Category: First Class

The best inventions are the ones that make the world around us a better place. The things that fill a void and bring new light to the culture. With the growing impact of cryptocurrency and even athletes securing deals, with crypto being the payable currency, it leaves one to wonder where is music’s place in this whole thing. PurpleThrone has that answer . An American online music distribution platform that specializes in paying royalties with crypto for independent artists. CEO, Aziz M. Bey was gracious enough to take time to answer some questions for us, about this promising new venture. Below is the interview.

What is PurpleThrone Tech Corporation?

PurpleThrone is an American online music distribution platform specializing in paying industry-leading royalties to Independent musicians. We accomplish this using a cryptocurrency called PurpleCoin. We operate for the benefit of our artists and PurpleCoin Medallion stakeholders.

What inspired you to get into the music business?

I started out managing talent in 2007. However, it wasn’t until 2015 did I recognize the need to empower independent musicians. The music industry only cared about celebrity musicians. If you were not signed to a major label, you were irrelevant. But I knew many unsigned artists just as good as the signed artists. Indie artists had no home, no support and made very little money off their content.

What’s your vision for PurpleThrone and what impact do you for see it having on the music business?

Our business model is simple- TO ENRICH, EMPOWER AND INSPIRE EVERY MUSICIAN* IN THE WORLD. We have started this by guaranteeing artists higher royalties in our system. We have a support staff to answer their questions on publishing, licensing, etc. We believe slowly, Indie artists will come to realize that PurpleThrone is the best place to distribute their content and learn about the music industry. Because we are building our own Blockchain, we will have unmatched copyright protection and unprecedented speed to getting musicians their royalty checks. When you work in the independent market, there are no massive publishing company’s or major record labels to hold up payments for 6 months. Artists own their copyrights and we pay out accordingly.

PurpleCoin, is the crypto token that we use to pay out royalties to independent musicians. Artists receive anywhere from 3x – 50x on streaming royalties. With the increased funds, artists can get the social media exposure they desire, industry recognition, book more studio time, rent venues, support music concerts, purchase audio accessories and much, much more. As long as they continue to make high quality content, work hard and move up our PT charts.

What do you enjoy the most about running PurpleThrone? What do you find most challenging?

I find the most challenging part is pitching to artists. Most artist would rather upload their content on FB and receive ZERO royalties rather than make money on PurpleThrone. It’s only because crypto is a new concept and we are a new company. However, I do enjoy the daily innovation of what we do. Every day we show up to work, we engage in scientific experiments. Discovering what works, is a never-ending battle with failure. But when we create something truly magical, our hearts bask in the glow of a future we invented today.

What advice would you give someone trying to start their own company?

I would first say, money should never be your #1 motivation to becoming an entrepreneur. Because when there is no money, you will not survive. And when there is money, you will invest it poorly. So, my advice is, find a business that solves a real problem. Something that you can devote your time, mind, and soul and be happy to do it. I would also advise finding a support group of business owners and executives that will help you. Most of the time, your own family will not support you. I started with the SBA and https://www.score.org/ and the good folks at PACE – https://www.pacesbdc.org/ –

What can people expect next from PurpleThrone?

We are shooting our Q2 promotional campaign this month. Our PurpleCoin Medallion (https://www.purplethrone.com/purplecoin-medallion/) is more than an investment in crypto and artists, it’s a statement of what you believe in. You will find more and more models and trendsetters adorning this medallion. Once the pandemic slows, we will launch our first music festival and of course our top earning artists will headline the event. In short, look out for our advertising in the subway, Social Media, Radio, T.V. and of course excellent publications such as globalmoneyworld.com.

When making a platform it’s important to be innovative in your approach. Bringing fresh ideas, in a new way to not only make you situation better, but the world better. That’s something that will always help things go far, and sky’s the limit for Democharts. An innovative new music network that connect industry experts, labels, and scouts with the next big artists. They were gracious enough to discuss their platform with us, check out the interview below!

What is Democharts?

Democharts aims to be the most exclusive music network worldwide. The platform connects music industry experts, labels and scouts with promising artists. How does it work? The artist uploads his song to Democharts. Industry Experts can now listen to a 60 seconds segment of the song chosen by the artist and rate it. The best performing tracks will be featuredin the “Demo Charts”, a chartlist for unreleased music. The platform is closed gates and all industry experts are verified by our team. 

What is the inspiration behind starting Democharts?

A few years ago, when we were producing music ourselves, we encountered the same problem again and again. A lot of artists with great music and talent without connections to industry experts. Getting honest feedback on songs has been difficult and time consuming. We thought “Let’s build the ultimatemusic scouting platform” and get great music heard by the right people.  

Whats your Vision for Democharts? 

We want to be the #1 music scouting platform in the World, that’s for sure. Our goal is to create the perfect platform for labels, managers, agencies and more to scout undiscovered talents. This way we can give artists a fair chance to be discovered by great people.  

What do you enjoy the most about running Democharts? What do you find most challenging? 

It’s great to work with an amazing team and getting things done. We value every feedback and thoughts on the project and it’s amazing how much supportwe’re getting within the whole industry. The biggest challenge this year was when the whole COVID situation started happening. We knew that some ideas could not be executed in time and our member onboarding got delayed. It was challenging for us at first but we made the best out of it. We still managed to get a complete rebranding done within two months which worked out truly perfectly.  

What impact do you think that Democharts will have on the world?

Democharts will become the go to platform when it comes to pitching new music. Artists will have more time for music creation and won’t have to worry about finding the right connections anymore. In the long term, this will result in better music on streaming platforms, radios or advertisements.  

What can people expect next from Democharts?

We’re planning our launch by the end of 2020. Also we’re implementing a second feature that will help artists to connect with experts directly via video call. 2021 will be an exciting year for us and our supporters. 

Get familiar with Democharts with the link below. Stay Global my Friends!

https://www.democharts.org/

Your mission behind what you try to pursue, is equally as important as what you do. Having something rooted in the right purpose and virtue will always help it last to the fullest. With Branch Off Records it’s about not only making must hear music, but giving back to the people who matter most. Branch Off Records, Co Owner Andre Davis was gracious enough to take some time to answer some questions for us on this thriving company. Below is the interview.

What is Branch Off Records?

Branch Off Records is a family. Formally know as shade tree militia. It’s a ban of brothers an sisters with the same goal which is to be successful in life as well as music an to change lives for our kids family and community.

What inspired you to get into the music business?

My partner coot myesta and his brother (Fuji) and uncle (dred) was doing music as shade tree militia. An was touring up an down the east coast an that’s what I wanted to do so I’m kinda like second generation In the music it’s jus one of those things that I always will love an want to be apart o

What’s your vision for Branch Off Records? 

To change not only our lives an family’s life but to get some of these younger people off the street an show them that there is other ways to live an that anything you set your mind to u can doit

What do you enjoy the most about running Branch Off Records? What do you find most challenging?

My favorite part is the networking with other people involved in the entertainment industry. An to hear people’s story’s an building relationships with different people. The most challenging thing I think I face now is the balance of everyday life and still keeping focus on the music business and actually finding the right formula that works for us to get to the next level.

What advice would you give someone trying to start their own brand?

I would tell them first off to fall in love with it an make a prize possession like a new born baby. Surround yourself with people who are not asking for hands out but rather step in an get dirty with u an finally have fun
What can people expect next from Branch Off Records?- we have several projects recently released singles from my artist (dj Wednesday) net-flixxx (mini mo betta) maxx out (tnt Lil se7en) smoke.

My single is set to drop 5/18 titled “unstable” i am actually going to executive produce release and publish my first rock n roll record I’m really excited about that. Also mini mo betta wil be dropping another single “dead weight” an I will be dropping one ” Quarantine” tnt will be dropping an 7 song mix tape. Last thing lol I will be doing lots an lots of interviews so everyone will be seeing a lot of me and my camp.

Connect with Off Branch Records below and Check out their talent. Stay Global my Friends!

https://www.instagram.com/branchoffrecords/

https://www.instagram.com/olscool23/

Hip Hop has many layers and a lot of History. Since it’s beginning in the Bronx, Hip Hop has grown and expanded any limits one can set on it. Through the years many odes have been given to this genre. From the funk and jazz samples, to the stories told in the rhymes. The story of Hip Hop never gets old.

Author Mwalim brings a fresh approach with his new Hip -Hop Jazz Folklore “Land of the Black Squirrels”. Mwalim was gracious enough to take time to answer some questions for us. Below is the interview.

Who is Mwalim the author?

I’m a writer, and a single dad, and a teacher, and a musician, and… Essentially, I’m a storyteller who choses different mediums through-which to convey my stories. My stories come from experiences, observations, and philosophical contemplations. Storytelling and conversation were strong elements on both sides of my family.

There can be tons of common sense and folk-wisdom in a single story about going to the store. My stories have taken the form of songs. Some of my stories have come out as plays, for stage radio and screen. Sometimes, they’re lectures given to my students on various topics. 

Was there a defining moment when you knew you wanted to be an author? If so what was it?

I actually learned to read by learning how to write. It was a method employed by my second grade teacher, Michael Shaw, who is now a professor and the head of literacy education at St Thomas Aquinas College. Writing was always a side interest to music. I began winning awards for fiction writing when I was a student at Music & Art HS in New York City. I won a couple fo school awards and a couple of city-wide competitions.

I always liked writing short stories and plays, particularly because I like writing dialogues. A full length work only occurred to me when I realized The Bronx Boheme couldn’t be contained in a single story, or novel for that matter. Long-form creative writing is a different animal than the other mediums. In many ways it’s actually a combination of the other techniques.

What was the inspiration behind your new Hip-Hop Jazz Folklore “Land of the Black Squirrels”?

Hip-Hop started in The Bronx, but folks often forget that The Bronx already had strong musical traditions with jazz, calypso, boogalu, soul… generations of musicians lived in the northeast Bronx. Growing up in the northeast Bronx, coming from a music family, and growing up among peers who were musicians and aspiring musicians and performers.

I grew up in the 1970s and 80’s when Hip-Hop was on the rise but there was still a strong jazz and soul music vibe and tradition in the Northeast Bronx. When you grow up playing and instrument, playing in orchestras and bands, and learn music theory, you have a different understanding of hip-hop than a DJ or a rapper. I wanted to make that world the backdrop for the story.

How did you know it was time to release “Land of the Black Squirrels”?

I actually finished the manuscript in 2017. After a hundred of rejection letters, I started getting nibbles and interests from a number of small presses. It was interesting and a little discouraging to see how few African American presses were interested in experimental Black lit. One press actually wanted me to “… put a little more hood…” into the narrative. Finally, Thirty-three Pages, which is based here in Massachusetts, was the best fit.

Were there any obstacles while creating “Land of the Black Squirrels”? If so what were they?

Aside from the time constraints of being a full-time educator, parent, and performing artist? One obstacle was figuring how to tell the story. It began as a short story and evolved into a screenplay, then became an epic poem, and finally a novel. The other challenge was how to tell a multi-layered story.

It was a conversation with the late, great Luis Reyes Rivera that opened up the idea of writing a long-form, jazz poem as a novel and tell the story in the way that memories occur to us as opposed to chronological order; which throws some readers, especially those who have been conditioned by being spoon-fed narratives. Another challenge was finding a publisher. In today’s market, Black American male writers are supposed to only crank out urban lit with speculative fiction following a close second. 

Connect with Mwalim on social media, as well as his website. Stay Global my Friends!

Facebook: BronxBoheme

Instagram: Bronxbohem

Website: www.daphunkeeprofessor.com

Music is a forever growing thing. It’s more accessible than it’s ever been, which means there’s more artist than ever. With more artists around, means there’s more need of a platform for them to be heard. A platform for the culture, that’s dope to not only check out but be apart of, and have integrity in it’s mission. That’s everything that Flyyr Population is and more. The head of the platform Remie Supreme was gracious enough take time to discuss his platform with us. Below is the interview.

What is Flyyr Population?
Flyyr Population represents the demographic of people that consciously live in love and appreciate good music. I like to think of it as a brand that anyone can be apart of and participate in if you understand the vibe. 

What inspired you to start your own media platform?

I was at that point in life where I started to realize my purpose and it’s the relation to what my career should be. So when I asked myself the question of what my passion could be, I could only think of how much Hip-Hop has had an effect on my life. Not just the music though more so the culture. Most of my childhood memories are of me on lime-wire downloading the newest Lil Wayne freestyle or watching Big Tigger in the Basement and 106th & Park.

I also realized how much I always loved discussing the latest current events within the culture. But especially having that feeling of putting someone onto something amazing like Styles P’s Switch My Style Freestyle. Or especially something as monumental as Ray J going in, on The Breakfast Club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX2371V5ta4

Those realizations helped me figure out that media was something I had a true passion for. 

What’s your vision for Flyyr Population?

My plan is to establish a mainstream media outlet driven by love, awareness, and fye music. 

What do you enjoy the most about running Flyyr Population? What do you find most challenging?

I love having an outlet to express consciousness and love that society really needs these days. 

The biggest challenge I’ve been facing is having so many different content ideas like creating various vlogs, talk shows or podcasts to giving care packages to less fortunate people. But I only have x amount of skills. So I’ve been trying to network and build a team, but you see the way my anxiety is set up …

In all honesty, though, I don’t mind the challenge. I know life is really all about the journey and I truly believe I’m on the right path. 
​
What advice would you give someone trying to start their own platform?

Believe in yourself and your purpose and don’t lollygag or wait on anyone. 

What can people expect next from Flyyr Population?

Currently, I’m working on building a radio platform. But you can definitely expect to see the Flyyr Pop brand on your TV, Youtube, or streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, etc. in the future as well! 

Connect with Flyyr Population on their website and follow them on social media. Stay Global my Friends!

www.flyyrpopulation.com

https://www.instagram.com/flyyrxpopulation/