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Inspiration can come from many sources. For Yara Shahidi , the star of “Grown-ish,” one of the many influential figures in her life is her cousin — Grammy-Award-winning rapper and entrepreneur Nas. During a recent appearance on the “Sherri” show, the actress, producer, and Harvard graduate shared Nas’ role in inspiring her to attend the Ivy League institution , according to Because Of Them We Can (BOTWC). “There’s so many artists in your family. I did not know that Nas is your cousin. And that Nas, the great, inspired you to go to Harvard ,” host Sherri Shepherd told Shahidi. The actress replied, “Yes! I think the one thing people know about him just through, even his music, is just how smart he is. And he has such a deep passion for our culture and for education. And so, the first time I got to step foot on Harvard’s campus was when he was announcing a fellowship for graduate students that were studying hip-hop.” Harvard launched the Nasir Jones Hiphop Fellowship in 2013. Designed...
Despite releasing three albums, Common found himself struggling to sustain his music career. The rapper’s career took off in Chicago, IL, in the ’90s. He released three albums during this decade: “Can I Borrow a Dollar?” (1992); “Resurrection” (1994); and “One Day It’ll All Make Sense” (1997). Common explains that his first album received limited attention and credits his second album with putting him on the radar of some of the industry’s greats. “I remember Biggie doing one of those promos for me, being like ‘Yo this I wish this kid was from Brooklyn.’ I remember seeing Nas, and he was like ‘Keep doing your thing,” Common recalled on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast hosted by Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings. The rapper also opened up about the challenges he faced in the music industry early in his career, which caused him to question whether it was a sustainable path. “It was hard being in Chicago and trying to get even signed or get heard… I still wasn’t planted in the industry. I...
GloRilla has paid it forward to her former high school. The Memphis, TN, rapper, born Gloria Hallelujah Woods, made an appearance at Melrose High School on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. She graduated from the school in 2017 and has returned as a Grammy-nominated artist with hit songs such as “Yeah Glo!” and “Tomorrow 2.” During her visit, she donated $25,000 to the school, which will be used to build a media center, Commercial Appeal reports. “The fact that I have the ability to do it now warms my heart,” she expressed, according to the outlet. The center will “offer students the chance to engage with technology that enhances their learning, provide a comfortable, safe space to study with flexible seating, and promote literacy for both Melrose High School and the surrounding Orange Mound community.” The outlet also shared that the space will be named the Gloria H. Woods Media Center in her honor, pointing to “GloRilla’s representation as a Golden Wildcat alumna and her continued...
Shaboozey is hopeful about artificial intelligence (AI). The country artist has had quite the year. He was first featured on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album, collaborating on the songs “Spaghettii” and “Sweet Honey Buckiin.” “It’s just so surreal and humbling for me for them to choose me to be a part of the album,” he expressed to Forbes in an interview. Shortly after the launch of “Cowboy Carter,” Shaboozey teased “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which officially launched April 12, 2024. It became a Grammy-nominated single and earned the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 consecutive weeks, according to Forbes. What’s more, it garnered 2 billion streams and earned over $10 million. “I feel great. Dream come true. I can’t complain,” he told the outlet. Catch Shaboozey on Dec. 4 during Art Basel in Miami, FL, as well. He’ll be among the performers for an exclusive event hosted by Capital One and The Cultivist to amplify artist Hassan Hajjaj and his installation DAR MIAMI 1446. As part of...
Lady London chose to pursue rap after being accepted into medical school. While speaking on Revolt’s podcast, “The Blackprint,” the rapper born Zaire Miylaun Stewart reflected on the pivotal moments that led to her transition into music. She boasts two degrees, starting with a bachelor’s from Howard University, where she double-majored in sports medicine and chemistry. Lady London holds her time at the Historically Black College and University in high regard. “I was a rambunctious teenager. I went away to school because I was always told I had to go to school..and if I was going to be a part of community it had to be the Black community. So I went to a HBCU. I wanted educational goals but I didn’t think I would come out with so much experience of life. I know there’s like this whole thing where they say like ‘PWIs are the real reality of school because 72% of the world is white. The reality is if you learn how to make it in these communities and at Howard, if you can make it at...
Playing the long game paid off for Lady London. While speaking with Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels on “The Blackprint” podcast, the Bronx, NY-born artist spoke candidly about her journey into securing revenue through brand partnerships. It all began by considering the brands she often used and researching what she needed to build relationships and land opportunities. “I started YouTubing things like how are people reaching out to brands and figuring out like who’s their key point? Who handles talent? Who handles like brand partnerships within this thing? Reaching out to them with emails, forming a deck. Get your one-sheet or your EPK (Electronic Press Kit),” she explained on the podcast. Key metrics she flagged that help individuals determine their brand value included follower count, the number of females and males interacting with content, and the top five target areas. Lady London added, “Show all the things that make you a person on one thing, and send it off to brands and say,...
A new financial education program is making its way to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the help of Jay-Z. According to a news release shared with AFROTECH™, the Shawn Carter Foundation, with support from Toyota Motor North America, is launching the Champions for Financial Legacy (CFFL) program in time for Spring 2025. To start, the program will benefit students at Lincoln University, Norfolk State University, and Virginia State University, offering a financial curriculum structured around real-world applications. “We are excited to see our partnership with the Shawn Carter Foundation evolve to include this innovative initiative,” said Monica Womack, general manager of diversity & inclusion and community engagement at Toyota, per the release. “One that not only provides resources to HBCU students but also reaches the heart of the community, through advocacy for financial literacy.” The curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Coalition for Equity and...
Timbaland is expanding his portfolio, stepping into the role of strategic advisor for Suno, a leading AI music creation tool. After months of actively using the platform, the four-time GRAMMY-Award-winning artist will now provide Suno with daily support for product development and strategic creative direction, as stated in a press release. The collaboration starts with an exclusive preview of Timbaland’s latest single, “Love Again.” There’s also a Remix Contest judged by Timbaland, with over $100,000 in prizes awarded to the winning remixes. Digital service providers will release the top two remixes. “When I heard what Suno was doing, I was immediately curious,” said Timbaland, who is well-known for his influence as a music producer, creator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. “After witnessing the potential, I knew I had to be a part of it. By combining forces, we have a unique opportunity to make AI work for the artist community and not the other way around. We’re seizing that...
Snoop Dogg was advised by longtime friend Dr. Dre to turn down a multi-million-dollar deal. During a sit-down interview with Stephen A. Smith on his eponymous YouTube channel, the pair discussed their history and how they found success in both music and business. The Pair’s Success Dr. Dre is among the wealthiest figures in Hip Hop. Eleven years after co-founding the legendary Hip Hop group N.W.A, he attached himself to the venture Aftermath Records in 1998 and later sold his stake for $35 million to Interscope Records. The “million-dollar man” then nearly became a “billion-dollar man” as a co-founder of Beats Electronics, which was purchased by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. As of 2024, his net worth reportedly sits at $500 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Speaking on the feat, Dr. Dre told Stephen A. Smith, “Let’s just say life is good and I’m very comfortable right now. It’s very comfortable.” As for Snoop Dogg, he has become one of the...
Very few events grasp the nation’s attention like the Super Bowl. Each February, the NFL’s top teams come together for a head-to-head competition to determine who will be crowned the national football champion for the year. Although the game is the primary reason for the gathering, the Super Bowl is also home to one of the biggest cultural gatherings — the Halftime Show. The History Of The Super Bowl Halftime Show The Halftime Show didn’t have a lot of excitement in its early iterations. According to the New York Times, the first Super Bowl, in 1967, included collegiate marching bands, with Grambling State University and the University of Arizona being the first to perform. This mid-show performance would set the standard for the next two decades. Though New Kids On The Block signaled a shift in 1991 to modernize the format, things drastically changed in 1993 when Michael Jackson took the field in an iconic performance. This set the stage for some of the entertainment industry’s...
Eve is making major business moves — specifically by securing a major deal. According to Music Business Worldwide, Olivier Chastan’s acquisition firm, Iconoclast, announced on Wednesday, Sept. 25, that it acquired the publishing rights to the double platinum-selling Hip-Hop artist’s catalog. “Eve’s contributions to hip hop and popular culture are unparalleled. She’s not only a great artist but a true pioneer for women in the genre,” Chastan, founder and CEO of Iconoclast, said. “We are honored to help preserve and elevate her incredible legacy, ensuring that her influence continues to inspire future generations of artists and fans alike,” he added. Eve’s claim to fame came in the late 1990s with her debut album, “Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady,” which catapulted her to top the Billboard 200 — the third female rapper ever to do so. Iconoclast described her as a “trailblazer” and a “defining voice in hip-hop, known for her lyrical prowess, dynamic flow, and unique fusion of...
It’s hard to discuss Hip-Hop’s legendary impact without mentioning certain names, and one of those is West Coast icon Snoop Dogg. From his debut song “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?)” to his commentary on the 2024 Olympic Games, Snoop Dogg has become a household name across various intersections of the entertainment industry. As the current owner of Death Row Records, he is reconnecting more intentionally with his musical roots. According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, the deal follows the release of Snoop Dogg’s latest album, “B.O.D.R.,” which dropped on Feb. 11, 2022. “I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value,” the 52-year-old emcee said in a statement to NPR in 2022. “It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members. This is an extremely meaningful moment for me.” Snoop Dogg is now...
Roc Nation has spearheaded a “first-of-its-kind” financial commitment to the Hell’s Kitchen community in New York City, NY, as part of the proposal for Caesars Palace Times Square. According to a press release, the initiative includes an initial $15 million investment aimed at supporting local residents, including those at Manhattan Plaza, the popular affordable housing development for performing artists. “We are New Yorkers,” Roc Nation founder Jay-Z said. “Supporting and providing opportunities for our neighborhoods and community isn’t just a part of Roc Nation’s ethos; it’s our collective responsibility.” As part of its dedication to enhancing Manhattan’s West Side and investing in New York, approval of the bid will see Caesars Palace provide the $15 million, along with ongoing grants derived from 0.5% of casino performance. The press release notes that the Caesars Palace team is committed to collaborating with various local organizations to ensure the proposed gaming and...
Thinking long-term offers a distinct advantage, a principle 50 Cent knows very well. During a recent appearance on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast , the rapper-turned-businessman recalled how he made $100 million from Vitaminwater by strategically acquiring employee stock options to boost his equity. “[With] the Vitaminwater thing, I didn’t need the money,” 50 Cent shared. “When companies approach artists to be a part of the marketing, it’s just [that] they’ve reached the financial level where they can commit that marketing and it’ll move their company to the next level, the notoriety and everything that connects to it. So they make the deal.” He went on to emphasize the importance of thinking long term in business, highlighting how his investment helped him make a substantial profit when Glaceau, Vitaminwater’s parent company, sold to Coca-Cola in May 2007. As AFROTECH™ previously noted , 50 Cent’s Vitaminwater deal transformed Hip-Hop partnerships and serves as a blueprint for...
There’s been an update in Dame Dash’s sentiments regarding ownership of “Reasonable Doubt.” In a recent Instagram video, Dame Dash acknowledged that there is “a lot going on” but he was surprised the media hadn’t covered what he considers “very relevant” news regarding his dispute with Jay-Z over the 1996 debut album. Dame Dash asserted that the City of New York, not him, filed a significant court document on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, stating its concern over alleged misleading comments by Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records (RAF). Per a report by All Hip Hop, the City, represented by the NYC Department of Social Services, requested a pre-motion conference as well as a stay of Dame Dash’s auction sale as a result. The petition was reportedly submitted to U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. “’Jay-Z’s statements to the press have poisoned the environment for the auction,'” Dame Dash read from the City’s alleged statement. “‘He has claimed that he has a termination right under the...