AI, Timbaland, Web3, Wu-Tang, Tech, Kendrick Lamar. Click Now For Your Weekly Cultural Intel Brief!

Happy Tuesday! Hope your week is off to a good start. As always, here is a quick look at a few things I'm tracking at the intersection of power, deals, trends in emerging tech, and media/entertainment through a pop culture/hip hop lens. This is fuel for your insights and strategy to better reach GenZ and Millennials.

Here we go!

1) I'm kicking this issue off with a little partnership announcement news. Looks like the legendary Timbaland has become a strategic advisor for the controversial AI music company Suno. Some may remember recent lawsuits from the major labels about copyright infringement from this company and, in turn, a huge pushback from Suno. (I examined this at length in one of my "Beats & Bytes" podcasts during Season 4 or 5, if you wanna check that out.) Looks like the dust has cleared with not only additional investment snagged by the company but also the addition of Timbaland as a guru-of-sorts. This is a solid partnership that seems to be beyond the usual optics given Timbaland's usage and promotion of AI at such conferences as Afrotech and others. His vision is kinda controversial because many don't think that AI-generated posthumous work by icons such as Biggie should be released. I still don't think that the music industry is looking at AI for its marketing strength because it is too focused on this controversial creative aspect. The teams that master strategy around the promo area will be the new titans of the next era. Given that our society is so very much about pitting one side against another, the winners will be those who can unite around different areas in new ways. Mark my words. Read the whole story right here and think about how these elements apply to your plans for 2025.

*** 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 with 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.

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Not ready for a full strategy but definitely looking for insights to better plan for 2024 and beyond? Book?me to speak. From Keynotes to corporate leadership workshops, I provide competitive advantage through powerful insights, cultural intelligence, and emerging tech forecasts. Don't forget to check out my weekly podcast. ***Season 6, Episode 6 is now live! Wanna know what's next at the intersection of AI and music videos? Then click now! *** I mix it up between an interview with an industry figure and analysis of the latest deals and news to help you make sense of the opportunities. Think of it as an extension of your weekly brief here. Click now to get the scoop. Apple or Spotify. Please rate and follow!

2) An intriguing move has been made in the Web3 space! Looks like STR8FIRE has done a deal with the estate of Russell Jones, better known to hip hop lovers as Ol' Dirty Bastard of Wu-Tang Clan fame. The collabo is poised to offer fans a new way to connect with ODB's music, culture, and story. Watch for "phyigitals," gaming, and interactive fan experiences. Now, we've seen a variety of moves over 2024 in the Web3 space x hip hop from Rakim to Coolio and several others. They all seem to have one thing in common: speaking only to those who are already in the Web3 space, down with all the jargon, and on Discord. The many that aren't? Money left on the table. With the new administration coming into the White House and its attitude around digital currency and innovation, 2025 should really be the year when Web3 starts to mature in its marketing outreach. Winners will be those who get behind multilayered approaches that realize the market is fragmented for this space just as all spaces. Thus, varied messaging and activations should be created and deployed. If you meet fans where they are, they will jump on board if the value is plainly communicated and presented. Exciting times for those who move out of their comfort zones fast. In the meantime, read the full story right here.

3) So what do you think about Kendrick dropping a surprise album a few days ago? Naturally, there is much chatter about "GNX." In fact, a particular media outlet gathered 32 of their fave reactions to the album on Twitter. A surprise drop is always a great way to suck all the air out of the room. There is also a fine line between visibility and being ubiquitous (we'll see him again in just a couple of weeks during the Super Bowl halftime performance, ya know). Let's see how this plays out in the long run. While we wait and see how fans toe the line during '25 for Lamar, check out those album reactions right here. Some are hilarious!!

Okay, that's it for me. There will be no issue next week given the lighter news week as a result of the holiday! Have a great rest of the week and a beautiful Thanksgiving!

LdC