The Collective Music Group empire is ready to dominate the industry.
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I’m a writer. Poems, songs, my opinions on pop culture and Hip-Hop.
YB Better: How YoungBoy Has Solidified Himself as Hip-Hop’s Next Biggest Influence
by Chad Ebanks | Jul 18, 2022 | Music
Youngboy’s recent story post said if Atlantic wants him to stay home, he needs $100 million. Here is why YoungBoy can make such demands.
Lessons From A Stepper: Kendrick Lamar and Extreme Honesty
by Chad Ebanks | May 18, 2022 | Music
Every human is a walking contradiction. Artists like Kendrick Lamar are willing to admit it. In his most introspective and vulnerable, yet still socially-conscious work, Kendrick Lamar gives us another gem with Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers that reaffirms his spot in the rap game.
Pressure Makes Shiners: EST Gee is More Than a Star and His Shine Can’t Be Ignored
by Chad Ebanks | Nov 5, 2021 | Music
From the field to the streets to the stage, Louisville rapper EST Gee knows how to get it done.
A Man Got to Have a Code: A Look at the Fierce Ethics of Omar Little
by Chad Ebanks | Oct 13, 2021 | Movies
Chad pays his respects to Michael K. Williams’ incredible portrayal of Omar Little in The Wire.
Beef Rap: Verses, Vengeance, and Violence Plagues the Rap Game
by Chad Ebanks | Sep 8, 2021 | Music
With over 60,000 songs posted on Spotify a day, you could damn near bet your bottom dollar that at least 10,000 of those songs are dedicated to a Black male dead by gun violence, likely between the ages of 15-25. Chad thinks the streets that gave us hip-hop deserve better.
Music Interviews | CKool CKalm and CKollected: How Underground Artists Are Traveling For Opportunity
by Chad Ebanks | Aug 11, 2021 | Music
Chad connects with fellow up-and-coming artist and New Orleans native, CKoolKeys to learn about finding success as an independent artist, moving to NYC, and the differences between the NOLA and NY scene.
The Grimy, the Gritty, Griselda: Underground Fashion Rebels Made It Big!
by Chad Ebanks | Jul 14, 2021 | Music
In a lot of ways, DMX’s passing felt like a funeral for the golden age of 90s Hip-Hop. But Buffalo’s own Griselda, isn’t ready to say farewell. Chad drops a few verses on the group’s history and explains how their grit, toughness, and talent are showing us Hip-Hop’s best days are still ahead.
Summer Jamz: Where Have They Gone?
by Chad Ebanks | Jun 16, 2021 | Music
Twenty years ago when the summer turned up we could count on Big Jamz like “Go DJ,” “Act a Fool,” and “U.N.I.T.Y.” to celebrate the moment and keep the good times rolling. Now we can count on heatwaves, limited capacity, and a whole lot of questions about where summer’s sonic partner has gone.
It Was Invested: How Nas’ Investments Made Him A $70 Million Dollar Fortune
by Chad Ebanks | May 19, 2021 | Music
Internet hustle is here, alive, and well. Nas is definitely not letting the times slip away from him. While he may have made his first fortune from the rap game, he is now expanding his vision in investing.
Drilluminati: How Drill Took Over the World
by Chad Ebanks | Apr 21, 2021 | Music
Chicago MCs PacMan and King Louie introduced drill rap to the world in the early 2010s. In the decade since drill rap has gone global. First taking hold in NY, then the UK, and currently exploding in Italy.
Dog Life: Top 10 Essential DMX songs
by Chad Ebanks | Apr 21, 2021 | Music
Dark Man X gave us the dark, the demons, the dog, and the disaster. Dive into his dimension of danger in the dog life.