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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 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
Wags Food & Culture Is a Hidden Gem on the West Bank of New Orleans
#NOLAZINE - Wags Food & Culture is a hidden gem serving some of the best home-cooked comfort food on the West Bank. Owned by Larry Collins, this popular neighborhood restaurant has earned a loyal following with its fresh, flavorful dishes and welcoming atmosphere. Wags Food & Culture offers a delicious blend of soul food, Cajun, Creole, and Caribbean influences. The restaurant is known for preparing its food from scratch and serving the type of meals that remind customers of
Jul 26
Alabama Lash Technician Killed After Reported $15 Deposit Dispute, Authorities Say
#NOLAZINE - A tragic case out of Alabama has sparked widespread outrage after authorities said a dispute over a $15 lash appointment deposit allegedly escalated into the death of a 23-year-old lash technician. According to reports, Chyna Hickman, a 23-year-old Alabama entrepreneur who worked as a lash technician, became involved in a disagreement over a $15 deposit for a beauty appointment. Investigators say the dispute ultimately turned deadly, leaving Hickman dead and shock
Jul 21
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
New Jersey Father Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison After Punch That Killed 70-Year-Old Man Sparks Debate
#NOLAZINE - A New Jersey father has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of a 70-year-old man following a confrontation that has sparked a nationwide conversation about self-defense, racial harassment, and personal responsibility. According to prosecutors, Anthony Collins was involved in a confrontation with Robert May, 70, in Seaside Heights in September 2023. Authorities said Collins punched May during the altercation, c
Jul 21
Driver Crashes Into Wall After Mistaking Wile E. Coyote Mural for Real Tunnel in Mexico
#NOLAZINE - A driver in Monterrey, Mexico, found out the hard way that some things are not always what they appear to be — especially when a cartoon-inspired illusion is involved. The woman reportedly crashed her vehicle into a wall after mistaking a detailed mural of a tunnel entrance for an actual road. The artwork featured Wile E. Coyote painting a fake tunnel on a wall, a direct reference to the classic Looney Tunes gag where the character attempts to trick the Road Runne
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
Why a $100,000 Salary Today Feels Like $50,000 Did in 2000
#NOLAZINE - A six-figure salary has long been viewed as a major financial milestone, but new inflation comparisons show that earning $100,000 a year today may provide about the same purchasing power as a $50,000 salary did in 2000. Over the past 25 years, the cost of everyday life has increased significantly. Housing, groceries, healthcare, education, transportation, and other essential expenses have all become much more expensive, changing what it means to be financially com
Jul 21
Woman Reportedly Creates 25 Fake Social Media Accounts to Test Husband’s Loyalty, Sparking Relationship Debate
#NOLAZINE - A woman’s reported attempt to test her husband’s loyalty has sparked a heated conversation online about trust, insecurity, and whether some relationships are already broken before the final betrayal happens. According to the story circulating online, the woman allegedly created 25 different fake social media accounts using different photos, names, and personalities to see how her husband would respond. Each account was reportedly designed to appear like a differen
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
Georgia Homeowner Cleared After Shooting Armed Teens Who Allegedly Tried to Rob His Family at 4 A.M.
#NOLAZINE - A Georgia homeowner is walking free after authorities determined he was legally defending himself, his family, and his property during a late-night armed robbery attempt that unfolded outside his home. According to officials, the incident happened around 4 a.m. when three masked individuals allegedly approached the homeowner’s front yard with the intent to rob people on the property. The suspects were identified as 16-year-old Isaiah Reid, 15-year-old Jaime Hernan
Jul 21
Nubian Qveen Releases New Music Video for “RNO (Real N*ggas Only)”
#NOLAZINE - Rising Louisiana artist Nubian Qveen is making waves once again with the release of her latest music video, “RNO (Real N*ggas Only).” Representing Marrero, Louisiana, the talented rapper and singer continues to prove why she’s one of the area’s most promising independent artists. Although Nubian Qveen has been recording music since the age of 17, her passion for music began much earlier. She fell in love with the art at just 11 years old, spending years developing
Jul 20
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
Mary J. Blige’s Costly Divorce: Kendu Isaacs’ $130K-a-Month Spousal Support Demand
#NOLAZINE - When Mary J. Blige filed for divorce from her husband of 13 years, Kendu Isaacs, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul found herself in an unexpected legal and financial battle that would become one of the most talked-about celebrity breakups in recent memory. Isaacs, who had served as Blige’s tour and business manager, shocked the public when he requested an eye-popping $130,000 per month in spousal support—citing his need to maintain the lavish lifestyle he had grown used t
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
Meet Stone Cold Jzzle: One of New Orleans Most Underrated Music Artist
#NOLAZINE - New Orleans has always been known for producing artists with their own unique sound, and before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, one artist had the city buzzing with back-to-back records that seemed to be everywhere—Stone Cold Jzzle. If you were outside in New Orleans before the pandemic, chances are you heard "YUP" and "Water." Those two records helped introduce Stone Cold Jzzle to a growing audience and quickly established him as one of t
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
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