Trombone Shorty’s Mockly Partnership Highlights Alcohol-Free Trend in Music Scene

Trombone Shorty performs at the White House in 2024, showcasing his signature blend of jazz, funk, and soul during a celebration of American music. The Grammy-nominated artist continues to honor his New Orleans roots through music and community initiatives.

Trombone Shorty, the Grammy-nominated musician synonymous with New Orleans’ vibrant music scene,
has announced a partnership with Mockly, a locally founded premium mocktail brand. The collaboration bridges his personal lifestyle with a growing cultural shift toward inclusive, alcohol-free social options while paying homage to the city that shaped his sound.

Troy Andrews, known professionally as Trombone Shorty, has built an international reputation for his genre-defying music that fuses jazz, funk, soul, R&B and rock. A child prodigy from New Orleans’ Tremé neighborhood, he earned his nickname as a young boy when his trombone dwarfed his frame. Today, he’s one of the city’s most celebrated cultural ambassadors, headlining events like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and hosting the annual Treme Threauxdown concert.

Trombone Shorty enjoys a Mockly mocktail, part of his new partnership with the New Orleans-based beverage brand. 

The partnership with Mockly aligns with Andrews’ personal choices — he has never consumed alcohol, once noting that the craziest thing he has ever done was getting a panther tattooed on his left shoulder at 18 — and his commitment to representing New Orleans’ rich cultural legacy. Mockly, launched in 2020, has gained attention for its handcrafted, non-alcoholic beverages like Love Bite (pomegranate ginger tonic) and Baron von Blue (blueberry rose spritz), offering a fresh way to enjoy the city’s festive spirit.

“This is about celebrating the culture I grew up with and making it accessible to everyone,” Andrews said. “Mockly is something I enjoy and believe in — it’s part of what makes New Orleans special.”

The collaboration comes as demand for alcohol-free beverages surges, driven by a new generation seeking flavorful alternatives without compromising the social experience. Mockly’s co-founder, Aimee Sedky, emphasized how seamlessly Andrews embodies the brand’s mission. “Trombone Shorty represents the joy and inclusivity of New Orleans, which is exactly what Mockly stands for,” Sedky said.

Andrews’ influence extends beyond music. Through the Trombone Shorty Foundation, he has worked to nurture the next generation of New Orleans musicians, ensuring the city’s rich traditions remain vibrant. This dedication to cultural preservation mirrors Mockly’s mission to reflect New Orleans’ unique flavor and spirit.

Missy Elliott, The Killers, and Anderson .Paak Lead RiverBeat 2025 in Celebration of Memphis Music

RiverBeat 2025 brings a star-studded lineup to Memphis this May, featuring headliner Missy Elliott alongside The Killers, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Public Enemy, Ludacris, and local legends in the Memphis Rap OGz showcase. The festival promises three days of music, culture, and unforgettable performances on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Memphis’s musical legacy will be on full display at RiverBeat 2025, where Missy Elliott will lead a star studded lineup that honors the city’s role as a crossroads of sound and culture. Set to run May 2-4 on the banks of the Mississippi River, the three-day festival brings together global superstars and local legends, showcasing the city’s enduring impact on music.

Elliott, a hip-hop trailblazer whose hits like “Work It” and “Lose Control” redefined the genre’s possibilities, shares headlining honors with rock powerhouses The Killers and genre-blurring innovators Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals. Public Enemy, Ludacris, and a slate of Memphis rap pioneers round out a roster that blends big names with deep local roots.

While RiverBeat’s programming spans genres, this year’s spotlight firmly shines on hip-hop. Public Enemy, the iconic group behind politically charged anthems like “Fight the Power,” and Ludacris, celebrated for his Southern rap dominance and dynamic wordplay, join the lineup. Adding a distinctly Memphis touch, the Memphis Rap OGz showcase will bring together local legends La Chat, Crunchy Black, Al Kapone, Skinny Pimp, DJ Zirk, Gangsta Pat, and DJ Spanish Fly — trailblazers whose raw, underground sound continues to influence the global hip-hop scene.

“Memphis is a city where music is constantly evolving,” said Jeff Bransford, Festival Producer at Mempho Presents. “RiverBeat isn’t just about bringing big names to the stage; it’s about honoring the artists who have shaped Memphis and celebrating the city’s ongoing contribution to music.”

The festival also delves into Memphis’s roots in blues and gospel, featuring performances that underscore its place in the cultural fabric of American music. Grammy-winning producer Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell will curate the Royal Studios Blues Jam, which includes blues icons Bobby Rush and members of the Burnside family. Meanwhile, the Sunday Gospel Celebration will close the festival with soulful performances by The Wilkins Sisters, The Jubilee Hummingbirds, and Elizabeth King.

Organizers are building on the success of RiverBeat’s 2024 debut with a host of upgrades, including five stages equipped with immersive visuals, cutting-edge sound, and interactive projections. Two newly added entrances — the North Entrance and the Butler Street Entrance — aim to streamline access for festivalgoers while connecting them to downtown Memphis businesses. Returning favorites like the Ferris wheel, nightly fireworks, and an expanded lineup of food vendors ensure an experience that refle cts Memphis’s vibrant culture.

Tickets for RiverBeat 2025 are now on sale. Three-day general admission passes are priced at $199, with VIP packages available for $849, inclusive of fees. Single-day tickets and the full daily lineup will be announced in February. Fans can visit www.RiverBeat.com for more information.

A$AP Rocky Faces Up to 24 Years in Prison as Assault Trial Commences

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, pictured in a Fenty Skin campaign, are navigating legal challenges as Rocky’s assault trial begins in Los Angeles.

Rakim Mayers, better known as rapper A$AP Rocky, rejected a plea deal Tuesday as jury selection began in his long-delayed trial on assault charges stemming from a 2021 confrontation in Hollywood.

The deal would have required Rocky to plead guilty to one count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in exchange for six months behind bars, three years of probation, and a suspended seven-year sentence. Instead, the 36-year-old artist, who faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted on two felony assault counts, declined the offer.

Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, has maintained his client’s innocence, claiming the gun in question was a starter pistol used as a prop for security purposes. "The evidence we have that they don’t know about is going to be devastating—devastating," Tacopina said earlier this year, expressing confidence in an acquittal.

The charges stem from a November 2021 incident in which Rocky is accused of firing two shots at Terell Ephron, a former member of the A$AP Mob known as A$AP Relli, during an argument outside a Hollywood hotel. Ephron testified in November 2023 that Rocky allegedly brandished the firearm, threatened to kill him, and later fired at him, striking him in the hands. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Rocky holding a gun, while the sound of gunfire was recorded nearby.

Ephron, who had a falling-out with Rocky over a financial dispute, alleged the rapper had grown “big-headed” from fame and “failed everybody.” Bullet casings presented as evidence were provided to authorities by Ephron, but no matching weapons were found when police searched Rocky’s Los Angeles home in 2022.

The trial marks yet another significant moment in the rapper’s legal history. Fans may recall Rocky’s 2019 arrest in Sweden for assault, which became an international incident after figures like Donald Trump intervened on his behalf. His experiences have cast a shadow over his career, though they’ve done little to diminish his influence as a cultural icon.

Rocky’s rise to prominence as part of the Harlem-based A$AP Mob collective helped redefine East Coast hip-hop. With hits like “Praise the Lord” and his fashion-forward image, Rocky became a leader in bridging streetwear, high fashion, and music. Despite the controversy surrounding his legal battles, his fans remain loyal, eager to see how the trial will unfold.

Rihanna, Rocky’s partner and the mother of their two children, was not present in court Tuesday and is unlikely to attend the proceedings, according to the defense team.

The trial is expected to last about three weeks.