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After Selling Over 3,000 Copies of His Debut, Darren Ogden Celebrates His Birthday with the Release of His Second Book in Six Months
NEW ORLEANS, LA — June 24, 2026 — Entrepreneur, media executive, and author Darren Ogden Sr. is celebrating more than another year of life—he's celebrating another major milestone in his entrepreneurial journey. On his birthday, June 24, 2026, the Nolazine CEO officially released his second book, 40 Ways To Build Leverage, Business Relationships & Gain Income, just six months after launching his debut bestseller, Speak Like a Media Mogul. Ogden entered 2026 with a clear missi
INTERVIEWS
Richard Pryor’s Addiction Was So Bad It Left Traces in Pam Grier’s Body
#NOLAZINE - Richard Pryor, one of the most groundbreaking and influential comedians of all time, lived a life filled with both genius and chaos. While he broke barriers in comedy with his raw honesty and unfiltered reflections on race, class, and life in America, his personal struggles with drug addiction became just as legendary as his talent. Among the most startling accounts of his drug use came from actress Pam Grier, his girlfriend during the 1970s. Pryor and Grier were
Jul 26
From Music Mogul to Convicted Criminal: Who Is Jimmy Henchman?
#NOLAZINE - James Rosemond, better known in the entertainment world as Jimmy Henchman, once stood among hip-hop’s most influential and enigmatic figures. A Brooklyn-bred music executive, entrepreneur, and activist, Rosemond climbed from the rough streets of Flatbush to rub shoulders with industry giants, athletes, and political leaders. But what began as an inspiring come-up story quickly spiraled into one of the most cautionary tales in hip-hop history—darkened by drug traff
Jul 26
The Song “I Should Have Cheated” by Keyshia Cole Was Originally Meant for Singer Nivea
#NOLAZINE - R&B fans know Keyshia Cole’s breakout hit “I Should Have Cheated” as one of the most emotional and empowering songs of the 2000s — but what many don’t realize is that the song wasn’t originally written for her. In fact, it was meant for singer Nivea. “I Should Have Cheated,” released in 2005 as part of Keyshia Cole’s debut album The Way It Is, became an instant classic. The track captured the pain and frustration of being accused of infidelity in a toxic relations
Jul 26
Remembering Music Artist Aretha Franklin Who Died At The Age 76 From Pancreatic Cancer
#NOLAZINE - The world lost a true musical icon on August 16, 2018, when Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Known globally as the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin’s voice, influence, and legacy remain unmatched, continuing to inspire generations of artists and music lovers years after her passing. Born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Aretha Franklin was immersed in music from an ea
Jul 26
Whitney Houston’s 1985 Hit “How Will I Know” Was Originally Intended for Janet Jackson
#NOLAZINE - Whitney Houston’s 1985 smash hit “How Will I Know” is one of the most recognizable pop records of the 1980s, helping cement her status as a global superstar. However, what many fans may not know is that the song was originally written with another music icon in mind: Janet Jackson. “How Will I Know” was penned by hitmakers George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, members of the band Boy Meets Girl. At the time, the upbeat, synth-driven track was crafted for Janet Jacks
Jul 26
Alfonso Ribeiro Says He Rarely Watches The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Because of the Career It Cost Him
#NOLAZINE - For millions of fans, Alfonso Ribeiro will always be remembered as Carlton Banks, the lovable cousin from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. But according to the actor, the role that made him a television icon also became one of the biggest obstacles in his career. Ribeiro has said that while he loved working on the hit sitcom and appreciates the impact it had on his life, he rarely watches the show because it reminds him of the opportunities he believes he lost after i
Jul 21
50 Cent Says Relationship With Son Marquise Jackson Is Beyond Repair, Sparking Debate Online
#NOLAZINE - For years, rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent and his eldest son, Marquise Jackson, have been involved in one of the most public family feuds in entertainment. What began as a strained relationship has evolved into years of public criticism, social media exchanges, and legal disputes, leaving many wondering whether the two will ever reconcile. The father-son conflict has played out in the public eye for more than a decade. The pair have exchanged insults on social me
Jul 21
Meet The Real-Life Tony Soprano Who Was A New Jersey Mob Boss That Eventually Flipped
#NOLAZINE - When The Sopranos premiered in 1999, viewers were introduced to Tony Soprano, a fictional New Jersey mob boss struggling to balance organized crime, family problems, and the pressures of modern life. But years before the show became a cultural phenomenon, there was a real-life figure whose story shared some surprising similarities with the character. That man was Vincent “Vinny Ocean” Palermo, a New Jersey mobster who rose through the ranks of the DeCavalcante cri
Jul 21
How Tommy Davidson Was Found in a Trash Pile and Given a Second Chance at Life
#NOLAZINE - Before becoming a successful comedian and actor known for his work in entertainment, Tommy Davidson faced an unimaginable start to life that nearly ended before it began. According to Davidson’s own accounts, he was abandoned as an infant in Mississippi, where he was reportedly left in a trash pile beneath a tire. The newborn was discovered badly injured, suffering from a fractured skull and severe bruising. Doctors allegedly did not believe he would survive. But
Jul 21
Was Richard Pena One The Most Notorious Drug Kingpin That New Orleans Ever Seen?
#NOLAZINE - In the intricate and dangerous streets of New Orleans, one name echoes through the annals of crime history: Richard Pena. A figure of both fear and fascination, Pena's story is a complex saga of power, ambition, and corruption that left an indelible mark on the Crescent City. Hailing from the Westbank of New Orleans and of Dominican descent, Richard Pena rose from relative obscurity to orchestrate one of the largest drug operations the city had ever seen. In the e
Jul 16
Did You Know Amerie Leaked "1 Thing" Because Columbia Records Wanted To Give The Song To Her Label Mate Jennifer Lopez?
#NOLAZINE - Amerie’s 2005 breakout hit “1 Thing” is now considered one of the most defining R&B tracks of the 2000s. Its infectious go-go beat, produced by Rich Harrison, and Amerie’s electrifying vocal delivery made it an instant classic. But what fans may not know is that the song’s release was almost derailed—by her own label. Columbia Records, which housed both Amerie and Jennifer Lopez at the time, reportedly had plans to give “1 Thing” to Lopez instead. Despite being wr
Jul 16
Ray Charles Was Not Born Blind. He Began To Lose His Vision At Age Four Due To Glaucoma
#NOLAZINE - Ray Charles, one of the most iconic voices in American music history, is often remembered for his incredible talent and unique ability to blend soul, gospel, blues, and jazz. But what many people don’t realize is that Charles wasn’t born blind. His loss of sight was a gradual and painful process—one that shaped his grit, character, and outlook on life. Born in Albany, Georgia in 1930, Ray Charles began to lose his vision at the age of four due to glaucoma. By the
Jul 16
Who Is Tenika Watson? The Passenger Found With Teddy Pendergrass After The Car Accident That Left Him Paralyzed
#NOLAZINE - In March 1982, the world of R&B was shaken when legendary soul singer Teddy Pendergrass was involved in a devastating car accident in Philadelphia. At the peak of his career, Pendergrass was known for his velvet voice, magnetic stage presence, and his ability to move crowds with timeless classics. But the crash not only left him paralyzed from the chest down—it also ignited a media firestorm centered around the woman who was in the car with him that night: Tenika
Jul 16
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
Jul 15
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
Jul 15
Remembering Irish Grinstead Who Died At Age 43 After A Long Battle With Liver Disease
#NOLAZINE - Irish Grinstead, best known as one-third of the iconic R&B group 702, is remembered not only for her powerful voice but for the impact she left on ’90s and early 2000s R&B. Irish passed away at the age of 43 after a long and private battle with liver disease, a heartbreaking loss that resonated deeply with fans who grew up on the group’s music. Rising to fame as part of 702 alongside her twin sister Orish “Orish Grinstead” and bandmate Kameelah Williams, Irish hel
Jul 15
Def Jam Did Not Support Sisqó's Idea To Go Solo So He Borrowed Money And Put His Debut Album Together By Himself
#NOLAZINE - In the world of R&B, few stories are as inspiring—and as bold—as that of Sisqó, the flamboyant frontman of Dru Hill who transformed from group member to global solo star. But what most fans don’t know is that Sisqó’s journey into solo stardom didn’t come with industry support. In fact, Def Jam refused to back his idea to go solo. Faced with rejection, Sisqó did what many artists only dream of: he bet on himself—and it paid off in a major way. By the late 1990s, Si
Jul 15
How "Say My Name" Produced By Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins Saved Destiny’s Child’s Album
#NOLAZINE - In 1999, Destiny’s Child was riding a wave of momentum after their hit single “Bills, Bills, Bills” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. But that momentum hit a snag with the underperformance of their follow-up single, “Bug A Boo,” which peaked at a modest No. 33. Concerned with the direction of the group’s second album The Writing’s on the Wall, Columbia Records was hesitant to release “Say My Name” as the next single. That hesitation almost cost the group one of
Jul 15
Was B.E.T Aka Black Entertainment Television Ever the Same After Bob Johnson Crossed 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
Jul 15
Maxine "Red Top" Walters — Harlem’s Teenage Millionaire Queenpin
#NOLAZINE - At just 16 years old, Red Top defied all odds, amassing a fortune that made her a teenage millionaire and leaving a mark on Harlem’s history that still resonates today. Known for her extravagant lifestyle, she was a striking sight, often arriving at school draped in fur coats, confidently boasting to her teachers that she could make $300,000 in a single month. Her generosity matched her wealth — she frequently treated teachers and classmates to lavish shopping spr
Jul 15
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