Hip-Hop is big business. What was once considered a niche musical sound has become the soundtrack of our lives. And the genre’s best-known artists have become all the richer for it. “Hip-hop has, and always will, set trends,” says Kim Kaupe, founder of the creative agency Bright Ideas Only, to Variety. “Brands realize they can no longer sit on the sidelines and test what ‘might’ work. They need to be in the mix testing partnerships and trends before they have the data to back it up.” Certainly, too, some rappers do far better than others — and indie rappers, like Tech N9ne, can still make a six-figure salary for themselves. According to Variety, Tech N9ne’s earnings come from an eight-figure digital catalog deal — a deal that was previously unreported to mainstream outlets. But, as one might imagine, the marquee-name rappers — like Drake and Kanye — make the biggest bucks. What’s more, rappers who diversify their portfolios — like Jay-Z and Wiz Khalifa — can continue to make money...

Investment firms are a necessary part of the business world. But did you know that these celebrities helm up their own? From a tennis legend to several rappers, these twelve celebs are redefining what the names and faces of investment firms look like. No longer tied to “old-money white wealth” like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank Of New York Mellon, these celebrities have proven that investments made back into the Black community pay off in much larger dividends…and cultivate goodwill in the long run. For example, Karan Wadhera — the managing partner for Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde — even left his position in the “traditional” investment firm world to work with the legendary Doggfather on his venture. He told TechCrunch that he was driven to do so to shift people’s focus onto things that weren’t getting enough attention at the time (in Casa Verde’s case, Black ownership and cannabis investment). “We have a decent-size checkbook and a fairly high profile in this space, so we see...

Throughout his career, Sean “Diddy” Combs has made an impact. And now, as his children make their way into the entertainment industry, we take a look back on that impact. From his early days at Uptown Records to his current status as a modern-day Hip-Hop mogul, Diddy continues to be “ all about the Benjamins.” In 2020, Forbes estimated his net worth to be about $55 million, the bulk of which came as a result of his investment in various businesses. Most notably, though, the outlet pointed out that the bulk of his money came as a result of the success of CÎROC vodka, which is distributed through his wines & spirits business and a partnership with Diageo. But that net worth number doesn’t take into account his extensive real estate portfolio, which is said to be worth upwards of $35 million, according to Realtor.com. And it also doesn’t take into account his recent deals made in 2021 — which are quite extensive, to say the least. He’s announced an R&B only label, an opportunity for...

Diddy has plans to revive R&B with a new business venture. According to Rap-Up, the music mogul, born Sean Combs, has plans to launch a new record label that will be exclusive to R&B artists. As he enters what he’s deemed his “love” era, the Bad Boy founder also announced that he’ll drop his first project in nearly six years, an album titled “Off The Grid.” “I’m coming back into music, you know?” said the 51-year-old during an interview with Vanity Fair. He’ll also return to his R&B roots. “Yeah, [an] all R&B label, because I feel like R&B was abandoned and it’s a part of our African American culture,” he continued.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by LOVE (@diddy) In the past, Diddy has been criticized for his questionable Bad Boy contracts, but in this new era, he plans to do things differently. “And I’m not signing any artists,” said Diddy. “Because if you know better, you do better. I’m doing 50-50 partnerships with pure transparency. That’s the thing. [The new...

Media mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs has launched a new platform dedicated to helping minority entrepreneurs and small businesses remain afloat amid the changing economy brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Launched in partnership with The National Bankers Association, “ Our Fair Share ” was created to simplify the application process for the next round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding, according to the company’s press release. Combs announced the big news yesterday via Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VvoJYnpFE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link “COVID-19 is devastating our communities and without access to stimulus funding we risk losing critical businesses that create jobs and help build opportunities and wealth in our communities,” Combs said. “I created Our Fair Share to help entrepreneurs play on an even playing field and give them a chance to survive with the hope to thrive.” The initial round of PPP funding was unfairly distributed to “to those...

During the Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala , Sean “Diddy” Combs voiced his frustration toward the mistreatment of Black artists and the exclusion of diversity inflicted by the Recording Academy. According to Black Enterprise Combs’ stated: “Truth be told, hip-hop has never been respected by the Grammys. Black music has never been respected by the Grammys—to the point that it should be,” Diddy continued. “For years, we have allowed institutions that have never had our best interests at heart to judge us. And that stops right now. I’m officially starting the clock. You’ve got 365 days to get this s–t together.” Following Combs’ statement, the Recording Academy announced the development of a diversity initiative in collaboration with its Diversity Task Force. CNN reports Harvey Mason Jr., Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Recording Academy, addressed the situation with a message to its members: “Six months ago, when I put my hat in the ring to be your Chair, I did so...