by Pharron Fields | Jun 7, 2021 | Business News, Latest, Music News |
THE WORLD’S FIRST-EVER NFT AUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE ART WILL BE HELD BY RICK ROSS IN CRYPTOCURRENCY
With the release of his history-making debut, Rick Ross is the latest hip-hop star to make a splash in the cryptocurrency market.
In a report from Forbes, the music mogul and producer duo Cool & Dre teamed up with Porsche 911 art car designer Rich B. Caliente to create an NFT.
As Rick Ross wrote in an email, “Painting with the can as art is both a way to express the culture and to do something new and creative.”
In sum, Caliente stated, “We had a lot of synergy and energy while doing this project.” A tangible asset is created when all of our relationships and passions are brought together.
Slashdot, a management consulting firm affiliated with the NFT, helped launch the Bitcoin collaboration. In contrast to most NFTs, the Porsche auction also included ownership of the art and the purchase of the car.
Forbes reports that Producer Dre from Cool & Dre said that NFTs will prosper in the music space. Being able to keep our creations is satisfying and exciting.
Based upon the Metaverse and 3D animation the Porsche 911 NFT was built upon, Slashdot co-founder Brad Flaherty described the Porsche 911 NFT as a virtual reality creation that will “come to life inside of a digital world.”
A portion of the proceeds from the NFT auction, reported by Reuters last Friday (June 4), went to the South Florida-based Irie Foundation. Up until June 14, blockchain cryptocurrency, Ethereum, will be accepted as payment for the NFT.
With the market getting bigger and bigger, music-cryptocolumbia collaborations represent a huge opportunity. In addition to the NFT space, hip-hop artists such as Waka Flocka have also gotten involved as a way to return money and ownership back to creatives.
Among the musicians who have entered cryptocurrency and NFT are Lil Yachty, Akon, Quincy Jones, and many others.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
by Fabiola Noel | Jun 3, 2021 | Editorial Pick, Latest, Trending |
On September 17, 1967, in the crime-ridden and drug-infested ghettoes of the Bronx and Harlem, a gift from God was delivered: Malik Yoba. No silver spoon, white picket fence, house on the hills, or any type of relief during his early years of childhood—the streets of NYC in the 60s and 70s were vicious, and only the strong survived. By the age of fifteen, he had cheated death when a bullet was lodged in his neck. The bullet was removed, and Malik Yoba’s journey was just getting started.
Labeled as a “misunderstood child” during his early years, he possessed unusual compassion for inner-city youths and categorized many as the victims of widely held racial and social misperceptions. Malik Yoba engulfed himself in volunteering, mentoring, and inspiring the lives of the future leaders of tomorrow. Most people are totally unaware that Malik Yoba taught inner-city youths in the areas of acting and music.
Before he launched his illustrious career in Hollywood, the seeds of his success were already being planted within the youths of NYC.
In 1991, Malik Yoba auditioned for the blockbuster comedy movie Cool Runnings. Yoba’s role as a feisty and hot-tempered member of the Jamaican bobsled team was significant and necessary for the chemistry of the film. Movie critics were not convinced and panned the movie as merely average. However, audiences disagreed, and Cool Runnings soared in theaters, exceeding 68 million dollars. Malik’s flight of success took off and never came back down.
Soon, he landed the coveted role of J.C. Williams on the runaway FOX TV series “New York Undercover.” Playing alongside Michael de Lorenzo (as Eddie Torres), the show enabled viewers to see Harlem, crime, NYPD, rap music, and the entire City of New York from a whole different perspective. New York Undercover is one of the most successful TV shows in FOX TV history. The most important factor is its impact on pop and hip-hop culture. Celebrities worldwide craved to be a part of the show.
Everyone from Tyra Banks to Taye Diggs appeared on the show, and fame followed everyone. The show was the perfect balance between real-life issues and Hollywood drama. Viewers connected emotionally with each character, and public reaction was overwhelming. The essence of J.C. Williams was the talk of every local barbershop, beauty salon, and family BBQ everywhere. Malik Yoba and Michael de Lorenzo were the best duos in Hollywood since Earvin “Magic” Johnson and James Worthy. FOX and Malik Yoba were the new sensation on television, and the rose was growing through the concrete jungle. New York Undercover lasted four seasons and wrapped in late June 1998.
At around the same time, Yoba returned to activism with full force, helming a series of interactive lectures for troubled urban youth called “Why Are You on This Planet?” The program combined exercises in reading, writing, art, music, and visualization to teach children self-empowerment and the wisdom of solid decision-making. “Why Are You on This Planet?” qualified as an instant, triumphant success and continued seemingly without end; in the meantime, Yoba perpetuated his dramatic efforts as well, with contributions to innumerable motion pictures. In addition, he gave a pair of small, impressive performances in two very different 1997 indie dramas—first as Detective Carson in James Mangold’s all-star New Jersey policier Cop Land (1997), then as a studio engineer in George Tillman Jr.’s ensemble comedy-drama Soul Food, alongside Vivica A. Fox and Vanessa L. Williams.
From 2011 to 2012, Yoba appeared as former FBI Special Agent Bill Harken on “Alphas,” a science fiction drama series about a team of people with special abilities who belong to a secret department attached to the DOD. In 2013, Yoba joined the cast of “Revolution” as Jim Hudson, a former captain of the Monroe Republic. In 2015, Malik Yoba made history alongside FOX once more as he was cast as Vernon Turner, Lucious Lyon’s business partner and chairman of Empire Entertainment in “Empire.”
Yoba’s role is dynamic, challenging, inspiring, dark, and vintage Hollywood showmanship. Being the unsung hero of the Lucious Lyon Empire is a very intricate role and the perfect balance between obedience and power. When you watch Malik Yoba on the screen, you can hear, see, and feel his journey in every scene. Malik brings you directly into the moment, and he always leaves his audience wanting more. When you think of the impact of Malik Yoba not just in Hollywood but on the inner-city youths of NYC, the reflection of his power shines brightest.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
by Jonathan P-Wright | May 5, 2021 | Editorial Pick, Latest, Music News |
Certain people really inspire my soul and enable me to strive harder for the things I want most out of life. On a cool, brisk Thursday night in Miami, I’m standing on the balcony of my Trésor Ocean View Junior Suite with Lil’ Kim’s “Slippin” track blaring through my SMS Audio wireless speakers. As I transcribe her lyrics in my mind, I gently nod and cosign the truth within the context of her pinpoint delivery. Trust is the most dangerous and valuable commodity in the world. Kimberly Jones has never had a problem speaking the truth and dealing with the aftermath. Before the Grammys, platinum plaques, diva/icon status, Kimberly Denise Jones was expelled from home and running the heartless streets of Brooklyn.
Jones was born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, the second child of Linwood Jones and Ruby Jones (now Ruby Jones-Mitchell). She has one older brother named Christopher.
As a child, Jones attended Queen of All Saints Elementary School in Brooklyn. At the age of nine, her parents separated, and Jones was raised by her father, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship.
After being kicked out of her house by her dad, Jones dropped out of high school and alternated between crashing with friends and living on the street.
I changed the track selection to “Quiet” from her Naked Truth album. The beat is pulsating throughout my suite, and I can visualize Lil’ Kim staring into the eyes of her judge without blinking. No fear. Straight Brooklyn! In the early stages of her life, Kim would freestyle with ease and fantasize about having her moment.
I change the track selection again to the song “Durty” and Lil’ Kim starts off saying:
Lil’ Kim stay hot pull up with my nigga in the 80-foot yacht man this hatin’ don’t stop
Real recognize real you studio gangstas kill me
I know my vet’s in the game got to feel me
‘Cause from the gate I brrrr-raaa down the door
Like Eddy Murphy, I gave it to you raw
Two-piece bikini, Fendi mink draggin’ on the floor
Kim been the first lady since I dropped Hard Core
A lot of these hoes livin’ vicariously through me
‘Stead a doin’ them, they’d rather do me
Watchin’ them is like a Broadway play
Sittin’ next to the Queen is the closest they’ll ever get to Brooklyn
Why y’all frontin’ you know who the best be?
I’m the reason why the game so sexy
The originator, the trend creator
Bitch, you dun know you haffa respect me
I’m so lit right now from that intro verse! How can you not treasure the words and unapologetic flow of the real Queen Bee? Purely undeniable.
Jones attended Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School for two and a half years. Many of her friends also went there, and she would often skip school to hang out with them.
Since her schoolwork wasn’t being completed, the decision was made to transfer to Brooklyn College Academy to finish her remaining year and a half of school. It was the same school that fellow rappers Nas and Foxy Brown also attended.
While struggling through her personal life, Jones met The Notorious B.I.G. (real name Christopher Wallace), a key figure in both her personal and artistic life, mainly once Wallace had gained popularity and influence relationship with Bad Boy Records.
In 1994, B.I.G. was instrumental in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn-based group Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included Jones, who was only nineteen. The group’s first and only album, Conspiracy, was released on August 29, 1995, and debuted at number eight on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 69,000 copies in its first week of release. Three hit singles came from Conspiracy: “Player’s Anthem” (peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 2 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart), “I Need You Tonight” (No. 43 R&B, No. 12 Rap), and “Get Money” (No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 R&B, No. 2 Rap). The R.I.A.A. certified Conspiracy gold on December 6, 1995. “Player’s Anthem” and “Get Money” were certified gold and platinum easily.
In the middle of the wolf pack, Lil’ Kim was still the lone wolf, and the world was now taking notice of her gift. After a year with Junior M.A.F.I.A., Jones began a solo career by making guest performances on R&B albums and recording her debut album, Hard Core, released in November 1996. The album debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, the highest debut for a female rap album at that time, and No. 3 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums, selling 78,000 copies in its first week of release.
Hard Core was certified double platinum by the R.I.A.A. on March 14, 2001, after being certified gold on January 6, 1997, and platinum on June 3, 1997. The album’s lead single, “No Time,” a duet with Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart and was certified gold by the R.I.A.A.
The next single, “Crush on You,” reached No. 6 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the rap chart. A remix of the album’s track “Not Tonight” saw Jones team up with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat, and Left Eye of T.L.C. The song was part of the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence movie Nothing to Lose, nominated for a Grammy Award, and certified platinum. Lil’ Kim is the definition of self-made. On June 27, 2000, she released her second album The Notorious K.I.M. The album marked a new image and revamped look for the rapper.
It debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, selling 229,000 copies in its first week. It was certified platinum by the R.I.A.A. four weeks after its release. Kimberly Jones survived the sophomore jinx, and her success continued to exceed all public expectations. In 2001, she teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa to remake “Lady Marmalade,” which was initially written about a bordello in New Orleans and performed by the group Labelle (which included diva Patti LaBelle) twenty-five years earlier.
The song was recorded for the Moulin Rouge! film soundtrack, released in April 2001, and stayed No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. The song also went to No. 1 in fifty countries around the world.
This was a significant accomplishment for female rap and Jones, who scored her first No. 1 Hot 100 hit and became the second solo female rapper in history to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. “Lady Marmalade” also garnered Jones her first Grammy Award.
Caliente, blazing, and scorching are just a few adjectives that detail the level of demand and attention Lil’ Kim garnered during the early 2000s. She created an entirely new path for today’s MCs, both female and male, to follow: the freedom of expression in sex and music. Lil’ Kim never allowed anyone or anything to control her visual presentation or audio message to the world. She forced the hand of millions during the Grammys to accept her now-infamous purple pasty, diva/icon Diana Ross issued a physical cosign at that moment on stage.
Givenchy, Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and more have acknowledged the feisty, fearless, and sexy Brooklynite as the Queen of Hip Hop Fashion Culture.
The sheer influence of her persona is as infectious as the melody in the Dr. Dre track “Nuthin But a G Thang.” Lil’ Kim forced mainstream America to realize that black women can be portrayed as sexy, be sexual role models, run an empire, and not be labeled as shameless or a “hoe.”
I change the track selection for the last time to “Last Day.” An emotional, prophetic, and lyrical masterpiece. Legendary epic rhymes read like this:
Besides God, what the fuck should I fear?
The only one could stop me is that chick in the mirror
I built my career on blood, sweat and tears
And I’m still here, gettin’ stronger each year
‘Cause what don’t kill me could only help build me
I guess all that dirt just made me more filthy
If being loyal’s a crime, then I’m so guilty
If you was missin’ a spine you’d still have to feel me
Some came and went but your girl is everlasting
‘Til the day I’m gasping
And niggaz droppin’ tears on my Versace casket
And I’m reunited with Big like, “Nigga, what happened?”
Shit, got drastic, I missed you with a passion
By now they should realize, I’m not the average rap chick
Ain’t nuttin’ they could do now to stop my shine
This is God’s plan, homey, it ain’t mine
When it’s my last day, then it’s my last day
But until that day you can’t take away
How they scream my name, how I pimp this game
Critically acclaimed until my last day
Kimberly Denise Jones is pop and hip-hop royalty in every aspect. The “GHOST” of Notorious B.I.G. she is and will always be. Even during her twelve-month incarceration, her rainbow of influence beamed through the walls of the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, and even the Brooklyn Bridge smiled at one point. Her infamous G status is certified in every borough in N.Y.C. and the streets are always on standby if anyone wants to rumble with the Bee!
I named this article “The Endless Royal Reign of Lil’ Kim” because on June 9, 2014, at 9:58 a.m., she gave birth to Royal Reign, and the dynasty continues. With her legacy and star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame impending, the birth of Royal Reign ensures the next generation will forever know and understand the Naked Truth of Kimberly Denise Jones.
Article was written by Jonathan P-Wright, freelance writer for R.N.H. Magazine and C.V.O. of RADIOPUSHERS
by Jonathan P-Wright | Dec 14, 2020 | Editorial Pick, Latest, Music News |
The year 2020 will be forever known as COVID-19. Over 290,000 families lost a loved one and endured immeasurable pain. The entire world is living in a new normal, including people wearing masks, social distancing, and being afraid to assemble in massive group settings. The music industry was struck increasingly challenging and fast by COVID-19 in 2020.
Artist’s ability to perform live and tour, which generate millions of dollars, was halted entirely in 2020. Recording artists scrambled to find alternative methods to generate money and stay afloat financially. The word ‘HUSTLE’ has many forms of definition. To the general masses, it means “to force one’s way or proceed to work rapidly.”
Black people’s definition of hustle means “make a way out of no way.” Every day is marked as do or die in the jungle known as the ‘hood.’ Every second means eat or be eaten, and street rules of engagements are held to the highest standards.
Hip-Hop is the #1 music genre worldwide and influences all human races and ethnicities. Music is the universal language of the world and provides therapy for people’s souls. CEO and Major Recording Artist Don Chief is an original classic in rap culture. Born in the trenches of unconventional pain and struggle, God gifted Don Chief with ‘Championship DNA.’ They say, “don’t mess with Texas,” which includes ‘Don Chief.’
Every time you look into the eyes of Don Chief, a person feels an immediate connection of leadership and security. His history and personal reputation are certified on every block in Texas. Being a natural-born leader comes with an abnormal capacity of pressure and expectation from family, friends, and ultimately life.
In 2014, Don Chief launched the ‘Eatgreedy Music Group’ multimedia imprint. ‘Eatgreedy Music Group’ encompasses a music label, clothing line, television, and film production, divisions. ‘Eatgreedy Music Group’ and all its subsidiaries create strategic business opportunities for emerging artists and actors.
The ‘Eatgreedy’ music imprint has amassed 5,000,000 digital streams across all platforms in 5+ years. The shadow of great expectation looms largely over Don Chief, reflecting in his tireless work ethic. COVID-19 changed generated an incalculable amount of loss in 2020. COVID-19 forced the music industry to alter its business model by 180 degrees.
Don Chief understands the pressure to succeed in 2021 amongst COVID-19’s presence. Don Chief’s mentality is designed ‘WAR READY,’ and he never flinches in moments of high stakes and uncertainty. Don Chief fully understands that ‘heavy is the head that wears a crown’, and in 2021, his reign will continue.
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