The rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse are some of the biggest tech phenomenons of the year, and quite arguably some of the most notable innovations since the internet hit society.

People may still be coming to terms with what NFTs are, but put more simply, NFTS are blockchain-backed certificates that guarantee the authenticity of a piece of digital media. Look what Jack Dorsey did with his first tweet, which sold as an NFT for $2.9 million. But NFT ownership doesn’t just belong to the big spenders — learn how to mint your first NFT in this recent story Afrotech published.

Some experts have also expressed skepticism about the rise and sustainability of NFTs, but for now, they seem promising.

As the year winds down and the NFT craze continues to consume the tech industry, check out these NFT collections and projects we’ve been watching.

KB24

Kobe Bryant-inspired NFTs have been selling in various auctions, including sales run by Cryptograph and Binance. Now, a band of Kobe Bryant fans is dropping limited edition NFTs for sale from KB24, the late NBA star’s former personal website. After seeing the website’s domain up for sale, the fans were eager to preserve Bryant’s legacy. Since announcing the collection in September, The KB24 NFT team has been running contests and sharing announcements on Discord ahead of the drop, which is expected to include “10,000 algorithmically generated NFTs that exist on the blockchain,” the press release states.

A Journey with the Dogg

It’s safe to say that Snoop Dogg has been dominating the NFT game from dropping his first collection, A Journey with the Dogg, to announcing that he is the face behind Cozomo de’ Medici on Twitter.

The West Coast rapper’s first NFT collection dropped in March 2021 and shares memories from his younger years of life and unreleased songs and videos. A piece in the collection titled Death Row sold for $108,000.

Recently, AfroTech reported that Snoop Dogg debuted his new Decentral Eyes Dogg NFT artwork during Miami Art Week that sold for $779,149.

The Mona Lana Collection

As if Black Girl Magic wasn’t already pumping through her veins, Montreal, Canada-based artist Lana Denina made over $300,000 selling her original NFT artwork.

The Mona Lana Collection, Denina’s first collection that includes 500 unique portraits of women, sold out in a few short weeks. We can’t wait to see what Denina drops next.

Finding What Was Lost

Ahead of dropping her first 1-of-1 NFT collection of six pieces of artwork, tennis star Naomi Osaka joined the board for NFT platform Autograph. This move proves that she is in the NFT game for the long haul.

In April, Osaka teamed up with her sister, Mari Osaka, to drop the unique collection that collectively sold for nearly $600,000. The owner of the sixth and final NFT in the Osaka collection, Finding What Was Lost, put the digital art up for sale on Basic.Spaces ahead of the U.S. Open in August.

Curren$y's "Financial District" NFT Only EP

Curren$y changed the game when he hosted a virtual smoke session and dropped his NFT Only EP “Financial District” on April 20. As part of the EP release, there was a one-of-a-kind NFT art piece designed by NFT 3D animating graphic artist Kid Eight up for sale.

While listeners can now find Curren$y’s EP on music streaming platforms, maybe this will spark a larger trend for more artists to share their music and videos via NFTs.

Long Neckie Ladies Collection

Twelve-year-old digital artist Nyla Hayes made her staple in the NFT world with her Long Neckie Ladies Collection. She has been making millions in NFT sales on OpenSea, and she even snagged TIMEPieces’ first Artist-in-Residence gig.

Hayes has a promising future ahead of her. If you want to see the young creator’s latest work, check out her OpenSea account or follow her Instagram account, which is run by her mother.

A Minted Legacy

New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins is not just selling NFTs; he’s donating some of the proceeds to help close the racial wealth gap by creating more opportunities for Black and brown communities.

The “A Minted Legacy” collection includes three one-of-a-kind NFTs, including one titled “DREAM CHASER,” which pays homage to Philly. We’re eager to see how Jenkins’ work in the NFT realm will help minority communities thrive.

The Bored Ape Yacht Club Collection

Do you remember when Steph Curry spent $180,000 on a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT? It’s safe to say that this less-than-a-year-old group is leading the NFT game.

Four friends founded Bored Ape Yacht Club in April, and each Bored Ape NFT grants owners membership access that includes exclusive benefits. The group’s first collection contains 10,000 unique Mutant Ape NFTs.

The Mystery GOAT Collection

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWbOFYbrZi5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Simone Biles’ first NFT drop on Autograph in August sold out in minutes, and she recently participated in Autograph’s Mystery GOAT Collection in mid November. Biles pays homage to some of her most famous gymnastics moves in the GOAT collection, which are showcased via 8-bit style animation.

The athletic mogul is continuously dropping new NFTs on Autograph and after co-authoring her most recent colleciton with the NFT platform, we’re eager to see what she does next.

Apes in Space

Better late than never, right? Migos member Takeoff joined the NFT community this month with the drop of his first collection, Apes in Space. The collection comprised of 10,000 NFTs sold out in less than a week.

NFT holders gain access to many perks like Migos concert tickets, a return on purchases, and a chance to purchase land in the Sandbox, a virtual world that plans to host the first digital Hip-Hop festival in the metaverse.

Takeoff’s new NFT project plans to drop more digital art in the coming months.