JAY-Z and his cannabis company, Monogram, reportedly quietly backed out of business with its affiliate, The Parent Company (TPCO), before SFGate reported that it suffered over $500 million in losses in 2022, earlier this week. “JAY-Z stepped away years ago and it just went up in a mess,” a source told TMZ Hip-Hop on Tuesday.
Beginning in 2020, Monogram attempted to sell patrons a luxury cannabis experience and, as cannabis expert Seth Yakatan told SFGate, spent “mind-boggling amounts of money” to do so. The brand had features published in GQ, Vogue, and Vanity Fair. It also worked on marketing campaigns with iconic director Hype Williams. In the overpopulated California market, however, Monogram struggled to sell its pricey $50 pre-rolls. “Monogram was supposed to be an ultra-premium product, and I don’t know anyone who tried it and thought it was anything more than mid-tier,” Yakatan said. As for The Parent Company, it has since been absorbed by another company, Gold Flora. The new company has reportedly suffered losses of $56 million this year.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 18: (L-R) Michael Rubin and JAY-Z enjoying his Iconic The 40/40 Club in partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook at the center of Fanatics Fest NYC at Jacob Javits Center on August 18, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fanatics)
When the huge losses were initially reported, they came as a surprise to many fans of the hip-hop mogul who boasts a net worth of over $2.5 billion, according to Forbes. Through his work with Roc Nation, JAY-Z has built an impressive reputation for having great business acumen. He became hip-hop’s first billionaire in 2019.
JAY-Z & Monogram Work With Hype Williams
In other news, JAY-Z announced earlier this week that he’s releasing a coffee table book, The Book of HOV: A Tribute To JAY-Z. Roc Nation and luxury publisher Assouline collaborated on the 432-page project. Check out one of the ad campaigns for Monogram below.
Tony Khan has established himself as a formidable force in the world of sports and entertainment. He has orchestrated a successful career that spans professional wrestling, football, and business ventures, leading to a staggering net worth of $1.5 billion by 2024, as reported by PinkVilla. His leadership roles in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and the Jacksonville Jaguars, among other interests, reflect his diverse portfolio and his strategic vision in leveraging sports entertainment into substantial financial success.
Khan significantly impacted the wrestling world by co-founding All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019. As the President and CEO, Khan has been instrumental in shaping AEW into a major competitor in professional wrestling. This challenge established organizations like WWE. His innovative approach to wrestling entertainment, which emphasizes story-driven matchups and fan engagement, has rapidly grown AEW’s popularity and profitability. Under his guidance, AEW has secured lucrative television deals and expanded its digital presence. It has markedly increased its revenue streams and boosted Khan’s financial profile.
Ventures In Sports Management
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 01: (L-R) Ryan Abboushi, President of All Elite Wrestling. Tony Khan, Jack Whitehall and Jordan Miller attend TBS’s AEW Dynamite. Los Angeles Debut After Party at The Forum on June 01, 2022, also in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery)
Moreover, Khan’s influence extends into football. He serves as the Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. His strategic decision-making and focus on modernizing team operations have been vital in the Jaguars’ business and sporting endeavors. Additionally, Khan is critical in managing Fulham F.C. It is a football club competing in the English Football League. His efforts in these sports franchises have broadened his expertise in team management and marketing and solidified his reputation as a savvy sports executive.
Business Acumen & Philanthropy
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 01: (L-R) Jade Cargill and President of All Elite Wrestling. Tony Khan attend TBS’s AEW Dynamite Los Angeles Debut After Party at. The Forum on June 01, 2022, also in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery)
Apart from his sports-related roles, Tony Khan has also engaged in various business ventures that complement his interests in sports and media. His investments in entertainment companies, support for innovative sports analytics firms, and ventures into other business areas demonstrate his acumen as a diversified investor. Further, his philanthropic efforts, particularly in sports development and community support. This also enhances his profile as a business leader who is not only interested in profit but also in giving back to the community.
Tony Khan’s ascent to a net worth of $1.5 billion in 2024 showcases his prowess in managing and expanding sports franchises, strategic business investments, and innovative approach to sports entertainment, as reported by PinkVilla. His continued influence in multiple high-profile arenas positions him as a key figure in sports and business, with a legacy that combines financial success with impactful community engagement.
Snoop Dogg continues to diversify his impressive portfolio. The West Coast legend’s new partnership with Dr. Bombay’s Ice Cream has taken a major leap forward.
Coming To Stores Near You
Snoop Dogg, collaborating with Happi Co., has partnered with Dr. Bombay’s Ice Cream to bring their irresistible flavors to a wider audience.
Building on the success of Dr. Bombay’s presence in Albertsons Co.’s grocery stores, the Los Angeles native’s exclusive flavors will now grace the shelves, enticing customers with their unique and mouthwatering combinations.
Snoop’s flavors will now be available in select Albertsons Cos. grocery stores, including Safeway, ACME, Shaw’s, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, and Vons.
Dr. Bombay Ice Cream, the ice cream brand co-founded by Snoop Dogg and Happi Co., is launching nationwide at Albertsons pic.twitter.com/1P51CvqNB3
Fans and ice cream lovers alike can indulge in unique flavors such as “Bonus Track Brownie,” “Iced Out Orange Cream,” “Rollin’ In the Dough,” “S’more Vibes,” “Syrupy Waffle Sundaze,” and “Tropical Sherbet Swizzle.”
With prices starting at $5.99, these delectable treats are sure to satisfy palates. Adding to the excitement, a seventh flavor, “Fo’ Shizzle Almond Fudge,” exclusively available at Albertsons, will debut in Feb. 2023, further expanding the array of tantalizing options.
Snoop Expresses Excitement
In a statement, Snoop Dogg expressed his enthusiasm for making his Dr. Bombay Ice Cream flavors accessible through various retailers.
“What makes me excited about selling with new retailers is expanding access to our product,” says Snoop Dogg, in celebration of this milestone for the brand. “Allowing my friends, family, and fans to be able to pick up some Dr. Bombay Ice Cream, a product I am so passionate about, anywhere they are, is what this is all about.”
Dr. Bombay Ice Cream, a brainchild of parent company Bosslady Foods, was launched in July 2023 through a joint venture between Snoop Dogg and Happi Co.
Updated By: Chris Samuel (1/4/23 at 2:10 pm)
Snoop Dogg Dives Into The Ice Cream Business With Dr. Bombay Flavors
Snoop Dogg is making headlines again, but this time it’s not for his music or pet brand ventures. The legendary rapper unveiled his latest endeavor: a line of ice cream flavors under Dr. Bombay. The West Coast rap icon’s inspiration came from his habit of “mixing and matching” different ice creams to find the perfect taste.
Snoop Dogg Unveils His Latest Ice Cream Endeavor
On July 18, Snoop Doggunveiled his latest endeavor– a line of ice cream flavors under Dr. Bombay. In an interview with TMZ, the rap legend stated:
“You know what it was, it was the fact that I was buying two or three different types of ice cream. Mixing ‘em up, mixing and matching. I was like, ‘you know what? Maybe I should make my own so I don’t have to keep buying 2 or 3 different brands so I could get the flavor that I’m looking for’.”
Snoop’s Dr. Bombay flavors are fusions of his favorite sweet bites — “Syrupy Waffle Sundae Daze,” “S’more Vibes,” and “Rollin’ In The Dough.” These are just a few of the delightful mixtures he had a direct hand in creating.
Snoop Expresses Gratitude Towards Master P & Martha Stewart
Despite his fame in the music world, Snoop acknowledges that his business success is owed to two influential figures: Master P and Martha Stewart. Snoop stated:
“Master P showed me the business. Taught me how to brand, market and do all of the things I’m doing right now. But Martha Stewart showed me how to take it to another level. She explained to me different things to diversify my portfolio and vertically integrate all of my businesses.” Snoop further stated, “she [Martha Stewart] taught me how to excel. Master P put me through college but I believe Martha gave me the hands on experience.”
Available At Walmart Stores + Snoop Dogg’s Other Successful Endeavors
The Los Angeles native’s delicious ice cream creations are now available to the public at Walmart stores.
Snoop’s foray into the ice cream business with Dr. Bombay flavors highlights the rapper’s entrepreneurial spirit and knack for creating unique and delightful products. Thanks to his personal touch, fans, and ice cream enthusiasts can now savor the fusion of Snoop’s favorite flavors.
With the success of the rap legend’s pet brand and cookbook collaborations, it’s clear that Snoop Dogg’s business ventures continue to captivate audiences beyond the world of music. Snoop’s legacy in the business world is as iconic as his contributions to the music industry.
Rap Snacks Drops Flavors For Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, and Boosie
The “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper’s expansion into the food and pet markets echoes the trend of rappers diversifying their brands. Other artists like Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, and Boosie also make their mark in the food industry, with their Rap Snacks set to hit Walmart shelves.
King Harris’ physical altercation with his parents T.I. and Tiny at an Atlanta Falcons game took the pop culture world by storm over the weekend, especially within the realm of hip-hop. Not only did the Atlanta trap icon call his son an “embarrassment” in a moment captured on livestream, but things allegedly got more heated as the former put the latter in a headlock. Overall, it was quite the nasty situation to witness for a lot of different reasons. Tip was performing that day to celebrate hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, it was a family matter, it was at a massive sporting event, and it all went down for social media to witness.
Of course, this means that many folks chimed in with their takes, including producer Hitmaka. “I love tip & his whole family,” he tweeted recently. “I used to be exactly like king as a kid. Now as a grown a** man with sum money I 10000% know I was tripping. Be smart lil bruh.” Shortly after this, King Harris issued out another response to the ordeal, which many interpreted as a dig towards people like Hitmaka speaking on his situation without much inner knowledge. “N***a better mind dey business and stay out da mix,” he wrote on his Instagram Story.
Regardless of all this scuffling, T.I. performed as scheduled at the football game. Since this King Harris situation is very early in the news cycle, we don’t have a whole lot of resolution to the matter as of writing this article. Most likely, everyone involved is still processing what happened and probably talking it amongst themselves without the glares of the Internet to witness it. After all, when something so intimate goes so viral so quickly– and so nastily– it can be difficult to reckon with its resolution without a public context in mind.
Meanwhile, the young MC and social media personality is responding to the whole affair, and surely has a lot more to say on it. We know based on past statements and discussion that the Harris family dynamic isn’t perfect, and neither is anyone else’s. Still, for the sake of their happiness and their peace of mind as they move forward, we hope that they can provide some closure to this as a family, not as opposing sides. For more news and the latest updates on King Harris, T.I., and Tiny, check back in with HNHH.
Tink and Hitmaka have a pretty bizarre relationship right now, one defined by high highs and low lows. For those unaware, they were in some drama earlier this year over an alleged physical altercation, with her accusing him of the attack and him denying that anything serious happened. Still, by the end of it in October, the frequent collaborators were not on very good terms. However, there was recent reason to believe that they made up, but it seems like they didn’t go all the way into a romantic partnership. Moreover, the Illinois rapper recently clarified their status on Instagram Live.
“He’ll take it to whatever lane,” Tink’s remarks began, with Hitmaka right next to her at what seems like a restaurant. What caused people to connect them romantically was a series of explicit messages. “We are business partners, and that’s the difference. I don’t owe you a dime. It’s just so much toxicity, that’s why I had to get on Live and bring it down. You have your ways, yeah, you got toxic ways. But at this point, I just want the music to resonate. That’s all I really care about.
“You know, business is business, y’all, I have a business relationship with Hitmaka,” Tink continued. “Moving forward, you know, what’s said in the music is music, it’s art. I have a lot of songs about relationships, you know? That’s what I do. Moving forward, we need to have peace at the end of the day. You not a pawn, but you a part of my life. If I have to speak on something, it gotta go there. I just want some peace, y’all. When the record come out, it’s coming real amazing. At the end of the day, we business partners, I have to meet with him and work amongst him. So y’all support me, and let’s not take each other down. That’s it! I don’t want no kiss, bro, take that s**t off your page.”
Of course, the close nature of this IG Live session still raises some questions for gossipers. Nevertheless, it’s much better to see them healed than at odds, especially in the service of their art. Let’s just hope that this stays amicable moving forward. On that note, come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates on Tink and Hitmaka.
Pusha T is undoubtedly among hip-hop’s higher echelon, whether for his skill, his legacy, or his extracurricular endeavors. He’s still hot today, with an upcoming Gangsta Grillz tape with DJ Drama (that may be in limbo, though) and a lot of buzz as a lyricist and businessman. The Clipse member’s presidency of G.O.O.D. Music, as well as various other business endeavors, fill up his impressive resumé. But there’s one initiative that he loves above all else, one that’s built on friendship and a strong and genuine will to make people’s lives better. During an interview with Assets Over Liabilities, Push explained how the medical transportation business might not be the most lucrative, but is what he’s proudest of as a leader.
“This is my favorite business,” Pusha T began. “I have a friend, right- you notice all my businesses come with friendship. Passion and friendship, it don’t come with just one of them. I have this friend and he ended up having this unfortunate run-in with the law. He ends up coming out and he was such a trustworthy person before he went to jail. He was like, ‘I been researching medical transportation.’ Basically, we would get these vans and put them with wheelchair lifts and pick up people who need rides. The [older people], hand*capped, or whatever.
Pusha T’s Full Assets Over Liabilities Interview: Watch
Their conversation on medical transportation begins around the 20-minute mark.
“We get in the car, I go buy two vans,” Pusha T continued. “I’m just like, ‘Here, two vans. We’ll figure out the business.’ That business is like 25 vans strong running through seven cities [in Virginia]. It’s called Caring Hands Medical Transportation. It has helped my mother, sick cousins, family members and friends. I built so many great relationships with so many great people behind this business. I really only like children and old people, I don’t really like people in the middle, I don’t get along with people of the same [age]. It has been the most fulfilling business. His kids are going to college off of it.
“That business is amazing,” he concluded “Your van runs routes all day. You take them to methadone clinics, you make private trips and may take them to the stores. It’s super fulfilling knowing there is absolutely nothing bad being done in this business. It is 1,000 percent good for everybody in America.” For more news and the latest updates on Pusha T, stay posted on HNHH.
Snoop Dogg is putting it all on the table. In a candid exchange that unfolded during their Musicians on Musicians cover shoot at the iconic United Recording studios in Hollywood, veteran rapper Snoop Dogg offered valuable advice to emerging female emcee, Latto, as she embarks on her journey to stardom. He told her that this era of women are the first era to actually dominate music. Snoop Dogg, a luminary in the hip-hop industry, engaged in a heart-to-heart conversation with the 24-year-old Atlanta rapper. The duo delved into the intricacies of the music business and the challenges that come with fame. The seasoned rapper addressed the current state of the music industry.
Latto brought up the harsh reality that the music industry often fails to recognize genuine talent. To this, Snoop, 52, responded with a sobering insight, stating, “[But] nowadays, talent isn’t involved anymore. They’re moving talent out the way because it’s overnight successes that they can make. That’s why when you really do have talent, you should hone it. Study the greats before you to see how you can stay here for a long time.” He went on to emphasize the importance of sustaining a successful career, referencing the fate of many beloved ’90s rappers who’ve faded from the limelight. He asserted that he’s one of the few who’ve endured, attributing this to his business decisions.
“What happened to your favorite rappers in the Nineties?,” Snoop asked. “Where they at? Most of them gone. I’m probably the only one that’s still around. It’s because of the things that they did or the business opportunities that they didn’t capitalize on. So you got to be a smarter businesswoman and say, ‘OK, the women are winning right now in the music industry.’ This is a first, for the women to be [in] the foreground.” However, he warned a message about potential rivalries. He warned, “You guys have to understand that here’s where the bullsh*t comes in. They going to make y’all fight each other. That’s what they made us do. They didn’t want us to join hands and say, ‘Hey, East Coast, West Coast, down South. I love your music.’ You from the South. I love your sht. Why I got to hate you from down there? That’s what they’ll put into y’all Kool-Aid.”
Latto responded with, “And we fall for the trap.” She seemed to agree with the divisive cycle in the industry. “But somebody got to be sharp enough to say, ‘You know what? It’s a business…” Snoop continued. Moreover, in a landscape that often prioritizes quick success over genuine talent, Snoop Dogg’s wisdom serves as a beacon for emerging artists like Latto. His words offer somewhat of a a roadmap to navigate the intricate web of the music industry while fostering unity and smart business acumen. Thoughts?
Snoop Dogg quietly backed out of his partnership with Indonesian businessman Michael Riady for the premium coffee brand INDOxyz, earlier this year. According to Page Six, his exit came just months after teaming up. He helped launch the premium coffee brand in March and was out of the company by the start of the summer.
Snoop apparently backed out amid issues involving Riady’s management and the company went under in just two months. “It took 16 days to do their investigation… Snoop and his team left the company, dropping all ownership and stake in the company… and they did not offer a reason,” a source told Page Six.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 28: Snoop Dogg attends the 2022 MTV VMAs at Prudential Center on August 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV/Paramount Global)
The brand’s president, Elbert Song, also commented on the situation to the outlet. “Working with Snoop and his incredible team on the launch of Indo was an amazing experience. I’m disappointed to see that journey end, but am excited to support a new venture, Flowin Coffee with female founder Tamie Tran,” he said. According to Page Six’s source, Riady has been telling people the split stemmed from a disagreement over what music to use to promote the brand.
Snoop Dogg recently discussed how he decides on which brands to work with during an interview with Distractify. He told the outlet: “I ain’t exclusive to nobody but me. Now if I’m exclusive to you, believe me, you [are going to give] me a motherf–king bag or piece of the company. That’s just always been my rule. Because I feel like you own me now — if I got to be exclusive to you, then you own me. So if you’re going to own me, I need to own a piece of this.” Elsewhere in the interview, Snoop mentioned wanting to host a children’s TV series.
During a recent interview with Earn Your Leisure, Diddy discussed the success of Ciroc. He recalled telling Diageo that he wanted to turn Ciroc around, sharing that he didn’t want it to be “pigeonholed.” He also explained how that happened to him previously with Sean John, and he was hoping not to go through it again. Unfortunately, Diddy eventually wound up suing Diageo in May, for allegedly failing to properly market the vodka.
“I was called to have a meeting with Diageo,” Diddy began. “They knew that I was kind of killing things in the culture and they were trying to fix their diversity problem and through that, a meeting was set up.” He went on, “I told them, you know, ‘I want to be an owner and that I have these ideas from promoting parties at Howard’ – just remembering that I would always get the door and never get the bar. So I said: ‘I have aspirations to have Black-owned brands owned by Black people behind the bar and a part of your organization.’“
“I’m looking at their portfolio and they said we could start something from scratch,” Diddy then explained. “But I’m looking at their portfolio and I remember one night I was having a great, great time with Ciroc. I had some Ciroc, it was made by grapes and I remember the light bulb went off in my head. I said: ‘I don’t want to wait and develop nothing. Let me show you what I could do with Ciroc. Let me show you how I could turn your revenue around.’”
“They were losing $40 million a year,” Diddy also revealed. “I went and turned it around and took it to 2.6 million cases from 40,000 cases. This is something that’s never been done! And so 15 years later, even though I had that success, I was always fighting for Ciroc not to be pigeonholed – not to be pigeonholed as a Black brand, not to be pigeonholed as an urban brand. I already went through that!” He then went on to share how he was pigeonholed with his brand Sean John. “So with Ciroc, it was the same thing getting into the spirits industry. No matter what industry I went into, I always came up against this ceiling that they just wanted to keep me in the color section.” Keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Diddy.
In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, Variety partnered with the Black Music Coalition to put together an unranked list of the 50 greatest executives in the genre’s history. Of course, it highlighted a lot of big names like Jay-Z, Diddy, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne, Eazy-E, and Jermaine Dupri. Also on the list were non-artist figures like Lyor Cohen, Irv Gotti, Suge Knight, and Andre Harrell, making for a well-rounded breakdown. Of course, there are many more names to break down, and you can find the full list of innovators and leaders here. For each mention, they briefly spoke on each business mogul’s accolades, polling 40 voters or so that comprised of journalists and fellow industry execs.
“To paraphrase one of his most-frequently quoted lyrics,” Variety said of Hov. “In March 2023, Jay-Z officially became a $2.5 billion business, man. The Brooklyn native has earned that rep, not only as one of the top-selling rappers of all time but by launching Roc-A-Fella Records, amassing a diverse portfolio including clothing, spirits, a streaming service and a stint as president of Def Jam.” Furthermore, Dr. Dre earned similar respect for his work in both music and business, as did Diddy, 50 Cent, and many others.
Dr. Dre & 50 Cent With Eminem At The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: (L-R) Dr. Dre, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Eminem attend a ceremony honoring Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 30, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
“Combs’ capacity for reinvention and diversification has enabled him to stay relevant for more than 30 years,” Variety penned for Diddy’s write-up. “He expanded into fashion, spirits, and wellness while setting an example for other aspiring moguls to follow.” For Fif, they shared: “The man born Curtis Jackson was already one of the world’s biggest rappers when he co-created Starz’s ‘Power’- a fitting title, since he’d long used it. He kickstarted his career by creating his own G-Unit mixtape series, revolutionizing the medium while drawing Dr. Dre and Eminem’s attention.”
Meanwhile, Variety also highlighted Julie Greenwald, Ethiopia Habtemariam, Cathy Hughes, Debra Lee, Sylvia Rhone, Sylvia Robinson, and Mona Scott-Young as unsung heroines in the industry. Still, with such a rich history within the genre, surely they left out some names in the process. With that in mind, let us know in the comments who are the most impactful or under-appreciated rap execs in the comments. In addition, keep checking in with HNHH for more news and the latest updates on your favorite business titans within hip-hop.
