#BlackFutureMonth : 3 Black innovators that are shaping the future of music
#BlackFutureMonth
For the black community in the US, the month of February is a time to remember those who have come before us that blazed a trail to freedom and equality in this country. However, in that reflection, we are reminded of the grim past that still affects millions to this day. Last year however, in 2021 Kanye West declared the month of February #BlackFutureMonth on Drink Champs. It looks like 2022 is when the term will take hold.
Admittedly this concept is rather new, and many people must interpret #BlackFutureMonth for themselves. At Thrive Indie, we will dedicate this month to not forgetting our history, but acknowledging those creating a better future.
Nas
If you have been paying attention, Nas has been a prime figure in Music and tech over the last several years. In 2014, he along with several partners founded Queensbridge Venture Partners. This venture capital firm became a vehicle that helped Nas secure small stakes in companies like Coinbase, and Lyft. Today the firm is a tech investment empire that fields hundreds of pitches a month. Outside of his VC firm Nas has been a pivotal figure in the NFT music sector. He and Royal, an NFT music royalty startup, dropped an NFT that allowed fans to purchase a share of streaming royalties to two of Nas’s songs. It sold out in weeks and crashed the Royal site.
Snoop Dogg
Death Row the first Major Label in the Metaverse? Snoop Dogg has been making a splash in the media since acquiring ownership of Death Row Records on Feb 10, 2022. For better or for worse. Not even 24 hours after he announced the acquisition he was sued for alleged sexual assault and battery of a California woman that supposedly took place back in 2013. A week after the allegations he, Dr. Dre, and others graced the Superbowl stage for one of the best halftime performances in recent history. The performance is highlighted by a viral clip of Snoop taking a hit of what appears to be marijuana before taking the stage.
Regardless of all that, Snoop Dogg has been very active in the emerging music-tech space. Purchasing and selling NFTs, even releasing his own collection with Gala Music. Now snoop plans to take Death Row to the Metaverse by making it the first major label in the metaverse. Expect many labels to follow suit and begin to actively move to the metaverse.
Ye
Our third black innovator of the future is someone who rejects NFTs altogether for the time being. Billionaire Kanye West has a history of going against the grain and catching headlines. Not much has changed for Ye in his nearly 20-year career. Not much other than his relationship status and his net worth. One thing that you can count on from Mr.West is continued innovation in both business and music. In October of 2021 Ye entered the Tech industry with Donda Tech Company, named after his mom and his tenth studio album. A move that makes perfect sense because of the inseparable relationship between music and tech. However, unlike many, Ye is not focusing on NFTs or the metaverse, instead, he’s focused on “building real products in the real world.”
Earlier this month Ye stood on those words by announcing that his album DONDA 2 will release exclusively on the Stem player. A small puck computer that can isolate the individual sounds “stems” and allows users to remix the tracks. This move is in response to tech giants like Apple and Spotify only paying artists a fraction of what their music generates. However, instead of using NFTs to dictate the price of his music, he opts to use physical products to create value. The complete inverse of what many in the industry are rushing towards.
Conclusion
These three hip-hop legends are helping pioneer a new and brighter future for music artists. Utilizing advancing technologies and creative ingenuity they have found various ways to move the industry and the culture forward. Black history is made every day by what we do today. The past holds immutable lessons that everyone in America needs to be made aware of. However, this fact does not mean we need to live in the pain of the past. #BlackFutureMonth is not about forgetting our history. It is about celebrating those who are creating a brighter future.
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