Yesterday (November 9), multi-platinum Atlanta-based artist and entrepreneur, Money Man, received his entire 7-figure advance in Bitcoin via Cash App from Empire’s Founder & CEO Ghazi.
Built from the ground up as a technology company, Empire’s software for distribution, analytics, recoupment, and royalties, has offered a level of transparency unprecedented in the music industry since it was founded in 2010. In 2018 Money Man, the crypto-currency investor and rapper, bought himself out of his previous record label contract through his earnings from early investments in Bitcoin. Ghazi, who just spoke alongside Money Man on the panel “Pay Me In Bitcoin” at this year’s Bitcoin Conference, have become partners in this process, forward-looking payment model, and Money Man’s forthcoming output appropriately titled Blockchain.
Money Man just released his newest single “Blockchain” on Friday and his highly-anticipated album Blockchain, set to release on November 12th.
Empire is currently leading through its innovative approach to the digital music era across its label, distribution, and publishing arms. Ghazi has been recognized for his work in Billboard’s 2021 Indie Power Players list, as well as Billboard’s 2021 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players. With its focus on early-stage artist development, the San Francisco-based company has been instrumental in launching the careers of multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, DRAM, and Anderson .Paak.
Money Man has emerged as one of the most talked-about artists out of Atlanta in recent years. Through his relentless release strategy and fierce message of entrepreneurship and self-worth, Money Man has carved his own lane independently.
He first made waves when he bought himself out of his previous contract with his earnings from early investments in Bitcoin, to then partner his label with independent label Empire. Then, with a bombardment of music that marries street culture to self-sustainability topics – such as real estate, farming, technology, the stock market, and more – Money Man emerged as a near-mythical artist that continues to share his wealth of knowledge with his fans.
After hundreds of millions of streams, Money Man has now captured the attention of his peers with features from Lil Baby, Jackboy, YFN Lucci, and more. His latest project, Epidemic, features RIAA-certified Platinum track “24” – a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant – that has now amassed millions of streams and a remix with Lil Baby.