Category: News

Rolling Loud Announces LoudPunx, a NFT Program Offering Unprecedented Utility

Rolling Loud’s exquisite taste and appetite for innovation helped the brand create the world’s biggest hip-hop festival in just a few short years. Today, Rolling Loud keeps an eye firmly focused on the future, announcing LoudPunx, a new Rolling Loud NFT program with unprecedented utility. Named after the “Punx” figures that populate the grounds at each Rolling Loud festival, “LoudPunx” is a collection of 10,000 NFTs that provide holders free entry into every Rolling Loud festival across the globe–for life. “LoudPunx” holders also receive many other benefits, including a generative PFP image, and preferred access to Rolling Loud’s future Metaverse and Web3 endeavors. 

LoudPunx is a collection of 10,000 utility enabled NFTs. “LoudPunx” offer much more than just a unique profile pic and NFT ownership–”LoudPunx” NFTs are the key to a bevy of exclusive experiences. “LoudPunx” holders receive access to their own will call line at the entrance to each festival–a much shorter line–as well as access to a private “LoudPunx” lounge at select festivals. “LoudPunx” unlocks levels of the Rolling Loud experience beyond the festivals, granting access to a token-gated Discord that promises exclusive interviews and AMAs with hip-hop figures, and LoudPunx-specific merch collabs with premier brands.

Join the Discord to learn more about LoudPunx: https://discord.gg/loudpunx

Rolling Loud announces “LoudPunx” during a massive year for the music festival, promising two American festivals and three international events. The crown jewel of the festival brand is Rolling Loud Miami, which made a seismic impact in July, with headliners Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, and Future, special guest appearances, and performances from many of the hottest names in the rap game. This Fall, Rolling Loud returns to the Big Apple with  Rolling Loud New York 2022, led by headliners Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky, and Future. 

Rolling Loud expands its brand into international territory this year, hosting its first ever festivals in Europe and Canada. In September, Rolling Loud hosts the first-ever Rolling Loud Toronto, featuring an international array of A-listers including headliners Future, WizKid, and Dave. Rolling Loud hosted two international events this summer, with Rolling Loud Portugal and Rolling Loud x WOO HAH! Fest in the Netherlands, and plans to expand to Thailand next year.

Led by its founders Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif, Rolling Loud is on a mission to top their massively successful 2021. Stay tuned for many more announcements, as Rolling Loud continues to lead the vanguard of live music experiences in hip-hop and beyond.

Buy tickets for Rolling Loud New York 2022: rollingloud.com/nytix

Buy Rolling Loud Merch: shoprollingloud.com

Buy tickets for Rolling Loud Toronto: https://rollingloudtoronto.frontgatetickets.com/

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THEGRIO’s “Writing Black” Podcast Premieres August 14

[(Credit: Rodney Wright)]

Byron Allen’s TheGrio Black Podcast Network (TGBPN) proudly announces its newest podcast, “Writing Black” with virtuoso host Maiysha Kai, premiering Sunday, August 14. Kai is not only known as the Lifestyle Editor for theGrio but has cemented herself as an expert on arts, culture and aesthetics. With a background in modeling, singing and songwriting, being a published author and editor in her own right and even having a Grammy nomination under her belt, her conversations are worth listening to for all audiences. 

As “griot” is a West African term referring to one who carries and communicates the experiences and legacies of their people, “Writing Black” epitomizes theGrio’s ethos as a platform centering the stories and lives of Black people. With weekly episodes featuring wordsmiths across mediums and genres, Kai’s podcast will showcase the myriad ways Black people tell their stories, and how identity both informs and intersects with craft and language.

Each episode will be a unique conversation with Black authors, journalists, poets, playwrights, songwriters, comics and more speaking from across the spectrum of Black culture and experience. 

Upcoming episodes include: 

J. Ivy debuts August 14 

Maiysha debuts her newest podcast with special guest and Grammy-nominated poet, songwriter and writer of the hit Netflix Kanye West documentary “#Jeenyuhs” J. Ivy. Sam Jay debuts August 21 

Maiysha sits down with comedian and TV writer Sam Jay about her HBO series “Pause” and “Bust Down” on Peacock, as well as making space in comedy for others. Robert Jones 

Maiysha talks with best-selling author Robert Jones about his book “The Prophet,” how his identity influences his writing, and writers that influenced him. 

Keith Boykin 

Maiysha has a candid conversation with political commentator Keith Boykins about bringing his identity into politics, his numerous books, and how he navigates social media. 

Ayana Gray 

Maiysha sits down with New York Times bestselling young adult author Ayana Gray as they chat about her life, her novels being picked up by Netflix and a discussion about her favorite authors. 

Bakari Sellers 

Maiysha talks with political powerhouse Bakari Sellers about his new children’s book, mixing activism and politics and his hectic schedule. 

Candice Carty-Williams 

Maiysha sits down with British best selling author Candice Carty-Williams about her new book “People Person” and her TV show being picked up by Netflix. 

Listeners can look forward to additional podcasts available on theGrio’s free mobile app and everywhere they find their favorite podcasts, including iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher. To download theGrio Black Podcast Network or for more information about our podcasts visit theGrio.com. 

Social Media:

@maiysha

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Ace Hood About Hit The Road For His ‘Protect Your Energy Tour’

Ace Hood announces “Protect Your Energy Tour,” his next nationwide tour, kicking off in October. The tour will be stopping in cities like Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, and many more!

Ticket Link can be found HERE

TOUR DATES:
10.06 – Gainesville, FL @ High Dive
10.07 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
10.08 – Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse
10.09 – Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry
10.10 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
10.11 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
10.12 – Reading, PA @ Reverb
10.13 – Cleveland, OH @ Temple Live
10.14 – Ft Wayne, IN @ Pierre’s
10.15 – Dayton, OH @ Oddbody’s
10.16 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
10.17 – Joliet, IL @ The Forge
10.18 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II
10.19 – Des Moines, IA @ Lucky’s
10.20 – Lincoln, NE @ Royal Grove
10.21 – Denver, CO @ The Roxy
10.22 – Cheyenne, WY @ The Lincoln
10.23 – Salt Lake, UT @ Liquid Joe’s
10.25 – Richland, WA @ The Space
10.26 – Seattle, WA @ Nectar’s Lounge
10.27 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne
10.28 – Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
10.29 – San Francisco @ Brick & Motor
10.30 – Los Angeles, CA @ Los Globos
11.01 – San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick
11.02 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
11.03 – Albuquerque, NM @ Jam Spot
11.04 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
11.05 – San Antonio, TX @ Sam’s Burger Joint Music Hall
11.06 – Houston, TX @ BFE Rock
11.08 – Springfield, MO @ Outland Ballroom
11.09 – Memphis, TN @ Growlers
11.12 – Atlanta, GA @ The Loft

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B-Lovee Announces Headlining The ‘Courtlandt Baby Tour’ 

Rising BX drill star B-Lovee returns today with the announcement of his headlining Courtlandt Baby Tour across North America.
 
The 10-city tour produced by Concert Crave will kick off September 9th at Skullys in Columbus, Ohio and make stops at major theaters around the U.S. before wrapping up October 26nd at The Echo in Los Angeles. Featuring special guests, fans can check out tickets for the Courtlandt Baby Tour at https://www.bloveeofficial.com/.

B-Lovee Presents Courtlandt Baby Tour Dates:

DATECITYVENUE
Friday, September 9Columbus, OHSkullys
Saturday, September 10Joliet, ILThe Forge
Thursday, September 15Manchester, NHJewel Music Venue
Saturday, September 17Hartford, CTWebster Underground
Sunday, September 18Worcester, MAThe Palladium
Saturday, September 24New York, NYRolling Loud NY
Thursday, September 29Asbury Park, NJHouse of Independents
Friday, September 30Poughkeepsie, NYChance Theater
Sunday, October 2Wilmington, DEThe Queen
Tuesday, October 11Toronto, ONToybox
Wednesday, October 26Los Angeles, CAThe Echo
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Young Atlanta Tech Professionals Announce New Tech, Music, And Film Lab: Collab Studio ATL

After a year and a half of meaningful dialogue and solutions within the creator community regarding racial disparities, content crediting, inclusion and equity; Collab Crew (formerly known as Collab Crib) has finally found the solution — being their own bosses. Just minutes away from downtown Atlanta, Collab Studio ATL is where the world’s leading digital creators, platform innovators, creatives,  and young entrepreneurs can thrive together in one place. It’s the new place for GenZ and Millennial businesses to soar in a corporate environment with a twist and taste of young black culture. They are leveling the divide by collaboration. 

This August during Black Business Month the studio will open to those with exclusive memberships. Collab Studio ATL will be a tech based one-stop-shop for content creators, HBCU students, and young entrepreneurs to achieve their business goals. This space will be a visual experience and hub of different tech focused businesses that will collaborate; providing services/resources to those who join. Members will be granted exclusive opportunities to a plethora of tech/creator based services (Including Publicity, Marketing, Content Development, Classes, and more). Opportunities for film production, photography, music production and more will be available via the studios’ future hollywood inspired sound stage, sets, and music studio. 

“We are champions” says Robert Dean III, Collab Studio ATL’s CEO & Founder. “Our mission currently is getting these creators paid”. The veteran content creator and founder of RobiiiWorld Studios is currently in full production of his new film ‘Knock’.  While being a content creator himself, he sees the importance of not just having a space to create but wants the creators’ businesses to profit from the success of the collective. So often within the creator economy, black creators are working at a deficit. Having consistent resources and solutions for them to directly grow is why this studio is so important to Rob. 

The creator collective Collab Crew are founding members and their businesses have the opportunity to individually thrive at the new office. This new tech lab startup will continue to ignite the energy for young entrepreneurs to push culture forward within the creator community, tech, and film industries. 

Social Media:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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Tyler Perry, Steve Harvey, T.I. Rick Ross & More Shut Down Atlanta For Invest Fest 2022

[(Tyler Perry, Troy Millings, Rashad Bilal & Steve Harvey)]

The biggest financial literacy podcast, Earn Your Leisure, returned to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta for their 2nd annual Invest Fest. This year’s festival brought out more than 12,000 people for the weekend-long assortment of activities & expert-led discussions focused on investing, entrepreneurship, real estate, and financial literacy. Speakers included billionaire Dan T. Cathy (chairman of Chick-fil-A), billionaire real estate entrepreneur Donahue Peebles, T.I., Dame Dash, Terrence J,  DJ Envy, Angela Yee and many more. 

Steve Harvey and Harvey Ventures were strategic partners and co-producers for this year’s Invest Fest and programming. “I am proud to partner with Earn Your Leisure, which was founded by two young and dynamic Black entrepreneurs, to take this year’s Invest Fest to the next level,” said Steve Harvey. “There is an urgent need for more expansive financial literacy to promote saving, investing, and generational wealth creation for traditionally underserved communities. Rashad and Troy have responded with an incredibly innovative and visionary platform to make this information open and accessible to all.”

The highlight of the festival came when billionaire writer/director Tyler Perry took to the stage alongside Earn Your Leisure hosts Troy Millings & Rashad Bilal to share words of wisdom and influential takeaways he learned throughout his career. Immediately following Tyler Perry’s fireside chat, Steve Harvey joined the guys on stage to congratulate them and to salute Mr. Perry.

“We created Earn Your Leisure and now Invest Fest to marry culture and commerce. We know that information and resources about financial literacy, investing, entrepreneurship and building generational wealth have traditionally been inaccessible for our culture,” said Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, Founders, Earn Your Leisure. Sponsored by Chase, Vibranium, BET & META, Invest Fest included a vendor marketplace with over 250 small businesses as well as live podcast stages with interviews from top entrepreneurs and celebrities. 

The festival began with a VIP kick off-party featuring fireside chats with Terrence J, Kenny Burns and others, followed by a high-energy performance from T-Pain and a surprise performance by multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter Queen Naija. 

(Chick-Fil-A chairman Dan T. Cathy & billionaire real estate mogul R. Donahue Peebles)

One of the most anticipated moments of the festival was the all-star billionaire fireside chat with Chick-fil-A chairman Dan T. Cathy & R. Donahue Peebles, moderated by Matthew Garland. Stand-out speakers included Ian Dunlap,19 Keys, Pinky Cole (founder/owner of Slutty Vegan), ET The Hip Hop Preacher and Dame Dash, who dropped gems on ownership and becoming your own boss. The festival came to a close with an explosive, awe-inspiring performance from Hip Hop heavyweight Rick Ross.

All Photos (Photo Credit: Invest Fest 2022)

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The Homies To Join Jack Harlow on “Come Home The Kids Miss You Tour”

Creating their beats, rhymes, and videos in-house, there’s nothing that the Louisville rap collective The Homies can’t DIY. Today, the 4-man crew announces that they are joining Jack Harlow on the “Come Home The Kids Miss You Tour.” Also featuring support from the City Girls, the 26-date tour gives Ace Pro, 2forwOyNE, Shlobb, and Quiiso the chance to show off their performance chops in front of arena-sized audiences. The tour kicks off on September 5th in Cincinnati, just a few miles up the road from The Homies’ hometown. Tickets are available now. Tickets for the September 16th show in San Francisco go on sale on August 12th at 10am PT.

The tour announcement arrives ahead of  It’s A Lot Going On, The Homies’ next album. Created entirely by the four-man collective–beats, rhymes, vocals, and music videos–It’s A Lot Going On is home to “Shake,” which arrived with a Hype Williams-esque video, and the recent single “Thirsty,” which combines elements of two late ’00s rap cuts–using a sped-up sample of Drake’s “Houstatlantavegas” and vocals of Missy Elliott’s “Ching-A-Ling”–into a cohesive and incredibly catchy whole. It’s A Lot Going On arrives on August 19th.

This week in Louisville, The Homies present their annual Celebrity Kickball Tournament, raising money for Hosted by Private Garden, the creative collective founded by The Homies and Jack Harlow, the anticipated celebrity kickball tournament (presented by Planet Fitness) returns to Jim Patterson Stadium, the home of Louisville Cardinals baseball, on August 10th, 2022 from 6:00-9:30pm. Buy tickets HERE.

Buy tix to the “Come Home The Kids Miss You Tour”: https://www.jackharlow.us/tour

Buy/Stream “Thirsty”: https://thehomies.ffm.to/thirsty

Buy tickets for The Homies’ Celebrity Kickball Tournament:
https://am.ticketmaster.com/uofl/ism/MjJLQkc

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SSGKobe and yvngxchris Announces Co-Headlining “Barely Legal” Tour Presented By Rolling Loud

Rising teen stars SSGKobe and yvngxchris are returning to the stage with the announcement of their co-headlining Barely Legal Tour today set to perform across North America and the Canadian stage.
 
The 15-city tour produced by Rolling Loud, will kick off September 26th at Rolling Loud NY in Citi Field and make stops at major theaters around the U.S. before wrapping up October 21nd at Elevation 27 in Virginia Beach. Tickets will go on pre-sale for discord members starting Thursday August 4th sale to the general public on Friday August 5th at 10am local time at http://barelylegaltour.com.
  
The tour announcement follows the release of Kobe’s 6-track project ‘RELAPSED’; listen HEREand Chris’s recent announcement of his forthcoming project ‘VIRALITY’ alongside his Lil Yachty video collaboration on “DAMN HOMIE”.

SSGKobe and yvngxchris presents Barely Legal Tour Dates:

DATECITYVENUE
Sunday, September 25Flushing, NYCiti Field- Rolling Loud NY
Monday, September 26Toronto, ONVelvet Underground
Tuesday, September 27Detroit, MIEl Club
Thursday, September 29Chicago, ILReggie’s Rock Club
Sunday, October 2Denver, COMarquis Theater
Wednesday, October 5Oakland, CAThe New Parish
Thursday, October 6Los Angeles, CAEchoplex
Monday, October 10Houston, TXWarehouse Live – Studio
Tuesday, October 11Dallas, TXDada
Wednesday, October 13New Orleans, LA,Republic NOLA
Thursday, October 14Atlanta, GA,Vinyl
Monday, October 17Washington, DCUnion Stage
Tuesday, October 18New York, NYSOB’s
Wednesday, October 19Worcester, MAThe Palladium – Upstairs Room
Friday, October 21Virginia Beach, VAElevation27
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The Homies Recruit Jack Harlow, Cole Bennett, D’Angelo Russell and More for Celebrity Kickball Game in L’Ville

The music of Louisville collective The Homies thrives on an infectious communal energy, radiating a love of creating art and standing up for their hometown. On August 10th, The Homies (Ace Pro, 2forwOyNE, Shloob & Quiiso) continue an annual tradition, bringing back their Celebrity Kickball Tournament to raise money for two Louisville-based community organizations: Norton’s Children’s Hospital and AMPED. Hosted by Private Garden, the creative collective founded by The Homies and Jack Harlow, the anticipated celebrity kickball tournament (presented by Planet Fitness) returns to Jim Patterson Stadium, the home of Louisville Cardinals baseball, on August 10th, 2022 from 6:00-9:30pm.

Buy tickets HERE.

The event will be hosted by Taylor Rooks, and will feature four teams competing for kickball supremacy. The Homies, Jack Harlow, and Cole Bennett highlight the Private Garden team, comprised of Louisville native artists and others. Promising a new frontier for one of the NCAA’s firecest rivalries, the tourney fields the Louisville Legends, team of former Louisville Cardinals (like former NFL WRs Deion Branch and Harry Douglas, former NCAA standout Peyton Siva), also featuring Minnesota Timberwolves star and L’ville native D’Angelo Russell, who will square off against the Kentucky Legends, including former University of Kentucky ballers like Brandon Knight, Willie Cauley-Stein, and more. The prohibitive favorite, however, is likely the Planet Fitness team, comprised of many members of the LouCity FC MLS squad, as well as other Louisvillains like former NFL DE Frostee Rucker and Miss KentuckyLizzy Neutz. View an expanded roster of participants below, with more names potentially to come.

The Homies Celebrity Kickball Tournament arrives as The Homies prepare for the release of It’s A Lot Going On, their next studio album. The album is home to recent single “Thirsty,” which combines elements of two late ’00s rap cuts–using a sped-up sample of Drake’s “Houstatlantavegas” and vocals of Missy Elliott’s “Ching-A-Ling”–into a cohesive and incredibly catchy whole, and “Shake,” which dropped earlier this summer with a Hype Williams-inspired video. Entirely created by the four Homies themselves, Ace Pro, Shloob, 2forwOyNE, and Quiiso, It’s A Lot Going On drops on August 19th.

With much more music on deck, an including the upcoming It’s A Lot Goin’ On, and an unshakeable passion for their craft, The Homies are ready to follow in the footsteps of their friend Jack Harlow from the Louisville underground to the rap mainstream. Sit back, and watch their rise.

Buy/Stream “Thirsty”: https://thehomies.ffm.to/thirsty

Buy tickets for The Homies’ Celebrity Kickball Tournament:
https://am.ticketmaster.com/uofl/ism/MjJLQkc

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Afro Nation Returns Home To Ghana, On 29Th & 30Th December 2022

Following the huge success of Afro Nation Portugal this July, the world’s biggest Afrobeats festival announces the follow up to 2019’s African debut event in Ghana.

Founded to unite the diaspora in a celebration of Black joy, Afro Nation Ghana comes home to a site of cultural significance. Taking place at Marine Drive, Black Star Square, the west African capital will host the biggest names and future stars whilst thousands rediscover their historic connection with Accra and the African continent as a whole.

Expanding massively since the Portugal debut in 2019, the festival’s giant new mainstage will now be transported to Ghana. A stage of this quality doesn’t exist anywhere else in West Africa, and serves as a vital building block for the live industry on the continent. Afro Nation’s aim has always been to elevate the scene and artists from or inspired by the modern sounds of Africa, and by establishing this stage in Ghana and bringing the exact same high production value from Portugal to West Africa, is just one step towards a bright new future of live events in the region. As with Afro Nation Portugal and Afro Nation Puerto Rico, Afro Nation Ghana will work alongside and train local teams to produce the show, and bring business to as many local vendors as possible, bringing a positive impact to Ghana’s cultural and tourism economy.

Afro Nation made a sensational return to the Algarve coast in Europe at the start of July, a moment that had been a long time in the making and saw the biggest global breakout superstars like Wizkid perform – who declared his love onstage for fellow 2022 headliners Burna Boy and Davido. Drawing crowds of over 35,000 fans from 134 different countries on the beach over three days of dancing in the sun and celebrating the unifying power of Afrobeats, the festival now looks to bring this movement home to Ghana.

The festival site is located next to the spot where Ghana’s Independence was declared by the First President and BBC Africa’s Man of the Century Kwame Nkrumah, next to the Famous Osu Castle. Accra has blossomed as a cultural and musical hub and during the turn of the new year welcomes thousands from the global diaspora who travel home to party and be together with friends and family. Afro Nation Ghana looks to foster even stronger ties with the continent around the world, re-connecting, educating, and creating, whilst putting on a festival never seen before on this scale.

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