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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
Who Was No Limit Records’ Own Suave Bob?
#NOLAZINE - When people talk about the legendary rise of No Limit Records, names like Master P, C-Murder, and Silkk the Shocker often come to mind. But behind the label’s success was a team of sharp minds who helped build the empire — and one of the most vital figures among them was Bobby J. “Suave Bob” Sardie Jr. Born on March 5, 1971, Suave Bob played a key role in the financial foundation of No Limit. As the CFO and personal banker for Master P and the rest of the No Limit
3 days ago
Diddy Has To Pay Sting $2,000 a Day For Using His Song “I’ll Be Missing You”
#NOLAZINE - One of hip-hop’s biggest hits, “I’ll Be Missing You,” has a fascinating backstory — and an expensive one at that. The 1997 tribute track by Diddy (then known as Puff Daddy) and Faith Evans, dedicated to the late Notorious B.I.G., famously samples “Every Breath You Take” by The Police — and that sample came at a major cost. During a 2018 interview on The Breakfast Club, Sting revealed that Diddy pays him a staggering $2,000 per day for using the song without initia
3 days ago
Fabolous Song "Into You" Switch: The Backstory Behind the Tamia Replacement That Still Gave Ashanti a Win
#NOLAZINE - In the early 2000s, Ashanti was a dominating force on the R&B and Hip-Hop charts. Her sultry vocals and chart-topping collaborations made her one of the most sought-after artists in the industry. One such opportunity was the hit single "Into You" by Fabolous — but the story behind its release features a twist that few fans saw coming. Originally, Ashanti was set to be the featured vocalist on the official single version of "Into You." However, due to label politic
3 days ago
Was NBA Legend Dr. J’s Wife in the Car with Singer Teddy Pendergrass the Night of the Accident That Left Him Paralyzed?
#NOLAZINE - The night of March 18, 1982, remains one of the most shocking moments in R&B history — the night soul legend Teddy Pendergrass was involved in a devastating car crash that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Over the years, countless rumors and speculations have surrounded that tragic event, with one of the most persistent being that NBA great Julius “Dr. J” Erving’s wife was in the car with him. But what really happened that night? Here’s the truth. Teddy Pen
3 days ago
Cam'ron Originally Wrote "I Really Mean It" for Rapper Lil' Kim — She Turned It Down, So He Kept a Classic for Himself
#NOLAZINE - Sometimes the best songs end up with the artist who believed in them the most — and that’s exactly what happened with Cam’ron’s iconic track “I Really Mean It.” What many fans don’t know is that the Dipset anthem was originally written with another rap legend in mind: Lil’ Kim. According to behind-the-scenes revelations, Cam’ron crafted “I Really Mean It” for Lil’ Kim, envisioning the Queen Bee delivering the hard-hitting bars over the now-classic production by Ju
3 days ago
Did You Know Label Jive Records Wanted To Give Nivea's Song "Okay" Away To Ciara?
#NOLAZINE - The early 2000s was a golden era for R&B and Crunk&B, with artists like Nivea and Ciara making major waves in the industry. However, behind the scenes, there was almost a major shift in how things played out. Jive Records initially wanted to give Nivea’s song “Okay” to Ciara, but the track ultimately remained with Nivea. The decision proved to be significant, as “Okay” became Nivea’s third and final Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, solidifying her place
3 days ago
Actor Terrell Carter Was Born to an 11-Year-Old Mother Who Had Special Needs
#NOLAZINE - Many people know Terrell Carter for his powerful performances on screen, but few know the extraordinary story behind his life. Carter’s beginnings were marked by heartbreaking circumstances that make his rise in Hollywood even more inspiring. Terrell was born to his mother, Candy, who was only 11 years old at the time and had special needs. She became pregnant after being assaulted by a 26-year-old male relative from the same family — a traumatic event that would
3 days ago
Did You Know? Beyoncé’s Dad Stopped The Kissing Scene That Was Suppose To Happen At The End of Singer Case "Happily Ever After" Music Video
#NOLAZINE - Before she became one of the biggest stars in the world, Beyoncé appeared in the late 1990s R&B music video for Case’shit single “Happily Ever After.” The song, known for its romantic vibe and timeless visuals, showed a young Beyoncé playing Case’s love interest — but what many fans don’t know is that an important behind-the-scenes decision changed the video’s ending. At the time of filming, Beyoncé was still underage, and her father and manager, Mathew Knowles, w
3 days ago
Was High School Football Star Boobie Miles The Best There Never Was 2 Play In The NFL?
#NOLAZINE - James Earl “Boobie” Miles Jr. was once destined to be a Texas football legend. Born April 16, 1970, in Houston, Texas, Miles’ journey from a troubled childhood to the bright lights of Permian High School football in Odessa became the subject of Buzz Bissinger’s acclaimed book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream and the subsequent film and TV series it inspired. By his junior year in 1987, Miles had rushed for 1,345 yards, establishing himself as one o
3 days ago
Did You Know Music Artist Chris Brown Almost Recorded “Bed” – But His Label Said No?
#NOLAZINE - In the mid-2000s, Chris Brown was on a fast track to superstardom, becoming one of the most prominent young voices in R&B. But behind the scenes, there was one hit song that could have been his — the sultry slow jam “Bed” — which ultimately became the breakout record for J. Holiday instead. Written and produced by The-Dream, “Bed” became an instant R&B classic when it was released in 2007. With its sensual lyrics and smooth melody, the song catapulted J. Holiday i
3 days ago
Sam Cooke: The First Black Artist to Own a Record Label – And the Mysterious Circumstances of His Death
#NOLAZINE - Sam Cooke wasn’t just one of the most iconic voices of soul music — he was a visionary who sought more than just fame and fortune. He wanted freedom. He wanted ownership. And he became the first Black artist in American history to own both a record label and a publishing company — a move that would change the music industry forever, and possibly cost him his life. At a time when most artists — especially Black musicians — had little to no control over their music,
3 days ago
Death Row Inmate Romell Broom Survived 18 Failed Execution Attempts After They Couldn't Find His Vein, Later Died from COVID-19 in Prison
#NOLAZINE - In one of the most extraordinary and unsettling cases in U.S. death penalty history, Romell Broom, a death row inmate in Ohio, survived an attempted execution in 2009 after 18 failed lethal injection attempts left prison staff unable to locate a viable vein. The botched execution unfolded over a grueling two-hour period, during which Broom endured significant pain and distress as medical staff repeatedly tried — and failed — to insert the necessary IV lines. The u
3 days ago
Michel'le: The Singer Who Had A Baby With Both Dr Dre And Death Row C.E.O Suge Knight
#NOLAZINE - Michel'le Toussaint, known mononymously as Michel'le, is a seminal figure in the R&B and hip-hop world. Her journey, marked by incredible musical talent and personal adversity, is a testament to her resilience and determination. Michel'le's career began at the tender age of 16 when she met Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Romelle Young. She was called in to record vocals for the World Class Wreckin' Cru's track "Turn Off the Lights" in 1987, which later peaked at
3 days ago
Who Was Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson? The Man Accused of Killing 2Pac After a Las Vegas Brawl
#NOLAZINE - The story of Tupac Shakur’s death has remained one of hip-hop’s greatest tragedies and unsolved mysteries. At the center of the controversy stands one name that has surfaced repeatedly: Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, a member of the Southside Compton Crips. On the night of September 7, 1996, Tupac was brutally gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Just hours earlier, he had been involved in a physical altercation inside the MGM Grand Hotel. The m
3 days ago
En Vogue Was Paid Just 8 Cents For Every Album They Sold - Each Member Made 2 Cents Per Sale
#NOLAZINE - Legendary R&B group En Vogue is known for their powerhouse vocals, timeless hits, and undeniable influence on the music industry. However, their success came at a steep financial cost under their first record deal. According to former member Dawn Robinson, En Vogue was only paid 8 cents per album sold—with each member making just 2 cents per sale. This revelation, which Robinson shared in 2021, highlights the unfair contracts many artists faced in the music indust
3 days ago
Who Was Nussie? One of The Most Feared and Respected Rappers From Baton Rouge
#NOLAZINE - Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has birthed a long list of influential voices in hip-hop, each bringing their own unfiltered authenticity to the game. Among these voices, Chris Lynell Jackson, better known as Nussie, emerged as a powerful and raw storyteller whose impact on Louisiana’s underground rap scene remains deeply felt—even over a decade after his tragic death. In 2006, Nussie launched Dope Celebrity Records, a self-made label that quickly became a platform for hi
3 days ago
Will Smith Had to Pay the IRS 70% of His Checks for the First 3 Seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
#NOLAZINE - Before he became one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, Will Smith had a serious money problem. Long before the blockbuster films, Grammy wins, and global fame, the young rapper-turned-actor was drowning in IRS debt. In the late 1980s, Smith rose to fame as part of the rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. While they scored hits and even won a Grammy, Smith admits he didn’t handle his money wisely. Lavish spending and poor financial management left him owing
3 days ago
Why Was 2Pac Asked To Take a Aids Test For His Role In Poetic Justice?
#NOLAZINE - In the early 1990s, Tupac Shakur was beginning to make his mark not just as a rising rap star but also as a promising actor. After his breakout role in Juice (1992), Shakur was cast alongside Janet Jackson in John Singleton’s 1993 romantic drama Poetic Justice. While the film would go on to become a cult classic, its behind-the-scenes history included one surprising controversy: 2Pac being asked to take an AIDS test before filming. The issue reportedly arose from
3 days ago
How a $30 Million Lottery Win Put a Target on Abraham Shakespeare
#NOLAZINE - When Abraham Shakespeare, a humble truck driver’s assistant from Florida, won a staggering $30 million in the lottery in 2006, his life changed overnight. For many, such a windfall represents freedom, opportunity, and the chance to live out lifelong dreams. But for Shakespeare, the fortune quickly turned into a nightmare, one that would tragically end in betrayal and murder. Shakespeare, a quiet and generous man, initially used his winnings to help those around hi
3 days ago
Why Did Marvin Gaye’s Father Marvin Gay Sr Take His Own Son’s Life?
#NOLAZINE - The tragic death of Marvin Gaye remains one of the most shocking stories in music history. On April 1, 1984, the world lost one of its greatest soul singers when Marvin was shot and killed by his own father, Marvin Gay Sr., at their family home in Los Angeles. The heartbreaking event left fans devastated and raised a painful question: why did Marvin Gaye’s father take his own son out? At the time, Marvin was living with his parents, struggling with personal issues
3 days ago
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