50 Cent, QR Codes, Strippers, AI, Barbie: A Sizzling Issue Of My Weekly Cultural Intelligence Brief. Click now!

Okay, Everyone! This issue has a bunch for you due to the holiday break last week. Here we go!

1) This one just may give the music industry a run for its money. For a number of reasons, this new move by TikTok to actually create its own charts (music hits) feels fresh, hot, and powerful. It's about time "Billboard" got a bit of a shove over. Indeed, the trade recently even published a listicle of sorts about power players in hip hop. It was reported to be selected by the industry. However, IMO, kinda too little, too late. Now, with the AI-infused power of TikTok letting users know what the top 50 cuts are (no doubt, many of them to come from the hip hop genre), the virality, the dances, the immediacy, this could make for an entirely new power dynamic in the record industry. I'm definitely here for it. Read the full story here.

2) So, QR codes are being used by the soft-drink brand Sprite for Hip Hop's 50 anniversary. This brand has been a long-time supporter of the culture, however, I am surprised that the company didn't do just a bit more than a simple QR code leading to a digital "drop shop" with giveaways. I would love to see something more edgy and innovative here. What a perfect opportunity to leverage a bit of Web3, create a summer-long community around the topic, and obtain deeper data on consumer interests while bringing them closer to the huge roster of artists the company has tapped for commercials. *sigh* Read the full story here.

*** Quick Note: if you are someone who wants to learn more about this powerful space of youth culture and how you can use it to better connect Gen Z and Millennials and/or become part of the cultural narrative, connect with celebrated recording artists/notables in the space, and/or creates brand?strategy,?DM me to discuss further. Hip Hop is where the power to connect resides. I provide strategy and consulting for demystifying relevant emerging tech, defining the cultural opportunity, and defining a roadmap for success for competitive advantage.?Book ?me to speak, as well for these same insights for your leadership team.

3) Yet more documentaries are in the works! Producer Jermaine Dupri, author Cole Brown, Atlanta Hawks co-owner?Jami Gertz, and Drake’s DreamCrew Entertainment?are collaborating on a docu-series. The project will focus on the legendary strip club Magic City in Atlanta and should be hot, if it's done right. For those who don't know, Magic City is as synonymous with hip hop as a pen and paper. Lots of backstories here. I'm definitely also loving that a woman is involved in the creation of a project for a change. Shout out to Jami. Read the full story here.

4) Quick sidebar: Liking how this guy I just happened to find on Twitter is making his own animated, AI-driven versions of Tupac and Biggie. More to come. Peep it here .

5) And yet more content creation is about to hit the scene. Next up, Cam'ron from back in the day is about to launch his own talk series with none other than Mase. This project is fully funded by Cam. The trailer definitely making the rounds on IG. Take note here: the talk space is deeply appealing to this influential crowd. While podcast listenership goes down in other genres, it's going up in this one. Ditto on terrestrial radio. There is a high value placed upon dialogue and expression. If you want to reach this demo, always keep that in mind. Have a tight sonic/audio game! Read the full story here .

Speaking of the power of using one's voice, here are a few additional news bits for you, as always. Have a great week!