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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 KC Redd? A New Orleans Bounce Music Pioneer Who Left an Enduring Legacy
#NOLAZINE - Kenner, Louisiana native KC Redd holds a special place in the rich tapestry of Southern music, particularly in the realm of Bounce Music. As cities like New Orleans defined their cultural identity through this high-energy genre, KC Redd emerged as one of its influential voices, leaving an indelible mark on the music scene. Bounce Music, with its infectious beats, signature dances, and celebratory spirit, dominated the South before the rise of hardcore gangsta rap.
Jul 30
The Untold Story How Singer Stevie Wonder Became Blind
#NOLAZINE - Stevie Wonder, one of the most iconic musicians of all time, is often associated with his incredible ability to create music while being blind. However, contrary to popular belief, Stevie Wonder wasn’t born blind. His story is one of resilience and triumph over adversity, further underscoring the depth of his talent and determination. Stevie Wonder, born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, arrived six weeks prematurely. At a time when
Jul 30
Robert Downey Jr.'s Journey: From Addiction to Becoming One of Hollywood's Greatest
#NOLAZINE - Robert Downey Jr. is one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, but his journey to success is a story of profound struggles and remarkable redemption. His introduction to drugs began at a shockingly young age—at just 6 years old, his father gave him marijuana, which set the stage for a tumultuous early life. By age 8, Downey was already battling addiction, and his teenage years and young adulthood were marked by destructive patterns of substance abuse. From 1995 to 20
Jul 30
El DeBarge’s Song "All This Love" Was Originally Written for Marvin Gaye
#NOLAZINE - El DeBarge's classic hit "All This Love" holds a fascinating backstory that connects two legends of R&B. Originally, DeBarge wrote the song with Marvin Gaye in mind, hoping that the soulful icon would bring it to life. However, Motown Records refused to let Marvin Gaye record the track. To make matters worse, El DeBarge was falsely informed that Gaye didn’t like the song. Years later, the truth came out when Marvin Gaye’s wife, Jan, revealed to El that Marvin actu
Jul 30
How a Blackjack Gamble Saved The Company FedEx from Financial Ruin
#NOLAZINE - In the early days of FedEx, founder Frederick W. Smith faced a challenge that could have ended the company before it even had a chance to soar. The company was running out of funds, barely able to cover essential fuel bills, and desperate for a solution to stay operational. With FedEx’s future on the line, Smith made an audacious decision that would go down in business history. Taking FedEx’s last $5,000, Smith traveled to Las Vegas and sat down at a blackjack tab
Jul 30
Meet Charlie Ward: The Only NBA Player with a Heisman Trophy and Dual MLB Draft Picks
#NOLAZINE - Charlie Ward stands as one of the most versatile athletes in sports history, creating a legacy that remains unmatched. A 1993 Heisman Trophy winner as the quarterback for Florida State University, Ward’s talents extended far beyond the football field. Despite his dominance on the gridiron, he chose not to pursue a career in the NFL, a decision that surprised many. However, Ward’s athletic prowess continued to capture attention in other major sports. In 1993, the M
Jul 30
In 1997, Microsoft Saved Apple From Bankruptcy With A $150 Million Investment For 7%, Now Worth $242 Billion
#NOLAZINE - In 1997, Apple found itself on the edge of bankruptcy, struggling to survive as competitors like Microsoft dominated the tech world. Enter Microsoft, with a $150 million investment that changed the course of history. By purchasing a 7% stake in Apple, Microsoft provided the cash injection Apple desperately needed, stabilizing the company at its lowest point and setting the stage for one of the most remarkable comebacks in tech history. The investment was part of a
Jul 30
Kobe Bryant’s $6 Million Investment in BodyArmor Yields $400 Million, Showcasing His Visionary In Business
#NOLAZINE - In 2014, NBA legend Kobe Bryant made a pivotal move off the court by investing $6 million in the sports drink company BodyArmor, securing a 10% stake and taking on the role of creative director. Kobe didn’t just provide funding; he brought vision and insight, helping to shape BodyArmor’s brand identity in a highly competitive sports drink market. His belief in the product and active role in its marketing made a lasting impact, positioning BodyArmor as a healthy al
Jul 30
Moses Michael Levi Barrow: The Untold Story of Rapper Shyne
#NOLAZINE - Moses Michael Levi Barrow, widely known by his stage name Shyne, embodies a tale of transformation, from a Brooklyn rapper to a Belizean politician. Born Jamal Michael Barrow on November 8, 1978, in Belize City, he navigated a tumultuous upbringing marked by poverty, familial struggles, and encounters with the law. However, his story is not just one of adversity but also of resilience, redemption, and reinvention. Shyne's introduction to the world of hip-hop began
Jul 30
Who Was Vincent “Chin” Gigante? The Mafia Boss Behind the Bathrobe
#NOLAZINE - Vincent “Chin” Gigante became one of the most powerful and mysterious Mafia bosses in American history. While other organized-crime figures attracted attention by wearing expensive suits and appearing at popular nightclubs, Gigante built his reputation by doing the opposite. He avoided publicity, rarely spoke on telephones and prohibited members of his organization from saying his name. When associates needed to refer to him, they reportedly pointed toward their c
Jul 30
The Story of Kevin Miller: Master P’s Brother Whose Death Changed the Miller Family Forever
#NOLAZINE - Long before No Limit Records became a music empire, the Miller family was simply trying to survive in New Orleans’ Calliope Projects. Their story began in poverty, but it was held together by love, loyalty and a shared determination to overcome their circumstances. At the center of that story was Kevin Miller. Born in 1968 to Josie and Percy Miller Sr., Kevin grew up alongside his siblings Percy, Germaine, Corey and Vyshonne. The world would later know three of th
Jul 30
Bimmy and Bobby Brown: A Bond Between Music and the Streets
#NOLAZINE - In the early '90s, the worlds of music and the streets collided through the friendship of Bimmy, a prominent figure in the Supreme Team, and Bobby Brown, the R&B icon known for his time with New Edition and a solo career that took him to the top of the charts. Their bond was a blend of street loyalty and mutual respect, bridging two powerful cultures: the music industry and the hustle of the streets. In 1993, Bimmy found himself behind bars on a drug charge. It wa
Jul 30
He Borrowed $15,000 and Built a $3 Billion Television Empire: How Robert Johnson Became America’s First Black Billionaire
#NOLAZINE - Robert L. Johnson did not begin his journey with billions of dollars, a major television studio or the support of an established media empire. He started with an idea, a $15,000 loan and a belief that Black audiences deserved a television network created specifically for them. Approximately 21 years later, that vision became a multibillion-dollar company and made Johnson America’s first Black billionaire. Born in Hickory, Mississippi, in 1946, Johnson grew up in a
Jul 30
Anthony Carollo: The Man Federal Authorities Identified as the Last Boss of the New Orleans Mafia
#NOLAZINE - For decades, Anthony Carollo was widely identified by federal authorities and organized-crime investigators as the final boss of the historic New Orleans crime family, an organization that once held significant influence throughout the Gulf Coast and maintained connections with some of the most powerful Mafia families in the United States. Born in 1923, Carollo was part of one of the most well-known Mafia bloodlines in Louisiana. His father, Silvestro “Silver Doll
Jul 30
Half On A Baby" Was Written For Bobby Brown, But He Passed On It, So R. Kelly Kept It For Himself
#NOLAZINE - “Half on a Baby” became one of the most recognizable R&B records of the late 1990s, but the song reportedly was not written with R. Kelly in mind. According to the story behind the record, it was originally created for Bobby Brown, who ultimately passed on it. The song was reportedly intended for Brown’s fourth studio album, Forever. Released in 1997, the project marked an important moment in his career because Brown took greater creative control over his music. B
Jul 30
Usher’s "That’s What It’s Made For" Was Originally Intended for Janet Jackson
#NOLAZINE - Usher’s Confessions is widely regarded as one of the greatest R&B albums ever recorded. Released in 2004, the project delivered unforgettable hits such as “Yeah!,” “Burn,” “Confessions Part II” and “My Boo.” However, one of the album’s most memorable deep cuts nearly belonged to another R&B icon. According to Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Bobby Ross Avila, “That’s What It’s Made For” was originally intended for Janet Jackson. The revelation adds an in
Jul 30
Meet Neno Calvin: The New Orleans Artist Who Did It His Way and Built a Loyal Fan Base
#NOLAZINE - New Orleans has always been home to artists who refuse to follow the crowd, and Neno Calvin is a perfect example. For more than a decade, the Magnolia Projects native has built his career on consistency, authenticity and a determination to succeed on his own terms. Along the way, he has developed a loyal cult following that continues to support his music year after year. Before stepping in front of the camera as a rapper, Neno Calvin spent time behind it, shooting
Jul 30
When Mase Signed To Bad Boy Records In 1996, He Received A One-Time Payment of 20,000 For His Publishing Rights
#NOLAZINE - When Mase signed with Bad Boy Records in 1996, he received a one-time payment of $20,000 in exchange for his publishing rights—a deal that would later spark a long-standing dispute between him and Diddy. In 2020, Mase publicly called out Diddy, revealing that he had offered $2 million to buy back his publishing rights. However, Diddy refused, stating that Mase would have to match the offer from a white investor in order to regain ownership. After years of frustrat
Jul 30
Before Singer Tina Turner Passed Her Husband Erwin Bach Donated His Kidney to Save Her Life
#NOLAZINE - The legendary Tina Turner found not only love but also unwavering devotion in her longtime partner and husband, Erwin Bach. The couple, who were together for nearly 40 years, shared a bond built on love, sacrifice, and deep admiration for one another. In 2017, Bach made the ultimate gesture of love by donating one of his kidneys to save Tina’s life. The singer had been battling kidney disease, and without a transplant, her condition was dire. Recalling the moment,
Jul 30
Jada Pinkett Donated $100,000 Towards 2Pac's $3-Million Dollar Bail To Help Him Get Releases From Jail in 1995
#NOLAZINE - Jada Pinkett and Tupac Shakur shared a deep and well-documented friendship, one that remained significant even as their lives took different paths. In 1995, when 2Pac was serving time at Clinton Correctional Facility, Jada stepped up in a major way—donating $100,000 towards his $3 million bail, which ultimately helped secure his release. At the time, 2Pac was facing legal troubles and had been sentenced to prison, but Suge Knight and Death Row Records orchestrated
Jul 30
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