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The Next Crop of Block-Busters: How Jay-Z and Mike Epps are Making Good on Their Connections in High Places

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There’re so many streaming media outlets trying to bundle their service. Industry experts believe that’s become necessary in order to survive. Gen Z’ers might not even know that before there was ‘Netflix and Chill’, there was mail-order DVD delivery. And before that was the Blockbuster store.

Well, the next crop of block-busters isn’t from the movie business. As Hip-Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, a biz mogul is being celebrated with a multi-floor exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library. “The Book of HOV” exhibit celebrates the life & work of Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter, the first hip-hop billionaire.

Gayle King Interviews Jay-Z

While that’s happening in NYC, Comedian Mike Epps has teamed-up with HGTV on ‘Buying Back the Block’ in Indy. He and his TV-producer wife bought six houses where he grew up, turning them from ‘rundown to uptown’ in appeal. He wants to give the community a chance at a hometown comeback.

Jay-Z says it’s important to remember where you came from. This way it can keep you on course for where you’re going. For sure, the exhibit reflects that and captures his many multi-platinum albums. Epps has travelled all over the country and seen ‘blight by flight’ when residents leave and resources scatter.

They’re both making good on their roots, riches and relationships in biz. The fact that the exhibit is in Brooklyn seems to light Jay’s fire as a ‘full circle’ moment. For Epps, one of the houses that went under reno was once owned by his grandmother. They’re at a point of ‘flashback and comeback’ fueled by:        

  • Motivation:- Jay-Z says his upbringing was ‘normal’ but there were times of violence and bloodshed not far away. His success motivation came from not trying to fit-in but to break-out.
  • Mastery:- He and Epps have put in the work to be a master at their craft. That makes it easier to duplicate themselves in other areas even if it’s not the primary skillset that got them famous.
  • Membership:- As the credit card commercial likes to say, “membership has its privileges”. In their case they’re drawing on relationships over the years from their network and net worth.  
  • Meaning:- With many career tracks, there’s a time money is the driver. Then the focus expands to being a mainstay in the game. After a while, it’s about more meaning in your life’s work.           

When asked what’s next, album or enterprise, HOV wasn’t locked-in one way or other. His social justice work is front-and-center. Plus, his NFL collab led to production honors of a Grammy for the Superbowl halftime show in LA. That was nothing short of major considering his life’s journey growing up in danger.

Mike & Kyra Epps

These guys got lots on their plates to keep them busy on the road, in showbiz or family life. They’ve made the money, become a mainstay and are now banking on having more meaning. They’re showing us what it takes to not just make a living but to make a life as the next crop of block-busters. It’s how we’ll roll!

Talkback: What else might Jay-Z or Epps have up their sleeves as top dawgs in the marketplace?

Tip: While making a living gets you going, making a life keeps you on a path of money, mainstay and meaning.

Tracks: Ciara, Chris Brown – How We Roll – https://youtu.be/xnumI3_qt-w?si=49A_QxeAbHLbKdCE

Nailah Blackman – Jam of the Year – https://youtu.be/_EepymWJeXc?si=JnW2rgt-BcYQEKTQ

Beyoncé and Lizzo, ‘Two Peas in a Social Change Pod’ Who Aren’t Just About the Brand but Also Being at Their Best and Taking a Stand

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Remember when Lizzo melted after finding out that Beyoncé sang happy birthday greetings to her? She didn’t think one of her idols would have her on mind. It’s the kind of thing Beyhive fans knew all along. She tries to look beyond herself just like when she called out public officials in the Breonna Taylor case.

These days it’s almost as if Beyoncé and Lizzo are like two peas in a social change pod. They’re looking at the issues and making it plain. They’re connecting with fans letting them know they feel their pain. Over the past few weeks, they’ve been clear about one thing: it’s time to do our civic duty.

The music biz as with everything else has seen shutdown due to Covid-19. Concerts on pause, album drops have slowed. The usual hype before project releases are low-key. That hasn’t stopped these ladies in their tracks. As artists, they aren’t just about the brand, but about being at their best and taking a stand.

With her latest fashion line statement about to drop, Beyoncé is still turning it out. She’s building on the ‘Ivy Park’ brand she started and teamed-up with Adidas. It’s a kind of throwback to an 80s vibe, while the promo says to find your ‘beast bode.’ It’s as if the subtext could also be to flaunt your ‘beauty streak.’

For Lizzo, she’s brought much attention to being ‘body positive’, or as she prefers to say, ‘body normative’. For the ‘big girls club’, she has become proof positive about feeling good in your skin. But what they both bring beyond fashion statement or plus-size placement is how to find your flow when you:

  • Be Still

The impact of Covid-19 on essential workers has been seen over these past months. They tend to be more out-front and vulnerable. The impact to others has been things coming to a grinding halt. For Beyoncé, “It was the first time in my life I’ve been so still.” Sometimes that’s where your flow starts.       

  • Be Creative

After releasing the first edition of the clothing line, Bey’s looking to make waves with the updated looks. During the downtime of her music she’s been busy in the uptime of her fashion. When you flow your gifts, talents and skills, there’s always room to be creative. You might even surprise yourself sometimes.   

  • Be Ready

During the early stages of her music Lizzo wasn’t sure how she’d incorporate her classic side with her pop side. Her classic side comes with the flute. Her pop side comes with the lyrics. But her creative process flows from musical sound to breakout rhythm in turning out the hits with crossover appeal.  

  • Be Real

They both do their best to keep it real. For Lizzo, her ‘real’ flows from not acting like more than who she is, while being ‘bold & fearless’. For Beyoncé her ‘real’ flows from being even bigger than who we think she is, while showing ‘calm & coolness’.  Flow makes you ‘be real’ and when you’re real you find flow.  

As musical artists they might have different ways in how they flow. But as music stars they’re about being at their best and taking a stand on social issues. Their love for the game is just as strong as their love for their fans. And at their best, they make us fell good about ourselves in doing what it takes to level-up.       

Tip: Find your ‘beast mode’ or at least find your flow when you be still, be creative, be ready and be real.

Talkback: Which is it, ‘bold & fearless’ or ‘calm & coolness’ that brings out your best?

Tracks: Ciara – Level Up – https://youtu.be/Dh-ULbQmmF8

James Brown – I Got You (I Feel Good) – https://youtu.be/Lrv-Morm-c0

Will Smith and Ciara on Their Reboot from Hip-Hop to the East Side of Showbiz is a Throwback to Some Old-School Fun

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The Jeffersons and All in the Family, two sitcoms from the 70s, made a return TV appearance with a new cast of characters. Jamie Foxx played the role of George Jefferson while Woody Harrelson played the Archie Bunker role from All in the Family. The ratings were a hit as rumors surfaced of a full reboot.

Well that’s what Will Smith and Ciara are doing in their careers. Their reboot from Hip-Hop to the East Side of Showbiz is a throwback to some good old fun. Just look back to a time when their careers were becoming mainstream and taking the main stage. It’s a way to think about how to pull-off a career reboot.

Smith plays the ‘Genie’ role in the Disney favorite ‘Aladdin’ reboot. He says he was hooked after reading the revised screenplay, in seeing how to play the role made famous by comedian Robin Williams. He’s been turning-up his social media game and hopes his online cred transfers to a new big screen audience.

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Ciara has new music on the charts. Her ‘American candy’ type good looks and music style also has her reaching for new fans. She recently made a pop-up visit to a middle school to give a young fan the surprise of a lifetime. Of course, they did the level-up dance challenge with teachers jamming along.

Both started out their careers in the music industry and have stretched their swag to a wider following. Smith recently turned 50 and so he’s been big on completing bucket list goals. Ciara recently got into Harvard Biz School to fulfill a lifelong professional goal. They plan to do so with new rounds of:

  1. Flow

Both know something about the flow of lyrics in a hot track. They’ve mastered a certain flow as songwriter and a certain flow as rapper. Being ‘in da flow’ is a great feeling when they’re on the mic. The feeling they get from using their lyrical skills is similar to how game skills can put our performance in the zone.

  1. Flava

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Smith says he was able to connect to the Aladdin soundtrack with the song ‘Friend like Me’ because of his Hip-Hop background for rapping. It’s just that he had to bring his own flava to the remix. Over the years he’s come to learn that sometimes a career reboot takes a ‘skill remix’ to keep getting that excitement fix.

  1. Fresh

Career reboots are about keeping it ‘fresh.’ Smith started out as a rapper called ‘Fresh Prince’ and has done a TV series, big box office movies and social media video clips. It’s been 29 years since the first episode of the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’ Now he’s got a new spin with a ‘Fresh Princess’ kids book.

  1. Freestyle

To freestyle in music is to let the lyrics flow from your mind to the mic. Smith and Ciara know that sometimes in biz you gotta freestyle some things to let folks experience your best work. As you free your style or free your game it opens the door for your dreams to flow like the genie on a magic carpet ride.

Maybe it’s just small talk if The Jeffersons or All in the Family will see a full-season reboot. But Smith and Ciara hope to keep living their best life with a reboot of their own. For the love of flow, bringing new flava, keeping things fresh and doing it freestyle is to know your best work is right there like a genie in a bottle.

Tip: Your best work comes from letting your skills and dreams flow like the genie on a magic carpet ride.

Talkback: Was the 70s TV reboot worth the buzz that it was crack-up to be?

Tracks: Christina Aguilera  – Genie in a Bottle – https://youtu.be/kIDWgqDBNXA

Craig David ft Sting – Rise & Fall – https://youtu.be/pU2ukeS2JTE

Rihanna Ready to Do Bigger Things, Kyler Murray Ready to Bring His A-Game; Both Looking to Flex What They’ve Got Next

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Whether as a sports fan or music fan, lots of folk got their eyes on the scoreboard. For sport fans it might be the NBA draft lottery or playoffs where Lebron James is out but Kawhi Leonard is in. After an almost magical game-ending shot, The Raptors moved on to play Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Finals.

For music fans it might be the latest release from Ciara or waiting for the next winner on Idol or The Voice to be crowned. But even those primetime events might not be where it’s at. Folks are also watching for how Rihanna is ready to do bigger things and NFL #1 pick Kyler Murray is ready to bring his A-game.

Both are looking to flex what they’ve got next. Rihanna announced a major partnership for her luxury ‘Fenty’ fashion line with LVMH. Word is that she’s the first woman to have an original line with the iconic fashion house. She’s also the first woman of color to head-up her own high-fashion creations there.

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Murray took to the field recently as part of rookie minicamp. He’s got a lot riding on him playing for the Arizona Cardinals. They’ve had a few losing seasons and are hoping to turn things around with Murray at the helm as QB. In the days ahead, all eyes will be on the scoreboard for both Rihanna and Murray.

They didn’t get to this point overnight. Rihanna now 31, won her first Grammy at 19. She’s produced loads of hits and fans are waiting on her next project which is rumored to be reggae-infused. Murray comes from a football family and can’t wait to develop his pro game. They know it’s about working on the:

  1. Talent

At an early age Rihanna figured-out that she had singing chops. Then she was discovered by Jay-Z whose record label gave her the exposure and the resources for developing her talent. Now she’s a multi-award artist and international icon. She’s turned talent into far-reaching fandom and record sales.

  1. Player

The concern some sports commentators have about Murray is he’s got average height. Will he be able to see over the offensive or defensive lines? What he seems to bring is that he’s not so much a pocket-passer as much as he is an open-field scrambler. Maybe as a player he’s more like a Michael Vick.

  1. Star

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One of Rihanna’s big hits came with the words ‘shine bright like a diamond.’ It’s something she’s been able to do on the world stage. Murray’s got his chance in the big leagues. So what’s it going to take for him to be a star? Maybe a winning record or a breakout performance as rookie and starting QB.

  1. Brand

Just imagine, Rihanna started out as a little-known singer from Barbados. She made a name for herself on the music charts. Then she made some moves into fashion with boots, cosmetics and other sexy apparel. Now she’s stepping up her brand-name mojo and market appeal to having a luxury clothing line.

For Rihanna and Murray, it might feel like they’re at another starting point in their careers. Like a lot of recent college grads, they’re getting ready to flex what they’ve got next. If what they’ve done already in sports and music says anything, then they’re ready to do bigger things and bring their A-game.

Tip: Those ready to flex what they’ve got next bring their A-game to do bigger and better things by taking their talent from ‘diamond in the rough’ to brand-name star.

Talkback: Who’s ready to see Murray’s first scrimmage or waiting for Rihanna’s next album drop?

Tracks: Rihanna – Diamonds – https://youtu.be/lWA2pjMjpBs

Shaggy – Money Up – https://youtu.be/VW5ayZX38Jo

Ciara, Oprah, Their First-Name Status and The Big Rollout to Leave a Mark on the Marketplace with a Big Payback

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Seems like the Spring season kicked-off with so many events for us to go all out. The March Madness frenzy is in full effect where fans get to raise the noise as teams raise their level of play. There was also a Michelle Obama sighting as she returned to her book tour to an arena fill with 18,000 guests.

Recording artist Ciara was in the house along with a few other big-time players in sports and showbiz. Not to be outdone, Oprah made a grand appearance at the Apple launch of their latest tech project. She says they’re partnering to leave the world a little bit smarter, kinder and better than they found it.

Ciara and Oprah with their first-name status and the big rollout, are looking to leave their mark on the marketplace. That’s not some new feeling/fad that’s got them pitching a ‘pie in the sky’ idea. It’s really them connecting with folks in ways that excite new ventures in technology along with hopes and dreams.

Outside of those times Ciara gets to shake, bounce and pop in music she’s giving talks to industry/sports groups on the challenges of life-role balance. Beyond those times Oprah gets to share content, impact culture and deliver entertainment, she’s big on spreading ‘aha moments’ to rev-up life.

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What we see with them points back to times they took a chance, made a shift, or set a goal to stretch them from where they were to where they could be. This latest effort with Apple is one Oprah is gushing about. It gives her another way to show that achieving fulfillment in career and life is in how we affect:

  1. The Game

This takes some passion. For Oprah it started with her doing the local news. Her passion was working in journalism. Then she made the shift to hosting her own talk show which changed the game as we knew it. Oprah and Ciara show that passion is in how we master the game and how we level-up the career field.

  1. The People

Most folks remember the Oprah show episode when she said these words: “you get a car, you get a car, err’body gets a car.” That was one of those moments where she did something special for the audience. She’s been doing that not only with financial gifts but also serving in ways guided by a sense of purpose.

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  1. The World

Ciara’s fans love her music and how she celebrates sexy. It sure lights-up the faces of many a guy and girl. Oprah says her calling is as a kind of teaching guru. That’s why she’s revamping her book club. She uses it to bring light to the world and maybe has a big payback by making God look good in the process.

  1. The Times

Along with her professional duties, Ciara is busy being a mom. She’s helping her kids get through their times-table so they can multiply faster. But Oprah chooses to multiply numbers faster with vision, passion and mission to affect millions. That’s how they and other major players affect the times and the ages.

Ciara and Oprah give us inspiring notes on how fulfillment means having our whole-self matter in the best ways possible. Not everybody gets to have first-name status in pop culture. But they do, maybe because they’re loved for what they represent and how they affect the game, the people, the world and the times.

Tip: There’s no greater sense of fulfillment from making a difference than how we bring love to affect the game, the people, the world and the times.

Talkback: Ready to get your game on, excite the people and impact the world for all times?

Tracks: Kirk Franklin – Love Theory – https://youtu.be/3aD8OK07iIY

Aloe Blacc – Wake Me Up – https://youtu.be/M_o6axAseak

Rihanna & Steve Harvey on How Doing Great Work Takes More Than Just Winning at Awards Shows

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No matter how you feel about the recent Emmys, it’s safe to say the stars came out before night. The pre-show gets folks ‘spilling some tea’ or flashing some skin. The fashion runway is where some go to work. It’s also where some come to play. But doing great work is more than just winning at awards shows.

Think about Rihanna and her philanthropic efforts. She’s bringing attention and resources to the issue of global education. She’s putting a spotlight on places around the world where getting an education is less a right and more a luxury option. She hopes to train-up a ‘schooled generation.’

Recently Steve Harvey and his wife got props for social media posts of their grandchildren showing some home training. The Harvey’s were sure to give credit to the kids’ parents. The clips became a ‘cheek pinch’ moment that might even be seen some time later in a segment on his daytime TV show.

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Their efforts remind us of the steps that are involved to train-up as a child or as an adult. Plus, there’s a difference between how we train-up for a job and how we level-up for a great performance. It’s as if life has an Act I with formal educational training and an Act II of more informal training that’s ongoing.

Rihanna made a similar point in a recent Op-ed article where she talked about her education experience in Barbados. But she’s also grateful for the global education she’s gotten from traveling the world through music. For them, great work and ‘hustle love’ is in travelling the 4-corners of success by way of:

  1. The Dream – and how gifts let you pop

In his book Harvey talks about discovering your gifts. A gift is like your secret sauce, your magic potion, your hidden gem. How gifts work is like popcorn. Each kernel has a pocket of water. As the temperature rises it becomes steam which makes the kernel pop. As your energy kicks-in, gifts let you rise & pop.

  1. The Calling – and how hope lets you shine

Oftentimes ‘calling’ is seen as a ‘church’ thing. But really calling comes in grades just like colors come in shades. Sometimes professional, sometimes spiritual. More generally for Rihanna and Harvey, it’s the true essence for which before they were born they were equipped to be a lighthouse to the world.

  1. The Purpose – and how heart-string lets you care

It seems like Rihanna is expanding her global outreach with a greater sense of purpose. Purpose for her might be to raise-up kids with broader educational opportunities. Purpose for Harvey might be to train-up young boys into manhood. In other words, purpose is about how they serve some earthly good.

  1. The Flow – and how love-force lets you go

Imagine if the ocean had no current, what would make it go? If your home had no electricity, what would make your devices go? Well love-force is like current and electricity. It lets you go. And whether the going for Rihanna and Harvey is about ‘hustle love’ at work or play it lets them move and groove.

Rumor has it Rihanna’s working on her next project. Some say it’s gonna to be reggae-strong. Time will tell. In the meantime, she’s busy putting her passion to work in other ways. Who knows what Harvey’s got up his sleeves. But as they travel the 4-corners of success they get to level-up their name and their game.

Tip: Successful people use GPS as their ‘Go-to Positioning System’ to get things poppin’ and rollin’ for a great performance at work.

Talkback: Was the Emmys a hit or a miss? Was there a ‘cheek pinch’ moment?

Tracks: Gregory Isaacs – Rumors (Reggae) – https://youtu.be/rAMT16tYO34

Ciara – Level Up – https://youtu.be/Dh-ULbQmmF8

T.I. Took a Step Back, Ciara took a Step Up; How Tomorrows ‘Hot Steppers’ Take Strides #BigTimeUniversity

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine with Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (Old-School Flava)

Is the ‘mannequin challenge’ blowing-up on social media? It’s the new craze after Halloween and before Thanksgiving. So Ciara might be getting ready now that she’s Revlon’s Global Ambassador. But it’s the ‘big brother challenge’ that’s got T.I. talking. They show us how tomorrows Hot Steppers take strides.

After Lil Wayne’s comments in a TV interview T.I. wrote “You have to get outta that bubble that you’ve been living in & get out here & educate yourself on what’s going on around US!!!” T.I. took a step back and Ciara took a step up to be on point. It’s the best way to move your game from learning to leading.

It’s as if TI’s message to Wayne was “bro it’s ok to get jiggy with it, but after a while you gotta get woke.” That’s true for breaking out of any kind of bubble. It’s a case of Weezy getting to see that you don’t have to know everything. But even while flexing his rap game he gotta know something about something.

Ciara is making her beauty pay and T.I. is making things plain. He’s pouring out his soul before it gets old. It’s like the elevator ride going from the ground floor to the penthouse. Somewhere along the lines you’re gonna get lifted. T.I knows to reach the top spot or stay red hot also means getting others lifted.

Weezy came clean on how the reporter’s question got under his collar. He apologized for the crazy answer, taking the road to a better man. Things are happening for Ciara too. She hopes to keep burning up the music charts. It won’t hurt if her market appeal keeps rolling in style which is sure to feel good.

Groove-Track: Tony Toni Tone – Feels Good – https://youtu.be/Jfoxsfhi-kk

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine With Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (New-School Flava)

Seems ‘mannequin challenge’ taking off quick. On social media the best place to stick. New craze after Halloween fright night. And Before Thanksgiving dinner bite. Ciara getting ready now. As Revlon’s Global Ambassador wow. ‘Big brother challenge’ got T.I. talking. As Hot Steppers taking strides and balling.

After Lil Wanye’s big reveal. TV interview on Nightline for real. T.I. saying dude it’s ok to be the sh**. But looks like Wayne’s gotta get out a bit. To educate himself beyond the studio. On what’s happening outside Hip-Hop rodeo. A step back or step up to make a point. Best way to learn & lead without the joint.

As if T.I. wants Wayne to know. Getting ‘jiggy’ is cool but get with the flow. After a while gotta get woke. Since life in the streets ain’t no joke. True for breaking-out the ‘made it’ bubble. And not getting lost in stink rubble. Don’t have to know e’rthing in full. But gotta know something about something for more pull.

Ciara keeps making her beauty pay. And T.I. making things plain his way. Pouring out soul before things get old. While the iron’s still hot not cold. Like elevator going from ground floor. To penthouse with double door. Gotta get lifted to the spot. Also getting other lifted to stay hot.

Weezy came clean like a scholar. Reporter’s question got under his collar. Apologized for the crazy things he said. Taking road to being a better man instead. Things happening for Ciara too. She’s happy with Russell her boo. Hopes to keep climbing music charts. Sending ‘feel good’ vibes with kisses and hearts.

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Tip: Tomorrow’s Hot Steppers take strides to get in the flow or move closer to making the doe.

Talkback: So has the dust settled between T.I. and Weezy?

Groove-Tracks: CL – Lifted – https://youtu.be/Mr29X77OA5g

Leon Bridges – Better Man – https://youtu.be/pgS_xob1x4A

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST