Drake Partners With Caffeine App To Stream URL Rap Battles
Rapper and entrepreneur Aubrey “Drake” Graham signed a partnership with new streaming app Caffeine to live stream URL rap battles, according to uproxx.com.
Caffeine is a streaming app geared toward fans of eSports. Their exclusive partnership with Drake will allow the URL to be streamed live for free for the first time since its inception. Prior to this collaboration, URL battles were streamed live on HD pay-per-view but now even the casual fan can watch, too.
In an announcement on CNN.com, Caffeine’s founder, Ben Keighran, explained the rationale for the partnership. “Drake, if you look at his career in the last ten years, is defined as the biggest artist in the world,” he said. “This is a guy that can catch the attention of not just the entertainment world, but the gaming world as well. The first thing we’re bringing out with him is not actually a video gaming thing,” Keighran said, noting that the partnership allows Drake to “do whatever he wants.”
The Canadian native has long expressed his love for battle rapping. In 2015, Drake skipped the Grammy ceremony despite being nominated in order to attend a rap battle event called Blackout 5 in his hometown of Toronto in which his brand, OVO, was the sponsor according to blogto.com. He is also no stranger to battle rap in his own right. Throughout his illustrious career, he’s battled with rappers like Meek Mill, Tory Lanez, Pusha T, Common along subliminally responding to other rappers who took shots at him.
Last November, the actor partnered with Canopy Growth Corpo. to launch the More Life Growth Co., a fully licensed producer of cannabis, based in Toronto. More Life Growth is centered around wellness, discovery, and overall personal growth with the hope of facilitating connections and shared experiences across the globe. Drake holds a 60% ownership interest in the More Life Growth Co., with Canopy Growth retaining a 40% ownership.
This Husband-and-Wife Couple are Building the First Black-owned Bourbon Distillery in Kentucky
Power couple Sean and Tia Edwards are set to launch the first bourbon distillery in Kentucky. Their company, Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co., has announced that they plan to build a $5.4 million distillery in downtown Lexington. Nearly three years after the company’s launch in 2017, the Edwards embark on their biggest venture to date. This past December, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive deal with Fresh Bourbon Distilling through the Kentucky Business Investment Program. The contract is performance-based and can provide up to $200,000 in tax incentives based on the firm’s investment of $5.4 million and the meeting of a number of yearly targets. The targets include the creation and upkeep of 15 local full-time jobs across 10 years and paying an average wage of $18 an hour including benefits across those jobs.
The married couple entered a space that is rarely occupied by black business owners, per The New York Times, since white people make up about three-quarters of all bourbon consumers in the United States, according to a survey by the media company Gravity. African Americans are the most likely demographic group to prefer spirits like whiskey or cognac over beer or wine, according to Nielsen research. Although they constitute roughly 13% of the total population, they are just 9% of bourbon drinkers. They can tap into a bourbon market that is steadily growing at 6% or more a year, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
The KEDFA has also approved Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co for up to $125,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA), which can be used to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development, and electronic processing, according to distillerytrail.com.
Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co. is making strides in progress as the company recently completed its first round of financing, with a second-round near finalization.
Hennessy and NBA announce Multiyear partnership deal
Hennessy and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced Monday a new partnership that makes Hennessy the Official Spirit of the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and USA Basketball, according to a press release. Hennessy & Co., which sells about 50 million bottles a year worldwide or more than 40% of the world’s cognac, is the largest cognac producer.
“We are pleased to be partnering with the NBA, a forward-thinking league that embodies our ‘Never stop. Never settle.’ mantra,” said Giles Woodyer, SVP, Hennessy U.S. in a statement. “There’s an energy pulsing through the NBA that compels it to evolve, to push the limits of its own potential. Our new collaborative journey is rooted in this joint passion and will explore the realms of legacy, culture and innovation.”
Hennessy and the NBA’s partnership will begin during All-Star Weekend 2020 in Chicago, from Feb. 14 -16, in which Hennessy will serve as an associate partner of the NBA Celebrity Game presented by Ruffles and as a presenting partner
“Our partnership with Hennessy provides an exciting opportunity to reach and engage with a broader segment of basketball fans around the NBA’s marquee moments,” said Dan Rossomondo, NBA SVP, Media and Business Development. “As the iconic brand continues to expand its business in sports marketing, we look forward to creating elevated experiences and unique initiatives that celebrate the game of basketball.”
According to the press release, “The leader in Cognac, the Maison Hennessy has shined around the world with its exceptional blends for more than 250 years. Built on founder Richard Hennessy’s spirit of conquest, the brand is present in more than 130 countries. Based in the heart of the Charente region, Hennessy is also a steadfast pillar of the regional economy, the standard-bearer for a sector rich in expertise. The House’s success and longevity are rooted in the excellence of its cognacs, each of which is born of a unique process of transmission from generation to generation.”
WNBA Star Maya Moore Sits Out a Second Season in Protest for Criminal Justice Reform
Criminal justice reform is a huge topic in society today, with celebrities like John Legend, Meek Mill, and Kim Kardashian—just to name a few—who are putting their time, money, and efforts to bring attention to injustice everywhere. WNBA small forward Maya Moore is also getting involved, as she opts to sit out a second season to fight for the release of Jonathan Irons, whom she believes was wrongfully convicted of burglary and assault.
Moore is no ordinary player and is considered one of the best women’s basketball players since the league’s inception in 1996. She is a four-time WNBA champion, a season MVP, and also a finals MVP for the Minnesota Lynx.
The New York Times reports that Irons, now 39, was only 16 years old when he was accused of breaking into a home in St. Louis and allegedly shooting the homeowner during a burglary. The victim testified in court that Irons was the person responsible, but there were no witnesses, fingerprints, footprints, DNA, or blood evidence to connect Irons to the crime. Along with there being no tangible evidence, the officer who interrogated Irons did so alone and did not record the conversation.
Moore’s decision to sit out a second season while still being under contract with the Lynx comes at a time when the WNBA announced that they are increasing the average salary of their players to nearly $130,000 and a maximum salary above $500,000. Despite walking away from a six-figure salary, Moore has no regrets.
“Basketball has not been foremost in my mind. I’ve been able to rest, and connect with people around me, actually be in their presence after all of these years on the road,” she said. “And I’ve been able to be there for Jonathan.”
While Moore fights for injustice and a cause she deems a greater calling, the Minnesota Lynx have gone on record to support and applaud her. Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve issued the following statement: “Over the last year we have been in frequent contact with Maya around the great work in criminal justice reform and ministry in which she is fully engaged. We are proud of the ways that Maya is advocating for justice and using her platform to impact social change.”
Black Restaurant Weeks happen all throughout the year in different cities all across the U.S. for the last 25 years. A restaurant week provides the opportunity to experience cultural diversity and try new food while at the same time stimulating local economies and promoting awareness of minority-owned businesses.
Not only is it good for black-owned businesses but it also showcases community engagement and gives restaurant owners a chance to think outside the box with meal specials and deals that would not normally be on the menu or that are offered at a higher price.
Usually, customers who attend restaurant weeks wind up coming back; according to Toast.com, 80% of diners who try a restaurant during restaurant week are likely to return.
Here’s our list of black restaurant weeks around the nation that you should support if you’re ever in one of these cities.
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DMV Black Restaurant Week, Washington, D.C.
DMV Black Restaurant Week is designed not only to highlight the black-owned establishments in and around the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area but to also empower up-and-coming talent. And it’s not just about restaurants; it’s also inclusive of black-owned bars. Some events include bartender competition, mixology classes, and a conference about entrepreneurship and financing. It’s the first restaurant week of its kind to offer such a diverse array of programming that caters to patrons, entrepreneurs, and aspiring business owners.
Los Angeles Black Restaurant Week, Los Angeles, CA
Patrons can celebrate black restaurant week anytime during the day for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The event is sponsored by the LA South Chamber of Commerce and the University of West Los Angeles. Meals range between $15-25 for casual dining and $35-45 for fine dining.
Columbus Urban League Young Professionals (CULYP) Black Restaurant Week, Columbus, OH
The organizers of Columbus Urban League Young Professionals (CULYP) Black Restaurant Week believe that supporting black restaurants plays a crucial role in empowering their community. The event, they say, is also a chance for the black-owned restaurants in the Columbus area to offer dining deals and raise awareness of their business.
Visitors can try some of the newer black-owned restaurants while also supporting the established ones.
Chicago Black Restaurant Week, located in the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs, was designed by PR guru Laura Smith with the intention of putting a spotlight on African American eateries. With growing support from local residents every year and over 20 restaurants participating, there is sure to be something for every patron to enjoy.
This event is the first of its kind in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. Visitors can sample the flavors of African American, African, and Caribbean cuisines at participating restaurants like Wings World, Peace Love & Eatz Smoothie Bar, and OMG Soul Food.
Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, Richmond, VA
The Richmond Black Restaurant Experience is a celebratory week dedicated to supporting Richmond’s black-owned restaurants and promoting the Richmond regions growing culinary tourism scene. It aims to counter economic disparity within minority-owned businesses with fun and interactive solutions that engage, excite, and ignite a deeper understanding and love of Richmond food culture.
Created to help local minority-owned businesses gain exposure and support from the community, Memphis Black Restaurant Week was born. According to the website, its mission is to create an “opportunity for black-owned restaurants to offer dining deals to bring in new customers and raise awareness.”
Black Restaurant Week, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
This is Philly’s first black restaurant week, with the city of brotherly love showcasing African American, Caribbean, and African cuisine. In addition to diners being able to support businesses like Booker’s Restaurant and Bar and Rose Petals Cafe & Lounge, there is also a culinary panel and a cocktail competition.
Black Restaurant Week, New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Since its inception in 2017, New Orleans Black Restaurant week has been a huge hit with locals. Nine different restaurants participate during the week. Restaurant goers can also see a culinary showcase from the best local chefs and a bartending competition, giving customers an interactive experience and not just a dining experience.
Detroit Black Restaurant Week features casual dining and fine dining restaurants and offers several events that highlight and promote different aspects of the culinary scene in Detroit, particularly the black culinary scene.
It first kicked off in 2017 and is supported by Kwaku Osei-Bonsu, a Detroit-area resident who is passionate about showcasing black-owned Detroit businesses. His aim is to bring people of all backgrounds together for Detroit Black Restaurant Week and expose them to establishments and owners that they might otherwise not have encountered.
For two weeks, Atlanta celebrates the flavors of African American, African, and Caribbean cuisines. Participating restaurants include Mangos Caribbean Restaurant, Café Songhai, a West African eatery, and The Spice House.
More than 20 black-owned restaurants participate in Charlotte Black Restaurant Week and will offer special menu items and prices. The event also takes one night to honor the best black chef and it also includes black-owned food trucks. According to their website, the organizers and the black business owners of Charlotte realized the need to ramp up excitement about the black restaurants that have either planted roots in Charlotte or survived among closures.
Eater.com calls it L.A.’s biggest street food festival, and it features plenty of black-owned establishments. It has been going strong for 13 years with organizers claiming annual attendance of more than 350,000 people.
The annual, family-friendly festival, often held in October, features a variety of different food vendors all dishing up BBQ & soul food, Jamaican cuisine, as well as traditional African and American dishes. A beer garden is usually on deck along with live entertainment including music, comedy, and gospel singers.
Hosted in what is considered one of the best food cities in the country, this two-week Bay Area event has something for every restaurant-goer. Enjoy a dining experience with a variety of choices including barbecue, soul food, and even vegan options. A portion of the proceeds from this restaurant week will go back into the community and donations will be given to the Oakland Food Pantry and Farms to Grow in San Francisco. Patrons will be able to enjoy a great meal while also contributing to worthy causes.
‘You Ain’t Got These:’ Lena Waithe To Produce New Series on Sneaker Culture
The sneaker industry has grown rapidly. The global athletic footwear market is projected to reach a whopping $95 billion by 2025, according to a 2018 report by Grand View Research Inc. The underground resale market is also very profitable and is currently valued at over $1 billion, according to Business Insider. Oftentimes, limited releases from sneaker conglomerates like Nike or Adidas and endorsements from popular rappers will increase the value of sneakers by double or even triple their resale amount. Meanwhile, sneaker reselling apps like StockX and the Goat allow sneakerheads to resell their sneakers to make extra cash.
Lena Waithe, a producer, actress, and screenwriter best known for co-writing the Netflix series Master of None and creating the Showtime series The Chi, will take a deep dive into the sneaker business and culture in a new unscripted series titled You Ain’t Got These. Waithe, a professed sneakerhead who owns over 100 pairs herself, aims to explore how sneaker culture influences class, gender, race, and politics, reports Vogue. Waithe will also highlight the addictive personalities of the people who do everything from entering raffles, using sneaker bots, to camping outside of stores for hours just to get their hands on a signature pair of sneakers.
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Regarding the new project, executive producer Andrew Fried told The Hollywood Reporter that he is thrilled to be collaborating with Waithe. “She is a singular creative voice of her generation, and her passion for this subject is infectious,” he said.
There is no official release date for this upcoming series but if any of Waithe’s past projects are telling, fans can be assured that she will give a raw and introspective look into this industry. She will also provide a refreshing voice to women sneakerheads, an overlooked sub-culture that has been around for years.
National Basketball Association league officials confirmed that players will be allowed to wear any sneaker they wish this upcoming season, regardless of color. Any sneaker that is, except the basketball sneaker created by Kanye West.
In prior seasons it was mandatory for players to wear league-compliant sneakers or they would face a hefty fine. This will be the first time since Adam Silver became NBA commissioner in 2014 that players have their choice of footwear.
According to an ESPN report the stringent rule change is an effort on the NBA’s behalf to allow players to express themselves while on the court. Until now, the rule on player footwear was that all sneakers worn on the court had to be 51% white or black with minimal team color accent to top it off, depending on home and visiting teams.
Rapper Kanye West, who is in partnership with Adidas for his Yeezy product line, took to his Instagram account to debut a first look at his “YZY BSKTBL” sneaker.
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Prior to this model, all of West’s sneaker designs have been for lifestyle wear and not for athletic purposes. This is the first time that the Yeezy brand is venturing into sports footwear since he released his first sneaker in 2015.
However, according to industry sources, the NBA is banning the current version of Kanye’s sneaker. The move is not because of the colors in the sneaker or because of his recent controversial comments made on social media.
The ban is because of the shoe’s gleaming, reflective-material heel. The NBA fears that the 3M material would be distracting to the crowd and also for those watching the game at home.
The Yeezy basketball sneaker was supposed to be worn during the regular season by Adidas signees like Nick Young, Donovan Mitchell, and Iman Shumpert, to name a few. With the ban on the current model of Kanye’s basketball sneaker, there is no word yet if Adidas will make the necessary adjustment to appease the NBA.
The Business Behind Ice Cube’s Big3 Basketball League
Rapper, actor, and business mogul O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz started the Big3 basketball league last year with a simple, yet innovative twist on traditional basketball. The traveling summer league gives former NBA stars the opportunity to get back on the court to compete in half court 3-on-3 games. It also gives sports fans a cherished moment of nostalgia as they watch basketball players and even legends like Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler lace up their sneakers and hit the hardwood once again.
Initially, the Big3 league was launched without any major sponsorship. However, that changed when Adidas announced a multi-year partnership with the league back in April. As part of the deal, Adidas will also support Big3’s commitment to grassroots and community initiatives in local markets. Plus, the Adidas partnership legitimized and validated Ice Cube’s league, proving that the Big3 is not just entertaining, it’s serious about its business.
(Twitter.com/TheBig3)
At this point, the growth potential of the Big 3 is practically limitless. In its first season, stat.com reports that it averaged more than 11,000 fans at each stop during its 10-week season. That includes a crowd of roughly 15,000 on opening weekend at the Barclays Center, which is close to what the Brooklyn Nets averaged during their 2017-18 season in the NBA. In terms of viewership, all of the Big3s games broadcast live on FS1 and FOX while also streaming on the Fox Sports Go app. The league’s average television audience for its four-game slates each week marked a 91% increase from FS1’s programming in the same time slot from the previous year.
Moving forward, the league will likely land additional sponsorships and endorsements, expand the number of teams, raise ticket prices, secure broadcasting rights with more television networks, and possibly even branch off into producing video games. There are so many lanes of revenue that this new league can get involved in and they are only getting started.
As the Big3 grows and expands so will its fan base and viewership. Growth, however, relies solely on its audience because it will only sustain and succeed if fans continue to support this black-owned league. The future is bright for Ice Cube’s Big3. It has the potential to scale into a multibillion-dollar entity and eventually compete with major basketball leagues down the line.
After Insulting Police Entrapment Scheme, Rapper Vic Mensa Gives Back
The Chicago police department recently came under fire for setting up a sting operation that many said was a form of entrapment. The operation was a joint effort between the police and Northern Southern Railroad and involved parking unlocked, unmanned trucks filled with sneakers as bait to catch thieves.
Only three people ended up swiping shoes. A viral video of the so-called ‘bait trucks’ sparked outrage and the railroad company has since apologized.
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In an effort to diffuse the situation, native Chicago rapper and Roc Nation signee Vic Mensa announced that alongside his SaveMoneySaveLife foundation, 5,000 sneakers will be given away to kids in need at the same location where the “bait truck” incident initially took place. Mensa has asked for the support of shoe companies, professional athletes, and other high profile public figures to make a contribution to this initiative.
The rapper also tweeted an Amazon.com link where anyone can donate by purchasing sneakers directly that will go toward the drive.
Laundi Keeseagle, who serves as the executive director of Vic Mensa’s foundation was quoted as saying, “We wanted to do something in response, but have a positive response.”
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, an official date of the giveaway event has not yet been determined but will be announced once the sneaker goal has been reached.
Vic Mensa is taking a grassroots approach to alleviate an issue that directly affected his community in the Southside of Chicago. Increasingly, entertainers are using their influence for social impact. Other notable Chicago rappers including Twista, Chance the Rapper, and Common have also given back to the city.
Chance the Rapper has been particularly active in giving back. Last December,he hosted a holiday partyat The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago to raise money for homeless children.
His organization, SocialWorks, raised $2.2 million as of 2017—funds set aside for the Chicago Public School system.
When you think of LeBron James, arguably the best basketball player to ever play the game, his accolades may come to mind. He is a three-time NBA champion; three-time NBA Finals MVP; and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player. Yet, one could argue his greatest accomplishment is off the basketball court as a good father who is involved in his children’s lives.
It is no secret that LeBron grew up not knowing his biological father, who was absent throughout his whole childhood and adult life. In a 2014 interview with GQ, he actually thanked his absentee father for shaping the man he eventually became.
“Like, ‘Wow, Dad, you know what, I don’t know you, I have no idea who you are, but because of you is part of the reason who I am today.’ The fuel that I use—you not being there—it’s part of the reason I grew up to become who I am. It’s part of the reason why I want to be hands-on with my endeavors. And be able to put my guys that’s with me now in position,” James said in the interview.
Determined not to repeat the cycle with his own children, whether it is attending some of both of his sons’ basketball games (Bryce James and LeBron James Jr.) or playing with his daughter Zhuri on Instagram, LeBron just makes the effort and makes fatherhood look cool.
With an 82-game schedule during a regular NBA season in which LeBron is constantly traveling from state to state, multiple business ventures and investments, somehow LeBron still finds the time to be a dad and here is why that is so important in the development of his children: According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education, children of highly involved fathers do better academically. They are also less likely to have behavioral problems at school and to experience depression. Studies also show that children with father figures are more emotionally secure, have higher self-esteem, and become better at socializing with others.
Children need their fathers, and according to the National Center for Fathering, 57.6% of black children, 31.2% of Hispanic children, and 20.7% of white children are living absent their biological fathers. This is why we must commend LeBron James for not only being there for his children but for also being an example to fathers everywhere on how important involvement is. If our children are the future, they need a strong structure that starts at home first.
