Best,
Niko