Eminem, Apple Vision Pro, Sony, Web3. Click Now For Your Weekly Cultural Intelligence Brief!

Welcome to the second edition of the new year. Naturally, we had to take a break for the MLK holiday last week, but now we are full speed ahead. 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 and the last one for the year. Here we go!

1) He's been spotted out at a recent Detroit Lions game, and now he's actually going to be a judge on Netflix's "Rhythm & Flow." Looks like 2024 is shaping up to be the year when we actually get to see Eminem beyond performing on stage (though always magical). Mathers has historically said that the only reason he's not typically caught on camera while he's out and about in his hometown of Detroit suburbs is due to the lack of paparazzi in that part of the country. While many fans have always debated that idea, looks like the artist is now proving he is not sealed inside of his home. Now, don't get too excited because this Netflix gig is only a special guest appearance, but still. What I would not give for this platform to create a special Web3 community just around this show and appearance compete with a variety of digital assets and more tied to various production elements, engagement, and voting. Would be insane!!!! Ah, the missed opportunity of it all!! Anyway, while we wait for this grand appearance, you can catch the full story here. But that also brings me to...

2) ... the fact that you don't want to miss my next column in NASDAQ. Will be live between Wednesday-Thursday of this week. I'll be dissecting how the new and approved credibility of digital currency (thanks to unprecedented SEC approval of several Bitcoin ETFs) will impact Web3 and the implications of that on the intersection of Web3 and the entertainment industry. You'll be able to catch that right here in just a day or two.

3) So now let's follow up on Apple Vision Pro for a few seconds, shall we? For me, the verdict is still out. Why? Well, the company has already made nearly two-thirds of a billion dollars from pre-orders (wow!), however, some of the very popular kidz like Netflix, Spotify, and others have said that they will not be developing apps for this new platform(boo!). Does this mean that we roll up the carpet on the spatial computing game? Not just yet. I am still wondering what indie developers might have up their sleeves and how the smart ones may collabo with a hip hop artist or two like Sexyy Red to drive the cool factor. I'll be continuing to track this. (Hint: the real play in the music space will be using such devices to expand the concert-going experience. There are at least 10 different ways to do so. Let's see who figures it out first) In the meantime, you can read a pretty good article on the frenzy and stats that are right here (and you gotta luv that hip-hop-inspired title).

*** 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.

I provide strategy and consulting for demystifying relevant emerging tech, defining the cultural opportunity, and defining a roadmap for the new era.

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Don't forget to check out my weekly podcast. Season 2 of "Beats & Bytes" is back and going strong!!! I mix it up between an interview with an industry figure and an 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. ******Episode 2 of Season 3 is live with news that is unique only to the podcast and contains more analysis. In my next episode(always fresh each Thursday), I have a hot interview with the founder of a particular tech company that won an innovation award at CES. It could expand the music industry in an entirely new way. Don't miss it!****** Click now to get the scoop. Apple or Spotify. Please rate and follow!

4) Last issue I gave my thoughts on WMG CEO's 2024 outlook that "Billboard" printed. I have to say that I am feeling UMG CEO's vibe a bit more. There's just a major part missing: it should not just be about "making money off the super-fan," but also doing so in a way that both leverages emerging tech while also providing value and social support to said super-fan, otherwise there won't be many left in the demo to feed off, correct? It's about broadening the vision of reciprocity in the new economic era. Watch this because this is the mindset for the next era of titans. But see what you think. Here is the excerpt from Sir Lucian Grainge:

To kick off the year, Lucian Grainge, the CEO of UMG,?and Robert Kyncl, the CEO of Warner Music Group, both sent out memos to their staff this week, setting priorities for the months ahead. Among other things,?both executives highlighted their focus on monetizing and discovering “superfans.”

Kyncl?calls?it an?area that’s “relatively untapped and under-monetized” while Grainge said his?team will focus on giving artists the power to “create experiential, commerce and content offerings for their fans.”

Last year, Grainge’s?memo?set the tone for a full 12 months of coverage of new streaming models and the battle against artificial intelligence. This year will seemingly be more product-oriented with a concentration on figuring out how to identify and make money off artists’ most diehard?fans.

The wrap-up. As always, here are a few items I'd like to leave you with as additional tools in your strategy arsenal.

• I talk about this in Episode 1 of Season 3 of my podcast. Skim this, then listen to that if you want to ponder the intersection of music, tech, and driving.
• If you're still thinking about the Apple Vision Pro item above, you may want to check out this item on Meta's glasses. It's giving a fashion perspective, but interesting, still.
• Not to be outdone, Sony has a little announcement for you, too ICYMI. But will it become hot enough to inspire classic lines like, "Black Sheep get play like the Sony Innovator"? LOL

Until next week! Have a good one!