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Now more than ever, creatives need resources to help propel themselves to the next level. To do that, Steve Stoute’s UnitedMasters headed to Brooklyn, NY on May 5, 2022, to build a better future for creators at the fourth annual SelectCon. Programming throughout the afternoon included DJ Drama, Coodie, Hit-Boy, and Jim Jones to help emerging artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs prepare for the future. There was even a fireside chat with Stoute and Issa Rae that was fitting for a grand finale in the evening. Before a DJ line-up featuring DJ Drama, Angel + Dren, and more invaded, though, Issa Rae talked the music industry, what’s next, and more. Check it out below.
Kevin Hart has raised substantial funding to merge his existing entertainment companies. According to a press release shared with AfroTech, the comedian and Hollywood entertainer has merged Laugh Out Loud and HartBeat Productions to form HARTBEAT. In addition, it was also announced that the multi-platform media company raised $100 million from Abry Partners, in which the private equity firm took a minority investment. The funding will support new content, hiring new teams, and the expansion of existing brands and franchises.
AfroTech previously reported that LeBron James had a brewing financial venture in the works surrounding entertainment brand SpringHill Company. Now, the speculation is over as the company has revealed it has closed a minority stake sale to a consortium of investors reaching a valuation of $725 million, Variety reports. Investors in James’ SpringHill Company — founded in 2020 by the NBA GOAT and Maverick Carter — include Nike, Fenway Sports Group, Epic Games, and RedBird Capital Partners. “Maverick and LeBron have created an impressive media content platform led by a creative leadership team that has built a unique mission-driven brand,” Gerry Cardinale, founder and executive of RedBird, said in a statement. “Our partnership with SpringHill should enable us collectively to optimize that mission with scalable capital and a business building mentality that will continue to elevate more diverse voices and a drive towards greater empowerment.” With the new investment, SpringHill Company...
Issa Rae’s winning streak continues! The “Insecure” creator just launched Hoorae, her own media company. Formerly Issa Rae Productions, Hoorae includes HBO’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show” and “Insecure.” According to Variety , next on Hoorae’s horizon includes the “Seen & Heard” docuseries and “Tre Cnt” for HBO, along with “Rap S**t” for HBO Max, “Ghost in the Machine” for Netflix, “Perfect Strangers” for Spyglass, and “Sinkhole” with Monkeypaw and Universal. Rae has promoted veteran executive Sara Rastogi to senior vice president of development and she will report to Montrel McKay, president of Hoorae film and TV. Management company, ColorCreative, run by president Talitha Watkins and chief operating officer Deniese Davis, also falls under the Hoorae umbrella along with Raedio — the music label in partnership created by Rae with Atlantic Records. “Working with Issa, Montrel and the whole team has been refreshing and rewarding,” said Rastogi of Columbia Pictures. “Issa invests in...
Now is as good a time as any for young people to tap into the initiatives and resources companies are providing as stepping stones to getting involved in the entertainment realm. In conjunction with its recent announcement of the upcoming premiere of HBO special “Between The World and Me”based on the NYT best-selling book by Ta-Nehisi Coates, premium cable network HBO is pledging a $1 million gift to Howard University students who are looking to pursue entertainment careers, REVOLT reports . Howard University announces the Coates-Forbes-Watson-HBO Dream Seekers Endowed Fellowship, made possible through a $1 million gift by @HBO in partnership with alumni Ta-Nehisi Coates, @Kamilahf and @skelechiwatson . Thank you for this generous gift! https://t.co/pssVvfO36i pic.twitter.com/ARAWpmgCDI — Howard University (@HowardU) July 27, 2020 Howard alumni Coates, as well as director Kamilah Forbes and award-winning actress Susan Kelechi Watson, have not only joined forces to bring “Between The...
Although you may have come across some must-watch movies and TV series while scrolling through Netflix, one hit show you won’t see is Michaela Coel’s “I May Destroy You.” Coel took her dramatic comedy series to BBC and HBO after turning down a $1 million deal with the popular streaming service. According to Pop Sugar , Coel, who’s the show’s lead actress, creator, writer, and director, rejected the deal with Netflix after a disagreement over ownership, in which Netflix denied Coel’s request for a percentage of the copyright. Corel’s moment of clarity came during a call with a Netflix representative where she asked for five percent of her show’s copyright. “There was just silence on the phone,” Coel told Vulture . “And she said, ‘It’s not how we do things here. Nobody does that, it’s not a big deal.’” Vulture reports Coel’s negotiation with Netflix went as low as 0.5 percent ownership of the copyright. Yet, the Netflix representative told Coel she’d have to run it past her...
The fourth season of HBO’s award-winning series, “ Insecure ,” starts with quite a few twists and eye-openers. One of the central storylines carried over from season three is Issa’s ambitious block party idea. The awkward, everyday lead character is determined to showcase Inglewood, California, her Los Angeles hometown. With full-fledged F.U.B.U. vibes, she hopes that the block party will celebrate and bring more attention to small, Black-owned businesses in her community, which are often shut down or forgotten about due to fast-growing, widespread gentrification . In the season premiere, Issa works with a newfound friend, Condola, on a business mixer that will help her gain much-needed sponsors to fund and supply a successful event. While — true to real-life — Issa experiences some personal and professional roadblocks along the way, she ultimately nails her business pitch and takes necessary steps toward a huge career moment. If you find yourself lowkey struggling, here are a few...
Jeremy O. Harris made a splash this year with one of the most exciting plays to make its way to Broadway in years. “Slave Play,” written by Harris, made such an impression it caught the attention of premium cable network HBO. Harris is now signed to a two-year overall deal with the platform that includes the development of a new pilot series, a co-producing role of hit show “Euphoria,” and most of all a discretionary fund exclusive to theatrical projects according to Playbill . This deal positions Harris to make a name for himself as a writer, and also allows him to continue to support the theater community. Deadline reports that this fund will allow Harris to commission, enhance, and produce theatrical work for himself and other artists. Harris announced the big news to Twitter, noting that although he initially passed on the deal, HBO delivered on what he wanted most out of it. To say this is exciting is an understatement. But what fills me with the pride and exhilaration is the...