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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
Remembering Josephine Johnny: A New Orleans Music Icon
#NOLAZINE - New Orleans has always been a city where music isn’t just entertainment — it’s identity, culture, and survival. Few artists embodied that spirit more authentically than Josephine Johnny, a pioneering bounce rapper whose influence stretched far beyond the neighborhoods that raised him. Born Johnny Watson on April 2, 1976, Josephine Johnny became a cultural force in the late 1990s and early 2000s, helping shape the sound and movement of New Orleans bounce music duri
Jul 8
Devine: The Music Group That Never Trademarked Their Name And Lost Out After Hit Record "Lately"
#NOLAZINE - In the golden era of late '90s R&B, few groups made an impact as swiftly and beautifully as Divine. Formed in 1995, the all-female trio captivated audiences with powerful vocals and a classic soul sound that stood out among their peers. Best known for their 1998 chart-topping hit "Lately," Divine seemed destined for long-lasting success. But behind the scenes, a series of business missteps and industry pitfalls would bring their promising journey to an early end.
Jul 8
Remembering George Michael Who Died In His Sleep From Natural Causes At 53 On Christmas Day
#NOLAZINE - On December 25, 2016, the world woke up to heartbreaking news: George Michael, one of the most influential pop stars of his generation, had died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 53. The timing of his passing — on Christmas Day — made the loss feel even heavier for fans across the globe who had grown up with his music as the soundtrack to their lives. George Michael was discovered in bed at his home by his longtime partner, Fadi Fawaz. Authorities later confir
Jul 8
MC Lyte Received A $5,000 Advance For Her First Record Deal And In Return She Had To Give Up 50% of Her Publishing
#NOLAZINE - Before she became one of the most iconic voices in hip-hop history, MC Lyte navigated the tricky waters of the music industry as a teenager trying to land her first record deal. While many recognize her as a pioneer who broke barriers for women in hip-hop, her journey to success wasn’t without its challenges—and compromises. When MC Lyte signed her first record deal, she was given a $5,000 advance. However, this came at a significant cost: she had to give up 50% o
Jul 8
The $5 Billion Mistake Magic Johnson Made By Turning Down Nike
#NOLAZINE - In the late 1970s, a young Magic Johnson had the world at his feet. Fresh off a national championship with Michigan State and preparing to enter the NBA as the first overall pick, Magic was already a star in the making. But one business decision early in his career would go down as one of the biggest financial “what ifs” in sports history. When Magic entered the league in 1979, Nike was still an up-and-coming athletic brand—far from the global powerhouse it is tod
Jul 8
Columbia Records Almost Did Not Release Beyonce's "Dangerously In Love" Album Because They Felt It Had No Hit Songs
#NOLAZINE - In 2003, Beyoncé took a bold step away from Destiny’s Child to release her debut solo album, "Dangerously in Love." However, her record label, Columbia Records, was initially unimpressed, believing the album lacked hit songs. Years later, Beyoncé humorously recalled the moment at a concert, saying,"When I played it through for my record label, they told me I didn’t have one hit on my album. I guess they were kinda right—I had five!" She was referring to the chart-
Jul 8
When Eddie Murphy’s Boomerang Was Released in 1992, It Faced a Lot of Backlash
#NOLAZINE - When Eddie Murphy’s romantic comedy Boomerang hit theaters in 1992, it wasn’t just another Hollywood release — it was a bold, culture-shifting statement. But despite its now-iconic status, the film initially faced a wave of backlash from critics and audiences who didn’t quite know how to receive it. At the time, Murphy was already one of the biggest stars in the world, known for his sharp comedic edge and larger-than-life charisma. But Boomerang was different. The
Jul 8
The Florida Sinkhole That Swallowed a Man Alive While He Sleeping In Bed
#NOLAZINE - In 2013, a quiet night in Seffner, Florida, turned into a real-life nightmare when a sinkhole suddenly opened beneath a man’s bedroom, swallowing him and everything around him into the earth. The victim, Jeffrey Bush, was asleep in his home when the ground beneath his bed collapsed without warning. The massive sinkhole — estimated to be about 20 feet wide and 30 feet deep — consumed his entire bedroom in seconds. His brother, who was in another room, rushed in aft
Jul 8
Labeled One of the Most Dangerous Men In Jamaica Christopher Coke AKA Dudus: Leader of Jamaican Gang The Shower Posse
#NOLAZINE - In the heart of Kingston, Jamaica, the neighborhood of Tivoli Gardens stands not only as a symbol of resilience but also as a battleground for power, politics, and criminal enterprise. It was here that Christopher “Dudus” Coke—a name now etched in Jamaica’s complex history—rose to lead one of the most infamous criminal organizations in the Caribbean: The Shower Posse. Dudus was born into a legacy of both reverence and infamy. His father, Lester Coke—also known as
Jul 8
Teddy Riley Charged Foxy Brown Just $1 for her song "Get Me Home"
#NOLAZINE - In the high-stakes world of the music industry, where producers can command hefty fees for hit-making beats, legendary producer Teddy Riley made a bold and unexpected move. When it came time to contribute to Foxy Brown’s 1996 hit single “Get Me Home,” Riley chose to charge just $1 for his co-production work—a symbolic gesture that spoke volumes. Far from being a random act of generosity, Riley’s decision was a strategic and personal move aimed at repairing his rel
Jul 8
Did You Know In 1999 a NFL Player Hired a Hitman To Get Rid of His Pregnant Girlfriend?
#NOLAZINE - In one of the most disturbing scandals to ever involve a professional athlete, former Rae Carruth was convicted for orchestrating the murder of his pregnant girlfriend in 1999 — a crime that shocked the sports world and devastated a family forever. At the time, Carruth was a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers and appeared to have a promising career in the National Football League. But behind the scenes, prosecutors later revealed a sinister plot involving his
Jul 8
New Orleans Artist Uncle Mazzi Drops Feel-Good New Single “I’m Koolin” Featuring Jimmy Waters
#NOLAZINE - New Orleans recording artist Uncle Mazzi is bringing back the feel-good vibes with the release of his latest single, “I’m Koolin,” featuring rising West Coast artist Jimmy Waters. Produced by D’Walla, the record delivers a refreshing sound that blends nostalgia with today’s lifestyle rap. Released during the July 4th holiday weekend, “I’m Koolin” was intentionally crafted to take listeners back to moments that many have been missing in modern music. Whether it’s a
Jul 8
Magnolia Shorty: The Queen of Bounce and The Most Sampled New Orleans Music Artist
#Nolazine - In the vibrant, rhythm-soaked streets of New Orleans, few names carry as much weight in bounce music history as Magnolia Shorty. Born Renetta Yemika Lowe-Bridgewater on September 30, 1982, she rose from the heart of the Magnolia Projects to become a pioneering voice in a male-dominated genre, earning her the crown as the undisputed Queen of Bounce. Though her life was tragically cut short on December 20, 2010, her influence continues to echo through clubs, radio s
Jul 1
Lil Phat: A Tragic Tale of a Baton Rouge, Louisiana Young Rap Prodigy
#Nolazine - Melvin Vernell III, better known by his stage name Lil Phat, was more than just a promising rapper—he was a symbol of raw talent, Southern authenticity, and artistic potential. Born on July 25, 1992, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lil Phat rose quickly in the rap game with a style that felt both real and resonant. Though his life ended tragically at just 19 years old, his contributions continue to echo throughout the hip-hop world. Lil Phat started rapping in his earl
Jul 1
Did You Know The Rap Beef Between Rapper Mystikal and Rap Group UNLV Wasn’t Real?
#Nolazine - In the rich history of New Orleans hip-hop, few rivalries have stood out quite like the one between Mystikal and the legendary rap group U.N.L.V.. Representing opposing sides of the city’s booming rap scene in the 1990s, Mystikal held it down for Big Boy Records, while U.N.L.V. represented Cash Money Records—two powerhouse labels that defined an era. But what many fans don’t know is that this infamous rap beef wasn’t actually real. Both acts were rising stars at t
Jul 1
Actor Giancarlo Esposito Thought About Ending His Own Life To Give His Kids The Life Insurance Money
#Nolazine - Giancarlo Esposito, best known for his chilling portrayal of Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, endured one of the darkest periods of his life before landing the role that would change everything. Following a devastating divorce, Esposito found himself in severe financial turmoil, struggling to make ends meet. The pressure became so overwhelming that he even considered taking drastic measures—ending his own life—just so his children could benefit from his life insurance m
Jul 1
Tim Smooth: The Knight From Kennedy Heights And A Pioneer of New Orleans Hip-Hop
#Nolazine - In the rich and storied history of New Orleans hip-hop, few names carry the reverence and respect that Tim Smooth does. Born Timothy Smoot, the legendary emcee became a pivotal figure in the early 1990s rap scene, using his lyrical brilliance and genuine love for the craft to carve out a lane that would influence an entire generation of Southern hip-hop artists. Tim Smooth recently passed away at the age of 39 after a courageous battle with cancer. As the New Orle
Jul 1
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
Jul 1
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
Jul 1
Frank Matthews Bailed Out of Jail, Grabbed 20 Million From His Safe And Has Never Been Seen Ever Since The Year 1973
#Nolazine - In the underworld of American crime history, few figures loom as large—and as mysteriously—as Frank Matthews. By the early 1970s, Matthews was a kingpin of epic proportions, running a sprawling heroin and cocaine empire that rivaled even the infamous Mafia families. But in June 1973, just when the law was closing in, Matthews vanished without a trace, leaving behind a trail of questions, a $20 million fortune, and one of the most legendary disappearances in U.S. c
Jul 1
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