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Shaquille O’Neal is most commonly known today for his quirky sports commentary on TNT. The former NBA all-star is at the center of conversations, particularly around basketball and the actions of athletes. However, in a recent conversation, O’Neal discussed the world of eSports and expanded his definition of what an “athlete” is.
In 2018, the “Black Panther” had the world in a chokehold. Particularly for Black children, this was one of the first times they were able to see themselves on the big screen as a leading superhero. From the coveted Wakanda signal to the merch and apparel, children (and childlike people) everywhere were enamored by the glory of representation. As the world slowly progresses forward, there are clear examples of representation becoming more of the norm — for instance, in television shows (“Black-ish” and “The Wonder Years”) and video games like Fortnite.
Naomi Osaka is known for keeping us on our toes with how she dominates the tennis court. Combine that with all of her exciting partnerships, and it’s safe to say it’s hard to keep up. For her latest endeavor, the young icon has joined Fortnite’s Icon Series, Hypebae reports. Osaka’s announcement makes her the first female athlete to be on the video game’s series. “The Icon Series is the ultimate celebration of the most dynamic figures in culture for Fortnite ’s audience of millions, and there’s no one more perfect than Naomi Osaka to join the Series as the first female athlete,” Nate Nanzer, Global VP of Partnerships at Epic Games, said in a statement. Not only is Osaka making history, but she now joins fellow star athlete LeBron James and artists Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. “I’ve been playing Fortnite for a long time — when I saw LeBron had joined the Icon Series, it made me want to join the Fortnite family too. It’s really amazing to be able to connect with so many people...
For decades, Black people have been a force in the sports industry, yet when it comes to making a profit from the game, the coins are far and few unless we’re athletes. And, Kai Bond says it’s time we change that. Bond — a partner at Courtside VC, a company that focuses on sports, gaming, and fitness verticals — says the time is now when it comes to sports innovation that can lead to something huge for the culture. “Sports used to be a game, and now it’s culture,” said Bond during the latest Black Tech Green Money episode with host Will Lucas. “When you think about the power of sports in society, it’s one of the things that can bring us together; it’s one of the things that divide us. Sports figures, athletes, you see it today in social media, their influence is outsized, and you know the ‘shut up and dribble’ conversations that have happened. We’re talking about individuals who are transforming society at a faster pace; I would argue than politicians because they’re at the...
The online game phenomenon, Fortnite partnered with Time Studios to create a reimagined Martin Luther King, Jr. museum. Players were able to teleport to Washington D.C. in 1963 where they could migrate between Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall to experience Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. The event reportedly included museum-inspired points of interest and collaborative mini-game quests. “These activities progress players through the experience and bring to life important themes of Dr. King’s speech: we move forward when we work together,” Fortnite shared in a press statement. The “March Through Time” experience is reportedly Fortnite’s second attempt to provide an educational platform to its users. The online platform launched “We The People” in July due to the heightened tension stemming from George Floyd’s passing. The event led to inappropriate behaviors from players who took advantage of the built-in features provided by Fortnite. Epic’s CEO & Founder Tim...
A source may have just revealed that a Will Smith skin could be on its way to Fortnite. Developed by Epic Games, Fortnite is an online video game that was released in 2017 with three distinct game mode versions. It is a fast-paced action game of survival where players fight against one another in order to be the last one standing. Serving as a collaboration powerhouse, Fortnite’s battle royale may soon add character, Mike Lowrey, portrayed by renowned actor Will Smith from the iconic “Bad Boys” trilogy. Per Nintendo Life, the character will allegedly feature the “I Am Legend” actor. The Will Smith skin in question may be from the original 1995 “Bad Boys” film but is also said to come in other variants – not just his Mike Lowrey character. Fans allegedly may also see his Agent J variant from the hit film “Men In Black” as a skin on the gaming platform. “Because the Will Smith skin hasn’t been made official just yet, there’s no knowing when it will release,” said an official statement...
LeBron James is looking to make some big boss moves for his entertainment firm through new deals and a piece of the company potentially up for sale. According to a report from Variety, sources tell the outlet that SpringHill Co. — led by both James and his longtime business partner Maverick Carter — is entertaining early discussions with a range of potential investors across industries to sell a part of the media and entertainment firm that would value it up to $750 million. Potential deals on the table for James’ company include Nike as well as streaming-video providers and tech companies, according to a close source. Rather than selling the company itself outright, SpringHill Co. is leaning toward selling minority or majority equity stakes. The Information originally reported on the company’s sale, however, the publication shares that the source familiar with the firm’s discussions are more likely to lead to a future investment rather than a full-blown purchase. As previously...
Jeff Obeng may have been born in the Bronx, but his passion has allowed him to touch folks all over the world! Known for his viral skits as “Mufasa,” Obeng brings positive energy to the digital world through his kick-ass dance moves — particularly his popular “Go Mufasa” dance move that was featured in Da Baby’s music video for Grammy-nominated “Bop.” Now, he’s dancing to new heights as one of the first social media influencers to land a “legit” deal with Fortnite, according to Blerd. Obeng sat down with AfroTech to define what being an influencer means for him, how he’s managed to create authentic, feel-good videos, landing a deal with Fortnite, and more. AfroTech: The term influencer doesn’t always have a good rep but you manage to carry it so well. If you had to define this in your own words, what would they be? Mufasa: When it first came to the term influencer at first I really did not like it, but influence is the keyword when it comes to being an influencer. You can influence...
Travis Scott straight-up turned tech up a notch on Thursday (April 23) when he performed “Astronomical,” a virtual concert on Fortnite. Over 12 million concurrent players joined the popular online video game to watch the “Astroworld” rapper give an otherworldly concert of hits, including “Sicko Mode.” Scott also debuted a new song, “The Scotts,” featuring his rap namesake, Kid Cudi. Over 12.3 million concurrent players participated live in Travis Scott's Astronomical, an all-time record! Catch an encore performance before the tour ends: https://t.co/D7cfd2Vxcc — Fortnite (@FortniteGame) April 24, 2020 The online show was outfitted in brilliant special effects and theatrics, much like a real-life Cactus Jack show. A behemoth-sized version of the Missouri City artist appeared at the center of Fortnite’s landscape, stepping over floating rollercoaster tracks, hurling lyrics while submerged underwater and glowing from an electrifying light show. It was more of a completely immersive...
Fortnite is collaborating with artists and dancers after a list of lawsuits caused headaches for the company and the creators whose work they were accused of using without permission. Rappers BlocBoy JB and 2 Milly both sued Fortnite and its parent company, Epic Games, last year for allegedly stealing their dance moves and profiting off them. Other dancers like Russell Horning , the teen who made the ”floss” dance popular, and Alfonso Ribeiro , the actor who popularized the “Carlton,” also attempted to sue. Each of the lawsuits were dropped in March after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that registration through the Copyright Office must be completed before an individual can sue for copyright infringement. The rulings also forced people to revisit an ongoing debate over whether or not you can put a copyright on dance moves. Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, the lawsuits sparked a broader conversation on cultural appropriation as many Fortnite players cited the game as the...
Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, has another lawsuit coming its way as rapper BlocBoy JB sues the company over the use of its “shoot” dance emote. The rapper’s dance became popular throughout 2018, and he is now joining a list of artists who want compensation for the use of their dances in Fortnite. BlocBoy JB is the fourth entertainer to sue the company over its use of dance moves in its emotes. 2 Milly, who popularized the Milly Rock; Russell Horning , the teen whose “floss” went viral; actor Alfonso Ribeiro and Lenwood ‘Skip’ Hamilton have all sued Epics games for using their likeness in its video games. Although more entertainers are beginning to seek legal action, the lawsuits are entering tricky territory. There are copyright laws that protect choreography, but no specific laws that protect specific dance steps. Fornite’s procedures in coding the dance moves will also be a major factor in the lawsuit. Fortnite has hundreds of millions of users and brings in a massive amount...