African American NFT Artists Are
Making Their Mark on the Art World
May 13, 2023
The world of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, is still relatively new, but African American artists are quickly making their mark on the scene. These artists are using NFTs to showcase their creativity and to connect with a global audience.
Otha “Vakseen” Davis III is a multimedia artist who uses NFTs to explore themes of race, identity, and culture. His work has been praised for its originality and its powerful message.
Diana Sinclair is a photographer who uses NFTs to document the Black experience. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
One of the most prominent African American NFT artists is Lana Denina. Denina is a Montreal-based painter who has seen amazing success since learning about NFTs in January of 2021. Her work, which often features bold colors and geometric shapes, has sold for millions of dollars.
Another up-and-coming African American NFT artist is Iris Nevins. Nevins is a photographer and filmmaker who uses NFTs to create immersive experiences. Her work has been featured in galleries and museums around the world.
Andre Oshea is a 3D animator who has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. His NFTs, which often feature futuristic landscapes and characters, have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
These are just a few of the many African American NFT artists who are making their mark on the art world. Their work is innovative, inspiring, and thought-provoking. It is clear that NFTs are providing a new platform for African American artists to share their stories and to connect with a global audience.
Upcoming Projects by African American NFT Artists
In addition to their already impressive body of work, African American NFT artists have a number of exciting projects in the works. Here are a few of the most anticipated projects:
Lana Denina is working on a series of NFTs that will explore the intersection of art and technology.
Iris Nevins is developing an NFT-based game that will allow users to explore her immersive worlds.
Andre Oshea is creating a series of NFTs that will tell the story of Black history in America.
Otha “Vakseen” Davis III is working on a project that will use NFTs to raise awareness about social justice issues.
Diana Sinclair is developing an NFT-based platform that will showcase the work of Black photographers.
These are just a few of the many exciting projects that African American NFT artists are working on. It is clear that the future of NFTs is bright, and that African American artists are playing a major role in shaping that future.
Hip Hop Culture: The Beginning
Celebrating Hip Hop 50th Anniversary March 8, 2023
In August of 1973, a new culture was born in the Bronx borough of New York City that would change the face of music and fashion forever. Hip hop, a cultural movement that encompassed music, dance, fashion, and art, emerged as a creative outlet for young African American and Latino communities who were marginalized and ignored by mainstream society.
The origins of hip hop can be traced back to block parties in the Bronx, where DJs like Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash would mix together funk and soul records to create extended dance breaks that would keep the party going all night long. These DJs were the pioneers of what would become known as "breakbeats," the foundation of hip hop music.
At the same time, young people in the Bronx were developing a new style of dance called breaking, or breakdancing, which involved acrobatic moves and athletic footwork. This style of dance would become synonymous with hip hop culture, and break dancers like Crazy Legs and Rock Steady Crew would go on to achieve worldwide fame.
Hip hop culture also gave rise to a new fashion style, which included baggy pants, sneakers, and oversized t-shirts. This style was a reflection of the hip hop community's desire to create their own identity, separate from mainstream society.
In addition to music, dance, and fashion, hip hop culture also included a strong visual art component, with graffiti artists like Lee Quiñones and Lady Pink using the walls of the Bronx as their canvas to express their creativity.
Despite facing initial criticism and opposition, hip hop culture quickly gained popularity and spread to other cities across the United States and around the world. Today, hip hop is a global phenomenon that has influenced countless musicians, artists, and fashion designers, and continues to be an important cultural force.
As hip hop culture celebrates its 50th year anniversary, it is worth remembering the origins of this movement and the communities that gave birth to it. From humble beginnings in the Bronx, hip hop has become a cultural touchstone for millions of people around the world, and its impact on music, dance, fashion, and art will continue to be felt for generations to come
Grand Master Flash
Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Roxanne Shante and Biz Markie
Jack Daniels Launches AR NFT Campaign
March 7, 2023
In a bid to enhance the experience of whiskey enthusiasts, Jack Daniels has launched an augmented reality (AR) NFT campaign that offers a unique and immersive way to explore the brand's rich history.
The renowned Tennessee whiskey brand has collaborated with AR platform Vatom Labs to create a series of NFTs that can be purchased and collected by fans. The NFTs feature iconic moments and objects from Jack Daniels' 150-year history, including the original Jack Daniels distillery, the famous black label bottle, and the brand's distinctive Lynchburg location.
What sets this NFT campaign apart is the use of augmented reality technology, which allows collectors to view and interact with their NFTs in a whole new way. By scanning the NFTs with their smartphones, fans can unlock hidden content and animations, bringing the history of Jack Daniels to life.
The NFT campaign is being launched as part of Jack Daniels' 150th-anniversary celebrations, which kicked off earlier this year. The brand has been exploring innovative ways to engage with its fans and share its story, including the release of a special limited-edition whiskey and a virtual reality tour of the distillery.
Commenting on the launch of the AR NFT campaign, Jack Daniels' Global Chief Marketing Officer, Matt Blevins, said: "We're always looking for new and exciting ways to connect with our fans, and this AR NFT campaign is a perfect example of that. By combining cutting-edge technology with our brand's rich history, we're offering something truly unique that we believe will appeal to both whiskey enthusiasts and NFT collectors."
The NFTs are now available for purchase on the Vatom Labs platform, with prices ranging from $50 to $500 depending on the rarity and uniqueness of the NFT. As well as offering a unique collectible for fans, the campaign also represents an exciting new frontier for the world of NFTs, which are increasingly being used to enhance the experience of traditional brands and products.
Comedian Chaunté Wayans
March 6, 2023
Following in her family's legendary footsteps, Chaunté Wayans has proven that funny is in her genes. As humbled as she is to be a part of the family legacy, she proudly represents this new generation of Wayans' making it's mark in Hollywood.
Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, Chaunté Wayans is more than her famous last name. “I've lived between two different worlds my entire life. I grew up with the famous last name, minus the lavish lifestyle.” Chaunté blows away audiences with a unique ability to invite them into her unconventional life while being very relatable. Her comedy often revolves around her experiences as a lesbian and how it’s helped her see both sides of a relationship, whether masculine or feminine. “My life is an open book.” says Chaunté, “From growing up, trying to keep up with the famous last name and lifestyle, coming out of the closet, to battling and surviving the addiction to alcohol and drugs
Since pursuing a career in stand up comedy Chaunté has toured nationally with Russell Peters, Katt Williams, David Alan Grier, and her uncles Marlon, Shawn, and Damon Wayans and has fulfilled a dream to perform at New York's famous Madison Square Garden numerous times.
Chaunté is a featured cast member on MTV’s hit show Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out and was also featured on TLC’s Trading Spaces. Most recently, Chaunté has appeared on Bounce TV’s Off the Chain and NickToon’s animated series ThugaBoo. She can be also seen on Katt Williams’ special Kattpacalypse, films Hollywood Misconceptions and Dance Flick.
When she is not touring or filming, Chaunté likes to spend time volunteering by feeding the homeless, performing stand up at women's shelters, and giving speeches on bullying at high schools.
Follow Chaunté Wayans
NFT Artist Spotlight
March 6, 2023
One of the most prominent artists was Trevor Jones, who had recently sold a collection of his NFTs for over $6 million at a Christie's auction. Jones, who is known for his colorful and surreal digital artwork, was working on a new project called "The Alchemist" that promised to be even more ambitious than his previous work.
Another artist to watch was Osinachi, also known as "Osisioma" or "the god of line," whose intricate and detailed line drawings had gained a following among NFT collectors. Osinachi had just released a new collection of NFTs called "African Mythology" that drew on traditional African folklore and imagery.
A third artist making waves was Krista Kim, who was known for her bright and playful digital art that often featured futuristic or sci-fi themes. Kim had just announced a new project called "Mars House" that would be a fully immersive virtual experience built around one of her NFTs.
Overall, the NFT art world was exploding with creativity and innovation, and these inspiring artists are at the forefront of this exciting new movement.
As NFTs continue to gain mainstream acceptance, it will be fascinating to see what these artists create next.
Trevor Jones
Osinachi
Krista Kim