Amaya Espinal, also known as “Amaya Papaya,” may have a new career once she exits the villa. From A Nurse To A Reality TV Star The 25-year-old from New York is a first-generation American with roots in the Dominican Republic and is among the cast members on Season 7 of Peacock’s “Love Island USA”. Her search for love could lead to a $100,000 prize, one she may split with her partner if they make it to the finale — unless one of them decides to take it all. Espinal, who is currently coupled up with fellow cast member Bryan Arenales, has quickly become a fan favorite among viewers for wearing her heart on her sleeve. She already has a viral sound on platforms such as TikTok, where she currently has 2.3 million followers (at the time of this writing). @printedofperfection Song of the summer ✨ #fyp #loveislandusa #casaamor #amayapapaya ♬ original sound – Love love love A personal moment was captured of her singing in front of a mirror on the show. The sound bite of the original song has...

Playboi Carti , born Jordan Terrell Carter, is an influential figure in the modern hip-hop scene known for his distinctive sound, fashion influence, and cult-like fan following. Emerging from Atlanta, Georgia , Carti has quickly risen to prominence since his debut, carving out a niche with his minimalist beats and catchy ad-libs. His unique style blends elements of punk, trap, and avant-garde aesthetics, influencing a new wave of artists and shaping contemporary hip-hop culture. As a performer and cultural icon, his financial standing has been a subject of curiosity, especially given his rapid rise and high-profile collaborations. How have Playboi Carti’s career, business ventures , and earnings contributed to his net worth in 2025? From album sales and streaming revenue to merchandise and endorsements, we’ll break down how he has built his financial portfolio beyond just music. Early Career And Rise To Fame Playboi Carti first gained attention with his self-titled mixtape, which...

Westbrook Inc., the entertainment studio founded by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Miguel Melendez, and Ko Yada, is entering the anime world — and not quietly. According to a report from Variety, the company has announced a partnership with the newly formed Studio Azuki, signaling a global push that connects Hollywood storytelling with next-generation anime development. The collaboration pairs Westbrook with a new kind of anime studio, one rooted in Japanese tradition, driven by fan participation, and powered by digital culture. “…Our mission has always been to tell stories that connect, inspire, and transcend borders,” Yada, CEO of Westbrook, said via Variety. “…[Studio Azuki’s] creative vision and cultural insight align seamlessly with our global strategy.” Studio Azuki is a joint venture formed by digital-native brand Azuki, manga publisher Comisma Inc., and animation house Xenotoon Inc. Each brings something different to the table. Azuki, born from an NFT project, has already...

Kendrick Lamar and SZA have made history in the music industry. Grand National Tour The Grammy-award winning artists are frequent collaborators and performed together at the 2025 Super Bowl LIX performance in New Orleans. The pair later embarked on the “Grand National Tour,” which kicked into gear on April 19 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, according to USA Today. The tour, presented by Live Nation, pgLang (Lamar’s agency), and Top Dawg Entertainment, made its way to 19 stadiums in cities such as Los Angeles, Houston, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, mentions Seattle’s Lumen Field. Concluding the North American leg on June 18, the tour will continue throughout the U.K., Europe, and Australia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar)   This has marked the first stadium tour for both artists. “There’s so many firsts happening back to back,” SZA said on the “Sherri” show . “I can’t express what it’s like to go through life for the first time but in front...

“Insecure” actor Kendrick Sampson wants to liberate marginalized communities. The Houston native said that in his foray into Hollywood, he wanted to prioritize securing guidance from Black men in the entertainment industry. Sampson’s Hollywood pursuit led him to the Los Angeles-based Robey Theatre Company, founded by actors Danny Glover and Ben Guillory. The company is intentional about telling nuanced and complex stories of the Black experience, according to its website. Within his first year working at the theatre, Sampson was exposed to figures such as Toussaint L’Ouverture, a Haitian general who led the country’s independence movement; civil rights leader Malcolm X, who advocated for Black nationalism; and Paul Robeson, a singer and radical activist. “These are the stories we need to be telling, and I saw how much resistance there was to get resources to tell those stories and why…[I read ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’]. So there was no mistake in where I was supposed to be...

David Banner is thanking T.I. for making it possible for him to have a lucrative career as a producer . On the “Club Shay Shay,” podcast, Banner reveals how important a tag in a song is for producers to ensure they receive full recognition. He also claims he is one of the first rappers to put his name before a beat in contemporary Rap and says the decision was inspired by Jay-Z, who would shout out producers on his songs. “I noticed Jay-Z would say ‘Kanye, you a fool fool fool. Just Blaze, you did it again,’ and every time he would say their name they could charge $10,000 extra right,” Banner told host Shannon Sharpe on the podcast. “Southern rappers hid their producers. It hurts me to this day. KLC from Beats By The Pound, as big as ‘No Limit’ was, don’t nobody know who they are. They’re some of my mentors… I really think Beats By The Pound is as big as Timbaland and Pharrell, because they changed music in the same way that those people do but we don’t know who they are.” He...

Memphis Bleek’s trust in Jay-Z led him to turn down a five-figure signing bonus. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Memphis Bleek splashed onto the music scene by being featured on the “Coming of Age” track of Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt” album. He later became the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s label, Roc-A-Fella Records. The pair had also grown up together in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, NY. “He really grew up with me, on the third floor of the same building in the same project,” Jay-Z said recently on Power 105.1 with DJ Envy. During an interview with “The Breakfast Club,” Memphis Bleek was asked by co-host Jess Hilarious, born Jessica Robin Moore, about his dynamic with Jay-Z and if he believes his fate would have been different if he had signed with another label. Memphis Bleek eventually parted ways with Roc-A-Fella Records, and while Jay-Z went on to launch Roc Nation, Memphis Bleek admits he likely wouldn’t have become a bigger artist — or reached where he is today — even if...

Skai Jackson is an American actress, author, and social media influencer who rose to fame at a young age. Best known for her role as Zuri Ross on the Disney Channel sitcom “ Jessie ,” she has evolved into a multi-talented entertainer with a growing presence in acting, writing, and digital media. Beyond her early acting success , Jackson has diversified her career with brand partnerships, entrepreneurial ventures, and activism, making her one of the most prominent young celebrities today. Let’s explore her career trajectory, sources of income, and estimated net worth in 2025. Early Life And Career Beginnings Born on April 8, 2002, in New York City , Jackson started her career as a child model, appearing in commercials for major brands. Her natural talent and charisma quickly caught the attention of casting directors, leading to minor roles on television shows. Her big break came in 2011 when she was cast as Zuri Ross in “Jessie,” a Disney Channel series that ran until 2015. “Jessie”...

Damon Wayans is a renowned American comedian, actor, writer, and producer whose career has spanned more than three decades. From his early days in stand-up comedy to becoming a key player in iconic television shows and films, Wayans has left a lasting mark on the entertainment industry. A member of the famous Wayans family, Damon has carved his own path through his unique blend of humor, social commentary, and acting talent . That recipe for success has built Wayans an empire, leaving many wondering what his estimated net worth is in 2025. Early Life And Career Beginnings Damon Kyle Wayans Sr. was born on September 4, 1960, in New York City . Growing up in a family deeply rooted in comedy and entertainment, Damon was surrounded by creativity from a young age. His older brothers, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Shawn Wayans, were influential figures in comedy, and this environment nurtured Damon’s passion for performance. He started his career in the 1980s as a stand-up comedian , quickly...

Allen Media Group (AMG) CEO Byron Allen has long been a formidable presence in the entertainment industry, but his recent legal victory against McDonald’s has thrust him into the spotlight once again.  Thanks to the settlement, Allen’s already considerable wealth is sure to reach new heights. The media mogul previously filed a discrimination lawsuit against McDonald’s for $10 billion. While the final numbers of the settlement aren’t public, they could be substantial. Given the stakes, the settlement is sure to increase Byron Allen’s net worth even more. For some people, this lawsuit may have been the first time they’ve heard of Byron Allen. If so, they’re likely wondering how he amassed enough wealth, influence, and capital to sue one of the most recognizable brands in the world. However, his journey from stand-up comedian to billionaire media mogul is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and determination. Born in Detroit in 1961, Allen moved to Los Angeles at a young age and...

Shelton Jackson “Spike” Lee has made an indelible mark on the landscape of American cinema. With groundbreaking films like “ Do the Right Thing” (1989), “ Malcolm X” (1992), and “ BlacKkKlansman” (2018), Lee has provoked thought and dialogue on pressing societal issues. His directorial prowess has earned him critical acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for “BlacKkKlansman” in 2019. So, with all his cinematic success, what is Spike Lee’s net worth in 2025? Let’s take a look at his achievements and the numbers that have made Lee one of the most recognizable movie makers in the industry. From Atlanta Roots to Brooklyn Living Born on March 20, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia, Shelton Jackson Lee was the eldest child of Jacqueline Carroll, an arts and literature teacher, and William James Edwards Lee III, a jazz musician and composer, per TV Insider . During Lee’s early years, the family relocated to Brooklyn, New York, settling in the Fort Greene neighborhood. It...

SZA is thanking Beyoncé for a kind gesture tied to her sophomore album. SZA released her long-awaited sophomore album “SOS” on Dec. 9, 2022, featuring 14 tracks, including “Snooze,” “Love Language,” and “Kill Bill,” the latter of which earned the artist her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2023, notes Billboard. “The sound is a little bit of literally everything. It’s a little angry as an overview, but some of it is really beautiful and soft and heartfelt. It’s about heartbreak, it’s about being lost, it’s about being pissed,” she told People in regards to the album. “It’s my first album in five years, so I’m ready to be a different person and step into this new part of my life.” Like with any music project, collaborations with various producers, songwriters, and other artists are key to help an album reach the finish line. It appears SZA’s project was no different as Beyoncé also contributed to her first single, “SOS,” which features an interpolation of Beyoncé’s song...

Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The theme of the 2025 Met Gala was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, particularly focused on Black dandyism. Guest Curator Monica L. Miller’s book, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,” served as the primary inspiration for the exhibit. Black dandyism began in 18th century Britain, but its cultural movement took root in the early 20th century, in which Black people embodied the European sensibility through clothing as a form of self-expression. Emerging during a time when African Americans had little to no agency after the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), they used dandyism to address the erosion of their civil rights. The theme highly parallels the current fight to retain ownership and freedom during a divisive time in politics. The 2025 Met Gala had Black male co-chairs for the first time in history, with celebrities A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton,...

Acclaimed filmmaker Ryan Coogler, best known for writing and directing such smash hits as “ Black Panther ,” “Creed” and “Fruitvale Station,” has been making waves recently with his new movie “Sinners.” For those who don’t know, “Sinners” has already garnered over $70 million at the box office , despite having just released on Apr. 18. The film also had a very modest marketing push and very little studio support, making its success even more impressive. While “Sinners” has been drawing plenty of eyes from the general public, the behind-the-scenes story of Coogler’s Warner Bros deal has also enraptured creators, filmmakers and Hollywood film buffs alike. In fact, financial analysts have predicted that the “Sinners” deal could be worth millions for generations to come, while some studio insiders have expressed concern that the deal will destabilize the future of the industry if other filmmakers attempt to replicate it. In order to understand exactly what terms are established by Ryan...

Bobby Brown reveals the one business move he wish he had implemented at the start of his career. Brown’s rise to fame was through New Edition, which also included members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, and Ronnie DeVoe. The group infamously got their start in the industry after signing a $500 deal with musician and producer Maurice Starr, as AFROTECH™ previously told you. Their hit singles include “Can You Stand the Rain” and “If It Isn’t Love.” Brown later went solo after being voted out of the group, launching a highly successful career that saw him sell over 12 million physical copies. The success of his sophomore album, “Don’t Be Cruel,” alone was enough to set him up for life. He also made several business moves that benefited his career, including his publishing deal, which was structured by his mother and management team. “I saw a lot of it, because my deal was situated in a way where I made dollars on each record, not pennies,” he said on the “Club Shay Shay”...