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A portion of Notorious B.I.G.’s estate will now be handled by Primary Wave. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, a deal rumored to be in the “eight figures” was in the works between Notorious B.I.G.’s estate and the music publisher and involved half his publishing and master rights, including his rights to name, image, voice, and “other identifiable characteristics.” Notorious B.I.G.’s estate had been primarily run by his mother, Voletta Wallace, who was instrumental in securing stake from Bad Boy Records. Christopher Wallace, otherwise known as Biggie Smalls or Notorious B.I.G., had been one of the first artists to sign to the label owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs. Bad Boy Records had 50% stake in his songwriting catalog, Variety mentions. Voletta was able to increase the estate’s stake to 85% after arguing it was doing the heavy lifting in securing deals to license and monetize Notorious B.I.G.’s music. She then secured the remaining 15% stake in 2020. “Securing control of my son’s...
Fans are flocking to support the music of the late Angie Stone. The Grammy-nominated soul artist and member of The Sequence passed away on March 1, 2025, at 63 years old, according to Variety. Stone was in a car accident with an 18-wheeler while traveling from Montgomery, AL, to Atlanta, GA, causing her vehicle to overturn three times. Of the nine passengers in her van, she was the only one who did not survive. Stone, born in Columbia, SC, is survived by her children Diamond Stone and Michael Archer and her grandchildren. “Never in a million years did we ever expect to get this horrible news,” Diamond and Michael said in a statement, the outlet notes. “Our mom is and will always be our everything. We are still trying to process and are completely heartbroken.” Stone leaves behind an imprint that includes her most revered song, 2001’s “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” 10 solo albums, and three Grammy nominations in categories including: best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals...
Master P is a multifaceted rapper, record producer, record executive, actor, entrepreneur — and now president of basketball operations. On Feb. 26, 2026, Louisiana’s University of New Orleans (UNO) Privateers announced that the local legend, born Percy Miller, was joining them in this new role. As a former college basketball player, Miller, 54, has spent the past two decades coaching the sport. During that time, his Amateur Athletic Union team, “P. Miller’s Ballers,” won three national championships, and he coached future NBA players Demar Derozan , Brandon Jennings, Lance Stephenson, and Jalen Suggs, the news release notes. “As a kid growing up in New Orleans, I can honestly say that basketball changed and saved my life,” Miller said. Despite his significant success in the music industry, Miller said he finds the most fulfillment in coaching the next generation of basketball players and giving back to his community. He asserted that UNO used to have one of the best basketball...
Rémy Martin has unveiled a limited-editions cognac collection honoring the legacy and influence of Hip-Hop culture. According to a press release, the V.S.O.P. “This is My City” limited-editions collection features four unique bottle designs, each paying homage to iconic cities and their distinctive influence on contemporary culture: Atlanta, pushing boundaries; Chicago, home of lyrical legends; Detroit, the birthplace of Motown and resilient beats; and New York City, the birthplace of Hip-Hop. Courtesy of Rémy Martin Along with launching the collection, Rémy Martin introduced its inaugural “This is My City” microgrant initiative to support emerging creatives contributing to their local culture and communities through entrepreneurship. Emphasis will be placed on recipients whose work shapes conversations within their industry and community, pushes boundaries, and displays originality and authenticity. The regional microgrant initiative will award $20,000 grants and one-on-one...
Jeezy has reportedly missed out on his own earnings due to his internal team. In the past, Jeezy admitted to having trust issues with those around him. However, navigating the music industry and forming partnerships required the rapper to lower his guard and trust others to uphold their end of the deal. “I never really had people around that I trusted,” Jeezy said on the “Springhill” podcast in 2023 . “ And when it went on to the music, I started to understand quickly like this is worse because where I come from, it’s death or the penitentiary. But with these people in the music industry, they’re cutthroat anyway. It’s just the nature of the game.” He added, “But then what I started to understand about having business partners is you gotta trust that they’re gonna at least do what they’re supposed to do. Like if you’re telling me that you’re gonna be able to market this on a scale that I can’t, I’m gonna believe that you can do that. Now if you show me you can’t, now I gotta make...
Lupe Fiasco is stepping into academia to share his insights on rap! The artist, born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, announced on Instagram that he will join Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute this fall as a professor for its four-year Hip Hop degree program. The program is led by Hip-Hop producer Wendel Patrick, who serves as an associate professor of music engineering and technology at the Peabody Conservatory. “Thrilled to share that I’ll be joining the faculty at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute in Fall 2025 as a Distinguished Visiting Professor,” Lupe Fiasco wrote on Instagram. The rapper behind “The Show Goes On” later added, “The @peabodyinstitute is one of the oldest music conservatories in America. World renowned for its rigorous training and for producing some of the world’s greatest musicians, and I’m honored to contribute to this legacy doing what I love most, Rap.” As for what students can expect, the course will include lessons with a...
Inspiration can come from many sources. For Yara Shahidi , the star of “Grown-ish,” one of the many influential figures in her life is her cousin — Grammy-Award-winning rapper and entrepreneur Nas. During a recent appearance on the “Sherri” show, the actress, producer, and Harvard graduate shared Nas’ role in inspiring her to attend the Ivy League institution , according to Because Of Them We Can (BOTWC). “There’s so many artists in your family. I did not know that Nas is your cousin. And that Nas, the great, inspired you to go to Harvard ,” host Sherri Shepherd told Shahidi. The actress replied, “Yes! I think the one thing people know about him just through, even his music, is just how smart he is. And he has such a deep passion for our culture and for education. And so, the first time I got to step foot on Harvard’s campus was when he was announcing a fellowship for graduate students that were studying hip-hop.” Harvard launched the Nasir Jones Hiphop Fellowship in 2013. Designed...
Despite releasing three albums, Common found himself struggling to sustain his music career. The rapper’s career took off in Chicago, IL, in the ’90s. He released three albums during this decade: “Can I Borrow a Dollar?” (1992); “Resurrection” (1994); and “One Day It’ll All Make Sense” (1997). Common explains that his first album received limited attention and credits his second album with putting him on the radar of some of the industry’s greats. “I remember Biggie doing one of those promos for me, being like ‘Yo this I wish this kid was from Brooklyn.’ I remember seeing Nas, and he was like ‘Keep doing your thing,” Common recalled on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast hosted by Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings. The rapper also opened up about the challenges he faced in the music industry early in his career, which caused him to question whether it was a sustainable path. “It was hard being in Chicago and trying to get even signed or get heard… I still wasn’t planted in the industry. I...
GloRilla has paid it forward to her former high school. The Memphis, TN, rapper, born Gloria Hallelujah Woods, made an appearance at Melrose High School on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. She graduated from the school in 2017 and has returned as a Grammy-nominated artist with hit songs such as “Yeah Glo!” and “Tomorrow 2.” During her visit, she donated $25,000 to the school, which will be used to build a media center, Commercial Appeal reports. “The fact that I have the ability to do it now warms my heart,” she expressed, according to the outlet. The center will “offer students the chance to engage with technology that enhances their learning, provide a comfortable, safe space to study with flexible seating, and promote literacy for both Melrose High School and the surrounding Orange Mound community.” The outlet also shared that the space will be named the Gloria H. Woods Media Center in her honor, pointing to “GloRilla’s representation as a Golden Wildcat alumna and her continued...
Shaboozey is hopeful about artificial intelligence (AI). The country artist has had quite the year. He was first featured on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album, collaborating on the songs “Spaghettii” and “Sweet Honey Buckiin.” “It’s just so surreal and humbling for me for them to choose me to be a part of the album,” he expressed to Forbes in an interview. Shortly after the launch of “Cowboy Carter,” Shaboozey teased “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which officially launched April 12, 2024. It became a Grammy-nominated single and earned the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 consecutive weeks, according to Forbes. What’s more, it garnered 2 billion streams and earned over $10 million. “I feel great. Dream come true. I can’t complain,” he told the outlet. Catch Shaboozey on Dec. 4 during Art Basel in Miami, FL, as well. He’ll be among the performers for an exclusive event hosted by Capital One and The Cultivist to amplify artist Hassan Hajjaj and his installation DAR MIAMI 1446. As part of...
Lady London chose to pursue rap after being accepted into medical school. While speaking on Revolt’s podcast, “The Blackprint,” the rapper born Zaire Miylaun Stewart reflected on the pivotal moments that led to her transition into music. She boasts two degrees, starting with a bachelor’s from Howard University, where she double-majored in sports medicine and chemistry. Lady London holds her time at the Historically Black College and University in high regard. “I was a rambunctious teenager. I went away to school because I was always told I had to go to school..and if I was going to be a part of community it had to be the Black community. So I went to a HBCU. I wanted educational goals but I didn’t think I would come out with so much experience of life. I know there’s like this whole thing where they say like ‘PWIs are the real reality of school because 72% of the world is white. The reality is if you learn how to make it in these communities and at Howard, if you can make it at...
Playing the long game paid off for Lady London. While speaking with Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels on “The Blackprint” podcast, the Bronx, NY-born artist spoke candidly about her journey into securing revenue through brand partnerships. It all began by considering the brands she often used and researching what she needed to build relationships and land opportunities. “I started YouTubing things like how are people reaching out to brands and figuring out like who’s their key point? Who handles talent? Who handles like brand partnerships within this thing? Reaching out to them with emails, forming a deck. Get your one-sheet or your EPK (Electronic Press Kit),” she explained on the podcast. Key metrics she flagged that help individuals determine their brand value included follower count, the number of females and males interacting with content, and the top five target areas. Lady London added, “Show all the things that make you a person on one thing, and send it off to brands and say,...
A new financial education program is making its way to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the help of Jay-Z. According to a news release shared with AFROTECH™, the Shawn Carter Foundation, with support from Toyota Motor North America, is launching the Champions for Financial Legacy (CFFL) program in time for Spring 2025. To start, the program will benefit students at Lincoln University, Norfolk State University, and Virginia State University, offering a financial curriculum structured around real-world applications. “We are excited to see our partnership with the Shawn Carter Foundation evolve to include this innovative initiative,” said Monica Womack, general manager of diversity & inclusion and community engagement at Toyota, per the release. “One that not only provides resources to HBCU students but also reaches the heart of the community, through advocacy for financial literacy.” The curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Coalition for Equity and...
Timbaland is expanding his portfolio, stepping into the role of strategic advisor for Suno, a leading AI music creation tool. After months of actively using the platform, the four-time GRAMMY-Award-winning artist will now provide Suno with daily support for product development and strategic creative direction, as stated in a press release. The collaboration starts with an exclusive preview of Timbaland’s latest single, “Love Again.” There’s also a Remix Contest judged by Timbaland, with over $100,000 in prizes awarded to the winning remixes. Digital service providers will release the top two remixes. “When I heard what Suno was doing, I was immediately curious,” said Timbaland, who is well-known for his influence as a music producer, creator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. “After witnessing the potential, I knew I had to be a part of it. By combining forces, we have a unique opportunity to make AI work for the artist community and not the other way around. We’re seizing that...
Snoop Dogg was advised by longtime friend Dr. Dre to turn down a multi-million-dollar deal. During a sit-down interview with Stephen A. Smith on his eponymous YouTube channel, the pair discussed their history and how they found success in both music and business. The Pair’s Success Dr. Dre is among the wealthiest figures in Hip Hop. Eleven years after co-founding the legendary Hip Hop group N.W.A, he attached himself to the venture Aftermath Records in 1998 and later sold his stake for $35 million to Interscope Records. The “million-dollar man” then nearly became a “billion-dollar man” as a co-founder of Beats Electronics, which was purchased by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. As of 2024, his net worth reportedly sits at $500 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Speaking on the feat, Dr. Dre told Stephen A. Smith, “Let’s just say life is good and I’m very comfortable right now. It’s very comfortable.” As for Snoop Dogg, he has become one of the...