Getting signed to a major deal has always been the standard goal for tons of artists. But, with the continuing rise of the 360 deal, artists have equipped themselves with the tools needed to release there music independently through streaming outlets such as Soundcloud, Reverbnation, Tunecore and Bandcamp. Independent artists are now earning the bulk of their money from touring.
As he heads to the Basketball Hall of Fame many questions still abound.
What If?
What if the NBA fully embraced him?
What if A.I. didn’t clash with Larry Brown?
What if David Stern didn’t enforce the dress code?
During a Hot 97 interview Steve Stoute revealed that Pusha T actually wrote the original ‘I’m Lovin It’ jingle for McDonalds.
This was met with acclaim throughout the media from Time to Rolling Stone reinforcing that Push has always strove to break out of any preconceived notions anyone has had about him.
With boasts of a music video from Oscar winning director Steve McQueen, Puff Daddy announcing he would executive produce, an unlikely pairing of the self professed 'black Beatle' & Sir Paul McCartney the anticipation of Kanye West's new project was at an all time high.
Untimely Twitter rants, G.O.O.D. Friday delays, renewed controversy with Taylor Swift & Wiz Khalifa caused fans to become bitter towards Kanye's antics. Many fans believed that the album would need to meet musical miracle to excuse his many antics.
From the phonogram all the way to the iPod, we've witness the inevitable change in the music industry. The rise of the digital age allowed music to be way more accessible than it has ever been.
Many artists didn't know how to plan for such a change.
Coming from CD to mp3, how do you clearly define unit sales?
While everyone acted as sheep, one artist built an empire that allowed him to become the shepherd and sway how and when the the industry changes.
With the help of his clique, Jay Z defined how we listen and consume new music & content.
Back in the 2000s Ohio State was, with the Youngstown Boys Maurice Clarrett & later Terrelle Pyror, building a football powerhouse culminating in the 2002 upset of the undefeated University of Miami.
Then under the Urban Meyer era OSU in 2014 won the CFP National Championship.
After suspending players for ‘improper benefits’ like tattoos the university still earned millions.
Ohio State officially became the first billion dollar football program back in 2015.
When speaking about the impact Malcolm X had, Ossie Davis explained he was our manhood. Though Davis’ remark was for Malcolm it’s still relevant for another man, Muhammad Ali.
When he criticized for his association with the black Muslims and was denied his name he fought Floyd Patterson to prove his worth. Beating his opponent throughly within the fight before knocking him out in the 12th round. In 1967 after being internationally loved he rejected the draft for the Vietnam War and his heavy championship was taken from his. Banned for years, in his prime he still didn’t back down.
Muhammad Ali was unapologetically black. Like Jack Johnson’s ‘unforgivable blackness’ he was brash, speaking his mind and not compromising to any one’s standards.
After losing fellow stars Kevin Love & Kyrie Irving to injuries during the road to the Finals LeBron James gave a historic performance putting The Land within 2 wins of breaking the 50+ year championship drought before running out of steam.
This time seems different.
With first year head coach, Tyronn Lue, a healthy squad and valuable rest after a historic 10-0 start they are revitalized and looking for revenge.
Peyton Manning ended his career after 18 years at Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos shocking the 15-1 Carolina Panthers.
Blacks have been portrayed in media since cinema has begun.
Starting from minstrel shows, complete with blackface, working actors like Mantan Moreland & Stepin Fetchit kept working by taking the only roles available but even with the degrading roles their talent shone throughout.
Decades after the groundbreaking Beulah & controversial Amos & Andy the birth of The Jeffersons, spinning off from All In The Family, was arguably one of the first examples of a black American family prospering on television. This Emmy award winning show is one of the longest running shows in American television history.
This is the first interview in the Change The Narrative interview series. About a year ago I asked this young artist from Philly for an interview. His artwork has been featured on the single covers of artists like Wale & recognized by stars like Chris Brown & Teyana Taylor. After this interview is work was featured on FX's Atlanta and Donald Glover tapped him to be the character animator for his single's music video, Feels Like Summer.
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