From coast to coast, 2023 marked the celebration of 50 years of hip-hop. Since Day 1, the women of rap have inspired the game, providing a soundtrack worthy to be put on repeat.

To round out the year, Nicki Minaj returned with her fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2. While it’s too soon to tell what the lasting impact of her newest album will be, Minaj stands as the highest-selling female rapper of all time, having moved over 100 million units throughout her career. She finds herself in good company alongside Iggy Azalea, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and more as the highest-selling global rap queens.

However, when it comes to the best-selling albums by female rappers, a trio of women from the tristate take over the top ranks. Boardroom breaks down the top five of all time.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

NOTE: Ranking is based on total claimed sales derived by industry analysts and reportage rather than purely those sales certified by organizations like the RIAA.

Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday (2010)

Total sales: Over 27 million
RIAA Status: 3X Platinum
Top Streamed Song: “Super Bass” (758,922,551 streams)

After gaining widespread support as the most desired feature contributor, Minaj’s first studio album lived up to the hype. Pink Friday moved over 27 million units. The 21-track album featured appearances from Eminem, Rihanna, Drake, will.i.am, Kanye West, and Natasha Bedingfield. The top-performing track took the form of “Super Bass,” which has over 750 million streams on Spotify alone and joined the elite billions club on YouTube.

It took home the American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album in 2011 and was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album but lost to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which features debatably Minaj’s best feature on “Monster.”

Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint (2014)

Total sales: Over 25 million
RIAA Status: 2X Platinum
Top Streamed Song: “Only” (528,498,048 streams)

Never not hustling, Minaj also boasts the second highest-selling rap album by a female artist. The Pinkprint debuted in December 2014. Usually a dark period for the record industry, Minaj burst forward with her third studio album, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, moving 244,000 units in the first week.

The album’s single “Anaconda” surged to the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012)

Total sales: Over 22 million
RIAA Status: 2X Platinum
Top Streamed Song: “Starships” (998,560,146 streams)

Well, it seems that we’re seeing a pattern here. Minaj’s sophomore album rounds out the hat trick of top-selling albums. Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded dropped in April 2012. It debuted in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200, moving more than 253,000 units in the first week. Thirteen years after the release, the top single, “Starships,” is inching towards the billions club on Spotify with more than 998 million streams.

Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

Total sales: Over 20 million
RIAA Status: Diamond
Top Streamed Song: “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (402,750,614 streams)

Lauryn Hill changed the game for women in hip-hop. The former member of the Fugees released her first solo album in 1998 to widespread acclaim. The 16-track album took home five Grammy Awards, including serving as the first rap album to take home the Album of the Year prize.

Cardi B, Invasion of Privacy (2018)

Total sales: Over 19 million
RIAA Status: 4X Platinum
Top Streamed Song: “I Like It” (1,564,682,429 streams)

Cardi B burst on the scene and made an immediate impact. Invasion of Privacy moved 253,000 units in the first week to easily take over the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. Ever since, The Bronx rapper’s highly anticipated debut album moved over 19 million units following its 2018 release. While the lead single “Bodak Yellow” has been streamed over 864 million times, its track “I Like It” took residence on the Billions List, netting more than 1.5 billion streams.

Want More Music?

1

0

78

post

6

OR

1201

Entertainment March 28, 2024

Aux Money: Teezo Touchdown’s Evolution Will Be Televised

Music March 14, 2024

Aux Money: Tay Keith is Always Staying a Step Ahead

Entertainment February 29, 2024

Aux Money: Don C is Just a Chicago Kid Living the Dream

Music February 15, 2024

Aux Money: Babyface Ray on Detroit, Wemby, Fashion & More

Interview

Entertainment February 14, 2024

Lil Dicky is Dave Burd’s Present, but His Future is Firmly in Film

Music February 10, 2024

How Roc Nation Reinvigorated the Super Bowl Halftime Show

The post Best-selling Albums by Female Rappers of All Time appeared first on Boardroom.

The Barbs are back.

After a few delays, Pink Friday 2 finally dropped on Dec. 8. From first glance, it appears that Nicki Minaj‘s fifth studio album was worth the wait. Unsurprisingly, she pulls out several stops, including kicking off with a Billie Eilish sample and a fleet of features from the likes of Drake, J. Cole, and Lil Wayne.

While the future performance of the tracklist is yet to be seen, Minaj has established herself as one of the most prolific female rappers in the game.

Diamond, Platinum, and Gold, she’s logged them all. Throughout the years, Nicki Minaj has racked up RIAA certifications for 27 singles. Boardroom breaks down the Queen of Rap’s best gems that set a new bar for women in the space.

The Most-streamed Rappers on Spotify EVER

Where does Nicki rank compared to her counterparts, including multiple artists featured on her new album?

Check it out!

Nicki Minaj’s Diamond Drop

Super Bass (2010) — 10 million units shipped

Over the years, Nicki Minaj has had one single that outpaced all others. Her huge 2010 hit “Super Bass” surged to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest charting hit by a female rapper at that time.

However, it’s the song’s staying power that sets it apart. In November 2023, the song’s official music video eclipsed 1 billion views on YouTube.

Platinum Promise

Starships (2012) — 9X Platinum — 9 million units shipped

In 2012, one couldn’t go anywhere without hearing “Starships” on the soundtrack. The lead single off of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, the song debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 5. The song remained inside the top 10 for 21 weeks.

The hit also nabbed an MTV Video Music Award.

Feeling Myself (2014) — 8X Platinum — 8 million units shipped

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

All Remaining Nicki Minaj Platinum Songs as a Main Artist, Ranked

3X Platinum

• Beez in the Trap (Feat. 2 Chainz) (2012)
• Pink Friday (2010)
• Only (2014)

2X Platinum

• Va Va Voom (2012)
• Super Freaky Girl (2022)
• High School (2013)
• Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012)
• The Pinkprint (2014)
• Anaconda (2014)

Platinum

• Yikes (2020)
• Megatron (2019)
• Queen (2018)
• Chun-Li (2018)
• The Night is Still Young (2014)
• Pound the Alarm (2012)
• Moment 4 Life (2010)
• Your Love (2010)

Gold

• Barbie Dreams (2018)
• Bed (2018)
• Barbie Tingz (2019)
• Did It On’em (2011)
• Right Through Me (2010)
• Do We Have a Problem (with Lil Baby) (2022)

Want More Music?

1

0

72

post

6

OR

362

83792,83703

April 3, 2024

Travis Kelce Taps Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Tech N9ne for Return of Kelce Jam

March 22, 2024

Beyoncé to Receive Top Honor at iHeartRadio Awards

Music March 14, 2024

Aux Money: Tay Keith is Always Staying a Step Ahead

March 13, 2024

Beyoncé’s New Country Album Called ‘Cowboy Carter’

Emerging Tech February 27, 2024

Tech Talk Reviews: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

February 17, 2024

Beyoncé Makes Debut on Billboard Country Radio Chart

The post Nicki Minaj’s Platinum Run: Her Best-selling Singles of All Time appeared first on Boardroom.

Rolling Loud announced the lineup for its 2024 Los Angeles festival on Tuesday.  Nicki Minaj and Post Malonewill headline the three-day affair scheduled for March 15-17. Other famous faces set to perform include Rae Sremmurd, Sexyy Red, Bryson Tiller, Summer Walker, NLE Choppa, and more. Presale tickets for Rolling Loud are available for purchase on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. PT, with tickets to the public going on sale on Friday, Nov. 17, also at 10 a.m. PT.

An earlier version indicated that Lil Uzi Vert would also headline; however, he has since disputed those claims after the festival’s official announcement.

USWNT Hires Emma Hayes, Extends Record-setting Contract

The USWNT has found its new coach. The federation announced the appointment of Emma Hayes as the 10th full-time manager in its history. The current Chelsea FC women’s boss will head stateside following the conclusion of the current Women’s Super League season. She will join the team two months before the 2024 Olympic Games. ESPN reported that Hayes will earn “close if not equal” to that of USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter. If accurate, this indicates her paycheck will come in around $1.6 million per year and would make her the highest-paid women’s soccer coach in the world. Her hiring highlights the impact of the fight for equal pay spearheaded by members of the US women’s team.

Read more on the USWNT’s newest member from Boardroom’s Shlomo Sprung.

Boston, New York, and Denver Among PLL Team Reveals

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is leveling up. The lacrosse league will welcome its eight teams to home cities starting next season. PLL unveiled the following teams on Tuesday: Boston Cannons, New York Atlas, Philadelphia Waterdogs, Maryland Whipsnakes, Carolina Chaos, Denver Outlaws (formerly Chrome Lacrosse Club), Utah Archers, and California Redwoods. The league selected the geographic home bases after evaluating existing fan data, market performance, broadcast viewership, and fan voting. PLL will reveal its 2024 schedule in January, and the corresponding venues thereafter.

André 3000 Announces New Solo Project

André 3000 is dropping new music, but it’s not what you’d expect from the legendary musician. Three Stacks announced the arrival of his debut solo album, which is scheduled to drop on Friday. However, the project marks a new chapter for the Outkast rapper. New Blue Sun is an entirely instrumental album centered around woodwinds. The 87-minute album will include the contrabass, Mayan, and bamboo flutes. The album has eight songs and marks his first release in 17 years.

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ Receives Greenlight for Third Season

The hit show Welcome to Wrexham has been renewed for a third season, Wrexham AFC confirmed Tuesday. The program chronicles actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership of the EFL club, who are currently second in the Football League Two standings. “The wild global success of Welcome to Wrexham is a testament to the courage and vision of Rob and Ryan, the dogged spirit of the Red Dragons, and the hope and devotion of the people of Wrexham,” Nick Grad, President of FX Entertainment said. With its 18-episode inaugural season, Welcome to Wrexham picked up six Emmy nominations for reality programming, including Directing, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Cinematography, Picture Editing, and Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program.

Brandon Copeland & Jim Cavale’s Athletes.org Teams up with ACC Hoops for Inaugural Chapters

Athletes.org, the organization founded by Jim Cavale and Brandon Copeland to help student-athletes navigate their off-court businesses and responsibilities, has started its first two chapters — ACC men’s basketball and ACC women’s basketball. The chapters, led by ACC student-athletes, will work to bring teammates and peers together to discuss key issues in college sports and help manage group licensing NIL opportunities. North Carolina’s RJ Davis and Armando Bacot are the co-founders of the men’s basketball chapter, while UNC’s Deja Kelly earned the honor for the women.

Read more from Boardroom’s Russell Steinberg who recently sat down with Cavale & Copeland to discuss their organization’s mission.

The post Nicki Minaj & Post Malone Lead Rolling Loud 2024 Lineup appeared first on Boardroom.

iHeartMedia unveiled the list of dates for the 2023 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour on Friday, which will feature performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Nicki Minaj, Usher, and more artists at select shows throughout its 11-date run. Additional artists making an appearance include Niall Horan, OneRepublic, AJR, Sabrina Carpenter, Miguel, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, NCT DREAM, and Flo Rida. The holiday showcases begin Nov. 26 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., making stops in Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Boston, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Atlanta before concluding at the Amerant Bank Arena in Miami. For those unable to see the show live, ABC has entered a multiyear partnership with iHeartMedia as the event’s exclusive broadcast partner. On Dec. 21, fans can tune into the network for a special featuring special footage from each stop.

Arrest Made in Tupac Shakur’s Mysterious Murder Case

Las Vegas police have charged a man with the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur nearly three decades ago. The hip-hop legend, only 25 when he died, was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996. Up until now, the identity of his assailant has been a mystery. On Friday, Duane “Keffe D” Davis was indicted by a grand jury in Nevada on one count of murder with a deadly weapon. Per The New York Times, Davis disclosed in interviews and his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend, that he was in the passenger seat of the white Cadillac that pulled up near the vehicle holding Shakur. Davis hinted that a gang dispute escalated after Tupac and his associates beat up Davis’s nephew, Orlando Anderson, after the boxing match at the MGM Grand Hotel.

Stefanie Dolson Joins Jordan Brand’s Growing WNBA Roster

New York Liberty center Stefanie Dolson has signed a footwear and apparel contract with Jordan Brand, with the company posting a number of photos and videos to Instagram to celebrate the newest member of its growing family. “Big dreams, big energy, big things to come. The dominant center adds the title of Jordan Family member to her star-studded resume. Welcome to the Family, @bigmamastef,” the caption read. In the images, Dolson is dressed head-to-toe in Jumpman, capped with the two-time WNBA All-Star wearing the Jordan Luka 2 on-feet.

PLL Breaks Viewership Records with Most-watched Season Ever in 2023

The Premier Lacrosse League‘s (PLL) fifth season was one for the record books. The 2023 season was the most watched in league history, with average viewership up 36% on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 and more than 60% on ESPN+ compared to last season, the PLL announced Friday. “These record-setting viewership milestones are a testament to our players’ dedication to their craft and performance on-field, our groundbreaking partnership with ESPN, and how both of our respective teams strategize and execute against its distribution,” said Paul Rabil, Co-founder and President of the PLL. PPL also doubled the number of single-day game sellouts in-person relative to 2022 and has experienced a 20% year-over-year revenue growth.

Tyson Fury & Oleksandr Usyk Set to Square Off a Month After Ngannou Fight

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk could finally face off soon — an agreement has been signed for a heavyweight title unification fight between the two fighters, both sides confirmed via social media on Friday. According to ESPN, the bout is tentatively set for Dec. 23 or sometime in January in Saudi Arabia. Before this rumored showdown, Fury has an Oct. 28 pay-per-view contest in Riyadh against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou that should serve as a fun teaser … or an unfortunate precursor. The Fury-Francis format is a 10-round fight with the traditional 10-point scoring system, but no titles will be on the line. Fury is 33-0-1 in his career with 24 knockouts, while Usyk is a perfect 21-0 with 14 knockouts.

Netflix Ends an Era After Shipping Final DVD

It’s the end of the DVD era at Netflix. The DVD-turned-streaming platform shipped its final physical discs to subscribers on Friday, it confirmed on social media. In April, the company announced plans to shutter its DVD rental business in the fall, blaming the shrinking demand for physical rentals as making it “increasingly difficult” to provide quality service. Netflix shipped its first disc (Beetlejuice) in 1998 and has since shipped 5.2 billion movies in those red envelopes to more than 40 million customers. According to Variety, the final movie shipped was the Coen brothers’ 2010 True Grit, starring Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin.

The post Usher & Olivia Rodrigo Among Stars Set to Hit the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Stage appeared first on Boardroom.

Continuing the celebrations of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the MTV Video Music Awards announced Monday that the program will end with a tribute to the genre. Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and LL Cool J will take the stage at the VMAs with Lil Wayne and show emcee Nicki Minaj for the finale. McDaniels — a member of the trailblazing rap group Run-DMC —is performing at the VMAs for the first time since the group teamed up with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and Steven Tyler in 1987.

Ahead of MTV’s big night, Boardroom’s D’Shonda Brown breaks down everything you need to know about the Video Vanguard Award.

Disney, Charter Reach Agreement Hours Before MNF Opener on ESPN & ABC

Good news for the nearly 15 million subscribers who have accounts with Charter Communications. On Monday, Disney and Charter, which operates the Spectrum cable service, announced the two companies struck a “transformative agreement” to end a closely watched carriage dispute. This decision will restore access to channels like ESPN and ABC to the nation’s second-largest cable television provider, just hours before the Bills and Jets kick off on Monday Night Football. As part of the deal, Disney will provide the advertiser-supported offering of Disney+ to select Charter television packages. Disney-affiliated channels had been blacked out since the evening of Aug. 31, when the channels were pulled during a US Open tennis match and college football game.

Documentary for Bills’ Damar Hamlin in the Works

The remarkable story of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin‘s road to recovery following his on-field cardiac arrest in January is the subject of a new documentary. Did We Win began production when Hamlin underwent immediate treatment in the hospital, per Deadline, and continued as the 25-year-old adjusted to life after the scary incident. The feature is expected to highlight both his return to professional football and Hamlin‘s expanding charity efforts, which included a White House visit to speak with President Joe Biden and his non-profit Chasing M’s Foundation teaming up with the American Heart Association, American Red Cross and several other groups for The Smart Heart Sports Coalition. Skydance Sports and NFL Films are expected to help produce.

NBA Competition Committee Considering Fines for Resting Players in Nationally Televised Games

If the NBA Competition Committee has its way, your favorite team could soon be penalized for resting star players during nationally televised contests. The league’s Board of Governors is expected to vote on that ruling Wednesday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. If the policy is approved, franchises would reportedly face a $100,000 fine for a first violation. That figure would jump to $250,000 for the second violation and would then increase by $1 million for each subsequent violation, Wojnarowski explained on X. Shams Charania of The Athletic added that teams will only be disciplined for resting “star players,” which will reportedly be defined as any player who made the All-Star team or was named to the All-Pro team in the past three seasons.

Uber Adding Task-based Software to List of Services

You can already get a ride, food delivered, and rent a car via the Uber app. Now, the platform may soon add another program: the ability to complete tasks. According to Bloomberg, the engineers at Uber are developing a new software called “Chore.” First discovered by Steve Moser within the Uber app for iOS, the latest version explains that Chore will allow users to employ “taskers” for certain jobs, similar to how TaskRabbit functions. After requesting help, customers then clarify the task they need to complete, including when taskers should arrive and how long it’s expected to take. The app will then calculate a fee for the task before allowing the user to complete the booking.

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ Highlights Women’s Squad in Second Season

Wrexham is returning to Hulu. The docuseries, which spotlights the world’s third oldest professional soccer club recently acquired by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, kicks off its second season on Tuesday. This year, the show will expand the aperture to include the women’s club, and early reviews signal that forward Rosie Hughes is positioned to shine bright as a superstar, both on and off the pitch. The premiere comes just days before the 2023-24 season starts on Sept. 17, following the club’s promotion last season.

The post MTV VMAs Planning Star-studded Finale for 50th Anniversary of Hip-hop appeared first on Boardroom.

We all remember how old and where we were when we first heard Wycleaf Jean shout his famous “Shakira, Shakira” intro in the namesake singer’s hit 2005 single, “Hips Don’t Lie.” Fast-forwarding to 2023, the Colombian superstar now boasts a catalog of 145 songs and holds the title of the best-selling female Latin artist of all time as noted by Billboard.

There’s no disputing, then, why the ageless artist has earned the honor of this year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. She’ll become the first South American artist ever to receive the honor, first bestowed in 1984, akin to the music network’s lifetime achievement award.

Nicki Minaj hosts this year’s ceremony at Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center, marking the second consecutive year that the “Barbie Tingz” rapper will take on this role after co-hosting in 2022 — but did you also know that just last year, she was herself the recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and performed on the VMAs stage for the first time in four years?

Indeed, there’s a lot of history behind this award, and if you want to learn more about what makes it such a high honor in the music industry, read on, as Boardroom everything you need to know before MTV’s big night.

Stay tuned at the end of this story, too, for the full list of Video Vanguard winners to date.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

What is the Video Vanguard Award?

Introduced at the very first MTV Video Music Awards at 1984, the Video Vanguard Award was created as a prestigious honor for both music artists and music video directors for their contributions to the art form and popular culture. Rather than the typical silver trophy known to VMA honorees as the “Moon Person,” the Video Vanguard Award is plated gold to distinguish the lifetime achievement status it confers.

The very first recipients of the award in 1984? The Beatles, Richard Lester, and David Bowie. Other notable winners throughout the years have included Madonna (the first woman to receive the award in 1998), Janet Jackson (1990, the youngest recipient at 24 years old), LL Cool J (the first rapper to win in 1997), Jennifer Lopez (the first performer of Latin descent to receive the award in 2018), and Missy Elliott (2019, the first female rapper to win).

Why Name it After Michael Jackson?

In 1991, the Video Vanguard Award was officially named in honor of “The King of Pop,” who was previously recognized with the honor himself three years prior. Michael Jackson changed the music video game forever with masterpieces such as 14-minute cinematic pioneer “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” the latter of which was recognized as the first music video by a Black artist to be played by MTV in heavy rotation, and his contributions to the form are considered revolutionary.

The “Human Nature” singer was also the first Black artist to receive the honor in 1988.

The very first Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award as such was awarded to Bon Jovi and Wayne Isham in 1991, as presented by Arsenio Hall. In 2003, the award was presented as the Lifetime Achievement Award by Kelly Osbourne and Avril Lavigne to Duran Duran. After two years of hiatus, the award was presented in 2006 as simply the Video Vanguard Award when it was given to influential director Hype Williams.

Following Michael Jackson’s death, the award was renamed after the late “Rock With You” singer in 2011, but later caused controversy after allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced following the release of HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. As of late, the award is vaguely referred to as the Video Vanguard Award.

How Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Video Changed the Game

The ultimate visual victory lap, learn how the King of Pop’s $1 million short film changed the course of Billboard, MTV, and VHS.

Let’s Go!

How Did MTV Pick Shakira?

A five-time VMA winner, Shakira is best known for hits like “Hips Don’t Lie,” “She Wolf,” “La Tortura,” and her “Beautiful Liar” collaboration with Beyoncé. As the second Latin artist to receive the honor and the first born in South America, Shakira is a true history-maker in hitting the VMA stage for the first time in 17 years.

One year before in 2005, she made VMAs history with the ceremony’s first performance entirely in Spanish – “La Tortura” featuring Alejandro Sanz. Only five years prior, she won her first Moon Person in 2000 for International Viewer’s Choice (Latin America North), and again in 2002. Shakira’s MTV history-making doesn’t end there, as her 2000 episode of MTV’s Unplugged was the the first broadcast to be entirely in Spanish. In 2001, her “Whenever Wherever” video became the first Spanish-language visual aired on MTV in North America.

“Shakira is a true global force who continues to inspire and influence the masses with her unique, musical prowess,” Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming, and Events at Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music for Paramount+, said in a statement. “She’s a trailblazer for women around the world and one of the first artists to lead the globalization of Latin music. Her massive impact across the musical landscape will be long-lasting as she continues to create and entertain at the highest level.”

This year, Shakira received four nominations at the 2023 Video Music Awards — notably tied with Diddy and K-pop stars BLACKPINK — including Artist of the Year and both Best Latin and Best Collaboration for the Karol G-assisted “TQG.” She also managed a second Best Latin nod for “Acróstico.”

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards air on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET.

Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Winners

NOTE: The Video Vanguard Award was not officially renamed in honor of Michael Jackson until 1991. Jackson’s name was removed in 2003 before returning in 2011.

• 1984: The Beatles, David Bowie, Richard Lester
• 1985: David Byrne, Godley & Creme, Russell Mulcahy
• 1986: Madonna, Zbigniew Rybczyński
• 1987: Peter Gabriel, Julien Temple
• 1988: Michael Jackson
• 1989: George Michael
• 1990: Janet Jackson
• 1991: Wayne Isham, Bon Jovi
• 1992: Guns N’ Roses
• 1994: Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones
• 1995: R.E.M.
• 1997: LL Cool J, Mark Romanek
• 1998: Beastie Boys
• 2000: Red Hot Chili Peppers
• 2001: U2
• 2003: Duran Duran (as Lifetime Achievement Award)
• 2006: Hype Williams (as Video Vanguard Award)
• 2011: Britney Spears
• 2013: Justin Timberlake
• 2014: Beyoncé
• 2015: Kanye West
• 2016: Rihanna
• 2017: Pink
• 2018: Jennifer Lopez
• 2019: Missy Elliott
• 2022: Nicki Minaj
• 2023: Shakira

More Music:

1

0

80

post

6

OR

1201

3115,3114

Entertainment March 28, 2024

Aux Money: Teezo Touchdown’s Evolution Will Be Televised

Music March 14, 2024

Aux Money: Tay Keith is Always Staying a Step Ahead

Entertainment February 29, 2024

Aux Money: Don C is Just a Chicago Kid Living the Dream

Music February 15, 2024

Aux Money: Babyface Ray on Detroit, Wemby, Fashion & More

Interview

Entertainment February 14, 2024

Lil Dicky is Dave Burd’s Present, but His Future is Firmly in Film

Music February 10, 2024

How Roc Nation Reinvigorated the Super Bowl Halftime Show

The post The Story Behind the MTV VMAs’ Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award appeared first on Boardroom.

We are still a few months out from Bronny James‘ official on-court debut as a USC Trojan. However, Nike is ensuring that fans are on the ready. The Beaverton brand unveiled some official Bronny USC merch for the first time. The Swoosh listed a classic t-shirt in the signature cardinal and gold and featuring the number 6. However, fans rushed the site, leading it to sell out soon after its release. James is only the second college athlete to receive the official Nike scholarly treatment, following in the footsteps of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark. James will step on the court for his freshman year after he experienced a cardiac event while practicing earlier this summer.

Nicki Minaj Tapped to Emcee the MTV VMAs

Nicki Minaj is set to drop Pink Friday 2, her first album since 2010’s Queen, in November. And in advance, she is getting back in the game. MTV revealed that the rapper will take the stage in a dual role at next Tuesday’s Video Music Awards, where she will serve both as the evening’s emcee and a performer. This is the second year in a row that Minaj will assume hosting duties (although MTV’s announcement seemingly avoids the term), having shared them last year with LL Cool J and Jack Harlow.

Deion Sanders, Colorado Football Drawing Huge Betting Numbers Ahead of Week 2

After a shocking Week 1 win against the TCU Horned Frogs, all eyes are on Deion Sanders and the Colorado squad as they take on Nebraska. In advance of Saturday’s kickoff, bettors are locking in on the game. ESPN reports that the matchup has taken in more bets than any NFL game on the league’s opening weekend. A deeper look at the data provided by FanDuel reveals that the Buffs have received 37% of Saturday’s handle. This weekend, the team will sport custom suits from Michael Strahan‘s signature line. The threads, co-designed by Coach Prime, feature the school’s mascot and “IBELIEVE” lining.

CNBC x Boardroom Set to Premiere ‘Game Plan’ Summary Show

This July, some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment gathered in Los Angeles for a gripping day of programming as part of the inaugural CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan event. The day’s lineup included ESPN chairman James Pitaro, NWSL commisioner Jessica Berman, NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, and many more. This Saturday at 3 PM EST, CNBC will debut a summary special spotlighting some of the day’s brightest moments.

Check out Boardroom’s behind-the-scenes breakdown of the day’s events and set your DVR for 3:00 PM EST on CNBC.

CEO of the Recording Academy Debunks News that AI-Generated Drake & The Weeknd Cut is Grammy Eligible

The CEO of The Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., took to Instagram to debunk the internet rumor that the AI-generated cut assembled in the style of Drake and The Weeknd will receive Grammy Award consideration. Ghostwriter977’s “Heart on My Sleeve” took over social media upon its release. Drake repeatedly spoke out against AI in music, and it appears that The Recording Academy is aligned with his criticism.  “Let me be extra, extra clear,” Mason Jr. said in a short video, “even though it was written by a human creator, the vocals were not legally obtained, the vocals were not cleared by the label or the artists and the song is not commercially available and because of that, it’s not eligible.” He went on to address that AI in music is a tricky subject with which the Recording Academy is currently grappling.

Oregon St. & Washington St. File Complaint Against Pac-12

Oregon State and Washington State, the only two schools committed to the Pac-12 beyond this school year, have filed a legal complaint against the conference in an effort to keep departing members from determining the league’s fate. WSU and OSU argue that conference bylaws state the 10 departing schools should not be allowed seats on the league’s board of directors. That would deny the outgoing schools the right to vote on matters including the potential dissolution of the conference and equal division of assets among the 12 schools. This comes ahead of a Sept. 13 meeting in which the league is scheduled to vote on a “go forward governance approach.” All 12 member schools are invited.

The post Nike Goes Back to School with Bronny James USC Jerseys appeared first on Boardroom.

When Kevin Durant takes the court for the Phoenix Suns this fall, he’ll be sporting all-new looks to his Nike KD16. First previewed in the NBA Playoffs last season, the “Pathways” pack colorways — “Pathway to Royalty” and “Emotional Pathways” — boast the same tech features as previous iterations of the shoe, including a multi-layer mesh upper that hugs the foot and a bottom-loaded Zoom Air unit. Also like previous versions, the new colorways flow in a fresh, functional fashion for an easy-to-identify stance that can be spotted from the nosebleeds. Durant‘s latest colorways of the Nike KD16 were released at Nike and select stockists on Friday.

Boardroom’s Ian Stonebrook has a breakdown of the newest KD16 colorways available for purchase.

Rihanna & Puma are Back Together with Avanti Shoe Release

It’s been a minute — six years, to be exact — but Rihanna and Puma are finally back together. After taking time off from her partnership with the German sportswear company, the new mom of two announced her return with a brand new sneaker design called “Avanti.” Priced at $160, the trainer is a hybrid style that combines Puma’s King football boot and Easy Rider running shoe. Design highlights include a retro leather upper that arrives in black and white or flashy silver, a foldable tongue, and a gum sole. In addition to standard sizing, Avanti sneakers also boast kid, preschooler, and infant versions. “This time around, we expanded our creations to kids ’cause I selfishly want my boys in everything their dad and I wear or design,” Rihanna joked to Vogue. The Avanti shoe drops on Sept. 15.

Bears QB Justin Fields Scores Long-term Partnership With Reebok

Justin Fields is officially a Reebok athlete. The brand announced its long-term partnership with the Chicago Bears play-caller on Thursday, adding that it marks the starting point of Reebok’s long-term strategy to reenter the team sports space. With this move, Reebok imagines more signees not only in football but in basketball and beyond. “Not only have they launched iconic offerings with legends like Allen Iverson and Shaq that shaped sports culture in the ‘90s, but they also have the attitude and energy to reshape the future of Sport once again,” Fields said. The 24-year-old is also also an ambassador at OWYN, Bose, Chipotle, Beyond Meat, Oakley, and more.

Boardroom’s Ian Stonebrook has an interesting breakdown of Reebok’s history of athlete ambassadors. 

Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Wayne, Doja Cat Among 2023 MTV VMA Performances

After making her debut at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, Olivia Rodrigo is set to return for a special performance at this year’s event on Sept. 12. Also scheduled to perform and make a long-awaited return is Lil Wayne, a nominee this year for Best Hip-Hop who will perform his new single — “Kat Food” — live for the first time. Rounding out the onstage entertainers inside New Jersey’s Prudential Center are Anitta, Doja Cat, Kelsea Ballerini, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER. A few famous faces who will be presenting awards include Bebe Rexha, Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, Rita Ora, Sabrina Carpenter, Coco Jones, GloRilla, Emily Ratajkowski, French Montana, Ice Spice, and Jared Leto. Last year, Nicki Minaj, Jack Harlow, and LL Cool J served as VMA emcees, but as of now, no host has been announced for this year’s festivities.

LSU to Make Kim Mulkey the Highest-paid Coach in College Women’s Hoops History

After leading the LSU women’s basketball team to its first NCAA national championship, head coach Kim Mulkey has reportedly agreed to a new 10-year, $32 million contract with the Tigers. The deal is pending approval from the university’s board of supervisors before it can be officially signed. Should the board allow it, it will become the richest total contract in women’s college basketball history. Mulkey has led teams to four national championships, winning three at Baylor and nabbing her fourth at LSU in April when the Bayou Bengals beat Iowa 102-85 in the title game.

Billionaire François-Henri Pinault Takes Majority Stake in CAA

CAA has a new majority owner. Per The New York Times, the talent agency giant led by Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane, and Richard Lovett has sold a majority stake to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by billionaire businessman François-Henri Pinault, CEO of luxury goods firm Kering. Kering also owns brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen. CAA’s roster of A-list clients includes Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Zendaya, and Pinault’s wife, actress Salma Hayek Pinault. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though former majority owners TPG, a private equity firm, was reportedly seeking a valuation of about $7 billion.

The post Kevin Durant Releases 2 New Colorways for Nike KD16 appeared first on Boardroom.

Catherine Brewton is no stranger to the hip-hop game.

After a first career as an industry executive with GE, Brewton moved to Atlanta to embark on a career in music, which has led her to work side-by-side with some of the biggest names in the business. From Drake to DJ Khaled, Pharrell to Outkast, Brewton has been a key player in the evolution of the iconic Atlanta sound.

Throughout her career, she has served as a champion of new talent and a connector of opportunities. She has become an industry icon since joining BMI in 1997, receiving Billboard’s Woman of the Year honors in 2022.

Boardroom’s D’Shonda Brown sat down with the VP of Creative to discuss her journey to and through the industry, the core role that women play in the history of hip-hop, and much more.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

D’Shonda Brown: How would you explain your role as VP of Creative to someone who may not know exactly what it is that you do?

Catherine Brewton: We see people early. I saw Pharrell before Pharrell was really Pharrell. I signed the whole Cash Money group. I remember in 1997 going to New Orleans. You know, certainly not necessarily being a real versed hip-hop girl, and meeting Lil Wayne at 14 and signing him at 16. And, you know, the rest is history.

So much about what we do is really early on seeing creatives — mostly writers, producers — who in a lot of cases are artists as well. So many of these guys I’ve become friends with in their early evolution of their career and just really connecting the dots, allowing them to meet other creatives in the early stages of their career.

DB: Can you give us a little walkthrough or a map of your career and how you landed at BMI?

CB: What’s so fortunate is I didn’t necessarily aspire to work in the music business. I was a business executive at GE. I had the opportunity to move and run a credit center in Jacksonville, FL. Not sexy. I was like, ‘oh, I don’t know that I wanna do that.’ (laughs)

So I decided to move to Atlanta, and my lawyer’s like, ‘hey, the Grammys are looking to open an Atlanta chapter.’ And I was hired to open the Atlanta chapter of the Recording Academy.

My lawyer also repped the senior VP at BMI, who I was hired by, and the president at the Grammys.

DB: How have you personally seen hip-hop evolve since you began in the music industry?

CB: That’s a loaded one. You know, what was fun for me, I think I was such a newbie. My mom is a pastor, so I didn’t necessarily grow up listening to hip-hop, but I was always such a fan of the art and all that hip-hop brought to our culture.

Coming up, I came up with the Pharrells and Cash Money. I signed Outkast. So many of those guys were, in my mind, the blueprint [for hip-hop] in Georgia. And then I became super close to Snoop, and then I signed The Game.

There was this whole wave that although they were different in some respects, the nucleus of it all was about storytelling. And I think nineties hip-hop will always be near and dear to me in the core of what I so love.

I was talking to Luda recently who’s now not only one of the most iconic hip-hop guys in this market, but now a very successful actor. And he’s like, ‘I’m working on some new stuff, Kat. I need you to hook me up with the next greatest new.’ And so we are having these dialogues, and that’s really been the genesis of my career.

All of these things and hip-hop become so much of a change.

We’ve seen this latest wave. I think Future was that bridge … He set the tone for what’s now this whole new wave. It’s been sustained because I think kids have a different capacity and a different feel for what hip-hop is. But if you look at what’s happening, a lot of 90s music is being sampled by this new wave.

So what does that tell you? That that era of music, it was just melodic and that wave intertwined throughout hip-hop.

DB: And what specifically does the 50th year of hip-hop mean for women in the music industry?

CB: I think what it meant for me, and what I think it means to me is that we’ve been such important figures. But I think when the stories are being told, it’s always from a male perspective. What I know having been in this seat for over 20 years is a lot of what was done in terms of making sure that things financially could happen and giving advice to people.

Women have been the lifeline for so long, even though we’ve not been the most public. [We’re] behind the scenes. We kept many lights on in many respects.

I saw Drake in the height of his career at BMI with the mixtape that almost put me outta the business because it was such a crazy flurry around Drake. That was a real badge of honor for me because everybody and their brother was trying to sign him.

It sometimes goes beyond business because I care about the creatives and I always wanna be the voice of reason. And that’s been my mainstay, I think, in hip-hop and in the culture. I’ve been true to the game in every sense of the word.

DB: How did your experience at Shaw University prepare you for your experience in the industry?

CB: I don’t know that I even understood what that meant to me in the time that I was there. So coming out of it, then going into GE, and then at BMI. I did a women in business program at Harvard. It so made me appreciate my cultural experience at Shaw.

I did the commencement service in 2016 or 2017, which was really special to me to be able to go back and share my story and my success with kids. I think now kids are going to HBCUs because they now see the value in us being in our own communities, cultivating our own relationships, and then being released to the world to be great.

I appreciate the experience, probably now more than I did at the time.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

DB: Tell me about how you’ve seen gender dynamics play a role in your career and how you’ve seen women come into positions of power over the years in the entertainment industry.

CB: There are several dynamics. I think post COVID and the Black Lives Matters movement, I think women still struggled. Women still were not sufficiently represented in C-Suites.

I think we still have work to do. I think we have to be intentional about giving access to our young Black brothers and sisters, and when we’re in positions where we are hiring, and when we are in positions where we have voices.

I’m proud that during the Black Lives Matters movement, I led a four month DEI group that we hired someone that’s of color, a black woman who is extraordinary. I think BMI has done an incredible job really trying to give access and create platforms for more people of color to advance through the ranks.

We’re making strides, but I think, is it enough? No, because there’s not enough black women in the C-suite and senior level positions.

DB: Why is it important to include black women, whether it’s rappers or executives in the C-Suite, in conversations about hip-hop’s anniversary and hip-hop in the future?

CB: We are the voice. How do you not talk about it? The Monie Loves and MC Light and Queen Latifah. Lil’ Kim, Nikki Minaj now.

We are still in every room. We’re in every space in some capacity, but when the story’s being told you have to include women, because whether we’re known or not, we’ve been a thread in the whole journey of hip-hop.

It wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for women, whether again, on screen or behind the scenes who have been super impactful.

DB: How do you balance a career as VP, being a producer, and being a philanthropist, and how do you make sure that you give 100% to everything that you do without burning out?

CB: I think women are built differently (laughs). I think by nature, because we’ve had to be so many things in so many situations.

I look at my mom and my mom was the greatest woman ever to live for me. I learned early through a tragic situation of losing my father, she left the community and then went back to buy up the block in every sense of the word.

I’m actually gonna be shooting a documentary about her story — what I watched, her pain and suffering, and then going back and saving other lives.

So I lean into someone who is an example. Everybody’s not gonna have that example, but when we find the person that really provides a conduit for us to see a different way or to lean into things that sometimes don’t feel like it’s right, I think about those who have gone before us who have had much, much more difficult struggles.

Want More Music?

1

0

78

post

6

OR

1201

Entertainment March 28, 2024

Aux Money: Teezo Touchdown’s Evolution Will Be Televised

Music March 14, 2024

Aux Money: Tay Keith is Always Staying a Step Ahead

Entertainment February 29, 2024

Aux Money: Don C is Just a Chicago Kid Living the Dream

Music February 15, 2024

Aux Money: Babyface Ray on Detroit, Wemby, Fashion & More

Interview

Entertainment February 14, 2024

Lil Dicky is Dave Burd’s Present, but His Future is Firmly in Film

Music February 10, 2024

How Roc Nation Reinvigorated the Super Bowl Halftime Show

The post Catherine Brewton: Creative Connector appeared first on Boardroom.

Besides Dylan, who are the icons most widely considered among the greatest rappers ever to do it? It’s a question worth asking any day of the week, but it’s particularly prescient given that 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the hip-hop art form.

If you’re making a Mount Rushmore, you’re almost certainly including — in no particular order — The Notorious BIG, 2Pac, and Jay-Z. If we’re talking top five, there’s a stronger chance by comparison that Nas is making his way in there. But what if I asked you to name the five most popular bar-spitters in the history of Spotify? Would your answer be the same?

Spoiler alert: None of those four even crack the top 30. Biggie Smalls doesn’t make the top 50.

That’s surely got you either infuriated or strangely enthused, right? Well, all ye backpackers and boom-bappers, no more vamping and/or cold-lamping, let’s get right to the 50 most-streamed rappers on Spotify all-time, starting with a Canadian man who went from Degrassi to classy.

Think You Know the Best-selling Rap Album of All Time?

From Hov and Eminem to Bigge, Pac, and beyond, find out who stands alone atop at rap’s Platinum mountaintop.

Let’s Go!

The 50 Most-streamed Rappers on Spotify

Rap-specific rankings, all-time rankings, and billion-stream stats are based on streamed songs as a lead artist only via ChartMasters as of Oct. 9, 2023.

@boardroom Drake’s level of braggadocious reaches new heights on his ‘For All The Dogs’ album. We take a look the record’s most lofty lyrics in the first installment of “Boardroom Bars.” #drake #forallthedogs #hiphop #rapper ♬ original sound – Boardroom

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

Which Rapper Has the Most Diamond Albums & Singles?

From Drake and Eminem to Kanye, Hov, and beyond, check out hip-hop’s all-time 10x Platinum honor roll.

Let’s Go!

Other Notable Rappers on the All-time Spotify Charts

55. Snoop Dogg (overall Spotify rank: 216)
56. The Notorious BIG (218)
57. Megan Thee Stallion (223)
58. Big Sean (228)
60. Meek Mill (230)
62. Lil Durk (240)
64. Gucci Mane (242)
65. Rae Sremmurd (244)
73. Dr. Dre (289)
75. Lizzo (296)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Boardroom (@boardroom)

Read More:

1

0

59

post

6

OR

457,411,287,2468

Entertainment March 28, 2024

Aux Money: Teezo Touchdown’s Evolution Will Be Televised

Music March 14, 2024

Aux Money: Tay Keith is Always Staying a Step Ahead

March 5, 2024

Drake, LeBron James Among Big Names Betting on PGA Tour

February 3, 2024

Kid Cudi, Calvin Harris Tapped for FanDuel x Spotify Super Bowl Party

Execs & Entrepreneurs February 1, 2024

Aux Money: Lenny S. & Delle Set the Gold Standard

Music January 31, 2024

Universal Music Group Artists Set to Disappear from TikTok After Negotiations Break Down

The post The Most-streamed Rappers on Spotify: Drake, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne & More appeared first on Boardroom.

The 1997 Aqua song “Barbie Girl” was the anthem for 90s babies inventing extravagant scenarios for their plastic Barbie dolls. Now, 26 years later, those same kids are adults and can anticipate a brand new soundtrack ahead of the summer blockbuster feature.

On Thursday, the official lineup of featured artists for Barbie: The Album was revealed. Though Aqua won’t be providing a remastered iteration of the smash hit, the soundtrack does feature the likes of Tame Impala, Haim, Charli XCX, and Ice Spice, per Rolling Stone. Grammy Award winner Dua Lipa, who is a part of the movie’s supporting cast, also has song credits. Additional famous faces lending their talents include Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Pink Pantheress, and Khalid.

One standout face on the album is Ryan Gosling, who is more revered for his acting than his singing. Audiences got a glimpse of his musical chops in the Oscar-nominated film La La Land in 2016, and it looks like Barbie’s love interest, Ken, is dusting off his microphone once again seven years later.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The soundtrack’s cover is also perfectly on brand. It features the film’s lead star, Margot Robbie, in character, donning a fun headscarf with bright pink sunglasses. She looks down at a pink printed Barbie newspaper, which showcases the names of the artists on the LP.

Gracing the cover of Vogue’s July issue, Robbie dished on how the movie came to be, the energy on set, and revealed what audiences can expect from the titular character’s personality. In speaking of how Robbie helped him emulate Ken, Gosling lauded his co-star’s subtle clues on set.

“She left a pink present with a pink bow, from Barbie to Ken, every day while we were filming. They were all beach-related. Like puka shells, or a sign that says ‘Pray for surf.’ Because Ken’s job is just beach. I’ve never quite figured out what that means. But I felt like she was trying to help Ken understand, through these gifts that she was giving,” the 42-year-old said.

Dua Lipa’s Barbie single, “Dance the Night,” is out at midnight Thursday night. Barbie: The Album is executive produced by Mark Ronson and drops July 21, the same day the flick debuts in theaters.

Read More:

1

0

108

post

6

OR

1201,3567

Entertainment March 28, 2024

Aux Money: Teezo Touchdown’s Evolution Will Be Televised

Music March 14, 2024

Aux Money: Tay Keith is Always Staying a Step Ahead

Entertainment February 29, 2024

Aux Money: Don C is Just a Chicago Kid Living the Dream

Music February 15, 2024

Aux Money: Babyface Ray on Detroit, Wemby, Fashion & More

Interview

Entertainment February 14, 2024

Lil Dicky is Dave Burd’s Present, but His Future is Firmly in Film

Music February 10, 2024

How Roc Nation Reinvigorated the Super Bowl Halftime Show

The post Dua Lipa, Lizzo Headline Barbie Movie Soundtrack appeared first on Boardroom.

Nicki Minaj is on the hunt for the next big superstar. On the most recent episode of her “Queen Radio“ podcast, the 40-year-old announced she is launching her own record label:

“There’s a big announcement coming… Well, I have a record label now. I believe so strongly in loyalty, and because I’ve spent my whole life giving to others that turn around and shit on me,” the hip-hop superstar said.

Though she didn’t reveal the label’s official name, Minaj did drop a few artists she’s already signed. Among the cohort include Nana Fofie, Tate Kobang, Rico Danna, and London Hill. A Dutch-Nigerian artist, Minaj said she first discovered Fofie thanks to mashups posted to YouTube. Fofie joined Minaj on “Queen Radio” for the news, and in her praise for the rising star, Minaj called the “Selling Dreams” singer’s voice “effortless.”

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

“Because I thought they were her songs and then the Nigerians came on my comments after and said ‘That’s Davido!’ I said, ‘Okay, Nigeria.’ I’ve been obsessed with you for a very long time. And I always promised you when I started … but I didn’t want to, you know, lock you into anything and if I wasn’t ready to do what I needed to do with you, what I think you deserve. You have one of the most beautiful singing voice. One of those effortless, warm voices,” she declared.

It’s been a busy week for the Grammy-nominated musician. Her latest single, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” dropped Friday. Minaj spoke on collaborating with Kobang on the song, another artist signed to her label:

“Tate is one of the very best hook writers of the new generation,” she said. “I almost didn’t want to tell people that, you know, I was affiliated with him because I don’t want that to affect his business. But he’s an artist, and that’s him on that hook. He wrote that hook.”

You don’t become the Queen of Rap without a little help along the way, and as she prepared to mentor these new artists, Minaj thanked Lil Wayne in the same breath — Minaj got her start as a member of Weezy’s Young Money Entertainment label, her first major contract after being discovered by the “A Milli” rapper:

“When I came in this game, I didn’t have no paperwork with Lil Wayne, but he had us on tour, he had us in a studio, he was getting on my mixtapes, so I understand the importance of having somebody else doing the heavy lifting for you. I understand why people are coming out and they’re so, you know, microwaveable and they’re here today and gone tomorrow, because there’s no structure,” she said.

“There’s no real person that believes in them. That’s like, ‘Nah, I’m gonna make it my business to see you shine.’ That’s why I never wanted to do a label before because I said to myself … unless I’m ready to really put these artists on I’m not gonna ruin anyone’s life.”

More Music:

1

0

78

post

6

OR

1201

Entertainment March 28, 2024

Aux Money: Teezo Touchdown’s Evolution Will Be Televised

Music March 14, 2024

Aux Money: Tay Keith is Always Staying a Step Ahead

Entertainment February 29, 2024

Aux Money: Don C is Just a Chicago Kid Living the Dream

Music February 15, 2024

Aux Money: Babyface Ray on Detroit, Wemby, Fashion & More

Interview

Entertainment February 14, 2024

Lil Dicky is Dave Burd’s Present, but His Future is Firmly in Film

Music February 10, 2024

How Roc Nation Reinvigorated the Super Bowl Halftime Show

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Nicki Minaj Announces New Record Label, First Artist Signings appeared first on Boardroom.

Black women were the trending topic in 2022 — and that’s far from a surprise. From chart-topping entertainers to record-breaking athletes, the public figures garnering attention were nothing short of the beauty and resilience of Black women. 

A recent study from ThatSister examined Google search data for over 100 of the most influential Black women since January 1, 2022, to decide which woman was the most talked about of the year. The results revealed that stars like Zendaya, Meghan Markle, Serena Williams, and Beyoncé landed the top spots with over one million searches. 

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

“This year has seen several notable celebrities hit the headlines for their acting successes, new albums and personal endeavors,” a spokesperson for ThatSister said in an official statement. “This study offers a fascinating insight into which celebrities have had the biggest impact on the American people, and it will be interesting to see if these search figures rise or fall in 2023.”

According to the study, Beyoncé was Googled 1.20 million times per month across America in 2022, making her the fourth most talked about Black woman of the year, mainly due to the release of her seventh studio album, Renaissance, which dropped in July.

Now with her latest announcement about her highly anticipated world tour, her Google searches are bound to rise even higher since her last tour run in 2018 with her husband, Jay-Z. 

Who are the top 10 most-searched Black women on Google in 2022?

1. Zendaya: 2,718,300
2. Serena Williams: 1,657,200
3. Meghan Markle: 1,564,100
4. Beyoncé: 1,205,520
5. Michelle Obama: 1,191,350
6. Jada Pinkett-Smith: 1,163,700
7. Oprah Winfrey: 1,150,900
8. Nicki Minaj: 1,120,980
9. Cardi B: 940,300
10. Whoopi Goldberg: 648,880

READ MORE:

1

0

183

post

6

OR

3562,1285,3561

2174,1974,428,244

Tech Talk April 7, 2024

ChatGPT, Voice Engine, Sam Altman & More Updates from OpenAI

Big Tech March 28, 2024

Tech Talk Reviews: Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

Entertainment March 28, 2024

Aux Money: Teezo Touchdown’s Evolution Will Be Televised

Big Tech March 26, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About AI Chipmaker Nvidia

Big Tech March 22, 2024

How Google’s Adrienne Lofton Connects Marketing and Culture

Execs & Entrepreneurs March 21, 2024

Boardroom Talks: Visa CMO Frank Cooper Knows the Secret to Business

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Zendaya, Beyoncé and Cardi B Crack The Top Ten For Most Googled Women appeared first on Boardroom.

Nearly every year, what comes with the latest Call of Duty video game release from Activision is a star-studded trailer that features high-profile athletes, artists, and entertainers. This year’s release — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which drops worldwide on Oct. 28 — features a trailer entitled “Squad Up” starring a roster including (but not limited to) rappers Lil Baby and Nicki Minaj, McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris, Los Angeles Rams defensive back Jalen Ramsey, comedian Pete Davidson, and FaZe Clan’s Nuke Squad.

The trailer itself has become a moment in pop culture that has fans reliably excited to witness who appears in each year’s spot. To get a better sense of its impact and the decision-making behind it, Boardroom spoke to a Call of Duty representative and some of the big names featured in the trailer to see how things all come together.

“Call of Duty has a long history of making these iconic live-action commercials going back to Robert Downey Jr. and Kobe Bryant,” said Tyler Bahl, Head of Marketing at Call of Duty, in a Zoom interview. “We always want to create something that is connected with culture and reflects how people consume our content today. The focus for us was about showing friends, communities, and squads playing together and having fun and using the talent and celebrities as beacons for rallying different squads together.”

When it’s time to debut a new Call of Duty trailer that doesn’t strictly feature gameplay footage, Activision has an interesting question to answer with regards to whom to recruit to bring the project to life. Across sports alone, there are very well-known gamers such as Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Juju Smith-Schuster, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Anthony Davis, and Chase Claypool to call upon. On the entertainment front, Schoolboy Q, Logic, Post Malone, Snoop Dogg, Vin Diesel, Zachary Levi, Rosario Dawson, and Michelle Rodriguez are all avid gamers themselves.

All told, Bahl said the process for selecting players is a combination of finding Call of Duty purists and pop culture sensations.

“It’s about looking at the community and who our players are while also examining who are big fans of the franchise. Call of Duty is bigger than just a video game, so there has to be a real interest in the game,” he said.

With this in mind, it’s hard to ignore FaZe Clan. One of the most popular and successful esports organizations on earth, the company boasts 48 pro players and 38 content creators with over 23 million followers across Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. And even with FaZe Clan’s Nuke Squad playing video games for a living, the Squad admits to sharing the same excitement for the Modern Warfare 2 trailer as everyone else.

“Everybody has celebrities they look up to. Even myself, Kobe was in one, Michael B. Jordan, the trailers are fun to watch and being a part of it was a dream come true,” said Nuke Squad member Dante Rene Santana, better known by his gamer handle, Santana.

Activision originally reached out to Nuke Squad through their manager. “It was like, “Oh my God, they want us to be a part of a Call of Duty trailer? I was excited,” Santana said. Added teammate Kris Lamberson, who goes by FaZe Swagg: “Growing up, we’ve all seen so many of these trailers, and to be asked to be in one was a dream come true.”

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

Another recognizable face in “Squad Up” spot, driver Lando Norris of the McLaren F1 team, says he ramped up his Call of Duty play time in the last four years, most notably in 2020.

“COVID allowed me to have a lot of time to play with friends, it’s particularly what everyone resorted to in the whole world,” he told Boardroom. “Being in the trailer was pretty epic with some of the names that were a part of it. Knowing how big the commercial is in terms of reach, it’s something very special for me. I’ve been a big fan of Call of Duty and for people around the world to watch and be interested in it is an honor.”

The Formula 1 star also owns an esports organization and lifestyle brand, Quadrant, that competes in Halo.

“It has always been a dream of mine. Growing up and seeing all the other teams like FaZe Clan and 100 Thieves, I wanted to be part of that and to have a team to represent me. Hopefully, in the not-too-far away future, Call of Duty will be one of the games [my team competes in].”

With sports being covered by Norris, Ramsey, Tennessee Titans linebacker David Long Jr., and Arsenal footballer Bukayo Saka and esports represented by FaZe Clan’s Nuke Squad, Activision ultimately recruited Lil Baby, Nicki Minaj, Pete Davidson, and Kane Brown to represent the world of entertainment. Each personality brought on board brings a new fanbase from their sport and their home location. Football, soccer, auto racing, esports, hip-hop, and country music are included by design to hit as many specific target audiences as possible. On top of this, there is a global marketing component — all of the individuals featured hail from places decidedly distinct from one another.

“The goal is to reach a broader audience outside of the people who just care about gameplay. I think to be really part of culture, I want my mom to know a new Call of Duty is coming out even if she might not ever play. We want to be just as big as any blockbuster movie or album coming out,” Bahl said. “We know what to do to get our core excited, but it is how we get everyone else talking about the new game, and I think we did that with the new spot. If we get people singing this on the street — and we already have been seeing that — that is really where you bring home that social extension and bring home the excitement that we are looking for.”

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 releases worldwide on Friday, Oct. 28 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PCs.

Read More:

• ChatGPT, Voice Engine, Sam Altman & More Updates from OpenAI
• From March Madness to Man United: Brands Make Fan Dreams Come True
• Everything is On the Table for Maverick Carter, Paul Rivera & The Shop
• Boardroom Talks: Amar’e Stoudemire Always Understood the Game
• CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit Returning in 2024

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Inside Call of Duty’s Star-studded Modern Warfare 2 ‘Squad Up’ Trailer appeared first on Boardroom.

For the sake of everyone’s health and wellbeing, we’re going to go ahead and declare this edition of Notables a Ye-free zone. Now that we’ve squared that bit of business away, let’s focus on the far more interesting things happening on the charts right about now. For instance:

• With 14 total weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit” just earned its second week at No. 1.
• Bruno Mars extended his all-time RIAA certification record for Diamond (10x Platinum) singles now that “Locked Out of Heaven” reached the milestone 10 years and four days after its original 2012 release.
• Khalid surpassed one billion streams in 2022 in the US alone.
• Bad Bunny is still the most-streamed artist on Spotify globally, but he was supplanted on this week’s Billboard’s Artist 100 by… Slipknot?!?

But that’s not all we need to talk about today. Welcome to Notables, Boardroom’s roundup of the buzziest bits circulating in the music industry.

Let’s start with Nicki Minaj, who’s doing exactly what she did in that verse on “Monster” — taking us all to school.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

Nicki Minaj Goes Back to School

It may be midterm season, but students across the country are starting to curate their course selections for next semester.

Students at UC-Berkeley will have the opportunity to dive deep on rap royalty with a new course offering entitled “Nicki Minaj: The Black Barbie Femmecee & Hip Hop Feminisms.” The class will be offered through the university’s Department of African American Studies and taught by post-doctoral fellow Dr. Peace and Love El Henson, as they revealed on Twitter.

But Barbs who sit for the course may have a special guest lecturer. When tapped in by a user on Twitter, Minaj herself responded that she’d love to stop in.

Minaj joins a lyrically-inclined lineup of advanced coursework across the country that already includes a Harry Styles class at Texas State University, Taylor Swift studies at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, and Questlove’s appearance at the head of the class for his own NYU course, “Classic Albums.”

JID & Smino Hit the Road 4Ever

The Zoink Gang roadshow is coming to a city near you. On Tuesday, JID and Smino announced the Luv is 4Ever Tour, a 32-stop blowout scheduled to kick off on Jan. 22, 2023 in Seattle, Washington and conclude in Nashville, Tennessee on March 29.

This is an international affair, too — while the action won’t travel west of Wisconsin, it notably includes mid-March visits to Montreal and Toronto.

Atlanta kid JID rolls into the tour on the heels of the Aug. 26 release of The Forever Story, the Dreamville artist’s critically acclaimed third studio album and a direct sequel to 2017’s The Never Story. The release peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200.

Meanwhile, Smino is likely taking pre-emptive victory laps over his upcoming LP Love 4 Rent, which drops Oct. 28 on Zero Fatigue, the label and artistic collective he founded in 2014. Three singles have already been released from the album, the most recent being “90 Proof” featuring JID’s most famous labelmate, J. Cole.

Tickets for the Luv is 4Ever Tour go on sale on Friday, Oct. 14.

Travis Scott to the Moon

La Flame is back. Houston rapper Travis Scott popped up as the surprise guest at esports organization FaZe Clan’s annual Twitch Con, sponsored by MoonPay. “RGB: A Night On The Moon” took place at San Diego’s PARQ nightclub, and he was joined by some of the industry’s biggest streamers and content creators, including Kai Cenat, Deestroying, and FaZe Rug.

Scott stayed booked and busy over the weekend but kept things in the FaZe Clan family. The next night, he turned around and headed back to the City of Angels, where he was joined onstage by SoFaygo for Bronny James‘ 18th birthday. The Sierra Canyon hooper surely had a lot to celebrate, as he also inked a deal this week as a member of Nike’s first-ever NIL starting five.

This weekend, Scott heads back to Vegas for the second installment of his “Road to Utopia” residency at Zouk Nightclub.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

Music’s Meteoric Projections

The big business of the music industry is on the rise. Earlier this summer, Goldman Sachs released a report forecasting that by the year 2030, the industry will be worth $130 billion driven by an extended history of disruption. Diving into the numbers, the analysis reveals the following:

• An overall increase of 209% from the 2017 estimated value of $62 billion by 2030
• Recorded music is projected to skyrocket from $30 billion in 2017 to $80 billion
• Live music is expected to spike from $26 billion in 2017 to $38 billion

The spike can be attributed to increased investment in the music industry by millennials and Gen Z-ers who spend an average of $153 on music each year and are likely to spend at higher rates than their elders.

However, the single most important factor setting up the future is the proliferation of streaming services, which are on collectively pace to become a $40 billion biz all by themselves. Independently, data show that over 100,000 songs are uploaded to Spotify each day. As record labels scramble to optimize A&R efforts, artists have sought out alternative platforms for promotion — so, will this shift the bottom line in the long run? We don’t know for sure, but the soundtrack we’ll blast on the way to getting there is assured to be stacked.

Read More:

• ChatGPT, Voice Engine, Sam Altman & More Updates from OpenAI
• From March Madness to Man United: Brands Make Fan Dreams Come True
• Everything is On the Table for Maverick Carter, Paul Rivera & The Shop
• Boardroom Talks: Amar’e Stoudemire Always Understood the Game
• CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit Returning in 2024

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Notables: Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, JID & Smino appeared first on Boardroom.

Autumn is upon us and that means school is back in session… and that Frank Ocean wiped his Instagram clean again. That means we can all begin our ridiculous fan theories and hopes for new music. Go!

British Boy Wonder Harry Styles has the No. 1 movie in the country — the drama-riddled Warner Bros. release Don’t Worry, Darling, which opened at No. 1 at the box office with $19.2 million in ticket sales — and the No. 1 song in the country with “As it Was,” which officially broke the record for most weeks (15) at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in history.

Meanwhile, BLACKPINK opened this week’s Billboard 200 at No. 1 with their latest LP, BORN PINK. The South Korean quartet’s sophomore album moved 102,000 units, marking the first time in 14 years an album from an all-woman group topped the charts in its opening week.

Oh, and Mariah Carey revealed that she has an unreleased alt-rock album entitled Someone’s Ugly Daughter that she made in 1995.

This is a real thing that happened.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

Finally, reports suggest that Beyoncé is preparing to reveal a 2023 world tour to support her Renaissance project, while Kid Cudi’s Netflix show, Entergalactic, premieres Friday alongside its accompanying soundtrack, which will double as Cudi’s 10th studio album. Lead single “Willing To Trust” featuring Ty Dolla $ign dropped last week.

Below, Boardroom’s Notables has got you covered on everything that went down in the music over the last few weeks.

Rihanna, Apple Music Take Over Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show

Just a hand holding a pigskin sent shockwaves through the worlds of sports, music and entertainment like only one human could.

Albeit was one of the most recognizable and iconic henna tattoo-covered hands on the planet: that of Barbados’ own Robyn Fenty.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri)

Yes, as the NFL confirmed Sunday, Rihanna is headlining February’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. Jay-Z’s Roc Nation will act as executive producers and strategic-entertainment advisers for the live performance.

This news arrives just days after the league announced a multi-year partnership with Apple Music to celebrate the world’s greatest songwriters, musicians, producers and artists and so this year’s game in Glendale, Arizona will serve as the first under Apple Music’s banner.

Beyond expected Fenty brand promotion, we can hope that this special appearance will be accompanied by new music from RiRi for the first time since her critically-acclaimed 2016 album, ANTI.

I mean, we did see Jupiter yesterday.

Lil Baby’s BIG Week

Atlanta Rapper Lil Baby hit big with two endorsement deals this week and they each pale in comparison to the next thing I’m about to say:

Lil Baby is now the voice of the Official Budweiser Anthem of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Delivering the song “The World is Yours To Take,” Baby puts his own spin on the classic 1985 Tears For Fears‘ track “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” for the international soccer tournament taking place in the Persian Gulf region from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.

“Let’s get turnt up, somebody pass me a Budweiser, a cold one,” raps Baby on the song alluding to his alignment with the classic American-style lager.

Additionally, Lil Baby has rejoined in partnership with Axe, appearing for a three-episode series of anime-style digital vignettes that replay some of the most empowering moments from the artist’s life and career using his own VoiceOver.

Finally, to put proverbial icing on an already large cake, Baby was awarded with the highly-coveted Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award for his 2020 song “The Bigger Picture” and his continued work in the community, at the Black Music Action Coalition’s second annual Music in Action Awards Gala in Los Angeles.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @lilbaby

GloRilla’s Memphis Grizzlies?

GloRilla has arrived. And we are fully here for it.

Thankfully, it very much appears that the NBA and its fans are, too.

Just days after the Memphis-born artist released highly-anticipated single “Tomorrow 2” featuring Cardi B — which has since accrued over 7.5 million views on YouTube and skyrocketed to No. 1 on Apple Music US charts — GloRilla was tapped to be the musical voice and narrator behind the Memphis Grizzlies’ official 2022-23 Season Preview video.

“This is me and this is our city and you know these guys,” boasts the budding Grind City star.

GloRilla, who recently signed with Yo Gotti’s CMG imprint record label, broke out with “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” earlier this year after going viral on TikTok.

Rolling Louder

Rolling Loud New York was exactly what you expected it to be:

A mess, but a darn great time.

Playboi Carti set the stage on literal fire to kick things off Friday night, surprising fans by bringing Ye out to perform their collaborative song “Off The Grid” off Mr. West’s 2021 album, DONDA.

Ye has been a master of spectacle of late, with guest appearances as recently as this week’s Milan Fashion Week at Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2023, where he was seated next to Stormzy, wearing a full-leather fit and bedazzled flip-flops. Later in the evening, Ye previewed new music with James Blake at an afterparty captured via supermodel Naomi Campbell’s Instagram Live.

Back at Rolling Loud, Lil Uzi Vert hit what felt like every stage, performing his own set and then pulling up to Chief Keef and Nicki Minaj’s headlining sets to give them a hand on stage.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Complex Music (@complexmusic)

A$AP Rocky headlined on Saturday night, taking to the stage for what he says will be his last final live show prior to the release of his upcoming album — and as a bonus, he and Carti collectively became a hilarious meme as they both (perhaps regrettably) opted to go right into the crowd while performing.

Future closed things out Sunday night performing before a torrential downpour ended the festival early.

In more ways than one, Rolling Loud didn’t get off without a hitch. 21 Savage said afterward that he’ll never perform at a Rolling Loud again, and (of course) the Hip-hop Police are back at it again, with New York Times reporter Joe Coscarelli breaking the news that three NYC drill rappers — Sha Ek, 22Gz and Ron Suno — were cut from the festivities in Queens at the request of the NYPD just a few hours before the festival began.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GRIM (@asaprocky)

Final Notes

• Happy 40th Birthday to Lil Wayne (from Skip Bayless, obviously)!
• Questlove to serve as executive producer on J Dilla documentary Dilla Time
• Kodak Black returns with dual releases Walk and Spin
• Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s former Chief Business Officer, to succeed Steve Cooper as Warner Music Group CEO
• Metro Boomin announces his first solo album in four years, Heroes & Villains, set to release in November
• Smino’s lead single, “90 Proof” featuring J. Cole, from upcoming LP drops Friday
• A college course based on the music of Lana Del Rey launches at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute
• Swedish artist (and leader of cult favorite Yung Lean adjacent-crew Drain Gang) Bladee will release his sixth album, Spiderr, on Friday
• SleazyWorld Go goes platinum for hit song “Sleazy Flow”
• Megan Thee Stallion and J Balvin are taking steps to provide mental health resources to those in need through a new platform called Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too and bilingual wellness app OYE, respectively
• Aphex Twin launches a “Sample Mashing” App called Samplebrain
• Arctic Monkeys sign deal to headline Glastonbury‘s Pyramid Stage in 2023
• Beck covered Neil Young’s “Old Man” for Sunday Night Football Promotion
• 50 Cent officially parts ways with Starz
• Apple Music Live’s next broadcast will be Billie Eilish, and her Happier Than Ever: The World Tour stop at The O2 Arena in London
• Post Malone to resume Twelve Carat Toothache Tour after taking a hard fall while performing last week; Field Trip Recordings founder Zack Bia joins as DJ
• New Artist spotlight: Lancey Foux — Lancey or Lancey
• RIP Pharoah Sanders.

Read More:

• ChatGPT, Voice Engine, Sam Altman & More Updates from OpenAI
• From March Madness to Man United: Brands Make Fan Dreams Come True
• Everything is On the Table for Maverick Carter, Paul Rivera & The Shop
• Boardroom Talks: Amar’e Stoudemire Always Understood the Game
• CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit Returning in 2024

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Notables: Rihanna, Lil Baby, GloRilla, Rolling Loud appeared first on Boardroom.

Kevin Durant to Remain With Brooklyn Nets

Amid trade speculation this offseason, the Brooklyn Nets announced on Tuesday via GM Sean Marks that the team and All-Star forward Kevin Durant “have agreed to move forward with our partnership.” The news comes on the heels of a Monday meeting that included Durant and fellow Boardroom and 35V co-founder Rich Kleiman, Nets co-owners Joe and Clara Wu Tsai, head coach Steve Nash, and Marks.

Serena Williams Breaks the Archetype in Conversation with Meghan Markle

Serena Williams and Meghan Markle go way back. Now, the two are reuniting to kick off the former princess’ Spotify podcast Archetypes. The show will feature Markle in conversation with “women across generations who conquered tropes in their lives to inspire a new generation.” The show is the first multi-episode installment following Markle and Prince Harry‘s deal with the streaming service, which they signed back in 2020.

“House of the Dragon” Sets HBO Record with Premiere Audience Pull

Game of Thrones is back. Following its series finale in 2019, the hit program is going back to the beginning. House of the Dragon documents the Targaryen civil war, 200 years before GoT picks up. The show’s Sunday premiere drew nearly 10 million viewers, causing streaming issues on the HBO Max platform. The audience marked a new record and much-needed win for HBO, which has been experiencing challenges in its race to keep up in the streaming wars. 

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

Patrick Mahomes Gets Iconic Treatment in Fortnite

Patrick Mahomes has his sights set squarely on Super Bowl LVII in Glendale. However, the All-Pro QB is making moves in the virtual world as well. Now, he’s getting the Fortnite treatment. Mahomes joins fellow superstars LeBron James, Neymar, and Harry Kane as part of the game’s Icon Series. Players will have access to three different outfits as part of the Mahomes Fortnite partnership: a relaxed hoodie look (“Patrick Mahomes Outfit”), a gladiator-style skin (“Gladiator Mindset Style”), and a third that’s essentially a combination of the two (“Gameday Gladiator Style”).

Last week, Mahomes was revealed as the global face of Dapper Labs’ NFL All Day. 

Shazam Celebrates 20 Years, Drake Tops Most-Searched Artists

Ever find yourself asking what is this song? For the last 20 years, Shazam has been helping you quickly find the answer. The song identification app celebrated its anniversary by releasing a wide-ranging report of the most popular search trends. Topping the list? Drake with over 350 million requests. The report also revealed Tones and I as the most-searched artist in history. 

Change Looms for Adidas as Kasper Rorsted Announces 2023 Departure

Change is in the air at the Three Stripes. Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted announced that he and the board of directors have reached a joint conclusion that he will step down in 2023, two years short of his contract which is set to expire in 2025. Rorsted said in an official statement: “The past years have been marked by several external factors that disrupted our business significantly. It required huge efforts to master these challenges. This is why enabling a restart in 2023 is the right thing to do — both for the company and me personally.”

VeeFriends Teams up with Gilang Bogy for New NFT Collection

The NFT market may be cooling off, but VeeFriends is only getting started. The coveted collection unveiled its newest spinoff – VeeFriends Iconics. The one-of-a-kind collection includes 1,175 1-of-1 non-fungible tokens designed by Indonesian illustrator and digital artist Gilang Bogy who is known for his cube-like pop art design style. The collection is set to drop on Sept. 17. 

Earlier this year, Boardroom caught up with VeeFriends founder Gary Vaynerchuk for its first-ever cover story. 

Hooters Signs Who’s Who of O-Lineman to NIL Deal

It’s all about the wings. Hooters announced that it has inked a deal with 51 offensive linemen from across the country including seven from each LSU, Georgia Tech, and Missouri. The campaign is part of the company’s efforts to “redefine what it means to be the big man on campus.” The deal enables the athletes to visit their local restaurants and contribute to social media campaigns.  

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Lizzo, Beyoncé, & Nicki Minaj Make History on Hot 100 appeared first on Boardroom.

Klutch Sports Signs No. 1 High School Football Recruit

Malachi Nelson is the number one high school football recruit in the nation, and he’s signing with Klutch Sports. The signing marks a milestone for the agency as its first high school football client. Nelson verbally committed to USC to play quarterback as a five-star high school recruit.

HBCU GO Strikes Deal with CBS for 2022-23 Season

HBCU football games will become easily viewable thanks to a nationwide licensing agreement with CBS stations. Streaming service owner Byron Allen struck the deal under the distribution pact between the Allen Media Group-owned digital platform. HBCU programming will be available in 60% of U.S. television households and 70% of African-American families. 

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

BAPE & Marvel Assemble for Exclusive Collab

BAPE and Marvel Comics are teaming up to dress up the famous Bapesta silhouette. The Japanese-based shoe, heavily inspired by the Nike Air Force One, will see Iron Man, Captain America, Incredible Hulk, and Thor colorways created in thematic patent leather with graphic heel hits. The brands collided in 2005, applying the same concept to  Cyclops, Thor, Human Torch, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Captain America, and Spiderman.

Big Ten Reveals Largest Media Rights Deal Ever

The Big Ten is making history with its media partners. A press release revealed that the NCAA reached distribution agreements with FOX, NBC/Peacock, and CBS/Paramount+ for a seven-year tenure reportedly worth $ 7 billion. The move ended a relationship with ESPN that lasted over forty years. Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren voiced the importance of the deal being able to provide stability and maximum exposure for the student-athletes in the powerhouse conference. 

Selena Gomez Documentary on Mental Health Aims for 2022 Release 

Selena Gomez’s next project won’t be an album but a documentary. Gomez is reportedly ready to release ‘My Mind and Me’ this year, which features an R-rating. The songstress is yet to release any information regarding the project, but her recent successes of Only Murders In The Building and her cooking show Selena + Chef signal her interest in pursuing visual projects.

Deshaun Watson Suspension Upgraded to Eleven Games

The NFL and NFLPA have revised the punishment for Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson. Watson is accused of sexual misconduct by over two dozen women and previously received a six-game suspension. After review, it has been upgraded to 11 games and Watson must pay out a $5 million fine that will go towards charity. Despite the increase in the duration of the suspension, Watson’s suspension is still significantly shorter in duration than past player infractions. By contrast, Falcons WR Calvin Ridley is suspended indefinitely after a betting incident and former wide receiver Josh Gordon received 76 games’ worth of suspensions throughout his career due to cannabis use. 

Premier League & Panini Release Adrenalyn XL Trading Card Game

The Premier League and Panini are teaming up to bring football fans a new trading card game. Entitled Adrenalyn XL, players can collect exclusive cards with an attack, defense, and an overall rating. Once 14 cards are collected, users can challenge friends by picking their very own team of Premier League superstars. The game can also be played by scanning your collection into the Premier League AXL 2023 app.

General Booty Drops Cheeky NIL Merch

General Booty comes from a long lineage of professional athletes. Now that the NIL exists, the Oklahoma Sooners QB hopes to capitalize on the greatness of his name with a line of merch. The “More Than Just a Name” collection features a host of t-shirts, snapbacks, and bucket hats, each featuring a compilation of phrases surrounding the family surname. Booty will donate a portion of the profits to the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health.

Raheem Sterling Highlights Jamaican Roots with Clarks

Raheem Sterling and Clarks are continuing their relationship developed in 2020. Their latest team-up brings a touch of Sterling’s Jamaican roots to the Clark wallaby boot. The shoe features a utilitarian-inspired look with shades of navy, white, ecru, and dark grey. Three new shoes and a vast apparel collection will also drop from the collaboration in the form of other classic Clarks Original silhouettes. 

Stranger Things Propels Streaming Over Cable in August

For the first time, streaming services have toppled traditional cable. Streaming services trumped cable in August with almost 35 percent of all TV usage in the United States, led by Netflix hit series Stranger Things which tallied over 18 billion minutes of viewing time for the month.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Nicki Minaj, Jack Harlow, LL Cool J to Host 2022 MTV VMAs appeared first on Boardroom.

In a little over a week, the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards return, giving us our latest chance to celebrate the biggest hits of the year live from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. ET.

This year will look a bit different, though, as the 2022 edition of the VMAs will be emceed by a trio of rap stars: Queens icon Nicki Minaj, Louisville’s Jack Harlow, and the legendary New York cool, LL Cool J.

The multiple-host format isn’t necessarily new to the VMAs, which were first anchored by Bette Midler and Dan Aykroyd in 1984, while Shawn and Marlon Wayans had the honors in 2000. However, it will be the first time the award ceremony that will be anchored by more than two co-hosts since a group of MTV VJs had the honors in 1986 and ’87.

This year’s three-MC approach to the show’s star-studded lineup of performers, presenters and winners, is certainly the first-of-its-kind, “taking a more innovative and unique approach” to the traditional hosting gig.

Past hosts include Chris Rock, Jack Black, Russell Brand, Katy Perry, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Keke Palmer, with Doja Cat taking the reins last year.

The three co-emcees come with their own prestigious pasts, as LL has previously won the Moon Person trophy for Best Rap Video’ in 1991 for “Mama Said Knock You Out,” as well as the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 1997. This year, five-time VMA winner Minaj will receive the latter honor herself.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

Harlow comes into the event with the most nominations (seven) alongside Kendrick Lamar and Lil Nas X, while Harry Styles and Doja Cat are right behind them with six.

Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd are up for five Moon Persons each.

Previously announced performers include Harlow, Minaj, Lizzo, J Balvin, Anitta, Blackpink, Måneskin, Marshmello x Khalid, and Panic! at the Disco, with Kane Brown headlining the Toyota Stage. The rest of the performers are set to be unveiled soon.

Fans can now vote for their favorite artists across 22 gender-neutral categories by visiting MTV’s website through Friday. Nominations for Group of the Year and Song of the Summer will be announced soon, while voting for the one of the most heralded awards — Best New Artist — will remain active right up until showtime.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Nicki Minaj, Jack Harlow, LL Cool J to Host 2022 MTV VMAs appeared first on Boardroom.

Overtime Locks in $100M with Liberty Media Led Series D

Overtime is looking to change the game. The Altanta-based sports and sports media brand successfully completed a $100 million Series D, co-led by Liberty Media. Overtime co-founder Zack Weiner called the Series participants a “dream team of investors,” including Jeff Bezos’ Bezos Expedition, Blackstone, and Sapphire Sport, each of which doubled down on their investments. The infusion of cash brings Overtime’s overall fundraising efforts to $250 million and will help stimulate the company’s Web3 development, the creation of additional disruptive sports leagues, and more.

Bengals’ Home Field Gets New Name Courtesy of Paycor

The Cincinnati Bengals have their sights set on a Super Bowl return. The road to Glendale for Joe Burrow and the gang begins at the team’s home field. After 22 years as Paul Brown Stadium, it will get a new name courtesy of HR software provider Paycor. Previously, the team was among one of three across the league that had not sold the naming rights to their stadium. The Bengals join the Steelers in renaming their home turf this offseason.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

Jake Paul Looks Towards Future of Sports Betting with Betr

Jake Paul is changing the sports betting landscape. Working alongside Joey Levy, the Youtube megastar announced Betr. This new mobile app will allow users to place bets on specific moments, including pitches, at-bats in baseball, and individual drives in football games called micro-betting. The pair raised $50 million as part of a Series A funding round with funds from Travis Scott, Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant, Richard Sherman, 305 Ventures, and co-owners of the San Francisco 49ers, Boston Celtics, and Miami Marlins. 

PGA Tour Tees Off on LIV Golfers in Federal Court

The ongoing court battles between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continue to heat up. The latest chapter of the ongoing saga saw the PGA Tour asking a federal judge to deny a temporary restraining order to Talor Gooch, Matt Jones, and Hudson Swafford, who left the Tour to compete for LIV Golf. The three golfers planned to “forge their way” into PGA’s FedEx Cup Playoffs despite departing the PGA Tour. However, the PGA doesn’t want the players to return due to breaching tour regulations that would ordinarily result in suspension.

Netflix Brings “The Gray Man” Immersion to the Metaverse

Have you ever wanted to jump into your favorite film? Netflix and 3D virtual world Decentraland is making that possible for the streaming platform’s upcoming spy thriller film The Gray Man. In the virtual world, fans can enter a labyrinth that they navigate by demonstrating their knowledge about the movie’s plot. The film’s immersion includes the original music and protagonist Ryan Gosling’s instruction video on how to escape the maze.

Signed Mark Zuckerberg Little League Card Enters Blockchain Auctions

Mark Zuckerberg has had quite the career, but his on-field legacy maxed out in the pee wees. The Meta boss gave his Little League card to camp counselor Allie Tarantino, who wisely got the slugger’s signature. Now, the 1992 piece of history will be auctioned off by ComicConnect. The one-of-a-kind card will include documentation from multiple parties, including card grader SGC, that authenticates the card’s manufacturing history and a corresponding NFT.

Ryan Reynolds Inks $10M Unscripted Development Deal with FuboTV

Ryan Reynolds has some stories to tell. Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Productions secured a $10 million development deal with FuboTV. As part of the collab, the Maximum Effort Network will launch as a linear channel, hosting unscripted programming curated by Reynolds and his business partners. Reynolds is co-producing the upcoming docuseries, Welcome to Wrexham for FX Networks which documents his shared ownership of Wrexham A.F.C. with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s Rob McElhenney.

Snoop Dogg, BTS, and Benny Blanco Control Xbox

Xbox is modifying their gamers’ musical experiences. Partnering with Snoop Dogg, award-winning producer Benny Blanco, and K-pop sensations BTS, the company announced its first singing controller that will feature the unlikely trio’s hit Bad Decisions. The exclusive modified controller will feature a speaker attached to the battery compartment. However, fans can only score the coveted item through a giveaway from Forza Horizon 5. The controller also features a QR code linking players to the music as they drive around the Horizon world.  

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Nicki Minaj to Receive VMA’s Video Vanguard Award appeared first on Boardroom.

WNBA and U.S. Bank Invest in Women with New Mentoring Initiative

U.S. Bank is all in on the WNBA. The Minneapolis-based bank established itself as one of the league’s Changemaker sponsors, joining Nike, Google, AT&T, and others as major companies that were committed to the ongoing growth and development of the W. In its most recent move, U.S. Bank announced She’s Invested: Supporting Emerging Female Leaders. The 10-week program will work with 30 up-and-coming leaders to provide mentoring and financial education, focusing on women of color from HBCUs and institutions in California. 

Lewis Hamilton Goes Glam with Maison Valentino

Lewis Hamilton is having a difficult F1 season, but off the track, he continues to thrive. The seven-time championship driver announced a new collaboration with Maison Valentino, DI.VAs – “different values.” Hamilton will serve as the face for the Italian luxury label’s Pink PP Campaign. Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli co-signed the partnership, saying, “As a DI.VAs testimonial, [Hamilton] stands for diversity, equality and, most of all, love.”

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

Nicki Minaj Bets on Maxim

The Barbs have a new favorite magazine. Nicki Minaj announced on Monday that she is joining Maxim magazine as its newest creative director. In addition, she will join MaximBet as an investor, special advisor to the board, and global ambassador.  Minaj is no stranger to breaking through male-dominated industries and will help MaximBet appeal to a new market of women. As creative director at the magazine, Minaj will oversee content curation. She follows in the footsteps of Cardi B, who took on a similar role at Playboy, sparking a huge increase in profits for the brand. 

Stanford’s Rose Zhang Becomes Adidas’ First-ever Individual NIL Athlete

It pays to be number one. Stanford’s Rose Zhang is hot off of a national championship and was designated this year’s winner of the ANNIKA Award, given to the top player in the college game. Now, she is adidas’ first-ever individual NIL athlete. Zhang has a stacked NIL portfolio that includes Callaway, Beats by Dre, and others. Recently, Zhang’s teammate Rachel Heck was named as Nike’s first female golf NIL athlete.  

Jonas Brothers Scribe the Future of Fan Engagement

The Jonas Brothers made an indelible impact on pop music, and now they are spearheading a new way for big-name stars to connect with their fans. On Tuesday, they announced that they are launching Scriber, a new company that will utilize text messaging to provide fans with access to exclusive content and opportunities from their favorite artists, athletes, and celebrities. The subscription service will empower celebs to bypass the fees affiliated with the Google and Apple app stores, creating more direct pathways to their fans. 

Carmelo Anthony, Jared Goff Harvest New Investment Opportunity

Carmelo Anthony, Jared Goff, Trea Turner, and Kemba Walker want you to improve your eating game. The all-star slate of athletes are the newest investors in Daily Harvest, the food delivery service, and will serve as part of the company’s new “Eat the Solution” campaign. Patricof Co. led the investment round.

RedBird Capital Makes $1.3B Move for AC Milan 

American investment in European soccer is on the rise. RedBird Capital became the newest member of the exclusive club taking its money overseas, securing its $1.3 billion bid for AC Milan. The 2021-2022 Serie A champs previously were pursued by Investcorp, but the deal fell through. RedBird is also a partial investor in the Fenway Sports Group, which has a deep portfolio of sporting investments, including Champions League finalist Liverpool.

Sign up for our newsletter

Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.

Email *

Checkboxes *

• HeadlineToGo
• Tech Talk
• Inside the Boardroom
• Sneaker Game

Subscribe

The post Jaylen Brown Becomes Donda Sports’ First Active NBA Athlete appeared first on Boardroom.