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If you’re tuned in to the world of early 2000s hip hop , or the world of modern Belizean politics, you may already be familiar with the name Shyne Barrow. The former rapper and current Opposition Party leader in Belize’s House of Representatives has one of the most fascinating backstories in all of pop culture and politics. Though he may not be as well known as his contemporaries like Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z and his former label boss Diddy, Shyne’s story is finally being told with the recent release of the Hulu original The Honorable Shyne , which dropped on the streamer earlier this month. In the documentary, Shyne outlines the untold truth about his time laboring under Bad Boy Records , his lengthy incarceration and his pivot into politics within his home country. Given that the 46-year-old politician has led such a storied life, fans are justifiably wondering about other personal details, including his net worth, investment portfolio and various streams of income. Luckily, we’ve got...
The power and convenience of mobile devices have made content access nearly instantaneous. From social media to streaming apps, entertainment is at your fingertips — and content creators such as Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredricks are capitalizing on the movement. Fredricks is a comedian, actor, and entrepreneur who has been working to establish his brand as someone who connects people from various backgrounds and proudly focuses on amplifying Black voices and content. A significant part of this work is manifested in creating KevOnStage Studios, a multi-channel operation for original content, from podcasts to television shows and films. Although Fredricks’ work has taken off, it hasn’t always been this way. His journey started from the proverbial bottom, and now he’s working to build an empire that puts his name alongside those who own major streaming platforms including Netflix and Hulu.
If you love streaming platforms, allow us to introduce you to Chris Witherspoon — the founder behind what is about to become your new favorite app, PopViewers. A veteran in the TV and film space, Witherspoon knows a thing or two about attending screenings and premieres, but he says one thing has been missing in the industry. “I recognize that oftentimes, the problem of critics is that they don’t adequately reflect the viewership and the people that are actually paying to go see the movies,” said Witherspoon in an interview with AfroTech. He explains that while people are paying to subscribe to a service, it doesn’t always reflect the audience and how they consume content. “Sometimes it aligns, but more often times than not, it doesn’t,” he continued. “And more recently I recognize the opportunity that I have now to amplify the voices of viewers and marginalized communities of Black and brown people that I think show up and engage around entertainment in a way that Hollywood really...
Black History Month is always a beautiful (albeit too short) celebration of Black excellence across the diaspora throughout the years. And let’s be honest, there’s a host of things that wouldn’t exist without Black women, including much of today’s modern-day entertainment. Black women, like Dr. Shirley Jackson, invented technologies that changed communication, and as a result, enhanced the way we are entertained, whether watching a basketball game on TV, streaming a movie on Hulu, or throwing a party via Zoom. Without further ado, tip your hat to these four Black women inventors who laid the groundwork for modern-day technology. Martha Jones Before we honor the women who are responsible for modern-day entertainment, we must salute Martha Jones from Amelia County, VA. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Jones became the first Black woman to be granted a U.S. patent in May 1868. Although her invention, a cornhusker, is unrelated to entertainment, we can assume...
This year, Netflix made its mark at the Oscars with multiple nominations and wins. The Netflix Original “Roma” took home three wins alone, including best director, best cinematography, and best foreign language film. However, Netflix’s success irked some members of the film industry, like director Steven Spielberg , who proposed changing the Academy’s rules to make it difficult for streaming services to qualify. But now, it seems Netflix can relax. The Academy is leaving its rules unchanged , so Netflix and other streaming services — including Hulu, Amazon, and more — can compete in the Oscars without additional hurdles. Before the Academy’s vote, the Department of Justice warned that excluding streaming services like Netflix and Hulu could raise antirust concerns. “In the event that the Academy — an association that includes multiple competitors in its membership — establishes certain eligibility requirements for the Oscars that eliminate competition without procompetitive...
Today, Hulu and Spotify announced an expansion of their partnership, where they’ll be offering bundles at a rate that’s hard to ignore. Now, existing Hulu users can sign up for Spotify Premium and get the service free for 30 days. After the trial period, Spotify Premium subscribers basically get Hulu for free when it’s bundled with the music streaming site’s $9.99 charge. This is not Hulu and Spotify’s first time teaming up. The companies used to offer promotions and discounted prices to students and later expanded the package to include ShowTime streaming. The partnership comes after hints of a brewing rivalry between Netflix and Apple. Later this month, Apple is set to host an undisclosed event. Rumors say the event relates to Apple launching its own streaming service to compete with Netflix. After its release, its also possible that Apple will choose to bundle its video service with Apple Music. Traditional music streaming services now how a target on Netflix’s back. The...