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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
Whatever Happened to Musiq Soulchild? The Neo-Soul Star Who Gave Us “Love,” “Halfcrazy” and “Teachme”
#NOLAZINE - There was a period in R&B when Musiq Soulchild seemed to have the perfect song for every relationship situation. Whether you were falling in love, dealing with heartbreak, trying to repair a relationship or simply figuring out what love actually meant, Musiq had a record for it. Songs like “Just Friends (Sunny),” “Love,” “Halfcrazy,” “Dontchange,” “Teachme” and “SoBeautiful” helped make him one of the most recognizable voices of the neo-soul generation. His music
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Kanye West Grabbed The Mic From Taylor Swift Just To Tell Her And The Rest of The World That Beyoncé Deserved That Reward
#NOLAZINE - In 2009, the MTV Video Music Awards gave the world one of its most unforgettable—and controversial—moments in pop culture history. Taylor Swift had just won the award for Best Female Video for her hit “You Belong With Me” when Kanye West stormed the stage, grabbed the microphone, and changed the night forever. With the cameras rolling and millions watching worldwide, Kanye famously declared, “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ma let you finish, but Beyoncé h
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Remembering Mr. Magic: The New Orleans Rapper Who Helped Define the No Limit Records Era
#NOLAZINE - When discussing the legendary run of New Orleans hip-hop during the late 1990s and early 2000s, there are certain names that will forever be connected to the city's history. Mr. Magic is one of them. Known for his powerful voice, aggressive delivery and unmistakable New Orleans presence, Mr. Magic became nationally recognized as a member of Master P's No Limit Records roster during one of the most successful periods in Southern hip-hop history. Although his life w
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When He Was 37, Actor Jack Nicholson Found That His Sister Was Actually His Mother
#NOLAZINE - By the time Jack Nicholson reached the age of 37, he was already a rising force in Hollywood—an actor known for his intensity, charisma, and unforgettable screen presence. But in 1974, at the height of his career, Nicholson learned a truth about his own life that would change the way he understood his identity forever. The woman he believed was his older sister was actually his biological mother. A Family Secret Kept for Decades For most of his life, Nicholson bel
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Whatever Happened to Mike Jones? The Houston Rapper Who Made the Whole World Ask “Who?”
#NOLAZINE - There was a time in the mid-2000s when you couldn’t turn on a hip-hop radio station without hearing the name Mike Jones. “Who? Mike Jones!” It became one of the most recognizable catchphrases in hip-hop. And if you were really outside during that era, there is a good chance you still remember another piece of Mike Jones history: 281-330-8004. Mike Jones turned his own name and phone number into marketing tools and, for a short period, became one of the biggest rap
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Remembering Natina Reed of Blaque Who Died At Age 31 After Being Struck By A Car - Just 2 Days Shy of Her 32nd Birthday
#NOLAZINE - Natina Reed, a founding member of the R&B girl group Blaque, left behind a legacy of talent, promise, and unfulfilled potential when her life was tragically taken at just 31 years old, only two days before her 32nd birthday. Her sudden passing shocked fans, friends, and the music industry, serving as a painful reminder of how quickly life can change. Born October 26, 1980, in New York City, Natina Reed was drawn to music and performance at an early age. She later
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Warren Mayes: The First New Orleans Rapper With a Major Deal With Atlantic
#NOLAZINE - Warren Mayes stands as one of the true pioneers of New Orleans hip-hop, remembered not just for his talent but for blazing a trail no one had walked before. As the first rapper from New Orleans to sign a major record deal—with Atlantic Records—Mayes played an instrumental role in shaping the city’s rap identity during a time when the South had yet to be recognized as a serious force in hip-hop. Raised in the 9th ward but made his name in the 4th Ward’s Iberville P
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Robert "Yummy" Sandifer: A Tragic Tale of Inner-City Gang Violence
#NOLAZINE - It began not with a headline or a mugshot, but with a child—a boy barely four feet tall, with a round face and a nickname that suggested sweetness. Robert “Yummy” Sandifer didn’t look like a threat. But by the time he was 11, his name would be etched into America’s consciousness as a symbol of everything broken in the nation’s inner-city youth systems. Before his death shocked the nation in 1994, Yummy was just another forgotten child navigating the harsh streets
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MC Thick: From Marrero to Atlantic Records – The Story Teller Who Had The World Saying "MARRERO"
#NOLAZINE - In a music scene dominated by bounce beats and club-ready anthems, one artist from just across the Mississippi River carved out a unique and uncompromising lane. MC Thick, hailing from Marrero, Louisiana, stood tall in the early 1990s as a voice for the streets — unfiltered, lyrical, and authentic. While the New Orleans rap landscape was thriving with energy, Thick offered a different perspective, one rooted in raw storytelling and real-life struggle. MC Thick's d
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Whatever Happened to Olivia? The Former First Lady of G-Unit Who Sang Alongside 50 Cent
#NOLAZINE - There was a time during the mid-2000s when G-Unit was one of the biggest forces in hip-hop. 50 Cent was dominating the charts, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck were establishing successful solo careers, and Tony Yayo was one of the crew's most recognizable personalities. But standing alongside all of them was one R&B singer who brought something completely different to the movement. Her name was Olivia Longott, better known simply as Olivia. Known as the "First Lady of
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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.
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Jim Carrey Learned To Be Funny To Help His Mother Smile While Dealing With Depression
#NOLAZINE - Jim Carrey has said that his drive to become funny started at home, where humor became a way to help his family through difficult moments. As a child, he noticed that laughter could quickly shift the mood, so he leaned into impressions, jokes, and physical comedy to bring lightness to everyday life. What began as an instinct to cheer up the people closest to him eventually turned into the foundation of his career. But his favorite audience was an audience of one.
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Remembering Atlanta Rapper Marlo: The Quality Control Artist Who Left His Mark on the Streets of Atlanta
#NOLAZINE - Atlanta has produced some of the biggest names and most influential sounds in hip-hop history. But beyond the superstars who reached the top of the charts, the city has always had artists whose music connected directly with the streets. Rapper Marlo was one of those artists. Born Rudolph Johnson, Marlo built a reputation through his authentic street music, distinctive voice and collaborations with some of Atlanta's biggest rappers. As a member of the Quality Contr
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The Brotherhood and Betrayal of DeHaven Irby and Rapper Jay-Z
#NOLAZINE - In the unforgiving streets of 1980s Brooklyn, amidst the towering buildings of Marcy Houses, a brotherhood was born between DeHaven Irby and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. Raised just a year apart, the two shared more than just an address—they shared survival, loyalty, and dreams bigger than the boundaries of Bed-Stuy. DeHaven was like an older brother to Jay-Z, mentoring him through the trenches of street life. The bond was so close that Jay-Z became the godfather of DeHa
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Mia X: How New Orleans’ Biggest Mama Became the First Lady of No Limit Records
#NOLAZINE - When discussing the history of New Orleans hip-hop and the rise of No Limit Records, Mia X deserves to be mentioned among the artists who helped build the foundation. Known to generations of fans as “Mama Mia” and the “Biggest Mama,” Mia X brought something different to Southern hip-hop. She could be aggressive, lyrical and street-oriented while also speaking from the perspective of a mother and grown woman. Long before female rappers from the South regularly beca
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Whatever Happened to Amerie? The R&B Star Who Gave Us “1 Thing” and Then Stepped Away From the Spotlight
#NOLAZINE - During the early 2000s, R&B was filled with talented women bringing their own sound and personality to the genre. Among them was Amerie, a singer whose distinctive voice, beauty, and energetic production helped her stand apart from the crowd. For many fans, Amerie will always be connected to her explosive 2005 hit “1 Thing.” But her career was much bigger than one record. She released several albums, worked with respected producers and artists, experimented with d
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Bad Boy Artist Craig Mack Was So Broke At His Peak That He Considered Joining Death Row
#NOLAZINE - Craig Mack’s name will forever be etched in hip-hop history as one of the artists who helped launch Bad Boy Records into the mainstream. His 1994 smash hit “Flava In Ya Ear” was a cultural moment, dominating radio, clubs, and MTV, and positioning Mack as one of the hottest rappers in the game. From the outside, it looked like success had arrived in full force. But behind the scenes, Craig Mack was quietly struggling. At the peak of his fame, while his music was st
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Remembering Pimp C: The Southern Rap Legend Who Helped Put Texas Hip-Hop on the Map
#NOLAZINE - When discussing the pioneers of Southern hip-hop, it is almost impossible to tell the complete story without mentioning Pimp C. As one-half of the legendary Texas duo UGK (Underground Kingz) alongside Bun B, Pimp C helped create a sound that influenced generations of rappers throughout the South and eventually across the entire hip-hop industry. Born Chad Lamont Butler on December 29, 1973, Pimp C became much more than a rapper. He was a producer, songwriter, musi
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R. Kelly Produced and Arranged Chante Moore’s Vocals for “Contagious” Over the Phone
#NOLAZINE - Behind many classic R&B records are stories that sound almost unbelievable, and one of the most fascinating involves Chante Moore’s hit song “Contagious.” While the track is widely remembered for its smooth vocals, emotional delivery, and dramatic storytelling, few fans know that R. Kelly reportedly produced and arranged Chante Moore’s vocals entirely over the phone—without being physically present in the studio. Released in 2000, “Contagious” became one of Chante
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Bust Down: The Rapper Who Helped Lay the Foundation for New Orleans Hip-Hop Scene
#NOLAZINE - When people discuss the history of New Orleans hip-hop, names like Master P, Juvenile, B.G., Lil Wayne, Mystikal, Soulja Slim and the Hot Boys often dominate the conversation. But before New Orleans rap became a nationally recognized force, there were artists helping build the foundation for what the city would eventually become. One of those artists was Bust Down. For longtime New Orleans rap fans, Bust Down represents an important era when local artists were dev
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