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How Coco Jones' Mother Guiding Her Past The Pitfalls Of The Music Business Set The Trajectory For Her Future Success

June marks Black Music Month, and The Roots kickstarted the celebration with quite a bang. On June 3 and June 4, 2023 , the legendary hip-hop group held its annual Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, PA. The festival featured special moments such as Ms. Lauryn Hill celebrating the 25th anniversary of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” the Fugees reuniting, and fellow headliner Usher bringing out some of Philly’s biggest stars, Jazmine Sullivan and Eve. Photo Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban

Ngozi Nwanji

Jun 6, 2023

Tink Didn't Make A Dime From 'Treat Me Like Somebody' But She Isn't Ashamed — 'I Feel Like That Song Carries Me Today'

Tink released her debut mixtape “Winter’s Diary” at age 16. Eleven years later, the R&B artist is still in the game and on the road, expressing her gratitude for her fans and the journey with her “Thanks 4 Everything Tour.”

Samantha Dorisca

Apr 24, 2023

Rich Homie Quan Reflects On Inking A $19K Record Deal — 'I Was So Broke, But I Was So Smart'

Sometimes it’s about working smarter, not harder — especially when it comes to the music business. Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan adopted a money-making mindset early in his career that has proven to be a recipe for success.

Shanique Yates

Jan 12, 2023

Chamillionaire Once Hired Jay-Z's Auditor Who Later Discovered His Label Hid $600K From Him

While navigating the music industry, one thing Chamillionaire was sure to hold on to was his integrity.

Ngozi Nwanji

Oct 24, 2022

How Ronnie And Shamari DeVoe Are Building Longevity Both In And Outside Of The Music Business

Without the influence of those before them who laid the groundwork, this generation’s artists wouldn’t be where they are today. Ronnie DeVoe, a member of New Edition, and Shamari DeVoe, one-third of Blaque, know all about putting the work in. The two music veterans have both respectively stamped their footprint in the music business. As proof of their long-lasting impact, earlier this year, Ronnie was on the road with New Edition — who have been in the game for over four legendary decades — for The Culture Tour. The shows were led by the Black Promoters Collective, which recently secured a $60 million quarter, Billboard reports. For Shamari, she continues to tour for Blaque — who topped the charts in the 90s and 2000s — and the group has an upcoming performance at Groove Fest IV with fellow R&B greats Keith Sweat, Ginuwine, Blackstreet, and Dave Hollister. Additionally, she appeared on BET’s “The Encore” in 2021.

Ngozi Nwanji

Sep 7, 2022

Missy Elliott Was Accused Of Coming For A Majority Of This Hit Track's Royalties — So, Here's A Brief Rundown

Missy Elliott is a legend — who is also all about her coins. The DMV legend found herself in the headlines when Jowell — of the popular reggaeton group, Jowell Y Randy — brought her name up in an interview. In his interview, he claimed that Elliott threatened to sue and “demanded millions” when it was revealed that the Bad Bunny hit, “Safaera,” sampled more than a little bit from “Get Ur Freak On.” Naturally, Jowell’s comment unleashed a tirade of online hatred against Missy Elliott. And at one point, things got so bad that an Ariana Grande fan page called out Jowell for his comments in his interview. Thank you jowel! Thank you for all the hate your interview is bringing Missy! Had you explained that there was 6 samples and 15 writers maybe they wouldn't all be attacking Missy for no reason because she took "everything" https://t.co/uNGNZawPqm — Ariana Fanpage (@BigAriGrande) March 16, 2022 Things only got worse when Jowell doubled down on his comments. Fuck that! Let them enjoy...

Berry Gordy Not Only Built A $400M Net Worth — But He Also Produced A Family Show Business Legacy

When it comes to show business families, few — if any — have had the impact of the Gordy family. Under the tutelage of Berry Gordy, Motown Records produced some of the biggest hits of the Golden Age of Music. From a former boxer to creating “The Sound of America” — according to The Motown Museum — Berry Gordy has certainly created a lasting empire. According to Celebrity Net Worth, in fact, Berry Gordy’s net worth even after he sold Motown Records in 1988 is a gob-smacking $400 million. And the Gordy family continues to be relevant in both music and business. Whether it’s by blood or by marriage, chances are that you’re currently enjoying music, movies, television shows, and more from this show business legacy family. Believe it or not, too, there are some members of the Gordy family that are nowhere near the entertainment industry. Did you know that one of the most prominent Gordys went into politics — going so far as to become one of America’s presidents? In short, members of this...

Akon's Ex-Business Partner Says The Singer Allegedly Still Owes Him $4M

Akon and his former business partner are making headlines, but not for good reason. According to PageSix, the R&B singer is being accused of refusing to pay his end of a contract agreement with Devyne Stephens, the music executive who helped to launch his career and has worked with the likes of Destiny’s Child, Jay-Z, Pink, TLC, and Usher. He claims that he is owed $750,000 and nearly $3 million in royalties. The original 2018 agreement confirms that Akon agreed to pay Stephens $3.25 million over the span of four years. However, the updated suit alleges that he hasn’t paid the final $750,000 installment.

Shanique Yates

Jan 20, 2022

LVRN — Home of Summer Walker And 6LACK — Appoints Amber Grimes As Executive Vice President/GM And Partner

LVRN has a new vice president, general manager, and partner — and she’s a Black woman! Billboard reports that Amber Grimes has joined the label — which is home to Summer Walker, 6LACK, and others — in the dual role. As part of her duties, the veteran of Capitol Records will oversee day-to-day operations across all of the company’s operating divisions, develop new strategies and marketing initiatives across the label’s full roster of artists. “Amber has become one of the most well-respected executives in the industry through her early work with artists in Atlanta, major labels, and streaming,” said LVRN President Tunde Balogun in a press release statement. “In her amazing career, she has amassed a high level of management and creative marketing expertise all of which will be of huge value to us as we continue to expand our business around the world.” In addition to her work at Capitol Records, Grimes served in artist and label marketing at Spotify. She said it was important to join a...

Steve Stoute's Music Startup UnitedMasters Reaches $550M Valuation

UnitedMasters, a startup record label and distribution company, has announced that it has reached a $550 million valuation after a new infusion of capital led by Andreessen Horowitz. In a press release, it was announced that the New York-based company raised a $50 million Series C, which they said they will be using to advance their operations overseas. What’s more, they said, their music business model is one that’s different from so-called “traditional” record labels, in that they rely on such social media platforms as TikTok to bolster their artists’ presence. In the UnitedMasters business model, artists retain the rights to their masters, and the company takes a fee for licensure and other opportunities. In this way, the company makes money from licensing, while the artist gets the backing of a company with a record label type of service behind it. Additionally, AfroTech previously reported that the company also has partnered with Coinbase to provide cryptocurrency capabilities...

Rapper IDK Went From Being Incarcerated to Now Teaching a Music Biz Crash Course at Harvard

Rapper IDK — whose moniker is short for “Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge” — has experienced a major transformation in his music journey of going from being incarcerated to signing with a major record label. His struggle to find his life’s purpose has led him to being a successful artist/producer. Now, he wants to ensure other rising artists don’t have to go through similar circumstances to follow their dreams. In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, the 28-year-old Maryland rapper announced the launch of No Label Academy — a 10-day music business crash course at Harvard University curated for aspiring industry leaders with no prior experience or exposure. “The idea started when I realized how my situation had a lot to do with the odds being against me,” IDK told Rolling Stone. “I, being a felon and having minimal education in terms of certifications, was still finding a way to create a career that’s not only lucrative, but in line with what I actually wanted to do in life.”...

Njera Perkins

Dec 3, 2020