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Andrea Wallace has reportedly secured funding for an entertainment marketplace. In 2018, Wallace, a professional DJ with a business degree from Grand Valley State University, founded and launched Opnr, an “all-in-one data-powered” solution designed to simplify the booking process for musical talent. According to the company website, it provides concert organizers with data and analytics to help them book the right talent for local events. It also helps musicians showcase their work through an electronic press kit generator that serves as a resume, and through its FAN-CLAIM™ software, they can connect with their local fanbase. According to MLive , Opnr has been used by nearly 12,000 musicians and 800 organizers. “We’ve got pretty good traction,” Wallace said of the company, which is headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, according to the outlet. Even so, it has not been easy to gain support in funding. “There are plenty of people in Grand Rapids who are super helpful,” Wallace mentioned,...
R&B sensation Eric Bellinger isn’t afraid of artificial intelligence (AI) and the role it’s taking within the music industry. Instead, he’s embracing how it can enhance his work as an artist. As one of the first artists to appear on Hooky, a music startup specializing in artist-first solutions in voice AI, Bellinger is allowing creators to experiment with their songs using his AI voice model. “If you aren’t afraid of it, it could be your best friend,” he told AFROTECH™ about AI technology. “But I think if you’re afraid and thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to lose my job,’ it’s different in other fields. But for music, I definitely think it could be beneficial as a tool. I use it in all my sessions in different ways — whether it’s coming up with an idea for artwork, titles, or something else. There are so many different platforms, and I personally take advantage of all of them.” No stranger to using technology like social media to connect with his fans, affectionately known as the...
India Arie has always been about doing what feels right. Arie has shook the music industry since the very beginning, defying beauty standards with her hit song, “Video,” and always making it known that she will not conform to fit into what the world wants her to be. And, in 2022, nothing is changing. Rolling Stone reports that Arie is among the latest musicians set to remove music from Spotify in support of Neil Young, who first demanded action against the streaming platform’s failure to address the COVID-19 misinformation shared by Joe Rogan via his podcast. While misinformation about viruses and vaccines sparked the protest by musicians on the platform, Arie says it’s much more than that. “Neil Young opened a door that I must walk through,” Arie wrote via Instagram. “I believe in freedom of speech. However, I find Joe Rogan problematic for reasons other than his Covid interviews. For me, it’s also his language around race.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by India Arie...
A report from Billboard has revealed the highest-paid musicians and artists of 2020, and many of Hip-Hop’s favorites are topping the list. Amid a year with very little touring due to the pandemic, some of the biggest names in the music industry still managed to come out on top of Billboard’s 2020 Money Makers list bringing in millions and millions of dollars. “For the first time in the history of Money Makers, concert revenue did not determine the No. 1 spot on the list — and because of the pandemic had little influence over the ranking in general,” Billboard reports. The list of highest-paid artists was created based on data from the 2020 U.S.-only MRC Data and Billboard Boxscore statistics. The methodology mostly accounted for artists’ streaming and publishing, leaving off revenue from merchandising, synchronization or livestream gigs. Hip-Hop acts like Drake, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, DaBaby, Future, Roddy Ricch, Rod Wave, Kanye West and Travis Scott all...
Content is ubiquitous. That’s great for consumers who devour streaming audio and video voraciously each day. But it’s a mixed bag for content creators who have to cut through the clutter to have their creative work seen and heard. To be fair, not all content is good content. But everyday content creators are often competing with established television, film production, and record companies on the same platform for the same eyeballs. And even the talented aspirants often struggle to stand out. Historically, many young Black Americans have gravitated towards sports or entertainment as career choices. And with platforms like YouTube, where anyone with a smartphone can quickly showcase their singing, rapping, or dancing ability, dreams of fame and fortune feel closer than they’ve ever been. Many aspiring musicians start by putting their music out there on streaming platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube. Doing so is a good start. But, understand, streaming revenue from these...
DuMarkus Davis is a classically trained violinist and graduate of the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Now, he’s trying to help other music students get the best music instruction possible. So far, he tells AfroTech, that he’s managed to raise $200,000 from a combination of sources including Tech Stars, Opportunity Hub, and pitch competitions. Growing up in College Park, GA, it was always a struggle to find high-quality music instructors. When he became an instructor, he found it difficult to find well-paying teaching gigs. He noticed music schools and studios would charge high fees for lessons but the instructor would only get about 25 percent of the fee. “I started hiring some friends and ultimately helped them out with marketing,” Davis said. “I realized this could be something that, one, could be aided and fixed by technology but, two, it could be scalable.” After he graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he had multiple job offers but turned...
Musicians are another group of people who took a large hit during the pandemic, but SoundCloud is stepping up to help the creators on their platform in need. Variety reported that on Thursday, the online music streaming site announced a series of initiatives they plan to kick off to garner more attention for artists using the platform. SoundCloud described the plan as a $15 million investment to provide promotional support through their “artist accelerator program.” “As the coronavirus crisis has unfolded, we’ve seen a global outpouring of tracks on SoundCloud with a 50% surge in creators uploading in the past month alone,” CEO Kerry Trainor wrote in a statement on their website. “But behind this creative response, we know there continues to be financial loss and uncertainty for our creator community.” Programs within the plan include a new direct fan-support button for all artists, $5 million in free promotional support for all creators to drive more plays, a $10 million artist...
Originally, Atlanta based entrepreneur Robert Hatcher set out to create “Facebook for music artists.” Instead, he built something that could be much more valuable to his community. Hatcher, a musician himself, needed to find a way to collaborate with artists without actually being in the studio with them. He built SoundCollide, which acts as a virtual recording studio that allows people to collaborate in real time. “Connecting artists together was a huge problem,” Hatcher said. Hatcher wants SoundCollide to give artists more control over how they create without being restricted by location. “When you feel like you can actually help people (you know what I’m saying) like something is very efficient–in a very efficient way. It’s not just like, ‘Oh I got this great idea,'” said Hatcher. “It really shifts as like, we can actually make a real impact.” Soundcollide has won more than $20,000 in pitch competitions.
Drew Desbordes, better known as the comedian Druski, has achieved huge online success, landing him a spot on Forbes’ 2025 Top Creators list. Druski’s financial success has come a long way since he was a “broke” 23-year-old turning his mother’s living room into a playground for skits that he recorded with a phone, he told Forbes in 2023. “I just was using what I had, and it worked out for me,” Druski told the outlet. Druski’s content took off during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he was inspired by shows such as “American Idol” and “Making the Band,” The New York Times mentions. This led to “Coulda Been Records,” a serious then later satirical record label — of which he retains full ownership and self-funds — that many tuned in to on Instagram Live throughout the pandemic, notes Complex. “I think social media during the pandemic was like big time because nobody’s going outside. Nobody was doing anything,” Druski explained to Forbes. “A lot of people were just tuned into everything that I...
Evander Holyfield, famously known as “The Real Deal,” is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time. His career, marked by resilience and impressive achievements in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, has cemented his place in boxing history. Beyond the ring, Holyfield has engaged in business ventures, endorsements, and philanthropy, contributing to his overall financial portfolio. Let’s explore his early life, illustrious boxing career, earnings, and entrepreneurial activities, all contributing to Evander Holyfield’s estimated net worth in 2025. Early Life And Amateur Boxing Career Evander Holyfield was born on October 19, 1962, in Atmore, Alabama . Raised in a modest household, Holyfield faced significant challenges during his upbringing. Boxing became an outlet for discipline and focus, steering him away from potentially negative influences. Holyfield’s amateur career was exceptional. He won the National Golden Gloves Tournament in 1983...
Mega-producer Timbaland has reaffirmed his commitment to artificial intelligence. Stage Zero and TaTa Timbaland is taking greater ownership in the advancement of artificial intelligence. The Grammy Award winner launched the AI-focused entertainment company Stage Zero in partnership with Zayd Portillo, his creative partner, and film producer Rocky Mudaliar, as reported by Rolling Stone. The label has also “ signed ” its first AI-generated “artist,” TaTa. Timbaland says TaTa is not an avatar or character, drawing a clear boundary that he believes she is “a living, learning, autonomous music artist built with AI,” according to Music Worldwide. “TaTa is the start of something bigger. She’s the first artist of a new generation. A-Pop is the next cultural evolution, and TaTa is its first icon,” Timbaland told the outlet. Partnership with Suno During the 2023 AFROTECH™ Conference , the rapper stated that AI should not only be embraced but that the community should also be at the forefront...
Expect to have a more seamless experience at this year’s AFROTECH™ Conference. The event, which is the largest gathering of Black tech professionals and entrepreneurs, will t ouch down in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center and run Oct. 27–31, 2025. This marks the conference’s second consecutive year in the city and builds on its momentum, having attracted over 40,000 attendees since its inception. It’s clear the conference is the place to be, and you won’t want to miss what’s next. We’re leveling up the experience for ticket holders to help you customize your scheduling for various sessions to ensure you achieve your conference objectives and professional goals. Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got it. We’re targeting core areas including Cybersecurity and Risk, Engineering, Data, Government and Civic, Product and Design, Future of Work (HR), Esports, Energy and Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Marketing, and Advertising. And we’re not stopping...
Swizz Beatz is one of the most influential producers and entrepreneurs in the music industry, known for crafting chart-topping hits while expanding his business empire beyond music. His career spans decades, from producing for top artists like Jay-Z and DMX to co-owning major brands and making strategic investments in art and real estate. With multiple revenue streams, Swizz Beatz has built substantial wealth, but how much is he actually worth today? Let’s explore his music career, business ventures, and financial success before revealing Swizz Beatz’s net worth in 2025. Swizz Beatz’s Rise in the Music Industry Born Kasseem Dean in The Bronx, Swizz Beatz entered the music industry as a teenager in the late 1990s. His uncles founded Ruff Ryders Entertainment, and through their connections, he started producing tracks for DMX, Eve, and The LOX. His breakout came with DMX’s 1998 hit “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” which became a defining moment in hip-hop. As a producer, Swizz Beatz developed a...