Artists including Drake, Rihanna, The Weeknd, and Kendrick Lamar are returning to TikTok, as the platform has reached a new agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG). UMG had recently begun pulling its music from TikTok after their old contract expired, and the two companies couldn’t reach an agreement in new negotiations. What Does The New Partnership Mean? The joint agreement aims to mark a new era of collaboration, built on a shared commitment to help UMG’s artists and songwriters achieve their creative and commercial potential. They are also working together to realize new monetization opportunities utilizing
FKA Twigs has been developing an AI-powered version of herself, designed to interact with fans and journalists online. The British singer testified before Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property on Tuesday, calling for regulation to protect artists. AI Twigs: Revolutionizing Artist-Fan Engagement FKA Twigs recently announced the creation of her deepfake, a digital persona aptly named “AI Twigs.” “In the past year, I have developed my own deepfake version of myself that is not only trained in my personality but also can use my exact tone of voice to speak
Brand new Techish! This week, host Michael continues his conversation with former Radio 1Xtra DJ Reece Parkinson. Listen on Spotify or Apple podcast also. Watch On YouTube: Missed part one of Michael’s chat with Reece? Catch up here.
Venita Cooper and Vincent Sanders have created an AI-powered sneaker resale price-prediction startup – Arbit. According to their website, Arbit is the only price prediction model designed to empower sneaker buyers to get fair prices in the resell market. They collect real-time prices from trusted sites, providing pricing insights and trend analysis that allows users to shop prices on one app. Arbit’s Journey Cooper’s passion for sneaker culture began in 2019 when she opened Silhouette Sneakers and Art in Tulsa, which attracted attention from Brian Brackeen in 2021. After more than four years in the business, Cooper announced
UrbanGeekz, the digital news platform, has announced a content syndication deal with Moovn, a Black-owned ride-hailing service. The collaboration marks the first time a Black-owned news platform has partnered with a ridesharing app to distribute media directly to passengers. Redefining Passenger Experience Embedded within the Moovn app, the content from UrbanGeekz will be accessible to passengers as they travel, transforming ride time into an engaging opportunity for consuming news, feature stories, and videos. “I’ve always been someone who thinks outside the box,” said UrbanGeekz founder and CEO Kunbi Tinuoye. “For years, I’ve had this
Gran Coramino Tequila, the premium tequila brand co-founded by Kevin Hart and Juan Domingo Beckmann, has disbursed over $1 million in grants to Black and Latine entrepreneurs across the United States to date. The Coramino Fund Since its inception in 2022, Gran Coramino has dedicated a portion of its sales to the betterment of underrepresented business owners, committing $1 from every bottle sold to this cause. The Coramino Fund, established in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), has now dispersed over $1 million in grants. This funding has reached over 100
Brand new Techish! This week, host Michael Berhane sits down with former Radio 1Xtra DJ Reece Parkinson. Listen on Spotify or Apple podcast also. Watch On YouTube:
Sundial Media Group (SMG), the parent company of Essence Ventures, has announced its decision to acquire Refinery29 from Vice Media. Refinery29, a prominent women’s lifestyle platform, has faced financial challenges in recent years but remains a key player with its distinct millennial women audience. This acquisition marks a major shift as SMG led by Richelieu Dennis, aims to broaden its reach and influence across the female-oriented digital landscape. Sundial Media Group Acquires Refinery29 Essence Ventures already has several prominent brands under its umbrella, including ESSENCE magazine, AFROPUNK, Girls United, and
Brand new Techish podcast episode! This week, Techish host Michael Berhane sits down with TechCrunch reporter Dominic-Madori Davis to explain why Megan Thee Stallion loves Pinterest and why it’s a respite from all the other social media noise. Listen to the episode: Listen on Spotify or Apple podcast also. Watch on YouTube:
Group Black has announced the acquisition of Galore Media Inc., a digital culture magazine that reaches 15 million users monthly. The Black-owned media company is also expanding its media influence with the launch of the “She’s Good [For Real]” Black women’s health platform and new data technologies. The Galore Acquisition Galore is known for spotlighting cultural icons such as Zendaya, Bad Bunny, and Kylie Jenner on their covers and its collaborations with major brands like Samsung, Apple, and Estee Lauder. “Galore is on the cutting edge of culture and I
