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'99 Problems' But Money Ain't One: Jay-Z Doubles Net Worth in Record Time

Posted by: JG Posted date: Friday, March 24, 2023 / comment : 0 , , , , ,

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Sean Combs
Jay-Z is pictured on the far right with Diddy, a current member, and Ye, a former member, of hip-hop's three-comma club.
Hip-hop impresario Jay-Z has once again proven that he's not just a businessman; he's a business, man.

The "99 Problems" artist has surpassed other notable billionaires, such as former NBA icon Michael Jordan ($2 billion) and Apple CEO Tim Cook ($1.8 billion), having doubled his net worth in record time over just a few short years.

According to Forbes, the Brooklyn-born rapper's net worth has reached a staggering $2.5 billion, placing him at No. 1,209 on the list of the world's wealthiest individuals. He's rubbing shoulders with media powerhouse Oprah Winfrey, who shares the same net worth and comes in at No. 1,204.In 2020, Forbes estimated Jay-Z's net worth to be $1 billion, which increased to $1.4 billion in 2022. During that same year, Jay-Z was named the third highest-paid entertainer after he sold his stakes in the music streaming platform Tidal and the champagne brand Armand de Brignac.

The Grammy winner's latest increase in net worth is largely due to his February deal with Bacardi over the D'ussé cognac brand. Bacardi acquired a majority stake in Jay-Z's stake in the brand, leaving the rapper with a "significant ownership role."

In addition to profits from his music, Jay-Z's fortune is the result of his successful business ventures, which have included investments in real estate, art, and spirits. In 2019, he was hailed as the first hip-hop billionaire, surpassing his former protege Kanye West.

Jay-Z's wife, Beyoncé, who has been married to the rapper since 2008, also has a significant net worth of $450 million, according to Forbes.

Watch: New Trailer for 'Dear Mama' Docuseries Offers Intimate Look into Tupac Shakur's Life with Mother Afeni

Posted by: JG Posted date: Thursday, March 23, 2023 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , ,

Screengrab YouTube/FX

FX has unveiled the official trailer for "Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni & Tupac Shakur," a new
docuseries that delves into the intricate bond between rapper Tupac Shakur and his mother, Afeni.

Directed by Allen Hughes, the five-part series promises to provide an intimate, behind-the-scenes look into the lives of Tupac and Afeni through the eyes of those who knew them best.

The show is scheduled to debut on April 21st and features never-before-seen footage of the late rapper, as well as rare audio and vocals. Hulu describes the series as an "intimate wide-angle portrait of the most inspiring and dangerous mother-son duo (Tupac and Afeni Shakur) in American history, whose unified message of freedom, equality, persecution and justice are more relevant today than ever."

Afeni, a Black Panther and political activist who instilled her values of freedom, power, and revolution into her son, speaks about her philosophy of motherhood in the trailer. "It was my responsibility to teach Tupac how to survive his reality," she says.

The docuseries will air episodes 1 and 2 on FX on April 21st at 10 p.m. ET/PT, followed by a new episode every Friday until the series concludes on May 12th, just two days before Mother's Day.

In addition to the series, fans can look forward to the upcoming release of the first and only Estate-authorized biography of Tupac Shakur, written by author Staci Robinson. While the book is set for a fall 2023 release, it is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.

Check out the trailer below:

Isley Brothers in Legal Battle Over Band Name Trademark

Posted by: JG Posted date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 / comment : 0 , , , ,

The Isley Brothers, an iconic R&B group founded by six siblings, are currently embroiled in a legal dispute between former bandmates and brothers Rudolph and Ronald Isley.

In August, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Ronald exclusive rights to the "Isley Brothers" trademark, a decision that Rudolph is currently contesting in court.

Rudolph filed a lawsuit against his younger brother, alleging that Ronald unfairly obtained exclusive rights to the trademark without his knowledge. Rudolph is seeking a trial by jury to regain his "rightful 50% share" of the Isley Brothers empire.

According to court documents, Rudolph claims that all profits and property accrued under the Isley Brothers trademark have been divided equally among the group's founding members since the band's inception. However, Ronald's team argues that Rudolph is no longer qualified for partial ownership of the band name.
The brothers had previously agreed to a 50/50 ownership of the band and trademark after the death of their eldest brother, O'Kelly Isley, in March 1986. Rudolph departed from the group in 1989 due to health issues and the loss of his brother but has remained involved in managing and promoting the group's properties. Ronald and Ernie Isley have continued to perform under the Isley Brothers moniker as a duo.

Ronald's team stated in a letter that they have no issue incorporating Rudolph into Isley Brothers business, but only for the years that Rudolph was a working member of the group. "Rudolph retired in 1986, has had no involvement in any of the compositions/body of works done after he retired, and has not performed with The Isley Brothers since the death of O'Kelly Isley," the letter continued.

The case is currently making its way through the Illinois court system, and the fate of the Isley Brothers trademark remains uncertain.

Formed in Cincinnati in the 1950s, the group has been active for over six decades, releasing numerous hit songs such as "Shout," "Twist and Shout," "This Old Heart of Mine," "It's Your Thing," and "Contagious." The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

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