Ebuzz News
Trinidadian Mentor of Nipsey Hussle Set to Release Nipsey NFTs.
Dexter Browne, the Trinidadian mentor of martyred Hip Hop legend Nipsey Hussle, has announced the release of a special NFT offering called ‘Nipsey Hussle: the Early Years.’ The NFT’s are set to be dropped at the end of May 2024.
The announcement came on Easter Sunday- on the 5th anniversary of Nipsey’s March 31st murder in Los Angeles in 2019. There will be 3 tiers of NFTs- numbering 10, 10, and 100- in descending order of price. The NFTs are a Tribute to the progressive values Nipsey stood for and are also a mentor’s salute to the idea that all youths can be redeemed. The NFTs are created in collaboration with Digital Artist Jean ‘Normal Normal’ Benoit and Multi-media Artist/ Cultural Activist, Rubadiri Victor.
NFTs have become unique and creative holders of value in the Digital Age. NFTs- or non-fungible tokens- are unique digital objects that are recorded digitally on a blockchain and are used to certify ownership and authenticity. They cannot be copied, substituted, or subdivided. Although the market for NFTs is going through a cool period following the bubble of 2021 to 2023, NFTs have fetched prices as high as US$93 million. NFTs are unique digital artefacts in this online Age and take all kinds of shapes- from paintings to cartoons to stunning animation .
The premium Nipsey NFT- which will be offered first to certain collectors and museums- will consist of a series of never seen before photographs of Nipsey in the 5 years under Browne’s tutelage after the young Ermias Joseph Asghedom was kicked out of school and was working on the streets. It will also include a short documentary about the period that Nipsey and a cohort of young people- including boys from the Rolling 60s gang- spent under Dexter and his wife Lisa’s tutelage- and as part of their Buttervision multi-media Movement. The NFTs also include a series of other rare collectibles.
Dexter’s personal collection contains hundreds of photographs of Nipsey as he grew from boy to man and creative powerhouse. The collection also contains music, interviews, and videos created by and with Nipsey from this fertile period. Most of Nipsey’s first recorded music is in this collection. This itself is a small fraction of Browne’s larger portfolio of tens of thousands of photographs that he took of young Black Hollywood and Hip Hop as he recorded their lives and created their professional dossiers. During this period- when Dexter had ‘adopted the boys from the Crips, and others from inside and outside the neighborhood- he was also working with movie and TV stars, super models, musicians, porn and sports stars, and politicians. These range from Gabrielle Union to Kat Williams, from Vanessa Williams to Rick James. All of this context is in the premium Nipsey NFT.
A media statement issued further explains that Dexter had gifted Nipsey and the boys with a fully outfitted multi-media studio that they had 24 hours access to- once they left gang beef at the door. They also had to listen to Dexter’s Pan-African consciousness, which he had imbibed as a civil engineer student at Howard University. Nipsey benefitted from being around the celebrity and the progressive ideas of Buttervision. Buttervision itself was a multi-media collective that saw itself as using the new digital technology of the late 1990s and early 2000s to try and create an alternative to Hollywood and mainstream media, which marginalizes and stereotypes black and brown people. Dexter’s ideas of Digital Defiance, Undisturbed Culture, and more, would find their most willing student in Nipsey Hussle.
The ‘Nipsey Hussle: the Early Years’ NFTs will be available at the Open Sea NFT site at the end of May. Details of the offering will be announced on the site, at the Undisturbed Culture Facebook page, and at Buttervision.com.
Caribbean Buzz
Lil’ Bitts Vows Never to Miss de Mas Again as She Prepares for a Jam-packed 2025 Season
After two decades in the business, Lil’ Bitts—aka Shivonne Churche-Isaacs—has made a vow she plans to keep: never again will she sit out Carnival. The multi-talented artiste, known for her infectious energy and stage presence, has had a front-row seat to Trinidad and Tobago’s iconic festival season for years, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. She still remembers the shock she felt when she made the decision to skip the parades on Carnival Monday and Tuesday one season, only to end up physically sick. “I got sick—like, literally,” she admits. “I’ll never ignore Carnival’s call again.”
This year, Bitts is more than ready to hit the streets with Yuma for an unforgettable Carnival 2025. The excitement is palpable as she gears up for what’s sure to be a thrilling season, both on and off the road.
Rising to the Occasion with “Brighter Days”
With five songs under her belt and a growing social media presence, Lil’ Bitts is enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Her Instagram and other platforms have become hubs of interaction with fans, opening doors to new collaborations and promotional opportunities. “Social media is the ultimate artiste toolkit,” she says, urging fellow performers to embrace the digital world to connect with their audiences.
One of her most highly anticipated projects is the track “Brighter Days,” which she says has been in the works for three years. Produced by Gaffa Productions, the song has become a personal passion project. “This one is really special,” she shares. “The world needs positivity right now, and I feel like this song is necessary.” She credits the magic of modern technology for making it all come together, working with talented producers like Stemz, District 6 Studios, and Benje Music in hybrid mode from different locations in the region. She’s also collaborated with M1 on a single called “Wetter” for the 2025 season. “We’ve been talking about working together for years, and I’m so happy it’s finally happened,” she says. “M1’s a unique talent; there aren’t a lot of artistes like him.”
A Dream Come True: Chutney and Multi-Cultural Magic
As if things weren’t busy enough, Lil’ Bitts has recently ventured into the world of chutney music. She got a call from the Pungalunks Factory to contribute vocals for a track with Reshma Ramlal, the Warrior Princess herself. The track, “Poowah Nah Ready,” is a dream come true for Bitts, who has always had an affinity for East Indian culture. “When I was a kid, I loved dressing in Indian clothes and watching Bollywood movies. I knew I wanted to do a Chutney song one day, but it had to feel natural. And this—this feels right,” she said. Bitts reflects on how much she’s learned and appreciated about Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural beauty through this experience. “The energy on set, the unity—it was amazing. We’re one people, and that’s something I never want to forget.” The collaboration has already earned a place in the spotlight, with Ramlal making it into the semi-finals of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition.
Caribbean Buzz
$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.
The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.
In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.
“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”
For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.
-
Caribbean Buzz1 week ago$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
-
Music News1 week agoProblem Child, Bunji Garlin, Skinny Fabulous Ride New ‘Powerful’ Riddim. 47 Productions Eyes Road March.
-
Caribbean Buzz16 hours agoLil’ Bitts Vows Never to Miss de Mas Again as She Prepares for a Jam-packed 2025 Season