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Very few events grasp the nation’s attention like the Super Bowl. Each February, the NFL’s top teams come together for a head-to-head competition to determine who will be crowned the national football champion for the year. Although the game is the primary reason for the gathering, the Super Bowl is also home to one of the biggest cultural gatherings — the Halftime Show. The History Of The Super Bowl Halftime Show The Halftime Show didn’t have a lot of excitement in its early iterations. According to the New York Times, the first Super Bowl, in 1967, included collegiate marching bands, with Grambling State University and the University of Arizona being the first to perform. This mid-show performance would set the standard for the next two decades. Though New Kids On The Block signaled a shift in 1991 to modernize the format, things drastically changed in 1993 when Michael Jackson took the field in an iconic performance. This set the stage for some of the entertainment industry’s...
Eve is making major business moves — specifically by securing a major deal. According to Music Business Worldwide, Olivier Chastan’s acquisition firm, Iconoclast, announced on Wednesday, Sept. 25, that it acquired the publishing rights to the double platinum-selling Hip-Hop artist’s catalog. “Eve’s contributions to hip hop and popular culture are unparalleled. She’s not only a great artist but a true pioneer for women in the genre,” Chastan, founder and CEO of Iconoclast, said. “We are honored to help preserve and elevate her incredible legacy, ensuring that her influence continues to inspire future generations of artists and fans alike,” he added. Eve’s claim to fame came in the late 1990s with her debut album, “Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady,” which catapulted her to top the Billboard 200 — the third female rapper ever to do so. Iconoclast described her as a “trailblazer” and a “defining voice in hip-hop, known for her lyrical prowess, dynamic flow, and unique fusion of...
It’s hard to discuss Hip-Hop’s legendary impact without mentioning certain names, and one of those is West Coast icon Snoop Dogg. From his debut song “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?)” to his commentary on the 2024 Olympic Games, Snoop Dogg has become a household name across various intersections of the entertainment industry. As the current owner of Death Row Records, he is reconnecting more intentionally with his musical roots. According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, the deal follows the release of Snoop Dogg’s latest album, “B.O.D.R.,” which dropped on Feb. 11, 2022. “I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value,” the 52-year-old emcee said in a statement to NPR in 2022. “It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members. This is an extremely meaningful moment for me.” Snoop Dogg is now...
Roc Nation has spearheaded a “first-of-its-kind” financial commitment to the Hell’s Kitchen community in New York City, NY, as part of the proposal for Caesars Palace Times Square. According to a press release, the initiative includes an initial $15 million investment aimed at supporting local residents, including those at Manhattan Plaza, the popular affordable housing development for performing artists. “We are New Yorkers,” Roc Nation founder Jay-Z said. “Supporting and providing opportunities for our neighborhoods and community isn’t just a part of Roc Nation’s ethos; it’s our collective responsibility.” As part of its dedication to enhancing Manhattan’s West Side and investing in New York, approval of the bid will see Caesars Palace provide the $15 million, along with ongoing grants derived from 0.5% of casino performance. The press release notes that the Caesars Palace team is committed to collaborating with various local organizations to ensure the proposed gaming and...
Thinking long-term offers a distinct advantage, a principle 50 Cent knows very well. During a recent appearance on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast , the rapper-turned-businessman recalled how he made $100 million from Vitaminwater by strategically acquiring employee stock options to boost his equity. “[With] the Vitaminwater thing, I didn’t need the money,” 50 Cent shared. “When companies approach artists to be a part of the marketing, it’s just [that] they’ve reached the financial level where they can commit that marketing and it’ll move their company to the next level, the notoriety and everything that connects to it. So they make the deal.” He went on to emphasize the importance of thinking long term in business, highlighting how his investment helped him make a substantial profit when Glaceau, Vitaminwater’s parent company, sold to Coca-Cola in May 2007. As AFROTECH™ previously noted , 50 Cent’s Vitaminwater deal transformed Hip-Hop partnerships and serves as a blueprint for...
There’s been an update in Dame Dash’s sentiments regarding ownership of “Reasonable Doubt.” In a recent Instagram video, Dame Dash acknowledged that there is “a lot going on” but he was surprised the media hadn’t covered what he considers “very relevant” news regarding his dispute with Jay-Z over the 1996 debut album. Dame Dash asserted that the City of New York, not him, filed a significant court document on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, stating its concern over alleged misleading comments by Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records (RAF). Per a report by All Hip Hop, the City, represented by the NYC Department of Social Services, requested a pre-motion conference as well as a stay of Dame Dash’s auction sale as a result. The petition was reportedly submitted to U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. “’Jay-Z’s statements to the press have poisoned the environment for the auction,'” Dame Dash read from the City’s alleged statement. “‘He has claimed that he has a termination right under the...
Dame Dash claims Drake may have interests in buying his stake in Roc-A-Fella Records. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Dame Dash is in the midst of having his shares sold after an $800,000 judgement was placed on him in regard to a copyright infringement and defamation of character lawsuit. With a chance to invest in Roc-A-Fella Records, the interest is high as it brings partial ownership of the copyright to Jay-Z’s debut album, “Reasonable Doubt.” “Based on feedback I have received from interested parties (and I can’t mention names), this auction will likely bring out many household names in the sports and entertainment industries as well as those interested in a piece of a historically significant company, which holds an interest in a timeless debut album,” Dame Dash’s attorney Natraj Bhushan explained to Billboard. Bhushan’s prediction may be ringing true as Dame Dash recently shared on the “America Nu Network” show, he received a direct message from Drake, who was looking to...
If you’ve been tuned in to modern hip hop in the last few years, you’re likely already familiar with the prolific works of NBA YoungBoy. The artist, who is only 24-years-old at the time of this writing, first rose to prominence in 2015 and beyond, releasing numerous rap albums and mixtapes per year ever since. YoungBoy has also amassed quite a large following through viral marketing techniques. He’s earned a dedicated listenership of just under 16 million users on Spotify alone. This behind-the-mic success gives way to an impressive financial portfolio. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his full net worth to clock in at over $10 million. Despite these major successes, NBA YoungBoy’s career is mired by legal troubles and music industry drama, keeping him from reaching his full financial potential. In fact, the young rapper has spent a significant portion of his fame on house arrest while awaiting trial for numerous alleged crimes. The situation keeps him from capitalizing on the outlets...
Juicy J says he has consistent revenue coming in from music sampling. The artist was a part of Hip-Hop group Three 6 Mafia, which formed in the early ’90s. BlackPast reports the original group members included Paul Duane “DJ Paul” Beauregard, Jordan Michael “Juicy J” Houston III, Lola Chantrelle “Gangsta Boo” Mitchell, Darnell “Crunchy Black” Carlton, Ricky “Lord Infamous” Dunigan, and Robert Cooper “Koopsta Knicca” Phillips. The group paved their way first in Memphis, TN, before they found success across the country in the later ’90s, ultimately selling millions of albums, mentions Genius. Among their records includes “Stay Fly,” “Doe Boy Fresh,” “Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body),” “Who Run It,” and “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” which earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006 for its feature in the film “Hustle & Flow.” Before making an imprint for innovating the Hip Hop space, it had not dawned on Juicy J to consider the business side in addition to the art form. “I...
Pusha T may be steadfast in the music business but has adopted a “business-first” mindset. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the Virginia-born rapper has made some wise decisions over the years, investing in his friend’s company, Caring Hands Medical Transportation, which has proven to be “lucrative and fulfilling,” according to a 2022 interview on “The Breakfast Club.” “That business is like 25 vans strong running through seven cities [in Viriginia]. It’s called Caring Hands Medical Transportation. It has helped my mother, sick cousins, family members, and friends,” Pusha T said during a conversation on “Assets Over Liabilities.” In 2022, the rapper turned a supposedly sour business decision with McDonald’s into a vital learning lesson that benefited him while working with another fast food chain. Alongside Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, and Pusha T’s brother No Malice, he claims they reportedly wrote the McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle in 2003, noted Rolling Stone. Pusha...
Dame Dash claims he is broke. In a video clip on Instagram, the music executive states that his desire to pursue his dreams has also led him to lose his wealth. “Somebody asked me how I got so broke. Investing in my dreams,” Dame Dash explained. “You know, when you’re investing in your dreams and you dream big, you’re always gonna be broke… or have a lot of sh-t. But I don’t have no money for nobody else. That’s what you call broke. But that’s what it is.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dame Dash (@duskopoppington) Currently, Dash is facing a financial bind due to a $800,000 judgement amount that he will now owe as a result of a prior copyright infringement and defamation of character lawsuit, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. As required by the court, the U.S. Marshals are selling Dame Dash’s shares in Roc-A-Fella Records, which amount to 33% and are reportedly worth $1.2 million. They will be up for auction on Aug. 29, 2024. There is great interest surrounding the...
Gunna continues to pour into the Georgia community. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, rapper Gunna, born Sergio Giavanni Kitchens in College Park, GA, has proven to have an affinity for the state by engaging in philanthropic efforts such as launching a free grocery store for his former middle school (McNair Middle School) with the support of Goodr Founder Jasmine Crowe in 2021. He also provided Gunna’s Drip Closet, an in-school clothing store that makes all items available free of charge. Improving the standard of living for those in Georgia is still a priority for the rapper. According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, he has partnered with Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) to launch the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program. It will benefit the lives of 30 families per month residing in the 30349 zip code of South Fulton, GA, by allocating $1,000 monthly stipends for a year that will be supported through a $500,000 commitment. Beyond financial assistance,...
The year was 2003, and Jay-Z’s iconic “Black Album” would be released on Nov. 14. According to the Grammy Awards website, the album would also be his sixth-straight No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and was initially signaled to be his retirement project. All of this was riding on the moment of an earlier debut that summer, with the launch of Sean Carter’s 40/40 Club. A New Type Of Night Club Situated in New York, NY’s Flat Iron district, the 40/40 Club was created as a luxury sports bar that doubles as a nightclub. Based on a report from Rolling Stone, the name pays homage to a rare achievement in baseball: hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases in a single season. The nightlife concept saw success. Two years after opening, additional locations opened in Atlantic City, NJ; Las Vegas, NV; Atlanta, GA’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and Brooklyn, NY’s Barclays Center. “I love sports,” Jay-Z said via Flatiron Nomad. “[I] wanted to create an environment that is conducive...
New changes are underway at Roc Nation to empower independent artists. According to a news release, Jay-Z’s label has merged its Roc Nation Label and Equity Distribution (EQ) divisions to form ROC Nation distribution, with plans for it to bolster artists by giving them greater freedoms across technology and the music business. “The formation of ROC Nation distribution is a natural transition in the music space,” the press release states. “The mission is to support and empower independent artists while providing them the tools and services to distribute their music. All artists signed to Roc Nation Label will join and benefit from the new ROC Nation distribution structure.” Variety reports the distribution segment was established in 2019 and is being led by President Krystian Santini. The segment allowed artists to maintain ownership of their masters, and it will continue with an artist services division that includes marketing, publishing administration, and data analytics available...
T-Pain makes a lot of money in a sector outside of music. Looking at the larger picture has worked out greatly for T-Pain , who has, at times, received the short end in his career. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, his first deal landed him a $40 million advance; however, the label had the benefit of a 15/85 split. At one point, the artist even faced financial troubles that were so bleak he went broke. “Now I know what the high end is and what the low end is,” he said, according to Business Insider. “I’ve been mega-rich, I’ve been super broke, right in the middle of thinking I was mega-rich, and then got rich again, and you know, learned how to really give a sh-t about money.” Over the years, T-Pain has appeared to be in better financial standing, partly due to his foray into the gaming industry. As AFROTECH™ previously mentioned, the “Buy U a Drank” artist developed an interest in streaming. He combined gaming and music , which landed him a partnership with the interactive...