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Darren Ogden’s New Book “40 Ways To Build Leverage” Is a Must-Read for Anyone Serious About Business and Networking
#NOLAZINE - In business, sometimes the difference between staying in the same position and reaching the next level isn’t simply how much money you have—it’s who you know, what value you bring to the table, and what you do with the relationships you build. That message sits at the center of Darren Ogden Sr.’s newest book, 40 Ways To Build Leverage, Business Relationships & Gain Income, an independently released business guide that deserves a place on the bookshelf of entrepren
INTERVIEWS
Was B.E.T Ever the Same After Bob Johnson Crossed His Wife Sheila for Debra Lee?
#NOLAZINE - Black Entertainment Television (B.E.T.) was once more than just a channel — it was a cultural pillar, a place where Black music, entertainment, and news were centered and celebrated. Founded by Robert “Bob” Johnson and his wife Sheila, B.E.T. made history as the first cable network to target African American audiences, shaping the soundtracks and stories of a generation. But behind the success was a scandal that, many argue, forever altered the course of the netwo
4 minutes ago
The Connection Between Richard Pena and No Limit Rap Group Kane & Abel That Almost Ended Their Music Careers In 1999
#NOLAZINE - In hip-hop’s long and complex history, the story of Kane & Abel intertwines music, fame, and the gritty realities of the streets. The twin brothers, Daniel and David Garcia, known as Kane & Abel, went from New York City to New Orleans in the 1990s, carving out a name for themselves on Master P’s No Limit Records. But behind the glitz of platinum-selling albums and chart-topping records, their career was shadowed by their alleged ties to New Orleans drug lord Richa
7 minutes ago
From Christopher Homes to Big Boy Records: G-Slimm The Rising Star Cut Down Too Soon
#NOLAZINE - In the heart of Algiers, one of New Orleans’ most storied neighborhoods, a young voice was rising from the streets—raw, real, and ready to make his mark. That voice belonged to Kenneth Jackson Jr., known to the world as G-Slimm. Emerging in the early 1990s, G-Slimm quickly became a promising figure in the city's booming rap scene. But just as his career was poised to break through nationally, tragedy struck—cutting short a life and legacy that was only beginning t
11 minutes ago
Big L: The Rapper Most New York Artists Feared to Go Against In a Battle
#NOLAZINE - In the world of hip-hop—especially in its birthplace of New York City—lyrical warfare has always been a defining part of the culture. Battling is where reputations are built, legends are born, and careers can be ended in a single verse. And in that arena, few names command as much respect as Big L, the Harlem wordsmith who many rappers quietly admitted they never wanted smoke with. Born Lamont Coleman, Big L rose from the streets of Harlem with a gift that separat
15 minutes ago
Halle Berry Went Two Weeks Without Showering For Her Role In Jungle Fever
#NOLAZINE - Long before she became an Oscar-winning Hollywood icon, Halle Berry was a rising actress determined to prove her dedication to her craft. One of the most striking examples of that early commitment came in 1991 during the filming of Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever—where Berry made a bold and shocking choice to fully embody her character. In the film, Berry played Vivian, a woman struggling with crack-cocaine addiction. Wanting to portray the character with raw honesty and
16 minutes ago
Breaking Barriers: Babe Ruth's Rebellion Against Baseball's Racial Divide
#NOLAZINE - The legend of Babe Ruth is inseparable from the grandeur of American baseball—his name etched in the annals of history as the Sultan of Swat, the slugger whose record-breaking feats helped define an era. Yet beyond the towering home runs and World Series titles lies a lesser-known, yet profoundly impactful, aspect of his legacy: his quiet defiance of racial segregation in a time when America—and its favorite pastime—was sharply divided. In a 1925 photograph, Ruth
18 minutes ago
Lloyd Avery II: Tragic Tale From Boyz N The Hood to To Real Gang Member
#NOLAZINE - Born in 1969 in the vibrant and unforgiving city of Los Angeles, Lloyd Avery II appeared destined for stardom. His breakout role in John Singleton’s seminal 1991 film Boyz n the Hood catapulted him into the national spotlight. Portraying a menacing gang member in a brutally honest depiction of South Central LA, Avery’s performance was chilling, authentic, and unforgettable. For many, it was clear: a star had arrived. But as quickly as he rose, Avery’s life began t
19 minutes ago
DJ Jubilee: The King of Bounce and Pioneer of New Orleans’ Twerking
#NOLAZINE - Jerome Temple, professionally known as DJ Jubilee, is a legendary figure in the New Orleans music scene. Hailing from the St. Thomas Projects in the 10th Ward of the city’s Lower Garden District, DJ Jubilee has not only helped shape the sound of Bounce Music but has also become an iconic figure in the genre. A graduate of Walter L. Cohen High School and Grambling State University, DJ Jubilee began his journey in music by DJing block parties in his neighborhood. In
21 minutes ago
Singer El DeBarge Had to Be Pressured Into Singing His Iconic Falsetto on "I Like It"
#NOLAZINE - El DeBarge’s signature falsetto is one of the most recognizable sounds in R&B history, but it turns out he wasn’t always confident in using it. When recording "I Like It", one of the biggest hits for DeBarge, El initially hesitated to hit the now-iconic high notes that helped define the song’s success. His older brother, Bobby DeBarge, was already a well-known falsetto master as the lead singer of the group Switch. With Bobby setting such a high standard, El was r
23 minutes ago
Who Was Leroy "Bucky" Davis: The Muscle Behind The Rise of Rapper Will Smith
#NOLAZINE - The story of Will Smith and Leroy “Bucky” Davis is not just about celebrity scandal or street politics—it’s about the bonds of loyalty forged in tough environments. For Smith, it was a chapter that quietly shaped his rise, a reminder of the fragile line between triumph and disaster. For Davis, it was proof that even the muscle behind a superstar’s ascent could become a legend in his own right—though for very different reasons. For Will Smith, having someone like B
24 minutes ago
MC T Tucker and DJ Irv: Pioneering New Orleans Bounce and Shaping a Musical Legacy Forever
#NOLAZINE - Among the most influential figures to emerge from this vibrant musical landscape are MC T Tucker and DJ Irv, the architects behind a genre that would come to define an era: New Orleans bounce music. In 1990, MC T Tucker and DJ Irv unleashed a sound that would electrify dance floors and block parties across the Crescent City. With high-energy beats, rapid-fire call-and-response hooks, and a distinctive blend of hip-hop and dancehall flavors, bounce music was born.
30 minutes ago
Maxwell Covered R&B Legend Aaliyah's Funeral Expenses After A Certain Label Backed Out
#NOLAZINE - When R&B legend Aaliyah tragically passed away in a plane crash in 2001, the world was devastated. At just 22 years old, she had already left an extraordinary impact on music, fashion, and pop culture. As fans and fellow artists mourned, a heartbreaking detail emerged behind the scenes—Aaliyah’s record label allegedly backed out of paying the $68,000 required for her funeral expenses. In the midst of this tragedy, one of Aaliyah’s peers stepped up in a quiet, powe
31 minutes ago
Tre-8: Remembering the New Orleans Rap Pioneer and True Knight of the Westbank
#NOLAZINE - In the rich history of New Orleans hip-hop, few artists represented the spirit, resilience and authenticity of the city quite like Tre-8. Born Walter McCallon, the talented rapper rose from the Christopher Homes development in Algiers and earned recognition as one of the Westbank’s most respected voices. Tre-8’s journey was more than a pursuit of fame. It was the story of a young artist who used music to document his surroundings, express his reality and contribut
33 minutes ago
Eddie Murphy Handpicked Music Artist Lisa Lisa To Play In "Coming To America" But Her Husband Rejected
#NOLAZINE - Eddie Murphy’s iconic 1988 comedy Coming to America is remembered for its legendary cast, timeless humor, and unforgettable romance between Prince Akeem and Lisa McDowell. But what many fans don’t know is that the role of Lisa was originally intended for a different leading lady: Lisa Lisa, the chart-topping music sensation from Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. At the height of her fame in the late 1980s, Lisa Lisa—known for hits like “I Wonder If I Take You Home” and “Hea
35 minutes ago
Pimp Daddy: A Short-Lived Career with an Enduring Impact on New Orleans Hip-Hop And Cash Money
#NOLAZINE - The vibrant streets of New Orleans have long been fertile ground for hip-hop innovation, cultivating legends who shaped not just the local scene but influenced the genre on a national scale. Among these influential pioneers was Pimp Daddy—a charismatic rapper whose life was tragically cut short, yet whose contributions remain deeply embedded in the DNA of New Orleans hip-hop. Born and raised in New Orleans, Pimp Daddy emerged at a time when the city’s unique bounc
37 minutes ago
Regina Belle Recorded "Baby Come to Me" in Just Two Takes — A Testament to True Vocal Mastery
#NOLAZINE - In an era where studio perfection often takes days or even weeks to achieve, legendary R&B singer Regina Belle delivered vocal excellence with remarkable ease. Her beloved hit "Baby Come to Me" was recorded in just two takes, showcasing her raw talent and seasoned musicianship. Released in 1989, "Baby Come to Me" quickly became one of Belle’s signature songs, a smooth and sultry ballad that showcased her powerful yet delicate vocal tone. The track climbed the char
41 minutes ago
Honoring the Legacy of New Orleans’ King of Bounce Music: Who Was 5th Ward Weebie?
#NOLAZINE - Born on February 19, 1978, in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, 5th Ward Weebie—real name Jerome Cosey—was more than a bounce music pioneer; he was a cultural icon whose infectious energy, creative genius, and relentless drive shaped the sound and spirit of an entire genre. Known affectionately as the “King of Bounce,” Weebie’s legacy still echoes through speakers and second lines across the Crescent City. Weebie’s path to greatness was paved with an unshakeabl
43 minutes ago
How The 18-Years-Old Music Artist Prince Changed the Music Industry Forever With A Six-Figure Deal
#NOLAZINE - In 1977, while most teenagers were figuring out life after high school, an 18-year-old musical prodigy from Minneapolis named Prince Rogers Nelson was already rewriting the rules of the music industry. That year, Prince signed a groundbreaking six-figure, three-album deal with Warner Brothers Records—but what truly made the deal historic was the unprecedented creative control it granted him. Prince’s contract gave him producer rights, allowing him to be in full co
3 days ago
Dolamite: The 3rd Ward New Orleans Hustler Who Represented RedRum Records
#NOLAZINE - During the 1990s, New Orleans developed one of the most competitive and independent rap scenes in the country. No Limit and Cash Money eventually became the city’s most successful labels, but dozens of smaller companies were also documenting life across its neighborhoods. One of the artists who emerged from that underground movement was Dolamite, a rapper from New Orleans’ 3rd Ward who released music through RedRum Records. Born Marvin Skinner, Dolamite delivered
3 days ago
Whatever Happened to Color Me Badd? The Group Behind “I Wanna Sex You Up” and “I Adore Mi Amor”
#NOLAZINE - During the early 1990s, Color Me Badd became one of the biggest vocal groups in the world. With its combination of R&B harmonies, pop melodies, new jack swing production and hip-hop-inspired style, the quartet produced several records that helped define the decade. Bryan Abrams, Mark Calderon, Sam Watters and Kevin Thornton appeared to have everything needed for a long career. They had international hits, platinum albums, major award nominations and a fan base tha
3 days ago
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