Women of TIDAL are Shaping the Innovative Future of the Platform

Women of TIDAL Tonya Nelson Fisher Alexa Disney Melanie Mercedes

Women of TIDAL are shape shifters.

Every now and then, the age-old debate on whether to have dinner with Jay-Z or take $500,000 trends on social media. Fans provide arguments for both sides of the spectrum. Some argue that a conversation during a dinner with Hov will catapult them to insurmountable heights, while others look to cash-out on-demand.

Well last September, TIDAL’s Twitter account finally put the debate to rest with the now viral response “Take the $500K,” tweeted from the thumbs of social media manager, Melanie Mercedes.

The New York University alumna has held the role of managing all social platforms for TIDAL. Now her role has evolved to community manager of social which she describes is a role that goes far beyond solely publishing on social media.

Melanie Mercedes
Melanie Mercedes

“The magic in social is being able to identify your audience and speak to them directly. When they feel seen and heard, they’re much more likely to engage in a meaningful way.”

Humanizing the brand is pivotal to keeping the audience engaged. While social media controls the direct-to-consumer voice for the platform, Alexa Disney connects the DSP and collaborating artists with external brands that coincide with their musical content and overall message.

The Sony Music alumas, where she held a similar role, stresses the importance of authenticity when pairing TIDAL or other artists with other brands.

Alexa Disney
Alexa Disney

“Fans know if it’s not authentic,” she says.

There was more push back during the beginning of her career, where many artists perceived brand partnerships to be a gimmick, rather than something that can help expand their audience. In this day and age, artists are more receptive because it helps to only add to their overall brand.

For Tonya Nelson-Fisher, the manager of music programming, she connects TIDAL’s “most passionate music fans” to their favorite genre, artists, era of music and more. In addition, Nelson-Fisher helps to curate themed playlists for specific holidays, months and even cultural icons. Back in January, TIDAL uploaded a playlist of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most famous speeches. The same goes for Maya Angelou and Malcom X.

“I think that differentiates us and helps us to stand out from the pack,” she says.

Tonya Nelson Fisher
Tonya Nelson Fisher

Nelson-Fisher promises that TIDAL will introduce new features to enhance their user experience in the near future. The digital streaming platform has added the HiFi Plus tier user experience, which grants access to lossless High Fidelity sound quality, master quality and immersive audio.

Although Tonya, Alexa and Melanie’s roles differ, they co-exist to expand TIDAL’s reach to potential new audiences, while maintaining the interest of the ones that already exist.

Their musical obsession only adds to the growth and success of the platform.

Continue the Women of TIDAL conversation on social media.

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Ex-Detective Not Guilty Of Charges Connected To Breonna Taylor’s Deadly Raid

breonna taylor deadly raid

The only LMPD officer charged in connection to the deadly raid on Breonna Taylor’s apartment is not guilty of wanton endangerment.

The jury found former Detective Brett Hankison not guilty and acquitted him on all three charges yesterday.

Hankison was charged with endangering neighbors by firing the shots into Taylor’s apartment. The jury deliberated for about three hours before coming up with the verdict.

READ MORE: Jury selection begins in case surrounding Breonna Taylor’s death.

Hankison and LMPD officers Myles Cosgrove and Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly fired 32 shots into Taylor’s apartment.

Hankison fired 10 of the shots into Taylor’s apartment. Errant bullets penetrated a wall of the residence and entered a neighboring apartment that was occupied by a child, a man, and a pregnant woman, according to ABC News.

Brett Hankison testified he opened fire because he thought two other cops were being executed. Those two have already been cleared from the deadly 2020 botched no-knock warrant raid on Breonna Taylor’s home. 

Following the acquittal demonstrators packed Jefferson Square Park and marched through the downtown area last night with one protester saying “there’s no such thing as a peaceful protest,” adding “they won’t be controlled, this time.” More protests are expected today in Louisville.

There were no drugs were found, and the no-knock warrant was later deemed to be flawed and faulty.

Share your  thoughts with us on social media.

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GOP Blocks House Bill To Ban Race-Based Hair Discrimination

the crown act

For the second time, Republicans voted against the Crown Act, which bans discrimination of Black Hairstyles in Schools and in the workplace.  According to the HuffPost on Monday. The Crown Act failed to pass the House with a needed two-thirds majority as part of an expedited voting process, with 235 votes for and 188 votes against the bill, the latter all by Republicans.” The crown act was created to end race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or styles that include braids, locs, twists, or Bantu knots. Hair is a Black woman’s crown and glory, but the history of our hair can be complicated for some to understand.  There are so many untold stories but who can forget about Andrew Johnson the High school student who was forced to cut his locs before a wrestling match or Deandre Arnold, the Texas teen who was suspended over her dreadlocks, banning swim caps for black hair at the Olympics and the countless women who were fired from their jobs because their hairstyles were deemed unprofessional.

“Our natural hair is as innate a quality of Black people as the presence of melanin in our skin,” says Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.)after the vote. “Discriminating against our hair is no different is no different than discriminating against the color of our skin.” She also noted that Black people are “far too often…derided or deemed unprofessional simply because their hair does not conform to white beauty standards.”We will bring the CROWN Act back and pass it with a simple majority.  We won’t allow Republican antics to stand in the way of Black people having the right to live as their authentic selves,” in a statement from Rep. Bonnie Watson .

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Normani Announces Release Date For New Single “Fair”

633x422 normani release

Normani has announced the upcoming release of a new single.  The former Fifth Harmony star will drop “Fair” on March 18th. 

The track follows the first single from her highly anticipated debut solo album, “Wild Side” that featured Cardi B

READ MORE: Normani says she was “empowered” by working with a pregnant Cardi B.

The “Love Lies” singer sent her fans into a frenzy as she shared new photos and the presave link for her new track on social media Wednesday.

The 25-year-old revealed back in December that the LP is “almost done.”

She admitted it’s scary putting out the “deepest part of me” for all the world to hear as she is opening herself up to criticism, but she has never felt more confident about her music.

According to Genius, “Fair” was produced by Kansas City producer HARV, who is known for his production on songs for artists including Justin Bieber, Gucci Mane, Summer Walker, Eminem, Post Malone, and Skrillex.

Continue the conversation on social media.

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Rihanna Claps Back at Heckler Who Calls Her Out For Being Late To The Dior Fashion Show

Rihanna Claps Back

Rihanna’s response to being called out for being late to the Dior Autumn-Winter 2022 Show in Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday was priceless.  As the singer and beauty mogul, walked the red carpet you can hear someone in the back of the red carpet shouting continuously “You’re Late!” and in pure Rihanna fashion, Bad Gal RiRi, looked over and said “No Shit” without missing a beat. And if we were judging off her outfit then, she was definitely worth the wait.  Stunning the crowd in a sheer, lacy black dress and leather cape that showed off her pregnant belly.  Paired with knee-high boots a half up half down and a fire red lip. One of the many stunning looks that she has worn on and off the red carpet since she’s announced her pregnancy.The moment went viral as fans came to her defense with comments like “Shes pregnant, the fact she graced them with her presence at all is amazing. “ and  I’m less pregnant than she is and i don’t want to get dressed and go anywhere.”  CHeckout the viral moment and more comments from fans belowbelow and more comments from her fans

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[WATCH] Laverne Cox Doubles Down On Awkward Mention Of Entanglement To The Smiths

laverne

Over the weekend while hosting the SAG Awards red carpet for E! Laverne Cox awkardly brought up Jada Pinkett-Smiths affair with August Alsina while speaking to Will and Jada. 

Two years ago Jada Pinkett-Smith used the word entanglement to describe her relationship with R&B singer August Alsina despite being married to Will Smith. The world watched her show Red Table and witnessed a sullen Will watch as Jada exposed the dark side of their marriage.

During an interview at the SAG Awards, Laverne Cox awkwardly brings up the word entanglement while interviewing Will and Jada on the red carpet. 
Laverne Cox recently went live on Instagram and told her followers that she understands that they’re upset, but that she’ll only apologize to Will and Jada if they personally request it, and it happens in private.

Check out the interview below.

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Top Dawg Entertainment Signs Tampa Rapper Doechii To Its Roster

Doechii

Upcoming Tampa rapper, Doechii formerly known as Iamdoechii is joining Top Dawg Entertainment. HITS Daily Double reported Tuesday that Doechii has signed a deal with the West Coast label.

2021 was a break out year for the Isaiah Rashad collaborator who gained momentum with a new audience from her viral TikTok song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” and a feature on “Wat U Sed” from Rashad’s The House Is Burning LP.

The announcement comes after fans have been wondering what the future looks like for TDE.

In August, Kendrick Lamar shocked the world when he announced his next album would be his final for the famed label.

READ MORE: TDE President, Punch, speaks on Kendrick Lamar’s impending departure from label: “It’s a beautiful thing to watch.”

Doechii brings a mixture of Hip Hop, R&B and Electro-Pop. The new TDE signee took to social media to promote her next feature on David Guetta and Afrojack’s “Trampoline” which also boast collabs from Missy Elliott and Bia.

Watch the official video of “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” released in 2020 from the Oh The Places You’ll Go EP below.

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Hip Hop’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Only Draws 33 FCC Complaints Less Than Past Shows

deaf rappers super bowl halftime show

The FCC says this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show only brought in 33 complaints from viewers. This year’s historic performance saw Hip Hop icons Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Eminem share the stage with R&B Queen Mary J. Blige.

The set kicked off with Dr. Dre sitting at an enormous mixing board before “The Next Episode” kicked off sending the stadium into an uproar.

One viewer criticized the “scantily clad female dancers who belong in a strip club not on national TV.”

Another Super Bowl LVI viewer called 50 Cent’s surprise set “trash” that included “slutty looking women dancing near stripper poles.”

READ MORE: Super Bowl LVI set to include deaf rappers for the 1st time during halftime.

However, the number of complaints was down drastically from the 2020 performance that featured Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. About 1300 viewers filed complaints following their performance at Super Bowl 54.

Yahoo News reports, more than 540,000 complaints were made to the FCC when Janet Jackson suffered an infamous “wardrobe malfunction” and her breast was exposed, leading to a $550,000 fine for CBS and MTV, which was eventually dismissed.

Numbers don’t lie. We’re all looking to see more diverse music displayed in the future. Share your thoughts on social media.

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Preserving Legacy: Nonprofit Organization Grants More Than $650,000 To Five HBCUs

hbcu nonprofit organization

A nonprofit organization is granting more than 650-thousand dollars to five Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

According to the Miami Herald, The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced the grants will be funded through its HBCU Cultural Heritage Stewardship Initiative.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded the grants to “preserve, and leverage their historic campuses.”

“There are 105 HBCUs across the country, and their infrastructure needs are increasingly urgent,” the National Trust for Historic Preservation said in announcing the grants.

Calling the commitment “a roadmap for preserving and celebrating the historic and hallowed places important to their institutional legacy.”

This year’s recipients are Florida A&M University, Rust College, Johnson C. Smith University, Shaw University and Voorhees College.

Continue the conversation on social media.

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Disney Halts Movie Releases In Russia, Offers Aide To Ukraine

thebatman

Disney is blocking its movies in Russia.

The Walt Disney Company is pausing the theatrical release of its films in Russia. In a statement Monday, Disney it made the move given the “unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis.”

Disney added it is working with it’s NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees.

It’s day six of the war in Ukraine. At least 406 Ukrainian civilians are dead as Russia invades their country.

That’s the latest number according to United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths.

READ MORE: President Biden is promising the world will hold Russia accountable amid Ukraine Invasions.

Speaking to the UN Security Council on Monday, Griffiths said “the picture is grim.” He noted the casualties could be “considerably higher’ as many deaths have yet to be confirmed.

Two other Hollywood studios are also blocking the releases of movies in Russia amid their attack on the Ukraine.

Warner Bros. won’t be showing “The Batman” on the big screen there when it hits theaters Friday.

Sony Pictures is also holding off on releases in Russia including the “Spider-Man” spinoff slated for early April.

Continue the conversation on social media.

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