i3 - January/February 2020 - 44

TECH THIS OUT

BLOCKCHAIN &
THE CROSS SECTION OF MUSIC AND TECH

HIP HOP

Everyone from rappers to
Rev. Jesse Jackson (center) are embracing
blockchain.

By Marcel "The Messenger" Jeremiah and Mike Johns

lockchain technology is starting to impact
the mainstream space. From the potential of
a blockchain-based currency for Facebook to
Microsoft announcing a platform that will provide
proof of authenticity for luxury goods, the digital
ledger is demanding space in every industry.
Recently PUSH Tech 2020 Summit, hosted by
Reverend Jesse Jackson and Pastor Joseph Bryant
Jr. took place at the Salesforce headquarters to discuss and celebrate diversity in tech's most exclusive
bubble, Silicon Valley.
Seeing Jackson's name alongside a tech event
might puzzle some, but the civil rights leader is using
his platform to push the presence of more underrepresented groups in the tech industry. Tech devices
and applications are used by all, so the industry is
looking to empower a range of voices and backgrounds. Jackson also acknowledged the potential of
blockchain technology as he listened to Tech This
Out's "Blockchain & Hip Hop" panel, which showcased how blockchain will impact the artists that
dominate culture on and off the charts.
Blockchain technology gives users the power to control their business transactions and agreements without the need of costly (and sometimes invasive) third
parties. The concept will continue to spread and will
help bring more black voices into the tech industry. The
blockchain panel included Bay Area artist B-Legit and
Grammy nominated producer/songwriter Vincent
Berry II, giving an insider's look into how blockchain
will impact the industry.
With a surge in cryptocurrency awareness and
popularity over the last two years, new artists are
embracing blockchain's fast, transparent and secure
system to bypass the gatekeepers of the music industry. Hip hop has always been an early adopter to technology as artists became entrepreneurs, pushing
music to exist beyond hit singles and become their
financial asset. When you hear Berry mention blockchain and Beyonce in the same breath, it's easy to see
why blockchain is buzzing around the right circles.
In time, more artists will master blockchain the same
way they mastered using social media and streaming
platforms to drive their careers.

B

44

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

TECH AT CES

Ray J has embraced technology with successful ventures
including his Scoot-E-Bike
company, wireless earphones
line and now blockchain technology for his music - his
soon-to-be released third
album will be powered by
blockchain. The little brother
to platinum-selling recording
artist Brandy Norwood and
cousin to Snoop Dogg, singer,
businessman and tech entrepreneur Ray J sold his ScootE-Bike business to Canadian
company LOOPShare. ScootE-Bikes is hitting the streets in
2020, with digital dashboard
services and tech unlike any
bike-sharing company on the
market. The electric scooter
(e-scooter) is one of the fastest
growing urban mobility phenomena. A study by the
Boston Consulting Group
(BCG) estimates the global

e-scooter market will reach up
to $50 billion by 2025, with
roughly 50% of usage stemming from the U.S., followed
by Europe.
Ray J is the recipient of the
Tech This Out Nipsey Hussle
Innovation Award that recognizes those representing underserved markets who are at the
forefront of innovation and
change. "Nipsey was a trailblazer. Those are big shoes to fill
but I'm honored to be recognized," said Ray J. "Giving a
shine on diversity and inclusion
is big," he added. 

I T I S I N N O VAT I O N



i3 - January/February 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i3 - January/February 2020

Contents
i3 - January/February 2020 - Cover1
i3 - January/February 2020 - Cover2
i3 - January/February 2020 - Contents
i3 - January/February 2020 - 2
i3 - January/February 2020 - 3
i3 - January/February 2020 - 4
i3 - January/February 2020 - 5
i3 - January/February 2020 - 6
i3 - January/February 2020 - 7
i3 - January/February 2020 - 8
i3 - January/February 2020 - 9
i3 - January/February 2020 - 10
i3 - January/February 2020 - 11
i3 - January/February 2020 - 12
i3 - January/February 2020 - 13
i3 - January/February 2020 - 14
i3 - January/February 2020 - 15
i3 - January/February 2020 - 16
i3 - January/February 2020 - 17
i3 - January/February 2020 - 18
i3 - January/February 2020 - 19
i3 - January/February 2020 - 20
i3 - January/February 2020 - 21
i3 - January/February 2020 - 22
i3 - January/February 2020 - 23
i3 - January/February 2020 - 24
i3 - January/February 2020 - 25
i3 - January/February 2020 - 26
i3 - January/February 2020 - 27
i3 - January/February 2020 - 28
i3 - January/February 2020 - 29
i3 - January/February 2020 - 30
i3 - January/February 2020 - 31
i3 - January/February 2020 - 32
i3 - January/February 2020 - 33
i3 - January/February 2020 - 34
i3 - January/February 2020 - 35
i3 - January/February 2020 - 36
i3 - January/February 2020 - 37
i3 - January/February 2020 - 38
i3 - January/February 2020 - 39
i3 - January/February 2020 - 40
i3 - January/February 2020 - 41
i3 - January/February 2020 - 42
i3 - January/February 2020 - 43
i3 - January/February 2020 - 44
i3 - January/February 2020 - 45
i3 - January/February 2020 - 46
i3 - January/February 2020 - 47
i3 - January/February 2020 - 48
i3 - January/February 2020 - 49
i3 - January/February 2020 - 50
i3 - January/February 2020 - 51
i3 - January/February 2020 - 52
i3 - January/February 2020 - 53
i3 - January/February 2020 - 54
i3 - January/February 2020 - 55
i3 - January/February 2020 - 56
i3 - January/February 2020 - 57
i3 - January/February 2020 - 58
i3 - January/February 2020 - 59
i3 - January/February 2020 - 60
i3 - January/February 2020 - 61
i3 - January/February 2020 - 62
i3 - January/February 2020 - 63
i3 - January/February 2020 - 64
i3 - January/February 2020 - 65
i3 - January/February 2020 - 66
i3 - January/February 2020 - 67
i3 - January/February 2020 - 68
i3 - January/February 2020 - 69
i3 - January/February 2020 - 70
i3 - January/February 2020 - 71
i3 - January/February 2020 - 72
i3 - January/February 2020 - 73
i3 - January/February 2020 - 74
i3 - January/February 2020 - 75
i3 - January/February 2020 - 76
i3 - January/February 2020 - 77
i3 - January/February 2020 - 78
i3 - January/February 2020 - 79
i3 - January/February 2020 - 80
i3 - January/February 2020 - 81
i3 - January/February 2020 - 82
i3 - January/February 2020 - 83
i3 - January/February 2020 - 84
i3 - January/February 2020 - 85
i3 - January/February 2020 - 86
i3 - January/February 2020 - 87
i3 - January/February 2020 - 88
i3 - January/February 2020 - 89
i3 - January/February 2020 - 90
i3 - January/February 2020 - 91
i3 - January/February 2020 - 92
i3 - January/February 2020 - 93
i3 - January/February 2020 - 94
i3 - January/February 2020 - 95
i3 - January/February 2020 - 96
i3 - January/February 2020 - 97
i3 - January/February 2020 - 98
i3 - January/February 2020 - 99
i3 - January/February 2020 - 100
i3 - January/February 2020 - 101
i3 - January/February 2020 - 102
i3 - January/February 2020 - 103
i3 - January/February 2020 - 104
i3 - January/February 2020 - Cover3
i3 - January/February 2020 - Cover4
i3 - January/February 2020 - Cover5
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20180102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20160102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20160304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20170102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/i3_20160910
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com