LegendNFT Bridges The Gap Between Hip-hop and The Crypto World
Written by: Shakilya Lawrence
Photos by: Taylor Oliphant
Jim Jones Performing at LegendNFT’s Launch Event
This past Friday, September 17th, Jim Jones, Howard, known as History, and CEO of LegendNFTs Larry Adams, brought us the LegendNFTs Launch Party at Terminal 5 in New York City. The event had a hard-hitting lineup, including performances from notable Brooklyn rapper Bizzy Banks, acclaimed rapper, singer, and songwriter KayCyy, and the legendary Jim Jones. The show also included DJ sets from Odalys, Dickbyair, and DJ Cutthroat.
Many local and emerging artists came out to support the event, such as Nizzle, Madwiz, Journey Montana, and producer and artist Papi Yerr. Many had a general understanding of NFTs and advocated for them, recognizing the new-age revolution it’s creating within the realm of music.
The event, hosted by Hot 97’s L’oreal Luchi, merged the worlds of cryptocurrency, NFTs, and hip-hop through a night of live performances from artists who support this new avenue within the music industry. It was an opportunity to learn more about the complex notion of NFTs, its growing impact within the industry, and why this is especially important to hip-hop.
Journey Montana at LegendNFT’s Launch Event
Papi Yerr at the LegendNFT’s Launch Event
NFTs (non-fungible tokens) have become increasingly popular within the art and technology communities over the past few years. Though it’s most commonly used within the selling of digital artwork, it is becoming increasingly more popular within the music industry. It may seem like an unlikely pairing; however, NFTs hold the ability to change the game for artists, placing the power back into their hands. “It’s about the control,” began Brooklyn-based emcee Madwiz, “As musicians and artists, you don’t have to wait for big corporations or record labels to push your art to make money. [With NFTs], you can take your art, set the price, and put it out there for somebody to snatch up.” Larry Adams echoed these sentiments expressing that NFTs “release artists from the shackles of their labels.”
L’oreal Luchi at the LegendNFT’s Launch Event
For rising artist Nizzle, NFTs came onto his radar when he saw other artists around him making money this way. “Torey Lanez was one of the first people I saw do it. I’m just breaking into the music industry, and I wanted to do what was new and gonna be best for me.”
Its emergence signifies a continued shift away from the traditional model of signing with a record label. For many artists, remaining independent is desired, and NFTs provide an avenue for this while also providing their fanbase with unique, original copies and ownership of their favorite artists' music. “It’s the uniqueness of it that is the value. The person who [buys] that copy is the first and only person to have that iteration of work,” Madwiz described.
Nizzle at the LegendNFT’s Launch Event
MadWiz at the LegendNFT’s Launch Event
Performances throughout the night were only a testament of hip hop’s legacy and its transition towards the next era. KayCyy serenaded the crowd with his soulful vocals and ear-catching lyrics. Drill artist Bizzy Banks got the crowd hype during his set, solidifying why he’s an artist-to-watch. Jim Jones gave the crowd a memorable, electrifying performance filled with nostalgia, performing hits like “We Fly High (Ballin’).”
Jim Jones Performing at the LegendNFT’s Launch Event
Bizzy Banks Performing at the LegendNFT’s Launch Event
NFTs opens a new creative lane for artists to share exclusive content for fans willing to buy a collector’s version of their music. It will enhance the consumer experience as fans will be able to own one-of-a-kind music and visuals from their favorite artists. And over time, the value of these NFTs will appreciate in value, just like artwork, such as The Mona Lisa, within national museums.