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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
Chuck: The Founder of New Orleans Legendary Label Big Boy Records
#NOLAZINE - Founded in the early 1990s by Charles Temple alongside producer Leroy “Precise” Edwards, Big Boy Records emerged as one of the first independent hip hop labels in New Orleans. In a scene still developing its identity, Big Boy Records was not only groundbreaking—it was fearless. At a time when bounce music was just beginning to take shape, Big Boy provided a home for artists who pushed musical boundaries, delivering a soundscape that was both diverse and uniquely r
20 hours ago
Little Sonny: The Tragic Tale of Rich Porter Brother William Donnell
#NOLAZINE - In the annals of Harlem’s turbulent history, few stories strike as deeply as that of William Donnell, affectionately known as Sonny in the movie "Paid In Full". The younger brother of Harlem’s legendary drug figure Rich Porter aka Richard Thomas Porter, William’s name lives on not only as a symbol of innocence lost but as a haunting reminder of how betrayal and greed can dismantle even the most sacred family bonds. To those who knew him, William Donnell was more t
20 hours ago
From Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose: The Story of Danielle Metz
#NOLAZINE - Danielle Metz’s life story is one of dramatic turns—from a young mother swept into a notorious drug empire to a woman reclaiming her purpose after more than two decades behind bars. Once sentenced to three life terms for her involvement in the New Orleans drug underworld, Metz is now a symbol of resilience and redemption, dedicated to uplifting communities affected by incarceration. Born and raised in a middle-class neighborhood just miles from the infamous St. Th
20 hours ago
Who Was Kingg Tokyo? The Calliope Hood Star Who Carried His Own
#NOLAZINE - In the heart of New Orleans, where culture, struggle, and resilience meet on every corner, Kingg Tokyo stood tall as a voice of the streets. Born Javon Johnigan, he was more than just another rapper trying to make it out—he was a product of the infamous Calliope Projects, and he proudly carried that legacy on his back until his untimely death. Kingg Tokyo came up during a vibrant yet volatile era in the New Orleans rap scene. He earned his stripes rapping in the C
20 hours ago
The Life and Tragic Death of a Rising R&B Star: Yolanda "LaLa" Brown
#NOLAZINE - In the mid-2000s, a powerful and soulful voice began to rise from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, capturing the attention of R&B fans across the country. That voice belonged to Yolanda Rose “LaLa” Brown, a gifted young artist whose life and career were filled with promise. Best known for her unforgettable feature on Lyfe Jennings' hit single “S.E.X.”, LaLa seemed destined for stardom. But just as her career was beginning to blossom, tragedy struck. Born on May 20, 1986, to
20 hours ago
A Rising Star Taken Too Soon: New Orleans, LA Rapper BTY Youngn
#NOLAZINE - In the competitive world of hip-hop, where countless voices strive to be heard, BTY Youngn stood out as a promising talent. Affiliated with Birdman’s Rich Gang imprint, he made a significant impact in a short span, captivating fans with his raw lyrics and unrelenting determination. Tragically, his ascent was cut short in April 2017, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with the hip-hop community. BTY YoungN, whose real name was Desmone Jerome, was de
20 hours ago
The Untold Tale of Haitian Jack: Brooklyn's Most Feared Figure
#NOLAZINE - In the shadows of Flatbush, Brooklyn, amid the unforgiving reality of inner-city life, the legend of Jacques “Haitian Jack” Agnant looms large—a man whose name evokes fear, mystery, and power. His story is one of survival, betrayal, and the blurred lines between the streets and the spotlight of hip-hop. Haitian Jack’s rise from a privileged childhood in politically-torn Haiti to the heart of New York’s criminal underworld is both riveting and cautionary. Haitian J
20 hours ago
Angela Bassett Had Just One Month To Prepare For Her Role As Tina Turner
#NOLAZINE - Angela Bassett's legendary performance as Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It is widely regarded as one of the most powerful portrayals in film history. But what many people don’t know is that Bassett had just one month to prepare for the physically demanding and emotionally intense role that would change the trajectory of her career. After auditioning in October 1992, Bassett was officially cast in November, with production set to begin i
20 hours ago
From Thailand to New Orleans: Chef Benji Butler Shares Her Powerful Journey Behind Thai Nola
#NOLAZINE - Behind every successful business is a story filled with sacrifice, uncertainty, hard work and the courage to begin again. For Chef Benji Butler, co-owner of Thai Nola Restaurant and Bar, that story stretches from Thailand to New Orleans and includes love, cultural adjustment, entrepreneurship and several life-changing obstacles. During her appearance on What’s Yo Story Podcast Episode #113, Benji opened up about her upbringing in Thailand, meeting her husband Gera
20 hours ago
Who Was Charles Cosby? The Man Who Griselda Blanco Fell In Love With Behind A Prison Wall
#NOLAZINE - In the early 1990s, an unlikely relationship between a small-time hustler from California and one of the most feared drug lords in history would change the course of both their lives. Charles Cosby’s connection with Griselda Blanco, also known as the “Black Widow” and “Godmother of Cocaine,” began in 1992 with a single letter—and exploded into a whirlwind of money, betrayal, and survival. At the time, Griselda Blanco was serving time in prison, but her power was f
21 hours ago
Mr. Harvey: The Louisiana Rapper That Was Featured On Gangsters: Americas Most Evil
#NOLAZINE - Known to many as Mr. Harvey, the late David Williams was more than just an emerging rap artist—he was a figure that embodied the raw, gritty realities of Harvey, Louisiana, a community just across the river from New Orleans. His life, marked by music, street influence, and controversy, earned him a powerful presence in the Southern hip-hop scene—and ultimately a tragic end. Mr. Harvey rose to prominence as the face of the “Harvey Hustlers”, a group that would late
21 hours ago
Remembering Frankie Lymon: A Tragic End to a Promising Talent
#NOLAZINE - Frankie Lymon, the boy wonder who once captivated audiences with his youthful voice and infectious energy, met a heartbreaking fate at just 25 years old. The former frontman of Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, best known for the hit “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” tragically died of a heroin overdose in 1968, marking a somber end to what could have been an enduring legacy. Lymon’s career took off in the mid-1950s when he and The Teenagers stormed the music charts, chan
21 hours ago
Stricen Carter’s Journey: How the Owner of Sweet Thangs NOLA Built Her Empire In The South
#NOLAZINE - New Orleans is a city known for transforming simple food traditions into unforgettable experiences, and entrepreneur Stricen Carter has added her own colorful chapter to that story. As the owner of Sweet Thangs NOLA, Carter took the traditional New Orleans sno-ball and turned it into an eye-catching designer dessert filled with candy, cookies, cheesecake and plenty of creativity. During her appearance on Episode #159 of Nolazine’s What’s Yo Story Podcast, Carter o
2 days ago
The Complicated Love Story of Diahann Carroll and Sidney Poitier: A Nine-Year Affair of Passion, Pain, and Forgiveness
#NOLAZINE - In the golden age of Hollywood, where glamour often masked emotional turmoil, two of the most iconic Black stars of the era—Diahann Carroll and Sidney Poitier—shared a love story that was as complex as it was intense. Their relationship, which began in 1959, lasted nearly a decade and was marked by passion, betrayal, heartbreak, and ultimately, forgiveness. When Carroll and Poitier began their affair, both were married. Deeply in love, they made a pact to divorce
2 days 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
2 days ago
Desmond “Team 28” Johnson Reveals How Being Robbed of $30,000 Led Him Closer to God
#NOLAZINE - Sometimes a person’s greatest loss can become the beginning of their greatest transformation. During a recent appearance on What’s Yo Story Podcast, Desmond “Team 28” Johnson opened up about his personal journey, the experiences that shaped him and the frightening 2020 robbery that changed the direction of his life. Johnson is known today as a motivational speaker, mentor and the leader behind Team 28. His message is built around faith, discipline, accountability
2 days ago
How Destiny’s Child and Matthew Knowles Shut Down Critics and Kept the Lights On at Sony
#NOLAZINE - In the spring of 2000, just as Destiny’s Child’s album The Writing’s On The Wall was gaining massive momentum, a tense showdown took place behind closed doors at Sony Records—one that would highlight the determination and boldness that defined the group’s rise to superstardom. According to Tina Knowles’ recently released memoir, Matriarch, Sony executives called an urgent meeting with Matthew Knowles, Destiny’s Child’s manager—and Beyoncé’s father. The reason? The
2 days ago
Who Was Kilo G? The Cash Money Records Rapper Who Voice Was Ahead of His Time in New Orleans Hip-Hop
#NOLAZINE - Before the world knew of Lil Wayne, Juvenile, or the Hot Boys, a teenager from New Orleans helped lay the foundation for what Cash Money Records would eventually become. His name was Robert L. Johnson Jr., better known as Kilo G—a pioneering artist whose talent surfaced too soon and whose life ended far too early. In the early 1990s, New Orleans was buzzing with a new, high-energy sound known as bounce music. It was loud, fast, and uniquely Southern. But when brot
2 days ago
Aaliyah Wasn't A Fan Of 'I Don't Wanna" Initially And Did Not Want To Record It
#NOLAZINE - It’s hard to imagine Aaliyah passing on a song as smooth and emotionally resonant as “I Don’t Wanna,” but according to those close to its creation, the late R&B icon initially wasn’t a fan of the track and didn’t want to record it. Written by a powerhouse team of Johntá Austin, Jazze Pha, Donnie Scantz, and Kevin Hicks, “I Don’t Wanna” was crafted with the intention of capturing vulnerability and strength—two qualities Aaliyah effortlessly embodied in her music. B
2 days ago
Marlon Favorite Opens Up About Winning Championships, Being Released by the Saints and Battling Depression
#NOLAZINE - Former LSU and New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Marlon Favorite recently sat down with What’s Yo Story Podcastfor an honest conversation about football, success, disappointment and rebuilding his life after the game. Favorite’s journey is filled with accomplishments many athletes can only dream about. The Gretna, Louisiana, native became one of the nation’s most highly regarded defensive tackles while playing at West Jefferson High School. His talent eventuall
2 days ago
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